Page:New species and synonymy of American Cynipidæ.pdf/2

 Until that time, it is surely wise not to maintain, in the description of new species, the several “genera” known as Cynips, Dryophanta, Callirhytis, Andricus, Biorhiza, Philonix, et al., species of which groups might all be described under the designation of "Andricus." Under that name are now included so many species of very different form and biology that the name is very patently meaningless. In using it, I do not in the least intend to imply anything definite concerning the generic relationship of the species.

This part of my work with Cynipidæ has been done under the supervision of Dr. Wm. M. Wheeler, Dean of the Bussey Institution and Professor of Entomology of Harvard University, and of Professor C. T. Brues of the Entomology Department of the Bussey Institution. To both of these men I am deeply indebted for their continued direction and encouragement.

For the opportunity of studying the material described in this paper I am indebted to the kindness of Dr. Frank Lutz of The American Museum of Natural History, Charles W. Johnson, Curator at the Boston Society of Natural History, and Nathan Banks, of the Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard University. The majority of the new species here described were found in the collections of the latter institution. All of the authorities mentioned have been most liberal in offering free access. to the important collections under their direction, and as liberal in their interest in and encouragement of my studies.

To Professor Brues I am further indebted for the photographs which illustrate this paper, adding considerably to the value of the work and to the availability of the descriptions.

Rhodites vernus Osten Sacken

Cynips (Rhodites?) tuberculosa, 1861, Ent.Zeit.Stettin, XXII, p. 415. [Description too brief.]

Rhodites verna, 1863, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila., II, pp. 41, 45, 47.

Rhodites nodulosus, 1909, Ent. News, XX, p. 247; 1914, Bull. Brooklyn (N. Y.) Ent. Soc., IX, p. 88, P1. v, figs. 1-5.

Cotype galls and females of both vernus and nodulosus are in the Museum of Comparative Zoology in Cambridge. The only differences I can see in direct comparison of the two lots of galls is that the type material of nodulosus is smaller than the type material of vernus. The females seem identical except for darker markings on the hind margins of the abdominal plates—a character which is as liable to variation as is the size of the galls. R. vernus is quite a unique species in Rhodites, and all the unique characters are to be seen in the nodulosus types. The