188 



INSECTS OF SAMOA. 



The cross- vein at base of the stigma, which, is very distinct in most of the 

 foregoing, may be more or less evident in other species ; even the European 

 P.flavipes shows some indication of it, while both P. abdoniinalis Lw. (Caffraria), 

 a species with yellowish sides to the abdomen, and P. semiopacus Lamb 

 (Seychelle Is.) appear to show an indication of this character in a darkening of 

 the basal margin of stigma. In all these three species, however, the stigma 

 extends back to the end of mediastinal vein, a fact which appears to make the 

 abbreviation of the stigma in P. heterostigmus and its allies a character of greater 

 value than the presence of a cross-vein. 



In view of my belief that the species of Pipunculus may be divided into 

 two groups by the presence or absence of a propleural fan of hairs in front 

 of the lower end of the prothoracic spiracle, it is worth recording that such a 

 fan is present in at least P. limitaris and P. vitiensis. 



7. Pipunculus, sp. ? 



A single in bad condition, without antennae, appears to resemble 

 P. homoeophanes Perkins, of N. Queensland. The frons is dusted at the sides, 

 but shining black about the middle. Thorax black, with disc dusted brownish 

 though still slightly shining, pleurae and metanotum clothed with greyish dust ; 

 tiny dorsocentral hairs uniserial, a few longer hairs behind darkened humeri, 

 and very tiny ones on margin of scutellum. Propleural fan present. Abdomen 

 much wider in middle than at tip, first segment mainly grey with a single bristle 

 on each upper basal angle, second to fifth segments with dull black basal cross 

 bands, those on second and third segments narrower at sides than in middle 

 where they nearly reach hind margin, those on fourth and fifth segments more 

 even in depth, fourth about two-thirds and fifth one-half depth of segment, 

 rest of middle segments clothed with brownish-grey dust (browner at sides), 

 hinder half of fifth segment shining black with sides clothed with brownish dust. 

 Hypopygium small, clothed with brownish-grey dust, with a moderate-sized 

 terminal depression. Legs (in specimen before me mainly buried in gum with 

 which insect is secured to its mount) apparently dark, with base and tip of at 

 least four posterior tibiae yellowish, and possibly tarsi pale. Wings brownish, 

 stigma complete, third costal segment equal to fourth, upper outer corner of 

 discal cell opposite point in costa just beyond end of subcostal vein ; middle 



