1987] 
Shaw — New megalyrids from South America 
193 
Fig. 1 . Rigel chiliensis, lateral habitus. 
Mesosoma: Mesonotum, axilla, and scutellar disc densely punctu- 
late; median mesoscutal sulcus finely foveolate; axillae meeting at 
inner angles; pronotum, mesopleuron, metapleuron, hind coxa, and 
propodeum basally rugose; “pronotal” spiracle minute and circular, 
apparently without an internal fringe of setae; propodeal spiracle 
elongate, slit-like; propodeum apically areolate-rugose, with distinct 
tubercles at postero-lateral corners; legs (as in Fig. 2); hind coxa 
without a longitudinal carina; hind tibial setae prone to erect; fore 
and middle tibiae not apically rimmed with stout spines; fore, mid- 
dle, and hind tibiae each with one apical spur. 
Wings (as in Fig. 5) hyaline, without any distinct banding pattern. 
Metasoma: Compact, subcylindrical, not compressed; faintly 
shagreened, but mostly smooth and shining; ovipositor (Fig. 2) 
much shorter than metasoma, arched apically; ovipositor sheaths 
very short, compact, and densely setose, about as long as T7. 
Etymology: Derived from “crypto-” (Gr.) meaning hidden, and 
“lyra” (Gr.), a stringed instrument, as a reference to its short 
ovipositor. 
Remarks: A very autapomorphic genus, quite distinct from any 
other known megalyrid. Its very short antenna with pointed apical 
flagellomere, propodeum with postero-lateral tubercles, and very 
short ovipositor sheaths (Fig. 2) are all unique for Megalyridae. Its 
relationship to other megalyrids is not readily apparent; however, 
two putative synapomorphies indicate a possible relationship to the 
Australian genus Megalyra Westwood: hind coxa rugose and hind 
tibia with one spur. 
