Pelecinus Politurator. Niger, antennis annulo medio albo, tibiis posticis sericeo-dilatatis. (Long. Corp. 2 unc. 6 lin.)
Syn. Ichneumon Polyturator (errore pro politurator), Drury, App. vol. 2.
Pelecinus Polycerator, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 111. 1. Say American Entomology, vol. 1. pl. XV.
Habitat: Jamaica (Drury). "Not uncommon in various parts of the United States" (Say). India (Fabricius, incorrectly).
Head small and black. Eyes oblong and dark brown. Antennæ black and filiform, having two yellow spots on them near their extremities. Ocelli distinct. Mouth with two jaws, but no tongue, and furnished with four palpi, two of which are long, slender, and filiform; the others are very short. Thorax black like pitch, and shining, as if finely polished; as is every part of the insect. Abdomen exceeding long and black, consisting of six articulations; the last being very short and pointed. Legs small and black; the hinder tibiæ being remarkably thick and strong in proportion to the other parts.
The late lamented Mr. Say, who may justly be regarded as the Linnæus of America, says of this truly singular insect, that its flight is slow and awkward, and when taken it endeavours to force the point of the abdomen through the skin of the hand, but its strength is not adequate to the task. The whole abdomen resembles a much elongated pedicle, from which the abdomen itself, or dilated portion, has been accidentally removed.
PLATE XLI.
LOCUSTA OBSCURA.
Plate [XLI]. fig. 1.