2io M. W. R. de V. GRAHAM 



the latter author rejected the name Sphaeripalpus on grounds not now considered 

 valid, giving the genus a new name. Delucchi (1955 : 66) stated that the type 

 material of Sphaeripalpus viridis Forster, the type-species of the genus, could not be 

 found in Vienna and appeared to be lost ; consequently he adopted provisionally the 

 name Gitognathus Thomson. Reinhard (1858a : 318, pi. 3, fig. ic) described and 

 figured the maxilla and palpi of the male of Sphaeripalpus viridis Forster, but there 

 is no evidence that he actually saw Forster's types. If Reinhard correctly identified 

 5. viridis, then that species would appear to be the same as Gitognathus grandiclava 

 Thomson. The question must remain an open one until Forster's type of viridis is 

 discovered. 



Key to most European Species 

 (Females) 



1 Gastral petiole smooth or mainly so. Mesoscutal notauli weak or even absent 



posteriorly. Antennal clava with micropilosity on third segment only ; 

 sensilla arranged in one row on each segment of the funicle. Both mandibles 

 with three teeth ........... 2 



- Gastral petiole, not counting the small basal stalk, wholly reticulate. Meso- 



scutal notauli distinct throughout. Antennal clava with micropilosity on 

 the second and third segments, sometimes even extending on to part of the 

 first segment ; sensilla usually arranged in two rows on all the funicular 

 segments, occasionally in one irregular row on some of the segments. 

 Mandibular formula 3.3 or 3.4 ........ 4 



2 (1) Gastral petiole about 1-5 times as broad as long, subconical. Combined 



length of pedicellus and flagellum approximately equal to breadth of head ; 

 flagellum (Text-fig. 166) distinctly clavate ; proximal segments of funicle 

 subquadrate ; distal segments transverse. Upper surface of costal cell of 

 fore wing bare except for a row of two to four hairs at its apex 



microstolus sp. n. (p. 213) 



- Gastral petiole slightly to distinctly (up to i-6 times) longer than broad, its 



sides in the hinder half nearly parallel. Combined length of pedicellus and 

 flagellum distinctly greater than breadth of head ; flagellum almost fili- 

 form ; all funicular segments, except sometimes the sixth, at least slightly 

 longer than broad. Upper surface of costal cell of fore wing with a row of 

 several hairs, extending over the distal third or more .... 3 



3 (2) Antenna with combined length of pedicellus and flagellum 1-35 to 1-4 times 



breadth of head ; sixth funicular segment at least slightly longer than 

 broad, the other funicular segments distinctly longer than broad. Head in 

 dorsal view about 2-15 times as broad as long. Gastral petiole 1-5 to i-6 

 times as long as broad. Body usually dull green often suffused with 

 bronze or purplish dorsally ; occasionally bright green laevis (Delucchi) (p. 212) 

 Antenna with combined length of pedicellus and flagellum about 1-25 times 

 breadth of head ; sixth funicular segment subquadrate, segments two to five 

 only very slightly longer than broad. Head in dorsal view about 2-05 times 

 as broad as long. Gastral petiole 1-3 to 1-4 times as long as broad. Body 

 mainly bright blue-green ..... laevigatus (Delucchi) (p. 213) 



4 (1) Fore wing with speculum, on lower surface of wing, with at most a few (up to 



five) scattered hairs in the middle. Postspiracular sclerite with a weak 

 oblique carina, or without one. Length of eye 2 -8 to 3 times the malar space 



grandiclava Thomson (p. 211) 



