Group SOCIAL WASPS.
Fam. VESPIDÆ, Steph.
1. Ischnogaster iridipennis. I. rufescenti-fuscus flavo varius; vertice et metathorace nigris, alis subhyalinis et pulcherrimè iridescentibus.
Male. Length 7¼ lines. Head yellow, above the insertion of the antennæ black; antennæ black, with the scape, basal joint of the antennæ, and the mandibles ferruginous; the flagellum obscurely ferruginous beneath; the clypeus produced at the apex into an acute tooth. Thorax pale ferruginous; the metathorax black, with a ferruginous spot on each side in front; the scutellum with a reddish-brown spot in the middle, the postscutellum yellow and subinterrupted in the middle; the sides of the thorax yellow anteriorly, the yellow portion with two black spots; the legs slightly variegated with yellow; wings subhyaline and brilliantly iridescent, the marginal cell with a fuscous cloud. Abdomen brown; the petiole pale testaceous at its apex and ferruginous beneath, longer than the head and thorax; the second segment has a yellow macula on each side, and, beneath, a smaller spot on each side in a line with the side spots; the first segment has its basal portion yellow beneath, and a blackish spot in the centre rather behind the middle.
Hab. Aru.
This species in many particulars agrees with the I. nitidipennis of Saussure, but differs in too many, I think, to be considered the same species; the second recurrent nervure is straight at the upper extremity, then curved towards the margin of the wing, and again straight at its lower extremity; the third submarginal cell is much wider than the fourth.
Gen. Icaria, Sauss.
1. Icaria maculiventris, Sauss. Mon. Guêpes Soc. p. 23. 1.—Rhopalidia maculiventris, Guér. Voy. Coq. Zool. ii. pt. 2. Ins. p. 267, pl. 9. fig. 8.
Hab. Aru; New Guinea.
2. Icaria nigra. I. nigra; clypeo anticè angulato; metathorace concavo et transversim striato; alis hyalinis.