PARASITIC WASPS OF BRACONID SUBFAMILY EUPHORINAE 10) 
named Perilitus aethiops Nees, a species originally included by 
Wesmael and available as type. 
Most workers in the Braconidae since the publication of Foerster’s 
classification have overlooked or disregarded his type fixation in the 
case of Microctonus and have used this name in the sense of Syntretus, 
while the true Microctonus has been called Perilitus. | 
Microctonus Wesmael, which differs from Perilitus only in having 
the first cubital and the first discoidal cells confluent, may be recog- 
nized by the following general characterization: 
Head transverse, although with temples strongly convex and as broad as eyes; 
temples and cheeks margined; occiput usually margined, but the carina frequently 
interrupted medially; antennae long, not geniculate; scape very short, less than 
twice as long as thick; thorax not depressed; notauli distinct; impression at base 
of scutellum large, deep; propodeum usually somewhat excavated medially behind; 
two cubital cells, the first confluent with first discoidal; radial cell not longer than 
stigma, its apex far from apex of wing; medius well developed, straight; sub- 
meciellan cell complete; legs slender; first abdominal segment petiolate, broaden- 
ing behind, its spiracles beyond middle; second tergite carinate laterally ; ovipositor 
prominently exserted. 
Insofar as their habits are known, the species of this genus are 
parasitic in the adults of Coleoptera, the Chrysomelidae, Carabidae, 
Curculionidae, Cerambycidae, Alleculidae, and Tenebrionidae being 
represented among the known hosts. The individual species, how- 
ever, seem to be rather sharply restricted in host associations. 
The National collection contains field-collected specimens of several 
undescribed species; as yet, however, these are represented by too 
inadequate or unsatisfactory material to warrant description. As 
shown below, Microctonus agilis Cresson and M. linearis Provancher 
do not belong in the Kuphorinae. | 
Most of the species are not readily distinguished unless close atten- 
tion is given to minute details. , 
Key to the Nearctic Species of Microctonus 
1. Basella broken much above the middle, lower abscissa much longer 
than nervellus; first abscissa of radius much more than half as long as 
width of stigma; radial cell more than half as long as stigma; lateral 
lobes of mesoscutum darker than middle lobe 
(1) carabivorus, new species. 
Basella broken at or below the middle, very rarely a little above middle 
but then first abscissa of radius shorter; radial cell variable; lobes of 
MESO SCM MMU TCOlOTOUSs< aces ates Lee at pe epee |e eee 2 
2. Posterior margin of second tergite distinctly defined; face more than 
one and one-half times as broad as long; temples and cheeks as 
broad as eyes; radial cell slightly more than half as long as stigma; 
wings subhyaline; antennae with 21 or 22 segments. Known only 
IDC IPETCRVEUUG S\Sbscy le 2 en oe (2) gastrophysae (Ashmead). 
Posterior margin of second tergite not distinctly marked; otherwise not 
ine abowercombination, of characters. -.22---2)s2225el 0s ete ee 3 
3. Propodeum closely rugulose, exareolate; nervellus definitely longer than 
longest marginal cilia of posterior wing; antennae of female with 21 to 
34 segments, those of male with 25 to 40; length 2 to 4 mm_--_--_-- 4 
Propodeum reticulate rugulose, more or less areolated; nervellus not dis- 
tinctly longer than longest marginal cilia of posterior wing; antennae 
of female with 17 to 20 segments, those of male with 21 to 24; length 
Staiivaless: (ian 2, CNA ats ee es ae: eee ee 8 Aes oe 5 
4. Mesoscutum, including lateral lobes, rather evenly pubescent; stigma 
yellowish hyaline; antennae 28- to 34-segmented in female, 35- to 
AQ-cermented in males= 2. 3-8. =s-445+ (3) mellinus (Provancher). 
Surface of lateral mesonotal lobes bare or witb only a few scattered hairs 
near notauli; stigma brown; antennae of female 21- to 23-segmented, 
AWOSeOimMm=aAle 25-. to 2¢-sesmented.= Se ae ee eee 5 
