1963] 
Evans — JV asps 
13 
POSITION OF THE SCOLEBYTHIDAE 
Characters relating them to the Scolioidea. — The superficial habi- 
tus of these wasps suggests that of certain of the Tiphiidae, some ele- 
ments of which are presumed to be close to the ancestral stock of the 
Aculeata. Particular characters suggesting the tiphiids (more partic- 
ularly the Anthoboscinae) are the broad, vertical head, the four- 
segmented labial palpi, the simple antennal orbits, the absence of a 
pronotal collar, the slightly separated middle coxae and contiguous 
hind coxae, the broadened and compressed femora and hairy legs, the 
closed marginal cell and tendency for unbranched streaks on the outer 
part of the wing membrane, and the broad first tergite. A simple 
mesosternum is found in the Scolioidea in the family Sapygidae, and 
the concave first tergite and general conformation of the abdomen also 
suggest the Sapygidae. 
Characters relating them to the Bethylidae. — Antennae with thir- 
teen segments in the female sex are the rule in the Bethylidae, but 
the antennae are normally 12-segmented in female Scolioidae. The 
simple mesosternum, slightly separated middle coxae, and contiguous 
hind coxae are characters which may be taken to relate these wasps 
to the Bethylidae as well as to certain Scolioidae. The most striking 
bethylid feature is the hind wing, which is very similar to that of most 
Bethylidae. The venation of the fore wings is unusual for a bethylid, 
but in itself would not rule out a relationship to Eupsenella and other 
Bethylinae. Most Bethylidae which have a relatively full venation 
have a series of complex, branching streaks on the outer part of the 
membrane. 
In general, the resemblances to the Bethylidae are not impressive. 
The Aculeata were undoubtedly derived from ancestors with multi- 
articulate antennae, and it is possible that primitive Scolioidea went 
through a stage in which both sexes had 13-segmented antennae. These 
are small wasps, and one would expect reductions in wing venation. 
Many of the smaller scolioids exhibit various reductions in venation,, 
but in no case are the wings as bethylid-like as in the Scolebythidae. 
Explanation of Plate 2 
Figs. 1-4, Scolebythus madecassus n. sp. Fig. 1, anterior view of head, anten- 
nae omitted. Fig. 2, wings. Fig. 3, ventral view of thorax and abdomen, legs 
beyond coxae and sting and sting-sheaths omitted. Fig. 4, lateral view of 
head and prothorax. 
Fig$. 5-8, Clystopsenella longiventris Kieffer. Fig. 5, clypeus, mandibles,, 
and antennal sockets. Fig. 6, dorsal view of thorax and base of abdomen.. 
Fig. 7, ventral view of abdomen. Fig. 8, lateral view of hind leg. 
Figures are drawn to various scales. 
