359 



ADDITIONAL NOTE ON SPIDER-EGG PARASITES. 

 By L. 0. Howard. 



B.eus a:\ier ecan us.— The publication of my description of this species 

 on page 270 of the last number of Insect Life, has given me the pleas- 

 ure of a card from Mr. J. H. Emerton, who informed me that I would find 

 this species among some material sent to the Department by him some 

 months ago, and search has revealed that he is correct. A number of 

 female specimens have been found in a vial labeled in Mr. Emerton's 

 handwriting, " Parasites on spider's eggs in orange cocoon, collected 

 1871." 



In reference to this same species, Mr. W. Hague Harrington has 

 written to Professor Riley as follows : 



With reference to the description and excellent figure of Bceusamericanus in the last 

 number (p. 270) of Insect Life, may I mention that Provaucher has described a spe- 

 cies of this genus (Additions et Corrections a la Fauue Hymenopterologique de la 

 Province de Quebec, p. 209, 25 June, 1887) as a Chalcid, under the name Tricluisius 

 clavafus. After characterizing the new genus formed to receive it, he gives tbe fol- 

 lowing (translated) brief description: " Length, .05 inch. Of a uniform reddish 

 brown with the legs yellow. The antenual club black. Thorax densely punctured, 

 metathorax rugose. Legs pale yellow, the last joiut of the tarsus brown. Abdomen 

 browner, polished but not metallic. Ottawa. Harrington." Evidently Mr. Howard 

 has not recognized from its position and description the insect described by Pro van - 

 cher. He would hardly look for a Ba y us among the Chalcididse. The type, which is 

 in my possession, seems to differ from B. americanus in being darker and in having 

 the legs pale. I have not verified the measurement, which would make it about 

 twice the size. 



I am greatly obliged to Mr. Harrington, for this note and comparison 

 of Abbe Provancher's description with specimens collected near Wash- 

 ington by Mr. Pergande shows that they are identical. Provancher's 

 species should be known in future as Bceus clavatus (Prov.). 



Acoloides saitidis. — Mr. F. M. Webster has just sent in twelve 

 specimens of the female of this species which he bred from a spider egg- 

 sac found under the bark of a log at Oxford, Ind. ? in October, 1884. 

 This indicates that the species is quite wide-spread, as the specimens 

 from which the species was named were reared by Mr. Bruner in Ne- 

 braska. 



