INTRODUCTION.

Twenty-two families of beetles are dealt with in this Volume: the Silphide, Cory-

lophide, Trichopterygide, Spheeriide, and Scaphidiide by the Rev. A. Matthews, the

Histeride by Mr. Lewis, and the remainder by Dr. Sharp. ‘The Heteroceride, Parnide,

Georisside, and Cyathoceride were placed with the other aquatic and subaquatic beetles

in Vol. I. part 2, and the Erotylide and Endomychide in Vol. VIL., of the Coleoptera,

these families being sometimes included amongst those here enumerated. We have

delayed closing the present volume in the hope of being able to add descriptions of

the various ‘‘Genera incerte sedis” still remaining in our collection, but this has

proved to be impracticable. Dr. Sharp, however, has described the Rhipidandri, Lec.

(=Eutomides, Lacord.), a group that has been variously referred by different authors

to the Tenebrionide, Scolytide, Cioide, and Trogide. A certain amount of supple-

mentary material has come to hand, and the numerous missing Hapalips from Guatemala

and Panama (to which attention was called in Vol. VII. p. 250) have now been found,

but too late to be included here.

For the families Pselaphide to Byrrhide, inclusive, and the Rhipidandri, 1532

species are altogether enumerated, of which 996 are described as new, with 83 new

genera. The number for each family is as follows:—Pselaphide, 100 (69 new);

Scydmenide, 67 (49 new); Silphide, 33 (20 new); Corylophide, 29 (25 new);

Trichopterygide, 54; Spheriide, 1 (new); Scaphidiide, 35 (27 new); Histeride, 247

(86 new); Phalacride, 49 (41 new); Nitidulide, 286 (196 new); Trogositide, 107

(65 new) ; Synteliidee, 2; Adimeride (new family), 3 (all new) ; Colydiide, 96 (75 new) ;

Rhysodide, 2 (1 new); Cucujide, 140 (98 new); Monotomide, 31 (29 new); Crypto-

phagide, 103 (94 new); Lathridiide, 23 (17 new); Mycetophagide, 9 (6 new) ;

Dermestide, 71 (54 new) ; Byrrhide, 37 (84 new); and Rhipidandri, 3 (2 new).

During the progress of the work, 97 species (27 of which were obtained amongst

the refuse of Mexican tobacco stored in Paris) have been described by various authors

vi INTRODUCTION.

in other publications, bringing the total to 1629. Of these additional species, 50

belong to Pselaphide, 34 to Histeride, 3 to Phalacride, 3 to Nitidulide, 2 to Trogo-

sitide, and 1 each to Scydmenide, Silphide, Trichopterygide, Rhysodide, and

Lathridiide. A list of them is given on pp. 692-696.

These totals show that the Nitidulide, Histeride, Cucujide, Pselaphide, Trogositide,

Cryptephagide, and Colydiide are particularly well represented in Central America,

whereas the Silphide (so numerous in temperate regions) are very limited in number,

this family having fewer species than the Scaphidiide, Byrrhide, Phalacride, or

Trichopterygide.

Of the nineteen uncoloured Plates issued with this Volume, seventeen have been

printed by Messrs. Bannwarth, of Vienna, and two by Mr. E. Wilson, of Cambridge.

The original drawings for Plates 1—XV. were made by the eminent artist Baron Max

Schlereth, some of these being amongst the finest delineations of insects we have as

yet seen, though the delicacy of his work has, of course, been to a certain extent lost

in copying on the stone. The drawings for Plates XVI.-XIX. were made by Mr. E.

Wilson or Miss M. A. Sharp. It had been intended to give yet another Plate (XX.),

to be partly devoted to figures of the various species of doubtful position; but as this

part of the work has now been abandoned, the references to Plate XX. in the text of

the Byrrhide, pp. 677-686, must be erased.

Ep.

March 1905.

LIST OF

PLATES.

PsELaAPHID™®.

Desimia dispar, ¢ ..

Ephimia crassicornis ..............

Hamotus setipes..............00..

grandipalpis ...............-.

Metopias elegans

Batrisus simplicicornis, g ..........

hamaticollis, G........ 000 eee

crassipes

Batoctenus puncticollis, ¢

Euphalepsus reitteri, d..........--

Caccoplectus celatus ..............

Decarthron fallaciosum ............

Bryaxis sallei

diversa

—— vulnerata

trimioides .............-000.

Pselaptus batrisoides .............-

Pselaphus longiceps

Apothinus obscurus ........-...-.

Trimiopsis minuta .............0.-

Dalmodes brevicollis ..............

Rhexius optatus...... 0.00... ee

Eurhexius vestitus................

Duciola scydmeenilla ..............

Endytocera vestita.........0.0005.

coer ee eee eee

ee se ee ee eo ee ee oe

ee eee eo yr eee ee ee ow oe

oe ee ee ee ewe oe oe

ScyDM NID.

Euconnus gravidus................

subclavatus

oscillans ........ cece eee ee

Indutus ........ ccc eee ee eee

calvus

gracilicornis ............006-

giraffa

ExcavatusS ...,.. cece ee eee eee

mutandus ........ cece eee eee

guatemalenus ..............

subtilis ........ ccc eee eee

chiriquensis

germManus ........ cee eee eee

incultus.......... 0.0 eee eee

pubifer .... 0... .... ee ee eee

vividus

eo ert eer wm ee os eoeae

eee eee eer eee eee oe

TET TTT

oc ee ere ee ee ee ee oe owes

Plate.

ee ee ee a ee ee eee ee a ee ee

Fig.

CONUIGOfWNH

Page.

Euconnus medialis ...........0..

fustiger oo... ee eee

Scydmeenus brevipes

Homoconnus spinipes

Eumicrus brunn: us

commilitonis ...............

brevipes

concretus

Hecotus agilis.... 2... ee ee eee

SILPHIDZ.

Agathidium cognatum

Aglyptus horni

Scotocryptus inquilinus ............

Creagrophorus bihamatus, g........

oe ee et we ee we ee

Anisotoma podagrica, ¢ ..........

Dietta sharpi ...............000..

Pteroloma sallei

Choleva fimbriata

Ptomaphagus forticornis ..........

Colon clavatum ..............004.

CoRYLOPHID &.

Afnigmaticum ptilioides ..........

Kctinocephalus tropicus............

Conodes conicus..............008

Sacium oberthiiri *

fenestratum fT

Arthrolips hirsutus

Corylophodes championi

TRICHOPTERYGIDZ.

Ptinella championana

incerta

Championella nubigena ............

Trichopteryx godmani

Ptilium tropicum

Throscidium invisibile

eee eee ee ee oe

Fig.

Plate. Page

IT. 17 | 59

Il. 18 | 60

IL. 19 63

It. 20 | 64

If. 21 65

Il. 22 G7

If. 23 68

Il. 24 | 68

Il. 25) 71

IIT. 2) 77

II. 3] 7

IIT. 4) 81

Il. 1 8+

Ill, 6 | 84

Itt. 3) 85

II. 7 | 88

Il. 8 | 89

Il. 11 | 97

IIl. 10 98

II. 9 | 100

IIT. 12 | 101

Il. 13 | 105

Ii. 16 | 106

III. 17 | 108

Il. 15 | 19

IIT, 14} lil

IIl. 18 | 116

Ill. 19 | 120

Kil. 22 | 128

It. 21 | 129

iil. 24 | 130

III. 20 | 184

IIL. 23 | 147

Hi. 25 | 154

* §. leconte? on the Plate.

+ S. oceliatum on the Plate.

* S. rubicundum on the Plate.

V1il LIST OF PLATES.

Plate. Fig. | Page. | Plate Fig. | Page.

g | Paromalus notabilis .............. VI. 1} 215

CAPHIDITD 3- TOgaliS ... cee eee ee ee eee VI. 2} 215

Scaphidinm marginatum .......... IV. 1 | 160 Similis .... cece ee eee eee Vi. 3) 216

mexicanum *............000. IV. 2) 161 inflatus .. 6... ee ee ee eee eee VI. 4 | 218

variabile, So... . ce eee eee IV. 3 | 162 divaricatuS .........eceeeee VI. 5 | 219

—— , Var, Q cece cece ee eeee IV. 4; 162 sagillatus ........ cee eee eee VI. 6 219

lineaticolle ...........0000. IV. 5} 163 sulcatus ...... ee cee eee eee VI. 7 219

transversale ........ 4000 eee IV. 6 | 164 | Reninus (Renia) salvini............ VIL. 6,7; 220

atrum, Gow... eee eee eee ee IV. 7 | 164 | Euclasea godmani ..............-. VI. 8,9} 221

i an IV. 8 | 164 | Saprinus solitarius................ VI. 10 | 222

Cyparium sall@i.......... cece eee IV. 10 | 166 QuesitUS 26... eee eee e ee ee VI. 11 | 225

terminale ...........00 0 aes IV. 9 167 QEMMENUS.. ee eee ee ee ee VI. 12 225

championi...............6.. IV. 11 | 167 | Trypaneus torpedo, 9 .......... ae VI. 13 227

Scaphisoma balteatum ............ IV. 12) 172 | —— montivagus, d .............. VI. 14, 228

lunatum vo... eee ee eee ee IV. 13) 173 ampullaceus, Q ........000. VI. 15 229

Toxidium bifasciatum ............ lV. 14) 179 tuberculifrons, 9 ............ VI. 17 | 229

gammaroides .............. IV. 15-180 bifidus, Q ........ cc ce eee eee VI. 16 | 229

columellaris, d..... 2... eee VI. 18 | 230

Hisreripx vulcanius, Si... .. eee eee ee VI. 19 230

° aculeatus, J... . ce eee eee eee VI. 20 | 230

Phylloma plagigerum ............ IV. 16 | 183 parallelus, ¢ ....-....200. VI. 21) 2381

——- facetum ...... 0.0... 0c ee eee IV. 17 | 183 || —— » DQ cece cccccccccccecs VI. 22) 2381

ILololepta canalicollis, § .......... IV. 18 185 angustatus, ¢ .....eeeceeeee VI. 23 231

Vulpes 2... eee eee ee eee IV. 19} 185 | ————,9 ..............000. VI. 24) 2381

Lioderma dorcoides t.............. IV. 20 | 187 | Teretriosoma impressisternum ...... VI. 25 | 233

Apobletes connectens.............% IV. 21} 190 immarginatum ..........00-. VII. 1 2838

-Platysoma columellare ........ ++. IV. oa } 190 cavivone tr 5 oot

Phelister godmani ................ Vv. 1} 191 paradoxum .......... 0.000. VIL. 4 | 234

——— OXIMIUS ...... eee eee eee V. 3 | 191 | Terapus mniszechi................ VII. 5 | 235

crenatuS 1.6... eee ee ee ee ee V. 6 | 192 | Homalopygus equatus ............ VII. 8 | 2386

UNCistriUS 6... Lee eee V. 5 | 192 || Cachexia puberula............22.. VII. 9 | 236

. 24 > || Bacanius scalptus ............-6.. VIL. 10 | 237

CUMANENSIS vee eevee eee ees TY. 25 } 192 ignobilis 6.00.00. .00s sees VIL 11) 238

carinatus ............ ee eee V. 4) 194 hamatus ...... cece eee eee VIl. 12) 238

panamensls .......... eee V. 2 194 | Acritus quadristriatus ............ VI. 13) 240

Homalodes clavulus .............. Vv. 7 | 197 | - liliputianus ...........0008. VIL. 14) 241

Hister ciliatus ......... 0.0 cece Vv. 8 | 199 || Idolia antennata...............050. VIL. 15 | 242

50) V. 9} 201 scltula .. ee. eee cece ce ee ee VIL. 16) 242

truncatisternum ............ Vv. 14, 201 | Murmidius irregularis ............ VIII 1 | 243

patagiatus ...... 0... 0... e eee V. 13) 202 rectistriatuS ........ee eee eee VIII 2) 2438

y T

pas sees eeesees cores Y 1) | 308 | Mychocerus pilifer...... cee. seeeu. vi. {| 4% } 244

MONtIVAQUS ....... eee ee eee Vv. 12 203 Pp

_Epierus frontalis ................ V. 15 204 HALACRID Zi,

patruelis ..........0...005. V. 16 | 205 || Phalacrus scutellaris .............. VII. 19 | 247

| SCHUS..... ee eee eee ee ee eee Vv. 17 | 207 | Eustilbus mollis.................. VII. 20 | 254

—— rufulus .....-...........00. V. 18 | 208 | Liophalacrus bicolor .............. VIl. 21 | 256

_Carcinops multistriata ............ | V. 19 | 209 | Acylomus aciculatus .............. VIL. 22 | 257

garbigliettii .............04. Vv. 24 | 209 || Eulitrus estriatus ............0... VIl. 23 | 258

punctinotum ................ Vv. 25 | 209 || Litolibrus obesus ................ VIl. 24 | 259

—-fumosa .............. 00.04. V. 20 | 211 quadratus ..............000. VII. 25 | 260

cavisternuM ............ 000. Vv. 21 212 signatuS .......... cece eee VIII 3 | 260

atrata .. ek cece ee cee ee eee V. 22 | 212 | Litochrus globulus................ VIII 4 | 263

|— CXIMIA Lee eee eee V. 23 | 213 || Ochrolitus optatus ................ VIII Do | 264

+ Inodema dorcoides on the Plate.

LIST OF PLATES.

Plate. Fig. | Page. | Plate. Fig. | Page.

Prometopia equalis ...........0.- X. 9] 316

NiqrpuLipm. soronioides ice ce eee e dees X. 10} 317

Mystrops rotundulus, ¢ .......... VII 9 266 || Platychora lebasi, ¢ .............. X. 11 | 317

teapemsis ........... cee eee VIII 10 | 267 | Psilotus atratus, ¢ ... ce. eee. X. 12] 318

mexicanus, S ......ee ceca ee VIII 7 | 267 mimetes, Q ........ ccc eee X. 13 | 318

Se i Ge ee VIII 8 | 267 | Perilopa punctigera .............. X. 14} 319

heterocerus, g ...... ee eee ee VIII 6 | 268 placida 2... .. ee eee ee X. 15 | 320

Cychropiestus corvinus, 9 .......... Vil 11 | 268 || Lobiopa retusa ..............0... X. 16} 321

Colastus posticus, Q ............5. VIII 12 | 269 simulatrix, dow... eee eee, X. 17 | 322

mimetes, G .... ce lee eee ee VIII 13 270 discedens, G .......-eeeeeeee X. 18 323

inflatipennis, ¢ ............ VIII 18 | 272 || Cacconia obscura ................ X, 19 | 324

setiger, Soo... ce cece eee eee VIII 14 | 274 || Camptodes formosus, ¢............ X. 20 | 328

chiriquensis ...........0-00- VIII 16 | 275 gaumeril, Q .......... cee X. 21 | 330

simplex, 1... .. see eee eee Vill 15 | 275 nigriclava, Q ww... eee X. 22 | 333

punctiventris, Q ............ VIII 17 | 275 aberrans, 2 ....... cee ee ee ee X. 23 | 334

aberrans, So .... eee ee ee eee VII 19 | 277 || —— solitarius, 9 ........0...0... X. 24 | 335

Brachypeplus vicinus, ¢ .......... Vil 20 | 278 || —— cognatus, Sd ........ 02.0.0. X. 25 | 338

costatuS ....... eee ee ee ee eee VIII 22 | 278 | ——biformis, ¢ .............00e XI. 1 | 3839

staphylinoides, g .........-.. Vill 21 | 279 | —— 9 Qe eee ee eee eee eens XI. la} 3839

conoteloides ............-4-. VIll 24 | 279 furcatus, J we... eee ee eee eee XI. 2) 345

lispinoides, ¢ ..........205- Vill 25 | 280 | —— > Qc eee cee eee neces XI. 2a\ 345

NigripeNNiIS ...........0 ee. VIII. 23 | 280 latipes, Dw... ee eee eee eee XI. 3 | 347

Halepopeplus politus, ¢ .......... IX. 4} 280 chiriquensis, J ........ cee eee XI. 4 | 347

optatus, Sw. eee eee eee eee IX. 5} 281 i XI. 46 | 347

Cilleeus prolixus, Q .............. IX, 3 281 || Amphicrossus horni, ¢ ............ XI. 5 349

prolongatus, 9 .............. IX. 1 | 282 | Atthina concolor.................. XI. 6 | 350

gunilensis, Q ..........000- IX. 2) 282 quadrata, So... eee cece eee es XI. 7| 351

Conotelus stenoides .............. IX. 7 | 283 || Pocadius helvolus ................ XI. 8 | 351

nigricornis, Q ...........0.. IX. 8 | 284 || Hebascus bugabensis .............. XI. 9 | 352

chiriquensis .............--- IX. 9 | 284 aurantiacus ............000. XI. 10 | 3538

Macrostola picea .........-..--. IX. 6 | 286 CTINACOEUS ...... eee eee eee XI. 11 | 3538

Carpophilus funebris, ¢ .......... IX. 10 | 288 || Teichostethus vinosus ............ XI. 12} 354

lugubris, ¢ oo... ee eee eee ee IX. 11 | 289 guatemalenus .............. XI. 13 | 355

lacertosus ...... 2... eee eee IX, 12 | 291 | Strongylus unicolor .............. XI. | 14 |} 355

comatus...... eee eee eee IX. 14 292 . 15,

epurmoides, 9 .........+..-. Ix. 16 | 993 lateralis... 0.0... . ee eee eee XI. | 16 355

lignes .........- ee eee eee ee IX. 13 | 294 mimeteS........ 0. cece eee eee XI. 17 | 357

erichsoni .........0. 2 cee ee IX. 18 | 295 || Mecyllodes clavicornis ............ XI. 18 | 358

elaterinUS ...........-.0000. IX, 15 | 296 | Meoncerus salvini ................ XI. 19 | 359

palmatus, d ...... 2... eee. IX. 17 | 296 | Somatoxus sallei, ¢ ..........000. XI. 20 360

—— mexicanus, d ...........05. IX. 20 | 298 hydroporoides ............4. XI. 21 | 360

longiventris ...........0000. IX. 19 | 301 | Oxycnemus rostrosus, 3 a XI. 22 | 362

senilis, Qo... eee eee ee ee eee IX. 21 | 3802 | Pycnocnemus anisotomoides ........ XI. 23 | 363 _

deceptor, S ........ eee eee IX. 22 303 | Pallodes reversus, Q ...........5. XI. 24 365

Eumystrops centralis.............. IX. . 23 | 304 strongyliformis, ¢ .......... XI. 25 | 366

Haptoncus luteolus*, ¢ .......... IX. 24 | 805 smithi .......... 0. eee ee, XII. 1] 368

Epureea integra, Q ........ eee X, 1 | 3806 | —— pictus...................048- XIT. 2 | 370

torticollis, 9... .... eee eee eee IX. 25 | 307 guttatus....... eee ee eee. XII. 3 | 370

prolixa, J... cece eee eee ees X. 2 | 309 ObscuruS ........ cee eee eee XII. 4 | 371

Stelidota pallens, Q .............. X. 3 | 311 || Euspherius godmani.............. XII. 5 | 3872

OVAIS Loe eee eee ee eee X. 4 | 312 | Pyenocephalus metallicus .......... XIT, 6 | 373

bugabensis, Q ...........2.. X. 5 | 3818 || Cryptarcha longidens, ¢ .......... XII. 7 | 3874

——championi, ..........2-.. X. 6} 315 TQTA occ eee cee ee ee eee XII. 8} 375

extranea, Q ...... ee ee ee eee X. 7 | 315 ineequalis ......... ee ee eee XIT 9 | 377

Prometopia porcina .............. X. 8 | 316 brevidens .......... 0.0.00 05 XII 10 | 377

* Haptoncus floreolus on the Plate.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IL. Pt. 1, March 1905,

x LIST OF PLATES.

Plate. Fig. | Page. Plate. Fig. | Page.

Cryptarcha subtilis .............. XII. 11 | 378 C

regularis oo... ccc. ee eee e es XII. 12 | 379 OLXDITDZ.

plena.... cece ee eee XII. 13 | 879 || Labrotrichus aberrans ............ XIV. 5 | 447

puncticeps.... 6... ee eee eee XII. 14 | 880 || Distaphyla gibbiceps.............. XIV. 6 | 447

discedens ...... 0. cee ee eee XI. 15 | 881 || Asynchita granosa ......-- 0... .06- XIV. 7 | 449

—atomaria ..... eee ee eee XII. 16 | 883 || Synchita mimetes ................ XIV. 8 | 449

elongata... ... ce eee eee ees XII. 17 | 884 | Endeitoma mexicana.............. XIV. 9 | 450

Lepiarcha omositoides, g ........-- XII. 18 | 385 panamensis ..........0000 ee XIV. 10 | 450

Liarcha placida, d.......-.. 00000 XII. 19 385 || Phloeconemus adherens ............ XIV. 11 451

Pityophagus insignis .............. XI. 20 | 386 || Acolobicus obscurus ...........4-. XIV. 12} 452

Ips ultimus 1... ee ee eee eee eee XII. 21 | 887 | Eucicones perfectus ............-- XIV. 13 | 453

Hystricones armatus .............- XIV. 14; 453

Ditaphrus championi.............. XIV. 15 | 454

Aneumesa costata ........ 6.2 eee. XIV. 16 | 456

Trocosrt1p x. Microsicus setosus .........0 2.0000 XIV. 17 | 456

Nemosoma signatum.............. XII. 22 | 3g Catolemus minutus ............-, XIV. 18 | +457

Cylidrella mollis.........0....005. XII. 23 | 389 | Bitoma exarata .........-.. 0200s. XIV. 19 | 458

Corticotomus basalis .............. XIL. 777 So 0 XIV. 20 | 460

Airora yucatanica .... 06.00.0000 0 XIII. 1| 391 PASCOCL © oes eee eee XIV. =| 21) 461

centralis .......eccecccceeee XL. 9 892 Xuthia brevipes a ea a a XIV. 22 462

Temnochila digitata .............. XIII. 3 | 393 | Lado clegans ...... 11... 5.0 see e es XIV. 23} 463

leveillai.... 0. cc eee ee eee XIII. 4 394 funestuS ...... cee ee ee eee XIV. 24 464

quadricollis ..........0.0-0- XIII. 5 | 396 | Lasconotus sulcifer ......+...05.. XIV. 25 | 464

salvini oe. cece cece eee eee XII, 6 | 399 | Colydium godmani, ¢ ......++.++. XIV. | 26 | 465

——— miranda... co cc cccccccccus XIII. 7 | 404 championi..........02..006- XIV. 27 | 467

—— sulcifrons .........0.. cee XII. 8 | 406 clavigerum .....-..-++++++- XV. 1) 468

——_ smithi .... ee cece cc eee eee XIII. g | 4oy7 | Aulonium frontale.............-65 XV. 2) 469

——championi..............66.. XII. | 10! 410 belti 6... sees cere eee eee es XV. 3 | 469

chiriquensis ............000. XIII. 11 | 419 || Anarmostes argutus .............. XV. 4; 471

Eupyenus lentus .............64. XIII. 12 | 416 | Endestes sculpturatus .......... XY. 5) 472

Tenebroides celatus .............. XIII. 13 | 418 || Cacotarphius compressus .......... XV. 6 | 473

sonorensis, 2 .... sess eee ee XIIL. 14 | 418 || Pyenomerus breviceps ..........-. XV. 7 | 474

—_ undulatus ......-.5-.cceeee. XIII. 15 | 494 | Acropis championi ..............-- XV. 8 | 476

—_— marginicollis..........2.0.0. XI. | 16/ 427 POCA seve eee ee eee etree XV. 9) 476

—— godmani ..........0. 0. ee. XII. 17 | 431 || Ethelema decorata..............-. XV. 10 | 47

helophorus ..... 0.0... eee. X11. 18 | 432 | Nematidium fryanum ............ XV. 11 | 478

pollens ........ee cece eee ee XII. 19 | 439 | Sosylus terminalis .............--. XV, 12 | 480

explanatus ............005. XIII. 20 | 483 simplex... 6+... seers eee eee XV. 13) 481

eracilipes .. 0.0.05 cece eee XIII. 21) 433 SalviINl 2... Lee ee ee eee XV. 14 484

bimaculatus .........eeeeee. XIII. 92 | 494 || Prolyctus sculpticollis ............ XV. 15 | 485

complicatus .........e.0 00s XIII. 98 435 Signatus...... 0... ee eee eee ee XV. 16 | 486

fulgens cece cee nent eeeeus XIII. 9A 436 ; annectens .......... cee eee XV. 17 486

zapotensis 0.00.00. eee e cee, XI. | 25 | 436 |j Lithophorus gemmifer ..........-. XV. | 18 | 487

Colydobius divisus ............0.5. XIL. 95 | 437 || Bothrideres setiger.........-.-..-- XY. 19 | 488

parvulus ........ 0c eee eee XV. 20) 489

Taphrideres alternans ......-....- XV. 21 | 491

Lapethus discretus........0.e5 00> XV. 22 | 494

SYNTELIIDA. Lytopeplus compactus ............ XV. 23 | 495

. . Discoloma humerale .....-.....+-. XY. 24 | 497

Sy ntclia westwood bonne e ener e es pene ‘ ie Holophygus celatus .........--4- XV. 25 | 498

Cucusipm.

ADIMERID &. Catogenus germanus .........+0005 XVI. 1} 501

; ; collaris 1... 0... cece ee eee XVI. 2; 6502

Adimerus crispatus .............. XIV. 3) 442 puncticollis ......... eee eee XVI. 3 | 504

BetOSUS .. 6... eee eee eee ee XIV. 4 | 442 | Palestes abruptus .....2.......0-- XVI. 9) 506

LIST OF PLATES.

Pediacus major ............--008.

Paraphleeus crassiceps

longicollis .............-...0.

Inopeplus bifossulatus

jugularis ............0.000.,

Lemophleus distinguendus

suturalis, 3

germaini, Jd

brevicepS ........ 2... eee eee

DOOPS. ....eee ee eee ee eee es

ee ee ee ee he we

re )

ee ee ee ee me wo ew oe

eee Gee» ee ee se se eoe

oe ee ee ew we we we ww ee

ee re ee ee ee woe

clavicornis, 9

immersus

amule, 5

Celatus .... cece ee eee eee

insolitus, 9

corporalis

distans

eevee eevee vse eevee

oo ee eo ee eo ee oe wwe Oe ee

oo ere ee ee oe ee ww Oe

eoesce ee se eee oe eevee

dives, Swe eee eee eee eee

Rhabdophleeus chiriquensis, g.....-

Rhinophloeus nasutus ..........--

Rhinomalus signatus .............-

anthracinus

Parandrita stipes .......... 02.06.

Silvanophleeus infimus

of ee ere ee ee te oO we wo

eee er ee ee ee we

Deinophloeus ducalis, ¢ «1... eee.

sinuatus...... 0.2.5... e eee

Syssitos rostratus

addendus ..............008-

Thione championi ............0065

Platamus dispar, 3

or eee eee eee eee

longicornigs ..........--e0 ee

Telephanus simplicicollis

gracilicornis

dromioides ........ 0020 eee

prontoides .........2 eee eee

setulosus ...... cece ee eee eee

Nausibius brevicornis ............

silvanoides........00ee cere ee

Synobius lobicollis ...........-..5-

Cathartus cassie, J ..... cee eee ee

Silvanus CONSOYS...... 2. eee eee eens

perforatus

ee ee ee oe we

Monotomip 2.

Hesperobeenus stipes, 5

Kurops oxytelus, d

longulus, d

fraudator, G.... ee eee eee eee |

Plate. Fig. | Page. | Plate. Fig

XVI. 10 | 507 | Aneurops championi, ¢ .......... XVIII. 4

XVI. 7 | 510 | Bactridium rude........ 0.0.0. eee XVIIL. 9)

XVI. 8 | 510 eumorphum ..........00 005% XVIII. 6

XVI. 11 | 511 | Tisiphone chontalenus ............ XVIII. 7

XVI. 12 512

XVII 1 O13

XVIL. 2,2a 514 CryPproPHAGID&.

XVII. 26 Ol4 | melmatoscius claviger ........ 000. XVIII. 8

XVI. 13 | 515 oe

~,.. | Loberus brevicollis................ XVIII. 9

XVI. 14 O16 :

- | Platoberus latus................-. XVIII. 10

XVI. 15 | 517 tt <V

Tomarus debilis..........--...04 XVIII. 11

XVI. 16 o18

heterocerus .........0.0.00- XVIII. 12

XVI. 17 | 820 |» . .

~ mpocryptus ovalis ............0. XVIII. 13

XVI. 18 | 920 . /

5, || Coelocryptus discedens ............ XVIII. 14

XVI. 19 521 : :

: : Pseudhenoticus parallelus .......... XVIII. 16

XVI. 20 523 : :

3, || Henoticus loberinus .............. XVIII. 16

XVI. 21 524 . :

~5, | Othniocryptus variegatus .......... XVIII. 17

XVI | 22 | 526 ‘yptus varleg tv

= | Holosternus distans .............- XVIIL. 18

XVI. 23) 527 ‘A :

- : nepsicus brunneus .............. XVIII. 19

XVI. 25 | 528 | | er

. issocryptus insolitus.............. XVIII. 20

XVI. 26 528 T . oa

‘ rogocryptus nigripectus .......... XVIII. 21

XVI. | 24) 529 nigri] a

_— Gonicoelus unicornis, Gd... . eee ee XVIII. 22

xvi, | 3) 530 a ir | 23

XVII 4 532 —— parnoides, Swen e eee enes .

- Diploccelus parvus ........ 0.00 cee XVIII. 24

XVIt 5) 934 ‘

~5- | Euderopus cheetophorus .......... XVIIL. 25

XVII 6 | 535 | 4 nobocalus championi XVIII 26

XVI >| 535 pioni ............ .

XVII 8 536

XVII 9 538

XVII 10} 539 LavrHripitp &.

AVI iI O40 | Holoparamecus brosciformis ........ XIX. 1

XVII. 12 540 0 A an

(o | Evolocera championi ..........+6.- XIX. 2

XVI. 5 | 542 | a4. .

. ~ 9 | Fallia synthetica ....... 0... ee eee XIX. 3

XVI. 4 | 643 .

, | Cartodere falliana .... 02.00.00. 0 XIX. 4

XVL. 6 | 546 | Cattoder

Adistenia watsonl ............000- XIX. )

XVII 13 549 : .

Belonia unicostata .......... 0. ee ee XIX. 6

XVII 14 | 549 Lo. -

- Corticaria humilis .............65- XIX. 7

XVII 15 549 :

= | Melanophthalma centralis.......... XIX. 8

XVII 16 | 550 Tri

~ riphyllus perfectus .............. XIX. 9

XVII 17 | 551 . .

- Tilargus tetraspilotus.........+..4. XIX. 10

XVII 18 504 7 :

> - complicatus ........ eee eee XIX. 11

XVI, | 19) 554 | Catopius irregularis XIX. |W

XVII 99 | 555 | Catopius irregularis ........+..+-- .

XVII 21 509

XVII 22 557

XVII 93! 557 DERMESTIDZ.

XV 24) 558 . 13,

XVII 25 | 5g Genattus equalis, ¢ ...... ee eee XIX. | 134

XVII 26 561 » Qe eee eee eee ees XIX. 136

XVII 27 | 562 | Trogoderma celatum, 2 ........-- XIX. 14

Eucnocerus dispar, ¢ ...+ee eens XIX. | ro

OD eveceeeeenaeeees XIX. | 155

Caccoleptus rotundus...........+.. XIX. 16

XVIII 1 | 566 || Hemirhopalum buprestoide ........ XIX. 17

XVIII 2) 569 hadrotomoide ...........46. XIX. 18

XVIII 3) 571 | Cryptorhopalum septemsignatum .... XIX. 19

Xii

LIST OF PLATES.

Plate. Fig. | Page. Plate. Fig.| Page.

Cryptorhopalum germanum, ¢...... XIX. 20, ) | 655 Cryptorhopalum pedestre, 2 ........ XIX. 25) 667

20a 3 XIX. (25a 66

: eee cece eee cece XIX. 206) 655 2 Re ess ,

—— subfasciatum................ XIX. 21 | 657

—— appendiculatum, d .......... XIX. 22 | 658

—— equisolee .......... Lees XIX. . 23; 665 BrREEIDE.

—— discedens .................. XIX. 24, 666 | Nosodendron championi............ XIX. (26 671

ERRATA ET CORRIGENDA.

Page Line

2-71

102 28

111 28

132 9

161 48

201 1

226 10

226 11

227 4

255 27

256 27

818 16

347 22

847 23

357 14

364 2

384 1

443 6

460 8

460 7

464 1

497 1

5382 14

587 6

647 37

665 6

669 14

677 36

677-686,

Add the words “ gen. nov.’

> and “sp. n.” after the names of the

various new genera and species described on these pages.

for complicity read complexity.

after mexicanum add sp.

for latiorie read latiore.

for Chinantla read Chinautla.

for sexstriatis read sexstriatus.

for conspectus read consputus.

before Mexico insert Nortu

Jor setosum read setoso.

for armatum read armato.

after mimetes add sp. n.

2 for 9 read 3.

after elytra add Q.

for Mecyllodes seriatus read

America ! 2,

Meoncerus seriatus.

for Psiloypga read Psilopyga.

erase sp. N.

after dubius add sp. n.

after gracilis add sp. n.

Jor Sonoro read Sonora.

after funestus add sp. n.

after humerale add sp. nu.

for L. read FR.

for P. rotundatus read P. rotundus.

for 7. simulaus read T. simulans.

for C. mardelloide read C. mordelloide.

for C. read A.

for Pelobates read Pelochares.

Erase the references to Tab.

XX.

BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA.

ZOOLOGIA.

Class INSECTA.

Order COLEOPTERA.

Fam. PSELAPHIDA *.

This family consists of minute Beetles, many of which are found in ants’ nests. The

majority of the species are rare and difficult to find even by experienced collectors.

Mr. Champion procured a fair series of species in Guatemala and the State of Panama,

but from the other divisions of our region we have received but little. Sallé’s Mexican

collection was very deficient in Pselaphide ; from Nicaragua we have received only two

or three species, and from Costa Rica none.

The arrangement followed is that given by Reitter in his paper entitled “ Versuch

einer systematischen Eintheilung der Clavigerinen und Pselaphiden” [Verh. Ver.

Briinn, xx. pp. 177-211 (1882) ].

In the ‘Etudes entomologiques’ (1855, pp. 8-25) there is a letter written by Victor de

Motschulsky on board ship, giving an account of an entomological collecting expedition

just made by him on the isthmus of Panama. He had established himself there at

Obispo for two or three weeks, and succeeded in finding in that brief time about thirty

species of Pselaphide. Most of these were new, scarcely anything being then known

of the Panama Coleopterous fauna; and in the letter I am alluding to Motschulsky

mentions these novelties seriatim, giving them names and occasionally adding a word

or two of explanation. These names have no claim to be adopted, and I mention them

only because they have been given as “ published” in the list of Motschulsky’s genera

and species issued by the Entomological Society of Russia in 1868. In the case of

three or four genera rude outline figures were given, and as these enable us to form an

imperfect idea of what Motschulsky intended, their names have been adopted by

Reitter and are also included in our list. It is certainly unfortunate that this letter

* By D. Smarp.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1887. B*

2 PSELAPHIDZ.

of Motschulsky’s should never have been followed by any proper description of the

objects mentioned and named therein. It is quite clear that he could not have made

a proper study of these minute creatures on board ship between Colon and New

Orleans, where his letter was written ; and, so far as we know, he never returned to

their study except to sketch the rude outline figures I have alluded to. Although

some of these insects have become disseminated to a small extent under Motschulsky’s |

names, but little value can be attached to these “typical” examples. In the case of two

of these names Reitter has had an opportunity of testing them, and finds they were

incorrectly applied by Motschulsky ; in short, Motschulsky not only failed to describe

the species he gave names to, but actually did not even discriminate them.

For these reasons I think the authors of the Munich Catalogue did right in refusing

to recognize these names, and certainly Reitter has done all that courtesy and consider-

ation demand when he treated those that were accompanied by figures as entitled to

validity.

Subfam. CTE NISTINAL.

Group CTENISTINA.

DESIMIA.

Tetracis, Sharp, Ent. Monthly Mag. xi. p. 79 (1874) (nom. przeoc.).

Desimia, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 184 (1882).

This genus has hitherto consisted of four or five African species; but in addition

to the insect now added to it from our fauna I have still another in my collection

from the Amazon valley, so that the genus is probably well represented in the New

World.

1. Desimia dispar. (Tab. I. fig. 1,2.)

Rufescens, elytris sanguineis ; antennis articulis ultimis elongatis ; prothorace subtransverso, basi in medio

pubescente-foveolata, utrinque dense pallide pubescente; elytris apice dense pallide pubescentibus, stria

suturali aliaque discoidali integris.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé) ; GuateMALA, Paraiso 300 feet (Champion).

Antenne dissimilar in the sexes: in the male, joints 4—7 very small, the eighth joint

very elongate and as long as the five or six preceding it, the ninth considerably shorter than

the eighth, the tenth nearly as long as the eighth, the terminal joint stouter and rather

longer than the eighth; in the female, joints 4-7 not quite so small, the eighth joint

similar to the seventh, the ninth as long as the preceding two together, the tenth rather

broader and longer than the ninth, the terminal joint stouter and a good deal longer

than the tenth, the three terminal joints together equal in length to the six or seven

preceding. Head with the antennal tubercles quite connate, prominent ; indistinctly

EPHIMIA.—HAMOTUS. 3

bifoveolate between the eyes; bearing much sugary-white pubescence behind the eyes.

Thorax rather broader than long, a little narrowed in front; with a large fovea filled

with white pubescence near the base in the middle, and a conspicuous patch of white

sugary pubescence on each side of the base. Elytra shining, brighter red than the

rest of the surface, narrowed at the shoulders, the latter scarcely elevated ; with a

curved, rather deep, discoidal stria and a deep sutural stria; the apex covered with a

dense pallid, sugary, or glandular pubescence. Hind body rather short, strongly

margined, with a depressed fine squamose pubescence.

EPHIMIA.

Ephimia, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 185 (1882) ; Deutsche ent. Zeit. xxvii. p. 34.

This genus has recently been established by Reitter for a West-Indian insect. I

have now to add a species from our region.

1. Ephimia crassicornis. (Tab. I. fig. 2.)

Rufo-castanea, elytris sanguineis, pube depressa flavescente irregulariter vestita; antennis articulis 3° ad 7™

brevissimis, tribus ultimis elongatis ; prothorace parvo, basi in medio foveolata; elytris quam prothorax

longioribus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Antenne thick; pubescent, so that the articulations are not very distinct; the

terminal three joints elongate, quite as long as the other eight together; the terminal

joint rather longer than the preceding two joints united. Head narrow, with convex

coarsely faceted eyes; the antennal tubercles quite connate; the front placed quite at

right angles with the vertex. Thorax only about half as broad as the elytra; finely

pubescent, with a large pubescent basal fovea. Elytra rather elongate, narrow at the

shoulders, the latter not raised; the surface within the shoulders broadly depressed ;

with a fine sutural stria, but no discoidal one; the hind margin very densely covered

with yellow pubescence.

This insect is rather larger than L£. simoni, Reitter, and also has a longer terminal

joint to the antenne, much larger eyes, broader thorax, and longer elytra. The sex of

the unique example discovered by Mr. Champion is doubtful.

Group TYRINA.

HAMOTUS.

Hamotus, Aubé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1844, p. 92.

This is a genus peculiar to Tropical America; it comprises about twenty very closely

allied species. An examination of the maxillary palpi is essential for the discrimination

B* 2

4 PSELAPHIDA,

of the species, these organs being very variable in structure in this genus and often

differing in species otherwise exceedingly similar.

Hamotus is numerously represented in our region.

§ 1. Thorax with a transverse sulcus in front of the base.

1. Hamotus pubiventris.

Major, parum latus, rufus, densius fulvo-pubescens; antennis crassis, clava triarticulata, maxima ; palpis

maxillaribus articulo ultimo elongato, apice intus curvato, acuminato; elytrorum stria discoidali elongata.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne thick ; joints 2-8 subequal, the second joint, however, rather longer than

the others; the club extremely large; the ninth joint rather longer than broad, the

tenth slightly longer, though scarcely so long as broad, the terminal joint very large,

broader than the preceding one, subrotundate, but still longer than broad. Terminal

joint of the maxillary palpus of peculiar form, and with its appendage larger than in

the other known species. Head with thick antennary tubercles, which are strongly

elevated and separated by a deep depression; the two fovee on the vertex large,

approximate, and but little distant from the frontal depression. Thorax subglobose ;

the basal fovea extending back to the basal margin, and connected to the lateral fovea

by a very fine sulcus. Elytra flat, ferruginous in colour, with a remarkably distinct

discoidal stria extending three fourths of their length. Hind body elongate, very

broadly margined, very densely covered with a depressed fulvous pubescence.

Only one example was received of this very distinct species. I suppose it to be

a female, from the absence of any peculiar structure, and from the form of the

hind body.

2. Hamotus commodus.

Hamotus commodus, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 33 (Dresden-Oberblasewitz, 1880)’.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa}.

8. Hamotus tritomus.

Hamotus tritomus, Reitt. Deutsch. ent. Zeit. xxvi. p. 182°.

Hab. Mexico (Reitter); Guarema.a, El Reposo, Zapote, San Isidro, Cahabon, San

Juan in Vera Paz, Teleman, Panzos, La Tinta (Champion); NICARAGUA, Granada

(Sailé), Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Champion).—

SoutH America, Colombia !.

Though we have a good series of this species from Zapote and El Reposo, I have not

been able to detect any sexual distinction ; from most of the other localities only one or

HAMOTUS. 5

two examples were obtained. The only Mexican exponent I have seen was sent to me

by Herr Reitter, who obtained it from Hamburg. Judging from this fact and the way

in which the specimen was mounted, I conclude that it was probably found by Herr

Hoge at Jalapa.

This species, though exceedingly similar to those following, is distinguished by the

fact that the curvate sulcus in front of the base of the thorax has no definite fovea on

the middle ; the sulcus, however, may be described as subfoveate, as it is deeper in the

middle and in this part slightly expanded in front, this expansion being somewhat

concealed by a gibbosity or convexity of the surface of the thorax in front of it.

4, Hamotus vicinus.

Rufus, elytris dilute sanguineis, pube depressa minus dense vestitus ; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata ;

elytris plica intra-humerali abbreviata; abdomine segmento secundo dorsali quam segmentum basale

paullo majore.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne with joints 4-8 quite similar to one another, small and transverse; joints

9-11 forming an elongate club; the ninth joint quadrate, the tenth a little broader

and slightly transverse, the termina] joint a good deal broader and quite as long as the

preceding two together. Head rather broad and short, with a moderate fovea on each

side near the eye. ‘Thorax subglobose; with a large fovea in front of the base in the

middle connected by a fine sulcus with the lateral fovea. Elytra with a very abbreviate

intrahumeral depression.

Although extremely similar to ZH. tritomus, this insect is readily distinguished by the

definite basal thoracic fovea, and the more abbreviate basal dorsal segment of the hind

body. The last joint of the maxillary palpus is similar in form to that of H. tritomus,

but is distinctly broader and shorter.

Only two examples were obtained; they are quite similar to one another and of

uncertain sex.

5. Hamotus difficilis.

Rufus, elytris dilute sanguineis, pube depressa minus dense vestitus; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata ;

elytris plica intrahumerali abbreviata; abdomine minus late marginato, segmentis dorsalibus primo et

secundo eequalibus.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Zapote (Champion).

Although only one example of this insect was obtained, and it is very similar to

H. vicinus, yet, as 1 have failed to reconcile it therewith, and it will not agree with

any of the other species, I treat it as distinct. It differs from H. vicinus in possessing

a narrower hind body with less broad lateral margins, a more slender terminal joint to

6 . PSELAPHIDA.

the maxillary palpus (resembling in this respect H. tritomus), and a rather more

slender club to the antenna.

The example has no mark which would lead me to believe it to be a male.

6. Hamotus monachus.

Hamotus monachus, Reitter, Deutsch. ent. Zeit. xxvi. p. 181°.

Rufus, elytris dilute sanguineis, pube depressa minus dense vestitus ; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata ;

elytris plica intrahumerali sat abbreviata; abdomine segmento secundo dorsali quam segmentum basale

paullo minore.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan!; Guaremata, El Reposo, Zapote (Champion).

This insect presents the closest resemblance to H. vicinus and H. tritomus; from the

latter it is readily distinguished by the definite thoracic fovea; from the former it

presents the following distinctions:—The terminal joint of the maxillary palpus is

rather more elongate, the intrahumeral depression on the elytra is prolonged to form a

short but definite plica, and the first dorsal segment is more elongate and evidently

longer than the second.

The unique example transmitted to me by Herr Reitter is a female, and is remark-

able from the elongation of the apical segments of the hind body. ‘This was the only

sex known to Reitter. Mr. Champion met with only two examples, both males, the

whole of the ventral plates being rather broadly and deeply impressed along the middle.

The typical example received from Herr Reitter and the individual found at El Reposo

by Mr. Champion are both darker in colour than I have described above; but this, I

believe, is chiefly due to their imperfect preservation.

7. Hamotus latipalpis.

Rufus, elytris dilute sanguineis, pube subtili depressa vestitus; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata ;

elytris plica intrahumerali abbreviata; abdominis segmento basali dorsali quam segmentum secundum

minore.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Extremely similar to H. vicinus, but with very important distinctions :—The pubes-

cence of the surface much finer and shorter; the eyes larger, and placed quite at

the hinder part of the head; the terminal joint of the maxillary palpus remarkable on

account of its very short broad form, being in fact nearly as broad as long, so that its

extremity is not acuminate; and the basal dorsal segment is abbreviate.

Only one example, of uncertain sex, was found.

8. Hamotus curtipalpis.

Rufo-brunneus, elytris sanguineis, pube subdepressa vestitus ; antennarum clava triarticulata, elongata; elytris

HAMOTUS. 7

plica intrahumerali abbreviata ; abdominis segmentis dorsalibus primo et secundo equalibus; palporum

articulo ultimo parvo, brevi, lato.

Long. 21 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, David (Champion).

This species is extremely similar to H. vicinus and the allied species, but differs from

all of them in the shape of the last joint of the maxillary palpus. This latter is com-

paratively small, its inner margin nearly straight though minutely prolonged internally

at the apex, while the outer margin is very convex; the length of this joint is about

the same as that of the tenth joint of the antenne.

Only two examples are extant; they are in a very decayed condition, and are, I

believe, both of the male sex, though this is indicated only by a minute flattening of

the basal ventral segments.

9. Hamotus suturalis.

Hamotus suturalis, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 82° (1880).

Hab. Mextco, Teapa !.

10. Hamotus nodicollis.

Hamotus nodicollis, Raffray, Rev. d’Ent. i. p. 240°.

Hab. Mexico }.

§ 2. Thorax without transverse sulcus.

11. Hamotus singularis.

Hamotus singularis, Reitt. Deutsch. ent. Zeit. xxvi. p. 183, note’.

Hab. Muxico (Bilimek!), Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, San Isidro 1600 feet, near

the city, Aceytuno, Capetillo, San Juan in Vera Paz, Senahu (Champion); Panama,

Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, David (Champion).

I am not able to point with certainty to any external sexual distinctions of this

insect; the condition of the pencil of hairs at the extremity of the hind tibia varies

according to the state of the individual, and, moreover, can be flexed outwards under

the apex of the tibia and tarsus so as to be concealed, though actually present.

12. Hamotus setipes. (Tab. I. fig. 3.)

Rufo-castaneus, elytris sanguineis, pube erecta elongata sat dense vestitus ; capite latiore, tuberculis antennariis

sat distantibus; tiblis omnibus extus perspicue longius setosellis.

Long. 3 millim,

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Head broad, with two moderately large foveze on the posterior portion; the antennal

tubercles clearly separated, so that a third fovea just behind the space separating them

8 PSELAPHID A.

remains quite distinct. The ninth and tenth joints of the antenne are transverse, but

not excessively short; the terminal joint very thick and large. The fovea near the

middle of the base of the thorax is large and distinct. The elytra have a well-marked

sutural stria which is extremely deeply impressed at the base; and external to this

stria, and separated therefrom by a raised space, another deep rather long impression

which is not continued backwards as a stria.

Though very similar to H. singularis this is a larger insect, readily distinguished by

the broader head, the more widely separated antennary tubercles, and the long setosity

of the tibie. The sexual distinctions are slight, and almost confined to a difference in

the shape of the hind body, this latter being rather longer, with the under surface more

curvate, and the middle of the ventral rings flattened, in the male. In each sex there

is a fine pencil of hairs at the extremity of the hind tibia, and an extremely slight

incurvation of the tibia itself near the apex.

13. Hamotus parvipalpis.

Rufo-niger, pedibus rufis; palpis testaceis, his articulo ultimo parum magno et graciliter subovali; elytris intra

humeros breviter impressis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This species is closely allied to H. singularis, having a similar structure of the antenne

and of the thoracic fover; it is, however, well distinguished by a number of characters,

the most important of which is the smaller and more slender terminal joint of the

maxillary palpi. The pubescence of the surface is darker than in the allied species ;

the antenne are extremely thick, with the joints 4-10 strongly transverse, and the

terminal joint very broad; the head is not broad, and the antennary tubercles, though

not very broad, are well separated, so that the small fovea between them is quite

definite. The thorax is smaller and more globose than in H. singularis.

I have seen only two examples; unfortunately both are in a very decayed condition.

14. Hamotus rostratus. |

Piceus, elytris sanguineis, palpis pedibusque rufis, pube elongata minus dense vestitus ; antennis longioribus,

articulis intermediis haud transversis ; capite gracili rostrato, vertice foveolis grandibus impresso ; palpis

majoribus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne with the ninth and tenth joints elongate, intermediate in breadth between

those preceding it and the terminal joint, this latter elongate, rather stout, not quite

twice as long as broad. Palpi very large. Antennary tubercles convex, separated by

a deep depression in which the frontal fovea is lost; the two fovee on the vertex large.

Thorax subglobose, rather large ; the basal fovea only moderately large, filled with fine

pubescence. Elytra red, with very elongate erect pubescence, the intrahumeral plica

HAMOTUS.—CERCOCERUS. 9

elongate, densely pubescent at their hind margin. Tibi pubescent externally ; those of

the hind legs quite straight and slender, and without definite tuft of hairs at the extremity.

Only one example was met with of this fine species; it forms a natural transition to

the following.

15. Hamotus grandipalpis. (Tab. I. fig. 4.)

Piceo-sanguineus, pube elongata erecta dense vestitus; antennis, palpis pedibusque rufo-obscuris, illis elongatis

gracilibus ; palpis maxillaribus maximis; capite gracili rostrato, vertice trifoveolato; abdomine segmentis

dorsalibus quatuor conspicuis, longitudini subequalibus.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with very long basal joint; the second, third, and fourth joints subequal,

the fifth and sixth rather elongate, the seventh and eighth a little shorter, but each a

good deal longer than broad, the ninth and tenth elongate but scarcely at all thicker

than the preceding two, the tenth very long and slender and with its inner margin

curvate. Palpi with very elongate second joint and very large terminal joint. Head

with the strongly elevated antennary tubercles separated by a deep depression; with

two fovew near the vertex, and a third depression behind these in the middle. Thorax

rather large, subglobose; the basal fovea distinct, quite isolated. Elytra with deep but

short intrahumeral depression. Hind body with the margins of the first and second

segments very largely developed. Hind tibia without apical pencil.

Only one example was met with of this species; it may be a male, as the depression

on the metasternum is remarkably deep. Although the maxillary palpi are so strongly

developed, I cannot treat this as a generic character at present, as there is very great

variety in the size and form of these organs amongst the species of this genus inhabiting

our region.

CERCOCERUS.

Circocerus, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 16, and 1856, tab. f. 4; Leconte, New Sp. N. Am.

Coll. p. 27 (1863).

Cercocerus, Leconte, Class. Coi. N. Am. p. 57 (1861) ; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 186 (1882).

The characters given of this genus show nothing to distinguish it from Hamotus, of

which I have little doubt it is merely a synonym. As, however, I do not actually know

either of the species ascribed to it, I give it a distinct place in deference to Reitter, who

treats it as a valid genus.

1. Cercocerus batrisoides.

? Circocerus perplexus, Motsch. Etudes ent. 1855, p. 16°.

Circocerus batrisioides, Motsch. Etudes ent. 1856, tab. f. 4.

? Circocerus batrisoides, Lec. New sp. N. Am. Col. p. 27 (1863) *.

Hab. Norta America, New Orleans 2,—Panama, Obispo }.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1887. C*

10 PSELAPHIDZ.

Motschulsky (Etudes ent. 1855, p. 16) speaks of what we may presume to be the

same insect under the name of C. perplerus; C. batrisioides, Motsch., is said by Reitter

to be the same as the North-American C. batrisoides, Lec.

Subfam. BATRISINA.

METOPIAS. |

Metopias, Gory, in Guérin’s Mag. Zool. 1832, Ins. t. 42, text p. 1; Aubé, 1. c. 1833, Mon. Pselaph.

p- 18, t. 78. f.1; Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeit. xxix. p. 834 (1885).

This genus is purely tropical American, and comprises five species; Reitter having

recently separated another five species under the generic name of Metopiorys.

1. Metopias elegans. (Tab. I. fig. 10.)

Pallide castaneus, elytris rufo-testaceis, antennis pedibusque testaceis, pube erecta subtili vestitus ; prothorace

elongato, ante basin transversim sulcato; antennis valde elongatis, articulo tertio graciliter ovali et

sequentibus tribus simul sumptis majore.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne pale yellow, longer than the insect itself; the first joint as long as the

following seven or eight joints together, the second longer than broad, the third broader

and very much longer than the second, the five following joints subequal to one another,

simple, the ninth scarcely thicker but much more elongate, the tenth small, the eleventh

rather longer than the ninth and quite acuminate at the apex. Palpi rather short.

Head elongate, the vertex with a deep impression; the antennal tubercles divided bya |

groove, and the posterior part of their prolongation projecting backwards in an angular

manner into the depression on the vertex. ‘Thorax slender, unarmed ; very obsoletely

longitudinally canaliculate along the middle ; with a deep fine transverse sulcus in front

of the base, and without lateral channels. Elytra elongate, narrowed at the shoulders,

the latter only slightly prominent, with a very deep depression along the suture, and a

‘short basal depression external to this.

The solitary example discovered is no doubt a male, the extremity of the hind body

beneath being deeply excavate, while in front of the excavation there are two erect

subcurvate spinous processes. The species is not closely allied to any yet described,

but perhaps is nearest to M. hirtus, Reitt., from Brazil.

BATRISUS.

Batrisus, Aubé, in Guérin’s Mag. Zool. 1833, Mon. Pselaph. p. 45.

This is now avery large genus comprising upwards of two hundred described species,

and is found in most parts of the world. It contains a very great variety of forms, and

is especially remarkable on account of the extraordinary sexual characters, scarcely any

part of the body being exempt from being the seat of peculiar structures in the male

BATRISUS. ll

sex. The larger number of the Tropical-American forms belong to the subgenus

Arthmius; this subgenus has not been correctly treated up till now: the females of the

species belonging to it are different in shape and usually in colour from the males, and

have been regarded as specifically distinct ; the “table” recently given by Reitter of the

South- and Central-American species known to him (Verh. Ver. Briinn, 1883, pp. 377

and 378) requires emendation on this account, the insects enumerated by this author

under Section B of Arthmius being females.

§ 1. Thorax without any longitudinal channel, but with a transverse sulcus in front of

the base; elytra without discoidal stria ; form different in the sexes. (Subgen.

Arthmius.)

1. Batrisus geniculatus.

Rufo-testaceus, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis parum elongatis ; capite plano, levigato, utrinque

foveolato.

Long. 2 millim.

Mas antennis medio curvatis ; tibiis anterioribus ultra medium valde dilatatis, apice abrupte angustato.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hage).

The head is short and small; without sculpture, but with a distinct fovea on each

side behind; the eyes small. The thorax is quite small, slender ; and without channels,

except the delicate transverse sulcus in front of the base.

The sexual differences are very considerable: the male is of a pallid rufescent colour

and has longer elytra than the female, the female being of a more castaneous tint; the

fifth joint of the antenne is considerably enlarged behind and with the two following

joints forms a curve, the tenth joint is scarcely transverse; the front tibiz are greatly |

dilated, and then below the middle suddenly narrowed ; the middle tibize are furnished

with a minute internal uncus at the extremity; the apical half of the hind body is

occupied beneath by a depression, and at the base of the latter is an elevated short

carina from which a pubescent wing diverges on either side. Five examples were

obtained by Herr Hoge, and I believe I have identified the sexes with certainty.

2. Batrisus curvicornis.

Batrisus curvicornis, Schauf. Nungq. Otios. ii. p. 2861; Reitt. Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1882, p. 378.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek ?, in coll. Reitter), Yucatan 1, Cordova (Sallé).

Schaufuss’s description is a very poor one, and contains no characters that would

enable his species to be discriminated from those allied to it, and I give therefore the

male characters drawn from a Mexican example communicated by Herr Reitter. The

unique exponent from Sallé’s collection which I take to be this species is in bad pre-

servation. In the male the front tibie are slightly swollen from the base to below the

middle, the apical third being again slender (this apical constriction is, however, not

abrupt, so that the prominent angle terminating the swelling is very obtuse and not at

C* 2

12 PSELAPHID&.

all spinose) ; the middle tibize are mucronate at the extremity; and the antenne havea

curve extending from the fourth joint to the seventh, and the fourth joint is slightly

enlarged beneath. The female is not known, but I think it likely that B. quadri-

punctatus, which Schaufuss received from the same source as his B. curvicornis, may be

the other sex of this species. Reitter’s tabulation 2 unfortunately also needs emendation,

as the form of the elytra (which has led him to place B. guadripunctatus in a different

group from B. curvicornis) is in these insects a sexual character.

3. Batrisus quadripunctatus.

Batrisus quadripunctatus, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 273°; Reitt. Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1882,

p- 378 ”.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek ?, in coll. Reitter), Yucatan 1, Jalapa (Hoge).

As mentioned above, under B. curvicornis, I believe this may prove to be the female

of that species; but as I cannot state this with certainty, I do not venture to sink the

name at present. B. quadripunctatus is scarcely distinguishable from the females of

B. geniculatus and B. simplicicornis, except that the antenne are decidedly shorter than

those of the latter, slightly shorter than those of the former, species, and have the sixth

and eighth joints more distinctly smaller than those contiguous to them. Although

Schaufuss in his description of B. curvicornis + expresses himself as having both sexes

of the species before him, yet it is more likely that his supposed female was a male

of some other species having simple antenne, such as B. simplicicornis ; for the differ-

ence in form of the sexes in this subgenus has not before been correctly dealt with—

the females, in fact, having been treated as a section of the genus distinct from that

of their consorts.

4. Batrisus simplicicornis. (Tab. I. fig. 6, ¢.)

Rufo-testaceus, nitidus, parce pubescens; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis parum elongatis; capite plano,

levigato, utrinque foveolato. .

Long. vix 2 millim.

Mas tibiis anterioribus gracilibus, ultra medium paullo latioribus, apice constricto.

Hab. Guatema.a, near the city (Champion).

Extremely similar to 2. curvicornis and B. geniculatus, but with strongly marked

differences in the male characters. In this sex the antenne are quite straight; the

front tibie only slightly broader from the base to below the middle, but there suddenly

though only slightly contracted; the middle tibie armed with a mucro at the terminal

inner angle; and the hind body beneath has a large transverse depression at the extre-

mity. The female is of a more castaneous colour, and has shorter elytra, and slightly

shorter antenne, than the male; I can only distinguish this sex from the female of

B. geniculatus by the antenne being slightly longer and stouter, and the thorax just

perceptibly more elongate.

BATRISUS, 13

5. Batrisus 2

Hab. Guatemaa, Totonicapam between 8500 and 10,000 feet (Champion).

Only a single female was found of this insect, and it is therefore not advisable to

attempt to found a species on it; I have little doubt, however, that it is quite distinct,

as it has a much more elongate hind body than any of its allies.

6. Batrisus truncaticeps.

Gracilis, rufo-testaceus, nitidus, parce pubescens; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis gracilibus ; capite plano,

levigato, utrinque foveolato.

Long. 13 millim.

Mas capite posterius recte truncato, tibiis anterioribus inflatis, antennis basi curvatis.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Although quite similar to B. simplicicornis and B. curvicornis the male characters are

very different:—The head is quite straight behind, not rounded, with well-marked

rectangular angles; the antenne are slender, and the third, fourth, and fifth joints

form a curve, the fifth being prolonged and projecting downwards, the sixth, seventh,

and eighth joints are slender and straight, the three terminal joints forming an elongate

slender club; the front tibie are much inflated, and when viewed in one direction

appear to have the lower half abruptly more slender, and the swollen upper part is, I

think, occupied by a cavity or fovea opening below on the front face of the tibia; the

middle tibize are mucronate at the extremity; and the terminal ventral segment is

flattened but not foveate.

Only one example of this curious insect was obtained; mounted on the same card

with it by Mr. Champion is a female which I am unable to distinguish by any character

from that sex of B. simplicicornis, still so close are the females of this group of species

that it is just possible it may be the female of B. truncaticeps; under these circum-

stances it is doubtful whether the peculiar truncate vertex be a specific or a sexual

character.

7. Batrisus castaneus.

Gracilis, nitidus, castaneus; antennarum apice pedibusque testaceis ; capite plano, utrinque foveolato.

Long. 1? millim.

Mas tibiis anterioribus ultra medium rotundato-subdilatatis.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

This is a very peculiar species of which the male only has been discovered, and of

that sex only a single example. The colour and the shape of the elytra are more like

those of the female sex of the preceding species ; the elytra, however, though rounded

at the sides and shoulders, are much longer than in the females of B. simplicicornis ;

the head also differs but little from that of the female of B. simplicicornis, being

destitute of peculiarities of structure or punctuation. The antenne are slender and

14 PSELAPHID®.

rather elongate ; castaneous in colour, with the apical two or three joints paler; they

are simple, and without peculiarity in the shape of the joints, though the eighth joint

is much shorter than the seventh. The thorax is elongate and slender, with its trans-

verse line placed far in front of the base. The elytra are rather elongate, without

humeral angle or tuberculation, and the six punctures at the base are minute and

indistinct. The dorsal segments bear, in addition to the scanty pubescence, a few fine

long erect sete; the apical ventral segment is feebly depressed and bituberculate at the

extremity. The front tibie, though slender, are peculiarly distorted and appear very

different in shape according to the point from which they are viewed ; the middle tibize

finely mucronate at the apex.

8. Batrisus scaphiger.

Nigro-piceus, nitidus, parce pubescens; antennis castaneis, apice pedibusque testaceis ; capite plano, utrinque

foveolato.

Long. 13 millim.

Mas antennis medio curvato, tibiis anterioribus medio subinflatis, trochanteribus posterioribus majoribus,

scaphiformibus, dense pubescentibus.

Hab. * Mexico (Saldé).

This insect also is only known by one male example. The head is without structural

peculiarities, flat and shining, and with a very evident fovea on each side. ‘The antennee

are rather long, and are curved from the fifth to the ninth joints (although there is no

very striking alteration in the shape of these joints); the fourth joint is slightly larger

than the third, the fifth is much longer than either the one preceding or the one

following it, the eighth joint has the lower inner face a little cut away, the tenth Joint

is not quite so large as the ninth, and the terminal joint is elongate and slender. The

front tibie are only slightly inflated, the greatest width being about the middle ; the

middle tibize finely mucronate at the extremity. The hind trochanters are of a most

extraordinary form, being enlarged, and with a concave face behind, the concavity densely

set with pubescence. The hind body is also peculiar in form: on the ventral aspect the

intermediate rings are not exposed, so that it there appears to be composed of only two

segments, of which the apical one is broad and flat and its hind margin quite broad and

gently emarginate—thus allowing a considerable portion of a supplementary segment to

be perceived.

Although the locality is not exactly known, there can be no difficulty in identifying

this insect, the structure of the posterior trochanters being unique; in the much rounded

shoulders, as well as in the structure of the head, it resembles B. castaneus.

9. Batrisus monoceros.

Nitidus, parce pubescens ; capite abdomineque nigris ; prothorace elytrisque lete rufis ; antennis pedibusque

testaceis ; corpore subtus rufo-obseuro ; vertice subconvexo, utrinque foveolato.

Long. 13 millim.

BATRISUS. 15

Mas capite anterius in spinam elongatam acutissimam, anterius prominulam, producto; antennis medio parum

curvatis ; tibiis anterioribus apicem versus sat inflatis.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

This species also I must describe from a single male. The antenne are unicolorous

yellow, slightly curved from the sixth to the eighth joints, this latter being prolonged

and acuminate beneath; the ninth and tenth joints not very much larger than the

others, each not longer than broad; the terminal joint large, as long as the preceding

three together. Head black; produced in the middle in a forward and upward

direction so as to form a spine or horn with extremely acute point. The elytra are

rather elongate, and contrast strongly in colour with the black hind body, the shoulders

slightly plicate-elevate. The front tibie are distinctly inflated before the extremity ;

the middle tibiz finely mucronate at the apex. The apical ventral segment is slightly

impressed.

10. Batrisus armatellus.

Nitidus, parce pubescens; antennis pedibusque rufis ; capite haud plano; elytris basi sexpunctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Mas sanguineo-castaneus, capite inter antennas spina obliqua suberecta armato.

fem. castanea, capite mutico, elytris lateribus et humeris rotundatis.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet, David (Champion).

The male of this species differs from the same sex of B. curvicornis and its allies in

having the front tibie and the antenne normal in structure, while the head exhibits

remarkable sexual peculiarities. In this sex, just between the insertion of the antenne,

there arises a spine or short horn, broad at the base but acuminate at its free extremity ;

this spine or horn is directed obliquely backwards and upwards, and behind it is a

transverse depression, the depression almost divided into two parts by the spine, but

in the middle behind the apex of the spine with a prolongation backwards; there is an

indistinct fovea near each eye; the middle tibize are armed at the apex with a very

evident mucro, and the trochanters of the same pair of legs provided behind with a

patch of short pubescence ; the last ventral segment is largely but not at all deeply

impressed ; and the antenne are slightly larger than those of the female. The sexual

characters are quite sufficient for the identification of the male; the female, however,

is very different, it being less rufescent in colour, and with the elytra shorter and

completely rounded at the sides and shoulders. ‘The female may be distinguished from

the corresponding sex of B. simplicicornis and its allies by its larger and longer

antenne, the sixth and seventh joints especially being larger; and still more decisively

by the structure of the head, which is but little shining, and is minutely punctate and

pubescent on each side near the eye, the vertex behind being a little convex in the

middle and rather indistinctly foveolate on either side.

16 PSELAPHIDZ.

11. Batrisus coronifer.

Batrisus coronifer, Reitt. Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1882, p. 875"

Hab. Panama 1,

According to a type communicated by Herr Reitter, this insect is allied to B. arma-

tellus, but is of more dilute colour, with elongate slender antenne, the spine on the

front of the head indistinct, and the vertex in the middle behind somewhat raised and

emarginate; the depressions behind the clypeal spine slight compared with those of

B. armatellus.

12. Batrisus plicicollis.

Batrisus plicicollis, Reitt. Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1882, p. 376°.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Bilimek *).

Reitter supposed he had both sexes of this species, but the five individuals I have

received from him are all females; and as he has not indicated any of the characters.

usually distinctive of the male in this group, I imagine this sex is most probably still

unknown, and anticipate it will prove to have the head ornamented by some structures

analogous to those seen in B. armatellus and B. coronifer. The species is readily

recognized, at any rate in the female sex, by the peculiar form of the thorax, the latter

being compressed laterally so as to appear longitudinally raised along the middle.

13. Batrisus vividus.

Batrisus vividus, Schauf. Nungq. Otios. ii. p. 282* (nec Motsch.).

Hab. CentraL AMERICA }.

This insect also was described from a single female, and cannot be identified at

present ; it is stated to differ from Schaufuss’s supposed female of B. curvicornis in the

structure of the labrum. ‘The name was originally proposed by Motschulsky ; and

Reitter’s remarks (Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, 1883, pp. 375, 376) as to the confusion with

regard to specimens existing in collections under this name should be referred to. ‘It

is quite possible that Schaufuss’s insect may be the female of B. coronifer, Reitt.

§ 2. Thorax without longitudinal or transverse channels, but denticulate

at the sides. (Subgen. Oxarthrius).

14. Batrisus hamaticollis. (Tab. I. fig. 5, ¢.)

Sanguineus, parce pubescens, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite utrinque pone oculos barbato ; pro-

thorace posterius fortiter bispinoso; elytris impunctatis, humeris sat prominulis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion).

BATRISUS. 17

A single male only has been obtained of this species, and the description therefore

is of that sex only.

Antenne elongate, the basal joint largely exposed; with a very elongate club, -

formed by the four terminal joints—these joints somewhat asymmetric in form, the

eighth being slightly more incrassate on one side than on the other, the ninth trans-

verse and with one of its angles evidently acuminate, the tenth also transverse, and

with one of its faces shining and somewhat impressed, the terminal joint large and

quite as long as the preceding two joints together. Head broad between the eyes, the

latter placed quite as near to the antenne as to the neck ; narrowed behind the eyes,

and bearing on this part an erect pubescence ; its surface uneven, the vertex convex and

obscurely foveolate on either side of the convexity; depressed between the antennal

elevations and the vertex, and with a very indistinct carina on either side near the eye.

Thorax convex, with a minute lateral spine on either side in front of the middle;

much narrowed behind the denticles, and with two large acute prominences in front of

the base. Elytra depressed at the base, so that the basal foveation cannot be distin-

guished. First segment of the hind body rather broadly margined. Hind tibie with

a distinct mucro at the extremity; middle tibie more feebly mucronate; middle

femora with a large straight tooth placed almost in the middle. ‘Terminal ventral

plate small, and only feebly impressed.

15. Batrisus rivularis.

Batrisus rivularis, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 285 °.

Hab. Panama }.

§ 3. Thorax without longitudinal or transverse channels, unarmed.

The species I refer to this section represent a new subgenus, which I should have

treated as generically distinct from the other New-World Batrisi had it not been that

it shows considerable analogy with the European B. formicarius.

16. Batrisus crassipes. (Tab. I. fig. 7.)

Major, elongatus, castaneus, nitidus, crebrius pubescens; elytris intra humeros impressis, basi quadrifoveata,

plica discoidali abbreviata.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1800 feet, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne thick ; ninth joint but little different from the eighth, the tenth joint also

only slightly differing from the ninth and scarcely so long as broad, the terminal joint

very stout. Head narrow, with convex, rather large, finely faceted eyes, the latter

placed much in front of the hind margin; thickened over the insertion of each antenna,

so that the front part consists of an elevated transverse portion behind which there is

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1887. D*

18 PSELAPHIDA.

an angular depression, the vertex being convex. Thorax narrow, longer than broad ;

bearing a fine erect pubescence, quite impunctate. Elytra subquadrate, the shoulders

elevated, and with a short discoidal plica; from behind appearing only quadrifoveate

at the extreme base; distinctly pubescent, but almost impunctate. Hind body with an

extremely large basal dorsal plate, the latter very deeply transversely depressed in front.

Legs stout.

The two examples obtained are quite similar in structure, and I suspect are of the

male sex, the metasternum being rather deeply impressed. The latter also exhibits an

angular prominence on each side close to the outer termination of the coxa, while

behind the coxa the trochanter is compressed so as to form a somewhat similar promi-

nence, the articulation being included between the two prominences: in order to see

these characters properly the insect must be viewed in profile. The ventral rings are

of rather peculiar form; the basal one very short in the middle and scarcely longer

there than the following two together, and the fourth longer than those preceding it ;

the terminal plate is not impressed. The under surface is much less pubescent than

the upper.

17. Batrisus lamellipes.

Major, elongatus, castaneus, nitidus, breviter parce pubescens; elytris intra humeros impressis, basi quadri-

foveata, plica discoidali abbreviata.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This species bears a great general resemblance to B. crassipes, but exhibits some

very important differences: the pubescence of the surface, especially on the anterior

parts, is quite minute; the eyes are smaller and but little prominent; the anterior

elevation of the head is separated from the vertex by a deep depression, the depression

scarcely angular in form; the ninth and tenth joints of the antenne are scarcely at all

broader than the others, the terminal joint being very large ; the legs are considerably

broader, with the tarsi shorter and thicker, and the femora more compressed and

lamellate; the terminal joint of the maxillary palpi is of a different and more peculiar

form, being more slender, with its inner margin concave.

The unique example is probably a female, the metasternum being but little impressed

and having only an excessively minute angular prominence on each side of the impres-

sion. The ventral rings are rather elongate, except the basal one, the latter in the

middle being scarcely so long as the fourth.

BATOCTENUS.

Corpus sat elongatum ; caput muticum, absque tuberculis antennariis ; antenne inter se parum distantes, cras-

siuscule ; oculi magni; prothorax parum elongatus, absque sulculis, ad latus utrinque foveatus; elytra

striis discoidalibus subtilibus duabus ; abdomen haud marginatum, segmento dorsali primo quam secundum

paullo longiore, segmentis ventralibus primis et secundis subsequalibus.

BATOCTENUS. 19

Although closely allied to the polymorphous Batrisus, and without any one very

salient point of difference, yet the insects I include in Batoctenus exhibit so many minor

distinctions as to constitute the genus a very distinct one. The palpi are shorter than

in Batrisus, and with the terminal joint ovate, acuminate; the head is simple, without

depressions or any distinct elevation over the antennal insertion; the space separating

the antenne is narrower ; the eyes are large and coarsely faceted ; on the under surface

of the body there is but little difference between the length of the first and the other

ventral rings. ‘The rest of the characters very nearly agree with Batrisus.

1. Batoctenus simplex.

Rufescens, elytris sanguineis ; crebrius subtiliter pubescens, parum nitidus; capite opaco, dense subtiliter rugoso-

punctato ; prothorace fere impunctato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

The antenne are dissimilar in the sexes, though joints 2-7 differ but little from one

another: in the female the eighth joint differs from the seventh only in being a little

longer, the ninth is rather broader, and the tenth still somewhat broader, the terminal

joint being elongate, stout, and obtusely acuminate; in the male the eighth joint is

oblong and much larger than the seventh, the ninth joint a little larger than the

eighth, the tenth shorter than the ninth, the terminal joint very stout. The opaque

densely sculptured head has no elevations or depressions except the two indistinct

fover on the vertex. The thorax is nearly as long as broad; much narrowed behind

and still more so in front. The elytra are elongate, and of a brighter red than the rest of

the surface ; with the shoulders slightly elevated, and a sutural and two fine equidistant

dorsal striz extending the whole length. In addition to the peculiar antenne, the

male is distinguished from the female by the possession of a mucro at the extremity of

the middle tibia ; and it also has the terminal ventral plate more distinctly impressed.

Four examples.

2. Batoctenus puncticollis. (Tab. I. fig. 9, 3.)

Rufescens, elytris sanguineis, crebrius subtiliter pubescens, parum nitidus; capite opaco, dense subtiliter

rugoso-punctato; prothorace disco dense punctato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Though very similar to 8. simplex, this insect is readily distinguished by the

punctate thoracic disc. The sexual distinctions are similar, except that the male of

B. puncticollis has an additional character in the shape of the front tibiz, these latter,

though slender, becoming slightly broader on the inner face to just below the middle,

where they again become narrow.

One pair only was found.

D* 2

20° PSELAPHIDA.

EUPHALEPSUS.

Euphalepsus, Reitter, Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, xx. p. 378 (1882).

This genus, though allied in many respects to Batrisus, is essentially distinct by the

structure of the palpi. It comprises as yet only three Brazilian species in addition to

those found in our region ; one, recently described by Reitter as L. longicornis, has had

no locality indicated, but it is not, I believe, from our region.

1. Euphalepsus globipennis.

Euphalepsus globipennis, Reitt. 1. c. p. 379°.

Hab. Mexico, San Marcos (Bilimek 1, mus. Vindob.).

We have not received this species.

2. Euphalepsus centralis.

Brevis, convexus, sanguineo-castaneus, nitidus, pube erecta vestitus; elytrorum basi et humeris marginato-

elevatis; antennis sat elongatis, articulis nono et decimo in latitudine et longitudine subzqualibus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with joints 3-8 differing little from one another; the ninth joint consider-

ably larger and about as long as broad, the tenth similar to the ninth, the terminal joint

rather longer than the preceding two together. Head small; with two short thick

antennal tubercles, and behind each of these obscurely foveolate. Thorax small, convex,

with a deep transverse sulcus in front of the base, the extremity of the sulcus con-

nected with a short deep longitudinal impression on each side. Elytra broad, convex,

the base margined, the shoulders elevated; the humeral elevation not continued

backwards along the sides, the basal margin crenulate owing to the three or four punc-

tures or minute fovez which exist on each side; without discoidal stria, the sutural

stria fine; the pubescence very distinct, but the punctuation extremely feeble. Hind

body very short, convex, forming in profile a curve almost continuous with the elytra.

Legs rather slender.

Only one example was found in each locality; they are apparently male and female,

though the differences are but slight: each has the metasternum foveolate at the

extremity. The male, from San Gerénimo, has a very minute patch of pubescence on

the hind margin of the intermediate femur near the base, the middle tibia slightly

denticulate inwardly just below the middle, and the hind tibia with a very minute

inflation of its superior face below the middle. The female is remarkable on account

of the existence of a conical projection of the dorsal surface of the hind body at the

extremity.

EUPHALEPSUS.—LISTRIOPHORUS. 21

3. Kuphalepsus reitteri. (Tab. I. fig. 8, 3.)

Brevis, convexus, sanguineo-castaneus, nitidus, pube longa erecta dense vestitus; elytrorum basi et humeris

marginato-elevatis; antennis sat elongatis,.crassis, clava elongata, articulorum noni et decimi longitudine

latitudinem superante.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

A single male example only has been obtained. It is closely allied to L. centralis,

but is larger, with a more dense pubescence, much more largely developed club to the

antenne, and a more elongate head; the sexual characters are also different, the hind

legs being longer and thicker and with their tibie dilated externally below the middle,

the middle femora without a patch of pubescence, and the denticle near the extremity

of the middle tibize scarcely to be detected.

I have named this elegant species of Pselaphide in honour of Herr Reitter, of Vienna,

who has contributed more than any other entomologist to our knowledge of this family

of minute but extremely curious Coleoptera.

Subfam. BRY AXINA.

Group GONIACERINA.

GONIACERUS.

Goniacerus, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 17, tab. fig. 8; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx.

pp. 188, 206 (1882).

Goniastes, Westwood, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1870, p. 125.

This genus comprises only a single Amazonian species in addition to the one from

our region.

1. Goniacerus gibbus.

Goniacerus gibbus, Motsch. 1. c.*

Hab. Panama, Obispo 1.

LISTRIOPHORUS.

Listriophorus, Schaufuss, Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 245; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 189 (1882).

This genus has not been characterized; it was merely tabulated by Schaufuss.

Listriophorus comprises only one species, which probably may not belong to our

region.

1. Listriophorus felix.

Listriophorus feliz, Schauf. 1. c. p. 289°.

Hab. * Mexico (“ wahrscheinlich ”) !,

22 PSELAPHIDZ.

Group BRYAXINA.

CACCOPLECTUS.

Corpus sat elongatum, subdepressum, subparallelum, pube subtili depressa vestitum. Antenne 11-articulate,

simplices, vix clavate, ad basin inter sese tantum modice distantes. Os subtus situm. Palpi maxillares

minuti, articulo ultimo breviter ovali. Caput valde convexum; oculis sat magnis. Prothorax brevis,

ante basin transversim impressus. Elytra elongata, striis suturalibus et discoidalibus geminatis impressis.

Abdomen late marginatum.

This genus is proposed for an insect that appears anomalous in several respects ;

it has at first sight the aspect of the “ Euplectina,” though apparently possessing but

little relationship with that group. I am inclined to think Caccoplectus would be

most naturally located near Batoctenus; but, as I cannot discover any trace of a second

claw to the tarsus, I am obliged in following Reitter’s arrangement to place it in the

‘ Bryaxina,’ to no member of which group has it, so far as I know, any resemblance.

Though the mouth is placed on the underside of the head (as in the ‘ Ctenistina’), yet

the latter is quite short, and not at all rostrate, the antenne being inserted close to the

labrum. The maxillary palpi are unusually minute, so that I can only with difficulty

obtain a sight of the terminal joint. The hind coxe are widely separated; the two

basal joints of the tarsi very distinct, and setose beneath. The second, third, and

fourth ventral rings are similar to one another, and rather elongate, the basal ring

being very short.

1. Caccoplectus celatus. (Tab. I. fig. 11.)

Testaceo-castaneus, elytris magis sanguineis, pube depressa flavescente vestitus ; antennis crassiusculis, articulo

2° parvo, articulis 3°-10™ subeequalibus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuatemMaa, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne stout, the second joint smaller than either of the others, joints 3-10

differing very little from one another, the terminal joint as long as the preceding two

together. Head very convex in the middle ; antennal tubercles flat, elongate, separated

in front only; eyes large, coarsely faceted. Thorax with a transverse impression near

the base and behind this, in the middle, a short longitudinal depression in front of the

scutellum ; a longitudinal impression also on each side. Elytra elongate, narrowed,

though not in the least raised, at the shoulders; the discoidal stria consisting of two

very fine, rather widely separated lines, and the sutural stria also having the appearance

of being limited on each side by a very fine line. The hind body is densely pubescent.

The unique example found is presumed to be a male, the middle femora being

dilated so that their base is very much wider than the trochanter and exhibits a slight

obtuse angle.

DECARTHRON.

Decarthron, Brendel, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. vi. p. 35 (May 1866); Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xx.

p- 189 (1882).

This genus is peculiar to the New Werld; only a few species have been described

DECARTHRON. 23

as yet, though Decarthron ranges from the United States of North America to the

tropics.

§1. Thorax with a lateral fovea on each side.

1. Decarthron suturale.

Bryaxis suturalis, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 17’.

Hab. Mexico}.

2. Decarthron cochlearifer.

Bryaxis cochlearifer, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 9'.

Hab. Muxico1, Cordova (Sailé), Jalapa (Hége); Guaremana, Calderas, Dueiias,

Torola (Champion).

§2. Thorax without lateral fovee.

3. Decarthron fallaciosum. (Tab. I. fig. 12.)

Lete rufo-testaceum, nitidum ; pedibus testaceis ; antennis palpisque gracilibus.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, Cahabon (Champion).

Antenne slender and long; none of the joints transverse—4-7 very similar to one

another, the eighth stouter and about as long as broad, the ninth still broader and

about as long as wide, the tenth broader than the ninth, as long as the preceding two

together, and emarginate on one side near the tip. Head with two very large fovee

between the eyes. Thorax subglobose, with a small distinct fovea in front of the

scutellum. Elytra with the sutural stria very deeply excavated at the base, and with

the discoidal stria extending one half the length; with a moderately large intra-

humeral impression. First dorsal segment with a very distinct plica on each side,

extending more than half the length of the segment.

The unique Mexican example is, I presume, a male, as there is a very slight angular

swelling of the front upper margin of the middle femur. From Guatemala also only

a single example has been received; though much mutilated it apparently agrees

exactly with the Mexican type. The elongate antenne and comparatively large size of

this species give it an extreme resemblance to Bryaais.

4. Decarthron restitutum.

Lete rufo-testaceum, nitidum, subtiliter pubescens; antennis parum elongatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. * Muxico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremata, Rio Naranjo, near the city, Rio Maria

Linda, Torola, San Gerénimo (Champion) ; tNicaraaua (Sallé).—? AMAzoNSs.

This species at first sight resembles D. cochlearifer exactly, but besides wanting the

lateral fovea on the thorax, is distinguished as follows :—it is slightly smaller, and

24 PSELAPHIDA.

with less swollen maxillary palpi, and has a narrower head, the two fovee on the vertex

being consequently less distant. It also possesses well-marked male characters; in this

sex the middle femur is angularly swollen to beyond the middle and beyond this

emarginate-foveolate ; and the front tibia also is a little angularly dilated above.

The Mexican habitat of this species, as well as the Nicaraguan one, rests in each

case on a single female; both require confirmation. I have also a female found by

Prof. Trail in the Amazons valley that apparently belongs to this species.

5. Decarthron similare.

Lete rufo-testaceum, nitidum, subtiliter pubescens ; antennis parum elongatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Champerico (Champion).

This species is distinguished from D. restitutwm apparently only by the sexual cha-

racters, these being very different. The male has the middle femur inflated to beyond

the middle, and with the extremity subconstricted; the middle tibia has a thick mucro

at its internal apical angle ; and the metasternum has a broad depression in the middle

behind, the depression densely covered with an extremely fine, pallid, silky pubescence.

The unique example was found upon the sea-coast.

6. Decarthron curticorne.

Bryaxis curticornis, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. i. p. 263°.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan !.

7. Decarthron denticorne.

Bryazxis denticornis, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 15°.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan t.

The condition of the thorax is not described, and I therefore can only guess at the

position of the species. D. denticorne has apparently a peculiar structure of the head.

BRYAXIS.

Bryaxis, Leach, Zool. Misc. ii. p. 85 (1817) ; Leconte, Tr. Am. Ent. Soe. viii. p. 181 (1880) ;

Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 190 (1882).

This is a very extensive genus of which more than two hundred species have already

been described; it has a very wide distribution. Reitter (/. ¢.) does not admit in

Bryaxis any form that has not a dorsal stria as well as a sutural stria on each elytron ;

but in the species of our region we have the passages from a delicate dorsal stria to its

complete absence ; I have therefore been obliged to abandon the use of this character

as being of generic importance. The species I have placed in the second section

are most probably not really congeneric with those of the first section; but as they are

BRYAXIS. 25

far from agreeing énter se, except in the negative character of wanting the lateral thoracic

fovee, and as no sufficient material has been obtained for the investigation of these

minute forms, I am obliged to leave them in Bryaxis at present.

§1. Thorax with a well-marked lateral fovea on each side; elytra usually with a

dorsal stria.

1. Bryaxis celata.

Rufo-testacea, nitida, subtiliter pubescens; antennis tenuibus; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi,

utrinque foveola multo majore; abdominis segmento basali haud elongato, quam secundum dimidio

longiore,

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége); GuatTeMaLa, near the city (Champion); Nicaragua,

Managua (Sa//é).

Antenne quite slender ; joints 3-8 similar to one another, small, the fifth joint only

slightly longer than those adjoining it, the ninth small, though slightly larger than the

preceding one, the tenth larger than the ninth, as long as broad, the terminal joint still

larger. Head without fovea in front, but slightly depressed between the antenne, the

vertex with two large fovee. Thorax broader than long. Elytra with an entire sutural

stria, and with a fine discoidal stria extending more than half the length. First abdo-

minal segment with a short plica on each side. The male is distinguished by the

existence of a long depression at the apex of the hind body beneath.

This species is extremely similar to the female of B. reichei, but the tenth joint of

the antenne is smaller; the head is more elongate, and somewhat depressed between

the insertion of the antenne, and has no fovea there; the lateral fovea of the thorax

is larger, and the pubescence though very fine is not so extremely minute. Only one

example has been received from Mexico; Mr. Champion, however, met with a small

series in Guatemala, and M. Sallé a single specimen in Nicaragua.

2. Bryaxis parviceps.

Rufo-testacea, nitida, subtiliter pubescens; antennis tenuibus, modice elongatis; capite brevi trifoveolato,

foveola frontali magna; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi, utrinque foveola majore ; elytris

stria discoidali valde abbreviata; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum duplo longiore.

Long. vix 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremata, Paso Antonio (Champion); Panama,

near the city (Champion).

Though very similar to B. celata, this species is distinguished by the smaller head,

with large frontal fovea; the smaller lateral fovea of the thorax; the more abbreviated

discoidal stria of the elytra; the longer basal segment of the hind body; and the hind

margin of the wing-cases pubescent in the middle. This latter character is wanting in

the female of B. reichei, which also has only a minute fovea on the front of the head.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1887. E*

26 PSELAPHID A.

B. parviceps still more closely resembles Decarthron cochlearifer, but has the antenne

more slender, and with eleven joints instead of ten, and a less elongate first segment to

the hind body. The male is distinguished by an elongation of the fifth and sixth joints

of the antenne, and a slight asymmetry of the seventh and eighth joints.

I have seen four examples from Mexico, these being mixed in Sallé’s collection with

Decarthron cochlearifer, two from Guatemala, and one from the State of Panama.

3. Bryaxis crassipalpis.

Piceo-rufa, nitida, elytris sanguineis, antennis pedibusque rufis, subtiliter pubescens; capite angusto, utrinque

supra antennas fortiter elevato, vertice bifoveolato ; prothorace transverso, basi in media foveola parva,

utrinque foveola multo majore; elytris stria discoidali ultra medium abbreviata; abdominis segmento

basali elongato, quam secundum plus duplo longiore.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Zapote (Champion).

This species is readily distinguished by the strong elevation over each antenna, and

the surface being foveolate between the excavations ; it also has the palpi thicker than

ordinary, and more like what exists in Decarthron, from which genus-it is in fact solely

distinguished by the eleven-jointed antenne. These last-named organs are slender,

with quite short basal joint, the fourth joint slightly, the fifth distinctly, elongate, the

three following joints small, and the three terminal joints forming a slender club.

The unique example is probably a female. The pubescence in B. crassipalpis is fine

but somewhat elongate, and not so extremely minute as in B. sall@i and its allies.

4. Bryaxis pubescens. |

Bryaxis pubescens, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 16°.

Hab. Mexico }.

This insect is stated to have the head trifoveolate, the foveee adorned with white sete,

and to be 12 millim. long; these characters would bring the species near 2. rubecula,

but the sixth joint of the antenne is stated to be as long as the preceding two together,

whereas in B. rubecula this joint is shorter than the fifth alone.

5. Bryaxis nominata.

Fem. Rufo-testacea, nitida, convexa, subtilissime pubescens; antennarum articulo quinto precedentibus duobus

quali; capite elongato, nitido, impunctato, anterius plano, vertice bifoveolato ; prothorace basi in media

minute foveolato, utrinque foveola majore ; elytris stria suturali aliaque discoidali ante apicem abbreviata

impressis ; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum haud duplo longiore.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuateMALA, Duefias (Champion).

We have received only females of this species, but it is clearly quite different from

any other noticed here; in its bright colour it resembles B. celata and B. parviceps,

but the head is quite flat in front, and the eyes are not placed so near to the vertex; the

BRYAXIS. 27

antenne have the fifth joint strongly, the sixth slightly, elongate, the club rather stout;

the thorax is subglobose, about as long as broad. From the corresponding sex of

B. reichet the present insect is distinguished by its larger size; the more elongate head,

without fovea in front ; and by the fifth joint of the antennz longer than the sixth.

6. Bryaxis reichei.

Bryazis reichet, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 264°.

Hab. Guatemata! (Sallé), near the city, San Gerénimo (Champion).—SoutH AMERICA,

Colombia 1.

Schaufuss’s description applies to the male only ; the female has the antenne slender

and simple, and with the fifth and sixth joints equal and a little elongate. The species

is readily distinguished by the head being flat, and having a minute but quite definite

fovea in front between the insertion of the antenne.

7. Bryaxis sallwi. (Tab. I. fig. 13.)

Piceo-rufa, elytris rufo-sanguineis, convexa, subtilissime pubescens; antennis maris articulis quinto sextoque

incrassatis ; capite brevi trifoveolato, foveola frontali magna ; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi,

utrinque foveola majore ; elytris stria discoidali abbreviata ; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam

secundum vix duplo longiore.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé) ; Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Senahu

(Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

I have what I suppose to be the sexes of this species before me. The male has the

third and fourth joints of the antenne small, the fifth large, swollen, and with its front

margin polished and foveolate, the sixth joint also is enlarged though much smaller

than the fifth, the seventh and eighth joints are of normal form, while the three

terminal joints form an elongate club, gradually thicker from the base to near the apex.

The front of the head is strongly elevated so as to give the appearance of a large fovea

between the antenne ; the very fine elytral stria extends about half the length ; the

hind margin of the wing-cases is only exceedingly minutely pubescent in the middle ;

and scarcely any plica can be detected on the first dorsal segment. Beneath the meta-

sternum is hollow in the middle, tuberculate-prominent on either side.

Of this species we have unfortunately not received males and females from the

same locality. ‘The former sex exhibits some slight variation in the structure of the

antenne, possibly of a local character, but sufficient evidence has not been obtained as

to this. ‘The female sex is represented by a good series from Senahu; these examples

agree Closely with what I take to be the male of the same species, except in colour,

and in the fifth and sixth joints of the antenne not being swollen though they are

a little elongate, the fifth being the longer of the two.

K* 2

28 PSELAPHID.

8. Bryaxis intacta.

Picea, elytris piceo-rufis, convexa, subtilissime pubescens ; antennis maris articulo quinto valde inflato; capite

nitido, trifoveolato, foveola frontali magna; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi, utrinque foveola

majore ; elytris stria discoidali apicem haud attingente, stria suturali integra ; abdominis segmento basali

sat elongato, quam secundum fere duplo longiore.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Cahabon 1000 feet (Champion).

The male of this species has the fifth joint of the antenne greatly enlarged and

foveolate-impressed in front, all the other joints being normal, the sixth, seventh, and

eighth small, slender, and subequal, the terminal three joints forming an elongate very

slender club; it also has a conspicuous mucro directed inwards on the middle tibia just

above the apex.

The male of B. tntacta is readily distinguished from the same sex of B. salla@i by the

structure of the antenne ; the female is unknown. Unique.

9. Bryaxis diversicornis.

Picea, elytris piceo-rufis, convexa, subtilissime pubescens; antennis maris articulis quinto sextoque incrassatis ;

capite brevi trifoveolato, foveola frontali magna; prothorace basi in media foveola punctiformi, utrinque

foveola multo majore ; elytris stria discoidali omnino obsoleta ; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato,

quam secundum haud duplo longiore.

Long. 2-23 millim.

Hab. GuateMaa, Sabo in Vera Paz (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to B. sall@i, but has the discoidal stria of the elytra

quite obsolete, and the antenne of the male more peculiarly formed; in this sex the

fifth antennal joint forms an irregular triangle, and is curvate and hollow in front, and

the sixth joint is transverse; in the female the fifth and sixth joints are not dilated,

but the fifth is as long as the preceding two together, and the sixth intermediate in

length between the fifth and seventh; the male has the metasternum angularly promi-

nent on either side, subexcavate between the prominences. There is a very slight

intrahumeral depression on the wing-case, but no discoidal stria, the sutural stria being

present as usual.

Only three examples were obtained.

10. Bryaxis rubecula.

Fem. Rufo-testacea, convexa, nitida, subtiliter pubescens; antennis tenuibus, articulo quinto vix elongato,

tertio equali; capite argute trifoveolato, foveolis omnibus pubescentibus ; prothorace subgloboso, basi in

media foveola punctiformi, utrinque foveola majore; elytris stria discoidali omnino obsoleta; abdominis

segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum vix duplo longiore.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet, Los Remedios (Champion).

Although we have received only females this is clearly a distinct species, and the

absence of a definite discoidal stria induces me to place it next B. diversicornis ; it is

BRYAXIS, . 29

distinguished by the large definite fovea on the front of the head being similar to

the two fovez on the vertex, and like them finely pubescent; the slender intermediate

joints of the antenne and the different proportions of these joints are also important

diagnostic characters.

The three examples obtained are unfortunately in a bad state of preservation.

11. Bryaxis designata.

Piceo-rufa, elytris rufo-sanguineis, antennis pedibusque rufis, convexa, subtilissime pubescens; antennis maris

articulis quinto sextoque elongatis, leviter incrassatis ; capite punctulato, bifoveolato, vertice inter foveolas

convexo ; prothorace basi in media minutissime foveolato, utrinque foveola majore ; elytris stria suturali

aliaque discoidali impressis; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum vix duplo longiore,

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes (Champion).

Head not foveolate in front, but with the vertex convex in the middle, the convexity

extending forwards but not reaching the front, on either side of the convexity a small

and shallow fovea. Thorax rather slender, as long as broad; with a very minute fovea

at the base in the middle, and also a large distinct one on each side. The discoidal

stria of the elytra is curvate, very fine, and extends more than half the length, though

not reaching the hind margin. In the male the antenne have the fifth and sixth joints

about equal in length, each about as long as 2-4 together, and a little thicker than

those near them, and joints 9-11 form a long slender club ; in the female joints 5 and 6

are elongate, but not thicker than the contiguous joints, each as long as the seventh

and eighth together. The male has the metasternum distinctly impressed, while in the

female it is flat behind.

Mr. Champion secured seven examples of this insect.

12. Bryaxis diversa. (Tab. I. fig. 14.)

Rufo-testacea, elytris rufis, convexa, nitida, subtilissime pubescens; antennis maris articulis quinto sextoque

elongatis, leviter dilatatis ; capite plano, trifoveolato, foveola frontali in clypei margine anteriore sita ;

prothorace subgloboso, utrinque foveola parva, basi in media haud foveolata; elytris stria suturali aliaque

discoidali ante apicem abbreviata, impressis; abdominis segmento basali sat elongato, quam secundum

haud duplo longiore.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, San Feliz, Tolé (Champion).

Allied to B. reichet, but distinguished by the absence of a fovea on the base of the

thorax, by a slight difference in the front of the head, and very different male antenne.

On careful examination a very minute puncture can be detected in the position usually

occupied by the median thoracic fovea. The front of the head is flat and shining, and

appears slightly emarginate at the edge in front; on the deflexed anterior part there is

a small fovea. In the male the fifth joint of the antenne is distinctly enlarged, and

the sixth joint is still larger. At the extreme base of the elytron there is a puncture

30 PSELAPHIDA.

between the sutural and discoidal striz, as well as a puncture at the base of each of

these strie.

Seven examples; these were found on the sandy banks of streams.

§ 2. Thorax without lateral fovee ; elytra without dorsal stria.

13. Bryaxis pusilla.

Bryazis pusilla, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 15°.

Hab. Mexico}.

This species is said to be nearly or quite without lateral foveze on the thorax, and to

be scarcely 1 millim. long.

i4. Bryaxis cristata.

Bryazis cristata, Schauf. Sechzig neue Pselaph. p. 14’.

Hab. Mexico },

The thorax of this insect is stated to have a very fine crest in front of the scutellum ;

the lateral fovese absent, or rather replaced by a fine linear impression composed of

confluent punctures ; the head to be only depressed between the antenne (as in B. celata) ;

the length 14 millim.

15. Bryaxis bythinoides.

Castanea, subtiliter pubescens ; antennis tenuibus, distantibus ; capite brevi, lato, bifoveolato; prothorace trans-

verso, basi in media minutissime foveolata, lateribus haud foveolatis ; elytris intra humeros foveolatis,

stria suturali integra, stria discoidali nulla; abdominis segmento basali parum elongato, lateribus haud

alte marginatis.

Long. vix 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne with small third joint which, however, is longer than the fourth, joints 4-8

each quite small and slender, the ninth slightly larger, the tenth transverse, the terminal

joint acuminate and longer than the preceding two together. Head broad and short,

the vertex with two large but indefinite fovee, the front depressed but not foveolate.

Thorax short, strongly narrowed behind. Elytra of a rather darker castaneous colour

than the head and thorax; with a rather large fovea at the shoulders, and a very deep

sutural stria. Legs slender and rather short. In the male the intermediate ventral

rings are so abbreviated as to be almost invisible, and the apex is occupied by a deep

transverse fissure.

One example from each locality.

16. Bryaxis impressicollis.

Nigro-picea, convexa, parce subtiliter pubescens, nitida; antennis, palpis pedibusque sordide testaceis, illis.

BRYAXIS. 31

brevibus ; capite brevi, fronte transversim lineariter depresso, vertice bifoveolato; prothorace anterius

profundissime transversim depresso, basi in media minutissime foveolata ; elytris intra humeros depressis,

stria suturali integra, discoidali nulla ; abdomine subtiliter marginato, segmento basali haud elongato.

Long. 1} millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne short, with a stout club; joints 3-8 minute, the eighth being exceedingly

short, the ninth joint small, transverse, the tenth much broader and also transverse, the

terminal joint stout, acuminate. Palpi rather long, with slender terminal joint. Head

small, with two large fovez on the vertex, the extreme summit slightly notched in the

middle, the front margin thickened and with a linear depression behind the incrassation.

Thorax small, much narrowed in front and behind ; with an extremely deep transverse

depression extending all across it in front, and an exceedingly minute punctiform fovea

in front of the base. Elytra elongate, convex; the extreme base internal to the shoulder

depressed. First dorsal ring not much longer than the second.

Of this Bythinoid insect only a single example was secured.

17. Bryaxis vulnerata. (Tab. I. fig. 15.)

Castanea, subtiliter pubescens; antennis brevibus; prothorace transverso, medio profunde irregulariterque

depresso, basi in media minutissime foveolata; elytris intra humeros depressis, stria suturali integra,

discoidali nulla; abdomine subtiliter marginato, segmento basali haud elongato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Tolé (Champion).

Antenne short and slender, with rather large club; joints 4-8 minute, subequal, the

terminal three gradually forming a club. Head short, moderately broad, the front of

the clypeus a little raised and with a slight antennary tubercle; bifoveolate between

the eyes, the extreme vertex in the middle slightly notched or depressed. Thorax broad

and short, much narrowed behind ; with a very large and deep depression formed as it

were of three depressions united, the larger on the disc, the smaller one a little nearer

the front on each side. Elytra with a distinct sutural stria and a well-marked intra-

humeral depression.

Allied to B. impressicollis, though with a differently formed thorax ; also unique.

18. Bryaxis simulatrix.

Castanea, nitida, levigata ; antennis tenuibus, clava uni-articulata; capite utrinque foveolato, tuberculis anten-

nariis discretis; prothorace basi in media minute foveolato; elytris stria suturali integra; abdomine

brevissimo, segmento basali parum elongato, ceteris deflexis.

Long. 1} millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Paraiso (Champion).

Antenne slender; joints 3-10 minute, similar ; the terminal joint forming a rather

large club, acuminate. Head small. Thorax rather elongate, the base produced in

front of the scutellum ; with a very minute fovea in the middle close to the base.

32 PSELAPHID A.

Of this very distinct insect one immature example was found. It is no doubt a male,

and has the front legs much incrassate, the femora being much swollen and the tibiz

less so; the middle femora are also incrassate to a less extent; the metasternum is

broadly depressed on the middle ; and the actual apex of the hind body is occupied by

a deep depression.

Leconte established a genus Eutrichites for a minute Bryagzis-like insect with uni-

articulate club, and a condition of the elytral strie similar to that existing here; but

his genus is stated in addition to have the antenne approximate, and therefore I cannot

place B. simulatria in it. The difficulty of examining so minute an insect is increased

in the present case by the immature condition of the solitary exponent, and by its wings

being protruded.

19. Bryaxis trimioides. (Tab. I. fig. 16.)

Angustula, nitida, levigata, rufo-castanea, elytris sanguineis ; antennis brevibus, clava majore; capite levigato,

plano, vertice tantum minute obsoleteque bifoveolato; prothorace angustulo, inimpresso; elytris stria

suturali integra, intra humeros ad summam basin foveolatis ; abdomine subtiliter marginato, segmento

basali quam secundum paullo longiore.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Senahu, Tamahu (Champion).

Antenne short, with the intermediate joints minute; the terminal three joints gradually

forming a club, the last joint being stout. Head smooth, flat and shining, the clypeus

slightly incrassate on each side; near each eye is a small very obscure fovea. Thorax

small, a little narrowed behind, its greatest width in front of the middle ; polished and

shining. Elytra without sutural stria, with a small fovea at the extreme base within

the shoulder.

Three examples.

20. Bryaxis impubis.

Subnitida, rufo-castanea ; antennis brevibus, clava majore; capite margine anteriore incrassato, utrinque inter

oculos vage impresso; prothorace brevi, inimpresso; elytris haud foveolatis, stria suturali impressa ;

abdomine brevi, segmento basali haud elongato, quam secundum paullo longiore.

Long. 1 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Tamahu (Champion).

Antenne short, with joints 3-8 small, the ninth and tenth joints also small, broader

than the preceding, and strongly transverse, the terminal joint very large and acuminate.

Head small, with the clypeus elevated ; a depression on each side near the eye. Thorax

small, short, a good deal narrowed behind, with a single minute puncture in the middle

in front of the base. Elytra obsoletely punctulate, without basal impressions, but with

a moderately deep sutural stria.

This species at first sight closely resembles B. trimioides, but is really very distinct ; the

antenne have the ninth and tenth joints smaller, so that it is difficult to decide whether

BRYAXIS.—PSELAPTUS. 33

the club should be called uni-articulate or three-jointed ; the head is differently formed,

the thorax shorter, and the elytra exhibit a slight sculpture. It is unique.

21. Bryaxis edipus.

Rufo-castanea, elytris sanguineis, omnino minutissime pubescens, sat nitida; antennis brevibus, clava magna ;

capite anterius impresso, utrinque inter oculos minute foveolato, vertice subconvexo ; prothorace brevi;

elytris stria suturali subtiliter impressis, intra humeros obsoletissime depressis ; abdominis segmento basali

quam secundum duplo longiore; tarsis anterioribus (? maris) articulo basali crassiore.

Long. vix 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé).

Antenne with joints 3-8 small, the ninth and tenth joints also small, but transverse,

the terminal joint very large, acuminate. Head transversely depressed in front, the

clypeus being angulate in the middle and depressed; on each side near the eye is an

obscure fovea, which is only indistinctly separated from the frontal depression. Thorax

short and broad, much narrowed behind, without fovee, the base slightly transversely

depressed. Elytra with only a fine sutural stria, and a very feeble impression at the

shoulder.

This insect also is unique ; it is allied to B. impudis, though abundantly distinct. The

example is probably a male, the metasternum being broadly impressed, and it is very

probable that the peculiar swelling of the front tarsus may be peculiar to this sex.

PSELAPTUS.

Pselaptus, Leconte, Tr. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 184 (1880).

This genus was established for a Texan insect, and distinguished from Bryawis by the

absence of strize from the elytra. The single species from our region agrees with

Pselaptus in this respect, but whether it be really congeneric with P. belfragei, Lec.,

must remain doubtful at present.

1. Pselaptus batrisoides. (Tab. I. fig 17.)

Convexa, laevigata, polita, rufa, elytris dilute sanguineis; antennis gracilibus, clava valde elongata; capite

anterius subimpresso, utrinque inter oculos foveola minuta; prothorace inimpresso; abdominis segmento

basali quam secundum vix duplo longiore.

Long. vix 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, El Reposo (Champion).

Antenne rather slender, joints 3-8 small, the ninth joint slightly broader, as long as

wide, the tenth joint a little larger but similar, the terminal joint very long. Head

rather broad and short, rather vaguely impressed in front, and with a small obscure

fovea on each side. Thorax nearly as long as broad, smooth, and shining. Elytra

convex, polished, without fovez or strie. Legs elongate.

Unique.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1887. ;*

34 PSELAPHIDA.

Subfam. PSELAPHIN ZA.

| PSELAPHUS.

Pselaphus, Herbst, Natursyst. bek. ausl. Ins. Kaf. iv. p. 106 (1792).

This distinct genus is widely distributed over the world, and comprises at present

about seventy described species.

1: Pselaphus longiceps. (Tab. I. fig. 18.)

Latus, castaneus, elytris sanguineis; capite antennarumque articulo basali elongatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Head elongate, dull, depressed between the eyes. Antenne with the first joint as

long as the following four joints together; the terminal joint elongate, nearly equal in

length to the preceding four united. Palpi very elongate; second joint very long and

slender, rather tortuous, and with a slender apex; third joint small; fourth joint with

delicate basal stalk, about equal in length to the slender apical dilatation. Thorax

slender, much rounded at the sides, without impressions. Elytra gradually narrowed

from the apex to the base, shining red, with well-marked sutural stria. Prosternum in

front of the cox densely covered with glandular pubescence; its hind margin and the

base of the hind body each with a band of similar pubescence. _

The unique example of this very distinct species is probably a female.

PSELAPHOMORPHUS.

Pselaphomorphus, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 15, tab. f. 7.

Nothing I believe is known as to this genus beyond Motschulsky’s imperfect figure

and few words of description ; but the insect is apparently very different from Pselaphus

by its palpi. Possibly these organs have been mutilated.

1. Pselaphomorphus sculpturatus.

Pselaphomorphus sculpturatus, Motsch. 1. c.*

Hab. Panama, Obispo}.

Subfam. HUPLECTINA.

Group EUPLECTINA.

CANTHODERUS.

Canthoderus, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 15, tab. f. 6; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx.

p. 194 (1882).

Stratus, Schaufuss, Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 246 (1872).

CANTHODERUS.—APOTHINUS. 35

I accept on Reitter’s authority these two names as representing one genus. Reitter

has not, however, informed us that the species of Schaufuss is the same as that of

Motschulsky, and as the localities whence they were respectively obtained are so distant,

the two insects are possibly distinct. Motschulsky’s figure is very defective, and there

is no specific description, so that his species can only be identified by comparison with

the type.

1. Canthoderus villosus.

Canthoderus villosus, Motsch. Etudes ent. 1855, p. 15. tab. f. 67.

Hab. Panama, Obispo 1.

2. Canthoderus ursinus.

Stratus ursinus, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. 11. p. 246°.

Hab. Mexico, “ Yucatan au Teapa ”}.

APOTHINUS.

Caput parvum, anterius utrinque maxime elevatum, elevationibus in medio conjunctis. Antenne sat approxi-

mate, undecim-articulate ; clava elongata, bi-articulata. Palpi maxillares articulo ultimo ovali, gracili.

Prothorax inzqualis, posterius angustatus. Abdomen segmentibus basalibus sequalibus.

This genus is proposed for an insect of Huplectus-like appearance, but with a

different form of head and antenne, these latter being less widely separated. The

head is narrow in front; and has on each side of the front margin a distinct elevation

which meets its fellow of the opposite side in the middle, so as to form a single

prominence, the surface behind this appearing greatly depressed. The antenne have a

stout basal joint; they become gradually broader from the fifth joint to the ninth,

these joints being transverse; the tenth joint is quadrate, the terminal joint elongate.

The eyes are small. The thorax is much contracted behind; and has a deep irregular

transverse depression in front of the base, as well as a longitudinal impression on each

side, and another impression near the front. ‘The elytra possess a sutural stria, a very

abbreviate dorsal stria, and a well-marked stria within the epipleural margin. The

hind coxe are contiguous. The tarsi are quite short, and possess a single claw.

1. Apothinus impressifrons.

Rufo-obscurus, elytris castaneis ; capite anterius profundissime depresso; prothorace punctulato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the second joint much longer than the third, the latter very small.

Head with a fovea on the middle of the vertex, the fovea connecting in front with the

very deep frontal impression. Thorax complexly and irregularly impressed at the base ;

with a short longitudinal impression on each side, and another depression on the disc

in front of the middle. Elytra with strong humeral elevations; margined at the base,

F* 2

36 PSELAPHIDA.

and with a short plica between the deep sutural stria and the shoulder extending back-

wards from the basal margin. The basal dorsal segment of the hind body is very deeply

impressed on the middle, close behind the stria.

The unique example is no doubt a male, as it has a transverse depression on the

second, third, and fourth ventral rings; the fifth ring is extremely short in the middle.

2. Apothinus obscurus. (Tab. I. fig. 19.)

Castaneus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; antennis minus crassis, articulo nono fortiter transverso et preece-

dentibus evidenter latiore; prothorace parce punctato.

Long. 1 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, San Gerdénimo, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne with joints 3-8 small; the ninth joint extremely short, but evidently

broader ; the tenth joint considerably broader and much longer than those preceding,

the latter transverse; the eleventh joint large, obtusely acuminate. Head very small,

the surface deeply depressed behind the front; eyes small. Thorax small, contracted

behind; with an impression behind the middle, another in front of the middle, and

another on each side, the lateral margin finely crenate. Elytra with a deep sutural

stria, a short humeral fold, and a short fold between these. The male has the meta-

sternum impressed, and a longitudinal impression at the extremity of the hind body.

The punctures on the thorax of the female are very few and distant.

One example from each locality. This species is very much smaller than A. impressi-

frons, and has the antenne with a shorter club, which, moreover, is almost tri-articulate.

EUPLECTUS.

Euplectus, Leach, Zool. Miscell. iii. p. 80 (1817).

This is a very widely distributed genus containing a large number of described species.

1. Kuplectus guatemalenus.

Subparallelus, depressus, dilute castaneus, elytris testaceo-castaneis ; capite quadrato, maxime impresso; pro-

thorace elongato, basin versus fortiter angustato, profunde impresso.

Long. vix 14 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne short, with the ninth and tenth joints transverse; the terminal joint short,

obtusely pointed. Head broad; with a large, deep, quadrate depression on the front,

the depression entire anteriorly, but divided behind by a prolongation from the vertex.

Thorax elongate ; with a deep lateral impression on each side just behind the broadest

part, and a large deep longitudinal impression on the middle, this latter being connected

on either side with the lateral impression. Elytra with a deep impression within the

shoulder, and a well-marked sutural stria.

EUPLECTUS.—TRIMIUM. 37

This insect is allied to the European £. signatus, but has a larger and more quadrate

head, and more elongate thorax. The unique exponent is probably a female.

2. Kuplectus solitarius.

Rufo-castaneus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; antennis tenuibus, clava fere uni-articulata, articulis nono

decimoque parvis; capite minore, subquadrato, utrinque impresso, impressionibus tantum anterius ad

clypei marginem ipsum conjunctis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This species is readily distinguished by the structure of its antenne, these organs

differing but little from those of the genus Trimium, except that the terminal joint is

not so large. The clypeal margin is raised in front, and the lateral depressions are

connected by a transverse depression immediately behind the raised margin. The

thorax is small, much contracted behind; with a sinuous transverse depression in front

of the base, and an obscure depression on the disc just in front of the middle. The

elytra possess a sutural stria, but are not foveolate at the base.

Unique.

TRIMIUM.

Trimium, Aubé, in Guérin’s Mag. Zool. 1833, Mon. Pselaph. p. 44, t. 88. f. 2.

This genus comprises about twenty species of European and North-American insects,

all of very minute stature. MReitter states that most, if not all, of the New World

species should be referred to Zrimiopsis; but I find in our region one that should, I

think, clearly be retained in 7rimium if the two genera are accepted as distinct.

1. Trimium concolor.

Castaneum, nitidum, angustulum; capite utrinque anterius profundissime depresso; prothorace posterius

impresso ; elytris basi quadrifoveatis.

Long. 1} millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,000 feet (Champion).

Antenne slender, with the intermediate joints very minute, the penultimate joints

extremely short and very strongly transverse ; the terminal joint very large, elongate and

stout, acuminate. Head subquadrate, as broad as or slightly broader than the thorax,

the eyes anteriorly placed, with a very deep depression on each side extending far

forwards. Thorax small, strongly narrowed behind; with a very deep transverse

depression extending across the basal portion. TElytra rounded at the shoulders; with

a deep elongate fovea just inside the shoulder, and a second rather smaller fovea at the

base just outside the sutural stria. Basal segment of the hind body considerably longer

than the following segment. The male is a little broader than the female, and has the

penultimate ventral ring extremely abbreviate, the terminal ring with a deep definite

impression.

38 PSELAPHIDA.

TRIMIOPSIS.

Trimiopsis, Reitter, Deutsch. ent. Zeit. xxvi. p. 149 (1882).

This genus is scarcely sufficiently distinct from Trimium, the character on which it is

founded—viz. the comparative lengths of the segments of the hind body—being liable

to considerable variation in Zrimium as well as in Bryazis, Batrisus, and other genera

of this family. Most of the species have, however, a more Huplectus-like build than

the species of Trimiwm, and the genus may be retained at present. It is as yet peculiar

to the New World, where it is probably widely distributed.

1. Trimiopsis mimula.

Testacea, minus lata, convexa; capite haud lato, anterius angustato, utrinque sat profunde impresso.

Long. 1 millim. .

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne short, the first joint very short, the second large; joints 3-8 similar, each

small, scarcely transverse, the ninth and tenth very short, transverse ; the terminal joint

very large, three or four times as broad as the joints preceding it, and quite as long as

five or six of them united. Head small, elongate, with a moderately deep impression on

each side. ‘Thorax small, about as broad as the head, longer than wide, much narrowed

behind, with a deep impression in front of the base. Elytra narrowed at the shoulders ;

with a deep sutural stria, which is still deeper at the base, and a deep intra-humeral

depression. First dorsal segment of the hind body scarcely longer than the following

one. |

This species is extremely similar to Zrimiuwm concolor, but is readily distinguished by

the shorter basal segment of the hind body; moreover, it has the head smaller and with

the impressions smaller and shallower.

Two examples were met with at Capetillo and one near the city of Guatemala.

From the absence of any conspicuous marks I conclude they may be all females.

T. mimula is closely allied to 7. clypeata, Reitter, but is rather larger, and with the

thorax longer and less constricted behind. |

2. Trimiopsis minuta. (Tab. I. fig. 20.)

Brevis, testaceo-castanea ; capite transversim subquadrato, utrinque anterius sat profunde impresso.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatTemata, El Reposo (Champion).

Antenne very short; the terminal joint very broad, extremely short oval, and only

slightly acuminate. Head transverse-quadrate, the hind angles very definite, with a

rather shallow and indefinite fovea on each side in front. Thorax short and broad, but

narrower than the head, much contracted behind, and with a short transverse impression

in front of the base. Elytra short and broad, quadrifoveate at the base.

Eight examples. I do not detect any sexual distinction.

TRIMIOPSIS.—DALMODES. 39

8. Trimiopsis clavicornis.

Rufo-castanea, subtiliter pubescens; antennis articulo decimo magno, undecimo acuminato; capite transversim

subquadrato, anterius profunde depresso, clypeo elevato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

Antenne very short, the ninth joint very strongly transverse, the tenth joint large,

much larger than the preceding one, very strongly transverse, as broad as the base of

the large terminal joint; this latter strongly acuminate, and slightly irregular in form,

one side being rather more curvate than the other. Head short and broad, largely and

deeply impressed in front, the more elevated vertex projecting as an angle into the

depression, the clypeal margin largely raised. Thorax rather slender, narrower than

the head, much narrowed behind, with a deep sinuate impression in front of the base.

Elytra short and broad, the shoulders elevated, the depression within these latter short,

the sutural stria scarcely foveolate at the base.

Two examples.

4. Trimiopsis femoralis.

Rufo-castanea, subtiliter pubescens ; antennis articulo decimo magno, inequali, undecimo acuminato ; capite

subquadrato, vertice convexo, fronte profundius irregulariter depresso.

Long. 1} millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion).

Head scarcely broader than the thorax, the vertex very convex; the clypeal margin

strongly raised and connected on either side bya small process to the anterior acuminate

part of the convex vertex, so that the depressed space is rather less indistinctly divided

into a lateral portion on each side and a median portion placed more anteriorly. This

insect is closely allied to 7. clavicornis, but differs somewhat in the structure of the

head; and the tenth joint of the antennz seems to be more unequal, that is, it has one

of its sides more conspicuously longer than the other; the terminal joint is similar in

the two species. The head of 7. femoralis is not quite so broad as in 7. clavicornis,

and the middle femur is evidently inflated. This latter character may probably be

peculiar to the male.

Unique.

DALMODES.

Dalmodes, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 197 (1882).

This genus has been recently established for two species, one Brazilian, the other

Mexican. It closely resembles Batrisus, and I think its place will probably prove to

be nearer to that genus than to Huplectus.

1. Dalmodes brevicollis. (Tab. I. fig. 21.)

Rufus, fulvo-pubescens, sat conyexus ; capite transverso ex parte majore depresso ; prothorace transyerso, ante

basin transversim sulcato; elytris stria suturali impressis.

Long. 13 millim.

40 PSELAPHIDA.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Coatepeque 1300 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, the second joint not very large, joints 3-8 small, almost similar to

one another, the ninth joint broader, transverse, the tenth a good deal broader, strongly

transverse, the terminal joint large, acuminate. Head short and broad, with quite

small eyes, the clypeal margin and the vertex elevated, the greater part of the surface

depressed. Thorax very short, strongly narrowed behind, with a deep transverse sulcus

extending across it near the base. Elytra without basal impressions or discoidal stria.

Hind body almost unmargined. In the male the head is rather broader and the frontal

depression more distinctly punctate than in the female; the hind tibie strongly dentate

internally above the middle and much curved below the tooth. The hind body terminates

in a small conical prominence which is minute in the male, but a good deal larger in

the female. Two examples, one of each sex.

2. Dalmodes rybaxides.

Dalmodes rybawides, Reitt. Verh. Ver. Briinn, 1882, p.383*; Deutsche ent. Zeit. 1885, p. 337, t. 3.

f, 292.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek } 2).

The figure indicates an insect similar to the female of D. brevicollis, but apparently

with differently shaped head and hind body.

Group TRICHONYCINA.

TRICHONYX.

Trichonyx, Chaudoir, Bull. Mose. iii. p. 164 (1845).

This is a genus of about twenty species, but it is doubtful whether it is correctly

enumerated amongst those of our region. Indeed the only evidence I have of its

existence in Tropical America is the fact that Schaufuss has ascribed four species to

that province.

1. Trichonyx (?) venustulus.

Trichonyx venustulus, Schauf. Nungq. Otios. i. p. 288’.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa ! (coll. Reiche).

This is possibly an insect near Hurhexius, but I do not think it will prove to belong

to any genus I am acquainted with. The elytra are said to be “ estriate.”

RHEXIUS.

Rhexius, Leconte, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist. vi. p. 102 (1848).

This very distinct genus is apparently peculiar to the warmer regions of the New

World. The structure of the prothorax is most remarkable, its anterior part being

RHEXIUS.—EURHEXIUS. 4]

constricted so as to form a short tube in which the head is inserted by a very short

neck ; this thoracic tube has the appearance of being only a development, rather greater

than usual, of the neck of the head, but it is not so.

1. Rhexius optatus. (Tab. I. fig. 23.)

Testaceo-castaneus, subtiliter pubescens ; capite fortiter impresso, vertice emarginato ; prothorace anterius

abruptissime constricto, parte anteriore sat elongato ; abdomine parum elongato.

Long. vix 11 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet ( Champion).

Antenne strongly elbowed; the ninth joint rather large, not strongly transverse.

Head very short, the vertex conspicuously concave-curvate behind. Thorax with the

anterior constriction very abrupt and rather elongate, so as to be as long as broad.

This is extremely closely allied to the typical species, £. insculptus, Lec., from

Louisiana, so that at first I thought they were identical. R. optatus is, however, a

little smaller, has the ninth joint of the antennz larger, the head shorter, the peculiar

peduncle of the front of the thorax longer, and the hind body less elongate. Only one

example was obtained.

EURHEXIUS.

Corpus subdepressum. Antenne rect; ad basin distantes, clava tri-articulata. Caput breve transversum,

collo abrupto, subtus pubescens. Palpi maxillares parvi, articulo ultimo ovali. Coxe anteriores elongate,

prominulx, lineares. Coxe posteriores contigue. Tarsi breviusculi, unguiculis duobus inequalibus

prediti. Abdomen marginatum.

This genus differs from Rhewius, to which it is closely allied, by the ungeniculate

antenne, and the comparatively normal condition of the prothorax ; this latter, though

with the anterior part more or less narrowed and prolonged according to the species,

never exhibiting the peculiar structure seen in Rhexius. The basal joint of the antenne

varies in length according to the species, but though it is sometimes unusually long

the antenne are not geniculate. Hurhewius is probably peculiar to Tropical America,

and no doubt Lhexius simonis and R. procerus, Reitter, belong to it.

1. Kurhexius vestitus. (Tab. I. fig. 22.)

Rufo-brunneus, densius pubescens, haud nitidus; capite brevi, anterius curvatim depresso, vertice longitudin-

aliter impresso ; prothorace minus elongato, canaliculato, ante basin sulcato ; elytris humeris subelevatis,

basi sex-foveolata.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather stout; the basal joint moderately long, but not reaching so far out-

wards as the convexity of the eye ; the second joint rather small ; joints 3-8 still smaller,

similar to one another, the ninth and tenth larger, transversely subquadrate; the ter-

minal joint as long as the preceding two together, very pubescent, Head very broad,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, April 1887. G*

42 PSELAPHIDA.

with the clypeal margin raised, and the surface behind it depressed, the convex vertex

rather deeply divided in the middle by a depression. Thorax not so long as broad,

canaliculate along the middle, and with a transverse groove in front of the base, an

angular depression existing just behind the spot where the two channels intersect one

another. Elytra with a well-marked sutural stria, this latter foveolate at the base, a

depression (deep at the base) within the shoulders, and a third fovea between these two.

First dorsal segment only slightly longer than the second. The unique example is no

doubt a male, the penultimate ventral ring being extremely abbreviate in the middle,

and the large terminal segment foveolate behind.

2. Kurhexius parviceps.

Rufus, sat pubescens, abdomine nigricante; capite perbreve, quam prothorax angustiore, utrinque foveolato,

anterius minus discrete impresso, vertice summo posterius impresso ; prothorace sat elongato, canaliculato,

ante basin transversim impresso, sub-bigibboso ; elytris basi sex-foveolata.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion).

First joint of the antenne not twice as long as the second; joints 3-8 small, similar

except that the last two of them are just perceptibly broader and shorter, the ninth

much larger, transverse, the tenth still larger, but also transverse, the terminal joint

about as long as the preceding two together. Head unusually small, but with the

eyes comparatively large; with a rather indefinite impression on the middle in front,

and a fovea on each side only slightly separated from the frontal depression, the

convex vertex foveolate behind. Thorax nearly as long as broad, much narrowed in

front as well as behind, so that the front margin is not quite so broad as the basal

margin; with a fine channel along the middle, not reaching quite to the front margin,

and a transverse depression in front of the base, the depression foveolate at each end

and in the middle so as to give rise to the appearance of two elevations behind it.

Elytra with a broad depression within the shoulder, the sutural stria foveolate in front,

and another fovea near it at the base. First ventral segment not longer than the

next. The unique individual is of doubtful sex ; it is probably a male, though it has_

no conspicuous mark except the great abbreviation of the penultimate ventral ring in

the middle.

3. Eurhexius ventralis.

Rufescens, minus subtiliter pubescens; capite perbreve, lato, anterius curvatim impresso, vertice summo pos-

terius foveolato ; prothorace sat elongato, profunde canaliculato, ante basin transversim sulcato; elytris

basi sex-foveolata ; abdomine segmento primo dorsali quam secundum duplo longiore.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the basal joint about twice as long as the second; joints 3-8 small,

almost similar to one another, the ninth and tenth broader, scarcely transverse, the

EURHEXIUS.—JUBUS. 43

terminal joint scarcely so long as the preceding two together; the club very loosely

articulated. Head broad and remarkably short, so as to be very strongly transverse ;

the clypeal margin elevated, a linear curved impression behind it; the vertex behind

distinctly impressed in the middle. Thorax much constricted at the side behind the

middle, with a very deep median channel, and a transverse sulcus before the base con-

necting three impressions. Elytra with the sutural stria foveolate at the base, a second

fovea near this, and external to this latter a broader depression.

This insect also is unique; the individual being probably a male, as the apex of the

hind body is curvate and the extremity concave. The elongate first dorsal plate of the

hind body renders the species very distinct.

4. Kurhexius trimiodes.

Minor, angustulus, subtiliter pubescens, nitidus ; antennis tenuibus, clava tri-articulata ; capite minore, ante-

rius impresso, utrinque foveolato; prothorace elongato, canaliculato, ante basin transversim sulcato;

elytris basi sex-foveolata.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 (Champion).

This is very distinct from the other species on account of its narrower form and

slender antenne ; these latter have the basal joint not elongate, but little longer than

the second, the second joint bead-like and considerably larger than the following one,

the joints 3-8 small, similar to one another, the ninth and tenth markedly larger, trans-

verse, the terminal joint rather elongate. ‘The head is short, but almost triangular

in form, the vertex impressed in the middle behind. The thorax is elongate, much

narrowed behind, the greatest width rather in front of the middle. The elytra have

three impressions on each at the base, the median impression extending backwards as a

short fold. The first dorsal segment of the hind body is scarcely longer than the second.

Only two examples were met with; they are no doubt male and female, the penulti-

mate ventral ring being much abbreviated in the middle in the specimen I take to be

the former sex.

_JUBUS.

Jubus, Schaufuss, Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 454 (1876) ; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. pp. 199 & 211

(1882).

Schaufuss includes in this genus three species from Colombia, in addition to the one

from Mexico which is apparently the type. This author assigns two unequal claws to

Jubus, but Reitter surmises it may prove to have two equal claws; I follow the latter

in the position I give the genus.

1. Jubus denticollis.

Jubus denticollis, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. i. p. 454°.

Hab. Mexico 1.

G* 2

44 PSELAPHID&.

Group FARONINA.

DUCIOLA.

Duciola, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xx. p. 199 (1882).

This genus has not been formally enunciated, but the more important points of its

structure may be gathered from Reitter’s table: a single Venezuelan insect was

included in it.

Judging from recent remarks of Raffray and Reitter (Wien. ent. Zeit. ii. p. 32) it

appears probable that the name Jubus, Schauf., may have to be used for this genus;

but the evidence in favour of the name given by Herr Schaufuss does not appear quite

satisfactory at present.

1. Duciola scydmeenilla, (Tab. I. fig. 24.)

Rufescens, sat pubescens, anterius attenuata ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava laxa, elongata, mani-

feste quadri-articulata; capite anterius bi-impresso; prothorace lateribus ante basin constrictis, dorso

pone medium profunde transversim suleato.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

Antenne with small basal joint, the second joint equal to the basal one; joints 3-7

quite small, 8-10 larger, similar, transverse, the terminal joint longer, but not broader

than the tenth. Head attenuate in front, with two deep parallel depressions. Thorax

short, broader from the front to behind the middle, where it is so suddenly constricted

as to leave a prominent angle; with a deep transverse sulcus in front of the base

extending across the entire width. Elytra very elongate; with a sutural stria foveolate

at the base, and with another fovea between it and the shoulder, these fovez connected

at the extreme base by a sort of flattened margin. Hind body short. Metasternum

rather elongate. The unique individual is in a bad state of preservation; it may be a

female, though the penultimate ventral ring is excessively abbreviate.

2. Duciola aberrans.

Flavescens, pubescens, anterius attenuata; antennis brevibus, extrorsum crassioribus; capite anterius bi-

impresso ; prothorace lateribus ante basin constrictis, dorso ante basin transversim sulcato; elytris haud

elongatis, basi marginata; abdomine segmento basali quam secundum duplo longiore.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species is exceedingly similar to D. scydmenilla, though differing in very

important characters—the elytra being comparatively short; the metasternum so short

that the middle coxe almost touch the hind coxe; the first dorsal segment much

longer; and antenne differently formed, being gradually thicker from the seventh

joint to the apex. Only one example was met with ; its flavescent colour is probably

due to immaturity.

DUCIOLA.—ENDYTOCERA. 45

8. Duciola punctata.

Rufo-ferruginea, antennis, palpis pedibusque testaceis, pubescens ; elytris crebre evidenter punctatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco (Hége).

Antenne slender, with joints 8-10 subequal, each considerably longer than broad,

the eighth twice as long as the seventh, the terminal joint conspicuously longer than

the tenth, acuminate. Head elongate, deeply longitudinally bi-impressed ; eyes not

prominent. Thorax nearly as long as broad, with two very minute tubercles in the

middle on the front margin of the very deep transverse channel. Elytra rather longer

than the thorax, somewhat closely and distinctly punctured, pubescent. Basal dorsal

segment of the hind body much longer than the second.

This insect also is unique, and I do not know the sex of the example; it has a large

impression on the apical ventral plate. D. punctata is readily distinguished from

D. scydmenilla by the punctate wing-cases, and from D. aberrans by the structure of

the antenne.

ENDYTOCERA.

Antenne undecim-articulate, pubescentes, articulis inter se parum discretis; clava maxime elongata, ex

articulis sex vel septem composita, Cox anteriores valde elongate, parallel. Corpus dense pubescens.

This genus should be placed near Duciola, Reitter, from which it differs remarkably

in the structure of its antenne. These organs are of a peculiar nature: the joints fit

closely to one another, and are covered with a dense pubescence so that the articula-

tions, especially those of the extremely elongate club, are difficult to count and distin-

guish ; the first joint is rather large, and pubescent like the head, then follow three

comparatively small joints, and then apparently six stouter elongate joints complete the

organ ; the first of the outer six joints has, however, at its base a small joint which can

only be detected by greatly bending the antenna, and thus there are really eleven

joints. The palpi are small, the terminal joint slender, fusiform. The head is without

depressions ; the points of insertion of the antenne are without tubercles, though

placed on the front of a short prolongation so as to be extremely exposed; the under

surface is densely pubescent, the pubescence divided by a glabrous suture furcate

in front, the sides not at all distinct. The prosternum is rather large, densely

pubescent; the front coxe are very long, parallel; the middle coxe rather prominent;

the hind coxe contiguous; the metasternum rather long. The ventral rings are

apparently only five in number, the basal ring being concealed by the coxa; on the

dorsal surface five rings are visible, and the sides are strongly margined. The epipleure

are marked off by a very sharp ridge. There are two quite small, very nearly equal,

claws on the tarsi.

These characters are taken from £E. vestita; the second species, E. cognata, appears

to be really congeneric, though it exhibits a slight difference in the structure of the

front of the head.

46 PSELAPHID&.—SCYDMENIDZA.

1. Endytocera vestita. (Tab. I. fig. 25.)

Brunnea, elytris rufescentibus, omnino densissime flavo-pubescens ; prothorace lateribus pone medium subito

constrictis, prominulis, dorso pone medium depressione magna glabra.

Long. 34 millim.

flab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather long, densely pubescent, the apex not thicker than the middle.

Head elongate, a little constricted in front of the eyes, evenly convex, without

depressions, exceedingly densely pubescent. Thorax transverse, the sides abruptly

constricted so as to leave a prominent angle a little behind the middle; the surface very

densely punctate and pubescent, except ona large transverse depression behind the

middle ; on each side, scarcely connected with the median depression, is a smaller

depression. The elytra are large, with a deep sutural stria, and obscure traces at the

base of the false basal margin seen in many Pselaphide. The legs are slender, the

hind tarsi elongate and slender. One example.

2. Endytocera cognata.

Piceo-brunnea, elytris piceo-rufis, densissime subtiliter pubescens, subopaca ; prothorace brevi, lateribus pone

medium constrictis, minus acute angulatis, ante basin transversim depresso.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

Head with an obscure depression on either side much concealed by pubescence ;

vertex foveolate. Thorax strongly transverse, very finely and minutely punctate,

shining though closely and finely pubescent; with a curved transverse impression in

front of the base, and near it on either side a very large foveiform depression. Elytra

elongate, with a sutural stria, and between it and the shoulder a very fine but elongate

plica. First dorsal segment not at all longer than the second.

This insect also is unique; though similar at first sight to HZ. vestita it is abundantly

distinct. The individual is probably a female.

Fam. SCYDMANIDA*.

We have received only very few individuals of this family from Mexico, our material

in fact being almost exclusively the results of Mr. Champion’s collecting in Guatemala

and the State of Panama. As no Scydmenide have hitherto been described from any

part of our region, except Mexico, it is not a matter of surprise that so large a propor-

tion of our acquisitions in this family are new. As the genera are so few in number, it

is unnecessary for the purposes of this work to make use of any subdivision of the

family.

* By D. Smarr.

EUCONNUS. 47

EUCONNUS.

Euconnus, Thomson, Skand. Col. iv. p. 88 (1862); Reitter, Ins. Deutsch. iii. pt. 2, p. 178.

Scydmenus, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. Col. ii. p. 706 (pars).

Although Euconnus is not recognized by the authors of the Munich Catalogue as

distinct from Scydmenus, it appears nevertheless to be a valid genus, distinguished by

the head being more or less narrowed behind, with the eyes placed near the front, and

the anterior part abruptly deflexed at a right angle with the vertex, and the antenne

inserted immediately behind the labrum. The genus is very rich in species, and is

almost cosmopolitan. As our representatives are numerous, and do not fall satisfactorily

under the subgenera formed for the European species, I have, to facilitate reference,

adopted a division that unfortunately is not a good one, as there are a few intermediate

or doubtful forms; but I have not been able to make a more useful one.

§ 1. Thorax at the base either bifoveolate or transversely impressed.

This group comprises a considerable variety of forms: where the thorax is bifoveolate

the two foveze are usually connected by a nearly obsolete channel; sometimes this

channel is more developed, and the fovee are merely deeper impressions at its

extremity; this transverse channel also is frequently more obsolete in the middle,

and may become almost completely divided into two transverse depressions as in

Li. difficilis.

A. Thorax without lateral carinule at the base.

In many species of this group the sides of the thorax are more sharply deflexed at

the base, giving rise to a faint appearance of a carinule, but there is really no raised

line on the angle.

1. Euconnus bifoveolatus.

Scydmenus bifoveolatus, Schaut. Mon. (in Nov. Act. Leop.-Carol. Nat. Curios. xxxiii.) p. 65 (1866)'.

Hab. Muxtco, Teapa 1.

2. Huconnus chevrolati.

Scydmenus chevrolati, Schauf. Mon. p. 69, t. 2. f. 8*.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan }.

Some doubt must be expressed as to whether the insects supposed to be the sexes of

E. chevrolati are really one and the same species.

3. Euconnus trigeminus.

Scydmenus trigeminus, Schauf. Mon. p. 37, t. 1. ff. 1, a, 6+.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa }.

Possibly allied to L. hirsutus and EL. alticola.

48 SCYDMANID A.

4, Kuconnus gravidus. (Tab. II. fig. 1.)

Rufus, capite, prothorace antennisque nigricantibus, pube elongata erecta laxe vestitus; antennis elongatis,

hirsutis, apicem versus crassis, haud abrupte clavatis; prothorace subconico, basi utrinque foveolato;

elytrorum humeris elevatis.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne thickly covered with hair, nearly black, the basal portion usually very dark

infuscate-red, and the apical joint sordid red; the seventh joint rather larger than the

sixth, as long as broad, the three following joints transverse; the terminal joint still

stouter, elongate, acuminate, in the male bearing at the base on one side a large fovea.

Head elongate, much narrowed behind, the vertex very densely pubescent, the pubes-

cence dark in colour. Thorax elongate, longer than broad, broader from the front to

behind the middle, bearing much erect pubescence, with a round fovea on each side

near the base. Elytra with fine, elongate, erect, scanty pubescence.

We have received over twenty examples of this species. ‘The fovea of the male

antenna seems to vary somewhat in size and form, and is occasionally accompanied

by a plication or elevation of the surface beyond it. ‘The specimens are much decayed,

and possibly the head, thorax, and antenne may be naturally of a lighter tint, as in

some examples the thorax agrees in colour with the elytra.

5. Kuconnus torquatus.

Rufus, capite, prothorace antennisque nigricantibus, his articulo ultimo rufescente, pube elongata erecta laxe

vestitus ; antennis crassiusculis, hirsutis, apicem versus paullo crassioribus, haud discrete clavatis ; pro-

thorace sat elongato, lateribus rotundatis.

Long. 24-22 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Las Mercedes, San Isidro, Zapote, Panima (Cham-

pion).

This species is very closely allied to L. gravidus, but is slightly smaller, and has the

antenne less elongate and less thickened externally ; and the sides of the thorax appear

to be more rounded, so that the shape of this part is less conical. I conclude I have

both sexes before me; if so, the male has longer antenne and a more conical thorax

than the female, and is consequently very similar to the female of E. gravidus; the

female of H. torquatus is, however, readily distinguished from that species. These

insects may possibly be distinct species and not the sexes, and my description is drawn

from the form having the shorter antenne. Ten examples.

6. EKuconnus subclavatus. (Tab. II. fig. 2.)

Rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, pube erecta laxe vestitus; antennis sat elongatis, crassiusculis, clava vix

discreta quadri-articulata ; prothorace haud magno, suboblongo.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, La Tinta, Senahu (Champion).

EUCONNUS. 49

Antenne dark red, moderately pubescent; the four terminal joints all of about one

width, only slightly broader than the others, and very loosely articulated, so that they

scarcely form a club; joints 8-10 subquadrate, the terminal joint considerably longer

than broad. Head with the sides and vertex very densely pubescent. Thorax, espe-

cially at the sides, densely pubescent, and between oblong and conical in form. Elytra

short, impressed at the base, with elevated shoulders, and bearing a fine, moderately

long, not dense, pubescence. Only three examples have been received; but I presume

I have both sexes before me, as one of the two individuals from La Tinta is probably the

male, it having the four terminal joints of the antenne a little longer than the others.

Closely allied to £. gravidus and EL. torquatus, but readily distinguished by the

structure and pubescence of the antenne.

7. Kuconnus segnis.

Rufo-brunneus, capite prothoraceque magis obscuris, pube suberecta minus tenuiter vestitus ; antennis pedi-

busque brevibus, illis crassis, articulis 8°-10™ fortiter transversis ; prothorace minus gracili.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet, David (Champion).

Antenne piceous; joints 3-6 subequal, nearly quadrate, joint 7 broader, transverse,

joints 8-10 again broader, strongly transverse, the terminal joint short, but little longer

than broad. Head rather small, very densely pubescent, the neck deeply constricted,

the vertex much prolonged over the front of the thorax. Thorax also densely pubes-

cent, and owing to this and the concealment of its anterior margin its exact shape is

not easily seen ; it is apparently not longer than broad, and has a subobsolete transverse

impression in front of the base, the impression indefinite in the middle (varying according

to the point from which it is viewed), and deeper on each side externally so as to form

a slight lateral fovea. Elytra with only a very short humeral elevation; rather closely

pubescent. Legs short. Three examples.

8. Euconnus auritus.

Rufo-brunneus, capite prothoraceque piceis, pube suberecta sat dense vestitus ; antennis pedibusque parum

elongatis, illis vix clavatis, crassiusculis ; prothorace conico-oblongo, basi evidenter bifoveolato.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne stout, rather short, with an indistinct club, which is 5- rather than 4-jointed,

joints 7-10 being subequal, each scarcely transverse, the terminal joint rather long, the

sixth joint scarcely differing from the fifth. Head rather narrow, with much pro-

longed densely pubescent vertex. ‘Thorax broader towards the base, longer than wide,

very distinctly bifoveolate, densely pubescent at the sides. Humeral elevation of the

elytra slight.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, Aprid 1887. H*

50 SCYDMANIDZ.

Closely allied to E. segnis, but rather larger, with longer thorax, antenne, and legs.

Only one mutilated example has been preserved.

9. Euconnus difficilis.

Rufo-castaneus, dense pubescens; antennis parum elongatis, clava laxe articulata; capite parvo; prothorace

subconico, ante basin transversim impresso; elytrorum humeris minus breviter elevatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne with the basal portion rather slender, and with an ill-defined 5-jointed

club, the seventh joint differing more from the sixth than it does from the eighth;

joints 8-10 rather small, transverse; the terminal joint small, scarcely longer than

broad. Head small and narrow, very densely pubescent, the vertex prolonged. Thorax

densely pubescent, rather slender, deeply transversely impressed in front of the base,

the impression slightly interrupted in the middle, and deeper at its external termination.

Elytra depressed at the base so that the shoulders are rather strongly elevated; finely,

rather closely, pubescent. Legs moderately short.

Unique. This species is readily distinguished from E. segnis by the more slender

legs and antenne and the deeper thoracic impression.

10. Kuconnus oscillans. (Tab. II. fig. 3.)

Rufo-castaneus, capite prothoraceque piceis, pube suberecta subelongata vestitus; antennis parum elongatis,

clava brevi, quadri-articulata; prothorace utrinque profunde foveolato; elytrorum humeris evidenter

plicatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Isidro, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne with joints 3-7 subequal, the seventh being scarcely different from the sixth;

joints 8-10 rather short, transverse; the terminal joint rather short. Head much

narrowed behind, rather densely pubescent, the vertex much elevated. Thorax longer

than broad, not much narrowed in front, evidently foveate on either side in front of the

base, the depression between the fovez obsolete. Elytra moderately broad, with rather

long, slender, humeral elevation, and scanty, rather long, pubescence. Legs slender,

moderately short. One example only from each locality.

11. Kuconnus obesus.

Robustus, brevior, latus, rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, elytris pube elongata sparsa vestitis, capite pro-

thoraceque densius pubescentibus; antennis haud abrupte clavatis, extrorsum crassioribus, articulis

8°-10™ transversis ; prothorace oblongo-subquadrato, basi evidenter bifoveolato; elytrorum humeris

longius plicato-elevatis.

Long. 1§ millim.

Hab. GuatEMaLa, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne moderately stout ; joints 3-6 similar to one another, the seventh joint only

EUCONNUS. 51

slightly larger, the four others forming an ill-defined club gradually increasing in

breadth outwards, the terminal joint moderately long. Head rather broad, the sides

scarcely narrowed behind, rather densely pubescent. Thorax longer than broad, not

much narrowed in front. Shoulders of the elytra abruptly elevated so as to form an

elongate plica. Legs short.

This species is closely allied to £. oscillans, but I think distinct; the elytra are

broader, of a bright red colour, and with more scanty pubescence; the head is more

quadrate in form; and the antenne rather longer and less abruptly clavate. Unique.

12. Euconnus indutus. (Tab. II. fig. 4.)

Brunneus, pube elongata erecta omnino densissime vestitus; antennis crassis, vix clavatis; prothorace basi

utrinque ad latus carinula elevata, medio longitudinaliter subconvexo, ante basin prope medium utrinque

minute obsoleteque foveolato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion).

A very distinct species, distinguished at first sight by the very dense pubescence, but

possessing also numerous other peculiarities. Antenne with joints 3-7 subequal, the

eighth and ninth joints rather broader, subquadrate, the tenth joint a little broader,

transverse, the terminal joint rather short, obtuse. Palpi elongate. Head very densely

pubescent ; eyes rather convex. Thorax uniformly covered with a very dense pubes-

cence, obscurely longitudinally elevated along the middle; with a fine short carina on

each side at the base, and between this and the middle only obscurely foveolate. Elytra

densely pubescent, the pubescence more flavescent than that of the anterior parts, the

shoulders elevated. Unique.

13. Huconnus calvus. (Tab. II. fig. 5.)

Rufus, nitidus, fere glaber; antennis gracilibus, clava elongata, gracili, laxe articulata; capite subtransverso ;

prothorace ad angulos posteriores utrinque foveola majore; elytris sanguineis, humeris elevatis.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, San Isidro, Pantaleon (Champion); Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui

1200 feet (Champion). |

Antenne rather slender, with distinct fine exserted pubescence ; joints 3-6 subequal, the

seventh joint longer but not broader ; the joints 8-10 each longer than broad, the eighth

longer than the tenth, the terminal joint about equal to the eighth. Head short, broad

in front, abruptly narrowed behind. Thorax much narrowed in front, its greatest width

in front of the middle, the sides nearly straight behind. Elytra convex, strongly curvate

at the sides, the humeral elevation quite short; without punctuation or pubescence.

Legs slender. Under surface finely pubescent.

Only one example was obtained in each locality; the specimen from the State of

Panama is in a very bad state of preservation, and only doubtfully assigned to E. calvus.

H* 2

52 SCYDM ANID A.

14. Kuconnus solitarius.

Rufus, nitidus, tantum in prothorace et in elytrorum basi setulis perpaucis munitus; antennis gracilibus, clava

sat elongata, gracili, laxe articulata ; prothorace ad angulos posteriores utrinque foveolato; elytris sangui-

neis, humeris breviter elevatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Geronimo (Champion).

Although very close to E. calvus I think this insect is probably distinct, the club of

the antenne being considerably shorter, so that the eighth joint is scarcely longer than

the seventh, and the penultimate joint only about as long as broad, the terminal joint

also being short. The thorax, moreover, is rather shorter and broader, and the basal

foveee not quite so large. Unique.

15. Euconnus gracilicornis. (Tab. II. fig. 6.)

Rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, antennarum clava obscura, prothorace hirtello, capite elytrisque calvis

pernitidis ; prothorace oblongo; antennis gracilibus, clava tri-articulata.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Los Remedios (Champion).

Antenne unusually slender, rather long; eighth joint slender, but slightly broader

than the seventh, elongate, much longer than broad; three terminal joints broader,

but slender, forming a loosely articulated club. Head rather small, much narrowed

behind. Thorax oblong, a little narrowed in front, with an irregular pubescence; the

basal foveee of moderate size. Elytra with small deep basal impressions, the shoulders

not raised. Legs slender, the femora delicately clavate. ‘I'wo examples.

Similar to Z. calvus, but smaller, and very distinct by the structure of the antenne.

16. Euconnus mirandille.

Rufescens, capite prothoraceque obscurioribus, pube subtili omnino sparsim vestitus; antennis vix elongatis,

elava quadri-articulata; prothorace oblongo ad angulos posteriores utrinque foveola majore impresso ;

elytrorum humeris parum elevatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Mirandilla (Champion).

This species is closely allied to E. guatemalenus, but the antenne are rather shorter,

each of the joints 8-10 being scarcely so long as broad; the thorax is less elongate and

slender, and possesses a rather large fovea on each side at the base, the fovea, however,

rendered rather obscure by being placed quite at the outside.

Although so similar to HZ. guatemalenus I have placed this insect in a different group

of the genus, as there is apparently no thoracic carinule.

17. Euconnus giraffa. (Tab. II. fig. 7.)

Castarfeus, nitidus, minus dense pubescens; antennarum clava longissima, fere quinque-articulata; capite

elongato, postice fortiter angustato.

Long. 24 millim.

EUCONNUS.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne elongate; second joint very long, the third joint small, only about half the

size of the fourth; joints 4-6 subequal; the seventh joint a little broader, much longer

than wide; the eighth rather broader, but scarcely so long, its apical portion a little

attenuate; the ninth similar in form but slightly broader ; the tenth larger, longer, and

broader; the terminal joint elongate, acuminate. Head very long, regularly narrowed

behind, only very sparingly pubescent. ‘Thorax more globose than usual in the genus,

longer than broad; rather densely pubescent at the sides, bare on the disc, and with a

fine transverse channel close to the base. Elytra convex, sparsely pubescent, almost

destitute of intrahumeral depression. Pectoral lamina very long and slender.

This remarkable little insect is unique. Although the thoracic channel is placed

very near the hind margin it undoubtedly exists.

18. Huconnus excavatus. (Tab. II. fig. 8.)

Rufus, capite prothoraceque rufo-obscuris, pube minus elongata suberecta sat dense vestitus ; antennis crassi-

usculis, clava quinque-articulata, articulo ultimo brevi; prothorace ante basin utrinque foveolato, ad basin

externe breviter plicato ; elytrorum humeris brevissime elevatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chinandega (Sa//é).

This species is readily distinguished by the structure of the antenne, and by the fact

that each flank of the thorax is marked by a depression concealed from above by a small

but sharp prominence. The sixth joint of the antenne is a little larger than the fifth,

and the seventh is about equal to the eighth, joints 8-10 being each transverse, and

the terminal joint unusually short. The head is densely pubescent, with much elevated

vertex. The thorax is subquadrate and is distinctly foveate on each side, and its

peculiar construction is distinctly visible on each side at the base. The elytra are

rather elongate and narrow, with rather short distinct pubescence.

Two examples. I do not think there is any thoracic carinule, although the side at

the base is very sharply deflexed.

19. Euconnus distans.

Minimus, rufo-castaneus ; antennis parvis, clava tri-articulata; prothorace conico-oblongo, basi transversim

impresso.

1 wii

Long. 1;/; millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Torola (Champion).

Antenne with joints 3-7 minute and slender, the eighth joint a little broader, the

ninth and tenth much broader, transverse, the terminal joint short. Head rather long

and narrow, with but little pubescence. Thorax slender, hirsute ; with a deep transverse

impression in front of the base, the impression only slightly interrupted in the middle.

54 SCYDMANID&.

Elytra rather slender, sparingly pubescent, with a short but distinct humeral elevation.

Front tibie rather strongly incurved at the apex.

This distinct little insect is unique.

20. Huconnus mutandus. (Tab. II. fig. 9.)

Gracilis, castaneus, elytris rufo-castaneis, pube sat elongata suberecta sat dense vestitus; antennis basi gracili,

clava magna; capite angusto, elongato, oculis subprominulis; prothorace conico-oblongo, ante basin

tenuiter transversim sulcato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the basal joint short, the second joint rather long, the third joint small,

the fourth, fifth, and sixth joints each slightly longer; the seventh much longer, but

scarcely broader ; the eighth not longer than the seventh, but much broader, subquadrate ;

the ninth a little broader, evidently transverse; the tenth larger, subquadrate; the

terminal joint short, a little longer than the tenth. Head slender, much narrowed

behind, with elevated pubescent vertex; the eyes more convex and more convexly

faceted than usual in this genus. Thorax rather long and slender, the transverse

impression near the base delicate. Hlytra with rather scanty pubescence, and a slight

humeral plica. Legs slender. |

B. Thorax with a minute carinule at the base on each side.

21. Euconnus guatemalenus. (Tab. II. fig. 10.)

Rufescens, capite prothoraceque picescentibus, pube elongata sparsim vestitus; antennis sat elongatis, clava

laxissime articulata ; capite subtransverso; prothorace suboblongo, basi utrinque tantum minute foveolato ;

elytrorum humeris parum elevatis.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. GuateMatA, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne red; joints 3-6 small, equal, the seventh joint distinctly longer but only very

slightly broader; club not broader towards the extremity, very loosely articuiated, the

eighth joint rather longer than broad, the tenth hardly so long. Head short, rather

abruptly narrowed behind, with only scanty pubescence. Thorax slender, oblong, only

a little narrowed in front, bearing a scanty long pubescence, and with the basal fovea

minute and close to the side. Elytra rather broad, much curvate at the sides; with

moderately long, rather scanty, pubescence. Legs rather long and slender.

Four examples. The Panama exponent is very mutilated and decayed, and has

entirely lost its antenne, and may not be really conspecific.

EUCONNUS. 55

22. Kuconnus championi.

Castaneus, elytris dilutioribus, nitidus, fere glaber ; antennis clava elongata, gracili, laxe articulata ; prothorace

suboblongo, basi utrinque evidenter foveolata; elytrorum humeris vix elevatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, El Tumbador, Capetillo, Tamahu, San Juan in Vera Paz

(Champion).

This species is closely allied to EZ. calvus, but is rather smaller and more delicate ;

the club of the antenne is much less elongate, each of its four joints being shorter

though the proportions are similar; there are some scanty hairs on the sides of the

thorax ; the thoracic fovez are not so large, but are connected by a subobsolete channel ;

there are a very few hairs on the humeral portion of the elytra, and the shoulders are

but little elevated owing to the basal depressions extending only a very short distance

backwards.

E. championi is almost equally close to E. guatemalenus; but the latter has a more

slender thorax with obsolete fovee, and a distinct though scanty pubescence on

the elytra.

23. Euconnus subtilis. (Tab. II. fig. 11.)

Rufus, capite, prothorace antennisque nigricantibus, perparum pubescens; antennis subgracilibus, clava

quadri-articulata ; prothorace oblongo, externe foveolato.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne black; joints 3-6 but little different from one another, the seventh joint

longer ; joints 8-10 subequal, slender, longer than broad; the terminal joint not at all

stouter, evidently longer than the tenth. Head rather broad and short, much narrowed

behind, almost: destitute of pubescence. Thorax slender, suboblong, being but little

narrowed in front; with a moderately large fovea near the hind angle, and very little

pubescence. Elytra rather slender, bright red, shining, without pubescence, the

shoulders scarcely elevated. Legs slender, red.

Six examples. Although very similar to Z. calvus and E. solitarius, a very minute

thoracic carinule exists in this species.

24. Kuconnus frontalis.

Subrobustus, rufus, capite prothoraceque piceis, parcissime pubescens, pernitidus ; antennis sat elongatis, clava

elongata et laxe articulata; prothorace robusto, utrinque foveola majore impresso ; elytris intra humeros

depressis.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne moderately long and stout, entirely red; joints 3-5 similar, the sixth joint

a little longer, the seventh much longer; joints 8-11 forming an elongate loosely

56 SCYDMANIDA,

articulated club, each of them longer than broad, the eighth and eleventh joints about

equal in length, the other two a little shorter. Head very broad in front, short, abruptly

narrowed behind. Thorax much narrowed in front, its greatest width in front of

the middle, thence nearly straight, being only very slightly narrowed behind ; the basal

fovez deep, and there is a third, though obsolete, depression between them. FElytra

rather broad, with a distinct depression near the shoulders; glabrous, except for a few

hairs on the humeral portion. Legs rather slender.

Closely allied to E. calvus, but readily distinguished by the broad thorax, as well as

by the minute thoracic carinule. Unique.

25. Euconnus chiriquensis. (Tab. II. fig. 12.)

Brunneus, elytris rufo-brunneis, pube brevi depressa sat dense vestitus, minus nitidus; antennis clava magna,

elongata; prothorace subconico, ante basin haud profunde transversim impresso, ad latera utrinque

breviter subtiliter carinulato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with joints 3-7 subequal, small; the eighth joint much larger, a good deal

longer than broad; the ninth and tenth joints each a little shorter and each rather

longer than broad; the terminal joint acuminate, slightly longer than the eighth.

Head transverse, but subcircular, the erect pubescence of the vertex very slight; eyes

rather large, but not convex. Thorax rather large, broader towards the base, its

pubescence fine and depressed; with a transverse depression, deeper at its termination

on each side, in front of the base, and external to this a very fine minute carina.

Elytra depressed at the base, with the shoulders plicate, but the plica very short; their

pubescence short and depressed. Pectoral lamina remarkably broad, sulcate; middle

of the metasternum prominent but deplanate.

26. Kuconnus germanus. (Tab. II. fig. 13.)

Brunneus, elytris rufo-brunneis, pube brevi depressa vestitus, elytris subopacis; antennis clava magna, elon-

gata; prothorace subconico, ante basin transversim impresso; elytrorum humeris vix elevatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion).

Allied by the structure of the antenne and the remarkably broad lamina between

the middle coxe to £. chiriquensis, but smaller and quite distinct by the extremely

obsolete lateral carinule on the thorax. The head is not all transverse, the thoracic

depression is scarcely deeper at the sides, and the shoulders of the elytra are almost

without plication.

One example from each locality. The thoracic carinule is excessively minute, and

can only be seen in a quite clean example.

EUCONNUS. oT

27. Kuconnus terminatus.

Scydmenus terminatus, Schauf. Mon. p. 56°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!.

§ 2. Thorax at the base without impressions or channel.

In this group the thorax is usually conical in form, but there are a few species in

which it is almost oblong in shape, and in these a very careful examination will reveal

a trace of an exceedingly small obsolete fovea on either side. These few species would

perhaps find their true allies in group § 1.

28. Euconnus incultus. (Tab. II. fig. 14.)

Elongatus, angustulus, castaneus, pube elongata erecta sat dense vestitus; antennis elongatis, hirtellis,

extrorsum crassioribus, haud clavatis, articulo ultimo majore; prothorace elongato, oblongo, ante basin

obsolete transversim impresso.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the first joint elongate ; joints 2 and 3 subequal; 4-7 slightly longer,

subequal, each slightly broader than its predecessor; the eighth joint a little shorter

and broader, scarcely longer than wide, the ninth quadrate, the tenth slightly shorter,

feebly transverse; the terminal joint large, obtuse. Head short, the vertex simple and

not elevated, and without dense pubescence. Thorax very elongate, only feebly

narrowed in front, scarcely narrowed behind; the basal sulcus indistinct, but prolonged

on to the flanks. Elytra elongate, with a dense, fine, long pubescence; shoulders

feebly elevated. Legs elongate; tibie feebly bisinuate internally, the anterior pair

with a slight mucro at the apex. |

Unique. A very distinct and remarkable species. Although possessing a constriction

of a very indistinct nature in front of the base of the thorax, E. incultus is better

placed here than in group 9 1.

29. Huconnus pubifer. (Tab. II. fig. 15.)

Elongatus, angustulus, convexus, rufo-brunneus, pube elongata subflavescente jdense vestitus ; antennis crassi-

usculis, clava quadri-articulata et minus gracili; prothorace oblongo; elytrorum humeris perparum

elevatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Granada (Sallé).

Antenne rather stout; third joint small, scarcely half so large as the second; the

fourth, fifth, and sixth joints similar, each a little larger than the third; the seventh

joint slightly broader than the sixth, slightly transverse ; the eighth considerably larger,

transverse; the ninth and tenth similar, rather larger than the eighth, transverse

quadrate ; the terminal joint acuminate, rather long. Head rather long and narrow,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, May 1887. I*

58 . SCYDMANID A.

bearing much pubescence. Thorax oblong, evenly covered with pubescence. Llytra

rather long and narrow, with dense erect pubescence.

30. Euconnus hirculus.

Angustulus, convexus, castaneus, elytris rufis, pube sat elongata dense vestitus; antennis crassiusculis, clava

quadri-articulata et nec lata neque elongata; prothorace elongato, oblongo; elytrorum humeris brevissime |

prominulis.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo (Champion).

Antenne rather stout; joints 3-7 similar to one another, except that the third is

rather smaller, each scarcely so long as broad; 8—10 also similar to one another, rather

strongly transverse; the terminal joint acuminate, quite as long as the preceding two

together. Head densely pubescent. ‘Thorax elongate, oblong, densely pubescent,

with traces of an obsolete fovea on each side in front of the base. LElytra narrow,

convex. Femora strongly clavate.

This species bears considerable resemblance to £. medialis and its allies; but the

thorax in the latter is conic, and the femora are much less clavate. 4. hirculus is very

closely allied to E. pubifer, though considerably smaller and possessing shorter antennz.

Unique.

31. Euconnus puncticollis.

Picescens, antennis, pedibus elytrisque rufis; antennis brevibus, crassis; capite angusto, vertice densissime

flavo-pubescente ; prothorace suboblongo, punctulato; elytris subtilius punctulatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne with joints 3-6 subequal, small; the seventh joint a little larger, bead-like ;

joints 8-10 similar to one another, rather strongly transverse ; the terminal joint short,

obtuse. Head long and narrow, its posterior part densely pubescent. Thorax some-

what sparingly but distinctly punctate, and with a very feeble appearance of carination

on the disc; rather densely pubescent at the sides. TElytra with short, rather sharply

defined, humeral elevation; sparingly punctulate; their pubescence erect, rather firmer

than usual. Pectoral lamina only moderately elevated.

This distinct species is unique. It is more distinctly punctulate than any other of

the known Euconni of our region.

32. Euconnus vividus. (Tab. II. fig. 16.)

Latior, rufus, capite prothoraceque piceo-rufis, nitidior, parum pubescens, in elytris fere glaber; capite lato,

subtransverso; antennis modice elongatis, crassiusculis, clava elongata et laxissime articulata.

Long. 23-23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Pantaleon 1700 feet, Mirandilla (Champion).

Antenne dark red, moderately pubescent ; third joint much shorter than the second,

EUCONNUS. 59

slightly longer than the fourth ; the seventh joint longer than those preceding it, longer

than broad; the four terminal joints forming a very elongate, loosely articulated club,

becoming a little broader outwardly; the eighth and ninth joints each about as long as

broad ; the terminal joint longer than broad. Head broad, very shining, with only a

few long fine hairs. Thorax robust, widest slightly in front of the middle, almost even,

with an obsolete transverse impression in front of the base; very shining, with only a

few long delicate hairs. Elytra short and broad, bright red, with only a,feeble elevation

of the shoulders; and without pubescence, except that there are a few hairs on the

humeral portion. Anterior tibiee with the lower half flattened, and furnished on the

inner face with a dense glandular pubescence.

The five examples obtained do not show any distinctions of sex.

33. Euconnus galericulatus.

Scydmenus galericulatus, Schauf. Mon. p. 51’.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!.

34. Euconnus armatipes.

Elongatus, rufo-castaneus, pubescens ; antennis elongatis, apicem versus crassioribus, vix clavatis; prothorace

conico-elongato; tibiis anterioribus intus supra medium processu tenui, elongato, descendente, armatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Antenne with the second joint nearly twice as long as the small third joint; joints

4—6 each a little longer than its predecessor ; the seventh joint similar to the sixth, longer

than broad, the eighth a little longer than the seventh, scarcely broader, the ninth and

tenth each a little shorter, only slightly broader; the terminal joint rather long. Head

densely pubescent. Thorax elongate, conic-oblong, rather densely pubescent, quite

unimpressed. Elytra rather slender, the shoulders very slightly elevated, the pubes-

cence moderately close. Front tibie armed inwardly with a peculiar slender twig-like

process.

Only a single example of this distinct species was obtained.

35. Euconnus medialis. (Tab. II. fig. 17.)

Sat gracilis, castaneus, elytris rufo- castaneis; antennis parum elongatis, haud crassis, clava laxe articulata et

haud lata; prothorace conico; elytrorum humeris perparum elevatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, Capetillo, Tamahu (Champion).

Antenne with the second joint elongate; the third and fourth joints quite small,

similar, the fifth and sixth a little longer, equal, the seventh just perceptibly broader

than the sixth, similar to it in length; joints 8-10 a little broader, subequal, feebly

transverse; the terminal joint short. Head rather narrow, densely pubescent, with

I* 2

60 SCYDMANIDA.

much elevated vertex. Thorax rather long, becoming almost gradually broader from

the front to the base, rather densely pubescent. Elytra rather long and narrow, forming

with the thorax an almost continuous outline; the basal depression scarcely present, so

that there is scarcely any humeral elevation; their pubescence rather long, fine, and

moderately dense. Legs rather short. The pectoral lamina strongly elevated in

front.

Five examples.

36. Euconnus fustiger. (Tab. II. fig. 18.)

Castaneus, dense pubescens; antennis parum elongatis, crassiusculis, clava magna, lata; prothorace conico ;

elytris ad basin utrinque brevissime depressis.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne stout; joints 3-7 small, similar to one another; the four terminal joints.

forming a stout, elongate, loosely articulated club, scarcely broader towards fhe

extremity; the terminal joint moderately long. Head rather short, very densely

pubescent. Thorax small, conical, narrow in front, becoming regularly broader to

the base, densely pubescent. Elytra short and broad; with a short fovea at the

extreme base of each, causing the shoulder to appear slightly elevated.

Closely allied to EZ. medialis, but readily distinguished by the shorter and broader

form and the stouter abruptly clavate antenne. Unique.

37. Euconnus hoplites.

Latiusculus, piceo-castaneus, antennis pedibusque dilutioribus, dense pubescens; antennis crassiusculis, clava

quadri-articulata, abrupta; prothorace conico; pectore processu elongato armato.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. (GUATEMALA, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne with the second joint as long as the third and fourth joints together; the

fifth and sixth joints only slightly longer than the third and fourth, the seventh evidently

longer but not broader ; joints 8-10 longer and broader, subequal, each quite as long as

broad; the terminal joint a little longer than the tenth. Head very densely pubescent.

Thorax regularly conic, rather longer than broad at the base, the latter transversely

convex and quite unimpressed; densely pubescent. Elytra with a moderately close,

rather long, pubescence; almost unimpressed at the base, so that the shoulders are

only very slightly prominent. Breast armed in the middle with a rather long promi-

nence, the front margin of which is directed obliquely backwards, the hind margin

being perpendicular, though slightly curvate.

Unique.

EUCONNUS. 61

38. Euconnus obtusus.

Castaneus, elytris rufo-castaneis, dense pubescens ; antennis clavatis, clava quadri-articulata ; prothorace conico;

elytrorum humeris minus breviter plicatis.

Long. vix 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

Antenne with the second joint quite twice as long as the third; joints 3-6 minute,

subequal, the seventh just perceptibly larger ; 8-10 considerably broader, subtransverse ;

the terminal joint short, obtuse. Head rather broad and short, very densely pubescent.

Thorax rather slender, elongate, conic, densely pubescent. Elytra rather broad,

deplanate towards the base; the humeral elevation internally sharply defined, so as to

have the appearance on that side of an elevated plica.

The individual described is no doubt a male: the hind tibie are remarkably slender,

and a little thicker about the middle, so as to have a slightly sinuate appearance; and

are armed at the apex with a very short process, which, not being longer than the width

of the tibia, is difficult to perceive. Unique.

39. Euconnus celatus.

-Rufo-castaneus, evidenter pubescens, nitidus; antennis clavatis, clava quadri-articulata ; prothorace conico-

elongato; elytrorum humeris brevissime plicatis.

Long. vix 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Quezaltenango 7300 feet, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet, Cerro

Zunil, Zapote, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).'

Extremely closely allied to £. ob¢usus, but rather smaller, and distinguishable by the

less plicate shoulders; and by the fact that the hind tibia in the male is armed with a

very slender elongate process or spine, which is about half the length of the tarsus.

£. celatus is apparently a rather smaller and more slender insect, with slightly shorter

antenne, the proportions of the joints of these organs being, however, similar in the two

species.

Apparently rare, single examples only having been met in each locality. The

specimens show some variation in size and in the elongation of the antenne, and it

may prove that they consist of more than one species. ms

40. Euconnus hirsutus.

Scydmenus hirsutus, Schauf. Mon. p. 41°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa1, ? Cordova (Saldé).

I refer with much doubt to £. hirsutus a single mutilated example from Sallé’s

collection ; this specimen is closely allied to #. celatus, but with the hind tibiw armed

only with a short, extremely delicate spine. Schaufuss describes a variety under the

name of bacchus, which no doubt is a distinct species belonging to our group @ 1.

62 SCYDMANIDA.

41, Kuconnus mirandus. |

Castaneus, minus dense pubescens, nitidus; antennis clavatis, clava quadri-articulata; prothorace conico ;

elytrorum humeris brevissime plicatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet, Senahu (Champion).

In the male of this insect the hind tibia is armed at the apex with an elongate,

slightly curved, spine, but little shorter than the tarsus. This character and the

smaller size are almost all I can point out as of importance to distinguish the species

from EF. celatus.

42. Euconnus alticola.

Minor, angustulus, rufo-castaneus, sat dense pubescens; antennis extrorsum crassioribus, minus abrupte

clavatis; prothorace ante basin obsoletius transversim impresso; elytrorum humeris breviter argute

elevatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemana, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne with joints 3-6 very small, each scarcely so long as broad; the seventh joint

broader, transverse, but small ; joints 8-10 larger, subequal, rather strongly transverse ;

the terminal joint nearly as long as the preceding two together. Head not very densely

pubescent. Thorax slender, moderately densely pubescent. Elytra with the humeral

elevation short, but when viewed from the inner side sharply defined. Hind tibia armed

at the extremity with a spine, this, spine being rather elongate, but so slender that it

looks like a seta.

Of this little insect, distinct by its antennal structure from £. celatus, only two

examples were found. The transverse depression at the base of the thorax is so slight

that it can only be seen by looking at the insect from behind in a certain light, and

does not therefore necessitate my removing the species from amongst its allies to place

it in group 41.

43, Huconnus gibbiodes.

Castaneus, glaber; antennarum-clava gracili, longissima.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne with the first joint very short, almost entirely concealed ; the second joint

only moderately long; joints 3-6 small, similar, the seventh longer than broad, slightly

broader than, and twice as long as, the sixth ; joints 8-10 similar to one another, elongate,

only slightly broader than the seventh, but much longer, each much longer than broad ;

the terminal joint longer, slender. Head rather long and narrow, greatly narrowed

behind. Thorax elongate, regularly conic. Elytra forming with the thorax one almost

continuous outline, quite destitute of basal depression. Pectoral lamina large.

This remarkable and very distinct species is represented by a single example.

EUCONNUS.—SCYDM ANUS. 63

44, Kuconnus palpalis.

Rufo-castaneus, dense pubescens ; antennis gracilibus, tantum subclavatis ; capite dense pubescens; prothorace

conico-elongato ; elytris humeris omnino brevissime elevatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion).

Palpi elongate. Antenne with the first joint exposed, the second joint elongate ;

joints 3-6 slender, gradually increasing in length, the third longer than broad, the sixth

more than twice as long as broad; the seventh joint rather shorter than the sixth, and

not perceptibly broader, the eighth to the tenth each becoming a little shorter, but only

very slightly broader ; the terminal joint about as long as the sixth. Head declivous in

front. Thorax elongate, regularly conic, rather densely pubescent. lytra with

extremely short basal depression, so that the humeral elevation is correspondingly

short. Front tibiz with the pubescence on the inner face of their lower part remark-

ably developed.

This distinct species is unique. The pubescence on the inner face of the front tibie,

conspicuous in many of our species of this group, here attains its maximum development.

45. Kuconnus simplicitus.

Scydmenus simplicitus, Schauf. Mon. p. 57°.

Hab. Mrxtico, Teapa}.

SCYDMANUS.

Scydmenus, Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. i. p. 281 (1802); Reitter, Ins. Deutsch. iii. pt. 2, p. 172.

Cyrtoscydmus (Motsch.), Reitter, Wien. ent. Zeit. iv. p. 58. ~

This name has until quite recently been used to include the majority of the species

of the family; most of the extra-European forms are now recognized as belonging to

Euconnus, and it is probable that Scydmenus will prove characteristic of the north

temperate region. The Guatemalan species that I ascribe to it is somewhat aberrant,

the pseudo-terminal joint of the maxillary palpus being more securiform than usual.

Reitter has lately proposed to sink the name Scydmenus, hitherto used by himself

and all other entomologists, as a mere synonym of Humicrus, and to adopt in its place

the more recent (and unrecognized) Cyrtoscydmus; but as this course has no practical

advantage, other than conformity with a theory as to the treatment of generic names

that may or may not receive general assent, I am not yet inclined to follow him.

1. Scydmeenus brevipes. (Tab. II. fig. 19.)

Subdepressus, hirsutus, pallide brunneus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace oblongo, postice in medio

profunde bifoveolato.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, El Tumbador 2500 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet, Capetillo,

Duefias (Champion). -_

64 SCYDM ZENIDA.

Antenne rather short and stout; the third and fourth joints minute, bead-like; the

fifth and sixth slightly larger but otherwise similar; the seventh and eighth slightly

broader, so as to be very feebly transverse; the ninth a little broader, not large, very

evidently transverse ; the tenth similar though slightly larger; the terminal joint short.

Head small, truncate behind, rather feebly pubescent. Thorax longer than broad, the

sides but little narrowed in front, so that it is almost oblong in shape; very hirsute, and

with two deep closely approximate fovee a little distance in front of the base. Elytra

subdepressed, slender, rather densely pubescent, and with strongly elevated humeral

prominences. Legs rather stout, the femora scarcely clavate, the tarsi very short.

Apparently rare, only seven examples having been procured.

2. Scydmenus(?) plicatulus.

Scydmenus plicatulus, Schauf. Mon. p. 42°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa .—Cotompta }.

Possibly this species may not belong to our region at all, as the author cited appears

to have entertained some doubts whether the Mexican example he had before him was

conspecific with his Colombian type. In any case the genus is quite doubtful, as the

structure of the maxillary palpus is said to be aberrant, approximating that of

Eumicrus.

HOMOCONNUS.

Caput anterius subproductum sed haud deflexum; palpi maxillares articulo ultimo minuto acuminato; coxe

intermedia maxime, prominule, haud contiguee, mesosterno inter eas subperpendiculare haud carinato ;

coxee posteriores magne, globose, processibus posterioribus inter sese fere contiguis; metasternum

elongatum, apice summo in medio profunde foveolato, inter coxas spinoso-producto ; femora posteriora

dente magno triangulari instructa.

This genus will comprise Scydmanus dentipes, S. batesi, S. spinipes, and S. bonvou-

loiri, of Schaufuss. The above-mentioned characters render it extremely distinct. The

species as yet known are all from Tropical America and the Antilles, and the genus

will probably prove to be peculiar to these regions.

1. Homoconnus spinipes. (Tab. II. fig. 20.)

Scydmenus spinipes, Schauf. Mon. p. 78, t. 2. ff. 12 a, 6°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!; Guatemata (Sal/é), Teleman and San Juan in Vera Paz

(Champion) ; Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Apparently rare, only six examples being extant.

EUMICRUS.

Eumicrus, Castelnau, Hist. Nat. Ins. Col. i. p. 209 (1840) ; Reitter, Ins. Deutsch. iu. pt. 2, p. 194.

Although treated until recently by most authors as a section of Scydmenus, this is

EUMICRUS. 66

undoubtedly a valid genus, the peculiar structure of the maxillary palpus and of the

trochanters being associated with a perpendicular, exposed, rather large pygidium.

The genus is a very widely-distributed one, and is no doubt present in all the temperate

and warm continental regions of the globe.

§1. Thorax bifoveolate (or quadrifoveolate) at the base, the fovee frequently minute.

1. Eumicrus brunneus. (Tab. II. fig. 21.)

Scydmenus brunneus, Schaum, Analecta ent. p. 28°.

Eumicrus brunneus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. in Nov. Act. Leop.-Carol. Nat. Curios. xxxiii. p. 89’.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa 2, Yautepec (Llohr, Hoge), near the city, Tehuantepec, Acapulco

(Hoge); Guatemata (Sai/é), near the city, San Gerénimo, San Joaquin, Senahu, Cahabon,

Chacoj (Champion); Nicaragua (Sal/é); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, San

Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).—Soutn America, Colombia! ?.

The male of this species has the front tarsi rather broadly dilated, but otherwise very

closely resembles the female. . drunneus was met with in abundance near the city of

Guatemala and also in the Pearl Islands; the individuals from the latter locality are

rather smaller and darker, but I can find no evidence of any distinction of a specific

character. Schaufuss has pointed out? that Schaum was deceived! in supposing the

thorax to have only a single fovea on each side.

Found on the sandy banks of small streams beneath decaying leaves, &c. (Champion).

2. Kumicrus cognatus.

Scydmenus cognatus, Schaum, Analecta ent. p. 29°.

Eumicrus cognatus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 88’.

Hab. Nicaracua, Managua ?.—SoutH America, Colombia ! 2.

Schaum having been mistaken in regarding the thorax of E. brunneus to be only

bifoveolate, I fail to detect in the description any character by which the two could

otherwise be distinguished, though Schaufuss retains them as distinct.

3. Eumicrus vestalis.

Eumicrus vestalis, Casey, Contr. Col. N. Amer. p. 85°.

Hab. Nortu America, Arizona !.—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), La Noria in

Sinaloa (Hége).

This species is excessively near to H#. brunneus, but is certainly distinct, as the front

tarsi of the male are only feebly dilated; it is also rather more elongate in form. I

can detect no sexual difference except that of the front feet.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1887. K*

66 SCYDMENIDZ.

4. Kumicrus pectoralis.

Brunneus, nitidus, longius sat crebro pubescens; capite posterius subtruncato ; elytris sat elongatis.

Long. 27 millim.

Mas tarsis anterioribus leviter dilatatis; tibiis intermediis apice intus valde bimucronato; pectore in medio

tuberculo magno, apice truncato et minute pubescente.

Fem. tarsis anterioribus fere simplicibus ; tibiis intermediis apice intus minus valide mucronato ; pectore

mutico.

Hab. Guatemaa (Sallé), near the city (Champion) ; Nicaracua, Managua (Sal/é).

This species has the antenne formed similarly to those of E. brunneus ; and, though

readily distinguished from that species by the sexual characters, the two are in other

respects extremely similar; E. pectoralis has, however, the hind body a little longer

and narrower in proportion, approximating thus to ZL. vestalis, from which it is well

distinguished by the sexual marks.

5. Eumicrus laminatus.

Elongatus, angustulus, brunneus, nitidus, pubescens ; capite angustulo, collo minus abrupto.

Long. 23 millim.

Mas tarsis anterioribus leviter dilatatis ; tibiis intermediis apice bimucronato; pectore in medio lamina longi-

tudinali subhamata.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

I have before me only one example, in extremely bad condition, of this insect.

Though certainly closely allied to ZH. pectoralis, the pectoral structure of the male

decidedly indicates a different species, and it is probable that HL. daminatus is a rather

smaller and narrower insect ; I detect no difference in the antenne of the two.

6. Eumicrus centralis.

Brunneus, nitidus, longius sat crebre pubescens ; antennis longioribus, clava elongata gracili.

Long. 24 millim.

Mas tarsis anterioribus fortiter dilatatis; pectore in medio leviter prominulo, densius minus subtiliter

pubescente.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemaua, San Gerdnimo, Capetillo (Champion).

This species, at least in the male sex, is readily distinguished from LE. brunneus by

the pectoral structure and by the more elongate antenne; these last-named organs

having the fifth joint more elongate, and the seventh and eighth joints less reduced in

size than they are in ZL. drunneus, the club also being longer and more slender. In

other respects the two species are extremely similar. We have only received one

example from each locality, and perhaps they may not all represent one and the same

species, as they differ a little in the pectoral pubescence. The female I do not think

we have received at all. It is possible that this sex may not have the more elongate

antenne of the male, and in that case is indistinguishable, in the present state of know-

ledge, from the corresponding sex of EL. brunneus.

EUMICRUS. 67

7. Humicrus sallei,

Major, robustus, convexus, brunneus, pubescentia parum elongata dense vestitus; antennis elongatis, articulo

quinto valde elongato, clava elongata haud gracili ; elytris convexis, rotundulis ; tarsis majoribus.

Long. 21 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé).

This is very closely allied to Z. brunneus, though a much larger insect; it is also much

broader, and the pubescence of the elytra is denser and shorter. The head is broad,

rounded behind. The antenne are elongate and stout, the club being especially long,

with elongate terminal joint, and its first joint a little longer than broad; the fifth joint

is also very long, and the third joint a little longer than the second or fourth, these

latter being about equal in length. The tarsi in either sex are considerably longer and

broader than they are in EL. brunneus. I have seen only three examples.

8. Eumicrus bisphericus.

Eumicrus bisphericus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 82'.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa?.

This species is perhaps allied to E. sallei; but, according to the description}, is larger,

viz. 23 lin. long, and has the fifth joint of the antenna dilated in front.

9. Humicrus commilitonis. (Tab. Il. fig. 22.)

? Humicrus commilitonis, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. i. p. 84.

Breviusculus, convexus, rufo-brunneus, pubescentia parum elongata minus dense vestitus, nitidus ; antennis

abrupte clavatis, clava tri-articulata, articulo quinto parum, sexto haud, elongato ; capite fere circulari ;

prothorace subgloboso, basi minus minute quadri-foveolata.

Long. 13-12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!, Cordova (Sallé); Guatema.a, Cubilguitz, Pantaleon (Cham-

pion); Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson), Granada (Sallé); Panama, David, San Miguel

in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Compared with the common £. brunneus this species is not only much smaller, but

has a more robust thorax (broader near the front), with rather more conspicuous basal

fover ; the joints of the antenne are all shorter, the club being more abruptly defined

and with its first joint transverse; the pubescence is shorter and less erect; and the

legs much shorter, the tarsi being quite short. The sexes are very difficult to distin-

guish, the front feet of the male being scarcely dilated.

E. commilitonis is apparently not common though widely distributed in our region,

and apparently varies somewhat in accordance with its locality. Whether the species

before me be really Schaufuss’s E. commilitonis is open to doubt; the brief description,

however, of that writer contains nothing that disagrees with our insect.

K* 2

68 SCYDMENIDE.

10. Eumicrus ——?

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé).

This insect is represented by a single female, which I fail to reduce to either

E. brunneus or E. commilitonis, though in many respects it appears intermediate.

11. Eumicrus brevipes. (Tab. II. fig. 23.)

Latiusculus, rufo-brunneus, pube minus elongata dense vestitus; antennis articulo quinto mediocriter, sexto

nullo modo, elongato, clava abrupta, sat elongata ; prothorace minus gracili ; elytris rotundulis.

Long. 2 millim.

Mas tarsis anterioribus fortiter dilatatis.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Capetillo (Champion).

This species is rather smaller than E. drunneus; and has short antenne, the fifth

joint being, however, very elongate, while the sixth is quite small and transverse, and

scarcely larger than the very small seventh and eighth joints, the third and fourth

joints are each smaller than the second, and the first joint of the club is slightly longer

than broad. | |

Although we have received only a single male of E. brevipes it is evidently a distinct

species from E£. brunneus and E. commilitonis. The single female comes from Las

Mercedes, and though it has the front tarsi a little dilated is, I feel sure, that sex of

E. brevipes, and not the male of a different species.

§ 2. Thorax completely destitute of basal fovee.

12. Eumicrus concretus. (Tab. II. fig. 24.)

Elongatus, angustulus, convexus, rufescens, antennis pedibusque testaceis, pube depressa sat elongata tenuiter

vestitus ; capite truncato, subtransverso; antennis gracilibus, clava elongata, tri-articulata, sat abrupta,

articulo nono gracili, fere quadrato.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, El Reposo, Cerro Zunil, San Isidro, Pantaleon, Zapote, San Gerd-

nimo, El Jicaro, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); PANAMA, Volcan de Chiriqui

2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather slender and small, with elongate club ; second joint twice as long as

the third, fourth and fifth joints about equal, the latter a little the longer, though not

so long as the second, the sixth small, the seventh and eighth very small, the ninth

considerably smaller than the tenth, not transverse, the tenth also about as long as

broad. Head rather short and broad, truncate behind. Thorax with its greatest width

near the front, much narrowed behind. Elytra narrow, without any depression at the

shoulders. I do not detect any sexual characters. This insect I expect will prove to

be allied to E. annulicornis, Schauf. ; but as that species is from the Amazon valley, and

is described as having somewhat different pubescence, no doubt the two are distinct.

EUMICRUS. 69

E. concretus is apparently rare, most of the localities cited having yielded only a

single example.

13. Kumicrus palmatus.

Rufescens, convexus, pube suberecta sat dense vestitus ; capite haud transverso; antennis clava fere bi-articulata,

articulo nono sequente plus duplo majore, articulo quinto elongato.

Long. 13-1 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne with the fifth joint elongate, nearly twice as long as the fourth, the seventh

and eighth joints small, acuminate inwardly, the ninth transverse, not half so long as

the tenth, the latter about as long as the acuminate eleventh joint. Head large, sub-

quadrate, quite as long as broad. Thorax moderately narrowed behind. Elytra rather

narrow, and without any humeral impression. ‘Tarsi unusually elongate. The male

has the metasternum depressed along the middle, and the base of the front tarsi strongly

dilated.

Similar to E. concretus, but abundantly distinct by the structure of the antenne, the

larger head, and the male characters. One pair only was procured.

14. Eumicrus subnudus.

Piceus, nitidus, parce breviterque pubescens ; antennis articulo quinto elongato, clava laxe tri-articulata ; capite

nullo modo transverso, lateribus postice angustatis, vertice truncato.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne with the second and third joints subequal, the fourth joint slightly smaller,

the fifth elongate, nearly twice as long as the sixth, the seventh and eighth joints minute,

the ninth quadrate, the tenth rather larger, also quadrate, the terminal joint not elongate.

Head considerably narrowed towards the vertex, the latter truncate. Thorax elongate,

not much narrowed behind. Elytra rather broad, much broader from the shoulders

towards the middle. Legs rather short and stout.

We have received only one mutilated example of this very distinct species ; the

posterior femora are remarkable on account of their very feeble clavation.

15. Eumicrus speculator.

Eumicrus speculator, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 79’.

Hab. Mexico, 'Teapa!.

16. Humicrus mexicanus.

Eumicrus mexicanus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 78’.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!.

70 SCYDM ANID.

17. Eumicrus minutissimus.

Eumicrus minutissimus, Schauf. Mon. Scydm. p. 77, t. 8. f. 16°.

Hab. tGuatemaLa, Champerico (Champion).—Amazons !.

We have received only one example of this minute creature from Guatemala, and though

it does not differ from Schaufuss’s description it is quite possible it may prove distinct.

HECOTUS.

Antenne geniculate, articulo basali longissimo; palpi maxillares perelongati, quadri-articulati, articulo basali

minutissimo, secundo valde elongato, anterius ante medium processum brevem emittente, articulo tertio

gracili, elongato, apicem versus crassiore, quarto iterum elongato, praecedenti quali.

The very curious insects for which this generic name is proposed are extremely

distinct from all previously described forms, and can only be compared with the Oriental

genus Clidicus, from which they differ by the very peculiar structure of the maxillary

palpi, the two genera being, however, nearly allied. As the characters of Clidicus have

never been fully investigated, it will be desirable to give in detail those of its ally in

our region. The head is subtransverse, constricted behind so as to form an abrupt

comparatively narrow neck ; the eyes are small and placed near the anterior part. ‘The

antenne are widely separated, inserted on the front of the head close to the eyes, and

not clavate; they have eleven joints, and are strongly geniculate, the geniculation

permitting the joints beyond it to be turned outwards and backwards, the basal joint

being very elongate. The labrum is broad and short, emarginate, with prominent

lateral angles, and bidentate in the middle. The mandibles are short, with slender

curvate extremity and a long sharp tooth before this. ‘The upper lobe of the maxilla

is rather large, oblong, but rather broader at the extremity, the latter bearing long

dense pubescence. The first joint of the maxillary palpus is small, and closely con-

nected with its support; the second joint is extremely elongate, its basal portion

curvate, and beyond the curve there projects forwards a rather long process slightly

furcate at its extremity, the latter bearing two long sete; the third joint is slender and

elongate ; the fourth joint also slender and long. ‘The labium is exposed; the ligula

becoming broader towards the extremity and here emarginate; the labial palpi are very

small, widely separated, the first and second joints short and stout, the terminal joint

excessively minute, subulate. The prosternum is large; the front cox cylindric,

exserted, perpendicular, rather long, contiguous, the prosternal epimera not at all

prolonged behind them. The middle coxe are subglobular, moderately large, with an

external prolongation exposing the trochantin; they are nearly contiguous, and the

mesosternum in front of them bears a moderately elevated carina. The metasternum

is moderately long. The hind coxe are globular, rather widely separated, the space

separating them being rather wider than the interval between each coxa and the edge

HECOTUS, 71

of the elytra. The ventral segments are five in number, the second, third, and fourth

subequal, the first longer, the terminal much longer. There are no epipleure. The

femora are strongly clavate; the tibie are without spurs; the tarsi are 5-jointed,

slender, the basal joint of the posterior pair rather longer than the second and scarcely

longer than the terminal joint.

1. Hecotus agilis. (Tab. II. fig. 25.)

Fulvo-rufus, pubescens; capite transverso; antennis palpisque maxillaribus geniculatis; elytris ad basin

seriatim punctatis.

Long. 3-33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui below 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with each joint longer than broad. Head canaliculate in the middle behind,

the temples hirsute. Thorax elongate, its greatest width in front of the middle, con-

siderably narrowed behind, transversely canaliculate at the hind margin, hirsute at the

sides. Elytra elongate, not much curved at the sides, densely pubescent, with short

series of punctures at the base which speedily become evanescent, the shoulders much

raised. Legs elongate; front tibie strongly curvate; front coxe very mobile, their

trochanter prominent and armed with a seta at its most prominent part, the slender

portion of the femur bearing three elongate erect sete.

We have received a series of twelve examples of this interesting insect, most of

which are unfortunately in a very fragile and mutilated condition.

2. Hecotus mexicanus.

Fulvus, dense pubescens; capite transverso; antennis palpisque maxillaribus geniculatis; prothorace parce

punctulato; elytris ad basin seriatim punctatis, dense pubescentibus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Soledad in Vera Cruz (Sal/é).

We have received only a single example of this insect, and though very closely allied

to H. agilis it appears to me to be probably distinct. The antenne are less elongate,

the basal joint being shorter and thicker. The thorax is considerably less elongate, its

basal canaliculation more obscure, and the surface bears a distinct though feeble and

distant punctuation. ‘The elytra are less elongate, more curvate at the sides, with a

denser pubescence and a more definite basal punctuation. The legs also are less

elongate.

72 SILPHID A.

Fam. SILPHIDZ *.

The Silphide of Central America, to judge from the present collection, appear to be

remarkable for the rarity of forms usually the most abundant, such as the tribes

‘Cholevina’ and ‘Silphina’; and for the peculiar type of the ‘ Anisotomina,’ which

exhibit a great prevalence of species anatomically allied to Agathidium. The most

abundant of these latter belong to the genus Aglyptus, first characterized by Dr. Leconte

from a species of rare occurrence in the United States. In Central America Aglyptus

seems to be the representative genus of its tribe, and numerically furnishes the majority

of specimens contained in this collection.

In this Family I have not given any Synoptic Tables, because the genera, with but

few exceptions, are already well known, and for the most part contain respectively but

few species, which may easily be discriminated from each other. The descriptions,

especially of the new genera and species, will be found more diffusive than was perhaps

positively required in a work which does not in any way assume the character of a

monograph ; but it is always better in describing to say too much than too little, for

among closely-allied species a minute and apparently unimportant character will often

lead to a correct determination. The plan of devoting a separate sentence to each

main division of the body renders recognition very much easier than the chaotic

descriptions often met with, in which the various parts are so mixed up, that it becomes

difficult to discover to which of them the words under consideration refer ; in many

such descriptions characters of the head or thorax, omitted in their proper place, are

often found noticed after a long description of the elytra, or some other part.

In the anatomy I have always designated the extreme organ of the lower part of the

mouth the “lingua”; the term “ligula,” often applied to this part having been used

so indiscriminately for this organ, or for the labium, or for them both in connection,

that it has lost all definitive value, and has, in fact, become a source of perplexity.

That the lingua is a distinct organ of the mouth may be clearly seen in any of the

larger species of Silpha, in all of which it is largely developed ; it arises from the inner

side of the labium near to its base, and may easily be dissected from that organ. Indeed

the parts often supposed to be paraglossal appendages of the labium are, at least in the

genus Silpha, integral parts of the lingua, and are probably so in many other genera.

The substance of the lingua is generally soft and contractile, and therefore liable, when

dried, to lose its natural shape; but in St/pha the lingua is more than usually chitinous,

and may always be seen behind the labial palpi as a somewhat fan-shaped organ

extending far beyond the anterior extremity and the sides of the labium.

* By A. Marruews.

CLAMBUS.

CLAMBINA.

CLAMBUS.

Clambus, Fischer, Ent. Russ. Gen. i. p. 52 (1820).

Body perfectly contractile. Head very large and flat, with deep antennal grooves on the underside. Thorax

small, transverse. Elytra large, entire, exceedingly convex. Antenne 9-jointed, 1 rather short and robust,

2 very long and slender, 3-7 gradually shorter, 8 and 9 forming a much incrassated club. Prosternum

short; ¢pisterna very small; epimera small, but distinct, not enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities

moderate, suboblong, with a foramen at the outer extremity, partly closed posteriorly by a dilated process

of the prosternum. Mesosternum moderate, very deeply excised in front; episterna humeral, long, and

narrow ; epimera rather large, extending to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities very large and very oblique,

elongate-oval, moderately distant. Metasternum rather large, scarcely reaching the sides of the body ;

episterna long and very narrow, produced anteriorly below the coxal cavities, and almost reaching the

posterior cox ; epimera very narrow, with their extremities only visible. Venter composed of five nearly

equal segments. Legs very long and very slender ; tarsi 4-jointed, with the first joint the longest. Coxe:

anterior large, contingent, and very prominent ; intermediate very long and large, not contingent, promi-

nent; posterior contingent, very large, extending to the sides of the body, and furnished for their whole

extent with broad, circularly rounded lamine.

Numerous species of this genus have been described from Europe, North America,

the Canary Islands, Ceylon, &c. ; I have to record two from Central America.

1. Clambus gibbulus.

Clambus gibbulus, Lec. in Agassiz’s Lake Sup. p. 222; Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p. 2861; Horn, Trans.

Am. Ent. Soe. viil. p. 312’.

Ovatus, validissime convexus, nigro-piceus, pronoti marginibus late dilutioribus, glaber, nitidissimus; capite

rufo-piceo, permagno, lato, clypeo valde dilatato, antice rotundato, lateraliter producto; oculis magnis,

prominentibus; pronoto transverso, quam caput parum longiore et latiore, nigro, lateribus atque basi rufo-

piceis, glabro, nitidissimo, lateribus valde rotundatis, margine basali rotundata angulis fere obsoletis ; elytris

semiovatis, quam caput atque pronotum nec longioribus neque latioribus, prope media latissimis, glabris,

nitidissimis, lateribus leviter marginatis, angulis subhumeralibus sat prominentibus, apice acuminato ;

pedibus atque antennis longis, gracilibus, late flavis. Long. corp. ~ lin.=1:12 millim.

Body ovate, exceedingly convex, nigro-piceous, with the sides and base of the thorax broadly pale, not pubes-

cent, smooth, and very shining. Head rufo-piceous, very large and broad ; clypeus much dilated, rounded

in front, and much produced at the sides; eyes large and prominent; antenne rather long and slender,

bright yellow. Thorax transverse, rather longer and broader than the head, smooth and very shining ;

sides much rounded; basal margin rounded, with the angles almost obsolete. Scutellum moderate,

triangular. lytra semiovate, not longer nor broader than the head and thorax, widest near the middle,

smooth and very shining; sides slightly margined, with the subhumeral angles rather prominent; apex

acuminate. Legs long and slender, bright yellow.

Hab. Norta America, Canada to Texas?, Michigan !.—Guatema.a, near the city

(Champion).

Differs from the following species in its ovate form, longer and broader head and

thorax, greater dilatation of the clypeus, and paler sides of the thorax. One

specimen.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, November 1887. L*

SILPHID.,

2. Clambus exiguus, sp. n.

Ovalis, validissime convexus, niger, angulis posterioribus pronoti sat late dilutioribus, glaber, nitidissimus ;

capite magno, sat longo, clypeo antice valde rotundato, lateraliter haud dilatato ; oculis sat parvis ; pronoto

parvo, brevi, quam caput parum breviore et latiore, ad basin latissimo, lateribus rotundatis, margine basali

fere recta angulis sat obtusis ; elytris semiovalibus, quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, haud

latioribus, ante media latissimis, leviter et indistinctissime punctatis, angulis subhumeralibus sat pro-

minentibus, apice obtuso; pedibus atque antennis modicis, gracilibus, lete flavis, harum clavis parum

obscurioribus. Long. corp. 8 lin.=1-:0 millim.

Body oval, exceedingly convex, black, with the hinder angles of the thorax broadly pale, smooth and very

shining. Head large and rather long, with the clypeus much rounded in front, but not dilated laterally ;

eyes rather small ; antenne moderate, slender, bright yellow, with the club rather darker. Thorax small

and very short, rather shorter and broader than the head, widest at the base; sides rounded; basal margin

nearly straight, with the angles rather obtuse. Scutellwm rather small, triangular. Llytra semioval,

rather longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, slightly and very in-

distinctly punctured, very shining; subhumeral angles distinct; apex obtuse. Legs moderate, slender,

bright yellow. Underparts piceous, with the mouth yellow.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion). One example.

Differs from C. gibbulus in its smaller size, longer head, much shorter and smaller

thorax, and obtuse apex of the elytra.

ANISOTOMINA.

AGATHIDIUM.

Ayathidium, Uliger, Kugel. Verz. Kaf. Preuss. p. 81 (1798).

Body either wholly or partially contractile. Head large and flat, with deep antennal grooves on the under-

side. Thorax generally large, transverse, and very convex, often much dilated and rounded at the sides,

the base much rounded and incumbent on the shoulders of the elytra. lytra entire, exceedingly convex.

Antenne arising beneath the frontal plate, 11-jointed, 1 and 2 large, 8-11 forming a much incrassated

club. Prosternum very small and short ; episterna small, triangular ; epimera moderate, not enclosing the

coxal cavities ; coxal cavities large and contingent, open both in front and behind, with a large foramen

at the outer extremities. Mesosternum moderate, very deeply excised anteriorly ; episterna humeral, long,

and narrow ; epimera rather large, reaching to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities oblique, very large and

very long, moderately distant. Metasternum short, nearly extending to the sides of body ; episterna long

and narrow, not reaching to the coxe ; epimera long and narrow, extending to the coxe ; coxe very long

and large, nearly reaching to the sides, almost contingent. Venter composed of six segments, with the

apical segment very small. Cove: anterior contingent, large, and prominent ; intermedzate not contingent,

very large and prominent; posterior almost contingent, very large and long. TYarsi in the male 5-, 4-,

4-jointed, in the female 4-, 4-, 4-jointed.

This well-known genus contains a large number of described species, nearly all of

which are from Europe and temperate North America; five species are now recorded

from Mexico or Guatemala.

1. Agathidium oniscoides.

Agutiidium oniscoides, Beauv. Ins. Afr. et Amér. p. 160, t. 6. f.2'; Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853,

p- 285”.

Agathidium piceum, Melsh. Proce. Ac. Phil. ii. p. 108 (1844) * (nec Erichs.).

AGATHIDIUM. 75

Omnino contractibile, orbiculare, nigrum, nitidissimum, glaberrimum; capite magno, antice lato, punctis

exiguis, remotis, indistincte notato, epistoma integra, una cum ore flavescente; oculis modicis, vix promi-

nentibus ; pronoto quam caput multo longiore, validissime convexo, duplo latiore quam longo, translucide

piceo, lateribus una cum basi continuo rotundatis et leviter marginatis, angulis anterioribus rotundatis et

valde prominentibus ; elytris semiorbicularibus, angulis inferioribus humeralibus obsoletis, superficie im-

punctata sed inequali, capite atque pronoto fere pariter longis et latis, ad media latissimis, stria

suturali brevissima ad apices impressis, apicibus haud acuminatis, lateribus sat late marginatis, margine

ipsa rufo-picea; pedibus sat longis, rufo-piceis ; antennis sat longis, rufescentibus, clavis obscurioribus.

Long. corp. 153" lin, =3-25-3'50 millim.

Body perfectly contractile, orbicular, black, very smooth and shining. Head large, broad in front, indistinctly

marked with minute, remote punctures; epistoma not emarginate, and, together with the mouth, flavescent ;

eyes moderate, slightly prominent ; antenne rather long, rufescent, with the club dusky. Thorax exceed-

ingly convex, much longer than the head, and twice as broad as long, transparently piceous; sides and

base continuously rounded and slightly margined; anterior angles rounded and very prominent. Llytra

semiorbicular, with the inferior humeral angles obsolete, impunctate but uneven on the surface, as long

and as broad as the head and thorax, widest at the middle, with a very short sutural stria at the apex:

sides rather broadly margined, with the margin rufo-piceous ; apex not acuminate. Legs rather long, rufo-

piceous. Underparts rufo-castaneous ; mesosternum faintly carinated ; metasternum dusky and alutaceous.

Hab. Nortu America !?, Pennsylvania *.—MeExico, Jacale (Sallé).

2. Agathidium californicum.

Agathidium californicum, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 303.

Omnino contractibile, fere orbiculare, nigrum, nitidissimum, punctis remotis obsoletissimis impressum ; capite

magno, indistincte alutaceo, antice lato; epistomate ad medium sinuato, reflexo, flavescente; oculis sat

magnis prominentibus; ore flayo; pronoto quam caput vix longiore, fere duplo latiore quam longo, valde

convexo, indistincte alutiaceo, basi atque lateribus continuo rotundatis et leviter marginatis, angulis ante-

rioribus rotundatis et valde prominentibus; elytris subovatis, quam caput atque pronotum parum longi-

oribus, haud latioribus, ante media latissimis, indistincte alutaceis, stria suturali profunda ab apice usque

ad medium impressis, lateribus marginatis, margine dilutiore, apicibus sat acuminatis ; pedibus modicis, rufo-

ferrugineis ; antennis modicis, articulis sex basalibus rufis, ceteris obscurioribus. Long. corp. 1,% lin.=

2°25 millim.

Body perfectly contractile, almost orbicular, black and very shining, marked with remote, very obsolete punc-

tures. Head rather large, indistinctly alutaceous, broad in front, epistoma flavescent and sinuated in the

middle; mouth yellow; eyes rather large, prominent ; antennz moderate, with the basal six joints rufous,

and the remainder dusky. TZ'horaa scarcely longer than the head, nearly twice as broad as long, very

convex, indistinctly alutaceous ; the sides and base continuously rounded and slightly margined ; anterior

angles very much produced and rounded. Slytrarather ovate, somewhat longer but not broader than the

head and thorax, widest before the middle, indistinctly alutaceous, with a deeply impressed sutural stria

extending from the middle to the apex; sides margined, the margin pale; apex rather acuminate. Legs

moderate, rufo-ferruginous. Underparts rufo-castaneous ; mesosternum carimnated; metasternum aluta-

ceous.

Hab. Nort America, California, Nevada, and Washington territory }.—GUATEMALA,

Quiche Mountains, 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

3. Agathidium exiguum.

Agathidium exiguum, Melsh. Proc. Ac. Phil. ii. p. 103 (1844)'; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii.

p- 303”.

Omnino contractibile, orbiculare, nigrum, glaberrimum, uitidissimum, punctis exiguis, remotis, indistinctissimis

impressum ; capite magno, lato, clypeo lato, rotundato, margine reflexa, antice emarginato, epistomate sat

L* 2

76 SILPHIDA.

magno, integro, flavo, ore testaceo; oculis modicis, vix prominentibus ; pronoto sat magno, validissime

convexo, quam caput longiore, vix duplo latiore quam longo, nigro, lateribus atque basi continuo rotundatis;

leviter marginatis, angulis anterioribus rotundatis, parum prominentibus; elytris brevibus, semiorbicula-

ribus, quam caput atque pronotum multum brevioribus, mediis latissimis, stria suturali ab apice fere ad

media extensa, lateribus marginatis, angulis subhumeralibus obsoletis, apice circulariter rotundato ;

pedibus robustis, rufo-piceis; antennis brevibus, articulis quinque basalibus rufis, ceteris obscurioribus.

Long. corp. 154 lin. =2°12 millim.

Body perfectly contractile, orbicular, black, very smooth and shining, indistinctly marked with minute remote

punctures. Head large and broad, rather more distinctly punctured; clypeus broad, with the margin

rounded and reflexed, emarginate in front, the epistoma rather large, entire, and yellow; mouth

testaceous ; eyes moderate, scarcely prominent; antennae short, with the basal five joints rufous and the

remainder dusky. Thoraw rather large, exceedingly convex, longer than the head, scarcely twice as broad

as long, black ; sides and base continuously rounded, slightly margined ; anterior angles rounded, moderately

prominent. lytra short, semiorbicular, much shorter than the head and thorax, widest at the middle;

sutural stria reaching from the apex nearly to the middle sides; margined, with the subhumeral angles

obsolete ; apex circularly rounded. Legs robust, rufo-piceous. Underparts rufo-testaceous ; mesosternum

carinated anteriorly ; metasternum alutaceous.

Hab. Nortu America, Pennsylvania !, Colorado 2,—GuvaTEMALA, Cerro Zunil 4000 to

5000 feet, Capetillo (Champion).

This species may be known by its more evidently punctured head, and very short and

circularly rounded elytra; it is distinguished from A. difficile by its much larger head

and thorax.

4. Agathidium difficile, sp. n.

Omnino contractibile, fere orbiculare, nigrum, nitidissimum, punctis minutis, remotis, vix conspicuis impressum ;

capite sat parvo, clypeo antice lato, haud emarginato, epistomate fere rudimentario ; oculis modicis, promi-

nentibus ; pronoto validissime convexo, brevissimo, punctis exiguis remotis indistinctis impresso, inter-

stitiis levissime alutaceis, quam caput parum longiore, duplo latiore quam longo, nigro, lateribus atque basi

continuo rotundatis, leviter marginatis, angulis anterioribus rotundatis, valde prominentibus ; elytris semi-

orbicularibus, quam caput atque pronotum nec longioribus neque latioribus, mediis latissimis, nitidissimis, in-

distincte alutaceis, linea tenui suturali per tota extensa atque alia magis profunda ab apice usque ad media

impressis, lateribus marginatis, angulis subhumeralibus obsoletis, apice haud acuminato ; pedibus modicis,

rufo-piceis ; antennis sat gracilibus, rufescentibus, clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. 1, lin.=2-12 millim.

Body perfectly contractile, almost orbicular, black, very shining, marked with minute, remote, indistinct punc-

tures. Head rather small; clypeus broad and not emarginate in front; epistoma almost rudimentary ; eyes

moderate, rather prominent ; antenne rather slender, rufescent, with the club dusky. Z'horax very short

and very convex, indistinctly marked with very minute remote punctures, with the interstices faintly

alutaceous, a little longer than the head and twice as broad as long, black; sides and base continuously

rounded and lightly margined ; anterior angles rounded and very prominent. Scutellum large, triangular,

smooth, and shining. lytra semiorbicular, not longer nor broader than the head and thorax, widest at

the middle, very shining, indistinctly alutaceous, with a fine line on each side of the suture, extending

from the base to the apex, and a shorter and more deeply impressed line from the apex to the middle;

sides margined, with the subhumeral angles obsolete; apex circularly rounded. Legs moderate, rufo-

piceous. Underparts rufo-piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (/ége).

This species differs from the others here described in its small size, comparatively

smaller head, and shorter thorax; and also by the circularly rounded elytra, and the

line on each side of the suture, in addition to the usual sutural stria.

AGATHIDIUM.—AGLYPTUS. 77

5. Agathidium cognatum, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 2.)

Late ovatum, haud contractibile, validissime convexum, castaneum, fortiter et irregulariter punctatum, nitidis-

simum; capite sat parvo, prominente, sat profunde et remote punctato, clypeo antice sat profunde exca-

vato, epistomate magno, convexo, corneo, margine anteriore rotundata, integra et leviter reflexa, ore valde

prominente; oculis magnis, prominentibus ; pronoto brevissimo, quam caput haud longiore, triplo latiore quam

longo, ad basin latissimo, minutissime et indistincte punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidissimis, lateribus

marginatis et leviter rotundatis, angulis anterioribus vix prominentibus, margine basali fere recta angulis

fere rectis ; elytris permagnis, validissime convexis, quam caput atque pronotum latioribus et plus quam

duplo longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, fortiter et irregulariter punctatis, interstitiis glabris, niti-

dissimis, stria suturali leviter impressa, ab apice usque ad media extensa, lateribus rotundatis et marginatis,

angulis subhumeralibus prominentibus, apice acuminato ; pedibus elongatis, gracilibus, tarsis gracilibus ;

antennis articulis sex basalibus rufis, ceteris obscuris, tertio elongato, septimo atque octavo brevissimis,

dilatatis, tribus ultimis valde incrassatis clava subfoliata formantibus. Long. corp. 1,4 lin. = 2°50 millim.

Body broadly ovate, not contractile, exceedingly convex, strongly and irregularly punctured, castaneous, and

very shining. Head rather small, prominent, rather deeply and remotely punctured, clypeus somewhat

deeply hollowed in front, with the epistoma corneous, large, and convex, with its anterior margin entire,

rounded, and slightly reflexed ; mouth very prominent; antenne with the third joint elongate, the seventh

and eighth joints very short and much dilated internally, the last three very much incrassated, forming

a subfoliate club, the basal six joints rufous, the remainder dusky. Thoraa very short, not longer than

the head, three times broader than long, widest at the base, minutely and indistinctly punctured, with

the interstices smooth and very shining; sides margined and faintly rounded ; anterior angles slightly

prominent ; basal margin almost straight, with the angles subrectangular. Scutellum moderate, triangular,

alutaceous. Elytra very large and broad, exceedingly convex, broader and more than twice as long as the

head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, strongly and irregularly punctured, with the interstices smooth

and very shining; sutural stria moderate, extending from the apex to the middle, sides rounded and

margined, with the subhumeral angles prominent; apex acuminate. Legs long and slender ; tarsi slender,

5-,4-,4-jointed. Underparts pale castaneous.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 10,500 feet (Champion). One specimen.

‘This remarkable species appears to belong to Dr. Horn’s division “ B ” of the genus

Agathidium (ef. “Synopsis of the North-American Silphide,” Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii.

pp. 219-321), and to be allied to A. estriatum. A. cognatwm may possibly be identical

with A. estriatum; but I hesitate to identify it with that species on account of the non-

contractile form of the body, the length of the legs, the peculiar proportions of the

joints of the antennz, and the convexity and sculptural difference of the head.

AGLYPTUS.

Aglyptus, Leconte, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1866, p. 369; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 307 (1880).

Body hemispheric, not perfectly contractile. Head sessile, flat; clypeus faintly marked; antennal grooves

distinct. Thoraw very short, transverse ; front deeply excised at the anterior angles, and rounded between

them. Scutellum triangular. Elytra large, entire ; epipleural folds very broad. Wingsample. Antenne

slender, 11-jointed, 1 and 2 moderately large, 3 very slender, longer than 2, 4—6 each shorter than 3,

nearly equal to each other, 7 very large, much incrassated, 8 very small, 9 and 10 rather larger than 7,

pedunculated, 11 much longer than 10, suboval. Palpt: mavillary long and slender, 4-jointed, 1 very

small, 2 much longer and broader, pyriform, with the apex hollowed, 3 longer than 2, cylindrical, 4 long

and slender, sharply pointed ; labial short and robust, 3-jointed, 1 and 2 subquadrate, nearly equal, 3

rather longer, obtusely oval. Zabrwm large and broad, emarginate in front, with each extremity circularly

rounded and broadly translucent, with a very long seta on each side, and several shorter sete towards the

78 SILPHIDZ.

middle. Mundibles diverse in shape, one being sharply hooked, and armed with a sharp tooth below the

hooked apex, the other shorter and almost simple. Mawille short and stout, bilobed, with the outer

lobe short and broad, furnished with very long incurved sete at the extremity ; inner lobe large and

broad, ciliated on the inner edge; stipes short and robust. Mentwm short and very broad, hollowed in

the middle, and much rounded at the anterior angles. Labiwm rather small, suboblong, and produced

anteriorly between the palpi. Lingua small, apparently subquadrate. Prosternwm small ; episterna small,

triangular ; epimera rather large, partly enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, contingent,

open both in front and behind, with a large foramen at the outer extremity. Mesosternwm moderate, not

much excised in front; episterna moderate, rather narrow; epimera long and oblique, reaching to the

coxal cavities ; coxal cavities exceedingly large, suboval, with a large foramen at the outer extremities,

nearly contingent. Metasternum large, transversely oblong, nearly reaching to the sides of the body, and

produced posteriorly into two short, but very acute denticulations between the coxe; episterna long and

very narrow, not so long as the metasternum ; epimera very long, extending beyond the coxe. Venter

composed of five segments; the basal segment twice as long as either of the others and slightly

but broadly elevated in a curved line at its base, enclosing the whole length of the coxa; the other

segments nearly equal to each other in length. Legs very slender: anterior rather short, with the femora

laminated on the inside ; tibiee not dilated, armed with short apical spurs; tarsi 3-jointed in the female,

indistinctly 4-jointed in the male; claws very slender, simple; intermediate rather longer, with the

femora robust, broadly laminated on the inside ; tibiee setose, armed with apical spurs ; tarsi 3-jointed in

both sexes, the basal joint long, and furnished with short setse on the sides; posterior similar to the inter-

mediate, but longer. Cove: anterior large, subconical, contingent and very prominent; intermediate very

large, not contingent, prominent; posterior large, nearly reaching the sides of the body, separated by the

bitid process of the metasternum.

Aglyptus, first characterized as a genus by Dr. Leconte, from a species of rare

occurrence in the United States, appears to be the prevailing form of the “ Anisoto-

mina” in Central America, where at least two species seem to be abundant. In the

whole of the external skeleton the genus much resembles Scotocryptus and Creagro-

phorus: all are alike in the shape of the prosternum, with its doubly open coxal cavities,

and in this respect also resemble Agathidium ; but they differ from that genus in many

particulars, and especially in the elevated portion of the first ventral segment, and in

the transverse strigation of the posterior femora, these characters separating them from

other genera of this tribe. From Scotocryptus and Creagrophorus, Aglyptus may be

known by its long and diversely formed antenne and slender legs.

1. Aglyptus horni, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig, 3.)

Late ovalis, validissime convexus, castaneus, glaber, nitidissimus, punctis minutis totus indistincte notatus ;

capite modico, epistomate semiovali, flavo, ore flavo, prominente; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ;

pronoto quam caput latiore, vix longiore, ad basin latissimo, margine anteriore atque lateribus flavescentibus,

marginatis et reflexis, angulis anterioribus parum productis, margine basali fere recta angulis fere rectis ;

elytris semiovalibus, quam caput atque pronotum longioribus, vix latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, stria

suturali indistincta impressis, lateribus rotundatis, late marginatis, apice obtuso; pedibus modicis,

gracilibus, rufo-testaceis, tarsis triarticulatis; antennis longis, gracilibus, rufo-testaceis, articulis quinque

apicalibus obscuris. Long. corp. 1;%, lin.=2°25 millim.

Body broadly oval, exceedingly convex, castaneous, smooth and very shining, marked throughout with minute

and very indistinct punctures. Head moderate; epistoma semioval, yellow ; mouth prominent, yellow ;

eyes large and very prominent; antenne long and slender, rufo-testaceous, with the apical five joints

dusky. Thorax broader, but scarcely longer, than the head, widest at the base; anterior margin and

sides flavescent, margined and reflexed; anterior angles slightly produced; basal margin nearly straight,

AGLYPTUS. 79

with the angles subrectangular. Scutellum rather long, triangular. lytra semioval, longer but scarcely

broader than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, with a faint stria on each side of the suture;

sides rounded and broadly margined; apex obtuse. Legs moderate, slender, rufo-testaceous ; tarsi

long. Underparts rufo-castaneous.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Quiche Mountains, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo, Guatemala city, Balheu

(Champion).

Differs from A. levis in its larger size, obtusely rounded elytra, evident punctuation,

and castaneous colour.

An example from Capetillo is figured.

2. Aglyptus levis.

Colenis (?) levis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p. 284".

Aglyptus levis, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vill. p. 308’.

Ovatus, validissime convexus, piceus, glaber, nitidissimus ; capite magno, lato, ore flavo; oculis magnis, haud

prominentibus ; pronoto quam caput longiore et latiore, ad basin latissimo, lateribus sat late flavis, marginatis

et reflexis, margine basali fere recta angulis obtusis; elytris semiovatis, quam caput atque pronotum

longioribus, haud latioribus, ante media latissimis, postice sat attenuatis, stria suturali indistincta impressis,

lateribus marginatis ; pedibus modicis, rufo-testaceis, tarsis 3-articulatis ; antennis modicis, flavescentibus,

articulis 7, 9, 10, 11 obscuris. Long. corp. +3 lin.=1-63 millim.

Body ovate, rather attenuated posteriorly, exceedingly convex, piceous, smooth and very shining. Head large

and broad ; mouth yellow; eyes large, not prominent ; antenne moderate, rufo-testaceous, with joints 7-9,

10, 11dusky. Thorax longer and broader than the head, widest at the base ; sides rather broadly yellow,

margined and reflexed; basal margin nearly straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellwm moderate,

triangular. Hlytra semiovate, longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle,

rather attenuated posteriorly ; sutural stria very indistinct ; sides rounded and margined. Legs moderate,

rufo-testaceous ; tarsi 3-, 3-, 3-jointed. Underparts rufo-testaceous.

Hab. Norra America, Canada ?, Illinois *, Georgia! 7, Louisiana ?.—Panama, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).

Differs from A. hornt in its narrower and more ovate form, smaller size, broader

head, longer thorax, more robust antenne, piceous colour, and more glabrous surface.

This species, which appears to be abundant in Chiriqui, may be known by its

exceedingly convex form, smooth, very shining, and apparently impunctate surface,

slender legs and antenne, slightly ovate elytra, and piceous colour.

3. Aglyptus(?) minor, <p. n.

Subhemisphericus, niger, glaberrimus, nitidissimus ; capite magno, lato, ore concolore ; oculis sat parvis, haud

prominentibus ; pronoto quam caput parum longiore, multo latiore, ad basin latissimo, lateribus marginatis

et anguste pallidis, margine basali dilutiore, fere recta, angulis fere rectis ; elytris fere semicircularibus, quam

caput atque pronotum sat longioribus atque latioribus, prope media latissimis, indistinctissime punctulatis,

lateribus valde rotundatis, levissime marginatis ; pedibus sat brevibus, rufo-testaceis, tarso unico relicto

3-articulato ; antennis gracilibus, longis, flavis, clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. 38 lin.=1 millim.

Body subhemispheric, black, very smooth and very shining. Head large and broad ; mouth concolorous; eyes

rather small, not prominent; antenne, apparently, long and slender, yellow, with the club dusky. Thorax

rather longer and much broader than the head, widest at the base; sides margined and narrowly pale ;

eal

80 SILPHIDA.

basal margin nearly straight, with the edge pale and the angles nearly right angles. Scutellwm small,

triangular, obtuse, and smooth. lytra almost semicircular, rather longer and rather broader than the

head and thorax, widest near the middle, microscopically punctulate, the sides much rounded and slightly

margined, Legs rather short, rufo-testaceous ; tibia spinose externally and armed with strong spurs ;

tarsi 3-jointed. (Obs. This is the description of a posterior leg; all the rest are missing.) Underparts

wholly black.

Hab. GuateMALa, Senahu (Champion). One specimen.

I have been induced to place this insect in the present genus from the similarity

which it bears to the preceding species in its general external appearance; and from

the facts that the only leg it possesses has a three-jointed tarsus, and that the seven

remaining joints of its one antenna correspond to those of Aglyptus more closely than

to those of any other genus of this tribe. But with such imperfect material it is diffi-

cult to determine its generic affinities with any accuracy.

SCOTOCRYPTUS.

Scotocryptus, Girard, Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. (5) iv. p. ev, and Ann. p. 574 (1874); Sharp, Compt. Rend.

ent. Soc. Belg. 1885, pp. xxi & xxii (1885) ; Horn, Entom. Amer. i. p. 51 (1885).

Body entirely hemispheric. Head sessile, short and broad; clypeus distinctly marked, corneous; antennal

grooves very distinct. Z'horax very short, transverse, with the sides and front continuously rounded.

Scutellum triangular. LElytra large, entire; epipleural fold broad. Antenne arising beneath the frontal

plate, 11-jointed, joint 1 long and robust, 2 smaller than 1, 3 slender, longer than 2, 4 shorter than 3,

5 and 6 of the same shape as 4, 7 very large, 8 smaller than 7, 9-11 forming a slightly incrassated club,

11 the largest, obtusely pointed. Palpi: mawillary short and very robust, 4-jointed, 1 very small, 2 much

larger, trsnsverse, 3 twice as long as 2, but not broader, 4 nearly as long as 3, obtusely pointed ; labial

short and robust, 3-jointed, 1 rather short, 2 longer, 3 obtusely conical. Labrwm very short and broad,

with the basal angles produced ; sides rounded, slightly hollowed in front, and furnished with a few very

short sete. Mandibles large, short and stout, very sharp at the point, armed immediately below the point

with a large and very sharp tooth; base very broad and much incrassated. Mawille short and robust,

bilobed : ewtertor lobe short and broad, 2-jointed; basal joint short and rounded ; terminal joint setose at

the extremity ; inner lobe large and broad, with the apex obliquely truncate and furnished with long

sete ; stipes very robust. Mentum very short, transverse, subquadrate, widest at the base; submentum of

the same shape inversed, armed at its base with two very long, straight, and very sharp spines, rather

more distant from each other than from the sides of the submentum. Jabiwm short and broad, produced

between the palpi into a broad triangular point. Inngua large, quadrate, furnished in the middle of its

anterior margin with short sete. Prosternwm rather short, elevated between the coxe into a very thin

carina ; episterna very small and narrow ; epimera moderate, not extending behind the cavities; coxal

cavities very large, open in front and behind. Mesosternum very short, elevated between the coxe into a

small lanciform plate; episterna rather large, humeral ; epimera moderate, much elongated anteriorly,

reaching to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities very large, oval, extending far into the metasternum, with

a large foramen at the outer extremity. Metasternwm very short, extending to the sides of the body, and

produced between the posterior cox into a small quadrate plate, the plate pointed at each of its extremities

and divided from the metasternum proper by a distinct suture ; episterna and epimera small and narrow,

concealed by the elytra, with the incurved apex of the latter alone visible ; coxe very large, pyriform and

oblique, not extending to the sides of the body. Venter composed of five segments; the basal segment the

longest, and elevated on each side into a very large triangular smooth plate. Zegs short and robust:

anterior femora laminated on the inner side ; tibie slightly dilated towards the apex, armed with a single

strong spur on the outside near the apex; tarsi rather short, 3-jointed, 1 twice as long as 2, and

SCOTOCRYPTUS. 81

furnished on the underside with pilose, laminated processes, 3 long and slender; claws simple ; intermediate

femora very short, broadly laminated on the inner side; tibie short, moderately dilated towards the apex,

slightly recurved, armed with two apical spurs on the outside ; tarsi 3-jointed, 1 very large and long,

pectinated on the sides with short spurs, and furnished on the underside with pilose laminated processes,

2 small and bifid, 3 long and slender; claws simple ; posterior femora rather longer ; tibie slightly recurved,

dilated on the inner side near the middle, and strongly corrugated on the inner surface in transverse lines,

armed with apical spurs on both sides; tarsi 3-jointed, much longer than the intermediate pair, but

simple. Coxe: anterior almost contingent, large, and very prominent ; intermediate not contingent, very

large and prominent ; posterior separated by the metasternal process, very large, oblique, and pyriform.

The basal articulation of the anterior tarsus in some positions indistinctly appears to be composed of

two joints, of which the posterior is very short.

This very distinct and interesting genus in some respects resembles Creagrophorus,

especially in the shape of the prosternum with its doubly open coxal cavities, and in

the broad smooth triangular space on each side of the first ventral segment, and also in

the number and relative proportions of the joints of its antenne and five ventral

segments ; but differs from that genus in its laminated and peculiarly formed anterior

and intermediate tarsi, in the rounded front of the pronotum, and notably in the

anatomy of its mouth.

Like Creagrophorus, it seems to approach nearer to Cyrtusa than to any other genus

of “ Anisotomina;” and from the general shape of its body and form of its antenne

Scotocryptus should be placed in the vicinity of Cyrtusa. |

The pclished and elevated plates on each side of the first ventral segment and the

corrugated condition of the inner side of the posterior tibia might suggest the idea

that Scotocryptus possesses the power of stridulation. It has been supposed that the

well-known stridulation of Acherontia atropos assists that insect in plundering the hives

of the Honey-Bee; and if this be true, it may reasonably be inferred that a similar

faculty would be equally serviceable to Scotocryptus.

The figure and description of Scotocryptus melipone given by Girard (Ann. Soc. Ent.

Fr. 1874, pp. 574, 576, & 577, figs. 1-9) differ considerably from S. inguilinus. If

Girard’s figure faithfully represents Scotocryptus, which is doubtful, it is not surprising

that, as he there mentions, M. Ch. Brisout should have thought that it belonged to

the “ Cholevina;” but such an idea could never have been suggested by the appearance

of 8. inguilinus, whose affinity to Cyrtusa is strongly marked in every part of its body,

and especially in the antenne and legs.

Three species of Scotocryptus have been described, all from Brazil; a fourth is now

recorded from Guatemala. These insects appear to live entirely in the nests of honey-

making Bees of the genus Melipona.

1. Scotocryptus inquilinus, sp.n. (Tab. IIL. fig. 4.)

Omnino hemisphericus, pilis perbrevibus aureis remotissime indutus, rufus vel rufo-castaneus, vix nitidus ;

capite permagno, lato, minute, sat confertim punctato, interstitiis alutaceis, ore haud prominenti, oculis

nullis ; pronoto parvo, brevi, quam caput latiore haud longiore, ad basin latissimo, minute et confertim punc-

tato, interstitiis sat profunde alutaccis, lateribus rotundatis et leviter marginatis, margine basali leviter

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I]. Pt. 1, Movember 1887. M*

82 SILPHIDZ.

arcuata, angulis omnibus obtusis; elytris semicircularibus, quam caput atque pronotum nec longioribus,

neque latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, profunde, transverse strigosis, aut asperatis, lateribus rotundatis et

marginatis ; pedibus modicis, rufo-testaceis, femoribus simplicibus, tibiis ad apices parum dilatatis, externe

vel utrinque calcari brevi instructis, tibiis posterioribus leviter recurvatis, atque intus tenuiter spinosis,

tarsis omnibus triarticulatis, articulis basalibus processibus coriaceis subtus instructis ; antennis sat graci-

libus, rufo-testaceis, clavis levissime incrassatis. Long. corp. 1 lin.=2 millim.

Body perfectly hemispheric, furnished with very short golden hairs at wide intervals, rufous or rufo-castaneous,

slightly shining. Head very large and broad, minutely and rather closely punctured, with the interstices

alutaceous ; mouth not prominent; eyes wanting; antennw moderate, rather slender, with the club but

slightly incrassated, placed below the frontal plate immediately in front of the eyes. Thoraa small

and short, broader but not longer than the head, widest at the base, minutely and rather closely punc-

tured, with the interstices strongly alutaceous ; sides rounded and slightly margined; basal margin faintly

arcuate ; all the angles obtuse. Scutellum short and broad, triangular, alutaceous. Elytra semicircular,

not longer or broader than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, transversely and deeply strigose

orasperated ; sides rounded and margined. Legs moderate, rufo-testaceous; femora simple; tibie slightly

dilated towards the apex, and there armed on the outside or on both sides with a short spur; posterior

tibie slightly recurved, and finely spinose on the inner side, all the tarsi 3-jointed; with the basal two

joints furnished on the underside with flat coriaceous processes. Underparts rufo-testaceous, more or less

alutaceous, furnished. with very short golden hairs at wide intervals ; femora longitudinally strigose.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Two specimens of this curious insect were found by Mr. Champion in a hollow tree,

in the nest of a Honey-Bee belonging to the genus Melipona.

The present species is certainly distinct from S. melipone, Girard. It is only half

as large, hemispheric in form, and without any trace of longitudinal strize on the elytra.

The elytra are deeply and strigosely asperate, after the manner of Cyrtusa; and in

colour rufo-castaneous, instead of “ pitchy or blue-black ” as in S. melipone.

CREAGROPHORUS, gen. nov.*

Body subhemispheric. Head large and broad; clypeus distinctly marked, corneous; antennal grooves very

distinct. Thorax very short, transverse, deeply excavated in front. Scutellum triangular. Elyira

large, entire, with the epipleural fold very broad. Wings ample. Antenne 11-jointed, 1 and 2 large,

cylindrical, 3 nearly as long as 2, slender, 4-6 short, nearly equal, 7 very large, 8 very small, patelliform,

9, 10, 11 each larger than 7, 11 obtusely conic; club much incrassated. Palpi: macillary moderate,

rather slender ; 4-jointed, 1 very small, 2 longer and broader than 1,3 and 4 more than twice as long

as 2, nearly equal, 4 slightly incurved, obtusely pointed; labial very large, strongly recurved, and

furnished at the apex with a very strong and very long seta or setiform process, exceeding in length the

entire palpus; 3-jointed, 1 short, pyriform, and recurved, 2 longer than 1, incrassated anteriorly,

3 longer and broader than 1 and 2 united, strongly incurved, and obtusely pointed. Labrum very small,

coriaceous, strongly rounded on each side, and deeply hollowed in the middle. Mandibles short and very

broad, very convex at the back, and deeply emarginate at the base, acutely pointed and armed below the

point with a very large and very sharp tooth. Mawillw large, bilobed: exterior lobe small and slender,

with incurved sete at the apex ; inner lobe very large, fringed for its whole length on the inner side with

long incurved sete ; stipes moderate. Mentum short, transverse, widest at the base, the sides straight and

strengthened with broad costa; suwbmentum similar, but inverse in shape, and strongly constricted near

the base. Labium short, widest anteriorly, extending between the palpi in a long, slender process with the

apex truncate ; sides of the labium recurved and acutely pointed below the palpi. Lingua short, scarcely

visible beyond the labium. Prosternwm very short, elevated between the coxe into a very thin carina ;

* Kpéaypa, a hook; gépw, to bear.

CREAGROPHORUS. 83

episterna very small, triangular ; epimera moderate, not enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities very

large, open in front and behind. Mesosternum large, deeply excavated in front; episterna large,

humeral; epimeru moderate, very oblique, extending to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities very

large, extending far into the metasternum. Metasternum large, not reaching the sides of the body,

produced into a small point between the posterior coxe ; episterna small and very short ; epimera long,

reaching to the coxe. All the side-pieces of the mesosternum and metasternum are covered by the very

broad epipleural fold of the elytra. Venter composed of five segments; the basal segment the longest,

and elevated on each side into a long, subtriangular, smooth plate. Legs: anterior very short;

tibie slightly dilated towards the apex, armed with a strong apical spur on the inner side, and a smaller

one on the outside; tarsi very short, robust, and compressed, 4-jointed, 1, 2,3 deeply bifid, 4 longer,

robust, the claws small and simple; intermediate very short and very robust; femora slightly hooked on

the inner side of the apex; tibia very broad, subtriangular, excavated at the extremity, and produced.

externally into a broad articulated tooth ; tarsi similar to the anterior ; posterior rather longer ; femora

long, armed on the inner side at the apex, and sometimes towards the middle also, with long and very

strong hooks in the males only; tibia moderate, armed with short spurs on each side of the apex; tarsi

3-jointed, longer than the preceding, but similar in form. Coww: anterior very prominent and contingent ;

intermediate not contingent, very large and prominent ; posterior not contingent, very large.

This genus is allied to Cyrtusa and Isop/astus; from the latter it differs in its

11-jointed antenne with their 5-jointed club, and from both in its 4-, 4-, 3-jointed tarsi,

anterior coxal cavities open in front and behind, and in having only five ventral

segments. It is much more closely allied to Scotocryptus, from which it differs only

in the normal position of its eyes, its more simply formed 4-, 4-, 3-jointed tarsi, the

deeply excised front of the pronotum, and in the anatomy of its mouth. The most

striking characters of Creagrophorus are the extraordinary dilatation of the interme-

diate tibie and the armature of the posterior femora; both of these characters do,

indeed, exist in some other species of ‘ Anisotomina,’ but in none except Scotocryptus

can be found the curious ventral plates which I have already described ; and since these

two genera are in many ways so intimately connected with each other, it is not

impossible that their life-habits may also be similar.

1. Creagrophorus hamatus, sp. n.

Suborbicularis, subcontractilis, piceus, nitidissimus ; capite sat magno, subtilissime alutaceo, ore atque clypeo

dilutioribus ; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus ; pronoto parvo et brevi, quam caput latiore vix longiore, ad

basin latissimo, subtilissime punctulato, lateribus flavescentibus, valde rotundatis et marginatis, margine

basali leviter rotundata angulis obtusis ; elytris quam caput atque pronotum latioribus et longioribus, ultra

media latissimis, distincte et irregulariter punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, stria suturali nulla, angulis

subhumeralibus obtusis, lateribus valde rotundatis et late marginatis ; pedibus longis, robustis, rufo-piceis,

intermediorum femoribus hamo valido, acutissimo, intus ad apices armatis; tibiis leviter incurvatis, ad

apices valde dilatatis, externe spinosis, atque in dentem permagnum, latum, acutissimum ad apices pro-

ductis, tibiarum apicibus oblique truncatis ; posteriorum femoribus hamo valido, longo, incurvato, acutis-

simo intus ad apices armatis; tibiis leviter incurvatis, externe spinulosis, et caleari singulo, brevi intus

ad apices armatis; tarsis brevibus, robustis; antennis sat parvis, sat brevibus, rufo-piceis, clavis obscuri-

oribus. Long. corp. 14-1 lin.=1-75-2 millim.

Body suborbicular, imperfectly contractile, piceous, very shining. Head rather large, microscopically alutaceous,

the mouth and the whole of the clypeus pale; eyes large and rather prominent ; antenne rather short and

small, rufo-piceous, with club moderate, dusky. Thorax short and small, broader but scarcely longer than

the head, widest at the base, microscopically punctured ; sides flavescent, margined and much rounded ;

basal margin slightly rounded, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum rather large, obtusely triangular ;

M* 2

84, SILPHID2.

impunetate. Elytra longer and broader than the head and thorax, widest beyond the middle, distinctly

and irregularly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining, without a sutural stria; subhumeral

angles obtuse; sides much rounded and broadly margined. Legs long and robust, rufo-piceous : inter-

mediate with the femora armed at the apex on the inner side with a strong and very sharp incurved hook ;

the tibie slightly incurved and broadly dilated towards the apex, spinose on the outer side, and produced

at the apex into a very large, broad, and very sharp tooth, the apex itself obliquely truncate; posterior

with the femora armed at the apex on the inner side with a long, strong, faintly incurved, and

very sharp hook; tibi incurved at the base, slightly spinose on the outer side, and furnished on the

inner side of the apex with a single short spur; tarsi short, robust, and compressed. Underparts

ferruginous.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sallé); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This remarkable insect will be known by its almost orbicular form, very shining

surface, broadly dilated intermediate tibia, and hamate femora of the posterior and

intermediate legs. From ©. bihamatus it is distinguished by its larger size, more

rounded form, very distinctly punctured elytra, and paler colour, and also by the shape

of the large hook on the posterior femora, which in this species is only faintly incurved

towards its extremity.

2. Creagrophorus bihamatus, sp. n. (Tab. III. fige. 13,69 .)

Obtuse ovatus, rufo-piceus, superficie inwquali, nitida ; capite magno, lato, nec distincte punctato, neque

alutaceo, sed insequali, ore atque clypeo rufo-testaceis; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus; pronoto brevi,

parvo, quam caput latiore, sed parum breviore, ad basin latissimo, nec distincte punctato, neque alutaceo,

sed inequali, marginibus omnibus rufescentibus, lateribus valde rotundatis et marginatis, margine basali sat

rotundata et leviter sinuata angulis rotundatis ; elytris semiovatis, postice parum attenuatis, quam caput

atque pronotum longioribus haud latioribus, prope media latissimis, vix perspicue punctatis, fere glabris,

nitidis, stria suturali sat indistincta ab apicibus usque ad media impressis, lateribus rotundatis et margi-

natis ; pedibus modicis, rufo-piceis, anteriorum tibiis ad apices parum dilatatis, tenuiter spinosis, calcari brevi

apicali utrinque armatis ; intermediorum femoribus ad apices plus minusve interne hamatis; tibiis externe

spinosis, ad apices validissime dilatatis, calcari singulo apicali armatis, externe in dentem validum, latum,

aciculatum, productis, posteriorum femoribus in maribus hamo longo, valido, fortiter incurvato, ad apices,

atque hamo minore vel dente acuto, ante media intus armatis, in feminis hamis hisce omnibus multo dimi-

nutis ; tibiis modicis, vix curvatis, externe spinosis, et calcari parvo intus ad apices armatis; tarsis brevibus,

robustis et compressis; antennis sat brevibus, rufo-testaceis, clavis sat magnis, obscurioribus. Long.

corp. as lin. = 1-50-1'75 millim.

Body obtusely ovate, rufo-piceous, shining, with the surface uneven. Head large and broad, uneven but not

distinctly punctate or alutaceous; clypeus and mouth rufo-testaceous ; eyes large and rather prominent ;

antenne rather short, rufo-testaceous, with the club rather large and dusky. Thorax short and small,

broader but rather shorter than the head, widest at the base, not distinctly punctate or alutaceous, but

uneven, all the margins rufescent ; sides much rounded and margined ; basal margin slightly rounded and

faintly sinuate, with the angles rounded. Scutellum rather large, triangular, impunctate. Elytra semi-

ovate, slightly narrowed towards the apex, longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest near

the middle, scarcely perceptibly punctured, almost smooth and shining, with an indistinct sutural stria

extending from the apex to the middle; sides rounded and margined ; apex slightly acuminate. Legs

moderate, rufo-piceous ; anterior with the tibie slightly dilated towards the apex ; finely spinose on the

outside, and furnished with a short spur on each side at the apex ; ¢ntermediate with the femora more or

less hooked on the inner side of the apex ; tibie very broadly dilated towards the apex, spinose on the outside

and produced at the apex into a large and broad tooth aciculated, or subulated, at its extremity, with a

short spur on the inner side ; posterior with the femora armed on the inner side of the apex in the male with

a long, strongly incurved, and very sharp hook, and towards the middle with a shorter hook or sharp tooth,

CREAGROPHORUS.—CYRTUSA. 85

all these hooks being more or less rudimentary in the female ; tibise moderate, scarcely incurved, spinose

on the outside, and furnished with a short spur on the inner side of the apex; tarsi short, robust, and

compressed. Underparts rufo-testaceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species differs from the preceding in its smaller size, more ovate and less convex

form of its body, uneven surface of the head and thorax, almost impunctate elytra, and

doubly-hooked posterior femora. ‘The last-mentioned character is nevertheless variable,

and in some examples, especially those which I suppose to be females, evanescent; but

in all the four specimens now before me this armature is more or less apparent.

CYRTUSA.

Cyrtusa, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 77 (1845).

Body more or less hemispheric, not contractile. Head rather large, with antennal grooves beneath. Thorax

transverse, widest at the base. lytra large, entire. Antenne generally short, 11-jointed, 8 often

very minute, 7-11 forming a rather abruptly incrassated club. Prosternum small, produced and dilated

behind the coxal cavities; episterna small; epimera rather large, partly enclosing the coxal cavities ;

coxal cavities large, enclosed behind. Mesosternwm rather large, deeply excised in front; episterna long

and narrow, humeral; epimera long and very narrow, reaching to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities long

and large, not contingent. Metasternum short, not extending to the sides of the body, slightly produced

between the cox ; episterna rather small, not reaching the coxe ; epimera long and narrow, extending to

the coxw. Venter composed of six segments, 1-5 nearly equal, 6 very small. Legs generally short and

robust ; intermediate and posterior tibize spinose, often much dilated; posterior femora often incrassated

and truncate at the apex; tarsi 5-, 5-, 4-jointed.

Eight species of this genus have been described, all from Europe or North America.

One species, apparently identical with the North-American C. dlandissima, inhabits

Guatemala.

1. Cyrtusa blandissima. (Tab III. fig. 5.)

Cyrtusa blandissima (Zimm.), Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. vii. p. 294, t.7. figg. 8, 84 -

Obtuse ovata, validissime convexa, rufo-castanea, nitidissima ; capite sat magno, distincte punctato, ore promi-

nente ; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto quam caput longiore et multo latiore et magis Jeviter

punctato, interstitiis glabris, prope medium latissimo, lateribus marginatis, antice valde rotundatis, margine

basali leviter sinuata angulis obtusis; elytris semiovalibus, quam caput atque pronotum parum longi-

oribus, haud latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, striis octo punctorum impressis, interstitiis minute et

remote punctatis, lateribus late marginatis, apice valde obtuso ; pedidus valde robustis, tibiis dilatatis et

spinosis, calcaribus robustis ad apices armatis, tibiis intermediis curvatis, tarsis 5-, 5-, 4-articulatis,

articulis basalibus parum dilatatis; antennis 11-articulatis, articulis 7, 9, 10, 11 clavam formantibus,

octavo exiguo, patelliformi. Long. corp. 1 lin.=1°87 millim.

Body obtusely ovate, exceedingly convex, rufo-castaneous, very shining. Head rather large, distinctly punc-

tured; mouth prominent; eyes large and very prominent; antenne moderate, 11-jointed, the funiculus

rather slender, joints 7, 9, 10, 11 forming a much incrassated club, 8, very small, patelliform, the club dusky.

Thorax rather longer, much broader, and more lightly punctured than the head, with the interstices

smooth, widest near the middle; sides margined and much rounded anteriorly; basal margin slightly

sinuated, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large, triangular. moderately punctured. Elytra semioval,

86 SILPHID.

rather longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, with eight rows of punc-

tures, and the interstices minutely and remotely punctured ; sides broadly margined ; apex very obtuse.

Legs very robust ; tibize dilated and spinose, armed with strong apical spurs, the intermediate pair shghtly

incurved; tarsi 5-, 5-, 4-jointed, with the basal joints slightly dilated. Underparts rufo-castancous.

Hab. Norru America, North Carolina and district of Columbia !.—Guatema.a, Cerro

Zunil (Champion). One specimen.

COLENIS.

Colenis, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 82 (1845).

Body generally ovate, not contractile. Head rather large, without antennal grooves beneath. Thorax rather

small, transverse, generally widest at the base. lytra rather large, entire. Antenne rather short, 11-

jointed, with the eighth joint nearly as large as the seventh; joints 9-11 forming a moderately incrassated

club. Palpi with the basal joints of all robust, and the apical joint cylindrical and obtuse. Prosternum

very small; episterna indistinct ; epimera small, not enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities large,

contingent, open in front and behind. Mesosternum moderate, carinated ; episterna rather large, humeral ;

epimera long and very narrow, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, oblong, moderately

distant. Metasternum very short, not extending to the sides of the body; episterna short and narrow ;

epimera large, extending beyond the coxe; coxe not contingent. Venter composed of five segments.

Legs moderate ; tibiee spinose ; tarsi 5-, 4-, 4-jointed.

Five species of this genus have been described—four from Europe and one from

North America. Colenis is now known to extend as far south as the State of Panama ;

two species are here enumerated.

1. Colenis punctulata, sp. n.

Ovalis, valde convexa, nitida, piceo-castanea; capite sat lato, minute punctato, interstitiis alutaceis, ore

flavo; oculis modicis, sat prominentibus; pronoto quam caput longiore et multo latiore, ad basin

latissimo, minute et confertim punctato, interstitiis alutaceis, superficie transverse undulata, lateribus

marginatis et leviter rotundatis, margine basali leviter rotundata angulis obtusis, marginibus omnibus dilu-

tioribus ; elytris semiovalibus, prope humeros latissimis, quam caput atque pronotum longioribus, haud latio-

ribus, transverse strigosis, punctis distinctis striatim dispositis atque stria suturali ab apice usque ad

media extensa impressis, lateribus marginatis, apice valde obtuso; pedibus modicis, flavis, tibiis haud

spinosis, tarsis sat robustis, 5-, 4-, 4-articulatis; antennis sat longis, flavescentibus, clavis elongatis,

obscuris. Long. corp. +2 lin.=1:25 millim.

Body oval, very convex, shining, pitchy-castanesus. Head rather broad, minutely punctate, with the

interstices alutaceous; mouth yellow; eyes moderate, rather prominent; antennw rather long,

flavescent, with the club elongate and dusky. Thorax longer and much broader than the head,

widest at the base, minutely and closely punctured, with the interstices alutaceous; surface trans-

versely undulated ; sides margined and slightly rounded; basal margin slightly rounded, with the angles

obtuse; all the margins more or less flavescent. Scutellum rather broad, triangular and impunctate.

Elytra semioval, widest near the shoulders, longer but not broader than the head and thorax, transversely

strigose, marked with distinct punctures disposed in strive, and an impressed sutural stria extending from

the apex to the middle; sides margined; apex very obtuse. Legs moderate, yellow ; tibie not spinose ;

tarsi rather robust, 5-, 4-, 4-jointed. Underparts testaceous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). One specimen.

This insect differs from Dr. Horn’s description and figure of C. impunctata (Trans.

COLENIS.—ANISOTOMA. 87

Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 293, t. 6. f. 23) in the punctured surface of its whole body, and

in the larger size of the seventh joint of its antenne.

2. Colenis crassicornis, sp. n.

Ovalis, valde convexa, nitida, castanea; capite modico, levissime transverse strigoso; ore atque clypeo

flavis; oculis sat magnis, sat prominentibus; pronoto quam caput sat longiore, multo latiore, prope

basin latissimo, levissime transverse strigoso, impressionibus duabus foveolatis prope basin, inter sese

atque latera pronoti equidistantibus, atque etiam punctis remotis indistinctis in disco impresso, lateribus

marginatis et leviter rotundatis, margine basali fere recta angulis obtusis; elytris semiovalibus, quam

caput atque pronotum multo longioribus, haud latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, sat profunde transverse

strigosis, punctis distinctis irregulariter striatim dispositis, atque stria suturali profunda ab apice fere ad

scutellum extensa impressis, lateribus marginatis et leviter rotundatis, apice obtuso ; pedibus robustis,

rufo-testaceis, tibiis plus minusve dilatatis, intermediis externe spinosis, tarsis robustis, 5-, 4-, 4-articu-

latis ; antennis brevibus, robustis, rufo-testaceis, clavis valde incrassatis. Long. corp. 19 lin. = 1-25 millim.

Body oval, very convex, shining, castaneous. Head moderate, very faintly transversely strigose ; mouth and

entire clypeus yellow; eyes rather large and rather prominent; antenne short and robust, rufo-

testaceous, with the club much incrassated. Thorax rather longer and much broader than the head,

widest near the base, very faintly transversely strigose, with two foveolate impressions near the base

equidistant from each other and from the sides, and minute remote punctures on the disc; sides

margined and faintly rounded; basal margin almost straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum

moderate, triangular, and smooth. lytra semioval, much longer but not broader than the head

and thorax, widest near the shoulders, deeply transversely strigose, with distinct punctures irregularly

disposed in longitudinal striw, and a deep sutural stria extending from the apex nearly to the scutellum ;

sides margined and slightly rounded; apex obtuse. Legs robust, rufo-testaceous ; tibize more or less

dilated, the intermediate pair spinose on the outer side; tarsi robust, 5-, 4-, 4-jointed. Underparis

rufo-testaceous.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion). One example.

Differs from C. punctulata in its narrower form, fainter and diverse sculpture of its

head and thorax, more deeply strigose elytra with a long and deep sutural stria, shorter

and much more robust antenne, and in its paler colour.

ANISOTOMA.

Anisotoma, Illiger, Kugel. Verz. Kaf. Preuss. p. 69 (1798).

Body more or less ovate, not contractile, very convex. Head rather large, without antennal grooves beneath.

Thorax generally large, and widest towards the base. Hlytra entire. Antenne 11-jointed, sometimes

short; club 5-jointed, with the eighth joint much smaller than the seventh. Palpi sometimes rather

long, with the terminal joint in all cylindrical and obtusely pointed. Prosternum short ; episterna very

small; epimera very small, almost rudimentary ; coxal cavities very large, pyriform, with a large foramen

at the outer extremities, contingent, partly closed behind by the inflexed portion of the pronotum. Meso-

sternum large, anteriorly produced into a point; episterna very large, each nearly equal to the sternum ;

epimera moderate, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities very large, pyriform, contingent.

Metasternum rather short, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna rather small, not reaching to

the cox ; epimera narrow, reaching to the coxee: cox very large, almost contingent. Venter composed

of six segments. Legs moderate, sometimes long; tibie generally spinose ; tarsi moderate, 5-, 5-, 4-

jointed.

This genus contains a large number of described species, the majority of which

88 SILPHID~.

inhabit Europe and temperate North America. One species has been found at a high

altitude in Guatemala.

1. Anisotoma podagrica, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 7, 3.)

Late ovata, validissime convexa, piceo-castanea, nitida; capite sat parvo, modice et distincte punctato, inter-

stitiis glabris, ore rufo, mandibulis prominentibus, nigro terminatis; oculis modicis, haud prominentibus ;

pronoto sat brevi, quam caput parum longiore, multo latiore, ad basin latissimo, distincte sed modice punc-

tato, interstitiis glabris, lateribus marginatis, antice valde rotundatis, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis

obtusis ; elytris semiovatis, quam caput atque pronotum vix latioribus plus quam sesqui-longioribus, pone

humeros latissimis, postice parum attenuatis, punctorum striis octo integris impressis, interstitiis leviter sed

distincte punctatis, lateribus marginatis; pedibus robustis, tibiis ad apices dilatatis, fortiter spinosis,

quatuor posterioribus calcaribus longis robustis armatis, tarsis 5-, 5-, 4-articulatis, posterioribus valde

incrassatis ; antennis sat brevibus, rufis, clavis piceis. Long. corp. 1,% lin.=3:12 millim.

Body broadly ovate, exceedingly convex, pitchy-castaneous, shining. Head rather small, somewhat strongly

and distinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth; mouth rufous, with the mandibles prominent, tipped

with black ; eyes moderate, not prominent; antenne rather short, rufous, with the club piceous. Thorax

rather short, a little longer and much broader than the head, widest at the base, distinctly but moderately

punctured, with the interstices smooth ; sides margined and much rounded anteriorly ; basal margin faintly

sinuated, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large, triangular, distinctly punctured. Llytra semiovate,

scarcely broader but more than one half longer than the head and thorax, widest behind the shoulders,

slightly attenuated posteriorly ; marked with eight perfect rows of punctures on each elytron, with the

interstices broad, lightly but distinctly punctured; sides margined. Legs robust; tibie dilated towards

the apex and strongly spinose, with a long and very strong spur on the inner side of the intermediate

and posterior pairs; tarsi 5-, 5-, 4-jointed, the posterior pair very much incrassated ; posterior femora

strongly laminated on the hinder side, terminating at the apical extremity in a strong curved hook.

Underparis castaneous.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Totonicapam 10,500 feet (Champion).

One example, found in moss in a pine-wood.

DIETTA.

Dietia, Sharp, Ent. Monthly Mag. xiii. p. 78 (1876).

Body rather elongate; head and thorax narrow; elytra inflated ;. beneath very convex, with the sides

flattened. Head very prominent, contracted posteriorly ; frontal plate reflexed at the margin ; clypeus

distinct, deeply emarginate, furnished with four strong setw. Thorax more or less oval, with the front

margin entire, and the base incumbent on the elytra. Scutellum triangular. Elytra entire, inflated,

posteriorly very obtuse. Antenne inserted beneath the frontal plate, 11-jointed, 1 much longer than

2, 2-6 gradually shorter, 7 very large, cyathiform, 8 very small, 9 very large, cyathiform, 10 cyathiform

but smaller, 11 obtusely conic, 1-6 furnished with short sete; joints 7, 9, 10, 11 pubescent, forming a

much incrassated and remotely articulated club. Palpi: mawillary long and slender, 4-jointed, the basal

joint very small, the remainder nearly equal in length and breadth, the apical joint pointed ; labial long and

slender, 3-jointed, the basal joint very small, 2 and 3 equal in length and breadth, the apical joint pointed.

Labrum small and very prominent, deeply bifid in front, with the extremities rounded; sides and

extremities broadly membranaceous and translucent, and furnished with a broad membranaceous

appendage in front. Mandibles very large and strongly hooked, armed with several small teeth

near the base. Masille bilobed: exterior lobe very small, slender, and incurved, furnished at the

apex with short sete; inner lobe very large, fringed on the inner edge with very long sete.

Mentum large and corneous, very broad at the base, and narrowed anteriorly ; submentum of the same

DIETTA. 89

shape inversed. Labiwm coriaceous, elongate, narrow, constricted at the middle, anteriorly deeply bifid,

with the extremities truncate. Lingua membranaceous, broadly bifid anteriorly. Prosternum rather

small, carinated, with the carina produced behind the coxe into a subtriangular point depressed in the

middle; episterna small and very narrow ; epimera moderate, enclosing the coxal cavities behind ;

coxal cavities pyriform, with a trochantin at the outer extremities. Mesosternum rather large, very deeply

excavated in front, with four oval impressions on the margin of the excavation ; episterna humeral, very

large ; epimera rather large, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities very oblique, pyriform,

extending far into the metasternum, with a trochantin at the outer extremity. Metasternum very short,

not extending to the sides, produced posteriorly into a point between the coxe; episterna rather short ;

epimera extending beyond the episterna as far as the cox; cox very large and broad, not extending to

the sides of the body. Venter composed of six segments, with the basal segment the longest, and the

apical one very small. Leys rather long and slender, the intermediate pair the longest: anterior shorter

than the others; tibie dilated towards the apex, and armed with two long spurs at the inner angle ;

tarsi long, 5-jointed, 1 very small, 2-4 equal, the claws long, obtusely dentate at the base; intermediate

femora very long; tibis slightly incurved, dilated towards the apex, densely setose, armed with spines on

the outer side and two long, incurved, aciculated apical spurs on the inner side; tarsi similar to the anterior ;

posterior femora obtusely dentate on the inner side of the apex ; tibie rather long, densely setose, armed with

several long spurs at the apex; tarsi like the foregoing. Coxe: anterior small, prominent, obliquely

pyriform, nearly contingent ; intermediate widely separated, prominent, pyriform, very oblique ; posterior

contingent, very large, and very broad, nearly extending to the sides of the body.

Dietta is the most abnormal of all the “ Anisotomina”; in the shape of its head and

thorax it bears much resemblance to the Staphylinide, while the unusual development

of its pectoral region and the position and shape of the intermediate coxal cavities

reminds one of the Necrophort. Its proper position in the Anisotomina, to which it

undoubtedly belongs, appears to be at the end of the tribe, leading to the true

“ Silphina.”

Dr. Sharp has described the anterior tarsus of Dietta as possessing but four joints,

while in the present example there are evidently five ; but I do not think this a matter

of much importance, because the basal joint is so small and is so completely concealed

by the spurs of the tibia that it is undiscernible without dissection ; and moreover, since

throughout the whole tribe the number of the tarsal joints is subject to such endless

variation in the sexes as well as the species, the difference, if it should exist, may

possibly be merely sexual.

This genus has hitherto contained but a single species from N.W. Australia;

a second from the State of Panama is now added.

1. Dietta sharpi, sp. n. (Tab. III. fig. 8.)

Forsan subcontractilis, elongata, capite atque pronoto angustioribus, elytris sat inflatis, rufa, nitidissima; capite

valde prominente, magno, lato, convexo, remote punctato; oculis permagnis, valde prominentibus ; ore

magno, prominente, labro setoso, profunde emarginato; pronoto obcordato, quam caput longiore, vix latiore,

ante medium latissimo, valde convexo, glabro, nitidissimo, lateribus marginatis et’ rotundatis, margine

basali leviter rotundata basi elytrorum incumbente, angulis rotundatis ; elytris quam caput atque pronotum

brevioribus, sed multo latioribus, prope media latissimis, sat inflatis, profunde punctato-striatis, interstitiis

glabris, nitidis, valde elevatis, humeris externe abrupte elevatis et levigatis, atque lateraliter angulatis, seta

longa flava, erecta ad humeros, atque setis nonnullis minoribus ad latera instructis, stria suturali profunda

impressis, lateribus sat late marginatis, angulis subhumeralibus obsoletis ; pedibus longis sat robustis, rufis,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, December 1887. N*

90 SILPHID.

tibiis sat dense setosis, atque externe fortiter spinosis, calcaribus binis, longis, robustis, leviter incurvatis,

intus armatis ; tarsis longis, sat gracilibus, omnibus 5-articulatis, articulo basali brevi, parvo; antennis

longis, robustis, rufis, clavis elongatis, valde incrassatis, obscurioribus. Long. corp. 112 lin.=3 millim.

Body probably subcontractile, elongate, with the head and thorax rather narrow and the elytra inflated; rufous,

very shining. Head very prominent, large and broad, convex ; mouth large and prominent, with the

labrum setose and deeply emarginate; eyes very large and very prominent; antenne long and robust,

rufous, with the club elongate, much incrassated, and dusky. TZhorax obcordate, longer but scarcely

broader than the head, widest before the middle, very convex, smooth, and very shining ; sides margined

and rounded; basal margin slightly rounded and overlapping the shoulders of the elytra; basal angles

rounded. Scutellum small, triangular, pale. Elytra shorter but much broader than the head and thorax,

widest near the middle, somewhat inflated, deeply punctate-striate, with the interstices much elevated,

smooth, and shining, the shoulders abruptly elevated and polished, and slightly angulated at the outer

side; furnished with a long yellow erect seta below the shoulders and several shorter sets on the sides ;

sutural stria deeply impressed ; sides rather broadly margined, with the subhumeral angles obsolete. Legs

long and rather robust, rufous; tibis densely setose and strongly spinose on the outer side, armed with

two long, strong, and slightly incurved spurs on the inner side of the apex; tarsi long and rather slender,

all 5-jointed, with the basal joint short and small. Underparts rufous, setose ; mesosternum very deeply

punctured ; metasternum ornamented with deep punctures arranged in a medial line, with a semicircular

row at its anterior extremity, the sides densely clothed with silvery hair.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

One specimen only: this was captured on the wing in the dense forest.

I have separated this species from D. sperata, Sharp, on account of their great

disparity in size (D. sperata being twice as large as the present specimen); and from

some discrepancies in their respective descriptions—such as the sculpture of the thorax

and scutellum, and the comparative size of the eighth joint of the antenne, which in

this species is very distinctly evident, although Dr. Sharp merely suggests its possible

existence.

SILPHINA.

NECROPHORUS.

Necrophorus, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 71 (1775).

Body elongate ; abdomen much exposed. Head rather small, much narrowed in front; epistoma corneous.

Thorax small, the pronotum often deeply sculptured. lytra truncate; epipleural folds very broad.

Abdomen much exposed, often clothed with hair. Antenne very short, 10-jointed, geniculate, and abruptly

capitate. Palpi small; apical joint of all cylindrical and obtusely pointed. Zingua small, not broader

than the labium, deeply hollowed in front. Mawille bilobed ; inner lobe not hooked as in Silpha, but in

other respects similar. Prosternwm very short ; episterna and epimera rudimentary ; coxal cavities very

large, contingent, open behind, with a large trochantin. Mesosternum very small ; episterna very large,

each being larger than the sternum; epimera long and large, reaching to the coxal cavities; coxal

cavities distant, large, and very oblique. Metasternum rather large, slightly mucronated between the

posterior coxe, extending to the sides of the body ; episterna long and rather broad, reaching to the coxe ;

epimera rather large, much dilated towards the apex, and extending beyond the coxe; coxe contingent.

Venter composed of six segments. Legs large; tibixe strongly spinose; tarsi long, 5-jointed, the anterior

pair dilated in the male. ,

This well-known genus is numerously represented in the Palearctic and Nearctic

NECROPHORUS. 91

regions; one species has been described from Bolivia. Five species inhabit Central

America.

1. Necrophorus mexicanus, sp. n.

Necrophorus mexicanus, Chevr. in litt.

Sat latus, sat convexus, haud pubescens, sat nitidus, impressionibus solitis omnibus profundissimis, niger, fasciis

atque epipleuris elytrorum aut late rufis, aut aurantiacis, his macula nigra antice notatis ; capite modico,

fere impunctato, glabro, nitido, epistomate antice lete flavo, vel rufo, postice nigro ; oculis permagnis, valde

prominentibus; pronoto subquadrato, antice latissimo, parum latiore quam longo, disco minute et indi-

stincte punctato, lateribus atque basi valde depressis et profunde punctatis, impressionibus omnibus

valde profundis, lateribus sinuatis et marginatis, basi sinuata, levissime rotundata; elytris magnis, quam

pronotum multo latioribus et plus quam duplo longioribus, ad extrema latissimis, postice convexis, minu-

tissime punctatis, ordine suturali et tribus aliis equidistantibus punctorum majorum elytro utroque notatis,

fasciis solitis vel rufis vel lete flavis, plerumque angustis, posterioribus ab apicibus remotis, epipleuris

flavis vel rufis, macula nigra antice notatis, extremis marginatis et sinuatis; abdomine nigro, pilis nigris

sat dense vestito, segmentis omnibus pilis validis erectis fimbriatis; pedibus magnis, robustis, tibiis

posterioribus rectis, dilatatis; antennis gracilibus, nigris, clavis rufescentibus articulo primo nigro. Long.

ad extr. elytrorum 6-10 lin. =12-20 millim. Lat. elytrorum 3-44 lin.=6-9 millim.

Body rather broad and convex, not pubescent, rather shining, with the usual impressions very deep; black,

with the fascize and epipleural folds of the elytra either red or orange, the latter marked with a black

spot near the shoulder. Head moderate, almost impunctate, smooth and shining ; epistoma black at the

base and red or yellow in front; eyes very large and prominent; antenne slender, black, club rufescent,

with the first joint black. Thoraw subquadrate, rather widest in front, very little broader than long ;

disc very shining, minutely and indistinctly punctured ; sides and base much depressed and more deeply

punctured, all the impressions very deep, the sides sinuated and margined, the base sinuated and very slightly

rounded. Scutellum very large, obtusely pointed, rather deeply punctured, with an impressed longitudinal

line. lytra large, much broader and more than twice longer than the thorax, widest at the extremities,

convex posteriorly, very minutely punctured, with a sutural and three equidistant rows of larger shallower

punctures on each, the usual fascive variable in breadth, generally narrow, either red or bright orange,

the posterior fascia not extending to the extremities; epipleural folds red or orange, with a black spot

near the shoulder ; apical extremities sinuated and margined. Abdomen rather pointed, minutely punc-

tured, clothed with black hair, the edge of the penultimate segment white; each segment fringed with long

erect black hairs. Legs robust; posterior tibi straight, and dilated towards the apex. Underparts

black, minutely and closely punctured, covered with black hair, each ventral segment furnished with a

fringe of erect black hairs.

Hab. Muxico, Ciudad in Durango (Forrer), Yolotepec, Parada (Sallé), Mexico city

(Hoge).

Differs from any of the following species in its larger size, subquadrate and deeply

sculptured thorax, narrow fascie, and spotted epipleural folds of the elytra, and erectly

fringed segments of the abdomen.

This fine species is allied to the European W. ruspator and N. interruptus, but differs

from them both in the remote and much finer punctuation of the whole body and in

the smaller size of its thorax. It is subject to great variation in size, and in the colour

of the fascie and epipleural folds of the elytra—some examples being little more

than halt the size of others, and some having red, and others orange-coloured

markings.

N* 2

92 SILPHIDZ.

2. Necrophorus montezuma@, sp. n.

Sat angustus, modice convexus, nitidissimus, haud pubescens, impressionibus solitis levissimis, fere obsoletis, niger,

elytrorum fasciis atque epipleuris rufis ; capite sat longo, modice punctato, epistomate lete rufo ; oculis

modicis, prominentibus ; pronoto sat parvo, subcordiformi, vix latiore quam longo, antice latissimo, valde

convexo, nitido, impressionibus omnibus levissimis, lateribus atque basi marginatis, valde depressis, et sat

profunde punctatis, basi valde rotundata ; elytris sat longis, quam pronotum multum latioribus, duplo longi-

oribus, ad extrema latissimis, modice et remote punctatis, lineis tribus elevatis, indistinctis, longitudinalibus,

atque ordine punctorum majorum ad lineam mediam notatis, fascia subhumerali lata, ad suturam extensa,

postice profunde angulata, fascia apicali angusta, nec ad suturam, neque ad extrema elytrorum extensa,

fasciis atque epipleuris rufis, extremis marginatis et leviter bisinuatis ; abdomine nigro, modice punctato ;

pedibus sat longis, robustis, tibiis posterioribus dilatatis, leviter incurvatis ; antennis sat brevibus, nigris,

elavis late rufis. Long. ad extr. elytrorum 7-71 lin. =14—-15 millim. Lat. elytrorum 3}—4 lin.=7-8 millim.

Body rather narrow, moderately convex, very shining, not pubescent, all the usual impressions very faint,

almost obliterated ; black, with the fascia and epipleural folds of the elytra red. Head rather long, mode-

rately punctured, the epistoma bright red; eyes moderate, prominent ; antenne rather short, black, with

the club bright red. Thorax rather small, subcordiform, scarcely broader than long, widest in front, very

convex and shining, with all the impressions very faint, almost obliterated ; sides and base margined, very

much depressed and deeply punctured, the base much rounded. Scutellum large and long, obtusely pointed,

and deeply punctured. lytra rather long, much broader and twice longer than the thorax, widest at the

extremities, moderately and distantly punctured, indistinctly marked with three elevated longitudinal lines,

with arow of larger punctures near the middle line ;.subhumeral fascia broad and deeply angulated at the

hinder margin, reaching to the suture; apical fascia narrow, not reaching the suture or the extremities of

the elytra; fascia and epipleural folds red; extremities margined and faintly bisinuated. Abdomen black,

long, and shining, moderately punctured, with all the segments except the apical deeply margined. Legs

rather long and robust; posterior tibiee considerably dilated and slightly incurved. Underparts black,

finely punctured, and very shining, the breast covered with golden hair.

Hab. Mexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango, Cholula, Jalapa, Mexico city, Esperanza (H6ge).

This appears to be a very distinct species, and may be distinguished by its narrow

and rather elongate form, small thorax, much widest in front, with all the usual

impressions very faintly marked, the deeply angulated posterior margin of the sub-

humeral fascia, and the wholly red club of the antenne.

3. Necrophorus olidus, sp. n.

Necrophorus olidus, Chevr. in litt. (teste Sallé).

Depressus, pube brevi aurea vestitus, impressionibus solitis valde profundis, niger, fasciis subhumeralibus latis-

simis, atque apicalibus rufis, epipleuris totis rufis; capite modico, vertice convexo, nitidissimo, minute

punctato, epistomate nigro-piceo ; oculis modicis, prominentibus ; pronoto parvo, rotundato, vix latiore

quam longo, prope medium latissimo, linea mediali atque impressionibus omnibus profundis, disco glabro,

fere impunctato, ad margines omnes profundius punctato, lateribus una cum basi rotundatis, depressis, et

late marginatis; elytris quam pronotum multum latioribus et duplo longioribus, ad extrema latissimis,

confertim et sat profunde punctatis, fasciis subhumeralibus latis, apicalibus angustis, rufis, ad suturam

‘extensis, epipleuris rufis, extremis bisinuatis, angulis suturalibus productis, nigris ; abdomine sat profunde

punctato, pilis nigris densius vestito ; pedibus sat longis, nigris, tibiis intermediis leviter incurvatis; antennis

sat brevibus, nigris, clavis rufis articulis basalibus nigris. Long. ad extr. elytrorum 7-8 lin.=14-16

millim. Lat. elytrorum 3-3} lin. = 6-7 millim.

Body depressed, clothed with short golden pubescence, all the impressions very deep ; black, with the broad sub-

humeral, and narrow apical fascie, and the epipleural folds, red. Head moderate, with the vertex elevated,

very shining, and minutely punctured, the epistoma pitchy-black ; eyes moderate, prominent; antennz

NECROPHORWUS. 93

rather short, black, the club red, with the basal joint black ; neck rather deeply punctured. Thorax small,

rounded, scarcely broader than long, widest near the middle, the medial line and all the impressions

very deep, the disc almost impunctate, and very shining; front, sides, and base depressed, and more

deeply punctured, the sides and base continuously rounded and deeply margined. Scutellum triangular,

obtusely pointed, and closely punctured. Hlytra twice longer and much broader than the thorax, widest

at the extremities, rather deeply and very closely punctured; subhumeral fascia very broad, the apical

fascia rather narrow, both reaching the suture, the epipleural fold and fascie red; the extremities

bisinuated, with the sutural angles produced and black. Abdomen rather deeply punctured, and clothed

with black hair. Legs rather long, with the intermediate tibiw slightly incurved. Underparts black,

rather closely punctured, the breast not pubescent.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Tuxtla, Juquila (Sallé), Zapotlan in Colima (Hége).

Differs from the other allied species in its small rounded and deeply sculptured

thorax, piceous epistoma, closely-punctured elytra, and breast devoid of pubescence.

4. Necrophorus marginatus.

Necrophorus marginatus, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 384; Lec. Proc. Ac, Phil. 1853, p. 275°; Horn,

Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. viii. p. 231”.

Depressus, nitidus, impressionibus solitis sat levibus, niger, fasciis rufis elytrorum ambabus latis et ad suturam

extensis, epipleuris totis rufis; capite modico, distincte punctato, epistomate rufo; oculis magnis, promi-

nentibus ; pronoto subcordato, longiore quam lato, antice latissimo, ad medium contracto, basi rotundata,

una cum lateribus marginata et depressa, margine confertim punctata, disco nitidissimo, remote et minute

punctato, interstitiis minutissime punctatis, linea mediali atque impressionibus omnibus leviter impressis ;

elytris quam pronotum sesqui-longioribus, parum latioribus, ad extrema latissimis, modice punctatis, fasciis

duabus rufis, latissimis, ad suturam extensis notatis, epipleuris totis rufis; abdomine sat profunde punctato ;

pedibus sat brevibus, robustis, nigris, tibiis posterioribus rectis; antennis nigris, clavis totis rufis. Long.

ad extr. elytrorum 7 lin.=14 millim. Lat. elytrorum 3} lin.=7 millim.

Body depressed, shining, with the usual impressions faintly marked; black, with the fascie of the elytra red,

very broad, and reaching to the suture, the epipleural folds red. Head moderate, distinctly punctured,

the epistoma rufous; eyes large, very prominent; antenna black, with the whole club red. T'horaw sub-

cordate, longer than broad, widest in front, contracted near the middle; basal margin rounded ; sides and

base depressed and margined, the margin closely punctured ; disc very shining, minutely and remotely punc-

tured, with the interstices more minutely punctured, the medial line and all the impressions rather shallow.

Scutellum large, triangular, and deeply punctured. lytra one half longer, and rather broader than the

thorax, widest at the extremities, moderately punctured, with two indistinctly elevated coste on the disc ;

with very broad subhumeral and apical red fasciw, both reaching to the suture, the epipleural folds entirely

red; extremities bisinuated, with the sutural angles acute. Abdomen rather deeply punctured, not pube-

scent. Legs rather short, robust ; posterior tibie straight. Underparts black, rather deeply punctured,

the breast covered with golden hair.

Hab. Norra America?, New York, Georgia, Nebraska, Texas, and California 1.—

Mexico, Parras in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer).

So far as it is possible to judge from the two Mexican examples before me, this

species appears to be distinguished from its congeners by its depressed form, faint

sculpture and general shape of the thorax, the broad fascie of the elytra, and wholly

red club of the antenne.

5. Necrophorus quadrimaculatus, sp. n.

Sat angustus, nitidissimus, impressionibus solitis omnibus profundis, aterrimus, maculis humeralibus atque

94 SILPHIDA.

apicalibus elytrorum lete flavo-rufis; capite modico, minute et indistincte punctato, epistomate nigro-

piceo; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto sat parvo, haud latiore quam longo, prope medium

latissimo, lateribus una cum basi rotundatis et fortiter depressis, linea mediali atque impressionibus

omnibus valde profundis, ad latera atque basin modice punctato, disco nitidissimo, fere glabro; elytris quam

pronotum multum latioribus et duplo longioribus, ad extrema latissimis, sat profunde et distincte punctatis,

interstitiis glabris, nitidis, sutura parum elevata, macula, sive fascia abbreviata, ad basin antice producta,

prope humeros, atque alia rotundata ad angulum apicalem exteriorem, omnibus lete flavo-rufis, notatis,

epipleuris latis, nigris, apicibus truncatis sinuatis; abdomine sat longo, acuminato, pilis nigris vestito, sat

profunde punctato; pedibus sat longis, nigris; antennis nigris, clavis rufis articulo basali nigro. Long.

ad extr. elytrorum 51-7 lin.=11-14 millim. Lat. elytrorum 23-3 lin.=5—6 millim.

Body rather narrow, very shining, with all the usual impressions very deeply marked ; deep black, with apical

and subhumeral bright orange spots on the elytra. Head moderate, minutely and indistinctly punctured,

the epistoma pitchy-black ; eyes large and very prominent; antenne black, the club bright red with the

basal joint black. Thoraw rather small, not broader than long, widest at the middle, the sides and base

much depressed and continuously rounded, the medial line and all the impressions very deep; sides and

base moderately punctured, the disc nearly smooth and very shining. Scutellum large, obtuse, rather

deeply punctured. Zlytra twice longer, and much broader than the thorax, widest at the extremities,

rather deeply and distinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining, the suture rather elevated ;

with a subhumeral bright orange spot or abbreviated fascia, produced in a narrow line towards the shoulder,

and a rounded bright orange spot near the exterior apical angle, not extending to the apex; epipleural

fold broad and entirely black; apex truncate and rather deeply bisinuated. Abdomen rather long and

pointed, clothed with black hair, rather deeply punctured, with a deep impression on each side of the base

of the penultimate segment. Legs rather long, black, with the intermediate and posterior tibic faintly

incurved. Underparts black and shining.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdénimo, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This very distinct species may be known by its rounded thorax and smoother surface,

and by the small size of the orange-coloured markings of the elytra, which are mere

spots and not fascie as in most of the other members of the genus. In shape JV. qguadri-

maculatus resembles the European WV. mortuorwm, but differs from that species in the

characters already mentioned, and also in the red club of its antenne, and in the black

epipleural folds of its elytra.

SILPHA.

Silpha, Linnzeus, Syst. Nat. ii. p. 569 (1758).

Body oblong or elongate; often much depressed. Head small and often elongate. Thoraa generally large and

broad. lytra usually more or less truncate, often deeply sinuated at the extremities. Abdomen often

elongate and much exposed. Antenne 11-jointed, often long and slender, with the club but faintly

incrassated. Palpi short; apical joint in all almost cylindrical, with the apex obtuse. Lingua often very

large and broad, somewhat fan-shaped, hollowed in front and largely dilated at the extremities. Maaille

large, bilobed; exterior lobe variable in length, ciliated at the apex; inner lobe large, strongly hooked at

the apex, and densely ciliated in front. Prosternum small; episterna small and indistinct ; epimera either

wanting, or (as they appear to be in S. analis) very large, subtriangular, partly enclosing the coxal cavities.

Mesosternum rather short; episterna large; epimera long, humeral, reaching to the coxal cavities. Meta-

sternum moderate, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna large and broad, reaching to the

coxal cavities; epimera long and narrow, covered by the epipleural folds of the elytra. Venter composed

of six segments. Legs generally long; tarsi 5-jointed, often dilated in the males. Cowe: anterior large

and very prominent; intermediate broad, rather flattened, more or less prominent; posterior very large

and long.

This widely-distributed genus is represented in Central America by four species.

SILPHA. 95

1. Silpha truncata.

Silpha truncata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. iii. p. 193’; Complete Writings, ii. p. 123; Lec. Col. Kans.

p. 6, t. 1. £.3°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. viii. p. 237°.

Elongate, rather depressed, deep black, rather shining, the elytra abruptly truncate, the abdomen long. Head

small, finely and closely punctured; eyes large and rather prominent. Thorax rather small, not twice

broader than long, widest at the base, very closely and finely punctured, with a deep impression near each

posterior angle, and sometimes on the disc also; sides moderately rounded and margined ; basal margin

trisinuate, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large, finely and closely punctured, with the apex acuminate.

Elytra short, abruptly truncate, much broader and more than twice longer than the thorax, widest at the

extremities, very finely and closely punctured; sides nearly straight, and broadly margined. Abdomen

often much exposed, very closely and finely punctured, all the segments except the last deeply margined.

Legs and antenne moderate, black, with the club of the latter considerably incrassated. Underparts

very closely and finely punctured. Long. ad extr. elytrorum 6-7 lin.=12-14 millim. Lat. elytrorum

33-4 lin.=7-8 millim,

Hab. Norta America !, Nebraska ?, Kansas°, New Mexico 3, Arizona 3.—MExIco,

Pinos Altos in Chihuahua, Rio Mescales (Buchan-Hepburn), Ciudad in Durango (Forrer),

Santa Clara in Chihuahua, Durango city, Chilpancingo, Jalapa, Mexico city (Hége),

Puebla (Sadié).

S. truncata may be readily known by its smooth upper surface and abruptly truncate

elytra. It is a common insect in Northern Mexico.

2. Silpha ramosa.

Silpha ramosa, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. ii. p. 193*; Complete Writings, ii. p. 128; Lec. Proc. Ac.

Phil. 1858, p. 279°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. viii. p. 241°.

Perfectly oval, convex, deep black, not shining, finely and very closely punctured ; with three elevated angu-

lated lines on each elytron, from which short angulated lines branch off transversely on each side. Head

moderate, rather short, closely punctured ; eyes moderate, with two short sete arising from the lower

margin of the orbit. T’horaa one half broader than long, widest at the base, very closely and very finely

punctured, with a faint dorsal line on the disc only, and three faint impressions near the base; sides

margined and faintly rounded; base produced towards the scutellum and sinuated at the sides; all the

angles obtuse. Scwtellum broad, acuminate at the apex, deeply and closely punctured. lytra entire,

nearly three times longer, and slightly broader than the thorax, widest beyond the middle, marked with

three elevated and angulated longitudinal lines, branching on each side into short transverse angulated

lines ; interstices very finely and very closely punctured ; sides scarcely rounded, and broadly margined ;

apex entire and obtuse. Legs and antenne moderate, black, with the club of the latter very slightly

incrassated. Underparts black. Long. corp. 7-8 lin.=14-16 millim.

Hab. Nortna America, United States ! 2,X—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

One example. This well-named species may be recognized by the sculpture of its

elytra, which much resembles the branches of a fruit-tree trained against a wall.

S. ramosa is a very widely-distributed species in the United States, and extends south-

ward to Sonora.

3. Silpha analis.

Necrodes analis, Chevr. Mag. Zool. 1843, Col. Mex. p. 26°.

Ovate, depressed, rather shining, black, with the thorax red, the elytra entire with three strongly elevated longi-

96 SILPHIDZ.

tudinal costs, the head and thorax small, the elytra long and broad. Head very small, faintly punctured,

with a deep reniform impression on each side, and both transversely and longitudinally impressed on the

vertex. Thorax small, red, with a dark blotch on the disc, twice broader than long, widest before the base,

very shining and minutely punctured, with a deep longitudinal impression on each side at the base, termi-

nating near the middle in a deep lateral fovea ; disc very uneven, depressed towards the base; sides much

rounded and flattened, faintly margined ; base trisinuate, with the angles obtuse. Scutellwm large, rather

deeply punctured, much acuminated at the apex. lytra entire, very large, much broader, and more than

three times longer than the thorax, widest near the middle, very minutely and very closely punctured, with

the suture and three longitudinal coste much elevated ; outer costa short, terminating at the callosity, both

inner coste reaching to the apex, the middle costa less elevated than the others; sides ovally rounded and

margined ; apex slightly sinuated at the sides in the females, and very sharply pointed in both sexes. Legs

and antenne rather long and slender, black, with the club of the latter much incrassated. Underparts

black and shining, with the sides of the thorax and the apical segment of the venter bright red. Long.

corp. 7-11 lin.=14—22 millim. Lat. 3-5 lin.=6-10 millim. .

Hab. Mexico, Ciudad in Durango (forrer), Cordova, Orizaba1 (Sallé), Tacambaro,

Jalapa, Cholula in Puebla (Hoge); Guatemata, Purula (Champion); Nicaragua, Chon-

tales (Belt, Janson); Costa Rica, Irazu (Rogers) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 feet

(Champion).—? Braziu}.

This conspicuous species may be known by its small red thorax with a central dark

mark, and by its very large, peculiarly sculptured, and very sharply pointed elytra. It

varies to a great extent in size, some specimens being two thirds less than others.

8. analis is a common species throughout Central America.

4. Silpha lapponica.

Silpha lapponica, Herbst, Kafer, v. p. 209, t. 52. f. 4°; Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p. 2787; Horn,

Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 238°.

Silpha caudata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. i. p. 192*; Complete Writings, ii. p. 122.

Silpha tuberculata, Germ. Ins. Spec. Nov. p. 81°.

Silpha californica, Mannerh. Bull. Mosc. 1848, 11. p. 253 °.

Oiceoptoma (Thanatophilus) lapponicum, Kirby, Faun. Bor.-Am. iv. p. 100’.

Oiceoptoma (Silpha) granigera, Chevr. Col. Mex. Cent. i. fase. 1. no. 1°.

Depressed, dull black, sparingly covered with fulvous hairs, rugosely tuberculate. Head small, the eyes rather

prominent. Thorax twice broader than long, widest at the base, closely punctured, and covered with

large tubercles in rather regular rows; sides rounded and strongly margined ; basal margin trisinuate and

produced towards the scutellum. Scutellum large, closely punctured, the apex acuminate. Llytra broader

and more than twice longer than the thorax, widest beyond the middle, closely punctured; with three

elevated longitudinal costee, of which the outer one is shorter and more elevated than the others, and the

inner longer than the intermediate, and reaching nearly to the apex ; the interstices ornamented with large

tubercles at rather regular intervals ; sides depressed and deeply margined, very faintly rounded; sutural

angles produced in the females. Legs and antenne black, with the club of the latter short and oval.

Long. corp. 7-8 lin.=14-16 millim.

Hab. Norra America, Alaska ?, Canada?’, United States 234° 6—M_exico 238, San

Andres Chalchicomula (Sallé), Las Vigas, Mexico city, Sayula, Jalapa (Hége).— BorEaL

EvuRopPE }.

A very widely distributed species throughout the whole of North America, and

extending southwards to Mexico.

PTEROLOMA. 97

PTEROLOMA.

Pteroloma, Gyllenhal, Ins. Suee. iv. p. 418 (1827).

Body elongate, in form somewhat resembling many species of Carabide. Head sessile, elongate in front.

Thorax either subcordiform, or dilated towards the base. Scuéellum triangular. Llytra entire, generally

long and striated. Antenne long and slender, rather moniliform, and slightly inerassated towards the

apex; inserted beneath a small frontal plate; 11-jointed, with the third joint rather the longest, and

the apical joint obliquely truncate. Palpi: maaillary long and slender, 4-jointed, 1 very small and

short, 2 very long, slightly incrassated towards the apex, 3 of a similar form, but shorter, 4 elongate-oval,

pointed at the apex; labial rather short and robust, widely divergent, with the apical joint incurved,

3-jointed, 1 short and slender, 2 large and pyriform, with the apex truncate and furnished with a short

seta at the outer angle, 3 shorter, obtusely oval. Zabrum very short and broad, obtusely bilobed,

furnished with four long equidistant sete onthe anterior margin. Mandzébles rather long, robust, acutely

pointed and armed with two strong sharp teeth below the apex. Maxille moderate, bilobed ; exterior lobe

rather small, furnished with a long brush of setae at the apex; inner lobe sharply hooked at the apex, and

furnished with long setw for more than halfway down its inner edge; stipes rather small, attenuated

towards the base. Mentwm short, transverse, widest. at the base and rounded at the sides; submentum

large, subquadrate, dilated at the base. Labiwm short, falcate at the apex, with the extremities acutely

pointed, and furnished with very large and broad paraglossal plates. Lengua long and narrow, with its

trifid extremity alone visible beyond the paraglossal plates. Prosternwin moderate; episterna rather

large, triangular; epimera very small and indistinct; coxal cavities open behind, pyriform and contingent.

Mesosternum rather large ; episterna moderate, not humeral ; epimera humeral, long, and oblique, extending

to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities rather large, pyriform, not contingent. Metasternum moderate, not

extending to the sides of the body ; episterna broad and short; epimera large, reaching beyond the coxe ;

coxee large, pyriform, moderately distant, extending to the epimera. Venter long, composed of six

segments of nearly equal length, each segment separately convex; apical segment in the male divided for

its whole length in the middle, with each side separately rounded, and an arcuated suture extending from

the middle of each side tothe base of the segment; the extremity of the last abdominal segment extending

considerably beyond the emargination of the corresponding ventral segment. Legs long and slender ; tibie

rather spinose, armed with many spurs at the apex ; tarsi 5-jointed, the anterior and intermediate pairs

dilated in the males; claws simple. Cove: anterior contingent and prominent; intermediate narrowly

separated, prominent ; posterior more widely separated.

This genus contains a few species inhabiting the northern parts of Europe and

America; one species is found at a high elevation in Mexico.

1. Pteroloma sallzi, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 11.)

‘Angustam, elongatum, nitidissimum, piceo-castaneum ; capite modico, antice elongato, deflexo, distincte et

leviter punctato, impressionibus quatuor foveolatis inter oculos notato ; oculis modicis, sat prominentibus ;

pronoto subcordato, quam caput haud longiore, vix latiore, antice latissimo, disco impunctato, glabro, depres-

sionibus quatuor foveolatis impresso, postiee sat profunde punctato, lateribus sat late marginatis, margine

ipsa sat profunde punctata, basi marginata, fere recta, angulis sat obtusis; elytris pronoto plus quam duplo

longioribus, sat latioribus, pone media latissimis, profunde punctato-striatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis,

lateribus late marginatis, apice obtuso; pedibus atque antennis longis, gracilibus, castaneis. Long. corp.

2} lin.=4°50 millim.

Body narrow, elongate, dark castaneous, and very shining. Head moderate, elongate in front, deflexed, lightly

but distinctly punctured, with four foveolate impressions between the eyes; eyes moderate, slightly

prominent; antenne slender and very long. Thorax subcordate, broader but not longer than the head,

widest anteriorly, disc smooth and impunctate, with four deep depressions in the middle, rather deeply

punctured towards the base; sides rather broadly margined, with the margin itself punctured; base

margined, nearly straight, with the angles rather obtuse. Seutellum moderate, triangular, impunctate.

Elytra rather broader, and more than twiee longer than the thorax, widest behind the middle, deeply

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, January 1888. O*

98 SILPHID.

punctate-striate, the interstices smooth and shining, with a few larger punctures on the fifth and seventh,

the sides broadly margined, the apex obtuse. (In this specimen there are irregular depressions on the

elytra, which appear to have been caused by immaturity.) Legs very long and slender, castaneous; the

four anterior tarsi dilated at the base. Underparts pitchy-castaneous, rather strongly alutaceous, with

remote setigerous punctures on the ventral segments; apical segment very deeply bilobed (probably a

sexual distinction), exposing the extremity of the last abdominal segment.

Hab. Mxxico, Volcan de Orizaba (Sadlé).

This interesting species differs from any which have been previously described in its

narrow and more elongate form, smaller size, differently shaped thorax, and general

sculpture. As this is the only specimen of the genus I have ever seen, I cannot specify

its peculiarities more distinctly; but in P. sal/wi I can find no vestige of the frontal

ocelli mentioned by some authors: the deep impressions between the eyes are certainly

present, but they contain nothing in the form of ocelli. In this matter I do not intend

to follow the example of some naturalists, who, from the examination of a single indi-

vidual, boldly assert that certain characters do not exist in specimens which they have

never seen ; but merely to say that in the Pteroloma now before me I can find no trace

of the ocelli in question.

CHOLEVINA.

CHOLEVA.

Choleva, Latreille, Précis Caract. Gén. Ins. p. 14 (1796).

Body more or less ovate, generally convex and pubescent. Head subtriangular, not retractile, fitted by an

abrupt ridge to the front of the pronotum. Thorax moderate, sometimes small, generally widest at or near

the base. lyira entire, often large. Antenne often long and slender, 11-jointed, very slightly thickened

towards the apex, the 8th joint smaller than the 7th or 9th. Prosternum rather large, broadly enclosing the

coxal cavities ; episterna moderate ; epimera large and broad; coxal cavities moderate, contingent, enclosed

behind. Mesosternum rather large, not separating the coxal cavities ; episterna large, humeral ; epimera

very large and broad, extending to the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities large, contingent. Metasternum very

short, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna long, reaching to the coxe ; epimera very long,

extending beyond the coxe ; coxe very large, pyriform, not contingent. Venter composed of six segments.

Legs generally long.

A genus of almost universal distribution, though apparently very rare in tropical

regions ; two species only have been received as yet from Central America.

1. Choleva fimbriata, sp. n. (Tab. III. fig. 10.)

Ovata, sat lata, castanea, pilis densis ad margines longioribus vestita ; capite parvo, postice abrupte truncato,

profunde et confertim punctato, interstitiis alutaceis; oculis sat magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto

brevi, quam caput vix longiore, sed latiore, basin versus latissimo, profunde et confertim punctato, inter-

stitiis profunde alutaceis, antice et lateraliter rotundato, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis rotundatis ;

elytris quam caput atque pronotum sesqui-longioribus, parum latioribus, ante media latissimis, ordinibus

transversis fere rectis, profunde et confertissime punctatis, lateribus marginatis, apice obtuso ; pedibus

modicis, castaneis, tibiis spinosis et calcaribus ad apices armatis, tarsis anticis valde dilatatis ; antennis

modicis, castaneis, articulo septimo cwteris majore, octavo exiguo, apicali acutissimo. Long. corp. 23 lin.

=4°25 millim.; lat. 1 lin. =2 millim.

Body ovate, rather broad, castaneous, densely pilose, fringed with longer hair on the margins. Head small,

abruptly truncate posteriorly, deeply and closely punctured, with the interstices alutaceous; mouth

CHOLEVA.— PTOMAPHAGUS. 99

prominent ; eyes rather large and very prominent; antenne moderate, castaneous, with the seventh joint

the largest of all, the eighth joint very minute, and the apical joint much acuminated. Thoraa short,

shorter but broader than the head, widest near the base, deeply and closely punctured, with the interstices

strongly alutaceous ; sides and front continuously rounded ; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles

rounded. Scutellum rather small, triangular, deeply punctured. ilytra broader and one half longer than

the head and thorax, widest before the middle, deeply and very closely punctured in almost straight

transverse rows, the sides margined, the apex obtuse. Legs moderate, castaneous; tibize spinose, armed

with spurs at the apex; anterior tarsi strongly dilated ( ¢?).

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers). One specimen.

2. Choleva semipicea, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat angusta, modice convexa, pallide castanea, elytris postice nigro-piceis, pilis aureis dense vestita ;

capite modico, sat lato, profunde punctato, interstitiis alutaceis; oculis modicis; pronoto parvo, quam

caput latiore, haud longiore, prope basin latissimo, ordinibus transversis irregularibus profunde et confertim

punctato, interstitiis alutaceis, lateribus rotundatis et marginatis, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis

obtusis; elytris sat longis, postice infuscatis, quam caput atque pronotum parum latioribus sesqui-longi-

oribus, prope media latissimis, ordinibus rectis transversis sat profunde strigose punctatis, stria suturali

impressis, lateribus sat late marginatis, apice obtuso; pedibus atque antennis modicis, rufescentibus, harum

articulo apicali pallido. Long. corp. 13 lin. =2°25 millim.

Body oval, rather narrow, moderately convex, pale castaneous, posteriorly piceous, densely clothed with golden

pubescence. Head moderate, rather broad, deeply punctured, with the interstices alutaceous; eyes

moderate ; antenne moderate, rufescent, with the apical joint pale. Zhorax small, broader but scarcely

longer than the head, widest near the base, deeply and closely punctured in irregular transverse rows,

with the interstices alutaceous ; sides rounded and margined ; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles

obtuse. Scutellum moderate, triangular, deeply punctured. lytra rather long, posteriorly piceous, one

half longer and rather broader than the head and thorax, widest near the middle, rather deeply and

strigosely punctured in nearly straight transverse rows, the sutural stria moderate, the sides rather

broadly margined, the apex obtuse. Legs moderate, rufescent ; tibi spinose. Underparts castaneous.

Hab. GuatemMata, San Gerdnimo 3000 feet (Champion).

This species appears to differ from C. terminans, Lec., in the rounded posterior angles

of its thorax ; it is distinguished from others of the genus by its rather narrow form

and semipiceous colour.

PTOMAPHAGUS.

Ptomaphagus, llliger, Kugel. Verz. Kif. Preuss. p. 84 (1798).

Body oval or oblong, sometimes rather depressed, pubescent. Head not retractile, fitted by an abrupt ridge to

the front of the pronotum, generally subtriangular. Thoraw often rather large, widest at the base, gene-

rally transversely strigose. lytra more or less oblong, often partially truncate at the extremities,

generally transversely strigose. Antenne moderate, sometimes rather short, gradually incrassated towards

the apex ; 11-jointed, with the eighth joint much smaller than the seventh or ninth. Prosternum very

short, scarcely enclosing the coxal cavities in front; episterna moderate ; epumera large, enclosing the

coxal cavities behind; coxal cavities large, contingent. Mesosternuwm moderate, elevated between the

coxal cavities; episterna large, humeral ; epimera short and very broad, reaching to the coxal cavities ;

coxal cavities large, oval, and oblique, separated by the mesosternum. Metasternum moderate, not

extending to the sides of the body ; episterna small, scarcely reaching the coxe ; epimera long, extending

beyond the cox ; cox moderate, oval. Venter composed of six segments. Leys: anterior rather short,

the tibie much dilated towards the apex, the tarsi dilated in the males; intermediate long, the tarsi

slightly dilated in the males ; posterior long, the tarsi long and simple ; all the tarsi 5-jointed.

O* 2

100 SILPHID.

This genus has been, I think properly, separated from Choleva by the great compa-

rative differences which exist in the external skeleton of the underside: the most

conspicuous of these are the size of the prosternum, the shape of the mesosternum,

which latter separates the coxal cavities by a carinal elevation, and also differs in the

form of its side-pieces, and the large size of the metasternum. Ptomaphagus also

differs from Choleva in the sculpture and outline of the elytra, which are seldom

perfectly entire at the apex.

Of these differences the most conspicuous is the elevation of the mesosternum between

the intermediate coxe.

1. Ptomaphagus forticornis, sp.n. (Tab. Il. fig. 9.)

Oblongo-ovatus, sat angustus, castaneus, pilis brevibus aureis vestitus, per totum confertim strigose punctatus ;

capite sat magno, ore valde producto; oculis magnis, prominentibus ; pronoto subquadrato, quam caput sat

longiore et latiore, ad basin latissimo, lateribus leviter marginatis, margine basali leviter sinuata -angulis

rectis; elytris longis, quam caput atque pronotum fere duplo longioribus, vix latioribus, prope humeros

latissimis, stria suturali sat profunda impressis, lateribus marginatis, apice valde obtuso ; pedibus longis,

gracilibus, castaneis; antennis castaneis, clavis obscurioribus, sat brevibus, robustis, articulis 5° et 6°

perbrevibus, transversis, clavis leviter incrassatis. Long. corp. 1¢ lin. =3°50 millim.

Body oblong-ovate, rather narrow, castaneous, clothed with short golden pubescence, on all parts closely and

strigosely punctate. Head rather large, the mouth much produced; eyes large and prominent; antennx

rather short and robust, castaneous, with the club dusky, the fifth and sixth joints very short, transverse,

the club faintly incrassated. Thorax subquadrate, rather longer and broader than the head, widest at the

base; sides slightly margined; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum

small, triangular. Hlytra long, scarcely broader but almost twice lenger than the head and thorax,

widest near the shoulders, with a rather deep sutural stria ; sides margined ; apex very obtuse. Legs long

and slender, castaneous; tibiw spinose. Underparts castaneous; mesosternum strigose, with the carina

strongly elevated.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé).

2. Ptomaphagus consobrinus.

Catops consobrinus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p. 281°.

Ptomaphagus consobrinus, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vill. p. 263°.

Obtuse conieus, angustus, leviter depressus, pallide castaneus, pube aurea vestitus; per totum confertim et sat

profunde strigosus, strigis elytrorum obliquis; capite magno, lato, sat nitido, ore modice producto; oculis

sat parvis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto modico, quam caput sat longiore atque latiore,ad basin latissimo,

lateribus marginatis, margine basali fere recta angulis acutis; elytris postice attenuatis, quam caput atque

pronotum vix latioribus, duplo lengioribus, ad humeros latissimis, lateribus vix rotundatis, marginatis,

apicibus rotundatis, valde obtusis ; pedibus longis, gracilibus, rufo-castaneis, tibiis simplicibus, tarsis longis,

anterioribus dilatatis; antennis modicis, rufo-piceis, articulis duobus basalibus flavis. Long. corp. 17 lin.

= 2°50 millim.

Body obtusely conical, narrow, slightly depressed, pale castaneous, clothed with golden pubescence, on all parts

closely and transversely strigose, with the strige on the elytra oblique. Head large and broad, rather

shining, the mouth moderately produced; eyes rather small, not prominent. Zhorax moderate, rather

longer and broader than the head, widest at the base; sides margined ; basal margin almost straight, with

the angles acute. Scutellum moderate, triangular. Hlytra rather attenuated posteriorly, scarcely broader

but twice longer than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders; sides scarcely rounded, margined ;

PTOMAPHAGUS.—COLON. 101

extremities obtuse and rounded. Legs long and slender, rufo-castaneous ; tibie simple; tarsi long, the

anterior pair dilated. Antennae moderate ; rufo-piceous, with the two basal joints yellow.

Hab. Norru America, Georgia}, Michigan to Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California ?.

—GUATEMALA, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Differs from others of the genus in its narrow, attenuated, and obliquely strigose

elytra.

COLON.

Colon, Herbst, Kafer, vii. p. 224 (1797).

Body generally ovate or oval, convex, and densely pubescent. Mead moderate, sessile, without any occipital

ridge. . Thorax sometimes large, widest at or near the base. lytra rather long, entire. Antenne

generally short; 11-jointed, 6-11 forming a gradually incrassated club. Palpi: mawillary with the third

joint ovate, much incrassated, and the fourth joint slender, acicular. Prosternwm very small; episterna

indistinct, apparentiy small ; epimera small, inflexed beneath the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities moderate,

rounded, open behind. Mesosternum carinated ; episterna large, triangular, extending to the coxal

cavities ; epimera humeral, large and long, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities separated by the

carina. Metasternum moderate, not reaching the sides of the body ; episterna large and long, extending

beyond the cox; epimera very narrow, wholly covered by the epipleural folds of the elytra; coxe

contingent, not reaching the sides of the body. Venter with the segments variable in number, generally

four or five. Legs moderate, usually robust; tibiz spinose; femora sometimes armed with incurved teeth

on the inner side; tarsi 5-jointed, the anterior pair generally dilated in the males.

This is a genus containing numerous species, nearly all of which are of rare occurrence,

in Europe and Temperate North America. One species is now known from Guatemala.

1. Colon clavatum, (Tab. III. fig. 12.)

Colon clavatum, Mannerh. Bull. Mosc. 1853, iu. p. 178°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. viii. p. 273’.

Elongato-ovale, fuscum, convexum, rugose punctatum, pube sat longa densa vestitum ; capite sat magno, deflexo,

ore sat producto; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus; pronoto magno, quam caput multo longiore atque

latiore, prope basin latissimo, lateribus marginatis et rotundatis, margine basali fere recta angulis obtusis ;

elytris sat longis, quam caput atque pronotum vix latioribus, sed duplo longioribus, prope humeros latis-

simis, punctis ordinibus longitudinalibus irregulariter dispositis, stria suturali sat profunda, ad humeros non

extensa, impressis, lateribus marginatis, apice valde rotundato ; pedibus modicis, rufo-fuscis, tibiis parum

dilatatis, tenuiter spinosis, tarsis anterioribus dilatatis, calcari uno vel pluribus armatis; antennis

brevibus, valde robustis, fuscescentibus, gradatim ad apices incrassatis. Long. corp, 14 lin.=2°50 millim.

Body elongate-oval, convex, brown, clothed with rather long and dense pubescence, rugosely punctured. Head

rather large, deflexed, the mouth slightly produced ; eyes large and rather prominent; antenne short, very

robust, fuscous, gradually inerassated towards the apex. Thorax large, much longer and broader than

the head, widest near the base ; sides rounded and margined: basal margin nearly straight, with the angles

obtuse. Scutellum small, triangular, deeply punctured. Hlytra rather long, scarcely broader but twice

longer than the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, with the punctures irregularly arranged in

longitudinal rows; sutural stria rather deeply impressed, but not reaching to the scutellum; sides mar-

gined; apex much rounded. Legs moderate, rufous-brown ; tibie slightly dilated, sparingly spinose, with

one or more spurs on the inner side of the apex ; anterior tarsi dilated. Underparts rufous-brown.

Hab. Nortu America, Alaska !?, Vancouver 2, Nevada ?, Colorado 2, California ?.—

GUATEMALA, Chiacam (Champion).

One specimen. This species seems to be distinguished by its long and coarse

pubescence, its rugose sculpture, and gradually clavate, short, antenne.

102 CORYLOPHIDA.

Fam. CORYLOPHIDZA*.

If we can judge by the distribution of the species hitherto discovered, the Corylophide

seem to be especially adapted to the tropical parts of the globe. The total number of

described species from all parts of the world to the date of publication of Gemminger

and Harold’s Catalogue amounted to fifty-nine; from Central America alone I have

now to record twenty-nine species, the majority of which are described as new. The

genera already known are all represented in our region, except Peltinus, Aphanoce-

phalus, Phenocephalus, and Microstagetus; but the deficiency is compensated by the

addition of four new and very distinct forms described in the following pages under the

names of Ainigmaticum, Conodes, Ectinocephalus, and Micréum.

The study of the Corylophid is attended with much difficulty, chicfly owing to the

fact that the diagnostic characters often consist, among the species as well as the genera,

in the number and form of the articulations of the antenne. From the peculiar position

and shape of the head it is generally a matter of some trouble to bring these limbs into

sight, and the difficulty is further increased by the deep grooves, extending round the

outer margin of the eye far into the prothorax, in which they are usually embedded;

and, moreover, after the antenne have been extended, the exceedingly minute size of

the intermediate articulations often renders it almost impossible to count them without

the aid of some transparent medium. Again, the small space into which they are

compressed and the excessive fragility of their structure render the dissection of the

organs of the mouth a task of so much difficulty, that, if you have regard to the

preservation of a type, it is unwise to hazard the attempt on any species of which only

one or at the most two examples have been found. In the case of a genus represented

by numerous individuals dissection is admissible, but even then may possibly require

two or three trials before a full series of the various organs can be obtained. I have

therefore refrained from attempting to dissect the parts of the mouth in three new

genera; of all the rest I have obtained a perfect series, and have felt rewarded for the

trouble it has cost by being enabled to see the unusual complicity and beauty of their

anatomy. .

The Corylophide not having yet been thoroughly characterized I give a full

definition :—

General Characters.

Body generally short, more or less rounded ; in the ‘ Saciina’ alone elongate. Head usually concealed by the

pronotum ; in the ‘Orthoperina’ and some aberrant genera more or less exserted. Thoraw with the

anterior margin entire, or slightly excavated in Qonodes and the ‘Orthoperina.’ Elytra ovate, with the

apex entire; or elongate, with the apices separately rounded (Saciina). Wings ample, oval, not pedun-

culate; with a strong costal nerve extending from the base to less than half the length of the wing, and a

single very fine nerve passing from the hase obliquely towards the posterior margin of the wing; posterior

margin fringed with short hairs. Antenne clavate, varying much in the numbers of the joints, often

* By A, Marruews.

CORYLOPHIDA. 1038

geniculate ; the two basal joints large, the first generally recurved ; the intermediate joints small and short,

the last but one often larger than the rest; the three terminal joints always forming a much incrassated

club; when not in use these organs are received into a deep groove which passes round the outer margin

of the eye and extends with an outward curve into the prothorax. Palpi: mawillary large, 4-jointed, with

the second joint much larger than the rest, and the fourth generally long and conical ; labial 3-jointed,

with the second joint very large and often turgidly incrassate, the apical joint either acicular or rounded,

or abruptly truncate. Mawilla unilobed, the lobe long and robust and usually armed at the apex with

many long and very sharp teeth; in Rhypobius alone simple. Mandibles variable in form, generally armed

at the apex with many long and very sharp teeth; in Rhypobius long and very slender, deeply bifid at the

apex. Mentwm quadrate or oblong. Labium oblong, sometimes much elongate. Lingua variable in form.

Labrum generally small; rounded, or emarginate in front. Head below, in Sacium and Arthrolips, very

small and very narrow and with very small eyes; in all other genera transverse, with the gular region

convex and the organs of the mouth very prominent, and the eyes often large and very conspicuous.

Prosternum usually short, much elevated between the coxe, and prolonged and dilated posteriorly ; epimera

generally very large, enclosing the coxal cavities in many genera. Mesosternum usually large; episterna and

epimera large, the latter, except in Micréum and Conodes, not extending to the cavities. Metasternum

moderate, not extending to the sides of the body; episterna and epimera broad and very long. Venter

composed of five or six segments; the basal segment very large, nearly as long as the others combined ;

the apical segment simple (at least in the Central-American genera). Legs sometimes long and slender,

usually simple; in Orthoperus the anterior tibis are often very long and much incurved; tarsi 4-jointed,

the three basal joints short, the third joint often very small, the terminal joint elongate; the claws either

long and slender, and faintly curved, sometimes convergent anteriorly, or robust, strongly hooked, and

denticulate on the lower edge.

The whole Family may be divided by superficial characters into the following four

Tribes, viz. :—

Posterior angles of the thorax produced . . . . . . Sericoderina.

Posterior angles of the thorax not produced.

Form elongate... .. .. . . . . . . Saciina.

Form rounded.

Head wholly concealed . . . . «. . . . « Corylophina..

Head partly exposed . . 2. . . . .).)SC)SOCOrthoperina.

The division of Families into Tribes is purely artificial, of no real scientific importance,

but useful as a help towards the harmonious arrangement of form, and as affording to

the mind some idea of the general appearance of a genus previously unknown. But it

appears to me that this division, if carried too far, would become perplexing and unne-

cessary. The four new genera described in the following pages form a striking illus-

tration of the point in question. These genera differ equally from any of the Tribes

above mentioned, and from each other. In this case, if strict definition was imperative,

each would demand a separate Tribe to contain itself, and itself alone. If hereafter

other genera be discovered bearing close affinity to either of these, their generic characters

might then assume a divisional importance, and justify the creation of a fresh Tribe.

But for the present it will be more expedient to place Conodes and Ectinocephalus

with the ‘Saciina’ (although in each the head is more or less exserted beyond the

thorax), and Microum with the ‘ Corylophina.’

104 CORYLOPHIDZ.

SACIINA.

Head more or less exposed.

Thorax rounded at the sides, widest near the middle . Ainigmaticum.

Front of the thorax entire . . . . . . +. + + EcrinocerHatus.

Front of the thorax excised . . . . - « » ~ «+ CONODES.

Head wholly concealed.

Antenne ll-jomted . . . . . . . . es - Sacrum.

Antenne 10-jointed . 2. . . 1. ee +) 6+) 6 ARTHROLIPS.

JENIGMATICUM *, gen. nov.

Body elongate-oval, with the head exserted. Head small, produced in front; eyes very large and very pro-

minent. Thorax moderate, subcordiform. Scuéellum large, rounded at the apex. lytra entire, long,

with the extremities separately rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed. Antenne inserted near

the eyes, 9-jointed—l1 very large, pyriform, slightly recurved, 2 oval, rather smaller than 1, 3 and 4

small and slender, 5 much larger than 4, 6 small, same size as 4, 7-9 large and mueh incrassated, forming

a rather loose club, of which the apical joint is the largest. Palpi: mawillary rather large, 4-jomted—

1 very small, 2 very large, turgidly incrassate, oval, with the apex truncate, 3 and 4 forming a slender

long point, obtuse at the apex, and furnished with short apical sets, the third joint short and transverse ;

labial rather large, 3-jointed—1 very small, 2 very large, turgidly incrassate, oval, with the apex slightly

truncate, 3 small and conical. Zabrum large, subquadrate, slightly rounded in front. Mandibles small

and rather slender, with the apex much hooked and acute, furnished at the base with a subconical

process, its front surface flat and transversely ribbed. Maille unilobed, the lobe long and rather

broad, with its apex acute, faintly incurved, and minutely denticulate on the upper part of the edge.

Mentum short, transverse, suboblong. Zabium short, transverse, faintly contracted at the base, with the

anterior angles much rounded. Lingua very long and narrow, with its extremity nearly straight.

Prosternum large, broadly produced between the coxal cavities, and much dilated behind them ; episterna

Jong and narrow; epimera large, broadly enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities rather small, oval.

Mesosternum rather short ; episterna moderate, humeral ; epimera short and broad, not extending to the

coxal cavities; coxal cavities nearly circular, moderately distant. Metasternum large, not extending to

the sides of the body, broadly produced and faintly rounded between the coxw ; episterna large and long,

almost reaching to the coxe; epimera long and narrow, extending beyond the coxe; coxe small,

pyriform, widely separated. Venter composed of six segments, with the first nearly as long as the other

five united. Legs: anterior femora modcrate, the tibie simple, slightly dilated towards the apex, the tarsi

very short, 4-jointed, with the basal joint very small, and the apical joint robust, much longer than the

three basal joints united, the claws moderate, much curved ; intermediate similar in form to the anterior,

but longer, with the tarsi distinctly 4-jointed ; posterior similar in form, but longer than the intermediate, -

the femora longer and much more robust, the tarsi distinctly 4-jointed. Cove: anterior oval, moderately

distant; intermediate rounded, moderately distant ; posterior small, pyriform, widely separated.

This curious genus is an apt illustration of the importance of the external skeleton

of the underside, combined with the organs of the mouth, in affording a correct clue to

systematic arrangement. At first sight the upper surface presents but few of the

characters usually considered to be indicative of the Corylophide, and its outward

form seems more suggestive of relationship to either Péilium or Corticaria; and it is

only by the anatomy of the underside of its external skeleton and of the organs of

the mouth that its true affinities can be discovered.

In all these points Znigmaticum is purely Corylophide, and varies but little from

* Aiveyparcsoy, a puzzle.

ZNIGMATICUM.—ECTINOCEPHALUS. 105

the most normal type of the family. This is especially evident in the mesosternum,

the first ventral segment, the unilobed maxille, and the excessively enlarged second

joint of both the maxillary and labial palpi; while on the upperside the antenne

alone present a Corylophide appearance.

In the first distribution of Mr. Champion’s collection this species was sent to me

among the Trichopterygide, and subsequently returned with some others evidently not

Trichopterygide to Dr. Sharp. Subsequently, at Dr. Sharp’s request, I undertook the

revision of the Central-American Silphide and Corylophide, and he then forwarded

this insect to me with the observation that ‘ unless it was a Corylophide he was ata

loss to discover to what family it could belong.” Having previously noticed its peculiar

appearance I had retained a mutilated specimen of the same species, and from this

have fortunately been able to make the dissections, which have, as it seems to me,

placed its true position beyond the possibility of doubt.

The single species is from Guatemala.

1. Ainigmaticum ptilioides, sp. n. (Tab. III. figg. 13, 13 a.)

Ovale, modice convexum, totum alutaceum, rufo-brunneum, parum eratum; capite parvo, prominente, antice

producto; oculis magnis, prominentibus; pronoto modico, subcordato, medio latissimo, basin versus

contracto, profunde alutaceo, punctis sat magnis remote et equidistanter dispositis ornato, lateribus

marginatis et leviter crenulatis, margine basali fere recta angulis fere rectis; elytris sat magnis, quam

pronotum parum latioribus, plus quam sesqui-longioribus, ante media latissimis, fortiter alutaceis, punctis

remotis striatim dispositis impressis, stria suturali circa scutellum usque ad humeros extensa notatis,

lateribus ovaliter rotundatis, leviter marginatis, apicibus latis valde rotundatis; abdominis pygidio

exserto, rufescente ; pedibus rufo-piceis; antennis flavescentibus, clavis obscuris. Long. corp. 3°, lin.=

75 millim.

Body oval, moderately convex, alutaceous throughout, rufous-brown, slightly brassy. Head small, exserted,

the mouth produced, alutaceous, with a few remote punctures; eyes large and very prominent; antenne

rather short, flavescent, with the club dusky. Thorax moderate, subcordate, widest at the middle,

contracted towards the base, deeply alutaceous, ornamented with rather large punctures remotely and

rather equidistantly arranged ; sides margined and slightly crenulated; basal margin almost straight, with

the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum large, obtusely triangular, alutaceous. Zlytra rather large,

one half longer and a little broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, deeply alutaceous,

marked with remote punctures in longitudinal rows, with a sutural stria prolonged round the scutellum

and to the exterior humeral angle; sides ovally rounded and slightly margined; extremities broad and

much rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed, rufescent. Legs rather long, rufo-piceous. Under-

parts pitchy-black.

Hab. Guatemaua, Capetillo 4500 feet (Champion). ‘Two examples.

ECTINOCEPHALUS*, gen. nov.

Corpus elongatum, obconicum. Caput totum exsertum; oculis prominentibus ; antennis longe ante oculos

insertis. Pronotum parvum, pone caput rectum, haud excisum. lytra elongata, postice attenuata.

Abdomen modice exsertum. Antenne haud geniculate, articulis decem composite, duobus basalibus

magnis, tribus ultimis clavam subfoliatam formantibus, apicali subrotundato. Prosternwm sat magnum,

inter coxas elevatum, postice productum et dilatatum ; episternis minutis; epimeris sat magnis, recep-

* éxreivw, to extend; xepad, the head.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, January 1888. P*

106 CORYLOPHID.

tacula coxarum late complexis. Mesosternum magnum ; episternis longis; epimeris longis, trigonalibus,

ad coxas extensis. Metasternum modicum, corporis lateribus haud attingens, margine posteriore inter

coxas recta; episternis latis et longis. Venter segmentis sex compositus, basali praelongo, apicali obtuso.

Pedes sat longi, simplices ; tarsis brevibus, robustis, articulis quatuor compositis, apicali ceteris et longiore

et tenuiore ; unguibus gracilibus, leviter curvatis. Cove: anteriores haud prominentes, per carinam divisa ;

intermedi longius, distantes ; posteriores sat remotee, breviter pyriformes.

Body elongate, obconical. Head wholly exserted, produced anteriorly, convex above and below, the mouth

prominent ; antenne inserted considerably in front of the eyes; eyes prominent. Thorax small, with

the anterior margin entire, straight, but not excavated behind the head; basal margin faintly arcuate,

with the angles obtuse. Scutellwm large, short and broad, obtusely triangular. lytra elongate,

attenuated posteriorly, separately rounded at the apex. Abdomen moderately exposed. Antenne not

geniculated, 10-jointed—1 long, robust, recurved, 2 half as long as and much more slender than 1, 3-7

more slender than 2, transverse, gradually incrassated, 8-10 forming a much incrassate subfoliate club,

with the apical joint the largest and rounded. Paris of the mouth not dissected, but apparently of a

normal type. Prosternwm rather large, elevated between the coxee, and prolonged and dilated behind

them ; episterna minute; epimera rather large, broadly enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities oval

and oblique. Mesosternum large; episterna long and narrow; epimera long, subtriangular, extending to

the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities rounded and rather distant. Metasternum moderate, not reaching to the

sides of the body; posterior margin between the coxe straight; episterna broad and long; epimera

narrow, concealed by the elytra ; coxal cavities remote from each other, and moderately distant from the

sides of the body. Venter composed of six segments—1 very long, 2-6 equal in length to each other,

the apical segment obtusely rounded, simple. Legs: anterior with the trochanters small, triangular ;

femora depressed, long and broad ; tibiee rather shorter, much dilated towards the apex; tarsi short and

robust, 4-jointed, with the three basal joints nearly equal, and the apical joint longer and more slender ;

claws slender and faintly curved ; intermediate similar to the anterior, but rather longer ; posterior with

the interior angle of the trochanter much prolonged, and the femora robust and very long ; tibize long,

simple, dilated towards the apex; tarsi similar to the anterior, but rather longer. Cox@: anterior

rounded, not prominent, separated by the elevated portion of the prosternum ; intermediate rounded,

rather distant; posterior remote from each other, rather short, pear-shaped, not reaching to the sides of

the body.

Ectinocephalus would seem more properly to form a distinct ‘Tribe’; but for reasons

already stated I have placed it among the ‘Saclina,’ with which it agrees in the elon-

vate form of the body.

The genus contains a single species from Guatemala.

1. Ectinocephalus tropicus, sp.n. (Tab. III. figg. 16, 16 a.)

Obconicus, modice convexus, sat nitidus, rufo-testaceus, pilis aureis parce vestitus ; capite exserto, sat convexo,

antice producto; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto modico, antice fere circulariter rotundato,

margine anteriore integra et leviter reflexa, confertim et minute tuberculato, sive alutaceo, linea impressa

ad basin notato, margine basali fere recta angulis fere rectis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum sat

latioribus et fere duplo longioribus, ad humeros latissimis, postice attenuatis, profunde punctatis, interstitiis

nitidis, linea suturali profunda impressis, lateribus leviter rotundatis, sat late marginatis, subtus late

inflexis, apicibus rotundatis ; pygidio exserto ; pedibus atque antennis robustis, late flavis. Long. corp.

19 Jin, =1+25 millim.

Head rather small, convex, produced in front; eyes very large and prominent; antenne robust, bright yellow.

Thoraw moderate; almost circularly rounded in front, with the margin entire and slightly reflexed,

minutely and closely tuberculate or alutaceous, with an impressed line at the base; basal margin almost

straight, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum small and rounded. lytra rather broader and

nearly twice as long as the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, attenuated posteriorly, deeply punc-

tured, with the interstices shining, a deeply impressed line on each side of the suture ; sides slightly

ECTINOCEPHALUS.—CONODES. 107

rounded and rather strongly margined, broadly inflexed beneath ; apex rounded. Abdomen with the

pygidium exposed. Legs robust, bright yellow. Underparts rufo-testaceous.

Hab. Guaremaa, Capetillo (Champion). ‘Two examples.

The prominent and wholly exserted head, which, from its peculiar form, cannot be

withdrawn, but is fitted by an elevated ridge to the anterior margin of the thorax, is

alone sufficient to distinguish this species from all which have hitherto been discovered.

CONODES *, gen. nov.

Corpus conicum, depressum, pubescens. Caput sessile, deflexum; oculis magnis. Pronotwm antice excisum,

angulis posterioribus haud productis. Hlytra longa, postice attenuata, apicibus rotundatis. Antenne haud

geniculate, articulis decem composite, sexto quam septimo majore, clava valde incrassata. Prosternum

permagnum, inter coxas elevatum, et postice dilatatum ; episternis parvis, angustis; epimeris magnis,

receptacula coxarum late complexis. Mesosternwn longum ; episternis longis, angustis ; epimeris sat parvis,

ad coxas non extensis. Metasternum modicum, ad latera corporis non extensum ; episternis longis.

Venter segmentis quinque compositus, primo permagno, apicali precedente duplo longiore. Pedes modici,

simplices; tarsis brevibus, robustis; unguitus longis, gracillimis, antice convergentibus.

Body conical, depressed, pubescent. Head not concealed by the thorax, sessile, deflexed ; eyes large, not

prominent; gular region convex; mouth prominent; antenne inserted some distance in front of the eyes.

Thorax excised in front, the posterior angles not produced. Scutellwm large and broad, slightly rounded.

Elytra long, attenuated posteriorly, separately rounded at the apex, broadly inflexed beneath. Abdomen

with the pygidium exposed, Antenne not geniculated, 10-jointed—1 long, robust, slightly recurved,

2 smaller than 1, incrassate, 3, 4,5 very small, 6 larger than 7, 8-10 much incrassate, forming a rather close

gradually incrassated club, the apical joint larger than the preceding, rounded. (Parts of the mouth not

dissected.) Prosternum very large, elevated between the cox, produced and dilated posteriorly ; epesterna

small and narrow; epimera large, broadly enclosing the coxal cavities, the cavities oval, oblique. Meso-

sternum rather large ; episterna very long and narrow; epimera rather small, not extending to the cavities.

Metasternum moderate, not extending to the sides of the bedy; episterna very long ; epimera concealed

by the elytra ; hinder margin of the metasternum straight. Venter composed of five segments—l1 very

long, longer than the metasternum, broadly depressed at the sides to receive the femora, 2~4 nearly equal

in length, 5 nearly twice as long as 4, obtuse and simple. Legs: anterior with the trochanters small,

triangular; femora robust; tibie simple, much dilated towards the apex; tarsi short, robust, 4-jointed—

1 rather longer than 2, 2 and 3 equal, 4 rather short; claws very long and slender, converging ante-

riorly ; intermediate similar to the anterior, the tarsi rather longer ; posterior similar to the preceding, the

trochanters with the interior angle much produced and acute. Cove: anterior moderately separated,

not prominent; intermediate rather distant; posterior widely separated, pyriform, rather short, not

extending to the sides of the body.

This interesting genus is distinguished from the rest of its family by its depressed

conical form, deflexed and sessile head, and by the excavation of the front of the thorax.

Like Ectinocephalus it bears an outward resemblance to the Cryptophagide, but its

anatomy is strictly Corylophide; on account of their rarity I have not ventured to

dissect the organs of the mouth in this genus, or in Ectinocephalus, or Microum, and

have therefore refrained from attempting to describe them, although the more prominent

parts are sufficiently visible under a high power to satisfy any one that they are of the

usual Corylophide type, especially in the shape of the maxillary palpi.

The single species from Guatemala now described is the only one known to me.

* Kavos, a CODE; Eldos, form.

P* 2

108 CORYLOPHIDZ.

1. Conodes conicus, sp. n. (Tab. III. figg. 17, 17a.)

Conicus, sat depressus, nitidulus, testaceus, pilis brevibus aureis vestitus; capite sat parvo, antice attenuato ;

oculis nigris, sat magnis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto brevi transverso, ad basin latissimo, leviter alutaceo,

lateribus circulariter rotundatis et marginatis, margine basali fere recta angulis obtusis ; elytris longis,

quam caput atque pronotum haud latioribus, sed plus quam duplo longioribus, ad humeros latissimis,

postice attenuatis, profunde et rugose punctatis, linea suturali profunda impressis, lateribus fere rectis,

late marginatis, apicibus valde rotundatis; pygidio exserto ; pedibus atque antennis robustis, lete flavis,

tibiis dilatatis. Long. corp. 38 lin.=1 millim.

Head moderate, rather acuminate in front, finely punctured or alutaceous ; eyes rather large, not prominent ;

antenne robust, bright yellow. Thorax short, transverse, widest at the base, finely alutaceous; sides

margined and circularly rounded; basal margin nearly straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large,

rounded, and punctured. Elytra long, not broader than but more than twice as long as the head and thorax,

widest at the shoulders, attenuated posteriorly, deeply and rather rugosely punctured, with a deeply im-

pressed line on each side of the suture ; sides nearly straight and rather broadly margined ; each apex much

rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed. Legs robust, bright yellow, the tibiz more or less

dilated. Underparts testaceous.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

This very distinct and pretty species, of which only two specimens were found, is

probably, in life, of a bright golden-yellow.

SACIUM.

Sacium, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. vi. p. 144 (1852).

Body elongate, with the underside very convex. Head wholly concealed by the thorax. Thoraw with the

front margin entire, the hinder angles not produced. Scutellwm small, generally rounded. Llytra long,

with the apices separately rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed. Antenne rather long,

11-jointed—1 long, incrassate, and much recurved, 2 much shorter than 1, incrassate, 3-6 short and

slender, 7 often much longer than 8, 8 small, 9-11 much incrassated, forming a subfoliate club.

Palpt: maxillary large, 4-jointed—1 small and slender, 2 very large, pyriform, abruptly truncate,

3 subquadrate, shorter, but scarcely narrower than 2, 4 long, robust, obtusely conical; labial large

and circularly rounded, 3-jointed—l very minute, 2 cyathiform, immensely dilated, 3 very large,

subquadrate, with anterior margin denticulate. Mentwm oblong, with the anterior margin deeply

excavated. Labium elongate, oblong, slightly constricted near the middle, strengthened at the sides

with strong coste, and armed at the anterior extremity with two long, erect, very sharp paraglossal

processes on each side. Lingua large and broad, emarginate at the apex. Labrwm small, semioval,

emarginate in front. Maaille unilobed, the lobe very robust, very strongly hooked at the apex, and armed

with five very long and very sharp teeth. Mandibles not much curved, armed with five very sharp and

strong teeth. Prosternum moderate, elevated between the coxee, produced and much dilated beyond them ;

episterna minute ; epimera large, rather broadly enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, rounded.

Mesosternum short ; episterna rather small; epimera large and broad, not extending to the coxal cavities ;

coxal cavities rounded, moderately distant. Metasternum large, not extending to the sides of the body, the

posterior margin between the coxe straight; epzsterna very large and broad, longer than the metasternum ;

epimera long, concealed by the elytra. Venter composed of six segments—l very large, as long as the

metasternum, 2-6 equal to each other in length, the apical segment simple. Legs long: anterior with the

trochanters long, not triangular; femora rather short, simple; tibie: moderate, widest at the apex; tarsi

long, 4-jointed—1 and 2 slightly bifid, 2 smaller than 1, 3 very minute, 4 very long; claws robust,

unidentate below ; intermediate similar to, but much longer than, the anterior; posterior similar to, but

longer than, the intermediate.

A widely distributed genus containing a large number of described species.

SACIUM. 109

The Central-American species may be separated by the following characters, viz. :—

Elytra variegated.

Elytra with a narrow transverse fascia near the middle.

Thorax attenuated infront. . . . . 2. .« . . . . « oberthiiri.

Thorax not attenuated infront . . . . » ee 6s tncertum.

Elytra with a broad transverse fascia near the middle » . . « latifasciatum.

Elytra with a large pale spot beyond the middle . . . . . . fenestratum.

Elytra with a pale longitudinal vitta. . 2. 1... 1. 1...) mexicanum.

Elytra not variegated.

Elytra black . 1... we eee ee ee trum,

Elytra piceous or castaneous.

Thorax moderate.

Thorax very broadly margined. . . . «© . «©. .) 0marginatum.

Thorax narrowly margined . . . . . «© . . . .~ «Collare.

Thorax large and broad. . . . . . ws. . ~ CLaticolle.

1. Sacium oberthuri. (38. lecontei, Tab. IIT. figg. 15, 15 a, 3.)

Arthrolips oberthiiri, Reitter, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xxvii. p. 193°.

Sacium oberthiiri, Reitter, Mittheil. Miinch. ent. Ver. 1877, p. 126.

Oblongo-ovale, modice convexum, sat nitidum, pilis aureis vestitum, vel piceum vel plus minusve rufescens,

modice sed distincte punctatum, fascia recta transversa pone media elytra et plerumque humeris atque

apicibus eorum rufis ornatum; pronoto plus minusve rufescente, sat parvo, antice angustato, ad basin

latissimo, leviter marginato; elytris magnis, quam pronotum multo latioribus, et plus quam duplo

longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, apicibus latis rotundatis; pedibus atque antennis rufis. Long.

corp. “,* lin.=1-50-1°75 millim.

Head small and narrow, rufous; eyes moderate; antenne moderate, with the club rather large, dusky. Thorax

more or less rufous, rather small, attenuated in front, widest at the base, moderately and distinctly pune-

tured, with the mterstices shining; margin slightly reflexed; basal margin strongly sinuated, with the

angles acute. Scuteléwm rounded and punctured. lytra large, much wider, and twice longer than the

thorax, widest near the shoulders; piceous, with a straight transverse fascia beyond the middle, and

sometimes the shoulders and apex, red; apex broad and rounded. Legs rather long and slender, rufous.

Underparts piceous, moderately and distinctly punctured.

Hab. Mexico1, Toxpam (Sallé); Guatemata, El Tumbador, Quiche Mountains,

Capetillo, Zapote, Guatemala city, Vera Paz (Champion).

Differs from other species in its large size, longer and more or less rufous thorax,

straight red fascia on the elytra, and in sculpture; the elytra are sometimes, but very

rarely, unicolorous. From 8S. fasciatum, Lec., this species is separated by its larger

size, broader form, much longer thorax, deeper sculpture, and shape of the transverse

fascia on the elytra. An example from Zapote is figured.

At the time our Plate was drawn I had overlooked the descriptions of the Mexican

Sacia described by Reitter. I have little doubt that the species figured by me under the

name of SS. /econte? is referable to S. oberthiiri ; the description is, however, too vague to

be positively conclusive, ¢. g. reference to the sculpture is totally omitted, although so

important.

110

CORYLOPHID&.

2. Sacium incertum, sp. n.

Ovale, modice convexum, nitidulum, leviter et confertim punctatum, pilis aureis dense vestitum, fusco-castaneum,

fasciis maculisque rubris variegatum ; pronoto magno, antice modice reflexo et ovaliter rotundato, haud

attenuato, modice et confertim punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, linea basali sat profunda, rufescente,

disco plus minusve obscurato, margine basali sinuata angulis rectis ; elytris quam pronotum vix latioribus,

plus quam sesqui-longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, postice haud attenuatis, leviter et confertissime

punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, fusco-castaneis, fascia mediali lata, transversa, recta, maculisque rufis

ad humeros atque apicis variegatis, stria suturali indistincta, lateribus leviter marginatis, apicibus latis-

simis, minime rotundatis ; pygidio rufo; pedibus atque antennis lete flavis, his perbrevibus. Long. corp.

1°50 millim.

Body oval, moderately convex, and moderately shining, finely and closely punctured, thickly clothed with

golden hair, fusco-castaneous, with a median fascia and some spots on the elytra red. Head yellow ; eyes

small; antennee very short, bright yellow. Zhoraw large, moderately reflexed and ovally rounded, but not

attenuated in front, rufescent, more or less clouded on the disc, finely and closely punctured, with the

interstices smooth and shining; basal line rather deep; basal margin sinuated, with the angles rectangular.

Scutellum rather small, rounded, lytra scarcely broader but more than one half longer than the thorax,

widest near the shoulders, not attenuated posteriorly ; finely and very closely punctured, the interstices

smooth and shining; fusco-castaneous, with a broad, red, transverse fascia near the middle, and red

markings on the shoulders and posterior extremities; sutural stria indistinct ; sides slightly margined ;

extremities very broad and very little rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed and rufous. Legs

moderate, bright yellow. Underparts rufescent, with the metasternum dusky.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).

Differs from S. oberthiiri in its smaller size, broader and more depressed form, much

broader and not attenuated thorax, and finer and closer sculpture.

3. Sacium latifasciatum, sp. x.

Elongato-ovale, convexum, nitidulum, pilis aureis modice vestitum, subtiliter punctatum, nigro-piceum, pronoto,

macula humerali atque fascia lata, transversa, pone media elytrorum, rufis; pronoto sat lato, antice ovate

rotundato, late reflexo atque pellucido, rufo plus minusve in disco obscurato, minute et confertim punctato,

interstitiis glabris, nitidis, linea basali distincta, margine basali sinuata angulis rectis; elytris nigro-piceis,

macula ad basin utriusque atque fascia lata communi pone media, rufis, quam pronotum vix latioribus, plus

quam sesqui-longioribus, ad humeros latissimis, postice attenuatis, leviter eb confertim punctatis, interstitiis

glabris, nitidis, stria suturali indistincta, lateribus leviter marginatis, apicibus angustatis, leviter rotundatis ;

abdomine longius exserto, piceo; pedibus longis, lete flavis ; antennis longis, obscure flavis, articulis

5° et 7° incrassatis. Long. corp. 4 lin.=1:37 millim.

Body elongate-ovate, convex, rather shining, moderately clothed with golden hair, moderately punctured,

nigro-piceous, with the thorax, a spot near the shoulder, and a very broad fascia beyond the middle of the

elytra, red. Head small, castaneous; eyes small; antenne long, dusky yellow, with the fifth and seventh

joints incrassated. Zhoraw rather broad, ovately rounded, broadly reflexed and pellucid in front, red, with

the disc more or less dusky, minutely and closely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ;

basal line distinct; basal margin sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellwm moderate, obtusely

triangular. Elytra nigro-piceous, with a spot at the base of each, and a very broad transverse fascia beyond

the middle, red; scarcely broader but more than one half longer than the thorax, widest at the shoulders,

rather attenuated posteriorly ; lightly and closely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ;

sutural stria indistinct; sides slightly margined; extremities narrow and slightly rounded. Abdomen

much exposed, piceous. Legs long, bright yellow. Underparts entirely castaneous.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé). One example only.

Differs from other species of the genus in its narrow thorax, attenuated elytra, fine

SACIUM. lil

sculpture, disposition and shape of the elytral markings, and the enlarged fifth joint of

its antenne.

M. Sallé has quite recently sent me an example of this species for examination.

4. Sacium fenestratum. (8. ocellatum, Tab. III. figg. 14, 14a.)

Arthrolips fenestratus, Reitter, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xxvii. p. 193°.

Sacium fenestratum, Reitter, Mittheil. Miinch. ent. Ver. 1877, p. 126.

Elongato-ovale, modice convexum, nitidum, pilis brevibus aureis vestitum, rufo-piceum, pronoto plus minusve

flavescente elytroque singulo pone medium macula circulari magna, atque ad apicem altera luneformi

flavescente notato; pronoto parvo, antice angustato, ad basin latissimo, leviter sed distincte punctato,

interstitiis nitidis, ad basin linea impressa notato; elytris sat brevibus, quam pronotum latioribus et fere

duplo longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, postice attenuatis, linea longitudinali profunda ad suturam

utrinque impressis, apicibus rotundatis ; abdomine exserto, flavescente ; pedibus atque antennis late flavis.

Long. corp. “— lin,=1-25-1'50 millim.

Head yellow; antenne moderate, bright yellow. Thorax more or less flavescent, small, rather narrowed in

front, the sides faintly margined, finely and distinctly punctured, with an impressed line within the basal

margin; basal margin sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum testaceous, small and

rounded. Slytra rather short, attenuated towards the apex, closely and rather deeply punctured, broader

and nearly twice longer than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, with a deeply impressed line on each

side of the suture ; rufo-piceous, with a crescent-shaped mark within the apex, and a large round spot on

the disc behind the middle, yellow; apex rounded. Abdomen more or less exposed, flavescent. Legs

slender, bright yellow. Underparts pale castaneous or testaceous.

Hab. Mexico! (Sallé) ; GuaTeMaLa, Zapote, Chacoj in Vera Paz (Champion).

Differs from S. oberthiiri and S. latifasciatum in its smaller size, more attenuated

form, and also in colour and sculpture. From S. mollinum, Lec., this very pretty

species is distinguished by its much larger size, longer thorax, finer and closer punc-

tuation, and by the markings of the elytra. A specimen from Zapote is figured.

This insect is figured under the name of S. ocel/atum on our Plate.

5. Sacium mexicanum.

Sericoderus mexicanus, Chevr. in litt.

Oblongum, modice convexum, nitidum, minutissime et remote punctatum, castaneum, vitta dilutiore in elytro

utroque notatum; pronoto magno, antice ovaliter rotundato et reflexo, minutissime et remote punctato,

interstitiis glabris, nitidis, linea basali profunda, margine basali sinuata angulis acutis; elytris quam

pronotum haud latioribus, vix duplo longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, minutissime et sat confertim

punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis, apicibus valde rotundatis; pygidio exserto,

castaneo; pedibus rufescentibus. Long. corp. 5%; lin.=1-12 millim.

Body oblong, moderately convex, shining, very minutely and remotely punctured, castaneous, with a pale

longitudinal vitta on each elytron. Yhoraw large, ovally rounded, and reflexed in front, very minutely

and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; basal line deep; basal margin sinuated,

with the angles acute. Scutellum small, subtriangular. lytra not broader, and scarcely twice longer

than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, very minutely and closely punctured, with the interstices

smooth and shining; sides margined; extremities much rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed,

rufescent. Legs rufescent.

Hab. Mexico (coll. des Gozis).

112 CORYLOPHIDZ.

Differs from the allied forms in its minute sculpture and pale elytral vitte.

In the collection of M. des Gozis there is a single example of this species, labelled

* Sericoderus mexicanus, Chevr.;” but, as it is deeply imbedded in shellac, Jam not

able to say whether it belongs to this genus or to Arthrolips. In colour it closely

resembles A. subvittatus, but in shape appears more like a Sacium.

6. Sacium atrum.

Sacium atrum, Reitter, Mittheil. Minch. ent. Ver. 1877, p. 126°.

Ovate, convex, shining, clothed with pale hair, black, with the anterior margin of the thorax yellow ; head small,

flavescent; thorax small, black, with the anterior margin more or less flavescent, ovally rounded, reflexed

and rather produced in front, moderately and rather closely punctured, the basal margin faintly sinuated

and with the angles nearly rectangular; elytra black, broader and twice longer than the thorax, widest

near the shoulders, attenuated posteriorly, moderately punctured, the epipleural folds yellow; pygidium

piceous; legs moderate, bright yellow; antenne short, yellow, with the club piceous. Length 1-12 millim,

Hab. Mexico}.

This species in colour closely resembles the black variety of S. oberthiiri, from which

it can only be distinguished by its narrower form, smaller size, and much finer and

closer sculpture.

I am indebted to Dr. Dohrn of Stettin for the loan of the type specimen; the above

description is taken from this example.

7. Sacium marginatum, sp. n.

Ovale, modice convexum, nitidum, pilis flavescentibus vestitum, distincte punctatum, piceum, pronoti marginibus

flavis ; pronoto lato, antice rotundato, ad basin latissimo, distincte et sat profunde punctato, interstitiis

glabris, nitidis, margine anteriore flava, late reflexa, margine basali vix sinuata, leviter reflexa, angulis

rectis ; elytris quam pronotum sat latioribus et duplo longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, magis profunde

punctatis, apicibus valde rotundatis, dilutioribus ; pedibus robustis, flavis; antennis obscurioribus. Long.

corp. lin. =1-1:12 millim.

Head ferruginous ; antenne dusky yellow, with the club darker. Thorax moderate, much rounded in front,

piceous, with the margin broadly reflexed, bright yellow, widest at the base, rather deeply and distinctly

punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; basal margin slightly reflexed and faintly sinuated,

with the angles rectangular. Scutellum rather large, rounded, deeply punctured. lytra moderate,

piceous, rather broader and twice longer than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, rather more deeply

punctured than the thorax, slightly narrowed towards the apex, the apex pale and much rounded. Abdo-

men ferruginous. Legs robust, bright yellow. Underparts distinctly punctured, piceous, with the edges

of the ventral segments pale.

Hab. GuaTEMALa, Capetillo and Duefas (Champion).

Rare. Differs from the foregoing species in its smaller size, more rounded form,

broadly reflexed margin of the thorax, robust legs, and deeper sculpture.

8. Sacium collare, sp. n.

Ovale, sat obtusum, modice convexum, nitidissimum, pilis flavescentibus dense vestitum, castaneum, pronoto

flavescente; pronoto modico semiovali, ad basin latissimo, minute sed distincte punctato, interstitiis

SACIUM.—ARTHROLIPS. 113

glabris, nitidis, fronte et lateribus leviter marginatis, et levissime reflexis, margine basali leviter bisinuata

angulis fere rectis; elytris sat brevibus, quam pronotum haud latioribus fere sesqui-longioribus, prope

humeros latissimis, minute sed distinctissime punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus leviter margi-

natis, apicibus latis, valde rotundatis, dilutioribus ; pedibus atque antennis sat brevibus, ferrugineis. Long.

corp. 5? lin,=1-1-12 millim.

Body oval, rather obtuse, moderately convex, very shining, thickly clothed with flavescent hair, castaneous,

with the thorax flavescent. Head piceous ; eyes moderate; antenne rather short, ferruginous. Thorax

moderate, semioval, widest at the base, minutely but distinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth

and shining ; front and sides slightly margined, and very slightly reflexed ; basal margin faintly bisinuated,

with the angles almost rectangular. Scutellwm moderate, obtusely triangular. Elytra rather short, one

half longer but not broader than the thorax, widest near the shoulders, minutely but very distinctly

punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides slightly margined; extremities broad and much

rounded, paler. Legs rather short, ferruginous. Underparts castaneous.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa, Toxpam (Sal/é).

Differs from S. marginatum in the small size and very slightly reflexed margins of its

thorax, and in sculpture.

In M. Sallé’s collection this species bears the MS. name of S. collare, Deyr.; but I

believe that it has not yet been described.

9. Sacium laticolle, sp. n.

Elongatum, modice convexum, haud nitidum, pilis flavis vestitum, sat profunde punctatum, rufo-testaceum ;

pronoto magno, minute et remote punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, margine anteriore sat late reflexa,

linea impressa ad basin notato, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis rectis; elytris sat longis, sat angustis,

quam pronotum parum angustioribus, sesqui-longioribus, ad humeros latissimis, postice attenuatis, quam

pronotum magis confertim et magis profunde punctatis, lateribus rectis, apicibus obtuse rotundatis ;

pedibus atque antennis flavis. Long. corp. 7%; lin.=0°75 millim.

Head testaceous ; antenne moderate, yellow. Thoraw large, minutely and distantly punctured, with the inter-

stices smooth and shining; anterior margin rather broadly reflexed, marked with an impressed line at the

base ; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum small, rounded. Elytra rather

long and narrow, half as long again but narrower than the thorax, widest at the shoulders, attenuated

posteriorly, more closely and more deeply punctured than the thorax; sides straight; apex obtusely

rounded. Abdomen slightly exposed, testaceous. Legs moderate, yellow. Underparts rufo-ferruginous,

rather deeply punctured.

Hab. GtateMaLA, El Reposo (Champion). A single example.

Differs from other species of the genus in its small size, large thorax, and narrow

linear elytra.

ARTHROLIPS.

Arthrolips, Wollaston, Ins. Mader. p. 475 (1854).

Body generally oval, pubescent, the underside convex. Head wholly concealed. Thorax with the front margin

entire, the hinder angles not produced. lytra rather long, generally broad, much rounded at the extre-

mities. Antenne generally short, 10-jointed, the club much incrassate. Palpr: mawillary 4-jointed—

2 very large, 4 long, robust, obtusely conical; labial very large, turgidly incrassate, 3-jointed—

1 very minute, 2 very broad and short, deeply excavated at the apex, 3 longer than 2, obtusely conical,

very broad at the base. Mentum quadrate. Labium very long, oblong, with very strong lateral coste

terminating in long and very acute paraglossal processes. Lingua long, deeply bifid, ciliated at the points.

Labrum transversely oval, faintly emarginate. Masillw unilobed, the lobe very large, robust, very strongly

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, January 1888. Q*

114 CORYLOPHIDZ.

hooked, armed with three long and very sharp teeth. Mandzbles small, armed with four robust and very

sharp teeth. Prosternum very short, elevated between the cox, and broadly dilated posteriorly ; epimera

very narrow, enclosing the coxal cavities. Mesosternum short; episterna large ; epimera not extending to

the coxal cavities. Metasternum moderate, transverse, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna long

and broad; epimera concealed. Venter composed of six segments, the first very long. Legs pubescent:

anterior with the trochanters small, triangular; femora robust; tibia simple, dilated anteriorly; tarsi

rather long and robust, 4-jointed—1 long and simple, 2 and 3 very small, simple, 4 long; claws moderate,

convergent, with an obtuse denticulation below near the base; intermediate similar to the anterior, but

rather longer ; posterior similar to the preceding, but longer and more robust, with the inner angle of the

trochanters elongate and acute, and the outer edge of the tibiz minutely denticulate near the apex.

It is difficult to distinguish this genus from Sacium: the shorter and broader form of

many of its species generally affords the best clue to their separation. The short

10-jointed antennz form the only conspicuous anatomical difference ; the shape of the

labrum and of the labial palpi is also very diverse, but it is almost impossible to make

any use of organs of such infinitesimal proportions.

In my descriptions of these older genera I have given their anatomical details at

greater length than may be considered absolutely necessary, but they appear to me to

have hitherto been imperfectly noticed.

Several species of this genus have been described from Europe, Madeira, Peru, &c.

The most obvious characters of the five Central-American species are as follows:—

Elytra variegated dimidiatus.

Elytra not variegated.

Thorax rufescent . . misellus.

Thorax and elytra concolorous.

Legs testaceous. .-. 2... ww Ova.

Legs piceous,

Pubescence golden . . . . . 1... miger.

Pubescence black . . . . . . 1...) hirsutus.

1. Arthrolips dimidiatus, sp. n.

Oblongus, modice convexus, nitidus, subtiliter punctatus, pilis aureis vestitus, pronoto rufo, elytris antice

obscure castaneis, postice late rufis ; pronoto magno, antice circulariter rotundato et modice reflexo, leviter

punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, linea basali leviter impressa, margine basali sinuata angulis acutis ;

elytris quam pronotum vix latioribus, plus quam sesqui-longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, leviter et

remote punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, dimidio basali obscure castaneo, posteriore lete rufo, lateribus

marginatis, apicibus latis, leviter rotundatis ; pedibus robustis, sat brevibus, late flavis; antennis flavis,

clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. 1:12-1:25 millim.

Body oblong, moderately convex, shining, rather finely punctured, clothed with golden hair, the thorax red, the

elytra with their basal half dark castaneous and their apical half bright red, sometimes dusky near the

middle of the apical half. Head large, yellow ; eyes large, very prominent; antenne yellow, with the club

dusky. Thorax large, circularly rounded and moderately reflexed in front, lightly punctured, with the

interstices smooth and shining; basal line faint; basal margin sinuated, with the angles acute. Scutellum

large, rounded. lytra scarcely broader but more than one half longer than the thorax, widest near the

shoulders ; lightly and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; the basal half dark

castaneous, the apical half light red, sometimes with an indistinct dusky mark across the middle of

ARTHROLIPS. 115

the red half; sides margined; extremities broad, very slightly rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium

exposed and flavescent. Legs rather short, robust, bright yellow. Underparts yellow; metasternum

finely punctured.

Hab. Paxama, Tolé (Champion).

Differs from others in its ornamental colour and finer sculpture. This species has

the form and general appearance of a Saciwm, and can only be distinguished from that

genus by its 10-jointed antenne.

2. Arthrolips misellus.

Sacium misellum, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. vi. p. 145}.

Oblongo-ovalis, modice convexus, confertim punctatus, nitidus, pilis brevissimis parce vestitus, piceus, pro-

noto plus minusve rufescente ; pronoto parvo, sat confertim punctato, interstitiis nitidis, margine anteriore

reflexa, pallida, margine basali fere recta angulis rectis; elytris quam pronotum multo latioribus et fere

duplo longioribus, ante media latissimis, quam pronotum magis confertim et magis profunde punctatis,

apicibus latissimis et anguste dilutioribus; pedibus atque antennis robustis, flavis. Long. corp. 7; lin.=

1 millim.

Head flavescent ; antenne large, yellow. horas small, rather closely punctured, with the interstices shining ;

anterior margin reflexed, pale; basal margin nearly straight, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum

rather large, rounded, and punctured. lytra much broader and nearly twice longer than the thorax,

widest before the middle, more closely and more deeply punctured than the thorax, the apex very broad

and narrowly pale. Abdomen ferruginous. Legs robust, yellow. Underparts ferruginous, with the edges

of the segments paler.

Hab. Nortu America, United States 1\—Guatemata, San Geronimo (Champion).

Differs from others inits smaller size, broader form, small thorax, and deep and close

sculpture. The two specimens found by Mr. Champion in Guatemala are rather

smaller than those from the United States; but in every other respect are perfectly

similar.

3. Arthrolips ovatus, sp. n.

Late ovatus, modice convexus, nitidus, pilis flavescentibus dense vestitus, niger, fronte pronoti atque elytrorum

apicibus translucide albidis ; pronoto sat parvo, antice rotundato et modice elongato, modice et remote

punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus atque fronte modice reflexis et leviter marginatis, margine

basali leviter sinuata angulis fere rectis; elytris quam pronotum parum. latioribus, duplo longioribus, et

magis profunde punctatis, ante media latissimis, apicibus latis, valde rotundatis, et late dilutioribus ;

pedibus atque antennis testaceis. Long. corp. 7% lin.=1 millim.

Body broadly ovate, moderately convex, shining, densely clothed with flavescent hair, black, with the front of

the thorax and extremities of the elytra translucent white. Thorax rather small, rounded and rather

elongate in front, widest at the base ; moderately and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and

shining; sides and front moderately reflexed and slightly margined; basal margin faintly sinuated, with

the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum large, rounded, and punctured. lytra rather broader, twice

longer, and more deeply punctured than the thorax, widest before the middle; extremities broad, much

rounded, and broadly pale. Legs and antenne testaceous. Underparts testaceous.

Hab. Mzxico, Toxpam (Sal/é).

One example. Differs from A. hirsutus in its smaller thorax, with the sides and front

Q* 2

116 CORYLOPHIDZ.

much less broadly reflexed, more deeply punctured elytra, flavescent pubescence, and

pale legs and underparts.

4. Arthrolips niger, sp. n.

Ovatus, valde convexus, nitidus, pilis sat longis aureis vestitus, sat profunde sat sparse punctatus, aterrimus,

pronoto antice albido translucido ; pronoto parvo, antice angustato, leviter et remote punctato, interstitiis

glabris, nitidissimis, margine anteriore modice reflexa, albida translucida, margine basali vix sinuata angulis

fere rectis ; elytris quam pronotum latioribus et duplo longioribus, ad media latissimis, postice attenuatis,

nitidis, valde convexis, quam pronotum magis confertim et magis profunde punctatis, apicibus rotundatis,

dilutioribus ; abdomine longius exserto, nigro-piceo ; pedibus robustis, piceis ; antennarum articulis basa-

libus pallidis, clava obscuriore. Long. corp. + lin. =0°87 millim.

Head piceous ; antennz with the basal joints pale, and the club dusky and much incrassated. Thoraw small,

narrowed in front, lightly and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; anterior

margin moderately reflexed, transparent white ; basal margin scarcely sinuated, with the angles nearly

rectangular. Scutellum very small, rounded, and punctured. lytra broader and twice longer than the

thorax, widest at the middle, attenuated posteriorly, very convex and shining, more closely and more

deeply punctured than the thorax, the apex rounded and pale. Abdomen much exposed, pitchy-black.

Legs robust, piceous. Underparts piceous, with the edges of the segments broadly ferruginous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). One specimen only.

Differs from the other species of the genus in its small size, ovate and posteriorly

attenuated form, very convex and shining surface, deep black colour, and dark legs.

5. Arthrolips hirsutus, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 18.)

Ovalis, sat latus, aterrimus, convexus, nitidus, remote punctatus, pilis elongatis suberectis, nigris, sepe abrasis,

parce vestitus ; pronoto sat magno, ad basin latissimo, modice et remote punctato, interstitiis glabris, niti-

dissimis, margine anteriore late reflexa, dilutissime translucida, margine basali leviter sinuata angulis fere

rectis; elytris latis, convexissimis, quam pronotum latioribus et plus quam sesqui-longioribus, prope media

latissimis, magis leviter magisque remote punctatis, lateribus marginatis, apicibus valde rotundatis, anguste

dilutioribus ; antennis atque pedibus robustis, piceis. Long. corp. ui lin. ="87—1°25 millim.

Hlead ferruginous; antennee rather large, piceous. Thorax rather large, widest at the base, moderately and

remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and very shining; anterior margin broadly reflexed, very

pale and transparent; basal margin slightly sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum

moderate, rounded, and punctured. lytra clothed with long suberect black hairs (which are often more

or less rubbed off), broad, very convex, broader and more than half as long again as the thorax, widest

near the middle, more faintly and more remotely punctured ; sides margined ; apex much rounded, narrowly

pale. Abdomen slightly exposed, ferruginous. Legs robust, piceous. Underparts piceous, with the head,

coxee, and edges of the ventral segments ferruginous.

Hab. GuateMaLa, ‘Tamahu, Senahu, Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

This insect varies much in size, but is perfectly uniform in colour and sculpture. It

differs from the allied species in its short, broad form, shining surface, and deep black

colour; and in some examples by the long black hair on all parts of the body, but

this covering of hair is often partially, and sometimes wholly, abraded.

SERICODERUS. 117

SERICODERINA.

SERICODERUS.

Sericoderus, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. Mand. ii. p. 188 (1829).

Body oval, often attenuated posteriorly, thickly clothed with sericeous pubescence. Head small, wholly con-

cealed by the thorax. Thorax rather large, the anterior margin entire ; hinder angles very much produced,

embracing the shoulders of the elytra. Scutellwm large, rounded at the apex. lytra slightly truncate.

Abdomen often much exposed. Antenne geniculate, 11-jointed—1 very long, much recurved, 2 about half

as long as 1, incrassate, 3 and 4 very minute, 5 rather larger than 4, 6 very minute, 7 and 8 much larger,

nearly equal to each other, 9-11 forming a subfoliate club. (This description, in which the relative size

of the joints is taken from S. latus, will not equally apply to other species.) Palpi: mawillary large,

4-jointed—l1 very small, 2 very large, turgidly incrassate, pyriform, truncate at the apex, 3 small, oblong,

4 rather longer than 3, obtusely conical; labial moderate, 3-jointed—1 very small, 2 large, widest at the

apex, the apex obliquely truncate, 3 short, transverse, with the apex rounded at the sides and faintly

emarginate in the middle. Mentum large, subquadrate, widest at the base, the basal angles much rounded.

Labium short and broad, rounded anteriorly, produced between the palpi, and bifid at the apex. Lingua

broad, transverse, extending beyond the outer sides of the palpi. Zabrum small, transverse, faintly

emarginate in front, furnished anteriorly with a few long sete. Mandibles small, rather narrow, armed

at the apex with several sharp teeth. Maazlle unilobed; lobe long and slender, armed at the apex with

long and very sharp teeth. Prosternwm very small, elevated between the coxe and produced and dilated

beyond them; episterna very minute ; epimera moderate, enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities oval.

Mesosternum rather short ; episterna large and broad; epimera large, not extending to the coxal cavities ;

coxal cavities rather small, moderately distant. Metasternwm moderate, transverse, not extending to the

sides of the body, the hinder margin between the coxe nearly straight; episterna as long as the meta-

sternum ; epimera rather large, extending slightly beyond the metasternum ; coxal cavities long and narrow,

reaching to the sides of the body, rather remote from each other. Venter composed of six segments—1 very

long, as long as the metasternum, 2—6 nearly equal to each other in length, the apical segment sometimes

elongate. Legs rather long and slender: anterior with the trochanters very small ; femora moderate ; tibie

slender ; tarsi long and slender, 4-jointed—1-—3 almost equal, simple, 4 longer than the others; claws

very slender, faintly curved; intermediate much longer than the anterior, in other respects similar ;

posterior similar to the intermediate, but rather longer. Cova: anterior rather prominent, nearly con-

tingent; intermediate moderately distant ; posterior rather remote, long and narrow.

Sericoderus is easily known by the long and very acute posterior angles of the thorax,

which, as in many of the Trichopterygide, embrace the shoulders of the elytra; and also

by the silky pubescence, which usually covers the whole upper surface. But the species

are difficult to distinguish from each other, as their chief diagnostic characters consist

in the relative proportions of the joints of the antennee, and in the general outline and

size of the body. The former of these characters can only be discovered by the tedious

process of extending the antenne; and the latter is of its very nature comparative, and

by no means obvious, when only a single species can be examined.

Six species of this widely distributed genus have been described.

1. Sericoderus latus, sp. n.

Suboblongus, valde convexus, nitidus, obscure ferrugineus, pronoto dilutiore, pilis aureis sat dense vestitus ;

pronoto breyi, antice sat attenuato, haud semicirculari, ad basin latissimo, flavescente, nitido, indistincte

punctato, margine anteriore leviter reflexa, margine basali profunde sinuata angulis acutis valde productis ;

elytris postice sat attenuatis, quam pronotum sesqui-longioribus, haud latioribus, ad humeros latissimis,

118 CORYLOPHIDA.

ordinibus transversis fere rectis modice sed confertim asperatis, linea ad suturam utrinque impressis,

apicibus rotundatis; abdomine longius exserto, obtuso, dilutiore; pedibus sat longis, gracilibus, flavis ;

antennis modicis, flavis, clava sat magna obscuriore. Long. corp. lin.=1-1°12 millim.

Head moderate, narrow ; eyes prominent ; antennx inserted rather far from the eyes. Thorax short, rather

attenuated in front, not semicircular, widest at the base, flavescent and shining, indistinctly punctured ;

anterior margin slightly reflexed ; basal margin deeply sinuated and much produced towards the scutellum,

with the angles acute and very much produced. Scutellum moderate, rounded, and faintly asperate.

Hlytra rather attenuated posteriorly, not wider than but half as long again as the thorax, widest at the

shoulders, moderately but closely asperate in straight transverse rows, with an impressed line on each side

of the suture, the apex rounded. Abdomen considerably exserted, obtuse and paler. Legs yellow, rather

long and slender. Underparts ferruginous, with the venter paler.

Hab. GuatEMata, Panajachel (Champion).—Eurors (coll. Matthews).

One specimen. Differs from other species of the genus in its rather larger size,

broader and more oblong form, short and anteriorly attenuated thorax, and in the

form of the antenne.

Obs. This insect agrees in all respects with a European species which I have.

separated from S. lateralis, Gyll.; from this latter it is distinguished by its larger size

and broader form, and especially by the diverse proportions of the joints of the antennae,

and the anteriorly attenuated thorax.

CORYLOPHINA.

Hinder angles of the thorax very acute; antenne 10-jointed . . . . Micréum.

Hinder angles of the thorax obtuse; antennz ll-jointed. . . . . . CoryLopnopzs.

MICROUM *, gen. nov.

Corpus perfecte ovatum, validissime convexum. Oaput totum obtectum; oculis magnis, prominentibus.

Pronotum modicum, margine anteriore integra, margine basali fortiter sinuata angulis valde acutis.

Elytra ovata, integra, subtus late inflexa. Antenne leviter geniculate, articulis decem composite,

duobus basalibus magnis, tribus sequentibus minutis, sexto valde elongato, septimo minuto, tribus

ultimis valde incrassatis, clavam subfoliatam formantibus. Prosternum parvum, inter coxas parum

elevatum ; episternis exiguis; epimeris sat magnis; receptacula coxarum late complexis. Mesosternum

breve; episternis sat parvis; epimeris longis ad coxas extensis; receptaculis coxarum sat distantibus.

Metasternum modicum, transversum, ad latera corporis haud extensum, margine posteriore inter coxas

recta; episternis permagnis, latis. Venter segmentis sex compositus, primo permagno, reliquis inter se

paribus, Pedes robusti; tarsi articulis quatuor compositi, duobus basalibus sat magnis, longe bilobatis, et

ciliatis, tertio parvo, apicali longo unguibus robustis denticulatis armato. Coxe: anteriores approximate ;

intermedi sat distantes ; posteriorcs sat remote, long, angustée, ad latera corporis non extense.

Body perfectly ovate, exceedingly convex. Head moderate, wholly covered by the thorax; eyes large and

prominent ; mouth very prominent; antennz inserted near the eyes. horaa moderate ; anterior margin

entire ; basal margin sinuated, with the angles very acute, scarcely produced. Scutellum long and rounded.

Elytra entire. Antenne faintly geniculated, 10-jointed—1 very long, robust, and recurved, 2 much shorter,

incrassate, 3, 4, 5 very minute, transverse, 6 as long as the preceding three united, but not wider, 7 very

minute, 8-10 much incrassate, forming a subfoliate club, furnished with short hairs, 10 oval, larger than 9.

(Parts of the mouth not dissected, apparently normal.) Prosternum small, slightly elevated between the

* xpos, small dy, an egg.

MICROUM.—CORYLOPHODES. 119

cox@; episterna very minute; epimera rather large, broadly enclosing the coxal cavities; prosternum not

produced beyond the cox; coxal cavities oval. Mesosternum very short; episterna rather small; epimera

large and long, extending to the coxal cavities ; coxee round, rather large. Metasternwm moderate, trans-

verse, not extending to the sides of the body, the hinder margin straight between the cox ; episterna

very large and broad, extending beyond the metasternum ; epimera long, concealed by the elytra; coxal

cavities very long and narrow, not quite reaching to the sides of the body. Venter composed of six

segments—1 very long, nearly as long as the metasternum, 2-6 nearly equal to each other in length, the

apical segment rather pointed, simple. Legs: anterior with the trochanters very large, oblong, produced

beyond the femora, and abruptly truncate at the apex; femora long, robust, not incrassate, strongly

margined on both sides; tibise shorter than the femora, robust, much dilated towards the apex, with the

outer margin finely serrate; tarsi 4-jointed—1 and 2 large, very deeply bilobed and setose, 3 very small,

4 long and slender ; claws strong, unidentate beneath ; intermediate much longer than the anterior, with

the tibie sinuate, in other respects similar; posterior similar to the preceding, but with the tibie ciliate,

and armed with short spurs. Cow: anterior approximate ; intermediate moderately distant; posterior

rather remote, very long and narrow, nearly reaching to the sides of the body.

In the shape of the hinder angles of the thorax Micréum exhibits an affinity to the

‘Sericoderina,’ but in every other respect of form and structure resembles the ‘ Corylo-

phina.’ From Corylophodes it differs in having 10-jointed antennz, the sixth joint of

which is very long, but scarcely incrassated ; also by the acute and slightly produced

angles of the thorax, and by the epimera of the mesosternum reaching to the coxal

cavities.

The single species now described is from Guatemala.

1. Microum ovoforme, sp. n.

Late ovatum, validissime convexum, nitidum, rufo-castaneum, pilis minutis parce vestitum; pronoto modico,

antice valde rotundato, levissime alutaceo, margine anteriore rotundata et marginata, haud reflexa, margine

basali scutellum versus producta angulis valde acutis; elytris sat longis, quam pronotum vix latioribus,

sed plus quam duplo longioribus, ad media latissimis, punctis umbilicatis regulariter et eleganter

impressis, interstitiis alutaceis, lateribus leviter marginatis; pedibus robustis, rufo-piceis, articulis basa-

libus tarsorum dilatatis; antennis modicis, rufo-castaneis. Long. corp. 4% lin. = 1:25 millim.

Head moderate, castaneous ; eyes moderate, prominent. Thoraw moderate, much rounded in front, widest at

the base, delicately alutaceous ; anterior margin margined, but not reflexed ; basal margin produced towards

the scutellum, with the angles very acute and slightly produced. Scutellwm rounded, impunctate. LHlytra

rather long, scarcely broader but more than twice longer than the thorax, widest at the middle; regularly

and elegantly marked with umbilicated punctures, with the interstices alutaceous ; sides slightly margined ;

apex rather acute. Legs robust, rufo-piceous, with the basal joints of the tarsi dilated. Underparts

castaneous, with a deeply impressed longitudinal line on the first ventral segment not extending to either

margin.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion). One specimen.

This distinct species is easily recognized by its very convex and entirely ovate form,

and by the elegant sculpture of the elytra.

CORYLOPHODES.

Corylophodes, Matthews, Ent. Monthly Mag. xxii. p. 160 (1885).

Body more or less hemispheric, generally smooth and very shining. Head small, completely covered by the

front of the thorax; eyes often large and prominent; antenne generally short, 11-jointed—1 very long

120 CORYLOPHID.

and large, slightly recurved, 2 large, but smaller than 1, 3 slender, shorter than 2, 4-8 very small,

transverse, 9-11 forming a much incrassated, subfoliate club. Thorax small, widest at the base, and

circularly or ovally rounded in front; anterior margin more or less broadly reflexed; basal margin

generally sinuated, with the angles not produced. Scutellum generally small and rounded. Llytra large,

entire, much broader than the thorax. Legs generally short; tibia sometimes flattened ; tarsi 4-jointed

—1 and 2 nearly equal, 3 very minute, 4 elongate and slender ; claws faintly incurved. Venter composed

of six segments, of which the basal one is nearly equal in length to the other five.

This genus contains numerous species from North and Central America and the

Sandwich Islands. It is separated from Corylophus by the 11- (not 9-) jointed antenne

and other characters.

The five Central-American species (briefly noticed, op. cit. p. 161) may be separated

from each other by the following characters :—

Body hemispheric.

Size large; legs piceous . . . 2... we eee ee Champion.

Size small; legs yellow. . . 2. 2. 2. 1. 1 1. we ee feansoni.

Body more or less ovate.

Surface almost smooth. . . . . . . . . we ee torquatus.

Surface rather deeply punctured. . . . . . . . . . . . ~ ecastaneus.

Body almost orbicular . . . . . . . . ... Orbicularis.

1. Corylophodes championi, sp. n. (Tab. ITI. figg. 19, 19 a-c.)

Hemisphericus, glaberrimus, nitidissimus, aterrimus, margine reflexa pronoti albida translucida ; pronoto parvo,

vix evidenter punctato, margine anteriore modice reflexa, margine basali fortiter sinuata angulis rectis;

elytris quam pronotum multo latioribus, duplo longioribus, ad media latissimis, fere impunctatis; pedibus —

atque antennis piceo-ferrugineis. Long. corp. +2 lin.= 1-50 millim.

Head flavescent; antenne pale yellow. Zhoraw small, scarcely perceptibly punctured ; anterior margin mode-

rately reflexed, transparent white; basal margin strongly sinuated, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum

moderate, short, and rounded. lytra much broader and twice longer than the thorax, widest at the

middle, almost impunctate. Legs moderate, piceous. Underparts piceous, with a deep longitudinal

impression on the metasternum, and a smaller impression on the first ventral segment.

Hab. GuateMata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Differs from other species of the genus in its large size, hemispherical form, smooth

and almost impunctate surface, and deep black colour. J have named this fine

- species, the largest of its genus yet discovered, after its captor, in recognition of the

service he has rendered to entomology in the pursuit of members of this difficult and

interesting Family.

2. Corylophodes jansoni, sp. n.

Hemisphericus, glaberrimus, nitidissimus, modice punctatus, aterrimus, pronoti margine anteriore late trans-

lucida; pronoto parvo, antice valde rotundato, modice punctato, interstitiis glaberrimis, nitidissimis,

margine anteriore late reflexa, late translucida, margine basali ad scutellum longius producta angulis fere

rectis ; elytris quam pronotum latioribus et plus quam sesqui-longioribus, ante media latissimis, validissime

convexis, modice punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis; pedibus atque antennis lete

flavis. Long. corp. 4 lin. = 1 millim.

CORYLOPHODES. 121

Head rufo-testaceous ; antenne long, bright yellow. Thorax small, much rounded in front ; moderately punc-

tured, with the interstices very smooth and shining; anterior margin broadly reflexed and broadly

transparent ; basal margin much produced towards the scutellum, with the angles nearly rectangular.

Scutellum small and rounded. lytra half as long again and broader than the thorax, widest before the

middle, exceedingly convex ; moderately punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ; sides margined.

Legs moderate, bright yellow. Underparts rufo-testaceous.

fab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This species is distinguished by its small size, exceedingly convex form, deep black

colour, and bright yellow legs and antenne.

3. Corylophodes torquatus, sp. n.

Subhemispherricus, glaberrimus, nitidissimus, leviter punctatus, aterrimus, pronoti margine anteriore late trans-

lucide albida; pronoto parvo, antice valde rotundato, minute et levissime punctato, interstitiis glabris,

nitidissimis, margine anteriore late reflexa, albida valde translucida, margine basali modice sinuata, angulis

fere rectis; elytris quam pronotum latioribus et plus quam sesqui-longioribus, ad media latissimis, sat

profunde et remote punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidissimis, lateribus late marginatis; antennis pallide

flavis, clava obscura; pedibus flavis, femoribus obscuratis. Long. corp. +9 lin.= 1-25 millim.

Head pitchy-testaceous; palpi large; antenne large, pale yellow, with the club much incrassated, dusky.

Thorax small, much rounded in front; minutely and faintly punctured, with the interstices smooth and

shining ; anterior margin broadly reflexed, white, and very transparent; basal margin moderately sinuated,

with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum rather large, triangular, impunctate. lytra wider than

and more than half as long again as the thorax, widest at the middle ; remotely punctured, with the inter-

stices smooth and very shining; sides broadly margined. Legs yellow, with the femora dusky. Under-

parts black, the metasternum not depressed.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Senahu (Champion).

Differs from C. championi in its smaller size and narrower form, and in the broader

margin and deeper sculpture of the elytra, and uniform white margin of the thorax.

4. Corylophodes castaneus, sp. n.

Late ovatus, postice angustatus, convexissimus, profunde et distincte punctatus, rufo-castaneus, margine

anteriore pronoti dilutiore; pronoto parvo, antice rotundato, minutissime punctato, interstitiis glabris,

nitidissimis, margine anteriore reflexa dilutiore, margine basali ad scutellum valde producta angulis sat

obtusis ; elytris quam pronotum latioribus et sesqui-longioribus, ante media latissimis, postice sat attenuatis,

validissime convexis, profunde punctatis, interstitiis nitidis, et leviter alutaceis, lateribus marginatis ;

pedibus atque antennis pallide flavis. Long. corp. ;®; lin.=1+12 millim.

Head flavescent; antenne pale yellow. Thorax small, rounded in front; very minutely punctured, with the

interstices smooth and shining; anterior margin reflexed and pale; basal margin much produced towards

the scutellum, with the angles rather obtuse. Scutellum obtusely triangular. Hlytra broader than and

half as long again as the thorax, widest before the middle, rather attenuated posteriorly, exceedingly

convex ; deeply punctured, with the interstices shining and faintly alutaceous ; sides margined. Legs pale

yellow. Underparts pale testaceous.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Differs from C. torquatus in its narrower and more ovate form and deeper sculpture.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IL. Pt. 1, January 1888. R*

122 CORYLOPHIDZ.

5. Corylophodes orbicularis, sp. n.

Fere orbicularis, aterrimus, nitidissimus, impunctatus; pronoto brevi, antice circulariter rotundato, margine

anteriore translucida, modice reflexa, margine basali ad scutellum valde producta, angulis fere rectis;

elytris brevibus, quam pronotum sat longioribus, parum latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, lateribus late

marginatis, marginibus piceis ; pedibus atque antennis testaceis, his clava obscuriore. Long. corp. ;% lin.

=()'87 millim.

Head rufo-castaneous; antenne testaceous, with the club dusky. Zhoraa short; circularly rounded in front,

with the anterior margin moderately reflexed and transparent ; basal margin much produced towards the

scutellum, with its angles almost rectangular. Scutellum broad, triangular. Hilytra short, rather longer

and slightly broader than the thorax, widest near the shoulders ; sides broadly margined, with the margin

piceous. Legs testaceous, with the three basal joints of the tarsi very large, and the last joint very long

and slender. Underparts dark castaneous.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaua).

Differs from the other allied species in its small size, orbicular form, and glabrous

impunctate surface.

ORTHOPERINA.

Thorax considerably excised in front. . . . . . . « « « «© + « ORTHOPERUS.

Thorax not excised in front. . . . . . . . . . . =. . . +. . |RHYPOBIUS.

ORTHOPERUS.

Orthoperus, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent., Mand. ii. p. 186 (1829).

Body oval or ovate, usually very convex. Head partly exposed, moderate; eyes small; antenne inserted

before and above the eyes. Zhorax small, transverse, faintly excavated in front, the hinder angles not

produced. Scwtellwm small, more or less triangular. Zlytra entire; rounded, or semiovate. Wings very

large. Antenne geniculate; 9-jointed—l and 2 very large and long, 1 recurved, 3 and 4 very small,

5 much larger than 4 or 6, 6 very small, 7-9 forming a moderately incrassated club. Palpi: maaillary

large, 4-jointed—1 very small, 2 very large, ovate, 3 short, transverse, 4 large, rounded and much incras-

sated at the base, pointed and slightly incurved at the apex, clothed throughout with rather long hairs ;

labial large and very robust, 3-jointed—1 minute, 2 large and very robust, abruptly truncate at the apex,

with several spur-like processes on the margin of the truncation, 3 minute, almost concealed within the

truncate apex of 2. Mentum short, transverse, excavated anteriorly, the sides moderately rounded. Labium

oblong, furnished at the apical extremity with long, erect, ovate paraglossal processes. Lingua large,

apparently oblong. Zabrum large and broad, rounded anteriorly, and strongly constricted towards the

base. Mandibles very large and strong, much hooked and bifid at the point, furnished at the base with a

large process which is obliquely truncate in front, and serrate on each edge. Masille unilobed ; lobe rather

large, armed at the apex with several long and very sharp curved teeth. Prosternum very short, elevated

between the cox, and prolonged in front and behind them, pointed anteriorly and dilated posteriorly ;

episterna small, but distinct ; epimera moderate, narrowly enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities

narrow and elongate. Mesosternum very short ; episterna large ; epimera long and narrow, almost reaching

to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities moderately distant, ovate, apparently furnished with trochantins. Meta-

sternum moderate, not extending to the sides of the body, its posterior margin between the coxee straight ;

episterna large and very broad; epimera long, extending beyond the metasternum, and much rounded at

the extremity ; coxal cavities rather large, pyriform, not extending to the sides of the body. Venter

composed of six segments—1 long, 2-5 equal to each other in length, 6 longer than the preceding, simple.

Legs generally long and slender: anterior with the trochanters small, triangular ; femora moderate ; tibie

generally very long, and much incurved, sometimes uncinate; tarsi 4-jointed—1 rather long, 2 and 3

generally equal, 4 sometimes very long and slender; claws moderate, sometimes unidentate beneath ;

ORTHOPERUS. 125

intermediate with the trochanters longer, and the tibie much shorter than the anterior; posterior with

the trochanters long and fusiform, in other respects similar to the intermediate. Cove: anterior nearly

contingent, long and narrow; intermediate moderately distant; posterior rather remote.

This genus contains numerous species, all from Europe or North America. Ortho-

perus may be known by its rounded form and minute size; the 9-jointed and strongly

geniculated antenne; and by the long incurved anterior tibiee of most of its species.

Owing to their close resemblance to vegetable seeds the Orthoperi are often overlooked

by collectors; and this may in great measure account for their apparent rarity. The

four species contained in the present collection are all represented by single indi-

viduals; they are nevertheless abundantly distinct from each other, and may be

separated thus :—

Surface distinctly punctured.

Tibie yellow. 2 2. 2 ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ovalis.

Tibi pitchy black. . 2... ee ee ee ee nigricans.

Surface smooth.

Legs pale. 2. 2 1 ee ee ee OVENS,

Legs black . 2... ee ee ee ee ee ee perpusillus.

1. Orthoperus ovalis, sp. n.

Ovalis, validissime convexus, niger, nitidus, distinctissime et regulariter punctatus, pilis brevibus sparsissime

indutus; pronoto sat parvo, ad basin latissimo, lateribus marginatis, marginibus dilutioribus, margine

basali sinuata, linea levi intra marginem impressa, angulis fere rectis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum

sesqui-longioribus sat latioribus, ad media latissimis, validissime convexis, magis profunde punctatis ;

pedibus atque antennis rufo-piceis, tarsis longioribus. Long. corp. 74; lin.=0°87 millim.

Head very little exposed, moderate, shining ; antenns: rufo-piceous. horas small, but rather long, widest at

the base, distinctly and regularly punctured; sides margined, the margin pale, with an impressed line

within the basal margin ; basal margin sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum very small,

triangular. lytra rather broader and half as long again as the head and thorax, widest at the middle,

exceedingly convex ; distinctly, regularly, and more deeply punctured than the thorax. Legs yellow, with

the femora dusky ; tarsi rather long. Underparts black, moderately and distinctly punctured.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge). One specimen.

Differs from the following three species in its larger size, purely oval form, nigro-

piceous colour, and rather deeply punctured elytra.

2. Orthoperus nigricans, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, nitidus, aterrimus, pilis brevibus remotis indutus, modice sed distincte punctatus; pronoto

sat parvo, leviter marginato, margine basali vix sinuata, angulis fere rectis; elytris quam caput atque

pronotum parum longioribus et latioribus atque magis profunde punctatis, prope media latissimis, apicibus

rotundatis et parum dilutioribus ; pedibus atque antennis nigro-piceis, tibiis anterioribus longis incurvatis.

Long. corp. 33; lin. =0°63 millim.

Head small, scarcely exserted ; antenne piceous. Thoraw rather small, faintly margined ; basal margin scarcely

sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellwm moderate, triangular. Hlytra rather longer and

R* 2

124 CORYLOPHID.

broader than the head and thorax, and more deeply punctured, widest near the middle, the apex rounded

and rather paler. Legs moderate, pitchy-black, with the anterior tibie long and incurved.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion). One specimen.

Differs from the preceding species in its much smaller size, more rounded and less

convex form, dark legs and antenne, and black colour.

3. Orthoperus ovatus, sp. n.

Ovatus, validissime convexus, fere glaber, rufo-castaneus; pronoto sat longo, indistincte punctato, ad basin

latissimo, margine basali leviter sinuata, angulis fere rectis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum parum

latioribus et sesqui-longioribus, ante media latissimis, postice leviter attenuatis, apice sat acuto, dilutiore ;

pedibus atque antennis pallide ferrugineis. Long. corp. 75; lin.=0-63 millim.

Head much exserted; eyes large; antenne yellow, with the club dusky. Zhoraw rather long, indistinctly

punctured, widest at the base; basal margin slightly sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular.

Scutellum very small, triangular. lytra rather broader and half as long again as the head and thorax,

widest before the middle, slightly attenuated posteriorly, the apex rather acute and paler. Legs moderate,

pale ferruginous. Underparts piceous, with the venter paler.

Hab. GUATEMALA, San Gerdénimo (Champion). One specimen. °

Differs from all others of the genus in its very convex and narrow ovate form and

rufo-castaneous colour.

4, Orthoperus perpusillus, sp. n.

Late ovalis, nigro-piceus, nitidissimus, fere impunctatus; capite parvo; oculis modicis, haud prominentibus ;

pronoto magno, ad basin latissimo, quam levissime alutaceo, lateribus marginatis, margine basali scutellum

versus producta; elytris quam pronotum vix latioribus, duplo longioribus, ante media latissimis, quam

levissime alutaceis, punctis minutissimis, remotis, striatim dispositis, impressis, lateribus marginatis,

apicibus latis, valde rotundatis; pedibus longis, nigro-piceis, tarsis elongatis; antennis sat robustis, totis

flavescentibus. Long. corp. 74 lin.=0°50 millim.

Body broadly oval, pitchy-black, very shining, almost impunctate. Head small; eyes moderate, not prominent.

Thorax large, widest at the base, very minutely alutaceous ; sides margined; base produced towards the

scutellum. Scutellum very small, triangular. Llytra scarcely broader but twice longer than the thorax,

widest before the middle, very minutely alutaceous, marked with very minute remote punctures in longi-

tudinal striz ; sides margined ; extremities very broad, and much rounded. Legs long, pitchy-black ; tarsi

very long. Antenne rather robust, entirely dusky yellow. Underparts pitchy-black.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Sallé). One specimen.

This, the most minute of all the known species of Orthoperus, may be recognized by

its exceedingly small size, broadly oval form, and pitchy-black legs.

RHYPOBIUS.

Rypobius, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. vi. p. 142 (1852).

Rhypobius, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. xii. p. 3818.

Body ovate, exceedingly convex. Head rather large, covered, but not concealed, by the thorax, the parts of the

mouth very prominent; eyes large and very prominent; antenne inserted considerably in front of the eyes.

Thorax large, its front margin entire, the extreme front sometimes straight, the hinder angles not produced.

Scutellum rather large, rounded at the apex. lytra entire, semiovate. Wings wanting. Abdomen

RHYPORIUS. 125

with the pygidium sometimes exposed. Antenne geniculate, 11-jointed—1 very long and robust, much

recurved, 2 ovate, more than one half shorter than 1, 3 small and slender, 4 very short, transverse, 5 more

than twice as large as 4, 6 very short, transverse, 7 very large and much incrassated, as long as the four

preceding joints united, 8 short, transverse, subtriangular, 9-11 forming a moderately incrassated club.

Palpi: masillary very large, 4-jointed—1 very small, 2 very long, and very large, subcylindrical, faintly

incuryed, rather widest near the base, 2 very short, transverse, 4 semioval, clothed with short hairs ;

labial large and robust, 3-jointed—-1 very small, 2 large, rather pyriform, broadly truncate at the apex,

3 moderate, truncate, and furnished with short hairs at the apex. Mentum subquadrate, short, slightly

rounded at the sides. Labiwm long and broad, rounded at the sides. Lingua moderate, subtriangular.

Labrum small and short, ovally rounded in front. MJandibles linear, very long and slender, deeply bifid

at the apex, with the points widely divergent and terminating in a very acute strong hook. Mazille

unilobed ; lobe very long and robust, very acute and simple at the apex. Prosternum very short, elevated

between the coxee, and much dilated behind them; episterna minute, scarcely perceptible; epimera very

narrow, narrowly enclosing the coxal cavities ; coxal cavities rather large, oval. Mesosternum very short;

episterna rather small; epimera large and long, not extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large,

rounded, moderately distant. Metasternum rather short, not extending to the sides of the body ; episterna

large and broad, longer than the metasternum; epimera long, concealed by the elytra; coxal cavities

large, pyriform, not reaching to the sides of the body, the margin of the metasternum straight between the

coxee. Venter composed of six segments—1 long, but scarcely as long as the metasternum, 2-6 nearly

equal to each other in length, the apical segment simple. Legs long and very robust: anterior with the

trochanters very small, triangular; femora robust; tibize generally more or less dilated; tarsi 4-jointed—

1 and 2 large, broadly bilobed, and pilose, 8 exceedingly minute, 4 long and robust; claws rather long,

unidentate beneath ; intermediate similar to the anterior, but longer, with the tibiz dilated before the

apex; posterior similar to the intermediate, but longer, with the femora much more robust. Cowe:

anterior separated by the prosternum ; intermediate moderately distant; posterior more widely separated

- than the intermediate.

Rhypobius resembles some of the Byrrhide in appearance, and is on that account

easily recognizable. The sixth joint of the antenne, and the third joint of the tarsi,

can scarcely be discovered without the assistance of Canada balsam.

This genus was founded by Leconte upon a single species from Coney Island, and I

have recently described another from Europe; a third inhabits Guatemala.

1. Rhypobius guatemalensis, sp. n.

Ovalis, validissime convexus, nitidissimus, castaneus ; capite parvo, vix conspicuo; pronoto sat magno, leviter

remoteque punctato, interstitiis leviter alutaceis, antice leviter excavato, lateribus circulariter rotundatis,

leviter marginatis, margine basali leviter sinuata, scutellum versus parum producta, angulis acutis, parum

productis ; elytris modicis, quam caput atque pronotum longioribus vix latioribus, pone humeros latissimis,

magis profunde punctatis, interstitiis alutaceis, lateribus leviter marginatis, apice obtuso; antennis longis,

robustis atque pedibus flavis. Long. corp. 7% lin.=0°75 millim.

Head very small, scarcely exserted; eyes small, not prominent; antenne long and robust, yellow. Thoraw

rather large, faintly and distantly punctured, with the interstices faintly alutaceous, slightly excavated in

front; sides circularly rounded and faintly margined; basal margin feebly sinuated, rather produced

towards the scutellim, with the angles acute and slightly produced. Scutellum rather long, rounded.

Elytra moderate, longer but not broader than the head and thorax, widest below the shoulders; more

deeply punctured than the thorax, with the interstices more strongly alutaceous ; sides slightly margined ;

apex obtuse. Legs moderate, yellow. Underparts castaneous.

Hab. GuatEMALA, near the city (Champion). One specimen.

Differs from R. marinus, Lec., in its much smaller size and perfectly oval form, and

also in sculpture.

126 TRICHOPTERYGIDZ.

Fam. TRICHOPTERYGIDA*.

The Trichopterygide collected by Mr. Champion, and described in the following

pages, form the most important collection of that family ever yet made by any single

individual in a tropical country. It is not possible to praise too highly the perseverance

and patient research expended in their pursuit, or the skill exhibited by Mr. Champion

in their preservation. Throughout the whole of this numerous collection almost every

specimen has been mounted in a manner which at once exhibits the characteristic

differences of sculpture and outline so important in discrimination, and so difficult to

display, a fact which every one who has made the attempt will readily confess.

The greater part of the known genera of Trichopterygide, and two previously

unknown, are represented among Mr. Champion’s captures. The species, of which

twenty-seven were new to science, include many beautiful and interesting forms, and

present every gradation of size from the microscopic Ptilium hornianum and Nanosella

fungi up to Trichopteryx godmani, a species more than one half larger than any previ-

ously discovered. That so many of Mr. Champion’s captures should belong to species

then unknown cannot be at all surprising; such must ever be the case, when the

Trichopterygide of an almost untried region are thus industriously hunted up, and

while the study of a family so infinitely numerous and so generally distributed remains

in its infancy.

It is quite possible that some of those I have treated as new species may have already

been described by Motschulsky, who many years ago published [ Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2,

pp. 70 et seg. (1868)] an account of many Trichopterygide found by himself in Central

America and elsewhere. But without types it is often impossible to recognize a species

from his very short and imperfect descriptions. The death of Motschulsky was a serious

loss to me, for nothing could exceed the kind liberality with which he would at all

times supply types to assist a student; but since his collection has been placed in the

Museum of Moscow the managers of that institution have persistently ignored my

oft-repeated applications for the loan or exchange of types—a line of conduct

unaccountable on the score of courtesy, and incompatible with the advancement of

science.

I have already [‘‘ Synopsis of North-American Trichopterygide,” Trans. Am. Ent. Soe.

xi. pp. 113-156 (1884) | briefly described all the Central-American species known to me.

To render, however, this work as complete as possible the descriptions are here given

in full.

The genera known to me may be grouped as follows :—

Trichopterygina.

Elytra truncate .

Ptiliina.

Elytra entire .

* By A. Marruews.

PTINELLA. 127

TRICHOPTERYGINA.

Body elongate; abdomen much longer than the elytra.

Thorax more or less constricted; posterior coxe slightly

laminated . Loe ee PrINELLA.

Thorax not constricted ; posterior coxee simple. . . . . . CHAMPIONELLA.

Body more or less oblong; abdomen not much longer than the

elytra.

Thorax constricted near the base. . . . - + + + «+ + PTERYCODES.

Thorax not constricted.

Thorax with the posterior angles more or less produced . TrichoPpTeryx.

Thorax with the posterior angles not produced . . . . NepHanss.

| PTILIINA.

Base of the thorax incumbent on the shoulders of the elytra . . ActTIDIUM.

Base of the thorax fitted to the shoulders of the elytra.

Body very convex and shining, not pubescent. . - - - - PrenripiuM.

Body more or less pubescent.

Antenne very short. NANOSELLA.

Antenne long.

Thorax narrower than the elytra, with the hinder

angles not produced . . . «ee + + + +) Priniv.

Thorax as broad as the elytra, with the hinder angles

THROSCIDIUM.

produced .

In describing the older genera of the Trichopterygide it will be unnecessary in the

present work to enter into a detailed account of their anatomy, which, for the greater

part, has been fully set forth in my ‘Trichopterygia Ilustrata.’ The characters which

I purpose chiefly to notice are those which subsequent investigations and a more

matured knowledge of the subject have, since the publication of that work, enabled

me to add to or to correct in the descriptions there given. These, it will be seen,

consist wholly in the respective proportions of certain parts of the underside of the

external skeleton; a subject formerly much neglected, but of late years brought

prominently forward, and placed in the important position which it now holds, chiefly

through the investigations of Dr. Leconte and Dr. Horn.

TRICHOPTERYGINA.

PTINELLA.

Ptinella, Motschulsky, Bull. Mosc. 1845, iv. p. 506 ; Matthews, Trich. Ilustr. p. 164, t. 19 (1872).

in life translucent. Antenne 11-jointed, generally long and slender, ornamented with

long hairs; club elongate, moniliform. Head prominent, rather large; eyes moderate, in some species

deficient in the male sex. Thorax generally small, and more or less constricted near the base. Scutellum

large, triangular. Hlytra abbreviated, often very short, separately rounded at their extremities. Abdomen

Body elongate, slender,

128

TRICHOPTERYGID.

very long, with the basal segments membranous. Prosternum large; episterna large, trigonal; epimera

moderate, rather broadly enclosing the coxal cavities. Mesosternum moderate, not carinated ; episterna

very large; epimera very large and broad, extending to the coxal cavities. Metasternum rather short,

transverse, extending to the sides of the body; episterna long, with their interior angle alone visible

beyond the margin of the elytra; epimera very narrow and long, with their extremities visible beyond

the metasternum. Venter composed of six nearly equal segments, with apical segment simple. Legs

generally long and robust; coxee faintly laminate; tibie generally armed with long spurs and sete; tarsi

3-jointed, with the apical joint very long and slender.

The species of Péinella are distinguished from the rest of the family by their elegant

elongate shape, small and generally constricted thorax, and by the bright yellow or

orange colour of the body; the latter in the female is more or less suffused with casta-

neous, and exhibits the wings in the form of longitudinal black vitte beneath the

transparent elytra. All are subcortical in their habits.

Numerous species of this genus are known from Europe, North America, Madeira,

&e.

The three Central-American species here enumerated are separated from each

other by the following superficial characters :—

Integument coriaceous and flexible.

Size rather large, form broad. . . . . . 1. ee.) ehampionana.

Size small,form narrow. . . . . . . . . ee pellucida.

Integument harder, and more corneous . . . . . . .) ..SCincerta.

1. Ptinella championana. (Tab. III. fig. 22.)

Ptinella championana, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 116+.

Hlongato-ovalis, depressa, sat nitida, flava, translucida, pilis brevissimis flavis vestita; capite magno, antice sat

acuminato ; oculis parvis, prominentibus ; pronoto brevi, quam caput breviore sed parum latiore, ad medium

latissimo, ad basin fortiter et abrupte constricto, tuberculis minutis remotis interstitiisque glabris, nitidis,

ornato, interdum depressione lata indistincta in disco notato, lateribus marginatis, antice valde rotundatis,

ad basin abrupte constrictis, margine basali fere recta, angulis acutis valde prominentibus ; elytris brevibus,

quam caput atque pronotum multo brevioribus et haud latioribus, prope media latissimis, ordinibus trans-

versis remotis modice asperatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, apicibus rotundatis; abdomine longo, obtuso,

segmentis quinque expositis, lateribus profunde marginatis ; pedibus atque antennis modicis, flavis. Long.

corp. 3°; lin.=1:12 millim.

Head large, convex, rather pointed in front, ornamented with minute remote tubercles; eyes small, rather

prominent; antenne moderate, yellow. Thoraa short, shorter but rather broader than the head, widest

at the middle, strongly and abruptly constricted near the base, ornamented with minute remote tubercles,

with the interstices smooth and shining, occasionally with a broad indistinct depression on the disc; sides

margined, much rounded in front, and constricted near the base; basal margin nearly straight, with the

angles acute and very prominent. Scutellum large, triangular, deeply asperate. Hlytra short, much shorter

and not wider than the head and thorax, widest near the middle; moderately asperate in remote transverse

rows, with the interstices smooth and shining; apex very much rounded. Abdomen long and obtuse, with

five segments exposed, deeply margined at the sides. Legs moderate, yellow. Underparts wholly

testaceous.

Hab. Guatema.a, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion 4),

Differs from the European P. testacea in its shorter and more abruptly constricted

thorax, very short elytra, and shorter legs and antenne.

Found in numbers under sappy bark in the low hot forest-region of the Pacific slope.

PTINELLA. 129

2. Ptinella pellucida.

Ptinella pellucida, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 117°.

Sat lata et depressa, sat nitida, flava ¢, castanca 9, pilis pallidis dense vestita ; capite magno, antice rotundato,

confertim tuberculato, oculis 2 nigris prominentibus ; pronoto breve transverso, quam caput multo breviore,

haud latiore, tuberculis sat magnis confertissime obtecto, impressionibus duabus longitudinalibus in disco

notato, lateribus marginatis et rotundatis, ad basin contractis, haud constrictis, margine basali recta,

angulis rectis; elytris brevibus, quam caput atque pronotum nec longioribus nec latioribus, ad apices latis-

simis, ordinibus transversis sat profunde asperatis, interstitiis nitidis, apicibus valde rotundatis ; abdominis

segmentis quinque apertis segmento apicali sat acuto; pedibus atque antennis longis, robustis, flavis.

Long. corp. 55; lin.= 0-63 millim.

Heal very large, obtuse in front, closely tuberculate ; eyes black, large and prominent in the female; antenne

long, very robust, yellow. hora# small, transverse, much shorter and not wider than the head; covered

with rather large tubercles in transverse rows, with the interstices rather deeply reticulate ; sides rather

strongly margined, much rounded, widest near the middle, contracted towards the base; basal margin

nearly straight, with the angles rectangular; on the disc are two indistinct longitudinal impressions.

Scutellum large, triangular, deeply asperate. Hlytra short, not wider or longer than the head and thorax,

widest at the apex; deeply asperate in almost straight transverse rows, with the interstices reticulate ;

sides margined and straight; apex broad and very much rounded. Abdomen rather broad, with five

segments exserted, the terminal segment rather acute. Legs long, robust, yellow. Underparts wholly

yellow.

@ entirely castaneous, with the wings secn through the elytra as wide black vitte.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, San Gerénimo, Zapote (Champion!).

Differs from P. flavidula, Fairm., in its much smaller size, shorter thorax, and deeper

sculpture; from P. qguercus, Lec., in its larger size, more depressed form, and much

deeper sculpture.

3. Ptinella incerta. (Tab. III. fig. 21.)

Ptinella incerta, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 118°.

Elongata, angusta, convexa, obscure castanea, nitida, pilis brevissimis flavis parce vestita ; capite sat longo, obtuso ;

oculis retro positis, sat magnis, prominentibus ; pronoto parvo, quam caput parum latiore haud longiore,

prope medium latissimo, basin versus fortiter constricto, tuberculis magnis confertim obtecto, depressionibus

duabus ovalibus basin versus impresso, lateribus marginatis, antice rotundatis, postice constrictis, margine

basali fere recta, angulis acutis, prominentibus; elytris longis, angustis, subparallelis, quam caput atque

pronotum longioribus vix latioribus, nitidis, convexis, confertim et profunde asperatis, apicibus concoloribus

valde rotundatis, extremis albidis; abdomine segmentis quatuor apertis, segmento apicali et parte majore

precedentis lete flavis, apicali acuminato; pedibus atque antennis longis, flavis. Long. corp. 74 lin. =0°87

millim.

Head long, obtuse in front, closely and finely tuberculate, or alutaceous; eyes placed far back, rather large and

prominent; antenne long, dark yellow. Zhorawx small, rather wider but not longer than the head, widest

near the middle, strongly constricted towards the base, closely covered with large tubercles, with two oval

depressions near the base; sides margined, rounded in front, and much constricted towards the base ; basal

margin nearly straight, with the angles acute and prominent. Scutellum small, elongate triangular, deeply

asperate. lytra long and narrow, subparallel, longer but scarcely wider than the head and thorax,

convex and shining, closely and deeply asperate; apex much rounded, with the extreme edge white.

Abdomen with four segments exposed, the apical and the greater part of the penultimate segment bright

yellow, the apex acuminate. Legs long, dark yellow. Underparts castaneous, with the mouth, coxe, and

greater part of the venter bright yellow.

Hab. GuateMALA, San Gerénimo 3000 feet (Champion *).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, January 1888. S*

130 TRICHOPTERYGIDZ.

Differs from the other species of the genus in its narrow subparallel convex form,

strongly constricted thorax, dark castaneous colour, and deep sculpture.

Obs. I feel doubtful whether this insect is a true Ptinella; it differs very much from

the more normal species in its convex and corneous integument, but, so far as I have

been able to discover, does not present any anatomical difference.

CHAMPIONELLA.

Championella, Matthews, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 118 (1884).

Antenne 11-jointed—2 rather longer than 1, 3-7 nearly equal, 8 longer and somewhat incrassate, 9-11

incrassate, gradually increasing in length and breadth. Palpt: mawillary rather large, with the penul-

timate joint much incrassate, ovate, broadly truncate at the apex, the terminal joint aciculate, long, and

sinuated ; labial short, robust, second joint narrower than the first, with a long divergent seta at the outer

apical angle, the terminal joint ovate. Lingua broad, with the apex obtuse and dentate. Labsum moderate,

with the apical margin concave ; paraglosse small, almost rudimentary. Mentwm rather large, oblong, with

the sides faintly incurved, furnished with two small sete near each anterior angle. Mandibles rather

large and robust, with the apex acute, scarcely hooked, minutely dentate at the back ; lamella membranacea

small, nearly circular; stipes large, produced into a long, very acute, curved process behind the mandible,

and also with a smaller sinuated process near the base. Mawillw 3-lobed; outer lobe corneous, formed

by a pointed incurved process of the stipes; middle lobe coriaceous, short and broad, indistinctly 3-jointed,

furnished at the apex with a long brush of strong sete; inner lobe corneous, large and robust, armed with

three long and strong incurved teeth at the apex. Labrum large, semioval, constricted before the middle,

furnished with three large sete below the middle, and a curved row of smaller sete on the dise towards the

apex. Head moderate, prominent. Pronotwm rather small, not constricted. Scutellum small, triangular.

Elytra very short, abruptly truncate. Abdomen robust, pointed, with four long segments wholly uncovered.

Prosternum moderate, falcate ; episterna very small, distinct ; epimera rather large; coxal cavities contin-

gent, enclosed posteriorly. Mesosternum large, minutely carinate, the carina pointed behind, extending

between the coxe; episterna not reaching the shoulders ; epimera very large and broad, reaching the coxal

cavities. Metasternum large, extending to the sides; episterna and epimera covered by the epipleura and

inflexed margin of the elytra, leaving the extremity of the epimera only visible. Venter composed of seven

segments; the first segment twice as long as the second, 2-7 nearly equal. Legs moderate; tibie

faintly dentate on the inner edge; tarsi rather short, with the basal joint much longer than the second,

the terminal joint slender; claws very slender; posterior femora very robust. Covw: anterior contingent

and prominent; intermediate oval, divided by the carina; posterior widely distant, long, and prominent,

not at all laminate.

Championella is distinguished from Ptinella by its convex corneous integument, form

of the pronotum, abrupt truncation and straight apex of the elytra, diverse form of the

autenne, and the total absence of lamination on the posterior coxe.

The single species, like Ptinella, is subcortical in its habits; it is found beneath the

bark of pines.

I have named this genus after Mr. G. C. Champion, as a well-earned record of his

energy and perseverance in the pursuit of these microscopic animals.

1. Championella nubigena. (Tab. III. fig. 24.)

Championella nubigena, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 119°.

Elongato-ovalis, valde convexa, nitida, castanea, pilis argenteis parce vestita ; capite prominente, sat longo ; oculis

parvis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto quam caput paullum longiore et latiore, prope medium latissimo, nitido,

leviter et confertissime tuberculato, aut potius alutaceo, lateribus rotundatis, leviter marginatis, margine

CHAMPIONELLA.—PTERYCODES. 131

basali fere recta, angulis obtusis; elytris brevibus, quam caput atque pronotum brevioribus, sed paullum

latioribus, pone media latissimis, sat profunde et remote asperatis, interstitiis fortiter reticulatis, lateribus

modice rotundatis, apicibus latis fere rectis ; abdomine conico, sat acuto, segmentis quatuor omnino apertis,

apicem versus dilutiore; pedibus sat longis, late flavis, femoribus posticis valde robustis; antennis modicis,

obscure flavis. Long. corp. pa lin. =0°63-0°75 millim.

Head prominent, rather long, finely alutaceous; eyes rather small, not prominent; antenne moderate, dusky

yellow; labrum yellow; palpi large, pale yellow. Thorax rather longer and broader than the head,

widest near the middle, shining, lightly and very closely tuberculate or alutaceous; sides rounded and

faintly margined ; basal margin nearly straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum moderate, triangular,

remotely asperate, with the interstices strongly reticulate. lytra short, shorter but rather wider than

the head and thorax, widest behind the middle, rather deeply and remotely asperate, with the interstices

strongly reticulate; sides moderately rounded ; apices nearly straight, slightly oblique towards the suture.

Abdomen conic, rather acute, with four segments fully exposed, paler towards the apex. Legs rather

long, bright yellow, the posterior femora very robust. Underparts castaneous, with the mouth, coxe, and

the apical two segments of the venter yellow.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 10,500 feet (Champion ').

This insect is distinguished from any species of Ptinella, apart from anatomical

differences, by its convex and corneous integument, and by the abrupt truncation of

its elytra.

PTERYCODES.

Pterycodes, Matthews, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 120 (1884).

Antenne 11-jointed, the 9th joint scarcely incrassated, Palpv: maxillary rather short, 4-jointed, the penul-

timate joint ovate, truncate at the apex, the terminal joint large and sinuated; labial large and long,

3-jointed—1 and 2 cylindric, 1 much broader than and nearly twice as long as 2,3 much smaller than 2,

conic. Lingua long and narrow, its apex slightly bifid, and with a strong recurved seta on each side

near the points. Labiwm moderate, with the anterior margin nearly straight; paraglosse robust, erect,

slightly divergent, the apex acute, incurved, and with a strong seta on the outside near the point. Mentum

oblong, with two strong sete on the outer side of each anterior angle. Mandibles moderate, rather

hooked, the prebasal angle obtuse, moderately denticulated at the back; lamella membranacea moderate,

almost circular ; stipes rather small, produced into a long and robust curved process behind the mandible.

Mawille 3-lobed ; outer lobe corneous, formed by a long robust pointed process of the stipes; middle lobe

coriaceous, 2-jointed, furnished at the apex with a long brush of strong and long sete ; inner lobe corneous,

rather small, placed much lower than the middle one, armed at the apex with five or six sharp incurved

teeth. Labrum large, semioval, slightly constricted before the middle, furnished with three strong sete on

each side, and a curved row of smaller seta beyond the middle. Head large and prominent. Pronotum

large, slightly constricted near the base. Scutellwm triangular. ZHlytra rather long, truncate at the apex.

Abdomen moderately elongate, with three segments exposed. Prosternum moderate, falcate ; episterna

small, distinct; epimera rather large; coxal cavities contingent, broadly enclosed posteriorly. Meso-

sternum rather large, slightly carinated, the carina produced between the middle coxe ; episterna large,

humeral; epimera very large, reaching the coxal cavities. Metasternwm rather short, not extending to

the sides; episterna and epimera large, and very broad. Venter composed of six segments, the basal and

apical segments longer than the intermediate. Legs long and slender, the tarsi 3-jointed, with the basal

joint twice as large as the second, and the terminal joint long and slender, the claws slender: anterior

coxe prominent and contingent, the tibie strongly dentate on the inner edge; intermediate coxe divided

by the carina, the tibie moderately dentate on the inner edge; posterior coxe widely distant, broadly

laminated, the lamina triangular, the tibiz faintly denticulate and with two strong spurs near the apex

on the inner edge.

This genus seems intermediate between Pteryx and Ptinella; from the former it

S* 2

132 TRICHOPTERYGIDZA.

differs in having six ventral segments, from the latter in the length of the elytra, and

from both in the small size of the ninth joint of the antenne, the long and peculiarly

formed labial palpi, the diverse form of the maxille and the short maxillary palpi, in

the wide separation and broad lamination of the posterior cox, and in the metasternum

not reaching the sides of the body. The single known species is from Guatemala.

1. Pterycodes salvini.

Pterycodes salvinit, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 121°.

Subovatus, valde convexus, nitidus, castaneus, pilis brevissimis aureis parce vestitus ; capite prominente, magno,

lato; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus ; pronoto modico, quam caput paullum latiorie haud longiore, prope

medium latissimo, basin versus constricto, punctis magnis foveolatis notato, interstitiis alutaceis, lateribus

antice rotundatis, postice constrictis, latissime marginatis, margine basali leviter sinuata, angulis acutis

prominentibus ; elytris translucidis, ovatis, quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, vix latioribus,

prope media latissimis, punctis asperatis profundis remotis, ordinibus curvatis dispositis, interstitiis leviter

alutaceis, lateribus leviter rotundatis et leviter marginatis, apicibus latis valde rotundatis ; abdomine conico,

segmentis tribus apertis, duobus ultimis flavis ; pedibus atque antennis longis, gracilibus, lete flavis. Long.

corp. pas lin.=0°87-1 millim.

Head prominent, large, and broad, produced in front, alutaceous and shining, the mouth yellow; eyes large,

rather prominent; antenne very long and slender, bright yellow. Thorax moderate, rather wider but not

longer than the head, widest near the middle, constricted near the base; regularly marked with deep and

rather remote foveolate punctures, with the interstices alutaceous; sides rounded in front and constricted

near the base, very broadly margined; basal margin slightly sinuated, with the angles acute and pro-

minent. Scutellwm moderate, triangular, marked with remote foveolate punctures. Hlytra ovate, trans-

parent, rather longer but scarcely wider than the head and thorax, widest near the middle; marked with

deep asperate punctures in curved rows, with the interstices alutaceous ; sides a little rounded and slightly

margined ; apex broad and much rounded. Abdomen conic, rather acute, with three segments exposed,

the last two segments yellow. Legs long and slender, bright yellow. Underparts castaneous, with the

mouth, cox, and apical segment of the venter bright yellow.

Hab. Guatema.a, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion 1).

TRICHOPTERYX.

Trichopteryx, Kirby & Spence, Introd. Ent. 11. p. 90 (1826); Matthews, Trich. Illustr. p. 112,

t. 12 (1872).

Body oval or ovate, generally pubescent, often very convex. Head sessile, deflexed ; eyes moderate, with the

facets few and large. Thoraa varied in form and size, with the posterior angles often much produced.

Scutellum triangular, generally large. Hlytra truncate. Wings pedunculate, very long and narrow,

fringed on both sides with very long sete, articulated at their base. Abdomen more or less exposed, with

the apical segment generally dentate Antenne 11-jointed, with the two basal joints very large, the

intermediate joints very slender, the club moniliform, generally setose. Palpt: mavillary 4-jointed, with

the third joint the largest, and the apical joint acicular ; /abial 3-jointed, long and slender, with the apical

joint obtusely conical. (In this and other genera of Trichopterygide the labial palpi arise from a process

of the labium, which presents the appearance of an additional joint but is probably an integral part of the

labium.) Prosternum moderate ; episterna rather large, trigonal; epimera large, broadly enclosing the

coxal cavities. Mesosternum large, carinate ; episterna long and narrow ; epimera very large, extending to

the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, with a trochantin on the outer side of the cavity. Metasternum

large, transverse, extending to the sides of the body, and produced posteriorly between the coxe ; episterna

large, concealed by the elytra, with their interior basal angle alone visible ; epimera large, concealed by

TRICHOPTERYX. 133

the elytra, with their extremity alone visible beyond the metasternum. Venter composed of six segments—

1-5 nearly equal to each other in length, 6 rather longer, generally with a circularly curved deeply

impressed line near the apex in the male sex. Legs generally robust, with the posterior coxe broadly

laminated ; tibie armed with strong spurs, often dilated in the males ; tarsi 3-jointed, with the two basal

joints generally very small, but sometimes strongly dilated in the males.

With reference to the foregoing description of the labial palpi, I would observe that,

as in other coleopterous families these organs possess only three articulations, it is

scarcely probable that they should exceed that number in the Trichopterygide. Never-

theless, throughout the whole of that family, the labial palpi conspicuously exhibit the

appearance of a fourth joint at their base; which, if not a true articulation, must be

an elevated portion of the anterior margin of the labium, and as such I have here and

shall hereafter describe it.

The species of Trichopteryx present a great variety of form, especially in the shape

of the thorax; but their facial resemblance is so strongly marked, that they can easily

be separated from all other genera. The chief difficulty lies in finding characters

available for tabulation; the thorax affords the most obvious difference, but even there

the gradations between the two extremes are so minute that it is sometimes difficult

to determine to which section a species properly belongs. For this reason the characters

given in the following Table must not be too strictly interpreted; but they will in a

general manner assist in determining a species, and this is the utmost I can hope to

accomplish. |

This genus contains a very large number of species, and appears to be universally

distributed.

Table of the Central-American species known to me.

Thorax wider, or much wider, than the elytra.

Thorax widest at the base.

Head and thorax black, the elytra castaneous.

Form much attenuated posteriorly, with the thorax much dilated . rufescens.

Form oblong, the thorax moderately dilated . . . . . . . . sémilior.

Head, thorax, and elytra castaneous.

Size larger, the surface very shining. . . . . . . . . . . (uetda.

Size small, the surface finely and closely punctured. . . . . . crotch.

Entirely fuscous.

Surface clothed with grey pubescence . . . . . +. + + « « glauca.

Surface clothed with fulvous pubescence . . . . . + . . ~ «atomaria.

Entirely black, or fuscous-black.

Form exceedingly convex.

Size very large, without erect sete. . . . - - + «© + «+ godmani.

Size moderate, with erect sete.

Thorax deeply sculptured . . . . «© «© « « «© « . aalliberti.

Thorax very lightly sculptured . . . . 1 « - + «grossa.

134 TRICHOPTERYGIDA.

Thorax widest before the base.

Thorax and elytra with erect sete.

Size small; antenne yellow. . . . . . . « «© + «© © «© © minor.

Size larger; antenne black. . . . . «©. . ee ee © ©) grandicollis.

Thorax and elytra without erect setz.

Elytra much narrower than the thorax . . . . . . . . + . amgustipennis.

Elytra scarcely narrower than the thorax . . . . . . . . . excelsa.

Thorax not wider than the elytra.

Entirely castaneous . . . . . 1. 1 we ee ee ew we ee Bidilatata.

Head and thorax black, the elytra rufous.

Abdomen castaneous (without erect sete) . . . . . . . . . © Orevior.

Entirely black.

Antenne flavescent . 2. 2. 2 1 1 ew ee ee ee ee eee grit.

Antenne black . . 2... 1. 1. 1 ee ee ee eee ee CNG.

Thorax narrower than the elytra.

Body very short and shining . . . 2... ee. we we eee. trea.

Body elongate, pubescent . . . 2... 1 we ee ee ee ee Ube.

1. Trichopteryx godmani. (Tab. III. fig. 20.)

Trichopteryx godmanni, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 1281.

Convexissima et latissima, nigra, nitidissima, pilis brevibus argenteis vestita; capite modico, oculis sat parvis ;

pronoto permagno, latissimo, valde dilatato, ad basin latiore, angulis posticis latis valde productis, disco

nitidissimo, tuberculis minutis, ordinibus irregularibus dispositis, confertim ornato, interstitiis leviter sed

confertim reticulatis, lateribus modice rotundatis, leviter marginatis, marginibus atque angulis posterioribus

dilutioribus; elytris fuscescentibus, brevioribus, postice valde attenuatis, lateribus fere rectis, ordinibus

transversis sinuatis confertim levissime asperatis ; pedibus lete flavis; antennis flavescentibus. Long. corp.

}2-1 line=1-87-2 millim.

Head rather small and pointed in front, very convex, shining, and almost smooth ; eyes moderate; antenne

moderate, obscure yellow. Thorax very large and very convex, much dilated posteriorly, widest at the

base, with the sides rounded and slightly margined; closely covered with minute tubercles in irregular

rows, With the interstices closely and finely reticulated ; basal margin sinuated, with the angles pale, broad,

and much produced. Scutellum rather large, triangular, closely and finely asperated. Elytra fuscescent,

rather short, rather narrower than and nearly as long as the head and thorax, much attenuated posteriorly,

with the sides nearly straight, closely and finely asperate in nearly straight transverse rows; apex broad,

slightly rounded, paler, with the extreme edge white. Abdomen considerably exserted, with the apex

obtuse and bidentate. Legs robust, bright yellow, with the anterior tibiae and the basal joints of the tarsi

dilated.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Balheu in Vera Paz (Champion ').

Three specimens. Differs from all other species of the genus in its very large size,

convex and broad shape, and also in sculpture. This is the largest and finest species

of Trichopteryx yet discovered.

2. Trichopteryx grossa.

Acratrichis grossa, Motsch. Bull. Mose. xli. part 2, p. 177°.

Trichopteryx grossa, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 128’. ’

Latissima, convexissima, nigra, nitida, pilis griseis parce vestita, setis validis nigris erectis utrinque armata ;

TRICHOPTERYX. 135

capite magno, lato, oculis modicis; pronoto permagno, ad basin valde dilatato, angulis posticis latis valde

productis, disco nitidissimo, tuberculis minutissimis remotis interstitiisque glabris nitidissimis ornato ;

elytris brevibus, postice valde attenuatis, leviter confertim transverse asperatis, lateribus fere rectis, apicibus

vix rotundatis; pedibus flavis; antennis longioribus, obscure flavis. Long. corp. oa lin. =1-1°12 millim.

Head large and very broad, produced in front, very shining, almost glabrous ; eyes rather large, not prominent ;

antenn long, slender, pitchy-testaceous. Thorax very large, very convex and shining, much dilated at

the base, with the sides rounded and rather widely margined, a strong erect black seta on each side near

the base; covered with very minute distant tubercles, with the interstices smooth and shining; basal

margin nearly straight, with the angles much produced and paler. Scutellum very large and broad, lightly

asperate. Hlytra fuscescent, short and much attenuated toward the apex, the sides nearly straight, fur-

nished with a strong erect black seta on each side near the shoulder and another towards the apex, shorter

and rather narrower than the head and thorax, finely and closely asperate in wavy transverse rows; apex

broad, nearly straight, and paler. Abdomen moderately exserted, with the apex rather strongly tridentate.

Legs moderate, robust, dark yellow. Underparis black, the mouth and the coxée piceous.

Hab. Norta America, Washington 1.—GvatemaLa, Cerro Zunil, Balheu, Capetillo

(Champion ).

This species, found rather plentifully by Mr. Champion at Capetillo, is distinguished

by its large size, short and convex form, large, very shining and remotely sculptured

thorax, long antenne, and erect sete. Motschulsky’s description! of Acratrichis grossa,

from Washington, agrees, as far as it goes, with this species; and I think it wiser to

adopt this name, than perhaps erroneously to describe the Guatemalan insect as new.

3. Trichopteryx alliberti.

Trichopteryx alliberti, Matth. Trich. Illustr. p. 139, t. 26. f. 13°; Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. xi. p. 128%.

Lata, convexissima, nigra, nitida, pilis brevibus griseis densius vestita ; capite atque pronoto permagnis, latis-

simis ; pronoto seta valida nigra erecta ad latus utrumque instructo, angulis posticis valde productis ; elytris

postice valde attenuatis, setis duabus erectis ad Jatera exteriora instructis ; pedibus atque antennis graci-

libus, lete flavis. Long. corp. 7% lin.=1-13 millim.

Head very large and broad; eyes not prominent ; antenne long and slender, bright yellow. Thorax very large

and broad, very convex, with a strong, erect black seta on each side; ornamented with rather large

tubercles in close rows, with the interstices reticulated; hinder angles much produced. lytra short,

much attenuated posteriorly, narrower than the thorax, with two strong erect sete on the outer margins.

Legs moderate, bright yellow.

Hab. Guaremaua, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion *).—VENEZUELA, Caracas '.

Differs from 7’. grossa in the sculpture of the thorax.

4. Trichopteryx lucida.

Trichopteryx lucida, Matth. Trans. Am, Ent. Soc. xi. p. 129 *,

Sat brevis, sat lata, postice valde attenuata, valde convexa, nitidissima, translucide castanea, pilis sat longis

aureis vestita ; capite sat magno ; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto magno, postice valde dilatato,

ad basin latissimo, tuberculis parvis remotis indistinctis interstitiisque glabris nitidissimis ornato, late-

ribus leviter rotundatis, late marginatis, margine basali leviter arcuata, angulis acutis valde productis ;

elytris brevibus, quam caput atque pronotum angustioribus fere pariter longis, valde attenuatis, ad humeros

latiésimis, sat leviter irregulariter asperatis, apicibus rotundatis, sat latis ; antennis longis, gracillimis,

pallide flavis; pedibus modicis, lete flavis. Long. corp. 7 lin. = 0°87 millim,

136 TRICHOPTERYGIDA.

Head rather large, not much produced in front, very shining, marked with a few remote punctures; eyes large

and very prominent; antenne rather long and very slender, pale yellow. Thorax rather large, longer and

wider than the head, much dilated posteriorly, widest at the base, very convex and very shining; covered

with very minute distant tubercles, the interstices smooth and very shining; sides slightly rounded and

broadly margined; basal margin slightly arcuate, with the angles much produced and acute and paler.

Scutellum moderate, triangular, moderately asperate. Hlytra short, much attenuated posteriorly, narrower

and not longer than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, distantly and irregularly asperate ; sides

nearly straight ; apex broad, rounded, and paler. -Abdomen very little exserted, testaceous. Legs rather

short, bright yellow. Underparts wholly testaceous, with the metasternum dusky.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion 1).

Differs from the allied species in its very shining translucent surface, pale and slender

antenne, testaceous underparts, and in sculpture.

5. Trichopteryx similior.

Trichopteryx similior, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 130%.

Sat brevis, postice parum attenuata, convexa, sat nitida, capite atque pronoto nigris, elytris rufescentibus, pilis

brevibus pallidis parce vestita ; capite magno, antice valde rotundato ; oculis magnis, haud prominentibus ;

pronoto modico, quam caput longiore et parum latiore, ante basin latissimo, maribus magis dilatato,

tuberculis modicis sat remotis interstitiisque nitidis fortiter reticulatis ornato, lateribus marginatis et

rotundatis, margine basali sinuata, angulis acutis modice productis; elytris subquadratis, maribus postice

parum attenuatis, quam caput atque pronotum parum brevioribus, haud latioribus, ordinibus remotis

sinuatis modice asperatis, apicibus latis fere rectis ; pedibus atque antennis modicis, obscure flavis. Long.

corp. < lin.=0-75-0°87 millim.

Head large and broad, shining, ornamented with small remote tubercles; eyes moderate, not prominent ;

antenne moderate, dusky yellow. Thorax moderate, longer and broader than the head, widest before the

base, more strongly dilated in the males ; ornamented with moderate and rather remote tubercles, with the

interstices strongly reticulated and shining ; sides margined and slightly rounded ; basal margin sinuated,

with the angles pale and moderately produced. Sceutellum large, triangular, remotely asperate. Elytra

short, subquadrate, attenuated posteriorly in the males, rather shorter and not wider than the head and

thorax, moderately asperate in remote wavy rows; sides slightly rounded; apex broad, nearly straight.

Abdomen considerably exposed, with the apex tridentate and rather pointed. Legs moderate, bright

yellow. Underparts castaneous, with the mouth and coxe yellow.

Hab. GuatTEeMaLA, Rio Naranjo!, El Tumbador 2500 feet, El Reposo 800 feet

(Champion).

Differs from 7. discolor, Hald., in its smaller size, more convex form, fainter sculpture

and less dilatation of the thorax, and more attenuated elytra. Found in numbers at

El Reposo, rarely elsewhere.

6. Trichopteryx crotchi.

Trichopteryx crotchi, Matth. Ent. Monthly Mag. i. p. 248'; Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 130°.

Acrotrichis crotchii, Wollast. Col. Atlant. Append. p. 15°.

Acratrichis infuscuta (sic), Motsch. Bull. Mose. xli. part 2, p. 179 *.

Acratrichis fulva, Motsch. loc. cit. p. 180°.

. eqe eae . ° ° e,e . 2 ot .

Brevis, sat lata, convexa, castaneo-brunnea, pilis pallidis vestita; capite modico, nitido; oculis modicis, promi-

nulis; pronoto magno, valde convexo, ad basin valde dilatato, tuberculis minutissimis, ordinibus obliquis

TRICHOPTERYX. 137

remotis dispositis interstitiisque levissime reticulatis, ornato, margine basali fere recta, angulis valde pro-

ductis late dilutioribus; elytris quam caput atque pronotum dilutioribus, brevioribus et angustioribus,

valde attenuatis, leviter et remote asperatis, apicibus fere rectis ; pedibus atque antennis lete flavis. Long.

corp. 3 lin. =0°75 millim.

Hab. Canary Istanps, Gomera ! 3.—GvuatemaLta, San Gerénimo (Champion ?) ;

Panama *, Obispo (Motschulsky *).

This species was captured not uncommonly by Mr. Champion on the banks of a.

stream in Guatemala.

7. Trichopteryx rufescens.

Trichopteryx rufescens, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. xi. p. 181°.

Sat brevis, lata, valde convexa, nitida, pilis brevibus flavescentibus vestita, capite atque pronoto nigris, elytris

rufo-fuscis ; capite magno ; oculis magnis, prominentibus ; pronoto magno, ad basin valde dilatato, tuberculis-

distinctis sat confertim dispositis interstitiisque reticulatis nitidis ornato, margine basali fortiter sinuata,.

angulis latis valde productis ; elytris sat brevibus, postice valde attenuatis, ordinibus transversis confertim

asperatis, apicibus valde rotundatis, late dilutioribus; pedibus atque antennis lete flavis. Long. corp..

qe lin.=0°87 millim. .

Head large, not much produced in front, sparingly covered with small distinct tubercles; eyes large and

prominent ; antennse moderate, rather slender, yellow. Thorax very large, much dilated at the base,

longer and much wider than the head; rather closely covered with distinct tubercles, with the interstices

reticulated and shining; sides rounded and strongly margined, widest at the base; basal margin deeply

sinuated, with the angles broad and much produced. Scutellum large, triangular, closely asperate.

Elytra short, much attenuated posteriorly, rufous-brown, not longer and rather narrower than the head

and thorax, closely but rather lightly asperate; sides nearly straight; apex much rounded, broadly pale,

with the extreme edge white. Abdomen moderately exposed, rufous-brown. Legs very robust, with the

basal joints of all the tarsi dilated, bright yellow. Underparts rufo-piceous, with the metasternum and

gular region black, the mouth and coxe bright yellow.

Hab. Guatemata, Balheu, San Gerénimo, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, San Feliz,

Pefia Blanca (Champion).

Differs from its allies in its convex and attenuated form, rufous-brown elytra, bright

yellow legs and antenne, and general sculpture.

8. Trichopteryx glauca.

Trichopteryx glauca, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 1317.

Rufo-fusca, pilis brevibus sericeis glaucis dense vestita, sat brevis, maribus postice attenuata, convexa, haud

nitida ; capite magno, lato; oculis haud prominentibus ; pronoto magno, maribus postice valde dilatato, ad

basin latissimo, tuberculis parvis ordinibus sinuatis confertim dispositis interstitiisque glabris ornato,

lateribus modice rotundatis, vix marginatis, margine basali sinuata, angulis latis acutissimis valde pro-

ductis; elytris subquadratis, quam caput atque pronotum parum angustioribus, haud longioribus, ad

humeros latissimis, per tota confertim sat profunde asperatis, lateribus fere rectis, apicibus latis rotundatis

dilutioribus, extremis albidis ; pedibus robustis, lete flavis; antennis gracilibus, pallide flavis. Long. corp.

3%; lin. =0°75 millim.

Head large and broad, rounded in front, closely tuberculate ; eyes rather large, not prominent; antenne very

slender, pale yellow. Thorax rather large, longer and wider than the head, dilated posteriorly, widest

at the base; closely covered with small tubercles in close wavy rows, with the interstices smooth ; sides

slightly rounded and faintly margined ; basal margin much sinuated, with the angles broad, very acute, and

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1888. T*

138 TRICHOPTERYGIDA.

much produced. Scutellum rather large, triangular, closely asperate. Hlytra subquadrate, rather

narrower and not longer than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, closely asperate throughout ;

sides nearly straight ; apex broad, rounded, and pale, with the extreme edge white. Addomen considerably

exserted, ferruginous, with the apex distinctly bidentate. Legs robust, bright yellow. Underparts

castaneous, with the mouth and coxe bright yellow.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion +).

Differs from the allied species in its rufo-glaucous colour, softly sericeous appearance,

pale slender antenna, and very close sculpture.

Obs. The females of this species differ very much from the males in form: they are

oblong, and their thorax is not dilated at the base, nor their elytra attenuated towards

the apex.

9. Trichopteryx atomaria.

Dermestes atomarius, Degeer, Mém. Hist. Ins. iv. p. 218, t. 8. ff 16-20 (1774) ’*.

Trichopteryx atomaria, Matth. Trich. Ilustr. p. 141, t. 27. f. 2°; Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. xi. p. 131°.

Short and broad, very convex, pitchy black, shining, clothed with rather long fulvous hair; head large and

rather prominent ; eyes moderate ; thorax large, dilated posteriorly, widest at the base, ornamented with

small remote tubercles, with the interstices very shining and faintly reticulated, the basal margin deeply

sinuated, the hinder angles much produced and broadly flavescent ; elytra short, much attenuated in the

male, nearly quadrate in the female, rather deeply asperate, the apex broadly flavescent ; legs and antennz

yellow. Long. corp. eal lin. =0°75-0°87 millim.

Hab. Nortu America, United States °.—GuatTeMaLa, San Gerdnimo, Rio Naranjo

(Champion).—Eurore ! ?.

Specimens of this cosmopolitan insect were found by Mr. Champion in Guatemala.

10. Trichopteryx vicina.

Trichopteryx vicina, Matth. Cist. Ent. ii. p. 172 (1877) *; Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 188°.

Oblong, moderately convex, deep black, sparingly clothed with short flavescent hair; head very large and

broad; thorax large, convex, widest at the base, ornamented with small indistinct tubercles in distant

rows, with the interstices shining and deeply reticulated, the basal margin nearly straight, with the angles

produced and pale; elytra almost quadrate, with the sides parallel, rather narrower than the thorax,

moderately asperate in remote rows, with the interstices reticulate, the apex broad, scarcely rounded ; legs

bright yellow; antenne black. Long. corp. 7%; lin.-=0°75 millim.

Hab. Norts America, British Columbia! *.—GuaTEMaLa, Quezaltenango 78U0 feet

(Champion).

This species is allied to the European 7’. picicornis, from which it differs in its larger

size and diverse sculpture, especially of the thorax.

11. Trichopteryx grandicollis.

Trichopteryx grandicollis, Mannerh. Bull. Mosc. 1844, 1. p. 181°; Matth. Trich. Illustr. p. 135,

t. 26. f.4°; Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 134°.

Rather broad, very convex, brassy-black, thickly clothed with fulvous hair; head large and broad; thorax

TRICHOPTERYX. 139

large, widest before the base, ornamented with moderate tubercles, irregularly placed, with the interstices

reticulate, the sides margined and very much rounded, furnished with an erect black seta on each side

behind the middle, the hinder angles acute and considerably produced; elytra moderate, scarcely longer

but rather narrower than the head and thorax, deeply and irregularly asperate, the sides margined and

slightly rounded, furnished with an erect black seta on each side near the shoulder and another behind the

middle, the apex slightly contracted and pale; antennz long, piceous, or black; legs yellow. Long. corp.

= lin. =1-1-12 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Totonicapam 10,500 feet (Champion ?).—Kuror ! 2.

A single specimen of this species was found by Mr. Champion. It seems strange

that this very common European insect should occur in such a locality and at so high

an altitude in Central America. But after the most careful examination, I can discover

no point of form or sculpture in which this specimen differs from the European

examples of the female, the sides of the thorax in this sex being always less dilated

than in the male.

12. Trichopteryx angustipennis.

Trichopteryx angustipennis, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 182°.

Suboblonga, thoracis lateribus valde dilatatis, nitida, valde convexa, piceo-nigra, pilis flavis vestita ; capite

magno; oculis magnis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto magno, ad latera valde dilatato, prope medium latis-

simo, tuberculis magnis ordinibus irregularibus dispositis interstitiisque glabris nitidis ornato, lateribus

valde rotundatis et fortiter marginatis, margine basali valde depressa, sinuata et reflexa, angulis flavis,

acutis, vix productis; elytris fuscis, sat brevibus, quam caput atque pronotum haud longioribus multo

angustioribus, prope media latissimis, ordinibus transversis, sat profunde asperatis, apicibus parum con-

tractis et parum rotundatis, extremis albidis ; abdomine longius exserto, obtuso; pedibus atque antennis

. 8 Ite 4d

flavis. Long. corp. =8 lin.=1 millim.

Head very large, moderately tuberculate, shining; eyes large, not prominent; antenne long and siender,

yellow, with the apex dusky.’ Thoraw rather large, wider and much longer than the head, dilated at the

sides, widest near the middle, ornamented with rather large tubercles in irregular rows, with the inter-

stices smooth and shining, much depressed towards the base; sides strongly margined, with the margin

yellow ; basal margin sinuated and reflexed, with the angles acute, scarcely produced, yellow, Scutellum

large, triangular, rugosely asperate. lytra rufous-brown, short, not longer but much narrower than the

head and thorax, widest near the middle, rather contracted towards the apex; moderately asperate in

transverse rows, with the interstices shining; apex broad, not much rounded, with the extreme edge

white. Abdomen moderately exposed; the apex obtuse, faintly tridentate. Legs rather long, bright

yellow. Underparts black, with the mouth and coxe yellow.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo, San Gerénimo (Champion 1).

Differs from its allies in the broad and peculiar form of the thorax, and in the short

and narrow elytra.

13. Trichopteryx excelsa.

Trichopteryx excelsa, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. xi. p. 183°.

Brevis rotundata, haud attenuata, valde convexa, sat nitida, capite atque pronoto nigris, elytris rufescentibus,

pilis fulvis parce vestita ; capite magno; oculis prominentibus; pronoto valde convexo, ad basin depresso,

quam caput parum longiore, multo latiore, ante basin latissimo, tuberculis minutis ordinibus remotis

T* 2

140.

TRICHOPTERYGIDA.

sinuatis transversis dispositis interstitiisque nitidis reticulatis ornato, lateribus marginatis, valde rotun-

datis, margine basali fere recta, angulis, latis valde productis, late flavescentibus; elytris brevibus, quam

caput atque pronotum brevioribus et haud latioribus, valde convexis, ad media latissimis, ordinibus trans-

versis remotis sinuatis, modice asperatis, lateribus valde rotundatis, apicibus valde rotundatis ; pedibus

atque antennis modicis, obscure flavis. Long. corp. 7% lin.=0°87 millim.

Head large, very convex, rounded in front, shining, ornamented with minute distant tubercles ; eyes moderate,

prominent; antenne and palpi moderate, dusky yellow. Zhoraw rather short, rather longer and much

wider than the head, widest before the base, very convex, but much depressed posteriorly ; ornamented with

‘minute tubercles in remote wavy rows, with the interstices reticulated and shining; sides much rounded

and slightly margined; basal margin faintly sinuated, with the angles very broad, much produced, and

broadly flavescent. Scutellum very large, broad, triangular, moderately asperate. lytra very short,

convex, shorter and not wider than the head and thorax, widest at the middle, moderately asperate in

transverse distant rows; sides much rounded; apex much rounded and narrowly pale. Abdomen consi-

derably exserted, obtuse. Zegs moderate, dark yellow. Underparts castaneous, with the mouth and

coxee paler.

Hab. GuateMA.a, Totonicapam 10,500 feet (Champion 1).

Differs from the other species of the genus in its short and convex form, rounded

sides and depressed base of the thorax, short rounded elytra, and in sculpture.

14. Trichopteryx minor.

Trichopteryx minor, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 184°.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexa, sat nitida, nigra, pilis flavescentibus dense vestita ; capite modico ; oculis haud promi-

nentibus ; pronoto sat longo, prope medium latiore, postice haud dilatato, tuberculis magnis irregulariter

dispositis interstitiisque nitidis leviter reticulatis ornato, lateribus marginatis modice rotundatis, seta

valida erecta ante media utrinque armatis, margine basali reflexa, valde sinuata, angulis longe productis ;

elytris sat brevibus, fere quadratis, lateribus vix rotundatis, ordinibus transversis profunde asperatis ;

antennis longis, flavis ; pedibus robustis, lete flavis. Long. corp. 74 lin.=0°87 millim.

Head moderate, produced in front, shining, with a few minute tubercles irregularly placed; eyes moderate, not

prominent; antenne very long and slender, dusky yellow. Thorax almost quadrate, longer and rather

wider than the head, widest near the middle; closely covered with large tubercles in irregular wavy rows,

with the interstices shining and faintly reticulated ; sides margined and moderately rounded, each with a

strong erect seta before the middle; basal margin reflexed and rather deeply sinuated, with the angles

much produced and paler. Scutellum large, triangular, deeply and closely asperate. Hlytra rather short,

quadrate, with the sides slightly rounded, brownish in tint, not longer or wider than the head and thorax,

deeply and closely asperate in transverse rows, with a strong erect seta on each near the shoulder and

another near the apex ; the apex broad, much rounded, paler, with the extreme edge white. Abdomen

rather long, fuscous, with the apex of the last segment bidentate. Legs large, robust, bright yellow.

Underparts black, with the mouth and coxe bright yellow.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, San Gerénimo (Champion ').

Rather common. Differs from T. grandicollis in its much smaller size, oblong form,

and deeper sculpture.

15. Trichopteryx brevior.

Trichopteryx brevior, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p- 186°.

Oblonga, modice convexa, fusco-nigra, elytris dilutioribus, sat nitida, pilis brevibus griseis vestita ; capite magno,

antice producto ; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus; pronoto modico, sat dilatato, prope basin latiore, tuber-

TRICHOPTERYX. 141

culis parvis indistinctis remotis, interstitiis sat profunde reticulatis nitidis, ornato, angulis posterioribus

valde productis, acutis; elytris quadratis, quam caput atque pronotum nec longioribus nec latioribus, ordi-

nibus transversis sat leviter asperatis, lateribus fere rectis, apicibus latis, valde rotundatis, extremis

albidis; abdomine castaneo ; pedibus atque antennis flavis. Long. corp. 3°, lin.=0°75 millim.

Head rather large, produced in front, ornamented with small remote tubercles, with the interstices reticulate

and shining ; eyes large and rather prominent; antennw moderate, yellow. Thorax moderate, slightly

dilated posteriorly, widest near the base, rather longer and wider than the head, covered with small indis-

tinct and remote tubercles, the interstices shining and reticulated; sides moderately rounded, rather

strongly margined ; basal margin sinuated, with the angles acute and much produced. Scutellwm mode-

rate, triangular, transversely and rather deeply asperate. Hlytra quadrate, not longer or wider than the

head and thorax, fuscous, faintly asperate in transverse rows, with the interstices reticulate and shining ;

apex broad and rounded, with the extreme edge white. Abdomen castaneous, rather long and obtuse.

Legs moderate, bright yellow. Underparts castaneous, with the mouth and coxe paler.

Hab. Guatemaua, Zapote and near the city (Champion ').

Not uncommon. Differs from the North-American TZ. parallela, Motsch., in its

broader and less convex form, darker colour, and more indistinct sculpture.

16. Trichopteryx bidilatata.

Trichopteryx bidilatata, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 138".

Oblonga, convexa, haud nitida, obscure castanea, pilis brevibus griseis dense vestita ; capite magno, lato ; oculis

magnis, sat prominentibus ; pronoto transverso, postice haud dilatato, ad medium latiore, tuberculis mag-

nis, ordinibus transyersis sinuatis dispositis, confertim ornato, interstitiis reticulatis, sat nitidis, margine

posteriore fere recta, angulis vix productis; elytris oblongo-ovalibus, ad media latioribus, ordinibus trans-

versis profunde et confertissime asperatis ; pedibus atque antennis flavis, his obscurioribus. Long. corp.

** jin. =0°63-0°75 millim.

Head large and broad, ornamented with tubercles in transverse rows and reticulate interstices ; eyes large and

rather prominent; antenne moderate, dusky yellow. horaa moderate, transverse, not longer but rather

wider than the head, widest near the middle, with the sides rounded and margined; closely covered with

rather large tubercles in transverse wavy rows, the interstices reticulate and slightly shining ; basal margin

nearly straight, with the angles very little produced. | Scutellum large, triangular, closely asperate.

Elytra oblong-oval, not wider or longer than the head and thorax, widest near the middle, very closely

asperate in transverse rows; apex broad, almost straight, with the extreme edge white. Abdomen much

exserted, obtuse, with the posterior edge of each segment pale. Legs rather long, bright yellow. Under-

parts black, with the cox and apex of the abdomen piceous.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Balheu, San Gerénimo, and Senahu (Champion 1).

Differs from all the species of the genus except 7’. edithia in its doubly dilated

outline; from 7. edithia in its smaller size, longer elytra, and darker antenne.

17. Trichopteryx nigrita.

Trichopteryx nigrita, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 188°.

Oblonga, modice convexa, haud nitida, fusco-nigra, pilis fulvis vestita ; capite modico ; oculis sat prominentibus ;

pronoto modico, fere transverso, postice parum dilatato, tuberculis minutis, ordinibus sinuatis remotis dis-

positis interstitiisque sat profunde reticulatis, vix nitidis, ornato, lateribus modice rotundatis, sat late

marginatis, angulis posterioribus latis parum productis; elytris oblongis, quam caput atque pronotum

parum longioribus haud latioribus, lateribus fere rectis, transverse asperatis, apicibus late dilutioribus et

valde rotundatis ; pedibus atque antennis flavis, his obscurioribus. Long. corp. 7°; lin.=0-63 millim.

142 TRICHOPTERYGIDA.

Head moderate, rather produced in front, adorned with small scattered tubercles, with the interstices reticulate ;

eyes moderate, rather prominent ; antenne rather slender, dusky yellow. Thorax moderate, wider but

scarcely longer than the head, slightly dilated towards the base, widest at the base; covered with small

tubercles in rather remote wavy rows, with the interstices rather deeply reticulated and scarcely shining ;

sides moderately rounded and rather strongly margined; the basal margin slightly sinuated, with the

angles broad and a little produced. Scutellum large, triangular, deeply and closely asperate. Elytra

oblong, with the sides straight, fuscous, rather longer (not wider) than the head and thorax, rather deeply

and closely asperate in transverse rows; the apex broad, much rounded, and paler. Abdomen much

exserted, piceous, with the apex obtusely bidentate. Legs rather slender, yellow. Underparts black,

with the coxe and the apex of the abdomen piceous.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Differs from the allied species in its small size, oblong form, and piceous apex of the

abdomen; from 7. obscwna, Woll., it is separated by its much smaller size, more

depressed form, and more rugose sculpture.

18. Trichopteryx vitrea.

Trichopteryx vitrea, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 189°.

Brevissima, lata, valde convexa et nitida, translucide castanea, pilis aureis parce vestita; capite magno, lato ;

oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto brevi, transverso, quam caput haud longiore, parum latiore,

ante basin latissimo, tuberculis minutissimis indistinctis remotis interstitiisque glabris nitidissimis ornato,

lateribus rotundatis, margine basali fere recta, angulis minime productis; elytris subquadratis, quam caput

atque pronotum pariter longis et pariter latis, prope media latissimis, leviter sed confertim asperatis, late-

ribus rotundatis ad apices contractis, apicibus minime rotundatis ; pedibus atque antennis sat magnis, late

flavis. Long. corp. - lin. =0°50-0°63 millim. ’

Head large, rather produced in front, ornamented with very minute indistinct remote tubercles; eyes very

large and prominent; antenne rather large, bright yellow. Thorax short, transverse, not longer but

rather wider than the head, widest before the base; ornamented with very minute indistinct remote

tubercles, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides rounded; basal margin nearly straight, with the

angles very little produced. Scutellum large, triangular, glabrous. lyira short, subquadrate, not longer

or wider than the head and thorax, widest near the middle, faintly but closely asperate ; sides rounded,

contracted towards the apex ; apex very little rounded. Abdomen very much exserted, flavescent. Legs

robust, bright yellow. Underparts pale castaneous, the metasternum dusky.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 1000 feet (Champion ').

Found in plenty at Bugaba.

Differs from all others of the genus in its small size, short convex and rounded form,

shining and translucent body, and in sculpture.

19. Trichopteryx aubei.

Trichopteryx aubei, Matth. Trich. Illustr. p. 117, t. 24. f. 1 (1872)*; Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi.

p. 140’.

Elongate oval, moderately convex, brown, rather thickly covered with pale hair; head large, elongate, and

much rounded in front ; eyes rather prominent ; thorax wider but not longer than the head, widest behind

the middle, ornamented with very small tubercles in close wavy rows, with the interstices closely reticu-

late, the sides much rounded, the basal margin straight, with the angles obtuse; elytra rather long, rather

wider than and more than half as long again as the head and thorax, widest towards the apex, deeply

TRICHOPTERYX. 143

and irregularly asperate, the suture rather elevated posteriorly, the apex broad and slightly rounded ; legs

and antenne long and slender, bright yellow. Long. corp. 0°75 millim.

Hab. Norra America, Washington ?.—GuatemaLa, Cerro Zunil (Champion ?).—

CuiLi 1.

Differs from other species of the genus in its long and narrow shape, pale brown

colour, rounded thorax, and long legs and antenne.

The following species are unknown to me, and quite unrecognizable from the

descriptions :—

Trichopteryx brunneipennis.

Acratrichis brunneipennis, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 1737.

Hab. Panama, Obispo (Motschulsky +).

Trichopteryx lividipennis.

Acratrichis lividipennis, Motsch. Bull. Mose. xh. part 2, p. 174°.

Hab. Panama, near the city (Motschulsky ).

Trichopteryx velutina.

Acratrichis velutina, Motsch. Bull. Mose. xli. part 2, p. 175°

Hab. Istumus or Panama (Motschulsky 1).

Trichopteryx subglabra.

Acratrichis subglabra, Motsch. Bull. Mose. xh. part 2, p. 175°.

Hab. Panama, near the city (Motschulsky *).

Trichopteryx sylvestris.

Acratrichis sylvestris, Motsch. Bull. Mose. xli. part 2, p. 176°.

Hab. Panama, in the forests of the Isthmus (JJotschulsky ').

Trichopteryx convexa.

Acratrichis convexa, Motsch. Bull. Mose. xli. part 2, p. 178" (nec Matth.).

Hab. Isrumus or Panama (Motschulsky 1).

Trichopteryx planulata.

Acratrichis planulata, Motsch. Bull. Mose. xli. part 2, p. 179°.

Hab. Istumus or Panama (Motschulsky ').

144 TRICHOPTERYGIDA.

Trichopteryx fenestrata.

Acratrichis fenestrata (Moritz), Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xl. part 2, p. 180°.

Hab. Panama (Motschulsky +).

Trichopteryx pusillima.

Acratrichis pusillima, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 180.

Hab. Panama, Obispo (Motschulsky 1).

NEPHANES.

Nephanes, Thomson, Skand. Col. i. p. 62 (1859), & iv. p. 100 (1862).

Body oblong, pubescent. Head large, sessile, and prominent; eyes generally large. Thorax usually small, not

dilated at the base. Scutellwm large, triangular. lytra truncate, generally short. Wangs long, lanceo-

late, fringed with long black sete. Abdomen generally much exposed. -Antenne 11-jointed, with the two

basal joints very large and the intermediate joints slender; club elongate, moniliform. Palpi: mawillary

4-jointed, with the penultimate joint very large; apical joint long, acicular; Jabial long and slender,

arising from elongate processes of the labium, 3-jointed, with the apical joint ovate-acuminate. Prosternum

rather large; episterna large, triangular; epimera moderate, enclosing the coxal cavities. Mesosternum

large, elevated between the cox; episterna very large, humeral; epimera very large, extending to the

coxal cavities. Metasternum rather short, transverse, extending to the sides of the body; episterna

narrow, concealed by the elytra, with their interior apical angles alone visible ; ep¢mera narrow, with their

extremities alone visible beyond the metasternum. Venter composed of six segments ; 1-5 equal to each

other in length, the apical segment much longer. Legs generally robust ; posterior coxee moderately lami-

nated ; tibie armed with spurs; tarsi 3-jointed, with the two basal joints very small.

This genus contains four described species, one from Europe and three from North

or Central America.

The two species described below are very dissimilar in appearance, but I have not

been able to find any anatomical difference of sufficient importance to warrant their

generic separation. For this reason I have placed WV. pudescens in the present genus,

although in superficial appearance it differs very much from J. flaviventris and from

every other species of Nephanes.

Body clothed with scattered hairs. . . . . . . « flaviventris.

Body clothed with dense pubescence . . . . . . . pubescens.

1. Nephanes flaviventris.

Elachys flaviventris, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 183°.

Nephanes flaviventris, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 142 *,

Very short, convex, shining, brassy-castaneous, with the shoulders of the elytra rufous, clothed with short

pale hair; head moderate ; eyes not prominent; thorax rather longer and broader than the head, widest

at the middle, closely covered with small tubercles ; elytra very short, quadrate, rather shorter and not

broader than the head and thorax, contracted towards the apex, the shoulders rufescent, deeply asperate in

remote transverse rows; abdomen much exposed, flavescent; legs bright yellow; antenne dusky, with

the two basal joints bright yellow. Length ;‘¢ lin. =0-50 millim.

Hab. Nortu America, New York 1.—Guatemaa ?, San Gerénimo (Champion).

NEPHANES.—PTILIUM. 145

2. Nephanes pubescens.

Nephanes pubescens, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. xi. p. 141°.

Oblongus, sat depressus, haud nitidus, castaneus, pilis griseis dense vestitus ; capite magno, antice sat producto ;

oculis modicis, prominentibus ; pronoto sat parvo, transverso, quam caput haud longiore vix latiore,

tuberculis minutis irregulariter dispositis interstitiisque reticulatis sat nitidis ornato, lateribus leviter

rotundatis, pone media latioribus, margine basali fere recta, angulis obtusis ; elytris brevibus, quam caput

atque pronotum nee longioribus nec latioribus, ordinibus transversis leviter sed confertim asperatis, late-

ribus fere rectis, ad apices latioribus, apicibus latis fere rectis ; abdomine longius exserto, obtuso, dilutiore ;

pedibus atque antennis longis, late flavis. Long. corp. es lin. =0°50-0°63 millim.

Head large and broad, produced in front, closely and minutely tuberculate; eyes moderate and prominent ;

antenne long, bright yellow. Thoraa short, transverse, not longer or wider than the head, covered with

small tubercles irregularly arranged, with the interstices reticulate and slightly shining ; sides slightly

rounded, widest behind the middle; basal margin nearly straight, with the angles rather obtuse. Scutellum

large, triangular, closely asperate. lytra short, not longer or wider than the head and thorax, closely

but lightly asperate in transverse rows; sides almost straight, widest near the apex; apex broad and

nearly straight. Abdomen paler, long and obtuse. Legs long, bright yellow. Underparts dusky testa-

ceous, rather deeply reticulate.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion ').

Differs from all other species of Nephanes in its longer form and dense pubescence.

PTILIUM.

Ptilium, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutsch. iii. p. 26 (1846); Matthews, Trich. Illustr. p. 93, t. 8

(1872).

Body elongate, pubescent, moderately convex. Head generally large and prominent, sometimes sessile ; eyes

large, often prominent. Zhoraa small, cordate or subquadrate, sometimes slightly constricted near the

base, often marked with longitudinal lines on the disc; hinder angles not produced. Scutellwm large,

triangular. lytra long, entire. Wings pedunculate, very long and narrow, fringed on each side with

long movable sete. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed. Antenne 11-jointed, with the two basal

joints large and incrassate, the intermediate generally long and slender, sometimes short, subquadrate,

the ninth longer and slightly incrassate, and the last two forming a moniliform club, ornamented with

verticillate hairs. Pulpi: mazillary long, 4-jointed, with the third joint very large, ovate-truncate ;

apical joint acicular, long and slender; labial very slender, 3-jointed, with the apical joint very small,

ovate. Prosternum rather large ; episterna narrow, trigonal; epimera very small, not enclosing the coxal

cavities; coxal cavities small and oval. Mesosternwm moderate, elevated into a triangular carina broad

at its base; episterna humeral, small and narrow; epimera very large and broad, extending to the coxal

cavities ; coxal cavities oval, oblique. Jetasternum large, extending to the sides of the body; epzsterna

concealed by the elytra, with their interior apical angle alone visible ; epimera concealed by the elytra,

with their extremity slightly visible beyond the metasternum ; posterior coxe slightly separated. Venter

composed of seven segments, nearly equal to each other in length. Legs generally rather short, the posterior

pair being much shorter than the rest; cox very narrowly laminated; tibie often much dilated ; tarsi

3-jointed, with the two basal joints very small.

This genus contains a large number of described species from Europe and North

America. Ptilium may be known by the unusual shortness of the hinder legs and the

apparently bi-articulate club of the antenne. Its species are generally rare and very

difficult to find; they are chiefly found under the sappy bark of trees. The three

contained in this collection are exceedingly minute, P. hornianum being scarcely larger

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I]. Pt. 1, February 1888. U*

146 TRICHOPTERYGIDA.

than Nanosella fungi, the smallest coleopteron yet discovered. ‘The following super-

ficial characters will serve to distinguish them from each other :—

Form oblong. . . . 1. . 1 ee ee ee ee) ornianum.

Form elongate.

Antenne moderate . . . . . . . + + + ~) 6planum.

Antenne very short and robust . . . . . + . ¢ropicum.

1. Ptilium hornianum.

Ptilium hornianum, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 143°.

Oblongum, convexum, sat nitidum, castaneum, pilis griseis vestitum ; capite magno, lato; oculis modicis, promi-

nulis; pronoto parvo, transverso, quam caput breviore vix latiore, nitido, tuberculis exiguis confertim

obtecto, ad medium latissimo, lateribus leviter rotundatis, leviter marginatis, margine basali leviter reflexa,

angulis fere rectis; elytra oblongis, quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, vix latioribus, profunde

et reticulatim asperatis, ad media latissimis, lateribus minime rotundatis, apice lato rotundato; pedibus

lete, antennis obscure flavis. Long. corp. 7% lin. =0-37 millim.

Head large and broad, rather prominent, shining, closely but finely tuberculate ; eyes moderate, rather promi-

nent ; antenne rather long, dusky yellow. Thorax small, transverse, shorter and scarcely broader than

the head, rather shining, closely but finely tuberculate, widest at the middle; sides a little rounded and

faintly margined ; basal margin straight, slightly reflexed, with the angles almost rectangular. Scu-

éellum small, triangular, closely asperate. Hlytra oblong, convex, rather longer but scarcely wider than the

head and thorax, widest at the middle, deeply and reticulately asperate; sides slightly rounded ; apex

broad and much rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium only exposed and pale. Legs moderate, bright

yellow. Underparts pale castaneous, with the mouth, the hinder part of the metasternum, and the

terminal segments of the venter flavescent.

Hab. Nortu America, Texas !.—GuateMa.a, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion).

Differs from the European P. rugulosum in its much smaller size, fainter sculpture,

shining surface, and bright yellow legs and antenne; from all others of the genus in

its exceedingly minute size.

2. Ptilium planum.

Ptilium planum, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 144".

Elongatum, fere lineare, modice convexum, haud nitidum, ferrugineum, pilis flavis dense vestitum ; capite magno,

antice producto; oculis magnis, valde prominentibus ; pronoto parvo, transverso, quam caput breviore haud

latiore, confertim tuberculato, lateribus ante media latioribus ad basin fortiter contractis; elytris longis,

angustis, quam caput atque pronotum plus quam sesqui-longioribus, vix latioribus, leviter sed confertim

asperatis, apicibus latis rotundatis ; pedibus longis, gracilibus, flavis; antennis sat brevibus, lete flavis.

Long. corp. 39; lin. =0°63 millim.

Head very large, produced in front, dusky ferruginous, closely and finely tuberculate; eyes large and promi-

nent; antenne rather short, bright yellow. Z'horawx small, transverse, narrower and not longer than the

head, closely and finely tuberculate ; sides much contracted towards the base, widest before the middle,

and moderately margined; the basal margin nearly straight, with the angles almost rectangular.

Scutellum large, triangular, closely asperate. Hlytra elongate oval, scarcely wider but more than half as

long again as the head and thorax, finely and closely asperate in transverse rows, with the apex broad

and rounded. Abdomen with the pygidium only exposed. Legs long and slender, yellow. Underparts

wholly testaceous.

Hab. GuatEmata, Capetillo (Champion *).

PTILIUM.— ACTIDIUM. 147

This insect differs from the European P. foveolatum in its larger size, broader form,

plane thorax, and deeper general sculpture; from all other species of the genus in its

narrow elongate form and small size.

3. Ptilium tropicum. (Tab. III. fig. 23.)

Piilium tropicum, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 144°.

Sat elongatum, modice convexum, sat nitidum, rufo-testaceum, pilis brevibus flavescentibus vestitum ; capite

magno, antice rotundato; oculis magnis, prominulis ; pronoto parvo, quam caput nec longiore nec latiore,

ante medium latissimo, confertim sat fortiter tuberculato, disco interdum leviter impresso, lateribus antice

valde rotundatis, postice fortiter contractis, leviter marginatis, margine basali fere recta angulis modicis ;

elytris quam caput atque pronotum multo longioribus et parum latioribus, apicem versus latissimis,

confertim sed levissime asperatis, lateribus leviter rotundatis, apice lato, leviter rotundato ; pedibus atque

antennis brevibus, robustis, late flavis. Long. corp. a lin. =0°50-0°63 millim,

Head large, rounded in front, finely and closely tuberculate; eyes large and prominent ; antenne short, very

robust, bright yellow, with the ninth joint incrassate. Thorax small, not longer or wider than the head,

widest before the middle, closely and rather strongly tuberculate, sometimes with a faint impression on

the disc; sides slightly margined, much rounded anteriorly and strongly contracted towards the base ;

basal margin nearly straight, with the angles moderate. Scuteliwm rather small, triangular, closely

asperate. lytra much longer and slightly wider than the head and thorax, widest near the apex, very

finely and closely asperate; sides faintly rounded; apex very broad and slightly rounded. Abdomen

with the pygidium only exposed. Legs short, robust, bright yellow. Underparts rufo-testaceous, with

the mouth and coxe bright yellow.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Differs from P. planum in its smaller size, shorter form, short and very robust

antenne (of which the ninth joint is more incrassate than usual in this genus), and in

sculpture.

Found in abundance at Bugaba.

ACTIDIUM.

Actidium, Matthews, Ent. Monthly Mag. v. p. 12 (1868); Trich. Illustr. p. 86, t. 7 (1872).

Body subovate and very shining, or linear and clothed with dense pubescence. Head large, sessile, and promi-

nent ; eyes generally large and prominent. Thorax small, cordate, the base rounded and overlapping the

shoulders of the elytra. Scutellum rather small, triangular. Hlytra entire, often very long and narrow.

Antenne 11-jointed, generally long, with the two basal joints very large, the intermediate rather slender,

and the last three forming a slightly incrassated moniliform club, with the ninth joint much smaller

than the tenth. Palpi: mawvillary long, 4-jointed, with the third joint very large, ovate, not truncate,

and the fourth aciculate, very slender, and strongly sinuated ; Jabial small and slender, 3-jointed, arising

from large ovate labial processes ; apical joint very small, acutely pointed. Prosternum large ; episterna

small and narrow; epimera moderate, very distinct, not enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities

contingent, open posteriorly. Mesosternum long, broadly elevated in the middle, and produced into a

sharp point between the coxe ; episterna humeral and narrow ; epimera very large, extending to the

coxal cavities; coxal cavities oblique. Metasternwm very long, not extending to the sides of the body,

produced and bidentate between the posterior coxee; episterna very narrow, rather more than half as long

as the metasternum ; epimera narrow, extending rather beyond the metasternum ; posterior coxe long and

narrow, not extending to the sides of the body. (In some species the episterna and epimera are concealed

by the inflexed sides of the elytra.) Venter composed of seven segments, the basal segment being the

U* 2

148 TRICHOPTERYGIDZ.

longest, the rest equal to each other in length. Legs generally short and very robust; tibie often

strongly dilated; tarsi very short, setose, 3-jointed, with the basal joints often dilated; claws large and

long ; posterior coxee faintly laminated.

The species of this interesting genus, generally of rare occurrence, may be known

from all other “ Ptiliina” by the base of their thorax overlapping the shoulders of the

elytra. ‘They are very minute in size, which may in some measure account for their

rarity ; and are divided into two very distinct groups, one containing those species which

are smooth and shining and the other such as are clothed with dense pubescence. The

Central-American species belongs to the latter group; it isa very elegant insect, covered

with short silvery pubescence.

The few known species inhabit Europe, North America, and New Zealand ; they are

chiefly found on the sandy banks of streams and on the sea-coast.

1. Actidium fowlerianum.

Actidium fowlerianum, Matth. Cist. Ent. ili. p. 477; Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 146°.

Elongatum, angustum, obscure castaneum, convexum, vix nitidum, pilis brevibus argenteis dense vestitum ;

capite magno, obtuso, confertissime tuberculato ; oculis parvis, sat prominentibus ; pronoto parvo, transverso,

quam caput nec longiore nec latiore, confertissime tuberculato, lateribus rotundatis et marginatis, ad basin

sat abrupte contractis, margine basali rotundato ; elytris elongato-ovatis, sutura apicem versus elevata, late-

ribus marginatis, apice angusto attenuato; pedibus flavis, antennis obscure flavis. Long. corp. lin.=

0:37-0°50 millim.

Head large, obtuse in front, closely covered with tubercles; eyes small, rather prominent; antenne moderate,

rather robust, dusky yellow. Thora small, transverse, not longer or wider than the head, closely covered

with tubercles, rather shining; the sides rounded, margined, and rather abruptly contracted at the base ;

basal margin rounded. Scutellwm small, triangular, and acuminate. Hlytra elongate ovate, twice as long

but scarcely wider than the head and thorax, closely asperate, with the suture slightly elevated poste-

riorly ; sides margined, widest before the middle, and attenuated towards the apex ; apex rounded. Legs

moderate, bright yellow. Underparts castaneous, with the mouth and coxe yellow.

Hab. GuATEMALA, near the city (Champion! ?).

Differs from the other species of the genus in its minute size, elongate and attenuated

form, and close sculpture.

Of this distinct and elegant insect some specimens ( ¢!) are much more attenuated

towards the apex of the elytra than others. In an arrangement of the species of the

genus it must be placed immediately before the New Zealand A. lineare, which it

resembles more than any other yet discovered.

Found on the banks of a stream in a “barranca” near the city of Guatemala

(Champion).

PTENIDIUM.

Ptenidium, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutsch. iii. p. 85 (1846) ; Matthews, Trich. Ilustr. p. 74, t. 6

(1872).

Body more or less ovate, very convex and shining. Head large, sessile, and prominent; eyes generally large

and prominent. Thora small, transverse, commonly marked with four foves near the basal margin.

Scutellum large, triangular. Llytra entire, ovate, generally rather long. Wings pedunculate, long and

PTENIDIUM. 149

narrow, fringed on both sides with very long movable sete. Antenne usually long and slender, 11-

jointed, with the two basal joints very large, the intermediate generally very long and slender, and the last

three forming an elongate moniliform club, ornamented with long verticillate sete. Palpi: maaillary long,

4-jointed, with the third joint very large, ovate, not truncate; apical joint long, acicular, and recurved ;

labial very long and very slender, arising from broad, transverse, labial processes, 3-jointed, with the apical

joint small, conical, and acuminate. Prosternwm moderate; episterna small and narrow; epimera small

and distinct, not enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities oval, contingent, and marginal. Mesosternum

rather large, elevated into a rather flat, subquadrate carina between the coxe; episterna small, humeral ;

epimera very large, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities circular, separated by the carina.

Metasternum very large, extending to the sides of the body, moderately produced between the posterior

cox ; episterna concealed by the elytra, with their interior apical angles alone visible ; .epimera wholly

concealed by the elytra. Venter composed of seven segments nearly equal to each other in length, the

apical segment simple (the apical abdominal segment is sometimes dentate at its apex, but this is only

visible on the underside). Zegs generally long and slender, with the posterior cox small and very slightly

laminate; tibie sometimes dilated; tarsi 3-jointed, with the two basal joints very minute, and the third

very long and very slender.

The species of Péenidium are readily distinguished from all other Trichopterygide by

their ovate, very convex form, and brightly polished surface. Among the new species

discovered by Mr. Champion, P. strangulatum is remarkable for the excessive contraction

of the base of the thorax and of the shoulders of the elytra—at the point of junction of

these parts its body is as nearly divided into two as are the articulations of the club of

its antenne; but in other respects it does not anatomically differ from its congeners.

Ptenidiwm contains a large number of described forms, mostly from Europe or North

America. The following table will assist in the identification of the Central-American

species known to me :—

Shoulders of the elytra strongly contracted . . . . . . . . . strangulatum.

Shoulders of the elytra not contracted.

Base of the thorax with four fovez.

Thoracic fovee very small. . . . 2. ee 1 eee «0beSum.

Thoracic fovez large.

Scutellum deeply punctured. . . . . . . . . . foveatum.

Scutellum scarcely punctured . . . . . . «© © tgnobile.

Base of the thorax without fovese.

Colour deep black; size large. . . . . . 2. 1. we onttens.

Colour rufo-piceous; sizesmall . . . 2. 1... ee) tmpunctatum.

1. Ptenidium strangulatum.

Pienidium strangulatum, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 148°.

Elongatum, ad humeros strangulatum, valde convexum, glabrum, nitidissimum, nigrum; capite magno, antice

producto; oculis magnis, prominentibus; pronoto parvo, transverso, quam caput parum latiore haud

longiore, ante medium latiore, ad basin fortissime contracto, glabro, nitidissimo, foveis quatuor equidistan-

tibus valde indistinctis ad basin atque duabus utrinque ad angulum basalem pariter indistinctis notato,

lateribus late marginatis, valde rotundatis; elytris ovatis, convexissimis, ad humeros atque apices pariter

et valde attenuatis, ante media latioribus, nigris, apicibus atque humeris rufis, glabris, nitidissimis, stria

abbreviata remote punctata ad suturam utrinque impressis, apice modice rotundato; pedibus gracilioribus,

. : . . : . oo. 5-7 7: - “7°

lete flavis ; antennis modicis, flavis, clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. “4 lin. =0°75-0°87 millim.

150 TRICHOPTERYGIDZ.

Head \arge, produced in front, very smooth and shining, ornamented with a few minute remote punctures ;

eyes large and prominent; antenne moderate, yellow, with the club dusky. Thorax rather small, trans-

verse, very strongly contracted at the base, rather wider but not longer than the head, very smooth and

shining, with four very indistinct equidistant foveee near the base, and two or three others equally indis-

tinct on each side behind the middle ; the sides rounded and strongly margined ; posterior margin very short,

depressed, and nearly straight. Scutellum very elongate, triangular, marked with a few minute punc-

tures. Hlytra ovate, much wider than and almost twice as long as the head and thorax, widest near the

middle, with the shoulders and apex strongly and equally attenuated, very smooth and shining, black,

the shoulders and apex rufous, with a row of distant punctures on each side of the anterior half of the

suture terminating in a short convergent line, the apex rather narrow and rounded; the epipleure

unusually broad and deep. Legs rather long, bright yellow, with the tarsi very small. Underparts black,

with the coxe, the posterior margin of the segments of the abdomen, and the whole of the terminal

segment flavescent.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion !).

Differs from all the other species of the genus in its strangulated form and very

shining surface.

This remarkable insect scarcely appears at first sight to be a true Ptenidium; but

after a careful examination I cannot discover that it differs in any anatomical character.

It must, however, be placed the first in order, as it approaches Act¢diwm in the general

form of its body.

Found not uncommonly at Capetillo.

2. Ptenidium obesum.

Ptenidium obesum, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 151°.

Breve, obesum, validissime convexum, glabrum, nitidissimum; capite sat brevi, latissimo; oculis magnis, vix

prominentibus ; pronoto modico, transverso, quam caput parum longiore et multo latiore, valde convexo,

glaberrimo, nitidissimo, punctis quatuor parvis equidistantibus ad basin, et duobus ad marginem anteriorem

notato, lateribus valde rotundatis, vix marginatis, ad media latioribus, angulis posticis obtusis; elytris

brevibus ovatis, validissime convexis et glabris, quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus vix lati-

oribus, ante media latioribus, latertbus leviter marginatis, apice valde obtuso; pedibus flavis; antennis

obscure flavis. Long. corp. 7% lin. =0°87 millim.

Head short and broad, very smooth and shining; eyes large, scarcely prominent ; antenne short, yellow, dusky

towards the club. Zhorax moderate, transverse, rather longer and much wider than the head, very

convex, smooth, and shining, with four minute equidistant punctures near the base and two near the

middle of the anterior margin; sides much rounded and slightly margined, widest near the middle; basal

margin straight, with the angles very obtuse. Scutellum short and broad, rather abruptly acuminated

towards the apex. Llytra short ovate, exceedingly convex, smooth and shining, rather longer but scarcely

wider than the head and thorax, the sides slightly margined, widest before the middle, the apex very

obtuse. Legs moderate, dark yellow. Underparts black, with the mouth and coxe piceous.

Hab. GuateMALA, Duefias (Champion ').

This insect differs from its allies in its exceedingly convex and short form, almost

impunctate surface, and short antenne.

3. Ptenidium foveatum.

Ptenidium foveatum, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 149°.

Obtuse ovatum, piceo-nigrum, nitidissimum, valde convexum ; capite magno, lato; oculis magnis, sat prominen-

PTENIDIUM. 151

tibus; pronoto modico, quam caput parum longiore et latiore, glabro, nitidissimo, punctis minutis remotis

in disco, foveis quatuor magnis equidistantibus ad basin atque duabus minoribus ad marginem anteriorem

notato, lateribus marginatis et rotundatis, margine basali recta angulis obtusis; scutello magno, foveis

quatuor magnis ad basin, duabus minoribus ad medium atque una ad apicem notato; elytris sat brevibus,

quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus et latioribus, ante medio latioribus, perglabris, nitidissimis,

stria suturali punctorum remotorum utrinque notatis; pedibus atque antennis late flavis. Long. corp.

+ lin.=0-63-0-75 millim.

Head large and broad, very smooth and shining, with three large punctures placed in an oblique line near the

eye on each side; eyes large and prominent; antennz long, robust, bright yellow. Thorax moderate,

rather longer and wider than the head, very convex, smooth and shining, with four deep equidistant foves

at the base and two smaller fovese near the middle of the anterior margin; sides rounded and margined ;

basal margin nearly straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large, triangular, with four deep punctures

at the base, two smaller punctures near the middle, and one near the apex. Llytra short, scarcely longer or

wider than the head and thorax, very convex and shining, with a single puncture on each side near the

scutellum, and a stria of remote punctures on each side of the suture, the sides rounded and margined,

widest before the middle, the apex rather attenuated. Legs rather long, very bright yellow, with the tibie

rather dilated towards the apex. Underparts black, with the mouth and coxe bright yellow and the

abdomen piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuatemMaLa, Aceytuno (Champion 1).

This species is distinguished by its short ovate form, and by the peculiar sculpture of

the scutellum.

4, Ptenidium ignobile.

Ptenidium ignobile, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. xi. p. 149°.

Ovale, sat elongatum, piceo-nigrum, glabrum, nitidissimum ; capite magno, in fronte sat producto; oculis magnis,

prominentibus ; pronoto modico, quam caput parum latiore vix longiore, glabro, nitidissimo, foveis quatuor

magnis profundis ad basin notato, lateribus modice rotundatis et marginatis, ad media latioribus, margine

basali recta angulis obtusis; elytris ovalibus, quam caput atque pronotum longioribus haud latioribus,

impunctatis, nitidis, ante media latioribus, ad apicem attenuatis, apice dilutiore; pedibus atque antennis

sat longis, late flavis. Long. corp. ;®; lin.=0°63 millim.

Head large, rather produced in front, shining, and impunctate; eyes very large and prominent; antenne long,

bright yellow. Thorax moderate, somewhat quadrate, wider but not longer than the head, smooth and

shining, with four large and very deep equidistant foves: near the base, the sides a little rounded and

slightly margined, widest near the middle, the basal margin straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum

large, triangular, with four small fovez at the base. Llytra oval, rather narrow, longer but not wider

than the head and thorax, shining, impunctate, widest before the middle, attenuated towards the apex,

the apex paler. Legs rather long, bright yellow. Underparts piceous, with the mouth, cox, and the

apex of the abdomen yellow.

Hab. Guatema.a, near the city (Champion '),

Differs from its congeners in its small size, narrow form, four large and deep thoracic

foveze, and shining impunctate surface.

5. Ptenidium nitens.

Ptenidium nitens, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 149°.

Ovale, elongatum, valde convexum, nitidissimum, glabrum, aterrimum; capite magno, prominente ; oculis magnis,

prominulis; pronoto modico, quam caput latiore et parum longiore, valde convexo, nitidissimo, punctis

exiguis indistinctis remotis notato, foveis basalibus nullis, ad basin latissimo, lateribus modice rotundatis,

152 TRICHOPTERYGIDZ.

vix marginatis, margine basali leviter convexa angulis obtusis; elytris ovatis, quam caput atque pronotum

longioribus, haud latioribus, ante media latissimis, valde convexis, nitidissimis, fere glabris, punctis paucis

indistinctissimis notatis, apice rotundato; pedibus atque antennis modicis, lete flavis. Long. corp.

3; lin.=1 millim.

Head \arge, rounded in front, shining, glabrous, impunctate; eyes large and prominent; antenne moderate,

bright yellow. Thorax moderate, rather longer and wider than the head, widest at the base, very convex

and shining, with a few very indistinct minute punctures on the disc, but no basal fovee ; sides moderately

rounded, scarcely margined; basal margin slightly convex, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum large,

triangular, glabrous. lytra ovate, rather longer but scarcely wider than the head and thorax, widest

before the middle, glabrous and shining, with a few very indistinct minute punctures; sides faintly mar-

gined; apex obtuse, fuscescent. Legs moderate, bright yellow. Underparts black, with the mouth and

the coxe yellow.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson 1).

One specimen.

This insect differs from P. druckii, Matth., in the absence of the basal fovee of the

thorax; from others of the genus in its shining glabrous surface.

6. Ptenidium impunctatum.

Ptenidium impunctatum, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 150°.

Elongato-oblongum, piceum, valde convexum, nitidissimum; capite magno, lato, oculis magnis; pronoto sat

magno, transverso, quam caput latiore haud longiore, valde convexo, impunctato, glabro, nitidissimo,

lateribus rotundatis et marginatis, margine basali recta angulis obtusis ; elytris ovatis, obtusis, quam caput

atque pronotum angustioribus vix longioribus, convexis, nitidissimis, fere impunctatis, lateribus marginatis

ad media latioribus, apice obtuso late rufescente ; pedibus atque antennis modicis, lete favis. Long. corp.

*7 lin.=0-75-0-87 millim.

Head large and broad, shining, impunctate; eyes large, moderately prominent; antenne rather short, robust,:

bright yellow. Thorax large, transverse, wider but not longer than the head, convex, impunctate, and -

very shining; sides margined and rounded; basal margin straight, with the angles obtuse. Scutellum

moderate, triangular. lytra ovate, obtuse, narrower but scarcely longer than the head and thorax,

widest near the middle, convex, very shining, and impunctate; sides margined; apex obtuse, broadly

rufous. Legs moderate, bright yellow. Underparts piceous, with the head, mesosternum, coxe, and

abdomen flavescent.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city, Capetillo, San Gerénimo (Champion ').

Differs from others of the genus in its bread head and thorax, narrow elytra, and

impunctate surface.

Found not uncommonly by Mr. Champion.

The following species is unrecognizable from the description :—

Ptenidium fuscipennis.

Ptenidium fuscipennis, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xh. part 2, p. 190°.

Hab. Istumus of Panama (Motschulsky *).

NANOSELLA.—THROSCIDIUM. 153

NANOSELLA.

Nanosella, Motschulsky, Bull. Mose. xli. part 2, pp. 172, 187 (1868) ; Matthews, Trans. Am. Ent.

Soc. xi. p. 153 (1884).

Body exceedingly minute, cylindrical, elongate linear, pubescent. Head large, sessile, and prominent; eyes

placed far back, prominent. Thorax large, subquadrate, widest at the base, with the posterior angles

rectangular. Scutellum moderate, triangular. Llytra entire, very long, and linear. Abdomen with

the pygidium exposed. Antenne very short and robust, 11-jointed—1 and 2 very large ; 3-7 subquadrate,

robust; 8 larger than 7, cyathiform ; 9-11 forming a biarticulate, rather solid, and very much incrassated

club, of which the two basal joints are amalgamated, but very evident, and the apical joint very large,

obtusely conical, and furnished with a whorl of short sete beyond the middle. (Parts of the mouth not

dissected.) Prosternum very short; episterna rather large, triangular; epimera small, not enclosing the

coxal cavities; coxal cavities contingent, semiexcised, open behind. Mesosternum short, elevated in the

middle, and produced into an acute point between the coxe; episterna small, humeral; epimera very

large, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities oval, oblique. Metasternum large, quadrate,

extending to the sides of the body, produced into a short acute point between the posterior coxe ;

episterna concealed by the elytra, with their interior apical angles alone visible; epimera concealed by

the elytra, with their extremities minutely visible beyond the metasternum. Venter composed of six

segments, of which the basal and apical are much longer than either of the others, the apical segment

simple. Legs short; tibiee moderately dilated; tarsi short, 3-jointed, the basal joint much larger than

the second, the third very long and slender; posterior coxe large, and very broadly laminated.

This genus differs widely from every other of the Trichopterygide in the shortness

and peculiar form of its antenna, and in the cylindrical and linear shape of the whole

body. Motschulsky’s diagnosis of the genus Nanosella, although, like all his other

descriptions, far too brief, is very accurate and intelligible. The single known species

inhabits the United States and Central America,

1. Nanosella fungi.

Nanosella fungi, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 187, t. 8. f. 3°; Matth. Trans. Am. Ent, Soc.

xi. p. 154”.

Linear, very long, subcylindric, testaceous, clothed with short yellow pubescence ; head large and prominent;

eyes large, placed far back; thorax rather longer and wider than the head, widest at the base, moderately

but closely tuberculate, the basal margin nearly straight, with the angles nearly rectangular; elytra very

long and narrow, not broader, but more than twice longer than the head and thorax, rather faintly and

closely tuberculate, the sides nearly parallel, the apex slightly rounded; legs and antenne short, pale

yellow. Length 2, lin. =0°25 millim.

Hab. Nortu America, Georgia (Motschulsky }?).—Guatemata, San Juan in Vera

Paz (Champion).

Of this interesting species, the smallest known coleopteron, one example was found

by Mr. Champion in Guatemala.

THROSCIDIUM.

Throscidium, Matthews, Trich. Illustr. p. 64 (1872) ; Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 154, t. 3 (1884).

Body elongate oval, convex, pubescent. Head rather large, sessile, deflexed ; eyes moderate, prominent,

Thorax large, with the posterior angles acute and produced. Scutellwm moderate, triangular. Hlytra

entire, long, obtusely rounded at the apex. Abdomen with the pygidium exposed, sometimes acutely

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1888. X*

154 TRICHOPTERYGIDA.

dentate. Wings pedunculate, long and narrow, fringed on both sides with long movable sete. Antenne

long and slender, 11-jointed, with the two basal joints very large, the intermediate very long and very

slender, and the last three forming a much incrassated moniliform club, ornamented with long verticillate

hairs. Palpi: maxillary large, 4-jointed, with the third joint very large, ovate, not truncate; apical joint

rather small, acicular, and sinuated ; labial short and robust, with the labial processes short, transverse,

3-jointed, with the apical joint ovate. Prosternum very short; episterna small and narrow; epimera

small and distinct, not enclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, contingent, open behind.

Mesosternum moderate, elevated into a long carina, extending from the collum to beyond the coxal

cavities; episterna small and narrow; epimera very large and broad, extending to the coxal cavities ;

coxal cavities large and round, separated by the carina. Metasternwm large, transverse, extending to the

sides of the body, and produced between the posterior coxe into an acute point; episterna covered for the

most part by the elytra, but with their interior apical angles broadly inflexed below the mesosternum ;

epumera concealed by the elytra, with their extremities only visible below the metasternum. Venter

composed of seven segments, of which the last two are separately longer than either of the preceding

segments; apical segment simple. Legs moderate; posterior coxe very large, and broadly laminated ;

tibie setose, armed with long spurs; tarsi 3-jointed, with the two basal joints large, the third very long

and slender.

Throscidiwm is distinguished from Nossidium by the more elongate form of the body,

and the produced posterior angles of the thorax, as well as by the great dissimilarity

of the whole underside of the external skeleton. Its Central-American exponent,

T. invisibile, was described by Nietner as a species of Trichopteryx, and is quoted as

such in the ‘Trichopterygia Illustrata;’ but from the examination of more recent

captures I feel convinced that it belongs to the present genus. The two other known

species are both from Chili.

1. Throscidium invisibile. (Tab. III. fig. 25.) |

Trichopteryx invisibilis, Nietner, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 2nd ser. xix. p.879'; Matth. Trich. Illustr.

p- 121, t. 24. f.10°; Cist. Ent. iii. p. 45°.

Acrotrichis invisibilis, Wollast. Col. Hesperid. p. 54‘.

Throscidium invisibile, Matth. Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 154°.

Acratrichis elongatula, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 180°.

Elongate oval, moderately convex, translucent livid-castaneous, rather thickly clothed with short sericeous

hair; head large and prominent; eyes small and prominent; thorax moderate, slightly dilated posteriorly,

ornamented with minute tubercles arranged in rows, straight on the disc but curved at the sides, with the

interstices faintly reticulated, and also with a smooth and shining space at the base, the basal margin slightly

sinuated, with the angles nearly rectangular; elytra long, not broader than but half as long again as the

head and thorax, rather deeply and reticulately asperate; abdomen with the pygidium only exposed;

legs and antennz pale yellow, the former long and robust, with the basal joints of all the tarsi incrassated.

Length 54 lin.=0-50 millim.

Hab. Guaremata’, San Gerénimo (Champion *); Isrumus of Panama (Mots-

chulsky * ® °).—Cryton! 2%; Cape VERDE IsLanps 2? 4,

This species, found by Mr. Champion near San Gerénimo, Guatemala, appears to be

widely distributed in the tropical zone; it was first discovered by Nietner in Ceylon, and

subsequently found by Wollaston in the Cape Verde Islands and by Colonel Motschulsky

near Panama; the last-named illustrious entomologist describing it under the name of

Acratrichis elongatula.

THROSCIDIUM.—CISSIDIUM. 155

The specimens from Central America, as well as those from the Cape Verde Islands,

are rather smaller and paler in colour than those found in Ceylon; but resemble them

entirely in form, and in the very peculiar sculpture of the thorax and elytra.

The following genera and species recorded by Motschulsky from Central America are

not contained in the present collection * :—

MYRMECOTRICHIS.

Myrmecotrichis, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 17; Bull. Mose. xli. part 2, p. 181 (1868).

Myrmicotrichis, Matthews, Trich. Ilustr. p. 150, t. 14 (1872).

1. Myrmecotrichis zquatorialis.

Myrmecotrichis equatorialis, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 182, t. 8. fig. 1’.

Myrmicotrichis equatorialis, Matth. Trich. Illustr. p. 152, t. 23. fig. 9.

Obconic, flavescent, clothed with short golden hair; thorax strongly arcuate, with the hinder angles exceedingly

produced ; elytra narrower than the head and thorax, much attenuated posteriorly, the apex truncate ;

abdomen much exposed ; legs and antenne short, robust. Length 0-75 millim.

Hab. Panama (Motschulsky 1).

In the nests of Edecnemia hystrix, Latr. !

2. Myrmecotrichis subvittata.

Myrmecotrichis subvittata, Motsch. Bull. Mose. xli. part 2, p. 182°.

Hab. Istumus of Panama (Motschulsky 1).

This insect is unknown to me; it is possibly the female of UZ. egquatorialis.

CISSIDIUM.

Cissidium, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 17; Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 189 (1868).

This genus is unknown to me.

1. Cissidium basale.

Cissidium basale, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 190, t. 8. f£. 57.

Hab. Istumus of Panama (Motschulsky 1).

2. Cissidium rufescens.

Cissidium rufescens, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 190’.

Hab. Istumus of Panama (DMotschulsky 1).

* Micridium lineatum, Motsch., by an oversight, has been recorded by me (Trans, Am. Ent. Soe. xi. p. 153)

as from Central America; the locality given by Motschulsky is “ North America.”

X* 2

156 SPH ERIIDZ.

MILLIDIUM.

Millidium, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p.18; Bull. Mosc. xh. part 2, p. 1891; Matthews, Trich.

Illustr. p. 90, t. 7@ (1872).

1. Millidium sculpturatum.

Milhdium sculpturatum, Motsch. Etud. ent. 1855, p. 18; Bull. Mosc. xli. part 2, p. 189°.

Hab. Centrat America }.

Unknown to me.

2. Millidium triramosum.

Millidium triramosum, Motsch. loc. cit. p. 18; loc. cit. p. 189*; Matth. Trich. Illustr. p. 93, t. 29.

fig. 5.

Elongate oval, very smooth and shining, rufo-piceous; thorax strongly constricted near the base, with three

deep, parallel sulci on the disc, and a short sulcus near each posterior angle; elytra shining, almost

impunctate; legs and antenne pale yellow. Length 0:50 millim,

Hab. Centra AMERICA }.

Fam. SPHERIIDE *.

The Spheeriide form a small and somewhat isolated family, exhibiting no obvious

affinity to any other group except the Spheridiide (which are included with the

Hydrophilide by Dr. Sharp in the preceding volume of this series); and to this group

almost solely by the subsolid capitulum of the antenne, and the usually hemispheric

form of their body. Their systematic position has therefore been a fertile cause of

perplexity. They were once supposed to be in some way connected with the Tricho-

pterygide; but their free anterior cox, and the whole anatomy of their external

skeleton, together with their diversely formed antenne, render such an alliance

impossible. It seems on the whole much more natural to place the Spheriide imme-

diately after the Spheridiide. ‘The subsolid, and in some species almost orbicular,

capitulum of their antenne, their elongate and free or prominent anterior cox, and

often the hemispheric form of their body, all appear to indicate a decided affinity to

Cercyon. Their life-habits, so far as they are known, appear also to be somewhat

similar, as they are usually found in damp boggy places at the roots of herbage, or

in moss.

Although the species of Sphewrius are not very numerous in collections, I believe

that in nature they are by no means rare; I have received them from many parts of

North America, and from Central America, Spain, and North Africa, as well as from

three localities in Great Britain. Thus they seem to be generally distributed throughout

the countries north of the Equator; but hitherto have not, so far as I know, been found

in the southern hemisphere.

* By A. Marruzws,

SPHAERIUS. 167

SPHAERIUS.

Spherius, Waltl, Isis, iv. p. 272 (1838).

Microspourus, Kolenati, Melet. Ent. v. p. 64 (1846).

Body exceedingly convex, often hemispheric. Head large, sessile, the mouth produced, the gular portion

convex ; eyes large, not prominent. Antenne 11-jointed—1 very large, turgidly incrassate; 2 large and

incrassate, smaller than 1; 3 very long and very slender; 4, 5, 6 slightly incrassate, nearly equal to

each other; 7 and 8 much smaller than 6; 9-11 much incrassated, forming a subsolid club, either

ovate or orbicular, furnished with long sete. Mawvillary palpi long, 4-jointed—1 small; 2 very long and

very slender, slightly incrassated towards the apex; 3 large and much incrassate, ovate, with the apex

truncate; 4 small and slender, contracted towards the middle, and dilated at the base and apex, the apex

flat. Labial palpi cylindrical, very small and slender ; 3-jointed—1 small and short, quadrate; 2 more

than twice as long as 1, but not broader; 3 short, more slender than 2, truncate at the apex. Labriin

large, suboblong, widest at the base, slightly rounded in front. Mandibles bipartite; the apical portion

formed of a strong, roundly incurved, simple hook, and the basal portion abruptly incrassated, and

produced on the inner side into an obtuse elevated point. Mawille feebly bilobed; the outer lobe

thin and flat, with the apex acutely pointed and sparingly setose; inner lobe nearly as long as the outer

lobe, slender, and armed with a few setiform teeth at the apex; stipes large and strong. Mentum

very large, suboblong, widest at the base, strengthened with broad lateral cost ; all the angles rounded.

Labium short, transversely oblong, with broad lateral cost. Icegua rather large, fan-shaped, ciliated on

its anterior margin, as long as the labial palpi. Pronotum short, transverse, widest at the base. Scutellum

generally large, triangular. Zlytra entire. Wings very large, not pedunculate, with very strong neura-

tion; the lower main nerve much incurved towards the middle of the wing, with its extremity broadly

dilated ; the lower margin of the wing fringed with setiform hairs. Abdomen composed of seven segments,

all coriaceous ; segment 7 much longer and more corneous than 6, with a deep and broad conical impres-

sion, the apex of which is on the fourth segment and its base on the extreme margin of the seventh.

(This description was made from S. acaroides.) Protkoraw short ; prosternum carinated, the carina dilated

posteriorly ; episterna distinct ; epemera small, partly inclosing the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large,

oval, partly open behind. Pectus with the mesosternum very short; episterna long and narrow; epimera

small and narrow, extending to the coxal cavities; coxal cavities large, elongate oval, abruptly excavated

at the outer extremity, and very widely separated from each other. Metasternwm very large, nearly

extending to the sides of the body, the basal margin excavated on each side; episterna small and narrow,

not reaching to the coxe; epimera long and narrow, extending to the coxe. Venter composed of five

segments—I very long and large; 2 and 3 very short; 4 and 5 very long ; apical segment entire. Legs:

anterior with the trochanters very short; femora large and very robust, deeply grooved on the underside,

with the edges of the groove produced near the middle into an acute angle; tibia broadly dilated, widest

near the middle, deeply excised on the outer side towards the apex, armed at the commencement of the

excision with short spines; tarsi robust, simple, 3-jointed—1 long, cylindrical, appearing like two amal-

gamated joints, 2 like the first, but much smaller, 3 elongate; claws moderate, simple; intermediate like

the anterior, but with the femora grooved only on the apical half; tibize less dilated and simple, with a

short spur at the apex on the inner side; posterior much smaller than the preceding; trochanters very

large, fusiform ; femora simple; tibiee simple, setose and dentate on the inner side, with several short

spurs at the apex. Coww: anterior long and narrow, prominent, divided by the carina; intermediate

small, oval, widely separated; posterior enormously large, extending to the fourth ventral segment,

contingent, and reaching to the sides of the body, slightly laminated on the outer side.

1. Spherius tropicus, sp. n.

Ovatus, validissime convexus, nitidissimus, totus impunctatus, glaberrimus, aterrimus ; capite magno, antice

producto; oculis magnis, haud prominentibus; pronoto parvo, brevi, ad basin latissimo, lateribus fere

rectis, margine basali fere recta angulis vix acutis ; elytris quam caput atque pronotum latioribus et longi-

oribus, prope media latissimis, lateribus modice rotundatis, late marginatis; pedibus atque antennis flavis,

harum capitulo orbiculari. Long. corp. 74; lin. =0°63 millim.

Body ovate, exceedingly convex, deep black, very smooth and very shining, impunctate. Head large, much

158 SCAPHIDIID.

produced in front; eyes large, not prominent; antenne moderate, yellow, with the capitulum round.

Thorax short aud small, widest at the base; sides nearly straight; basal margin nearly straight, with the

angles almost rectangular. Scutellum moderate, triangular. lytra broader and longer than the head

and thorax, widest near the middle; sides moderately rounded and broadly margined; apex ovate. Legs

moderate, yellow. Underparts wholly piceous.

Hab. Guatemasta, near the city (Champion).

Differs from S. hispanicus in its more ovate form, much larger head, and smaller

thorax; and in the orbicular capitulum of its antenne.

Fam, SCAPHIDIIDA*.

The Scaphidiide form a distinct and congruous family, distinguished by the peculiar

shape of many parts of their external skeleton. ‘The most conspicuous characters are

the form of the anterior and intermediate coxal cavities; the protrusion of the side-

pieces of the mesosternum beyond the normal outline of the skeleton; and (except in

Scaphium) the reception of the posterior angles of the thorax into grooves on the

epipleural fold of the elytra. The anterior coxal cavities are formed on their upper half

by the prosternum and on their lower half by the mesosternum, and the intermediate

coxal cavities extend in a similar manner into the metasternum. The mesosternum itself

is often largely developed, while the side-pieces are unusually small; the epimera are

short, sometimes linear, and do not reach more than halfway to the coxal cavities, but

are produced at their outer extremity beyond the outline of the body; the side-pieces

of the metasternum are on the contrary large, and in some genera very broad.

The organs of the mouth are in all the genera fully developed, and appear to indicate

that the Scaphidiide feed exclusively on vegetable matter. The lingua is very large

and conspicuous. The labium follows the mentum, proceeding from its inner side near

the base, and bearing at its anterior extremity the labial palpi; in the Scaphidiide this

organ is short, and only extends slightly beyond the front of the mentum. From the

inside of the labium near its base the lingua arises: it varies much in shape, but is

more or less uniform in each separate family; in the Scaphidiide it is narrow at the

base, immensely dilated anteriorly, rounded at the sides, and generally emarginated in

front. On the inner side of the lingua the paraglosse are placed: they are also variable

in shape, and in some families rudimentary or deficient; in the Scaphidiide they are

linear divergent lobes, often of considerable size, and fringed on their inner side with

long, curved, setiform hairs. Each of these parts, the labium, lingua, and paraglosse,

are distinct and separate organs of the mouth, and may be dissected from each other

without difficulty in the larger species of Scaphidium.

In Toxidium and Scaphisoma the labial palpi are distinctly 4-jointed—a formation

which I have long believed to exist in some genera not belonging to the Scaphidiide,

* By A. Marruews.

SCAPHIDIUM. 159

but have not yet found so clearly defined as it is in these two. My descriptions of the

generic anatomy have all been taken from fresh preparations made expressly for the

present work.

The genus Scaphiwm, which is not represented in our region, differs from every other

which I have examined in having the base of the pronotum incumbent on the shoulders

of the elytra, with the posterior angles entirely rounded off.

Since the publication of Gemminger and Harold’s catalogue a very large number of

species of this family have been described (no less than forty in Scaphidium alone) by

Reitter, Réné Oberthiir, and others.

Most of the genera appear to be very widely distributed.

The different species frequent fungoid growths on decaying timber.

SCAPHIDIUM.

Scaphidium, Olivier, Ent. 11. 20, p. 1 (1791).

Antenne 11-jointed—1 and 2 moderately large; 3 longer than the rest, very slender; 4 and 5 very slender,

shorter than 3; 6 incrassated towards the apex; 7-11 moderately incrassated, forming an elongate

submoniliform club, Maaillary palpi slender, 4-jointed—1 very small; 2 and 8 moderate, subcylindric,

widest towards the apex; 4 much longer than 3, conical. Labial palpt moderate, subcylindric,

3-jointed—I1 small; 2 moderate; 3 obtusely conic, incurved. Zabrum transverse, much dilated, rounded,

and broadly transparent at the sides, deeply emarginate in front, with a few strong sete on the disc, and

setose on the inside. Hpistoma very distinct. Mandibles very robust, bifid at the apex, furnished with a

ciliated appendage in front. Mawille robust, bilobed ; outer lobe short and broad, densely fringed with

sete at the apex; inner lobe robust, with incurved sete at the apex. Mentum rather large, nearly

quadrate, with the anterior margin rounded. Labiwm very short, subquadrate, not projecting beyond the

mentum. Lingua transverse, much expanded anteriorly, the sides not rounded but slightly concave, strongly

concave in front, setose on the inside, with a very strong medial costa. Prosternum large ; episterna very

distinct, large, and triangular; epimera large and broad, rather short. Mesosternum strongly carinated

between the anterior cox; epzsterna small, produced at their outer extremity ; epimera small and narrow,

produced at their outer extremity, and widely remote from the coxal cavities. Metasternum rather long,

divided by a deep medial suture, much depressed posteriorly, each side of the posterior margin much

rounded, and sometimes densely covered with hair; episterna moderate, rather narrow, not extending to

the coxew ; epimera very large and broad, much inflected beyond the episterna. Venter composed of six

segments—1 and 5 long; 2,3,4,6 short. Legs generally long and slender; tarsi 5-jointed—1 the longest.

Coxe: anterior nearly contingent, prominent; intermediate rather widely distant ; posterior remote.

This genus contains about sixty-five described species, and is very widely distributed,

though more numerously represented in tropical than in temperate regions.

I have to notice eight species from Central America; six of these are described

as new.

Epitome of the Species.

L.c.6mm. Ovate, rather depressed, remotely punctured, red, with two spots on

the thorax and the disc of the elytra black; legs red, with the tibiz black ;

antenne slender, red, with the club black. . . . ... . - marginatum.

L.c.5 mm. Broadly ovate, not depressed, faintly punctured, entirely red: thorax

with the basal row of punctures distinct; legs red; antennz red, the club black wnicolor.

160 | SCAPHIDUD.

_c.5 mm. Broad, ovate, bright red, lightly punctured, much depressed near the

suture; no basal row of punctures on the thorax; legs bright red, often with

the tibia and femora black. . . . 2... Loe ee ew ee MOKICANUM.

.c. 5°50 mm. Ovate, slightly depressed, indistinctly punctured, alutaceous, flaves-

cent; no basal row of punctures on the thorax; apex of the femora and the |

whole of the tibie black . 2. 1. 1. 1. ww ee ee oe ee ee geniculatum.

.c. 4°75 mm. Short, subovate, rufescent, with the thorax spotted and the elytra

fasciated with black; basal row of punctures on the thorax deep; legs and

antenne long and slender, flavescent . . . . . woe ee eee veariathile.

.c. 250 mm. Ovate, rather depressed, yellow, with short black lines on the thorax

and black spots on the elytra, nearly smooth; no basal row of punctures on the

thorax ; legs and antenne rufescent, the tibie dusky . . . . . . . © « Uineaticolle.

.c.5 mm. Broadly ovate, rather depressed, the thorax rufo-piceous; elytra red,

with a large transverse spot on each near the middle, and their extremities

broadly black ; legs long, nigro-piceous ; antenne rufescent, with the club black ¢ransversale.

.c.5 mm. Entirely black, ovate, rather depressed, very shinmg . . . . . . atrum.

1. Scaphidium marginatum, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 1.)

Ovatum, sat depressum, nitidissimum, punctis magnis haud profundis remote impressum, rubrum, maculis

duabus suffusis in pronoto elytrorumque disco nigris; capite modico, rufo; oculis magnis, haud promi-

nentibus; pronoto magno, rufo, macula duplici nigra suffusa ante medium notato, ad basin latissimo,

remote, haud profunde, punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, punctorum profundorum ordine sinuato, supra

angulum utrumque basalem exorto, atque ad scutellum extenso prope basin impresso, lateribus leviter

marginatis et leviter rotundatis, ante basin parum contractis, margine basali sinuata, scutellum versus

valde producta, angulis sat acutis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum parum latioribus, haud longioribus,

ante media latissimis, disco nigrescentibus, lateribus late rufis, punctorum profundorum ordine transverso ab

humeris ad suturam extenso utrinque impressis, sat profunde punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus

leviter marginatis et leviter rotundatis, apicibus modice rotundatis; abdomine rufo, acuminato, modice

punctato, segmentorum basibus obscuratis; pedibus longis, gracilibus, femoribus atque tarsis rutis, tibiis

nigris ; antennis longis, gracilibus, rufis, clavis nigrescentibus. Long. corp. 6 millim., lat. 3 millim.

Body ovate, rather depressed, very shining, remotely marked with large shallow punctures, rufous, with two

suffused spots on the thorax and the disc of the elytra black. Head moderate, rufous; eyes large, not

prominent ; antennee long and slender, rufous, with the club dusky. TZ'horas large, rufous, with a double,

suffused, black spot before the middle, widest at the base, remotely but not deeply punctured, the interstices

smooth and shining; with a sinuated row of deep punctures on each side arising above the posterior angle

and extending to the middle of the base; sides faintly margined and a little rounded, slightly contracted

above the base; basal margin sinuated, much produced towards the scutellum, with the angles rather

acute. Scutellum minute, triangular. lytra rather broader but not longer than the head and thorax,

widest before the middle, black on the disc; and broadly rufous at the sides, with a transverse row of

deep punctures extending from the shoulders to the suture, rather deeply punctured, with the interstices

smooth and shining; sides slightly margined and faintly rounded; extremities moderately rounded.

Abdomen acuminate, moderately punctured, rufous, with the base of the segments dusky. Legs long and

slender, the femora and tarsi rufous, the tibiz black. Underparts castaneous, smooth, and shining.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).

This species is distinguished by its large size and depressed form, and by the colour

and sculpture. It was found in plenty at Capetillo by Mr. Champion.

SCAPHIDIUM. 161

2. Scaphidium unicolor, sp. n.

Late ovatum, haud depressum, nitidissimum, leviter et remote punctatum, totum rufum; capite sat brevi;

oculis magnis, sat prominentibus; pronoto magno, ad basin latissimo, leviter et remote punctato, inter-

stitiis glabris, nitidissimis, ordine punctorum basali haud profundo, sat remoto, lateribus modice rotundatis,

margine basali sinuata, scutellum versus valde producta, angulis acutis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum

parum latioribus, vix longioribus, ante media latissimis, indistinctissime punctatis, punctorum ordine

humerali profundo, et ad suturam linea impressa conjuncto, stria suturali profunda et distincte punctata,

lateribus leviter rotundatis, apicibus latis, minime rotundatis; abdomine rufo, sat obtuso, indistincte

punctato; pedibus longis, gracilibus, totis rufis; antennis modicis, rutis, clavis magnis, nigris. Long.

corp. 5 millim.; lat. 3 millim.

Body broadly ovate, not depressed, very shining, faintly and remotely punctured, entirely red. Head rather

short; eyes large and rather prominent ; antenne moderate, red, with the club large and black. Thorax

large, widest at the base, faintly and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining, the

punctures of the basal row not deep and rather remote from each other; sides moderately rounded ; basal

margin sinuated, much produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute, Scutellum very small,

obtusely triangular. Elytra rather broader but scarcely longer than the head and thorax, widest before

the middle, very indistinctly punctured; humeral row of punctures deep, and joined to the suture by an

impressed line; sutural stria deep and distinctly punctured ; sides slightly rounded ; extremities broad,

and very little rounded. Abdomen red, rather obtuse, and indistinctly punctured. Legs long and slender,

entirely red. Underparts entirely red.

Hab. Costa Rica, Irazu (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Differs from the following two species in its larger size, broader and more convex

shape, not depressed at the suture, distinct basal row of punctures on the thorax,

uniform red colour, and also in sculpture.

3. Scaphidium mexicanum. (8. rudicundum, Tab. IV. fig. 2, var.)

Scaphidium mexicanum, Cast. Hist. Nat. Ins. Col. ii. p. 19’; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, Xviil.

p. 37°.

Scaphidium nigripes, Chevr. in Guérin’s Icon. Régne Anim., Ins. p. 62, t. 17. £. 14°.

Ovatum, latum, convexum, leviter et remote punctatum, ad suturam valde depressum, nitidissimum, totum

lete rufum; capite sat parvo; oculis magnis, haud prominentibus; pronoto magno, valde convexo,

nitidissimo, leviter et remote punctato, interstitiis glaberrimis, lateribus rotundatis et leviter marginatis,

margine basali sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis productis, acutis; elytris quam caput atque

pronotum vix latioribus aut longioribus, ante media latissimis, remote et levissime punctatis, punctorum

ordine humerali denso et profundo, ad suturam non conjuncto, sutura valde depressa, stria profunda et

punctata, lateribus rotundatis et leviter marginatis, apicibus latis, modice rotundatis ; abdomine acummnato,

glabro, nitido, rufo; pedibus longis, aut omnino lete rufis, aut nonnunquam tibiis et femoribus piceis ;

antennis modicis, rufis, clavis sat brevibus, piceis. Long. corp. 5 millim.; lat. 3 millim.

Body ovate, broad, convex, Jightly and remotely punctured, much depressed at the suture, very shining, entirely

bright red. Head rather small; eyes large, not prominent; antenne moderate, red, with the club short

and piceous. "horas large, very convex, and very shining, lightly and remotely punctured, with the inter-

stices very smooth; basal row of punctures wanting; sides rounded and slightly margined ; basal margin

sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles produced and acute. Scutellum minute, tri-

angular. Elytra scarcely broader or longer than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, remotely

and very lightly punctured; humeral row of punctures deep and close, not joined to the suture; suture

very much depressed, with the stria deep and punctured ; sides rounded and slightly margined; extre-

mities broad and moderately rounded. Abdomen acuminate, smooth, and shining. Legs long, the tibie

and sometimes the femora also black or piceous, often entirely bright red.

Hab. Mexicoi2%, Cordova (Sallé, Hoge), Tuxtla, Catemaco, Chinantla (Sa//é),

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1888. Y*

162 SCAPHIDIID.

Jalapa, Chilpancingo (Hége); British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon, Belize (Llancaneauz) ;

GuaTEMALA, Zapote, San Gerdnimo, Chacoj (Champion).

This variable species was at first mistaken by me for the Colombian S. rubicundum,

Reitt., and is so named on our Plate. It is distinguished by its very convex and

shining surface, deeply depressed at the suture, no basal row of punctures on the

thorax, deep and abbreviated humeral row on the elytra, and bright red colour. The

legs vary in colour, the tibie and sometimes the femora also being often black. The

different forms were collected together at Jalapa and Cordova; and with the long series

of specimens before me I am unable to distinguish more than one species. ‘The authors

cited above give the femora and tibiz as black, and the tarsi red. An example from

Belize with entirely red legs is figured.

4, Scaphidium geniculatum.

Scaphidium geniculatum, Oberthiir, Col. Nov. i. p. 8 (1888) ’.

Ovatum, leviter depressum, nitidissimum, remote et indistincte punctatum, superficie alutacea, totum flavescens ;

capite modico, modice punctato; oculis permagnis, sat prominentibus ; pronoto magno, ad basin latissimo,

indistincte et remote punctato, punctorum ordine basali nullo, lateribus leviter marginatis et leviter rotun-

datis, margine basali sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis acutis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum

haud longioribus, parum latioribus, ante media latissimis, sat confertim sed indistincte punctatis, punctorum

ordine humerali profundo et denso, ad suturam linea impressa conjuncto, stria suturali profunda et distincte

punctata, lateribus leviter marginatis, apicibus modice rotundatis; abdomine acuminato, flavescente ;

pedibus elongatis, gracilibus, flavescentibus, femorum apicibus atque tibiis totis nigris; antennis modicis,

gracilibus, obscure flavis, clavis sat magnis, nigris. Long. corp. 5°50 millim.; lat. 3°50 millim.

Body ovate, slightly depressed, very shining, remotely and indistinctly punctured, with the whole surface

alutaceous, entirely flavescent. Head moderate, moderately punctured; eyes very large and rather

prominent ; antenn moderate, dusky yellow, with the club large and black. Thorax large, widest at the

base, indistinctly and remotely punctured; basal row of punctures wanting; sides slightly margined and a

little rounded ; basal margin sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute. Scutellum

very small, subtriangular. Hlytra rather broader but not longer than the head and thorax, widest before

the middle, rather closely but indistinctly punctured; humeral row of punctures deep and close, joined to

the suture by an impressed line; sutural stria deep and distinctly punctured ; sides slightly margined ;

extremities moderately rounded. Abdomen acuminate, flavescent. Legs very long and slender, flavescent,

with the apex of the femora and whole of the tibiew black. Underparts entirely yellow.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Matachin (Thieme ').

Differs from S. mexicanum and S. unicolor in its large size, absence of the basal row of

punctures from the thorax, very long legs with black tibiz, yellow colour, and alutaceous

sculpture.

5. Scaphidium variabile, sp.n. (Tab. IV. figg. 3,3; 4,2, var.)

Breve, subovatum, convexum, nitidissimum, modice et remote punctatum, flavescens vel rufum, maculis magnis

rotundatis nigris in pronoto, atque fasciis vel maculis transversis nigris in elytris notatum; capite magno,

rufescente; oculis magnis, haud prominentibus; pronoto magno, ad basin latissimo, modice et remote

punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, flavo vel rufescente, maculis tribus, magnis, rotundatis, nigris, prope

marginem anteriorem, quatuor ordine transverso, curvato, in disco, atque duabus prope basin notato,

punctorum ordine basali profunde impresso, margine basali sinuata, scutellum versus valde producta, angulis

SCAPHIDIUM. 163

acutis, lateribus leviter marginatis et leviter rotundatis; elytris subovatis, quam caput atque pronotum

longioribus et parum latioribus, ante media latissimis, indistincte sed sat confertim punctatis, punctorum

ordine humerali profundo, flavis, humeris, fascia lata transversa ad media, atque macula magna prope

apicem, nigris, hisce omnibus inconstantibus, lateribus marginatis et leviter rotundatis, apicibus vix

rotundatis, stria suturali profunda; abdomine acuminato, glabro, nitido, flavo, segmento apicali ad basin

nigro; pedibus longis, gracilibus, plerumque flavis, tibiis sepe obscuratis; antennis longis, gracilibus,

rufis, clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. 4°50-5 millim.; lat. 2:25-2°50 millim.

Body short, subovate, convex, and very shining, moderately and remotely punctured, yellow or rufescent, with

large brown-black spots on the thorax and transverse fascize or large black spots on the elytra. Head

large, rufescent ; eyes large, not prominent ; antenne long and slender, red, with the club dusky. Thorax

large, widest at the base, moderately and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ;

yellow or rufescent, with three large round black spots near the anterior margin, four in a transverse

curved row across the disc, and two near the base; basal row of punctures deep; basal margin sinuated,

much produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute. Scutellwm very small, triangular. Hlytra

subovate, longer and rather broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, indistinctly but

rather closely punctured; humeral row of punctures deep; yellow, with the shoulders, a broad trans-

verse fascia near the middle, and a large spot near the apex, black, all the markings varying very much

in different individuals; sutural stria deep; sides margined and faintly rounded; extremities scarcely

rounded. Abdomen acuminate, smooth and shining; yellow, with the base of the apical segment black.

Legs long and slender, generally yellow, the tibie often dusky. Underparts yellow.

Hab. Mexico, Santecomapan (Sal/é), Jalapa (Hodge); GuatTemata, Las Mercedes, Cerro

Zunil, San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Differs from the preceding species in its smaller size, shorter and more quadrate form,

and in the beautiful and variable markings of the thorax and elytra.

Found in abundance by Herr Hoge at Jalapa, more sparingly in the other localities.

6. Scaphidium lineaticolle, sp. n. (Tab. IV. fig. 5.)

Ovatum, sat depressum, glabrum, nitidum, vix punctatum, flavum, lineis quatuor, abbreviatis, nigris, in disco

pronoti, atque maculis duabus humeralibus et macula magna ovali in disco utriusque elytri nigris

notatum ; capite modico, flavo; oculis modicis, haud prominentibus; pronoto longo, ad basin latissimo,

pone medium leviter contracto, indistincte punctato, interstitiis alutaceis, punctorum ordine basali nullo,

flavo, linea brevi nigra ad mediam marginem anteriorem, alia utrinque in disco, alia ad mediam marginem

basalem, atque alia, ante mediam marginis utriusque lateralis notato, lateribus marginatis, levissime rotun-

datis, pone media leviter contractis, margine basali profunde sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis

acutis, productis; elytris subquadratis, quam caput atque pronotum parum latioribus, vix longioribus, prope

humeros latissimis, punctis minutis striatim dispositis impressis, interstitiis alutaceis, punctorum ordine

humerali fere obsoleto, flavis, maculis duabus parvis humeralibus nigris, atque macula magna ovali nigra in

disco utriusque notatis, lateribus nigro-marginatis et levissime rotundatis, apicibus latis, rotundatis ; abdo-

mine conico, flavescente, segmenti apicalis basi obscurata; pedibus modicis, femoribus atque tarsis rufis,

tibiis obscuratis ; antennis modicis, totis rufis. Long. corp. 4:50 millim.; lat. 2-25 millim.

Body ovate, rather depressed, smooth and shining, scarcely punctured, yellow, with four short black lines on

the disc of the thorax, and two humeral and one large black discal spot on each elytron. Head moderate,

yellow; eyes moderate, not prominent; antenne moderate, entirely red. Thorax long, widest at the

base, faintly contracted behind the middle, indistinctly punctured, the interstices alutaceous; basal row

of punctures wanting ; yellow, with a short black line in the middle of the anterior margin, another on

each side on the disc, another in the middle of the basal margin, and one on each lateral margin before

the middle; sides margined and very little rounded; basal margin deeply sinuated, produced towards the

scutellum, with the angles acute and produced. Scutellum small, triangular, black. Hlytra subquadrate,

Y* 2

164 SCAPHIDIIDZ.

rather broader but scarcely longer than the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, marked with

minute punctures placed in strie, the interstices alutaceous ; humeral row of punctures obsolete; yellow,

with two small black spots on the shoulder and one large oval black spot on the disc of each elytron ;

sides margined and very slightly rounded, the margin black; extremities broad and rounded. Abdomen

conic, flavescent, with the base of the apical segment dusky. Legs moderate, the femora and tarsi rufous,

the tibie dusky. Underparts entirely red.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

S. lineaticolle differs from S. variabile in the absence of the basal row of punctures

from the thorax, and in the shape and disposition of the markings on its disc—these

markings being in the form of lines and not round spots; two are placed on the median

line, a position never occupied on the thorax in S. variabile. The present insect may,

however, be an extreme variety of that species.

7. Scaphidium transversale, sp. n. (Tab. IV. fig. 6.)

Latum, ovatum, sat depressum, nitidulum, pronoto rufo-piceo; elytris rufis, macula magna, transversa, prope

medium in utroque atque apicibus late nigris; capite sat parvo, rufescente, oculis haud prominentibus ;

pronoto magno et lato, ad basin latissimo, rufo-piceo, alutaceo, punctis indistinctis, remotis, impresso,

punctorum linea basali obsoleta, margine basali scutellum versus producta, angulis acutis; elytris latis,

depressis, quam caput atque pronotum vix longioribus, parum latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, indistincte

punctatis, interstitiis glabris, rufis, macula magna, transversa, reniformi prope medium utriusque atque

apicibus late nigris, stria suturali profunda et profunde punctata, punctorum ordine humerali valde con-

spicua, lateribus leviter marginatis, apicibus latis, rotundatis, et profundius punctatis; abdomine longius

exserto, rufo-piceo; pedibus Jongis, nigrescentibus ; antennis sat brevibus, rufescentibus, clavis nigris.

Long. corp. 5 millim.; lat. 3 millim.

Body broad, ovate, rather depressed, moderately shining ; thorax rufo-piceous; elytra red, with a large, trans-

verse, reniform, black spot on each near the middle, and the extremities broadly black. Head rather

small, rufescent ; eyes not prominent; antenne rather short, rufous, with the club black. Thoraw large

and broad, widest at the base, rufo-piceous, alutaceous, marked with remote indistinct punctures; basal

row of punctures obsolete ; basal margin produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute. Scutellum

very small, triangular, black. Hlytra broad, depressed, rather broader but scarcely longer than the head

and thorax, widest near the shoulders, indistinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth; red, witha large,

transverse, reniform, black spot on each near the middle, and their extremities broadly black; sutural stria

deep and deeply punctured ; humeral row of punctures very distinct ; sides faintly margined; extremities

broad, rounded, and more deeply punctured. Abdomen much exposed, rufo-piceous. Legs long, nigro-

piceous. Underparts black.

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).

Differs from S. variabile in its larger size, much broader form, shorter antenne, and

nigrescent legs, and also in colour and sculpture.

This species in some respects agrees with Reitter’s description of 8. fascipenne, from

Brazil (Verh. Ver. Briinn, xviii. p. 38), but differs from it in the absence of the basal

row of punctures from the thorax. The single specimen found by Mr. Champion

appears to be obscurely marked with spots on the thorax.

8. Scaphidium atrum, sp.n. (Tab. IV. figg. 7,3; 8,9.)

Ovatum, sat depressum, glabrum, nitidissimum, indistincte sed sat confertim punctatum, totum aterrimum ;

capite modico ; oculis magnis, prominentibus ; pronoto sat longo, ad basin latissimo, confertim sed indistincte

SCAPHIDIUM.—CYPARIUM. 165

punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, punctorum ordine basali profunde impresso, lateribus marginatis, antice

rotundatis, postice parum contractis, margine basali sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis sat productis,

acutissimis ; elytris modicis, quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, vix latioribus, prope humeros

latissimis, confertim sed indistincte punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, punctorum ordine humerali’

profunde impresso, sutura apicibusque valde depressis, stria suturali profunda, lateribus late marginatis,

leviter rotundatis, apicibus latis, leviter rotundatis; abdomine obtuso, indistincte punctato; pedibus sat

robustis, elongatis, nigris; antennis sat parvis, rufescentibus, clavis obscurioribus, valde compressis. Long.

corp. 5-5'50 millim.; lat. 2-50-3 millim.

Body ovate, rather depressed, smooth and shining, indistinctly but rather closely punctured, entirely black.

Head moderate ; eyes large and prominent ; antenne rather small, rufescent, the club compressed and dusky.

Thorax rather long, widest at the base; closely but indistinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth

and shining ; basal row of punctures very deep; sides margined, rounded in front, and slightly contracted

near the base; basal margin sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles produced and very

acute. Scutellum minute, triangular. Elytra moderate, rather longer but scarcely broader than the head

and thorax, widest near the shoulders; closely but indistinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth and

shining; humeral row of punctures very deep; suture and extremities much depressed ; sutural stria

deep; sides broadly margined and slightly rounded; extremities broad and faintly rounded. Abdomen

obtuse, indistinctly punctured. Legs long, rather robust, black. Underparts entirely black.

Hab. Mexico, Cinco Sefiores, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoége); GuatemaLa, Zapote,

Purula, Teleman (Champion).

Differs from other Central-American species in its large size and deep black colour,

and also in sculpture. Numerous examples.

CYPARIUM.

Cyparium, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 3 nota (1846).

Antenne 11-jointed, the basal joint not much incrassated, 4 rather shorter than the others, 7-11 forming a

moderately incrassated, rather close club. Mawillary palpi 4-jointed—1 very small, 2 and 3 nearly

equal, 4 much larger than the preceding, conical. Labial palpi 3-jointed—1 and 2 very short, transverse,

with an erect seta near the apex of the latter, 3 much larger than either of the preceding, incurved and

conical. Labrum large, with the sides very much dilated, circularly rounded, and broadly transparent.

Mandibles very robust, bifid at the apex, and furnished with a small ciliated appendage below the apex.

Mawille robust, bilobed, with the inner lobe broad, vertically flat, and armed at the apex with five strong,

very sharp, and much incurved teeth. Mentum moderate, subquadrate, widest anteriorly. Labiwm

moderate, subquadrate, slightly extending beyond the anterior margin of the mentum. Lingua very large,

much dilated at the sides, and faintly emarginate in front; strengthened with a very strong medial costa

on the inner side. Prosternum very small; episterna indistinct ; epimera rather large, subtriangular ; coxal

cavities open in front and behind, extending into the mesosternum. Mesosternum moderate, carinated

between the anterior coxe; ¢pisterna moderate, concealed by the thorax; epimera small, slightly visible

in front. Metasternum rather large, excavated between the posterior coxz; episterna long and narrow ;

epimera slightly produced in front beyond the episterna. Venter composed of six segments, with the basal

segment much larger than the others. Legs moderate; tibie faintly curved and spinose ; tarsi 5-jointed,

with the basal joint the longest. Coc: anterior prominent and contingent ; intermediate rather distant ;

posterior moderately distant.

This genus contains nine described species; three others are now added from Central

America.

166 SCAPHIDIID A.

Epitome of the Species.

L. c. 3:75 mm. Above pale, the thorax and the disc of the ctyina | testaceous ; legs

pale; the club of the antenne black. . . . + + + + + - . palliatum.

L.c.5 mm. Entirely black, short and broad; elytra with six striz on each ; legs

nigro-piceous; antennz rufous, the club black, with the apical joint red =. . salle.

L. c. 3°25 mm. Short and broad, black, with the shoulders, or apex of the elytra,

or both, flavescent, sometimes entirely black ; legs and antenne yellow, the club

of the latter black . Loe

L.c.3 mm. Yellow, with black markings | on ‘the thorax and elytra ; legs yellow ;

antenn yellow, with the club black. . 2. 1. ee ee + + + + + Championi.

terminale.

1. Cyparium palliatum.

Cyparium palliatum, Erichs. Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 4 nota’.

“Supra pallidum, thoracis coleopterorumque disco testaceo, infra testaceum, pectore abdomineque pallido-

marginatis; pedibus pallidis; antennarum clava nigra. Long. 1% lin.”

Hab. Mexico 1.

Erichson founded the genus Cyparium upon this species; his altogether too brief

description would appear to have been made from an immature specimen.

2. Cyparium sallei, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 10.)

Breve, latum, modice convexum, nitidissimum, aterrimum; capite parvo, nitido, confertim punctato; oculis

magnis, valde prominentibus; pronoto magno, ad basin latissimo, valde convexo, punctis minutis, remotis,

distincte impresso, interstitiis glabris, nitidissimis, lateribus rotundatis et marginatis, punctorum ordine

basali distincto, margine basali scutellum versus producta, angulis rectis; elytris quadratis, quam caput

atque pronotum vix longioribus, parum latioribus, ante media latissimis, sat depressis, striis sex profunde

et confertim punctatis in utroque impressis, interstitiis minute et remote punctatis, stria suturali valde

profunda, et fere simplici lateribus irregulariter punctatis, late marginatis, apicibus perlatis, leviter

rotundatis ; abdomine modice exserto, nigro, minute punctato; pedibus modicis, nigro-piceis, tarsis rufis ;

antennis rubris, clavis nigris, articulo apicali rufo. Long. corp. 5 millim.; lat. 3 millim.

Body short and broad, moderately convex, very shining, deep black. Head small, shining, and closely punc-

tured; eyes large and very prominent; antenne moderate, rufous, the club black, with the apical joint red.

Thorax large, widest at the base, very convex, distinctly marked with minute and remote punctures, the

interstices smooth and very shining; sides rounded and margined; basal row of punctures distinct; basal

margin produced towards the scutellum, with the angles rectangular. Scutellwm moderate, rufescent.

Elytra quadrate, scarcely longer but rather broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle,

rather depressed, with six deeply and closely punctured striz on each, the interstices minutely and

remotely punctured; sutural stria simple and deep; sides irregularly punctured and broadly margined ;

extremities very broad and slightly rounded. Abdomen black, moderately exserted and minutely punc-

tured. Legs moderate, nigro-piceous, with the tarsi red. Underparts black.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

Differs from the black variety of C. terminale in its much larger size and deeper

sculpture.

CYPARIUM. 167

3. Cyparium terminale, sp. n. (Tab. IV. fig. 9.)

Breve, latum, convexum, glabrum, nitidum, elytris striatim punctatis, totum nigrum, vel nigrum humeris

atque fascia transversa prope apices elytrorum flavis; capite nigro, brevi, lato; oculis modicis, sat promi-

nentibus ; pronoto nigro, angulis anterioribus seepe plus minusve flavis, sat parvo, transverso, valde convexo,

minute et remotissime punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, punctorum ordine basali nullo, lateribus margi-

natis et valde rotundatis, margine basali leviter sinuata et scutellum versus leviter producta, angulis rectis ;

elytris nigris, macula humerali atque fascia transversa prope apices flavis seepe notatis, subquadratis, quam

caput atque pronotum parum latioribus, sesqui-longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, punctorum ordine

humerali nullo, striis remotis, postice convergentibus, distincte punctatis, stria suturali profunde punctata,

lateribus marginatis et leviter rotundatis, apicibus latis, fere rectis; abdomine nigro, brevi et acuminato ;

pedibus sat brevibus, plerumque flavis, femoribus obscuratis; antennis brevibus, flavis, clavis brevibus,

nigris. Long. corp. 3°25 millim.; lat. 2 millim.

Body short, broad, convex, smooth and shining, with the elytra punctured in striae, either entirely black, or

black with the shoulders of the elytra, and a transverse fascia near their apex, yellow. Head black, short

and broad ; eyes moderate, rather prominent ; antenne short, yellow, with the club black. Thoraa black,

with the anterior angles sometimes flavescent, rather small, transverse, very convex, minutely and very

remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; basal row of punctures obsolete; sides mar-

gined and much rounded; basal margin faintly sinuated, and slightly produced towards the scutellum, with

the angles rectangular. Scutellum small, triangular. lytra black, with the shoulders and a transverse

fascia near the apex yellow, or entirely black; subquadrate, rather broader and one half longer than the

head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, without the humeral row of punctures, distinctly punctured

in remote strive: converging towards the apex ; sutural stria deeply punctured ; sides margined and slightly

rounded ; extremities broad and nearly straight. Abdomen black, short, and acuminated. Legs rather

short; generally yellow, with the femora dusky.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé), Jalapa (Hoge); GuatemaLa, Zapote, Capetillo, San

Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This species is distinguished by its short, broad form, the striate punctuation of the

elytra, and the short legs and antenne. It is variable in colour and sometimes has the

sides of the thorax, as well as the shoulders and a transverse fascia near the apex of

the elytra, yellow; rarely it is entirely black.

4. Cyparium championi, sp. n. (Tab. IV. fig. 11.)

Rotunde ovatum, convexum, glaberrimum, nitidissimum, flavum, maculis magnis, nigris, ordinibus transversis

ornatum ; capite lato, flavo, postice obscurato; oculis magnis, prominentibus; pronoto sat brevi, ad basin

latissimo, impunctato, nitidissimo, alutaceo, punctorum ordine basali nullo, flavo, macula magna nigra

reniformi in disco utrinque ornato, lateribus vix rotundatis, marginatis, margine basali scutellum versus

valde producta, angulis fere rectis; elytris subquadratis, quam caput atque pronotum vix latioribus, sesqui-

longioribus, prope humeros latissimis, punctis modicis striis remotis distincte dispositis impressis, interstitiis

alutaceis, apices versus magis confertim punctatis, punctorum ordine humerali nullo, flavis macula parva

ad angulum humeralem, alia ante mediam suturam, macula magna transversa reniformi ad basin, alia ad

medium, atque alia ad apicem elytri utriusque ornatis, stria suturali profunde punctata, lateribus margi-

natis, leviter rotundatis, apicibus latis, modice rotundatis; abdomine longo, flavo, segmentorum basibus

anguste nigris; pedibus sat brevibus, flavis; antennis brevibus, flavis, clavis nigris. Long. corp. 3 millim. ;

lat. 3 millim.

Body roundly ovate, convex, very smooth and shining, yellow, ornamented with large black spots in transverse

rows. Head broad, yellow, dusky at the base; eyes large and prominent; antenne short, yellow, with

the club black. Zhorax rather short, widest at the base, impunctate, alutaceous and very shining, with

no basal row of punctures; yellow, with a large reniform black spot on each side of the disc; sides mar-

168 SCAPHIDIIDZ.

gined and scarcely rounded; basal margin much produced towards the scutellum, with the angles nearly

rectangular. Scutellwm rather long, triangular. Hlytra subquadrate, scarcely broader but one half longer

than the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, marked with moderate-sized punctures in remote striae,

the interstices alutaceous, more closely punctured towards the apex, with no humeral row of punctures ;

yellow, ornamented on each elytron with a small black spot at the humeral angle, another before the

middle on the suture, a large transverse reniform spot on the base, another in the middle, and another at

the apex; sutural stria deeply punctured; sides margined and faintly rounded; extremities broad and

moderately rounded. Abdomen long, yellow, with the bases of the segments narrowly black. Legs rather

short, yellow. Underparis yellow.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

One example.

Differs from the preceding species in its short, rounded form, smaller size, and

ornamental colour.

BZZOCERA.

Beocera, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii, p. 4 nota (1846).

Antenne 11-jointed—1 long and rather robust, slightly recurved; 2 like the preceding, but straight; 3 short

and slender, incrassate towards the apex; 4-8 each longer than the third, gradually incrassated ; 9-11

incrassated equally on all sides, forming an elongate moniliform club. M axillary palpi slender, 4-jointed—

1 very small; 2 and 3 rather long, nearly equal; 4 long and very acute. Labial palpi 3-jointed—1 long,

cylindric; 2 smaller and shorter than the preceding; 3 small, acicular. Labrwm short and very broad, the

sides rounded and broadly transparent, widely emarginate in front and minutely denticulate. Mandibles

robust, much hooked at the apex, and furnished above the middle with a rather large, dentate appendage.

Maxille robust, bilobed; outer lobe slightly dilated anteriorly, and furnished at the apex with strong,

incurved sete; inner lobe large, robust, armed at the apex with long, incurved, setiform teeth. Mentum

large, quadrate. Labiwm short and broad, slightly extending beyond the mentum. Lingua very large,

transverse, much dilated and rounded at the sides, faintly emarginate in front, strengthened with a strong

medial costa. Prosternum very small, carinated; episterna indistinct ; epimera minute; coxal cavities

extending into the mesosternum. Mesosternum large; episterna very small, antehumeral; epimera long

and very narrow, not extending to the coxal cavities. Metasternum moderate; episterna very broad, not

extending to the coxee; epimera very large, much inflexed beyond the episterna. There are single rows

of deep punctures on the anterior margin and on the sides of the metasternum, and on the basal margin of

the first ventral segment. Venter composed of six segments—l1, 5, and 6 long, 2, 3, and 4 short. Legs

moderate; tarsi 5-jointed—1 very long, 2, 3, and 4 shorter, nearly equal. Coxe: anterior large and

prominent, separated by the carina; intermediate rather widely distant ; posterior less distant than the

intermediate.

This genus contains about a dozen described species, inhabiting North, Central, and

South America, Europe, and New Zealand; five species are now recorded from Mexico

or Central America.

I am unable to identify either of the species before me with those described by

Reitter.

Epitome of the Species.

L.c.2mm. Oval, very shining, almost smooth, castaneous ; legs and antenn

rather short,rufescent. 2... ee + 8 ee 8 8 ee ee ee + major.

L. c. 1:75 mm. Oval, rather broad, very shining, deeply punctured, nigro-piceous ;

legs and antenne rather short, rufescent . . . . . + + + © + + « erichsoni,

BAOCERA. 169

L.c. 1:50 mm. Oval, rather broad, very shining; thorax smooth; elytra deeply

L.c. 1mm. Broad, narrowed anteriorly, black, shining; antenne (the club

punctured; legs and antenne rufous. . . .......~. punctipennis.

excepted) and legs ferruginous . . . . . . oe 6 6) mexicana,

L.c. 1 mm. Oblong, convex, shining, black with a metallic bluish tint; antenne

(the club excepted), legs, and the last segments of the abdomen pitchy-

testaceous. 2... wee ee ee ee ee gg yrinoides.

1. Beocera major, sp. n.

Ovalis, valde convexa, nitidissima, fere glabra, castanea, pronoto obscuriore; capite parvo; oculis modicis, haud

prominentibus ; pronoto magno, antice rotundato, ad basin latissimo, impunctato, nitidissimo, lateribus

valde rotundatis, leviter marginatis, margine basali haud sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis

productis, acutis; elytris longis, quam caput atque pronotum duplo longioribus, vix latioribus, ad humeros

latissimis, superficie sat ineequali, indistinctissime punctata, lateribus leviter marginatis, ovaliter rotundatis,

apice integro, latissimo, rotundato; abdomine piceo, vix exserto; pedibus atque antennis sat brevibus,

rufescentibus. Long. corp. 2 millim.; lat. 1°10 millim.

Body oval, very convex, and very shining, nearly smooth, castaneous, with the thorax darker. Head small ;

eyes moderate, not prominent; antenne rather short, rufescent. Z'horawx large, rounded in front, widest

at the base, impunctate, very shining; sides much rounded, and slightly margined; basal margin not

sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles produced and acute. Scutellum small, partly

exposed. lytra long, twice longer but scarcely broader than the head and thorax, widest at the

shoulders, with the surface rather uneven and very indistinctly punctured; sides ovally rounded and

slightly margined; apex entire, very broad and rounded. Abdomen scarcely exposed, piceous. Legs

rather short, rufescent. Underparts castaneous, with a row of deep punctures on the mesosternum,

metasternum, and first ventral segment immediately below the coxal cavities.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége); Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).

Differs from the other Central-American species in its larger size, the thorax larger

and much rounded in front, and also in general sculpture.

B. major is probably an ally of B. mexicana, Reitt., but is twice the size of that

insect.

2. Beeocera erichsoni, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat lata, valde convexa, nitidissima, profunde punctata, nigro-picea; capite magno ; oculis modicis, vix

prominentibus ; pronoto modico, ad basin latissimo, profunde, haud confertim, punctato, interstitiis

glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis et rotundatis, margine basali leviter rotundata, scutellum versus

producta, angulis sat acutis; elytris modicis, quam caput atque pronotum parum latioribus, vix sesqui-

longioribus, prope media latissimis, profunde haud confertim punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus

marginatis, ovaliter rotundatis, epipleuris rufescentibus, apicibus latis, fere rectis, dilutioribus; abdomine

parum exserto, apice lete rufo; pedibus sat brevibus, rufescentibus; antennis brevibus, rufescentibus,

clavis obscurioribus. Long. corp. 1°75 millim. ; lat. 0-90 millim.

Body oval, rather broad, very convex and very shining, deeply punctured, nigro-piceous. Head large; eyes

moderate, scarcely prominent; antenne short, rufescent, with the club dusky. Thorax moderate, widest

at the base, deeply but not closely punctured, the interstices smooth and shining; sides margined and

rounded; basal margin faintly rounded, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles rather acute.

Scutellum small, triangular, partly exposed. HJytra moderate, rather broader but scarcely one half longer

than the head and thorax, widest near the middle; deeply, not closely, punctured, with the interstices

smooth and shining; sides margined and ovally rounded; epipleura rufescent; extremities broad, nearly

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, Aprid 1888. Z*

170 SCAPHIDIIDA.

straight, pale. Abdomen not much exserted, piceous, with the apex bright rufous. Legs rather short,

rufescent. Underparts piceous, with the apex of the venter bright rufous.

Hab. Mexico, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn).

The deeply punctured upper surface separates this species from the North-American

B. apicalis, Lec.

3. Beocera punctipennis, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat lata, valde convexa, nitidissima, pronoto glabro, elytris profunde punctatis, castanea; capite magno,

lato; oculis magnis, prominentibus ; pronoto modico, ad basin latissimo, glabro, nitido, punctis exiguis

remote et indistincte impresso, lateribus marginatis et rotundatis, margine basali haud sinuata, scutellum

versus producta, angulis acutis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum sesqui-longioribus, parum latioribus,

prope media Jatissimis, remote et profundissime punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis

et ovaliter rotundatis, apicibus latis, rotundatis; abdomine minime exserto, rufo-castaneo ; pedibus modicis,

rufis ; antennis robustis, rufis. Long. corp. 1°50 millim.; lat. 0°90 millim.

Body oval, rather broad, very convex and very shining, with the thorax smooth and the elytra deeply punc-

tured, castaneous. Head large and broad; eyes large and prominent; antennz robust, rufous. Thorax

moderate, widest at the base, smooth and shining, remotely and very indistinctly marked with very

minute punctures; sides margined and rounded; basal margin not sinuated, produced towards the

scutellum, with the angles acute. Scutellum small, triangular, partly exposed. lytra one half longer

and rather broader than the head and thorax, widest near the middle; remotely and very deeply punc-

tured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides margined and ovally rounded; extremities broad

and rounded. Abdomen very little exserted, rufo-castaneous. Legs moderate, rufous. Underparts

entirely rufo-castaneous.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Differs from £. erichsoni in its smooth and almost impunctate thorax and longer

antenne ; and from B. major in its smaller size, punctured elytra, and longer antenne.

4, Beocera mexicana.

Beocera mexicana, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xviii. p. 45 nota’.

“Lata, antrorsum attenuata, nitida, glabra, nigra, antennis, clava excepta, pedibusque dilute ferrugineis ;

elytris stria suturali, prope basin longe arcuata, subtilissima. Long. 1 millim.”

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek +).

5. Beocera gyrinoides,

Beocera gyrinoides, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xviii. p. 46 nota’.

‘“‘Oblonga, convexa, nitidissima, glabra, nigra, chalybwo-nitens, antennis, clava fusca excepta, pedibus, abdo-

minis segmentis ultimis piceo-testaceis, pygidio elytrisque apice parum dilutioribus; his stria suturali,

prope basin longe arcuata, subtilissima. Long. 1 millim.”

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!.

SCAPHISOMA.

Scaphisoma, Leach, Edinb. Encycl. ix. p. 89 (1812).

Antenne 11-jointed—1 and 2 moderately large; 3very minute; 4,5, 6 very long and slender ; 7-11 more or less

incrassated on the inner side, forming an elongate club. Mazillary palpi long and slender, 4-jointed—

SCAPHISOMA. 171

1 very small; 2 and 3 long, subcylindric, nearly equal; 4 much the longest, acuminate. Labial pal

rather large, distinctly 4-jointed—1, 2, 8 transverse, gradually decreasing in size; joint 4 the longest,

subcylindric, much incurved, with the apex obtuse ; joints 1 and 2 each with an erect seta on the inner

side of the apex. Labrum large, rounded, and narrowly transparent at the sides, emarginate in front,

and furnished on the disc with strong sete. Mandibles robust, not bifid at the apex, furnished with a

ciliated appendage above the middle. Mawille moderate, bilobed; outer lobe large, much dilated, and

shortly pectinated at the apex; inner lobe small and short, pectinated at the apex. Mentwm elongate-

oblong, concave at the sides. Labium rather small, suboblong, widest at the apex. Lingua very large,

much expanded laterally, concave in front, and strengthened with a strong medial costa. Prosternum

small; episterna rather long; epimera very small, linear ; coxal cavities extending into the mesosternum.

Mesosternum moderate; ¢pisterna small, antehumeral; epimera small, linear, widely distant from the

coxal cavities ; mesosternum elevated and produced into a lanciform point between the anterior coxe.

Metasternum moderate, widely distant from the sides of the body; episterna very broad, not extending to

the coxe ; epimera very large, broadly inflected beyond the episterna. Venter composed of six segments—

1, 5, 6 very long, 3, 4, 5 short. Legs generally long and slender ; tarsi 5-jointed—1 very long, 2, 3, 4

shorter, subequal, the anterior pair sometimes dilated. Coww: anterior prominent and contingent ; inter-

mediate rather widely distant ; posterior rather widely distant.

In one of my dissections the labium has been separated from the mentum. This

preparation clearly exhibits the attachment of the labium to the base of the mentum

on its inner side, and also the attachment of the lingua to the inner side of the labium.

Forty-six species of this widely distributed genus have been described ; two only of

these are from Mexico or Central America, whence I now add eleven others.

Epitome of the Species.

Elytra variegated.

L. c. 250 mm. Ovate, rather deeply punctured ; red, with the elytra more or

less broadly fasciated with black; legs and antennee long, red . . . . . balteatum.

L. c. 2°25 mm. Ovate, broad, closely punctured; elytra with a suffused crimson

spot on the disc ; abdomen bright yellow; legs and antenne yellow . . . letum.

Elytra pale.

L.c. 1:75 mm. Ovate, moderately punctured ; flavescent, with a lunate mark on

each elytron ; legs and antenne rufescent . . lunatum.

L.c. 1:25 mm. Broadly ovate, moderately punctured ; flavescent, with the dise

of the elytra dusky ; legs and antenne very long, yellow. . . . . . nebulosum.

L.c. 1:75 mm. Ovate, rather broad, testaceous, elytra strongly punctured ; legs

and antenne testaceous. . . . . . . «+ - lutetpes.

Elytra black or castaneous.

L. c. 350mm. Elongate ovate, deep black, closely punctured ; thorax much

thoracicum.

rounded in front; legs black; antennz piceous. . . .

L. c. 2°75 mm. Broadly ovate, pitchy-castaneous, minutely punctured ; legs and

antennee bright rufous ~ guatemalense.

L.c. 2°25 mm. Broadly ovate, deep black, closely punctured ; legs and antennze

. . . bilimeki.

Z* 2

long, rufescent .

172 SCAPHIDITD A.

L. c. 2°25 mm. Oval, deep black, smooth; legs short, nulorpiccous 3 antenna

long, rufescent . . . . . neotropicale.

L.c. 1:75 mm. Broadly ovate, ‘deep black ; thorax deeply punctured ; legs and

antenne rufescent . . . . . . oe . puncticolle.

L. c. 1:50 mm. Short and broad, black, minutely and remotely punctured ; es

and antenne rufescent . . . . . breve.

L.c. 1:40 mm. Short and broad, deeply punctured ; black, with the elytra cas-

taneous ; legs and antenne bright red. . . . . oe - +. punctatissimum.

L.c. 150 mm. Oval, convex, deep black, very smooth and very shining ; legs

and antenne rufescent. . ©. . . . 1 6. 1 ew ee we ee dongicolle.

1. Scaphisoma balteatum, sp. n. (Tab. IV. fig. 12.)

Ovatum, valde convexum, nitidissimum, sat profunde punctatum, vel rufum fascia lata nigra in elytris notatum,

vel nigrum pronoti humeris atque apicibus elytrorum rufis; capite modico, rufo; oculis magnis, haud

prominentibus ; pronoto modico, rufo, in disco plus minusve obscurato, ad basin latissimo, modice, non

profunde, punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus leviter marginatis et leviter rotundatis, margine

basali scutellum versus producta, angulis sat obtusis ; elytris vel rufis fascia lata nigra postice sinuata prope

media notatis, vel nigris humeris apicibusque rufis, quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, vix

latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, sat profunde et confertim punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, stria

suturali profunda, lateribus marginatis, fere rectis, apicibus sat angustatis, modice rotundatis; abdomine

rufo, acuminato ; pedibus atque antennis longis, gracilimis, rufis. Long. corp. 2°75 millim.; lat. 1:50 millim.

Body ovate, very convex and very shining, rather deeply punctured, either red with a broad black fascia on

the elytra, or black with the shoulders and apex of the elytra red. Head moderate, red; eyes large, not

prominent ; antenne red, long, and very slender. Thorax moderate, red, with the disc more or less

dusky, widest at the base, moderately, not deeply, punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ;

sides slightly margined, and faintly rounded; basal margin produced towards the scutellum, with the

angles rather obtuse. Scutellum small, covered by the thorax. Elytra either red with a broad black

fascia, sinuated on the posterior edge, near the middle, or black with the shoulders and apex red; rather

longer but scarcely broader than the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders; rather deeply and

closely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sutural stria deep; sides margined, nearly

straight ; extremities rather narrowed, and moderately rounded. Abdomen red, acuminated. Legs red,

long, and slender. Underparts rufous, with the pectus dusky.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

Differs from its allies in its ornamental colour, rather large size, red legs, and long

and very slender red antenne.

Found in plenty by Herr Hoge at Jalapa.

2. Scaphisoma letum, sp. n.

Ovatum, sat latum, valde convexum, nitidissimum, confertim punctatum, macula magna lete rufa in elytro

utroque ornatum; capite magno, prominente, rufescente; oculis magnis, nigris, haud prominentibus ;

pronoto magno, antice angustato, ad basin latissimo, rufo, in disco plus minusve obscurato, leviter et

confertim punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidissimis, lateribus marginatis et rotundatis, margine basali haud

sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis acutis, sat productis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum

longioribus et parum latioribus, ante media latissimis, postice attenuatis, nigro-piceis, macula magna lete

rufa pone media ornatis, sat confertim et sat profunde punctatis, fere asperatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis,

lateribus marginatis et ovaliter rotundatis, apicibus angustatis, fere rectis ; abdomine late flavo, longo et

acuminato ; pedibus longis, gracilibus, late flavis ; antennis longis, obscure flavis. Long. corp. 2°50 millim. ;

lat. 1:50 millim.

SCAPHISOMA. 173

Body ovate, rather broad, very convex and very shining, closely punctured, ornamented with a large bright

red spot on each elytron, and a bright yellow abdomen. Head large and prominent, rufescent ; eyes

black, large, not prominent; antenne long, dusky yellow. Thoraw rather large, narrower than the head

in front, widest at the base, red, with the dise more or less dusky; finely and closely punctured, with the

interstices smooth and shining; sides margined and rounded ; basal margin not sinuated, produced towards

the scutellum, with the angles acute and rather produced. Scutellum minute, triangular, and elongate.

Elytra longer and rather broader than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, attenuated poste-

riorly, nigro-piceous, ornamented with a large bright red spot beyond the middle, rather closely and

rather deeply punctured, almost asperated, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides margined and

ovally rounded; extremities narrow, and nearly straight. Abdomen bright yellow, long, and much

acuminated. Legs long and slender, bright yellow. Underparts rufo-castaneous.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Differs from all other Central-American species in its large head, thorax narrowed in

front, bright yellow abdomen, and ornamental colour.

3. Scaphisoma lunatum, sp. n. (Tab. IV. fig. 15.)

Ovatum, valde convexum, nitidum, modice punctatum, flavum, macula lunata nigrescente pone medium ely-

trorum, nonnumquam absente ; capite sat magno; oculis magnis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto modico, ad

basin latissimo, minutissime punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis lateribus leviter marginatis et leviter

rotundatis, margine basali haud sinuata, angulis acutis; elytris sat longis, quam caput atque pronotum

plus quam sesqui-longioribus, vix latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, modice et remote punctatis, inter-

stitiis glabris, nitidis, stria suturali profunda, lateribus marginatis, modice rotundatis, apicibus latis,

rotundatis; abdomine rufescente ; pedibus atque antennis longis, rufescentibus. Long. corp. 1:75 millim. ;

lat. 1 millim.

Body ovate, very convex, shining, moderately punctured, yellow, the elytra each with a transverse lunate

mark behind the middle, and the base very narrowly, piceous, the dark markings sometimes effaced.

Head rather large; eyes large, not prominent; antenne long, rufescent. Uhoraw moderate, widest at the

base, very minutely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ; sides slightly margined and

slightly rounded ; basal margin not sinuated, with the angles acute. Scutellum covered by the thorax.

Elytra rather long, more than one half longer but scarcely broader than the head and thorax, widest

near the shoulders, moderately and remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ; sutural

stria deep; sides margined and moderately rounded ; extremities broad and rounded. Abdomen moderate,

rufescent. Legs long, rufescent. Underparts rufescent, with the pectus castaneous.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This species is distinguished by its pale yellow or testaceous colour, the elytra often

with a transverse lunate mark behind the middle, and the base very narrowly, piceous.

A well-marked example is shown on our Plate.

4. Scaphisoma nebulosum, sp. n.

Late ovatum, convexum, nitidissimum, modice et distincte punctatum, flavum, elytrorum disco obscurato ;

capite modico; oculis nigris, magnis, et sat prominentibus ; pronoto modico, ad basin latissimo, modice et

distincte punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus modice rotundatis et marginatis, margine basali haud

sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis acutis ; elytris rufo-testaceis, disco plus minusve obscurato, quam

caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, vix latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, sat profunde et confer-

tissime punctatis, vel asperatis, lateribus marginatis, vix rotundatis, apicibus sat latis, modice rotundatis ;

abdomine rufescente ; pedibus atque antennis prelongis, flavis. Long. corp. 1:25 millim.; lat. 0°75 millim.

Body broadly ovate, convex, and very shining, moderately and distinctly punctured, yellow. Head moderate ;

eyes black, large, and rather prominent ; antenne very long, yellow. Thoraw moderate, widest at the

174 SCAPHIDIIDA.

base, moderately and distinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides moderately

rounded and margined ; basal margin not sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute.

Scutellum covered by the thorax. lytra rufo-testaceous, with the disc more or less dusky, rather longer

but scarcely broader than the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, rather deeply and very closely

punctured; almost asperated, sides margined, but scarcely rounded; extremities rather broad and mode-

rately rounded. Abdomen moderate, rufescent. Leys very long, yellow. Underparts testaceous, with

the pectus dusky.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).

Differs from S. dunatum in its less convex form, much deeper sculpture, dusky pectus,

and generally in the dusky disc of the elytra.

5. Scaphisoma luteipes.

Scaphisoma luteipes, Oberthiir, Col. Nov. i. p. 15 (1883) °.

“ Ovale, sat latum, convexum, nitidum, piceum, apice tenuiter luteo-marginatum, pedibus antennisque flavidis

vel testaceis, subtiliter punctulatum. Elytra validius cribrata, stria suturali minuta basi subarcuata.

Long. 13 millim. ; lat. 11 millim.”

Hab. Panama, Matachin (Zhiéme 1).

“ Ovale, convexe, assez élargi, luisant, noir avec l’extrémité inférieure des élytres finement rebordée de jaune,

les pattes et les antennes de cette méme couleur. Corps trés-finement ponctué en dessus ; élytres pour-

vues d’une ponctuation plus forte, avec une fine strie suturale 4 peine visible légérement arquée a la base.

“Nous possédons deux exemplaires de cette espéce, qui sont en entier d’une couleur testacée ; probablement

ces exemplaires sont immatures.

** Voisin de S. terminatum, mais plus petit.”

The coarse punctuation of the elytra separates S. /utetpes from the other species here

enumerated. ‘The diagnosis gives ‘ piceous’ as the colour, though the two examples

are subsequently stated to be entirely testaceous.

6. Scaphisoma thoracicum, sp. n.

Elongato-ovatum, nitidissimum, confertim et sat profunde punctatum, aterrimum ; capite modico ; oculis magnis,

haud prominentibus ; pronoto magno, valde convexo, modice et confertim punctato, interstitiis glabris,

nitidis, lateribus marginatis et valde rotundatis, margine basali sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis

acutis; elytris longis, sat angustis, quam caput atque pronotum vix latioribus, sesqui-longioribus, prope

humeros latissimis, profunde et confertim punctatis, interstitiis longitudinaliter et irregulariter strigosis,

stria suturali profunda, lateribus sat late marginatis, vix rotundatis, apicibus latis, fere rectis; abdomine

acuminato, piceo ; pedibus nigris, tarsis rufis; antennis modicis, piceis, articulis basalibus dilutioribus.

Long. corp. 3°50 millim.; lat. 2 millim.

Body elongate ovate, very shining, closely and rather deeply punctured, deep black. Head moderate; eyes

large, not prominent ; antenne moderate, piceous, with the basal joints pale. T'horaw large, very convex,

moderately and closely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides margined, and much

rounded ; basal margin sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute. Scutellum very

small, triangular. Zlytra long and rather narrow, scarcely broader but one half longer than the head

and thorax, widest near the shoulders, deeply and closely punctured, with the interstices longitudinally

and irregularly strigose ; sutural stria deep ; sides rather broadly margined, scarcely rounded ; extremities

broad and nearly straight. Abdomen acuminate, piceous. Legs black, with the tarsi rufous. Underparts

black, with the terminal segments of the venter rufo-piceous ; metasternum deeply punctured.

Hab. Mexico, Jacale, Volcan de Orizaba (Sa//é).

SCAPHISOMA. 175

Differs from the other Central-American species in its large size, convex and rather

narrow form, thorax rounded in front, and in sculpture.

7. Scaphisoma guatemalense, sp. n.

Late ovatum, convexum, nitidissimum, minute punctatum, vel nigro-piceum, vel castaneum pronoto apicibusque

elytrorum piceis ; capite magno, lato, remote punctato; oculis modicis, haud prominentibus; pronoto sat

parvo, ad basin latissimo, indistincte punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus leviter marginatis et

leviter rotundatis, margine basali haud sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis rectis ; elytris plerumque

castaneis, sat longis, quam caput atque pronotum latioribus et plus quam sesqui-longioribus, ante media

latissimis, modice et sat remote punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus leviter marginatis et leviter

rotundatis, apicibus latis, rotundatis; abdomine acuminato, lete rufescente; pedibus atque antennis

modicis, leete rufescentibus. Long. corp. 2°75 millim.; lat. 1-75 millim.

Body broadly ovate, convex and very shining, minutely punctured, either pitchy black or castaneous with the

thorax and apex of the elytra piceous. Head large and broad, remotely punctured ; eyes moderate, not

prominent; antennze moderate, rufescent. Thoraw rather small, widest at the base ; indistinctly punc-

tured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides slightly margined and a little rounded ; basal

margin not sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum small,

triangular. lytra generally castaneous, rather long, broader and more than one half longer than the

head and thorax, widest before the middle; moderately and rather remotely punctured, with the inter-

stices smooth and shining ; sides slightly margined and a little rounded; extremities broad and rounded.

Abdomen acuminate, brightly rufescent. Legs moderate, bright rufous. Underparts rutescent.

_ Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).

Numerous examples. Differs from S. bilimeki in its larger size, broader form, finer

and remote sculpture of its elytra, and shorter legs and antenne.

8. Scaphisoma bilimeki.

Scaphisoma bilimeki, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xviii. p. 48 (1879) a

Late ovatum, convexum, nitidissimum, confertim punctatum, aterrimum ; capite lato, brevi; oculis magnis, sat

prominentibus; pronoto magno, minute et confertim punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus rotun-

datis, vix marginatis, margine basali vix sinuata, scutellum versus valde producta, angulis fere rectis ;

elytris brevibus, quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, vix latioribus, prope humeros latissimis,

profunde et confertissime punctatis, interstitiis alutaceis, stria suturali modica, lateribus leviter rotundatis,

sat late marginatis, apicibus vix rotundatis, rufescentibus; abdomine rufescente ; pedibus atque antennis

longis, gracilibus, rufescentibus. Long. corp. 2°25 millim. ; lat. 2 millim.

Body broadly ovate, convex, and very shining, closely punctured, deep black. Head broad and short; eyes

large and rather prominent; antenne long and slender, rufescent. Thorax large, minutely and closely

punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides rounded, scarcely margined ; basal margin

scarcely sinuated, much produced towards the scutellum, with the angles nearly rectangular. Scutellum

minute, triangular, covered by the thorax. lytra short, rather longer but scarcely broader than the

head and thorax, widest near the shoulders; deeply and very closely punctured, with the interstices

alutaceous ; sutural stria moderate; sides faintly rounded, and rather broadly margined ; extremities

scarcely rounded, rufescent. Abdomen rufescent. Legs long and slender, rufescent. Underparts rufo-

piceous, with the mouth and venter paler.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Differs from the preceding species in its smaller size, short and broad form, deep

sculpture of the elytra, and rufescent legs and antenne. The examples before me

agree sufficiently well with Reitter’s description of S. bilimeki to be identified therewith.

176 SCAPHIDIID®:

9. Scaphisoma neotropicale, sp. n.

Ovale, valde convexum, glabrum, nitidum, indistincte punctatum, aterrimum ; capite modico, indistincte punc--

tato; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus ; pronoto modico, ad basin latissimo, antice valde convexo, minute

et indistincte punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus rotundatis, leviter marginatis, margine basali

fere recta, angulis sat obtusis ; elytris sat longis, quam caput atque pronotum parum latioribus, fere duplo

longioribus, ante media latissimis, leviter et indistincte striatim punctatis, ad suturam sat depressis, stria

suturali modica, lateribus marginatis et modice rotundatis, apicibus sat angustatis, modice rotundatis,

dilutioribus ; abdomine sat brevi, nigro, ad apicem rufescente ; pedibus sat brevibus, rufo-piceis ; antennis

longis, rufescentibus. Long. corp. 2°25 millim. ; lat. 1°75 millim.

Body oval, very convex, smooth and shining, indistinctly punctured, deep black. Head moderate, indistinctly

punctured ; eyes large and rather prominent ; antenne long, rufescent. Thorax moderate, widest at the

base, very convex in front, minutely and indistinctly punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ;

sides rounded and slightly margined ; basal margin nearly straight, produced towards the scutellum, with

the angles rather obtuse. Scutellwm very small, covered by the thorax. lytra rather long, rather

broader and nearly twice longer than the head and thorax, widest before the middle, faintly and indistinctly

punctured in striw, rather depressed at the suture ; sutural stria moderate ; sides margined and moderately

rounded; extremities rather narrow and moderately rounded, paler. Abdomen rather short, black,

rufescent towards the apex. Legs rather short, rufo-piceous. Underparts piceous, with the last ventral

segment rufescent.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Sad/é) ; Guatemaua, Calderas 7000 feet (Champion); Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Differs from S. puncticolle in its larger size, and smooth and almost impunctate thorax.

10. Scaphisoma puncticolle, sp. n.

Late ovatum, valde convexum, nitidissimum, pronoto profunde et confertissime punctato, aterrimum; capite

magno, lato; oculis magnis, haud prominentibus; pronoto magno, ad basin latissimo, antice sat angustato,

profunde et confertissime punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis et modice rotundatis,

margine basali vix sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis acutis; elytris brevibus et latis, quam caput

atque pronotum vix longioribus aut latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, sat profunde sed indistincte punctatis,

interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis et rotundatis, apicibus ferrugineis et leviter rotundatis;

abdomine modico, nigro, segmentorum marginibus rufo-piceis ; pedibus modicis, rufis; antennis modicis,

rufescentibus. Long. corp. 1:75 millim.; lat. 1:25 millim.

Body broadly ovate, very convex, and very shining, deeply and very closely punctured on the thorax, deep

black. Head large and broad ; eyes large, not prominent ; antenne moderate, rufescent. Thorax large,

widest at the base, rather narrow in front, deeply and very closely punctured, with the interstices smooth

and shining; sides margined and moderately rounded ; basal margin scarcely sinuated, produced towards

the scutellum, with the angles acute. Scutellum small, covered by the thorax. Llytra short and broad,

scarcely longer or broader than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, rather deeply but in-

distinctly punctured, the interstices smooth and shining ; sides margined and rounded; extremities slightly

rounded, and ferruginous. Abdomen moderate, black, with the edges of the segments rufo-piceous. Legs

moderate, red. Underparts piceous, with the edges of the segments rufo-piceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Numerous examples. Differs from the allied forms in its short and broad form, and

especially in the deep and close sculpture of its thorax.

11. Scaphisoma breve, sp. n.

Breve, latum, valde convexum, nitidum, minute et sat remote punctatum, nigrum; capite magno, lato: oculis

SCAPHISOMA. 177

magnis, haud prominentibus; pronoto sat magno, ad basin latissimo, minute et sat remote punctato,

interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis et rotundatis, margine basali leviter rotundata, scutellum

versus producta, angulis fere rectis ; elytris brevibus, nigris ad apices ferrugineis, quam caput atque pro-

notum vix longioribus aut latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, modice punctatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis,

stria suturali leviter impressa, lateribus leviter marginatis, vix rotundatis, apicibus latis, rotundatis ;

abdomine parum exserto, nigro ; pedibus atque antennis modicis, rufescentibus. Long. corp. 1°50 millim. ;

lat. 1 millim.

Body short and broad, very convex, shining, minutely and rather remotely punctured, black. Head large and

broad; eyes large, not prominent; antenne moderate, rufescent. Thorax rather large, widest at the

base, minutely and somewhat remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining ; sides margined

and rounded; basal margin faintly rounded, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles nearly

rectangular. Scutellum covered by the thorax. lytra short, black, with the extremities ferruginous,

searcely longer or broader than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, moderately punctured, with

the interstices smooth and shining; sutural stria not deep; sides slightly margined, scarcely rounded ;

extremities broad and rounded. Abdomen not much exposed, black. Legs moderate, rufescent. Under-

parts black, with the edges of the ventral segments rufescent.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This species is distinguished chiefly by its short and broad form, black colour, and

sculpture.

12. Scaphisoma punctatissimum, sp. n.

Breve, latum, valde convexum, nitidum, profunde et confertim punctatum, nigrum, elytris obscure castaneis ;

capite magno, lato; oculis magnis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto magno, ad basin latissimo, profunde et

confertim punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus marginatis, vix rotundatis, margine basali haud

sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis rectis; elytris vel nigris vel castaneis, quam caput atque

pronotum parum longioribus, vix latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, profunde et confertim punctatis,

interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus leviter marginatis, vix rotundatis, apicibus modicis, ferrugineis et

leviter rotundatis; abdomine rufescenti; pedibus atque antennis modicis, late rufis, harum articulo sexto

magis incrassato. Long. corp. 1:40 millim. ; lat. 0°50 millim.

Body short and broad, very convex and shining, deeply and closely punctured, black, with the elytra some-

times castaneous. Head large and broad; eyes large, not prominent ; antenne moderate, bright rufous,

with the sixth joint considerably incrassate. Thorax large, widest at the base, deeply and closely punc-

tured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides margined and faintly rounded; basal margin not

sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles rectangular. Scutellum covered by the thorax.

Elytra either black or castaneous, rather longer but scarcely broader than the head and thorax, widest

near the shoulders, deeply and closely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides slightly

margined, scarcely rounded; extremities ferruginous, and slightly rounded. Abdomen rufescent. Legs

moderate, bright rufous. Underparts rufo-piceous, with the cox and the edges of the ventral segments

rufescent ; metasternum and first ventral segment deeply and closely punctured.

Hab. Guatemata, San Isidro (Champion).

Differs from S. breve in its rather small size, narrower form, deep sculpture, and more

incrassate antenne.

13. Scaphisoma longicolle, sp. n.

Ovale, convexum, glaberrimum, nitidissimum, aterrimum ; capite brevi, lato; oculis magnis, haud prominen-

tibus ; pronoto modico, ad basin latissimo, glaberrimo, nitidissimo, lateribus leviter rotundatis et leviter

marginatis, margine basali haud sinuata, scutellum versus producta, angulis acutis, sat productis ; elytris

quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, haud latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, glaberrimis et

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, June 1888. 2 A*

178 SCAPHIDIIDA.

nitidissimis, stria suturali profunda, lateribus vix rotundatis, leviter marginatis, apicibus ferrugineis,

modice rotundatis; abdomine nigro, apice rufescenti; pedibus modicis, rufis; antennis modicis, rufes-

centibus, clavis modice incrassatis. Long. corp. 1°50 millim.; lat. 0°75 millim.

Body oval, convex, very smooth and very shining, deep black. Head short and broad; eyes large, not pro-

minent ; antenne moderate, rufescent, with the club but slightly incrassated. Thorax moderate, widest

at the base, very shining and very smooth; sides a little rounded and slightly margined; basal margin

not sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute and rather produced. Scutellum

covered by the thorax. lytra rather longer, but not broader than the head and thorax, widest at the

shoulders, very smooth and very shining ; sutural stria deep ; sides scarcely rounded and slightly margined ;

extremities ferruginous, moderately rounded. Abdomen black, with the apex rufescent. Legs moderate,

rufous. Underparts black, with the apex of the venter rufous.

Hab. Mzxico, Teapa and Frontera in Tabasco (Hége); British Honpuras, R. Hondo

(Blancaneauz).

Differs from all our other species in its smooth, very shining, impunctate surface.

TOXIDIUM.

Toxidium, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1860, p. 324.

Antenne 11-jointed—1 and 2 rather large ; 3-6 very slender, incrassated on the inner side; 8 not incrassated ;

9-11 moderately incrassated on the inner side, forming an elongate moniliform club, 11 the longest and

oval in shape. Mazillary palpi long and slender, 4-jointed—1 minute; 2 and 3 subcylindric, equal ;

4 very long, acutely acuminate. Labial palpi rather large, distinctly 4-jointed—1, 2, and 3 subquadrate,

transverse, nearly equal; 4 much longer than 3, and more slender, strongly incurved. Labrum large,

much dilated, much rounded and broadly transparent at the sides, faintly emarginate in front. Mandibles

rather long, hooked and bifid at the apex, furnished with a ciliated appendage above the middle. Mazilla

very robust, bilobed; the outer lobe very broadly dilated towards the apex, with the apex circularly

rounded, and deeply and strongly pectinated ; the inner lobe rather robust, and armed at the apex with

long incurved setiform teeth ; stipes very robust. Mentwm elongate, suboblong, widest at the base. Labium

suboblong, widest in front. Lingua very large and broad, emarginate in front. Prosternwm very small;

episterna rather large, triangular; epimera very narrow, linear; coxal cavities extending into the meso-

sternum. Mesosternum large, carinated between the anterior coxe, and produced into a lanciform point ;

episterna humeral, long, and narrow ; epimera very small, linear, not extending more than halfway to

the coxal cavities. Metasternwm moderate, not extending to the sides of the body, with the hinder

margin concave between the coxe; episterna moderate, rather narrow, extending to the coxe; epimera

narrow, very little inflected beyond the episterna. Venter composed of five segments—1 and 5 long, 2, 3,

4 short. Legs moderate; tibie spinose; tarsi 5-jointed, 1 the longest. Coxe: anterior prominent and

contingent; intermediate moderately distant ; posterior very near, not contingent.

This genus contains five described species, from North America, Japan, &c.; a similar

number inhabit Mexico or Central America, four of which are here treated as new.

Epitome of the Species.

L. c. 2°40 mm. Compressed, elongate, almost impunctate; black, with two in-

distinct crimson fasciz on the elytra; legs and antenne rufous . . . . . bifasciatum.

L.c.2mm. Elongate oval, narrow, very shining; elytra deeply punctured, deep .

black ; legs and antenne long, rufescent . . . . ~ + + « punctatum.

L.c. 2mm. Compressed, narrow, very shining, almost impunctate, deep black ; legs

and antenne moderate, rufo-piceous . . . . 2. + © © + + + + + « gammaroides.

TOXIDIUM. 179

L.c. 150mm. Narrowly ovate, very shining, almost impunctate, deep black ; legs

rufo-piceous ; antennz short, moniliform, rufescent . . . . . ee 6 6 Ovatum.

L.c. 1:°25mm. Short, oval, nearly smooth, black; legs and antennz short, piceous parvum.

1. Toxidium bifasciatum, sp. n. (Tab. IV. fig. 14.)

Compressum, elongatum, arcuate convexum, nitidissimum, fere impunctatum, nigrum, fasciis duabus kermesinis

in elytris indistincte ornatum; capite sat magno, piceo; oculis modicis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto sat

longo, ad basin latissimo, punctis minutis indistincte et remotissime notato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis,

lateribus leviter marginatis et vix rotundatis, margine basali haud sinuata, scutellum versus producta,

angulis acutis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum haud latioribus, plus quam sesqui-longioribus, ad

humeros latissimis, superficie ineequali, vix punctata, nigris fascia angusta, kermesina, prope humeros,

atque altera simili prope apices indistincte ornatis, stria suturali leviter impressa, lateribus marginatis,

leviter rotundatis, apicibus angustatis, abrupte truncatis ; abdomine parum exserto, nigro ; pedibus longis,

tufis ; antennis longis, rufescentibus. Long. corp. 2°40 millim.; lat. 1 millim.

Body compressed, elongate, arcuately convex, very shining, almost impunctate; black, ornamented with two

narrow, indistinct, crimson fascie on the elytra. Head rather large, piceous; eyes moderate, not pro-

minent; antenne long, rufescent. Thorax rather long, widest at the base, minutely, indistinctly, and

very remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining; sides slightly margined and faintly

rounded ; basal margin not sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute. Scutellum

minute, triangular, partly uncovered. lytra more than one half longer but not broader than the head

and thorax, widest at the shoulders, with the surface uneven, but scarcely punctured; black, with a

narrow crimson fascia near the shoulders, and another near the apex, both rather indistinct; sutural

stria faint ; sides margined, scarcely rounded; extremities narrow, abruptly truncate. Abdomen black,

not much exserted. Legs long, red. Underparts piceous, with the edges of the ventral segments.

rufescent.

Hab. GuatemMaua, Capetillo, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Differs from our other species in its larger size, fasciated elytra, and longer an-

tenne.

2. Toxidium punctatum, sp. n.

Elongato-ovale, angustum, arcuate convexum, nitidissimum, elytris profunde punctatis, aterrimum ; capite

modico, sat longo; oculis magnis, sat prominentibus ; pronoto modico, ad basin latissimo, minute, remote,

sed distinctissime punctato, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, lateribus sat late marginatis, margine basali leviter

rotundata, scutellum versus leviter producta, angulis acutissimis; elytris longis, quam caput atque pro-

notum plus quam sesqui-longioribus, vix latioribus, prope humeros latissimis, profunde et sat remote punc-

tatis, interstitiis glabris, nitidis, stria suturali modica, lateribus marginatis, vix rotundatis, apicibus latis,

fere rectis, ferrugineis; abdomine longo, rufo-piceo ; pedibus longis, rufis; antennis longis, rufescentibus.

Long. corp. 2 millim. ; lat. 0-90 millim.

Body elongate oval, narrow, compressed, arcuately convex, very shining, with the elytra deeply punctured,

deep black. Head moderate, rather long; eyes large and rather prominent; antenne long, rufescent.

Thorax moderate, widest at the base, minutely, remotely, but very distinctly punctured, with the inter-

stices smooth and shining ; sides rather strongly margined ; basal margin faintly rounded, slightly pro-

duced towards the scutellum, with the angles very acute. Scutellwm moderate, obtusely triangular, partly

exposed. lytra long, more than one half longer but scarcely broader than the head and thorax, widest

near the shoulders, deeply and rather remotely punctured, with the interstices smooth and shining;

sutural stria moderate; sides margined, but scarcely rounded ; extremities broad, nearly straight, ferru-

ginous. Abdomen long, rufo-piceous. Legs long, red. Underparis black, the mouth and the apex of the

venter rufo-piceous ; metasternum deeply punctured near the middle.

2A* 2

180 SCAPHIDITDZ.

Hab. Mexico, Toluca (Hé6ge).

Differs from 7. bifasciatum and T. gammaroides in its intermediate size and deep

sculpture.

3. Toxidium gammaroides, (Tab. IV. fig. 15.)

Toxidium gammaroides, Lec. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1860, p. 324°.

Compressum, angustum, arcuate convexum, nitidissimum, fere impunctatum, aterrimum ; capite sat magno;

oculis modicis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto magno, ad basin latissimo, punctis exiguis remote impresso,

superficie glabra, nitidissima, lateribus marginatis, leviter rotundatis, margine basali haud sinuata, scutel-

lum versus producta, angulis acutis; elytris modicis, quam caput atque pronotum parum longioribus, vix

latioribus, ad humeros latissimis, fere glabris, nitidissimis, punctis exiguis remote impressis, lateribus

leviter marginatis, vix rotundatis, apicibus latis, fere rectis, dilutioribus ; abdomine parum exserto, nigro ;

pedibus atque antennis modicis, rufo-piceis. Long. corp. 2 millim.; lat. 0-80 millim.

Body compressed, narrow, arcuately convex, very shining, almost impunctate, deep black. Head rather

large; eyes moderate, not prominent; antenne moderate, rufo-piceous. Thorax large, widest at the

base, remotely marked with exceedingly minute punctures, smooth and very shining ; sides margined and

faintly rounded; basal margin not sinuated, produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute.

Scutellum moderate, triangular, partly exposed. Hlytra moderate, rather longer but scarcely broader

than the head and thorax, widest at the shoulders, nearly smooth and very shining, remotely marked

with very minute punctures ; sides slightly margined, scarcely rounded ; extremities broad, nearly straight,

and pale. Abdomen not much exposed, black. Legs moderate, rufo-piceous. Underparts black, with

several large and deep punctures on the metasternum.

Hab. Nort America, Southern and Western States '—Mexico, Jalapa (Hége) ;

GuaTEMALA, Zapote (Champion).

Differs from TZ. bifasciatum in its smaller size, shorter form, shorter legs and

antenne, and uniform black colour.

4, Toxidium ovatum, sp. n.

Anguste ovatum, arcuate convexum, nitidissimum, fere impunctatum, aterrimum ; capite magno, lato; oculis

magnis, sat prominentibus; pronoto magno, lato, ad basin latissimo, antice capite angustiore, glabro,

nitidissimo, lateribus leviter marginatis et leviter rotundatis, margine basali haud sinuata, scutellum

versus producta, angulis acutis; elytris quam caput atque pronotum sesqui-longioribus, vix latioribus,

prope humeros latissimis, superficie sat inwquali, glabra, nitidissima, stria suturali distincta, lateribus

leviter marginatis, vix rotundatis, apicibus sat latis, modice rotundatis, rufo-piceis ; abdomine nigro, vix

exserto; pedibus brevibus, rufo-piceis ; antennis robustis, sat brevibus, moniliformibus, nitidis, rufes-

centibus. Long. corp. 1°50 millim.; lat. 0°80 millim.

Body narrowly ovate, arcuately convex, very shining, nearly impunctate, deep black. Head large and broad ;

eyes large and rather prominent; antenne rather short, robust, moniliform, and very shining, rufescent.

Thorax large and broad, widest at the base, in front narrower than the head, smooth and very shining ;

sides slightly margined and faintly rounded ; basal margin not sinuated, produced towards the scutellum,

with the angles acute. Scutellum small, triangular, partly exposed. lytra one half longer but scarcely

broader than the head and thorax, widest near the shoulders, with the surface rather uneven, smooth, and

very shining; sutural stria distinct ; sides slightly margined, scarcely rounded; extremities rather

broad, moderately rounded, rufo-piceous. Abdomen black, not much exserted. Legs short, rufo-piceous.

Underparts black.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 10,000 feet (Champion).

TOXIDIUM. 181

One example only. Differs from all our other species in its broader ovate form,

short legs, and very peculiarly formed antenne.

5. Toxidium parvum, sp. n.

Breve, ovale, valde convexum, nitidissimum, fere glabrum, elytris indistincte punctatis, nigrum ; capite modico ;

oculis modicis, haud prominentibus ; pronoto modico, ad basim latissimo, glabro, nitidissimo, lateribus

leviter marginatis et leviter rotundatis, margine basali haud sinuata, scutellum versus late producta,

angulis acutis; elytris modicis, quam caput atque pronotum plus quam sesqui-longioribus, et parum

latioribus, ante media latissimis, distincte sed non profunde punctatis, superficie glabra, nitida, stria suturali

distincta, lateribus leviter marginatis, vix rotundatis, apicibus rotundatis, dilutioribus ; abdomine minime

exserto, nigro; pedibus brevibus, rufis; antennis perbrevibus, robustis, piceis. Long. corp. 1°25 millim. ;

lat. 0°60 millim.

Body short, oval, very convex and very shining, almost smooth, with the elytra indistinctly punctured, black.

Head moderate; eyes moderate, not prominent ; antenne very short, robust, piceous. Thorax moderate,

widest at the base, smooth, and very shining; sides slightly margined and a little rounded ; basal margin

not sinuated, broadly produced towards the scutellum, with the angles acute. Scutellum small, triangular,

elongate, partly exposed. Zlytra moderate, more than one half longer and rather broader than the head

and thorax, widest before the middle, distinctly but not deeply punctured, with the surface smooth and

shining; sutural stria distinct ; sides slightly margined, scarcely rounded ; extremities rounded and pale.

Abdomen very little exposed, black. Legs short, red. Underparts black.

Hab. Guatemata, Balheu in Vera Paz (Champion).

Differs from 7. ovatum in its much smaller size, narrower form, more evident sculp-

ture, and shorter and non-moniliform antenne.

I have experienced considerable difficulty in determining the species of this family,

and in distinguishing between species and varieties; I cannot hope to have been

successful in every case, but trust that what I have done may be of some use in helping

others to a. more perfect knowledge. In many of the published descriptions which I

have examined, the distinctive characters are not made sufficiently prominent; this is

especially the case in the genus Scaphisoma, whose species are both numerous and

obscure, and it is possible that some of those which I have treated as new will

eventually prove to have been previously described by other authors. As an instance

of this, Scaphisoma guatemalense and S. neotropicale appeared to me to resemble

S. castaneum and S. convexum, Lec., so strongly, that for a long time I felt convinced

they were synonymous, and it was with much hesitation that I changed my opinion ;

the comparison of typical specimens can alone settle these points.

182 HISTERID A.

Fam. HISTERIDA*.

The Central-American representatives of this family are arranged under 28 genera

and include upwards of 240 species; two genera and about one third of the total

number of species are described as new. The chief interest of the series centres in the

species which feed on the wood-boring Coleoptera of other families, and owing

to the excellent methods which have been employed in obtaining the specimens the

new and interesting species of this class are numerous. New forms of Tryponwus and

Teretriosoma (eight of the former and five of the latter), which belong to some of the

more curious forms of the Coleoptera, have been brought to light; and the greater part

of them are recorded as coming from the forests of considerable elevation, places

which have now been visited almost for the first time for systematic collecting. The

myrmecophilous species are very few in number; two very remarkable genera, Terapus

and Kenia, however, inhabit Mexico. The Saprini, although fairly numerous, do not

give many novelties, but this may be accounted for by their inhabiting the plains and

alluvial districts, which have always been easy of access to ordinary collectors; and also

from the facility with which insects of their habits, congregating in numbers where

they find their food, fall into the hands of entomologists. Amongst the ‘ Hololeptini’

Lnoderma dorcoides and Hololepta canalicollis are remarkable for their specific charac-

ters; but in the other species of this group there is a uniformity of appearance and

structure which renders special notice of them unnecessary. Oxysternus is not as yet

known from Central America; it may, however, be found eventually on the Isthmus

of Panama.

In a faunistic analysis of the genera it is important to observe the presence of such a

small number of species of Platysoma. In the Eastern Archipelago similar methods to

those employed in amassing this collection would probably have resulted in the capture

of sixty or eighty species, even if the investigation should be limited to the area of one

or two islands; so that it seems as though the functions of Platysoma are carried on

in Central America by Paromalus, Phelister, and the larger species of Carcinops and

Epierus, genera which contain many species of subcortical habits, and all especially

abundant in the tropics of America.

Of the remarkable genus Homalopygus two species are now known from Central

America.

PHYLLOMA.

Phylloma, Erichson in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 96.

This genus includes ten species, all from Central or Tropical South America. With

the exception of P. corticale, Fabr., the species are all rare and only represented in our

cabinets by a very few specimens.

* By G. Lewis.

PHYLLOMA.—HOLOLEPTA. 183

1. Phylloma corticale.

Hister corticalis, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 91°.

Hololepta corticalis, Payk. Monogr. Hist. p. 106, t. 9. fig. 2°.

Phylloma corticale, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 198, t. 5. fig. 1°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremata, Cubilguitz, Cahabon, and Lanquin in

Vera Paz (Champion) ; Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).—Guiana, Cayenne!?; BRaziL,

Parad 3, Santa Catarina 3. |

2. Phylloma plagigerum, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 16.)

Oblongo-ovatum, depressum, nigrum, nitidum; fronte plana, dente oculari; mandibulis longis; pronoto

lateribus parce punctulato marginatoque; elytris margine inflexo, striis dorsalibus brevibus, appendicula

nulla; propygidio bifoveolato, circum punctato; pygidio dense fortiterque punctato. Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Guatremaua, Las Mercedes 3000 feet, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet (Champion).

Two examples only. In facies this species resembles P. maragnoni, Mars., from the

Amazons, with the type of which it has been compared. The absence of a third stria

to the elytra and the more coarsely punctured pygidium will serve as characters to

distinguish it.

8. Phylloma facetum, sp.n. (Tab. IV. figg. 17, 17 a.)

Ovale, breve, convexiusculum, leve, nitidum; fronte subtiliter punctulata; mandibulis bidentatis ; pronoto

lateribus punctulato marginatoque; elytris striis 3 dorsalibus brevibus, 2° appendiculata; propygidio

circum parce punctato, apice bifoveolato ; pygidio dense et grosse punctato, circum late marginato; tibiis

anticis 3-dentatis. Long. 5-6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Twelve specimens. In outline and general sculpture this species is very similar to

P. bahiense, Mars. It differs chiefly in the pygidium being marginate (fig. 17a). In

one example the first dorsal stria of the elytra is complete, but in ten other specimens

there is no variation.

HOLOLEPTA.

Hololepta, Paykull, Monogr. Hist. p. 101 (1811).

About sixty-seven species of this genus have been catalogued, and ten or twelve

undescribed forms are known in collections. Only one occurs in Europe, and the

nearer the equator is approached the more numerous the species become. At present

the New World has produced the greater number of representatives, but it is unlikely

this proportion will be maintained when the Eastern Tropics are as thoroughly investi-

gated. Some of the species are insectivorous, and others feed on the rancid oozing sap

of wounded trees. In the New World, according to Mr. Champion, they frequent the

running sap of various trees, including that of the coco and other large palms.

184, HISTERIDZ.

1. Hololepta excisa.

Hololepta eacisa, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 148, t. 4. figg. 6, 6 a-e’.

Hololepta lucida, Dej. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 144°.

Hab. Norta Amentca2, United States —Mextco!, Cordova, Playa Vicente (Sallé),

Esperanza, Mexico city (Hége); Guaremata, Las Mercedes, Pantaleon, Mirandilla, San

Lucas, Capetillo, Cahabon, Lanquin (Champion).—SovuTH AMERICA, Colombia and

Venezuela to Brazil !. |

2. Hololepta sublucida.

Hololepta sublucida, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 149, t. 4. fig. 7°.

Hab. Guatemata, Cahabon, Las Mercedes (Champion).—CotomB1A, Cartagena’.

Mr. Champion met with three examples of this species in Guatemala.

3. Hololepta obscura.

Hololepta obscura, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 150, t. 4. fig. 87.

Hololepta pizarri, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 468°.

Hab. Mexico 12, Playa Vicente, Cordova (Sallé), Bobo, Jalapa (Hoge).

4. Hololepta colombiana.

Hololepta colombiana, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 154, t. 4. fig. 12°.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba 800 to 1500 feet, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).— VENEZUELA, Caracas}.

5. Hololepta guidonis.

Hololepta guidonis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1860, p. 595, t. 11. fig. 7.

Hab. Mexico}.

This species is not represented in the collection before us.

6. Hololepta pontavicei.

Hololepta pontavicei, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1860, p. 594, t. 11. fig. 6°.

Had. Mexico 1, Cordova (Sallé, Hége), Tuxtla (Sailé); Bririse Honpuras, R. Hondo

(Blancaneaux) ; GuateMaLA, El Reposo, Zapote, Capetillo, Teleman, Chacoj (Champion).

7. Hololepta populnea.

Hololepta popuinea, Lec. Aun. Lye. N. York, v. p. 163°; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr.

1860, p. 592, t. 11. fig. 5%.

Hab. Norta America, California 2, Colorado River }.—Mexico, Northern Sonora

(Morrison).

One example from Sonora.

HOLOLEPTA. 185

8. Hololepta canalicollis, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 18, 3.)

Ovalis, depressa, nigra, nitida; fronte absque striolis vel obsoleta, subtilissime punctulata, ad oculum fortiter

dentata; pronoto impunctato, margine anguste canaliculato; elytris striis 2 dorsalibus brevibus; propy-

gidio circum parce parum grosse punctato, apice bifoveolato; pygidio dense ocellato-punctato; tibiis

anticis 4-, posticis 3-dentatis. Long. 8-8} millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo, San Lucas, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species resembles H. vulpes, Mars., from which it is distinguished by the absence

of an appendicle to the outer elytral stria, by the fewer and less oblong punctures on

the propygidium, and by the margin of the thorax being canaliculate in the male.

9. Hololepta vulpes. (Tab. IV. fig. 19.)

Hololepta vulpes, Mars. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xiii. p. 58°.

Hab. Mexico !, Cordova (Sallé); British Honpuras (Blancaneaua) ; Panama, Bugaba

1500 feet (Champion).

One example from each locality.

10. Hololepta subhumilis.

Hololepta subhumilis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 179, t. 4. fig. 21, and 1857,

Cat. p. 468°.

Hab. Mextco!, Tuxtla (Sailé), Cordova (Hége); GuaremaLa, Senahu and San Juan in

Vera Paz (Champion). —

11. Hololepta attenuata.

Hololepta attenuata, Blanch. Voy. d’Orb., Col. p. 68*; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853,

p. 182, t. 4. fig. 24°.

Hololepta tenuata, Mars. loc. cit. 1862, Cat. p. 703.

Hab. British Honpuras (Blancaneaur); Panama, Taboga Island (Champion).—

Bottvia, Santa Cruz ! .

Three examples.

12. Hololepta aradiformis.

Hololepta aradiformis, Erichs. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 93 *; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc.

Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 181, t. 4. fig. 23°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa, Cordova (Sailé), Bobo (Hoge), N. Yucatan (Gaumer); BritIsH

Honpuras (Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata, Teleman ( Champion); Panama, Bugaba 800 to

1500 feet (Champion).—Gutana, Cayenne?; Braziu', Para 2,

13. Hololepta meridana. |

Hololepta meridana, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 184, t. 4. fig. 25°.

Hab. Mexico, Merida in Yucatan (Pilate and Chevrolat*), Teapa, Cordova (Sailé) ;

GUATEMALA, Yzabal (Sa//é).

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, June 1888. | 2B*

186 HISTERIDA.

14. Hololepta pygolissa.

Hololepta pygolissa, Mars. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xiii. p. 59°.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Cerro Zunil, Panajachel, Zapote, San Geronimo, Balheu (Cham-

pion); Panama}, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

15. Hololepta cayennensis,

Hololepta cayennensis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1858, p. 180, t. 4. fig. 22°.

Hab. Guatemaa, Torola 1000 feet (Champion).—Gvutana, Cayenne}.

One example from Guatemala.

16. Hololepta bogotana.

Hololepta bogotana, Mars. Monogr. in Aun. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 184, t. 4. fig. 267.

Hololepta consimilis, Dej. Cat. 8rd edit. p. 144°.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, Yzabal (Sallé +),

Chacoj, Teleman, Cahabon (Champion).—CoLomBIA, Cartagena”; VENEZUELA, Caracas 1.

17. Hololepta placida, sp. n.

Ovata, complanata, nigra, nitida; fronte subtilissime punctulata, ad oculos dentata, stria utrinque arcuata;

pronoto lateribus parum dense punctulato, marginato ; elytris striis 1* dorsali brevi, 2* brevissima, longius

appendiculata, sulco subhumerali lato, ad basin abbreviato ; propygidio in medio levi, extus sparse et valide

punctato; pygidio transversim punctato; mesosterno utrinque marginato; tibiis anticis 4-, posticis 3-den-

tatis. Long. 64 millim. .

Hab. GuateMaa, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Two examples, both females. This species has the facies of, and many characters in

common with, H. morator, Mars., from Cayenne; but the forehead is more finely

punctulate, the pygidium more strongly punctured, and the length 2 millim. greater.

18. Hololepta quadriformis.

Hololepta quadriformis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 186, t. 4. fig. 27°; Dej. Cat.

brd edit. p. 144°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Playa Vicente (Sal/é); British Honpvras, R. Sarstoon

(Blancaneauz); Guatemata, El Tumbador, El Reposo, Zapote, Teleman (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—

Guiana, Cayenne’; Braziut.

19. Hololepta belti.

Hololepta belti, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. xvi. p. 205’.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Belt +, in coll. Lewis).

One example.

LIODERMA. 187

LIODERMA.

Leionota (Dej.), Marseul, Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1858, p. 196 (olim).

Lnoderma, Marseul, loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469.

Authors have assigned about thirty species to this genus, which differs from Hololepta

chiefly in the lesser breadth of the prosternum. It is not, however, a well-defined

genus, and several species in the catalogue might perhaps with equal reason be placed

in Hololepta Two species are recorded from Africa, the others being from the

American continent or the Antilles. The species are similar in habits to Hololepta.

1. Lioderma yucateca,

Leionota yucateca, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 208, t. 5. fig. 1, 3’.

Lioderma yucateca, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469, & 1860, p. 606.

Leionota grandis, Mars. loc. cit. 1853, p. 204, t. 5. fig. 2, 9”.

Lioderma grandis, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469.

Hololepta princeps, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1859, p. 310°.

Hab. Nort America, California ?.—Mexico, Oaxaca (Laferté & Chevrolat), Puebla,

Guanajuato, Vera Cruz, Cuernavaca (Sallé), Esperanza, Mexico city, Jalapa, Acapulco

(Hoge), Yucatan (Pilate, Gaumer); t Guatemata (Sallé).

2. Lioderma dorcoides, sp. n. (Ziodema dorcoides, Tab. IV. fig. 20.)

Elongato-parallelum, nigrum, nitidum ; mandibulis magnis basi validis bidentatis; fronte ineequali, utrinque

brevistriata ; pronoto lateribus interrupte marginato, utrinque profunde bisulcato, angulis anticis punctatis ;

elytris margine inflexo levi, sulco subhumerali rugoso utrinque abbreviato, striis 1* brevi, 2* integra; pro-

pygidio extus late, pygidioque immarginato et sat dense, punctatis; tibiis anticis 4-, posticis 3-dentatis.

Long. 12-13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Esperanza (Hoge).

This species agrees in some of its characters with L. cacti (Lec.); but it is easily

distinguished by the mandibles being serrulate, with a large blunt tooth at their base,

and by the pygidium being immarginate. The prosternal keel is also narrower

anteriorly, and is very straight. The four examples before me appear to be all

males.

3. Lioderma cacti.

Hololepta cacti, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 162'; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853,

p. 220%.

Lioderma cacti, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, p. 400, t. 10. fig. 5 *, & 1860, p. 606°.

Hab. Norra America, San Diego in California } 2 3.—MeExico 4, Hacienda de Bleados

(Dr. Palmer), Guanajuato (Sallé), Tula in Hidalgo, Jalapa, Esperanza (£76ge).

Occurs in rotten masses of Opuntia.

2 B* 2

188 HISTERID A.

4, Lioderma strigicolle.

Leionota strigicollis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 207, t. 5. fig. 5°.

Lioderma strigicollis, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469.

Hab. Mexico (Chevrolat1), Vera Cruz (Sallé), Tehuacan (Hoge). Two examples.

5. Lioderma reichii.

Leionota reichii, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 210, t. 5. fig. 8°.

Lioderma reichet, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sal/é).—Gutana, Cayenne t.

There is a single example of this species from Mexico in the Sallé collection.

6. Lioderma confusum.

Leionota confusa, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1858, p. 205, t. 5. fig. 3°.

Lioderma confusa, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469.

Hab. Muxico (Chevrolat 1), Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemana, Las Mercedes (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). One example from each locality.

7. Lioderma claudum.

Lioderma clauda, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1860, p. 609, t. 11. no. iti. fig. 2°.

Hab. Mexico!, Tuxtla (Sallé). Two examples.

8. Lioderma politum.

Leionota polita, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 208, t. 5. fig. 6°; Sturm, Cat.

1843, p. 94°.

Lioderma polita, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469.

Leionota auriculata (Chevr.), Dej. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 144°,

Lioderma pumicata, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469.

Hab. Mexico?# (coll. Laferté+), Parada, Puebla (Sallé), Esperanza, Jalapa, San

Andres Chalchicomula (Hége); GuaTEMALA, near the city (Champion).

9. Lioderma mexicanum.

Leionota mexicana, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 209, t. 5. fig. 7°.

Lioderma mexicana, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469.

Hab. Mexico 1, Jacale (Sallé), Pachuca and Tula in Hidalgo, Amecameca in Morelos,

Cholula, Esperanza, Jalapa, San Andres Chalchicomula (/oge).

10. Lioderma quadridentatum.

Hister 4-dentatus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. i. p. 74°.

Hololepta 4-dentata, Payk. Monogr. Hist. p. 109, t. 9. fig. 4.

Leionota quadridentata, Mars. Monogr, in Ann. Soc. Ent, Fr. 1853, p. 212, t. 5. fig. 10°.

LIODERMA.—APOBLETES. 189

Lioderma quadridentata, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 469, & 1860, p. 608.

Hister surinamensis, Herbst, Kif. iv. p. 51, t. 37. fig. 1.

Hololepta platysma, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 95.

Hololepta flagellata, Kirby, Trans. Linn. Soc. xii. p. 395°; Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser.

xv. p. 458 (1885).

Hab. Norv Americal, United States2, Texas?, New Orleans ?.—Mexico, Cordova

(Sailé), Bobo, Esperanza, Jalapa (Héye), N. Yucatan (Gaumer); British Honpuras,

Belize, R. Hondo, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA, Yzabal, Panzos, El Reposo

(Champion) ; Nicaraaua, Chontales (Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion), Taboga Isl. (J. J. Walker, Champion).—SoutH AMERICA,

Colombia 2, Venezuela 2, Guiana 2, Bolivia?, Brazil?, &c.; SAN DoMINGo 2.

The locality, Australasia, given by Kirby* is doubtless in error, as I have already

noted (op. cit.).

Very abundant in Brazil and northwards to the United States.

11. Lioderma subnitidum, sp. n.

Oblongum, depressum, nigrum, subnitidum ; fronte obscure punctulata, dente oculari striis transversis brevibus ;

pronoto lateribus punctato, stria marginali valida, basi continuata; elytris margine inflexo, sulco rugoso,

striis dorsalibus validis, 1* brevi, 2* integra ; propygidio grosse et parce, pygidioque dense, punctatis. Long.

7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Bobo (Hége). One example.

This species should follow L. punctulatum, Mars., and it is in some respects inter-

mediate between that insect and LZ. minutum, Er. The thorax is sculptured as in

L. punctulatum, but the propygidium and the pygidium are shaped as in L. minutum,

Er., and Z. rimosum, Mars.; L. subnitidum especially resembles the latter in the small

size of the punctures and in the absence of fovee on the propygidium.

12. Lioderma minutum,

Hololepta minuta, Hr. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 96".

Leionota minuta, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 217, t. 5. fig. 14°.

Lioderma minuta, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 470.

Lioderma minorata, Mars. loc. cit. 1862, Cat. p. 704.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—Brazit ' *.

One example.

APOBLETES.

Macrosternus, Marseul, Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 18538, p. 239 (pars).

Apobletes, Marseul, loc. cit. 1860, p. 852.

This genus is closely allied to Platysoma of authors, but differs in being much flatter

and in having a broader prosternum. ‘The species are subcortical in their habits, and

190 HISTERIDZ.

are fairly distributed in the tropics, the larger number coming from the eastern

archipelago. About thirty-three species have been described, but only one has as yet

been detected in Central America.

1. Apobletes connectens, sp. n. (Tab. IV. fig. 21.)

Oblongo-parallelus, planatus, brunneus, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; fronte sparsim punctulata,

utrinque marginata, ante oculos angulata; pronoto punctis aliquot sparsis lateribus, stria marginali

pone oculos interrupta; elytris stria humerali apice abbreviata, striis 1*-4™ integris, 5* et suturali in medio

abbreviatis, anticis coeuntibus; propygidio pygidioque sparse punctatis; prosterno lato, plano, utrinque

marginato, basi parum sinuato; mesosterno transverso, antice bisinuato; tibiis anticis 4-, mediis 3-

denticulatis, posticis apice spinosis. Long. 23-24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Three examples. This species is doubtless very similar to the South-American

A. ridens and A. subridens, Mars., which are only known to us from description ; but

the elytra having a long humeral stria (which gives A. connectens the appearance of

having seven strize) and the fifth and sutural strie being confluent anteriorly are

sufficient to separate it.

PLATYSOMA.

Platysoma, Leach, Zool. Miscell. iii. p. 77 (1817).

Over 130 species of this genus have been described, the larger proportion of which

inhabit the tropical parts of the Old World; several, however, are found in North

America. The two species in the present series are cylindrical in shape. ‘They are

probably all insectivorous, and are found under the bark of dead or dying trees. Some

species are attached to pine-trees. Recently a species with a broad yellow band across

the elytra has been found in Burmah.

1. Platysoma columellare, sp.n. (Tab. IV. figg. 22, 23.)

Oblongum, cylindricum, nigrum, nitidum, punctulatum; fronte concava, stria integra, subrecta; pronoto

grosse et minute punctato, stria laterali valida integra; elytris basi elevatis, punctato-striatis, striis

validis, integris; propygidio pygidioque ocellato-punctatis; mesosterno marginato, metasternoque grosse

punctatis; tibiis anticis 4-, posticis 3-denticulatis. Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdénimo, San Joaquin, Balheu (Champion).

The sculpture of this species agrees generally with that of P. cylindroides, but it is

well marked and much coarser throughout. The punctures are deeper and larger; the

base of the elytra is elevated, as well as the humeral angles, and the strize are deeper

and broader and clearly punctate; and the propygidium and pygidium have well-

defined ocellated punctures. The greatest difference is, however, beneath, in the

thickly and coarsely punctate meso- and metasternal plates.

Many examples, all of which were found beneath the bark of pines.

PLATYSOMA.—PHELISTER. 191

2. Platysoma cylindroides.

Platysoma cylindroides, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 280, t. 7. fig. 23 *,

Hab. Mexico}, San Andres (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

PHELISTER.

Phelister, Marseul, Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 462.

Only about sixty species of Phelister have been noticed as yet by authors, but it is

evident from the number of forms unnamed in collections that the genus is a large one.

Some of the species assigned to it, viz. P. lunaticus and P. celebius, Mars., from the

Eastern Archipelago, and P. impressifrons (Sol.), from Chili, have, as Herr Schmidt

has noticed, an emarginate mesosternum, and these would, therefore, be better placed

in Platysoma. The majority of the known forms are from the tropical and subtropical

parts of America; some appear to be found under loose bark, others in dung, decaying

vegetable matter, &c.

1. Phelister godmani, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 1.)

Ovalis, depressiusculus, supra fulgidus, subtus niger, nitidus ; fronte concava, sparse et grosse punctata, stria

semicirculari antice interrupta; pronoto purpureo-aurato, circum punctato, stria haud interrupta ; elytris

viridi-cyaneis, apice punctatis, striis dorsalibus 1 —4™ integris, 5" subintegra, suturali ultra medium abbre-

viata; propygidio pygidioque punctatis; prosterno bistriato; mesosterno bisinuato, marginato, stria

postice utrinque abbreviata. Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 1000 feet (Champion).

One specimen. In its brilliant colouring this insect is similar to P. dives, Mars.,

from Rio Janeiro. P. dives is, however, a convex species, and has no fifth dorsal stria.

P. riehli, Mars., from Cuba, is also closely allied to P. godmani, but the fifth and sutural

striee are wanting in that species.

2. Phelister eximius, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 3.)

Breviter ovalis, parum convexus, supra viridi-cyaneus, subtus niger, nitidus ; fronte parce punctata, stria valida,

integra, antice subarcuata; pronoto lateribus elevatis, utrinque punctato ; elytris postice punctatis, striis

abbreviatis, dorsalibus 8 primis antice integris, 4 basali, suturali antice abbreviata ; propygidio parce,

pygidioque tenuiter, punctatis ; prosterno vix lato, bistriato, antice marginato ; mesosterno stria marginali

_subintegra, transversa, sed leviter impressa. Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

A single example. This fine species is much larger than P. violaceus, Mars., and

differs from it in the dorsal strie, and, more especially, in the posterior transverse

stria of the mesosternum, this stria being lightly impressed, nearly straight, and not

crenulate. In P. violaceus the last-named stria is arched, crenulate, and finely cut.

192 HISTERID.

8. Phelister violaceus.

Phelister violaceus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 18538, p. 469, t. 14. fig. 2°.

Phelister violaris, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, Cat. p. 475.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Gerénimo (Champion).—Co.LomBIA ', Cartagena.

Four specimens.

4, Phelister crenatus, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 6.)

Breviter ovalis, subconvexus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque piceis; fronte parce punctulata, stria

circulari ante oculos parum interrupta; pronoto parce et tenue punctato, stria marginali integra, interna

crenata ad oculum hamata, subinterrupta; elytris striis quoque crenatis, 1*-4™ integris, 5* in medio abbre-

viata, puncta basali aucta, suturali tantum basi abbreviata ; propygidio pygidioque parum dense ocellato-

punctatis; prosterno striis antice et postice junctis; mesosterno marginato, stria postice crenata, arcuata.

Long. 2 millim,

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

One example. This species may be placed in the list near P. friburgicus, Mars., to

which it is similar both in the crenate elytral striz and in the form of the striation

on the pro- and metasternum. The prosternal striz join each other anteriorly and widen

out gradually to the base, enclosing an elongate triangular space.

5. Phelister uncistrius, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 5.)

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, leviter punctulatus, niger, nitidus; fronte in medio excavata, stria utrinque

elevata, antice late interrupta; pronoto lateribus punctatis, stria marginali integra, ante scutellum foveo-

lata; elytris striis crenatis, 1*-4™ integris, 4* antice arcuata, 5° apicali, suturali antice tantum abbreviata ;

propygidio parce punctato; pygidio punctulato; prosterno utrinque bisinuato, striis postice coeuntibus ;

mesosterno bisinuato, stria antice recta, transversa arcuata, crenata, approximatis. Long. 2-2; millim.

Hab. Guaremaua, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).

Seven examples. This small species is very similar to P. dovinus, Mars., from

Caracas; it differs chiefly in the strie of the mesosternum being divided only by a

narrow interstice.

6. Phelister quadri-punctulus.

Phelister quadri-punctulus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 471, t. 14. fig. 4°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—VENEZUELA, Caracas !.

One immature example.

7. Phelister cumanensis. (Tab. IV. figg. 24, 25.)

Phelister cumanensis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 470, t. 14. fig. 8 a

Hab. Guaremana, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

—VENEZUELA, Cumana 1.

The mesosternal strize of this species, as specific characters, are worthy of note.

PHELISTER. 193

8. Phelister affinis.

Phelister affinis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1859, p. 311; Mars. Monogr. in Amn. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861,

pp. 174.

Phelister solator, Mars. loc. cit. p. 164, t. 4. no. xv. fig. 8° [ =affinis (Lec.), Mars. Ann. Soc. Ent.

Belg. xiii. p. 80].

Hab. Mexico! ?3, Cordova (Sailé); GuatemaLa, near the city, Capetillo, San Gerd-

nimo (Champion).

9. Phelister canalis, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, convexiusculus, tenuissime punctulatus, niger, nitidus; fronte parum impressa, punctata, stria

elevata antice modice interrupta; pronoto stria marginali integra, lateribus punctato, ante scutellum

foveolato; elytris 4 vel 5 punctis basalibus auctis striis parum crenatis, 1*-3™ integris, 4* dimidiata, 5*

brevi, suturali ante medium abbreviata; propygidio sat grosse et parce punctato; pygidio parum dense

punctulato; prosterno bisinuato, haud striato; mesosterno subsinuato, stria marginali integra, transversa

_ arcuata, approximatis. Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, La Tinta in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson) ;

Panama (coll. Lewis), Bugaba (Champion).

This species resembles P. quadri-punctulus, Mars., and has the dorsal striz of the

elytra similar; the chief differences lie in the prosternum having its whole length on

the same plane, and in the mesosternal transverse stria being arcuate. One specimen,

from La Tinta, has, however, two very rudimentary mesosternal striz, so that this

character may not be constant. In P. guadri-punctulus the lobe of the prosternum is

bent downwards.

10. Phelister rouzeti.

. Paromalus rouzeti, Fairm. Aun. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1849, p. 421°.

Phelister rouzeti, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1858, p. 488, t. 14. fig. 20; Jacq.-Duv. Gen.

Col. Europ. ii. p. 102, t. 30. fig. 148.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Tehuacan, Aguas Calientes city (Hége) ;

GUATEMALA, near the city, Duefias, Zapote, San Joaquin, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This species is abundant in some parts of Mexico and Guatemala. It was originally

recorded! as having been found in an ant’s nest near Paris, but this is no doubt an

error; P. rouzeti cannot be regarded as European.

Under sappy bark in the vicinity of the city of Guatemala, common (Champion).

11. Phelister teapensis.

Phelister teapensis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 482, t. 14. fig. 14°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate').

P. teapensis is wanting in this collection.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, June 1888. 2 C*

194 HISTERID.

12. Phelister pulvis.

Phelister pulvis, Mars. Monogr. in Aun. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 173, t. 4. no. xv. fig. 161.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé !).—Brazit (Sahlberg). 2

Type in this collection.

13. Phelister carinatus, sp. n. (Tab. V. fig. 4.)

Ovalis, convexiusculus, brunneus, nitidus; fronte transversa, levi, stria elevata, antice subrecta, ante oculos

angulata; pronoto tenuiter punctulato, lateribus anguste dilatatis, basi arcuato, angulis antice prominulis,

margine angustissimo laterali elevato; elytris undique punctulatis, striis 1 integra, carinata, 2° utrinque

abbreviata, 3? apice abbreviata, 42 integra, antice late arcuata; pygidio punctulato ; propygidio parce et

grosse subocellato-punctato ; prosterno anguste carinato, striis, antice minime diversis, in medio approxi-

matis, postice triangulariter divaricatis; mesosterno marginato, angulis utrinque prominulis, stria trans-

versa arcuata. Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 5000 feet (Champion).

One example. This species is very dissimilar to any other yet known, but. may

follow P. pulvis in the list. Below the arched transverse stria on the mesosternum is

a second very fine stria in the form of an inverted arch; the latter may indicate the

suture between the meso- and metasternum, but this is not certain. The first segment

of the abdomen has a very well-marked stria on each side, but these striee terminate

widely apart at the anterior as well as at the posterior suture.

14. Phelister miramon.

Phelister miramon, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 163, t. 4. no. xv. fig. 7°.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé); Guatemata (Sallé).

The locality given by Marseul! is Mexico, but the single example in the Sallé

collection is labelled Guatemala.

15. Phelister parvulus.

Hister parvulus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 156°.

Phelister parvulus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 486, t. 14. fig. 18°. .

Hab. GuatEMALA, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet,

La Caldera (Champion).—Co Lomsia ! 2.

16. Phelister panamensis. (Tab. V. fig. 2.)

Phelister panamensis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1859, p. 311°; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr.

1861, p. 174°.

Phelister panama, Mars. loc. cit. 1862, Cat. p. 707.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Cordova, Tlacotalpam (Hoge), N. Yucatan (Gaumer); Guats-

MALA, near the city (Champion) ; Nicaraeua, Greytown, Chontales (Janson); Panama! 2,

Los Remedios (Champion).

PHELISTER.—HOMALODES. 195

This species, which is apparently abundant in the Central-American region, has been

identified by comparison with an example sent by Leconte to Marseul.

Common under sappy bark in the vicinity of the city of Guatemala (Champion).

17. Phelister hemorrhous.

Phelister hemorrhous, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 476, t. 14. fig. 9°; Gemm. &

Harold, Cat. iii. p. 761°.

Hab. Mexico, N. Yucatan (Gaumer); GuaTEMALA, near the city (Champion); Nica-

RaGua, Chontales, Greytown (Janson); Panama, Los Remedios (Champion ).—VENEZUELA?.

Eighteen specimens, two entirely black. This insect is erroneously included in some

European catalogues; Marseul! described the species from an example supposed to

come from Italy, but this locality was considered by him to be doubtful.

Mr. Champion met with P. hemorrhous not uncommonly at Los Remedios, in dung.

HOMALODES.

Omalodes, Erichson in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 114; Dejean, Cat. 3rd edit. p. 142.

Homalodes, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. ii. p. 763.

This curious genus is essentially an American one, and consists at present of about

forty species, nearly all of which are from within the area of the tropics. Only one in

the present series is new, and it is one in which the specific characters are not very

remarkable. The islands of Cuba and San Domingo on the one side of the continent,

and the Marquesas and Sandwich Islands on the other, have their peculiar species. The

Pacific Islands mark the limit of the distribution of the genus westward. The different

species frequent rotting masses of vegetation ; according to Mr. Champion they are also

fond of rotten fruits, as the banana &c.

1. Homalodes angulatus.

Hister angulatus, Faby. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 85'; ? Payk. Monogr. Hist. p. 42, t. 4. fig. 4°.

Omalodes angulatus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p.118°; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent.

Fr. 1853, p. 508, t. 15. fig. 3*.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 1000 feet (Champion).—Soutu America !?*, Guiana‘, Brazil *.

One example.

2. Homalodes lucidus.

Omalodes lucidus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 120'; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent.

Fr. 1853, p. 509, t. 15. fig. 5”.

Hab. Guaremata, Zapote (Champion).—BraziL, Bahia and Para? °.

One example.

2C* 2

196 HISTERID 2.

3. Homalodes brasilianus.

Omalodes brasilianus, Mars. Monogr. in Aun. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1858, p. 518, t. 15. fig. 77.

Hab. GuatEMALA, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion).—Braziu 1.

Three examples.

4, Homalodes monilifer.

Omalodes monilifer, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 520, t. 15. fig. 137.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate and Chevrolat 1), Oaxaca (Sailé).

Three examples.

5. Homalodes mendax.

Omalodes mendax, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 177, t. 14. no. xviii. fig. 2°.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Panzos (Champion); Costa Rica (coll. Deyrolle!); Panama, Bugaba

(Champion).

Two examples. This and the preceding species are known from all the others in the

present series by the elytral striae being composed of punctures, with regular intervals

between them.

6. Homalodes grossus.

Omalodes grossus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 522, t. 15. fig. 15+.

Hab. Muxico', Catemaco, Playa Vicente, Cordova (Sal/é), Matamoros Izucar, Jalapa

(Hoge), N. Yucatan (Gaumer); British Honpuras (Blancaneauax); Guatemata (Sailé),

San Juan in Vera Paz, San Gerénimo, Pantaleon, El Reposo, San Isidro ( Champion) ;

Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

7. Homalodes vapulo.

Omalodes vapulo, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 178, t. 14. no. xviii. fig. 3°.

Hab. Muextco (Sallé 1).

Not in this collection.

8. Homalodes gagatinus.

Omalodes gagatinus, Er, in Archiv fiir Naturg. 1847, i. p. 90°.

Hab. Mexico, Matamoros in Puebla (Hége).—Perru 1.

Erichson’s description! is insufficient for the identification of this species, but the

specimens in this collection agree precisely with one which has been compared with

Erichson’ss type in Berlin by Herr A. J. Schmidt. The insect is not noticed by

Marseul. Four examples were captured by Herr Hoge in Mexico in 1887.

HOMALODES. 197

9. Homalodes sobrinus.

Omalodes sobrinus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 122*; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent.

Fr. 1853, p. 534, t. 16. fig. 27°.

Omalodes mexicanus, Dej. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 142°.

Hab. Mexico!?3, Putla, Toxpam, Cordova, Cuernavaca, Oaxaca (Sallé), Jalapa

(Hoge); Guatemanta, El Reposo, Las Mercedes, San Isidro, Sinanja (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, near the city

(J. J. Walker).—Cotomsta, Bogota? ; VENEZUELA, Caracas?; Bottvia?.

10. Homalodes soulouquii.

Omalodes levigatus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1858, p. 580, t. 16. fig. 23° (nomen

preocc.).

Omalodes soulouquit, Mars. loc. cit. 1861, p. 184.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec (Hoge); GuatemA.a, Coatepeque (Champion); Nicaragua

(Janson, Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten, Rogers).—San Domineo }.

11. Homalodes rotundatus.

Omalodes rotundatus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1859, p. 311’.

Omalodes rotundiceps, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, Cat. p. 707.

Hab. Mexico}.

The thorax of this species is impunctate, and each elytron has a sutural stria, which

is described as “basali parva brevi.” From the description the species has no very

striking characteristic, and it would be satisfactory if a careful examination of the type

could be made.

12. Homalodes clavulus, sp. n. (Tab. V. fig. 7.)

Rotundatus, subconvexus, niger, nitidus; fronte punctulata, in medio subfoveolata, stria circulari antice inter-

rupta; pronoto lateribus parum dense punctulatis, stria ante basin terminata ; elytris striis 14 subintegra,

2 utrinque abbreviata, 3° brevi, subhumerali humerum jungente ; propygidio pygidioque leviter et parce

punctatis ; prosterno antice dense, postice leviter, punctato ; mesosterno modice sinuato, stria antice late

interrupta; tibiis anticis 4-dentatis. Long. 5$-6 millim.

Hab. Guatremata, El Reposo 800 feet, San Isidro 1600 feet, San Juan in Vera Paz

(Champion).

Eight specimens. This is the smallest species of Homalodes yet recorded, its nearest

allies being H. soulouguii and H. sobrinus ; from both of these it is easily known by the

punctuation of the head and thorax, by the sinuosity in the mesosternum being less

deep, and, above all, by the thoracic stria terminating before the base, and the marginal

interstice being extremely narrow.

198 HISTERID Z.

CONTIPUS.

Contipus, Marseul, Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 543.

Contopus, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. iii. p. 764 (nomen preocc.).

Four species of this genus are known—two from America and two from the West

Coast of Africa. From the number of specimens in collections we may conclude the

species are either rare or difficult to procure, and nothing is apparently known of their

habits. The genus has the general facies of Hister.

1. Contipus subquadratus.

Contipus subquadratus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1853, p. 548, t. 16. fig. 3’.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Puebla (Sal/é), Matamoros Izucar (Hége), Yucatan

(Pilate+). Three examples.

HISTER.

Mister, Linneus, Syst. Nat. 12th edit. ii. p. 566 (1767).

Atholus, Thomson, Skand. Col. i. p. 767 (1859), & iv. p. 228.

Pactolinus, Motschulsky, Bull. Acad. Imp. St. Pétersb. i. p. 305 (1860).

Over 300 species are known of this genus, and, setting aside Australia, they seem to

be fairly distributed over the globe. The African forms are probably as little known

as any. The American species, which include H. diadema, H. coronatus, and H. mon-

tivagus of this series, are some of the most curious and interesting. ister is not, a

genus which is likely at any time to be subdivided by systematists, although the species

are very dissimilar inter se and their characters well marked. Several parts of the

globe have a series of similar species which possess distinctive characters of their own,

and this is especially the case in Tropical America.

1. Hister costatus.

Hister costatus (Lec.), Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1857, p. 407, t. 10. no. xx. fig. 1’.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Tenejapam, Guanajuato, Puebla (Sal/é1), Matamoros Izucar,

Jalapa, Guadalajara (Hoge).

In the Sallé collection there is an example labelled as from Guatemala, but this

locality requires confirmation. Herr Hoge met with this species in abundance during

his second expedition to Mexico; it is sometimes found in ants’ nests,

2. Hister levipes.

Hister levipes, Germ. Ins. Spec. nov. p. 87; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 233,

t. 7. fig. 49°.

Hister simplicimanus, De}. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 141°.

Hab. Norta America2, United States 1.—Mexico 1.—Brazit 1.

There is no example of this species in the collection under examination.

HISTER. 199

3, Hister ciliatus, sp. n. (Tab. V. fig. 8.)

Ovalis, convexus, niger, nitidus ; fronte plana, stria antice recta ; pronoto lateribus ciliato, stria laterali externa

dimidiata, interna integra, postice margini approximata; elytris fossa marginali bisulcato, striis 1¢-4™

integris, 5* apicali, suturali dimidiata; propygidio pygidioque parce punctatis; prosterno tenuiter punc-

tulato, haud striato; mesosterno sinuato, stria integra; tibiis anticis subdentatis, posticis multispinosis.

Long. 43-5 millim. .

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Four examples. This insect has the facies of H. /evipes, Mars., and like it has the

fore tibie triangularly dilated with obsolete teeth. The sides of the thorax are ciliate

beneath, as in the European H. major, Linn.

4, Hister impressifrons.

Hister impressifrons, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 266, t. 8. fig. 68'; Dej. Cat.

3rd edit. p. 141.

Mister cavifrons, Sturm, Cat. 1848, p. 95* (nec Mars.).

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—CoLomBIA ? ;

Guiana, Cayenne ! 2.

5. Hister cavifrons.

Hister cavifrons, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 267, t. 8. fig. 697.

Hab. Nortn America, United States 1.—Mexico, Toxpam, Cordova, Vera Cruz,

Parada (Sallé), Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hége); Guatemata, El Reposo, Las Mercedes, Cerro

Zunil, Pantaleon, Mirandilla, Zapote, Balheu, Cubilguitz, Sabo, Chacoj, Tamahu,

‘Teleman (Champion) ; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, San Feliz (Cham-

pton).—VENEZUELA!.

An abundant species in Mexico and southwards into Venezuela.

6. Hister granadensis.

Hister granadensis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1859, p. 312".

Hister granadius, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, Cat. p. 711.

Hab. Panama},

This species is unknown to us.

7. Hister ccenosus.

Hister ceenosus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 140; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent, Fr.

1854, p. 276, t. 8. fig. 76°.

Hister decisus, Lec. Monogr. in Boston Journ. Nat. Hist. v. p. 21, t. 2. fig. 10°.

Hister repletus, Lec. loc. cit. p- 19, t. 2. fig. 6°.

Hab. Nortu America, United States ? 3 4-—Mexico, Cordova, Cuernavaca, Guanajuato

(Sallé), Durango city, Chilpancingo, Zacualtipan, Lagos in Aguas Calientes, Jalapa,

200 HISTERIDA.

Oaxaca, Acapulco (Hége); Guatemata? (Sallé), Quezaltenango, Cerro Zunil, El Reposo,

Capetillo, Zapote, San Gerdénimo, Balheu, Cubilguitz, Sabo, Tamahu, Teleman, San

Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaracua?, Granada (Sallé), Chontales (Janson) ;

Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, San Feliz (Champion).—AntiLLEs, Cuba? ?,

San Domingo ”.

Dr. Horn (Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xiii. p. 288) states that H. repletus, Lec., is synonymous

with this species, which is very abundant throughout the Central-American region.

8. Hister brunnipes,

Hister brunnipes, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 141*; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent.

Fr. 1854, p. 277, t. 8. fig. 77°.

Hab. Mexico ! 2,

In the collection before us there is no example which can be assigned to this species.

It is described as being very closely allied to H. cenosus. Marseul says that the

mesosternum is emarginate, and the internal thoracic stria is not parallel to the margin

but deviates outwardly towards the base. The example in Berlin, which is supposed

to be Erichson’s type, is, according to Herr Joh. Schmidt, who by request has lately

examined it, a specimen of H. ceenosus.

9. Hister panamensis,

Hister panamensis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 284, t. 7. fig. 50°.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Yucatan! (Gawmer); GuaTemMaLa, San Gerdnimo,

Capetillo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama’, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion). |

HT. panamensis is said to differ from H. coenosus, Er., in the subhumeral stria of the

elytra being without an appendicle; and it is doubtful whether it is anything more

than a variety of that species.

10. Hister areolifer. |

Hister areolifer, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 526, t. 18. fig. 17°.

Hab. Mexico1, Hacienda de Bleados (Dr. Palmer), Ciudad in Durango, Durango

city, Tula in Hidalgo, Cholula in Puebla, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hége), Guanajuato (Sallé).

11. Hister dubius,

Hister dubius, Mars. Monogr. in Ann, Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 279, t. 8. fg. 79°.

Hab. Guatemata, Teleman in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

—Sovutn America, Brazil 1, Monte Video}.

Three examples.

HISTER. 201

12. Hister sexstriatis.

Hister sexstriatus, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 163*; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854,

p- 290, t. 8. fig. 86°.

Hab. Norrn America, California ! 2.—Mexico, Oaxaca ({Hége). Four examples.

13. Hister pioti. (Tab. V. fig. 9.)

Hister pioti, Mars. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xiii. p. 88 (1870) *.

Hab. Guatemata, Quiche Mountains 9000 feet (Champion).—Amazons |.

An example found by Mr. Champion in Guatemala is referable to this species.

14. Hister litus.

Hister litus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 541, t. 18. fig. 31".

Hab. Mexico!, Jalapa (Hége).

15. Hister punctiventer.

Hister punctiventer, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 543, t. 9. fig. 114°.

Hab. Mexico (Laferté1), Puebla (Sallé), Durango city, Tula, Jalapa (Hoge).

16. Hister truncatisternum, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 14.)

Ovalis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus; fronte punctulata, stria integra antice subrecta; pronoto tenuissime

punctulato, stria interna crenulata, integra, externa interrupta; elytris striis 1*-3™ integris validis,

4 basali, 5* nulla, suturali abbreviata ; propygidio pygidioque parce punctatis; prosterno parum lato,

punctulato, haud striato; mesosterno marginato, antice recto, stria crenulata integra. Long. 43-53

millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chihuahua city and Santa Clara (Hoge).

This Hister belongs to the same group as H. incertus, Mars., and resembles H. recti-

sternus, Mars., in the anterior outline of the mesosternum. The line which indicates

the suture between the meso- and metasternum is minutely angulate in the middle,

as though the mesosternum was acutely produced. In the eight examples under

examination, four have the outer thoracic strie not shortened, and four have them at

the anterior angle only. The fourth stria of the elytra is also sometimes obliterated.

17. Hister californicus.

Hister californicus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 544, t. 9. fig. 115 ,

Hab. Nortu America, California !.—Mzexico, Ciudad in Durango (Forrer), Jalapa

(Hoge), Parada, Toluca, Guanajuato (Salié).

18. Hister lucanus.

Hister lucanus, Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xiii. p. 283 (1873)’.

Hab. Nortu America, Lower California 1.—Mexico (Flohr).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, June 1888. 2 D*

202 HISTERIDA.

19. Hister biplagiatus.

Hister biplagiatus, Lec. Monogr. in Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist. v. p. 25, t. 3. fig. 4°; Mars. Monogr.

in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 552, t. 9. fig. 119°; Dej. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 141°.

Hister binotatus, Latr. in litt.

Hister instratus, Lec. Col. Kans. 1859, p. 7 *.

Hab. Nortu America’, United States 12 4.—Mexico, Durango city (Hége).

Two examples, captured in 1887.

20. Hister patagiatus, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 13.)

Oblongo-ovatus, convexus, niger, nitidus, subtus lateribus villosis; antennis piceis; fronte parce punctulata,

stria semicirculari antice subinterrupta; pronoto stria interna ad oculos interrupta, externa brevissima ;

elytris nigris, macula flavo-rubra arcuata, striis 1 -3™ dorsalibus integris, 4* et 5¢ ad apicem vix breviter

notatis; propygidio ocellato-punctato; pygidio dense sat grosse punctato; prosterno lobo brevi, parce

punctato; mesosterno stria antice parum interrupta; tibiis anticis dilatatis, 4-dentatis, posticis multi-

spinosis. Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco (Hége).

One example. This small insect pertains to the American section of the group to

which #. sellatus, Lec., and H. lucanus, Horn, belong. Its specific differences lie

chiefly in the thoracic and mesosternal strie and in the ocellated punctures of the

propygidium. ‘The trapezoidal black spot on the elytra common to it and its congeners

‘is so large that it reduces the arcuate, red or yellow, band to marginal limits.

21. Hister coronatus.

Hister coronatus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 545, t. 18. fig. 35°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé1); Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion).

Two examples from Cordova and one from the State of Panama.

92. Hister politus, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, niger, nitidus, politus; fronte impressa, subtiliter punctata, stria integra utrinque sinuata ;

pronoto undique subtilissime punctulato, stria interna integra, externa dimidiata; elytris striis 1*-3™

integris, 4° basi rudimenta, 5* brevissima arcuata, suturali utrinque abbreviata; propygidio basi parce

punctato; pygidio levi; prosterno haud striato; mesosterno leviter emarginato, stria integra; tibiis

anticis obtuse tridentatis, posticis multispinosis. Long. 6-64 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Temax in N. Yucatan (Gaumer).

This species is very similar to H. coronatus, Mars. It differs in the minute punc-

tuation of the head and thorax, the more transverse and but slightly bent frontal stria,

and the much longer outer thoracic stria; the third elytral stria is usually complete,

although in some specimens it is broken up into punctures at the apex. The chief

distinction, however, lies in the pygidium, it being almost smooth though sometimes

there are a few punctures at the basal angles; in H. coronatus the pygidium is thickly

HISTER. 203

covered with ocellated punctures and also has two large lobes or bosses on either side

of it. The species is a conspicuous addition to the Central-American fauna. Numerous

examples were obtained.

23. Hister diadema,

Hister diadema, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 559, t. 9. fig. 124°.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Gutana! ; Borivia!. Three examples.

24. Hister bullatus, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 10.)

Suborbicularis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus; antennis clava rufa; fronte impressa, stria valida angulosa,

integra; pronoto stria interna integra punctato-striata, externa brevi; elytris punctato-striatis, striis

1*-3 validis integris, 4* in medio late interrupta, 5* apice appendiculata, suturali brevi media; prosterno

bistriato; mesosterno modice sinuato, stria integra, haud marginato; propygidio utrinque impresso

pygidio bilobo, grosse et profunde punctatis ; tibiis anticis subdentatis, posticis spinosis. Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

One example. This and the following two species are closely allied to H. coronatus,

Mars., but their size and system of striation on the thorax and elytra will easily distin-

guish them. The section to which the three species belong is remarkable on account

of the large and deep punctuation of the exposed abdominal segments. From the few

specimens captured all seem to be rare or difficult to procure.

25. Hister nodatus, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 11.)

Suborbicularis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus ; fronte subimpressa, stria integra, antice recta, utrinque sinuata ;

pronoto stria interna integra, externa parum abbreviata ; elytris striis 1*-4™ integris, 5° brevi, suturali

utrinque abbreviata ; prosterno bistriato, striis antice et postice junctis ; propygidio basi levi, utrinque

impresso, transversim grosse punctato ; pygidio bilobo et profunde punctato. Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 1000 feet (Champion).

The length of the external stria on the thorax separates this species from H. bullatus

and H. montivagus. In the present collection there is a second specimen from Chacoj,

Guatemala (Champion), which is perhaps a variety of this species; it differs from the

other in the external thoracic stria being more abbreviated, and in the absence of the

curious lobe-like excrescences on the pygidium: I name it, provisionally, odliteratus.

26. Hister montivagus, sp. n. (Tab. V. fig. 12.)

Suborbicularis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus; fronte plana, stria valida antice recta; pronoto stria externa

integra, pone oculos sinuata, externa brevi; elytris striis 12-8™ integris, 4? in medio late interrupta, 5°

apice appendiculata, suturali brevi media; prosterno bistriato, postice junctis ; mesosterno sinuato, stria

integra; propygidio utrinque impresso pygidioque grosse et profunde punctatis. Long. 33-43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Three examples. The elytral strie in this species agree with those of H. bullatus ;

the specific differences lie chiefly in the frontal and prosternal striz, and in H. monti-

vagus being without the bilobed elevations on the pygidium.

2 D* 2

204 HISTERIDA.

27. Hister servus. |

ister servus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 1477; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr.

1854, p. 561, t. 9. fig. 126”.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente, Tuxtla (Sallé), Esperanza, Oaxaca, Tula in Hidalgo,

Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemata, Chacoj in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Taboga Isl.

(Champion).—ANTILLES, Cuba! 2, San Domingo 2.

Some of the examples in this collection differ from the type in being larger, the

propygidium with a larger grade of punctures, and the outer thoracic stria varying in

length, being either short or complete. One of the series from Tula has no sutural

stria to the elytra; the name of comes is provisionally given to it, as it seems almost

certain that it is distinct from Z. servus, Er.

28. Hister castaneus.

Mister castaneus, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. xv. p. 4657.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt !),—Cotompia, Santa Marta.

I have seen a nearly black example of this species from Santa Marta, so that it seems

probable that the specimens captured by Mr. Belt are immature. H. castaneus is easily

known from H. servus, Mars., by the finer and more sparse. punctuation of the propy-

gidium and pygidium.

29. Hister criticus.

Mister criticus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, Pe 551, t. 14. fig. 417.

Hab. Mexico}, Cordova (Sallé, Hége), Cholula in Puebla (Hége).

EPIERUS.

Epierus, Erichson in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 158.

About sixty species of this genus have been described; three are recorded from

Southern Europe and a few from Asia, but by far the greater number are from the

New World, more especially from within the tropics. Some of its members possess

remarkable sexual characters, such as tubercles on the head and excrescences on the

thorax, but in the majority of the known forms these qualities are wanting. The

species are found beneath the bark of trees.

1. Epierus frontalis, (Tab. V. figg. 15; 15a, profile.)

Epierus frontalis, Kirsch, Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1866, p. 173"; Mars. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xiii.

1870, p. 91”.

Hab. GuatEMALaA, Tamahu and Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Janson).—Cotomsia, Bogota ! 2. :

Seven examples. The female of this species has no frontal tubercle.

EPIERUS. 205

2. Epierus trux.

Epierus trux, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 555", and 1862, t. 4. no. xxiii. fig. 1.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova (Sallé1), Almolonga (Hdége).

3. Epierus incas.

Epierus incas, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 681, t. 10. fig. 2°.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—VENEZUELA,

Caracas!. Six examples.

4. Epierus lucens.

Epierus lucens, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 689, t. 10. fig. 10°. .

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Hoge); Guatemaua, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion) ;

Nicaracua, Granada (Sal/é); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—VENEZUELA, Caracas *.

Six examples.

5. Epierus patruelis, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 16.)

Breviter ovalis, convexus, niger, nitidus; antennis clava rufa; pedibus obscuro-brunneis; fronte convexa,

punctulata, clypeo concavo; pronoto sat dense punctulato, ante scutellum obscure foveolato, stria margi-

nali integra; elytris undique punctulatis, striis haud abbreviatis; propygidio pygidioque punctulatis ;

prosterno parum dense punctato, bistriato, striis parallelis; mesosterno stria marginali late interrupta,

transversa arcuata, valide impressa; tibiis anticis multi-spinosis. Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Four examples. Very similar to Z. caviscutus, Mars., but distinguished from it by

the elytral strie being complete and the prosternum punctulate, and by the very deep

transverse stria across the mesosternum.

6. Epierus caviscutus.

Epierus caviscutus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 558}, and 1862, t. 4, no. xxiii. fig. 4.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé1), Jalapa (Hége); Guatemana, Senahu in Vera Paz,

Capetillo (Champion).

7. Epierus frater.

Epierus frater, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 690, t. 10. fig. 11°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa and Opelouzas (Pilate 1), Cordova, Guanajuato (Sal/é).

Five examples.

8. Epierus intermedius.

Epierus intermedius, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 691, t. 10. fig. 12’.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuatTema.a? (Sallé), Chacoj, San Juan, and San

Gerénimo in Vera Paz (Champion).

206 . HISTERID ZA.

9. Epierus lucidulus.

Epierus lucidulus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der. Ins. 1834, p. 161’; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc, Ent.

Fr. 1854, p. 695, t. 10. fig. 16°.

Dendrophilus ellipticus, De}. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 143°.

Dendrophilus similis, Dej. Cat. loc. cit.*

Hab. Mexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hége), Cordova (Sallé),

Yucatan? (Gaumer); British Honpvuras, R. Sarstoon, Belize (Blancaneaux); Guats-

MALA, Panzos, Teleman, Chacoj, Cahabon, Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua 2, Chontales

(Janson); Panama, Tolé (Champion).—CotomBia! 234; Vunezveta?; Brazi 1 2,

10. Epierus axillaris.

Epierus axillaris, Mars. Aun. Soc. Ent. Belg. xiii. p. 917 (1870).

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).—Gutana, Paramaribo !.

Three examples.

11. Epierus divisus.

Epierus divisus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 562+, and 1862, t. 4. no. xxiii. fig. 8.

Hab. Mexico 1, Vera Cruz (Sailé).

One example.

12. Epierus vagans.

Epierus vagans, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861, p. 563’, and 1862, t. 4. no. xxiii. fig. 9.

? Epierus mehicanus (sic), Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1859, p. 318° (=mewicanus, Mars. loc. cit. p. 565).

Hab. Muxico*, Teapa, Playa Vicente (Sal/é1), Almolonga, Jalapa, Esperanza (Hége) ;

NIcaRaGua, Chontales (Janson).

L. mexicanus, Lec., is here placed as a synonym with doubt; the description of it

agrees with L. vagans, Mars., in every detail, except in the punctuation of the pygidium.

Marseul says of EL. vagans that the propygidium and pygidium are “couverts l’un et

Yautre de points assez forts, épars ;” and Leconte states that the pygidium of Z. mezi-

canus is “densely punctured.” In the large series of E. vagans now under examination

the punctuation of the pygidium is usually more dense than that of the propygidium,

and the distinctive character given by Leconte seems insufficient. The last-named

author says nothing of the under surface of the insect; and if an examination of his

type proves it to be conspecific with . vagans, it is even then doubtful whether

Leconte’s name should have the priority, as his description is very indifferent.

13. Epierus devius.

Epierus devius, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1859, p. 314°; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1861,

p. 566.

EPIERUS. 207

Epierus devians, Mars. loc. cit. 1862, Cat. p. 712.

Hab. Mexico}.

This insect was unknown to Marseul when he wrote his monograph, and is not

represented in this collection.

14. Epierus planulus.

Epierus planulus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 1621; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent.

Fr. 1854, p. 702, t.10. fig. 22%

Epierus decipiens, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 164° (=planulus, Er., sec Horn, Trans. Am. Phil.

Soc. xiii. p. 801).

3. Epierus nasutus, Horn, loc. cit. p. 301‘.

Hab. Nortn Amurica, Rio Colorado 23, Fort Yuma in Arizona 4.—MeExico, Las Vigas,

Toluca (Hoge), Teapa?; British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemana,

Cahabon (Champion).—VenezveLa, La Guayra}, Caracas2; Perv.

The male of this species has a frontal tubercle.

15. Epierus incultus.

Epierus incultus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 708, t. 10. fig. 237.

Hab. Mexico!, Teapa, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); British Honpuras, R.

Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz, Purula, San Gerdénimo,

El Jicaro, Zapote (Champion).

16. Epierus scitus, sp. n. (Tab. V. fig. 17.)

Ovalis, supra depressus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque piceis, clava rufa; fronte plana, supra oculos

elevata, stria brevissima; pronoto parce punctato, stria marginali antice late interrupta; elytris striis

crenulatis, 1*-4™ integris, 5° et suturali antice abbreviatis; propygidio pygidioque punctulatis ; prosterno

lato, bistriato, levi; mesosterno antice sinuato, marginato, stria transversa sat profunde impressa. Long.

23 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo (Champion).

Four specimens. This species somewhat resembles ZL. incultws, Mars.; but it is

broadly oval in outline, and has two shortened elytral stria; the prosternum is smooth

and shining, with the lateral strie nearly parallel.

17. Epierus longulus.

Epierus longulus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 704, t. 10. fig. 24°.

Hab. Mexico, Ciudad in Durango, Toluca, Las Vigas (Hége), San Andres, Vera

Cruz (Sallé), Yucatan 1.

The male of this species has a distinct frontal process.

208 HISTERIDZ.

18. Epierus fulvicornis.

Hister fulvicornis, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p.90*; Payk. Monogr. Hist. p. 45, t. 10. fig. 6’.

Epierus fulvicornis, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 162; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent.

Fr. 1854, p. 706, t. 10. fig. 26°.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuateMaLa, Teleman, Duefias

(Champion).—Sovuts America ! *, Colombia ?.

19. Epierus antillarum.

Epierus antillarum, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 700, t. 10. fig. 21°.

Hab. Mzxico, Tehuantepec, Cordova (Hége).—ANTILLES, Cuba, Porto Rico}, San

Domingo 1.

Five specimens.

20. Epierus rufulus, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 18.)

Ovalis, parum convexus, rufo-brunneus, supra parce punctulatus; antennis pedibusque concoloribus; fronte

antice depressa, stria tenui impressa, integra; pronoto stria marginali antice haud interrupta, laterali ad

oculos cessante, ante scutellum foveolato; elytris striis dorsalibus 1*-4™ integris validis, 5* in medio, sutu-

rali ultra abbreviatis, arcu basali auctis, subhumerali nulla; propygidio parce punctato, pygidio sublevi;

prosterno striis 2 validis, antice sensim coeuntibus; mesosterno leviter sinuato, marginato, stria trans-

versa, sat crenulata; tibiis anticis 10-, posticis multi-spinosis. Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Atlisco in Puebla (Hége), Guanajuato (Sallé).

Six examples. The peculiar colour and the form of the prosternal striz will easily

lead to the recognition of this species.

21. Epierus dubius, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, depressiusculus, brunneus, nitidus; fronte punctulata, antice depressa, utrinque striata; pronoto ©

angulis anticis subdilatatis, parce punctulato, tenuiter marginato, stria pone oculos crenulata, arcuatim

impressa, ante scutellum aciculato-punctato; elytris striis 1*-4™ dorsalibus integris, 5* in medio et suturali

ultra abbreviatis, interstitiis parce punctulatis; propygidio pygidioque punctatis; prosterno bistriato, striis

anticis conjunctis; mesosterno transverso, late emarginato, stria marginali tenuiter impresso, in medio

striato, stria transversim late arcuata; tibiis anticis 8-denticulatis, posticis 5- vel 6-spinosis. Long.

13? millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Zapote (Champion).

This very distinct species has some of the characters of Phelister ; but on account of

the anterior edge of the mesosternum, being emarginate, and not wishing to make a

new genus on a unique specimen, it is provisionally placed in Hpierus. The curious

thoracic striz behind the eyes is a character as yet unobserved in any other species of

the family.

CARCINOPS. 209

CARCINOPS.

Carcinops, Marseul, Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 83.

Carcinus, Marseul, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 6 (nomen preocc.).

Xestipyge, Marseul, loc. cit. p. 6.

Kissister, Marseul, loc. cit. p. 7.

Like the last genus the species of this come chiefly from America.

Carcinops will probably require division before long, but it does not seem desirable

to separate it until more material for the purpose is at hand. Marseul has suggested

Kissister for a European species (minima, Aubé), and Xestipyge for a supposed African

one (radula, Mars.), but these names have not yet been generally adopted.

The genus differs from Paromalus in having a conspicuous scutellum and elytral

striae.

1. Carcinops multistriata, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 19.)

Ovalis, parum convexa, brunnea, subnitida; fronte parce punctulata, inter oculos triangulariter impressa, supra

oculos valide striata, clypeo dense et rugose punctulato ; pronoto stria marginali angusta, subintegra, ante

scutellum et extus punctis validis ; elytris striis 1*-4™ integris, 4* ad suturam arcuata, 5° et 6° antice late

interruptis, interstitiis bistriatis; propygidio pygidioque punctulatis; prosterno bistriato ; mesosterno

profunde sinuato marginatoque ; tibiis anticis 3-denticulatis, posticis spinulosis. Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé), Mexico city (Flohr), Atlisco (Godman).

Five examples. This species belongs to Marseul’s section Xestipyge ; it is allied to

C. radula, Mars., of which we have examined two examples—one labelled Cape of

Good Hope and the other California; but the latter locality is more probably the

correct one. In C. radula the prosternum is very coarsely punctured, in C. mudltistriata

only obscurely so. In C. multistriata the metasternal plate has the marginal striz

nearly parallel and only sinuate at the base; in C. radula the strie are gradually

divergent, and less distinct posteriorly owing to the coarseness of the punctuation.

The elytral interstices are bistriate, and these intermediate strie are of the same length

as the normal strie; the fifth and sutural striz are not conspicuously different to the

interstitial strie next to them. Mr. Godman has quite recently found this species, and

also Hister costatus and Epierus rufulus, in ants’ nests (Hcodoma) at Atlisco in the

State of Puebla.

2. Carcinops garbigliettii. (Tab. V. fig. 24.)

Carcinops (Xestipyge) garbigliettii, Mars. Aun. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1867, p. 55°.

Hab. Mexico, Amecameca in Morelos (Hége).—Braziu '.

Two examples.

3. Carcinops punctinotum, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 25.)

Ovalis, parum convexa, nigra, subnitida; fronte sparse punctulata, haud striata, antice leviter impressa ;

pronoto stria marginali integra, sparse punctulato, lateribus punctis grossis intermixtis, ante scutellum

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1888. 2 H*

210 HISTERIDZ.

foveolato ; elytris striis integris, subhumerali brevi, humerali et 1* et 2° dorsalibus sulcatis, punctatis, 4°_6™

leviter impressis, interstitiis distincte punctulatis; propygidio pygidioque grosse punctatis; prosterno

bistriato ; mesosterno marginato; tibiis anticis bidentatis. Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Muxtco (coll. Schmidt), Tula in Hidalgo (Hage).

Four examples. This species is of the same size and form as, and indeed closely

resembles, C. consors, Lec.; but it may be at once recognized by the punctures on the

interstices of the elytral strie. The punctuation of the thorax and the strie of the

elytra gradually become fainter towards the middle of the dorsal region. The humeral

and the first two strize are deeply sulcate. The interstitial line between the meta-

and mesosternum is distinctly crenulate.

4. Carcinops consors.

Paromalus consors,. Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 164°.

Carcinops consors, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 88, t. 8. no. xxii. fig. 1’.

Hab. Nortu America, San Diego in California 1 2. Mexico, Campeche in Yucatan ?,

Acapulco in Guerrero (Hége).

This species is stated to occur in rotten masses of Opuntia. Numerous examples

were captured at Acapulco by Herr Hoge.

5. Carcinops gilensis.

‘ Paromalus gilensis, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 164°.

Hab. Norta America, Gila River!.—British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaua);

GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

This species is one of the largest of the Central-American series, and may be known

from C. consors by the absence of the humeral stria. There is a larger species (23

millim.) closely allied to this, C. ovatula, Lewis, from S. Brazil, in which the elytral

strie are more complete and the mesosternal plate wider and less sinuate; but the

other characters are almost identical, especially as regards the frontal stria. These

three species represent a distinct section of the genus. C. gilensis is recorded ! as having

been found in rotten masses of Cereus giganteus.

6. Carcinops merula.

‘ Carcinops merula, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 10’, and 1861, t. 15. no. xxiv.

fig. 8.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Mniszech1), Guanajuato (Sallé).

7. Carcinops lanista.

Carcinops lanista, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 11", and 1861, t. 15. no. xxiv.

fig. 10.

Hab. Mexico}.

This species is not represented in the collection now under examination.

CARCINOPS. 211

8. Carcinops fumosa, sp. n. (Tab. V. fig. 20.)

Ovalis, parum convexa, nigro-picea, nitida ; fronte parce punctulata, punctis grossis intermixtis, stria

integra; pronoto stria haud interrupta, undique punctulato, lateribus sparsim punctatis; elytris apice

parce punctatis, striis validis, subcrenatis, parallelis, 1’—4" integris, 5* parum, suturali amplius, abbreviatis ;

propygidio pygidioque parum dense subocellato-punctatis ; tibiis anticis bidentatis. Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, near the city (Champion).

This species is very closely allied to C. fumata, Mars., from Brazil: in the last-named

insect the mesosternal stria is “subrecta,” in C. fumosa it is distinctly sinuate. The

large punctuation of the forehead and pygidium in C. jfumosa are also good specific

differences. . lanista, Mars., is much more coarsely punctured on the forehead than

in this species.

9. Carcinops tenella.

Paromalus tenellus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 170°.

Carcinops tenellus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 94, t. 8. no. xxii. fig. 7°, and

1862, p. 18.

Hister corticalis, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 163°.

Carcinops corticis, Mars. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 712.

Hab. Norvu America, Colorado ?, Gila River 2.—Muxtco, Cordova (Sallé, Hoge),

Tehuantepec (Héye).—ConomB1!, Cartagena?; VENEZUELA, Caracas 2,

This insect is stated to be found in rotten masses of Agave.

10. Carcinops collaris.

Carcinops collaris, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 13°, and 1861, t. 15. no. xxiv.

fig. 13.

Hab. Mexico !, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremana, near the city, San Lucas (Champion).

11. Carcinops tantilla.

Carcinops tantillus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 93, t. 8. no. xxii. fig. 6%.

Carcinops tristis, Mars. loc. cit. 1862, p. 11.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Orizaba (Sailé), Jalapa, Oaxaca, Las Vigas ({ége); Britisn

Honpvras, Belize, R. Hondo, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GUATEMALA, Chacoj, Cahabon

(Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).— VENEZUELA, Caracas *.

This species was first recorded from Caracas!, but it extends northwards to Mexico,

and is evidently a common and widely distributed insect.

12. Carcinops misella.

Carcinops misellus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 95, t. 8. no. xxi. fig. 8°.

Carcinops miser, Mars. loc, cit, 1862, p. 13.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Esperanza (Hége); British Honpuras, Belize (Blan-

| 2 E* 2

212 HISTERIDZ.

caneaua) ; GUATEMALA 1, Yzabal (Sai/é), San Juan in Vera Paz, Tamahu, Purula, Balheu,

Zapote (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species has the thoracic stria incomplete.

It is apparently a common insect in Central America.

13. Carcinops miserula.

Carcinops miserulus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 14°, and 1861, t. 15. no. xxiv.

fig. 15.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaur); GUATEMALA, San Juan in Vera

Paz (Champion).—CoLoMBIA !.

14. Carcinops cavisternum, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 21.)

Oblongo-ovalis, nigro-picea, nitida; fronte punctulata, stria tenuiter impressa; pronoto punctulato, stria

laterali valide, antice tenuiter, impressa, ante scutellum subfoveolato; elytris striis dorsalibus parallelis,

14-4" integris, 5" ante medium interrupta, suturali punctorum brevi; propygidio parce punctato, pygidio

tenuiter punctulato ; prosterno bistriato ; mesosterno antice profunde excavato, stria transversa late

sinuata, in medio carinata; tibiis anticis fortiter bidentatis. Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

The first and second elytral strie in this species are deep and very sparsely punc-

tulate; but the strie nearer the suture gradually become punctiform, especially at the

apex, and the sutural stria consists only of ten or twelve punctures. The mesosternal

sinus or excavation is very remarkable; it encroaches on the region beyond the trans-

verse stria, the stria having the appearance of a ridge across it. The first segment of

the abdomen is laterally bistriate. The type, from the colour, may be somewhat

immature. One example.

15. Carcinops atrata, sp. n. (Tab. V. fig. 22.)

Oblonga, subparallela, parum depressa, nigra, nitida; fronte parce minute et grosse punctata, ante oculos

distincte sinuata, stria integra; pronoto in medio subtiliter, laterali grosse, punctato, stria laterali valida,

ante scutellum foveolato; elytris striis 1*-3™ integris, crenatis, 4* punctiformi, 5° basi late interrupta,

6* brevi; propygidio parce punctato, pygidio subtiliter punctulato; prosterno stria marginali sinuata ;

mesosterno late sinuato marginatoque; tibiis anticis bidentatis. Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Chacoj in Vera Paz (Champion).

The dorsal strize of the elytra in this species resemble much those of C. cavisternum ;

they are strong at the humeral angle, and if traced backwards and forwards are found

to gradually finish in punctures, of which the sutural stria is wholly composed. The

sinus in the forehead in front of the eye is distinct and well marked, and so far as the

species of Carcinops are at present known this is a unique character. The frontal stria

continues its course at the sinuation and does not deviate in accordance with it. One

example.

CARCINOPS.—PAROMALUS. 213

16. Carcinops tejonica,

Paromalus tejonicus, Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soe. xiii. p. 309 (1878) '.

Hab. Nortu America, California !—Mexico (Deyrolle).

17. Carcinops viridicollis.

Carcinops viridicollis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 96, t. 8. no. xxii. fig. 9*.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), Jacale (Sallé), Mirador (Hége); Gua-

TEMALA, near the city, Capetillo, Calderas, Zapote, Balheu, Purula (Champion).

This insect is apparently common in Guatemala. Examples received from the late

Mr. Morrison bear the name of Paromalus mimeticus, but this species has the fifth dorsal

stria abbreviated.

18. Carcinops bellula.

Carcinops bellula, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 16’, and 1861, t. 15. no. xxiv.

fig. 19.

Hab. Mexico (Monchicourt).—Cotomsia (coll. Mniszech +).

19. Carcinops eximia, sp.n. (Tab. V. fig. 23.)

Ovalis, perconvexa, supra seneo-viridis, nitida; antennis pedibusque piceis, tarsis flavis; fronte punctulata,

marginata; pronoto parce punctulato, punctis grossis intermixtis, stria integra; elytris apice punctis,

striis validis, crenatis, dorsalibus 1-3" integris, 4° et 5* apice abbreviatis, antice conjunctis, suturali

punctorum brevi; propygidio pygidioque parce et equaliter punctulatis; prosterno bistriato; mesosterno

sinuato marginatoque; tibiis anticis subdilatatis, bidentatis, mediis bispinosis. Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion).

This little insect belongs to the same section of the genus as C. cuprina, Mars., being

convex, with the mesosternum somewhat broadly marginate. The fifth elytral stria is

straight, and in some lights is apparently abbreviated at the base; but at this interval

the stria is very fine, and is really joined to the fourth, which is bent over to meet it.

Unique.

PAROMALUS.

Paromalus, Erichson, in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 167.

Nearly 100 species of this genus have been described and probably half as many

again exist unnamed in collections.

The genus is very widely distributed, but is more numerously represented in Tropical

America than elsewhere. .

Most of the species are found under the bark of trees, but some of the convex forms

which inhabit warm countries are found beneath stones or dead leaves where there is

fungal growth. The characters of the species are often obscure owing to the absence

214 HISTERIDA.

of sculpture of a distinctive nature on the dorsal region of the elytra. In addition to

the twenty species included in the first section there are four others in the collection

before me; these, having no salient characters, and the sex of the unique individuals of

each being doubtful, are left undescribed for want of sufficient material—three are

from Chontales, Nicaragua, and one from Cahabon, Guatemala.

1. Elytra with a sutural stria. (Species 1-20.)

1. Paromalus verminosus, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus; fronte punctulata, stria integra; pronoto dense punctato, stria antice

tenuiter continuata; elytris striis 2 dorsalibus basi obliquis vel obsoletis, suturali valida, antice multum,

postice parum, abbreviata; propygidio subtiliter punctulato, pygidio undique vermiculato; prosterno

haud striato; mesosterno lateribus marginato, stria transversa triangulata; metasterno utrinque punctu-

lato; tibiis anticis contortis dilatatis, intermediis 3-, posticis 1-spinosis. Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Lucas, Capetillo, Zapote, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This is the largest species of Paromalus known as yet from Central America; it is a

near ally of P. cordipygus, Mars., but is much broader, and more oval in shape. The

pygidium is also wholly engraved with a vermiform sculpture in both sexes: in one it

is fine and irregular, in the other very deep and apparently more regular.

2. Paromalus inunctus.

| Paromalus inunctus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 23', and 1861, t. 15. no. xxv.

fig. 5.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).—Brazit, Santa Catarina !.

There is a Mexican example of this species, determined by Marseul, in the Sallé

collection.

3. Paromalus malus.

Paromalus malus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 24', and 1861, t. 15. no. xxv.

fig. 6.

Hab. Mexico! (Hohr), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

Three examples.

4, Paromalus cordipygus.

Paromalus cordipygus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 19", and 1861, t. 15. no. xxv.

fig. 1.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé1), GuaTEMALA, near the city, Aceytuno, Capetillo

(Champion).

Marseul’s type is in the Sallé collection. Ten examples.

PAROMALUS. 215

5. Paromalus didymus.

Paromalus didymus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soe. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 111, t. 8. no. xxii. fig. 5

Hab. Guatemara (Sallé), San Gerdénimo (Champion).— VENEZUELA, Caracas *.

6. Paromalus selectus, sp. n.

Ovalis, subdepressus, niger, nitidus; fronte sparse punctulata, stria valida; pronoto ante scutellum grosse

punctato, stria integra; elytris grosse punctatis, striis humerali obsoletis, suturali antice multum, postice

vix, abbreviata; propygidio undique equaliter punctato; pygidio punctulato, in medio prave et profunde

vermiculato; prosterno haud striato, lobo sparse punctato; mesosterno stria modice biangulata; meta-

sterno sparse et tenuiter punctulatis. Long. 1? millim.

Had. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species is extremely like P. didymus, Mars.; but it is less convex, the sutural

stria is less shortened posteriorly, and the legs and antennz are red. Four examples.

7. Paromalus notabilis, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 1.)

Ovalis, convexus, niger, nitidus ; fronte sparse et tenuiter punctulata, stria marginali integra ; pronoto eequaliter

et parum dense punctato ; elytris striis 1* et 2* dorsalibus brevibus, suturali valida, antice abbreviata, postice

punctis cum margine juncta; propygidio sublevi; pygidio convexo, medio transversim foveolato; pro-

sterno utrinque striato; mesosterno stria biangulata; metasterno in medio arcuatim bistriato. Long.

13 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Purula in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species is very remarkable from having two lines, resembling such as enclose a

parenthesis, impressed in the middle of the metasternum. The pygidium also has an

irregular cluster of large punctures or fovee across its centre, which is a character

peculiar to this species. One example.

8. Paromalus rogalis, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 2.)

Ovalis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus ; fronte subconcava, punctata, stria transversa integra ; pronoto punctato,

ante scutellum minute sed distincte acuminato, stria integra; elytris striis 1* et 2* punctiformibus, suturali

multum antice et postice vix abbreviata; propygidio transversim punctato, margine late plano; pygidio

sparse punctulato, apice profunde et prave vermiculato; prosterno punctato, lobo lateraliter striato, antice

immarginato, postice haud striato ; mesosterno modice sinuato, stria transversa acute biangulata ; tibiis

anticis subdilatatis, distincte 4-dentatis, intermediis fortiter 4-dentatis, posticis apice 3-spinosis. Long.

2 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Cahabon and Chacoj in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species is very coarsely punctured on the sides of the elytra; the punctures are

partly ocellated, and under the microscope those on the metasternum also assume this

form. ‘The first elytral stria, although punctiform, is almost complete. The meta-

sternal stria is divided into three parts or loops, the central loop being about twice the

width of the others. Three examples, probably all one sex.

9. Paromalus pupillus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus, undique punctulatus; fronte subconvexa, stria antice invalida ;

pronoto stria lateraliter valida, integra; elytris striis dorsalibus brevibus, suturali antice multum abbre-

216 HISTERIDZ.

viata, postice indistincte impressa; propygidio subtiliter punctulato; pygidio grosse et profunde vermi-

culato ; prosterno sparse punctulato, minutissime et densissime striguloso, haud striato; mesosterno stri

acute biarcuata ; metasterno stria laterali integra; tibiis anticis 4-dentatis, intermediis 3-spinosis. Long.

21 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

Under a high power this species is seen to be wholly, but very minutely, strigose,

but this sculpture is more evident on the sternal plates than above. The sutural stria

is punctiform and not very distinct, and is much abbreviated in front. Unique.

10. Paromalus orbus, sp. n.

Ovalis, subdepressus, niger, nitidus; fronte parce punctulata, minutissime et densissime strigulosa, transversim

convexa, stria integra; pronoto antice vix dense punctulato, postice parum grosse punctato, stria integra ;

elytris striis dorsalibus obsoletis, suturali valida, antice solum abbreviata; propygidio prave et profunde

sulcato; prosterno minutissime et densissime striguloso, parce punctulato, immarginato, haud striato ;

mesosterno stria bisinuata; pedibus rufis; tibiis anticis 4-dentatis, intermediis 3-spinosis. Long. 2

millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneauz).

The punctuation of the propygidium distinguishes this insect from its congeners ; and

the usual vermiculations of the pygidium in the genus give place to wide and deep

sulci. ‘The latter are confined to a somewhat ill-defined triangular area in the middle

of the pygidium, leaving a transverse space at the base, which is only finely punctured.

Unique.

11. Paromalus sobrinus, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus, undique punctatus; antennis clava rufa; pedibus piceis; fronte pro-

notoque striis integris ; elytris striis 1* et 2* obsoletis, suturali utrinque valde abbreviata; propygidio

minute et parce punctulato; pygidio punctulato, profunde vermiculato; prosterno parum lato, parce

punctato et minutissime striguloso; mesosterno stria valida, biangulata, metasterno equaliter punctulato ;

tibiis modice dilatatis, anticis 4-dentatis, intermediis 4-spinosis. Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

This species has a broader prosternum than any other in the present series. The

metasternal strie are well marked, and they are connected with the marginal stria of

the mesosternum., One example.

12. Paromalus similis, sp. n. (Tab. VI. fig. 3.)

Ovalis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus; fronte parce punctulata, stria integra, ante oculos subconcava; pronoto

punctato, stria completa, ante scutellum minute acuminato; elytris striis dorsalibus brevibus, suturali

antice multum, postice parum, abbreviata ; propygidio transversim punctulato ; pygidio punctulato,

grosse et profunde vermiculato; prosterno haud striato, minutissime et densissime striguloso, parce

punctato; mesosterno stria valida modice biangulata, lateribus striato; tibiis antice parum contortis et

dilatatis. Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Capetillo (Champion).

This species differs from P. sobrinus in the prosternum being narrower, and

PAROMALUS. 217

in the metasternum being almost smooth, the punctures of the latter being very minute

and scattered. The sutural stria of the elytra is also less abbreviated in front and

behind, and after breaking up into punctures nearly reaches the apex. Only one

example.

13. Paromalus hariolus.

Paromalus hariolus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 22*, and 1861, t. 15. no. xxv.

fig. 4.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé +).

The type is in the Sallé collection.

14. Paromalus trifolium.

Paromalus trifolium, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 21*, and 1861, t. 15. no. xxv.

fig. 3. .

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city (Champion).—Braziu 1.

There is one example from Guatemala in the Sallé collection which is referred, some-

what doubtfully, to P. trifolium.

15. Paromalus fissus, sp. n.

Subovalis, subdepressus, niger, nitidus; pedibus brunneis; fronte stria integra, vix punctulata; pronoto

punctato, stria integra; elytris punctatis, striis 1* et 2* brevibus valide impressis, suturali utrinque multum

abbreviata, margine inflexo levi; prosterno haud striato; mesosterno transverso, stria modice biangulata ;

metasterno utrinque minime profundo et parce punctato; propygidio apice punctato, basi vermiculato ;

tibiis anticis 4-, intermediis 3-dentatis. Long. 14 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

The elytral strie in this little species resemble sulci rather than the ordinary

striations usual in the genus. The mesosternal stria (as in P. selectus, Lewis) is only

moderately biangulate, and the three divisions are of nearly equal dimensions. Unique.

16. Paromalus jejunus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, subdepressus, niger, nitidus; fronte parce punctata, stria integra subelevata; pronoto undique

punctato, stria laterali integra, pone oculos tenuissime continuata; elytra striis 1 et 2* obsoletis, suturali

antice multum, postice vix, abbreviata; propygidio parce, pygidio dense, punctatis; prosterno parcissime

punctulato, lobo lateraliter striato, antice immarginato, basi haud striato; mesosterno stria transversa,

biangulata; metasterno grosse et parce punctato; tibiis anticis 4-dentatis, intermediis 3- vel 4-spinulosis,

Long. 1; millim.

Had. Guatemaa, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion).

This little species has one salient character in the frontal stria, which is slightly yet

distinctly elevated. ‘Two examples.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt. 1, October 1888. 2 F*

218 HISTERIDZ.

17. Paromalus infimus.

Paromalus infimus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 112, t. 8. no. xxiii. fig. 67.

Platysoma infimum, De}. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 143,

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Jalapa (Hége); British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneauz) ;

GuATEMALA, Cahabon (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson). — VENEZUELA,

Caracas 1.

18. Paromalus sincerus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, subdepressus, niger, nitidus, supra punctatus; fronte ante oculos utrinque prominula, stria

subvalida integra ; pronoto stria marginali haud interrupta; elytris striis 1* et 2* distinctis, suturali antice

multum, postice parum, abbreviata, margine inflexo, striato; propygidio punctato; prosterno lobo grosse

punctato, marginato, haud striato; mesosterno transverso, stria late triangulata; tibiis anticis 4-dentatis,

posticis bispinosis. Long. 2} millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion); Britis Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaua).

This species is apparently allied to the Cuban P. productus, Mars., which is, however,

only known to us from description. In one sex the pygidium is marked in the

middle with two deep circular furrows; in the other it has a rather deep irregular

impression, and the propygidium is much more coarsely and somewhat rugosely

punctured. ‘The mesosternum is very wide, with the emargination equal to half its

breadth. ‘The metasternum is sparsely punctured, and the punctures are somewhat

oval in shape. Twelve examples.

19. Paromalus luderti.

Paromalus luderti, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 251, and 1861, t. 15. no. xxv.

fig. 7.

Hab. Muxico + (Sallé).

Three examples.

20. Paromalus seminulum.

Paromalus seminulum, Kr. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 1711; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc.

Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 120, t. 8. no. xxiii. fig. 12”.

Hab. Nortu Amertica', Louisiana *, Carolina ?.—Mexico, Teapa 2.

This species is a desideratum in the present series.

2. Hlytra without a sutural stria. (Species 21-25.)

21. Paromalus inflatus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 4.)

Ellipticus, convexus, niger, nitidus, undique minutissime et densissime strigulosus; fronte parce punctulata,

stria supra oculos obtuse angulata; pronoto punctulato, stria lateraliter valide, antice tenuiter, impressa ;

elytris striis obsoletis; propygidio pygidioque subtiliter punctulatis ; prosterno paree punctulato; meso-

sterno stria leviter bisinuata ; tibiis anticis 4-dentatis, intermediis 6- vel 7-spinosis. Long. 23 millim.,

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz).

PAROMALUS. 219

The facies of this species resembles that of the elliptical and convex forms allied to

P. mus, Mars., which occur under dead leaves and stones in the Eastern Archipelago.

The strigose sculpture is exceedingly minute, and under the microscope is best seen on

the sides of the thorax and on the metasternal plate. Sexual differences are not

apparent in the two examples before us.

92. Paromalus divaricatus, sp. n. (Tab. VI. fig. 5.)

Ovalis, parum convexus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque brunneis, clava rufa; fronte punctulata, stria

tenuiter impressa; pronoto punctato, stria integra; elytris striis dorsalibus obsoletis, suturali nulla ;

propygidio parce, pygidioque apice dense, punctulatis; prosterno haud striato, parce leviter punctato ;

mesosterno stria transversa, biangulata; tibiis anticis 4-dentatis, intermediis spinulosis. Long. 2-23

millim.

Hab. GuateMata, near the city, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).

The pygidium is bistriate in one sex; the strie are fine and near the apex are some-

what parallel to each other, and in the middle they part from each other at right angles ;

the pygidium itself is reddish, and finely punctate, more densely so at the apex than at

the base. The stria of the mesosternum is rather acutely, but not deeply, angulate on

both sides, and the middle division of the stria is relatively very wide. Eighteen

examples.

93. Paromalus sagillatus, sp. n. (Tab. VI. figg. 6, 6a.)

Ovalis, depressiusculus, niger, nitidus, punctulatus ; fronte pronotoque striis marginalibus integris ; elytris striis

dorsalibus obsoletis, suturali nulla; propygidio postice parce punctulato ; pygidio (mas) in medio pro-

funde triangulariter sulcato, (fem.) transversim bistriato; prosterno haud striato, magis lato ; mesosterno

biangulato ; tibiis anticis 4-dentatis, intermediis spinulosis. Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Vorrison).

This species is represented in the collection by two examples of opposite sexes. It is

rather narrower than P. divaricatus, and the mesosternal stria has each of its divisions

of equal breadth. The sulcus in the middle of the pygidium of the female is triangular

and deep; in the other sex this sculpture is represented by two fine transverse striz,

the apical one being straight, the other slightly bent.

24. Paromalus sulcatus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. figg. 7, 7a.)

Ovalis, depressiusculus, niger, nitidus, eoqualiter punctulatus ; fronte pronotoque striis marginalibus integris ;

elytris striis brevibus vel obsoletis, suturali nulla; propygidio undique punctulato; pygidio profunde

transversim sulcato; prosterno lato, parce punctato, haud striato, minutissime et densissime striguloso ;

mesosterno stria acute biangulata; tibiis anticis 4-dentatis, intermediis spinulosis. Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guavemata, near the city, Calderas, Zapote (Champion).

Four examples. Resembles the preceding species ; but the prosternum is not quite

so broad, and the central division of the mesosternal stria is nearly equal to both the

outer divisions. In what is presumably the female the transverse sulcus of the pygidium

2 F* 2

220 HISTERID ZA.

is very deep, and is divided into two parts. In the other sex the sulcus is somewhat

semicircular, regular, and not so deep, and there is a finer line also across the apex, the

line and the sulcus enclosing a fine vermicular sculpture.

25. Paromalus bilineatus.

Paromalus bistriatus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 114, t. 8. no. xxiii. fig. 8" (nec

Erichs.).

Paromalus bilineatus, Mars. loc. cit. 1862, p. 27°.

Hab. Mexico } 2.

No example in this collection.

[ Obs. In this division a unique example from Jalapa, Mexico, is left undetermined. |

RENIA.

Renia, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. xv. p. 467 (1885).

Only two species of this genus have been as yet brought to light; one is from Parana,

and the other from Mexico. The last named was found in ants’ nests, under stones.

1. Renia salvini, sp.n. (Tab. VII. figg. 6, 7.)

‘Orbicularis, subconvexa, piceo-brunnea, nitida; fronte plana, levi, subtiliter transversim strigosa, stria antice

late interrupta; pronoto levi, lateribus impresso, margine reflexo, angulis anticis rotundatis, basi utrinque

angustissime punctato ; elytris striis elevatis, 12-4” integris, basi arcuatim continuatis, incurvatis, internis

nullis, a humerali interna valida carinata integra; propygidio pygidioque parce et subtilissime punctulatis ;

prosterno bistriato, interstitia plana, antice punctato, lobo marginato; mesosterno marginato utrinque

profunde sinuato ; metasterno depresso; tibiis extus valde dilatatis, anticis rotundatis, posticis in medio —

angulatis. Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Atlisco in Puebla (Hége).

This species is much smaller than &. meticulosa, Lewis, and differs in sculpture and

structure as follows :—the forehead has an interrupted stria, the thorax is more dilated

and has its anterior angles less produced, the sutural stria (which is tuberculous in

R. meticulosa) is wholly wanting, and the four hinder tibize are angulate in the middle

on the outer edge. ‘Two specimens.

EUCLASEA, gen. nov.

Orbicularis, convexa. Caputretractum; fronte plana, stria integra; mandibulis robustis. Antennis brevibus,

sub frontis margine inserte ; scapo magno ; clava articulo unico, subrotundato ; funiculo sensim incrassato ;

fossa magna, in angulo prothoracis, profundissime excavata. Prosternum basi incisum, vix latum,

striatum ; lobo antico lato, brevissimo. Mesosternum in medio productum, receptum, immarginatum,

haud impressum. Pronotum transversum, stria unica laterali. Elytris apice subarcuata, striis dorsalibus

obsoletis. Propygidium hexagonum ; pygidio semicirculare dejectum inferius. Femora et tibise valde

dilatate.

This genus resembles Hretmotus, but the prosternum is not relatively broader than in

EUCLASEA.—SAPRINUS. 221

an ordinary Hister. The antennal fossa is round, and when viewed from the underside

presents the whole of its orifice to the eye. The base of the propygidium has a fine

marginal stria ; and the apices of the elytra being shortened at the sutural point, a third

segment of the abdomen is partially exposed in the form of a transverse triangle with a

somewhat acute apex.

1. Euclasea godmani, sp. n. (Tab. VI. figg. 8, 9.)

Orbicularis, convexa, castanea, nitida; fronte subtilissime punctulata, pone oculos rugosa, stria integra ; pronoto

stria antice interrupta, basi linea punctorum distincta; elytris stria subhumerali integra, ceteris obsoletis ;

propygidio subtilissime punctulato ; pygidio apice rugose bi-impresso ; prosterno striis tenuibus, anticis

conjunctis ; mesosterno levi, antice acute producto, immarginato ; tibiis omnes compresse, anticis 7- vel

8-denticulatis, mediis et posticis in medio angulatis. Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

Unique.

SAPRINUS.

Saprinus, Erichson, in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 172.

Between 300 and 400 species of this genus have been catalogued. Many of its

representatives are local, some very widely distributed, and a few almost cosmopolitan.

All are found to possess a dorsal sculpture more or less similar, which necessitates the

student to seek for discriminating characters in the structure or in the sculpture of the

sternal plates. ‘The number of species of Saprinus (29) inhabiting Central America is

comparatively small considering the extent of the area.

1. Saprinus discoidalis.

Saprinus discoidalis, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 167"; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr.

1855, p. 375, t. 16. fig. 18°.

Hab. Norru America, Vallecitas in California !?.—Mmexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango

(Hoge).

One small example.

2. Saprinus lugens.

Saprinus lugens, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 181*; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr.

1855, p. 395, t. 16. fig. 347; Blackb. & Sharp, Sc. Trans. R. Dubl. Soc. iii. (ser. 2) p. 225°.

Saprinus californicus, Mannerh. Bull. Mosc. 1848, il. p. 259°.

Hister californicus, Eschsch. De}. Cat. 3rd. edit. p. 14:2.

Saprinus lugubris, Er. in litt.

Hister mexicanus, Chev. Dej. Cat. 1. c.

Saprinus consimilis, Walk. Nat. Vancouv. ii. p. 319 (1866) ’.

Hab. Nort America, Vancouver ®, Missouri 2, Oregon ?, New Mexico ?, California ? 4,

222 HISTERIDZ.

—Mexico1, Northern Sonora (Morrison), San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer), Chihuahua,

Monterey, Durango city, Villa Lerdo, Aguas Calientes, Zimapan, Sayula, Cholula,

Tupataro, Guadalajara, Mexico city, San Andres Chalchicomula, Jalapa, Oaxaca,

Chilpancingo (Hége), Puebla, Guanajuato (Sallé), Orizaba?; Guaremata? (Sailé),

near the city (Salvin), Capetillo (Champion).—Hawatan Isuanps °.

This widely distributed species is very abundant in Northern Mexico, and extends

southwards to Guatemala.

8. Saprinus solitarius, sp. n. (Tab. VI. fig. 10.)

Ovalis, nigro-seneus, nitidus; antennis pedibusque piceis; fronte dense subrugoso-punctata, stria obsoleta;

pronoto lateribus rugoso basique punctata, pone oculos impresso; elytris dense rugoso-punctatis, margine

areaque scutellari usque ad 2™ dorsalem levi, stria suturali integra, antice arcuatim coeunte cum 4 dorsali

dimidiata, 3° brevi, 1° et 2* dimidiatis, humerali valide, subhumerali brevissima; pygidio propygidioque dense

et grosse punctatis; prosterno punctulato, striis postice abbreviatis, antice divaricatis ascendentibus ;

mesosterno marginato, parce et grosse punctato; tibiis anticis 7- vel 8-denticulatis. Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

The chief distinction between this insect and S. wneus, Fabr., is in the prosternal

stria. The head and pygidium are more coarsely punctured than in the Fabrician

species, but the elytral sculpture is almost identical. One specimen.

4. Saprinus nitidulus.

Mister nitidulus, Payk. Fauna Suec. i. p. 45; Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 85.

Saprinus nitidulus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 402, t. 17. fig. 407.

Hister krynickyi, Krynick, Bull. Mose. v, p. 118 (1832) ; Hochhuth, Bull. Mose. 1872, iii. p. 224.

Hister acuminatus, Fabr. Ent., Suppl. p. 37.

Hister semistriatus, Herbst, Kaf. iv. p. 306, t. 35. fig. 6.

Saprinus punctato-striatus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 459, t. 12. fig. 19 (apud

Joh. Schmidt, Deutsche ent. Zeit. xxix. p. 440).

Var. Saprinus sparsipunctatus, Motsch. Bull. Mosc. 1849, iii. p. 97; Mars. loc. cit. 1862, p. 457,

t. 12. fig. 18.

Var. Saprinus turcomanicus, Ménétr. Mém. Ac. Petr. vi. p. 55, t. 2. fig. 9 (1849) ; Motsch. Bull.

Mosc. 1849, i. p. 95.

Var. Saprinus uralensis, Motsch. loc. cit. p. 98.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).—Evrorg!; Srperia!; Syria}, &c.

Of this common and widely distributed species there is a single small example from

Mexico in the Sallé collection.

5. Saprinus diptychus. .

Saprinus diptychus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 418, t. 17. fig. 52°.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan (Pilate !).

SAPRINUS. 223

6. Saprinus subdiptychus.

Saprinus subdiptychus, Mars. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xii. 1870, p. 111°.

Hab. Mexico}.

Not in the present collection.

7. Saprinus inausus.

Saprinus inausus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 461, t. 16. fig. 21°.

Hab. Mexico}.

Only known to me from the description.

8. Saprinus eneicollis.

Saprinus eneicollis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 424, t. 17. fig. 56°.

Hab. Mexico1, Cordova (Sallé), Oaxaca (Sallé, Hoge), Monterey in Nuevo Leon,

Zapotlan, Jalapa (Hége); Guatemata, Volcan de Atitlan, Capetillo, San Geronimo

(Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In this common American insect the female has a curious impression at the apex of

the pygidium.

9. Saprinus lubricus.

Saprinus lubricus, Lec. Ann. Lye. N. York, v. p. 169'; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855,

p. 410, t. 17. fig. 46%.

Hab. Nortu America, San Francisco and San Diego in California !?.—Muxico,

Guanajuato (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemata, Cerro Zunil, San Joaquin (Champion).

Central-American specimens differ a little in punctuation from those from the United

States, but cannot be satisfactorily separated.

10. Saprinus bohemani.

Saprinus bohemanni, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 466, t. 16. fig. 26°.

Hab. Honpuras}.

There is no representative in this collection.

11. Saprinus guyanensis.

Saprinus guyanensis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. r 1859, p. 453, t. 18. fig. 76°.

Hister guyanensis, Dej. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 142.

Hab. Muxico, Zacualtipan in Hidalgo, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hoge).—GuIANA,

Cayenne!; Brazit, Para!; Antitues, Cuba!l.

224 HISTERID ZA.

12. Saprinus blissoni.

Saprinus blissonit, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 454, t. 18. fig. 77.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Esperanza (Hoge); GuaTEMALA, Panzos, Capetillo (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—VENEZUELA, Caracas !.

13. Saprinus triangulifer.

Saprinus triangulifer, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 462, t. 18. fig. 84°.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan (Pilate +).

14. Saprinus belioculus.

Saprinus belioculus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 473, t. 10. fig. 32°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Puebla (Sallé), Aguas Calientes city (Hége); GuaTeMana,

San Gerénimo (Champion).

15. Saprinus blandus.

Saprinus blandus, Er. in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 188+; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent.

Fr. 1855, p. 475, t. 18. fig. 95°.

Hister lebasii, De}. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 142.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—

CotomBiaA! 2; Brazit, Para! 2.

16. Saprinus campechianus.

Saprinus campechianus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 474, t. 18. fig. 94°.

Hab. Mexico, Campeche in Yucatan (Pilate ').

17. Saprinus tarnieri.

Saprinus tarnieri, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 480, t. 16. fig. 88°.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé), Jalapa, Mazatlan, Huetamo in Michoacan (fHége) ;

GUATEMALA, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet, San Joaquin (Champion).—ANTILLES, Cuba 1.

18. Saprinus ignotus.

Saprinus ignotus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 496, t. 19. fig. 1337.

Hab. Mexico}, Puebla (Sallé), Cordova (Hoge) ; Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).—

CoLomBra 1.

19. Saprinus fimbriatus,

Saprinus fimbriatus, Lec. Ann. Lye. N. York, v. p. 169°; Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr.

1855, p. 495, t. 19. fig. 112”.

Hab. Norta America , California }?,—Mextco, Villa Lerdo in Durango (Hége).

Found in abundance by Herr Hoge at Villa Lerdo.

SAPRINUS. 225

20. Saprinus vafer.

Saprinus vafer, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 498, t. 19. fig. 155°.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Hége), Vera Cruz!; Guatemata, Champerico (Champion).

Mr. Champion met with this insect on the sea-coast.

21. Saprinus ciliatus.

Saprinus ciliatus, Lec. Aun. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 168°.

Hab. Norra America, Colorado }.—MeExico, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hége).

One specimen.

22. Saprinus plenus,

Saprinus plenus, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 169°.

Saprinus minutus, Lec. Monogr. in Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist. v. p. 43, t. 5. fig. 9°; Mars. Monogr.

in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 486, t. 18. fig. 104°.

Saprinus minusculus, Mars. loc. cit. 1862, p. 716%.

Hab. Norra America, United States?4, Colorado, California 2,—Mexico (flohr),

Durango city, Villa Lerdo, Monterey, Aguas Calientes city, Santa Clara in Chihuahua,

Zimapan, Tehuacan, Mexico city, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hége).

23. Saprinus vitiosus.

Saprinus vitiosus, Lec. Ann. Lye. N. York, v. p. 169°.

Hab. Nortu America, Colorado !.—Mexico, Aguas Calientes city (Hége).

Two specimens.

24, Saprinus quesitus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 11.)

Oblongo-ovalis, obscuro-neus, nitidus; pedibus piceis; fronte punctulata, antice subfoveolata, stria brevi

tenui impressa ; pronoto basi lateribusque valide, in medio subtiliter, punctato, ante scutellum impresso ;

elytris striis validis, 14 et 2? ultra medium equalibus, 3? et 4° punctato-striatis, in medio abbreviatis,

44 versus scutellum arcuata, suturali punctiformi basin non attingente, humerali obliqua, postice parce

punctato, antice subtilissime punctulata; pygidio convexo, dense punctato; prosterno striis rectis,

punctatis, antice junctis, postice abbreviatis; mesosterno marginato punctato, stria integra; metasterno

basi transversim punctato. Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, near the city, Capetillo, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species comes near to S. pectoralis, Lec., and like it has the prosternal strie

convergent in front and abbreviated behind; but it differs in size and in the elytral

strie.

25. Saprinus gemmenus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 12.)

Ovalis, convexiusculus, metallicus, supra densissime punctatus ; fronte strigoso-punctata, stria valide integra,

antice transversim recta; elytris area subhumerali et juxta scutellum rotundata, politis, stria 1* distincta,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1888. 2 G*

226 HISTERIDA.

ceteris (subhumerali excepta) obsoletis; propygidio pygidioque dense equalibus punctatis; prosterno

strlis anticis approximatis, posticis divaricatis abbreviatis; mesosterno stria integra, grosse punctato ;

tibiis anticis 6- vel 7-dénticulatis, posticis spinosis. Long. 23-3? millim.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Two examples. SS. gemmenus belongs to Marseul’s group 6. It is closely allied to

the European S. specularis, from which it differs chiefly in the transverse smooth disc

on the thorax, the clear (not rugose) punctuation of the upper surface, and the thickly

punctured metasternum. ‘The clypeus also is narrower, and carinate laterally and in

front. The sutural stria where it crosses the smooth scutellar space is punctiform.

26. Saprinus conspectus.

Saprinus conspectus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 708, t. 19. fig. 145°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Oaxaca (Hége), Vera Cruz}.

Three examples.

27. Saprinus dentipes.

Saprinus dentipes, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 728, t. 20. fig. 1607.

Hab. Mexico 1, Oaxaca (Hage).

One example.

28. Saprinus bistrigifrons.

Saprinus bistrigifrons, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p- 729, t. 20. fig. 161°.

Hab. Mexico 1.—Braziu, Ceara.

The type of this species, which is in the Lewis collection, is much smaller than

ordinary specimens from Ceara, where the insect is common.

29. Saprinus discors.

Saprinus discors, Lec. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1859, p. 815°.

Hab. Mexico}.

[Norze.—Gnathoncus rotundatus, Kugel, occurs in North and South America, but no

example has yet been recorded from the Central Region. ]

PACHYLOPUS.

Pachylopus, Evichson, in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 196.

The type of this genus, P. dispar, came from the Cape of Good Hope ; three other

species have since been added, all from North America; one of these latter is now

known to extend southwards to Guatemala.

PACHYLOPUS.—TRYPAN AUS. 227

1. Pachylopus gaudens.

Pachylopus gaudens, Lec. Ann. Lyc. N. York, v. p. 165"; Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xii. p. 345

(1873).

Hab. Mexico, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hége) ; Guarema.a, Champerico (Champion).

Three examples from the sea-coast, at Champerico, one measuring only 2 millim. ;

many specimens from Tapachula.

TRYPANAUS.

Trypanaus, Eschscholtz, Zool. Atl. i. p. 10 (1829); Marseul, Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr.

1856, p. 103.

Tryponeus, Erichson, in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 198.

The Zrypanwi are very widely distributed, but are most numerous in the tropical

regions of the New World; nearly seventy species have been described. None are

found in Europe, nor is an African species known; one is found in Japan in lat. 44°.

These insects feed upon various species of Platypus, and, according to Mr. Champion,

are often to be found in abundance in the hottest sunshine crawling on the bark of

infected trees.

The sexual characters of the species are very curious.

1. Trypaneus torpedo. (Tab. VI. fig. 13, 2 .)

Tryponeus torpedo, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. xv. p. 469°.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belé'); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

There are six examples of this species from the State of Panama in the present

collection; one of these is a male, the sex previously unknown. It differs from the

same sex of 7. elongatus, Mars., in having the rostrum triangular, as in 7. noxius,

Mars.; and in the thoracic tubercles being widely separated from each other. ‘This is

the largest known species of the genus.

2. Trypaneus quadrituberculatus.

Trypaneus 4-tuberculatus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 120, t. 2. fig. 12*(¢).

Trypaneus teres, Mars. loc. cit. p. 111, t. 2. fig. 3° (¢).

Hab. Guaremata, Cerro Zunil, Las Mercedes (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Cham-

pion).—CoLomBIa ? ?.

3. Trypaneus noxius.

Trypaneus noxius, Mars. Monogy. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1860, p. 838, t. 2, no. v. fig. 1’.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sailé1); Guarsmana, Las Mercedes, Chacoj (Champion) ;

Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

2 G* 2

228 HISTERID ZA.

4, Trypaneus spiniger.

Trypaneus spiniger, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 119, t. 2. fig.111(@).

Trypaneus quadricollis, Mars. loc. cit. p. 114, t. 2. fig. 6? (2).

Hab. Mexico, Santecomapan, Cordova (Sallé), Mirador, Vera Cruz (Hége); Guatn-

MALA, Yzabal (Sallé?), Purula, Panima, San Juan in Vera Paz, Las Mercedes,

Cerro Zunil (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Tolé (Champion).—

CoLomsia ! 2,

This is the commonest species of the genus in Central America. About two hundred

examples have been received.

5. Trypanzus punctinotus.

Trypaneus punctinotus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent, Fr. 1860, p. 840, t. 2. no. v. fig. 21 ( 2).

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé1).

The type specimen is contained in the Sallé collection. The male is unknown.

6. Trypanzus montivagus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 14,3.)

3. Cylindricus, parum elongatus, ater, nitidus; fronte plana, subtiliter punctulata; rostro obtuso, tenue

marginato, apice rufo, minute 3-denticulato; pronoto antice retuso, angulis anticis prominulis, pone

oculos foveolato, stria laterali integra, antice fortiter postice leviter punctato; elytris sparse punctulatis ;

pygidio griseo-piloso, fortiter rugoso-punctato, disco in medio concavo; prosterno antice lato, lateralibus

subparallelis, bistriato ; mesosterno lobo obtuso, stria antice interrupta; metasterno in medio longitudi-

naliter sulcato ; tibiis antice 4-, intermediis 6-dentatis. Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Quiche Mountains 9000 feet (Champion).

One male example. ‘This species is more parallel than 7. vulcanius, and the

structure of the prosternum is wholly different. The concavity in the disc of the

pygidium is a character unknown in any other described Trypaneus. <A female example

from Purula, Guatemala (Champion), is possibly the other sex of this species.

7. Trypanzus luteivestis.

Trypaneus luteivestis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1860, p. 842, t. 2. no. v. fig. 47 (8).

Trypaneus pallidipennis, Mars. loc. cit. p. 841, t. 2. no. v. fig. 37 (9).

Tripanidius flavipennis, Chevr. Rev. Zool. 1858, p. 209° (nec Mars.).

Hab. Mexico?, Cordova (Sallé'); Guatemata, Capetillo, Balheu, Chiacam (Cham-

pion).— ANTILLES, Cuba 3.

Ten examples.

8. Trypanzus flavipennis.

Trypaneus flavipennis, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 117, t. 2. fig. 9°.

Hab. Muxico!; Guatemaa, El Tumbador, Zapote, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion) ;

Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

TRYPAN AUS. 229

9. Trypanzeus ampullaceus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 15, 2.)

©. Oblongus, niger, nitidus ; fronte leviter impressa, haud striata, parce punctulata, pronoto parce punctato,

stria antice interrupta; elytris punctulatis, macula pallida transversim notatis; pygidio conico, elongato,

apice obtuso; propygidio magis grosse punctato; prosterno mesosternoque validis marginatis ; metasterno

in medio longitudinaliter sulcato; tibiis anticis 5-, intermediis 6-dentatis, posticis basi spinulosis. Long.

4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Three examples. Only the female of this species has yet been discovered ; it may

be placed in the list between 7. pictus and T. bisulcifrons, Mars. In outline it repre-

sents the form of an inverted bottle. The great length of the pygidium will serve as a

character to separate 7. ampullaceus from all the other maculate species.

10. Trypanzus proboscideus.

Bostrichus proboscideus, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. ii. p. 385°.

Hister proboscideus, Payk. Monogr. Hist. p. 88, t. 8. fig. 4°.

Trypaneus proboscideus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 128, t. 2. fig. 21°.

Trypaneus carthagenus, Mars. loc. cit. 1857, p. 402, t. 11. no. xxxv. fig. 21° ($).

Trypaneus pauperculus, Dej. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 144” (¢ ).

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (Hoge); Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).—Sovutu America ! 2;

CotomsBiA, Cartagena ? 4 ®.

11. Trypanzus tuberculifrons. (Tab. VI. fig. 17, 2.)

Trypaneus tuberculifrons, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 126, t. 2. fig. 18" (¢).

Trypaneus bicaudatus, Mars. loc. cit. p. 127, t. 2. fig. 19° (2).

Hab. Mexico (Flohr); Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Tolé (Champion).—

CoLomBia ! 2.

In this species the prosternum in front of the intermediate coxe is longitudinally

trisulcate and the tarsi are very slender.

Three female examples, one of which is figured.

12. Trypaneus bifidus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 16,164, ¢.)

¢. Oylindricus, parum elongatus, ater, nididus; fronte impressa, transversim strigosa, at parce et grosse

punctata ; rostro rufo, apice acuto, reflexo, in medio subcarinato, marginalibus subelevatis; pronoto valide

punctato, stria integra ; elytris brunneis, punctulatis; pygidio conico; prosterno marginato, apice acuto,

ante basin constricto; mesosterno metasternoque haud distinctis longitudinaliter strigosis at parce punc-

tatis, marginatis, in medio sulcatis ; tibiis anticis 4-, intermediis 7-dentatis, posticis pilosis, haud

dilatatis.

9. Fronte leviter impressa, sparse punctulata; rostro brevi, obtuso, apice utrinque denticulato ; pygidio acuto,

compresso, apice bifido. Long. 3g millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (Hoge); Guaremata, Zapote, Balheu, Tamahu (Champion) ;

Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

230 HISTERIDA.

Upwards of forty examples have been captured, the majority of which are from the

State of Panama.

This species closely resembles 7. tuberculifrons, but the transverse strigosity of the

forehead and the longitudinal sculpture of the sterna are sufficient to separate it from

any described species.

13. Trypaneus columellaris, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 18, 3.)

é. Cylindricus, parum elongatus, ater, nitidus; fronte strigoso-punctata, antice retro-angulata; rostro rufo,

modice reflexo; pronoto sat dense punctato, minute transverso-strigoso, stria antice interrupta; elytris

obscure brunneis, subtiliter punctatis; pygidio conico, sat dense punctato; prosterno brevi, in medio

longitudinaliter sulcato, antice obtuso; mesosterno marginato, trisulcato, antico obtuso producto; antennis

pedibusque rufo-brunneis; tibiis anticis 4-, intermediis 6-dentatis, posticis ciliatis.

Q. Fronte leviter impressa; rostro obtuso, apice utrinque minute tuberculatis; pygidio compresso, obscure

bifido. Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Pantaleon 1700 feet (Champion).

This insect is smaller than 7. vulcanius. The male has a transverse deeply sinuous

ridge across the forehead at the base of the rostrum, which is a very remarkable specific

character. In the female the apex of the pygidium is not so distinctly bifid as in the

preceding species.

Six examples, four males and two females.

14. Trypanzus vulcanius, sp.n. (Tab. VI. figg. 19, 194, 3.)

6. Cylindricus, parum elongatus, ater, nitidus; fronte transversa, rugosa, concava; rostro brevi, reflexo,

compresso, margine vix elevato, apice obtuso at bifido; pronoto antice truncato, sparse punctato ; elytris

subtiliter punctulatis; pygidio nudo, obtuso, sat dense punctato; prosterno trigono, in medio longitudi-

naliter suleato ; mesosterno marginato; metasterno sparse punctato; tibiis anticis 6-, intermediis 7-den-

tatis, posticis flavo-ciliatis. Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

One example. This species is rather larger than 7. tuberculifrons, which it may

follow in the catalogue. The profile exhibits a bifid rostrum, which is very peculiar

(fig. 19 a).

15. Trypaneus aculeatus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. fig. 20, ¢ .)

d. Oylindricus, niger, nitidus; fronte impressa; rostro paullo reflexo, apice acuto ; pronoto valide punctato,

angulis anticis prominulis, stria laterali integra; elytris brunneis, sparse et subtiliter punctulatis ; pygidio

conico, sat dense punctulato; prosterno brevi, medio late sulcato; meso- metasternoque sulcatis, longi-

tudinaliter strigosis, laterali marginatis; antennis pedibusque rufis; tibiis anticis 5-, intermediis 6-

dentatis.

9. Fronte concava; rostro apice bidentato; pygidio acute et longissime producto. Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Two specimens. In this species the sternal sulcus is continuous from the first

segment of the abdomen to the apex of the mesosternum, interrupting anteriorly the

margin of the latter. The first segment of the abdomen in the male is rugosely and

irregularly striate, and the punctures on the under surface of the insect are very

TRYPAN AUS.—TERETRIUS. 231

distinctly elongate. In both sexes the elytra are narrowed behind, so that there is no

interruption in the outline between them and the long pygidium; the latter in the

female is nearly one third of the length of the insect.

16. Trypanezus parallelus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. figg. 21 3, 229.)

3. Cylindricus, angustatus, parallelus, niger, nitidus; fronte impressa, rugoso-punctata; capite minute

transverso-strigosa; rostro excavato, apice rufo, reflexo; pronoto stria laterali integra, parce punctato,

ante scutellum depresso, levi, unifoveolato; elytris punctulatis; pygidio brevi, aspere punctato, flavo-

piloso; prosterno subparallelo, apice truncato, laterali invalide striato; mesosterno brevi, antice immar-

ginato; metasterno longissimo, medio longitudinaliter sulcato, sparse punctulatis; tibiis anticis 5-,

intermediis 6-dentatis, posticis brevibus, basi angulatis.

Q. Fronte leviter impressa ; pygidio elongato, obtuse producto. Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

There is one singular character in this species: in front of the scutellum for about a

fourth part of the length of the thorax there is an absence of punctures and in their

place a longitudinal impression, in the anterior part of which is a well-marked fovea.

This character alone has enabled me to associate the sexes, as it is common to both

male and female.

The metasternum in 7’. parallelus is more than seven times as long as the mesosternum.

Three examples, two males and one female.

17. Trypanezus angustatus, sp.n. (Tab. VI. figg. 23 3, 24 9.)

é. Cylindricus, angustatus, parallelus, niger, nitidus; fronte depressa, inter oculos tuberculata; rostro rufo,

laterali parallelo, apice trigono, reflexo, in medio carinato; pronoto antice retuso, truncato, stria pone

oculos interrupta, angulis rufis, ante scutellum parce punctato; elytris sparse punctulatis; propygidio

pygidioque dense sat grosse punctatis; prosterno modice angustato, parallelo, sulcis marginalibus validis

antice junctis; mesosterno stria integra, lobo obtuso; metasterno longissimo, in medio (antice valide,

medio tenuiter, postice modice) longitudinaliter sulcato, subtilissime at sparse punctulatis; tibiis anticis

5- vel 6-, intermediis valide 5-dentatis, posticis brevibus, basi subangulatis.

9. Fronte depressa; rostro apice truncato, immarginato; pygidio conico, modice producto, subtus plano.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo, Calderas 6000 feet (Champion).

There is no salient character in this species, as in the last, whereby to associate the

sexes; but I have every reason to believe that I have rightly united them. The sulcus

in the metasternum is alike in both sexes, as they are here regarded, viz. very wide for

about two thirds of its length, then narrowing at the middle and widening out again

towards the base.

Six examples and some fragments.

TERETRIUS.

Teretrius, Erichson, in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1884, p. 201.

This genus is represented in our catalogues by about twenty-five species, but

doubtless many more remain to be discovered. Its members are widely spread, though

232 HISTERIDZ.

they are generally of rare occurrence. In a series of about eighty species of Histeride

from Japan the genus Teretrius is unrepresented.

1. Teretrius rufulus.

Teretrius rufulus, Mars. Monogr. in Aun. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 189, t. 3. fig. 6°.

Hab. Guatema.a, Yzabal (Sallé1).— AnTILuEs (coll. Lewis).

2. Teretrius longulus, sp. n.

Cylindricus, parallelus, brunneo-nitidus, undique sat dense et fortiter punctatus; antennis pedibusque rufis;

pronoto stria marginali sinuato; prosterno lobo lato, basi leviter canaliculato, bistriato, fortiter punctato ;

mesosterno antice acuminato, marginato, stria transversa postice a metasterno distincto; tibiis anticis 6-,

intermediis 5-dentatis, posticis 3- vel 4-spinosis. Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mxxico, Guanajuato, Cordova (Sallé).

This species is about the size of T. picipes(Fabr.), but is proportionally longer. The

prosternum also is canaliculate, rather than impressed, at the base; the thoracic stria is

more sinuate before the base ; and the punctures of the upper surface are conspicuously

larger and much more dense. The strie of the prosternum are strong at the base, and

gradually lessen until they disappear before the middle.

3. Teretrius orbus, sp. n.

Cylindricus, brevis, piceo-brunneus, pedibus ferrugineis, supra fortiter punctatus, subtus opacus, sparse ocellato-

punctatus; pronoto stria valide integra, pone oculos leviter angulata; elytris stria basali obliqua;

prosterno lato, haud striato; mesosterno late marginato, antice obtuso, stria utrinque interrupta; pygidio

convexo, punctulato; tibiis anticis 6-, intermediis 5-spinosis, posticis spinosis. Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Pantaleon 1700 feet (Champion).

One specimen. This species has the facies and general outline of a Teretriosoma, but

as the pygidium is convex it is placed in Zeretrius. ‘The clearly defined oblique stria,

which occupies one third of the length of the elytra, is similar to that of 7. obliquulus,

Lec., and 7’. segnis, Mars.

TERETRIOSOMA.

Teretriosoma, Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xii. p. 347 (1878).

The more prominent representatives of this genus are from the New World; but one

very distinct species has been captured in Ceylon (7. facetum, Lewis), and another, less

typical (7. somerseti, Mars.), has been brought from Australia. Teretriosoma was

established by Dr. Horn upon a single species, 7. chalybeum, from Texas; six are

now known from Central America. The genus is very closely allied to Teretrius, and

when more species of it are brought to light it may require to be re-characterized. At

present the double pygidium is the chief character relied on to separate it from Teretrius.

TERETRIOSOMA. 233

1. Teretriosoma virens.

Teretrius virens, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 136, t. 3. fig. 3 am

Hab. Guatemaua, Yzabal (Sallé1), Chacoj, Zapote, Pantaleon 1700 feet, Paraiso

(Champion) ; Nicaraeua, Chontales (Janson).

Eight examples. 7. virens differs from the Texan 7. chalybeum, Horn, in its much

smaller size, and in having the scape of the antenne clothed with flavous hairs, the

inferior portion of the pygidium much less concave, and the mesosternal stria inter-

rupted at the apex. This last-mentioned character is more conspicuous in some

specimens than in others, being more or less dependent on the existence of one or two

punctures which, when present, encroach on the margin.

2. Teretriosoma impressisternum, sp. n. (Tab. VI. fig. 25.)

Subcylindricum, breve, viridum, metallicum ; supra dense punctatum, subtus ocellato-punctatum et minutissime

strigoso-rugosum; fronte transversim concava; pronoto stria integra, pone oculos compresso; elytris

margine antico anguste levi; pygidio infra valide concavo ; prosterno basi inciso, triangulariter impresso ;

mesosterno stria marginali valide integra, lobo impresso; antennis pedibusque rufis; tibiis anticis 12-

vel 13-, intermediis 8-, posticis 5-spinosis. Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).

One example. The salient characters of this species are in the pro- and mesosternal

plates. The base of the prosternum has a triangular impression; and the lobe of the

mesosternum has a similar impression behind the stria, which causes the margin to

stand out in relief. '. festivum, Lewis, has the prosternum constructed in the same

way as in 7. impressisternum ; but the former is three times larger than the latter

species.

3. Teretriosoma immarginatum, sp. n. (Tab. VII. fig. 1.)

Subcylindricum, breve, nigro-eneum, nitidum, undique dense punctatum ; fronte transversim concava, in medio

tuberculata; pronoto stria integra, pone oculos subfoveolato; elytris margine antico anguste brevi ;

pygidio supra concavo; prosterno haud striato, basi arcuatim inciso; mesosterno immarginato, grosse

punctato; pedibus obscure brunneis ; tibiis anticis 12- vel 13-,\intermediis 8-, posticis 5-spinosis. Long.

23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 1000 feet (Champion).

T. immarginatum is shorter and broader than 7. virens, and may be known from all

the described species by the large punctuation of the sternal plates, these latter being

immarginate and without strie. Dr. Horn’s generic character “ mesosternum with entire

marginal line” only applies to some of the species now known. Unique.

4, Teretriosoma conigerum, sp.n. (Tab. VII. figg. 2, 2a, 6.)

Cylindricum, viridum, metallicum, supra sat dense et fortiter punctatum, subtus sparse ocellato-punctatum at

minutissime strigoso-rugosum ; fronte convexa; pronoto stria integra ; elytris margine antico levi, trans-

versim impressis ; pygidio in medio acute acuminato, infra valide concavo; prosterno tenue impresso, haud

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, November 1888. 2 H*

234 HISTERIDA.

striato; mesosterno antice semicirculari, angustissime marginato; antennis pedibusque rufis; tibiis anticis

7-, intermediis 5-spinosis. Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Aceytuno (Champion).

One specimen. This very remarkable species has the pygidium produced into a

cone in the middle, from which point it is convex above and deeply concave or scooped

out beneath. The structure of the pygidium somewhat approaches the form familiar

to us in Trypaneus, with which Teretriosoma and Teretrius should doubtless be

associated, although Marseul (Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xiii. 1870, pp. 61, 120) places

Trypaneus between Lioderma and Apobletes, and Teretrius after Saprinus.

5. Teretriosoma cavifrons, sp.n. (Tab. VII. figg. 3, 3a, 0.)

‘Cylindricum, subelongatum, eneo-brunneum, nitidum; antennis pedibusque rufis; fronte grosse punctata,

inter oculos prominula, in medio transversim sulcata, antice late et profunde excavata; pronoto antice

minute, postice grosse, punctato, stria integra valida; elytris haud striatis; propygidio subocellato-

punctato; prosterno haud striato, grosse et sparse punctato; mesosterno immarginato, a metasterno haud

distincto; tibiis anticis extus 7-, intermediis 8-, posticis 5-dentatis. Long. 21 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Colima city (Hége).

One example. This species shows in a very remarkable way the modifications

to which the genus Teretriosoma is liable. Dr. Horn has remarked that the genus is

intermediate between Teretrius and Xiphonotus, and in the present species there is on

the forehead a similar projection to that on the thorax of Xiphonotus chevrolati, Mars.

In some respects the frontal structure resembles that of a species of Cis. The thorax

is punctured very much as in 7. virens, the punctures being fine anteriorly, and gradually

increasing in size towards the base.

6. Teretriosoma paradoxum, sp.n. (Tab. VII. figg. 4, 4a.)

‘Cylindricum, eneum, metallicum, undique sat dense et fortiter punctulatum ; antennis pedibusque rufis ; fronte

convexa, parum transversa; pronoto stria laterali sinuata, antice late interrupta, in medio fortiter tuber-

culato; pygidio grosse punctato, apice leviter impresso; prosterno robusto, prominulo, minutissime

strigoso, truncato, antice parum concavo, haud striato; mesosterno antice acuminato, stria subintegra;

pedibus anticis et intermediis 6-dentatis, posticis 3- vel 4-spinosis, Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sal/é). One example.

This singular species is placed in Teretriosoma, owing to its colour and to the

‘pygidium showing a slight tendency towards concavity at its apex. In general outline

it corresponds with several species of Cis. The tubercle on the thorax is a very

prominent specific character, and is unlike that of any other described Histerid. In

Xtphonotus the thorax is produced in front on the same plane as the head, but in the

present insect the thoracic tubercle is subvertical. The prosternum is very large, and

anteriorly very prominent, with the apex somewhat abruptly concave. The marginal

stria of the mesosternum is not very distinct, and is not apparently complete in front.

TERA PUS.—HOMALOPYGUS. 235

TERAPUS.

Terapus, Marseul, Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 680.

This remarkable genus contains a single species from Mexico. According to recent

observations it is of formicarious habits. |

1. Terapus mniszechi. (Tab. VII. fig. 5.)

Terapus mnizechi (sic), Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 682, t. 7. no. xlv. fig. 1’.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Mniszech1, Flohr), Jalapa (Hoge).

One example has recently been received from Herr Hoge.

ONTHOPHILUS.

Onthophilus, Leach, Zool. Miscell. i. p. 76 (1817).

There are twenty species of this genus known at present—six from Europe, three

from North America, three from Africa, seven from Asia, and one from Madagascar ;

but this can only be a small proportion of those existing in nature.

Most of its representatives are found in dung or decaying vegetable matter; the

setose species from Asia and Africa occur under bark.

1. Onthophilus flohri, sp. n.

Ovatus, supra convexiusculus, niger, subopacus; antennis pedibusque piceis; fronte rugoso-punctata, antice

triangulariter elevata, medio carinata; pronoto parum transverso, margine arcuato, elevato, dense et

grosse strigoso, 6-costulato, costa externa brevi ceteris plus minusve abbreviatis; elytris 3-carinis validis,

intervallis biseriatim punctatis ; propygidio undique grosse punctato, in medio carinato, utrinque tuber-

culato; pygidio basi (minime profundo) bifoveolato, medio transversim et longitudinaliter elevato ;

prosterno mesosternoque grosse punctatis. Long. 2} millim.

Hab. Mexico, Durango (fohr).

The distinctive characters of this species lie chiefly in the transverse thorax, the sides

of which are evenly arched, in the short external thoracic coste, and in the almost

perfect oval outline. It is probably most nearly allied to O. lecontei, Horn, which is

only known to us from description ; but it also has some of the characters of O. striatus

(Fabr.). From the latter it differs in the thoracic carinz and in the elytral costa, as

well as in the sculpture of the propygidium and pygidium. The suture is very slightly

elevated, and so also are the intermediate elytral striz; in these respects it resembles

the European O. affinis, Redt. The mesosternum is very slightly sinuous anteriorly.

A single example sent by Mr. Julius Flohr in 1887.

HOMALOPYGUS.

Homalopygus, Boheman, Kongl. Svenska Fregatt. Eugen. Resa, Zool. i. p. 36 (1858).

This genus was established upon a single species from the island of San José,

2H* 2

236 HISTERID A.

Bay of Panama; another is now added from Chiriqui; a third (4. commensalis, Lewis)

is known from Blumenau, S. Brazil, and is said to have been found in the galleries made

by Termites.

1. Homalopygus latipes.

Homalopygus latipes, Bohem. Kongl. Svenska Fregatt. Eugen. Resa, Zool. i. p. 37, t. 1. figg. 2 a-d’;

Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 679°, & 1861, t. 4. no. xliv. fig. 1.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); Panama, Island of San José! 2,

2. Homalopygus zquatus, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 8.)

Oblongo-quadratus, subdepressus, nigro-piceus, nitidus ; fronte plana, tenuiter et sparse punctulata, supra oculos

striata; pronoto antice impresso, stria integra, sparse punctato, basi utrinque sulcato, margine reflexo;

elytris margine anguste elevato, striis 1*-3™ integris at elevatis, 4° et 5* basi arcuatim junctis ; propygidio

dense punctato, angulis posticis parum reflexis; pygidio punctulato, basi transversim impresso; prosterno

levi, bistriato; meso- metasternoque haud distinctis, stria marginali integra; tibiis anticis modice, inter-

mediis et posticis validis, dilatatis, extus fortiter angulatis. Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect is very distinct from the preceding; the more notable characters are the

somewhat narrowed anterior angles of the thorax, rather shining propygidium, less

transverse pygidium, and tibie less dilated and more angulated. One example.

CACHEXTIA, gen. nov.

Corpus oblongum, antice paullo angustatum, subdepressum. Caput modice retractum, breve; fronte plana,

clypeo subconvexo. Antenne sub fronte inserte; scapo magno, lato; clava oblonga; fossa antennali in

prothoracis angulo excisa. Pronotum levi, margine laterali elevato incrassato, bisulcatum, subtus

excavatum, tibiis anticis receptis. Elytris basi sulcatis, striis nullis. Prosternum postice angustatum,

antice latum, bistriatum, basi incisum. Mesosternum valide sinuatum, stria integra. Propygidium

transversum ; pygidium semicirculari declive, convexum. Pedes lati; tibiis depressis, valide ampliatis,

haud denticulatis.

This new genus contains a single species from Nicaragua.

1. Cachexia puberula, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 9.)

Oblongo-ovata, picea, subnitida, parum convexa; antennis pedibusque brunneis; fronte levi, haud striata;

pronoto in medio levi, lateribus profunde sulcatis, margine incrassato elevato, tenuissime striato, stria

antice arcuatim juncta; elytris griseo-pilosis, basi sulcatis, punctulatis ; propygidio pygidioque convexis,

dense pilosis; prosterno ante basin parum constricto, bistriato, striis antice conjunctis; mesosterno stria

basi abbreviata; metasterno sparse et tenuiter punctulato; tibiis dilatatis, haud angulatis. Long. 32

millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Two specimens. This remarkable insect agrees in some of its characters with

Homalopygus; but in others it resembles Plegaderus, especially in the shape of the

thorax and prosternal lobe.

PLEGADERUS.—BACANIUS. 237

PLEGADERUS.

Plegaderus, Erichson, in Klug’s Jahrb. der Ins. 1834, p. 2038.

Five or six species of this genus inhabit the New World, all probably from North or

Central America, and nine are found in Europe; none have been discovered as yet in

Africa, and the only Asiatic species is from Japan.

The different species are found beneath the bark or in the rotten wood of pine and

other trees.

1. Plegaderus monachus.

Plegaderus monachus, Mars. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xiii. p. 124 (1870)°.

Hab. Guaremaa, Balheu, San Joaquin, San Gerénimo (Champion).—! Braziu }.

Found in abundance beneath the bark of pines by Mr. Champion in three different

localities in Vera Paz; the original locality is doubtfully given as Brazil by Marseul },

and is in all probability erroneous.

2. Plegaderus comonforti.

Plegaderus comonforti, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1862, p. 683 *, & 1861, t. 4. no. xlvi.

fig. 1.

Hab. Mexico 1, San Andres (Sal/é).

BACANIUS. :

Bacanius, Leconte, Proc. Ac. Phil. vi. p. 291 (1853).

Bacanius does not contain nearly so many species as Acritus. It seems to be distri-

buted much in the same way; and as the species are somewhat larger, it is possible a

greater proportion of them have been found and described. ‘The known forms are

chiefly from Europe and North and South America. They are found under the bark

of trees.

In this genus, as in Acritus, the scutellum is often small or inconspicuous.

1. Bacanius scalptus, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 10.)

Ovalis, convexiusculus, rufus, subnitidus ; fronte transversim sat grosse strigosa; oculis angulatis, prominulis ;

antennis flavis, scapo rufo; pronoto punctato, lateraliter strigoso ; scutello inconspicuo ; elytris strigoso-

punctatis, stria 1° integra, antice arcuatim continuata; pygidio grosse punctato; prosterno transverso,

lobo lato, punctato et minute strigoso, laterali marginato ; meso- metasternoque grosse punctatis; tibiis

anticis arcuatis, multidentatis. Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador 2500 feet, El Reposo 800 feet, Zapote (Champion) .—

AntILLES, Cuba (coll. Lewis).

For so small an insect the sculpture of the exoskeleton is remarkable for its coarseness.

B. scalptus comes nearest to B. tenuis, Mars., of the described species; but there are

others more closely approaching it in collections as yet unnamed. It has one elytral

stria, which apparently corresponds with the first stria in other Histeride: this starts

238 HISTERID ZA.

from the apex of the elytron, and when near to the base turns towards the suture and

disappears on the dorsal region by becoming confluent with the elytral strigosities.

2. Bacanius ignobilis, sp. n. (Tab. VII. fig. 11.)

Ovalis, convexus, brunneus, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; pronoto ante scutellum fortius punctato ;

elytris sparse punctatis, punctis subaciculatis, striis obsoletis ; pygidio tenuissime et sparse punctulato;

prosterno subtriangulari, basi lato, stria integra, antice conjuncta; mesosterno antice semicirculari, stria

marginali integra, stria postica recta, crenulata; metasterno sparse punctato. Long. 1 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

In the form of the prosternum and its stria this insect is unlike any other known

species. A single example.

8. Bacanius hamatus, sp. n. (Tab. VII. fig. 12.)

Ovalis, convexus, rufo-brunneus, nitidus; fronte grosse punctata, subtilissime rugosa ; pronoto sparse punctato ;

scutello inconspicuo ; elytris punctatis, stria suturali antice abbreviata, medio late hamiformis ; prosterno

lato, basi sinuato, punctato; mesosterno marginato grosse punctato, antice sinuato ; pygidio sparse punc-

tulato, apice sublevi; tibiis anticis in medio angulatis. Long. 1} millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species may be placed near B. misellus, Lec., but it is as large as B. rhombo-

phorus, Aubé. The peculiar shape of what may be termed the sutural stria will

distinguish it from all the described species. The stria commences close to the suture

at a quarter of the length of the elytra from the base, and at half the length it turns

abruptly into the middle of the elytron. A single specimen.

4. Bacanius mexicanus, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, brunneus, nitidus; antennis pedibusque dilutioribus; fronte sublevi; pronoto sparse punc-

tulato, stria marginali integra, linea punctorum basali transversa; scutello distincto; elytris striis

obsoletis, disco postice sparse aciculatim punctulato ; pygidio minute strigoso-rugoso ; prosterno modice

elongato, bistriato, sparse punctulato; mesosterno marginato, stria late interrupta, oblongorum punctorum

serie transversa a metasterno distincta ; metasterno punctulato. Long. 1 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

The chain-like stria before the scutellum forms in this insect almost a straight line,

as shown in the figure of Acritus strigosus, Mars. (Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856,

t. 14. no. xliii. fig. 19), but towards the outer edges of the thorax it becomes feeble and

punctate. Unique.

ACRITUS.

Acritus, Leconte, Proc. Ac. Phil. vi. p. 288 (1858).

Aletes, Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xii. p. 856 (1878).

About sixty species of this genus are now described, but very many undetermined as

yet exist in collections. The genus occurs in both hemispheres, and its species are

ACRITUS. 239

very numerous in the tropics as well as in the temperate zones. Ten are here enumerated

from Central America.

They are chiefly found in decaying vegetable matter.

iletes isa genus proposed by Dr. Horn to receive four species of Acritus which

have the scutellum invisible above ; but in all other respects Acritus and Aletes possess

the same generic characters. Herr Joh. Schmidt [Berl. ent. Zeitschr. xxix. Heft ii.

p. 325 (1885)] has adopted Hletes for two European species of Acritus—atomarius,

Aubé, and clarulus, Reitter; but in the present arrangement it is not considered

desirable to retain it. In <Aeritus the scutellum is always very minute, and varies

relatively in size in different species, and is, as Dr. Horn observes (J. ¢. p. 352), “ difficult

to see from the very fine sutures between it and the adjacent parts.” Marseul says of

Acritus atomarius, Aubé (placed, as stated above, in letes by Schmidt), “ Ecusson a

-peine visible ;” so it seems best to reject a genus which rests not only on a single

character, but on one which requires a high microscopic power for its observation, and

is at times so obscure that authors express themselves differently as to its existence.

Dr. Horn’s views, moreover, of the value of /iletes as a genus are much weakened

by the fact that he does not always consider the presence or absence of a visible

chitinous surface to the scutellum an important character in the Histeride. The genus

Carcinops consists of about forty species, each with a distinct, and often large, scutellum,

and Paromalus is composed of seventy species, in all of which the scutellum is super-

ficially invisible ; yet Dr. Horn, notwithstanding the difference of sculpture and general

facies of these two genera, unites them (/.¢. p. 307) without remark, and in his

synoptic table we find at the commencement two species of Paromalus, then follow nine

species of Carcinops, and at the end are two Paromali. A classification of this kind is

too arbitrary to follow.

1. Acritus substriatus.

Acritus substriatus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 602, t. 14. no. xlii. fig. 1*.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek); Guatemata!l, near the city, Capetillo, Balheu, Senahu

(Champion).

Thirteen examples.

2. Acritus hilum, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexiusculus, brunneus, nitidus, levis; antennis pedibusque flavis; fronte concava, oculis

prominulis; pronoto lateribus striato; elytris striis obsoletis; pygidio apice subtuberculato ; prosterno

bistriato, subquadrato, posterius angustiore; mesosterno utrinque sinuato, antice recto, stria interrupta.

Long. ? millim.

Hab. GuatEeMALA, Zapote (Champion).

In this species the line which represents the suture between the meso- and the

metasternum is feeble and formed like an inverted arch. The apex of the pygidium

has a small, yet well-defined, obtuse tubercle. One specimen.

240 HISTERIDZ.

3. Acritus fuligineus, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexiusculus, niger, nitidus; pedibus ferrugineis; antennis clava testacea; fronte plana, clypeo

marginato; pronoto parce punctulato; elytris sat fortius punctulatis; pygidio levi; scutello parum

magno ; prosterno anguste elongato, marginato, lateraliter arcuato; mesosterno antice semicirculari, stria

integra, stria postica recta parum crenulata. Long. 1 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 5000 feet (Champion).

The distinguishing character of this insect is the elongation of the prosternum, the

latter being arched at the sides and rather wider in front than behind. A single

specimen. |

4, Acritus peculiaris, sp. n.

Orbicularis, convexiusculus, rufo-piceus, nitidus; fronte lata, equali, parum dense punctulata; pronoto mar-

ginato, undique minutissime strigoso et vix dense punctulato, linea ante scutellum subrecta punctis

aciculatis ; scutello distincto; elytris striis obliquis, minute strigosis, vix dense longo-punctatis ; prosterno

subquadrato, marginato, dense punctato; mesosterno transverso et dense punctato, utrinque arcuato;

metasterno undique punctulato, basi latissimo; pygidio subtilissime strigoso et parce punctulato. Long.

1: millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

This small Histerid has not the usual facies of an Acritus, yet as there are but four

joints in the hind tarsus (the essential character of Acritus) it is better to leave it in

the present genus until more examples are found. Unique.

5. Acritus bipartitus, sp. n.

Ovatus, subconvexus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque dilutioribus; capite pone oculos levi, parce punctu-

lato, inter oculos rugoso-punctulato; clypeo griseo-ciliato, antice obtuso, lato; pronoto parce punctulato,

stria marginali integra, linea ante scutellum arcuata, in medio retrorsim acuminata; scutello inconspicuo ;

elytris striis obliquis; pygidio transverso, subtilissime punctulato; prosterno parallelo, marginato, sub-

levigato; mesosterno antice recto, stria interrupta, utrinque striato et sinuato; metasterno levi. Long.

1 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Balheu and San Gerénimo in Vera Paz (Champion).

The line on the base of the thorax is biarcuate from a point in front of the

scutellum, a character which has not yet been noticed in any other species of

the genus. ‘Two specimens.

6. Acritus quadristriatus, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 13.)

Ovalis, convexiusculus, brunneus, nitidus, undique punctulatus; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite transverso ;

pronoto marginato, linea basali e aciculato-punctis composita, subrecta; scutello magno; elytris striis

obsoletis; pygidio sparse punctulato; prosterno subquadrato, utrinque bistriato, interstitiis latis, parce

punctulatis; mesosterno antice arcuato, stria interrupta, postice serie punctorum recta a metasterno

distincta. Long. 1 millim.

Had. Guatemana, near the city (Champion).

The prosternum in this species is remarkable for being wider, though very slightly,

than long, with two strie on either side, separated from the lateral edge by a broad

interstice. Under a high power the prosternum also exhibits a minute vermiform

ACRITUS. 241

sculpture between the punctures. The thorax has a basal line, nearly straight, composed

of acicular punctures. One example.

7. Acritus corpusculus, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexiusculus, piceus, nitidus; antennis pedibusque pallidis; fronte convexa, punctulata; pronoto

punctato, linea punctorum in medio late arcuata; scutello triangulari; elytris punctatis, striis obliquis,

sutura elevata; pygidio subtiliter punctulato; prosterno punctato, striis marginalis validis, antice vix

lato, postice quadrato ; mesosterno antice recto, stria interrupta, punctato, linea (punctorum) transversali

a metasterno distincta; metasterno undique punctato. Long. 1 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city (Champion).

In this species the transverse thoracic line is simply but widely arched in the centre,

a character not yet observed in other members of the genus. The form of the meso-

sternum is like that figured for A. lateralis, Mars. (Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856,

t. 14, no. xlili. fig. 21): itis straight for the breadth of the prosternum and then inclines

off somewhat obliquely. Nine examples.

8. Acritus liliputianus, sp. n. (Tab. VII. fig. 14.)

Ovalis, convexiusculus, flavo-brunneus, nitidus, levis; antennis pedibusque pallidis; fronte convexa; pronoto

marginato, sparse punctulato, linea catenulata, ante scutellum recta, utrinque basi approximata; scutello

distincto ; elytris medio subtiliter aciculatim rugosis, striis obsoletis ; pygidio impunctato; prosterno levi,

marginato, lateraliter arcuato; mesosterno brevi, antice arcuato, in medio triangulariter impresso, stria

antice tenui haud interrupta; metasterno impunctato. Long. ? millim.

Hab. GuatTeMata, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Excellent distinguishing characters for this species lie in the triangular impression

which occupies about a third of the surface of the mesosternum, and in the thoracic

line being straight in front of the scutellum for the space of about half the breadth of

the pronotum. The line indicating the limit cf the mesosternum posteriorly is distinct,

slightly sinuate, but otherwise the mesosternum is without sculpture. Five individuals.

9. Acritus simpliciculus.

Acritus simpliculus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 616, t. 14, no. xliii. fig. 15°,

Acritus simpliciculus (Mars.), Gemm. & Har. Cat. iii. p. 798.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).— VENEZUELA, Caracas }.

Four examples.

10. Acritus gulliver.

Acritus gulliver, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1856, p. 628, t. 14, no. xliil. fig. 237.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).—ANULLES, San Domingo !.

A single specimen found by Mr. Champion in Guatemala is apparently referable to

this species.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II, Pt. 1, December 1888, 21*

242 HISTERID.

IDOLIA.

Idolia, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. xvi. p. 214 (1885).

This genus was proposed for two species, one from Honduras and one from Brazil ;

two others are now added from Central America. The different species are found

under the bark of trees.

1. Idolia antennata, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 15.)

Orbiculato-globosa, nitida, supra levis; antenne clava magna ; fronte plana, margine lateraliter anguste elevato ;

prosterno minutissime punctulato at transversim tenuissime strigoso, utrinque striato; mesosterno stria

integra metasternoque undique punctulatis. Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador 2500 feet (Champion).

This species is very similar to J. gibba, Lewis; but the club of the antenna is as large

again, the entire surface beneath is finely punctulate, and the mesosternal stria is well-

marked and complete. Two examples.

2. Idolia scitula, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 16.)

Orbiculato-globosa, nigro-picea, nitida, supra levis, antennis pedibusque dilutioribus; fronte margine utrinque

elevato, antice immarginata, impressa; scutello triangulari, parum magno, levi; prosterno lateraliter

striato; mesosterno stria integra, tenuissima; metasterno crebre punctulato. Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

This species is larger than the preceding and has the frontal stria less widely inter-

rupted. It is also broader, which makes the outline appear, when viewed from above,

almost perfectly circular. Across the forehead there is a fine angular line, dividing the

surface into two parts, the anterior portion of which is slightly depressed: this is a well-

marked specific character. The mesosternal stria is complete, but extremely fine.

One specimen.

3. Idolia gibba.

Idolia levigata, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. xvi. p. 214° (1885) (nec Payk.).

Idolia gibba, Lewis, Ent. Monthly Mag. xxiii. p. 64 (1886).

Hab. Mexico, Tapachula in Chiapas (//ége); Brrriso Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blan-

caneaux); GUATEMALA, Zapote (Champion); Honpuras!.

Five examples.

4, Idolia levigata.

Hister levigatus, Payk. Monogr. Hist. p. 84, t. 11. fig. 7 (1811)’.

Tribalus levigatus, Mars. Monogr. in Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1855, p. 161, t. 9, no. xxxi. fig. 6”.

Cerosternus levissimus, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. vi. p. 40 (1852) °.

Hab. Norta America 1.—Mexico (Sallé), Yucatan?; Bririss Honpuras, Belize

IDOLIA.—MURMIDIUS. 243

(Blancaneaux); GuateMata, El Reposo, Chaco} (Champion).—Co.oms1A, Cartagena ? ;

VENEZUELA, Caracas2; ANTILLES, Cuba 23, San Domingo ?.

Ten examples.

Differences of opinion are expressed in the writings of entomologists as to the

desirability of placing Murmidius and Mychocerus in a family by themselves; but as

the species are few and somewhat obscure, it is thought best in this arrangement to

leave them in the Histeride. Duval was the first to suggest the family Murmidiide

and he has been followed by Dr. Horn. In the opinion of the present writer, the form

of the antenne and of the sternal plates (especially that of the prosternum) point to

the Histeride as the most fitting associates of these singular genera.

MURMIDIUS.

Murmidius, Leach, Trans. Linn. Soc. xiii. p. 41 (1822); J acquelin-Duval, Gen. Col. Eur. li. p. 227,

t. 56. fig. 276.

Ceutocerus, Germar, Ins. spec. nov. p. 85 (1824).

The members of this genus are at present limited to three: one (Mf. ovalis, Beck) is

reputed to be cosmopolitan; the two others, as stated here, are of Central American

origin.

1. Murmidius irregularis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 1.)

Murmidius irregularis, Reitt. Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xxvil. p. 165 (1877)’.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!; Guatemaa, El Tumbador (Champion) ; Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

2. Murmidius rectistriatus, sp.n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 2.)

Ovalis, supra convexus, flavo-brunneus, nitidus, sparse hirsutus; pronoto lateribus marginato, angulis anticis

obtusis ; elytris punctorum seriatim impressis ; pedibus flavis. Long. 1 millim.

Hab. Mexico.

A single example only, without more precise locality, has been sent to me by Herr E.

Reitter. I. rectistriatus is smaller than Wf. irregularis, Reitter, and is much paler in

colour: in the former the prosternal strie are parallel to each other, and the meso-

sternal strie are complete in front, leaving a narrow space as an anterior margin ;

in the latter the prosternal striz are slightly divergent throughout their length and

are hamate at their tips, and the mesosternal striz terminate on each side at a point

opposite the bases of the prosternal striez, and there is therefore no anterior margin.

21* 2

244 . PHALACRIDA.

. MYCHOCERUS. .

Mychocerus, Erichson, Nat. Ins. Deutsch. iii. p. 292, nota (1845) ; Leconte (Zimmerman), Trans.

Am. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 255; Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. 1878, pp. 557, 592.

Murmidius, Leconte, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1866, p. 376 (pars).

Hitherto one species only has been assigned to this genus, a second is now added

from Guatemala ; the type of the genus (Jf. depressus, Leconte) was formerly placed in

Murmidius. In the species now described the prosternum is nearly twice the width of

that in any species of Murmidius known, and this is without doubt a valid generic

character.

1. Mychocerus pilifer, sp.n. (Tab. VII. figg. 17, 18.) -

Late ovatus, depressiusculus, brunneus, supra cinereo-pubescens, parce punctulatus ; pronoto transverso, laterali

arcuato, angulis anticis modice productis; elytris striis obsoletis, margine laterali anguste reflexo; subtus

sublevi; prosterno lato, basi truncato, bistriato, striis anticis parum divergentibus; mesosterno antice

recto, lateribus striato ; pedibus testaceis. Long. % millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion).

Examples of this species have been submitted to Dr. Horn for examination and_

comparison with the North-American J. depressus, Lec.; and he states that I, pilifer

is broader, and has the row of punctures on the elytra less distinct near the suture and

scutellum, and that the thorax is more regularly narrowed from the base to the anterior

angles. In M. depressus the thorax is more arcuate in front and the rows of punctures

are more distinct and better marked on the dorsal region of the elytra. In pilifer

the club of the antennz is fuscous; in I. depressus it is pale and concolorous.

Seven examples, found beneath bark in the low hot region of the Pacific slope.

Fam. PHALACRIDA*.

This is one of the smaller families of Coleoptera: the volume of the Munich Cata-

logue of Coleoptera, published in 1868, included only eighty-one species of Phalacride,

and the number described since that time is only about twelve, so that the total number

of recognized species is at present less than 100.

From our region we have received nearly 400 specimens of the family, representing

apparently about fifty species. The Phalacride are almost completely neglected by

coleopterists, so that only those found in Europe and North America are tolerably well

known; these amount to about sixty species, leaving only some thirty species as repre-

senting the family in other parts of the world. This is, however, not due to their

absence from tropical regions, but rather to the fact that, being small and remarkably

* By D. Smarr. |

PHALACRIDZ. 245

unattractive and little varied insects, they are neglected by collectors. Not a single

species has previously been recorded as found in Central America, and only two or three

are known from South America: so that nothing can be said at present as to the geogra-

phical distribution of our genera and species.

The Phalacride are very difficult insects to describe, owing to their remarkable want

of variety of form, and to the very slight sculpture of the upper surface. In order to

distinguish the species we must therefore fall back on the minor structural characters.

The genera hitherto recognized are only five in number *: four of the five occur in our

region, and I have been compelled to add five others, based entirely on the structure

of the central pieces of the sternum and the form of the hind tarsi. This latter character

calls for a few explanatory remarks.

The tarsi are described by authors as five-jointed, but the fourth joint is so small, or so

closely connected with the fifth, that it can rarely be detected; in Phalacrus and

Tolyphus, indeed, the tarsi are not only practically tetramerous, but differ little in

structure and clothing from the tetramerous tarsi seen in Hrotylide and in Phyto-

phagous Coleoptera generally. On the other hand, in some of our Central-American

species the hind tarsi are found to be greatly modified, the metatarsus being very much

elongated, laterally compressed, and the clothing of the under surface absent. On

comparing these forms with elongate metatarsus together, it is seen that though at first

sight similar, they exhibit really two quite distinct modifications—in one of them

(Litochrus) the elongation of the metatarsus is due to the basal joint having become

very elongate; but in the other the first joint remains quite short, or is so completely

soldered to the base of the second joint that it can scarcely be detected, and in this case

the tarsus presents the appearance of being composed of a very elongate metatarsus or

basal joint, then a small joint, followed by a moderately long terminal or claw-joint.

The genera Hulitrus and Litolibrus are those in which this pseudo-trimerous structure

of the hind tarsi is best exhibited. The modification of the hind foot in this direction

seems specially characteristic of our Central-American Phalacride, and several species

that I have placed in Olibrus and Husti/bus exhibit it to a greater or less extent, and

will probably be ultimately separated from the forms of those genera found in Europe

and North America.

The structure of the pieces of the breast between the front and middle cox exhibits

a similar series of modifications, but this modification does not go on part passw with

that of the hind tarsus. In Hulitrus, the most interesting of the Central-American

genera, and one which has a highly modified tarsus, the modification of the middle of

the metasternum is extreme; but in Litolibrus, which has the tarsus nearly as much

modified as Eulitrus, the breast is but little developed.

With these explanations the genera I have proposed will, I think, be better under-

* Augasmus, Motsch., is another genus, but the characters given are too indefinite to allow it to be more

than guessed at.

246 PHALACRIDA.

stood than by representing them in tabular form; indeed I do not feel at all certain

whether the modifications of the tarsus or of the breast should be treated as of superior

value for taxonomical purposes. I incline to the opinion that the distinctions of the

tarsus may prove to be of predominant importance, but they are very difficult to follow

in a satisfactory manner without the aid of microscopical preparations, and the material

we have received is insufficient for this purpose. Hence I feel very doubtful as to the

correct generic position of some of the species I have described, especially those I have

placed in Eustilbus.

‘The species of Phalacride are usually found upon flowers or low plants.

PHALACRUS.

Phalacrus, Paykull, Fauna Suecica, iii. p. 438 (1798) (pars); Erichson, Nat. Ins. Deutsch. iii.

p. 109.

This is one of the most widely distributed genera of the family, and consists at

present of about thirty species from various parts of the world. The representatives

found in our region are in all probability really congeneric with those of Europe and

North America.

1, Phalacrus ovalis.

Phalacrus ovalis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1856, p. 157.

Hab. Nortu America, California}, Arizona (Morrison).—Mexico, Northern Sonora

(Morrison), Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), Guanajuato, Orizaba (Sallé); GuateMaua,

near the city (Champion). |

Extremely similar to the European P. corruscus, but with very differently formed

antenne. I possess some specimens named by Morrison and confirmed by Dr. Horn,

but nevertheless am not sure that they are really Leconte’s species. From the localities

other than Sonora we have a very poor supply of examples, only indeed either one or

two specimens from each; these latter do not exactly agree with one another, and it

may be that not all, or indeed any, of them are actually conspecific with the examples

from Sonora.

2. Phalacrus rufipes, sp. x.

Breviter ovalis, convexus, niger, minus nitidus, pedibus rufis, antennis flavis,

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Of short form, scarcely narrower behind. Antenne yellow, the terminal joint of the

club elongate. Head feebly punctate. Thorax large, not margined at the base in the

middle. Elytra dull, with well-marked sutural stria, and extremely minute serial

punctures. Sides of the thorax and the apex of the elytra picescent. Legs, including

the front coxze, red; under surface piceous. ‘Two specimens.

PHALACRUS. | 247

8. Phalacrus obscurus, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, niger, minus nitidus, pedibus piceis, antennis rufis, clava obscuriore.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), Santa Clara in Chihuahua, Mexico

city, Acapulco (Hége), Guanajuato (Sallé), Cuernavaca (Hoge, H. H. Smith).

This is very closely allied to P. rufipes, but is larger, and has darker legs and

antennz, and the thorax has the scutellar lobe distinctly margined behind. Hight

specimens. The typical examples have the mandibles porrect and largely exposed ; but

I include also in the species some specimens in which the mandibles are entirely

concealed beneath the clypeus, as it is possible this distinction may be merely sexual.

4, Phalacrus germanus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, minus convexus, niger, minus nitidus, pedibus piceis, antennis testaceis, clava obscuriore.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Quezaltenango 7800 feet (Champion).

Closely allied to P. rufipes and P. obscurus, but less convex than either of them.

The thorax is not margined at the base. The form of the antenne is similar to that

of the two allied species.

5. Phalacrus flavicornis, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, minus convexus, niger, minus nitidus, antennis flavis, pedibus piceis, tibiis tarsisque testaceis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

This is much smaller than P. rufipes; it is also less convex and has the femora dark,

and the club of the antenna is more slender, so that I consider it distinct, though I

have seen only one specimen.

6. Phalacrus scutellaris, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 19.)

Breviter ovalis, latus, minus convexus, rufus, antennis pedibusque rufo-testaceis, thorace piceo, latera versus

dilutiore, elytris plaga scutellari aliaque laterali nigricantibus.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

Antenne clear, pallid red; club elongate, the terminal joint quite twice as long as the

tenth. Thorax picescent in the centre, more dilute towards the sides, with a very

broad short basal lobe in the middle, which is not at all margined behind. Elytra red,

the scutellum and a large patch round it, and an elongate vitta within the lateral

margin, black; there is no sutural stria, and the sculpture is obsolete, but consists of

numerous punctures, transverse rather than round in form, placed on the posterior part.

Four examples were obtained of this very distinct species.

248 PHALACRIDA.

7. Phalacrus lucidus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, latus, minus convexus, dilute rufus, antennis pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuateMmata, Capetillo (Champion).

Closely allied to P. scutedlaris, though easily distinguished from it by the colour and

smaller size. The club of the antenna is of the same peculiar shape as, though much

shorter than, it is in P. scutellaris, that is to say, the increase in size of the terminal

_ joints is chiefly on one side of the mesial line. Unique. |

OLIBRUS.

Olibrus, Erichson, Nat. Ins. Deutsch. iii. p. 118 (1848).

This is the most extensive of the genera of Phalacride, and comprises forty or fifty

known species, which represent quite one half of the family. It is widely distributed,

having been recorded from various parts of the eastern hemisphere, and being well

represented in North America; from South America only one species has as yet been

recorded. A portion of the species placed in the genus must, however, be separated,

as Erichson included Fusé¢ilbus in it.

Our representatives differ somewhat in their structural details from one another and

from the European species, but I have not found it necessary to divide them into more

than one genus on this account.

1. Olibrus guatemalenus, sp. n.

Testaceus, supra niger, vix subznescens, breviter ovalis, convexus ; elytris seriatim subtiliter punctatis, inter-

stitiis obsoletissime punctulatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Zapote, San Gerénimo, Cahabon, Chiacam (Champion); Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne yellow ; club rather large, its terminal joint rather short. Thorax distinctly

- and completely margined at the base, scarcely lobed in the middle. Scutellum quite

small. Elytra with distinct and quite regular series of fine punctures extending almost

to the base, the interstices indistinctly punctured.

We have received a small series of this species, including a pair from the State of

Panama. ‘The upper surface is sometimes piceous rather than black.

2. Olibrus vulgaris, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, nitidus, rufescens, supra dilute piceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; elytris

seriatim subtilissime punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Chacoj and Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

OLIBRUS. 249

Shorter in form, of a more delicate colour, and with less evident punctuation on the

elytra than O. guatemalenus, and, in addition, with considerably broader hind tibie

and larger club to the antenne. The last joint of the antennz is about twice as long

as that preceding it. The hind margin of the thorax, though fine, is quite distinct.

The serial punctures on the wing-cases, though very fine, extend forwards nearly to the

base; the interstitial punctures can scarcely be detected. Four examples.

3. Olibrus rubiginosus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, convexus, rufo-testaceus, elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis; antennis articulo ultimo minus

elongato, apice oblique truncato, subemarginato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (//ége); GuatemaLa, San Geronimo (Champion).

A distinct species, with the middle of the metasternum closely and coarsely punctate,

and with short hind tarsi; the metasternal prominence is nearly the same as in 0. qua-

temalenus. The second joint of the hind tarsus is not greatly longer than the first, and

the articulation between the two is very distinct ; the tibial spurs are small. The thorax

is finely margined at the base and feebly lobed in the middle. The sutural stria is

deep and extends nearly to the base, and the fine punctures forming the series on the

wing-cases are quite definite and distinct, as in O. guatemalenus.

4, Olibrus teapensis, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus, supra fusco-niger; elytris in disco subtiliter seriatim punctatis;

antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis clava sat elongata.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith).

Antenne with long but rather stout and loosely-jointed club. Thorax rather

strongly lobed at the base in the middle, and there strongly margined, the sides of

the base quite unmargined. Elytra with series of fine punctures, quite indistinct at the

base and behind, and with an extremely obsolete diffuse punctuation. Prosternum rather

narrow between the coxee, bent upwards immediately behind the coxe. Mesosternum

forming a rather large band in front of the metasternum between the middle coxe.

The articulation between the basal and second joints of the hind feet quite distinct, the

second joint not twice as long as the first. Four specimens, captured in January 1888.

This species, which in appearance is a quite ordinary Olibrus, is aberrant, inasmuch

as the mesosternum is more largely exposed in front of the metasternum than nsual.

5. Olibrus mexicanus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, piceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, supra limbo dilutiore apice sepe testaceo ;

sublevigatus, elytris stria suturali.

Long. 23 millim.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, December 1888. 2K*

250 PHALACRIDZ.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Teapa (H. H. Smith); Brrrtsa Honpuras (Blanca-

neaux); GUATEMALA, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne clear yellow, the club rather slender. Thorax feebly lobed, margined only

along the lobe. LElytra with obscure silky texture of the surface, without distinct

punctuation, but with very obsolete subtransverse punctures presenting a somewhat

serial arrangement.

The prosternum is rather flat, somewhat large, very shining; the metasternum very

prominent in front, strongly margined, and the angles of the margin rounded. The

basal joint of the hind tarsus is very short, the second joint three times as long as

the first.

This species is rather smaller than O. guatemalenus, and is well distinguished by the

somewhat different structure of the breast; on the upper surface the absence of distinct

serial punctures and of a basal margin to the thorax are the best characters for

distinguishing it. We have received fifteen examples from Mexico, and one each

from British Honduras and Guatemala.

6. Olibrus partitus, sp. n.

Ovalis, minus convexus, piceo-testaceus, supra piceus, antennis, pedibus elytrorumque dimidio posteriore

testaceis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Chiacam, Lanquin (Champion).

Antenne clear yellow, with a slender club. Thorax margined at the base in the

middle. Elytra with elongate sutural stria, but almost destitute of other sculpture.

Legs slender.

This distinct little Olidrus varies somewhat in depth of colour like many of its

congeners.

7. Olibrus posticalis, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, rufo-testaceus, supra piceus, elytris apicem versus dilutioribus; illis stria suturali

seriebusque abbreviatis punctorum minus subtilibus.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuatEeMALA, Champerico (Champion).

Var. Elytrorum punctis seriatis plus minusve obsoletescentibus.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé), San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hége), Teapa, Atoyac

(H. H, Smith).

A very small insect, and apparently an Olibrus, but possessing an unusually broad

scutellum, and remarkable also on account of the distinct serial punctures. The

sutural stria becomes in front a series of quite evident punctures, not, however, quite

attaining the base, and outside this there are two or three other series of punc-

OLIBRUS. 251

tures, still more abbreviated both at the base and apex. Two specimens only in

bad condition have been received from Guatemala.

The small series of Mexican examples has been forwarded to me since the above

description was made; none of these specimens have the sculpture so well developed

as the typical examples from Guatemala.

8. Olibrus porrectus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, sat nitidus, testaceus, supra fusco-piceus; elytris stria suturali impressa.

Long. 13-2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Atoyac, Teapa (H. H. Smith), Orizaba (H. H. Smith & F. D. Godman) ;

British Honpuras, R. Hondo, Belize (Blancaneauax) ; GuaTEMALA, near the city, Duefhas,

Calderas, Senahu, Tamahu, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales.

(Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne yellow, with slender elongate club. Thorax not margined at the base in

the middle. Elytra with a sutural stria extending about halfway to the base, almost

destitute of traces of striation or punctuation.

I have great doubts whether this obscure little insect should be placed in Olibrus,

the metasternum being more prominent than usual, and the basal joint of the hind

foot very short; but it is perhaps better not to separate it on these characters at present.

O. porrectus bears a very great resemblance to 0. mexicanus, but is a good deal smaller,

and has the thorax more obsoletely margined at the base in the middle. Isee no other

characters by which the two can be distinguished when the upper surface is looked at;

but beneath the metasternum is a little different, and the spurs of the hind tibie are

quite minute in O. porrectus, and larger in O. meaxicanus.

This unattractive insect is probably the commonest, as it is also apparently the most

generally distributed, of the Phalacride of our region. It varies greatly in size and

also in the depth of coloration of the upper surface, but I can find no satisfactory signs

of there being more than one species; the specific characters are, however, so slight in

this family of beetles that it may prove otherwise when better series of examples are

obtained. The larger number of our specimens were procured in British Honduras,

- and amongst these all the varieties in size are illustrated.

9. Olibrus submaculatus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, rufo-testaceus, supra piceo-rufus, antennis, pedibus elytrorumque maculis

magnis vagis quatuor, testaceis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Acapulco (Hége), Teapa (H. H. Smith); Brivis Honpvras,

R. Hondo (Blancaneaur); GuaTeMaLa, Rio Maria Linda (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Janson).

2K* 2

252 PHALACRIDZ.

Antenne with slender club. Thorax obscure red, margined at the base in the

middle. Elytra with well-marked sutural stria, and only extremely faint traces of

other sculpture ; with an ill-defined pale spot near each shoulder, and a larger spot

near the apex, scarcely separated from its fellow of the opposite side. We have

received but one specimen from each locality. Those from British Honduras and

Guatemala are typical; those from Mexico and Nicaragua agree with one another, but

are a variety, or distinct species, of narrower form, with the spots very nearly obsolete.

10. Olibrus substrigosus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, testaceo-luridus, nitidus, elytris stria suturali posteriusque strigulis trans-

versis, obsoletis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab, GuateMaLa, El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This species differs from O. porrectus in being rather broader and less convex in

form, of a lurid yellow colour, and in the elytra being provided with an obsolete

sculpture of short strigee. We have only two examples in bad preservation.

11. Olibrus atomarius, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, piceus, supra niger, nitidus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; levigatus, elytris stria suturali

fere nulla.

Long. 1 miilim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This minute insect is smaller than the smallest varieties of O. porrectus, and likewise

of narrower form ; it is very similar to that species, but has a good distinctive character,

inasmuch as the sutural stria can scarcely be detected, even at the extremity of the

elytra. The upper surface has no sculpture; and the antenne are slender, with compact

and elongate club, and yellow in colour.

The four examples received are quite similar to one another. 0. atomarius is one

of the smallest Phalacride yet discovered. .

12. Olibrus microsternus, sp. n.

Subhemispheericus, testaceus, fere levigatus; antennarum clava crassa.

Long. 1¥ millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, with thick club, the penultimate joint rather strongly transverse,

the terminal joint rather short. Thorax short. Elytra with very indistinct sutural stria,

and with obscure series of extremely minute punctures.

This little Olibrus is remarkable on account of the very minute prosternal process,

the middle coxe being, however, widely separated ; these characters, in conjunction

OLIBRUS.—EUSTILBUS. 253

with the thick club of the antenne, will facilitate its recognition. We have received

only one example.

13. Olibrus latipes, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, valde convexus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; antennarum clava lata ;

pedibus latioribus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, with very broad club, the penultimate joint strongly transverse.

Thorax finely margined at the base. Elytra with a sutural stria, and distinct series

of fine punctures.

This species agrees with O. microsternus not only in its unusually broad antennal club,

but also in the narrowly separated front coxe, in strong contrast to the widely separated

middle pair; but O. latipes is remarkably distinct by its broad legs, the tibie being

unusually broad, and the femora very broad, suggesting an affinity with Litolibrus.

The insect has an appearance very similar to that of some of the smaller Anisotomidee—

such as Cyrtusa—and probably when it can be thoroughly examined will prove to be

of a distinct genus. We have received only one specimen.

EUSTILBUS.

Olibrus, Sect. **, Erichson, Nat. Ins. Deutsch. iii. p. 120 (1848).

Olistherus, Seidlitz, Fauna Baltica, p. 157 (1872) (nomen preocc.).

Stilbus, Seidlitz, loc. cit. p. 85.

The separation of these insects from Olibrus by Seidlitz was, I think, an improve-

ment. Unfortunately the name he adopted was in use in Coleoptera, and he therefore

changed it to Stilbus; but as Stilbwm is in use in Hymenoptera, and as the two

names are not sufficiently distinct—the two, indeed, being actually the same in several

parts of their declensions—it is desirable to make a change before Seidlitz’s name

comes into general use. |

Eustilbus occurs in Europe and North America, but I can give no information as to

whether any of the species described as Olibrus from other parts of the world should

be referred to it. Eustilbus apicalis appears to be sufficiently congeneric with the

European forms of the genus, but I doubt whether some other of the species I ascribe

to Eustilbus can ultimately remain in it, the elongation of the second, and the abbre-

viation of the first, joint of the hind feet being extreme in L. distinctus.

1. Eustilbus apicalis.

Phalacrus apicalis, Melsh. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1. p. 102.

Olibrus apicalis, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1856, p. 17.

Hab. Norra America, North Carolina, Arizona (Morrison) —Mextco, Northern

254 PHALACRIDA.

Sonora (Morrison), Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), Guanajuato, Cordova (Sallé),

Mexico city, Amecameca in Morelos (Hége).

Variable in depth of colour, the anterior parts being sometimes black and then

forming a strong contrast with the pale extremity; the sides of the thorax and front

of the head always more or less dilute. Antenne clear yellow, with slender and

elongate club. Thorax scarcely lobed in front of the scutellum, and there feebly mar-

gined. Elytra without any trace of punctuation; besides the sutural stria there may

be detected traces of other strie, but excessively fine and only to be seen in certain

lights; the surface is extremely shining. |

This is probably the Olidrus consimilis of the North-American list of Coleoptera, at

least I have received it under that name from Morrison in a series of species that was

also submitted to Dr. Horn for verification. Whether this be the case or not, it is, I

think, distinct from the European insect bearing the name referred to.

2. Kustilbus distinctus, sp. n.

Ovalis, minus convexus, nitidus, rufus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; elytris seriatim sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 23-3} millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Panzos, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Antenne pale yellow; club elongate, but rather slender. Thorax large, with feeble

basal lobe. Scutellum rather broad and short. Elytra with series of rather large

punctures, which are finer and more obsolete on the apical part.

A very distinct species of more elongate form than usual, and remarkable by the

punctures being more conspicuous on the basal than they are on the apical part of the

wing-cases; I am very doubtful as to its generic position. We have received only

three examples; it appears to be more variable in size than any other of our species.

3. Kustilbus gracilis, sp. n.

Ovalis, minus convexus, nitidus, rufus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; elytrorum disco seriatim sat subtiliter

punctato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (blancaneaux); GuaTemana, Zapote (Champion).

Very closely allied to EH. distinctus, but smaller, with the punctures of the series on

the elytra more minute, and with some punctuation on the interstices, this latter being

quite absent in ZL. distinctus. We have received only three specimens of the species.

4. Kustilbus mollis, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 20.)

Breviter ovalis, convexus, pallide testaceus, nitidus, elytris pone medium fascia obsoleta, angulata, fusca.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Las Mercedes (Champion).

EUSTILBUS.—LIOPHALACRUS. 2595

Readily distinguished by the pallid colour and the angulate fascia behind the middle

of the wing-cases. There is a sutural stria and faint indications of other strie on the

elytra, but no punctuation whatever. The antenne are slender, with elongate club.

Two examples.

5. Kustilbus placidus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, testaceo-brunneus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; levigatus, elytris stria subtilissime

posterius impressa.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Muxtco, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith).

This species is without trace of sculpture on the elytra, and the sutural stria is very

fine and near to the suture, and only visible on the declivous apical part. The form is

more rotund than in our other species of Eustildus. The antenne have a rather

broad club; and the scutellum is quite small. Two examples, found in February

1888.

6. Kustilbus zqualis, sp. n.

Ovalis, valde convexus, testaceo-ferrugineus, nitidus, fere levigatus ; elytris stria suturali abbreviata.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Gvaremata, near the city, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne short, but with rather elongate club. Thorax truncate at the base in the

middle, and not margined. Elytra a good deal narrowed behind, very shining, their

sutural stria placed very near the suture and not extending far forwards.

Seven examples. In this minute Eustilbus the sete on the prosternal process,

though very fine, are remarkably elongate.

LIOPHALACRUS, gen. nov.

Corpus hemisphericum. Tarsi posteriores minus elongati, articulo primo brevi, secundo elongato. Tibie

minute calcarate. Pedes intermedii late distantes ; metasternum inter hos haud marginatum ; mesosternum

conspicuum ; prosternum apice minute setosum.

A not very distinct genus; allied by the structure of the breast to Hustilbus, but by

the hind tarsi nearer to Litolibrus, and indeed in this latter respect forming a connecting-

link between Olibrus and Litolibrus. The basal joint of the hind tarsus is short, and

not very closely connected with the second joint, though no motion appears to be

possible between them; the second joint is more than twice as long as the first. The

metasternal process is very broad, and the mesosternum forms in front of it a piece of

more than usual size, the two being separated by an extremely fine raised margin.

256 PHALACRIDA.

1. Liophalacrus bicolor, sp. n. (Tab. VII. fig. 21.)

Hemisphericus, nitidus, levigatus, testaceus, supra niger; elytris dimidio basali rufo, apicem versus stria

suturali subtili; antennis articulis nono et decimo nigris.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba 1000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the terminal joint paler than the penultimate two, and about equal to

them in length. Thorax with a short broad median lobe, which is feebly margined

behind. Scutellum small. Elytra with the basal half red, the apical half black ;

impunctate and estriate, but with a fine and short sutural stria on the apical portion.

A small series of eight examples was found of this easily recognized insect.

2. Liophalacrus rotundus, sp. n.

Hemisphericus, nitidus, levigatus, fusco-testaceus, supra niger, elytris versus basin macula vaga rufa striaque

suturali munitis ; antennis ante apicem nigris.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with elongate club, the terminal joint long. Thorax with a well-marked

median lobe. Elytra almost destitute of any traces of punctures, but with a well-

defined sutural stria extending halfway to the base. Unique.

Allied to L. bicolor, but larger, with longer club to the antenne, the red area on the

elytra smaller, and the sutural stria more elongate.

3. Liophalacrus (?) —— ?

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 feet (Champion).

A single mutilated example much resembling such examples of Olibrus porrectus as

are quite black, but apparently belonging to Liophalacrus.

ACYLOMUS, gen. nov.

Tarsi posteriores articulo primo brevi cum secundo consolidato, hoc elongato, tertio parvo. Prosternum latum,

apice setis rigidis armatum. Metasternum inter coxas intermedias latum, longe productum, anterius

truncatum, haud rotundatum.

The form is here short, as is usual in Phalacrus ; but the genus is allied to Eustilbus,

from which it differs by the first and second joints of the hind tarsus being quite

consolidated, and the second of them greatly elongated, by the metasternum being

very prominent, and the mesosternum in front of it reduced to a mere margin. The

suture between the first and second joints of the hind foot is not easily seen, but occurs

at about the line of the tibial ciliz, the basal joint being only about one third of the

length of the following joint ; the third joint and the terminal joint are about equal

in length. The spurs of the tibie are moderately long. The hind femora are very

broad.

ACYLOMUS.—EULITRUS. 257

1. Acylomus aciculatus, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 22.)

Subrotundatus, sat convexus, nitidus, piceus; elytris stria suturali punctisque transversis obsoletis ;

antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Teapa (H. H. Smith); British Honpuras, R. Hondo

(Blancaneauz) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson). |

Antenne with rather slender and compact club; ninth joint longer than broad ; tenth

broader than long; terminal joint about as long as the two preceding together. Thorax

with short but well-marked scutellar lobe, and the base at this part margined. Scu-

tellum rather small. Elytra with a very flat basal margin, a well-marked sutural stria,

which, however, does not quite extend to the base, and peculiar obsolete punctures,

which look in a certain light as if they were feeble transverse impressions.

We have received about a dozen examples from British Honduras, two from

Nicaragua, and two from Mexico; those from the latter locality are in a bad state of

preservation and are a variety of very small size.

2. Acylomus —— ?

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This and the following two species are very much smaller than A. aciculatus; as

each is represented by only a single mutilated example, and possesses apparently no

very salient characters, I have preferred not to give them names.

3. Acylomus ——?

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

4. Acylomus 2

Hab. GuatemaLa, Cahabon in Vera Paz (Champion).

EULITRUS, gen. nov.

Tarsi posteriores articulo primo brevi, cum secundo consolidato, hoc elongato, tertio parvo. Prosternum

muticum, apice reflexo. Metasternum inter coxas intermedias latum, valde productum, anterius omnino

rotundatum.

Although agreeing with Acylomus in the structure of the hind feet, this genus departs

very widely therefrom in the structure of the breast, and is, in fact, the most highly

developed of the forms with very prominent metasternum. The front of the meta-

sternum actually projects forwards and reposes on the prosternal process, which is

impressed for its reception. As regards the structure of the hind foot, although the

short basal joint appears to be quite consolidated with the elongate second joint, yet

on the under surface there remain some minute adpressed ciliz that make the line of

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1889. 2 L*

258 PHALACRIDZ.

articulation undoubtedly evident. The species are, moreover, peculiar in the elytra

having no trace of even a sutural stria.

The elongate metatarsus is very remarkable, it being six times as long as the apparent

second (truly third) joint. The elongation of this part of the foot renders it possible

that the species might be referred to Litochrus; but if the long metatarsus be considered

as one joint, there is then a joint less in the foot than there is in Litochrus, so that

the two genera are very distinct, though the structure of the breast is similar in

both.

1. Kulitrus estriatus, sp. n. (Tab. VII. fig. 23.)

Ovalis, sat convexus, piceus, supra nigerrimus ; elytris estriatis, punctis irregularibus, subobsoletis, subtrans-

versis, anterius desinentibus.

Long. vix 4 millim.

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson) ; Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne dark red, thick ; club broad, loosely articulated, the terminal joint but little

longer than the tenth, obtuse. Head very broad. Thorax with a short lobe in front

of the scutellum, but not margined. Scutellum small. Elytra without distinct basal

margin.

Four examples of this species have been received, three of them in a very mutilated

condition.

2. Eulitrus anisotomus, sp. n.

Ovalis, piceus, nitidus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; elytris rufis, marginibus nigris, punctis subtransversis

obsoletis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Brivish Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneauz).

This insect resembles Acylomus aciculatus, with which it cannot be confounded,

however, if the absence of a sutural stria be noticed.

From Lulitrus estriatus it differs by the smaller size and the more dilute colour.

LITOLIBRUS, gen. nov.

Corpus hemisphericum. Prosternum parvum, muticum. Metasternum parum prominens, inter coxas haud

productum. Tarsi posteriores elongati, articulo primo brevi, secundo valde elongato, cum primo oblique

articulato et consolidato.

This genus has the tarsi formed much as in Hulitrus; but the metasternum is very

different, and in this respect the genus is one of the lower forms of the family, Eulitrus

being at the other extremity.

Litolibrus contains the most remarkable Phalacrids yet discovered, and some of the

species are beautifully coloured, but these are apparently all very rare. Although the

LITOLIBRUS. 259

species are numerous in our region I am not acquainted with any belonging to it from

other parts of the world, and it is probable it may prove to be peculiar to Tropical

America.

1. Litolibrus obesus, sp. n. (Tab. VII. fig. 24.)

Hemisphericus, nitidus, testaceus; elytris plus minusve rufo-tinctis, stria suturali seriebusque subtilibus

punctorum, et stria et punctis anterius desinentibus ; antennarum clava elongata.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Guaremana, El Tumbador, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil, San Isidro, Mirandilla,

Sinanja, Chacoj (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui below 4000 feet

(Champion).

Eyes very large. Penultimate two joints of antenna each about as broad as long,

the terminal joint nearly twice as long as wide. Thorax very broad, faintly lobed in

the middle, with the base very finely margined. Scutellum moderately large, about

as long as broad. Elytra with broad flat basal margin.

The elytra in this species are iridescent in certain lights, and in some specimens are

red, in others similar in colour to the thorax.

In Guatemala only single examples were procured in each of the above localities ; in

the State of Panama the insect was obtained in moderate numbers, but the specimens

are unfortunately very much decayed.

9. Litolibrus cinctus, sp. n.

Hemispheericus, testaceus ; elytris rufis, nigro-cingulatis ; prothorace nigro, utrinque macula magna testacea.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Terminal joint of antenna more than twice as long as the tenth. Elytra externally

with a black band, this band connected with the black colour on the thorax so that

a large discoidal red space is enclosed by a black girdle. Scutellum black. Extreme

hind margin of the elytra yellow; punctuation obliterated, except behind, and there

very indistinct.

This species by its colour recalls certain forms of Coccinellide; it is, however,

similar in structure to DL. obesus. Eight examples were procured, but they are

unfortunately in a very mutilated condition.

3. Litolibrus rufipennis, sp. n.

Hemisphericus, testaceus, elytris rufis, capite prothoraceque fuscis limbo dilutiore.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Except in colour, this species seems very close to L. cinctus. The elytra are red,

| 2 L* 2

260 PHALACRID.

with iridescent reflections, and with fine series of punctures behind; the scutellum is

concolorous with them. The head and thorax are piceous, the former becoming yellow

in front, the latter at the sides.

4. Litolibrus quadratus, sp.n. (Tab. VII. fig. 25.)

Hemispheericus, rufo-testaceus, nitidus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; elytris nigris, limbo maculisque quatuor

discoidalibus, quadratim positis, rufo-testaceis.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. GuatTeMAua, Panzos in Vera Paz (Champion).

A species of very convex form and almost circular outline, and with highly polished

surface. The elytra have four yellow spots placed so as to mark the position of a square

on the discoidal portion ; and bear a well-marked series of fine punctures not extending

to the base.

We have received only one specimen.

5. Litolibrus signatus, sp.n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 3.)

Hemisphericus, nitidus, testaceus, prothorace elytrisque nigro-signatis.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

I distinguish this insect from LZ. guadratus on account of the black. colour on the

elytra being less extensive, while the thorax is marked with black on the middle.

We have received only two examples; in one of them the thoracic dark mark consists

of three separated pieces, in the other there is a single black mark enclosing a yellow

space. The dark mark on the elytra consists of a black discoidal space showing four

large yellow spots.

6. Litolibrus varians, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, testaceus; elytris colore variabilibus, sepius nigris, medio rufo-bimaculatis,

margine apicali testaceo ; antennarum clava minus laxa, haud lata.

Long. 23 millim.

Hiab. GuatEMALA, Las Mercedes, Zapote, Mirandilla, Guatemala city, San Gerénimo,

Tamahu, Chacoj, Chiacam, Cahabon, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera 1200 feet, San Feliz (Champion).

This insect is considerably smaller than LZ. quadratus and L. rufipennis, and is not

so convex ; it has a more slender club to the antenna, and the basal portion of the hind

tarsus is more curved. ‘The sutural stria is distinct for about two thirds of the elytral

length, and the serial punctures on the posterior part of the wing-cases are very fine.

The elytra are certainly variable in colour, and doubtless this will be the case

LITOLIBRUS. 261

even should the specimens I assign to Z. varians prove to belong to more than one

species, as is very possible; usually they are black, with a well-marked large red spot

on each near the suture and in front of the middle, and the margin at the apex pale

yellow, this colour extending forwards along the sides as far as the thorax: sometimes

the red spot is not present, and occasionally it is very obscure ; on the other hand, it

is occasionally larger, so that the elytra are almost entirely red. Sometimes the disc

of the thorax is infuscate.

The series before me, though from so many localities, is not extensive, and I am

therefore unable to decide whether there may not be more than one variable species

included in it, as the examples are mostly in bad condition.

We have received three examples from the State of Panama and about two dozen

from Guatemala.

7. Litolibrus posticatus, sp. n.

Subhemispheericus, testaceus, capite utrinque prothoraceque in medio fuscescentibus ; elytris rufis, pone medium

angulariter nigro-fasciatis, apice summo testaceo.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Teleman, Mirandilla (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

This is no doubt a distinct species from Z. varians, though not very different in

colour from some varieties thereof; and if, as I expect will prove to be the case,

L. posticatus is also variable in colour, varieties of the two may probably be found

agreeing in this respect. LL. posticatus is, however, rather larger and more convex,

with a decidedly longer thorax and a larger club to the antenne. In one example the

black fascia extends completely across the elytra; in another it takes the form of a

broad black cincture, leaving a large red discoidal space common to the two wing-

cases: and ina third it is reduced in extent and less definite in outline. As I have

seen only four examples it is impossible for me to say with certainty, in view of

these discrepancies, whether all represent one species.

8. Litolibrus fulgens, sp. n.

Subhemisphericus, testaceus, supra rufus ; elytris stria suturali distincta aciculisque transversis subtilis, striis

ceteris obsoletissimis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatumana, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

This insect differs from L. rufipennis and L. posticatus in the elytra being marked

behind with distinct transverse scratches; the head and thorax are immaculate, and

the club of the antenna large. I have only two examples before me: the type has no

trace of serial punctures on the wing-cases, and the strie that replace them can

scarcely be distinguished ; the other example has obscure series of punctures behind,

262 PHALACRIDZ.

and in this specimen the transverse aciculations are less distinct. It is possible the

two are distinct species.

9. Litolibrus minor, sp. n.

Subhemisphericus, testaceus, nitidus ; elytris posterius stria suturali punctisque minutis seriatis, interstitiis

punctis transversis subtilibus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Zapote, Capetillo, San Gerénimo (Champion).

The small size and absence of conspicuous coloration make this little insect liable

to be passed over as an Olibrus, but it has apparently all the characters of Litolibrus

well marked ; in respect of the hind feet it is indeed most strongly removed from

Olibrus, the suture between the first and second joints being so obsolete that it can

scarcely be detected, so that the tarsi appear to consist of a very long basal joint

followed by a minute joint and the rather short claw-joint. The antenne have a short

broad club developed on one side only of the mesial line (as in other Litolibri), the

terminal joint being twice as long as the transverse penultimate joint. The thorax

is short and possesses a feeble basal lobe. The sculpture of the elytra is very indistinct.

The upper surface has a trace of the peculiar fulgid reflections seen in the larger

concolorous species of the genus.

The example from Zapote is only about half the size of the other specimens, so that

it may possibly belong to another species.

10. Litolibrus —— ?

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

A single example is the only evidence of the occurrence of Litolibrus in Mexico.

Though in a bad state of preservation it appears to be closely allied to the pallid

unicolorous varieties of Z. varians, but the obscure punctuation is more like that of

L. minor ; it is probably distinct from either of these species.

LITOCHRUS.

Litochrus, Erichson, Nat. Ins. Deutsch. i. p. 108 note (1847) *.

Lithocrus, Wollaston, Col. Hesp. p. 57°.

This genus was established by Erichson! in a somewhat unsatisfactory manner.

After describing the characters by which he distinguished it from Olibrus (the most

important of these being the structure of the hind tarsi), he adds that “it possesses

only extra-European species, these being from the West Indies, Madagascar, and New

Holland ; and of described species Spheridium testaceum, Fabr., from St. Thomas, and

Phalacrus brunneus, Er., from Tasmania, belong to it.” No information is given as to

LITOCHRUS. 263

the localities of the undescribed species he knew; while the wide range he assigns to

it makes one suspect that he may have included more than one genus under it; he

also omits to state whether he took the characters from one of the described species

or from a nondescript form. Under these circumstances the genus must be restricted

to such insects as agree strictly with his description of the tarsal structure. And

I accept therefore as typical of it the forms from Arabia and Egypt alluded to by

Wollaston ?.

The three species I assign to this genus are each represented by a single example

only, so that I have not been able to examine them very thoroughly—they are

extremely different in size and appearance. The first of these resembles a Litolibrus,

but differs therefrom in having the hind tarsi evidently 4-jointed, instead of apparently

8-jointed, the basal joint being very long in Zitochrus, while it is very short and

indistinct in Litolibrus. This species also agrees sufficiently with the Eastern form in

the structure of the breast, so that the two may be placed together at present, though

I have great doubt whether they will prove to be really congeneric. Litochrus reversus,

the second species, is apparently truly congeneric with the Eastern type of the genus.

The third species I have not ventured to describe ; it is the most minute Phalacrid

yet discovered.

1. Litochrus globulus, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 4.)

Rotundato-ovalis, valde convexus, piceus, capite prothoraceque nigris, pedibus rufis, elytris sanguineis, anten-

narum basi testacea, clava nigra; elytris subtilissime transversim aciculatis, stria suturali sat profunda

posterius munitis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui between 2500 and 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the club elongate, black, the tenth joint nearly as long as broad, the

eleventh joint a little longer. Thorax distinctly lobed in the middle behind, not mar-

gined. Elytra of a dark red colour, very shining, without any punctures or striz

other than the sutural stria, but with some very fine transverse scratches ; the sutural

stria extends about halfway to the front. Unique.

9. Litochrus reversus, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexus, rufo-testaceus, supra niger, nitidus, elytris strigulis transversis subtilibus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Antenne yellow, with large, loosely-articulated club. Thorax lobed in the middle at

the base, but not margined. Elytra with very fine short transverse aciculations, and

with a sutural stria, this latter placed very close to the suture at the apex but diverging

in front; the transverse aciculations become obsolete on the apical part, but some

264 PHALACRIDZ.

traces of longitudinal strie may be detected there converging towards the sutural

stria. The raised lateral margin and the sides of the thorax, as well as the scutellum,

are picescent. One example in a bad state of preservation.

So far as I can see, this is a true Zitochrus with slender hind feet; the difference of

colour between the upper and under surfaces is remarkable.

8. Litochrus (?) ——?

Hab. Panama, Tolé (Champion).

A single example, smaller even than Olibrus atomarius, is referred to this genus with

some doubt, as I am unable to get a good view of its sculpture.

OCHROLITUS, gen. nov.

Tarsi posteriores filiformes, articulo basali elongato, secundo elongato, tertio parvo, quarto secundo paullulum

breviore. Metasternum medio parum prominulum, rectum, subtiliter marginatum ; mesosternum haud

conspicuum ; prosternum apice libero, brevi, marginato. ibis bene calcarate.

The genus is described from a single badly preserved individual. So far as the tarsi

are concerned it might be treated as a Litochrus ; but the structure of the breast is not

sufficiently concordant with that of the other species, so I think it advisable to separate

it as distinct. The small prosternal process projects beyond the front coxe and has a

rounded and margined extremity ; the middle coxe are but narrowly separated and the

metasternum is very little prominent, and yet the mesosternum does not form a distinct

piece in front of its margin, these two parts being formed much as in Litolibrus, from

which Ochrolitus differs very much in the structure of the hind feet.

1. Ochrolitus optatus, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 5.)

Ovalis, convexus, nitidus, rufus, prothorace picescente ad latera dilutiore ; elytris stria suturali striisque

duabus internis cum stria suturali ante apicem conjunctis.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers).

Antenne yellow, with very broad club. Thorax not margined at the base. Scutellum

quite small. Elytra with a fine sutural stria, and two other strie that touch the

sutural one, one in front of the other some distance before the extremity, and besides

these with some very fine transverse aciculations on the apical portion. All the feet

slender.

We have received only a single example. The broad club of the antenna and the

peculiar convergent striee on the wing-cases render this insect easy of recognition.

BRACHYPTERUS. 265

Fam. NITIDULIDA?.

Of this family we have obtained, as will be seen from the following pages, speci-

mens of a considerable series of species ; but among them there are representatives of

comparatively few new generic forms. ‘The Nitidulide are all small insects, and the

family is notorious for the difficulty attending the discrimination of the species contained

in it. Very little knowledge has yet been obtained of the Nitidulide inhabiting the

tropics, so that nothing of value can be said as to the geographical distribution of the

species of our region. The Nitidulide of Europe and those of North America have

been fairly well worked out, and the former of these regions has about 240, the latter

about 110 species. In the year 1868 the number of known species of the family was

791; a nearly equal number have been since described as new, but as, during the same

time, a large number of synonyms have been recognized, it is probable that the total

number of admitted species of the family now lies between 1400 and1500. According

to Mr. Champion, some of the Central-American species of Nitidulide abound in rotten

oranges and other fruits, and also in refuse sugar-cane ; others are found in the spathes

of various Aroidex, vegetable refuse, under sappy bark, on flowers, &c.

Subfam. BRACHY PTERINE.

BRACHYPTERUS.

Brachypterus, Kugelann, in Schneid. neuest. Mag. 1794, p. 560; Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr.

iv. p. 280; Murray, Mon. Nitidulide in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 240.

This genus contains about thirty species, all these inhabiting the Palearctic or

Nearctic regions, with the exception of an Australian insect which is said to belong to

Brachypterus.

1. Brachypterus urtice.

Dermestes urtice, Fabr. Ent. Syst. i. p. 235°.

Brachypterus urtice, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 231*; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 242°;

Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 270°.

Hab. Norta America ? 4,—Mexico, Cordova (Saidé).—Hurore ' ? °.

The occurrence of this species in our region is quite unexpected. The two specimens,

however, on the authority of which I record it apparently differ from those of Kurope

in having the sides and base of the thorax completely rounded. Horn‘ considers the

species in North America as “ probably introduced from Europe.” Murray, on the

other hand, records the North-American insect as a variety of the European species

* By D. Smarpe.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, August 1889. 2 M*

266 NITIDULIDZ.

distinguished by a character similar to that I notice in our Mexican specimens. It

would thus seem probable that the New-World species is distinct from that of

Europe.

2. Brachypterus globularius.

Brachypterus globularius, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 245°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii.

p- 270’.

Hab. Nortu America ! ?,—Mexico !.

The distinction of this species from the North-American var.? of B. urtice appears

from Horn’s remarks ? to be very doubtful.

Subfam. CARPOPHILIN A.

MYSTROPS.

Mystrops, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 234 (1843); Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv.

p. 410.

Priops, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. p. 167.

Six species of this genus are described from South America, besides the one from our

region on which Reitter founded the genus Priops, and there is a species described by

Erichson from Madagascar. Reitter assigned Priops to Brachypterine, but without

dissecting the mouth, and without noticing that his species is extremely close to

Mystrops debilis, Er.; and I must therefore place his genus at present as a synonym

of Mystrops. At the same time it is only proper to remark that Mystrops is composed

of species of heterogeneous appearance; and it is quite probable that it may require

to be divided, and even that some of its components may have to be placed in the

Brachypterine, in which case Reitter’s name will be restored for his species and

M. debilis, Er.

1. Mystrops durus.

Mystrops durus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 235'; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 411”.

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).—Sovutu America, Brazil } ”.

We have received one female only of this species.

2. Mystrops rotundulus, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. figg. 9, 9a, ¢.)

Brevis, convexus, nitidus, parcissime pubescens, testaceus, elytris circa scutellum nigricantibus ; capite anterius

concavo ; oculis hemispheericalibus.

Long. 2 millim. ; lat. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 6000 feet (Champion).

MYSTROPS. 267

Antenne very long, stout; first joint incrassate, a little concave above, joints 2-8 nearly

similar to one another, each thicker at the extremity, ninth joint longer but similar in

form, tenth and eleventh quite short and not broader. Front of head hollowed; upper

edge of mandibles elevated. Thorax strongly transverse, sparingly and not very finely

punctured, all the angles minutely prominent. Elytra of a more pallid yellow colour,

but infuscate about the scutellum, rather sparingly and coarsely punctate. The exposed

parts of the hind body quite short.

We have received three examples of this very distinct species ; one of them has the

antenne much shorter, but I have no doubt they are all males; there is no supplementary

apical segment. The prosternal process is margined, dilated, and a good deal prolonged

behind the coxz, a little curved upwards. The structure of the mandibles (fig. 9 @) is

very peculiar, and, conjoined with the depressed front of the head, makes the species

very easy of recognition.

3. Mystrops teapensis, sp.n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 10.)

Oblongo-ovalis, convexiusculus, subtiliter pubescens, subtilius crebre punctatus, subopacus, testaceus, pectore

antennarumque clava fuscescentibus.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith).

Female.—Antenne reaching not quite to the back of the thorax ; first joint of club

short, not much longer than the second. Head scarcely impressed in front, finely but

distinctly punctate. Thorax convex, a good deal narrowed in front; anterior angles

obtuse, the hind angles rendered indistinct by long cilie; the surface finely but dis-

tinctly, moderately closely, punctate. lytra elongate, quite as finely and scarcely so

closely punctate as the therax, leaving two dorsal segments exposed.

We have received one specimen only of this species ; but as it is quite distinct from

any other, and marks the most northern extension of this interesting genus, I have de-

scribed it without hesitation. I have an allied undescribed species from the valley

of the Amazons in my collection.

4. Mystrops mexicanus. (Tab. VIII. figg. 7,6; 8,2.)

Priops meaicanus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. p. 168 4

Oblongus, pallide flavus, subtiliter pubescens, obsolete punctulatus, opacus.

Long. 13-21 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Tacubaya!; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Eyes large, prominent. Head extremely finely punctate, feebly transversely impressed

in front. Thorax strongly transverse, the sides slightly narrowed in front, very little

curved, truncate in front; hind angles rather obtuse, but rendered apparently more

rectangular by a minute ciliation; front angles quite as distinct as the hind, slightly

2 M* 2

268 NITIDULIDA.

obtuse and but little rounded. Elytra elongate, truncate at the extremity in the female,

slightly more rounded in the male.

We have received a small series of this species showing that the male varies greatly

as regards the development of the antenne: in some examples they are as long as the

body, in others only about half as long; in the female they are short, and in this sex

the first joint of the club is nearly as long as broad, and nearly conical in one of its

outlines. ‘The species is no doubt closely allied to If. flavicans, Murray, but that insect

is represented as having a rather slender, long basal joint to the antenne, whereas in

M. mexicanus this joint is much thickened, and not very long in even the largest males.

Reitter’s description! was made from a specimen in the Imperial Museum at

Vienna, and our figure of the male is taken from this individual. Our figure of the

female is taken from a Panama example; and I am informed by Herr Schlereth, to

whom I sent specimens of both sexes of the series from Panama, that there is no doubt

that these examples are of the same species as the Mexican type: this I understand is

also the opinion of Herr Reitter himself.

5. Mystrops heterocerus, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 6, ¢.)

Brevis, pubescens, obsolete punctatus, ferrugineus, elytris testaceis, circa scutellum fuscescentibus; antennarum

clava sat lata.

Long. 14 millim.

Mas antennis articulis 2°-8™ intus ciliatis.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

Of very short form, with obsolete punctuation, which is quite distant in the male,

but closer in the female. The antenne are longer and stouter in the male than they

are in the female, and differ from those of the other species of the genus inasmuch as

the club is 8-jointed and of normal form; in the male they bear a fringe of long erect

hairs. Head very short, very obsoletely impressed in front. ‘Thorax transverse, nearly

straight at the sides; hind angles nearly rectangular, the front angles obtuse and in-

distinct. Elytra elongate, leaving only the pygidium exposed. Prosternal process

narrow, elevated along the middle, not bent upwards behind the coxe. Segments 2,

3, 4 of hind body short, of equal length. Male without supplementary apical segment.

CYCHROPIESTUS.

Cychrocephalus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. p. 180 (1874).

Cychropiestus, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xiii. p. 185 (1875).

In addition to the species of this curious genus found in our region, one other is

known from Colombia.

1. Cychropiestus corvinus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 11, 2.)

Cychrocephalus corvinus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. p. 181°.

Hab. Muxtco ! (Trugui, in coll. Sharp ; Sallé).

COLASTUS. 269

COLASTUS.

Colopterus, Krichson, in Wiegmann’s Arch. fiir Naturg. viii. 1, p. 149 (1842).

Colastus, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 236 (1843) ; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 257.

This genus is confined to the New World, where it is numerous in species—about

fifty being described—and extends its range from Rio Janeiro to the United States.

The species are most of them rare, and of the majority of those described but few speci-

mens are known, hence the specific characters are not well understood as yet, and their

determination is a matter of great difficulty. Murray’s Cyllopodes is a well-marked

subgenus, but his other sections are unimportant, and I do not make use of them as

they cannot be relied on, and do not help the student in any way.

Most of the species obtained by Mr. Champion were found in rotten fruits or decaying

vegetable matter, or beneath sappy bark.

Front tibie angulate externally, frequently in the male greatly distorted.

(Subgen. CYLLOPODES.)

1. Colastus posticus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 12, ¢.)

Colastus posticus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 287+; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 258, t. 34.

f. 17.

Var. Colastus scutellaris, Murray, t. c. p. 259%.

Hab. Maxtco!?%, Cordova (Sallé), Orizaba (F. D. G. & H. If. Smith), Mirador

(Hoge), Jalapa (MZ. Trujillo, Flohr), Teapa (Hoge, H. H. Smith); GuaTeMAa, near the city,

Zapote, Senahu (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—CoLomBia, Cartagena |.

There are two forms of the male in this species, one with strangely distorted tibiz

as figured by Murray *, and a second in which the tibie are exactly similar to those of

the female. The malecan be readily distinguished from the female and from the same

sex of other species of the genus by the peculiar form of the last ventral plate and of the

supplementary segment, the plate at the hind margin being deeply bent down in the

middle, and the space arising from this accurately filled up by the narrow supple-

mentary segment. The species is abundant in Mexico and Guatemala, and we have

received more specimens of it than of all the other species of the genus together.

It varies in colour, and the darker form was considered by Murray as distinct—this

variety in Mexico is more abundant than the type and is found in its company;

very rarely a pallid variety, almost without dark colour on the elytra, occurs. Our

figure represents a female found at Teapa.

2. Colastus guatemalenus, sp. n.

Sat elongatus, depressus, niger, antennarum basi pedibusque rufis, femoribus obscuris, elytris singulis ad basin

plaga ovali testacea.

Long. 4-44 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, near the city, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).

270 NITIDULIDA.

Head broad, very coarsely punctured. Thorax transverse, nearly straight at the sides,

very coarsely punctate, without pubescence, the punctures rather close. Elytra seriately,

finely, and subobsoletely punctured, the pubescence very minute. Scutellum punctured

at the base. Hind body delicately pubescent.

This is closely allied to C. disignatws, an insect found in Venezuela. We have

received a good series of examples, and it apparently is one of the least variable species

of the genus; there are few males with front tibie greatly distorted (as is the case in

C. bisignatus) among our series of C. guatemalenus, and the small spot of yellow in

C. guatemalenus is in C. bisignatus so large as to occupy the greater part of the wing-

cases; but it is quite probable that the two may be only local varieties of one species.

Front tibie not at all angulate externally. (Subgen. Coxastus proper.)

3. Colastus mimetes, sp.n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 13, 3.)

C. postico fere omnino similis; rufus, nitidus, elytris nigricantibus, circa scutellum rufis, antennis fuscis, basi

rufa; prothorace transverso, sparsim fortiter punctato, absque pubescentia, angulis posterioribus

rotundatis.

Long. 41 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

We have received only a single example, a male, of this interesting species ; though

almost exactly similar to C. (Cyllopodes) posticus 2 , it is a male of the subgenus Colastus :

the front tibiz are not angulate. The terminal segment is different in form from that of

either sex of C. posticus, the fimbrie being very broad, and the general outline rounded

instead of subacuminate, the sides on the ventral aspect being strongly denticulate; the

hind margin of the ventral plate is bisinuate, as is usual in the males of Colastus, and

the supplementary segment is of the form normal in Colastus proper. In respect of other

characters all I can see to separate the species from C. posticus is that the insect is

considerably more depressed, and the thorax a trifle more strongly punctate.

The Brazilian C. decorus, Murray, is closely allied to C. mimetes: but is of more

elongate form, has a less transverse thorax, and a more punctate scutellum.

4. Colastus latus.

Colastus latus, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 272, t. 34. f. 23.

Colastus major, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. p. 169”.

Hab. Muxico1?, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (M. Trujillo); Guatmmata, Tamahu (Cham-

pton); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This species appears to be very variable in colour; it is apparently rare, as we have

received only nine specimens. C. major, Reitter, is almost certainly founded on a colour

variation ; though we have no specimen agreeing exactly with his description, our nine

examples show five well-marked variations of colour, so that this is a character of very

little importance.

COLASTUS. 271

5. Colastus macropterus, var. n. sordidus.

Depressus, niger, fusco-pubescens, nitidus ; prothorace fortiter sat crebre punctato ; antennis pedibusque rufis,

illarum clava fusca ; elytris regulariter seriatim punctatis et pubescentibus, punctis longitudinaliter sub-

elongatis.

Long. 43-5 millim. ; lat. vix 23 millim.

? Nitidula macroptera, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 354’.

Colastus macropterus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 241 *; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 272°.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Fry), Cordova (Sallé), Mirador (Hoge), Jalapa (Hége, Flohr) ;

GuaTEMALA, San Gerdnimo, Purula, Senahu, and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion),

Coban (Champion, Conradt); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).—Soura Amertca! °, Brazil *, Amazons 3, Peru’, &c.

Head coarsely punctate, the spots over the insertion of the antenne ferruginous.

Thorax much narrowed in front, very coarsely, not closely punctate, sparingly pubescent,

shining. Elytra with very regular series of punctures, the punctures not round, but

suboblong, the pubescence very distinct, quite serial. Last dorsal segment sparingly

and coarsely punctate. Female with an oval fovea on the last ventral plate.

Closely allied to C. latus, but smaller, and with a different punctuation on the wing-

cases, and with the last ventral plate in each sex differently formed—in the male of

C. latus the sinuation of the hind margin being much greater, and the female being

without any fovea.

If the specimens I refer to C. macropterus be all one species it must be a very variable

one. Most of our specimens belong to a small variety as described above, to which I assign

the name sordidus; but other individuals differ more or less from it, and may be distinct

or may be only varieties—as to this there is no decisive evidence at present, but if all

are one species then certainly C. thalestris and C. tonsus, Murray, must also be included

as varieties of C. macropterus.

One example from Chontales and another found near the city of Guatemala by

Mr. Champion are larger than the var. sordidus, and differ but little from Murray’s

specimen of C. macropterus from Brazil. In Sallé’s collection there is an example of

a very remarkable variety from Playa Vicente in Mexico entirely pallid ferruginous,

except the outer and apical part of each wing-case. ‘There is also another remark-

able variety represented by a single specimen found on the Volcan de Chiriqui by

Mr. Champion, having a large red mark on each elytron; and there is also in our

collection a specimen of a small variety from San Gerénimo, in which the pygidium

is nearly destitute of punctuation. .

6. Colastus brevipes, sp. n.

Brevis, latus, parce pubescens, nitidus, niger; antennis pedibusque rufis, ilarum clava nigra; elytris pone

scutellum minus argute testaceo-signatis, seriatim sat fortiter punctatis ; prothorace fortius punctato.

Long. 3-3 millim.

Hab. Brrtise Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA, Zapote (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

272 NITIDULIDZ.

Of short, rounded form. Antennz with very broad club. Head shining, very coarsely

punctate. Thorax very short and broad, bisinuate at the base, the hind angles nearly

rectangular, the surface shining, very coarsely punctate. Scutellum moderately punctate,

with the apex smooth. LElytra rather shining, with regular, serial, moderately fine,

oblong punctures, and very distinct serial pubescence. Hind body coarsely punctured.

Legs pale red. Male with the last ventral plate broadly truncate behind, only feebly

bisinuate, and not at all angulate in the middle: with three or four very distinct

denticles at the sides behind.

Closely allied to C. sordidus, but rather smaller and more convex, with the pubescence

rather longer and more distinct, and the last ventral plate of the male differently formed.

Four specimens. The example from Chiriqui is much damaged and may not belong

to the same species; it has no red mark on the elytra.

7. Colastus inflatipennis, sp.n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 18, ¢ .)

Brevis, latus, sat convexus, niger, nitidus, pubescens ; antennis pedibusque rufis, illarum clava nigra; prothorace

fortiter punctato ; elytris seriatim sat fortiter punctatis, circa scutellum vage rufo-signatis, convexiusculis,

apice declivo.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Tolé (Champion).

Head moderately closely punctate. Thorax very strongly transverse, bisinuate at the

base, the hind angles nearly rectangular, the punctuation somewhat coarse and rather close.

Scutellum moderately closely punctate. Elytra with the serial punctuation rather fine.

We have received only one specimen of this little Colastus, which will be, I think,

easily recognized by the somewhat convex elytra being rather abruptly and broadly

declivous behind. The example is a male, and has the hind margin of the last ventral

plate bisinuate, and distinctly produced in the middle, but only feebly angulate; there

are three or four fine lateral denticles. In general appearance this species resembles

C. brevipes, the peculiar form of the elytra being only conspicuous when the insect is

looked at in profile.

8. Colastus vestitus, sp. n.

Minus latus, sat convexus, dense pubescens, niger, elytris singulis plaga magna, antennis pedibusque rufo-

testaceis, antennarum clava fusca; prothorace convexo, fortiter, profunde sat crebre punctato ; elytris

subtilius seriatim punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (Hoge); GuatTEmMaLa, Coban (Conradt) ; Nicaracua, Chontales

(Janson).—Soutn America, Venezuela (Brit. Mus.). |

Closely allied to C. datus and C. sordidus, but narrower, with more abundant pubes-

cence, and with finer punctuation on the elytra; the hind margin of the last ventral

segment in the male forms an angle most prominent in the middle, and each of the

COLASTUS. 273

lateral margins forms a small free angular projection ; the female has no fovea on the

last ventral plate; and in each sex the denticulation of the margins is very obsolete.

The red mark on the elytra is conspicuous and nearly triangular, placed quite at the

base.

The insect above described agrees with a specimen in the National Collection named

by Murray C. plagiatus, Erichson; but it does not agree at all satisfactorily with

Erichson’s description, and I think it better to give our insect a separate name. Murray

considered C. plagiatus to be itself only a variety of C. vudneratus, Er., but on this point

I have not sufficient evidence. ‘The eight examples we have received of C. vestitus are

no doubt all of one species, though they differ a little in size and in the extent of the

red marks on the elytra. A specimen of C. vestitus from Venezuela is extant in the

British Museum, labelled C. dimaculatus, var. minor by Murray; but it does not agree

with the description of C. bimaculatus.

9. Colastus mollis, sp. n.

Minus latus, subdepressus, dense pubescens, fusco-niger ; antennis pedibusque rufo-testaceis, illarum clava

fusca ; prothorace minus convexo, crebre fortiter profundeque punctato ; elytris crebre subtiliter seriatim

punctatis.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Rather narrower and more depressed than C. latus, more finely punctate on the elytra,

and densely pubescent. Thorax much narrowed in front, its punctuation close and very

coarse, the hind angles not acute but furnished with elongate seta. Scutellum entirely

covered, except at the hind margin, with punctures. Elytra with numerous closely

placed series of punctures, the punctuation at the hind margin finer, closer, and less

regular. Dorsal segments coarsely and closely punctured.

We have received only two specimens, and though one of them is ferruginous in

colour they are no doubt of the same species. Though similar to C. vestitus the

differences in punctuation are well marked, and the form is more depressed ; the breast

is broadly canaliculate in the middle behind. Both examples are males; the hind

margin of the last ventral plate is very little angulate in the middle; the sides behind

are furnished with four or five very distinct denticles. |

10. Colastus levicollis, sp. n.

Depressus, piceus, politus, pubescentie destitutus ; prothorace sparsim obsoletissime punctulato ; elytris remote,

subtiliter seriatim punctatis; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).

Thorax short and broad, greatly narrowed in front, the base sinuate on each side, the

hind angles projecting slightly backwards, the surface polished and shining, with some

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, August 1889. 2 N*

274 NITIDULIDZ.

very minute distant punctures. Scutellum large, shining, and impunctate. Elytra with

series of distant fine punctures. Hind body more coarsely punctate.

Three specimens, all females, have been procured of this distinct Colastus. Except

in the polished surface and absence of pubescence, it seems rather near to C. macro-

pterus, var. sordidus. The example found at Tolé is yellow in colour, but belongs, I

have no doubt, to the same species.

11. Colastus dispar.

Colastus dispar, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 263'.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam }, Puebla, Cordova ( Sallé), Jalapa, Mirador (Hoge).

This species is easily recognized by the comparatively elongate form, the distinct

pubescence, obtuse hind angles of the thorax, and large size of the terminal two

segments of the hind body; in each sex the lateral margins of the last ventral plate

are strongly denticulate. The colour of the elytra varies as in many other species of

the genus. Five specimens.

12. Colastus setiger, sp.n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 14, 3.)

Depressus, nigerrimus, antennarum basi pedibusque piceis, elytris ex parte majore rufis; minus subtiliter

pubescens; prothorace crebrius fortiter profundeque punctato; elytris seriatim crebre sat subtiliter

punctatis.

Long. 3j-4 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, San Gerénimo, San Joaquin ( Champion).

Head coarsely, deeply, and closely punctate. Thorax with the base feebly bisinuate,

the hind angles scarcely at all produced backwards, very nearly rectangular, the

marginal ciliz long, the surface remarkably coarsely and deeply, rather closely punctate,

the disc not deplanate. Elytra in greater part red, the margins black, and a triangular

space at the base black, the suture more or less blackish. Hind body very coarsely

punctate, the marginal hairs elongate. The male has the apex of the last dorsal plate

compressed and subplicate in the middle at the extremity; the last ventral plate

bisinuate behind, with prominent denticles. .

We have received seven specimens of this insect, which is quite distinct from any

other of our species, but is closely allied to C. ater, Murray; the latter, however, is

entirely black, has the elytra more coarsely and deeply punctate, and the pygidium

of the male more elongate and less punctate. In our figure of C. setiger the supple-

mentary dorsal segment of the male is extruded.

13. Colastus angularis, sp. n.

Perdepressus, fortiter punctatus, pubescens, subnitidus, colore instabili, flavo-ferrugineus, corpore elytrorumque

marginibus plus minusve infuscatis; prothoracis margine basali ad angulos posteriores minute prominulo,

Long. 3-4 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

COLASTUS. 275

Head very wide, coarsely punctate. Thorax with the base scarcely at all bisinuate,

the hind angles just about rectangular, the surface closely, coarsely, and deeply punctate.

Elytra with dense pubescence, and very regular closely-placed series of punctures.

Dorsal segments of hind body coarsely punctate.

The six examples received of this species are all females; it may be distinguished

from all the others I have seen of the genus by the fact that when it is looked at beneath

there is a slight excision seen at the side of the thorax close to the hind angle, thus

giving the angle the appearance of projecting minutely outwards.

14. Colastus chiriquensis, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 16.)

Perdepressus, supra fuscus testaceo-variegatus, pubescens, subopacus, dense fortiter punctatus, subtus pedibus

antennisque rufis, harum clava fusca; prothoracis angulis posterioribus subobtusis.

Long. 4-5 millim.; lat. 2 millim.

Hab. Guavemaua, Sinanja (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui ( Champion).

Head very coarsely punctate. Thorax rounded at the sides, the hind angles not at

all produced backwards, but slightly acute, the surface very coarsely punctate, the punc-

tures evenly distributed, the disc not flattened, a large rufous patch along the middle,

the sides near the hind angles vaguely rufescent. Elytra short and broad, the surface

opaque, serially punctate, the punctures finer than those on the thorax ; near the base of

each elytron is a small indefinite red mark. Hind body coarsely punctate, the segments

red along the middle. The hind margin of the terminal ventral segment in the male is

rather feebly bisinuate, and the lateral denticles are almost invisible.

We have received seven examples of this species; the variegation of the colour of the

surface is not constant, and not much importance can be attached to it.

15. Colastus simplex. (Tab. VIII. fig. 15, ¢.)

Colastus simplex, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 274°.

Colastus simplex, var. sallei, Murray, 1. c.”

Colastus brevicollis, Murray, t. c. p. 271°.

Hab. Mexico 2, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, Chacoj, Teleman (Champion); Panama,

Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).—AMazonSs, Fga 3, Santarem 1.

Apparently a rare species, only one specimen having been obtained in each locality :

sometimes the elytra are red. I can see no distinction of importance between C. simplex

and C. brevicollis, Murray, and adopt the former name as being accompanied by the

better description.

16. Colastus punctiventris, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 17, 2 .)

Nigerrimus, parcius brevissime pubescens, dense et fortiter punctatus ; abdominis segmentis ultimo et penultimo

densissime punctatis, antennarum basi tarsisque rufis.

Long. 4 millim.; lat. 2 millim.

2N* 2

276 NITIDULIDZ.

Hab. PANAMA, Bugaba (Champion).

We have received only one specimen, a female, of this insect; but there can be little

doubt that it is a distinct species, and one that will be readily recognized by the

sculpture. In form similar to C. datus, but more depressed, and with only so minute

a pubescence that it appears to be glabrous. Thorax short, greatly narrowed in front,

very coarsely punctate. Elytra very coarsely, densely punctate, the punctuation crowded,

but quite regularly serial. Penultimate segment of hind body unusually densely

punctate, the terminal segment coarsely and densely punctate; terminal ventral plate

broad and short, without fovea. Channel on metasternum remarkably deep and broad.

This insect has an oblique fovea within the hind angles of the thorax as in C. morio,

C. lugens, &c.; but is smaller, and has the punctuation of the elytra coarse and close.

17. Colastus denticulatus, sp. n.

Minus latus, perdepressus, sublevigatus, nitidus, niger, elytris rufis, marginibus nigris, antennis piceis, pedibus

sordide rufis; minus fortiter haud dense punctatus.

Long. 3-34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); British Honpuras (Blancaneaur); Guatemaa, San

Gerdnimo, Chacoj, and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Thorax truncate at the base, the hind angles slightly obtuse and a little rounded, the

surface shining, sparingly and rather finely punctate. Elytra shining, with rather fine

and not dense serial punctuation. Hind body with the last segment large, quite

rounded at the sides, rather more coarsely punctate than the anterior parts. The male

has the hind margin of the last ventral plate broadly but slightly excised, scarcely at

all bisinuate, the lateral denticles unusually prominent, and the hind margin of the

supplementary segment quite visibly denticulate ; in the female the denticles are much

smaller.

This in colour resembles the North-American C. semitectus, but that insect is larger,

less depressed, more coarsely punctate, and much less shining. C. denticulatus is still

nearer to C. amputatus, Er., but is of a different colour, and has the last segment of the

hind body differently shaped.

18. Colastus amputatus.

Colastus amputatus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 243'; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 277,

t. 34. f£. 3?.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (H. H. Smith), San Juan Bautista in Tabasco (Hoge); Nicaragua,

Chinandega (Sallé).—Soutn America, Colombia 2, Brazil (coll. Sharp); ANTILLES, Cuba !

(coll. Sharp).

COLASTUS.—BRACHYPEPLUS. 277

19. Colastus truncatus.

Nitidula truncata, Randall, Boston Journ. Nat. Hist. ii. p. 18°.

Colastus truncatus, Lec. Col. Lake Sup. p. 2227; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 283 *,

Colastus infimus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 245‘; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 281°.

Hab. Nort America‘, United States 1235—Mexico®; Guatemata, Yzabal (Sallé),

Guatemala city, San Gerénimo, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).—BraziL*; ANTILLES,

Guadaloupe (coll. Fleutiaur), Puerto Rico ¢.

20. Colastus aberrans, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 19, ¢ .)

Brevis, sat convexus, subtiliter densissime punctatus et pubescens, opacus, colore instabili, fuscus vel nigro-

fuscus; abdominis tantum segmentis duobus expositis.

Long. 3 millim.; lat. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Head densely punctate. Thorax large, convex, rounded at the sides, the hind angles

obtuse, the surface densely and finely punctate and pubescent. Scutellum large, densely

and finely punctate. Elytra with rather close, very fine punctuation, not in the least

serial in its arrangement.

We have received only three examples in very decayed state of this peculiar insect ;

it superficially resembles C. truncatus, but is much more convex, and has only two

dorsal segments exposed, and in fact is very different from any other species of the

genus. C. aberrans evidently varies a good deal in size and colour; our figure is taken

from the largest individual, a male.

BRACHYPEPLUS.

Brachypeplus, Erichson, in Arch. fiir Naturg. viii. 1, p. 148 (1842), and in Germ. Zeitschr. iv.

p. 245; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 286.

This genus was proposed by Erichson for two insects from Tasmania, but subsequently

many others from various regions have been added to it. As at present constituted it

is extremely heterogeneous, and requires a careful examination, and no doubt division.

Murray has established several subgenera in it; but the only important characters he

gives are based on distinctions in the trophi, and cannot, therefore, be of practical use

in the present rudimentary condition of collections—a large number of species being

known by so few specimens that the ligula cannot be dissected.

Several species of the genus have been described from South America and the

Antilles; but it is represented in North America only by a single species found very

rarely in Florida, and possibly of West-Indian origin. Seven are here noticed as

occurring in Central America.

278 NITIDULIDA.

1. Brachypeplus vicinus, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 20, ¢ .)

Depressus, dense subtiliter punctatus, subtiliter pubescens, opacus, fuscus, prothoracis lateribus, antennis

pedibusque testaceis, antennarum clava nigro-fusca; prothorace transverso; elytris subtiliter costatis.

Long. 43-5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Var. Minor, long. 33 millim.; pallidior, vix adeo dense punctatus.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head densely and finely punctate, feebly pubescent, very indistinctly bi-impressed in

front. Thorax rather strongly transverse, only slightly curved at the sides, a little

emarginate in front, the hind angles a little produced backwards, and slightly acute,

the surface densely, moderately finely, subrugosely punctate. Elytra not quite so long

as their united width, very delicately costate, with the interstices closely and finely

punctured, the hind angles very much rounded. Hind body very densely and finely

punctured. Male with a large supplementary segment, the last ventral plate somewhat

impressed or deplanate along the middle, and more densely punctate.

Allied to B. anceps, Murray. The variety from Bugaba is represented by only one

female, and may be distinct. There are, I believe, two or three closely allied species

extant in collections as B. anceps, Murray; but the present one does not agree with

any other I have seen, though it comes nearest to an insect from Bahia, which has a

rather shorter thorax, with less prominent front angles.

2. Brachypeplus costatus, sp.n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 22.)

Valde depressus, parallelus, parce minus subtiliter pubescens, opacus, fuscus; prothorace valde transverso,

dense fortiter punctato; elytris argute costatis.

Long. 43-54 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Head closely and coarsely, but not deeply, punctate. Thorax very strongly trans-

verse, quite truncate in front, the anterior angles entirely rounded, the sides nearly

straight, a little narrowed behind, the hind angles obtuse, the surface coarsely punctate,

covered with depressed sete. Scutellum triangular, coarsely punctate. LElytra nearly

twice as long as the thorax; with very regular distinct coste, and the grooves between

them very obsoletely punctuate. Hind body coarsely punctate, the lateral margins

strongly curved.

We have received only two specimens of this distinct species; both apparently are

females.

3. Brachypeplus brachypterus, sp. n.

Perdepressus, parallelus, dense subtiliter punctulatus, subtiliter pubescens, fusco-ferrugineus; prothorace

transverso ; elytris obsolete costatis.

Long. 34 millim. ,

BRACHYPEPLUS. 279

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes, El Reposo (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).

Head broad, densely punctate, without trace of any prominent angle behind the eyes.

Thorax much broader than long, truncate in front, with slightly obtuse front angles,

nearly straight at the sides, the hind angles nearly rectangular, slightly obtuse ; the

surface densely, rather finely, subobsoletely punctate. Elytra with regular but very

feeble coste, and with obsolete punctuation between them. Dorsal segments closely

punctate, a little shining. Male with a very distinct supplementary segment. Five

specimens.

4. Brachypeplus staphylinoides, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 21, 3.)

Perdepressus, parallelus, dense subtilissime punctatus, subtilissime pubescens, fusco-ferrugineus vel nigro-

fuscus, opacus, antennis pedibusque rufis ; capite post oculos angulo genali acute prominulo.

Long. 3-34 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil, Zapote, San Gerénimo (Champion) ;

Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Tolé (Champion).

Head broad, closely and finely punctate, the hind angle slightly projecting outwards

behind the eye. Thorax transverse, very slightly emarginate in front, the sides nearly

straight, the hind angles rectangular, the surface very densely and finely punctate.

Elytra extremely finely costate, the sculpture between the coste quite obsolete.

This little insect greatly resembles the members of the genus Omaliwm in the

Staphylinide. It is easily distinguished from B. brachypterus by the prominent angle

behind the eye. We have received nearly thirty examples of the species; it varies a

little-in size and a good deal in colour.

5. Brachypeplus conoteloides, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 24.)

Subdepressus, fusco-ferrugineus vel nigro-fuscus, tenuissime pubescens, subopacus ; prothorace fortiter punctato,

transverso, angulis omnibus rotundatis; elytris subtiliter costatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Hége); Guaremata, Senahu (Champion); Nicaraeua, Chontales

(Janson).

Head broad, densely and rather coarsely punctate. Thorax nearly truncate in front,

the anterior angles nearly as much rounded as the posterior ones, coarsely punctate,

the punctuation coarser and more definite along the middle than at the sides.

Scutellum rather large, finely punctate. Elytra with fine, definite lines, and a close,

very fine punctuation between them. Hind body subacuminate. Male with a small

supplementary dorsal segment.

We have received four specimens of this species: it varies in colour. Although very

similar to its only American congener B. convexus, Murray, it is quite distinct, as it

does not possess the very remarkable male characters of the Bahian species, and the

pygidium is different in form.

280 NITIDULIDZ.

6. Brachypeplus lispinoides, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 25, ¢ .)

Elongatus, depressus, subleevigatus, sat nitidus, ferrugineus vel fusco-ferrugineus, tenuiter punctatus; protho-

race transverso, angulis omnibus leviter obtusis ; elytris regulariter striatis, interstitiis parcissime punctatis.

Long. 43 millim. |

Hab. Guatemata, Chiacam and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Head rather finely and closely punctate, broadly bi-impressed in front, with a very

minute prominent angle behind the eyes. Thorax only very slightly emarginate in

front, the angles a little obtuse, the surface somewhat closely and finely punctate.

Scutellum finely punctate. Elytra not twice as long as the thorax, with extremely

regular series of punctures placed in striz, and an excessively fine serial punctuation

on the interstices. Dorsal segments rather finely and sparingly punctate, the margins

of the fimbrie very much curved. The male has a well-marked supplementary dorsal

segment. Two specimens, differing a good deal in colour, but undoubtedly conspecific.

7. Brachypeplus nigripennis, sp. n. (Tab. VIII. fig. 23.)

Elongatus, sat depressus, glaber, nitidus, rufo-testaceus, elytris nigris; tenuiter punctatus, elytris obsolete

seriatim punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Head moderately closely and finely, subobsoletely punctate. Thorax rather broader

than long, a little emarginate in front, straight at the sides, except that it is narrowed

near the front, the hind angles rectangular, the front angles obtuse, the surface

somewhat sparingly subobsoletely punctate. Scutellum impunctate. Elytra elongate,

black, with obsolete striation, and scarcely visible interstitial punctuation. Hind body

very obsoletely and sparingly punctured, the fimbriz very strongly curved. ‘Tarsi

fringed beneath with long hairs.

The only specimen received of this remarkable species is probably a female.

HALEPOPEPLUS.

Halepopeplus, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 324 (1864).

Chalepopeplus, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. Col. ii. p. 809.

This genus includes four or five South-American species; it is well distinguished by

the strong teeth on the front tibia. Though Murray does not mention this character,

it is conspicuous in his figure of H. batesi.

1. Halepopeplus politus, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 4, 3.)

Sat convexus, nitidus, ferrugineus, prothorace in medio, elytris abdomineque plus minusve infuscatis; crebre

punctatus, elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis subtilissime punctulatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 3000 feet (Champion).

HALEPOPEPLUS.—CILLAUS. 281

Head short, the eyes placed some distance in front of the thorax, the surface rather

closely and finely punctate. Thorax rather strongly transverse, convex, much rounded

at the sides, the base sinuate-emarginate near the hind angles, the front a little

emarginate, the front angles extremely obtuse, the surface polished, very shining, rather

finely and closely punctulate. Scutellum very minutely punctate. Elytra with distant

series of fine punctures, the series slightly irregular; the interstices sparingly and

extremely minutely punctate. Hind body rather more distinctly punctate. Legs

yellow; tibie strongly bidentate externally. Male with a conspicuous supplementary

apical segment.

2. Halepopeplus optatus, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 5, 3.)

Convexus, lete rufo-testaceus, elytris dimidio apicali nigro; politus, crebre subtiliter punctatus, elytris seriatim

punctatis.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

This pretty little insect differs from H. politus somewhat in colour and punctuation,

and also in the more important characters of the shape of the prothorax and hind

body ; the former has no trace of sinuation at the base or sides, these two parts being

continuously rounded. The hind body is rather short, acuminate, densely and finely

punctate. The basal part of the elytra is flavescent, and contrasts strongly with the

black apical half. One male example.

CILLAUS.

Cilleus, Castelnau, Etudes ent. i. p. 133 (1835); Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 247; Murray,

Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 311.

This genus was established for some species from Madagascar; to these Erichson

added one from Colombia, and Murray and Reitter have since described several other

insects from South America as pertaining to it, but it is unknown in the United States.

Mr. Champion states that these insects are found in the spathes of various Aroidew.

1. Cilleeus prolixus, sp.n. (Tab. IX. fig. 3, 2.)

Valde eclongatus, perdepressus, glaber, nitidus, subtilissime punctulatus, testaceus, elytris apicem versus abdo-

mineque in medio fuscescentibus.

Long. 54-8 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Sabo in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head very finely punctulate. Thorax quadrate, quite truncate in front, the sides

nearly straight, all the angles a little rounded, very finely punctulate. Elytra also very

finely punctulate, nearly twice as long as the thorax. Hind body a little more distinctly

punctulate, fuscescent along the middle.

This insect cannot be confounded with any other of the genus owing to the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1889. 2 O*

282 NITIDULIDA.

complete absence of pubescence. We have received only two examples, but they are

male and female; the male is very much longer than the female, and has a well-marked

supplementary apical segment. We figure the female, as the male has lost the club of

the antenne.

2. Cillzus prolongatus, sp.n. (Tab. IX. fig. 1, 2.)

Omnino perdepressus, elongatus, parallelus, pubescens, sat nitidus, fusco-niger, pedibus sordide testaceis,

elytris basin versus ferrugineis ; fortiter punctatus.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil, Volcan de Atitlan 2500 to 5500 feet (Champion);

Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head scarcely at all narrower behind the eyes, very flat, coarsely, rather sparingly,

punctured. ‘Thorax quadrate, the lateral margins straight, fimbriate, the angles slightly —

obtuse and feebly rounded, the surface coarsely, rather sparingly punctured. Scutellum

short, punctate across the middle. Elytra nearly twice as long as the thorax, rather

coarsely punctate, the punctuation subserial, more irregular at the apex than near the

base and suture. Hind body more finely punctate, with elongate depressed pubescence.

One female from each locality.

8. Cillzus zunilensis, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 2, 2.) |

Perdepressus, elongatus, parallelus, pubescens, dense punctatus, subopacus, ferrugineus, elytrorum basi

flavescente, apice nigricante.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. GuatEma.a, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This is closely allied to C. prolongatus, but is no doubt a distinct species, as the

differences in minor details are numerous. The head is moderately coarsely, rather

densely punctate. The thorax is not quite so long as broad, closely punctate. The

elytra and hind body are more closely and finely punctate; the yellow colour on the

base of the former is contrasted rather strongly with the colour of the apical portion,

and the pubescence is flavescent there, while on the darker part it is nearly black.

One female.

CONOTELUS.

Conotelus, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 249 (1848); Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv.

p. 333.

This genus is limited to the New World, where it occurs from the United States of

North America to South Brazil, and has several species in the Antilles. ‘The described

species are only thirteen or fourteen in number. Most of the examples obtained by

Mr. Champion were found upon flowers.

CONOTELUS. 283

§1. Hind body with acutely raised lateral margins.

1. Conotelus stenoides. (Tab. IX. fig. 7.)

Conotelus stenoides, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 338°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vu.

p. 286°.

Hab. Norru America, Texas 2.—Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge) ; GUATEMALA,

San Geronimo, Senahu, Balheu, El Reposo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Jan-

son); Panama}, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

§ 2. Hind body with the lateral margins depressed ; sculpture of the thorax

dense and indefinite.

2. Conotelus rufipes.

Conotelus rufipes, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 336°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge) ; Guatemaua (Sailé), Zapote, Capetillo,

Duefias, Guatemala city, Purula (Champion), Aceytuno (Salvin); Panama, Boquete,

Pefia Blanca (Champion).

3. Conotelus mexicanus.

Conotelus mexicanus, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. XXiv. p. 837°.

Hab. Mexico!, Cordova, Guanajuato (Sailé), Orizaba (fF. D. G. & H. H. Smith),

Jalapa (Hége), Atoyac in Vera Cruz, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith); British

Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA, Zapote, Duefias, Aceytuno, Guatemala

city, San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Taboga I. (Champion).

This is apparently a variable species and difficult to separate from C. rujipes in some

of its varieties; indeed, I at first thought the two were mere varieties of a single species,

and such may possibly prove to be the case. I think it just as likely, however, that

there are two, rather common, species, and two or three others closely allied and much

rarer; but as I could not at present point to any satisfactory characters to distinguish

these latter I have united them as varieties of C. meaicanus. The individuals are

darker in colour than C. rufipes and smaller, with rather shorter elytra and limbs, and

slightly coarser punctuation, and the last segment in the male considerably more slender

than it is in C. rufipes.

4. Conotelus niger.

? Conotelus niger, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 252 1; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. pp. 335, 336°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—Souta America, Brazil ??.

L ascribe a Conotelus, unique in our collection, to this species, chiefly because it

agrees with Murray’s statement that C. niger has the thorax more coarsely punctured

than in the allied species. Erichson, however, says nothing to this effect, and indeed

2 O* 2

284 NITIDULIDA.

describes the thorax as “ subtiliter rugulosus, obsoletissime punctatus,” so that Murray’s

determination of his C’. niger must be considered as very doubtful; and it is also far

from certain that our Chontales example is truly referable even to Murray’s species.

Our insect may be identified by its great resemblance to C. rufipes, by the existence of

- coarser punctures on the thorax, and by the ventral surface of the last segment in the

male being deplanate, indeed feebly but broadly longitudinally depressed, along the

middle, and by the large size of the pencils of erect hairs at its extremity.

5. Conotelus nigricornis, sp.n. (Tab. IX. fig. 8, 2 .)

Nigerrimus, opacus ; capite, prothorace elytrisque densissime obsolete punctatis ; tibiis piceis, tarsis rufis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Hége) ; Panama, Boquete in Chiriqui 3500 feet (Champion).

Very closely allied to C. rufipes, and similar thereto in size, form, and punctuation,

but distinguished by the black antenne and dark legs; the thorax is slightly more

narrowed in front, so that the anterior angles are rather more obtuse.

We have received only three specimens, but both sexes are represented ; the slight

sexual distinctions appear to be the same as in C. rufipes.

§ 38. Hind body with depressed lateral margins ; thorax with coarse definite punctures ;

elytra with definite punctures arranged serially.

6. Conotelus hondurensis, sp. n.

Niger, subopacus, antennis pedibusque sordide rufis, illis basi picea ; prothorace coriaceo et sparsim punctato ;

elytris omnino opacis, seriatim subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hiab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz).

Head distinctly, moderately closely punctured. Thorax at the sides with the

punctuation quite confused and indefinite, but on the disc with a more definite

sculpture, consisting of a few not very large punctures scattered on the opaque,

minutely sculptured surface. Elytra quite dull, with regular series of fine punctures.

Hind body rather more shining than the other parts, finely and sparingly sculptured.

Two examples of the male sex, with broad feet.

7. Conotelus chiriquensis, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 9.)

Nigerrimus, subnitidus, tarsis rufis; prothorace crebrius sat fortiter punctato; elytris striato-punctatis, striis

ad latera et ad apicem obsoletis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Var. Angustior, fortius punctatus.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

CONOTELUS. 280

Thorax on the middle with definite punctures, at the sides densely and confusedly

punctured. Elytra with the punctuation so arranged as to form striz, in which,

however, the punctures can still be distinguished. Hind body moderately coarsely

sculptured. Tarsi and middle of antenne rufescent.

We have received four female specimens from the State of Panama. ‘The presumed

variety from Nicaragua is a male, and I think will probably prove to be distinct; it is

the smallest individual of the genus I have seen.

8. Conotelus latitarsis, sp. n.

Nigerrimus, nitidus, fortiter punctatus; antennarum basi et clava piceis, medio testaceo ; pedibus piceis, tarsis

flavescentibus ; elytris fortiter seriatim punctatis, fere striatis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith).

Head rather closely, moderately coarsely punctured, but little shining. Thorax black,

shining, coarsely punctured. Elytra only a little longer than the thorax, with series of

punctures so closely placed that they almost form striz, but yet are somewhat irregular

in their arrangement. Hind body finely shagreened.

The tarsi are very broad, but the three individuals obtained being of the male sex

this may not be constant; the head forms a very minute projection on each side behind

the eye.

9. Conotelus guatemalenus, sp. n.

Minus elongatus et depressus, niger, subnitidus, crebre punctatus ; elytrorum punctura subseriata.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne piceous, with the club black. Head rather closely and coarsely punctured.

Thorax short, convex, with very numerous distinct punctures, quite free from pubescence,

and with only a very minute and indistinct reticulation of the surface, the hind angles

very much rounded. Punctuation of the elytra almost like that of the thorax, subserially

arranged. Hind body short, sparingly punctate. Legs piceous.

This differs from the other species of our fauna by the eyes being free at the sides

behind, the vertex not extending externally behind them.

10. Conotelus nitidissimus,

Conotelus nitidissimus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xviii. p. 1’.

Hab. Mexico }.

According to the description, this is more similar to the West-Indian Conotedi than

to anything we have received from our region.

286 NITIDULIDZ.

MACROSTOLA.

Macrostola, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 331 (1864).

Macrostola has hitherto included only three species, one found throughout our

region, the others in South America; I now add a fourth from the State of Panama.

The genus is very distinct and its position doubtful. There is no trace of any

antennary grooves.

1. Macrostola straminea.

Macrostola straminea, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 382, t. 35. f. 7°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé1), Teapa (Sallé, Hoge), Jalapa, San Juan Bautista

in Tabasco (Hége); GuatemaLa, Zapote, Cahabon, Teleman (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect, according to Mr. Champion, is found in the viscous pollen in the

spathes of various Aroidee, usually in company with various Cyclocephale; it is a

common species in our region, and it varies a good deal in size.

2. Macrostola picea, sp.n. (Tab. IX. fig. 6.)

Picea, depressa, nitida, oculis sat magnis; elytris regulariter seriatim punctatis, interstitiis lineis impressis

longitudinalibus plus minusve abbreviatis et interruptis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson) ; Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head and thorax finely and sparingly punctate, the latter nearly straight at the

sides but becoming slightly broader at the base. Scutellum impunctate. Hind body

with three segments exposed and rather coarsely punctate. Female with the last

dorsal plate somewhat prolonged, rounded and ciliate at the extremity; male with

the last dorsal plate rather deeply emarginate in the middle at the extremity, the

emargination filled by a supplementary segment much ciliate behind. Twelve

examples; one only of them from Nicaragua.

Closely allied to I. straminea, but readily distinguished by the dark colour and the

smaller eyes; the hind body is more coarsely punctate and more densely ciliate at the

apex. The largest individuals are scarcely so large as the smallest examples of

M. straminea.

CARPOPHILUS.

Carpophilus, Stephens, Il. Brit. Ent. i. p. 50 (1830).

This genus includes rather more than 100 described species, and is generally

distributed throughout the world. A few species are nearly cosmopolitan, being

distributed with groceries—dried fruits, sugar, &c.; but the great majority of the

CARPOPHILUS. 287

members of the genus are as strictly restricted in their distribution as Coleoptera

in general are.

The species are very difficult to determine from the descriptions that have been

published, as the best characters for the distinction of the species have hitherto escaped

attention. These consist. of the sexual peculiarities at the extremity of the hind body,

which are frequently very marked, the females as well as the males possessing positive

and easily recognized characters. In the male the part where these characters are best

seen is the last ventral plate, whereas in the female it is the pygidium or last dorsal

plate. Ifthe pygidium of the female and the last ventral plate of the male were

dissected off and figured in the case of each species, the great majority of these insects ©

would be recognized with ease. The terminal segments in dried specimens are usually

much retracted, and in that case the characters I am referring to cannot be so well

perceived ; if, however, the specimens be thoroughly relaxed little difficulty will be

experienced in withdrawing the retracted segments to their natural position.

Murray divided the genus into several subgenera, but the majority of his divisions

are quite useless, if not worse, for the purposes of arrangement and determination; I

have therefore adopted a system with a view to facilitate the determination of the

rather numerous Carpophili we have received, and give below a key to it.

Finally, I may remark that colour and size are extremely variable in a great many

species of the genus, but punctuation, pubescence, shape of the thorax, and the sexual

distinctions are remarkably constant ; indeed in many species these characters exhibit

no variation whatever in large series of specimens.

Mesosternum divided intotwo cells. . . 2... . . . .. (G hemipterus) Species 1.

Mesosternum simple . . . . 2... ee ee eee ew ee Species 2-41.

Metasternum with axillary space . . . . . . 1 we ee. Species 86-41.

Metasternum without axillary space . 2... 1. 1 1 ew ee. «Species 2-85.

Sides of elytra ciliate (fimbriate) . . . . . .. . . . . . . Species 32-35.

Sides of elytra not distinctly fimbriate . . . . . . Species 2-31.

3 with the supplementary segment placed chiefly on the ventral surface. Species 2-22.

g with supplementary segment placed at extremity of body, not covered

by the pygidium . . . . 2... 1... «Species 23-35.

§ 1. Mesosternum divided into two cells by raised spaces, between the front of which

the prosternal process is accommodated. (Species 1.)

1. Carpophilus hemipterus.

Dermestes hemipterus, Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. xii. 1, pt. 2, p. 565.

Carpophilus hemipterus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 256.

Hab. Fere ubique: Norra America.—MeExico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége) ;

British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz) ; GuaTEMALA, Guatemala city, Capetillo, Cerro

Zunil (Champion).

288 NITIDULIDZ.

§ 2. Mesosternum simple; metasternum without axillary space ; male with the supple-

mentary segment concealed above by the pygidium : species of comparatively large

size; pubescence not forming a pattern. (Species 2-11.)

2. Carpophilus funebris, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 10,6.)

Nigerrimus, opacus, pubescens, pedibus piceo-nigris, tarsis rufo-sordidis ; prothorace dense fortiterque rugulose

punctato, disco posterius leviter deplanato; elytris obsolete punctatis.

Long. 43-5 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne black, the basal joint piceous behind. ‘Thorax black, the sides a good deal

curved, the margins not in the least picescent, the crenulation seen from above feeble,

beneath quite distinct, the punctuation dense. Elytra quite dull, the punctuation quite

indistinct, the pubescence depressed, concolorous. Male with the last ventral segment

very deeply semicircularly emarginate for the accommodation of the supplementary

segment, on each side of the middle broadly deplanate and with an oblique impression.

Female with the last dorsal plate longer and more acuminate, carinate in the middle

at the extremity.

I have assigned to this species as possible varieties a few specimens from Mexico and

Guatemala, which may possibly represent three or four very closely allied species, or on

the other hand may be, by means of other individuals, shown to belong to C. funebris.

Mr. Champion procured a good series of it on the Volcan de Chiriqui, and the pair from

Cerro Zunil are evidently the same species.

3. Carpophilus viduatus, sp. n.

Niger, opacus, pubescens, prothoracis lateribus antennisque piceis, harum clava nigra, pedibus rufo-sordidis

prothorace dense fortiterque rugulose-punctato, disco posterius leviter deplanato; elytris obsolete

punctatis.

Long. vix 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé); Guatemaua, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Thorax with fuscous pubescence towards the sides, the sides piceous, the crenulation

distinct, the punctuation of the disc behind coarse and close. Elytra with scanty pubes-

cence, which is fuscous at the base and shoulders. Male with a very large but shallow

depression on each side of the last ventral plate; there is also a slight depression of the

surface extending between the two round impressions. The female has no carina on

the last dorsal plate.

This is distinguished from C. funebris by the picescent sides to the thorax and the

different male characters. It is still more similar to C. niger, but that species has a

ferruginous humeral spot, and the last ventral segment of the male nearly unimpressed.

The cedeagus is very much smaller in C. viduatus than it is in C. Sunebris, and not one

CARPOPHILUS. 289

fourth the size of that of C. similaris; it is quite similar in a specimen from San Gerd-

‘nimo and in another from Guanajuato.

4. Carpophilus similaris, sp. n.

Nigerrimus, opacus, pedibus piceo-nigris, tarsis rufo-sordidis; prothorace fortius punctato, disco haud rugoso,

posterius leviter deplanato; elytris obsolete punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species almost exactly resembles C. funebris—so far at least as a single pair not

in good condition enables me to judge—but is distinguished by the more distant

punctuation on the middle of the thorax and by the different sexual characters; the

female has no carina on the last dorsal plate, and the male has a broad vague depression

on each side of the last ventral plate; the cedeagus of this sex shows such strongly

marked differences from that of C. funebris as to leave little doubt that the two are

quite distinct.

5. Carpophilus lugubris. (Tab. IX. fig. 11, ¢, underside.)

Carpophilus lugubris, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 3557.

Subparallelus, subopacus, nigricans, prothoracis marginibus lateralibus ferrugineis, elytris ad humeros rufo-

notatis, antennis pedibusque rufis, illis extrorsum, his femoribus plus minusve infuscatis ; prothorace

dense rugose-punctato, disco posterius leviter deplanato; elytris obsolete sculpturatis, circa scutellum

punctura magis discreta.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. North America, Florida !.—Mextico, Ciudad in Durango, Pachuca in Hidalgo,

San Andres Chalchicomula, Esperanza, Jalapa (Hége), Guanajuato, Puebla (Saldé) ;

GuatEemaLA, Zapote, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion)—Soutn America, Venezuela}.

This is extremely similar to C. niger, Say, but is rather more parallel, and has different

male characters ; the thoracic margin is very nearly entire, the crenulations seen in the

preceding species and in C. niger being absent; C. lugubris has, moreover, less coarse

punctuation on the basal and sutural parts of the elytra.

The male of C. lugubris has two quite circular very deep depressions on the last

ventral plate; these are situated rather near to the middle, and the space between

them is not depressed. The female has no carina on the pygidium, but this is slightly

convex, and more shining just at the extremity.

Herr Hége met with a large series of this insect near Ciudad, but the other localities

have each yielded only one or two specimens. It varies a good deal in size, and in the

extent to which the ferruginous colour invades the surface.

C. lugubris is united by Horn with C. niger; but this is not correct, and [ think it

probable the American savant may have been misled by specimens wrongly named by

Murray. ,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1889. 2 P*

290 NITIDULID.

6. Carpophilus rufitarsis.

Carpophilus rufitarsis, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 354°.

Hab. Guatemaa (Sallé 1).

I have only two females of this species at my disposal ; it is the largest Carpophilus

I know, and it is most nearly allied to C. similaris, but is a larger, broader, and flatter

insect with finer punctuation, and with the punctures on the elytra unusually definite.

The thoracic lateral margin is not crenulate. ‘There is no carina on the last dorsal

plate, which is more elongate than usual. M. Sallé’s examples are not marked with

more exact locality.

7. Carpophilus transitans, sp. n.

Niger, opacus, obsolete punctatus, pube variegata minus subtili vestitus, prothoracis lateribus, pedibus

antennisque sordide rufis, his clava fusca.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hoge); GuatemaLa, Duefias (Salvin, Champion), Guatemala

city, San Gerénimo, Quiche Mts. (Champion).

In this species the punctuation is obsolete, that is, true impressed punctures can

scarcely be distinguished either on the thorax or elytra; the sculpture is not dense,

and is rendered still more indistinct by the pubescence being more marked than usual ;

this pubescence is dark, but is sprinkled with flavescent-grey hairs, and these latter are

most dense on the scutellum and at the humeral angles. The sides of the thorax are

a good deal curved. The male has no depressions on the last ventral segment; the

female has a longitudinal elevation on the pygidium near the extremity, and the lateral

margins of this plate are rather more raised than usual.

We have received numerous specimens from Guatemala, but only one from Mexico ;

unfortunately nearly all are in a bad state of preservation.

8. Carpophilus deflexus, sp. n.

Minus depressus, fortius punctatus, opacus, pube variegata minus subtili vestitus, nigro-ferrugineus, limbo

dilutiore, elytrorum humeris, pedibus antennisque rufis, his clava fusca ; prothoracis margine laterali ante

angulum posteriorem leviter impresso.

Long. 4—41 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador (Hége); GuatmmMaua, Cerro Zunil, Duefias (Champion).

This species has the sculpture unusually coarse, and it may be readily distinguished

from C. lugubris by this character, and by the peculiar depression on each side of the

thorax; the pubescence is variegate, like that of C. transitans. The male has a single

broad depression on the middle of the last ventral plate, and differs from the corre-

sponding sex of all other species of this group in having the basal half of the middle

tibia cut away internally so as to be much more slender than the apical half. The

female has a slight convexity of the middle of the pygidium towards the extremity.

CARPOPHILUS. 291

We have received only four examples of this distinct species; the one from Duefas

is a male; the others are females, and that from Cerro Zunil is darker in colour than

the others.

9. Carpophilus lacertosus. (Tab. IX. fig. 12.)

Carpophilus lacertosus, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 354".

Carpophilus purpureipennis, Murray, |. c.”

Subparallelus, sat elongatus, argute fortiter punctatus, subopacus, nigricans, antennis pedibusque rufis, elytris

fusco-rufis ; prothoracis dorso leviter deplanato.

Long. 3-43 millim.

Var. Niger, elytris lete rufis, circa scutellum marginibusque nigris, antennis pedibusque sordide rufis.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), Monclova in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer),

Orizaba (Sallé), Mirador, Jalapa, Chilpancingo and Acapulco in Guerrero (Hége) ;

GuaTeMaLa (Sallé), Capetillo (Champion).— VENEZUELA ! ?.

This is one of the most variable members of the genus in size and colour, but may be

easily recognized by being more coarsely and definitely punctured than most of the other

species with sinuate base to the thorax. The variety with the elytra in great part red

seems to occur wherever the more obscurely coloured typical formis found. ‘The male has

the terminal ventral plate more coarsely sculptured than usual, but not visibly impressed.

The sinuation of the base of the thorax on each side is distinct though slight, but the

hind angles do not project backwards, and are obtuse but not in the least rounded.

C. lacertosus and C. purpureipennis, Murray, do not differ except in size, and are

undoubtedly both one species, as is certified by the types in our National Collection.

10. Carpophilus melanopterus.

Carpophilus melanopterus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p.262'; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 371,

t. 82. f. 11°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 278°.

Hab. Norrn America, United States ! 2 .—Mexico 2 *.

We have not received any example of this species, though Horn? and Murray *

mention its occurrence in Mexico. Both this species and C. rufus are known to me

only by single specimens in our National Collection, and I am not at all sure that

I have assigned a proper place to them.

11. Carpophilus rufus.

Carpophilus rufus, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 371°.

Carpophilus melanopterus var., Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vil. p. 278 *,

Hab. Mexico }.

Horn? states that this is only a variety of C. melanopterus. I have seen only a single

specimen of each, in one case a male, in the other a female, and Iam not able to express

any strong opinion as to whether they are one species or not.

2 P* 2

292 NITIDULIDZ.

§ 3. Mesosternum and metasternum simple; male with the supplementary segment con-

cealed above by the pygidium: species of small size, with the pubescence of the

upper surface having a banded or spotted appearance. (Species 12-16.)

12. Carpophilus comatus, sp.n. (Tab. IX. fig. 14.)

Minor, niger, dense punctatus, opacus, pube flavescenti variegatus, antennis pedibusque rufis, illarum clava

nigra.

Long. 24 millim. .

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Thorax very densely punctate, the sides but little curved and scarcely at all narrowed

behind, the hind angles rectangular, the base truncate, covered with a conspicuous fla-

vescent, almost golden pubescence, which is absent or inconspicuous on thedisc. Elytra

densely and finely punctured, with two irregular bands of flavescent pubescence, one at

the extreme base, the other behind the middle, the other pubescence concolorous with

the surface. Pygidium of the female quite simple. Male without peculiarities of the

last ventral plate, the supplementary segment moderately large and a little acuminate

behind. Five specimens. |

In form this insect resembles C. senzlis, but it has no coxal line on the metasternum ;

in consequence of the variegate pubescence it looks like C. humilis, but the shape of

the thorax is different, and the female has the pygidium quite simple.

13, Carpophilus humilis.

Carpophilus humilis, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 262°.

Hab. Mexico}, Puebla (Sallé), Omilteme 8000 feet, and Xucumanatlan 7000 feet, in

Guerrero (H. H. Smith); Guatema.a, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

In this species the base of the thorax is truncate, but the sides are a little rounded

and narrowed behind, so that the angles are slightly obtuse, and the base is just perceptibly

narrower than the elytra. The pubescence is variegate, but the pallid portions are irre-

gularly distributed, and do not form distinct fascie. The female has the apex of the

pygidium raised in the middle and slightly prolonged and acuminate.

Murray identified Erichson’s C. humilis with C. brachypterus (Say); but it is more than

probable that he was wrong in so doing. It is true that Krichson mentions the cine-

reous pubescence as existing on the elytra only at the base, but probably this was due

to his example being worn ; indeed the pubescence that gives the banded and spotted

appearance in this species and its allies is very readily removed.

14. Carpophilus senex.

Carpophilus senex, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 384'.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova (Sal/é).

CARPOPHILUS. 293

Closely allied to C. humilis and to C. obscurus, but with extremely obsolete sculpture

and opaque surface, and distinguished by the very rounded sides and base of the thorax.

It was possibly this latter character that induced Murray to place C. senex in his subgenus

Endomerus ; but it does not belong there, the male ventral segments being constructed

as in the species of this group; the supplementary segment is not visible at the apex,

but only beneath. The species forms, however, in conjunction with C. ventralis, a trans-

ition to the “ Hndomerus” group of species. I have seen only three examples. In the

female the pygidium is a little impressed on each side towards the extremity, and has

a very minute acumen in the middle of the hind margin.

15. Carpophilus obscurus, sp. n.

Fusco-niger, pube variegata minus dense vestitus, crebre obsolete punctatus, opacus; prothorace quam basis

elytrorum angustiore.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Extremely similar to C. humilis, but with the thorax more narrowed behind, so as to

be a good deal narrower than the base of the elytra, and with the pygidium in the

female simple. The pubescence is griseous or silvery rather than golden, is not very

conspicuous on the thorax, and on the elytra is arranged so as to give a spotted rather

than a banded appearance. Three examples, one male and two females.

16. Carpophilus alticola, sp. n.

Parvus, niger, dense punctatus, opacus, pube flavescenti variegatus, antennarum basi pedibusque fusco-rufis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,000 feet (Champion).

Thorax with an abundant variegated pubescence. LElytra elongate, densely and

finely punctate, with a variegate pubescence, the flavescent portions being most

abundant at the base and'apex. Female with a feeble depression on each side of the

pygidium near the extremity.

This is very closely allied to C. humilis, but the elytra are rather longer and more

closely and definitely punctate, and there is no acumination of the apex of the pygidium

in the female. We have received six examples, four of which are females.

§ 4. Aberrant species with the thorax much constricted at the base. (Species 17.)

17. Carpophilus epurzoides, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 16, 2.)

Depressus, fusco-niger, antennarum basi pedibusque sordide rufis, prothoracis margine laterali flavescente ;

dense subtiliter punctatus, dense, omnino subtilissime, pubescens ; prothoracis basi subconstricta.

Long. 4 millim.

294 NITIDULIDZ.

Hab. Guatemaa, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,000 feet, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000

feet (Champion).

Thorax finely, very densely, not in the least rugosely punctate, the sides sinuate and

contracted in front of the hind angles, which are just about rectangular, the lateral

margin fine, much turned up, the space along its inner margin yellow. LElytra densely,

extremely finely punctate, dull, with an exceedingly delicate pubescence. Pygidium of

the female elongate, deeply depressed on each side of the middle towards the apex,

the middle being somewhat elevated. Last ventral plate in the male simple.

Six specimens were found of this species, which is one of the most distinct of the

genus.

§5. Mesosternum and metasternum simple; hind angles of the thorax rather obtuse,

but marked by a slight prominence or thickening of the margin; male with the

supplementary segment not visible from above; form rather elongate and depressed ;

pubescence not variegate. (Species 18 and 19.)

18. Carpophilus ligneus. (Tab. IX. fig. 13.)

Carpophilus ligneus, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv, p. 851’.

Hab. Mexico}, Parras and Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), Ciudad in Durango,

Jalapa, Esperanza (Hége), Guanajuato, Puebla (Sallé); GuaremMaLa, Zapote, Capetillo,

San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chinandega (Sallé); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion).

This species, like several others, varies much in size; the two examples found on the

Volcan de Chiriqui are a variety of very small size, with the pubescence of the upper

surface more than usually developed, and the red mark on each elytron definite instead

of very vague. Murray! gives as the locality “Nicaragua in Mexico.” C. discoideus,

Lec., is allied to C. ligneus, but has a rather differently shaped thorax.

19. Carpophilus dulcis, sp. n.

Depressus, opacus, tenuiter pubescens, minus dense punctatus, sordide ferrugineus; prothoracis lateribus

rotundatis.

Long. 3 millim,

Hab. Guatema.a, Purula, San Geronimo, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne red, with the club fuscous. Thorax with the front margin nearly straight,

the sides curved, the base sinuate, but in a different manner to what it is in the C. nager

group, the obliquity of the outer part being directed slightly forwards ; the hind angles

obtuse, but, owing to the basal margin being prolonged behind the lateral margin, fur-

nished with an excessively minute acumen directed outwards; the disc moderately coarsely

and closely punctate. Elytra ferruginous, the shoulders generally slightly more dilute, .

CARPOPHILUS. 295

quite dull, but only distantly and quite obsoletely punctate. Pygidium of the female

simple. Two examples.

Allied to C. ligneus by the form of the thorax, which, however, is not so strongly

transverse, but differing in the ferruginous colour, the dull surface, and the obsoletely

punctured elytra.

§6. Mesosternum and metasternum simple; male with the supplementary segment

covered by the pygidium ; form depressed ; pubescence not variegate. (Subgen.

Microxanthus, Murray.) (Species 20-22.)

20. Carpophilus confertus, sp. n.

Depressus, dense punctatus, opacus, ferrugineus, capite elytrorumque marginibus infuscatis, antennis nigri-

cantibus basi rufa; prothoracis angulis posterioribus subobtusis, fere rectis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége); Guaremata, Cerro Zunil, Zapote, Purula (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Thorax very densely punctured, a little rounded at the sides, the base at the hind

angles directed outwards without obliquity either forwards or backwards. Llytra

densely and distinctly punctured, the suture and the outer and hinder margins blackish.

Female with the pygidium simple, but rather more narrowed than usual at the

extremity.

By means of this species and C. dulcis there seems to be a complete transition froin

the form of the thorax of C. senilis to that of C. ligneus. C. confertus may be distin-

guished from C. dulcis by the more dense punctuation, and a slight difference in the

form of the base of the thorax. The last ventral plate has in C. confertus similar

punctuation to that preceding it, but in C. ducts the surface of the last ventral plate

is dull and almost without sculpture.

21. Carpophilus erichsoni, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 18.)

Parvus, latus, niger, pedibus sordide rufis, antennarum basi picea ; prothorace posterius latiore, lateribus haud

curyatis, angulis posterioribus subacutis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Balheu (Champion).

Thorax with the front angles rather prominent, the sides not at all rounded, the basal

and lateral margins very distinct, the hind angles projecting very slightly backwards, the

surface rather closely and finely punctate, dull, not rugose. Punctuation of the elytra

almost like that of the thorax. Seven specimens, all of the male sex.

This little insect in form much resembles C. marginatus, Er., but has no ‘coxal line

on the metasternum.

296 NITIDULIDZ.

22. Carpophilus elaterinus, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 15.)

Parvus, depressus, dense punctatus, ferrugineus, supra fusco-ferrugineus, prothoracis limbo ferrugineo, antennis

pedibusque flavis, illarum clava fusca; prothoracis margine laterali subtili, angulis posterioribus acutis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).

Thorax densely punctate, broadly flavescent at the sides, especially at the hind angles,

the disc rather flattened, the neighbourhood of the hind angles unusually deplanate,

the base deeply sinuate on each side, so that the hind angles are acute and directed

backwards, the base exactly of the width of the base of the elytra; the sides very

slightly curved, the lateral margin delicate. Elytra densely and finely punctate.

This distinct little species differs from C. marginatus and C. erichsoni by the finely

margined thorax; the form of the hind angles is not quite the same in any other

species of Carpophilus that I have seen.

§7. Mesosternum and metasternum simple ; male with a supplementary segment at

the extremity of the body; form transversely convex; margins of the elytra not

Jimbriate. Male front tarsi greatly dilated, but the legs not curved ; female usually

with peculiar fovee on the margins of the pygidium. (Subgenera Endomerus and

Nitops, Murray.) (Species 23-28.)

Murray founded the subgenus Hndomerus for the species of this group known to

him ; the character on which he based it is, however, illusory, the hind body, far from

being shorter than usual, is perhaps longer; the retracted condition of the apical

segments in dried examples being due to the fact that the abdominal rings are more

circular than usual.

23. Carpophilus piger.

Carpophilus piger, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 384, t. 33. f. 3°.

Hab. Guatemata ' (Sallé), Duefias (Champion).

We have received only five examples of this species, two of which are from Sallé’s

collection, and all are males. ‘They have the tarsi greatly dilated, those on the front

legs being indeed nearly circular ; there is a rather large depression on the middle of

the last ventral plate, and behind this, close to the hind margin of the segment, a

slightly raised line; the punctuation of the metasternum has a peculiar granular

appearance.

24. Carpophilus palmatus, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 17, 3.)

Fusco-niger, subtiliter pubescens, subopacus, antennis pedibusque sordide testaceis, illarum clava nigra;

prothorace dense subtiliter punctato, basi utrinque subsinuata, angulis obtusis; elytris elongatis, sub-

obsolete punctatis.

Long. 34 millim.

CARPOPHILUS. 297

Hab. Guaremaza, Sinanja in Vera Paz (Champion).

Thorax with the sides not much rounded, but just before the base abruptly, almost

angularly, bent in, the hind angles extremely obtuse but perceptible ; the surface convex,

finely and closely punctured. Elytra elongate, blackish, about the base with a slight

red tint, sparingly and very finely punctate. Male with the front tarsi very greatly

dilated ; the basal ventral segment very feebly depressed along the middle, and with a

minute tubercle in front of the hind margin. Female with the apex of the pygidium

shining and with the lateral margin near the apex foveolate.

Allied to C. piger, but with longer elytra, more obsolete punctuation, and different

male characters. We have received eight examples. Our figure represents a male, but

is not a very successful rendering of the peculiarities of the species.

25. Carpophilus crassus, sp. n.

Latus, fuscus, subtiliter pubescens, subopacus, antennis pedibusque rufis ; prothorace crebre, subtiliter

punctato, basi utrinque subsinuata, angulis obtusis ; elytris elongatis, parce obsolete punctatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sal/é).

Extremely close to €. palmatus, but with well-marked differences in the sexual

characters in each sex, and besides this rather broader, and with the punctuation of the

upper surface alittle finer. In the male there is a bare, deplanate, dull space along the

middle of the last ventral plate. In the female the pygidium is deeply foveolate at

each lateral margin at the extremity, but the extremity is not prolonged nor shining,

and is subacuminate instead of subtruncate. One pair.

In this species and in C. palmatus the eyes are larger than usual, and show that

Murray’s subgenus Mitops cannot be separated from Endomerus.

26. Carpophilus ventralis, sp. n.

Fuscus, subtiliter pubescens, opacus, antennis, pedibus abdomineque flavis, antennarum clava fusca; prothorace

crebre punctato ; elytris parce omnino obsolete punctatis.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Geronimo (Champion).

Thorax closely and not finely punctured, the punctuation only slightly impressed but

appearing rough ; the sides rounded, the base not sinuate near the hind angles, which,

though very obtuse, can still be distinguished. Elytra quite dull, sparingly and

obsoletely punctured. In the female the pygidium is large, and broad and obtuse at

the extremity, with a very feeble depression of the surface on each side along the

lateral margin.

This insect is very similar to C. senea, Murr., which, however, has the base and sides

of the thorax completely rounded, and an acumen at the apex of the pygidium. We

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1889. 2 Q*

298 NITIDULID.

have received only two females of C. ventralis. It is extremely like C. palmatus, though

only half the size.

27. Carpophilus concolor, sp. n.

Testaceus, obsolete punctatus, subtiliter pubescens, fere opacus ; prothorace anterius paullo angustiore, angulis

posterioribus nullis.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé), Guatemala city, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).

Eyes rather small. Thorax distinctly narrower in front than at the base, the sides but

little rounded ; the base not sinuate, very little rounded, the position of the hind angles

only just evident; the surface moderately closely and finely, not deeply, punctate.

Elytra elongate, rather sparingly and obsoletely punctate. In the male there is a small

bare space along the middle of the last ventral plate. In the female the pygidium is

unusually broad, rounded at the end, and at each outer side at the extremity has a

very minute deep fovea.

The pallid and uniform colour distinguishes this from the allied species. ‘The fovea

on each side of the apex of the pygidium of the female is difficult to perceive owing to

its position and minute size: I should not have detected this had I not looked specially

for it after becoming acquainted with the peculiar structure in the corresponding sex of

C. palmatus. We have received nearly twenty specimens of C. concolor.

28. Carpophilus ophthalmicus.

Carpophilus ophthalmicus, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 383, t. 33. f. 8’.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé+).—TRintpap |.

I do not think this species has really been found in our region. Murray says!: “From

Mexico and Trinidad. Collected by M. Sallé.” The specimens named C. ophthalmicus

in the Sallé collection are, however, Haptoncus luteolus (Er.), which has a considerable

superficial resemblance to C. ophthalmicus; and I am of opinion that Murray described

the species from a Trinidad type, and hastily and erroneously identified the examples

from Mexico as the same species.

§ 8. Mesosternum and metasternum simple ; male with curved hind legs and the pygi-

dium not covering the supplementary segment ; margins of the elytra not fimbriate.

(Species 29-31.)

29. Carpophilus mexicanus. (Tab. IX. fig. 20, ¢.)

? Carpophilus mexicanus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. p. 175°.

? Carpophilus limbipennis, Reitter, t. c. p. 174°.

Hab. Mexico 12, Mexico city (Hodge), Guanajuato (Sallé).

It is impossible to say with certainty what Reitter intended by his descriptions! ?, as

CARPOPHILUS. 299

they refer almost exclusively to colour, which is eminently variable in this insect, even

more so, indeed, than in the allied species. C. mewxicanus, if lam right in so calling it,

is indeed one of the most variable of the Nitidulide in colour, and may be entirely

clear yellow, entirely black, or fuscous-black ; and there are many intermediate forms,

such as yellow with black along the middle of the thorax, and so on. The species

can, however, be readily distinguished from its allies by the coarse, definite punctua-

tion (which does not vary perceptibly), and the strongly acuminate hind body. In the

male the supplementary segment is quite exposed at the apex of the body and visible

from above ; beneath, however, it can scarcely be seen, as the last ventral plate is not

at all emarginate, and is, indeed, longer than its corresponding dorsal portion: there is

a very slight longitudinal depression on the hind part of this last ventral plate. The

female has the pygidium simple, neatly and distinctly margined all round the extremity.

The hind femora of the male are much incrassate, and the tibiz rather strongly curved.

In this species the margins of the elytra are quite destitute of ciliz.

30. Carpophilus obtusicollis.

Carpophilus obtusicollis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. p. 175 ‘

Hab. Mexico}.

I am unable to form a clear idea as to this insect from Reitter’s description !; but he

says that it is nearly allied to C. mewicanus, and that it is finely and very densely punc-

tured, and has the angles of the thorax subobtuse.

If really allied to C. meaécanus it may be a species of which we have not received

examples.

31. Carpophilus curvipes, sp. n.

Convexus, ferrugineus, crebrius minus subtiliter punctatus, breviter pubescens, opacus ; prothoracis lateribus

subrectis, angulis posterioribus valde obtusis, haud rotundatis.

Long. 3-5 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer).

Var.? Elytris fusco-nigris.

Hab. Guatemaa, Yzabal (Salle).

Thorax with the sides not much rounded, but just before the base greatly narrowed,

so that the hind angles are extremely obtuse, though their position is distinct ; the surface

closely, moderately finely, subobsoletely punctured. LHlytra rather elongate, punctate

like the thorax, but the punctures more distant. Male with the front tibie curved ;

the hind legs somewhat incrassate, and the tibie a little curved at the base.

Female with a rather small fovea on each lateral edge of the pygidium just before the

extremity.

We have received a good number of specimens, but all are in very bad condition.

2 Q* 2

300 NITIDULIDZ.

It is not closely allied to any other of our species, though C. rufus, Murray, is some-

what allied. It varies much in size, but in other respects very little. ‘The unique

specimen from Guatemala is in a bad state of preservation, and I think may prove to

belong to another species, as the pygidiumi appears to be rather differently formed.

C. curvipes is remarkable owing to the large size of the labrum, the division between

the lobes not reaching to near the base. _

§ 9. Mesosternum and metasternum simple; male with the pygidium not covering the

supplementary segment; margins of the elytra fimbriate (only obscurely so in

C. floralis). (Species 32-35.)

32. Carpophilus floralis.

Carpophilus floralis, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 261’.

? Carpophilus luteipennis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. p. 174°.

Hab. Mexico }2, Mexico city, Esperanza, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova, Guanajuato (Sallé).

This name stands in the Catalogues as a synonym of C. pallipennis, Say ; but this is

not correct. C. floralis has the fimbriz on the margins of the elytra almost absent, a

more definite punctuation on the elytra, and the pygidium of the female quite simple

at the extremity (whereas in C. pallipennis it is prolonged, incrassate, and somewhat

reflexed). The female usually has the surface of the pygidium more or less depressed

on the middle, but this is variable. The male has a small and slight depression in the

middle of the last ventral plate just in front of the hind margin, and the hind margin

is very slightly sinuate on each side, so that there is a slight angular projection in the

middle: there is a very slight curvature of the hind tibie at the base.

We have received a great many examples of the species, which varies somewhat in

size and also in colour, but not very much.

Reitter’s description is too indefinite to allow his C. luteipennis to be certainly recog-

nized, but it is probably this one.

33. Carpophilus pallipennis.

Cercus pallipennis, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. ii. p. 194°; Leconte, Complete Writings of Thos. Say,

ii. p. 124.

Carpophilus pallipennis, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 372°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii.

p- 277°.

Hab. Norts America, United States +23, California (Hardy).

Var. C. pollens. Major, densius punctatus, peropacus, elytrorum fimbriis marginalibus densis.

Hab. Mexico? *, Northern Sonora (Morrison), San Pedro in Coahuila, Chihuahua

city (Dr. Palmer).

In this species the female has the apex of the pygidium always more or less pro-

CARPOPHILUS. 301

longed and thickened at the extremity or just above it. The male of the small form

found in California has a minute vague depression close to the hind margin of the last

ventral plate: in the var. pollens this depression is large and preceded by a bare space,

which is conspicuous amidst the granular sculpture of the segment. The male of the

latter also has the hind legs larger than the female, and is usually much larger in size

and of darker colours. Iam not sure there may not be two species, but the sexual

differences of the two appear to be only degrees of development ; and the size and colour

are so very variable that it is probable we have to do with only a single excessively variable

species, exhibiting some local distinctions.

This species and the following two would be sharply distinguished from the other

Carpophili by the fimbriation of the lateral margins of the elytra, were it not that

C. floralis forms in this respect a transition from the rest of the genus.

According to Dr. Horn 3, C. pallipennis is sometimes abundant in the flowers of

Cactus.

34. Carpophilus canescens, sp. n.

Fuscus, abdomine rufo, opacus, subtilius punctatus, pube longiore pallida conspicue vestitus, antennis pedibusque

testaceis ; prothorace valde transverso, lateribus fortiter rotundatis, elytris prothorace multo longioribus.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Etla (Sal/é).

We have received only two female examples of this insect, and though they are in

bad condition I describe the species, as it will be recognized with ease. It is allied to

C. mexicanus, but is at once to be distinguished by the fine almost obsolete punctua-

tion and by the fimbrie of the elytra; while from C. floralis and the allies of that species

it is distinguished with certainty by the longer elytra. ‘The thorax is much narrowed

in front, the base and hind angles completely rounded, so that the position of the latter

cannot be detected; the punctuation is quite fine, moderately close, and much con-

cealed by the long pubescence. The punctuation of the elytra is fine and obsolete.

In the female the pygidium is broad and simple at the extremity, with an extremely

fine margin.

The colour will probably prove to be variable as in the allied species; the elytra are

fuscous in one specimen, fuscous-yellow in the other. The fimbriation of the edges of

the elytra is very conspicuous.

85. Carpophilus longiventris, sp.n. (Tab. IX. fig. 19.)

Convexus, opacus, minus dense pubescens et punctatus, rufus, pectore prosternoque in medio nigris, supra late

sed vage fusco-tinctus ; prothoracis lateribus et angulis posterioribus rotundatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas in Durango (Hége).

Though we have received only one example of this species, it is clearly distinct from

302 NITIDULID.

C. pollens, the punctuation of the upper surface being much more scanty and the sides

and base of the thorax less completely rounded, so that the position of the hind angles

can be detected. ‘The fimbrie of the elytra are long but scanty. In the male the

hind tibie are not incrassate, but they are more curved than usual; the last ventral

plate has a fovea at the hind margin, and on each side of this a polished transverse

tubercular elevation.

§10. Mesosternum simple; metasternum with the hind border of the middle coxe

departing eaternally from the cotyloid cavity so as to mark off an axillary space.

(Cf. Tab. IX. fig. 21.) (Species 36-41.)

36. Carpophilus dimidiatus.

Nitidula dimidiata, Fabr. Syst. Ent. i. p. 261.

Carpophilus dimidiatus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 259*; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 379°;

Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. vii. p. 277°.

Hab. Fere ubique: Norra America !?*,—Mexico, Parras in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer),

Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa, Cordova, San Juan Bautista in Tabasco( Hoge); British Honpuras,

R. Hondo (Blancaneaua) ; GuateMaa (Sallé) ; Honpuras (Sad/é) ; Nrcaracua, Chontales

(Janson).—SovutH AMERICA, Guiana’; ANTILLES 3, Cuba !.

37. Carpophilus senilis, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 21 2, underside.)

Parum elongatus, fusco-niger, breviter pubescens, antennis pedibusque rufis, illarum clava fusca; prothorace

argute minus fortiter punctato, disco subnitido; elytris subtiliter, parce punctatis; metasterno utrinque

linea elevata externe abrupte deflexa.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Muxtco, Jalapa, Cordova (Hége), Orizaba, Tuxtla (Sallé); British Honpvras,

Belize (Blancaneaur); GuatemaLa, San Gerénimo, Chacoj (Champion); Nicaraeva,

Chontales (Janson). |

Thorax nearly straight at the sides, slightly contracted in front of the hind angles,

which are very nearly rectangular. Metasternum very finely and sparingly punctate,

very deeply impressed in front in the middle at its junction with the mesosternum, and

with a raised line proceeding from each angle of the line of junction, extending out-

wards behind the middle coxa, and at the outside of the coxa much bent backwards

and joining the episternal suture. Male with the last ventral plate simple, quite

finely and sparingly punctate.

We have received many examples of this species, and figure the underside of a

female example from Jalapa showing the axillary space. |

C. succisus, Er., is rather similar to some of the examples of this species; but it has

the coxal line strongly deflexed, as in C. verepacis.

CARPOPHILUS. 303

38. Carpophilus verzpacis, sp. n.

Parum elongatus, transversim convexus, niger, argute punctatus, breviter pubescens, prothoracis lateribus,

antennis pedibusque rufis; elytris crebre sat fortiter punctatis; metasterno utrinque linea elevata con-

spicua parum sinuata.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Geronimo (Champion).

Closely allied to C. senilis, and differing as follows:—The punctuation of the upper

surface is coarser, the sides of the thorax are broadly ferruginous, and the club of the

antenne is red. The elevated line on the metasternum is more detached from the

coxal cavity and inclines gradually backwards with but slight sinuation. The male

has the last ventral plate densely and finely punctate in the middle.

This little insect has an additional character, that will facilitate its recognition, in a

slight irregularity of the outline of the sides of the thorax. Four specimens.

39. Carpophilus ferrugineus.

Carpophilus ferrugineus, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soe. xxiv. p. 349.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova, Orizaba (Sallé), Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith); Guats-

MALA, San Gerénimo, Cahabon, Senahu, and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The examples from the State of Panama agree perfectly with those from Mexico.

40. Carpophilus deceptor, sp. n. (Tab. IX. fig. 22, 3.)

Depressus, nitidus, parce punctatus, rufo-testaceus, fere absque pubescentia; prothoracis angulis posterioribus

fere rectis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith); Guatamana, Aceytuno (Salvin),

Zapote, Capetillo, Duenas, Guatemala city, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Var. Elytris margine posteriore nigro.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sa//é).

This insect is extremely close to C. ferrugineus; it is rather broader and flatter, a

little paler in colour, the thorax and elytra similarly punctured (the thorax being

more coarsely punctate than in C. ferrugineus), the coxal line on the metasternum more

indistinct and less deflexed externally, and the hind tibie of the male largely dilated

for half their length.

I have seen only one specimen of the var. from Cordova ; it has the punctuation of the

upper surface rather finer, so that it may prove to be a distinct species.

The only other Mexican specimen received is a female of the ordinary type.

304 NITIDULIDA.

41. Carpophilus marginatus.

Carpophilus marginatus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 262 +; Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 390°;

Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 279°.

Hab. Norru America, Carolina! 2, Middle and Southern States ? °—GuatEMaALa, San

Geronimo, Balheu (Champion). |

I have no North-American specimens at my disposal to enable me to compare

thoroughly all the minor structural characters with our Central-American individuals.

EUMYSTROPS, gen. nov.

Palpi graciles. Sulci antennarii parum convergentes. Pygidium ab elytris haud obtectum.

Labrum very small, bilobed. Eyes large and globular. Basal joint of antenne but

little dilated. Prosternal process rather slender, curved upwards towards the extremity.

Middle coxe slightly separated. Metasternum rather short. Hind cox moderately

separated; the abdominal lobe between them almost truncate, on each side with a

divergent raised line extending to the hind margin ; second, third, and fourth segments

short, together only about equal in length to the first segment. Pygidium entirely

exposed. Legs short; the tarsi dilated.

This genus is established for a small insect which I at first thought would prove to

be a species of Haptoncus. It is not, however, by any means closely allied to that

genus, and indeed its characters generally are nearer to those of our Mystrops hetero-

cerus. As that insect has no trace of any antennary grooves, the two cannot be treated

as very closely allied; and I therefore place Eumystrops between Carpophilus and

Epurea, though I am extremely doubtful as to what may ultimately be considered its

true position.

1. Eumystrops centralis, sp.n. (Tab. IX. fig. 23.)

Compactus, convexus, testaceus, subtiliter pubescens, sat nitidus, subtilius haud dense punctulatus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Paxama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne short, joints 3-7 small and slender, the three terminal joints forming a

moderately large, very compact club. Head very feebly punctate. ‘Thorax strongly

transverse, very slightly emarginate in front, curved at the sides, but very little

narrowed behind; the base straight, the hind angles very slightly projecting backwards,

rectangular, the basal margin fine but distinct. Scutellum rather large, triangular.

Elytra short and broad, their apices nearly straight behind. Pygidium very broad, very

obsoletely punctate, almost smooth. Legs short.

Two examples.

HAPTONCUS. 305

Subfam. NITIDULIN.

HAPTONCUS.

Haptoncus, Murray, Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiv. p. 401 (1864) *.

Haptoncura, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiii. Abhandl. p. 61 (1875) ’*.

Epurea (pars), Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vu. p. 801°.

Haptoncus is a genus of a few species of very small size, but has a wide distri-

bution, occurring in the Malay Archipelago and some of the Pacific islands, as well as

in the Antilles and in the Northern continent of the New World.

Reitter2 established his genus Haptoncura for our species and some others; but I

fail to find any character to distinguish it from Haptoncus, and I presume that in sepa-

rating it from Epurea, in which the species was at the time placed, he forgot to com-

pare it with Haptoncus. Horn thinks the species may remain in Epurea, but this

does not seem correct; no species of Epurea has the elytra so short as Haptoncus,

and the genus is, in fact, a link between Carpophilus and Epurwa. The segments of

the hind body are usually much retracted in dried specimens, but during life there are

probably two segments uncovered by the wing-cases.

These points have, indeed, already been commented on by Murray 1, This author

placed the genus in the Carpophiline, but Reitter and Horn include it in the Nitiduline ;

I think the latter course more correct, though it must be admitted that no good line

of demarcation between the two groups, as at present defined, exists.

1. Haptoncus luteolus. (Haptoncus floreolus, Tab. IX. fig. 24, 3.)

Epurea luteola, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 272"; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 301’.

Haptoncura luteola, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. Abhandl. p. 62.

Haptoncus pauperculus, Reitter, op. cit. xu. p. 179.

Hab. Norv America, Gulf States!—Mexico, Cordova (Hoge), Teapa in Tabasco

(H. H. Smith); British Honpuras, Belize, R. Hondo (Blancaneaus) ; GUATEMALA, near

the city, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion); NicaRraeua, Chontales (Janson).—ANTILLES

Cuba ?.

Apparently a common insect in our region, and varying considerably in size. I have

not seen any North-American examples, and entertain a slight doubt whether they are

really this species, the dilatation of the male tibie being rather different from the figure

and description given by Horn”.

Our figure represents the male.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1890. 2 R*

306 NITIDULID.

NITIDULA.

Nitidula, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 77 (1775) ; Erichson in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 2738.

This genus consists of a few species found in various parts of the world, some of

which, however; are incorrectly included in it. North America has three species, one

of which has been found within the northern limit of our region.

1. Nitidula ziczac,

Nitidula ziczac, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. v. p. 181°’; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 3037.

Hab. Nort America 1 2,—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

OMOSITA.

Omosita, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 298 (1843).

About half a dozen species of Omosita are known; they occur in the northern

portions of the Eastern and Western hemispheres. One of our two species is peculiar,

so far as is at present known, to Mexico and Guatemala, and the other is an insect

that has been very widely disseminated by artificial means.

1. Omosita colon.

Silpha colon, Linn. Faun. Suec. p. 151°.

Omosita colon, Er, in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 298°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 806°.

Hab. Europe! ?.—Norta America ?.—Mexico, Orizaba (Sa/lé), Paso de San Juan,

Cordova (Hége).

2. Omosita funesta.

Omosita funesta, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 45°.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sallé), Mexico city (Hége), Omilteme in Guerrero (H. H.

Smith); GUATEMALA, near the city and Duefias (Champion).

Apparently rare, a single example only having been received from each locality.

EPURZEA.

Epurea, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 267 (1843).

This genus comprises about eighty species, and is widely distributed. Twenty-four

species are known from North America, but in South America it has only hitherto

been obtained in Chili.

1. Epurea integra. (Tab. X. fig. 1, 2.)

Epurea integra, Horn, Trans, Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 2927,

EPURAA. 307

Hab. Norra America, Colorado !, Arizona !.—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison) ;

GuATEMALA, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

The identification of the Guatemalan examples with those from Northern Mexico is

not quite certain, as I have seen only two immature females from the latter locality.

Our figure represents a male from the Quiche Mountains.

E. integra is the only one of our species in which the apices of the elytra are

distinctly prolonged.

2. Epurea mexicana, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, brevis, testacea, subopaca, prothorace lateribus rotundatis, basin versus fortiter angustatis, haud

sinuatis ; elytrorum apicibus leviter prolongatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), Guanajuato (Sallé), Mexico city (Forrer).

Very closely allied to E. integra, but with the sides of the thorax much more narrowed

at the base (though not sinuate as in E. misera &c.), and with the middle tibiz of the

male almost simple. The thorax is not deeply emarginate in front, and the anterior

angles are but little prominent; the sides are very distinctly explanate, and the base is

a little sinuate on each side, so that the angles are very sharply defined though obtuse.

The elytra are not very elongate, their extremities not rounded, but oblique externally

on each side, and with a distinct hiatus at the apex of the suture. The dilatation at

the apex of the middle tibia of the male is very slight.

Five specimens.

3. Epurea torticollis, sp.n. (Tab. IX. fig. 25, 9.)

Oblongo-ovalis, depressa, testacea, crebrius subtiliusque punctata, latiuscula; prothorace ad basin fortiter

angustato, quasi constricto.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, San Andres (Sal/é).

Antenne with joints 3, 4, 5 rather long; club a little darker in colour, elongate.

Thorax strongly transverse, deeply emarginate in front, much explanate at the sides:

these much rounded, constricted at the base, and the lateral margin there a little turned

upwards, so that the hind angles, looked at from above and behind, seem to be a little

turned outwards. Elytra not elongate, truncate at the apices. Male with a very slight

incrassation of the inner margin of the apex of the middle tibia.

Allied to E. corticina, Er., but with a greater constriction of the base of the thorax,

and with the middle tibis of the male almost simple. Our figure is taken from a

female.

2 R¥ 2

308 NITIDULID.

4. Epurea papagona.

Epurea papagona, Casey, Contrib. Coleopterology N. America, pt. 1, p. 85 (1884) °.

Oblongo-ovalis, brevis, testacea, subtiliter punctulata ; elytris parum elongatis, apicibus rotundato-truncatis ;

thorace brevi, ad basin coarctato.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Norru America, Arizona 1.—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

Antenne with joints 2-8 rather more slender than usual. Thorax not deeply emar-

ginate in front, strongly transverse; the sides much explanate, curvate, the greatest

width two thirds of the length from the front, behind this abruptly narrowed and

sinuate; hind angles rectangular, very definite. Male with a very slight incrassation

of the internal apical portion of the middle tibia.

This species was labelled E. avara by Morrison, but according to Horn’s description

I conclude it is certainly distinct from that species, though allied thereto. Com-

pared with EL. corticina, F. papagona is smaller, more finely punctate, of shorter form,

and with a very slight dilatation of the male tibia. It is equally close to LZ. labilis,

from which it is distinguished by the different shape of the base of the thorax and by

the distinct dilatation of the middle tibie of the male. From F. torticollis it may be

recognized by its smaller size, finer punctuation, and the shorter coarctate base of

the thorax. |

Casey 1 does not allude to the male characters, but as his description of the thorax

and apices of the elytra agrees with this insect I have scarcely any doubt of the

identification.

I think it probable that Z. papagona may prove to be not distinct from F. flavicans,

Reitter (Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p.54). Reitter gave Chicago as the locality whence his

type was derived; but Horn (in Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 302) says:—“ HL. flavescens,

Reitter, cited as having been collected at Chicago, is from Chiapas, M. Sallé having

kindly examined the type in Chevrolat’s cabinet.” £#. flavescens, in this remark, is no

doubt a lapsus for “ flavicans;” but as we have no information as to the means by

which the stated error of locality was detected I cannot at present certainly identify our

insect with the one described under that name.

5. Epurea labilis.

Epurea labilis, Er.in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p.272'; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 2997.

Hab. Norra America! ?.—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

One female example sent by Morrison is all we have received of this species.

6. Epursea soror, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, brevis, testaceo-ferruginea ; prothoracis lateribus rotundatis, basin versus leviter angustatis,

angulis posterioribus subobtusis ; elytris parum elongatis, apicibus truncatis,

Long. 23 millim,

EPURAA. 309

Hab. Gvuatemata, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet, Totonicapam 8500 to

10,000 feet (Champion).

Extremely close to #. labilis, Er., but rather smaller and shorter, and with the sides

of the thorax more explanate near the hind angles. The male tibie are in this species

nearly simple: in the only specimen of that sex of #. labilis at my disposal I find there

is a very slight dilatation, almost like a small tubercle, on the inner margin just above

the apex; this, however, is very minute, and Horn places /. labdilis in a section charac-

terized by the male tibie being quite simple like those of the female. 1 do not think,

however, Z. soror is the same species as E. labilis, for the elytra are shorter, and more

truncate (that is, less rounded) at the extremities. There are sometimes two obsolete

dark vitte on the thorax.

The examples of this and of the following two species were found under the bark

of pines.

7. Epurea alticola, sp. n.

Suboblonga, fusco-ferruginea, subopaca, sat lata, prothorace lateribus posterius leviter rotundatis, angulis

subobtusis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather stout; club large, darker in colour. Thorax rather deeply emargi-

nate in front ; anterior angles acute ; sides but little curved, slightly narrowed behind;

base quite straight, so that the angles are somewhat obtuse though definite. lytra

elongate ; apices not at all produced, each separately rounded. Male with a large

incrassation on the inner face of the middle tibia at the apex.

Closely allied to #. truncatella, Mann., but very much broader, and with considerable

explanation of the sides of the thorax. The minor characters of the two are so similar

that I am not sure that they will ultimately prove to be distinct.

8. Epurea prolixa, sp.n. (Tab. X. fig. 2, ¢ .)

Oblonga, parallela, fusco-ferruginea, opaca, subtilissime punctulata ; elytrorum apicibus truncatis.

Long. 34-3? millim.

Hab.. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Thorax feebly emarginate in front; anterior angles broad and rounded ; sides only

very slightly curved, and scarcely at all narrowed behind, so that the width is a little

greater at the hind than at the front angles ; base quite straight. Elytra elongate ;

apices not rounded, but truncate. Male with a slight dilatation of the middle tibie

on the inner margin behind.

This species is so distinct by its parallel form and extremely fine, even, punctuation

that it cannot be confounded with any other.

310 NITIDULID A.

STELIDOTA.

Stelidota, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 800 (1848)’; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. 1,

p. 12’.

This genus consists of about twelve species, and is widely disseminated in the Western

hemisphere, being represented in the Antilles as well as in North and South America.

Erichson! assigned two species from Madagascar to the genus, but they are not

included in Reitter’s enumeration ?.

Stelidota is one of the numerous genera of Nitidulide in which the definition and

recognition of the species are matters of great difficulty. I have been able to separate

our species in a fairly satisfactory manner by means of the direction of the axillary

line on the metasternum ; but the character is not. a suitable one for sectionizing the

genus, as it varies gradually from species to species. This is also the case with the

sculpture of the elytra and the shape of the hind legs in the male.

1. Stelidota strigosa.

Nitidula strigosa, Gyll. in Schénh. Syn. Ins. ii. p. 1407.

Stelidota strigosa, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 302°; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 16°

(nec Horn).

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé, Hoge), Jalapa (Hoge), Cuernavaca, Teapa (H. H.

Smith) ; British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux).—Soura America, Colombia ?;

ANTILLES 1 2,

Our specimens are clearly S. strigosa, Reitter (though this author? does not mention

Mexico as a locality), and they are probably the species described by Gyllenhal! and

Erichson?; but they are not the S. strigosa of Horn, which, to judge from the descrip-

tion, must be a quite different species. SS. strigosa has the grooves of the elytra

extremely shallow, in fact almost absent except at the base, the serial pubescence very

short, and the surface of the elytra covered with a minute sculpture that renders it

opaque. ‘There is a rather large axillary space outside the middle cox; and the hind

tibie of the male are moderately curvate and are broad at the tip, the inner edge of

the short dilated part not being straight. The thorax is usually not explanate at the

sides, but in some large examples a slight explanation is present. The colour is usually

ferruginous or cinnamomeous, and there is no maculation, though sometimes the disc

of each wing-case is largely infuscate.

2. Stelidota rubripes.

Stelidota rubripes, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xu. 1, p. 16°.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba!.

I cannot identify this species from Reitter’s description. It appears to be a very

small insect, and is said to have a sculpture similar to that of S. strigosa. Unless it

STELIDOTA. . dll

be a variety of the latter I do not think that anything we have received can be

identified with it.

3. Stelidota pallens, sp.n. (Tab. X. fig. 3, 2.)

Ovalis, convexa, testacea, parum nitida; elytris obsoletissime sulcatis, seriatim brevissime pubescentibus ;

prothorace basi utrinque sinuato, lateribus haud explanatis.

Long. 2-33 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Taboga I. (Champion).

Closely allied to 8. strigosa, but the axillary space outside the middle coxa is quite

small, as in S. geminata; and also distinguished by being more pallid in colour, by

the minute series of hairs on the wing-cases being duplicated (the outer row of each

pair being almost as large as the inner), and by there being also a feeble interstitial

pubescence. In the male the dilated part of the hind tibia is rather long, and has a

straight inner edge.

The very feeble sulcation of the wing-cases and their quite dull surface distinguish

the species from most of the other species except 4. strigosa.

4, Stelidota solitaria, sp. n.

Late ovalis, minus convexa, ferruginea, supra picea, capite, antennis, prothoracis lateribus elytrorumque

signaturis ferrugineis ; elytris ad basin levissime sulcatis, interstitiis nitidis, pubescentie seriebus brevibus

haud ineequalibus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé, Hoge), Atoyac, Teapa (H. H. Smith); Guatemana,

Zapote, Panzos (Champion); Nicaraeua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba

(Champion).

This species is distinguished essentially from S. strigosa by the absence of the minute

interstitial sculpture on the wing-cases, and more resembles S. geminata, from which

it is easily separated by the grooves on the elytra being quite obsolete except at the

apex; the maculation of the elytra is similar to that of S. geminata. ‘The antenne are

more or less infuscate towards the extremity. The thorax is broad and short, much

narrowed in front, and sinuate at the base, with the sides explanate ; the surface densely

punctured, and with a scanty, fine, short pubescence. The serial pubescence of the

elytra is very even, and the alternate interstices are not at all raised: each series

consists of two rows of hairs, but the outer row is so short that it is not easily detected.

The axillary space on the metasternum is moderately large—larger than in S. pallens

or 8. geminata, but smaller than in S. strigosa. The middle tibie of the male are much

curved, and possess an elongate dilatation at the apex.

312 NITIDULID.

5. Stelidota geminata.

Nitidula geminata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. v. p. 181°.

Stelidota geminata, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 802 >; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 304°.

Ovalis, sat lata, parum convexa, testaceo-ferruginea, plus minusve infuscata, elytris nigro-variegatis, apice

nigro; prothorace lato, lateribus explanatis; elytris sulcatis, interstitiis equalibus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Nortu America ! 23,—GvaATEMALA, near the city, Capetillo, Chiacam (Champion).

The specimens from our region are broader, and have the elytra more variegate than

the North-American examples I have seen. The axillary space is very small; the

curvature of the hind tibiz of the male very large. richson also records? the species

from the West Indies and South America, but this, I think, may not be correct.

6. Stelidota ovalis, sp. ne (Tab. X. fig. 4.)

Ovalis, minus convexa, nitida, ferruginea, plus minusve infuscata, elytris vage maculatis; prothorace late-

ribus late explanatis, fere reflexis ; elytris evidenter seriatim punctatis, interstitiis ad basin vix elevatis.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Guatemauta, Calderas, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui,

Caldera (Champion).

Thorax deeply emarginate in front, but little convex, deeply impressed near the sides,

so that these are explanate and subreflexed ; base sinuate; hind angles slightly acute.

Elytra elongate, shining, the serial punctuation and pubescence distinct, the latter

unicolorous, the interstices at the base scarcely elevated. Axillary space small, but

the coxal line abruptly reflexed and continued along the metasternum, as a fine line

very close to the side-piece, for more than half the length of the breast.

This species will be easily recognized by the peculiar coxal line; we appear not to

have received a male.

7. Stelidota stictica, sp. n.

Ovalis, minus convexa, nigricans, elytris vage maculatis, antennis pedibusque fuscis, illarum basi, harum

tarsis rufis ; prothorace marginibus reflexo-explanatis ; elytris seriatim longius pubescentibus, pubescentia

variegata, interstitiis alternis subdepressis.

Long. 3) millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).

Thorax deeply emarginate in front; base bisinuate ; sides largely explanate; surface

not densely punctate. LElytra with the serial punctuation distinct, the series of hairs

rather long and each variegate, dark hairs being succeeded by light hairs two or three

times in each series, the alternate interstices evidently a little more elevated than the

others. Axillary space small; coxal line abruptly reflexed, but continued for only a

short distance backwards.

We have received only two females of this species; it may be recognized by the

STELIDOTA. 3135

variegate serial pubescence. In some respects the insect agrees with Erichson’s descrip-

tion of S. alternans, but he says that in it the rows of sete are one light, the next dark.

8. Stelidota alternans.

Stelidota alternans, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 303°.

Hab. Mexico}, Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemata, Coban (Champion).

We have not received any examples that agree thoroughly with Erichson’s description

of S. alternans; the specimens I have seen so named do not exhibit the alternate varie-

gation of the serial pubescence alluded to by Erichson. In our National Collection at

South Kensington there is an example differing from anything we have received, and

named by Murray as 8. aléernans, Er.; it is not certain, however, that this specimen is

really from Mexico, as it purports to be. Reitter (Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 14) gives

S. alternans as a variety of 8. octomaculata (Say); but I have no doubt this is incorrect,

S. octomaculata being a very distinct species of the S. chontalensis group with simple

posterior tibie in the male.

9. Stelidota bugabensis, sp. n. (Tab. X. fig. 5, 2.)

Ovalis, minus lata, convexa, nitida, ferruginea; prothorace lateribus sat explanatis, basi utrinque parum

sinuata; elytris tantum ad apicem sulcatis, seriatim subtiliter punctatis, longius pubescentibus.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Thorax coarsely punctured; the sides somewhat expanded but not in the least

reflexed, their posterior third nearly straight, the hind angles rectangular. Elytra

with the series of punctures very fine; the serial pubescence rather long, the outer

one of each pair of the series strongly separated from the inner, so as to be nearly

equidistant from it and the next series; the interstices shining. ‘The axillary space

moderately large, the line bounding it remarkably coarse and distinct.

This species seems quite distinct from any of our others, though to a considerable

extent intermediate between S. solitaria and S. chontalensis ; it is readily distinguished

from the former by the different serial pubescence, and from the latter by the shape of

the thorax. We have received only one female.

10. Stelidota

Hab. Guatemaua, Capetillo (Champion).

A female example of a Séelidota from Capetillo agrees with S. bugabensis in many

characters, especially in form, sculpture, and pubescence, and in the structure of the

axillary space; but is considerably larger, and has the thorax more convex transversely

and less expanded at the sides.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1890. 2 S*

314 NITIDULID.

11. Stelidota fortis, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexa, nigra, antennis pedibusque piceo-rufis, tarsis dilutioribus; elytris ad basin vix

sulcatis, seriatim minus breviter pubescentibus.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Thorax not explanate at the sides except in front, the sides in front greatly rounded

and narrowed, the base slightly sinuate on each side, the surface densely and deeply

punctate. Elytra with the interstices scarcely elevated except behind, but with the

serial pubescence rather long; the serial punctuation coarse, and so close as to be

in some places rather irregular. Axillary space of the metasternum unusually

elongate.

The individuals are larger than those of any other species of the genus I have seen.

We have received only two specimens ; I think they are the sexes; if so the male tibie

only just perceptibly differ from those of the female.

Found, like most of its congeners, in rotten fruit.

12. Stelidota clavigera, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexa, nitida, fusco-testacea; antennis nigris, basi rufa, clava majore; elytris leviter

sulcatis.

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. Guatrmata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne with the club quite black and larger than usual. Thorax very convex,

with the sides narrowly explanate, the base not sinuate, the hind angles rectangular.

Elytra with the serial punctuation distinct; the serial pubescence is rather long, the

outer of the two rows of hair forming each series very obsolete and placed near the

inner, so that at first sight the series appear each to be formed of a single row of hairs ;

the interstices are a little elevated even at the base. The axillary space is quite small.

The hind legs of the male are but little curved, while the apical dilatation extends half

the length of the tibia.

13. Stelidota chontalensis, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, minus lata, convexa, piceo-ferruginea, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, elytris ad basin

et ultra medium vage rufo-maculatis ; prothorace basi truncata, lateribus haud explanatis ; elytris obsolete

sculpturatis, tantum ad apicem sulcatis, seriatim regulariter, subtiliter pilosis.

Long. 2-24 millim.

Hab. Nicaraeua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne infuscate externally. Thorax not much emarginate in front, the anterior

angles very little prominent, the sides straight behind, the surface very convex trans-

versely, the sides not at all explanate, the base nearly straight, the hind angles

rectangular; rather deeply and coarsely, not densely punctate. LElytra with the serial

STELIDOTA. 315

punctuation very obsolete; with regular series of erect short pubescence, each series

consisting of a single row, but midway between each pair with an indistinct series of

shorter hairs; costate at the apex only; fuscous, with the apex, a spot at the base of

each, and another beyond the middle vaguely red. Under surface more or less infuscate.

Axillary space large, the coxal line being externally greatly deflexed. Male with the

hind tibize almost simple, very slightly curved and feebly dilated at the apex.

We have received a good series of this inconspicuous insect.

14, Stelidota championi, sp. n. (Tab. X. fig. 6, 2.)

Minor, oblongo-ovalis, minus lata, convexa, ferruginea, elytris fuscescentibus, ad basin et ultra medium vage

ferrugineis ; prothorace basi fere truncata, lateribus haud explanatis ; elytris obsolete sculpturatis, tantum

ad apicem sulcatis, seriatim regulariter pilosis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Cordova, Cerro de Plumas (/Hége), Cuernavaca, Teapa (H. H.

Smith); Guaremaa, Capetillo, San Gerdénimo, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion) ;

Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This species closely resembles S. chontalensis, but it has the axillary space small,

and the male has the hind tibie simple, and straight even along the inner margin. The

thorax is not quite so free from curvature at the sides as it is in S. chontalensis, and the

base is perceptibly sinuate on each side near the angle.

15. Stelidota extranea, sp.n. (Tab. X. fig. 7, 2.)

Oblongo-ovalis, subdepressa, fusca, supra fusco-testacea, limbo testaceo; prothorace lateribus late explanatis ;

elytris irregulariter, fortiter, parum profunde, punctatis.

Long. 3% millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Zapote (Champion).

Although very dissimilar in appearance from the typical species of the genus, this

insect shows no remarkable structural differences, the most important being, so far as I

can see, that all the coxe are less widely separated ; the sculpture of the upper surface

and the form of the thorax are the characters that give rise to its peculiar facies. The

thorax is very deeply emarginate in front, the base is quite straight, the hind angles

definite, slightly obtuse, the sides expanded, the surface a little uneven, coarsely but

not at all deeply punctate. Scutellum triangular. LElytra fuscous on the disc,

but vaguely marked with yellow, which is the predominant colour at the margins;

the surface is coarsely punctate, and there is a very scanty irregularly distributed

pubescence. The male has the apices of the middle and hind tibie a little incurved.

Two specimens.

2S*2

316 NITIDULIDA,

PROMETOPIA.

Prometopia, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 279 (1848).

This genus includes a few species found in North, Central, or South America; and

Murray has assigned to it one from West Africa.

1. Prometopia porcina, sp.n. (Tab. X. fig. 8.)

Latiuscula, suboblonga, depressa, subtus rufescens, supra nigricans, margine rufa, elytris rufo-quadriguttatis,

antennis pedibusque rufis; nitidula, parce setosa.

Long. 64 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Third joint of antenne very long. Mandibles very stout. Head very large, densely

punctate, with a few larger setigerous punctures; depressed in front. Thorax broad

and short, very strongly transverse, but little narrowed in front; anterior angles very

prominent and acute; shining, sparingly and finely punctate, and with almost equally

numerous larger, setigerous punctures distributed over the surface. Elytra shining,

irregularly seriate-punctate, the interstices sparingly setose.

We have received only one specimen of this very distinet species. It was labelled

“ Prometopia porcina, Murr.,” in Sallé’s collection.

2. Prometopia sequalis, sp.n. (Tab. X. fig. 9.)

Oblongo-ovalis, subdepressa, fusca, limbo testaceo, elytris testaceo-variegatis ; pube depressa vestita, subtiliter

punctata ; elytris apice truncato.

Long. 44-5 millim.

Hab. GuareMaa, Chacoj, Torola (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

Thorax much rounded and narrowed in front, the lateral margins turned upwards,

the sides only narrowly explanate, the hind angles slightly acute; the surface quite finely

punctate, broadly yellow at the sides, the disc with a dark, vague, irregular pattern.

Elytra short, truncate behind, so as to leave the large pygidium exposed; finely punc-

tured, with a quite depressed, conspicuous, concolorous pubescence, the surface fuscous,

much variegated with yellow.

Erichson’s P. confluens, according to his description, agrees with this species in the

form of the elytra; but is testaceous in colour, and, apparently, more depressed and

more delicately pubescent.

3. Prometopia rauca, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, subdepressa, fusco-testaceo-variegata, pubescentia rigida depressa vestita, parce minus sub-

tiliter punctata, nitida; elytris apice rotundato.

Long. 34-4 millim.

Hab. GuATEMALA, Pantaleon (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).

PROMETOPIA.—PLATYCHORA. 317

Closely resembling P. equalis, but smaller, with a more scanty and coarse pubescence,

and the apices of the elytra rounded, the pygidium being thus nearly covered.

4. Prometopia cryptarchoides.

Prometopia cryptarchoides, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 51°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Parada (Sallé); Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Guatemala city, Zapote

(Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This insect has a fine and scanty pubescence mixed with the suberect coarse sete of

the thorax and elytra.

It is apparently the least rare of the Prometopie found in our region; we have

received nineteen examples.

5. Prometopia soronioides, sp. n. (Tab. X. fig. 10.)

Oblongo-ovalis, minus depressa, fusco-testacea, pubescens, setulisque albidis micantibus adspersa ; corpore

limbo testaceo, elytris pone basin et ante apicem ferrugineo-quadriguttatis ; prothorace lateribus rotun-

datis, fortiter explanatis.

Long. 34-4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Geronimo, Purula (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).

This species is very distinct by the comparatively small eyes, the less elongate head,

and the much shorter mentum; in its general shape and clothing it is more like

Soronia or Lobiopa. Antenne red, with the club fuscous. Thorax with the sides

rounded, broadly explanate, the hind angles not acute, rather coarsely but oosoletely

punctate, hispid. Elytra sparingly punctate, with a rough setosity which is gleaming-

white on the pale marks, and with some distant coarser white sete serially arranged.

P. soronioides bears a great superficial resemblance to Lepiarcha omositoides.

PLATYCHORA.

Platychora, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 284 (1843).

The four species of which this genus is composed are equally divided between South

America and West Africa.

1. Platychora lebasi. (Tab. X. fig. 11, 3.)

Platychora lebasi, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 285°.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremata, Capetillo, Pantaleon (Champion).—Sovtu

America, Colombia ?.

318 NITIDULIDZ.

PSILOTUS.

Psilotus, Fischer, Bull. Soc. Mosc. i. p. 48 (1829); Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 281.

This is one of the characteristic genera of Nitidulidee of Tropical America. Although

only about six species are known, they appear to be abundant as well as remarkable

insects. They are found beneath the sappy bark of fallen trees.

1. Psilotus cornutus.

Nitidula cornuta, Fabry. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 349°.

Psilotus hoffmanseggii, Fisch. Bull. Soc. Mose. i. p. 48, t. 1. figg. 9-11’.

Psilotus cornutus, Er. in Germ. Zeitsch. iv. p. 283°.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).—Soutn America}, Cayenne ?, Para °.

2. Psilotus atratus. (Tab. X. fig. 12, ¢.)

Psilotus atratus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii. Abhandl. p. 105°.

Hab. Mexico}, Cordova (Sallé); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

3. Psilotus mimetes. (Tab. X. fig. 13, 2.)

Depressus, piceus, limbo dilutiore, antennarum basi pedibusque rufis; elytris seriatim fortiter punctatis, inter-

stitiis seriatim griseo-setosis.

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Upper surface sparingly clothed with a distinct griseous setosity. Thorax coarsely

punctured, the surface a little uneven, with a very small impression in front of the

scutellum ; this latter bears a few symmetrically arranged hairs. Elytra with series of

large punctures, and with the interstices seriately setose.

We have received only one example, a female, of this species; it is distinguished

from the others of the genus by the well-marked setosity of the upper surface. The

specimen was mounted on a card with an example of Perilopa punctigera, to which it

bears a considerable superficial resemblance. The mandibles of this specimen are

shorter than those of the same sex of P. atratus; and it is probable, therefore, that

the male has also smaller mandibles than those of the species mentioned.

PERILOPA.

Perilopa, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 276 (1843).

This genus was established for one species from South America, and a second from

the Cape of Good Hope. I have not had an opportunity of examining the South-

African insect,

PERILOPA. 319

1. Perilopa deplanata, sp. n.

Rotundato-oblonga, parum convexa, disco planato, fere opaca, nigra, antennis pedibusque rufescentibus ; elytris

seriebus regularibus setarum erectarum.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands

(Champion).

Antenne with large, subcircular basal appendage. Head with a transverse elevated

line on the vertex. Thorax broad, but little emarginate in front, with coarse but very

shallow punctuation, which is very dense on the disc, sparingly clothed with fine

suberect hairs. Elytra quite flat on the disc, with very regular series of distant, erect,

rather long, fine hairs of a fulvescent tint; between each series of hairs there are

two irregular series of large but very shallow punctures; the interstices on which the

hairs are placed are, when viewed from a suitable point, seen to be feebly grooved,

each hair arising from a minute deep fovea (but these give rise to scarcely any

appearance of a tuberculation of the interstices) ; the disc is quite flat, but immediately

external to the seventh series of hairs the sides are abruptly deflexed. Under surface

piceous, dull, impunctate; ventral segments black, shining, the fovea across the base of

the last segment larger and deeper than those across the other segments. Male with

the clypeus tuberculate in the middle; upper apical cusp of the left mandible dilated

and rounded, the right mandible with the corresponding cusp elongated and turned

abruptly upwards so as to form a rather long, erect tooth.

This very distinct species will be readily recognized by the distinct duplication of the

series of punctures between the rows of sete, and by the peculiar structure of the

mandibles of the male. It was found not uncommonly under bark, and exhibits but

little variation. The unique example from the Pearl Islands differs slightly in sculpture

from the other specimens, and may possibly belong to a different species.

2. Perilopa punctigera, sp.n. (Tab. X. fig. 14.)

Rotundato-oblonga, parum convexa, disco planato, nigra, limbo picescente, antennis pedibusque rufescentibus ;

supra setosa, elytris interstitiis subelevatis, nitidis, quasi subtuberculatis.

Long. 4-43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera, David (Champion).

Closely allied to P. deplanata, but readily distinguished by the sculpture of the upper

surface, and the more distinct tuberculation of the thorax and elytra. The sculpture

of the latter consists of duplicate series of punctures; the slightly raised interstices are

quite shining, and, at the points where the serial sete are inserted in their minute

fovee, appear to be obsoletely tuberculate. I cannot detect any peculiarity to indicate

which are males of P. punctigera, though we have received a good series of the species.

It exhibits some variation in sculpture: in some examples the interstices are more

320 NITIDULIDZA.

elevated, and at the same time the serial punctuation is less distinct. Our figure is

taken from a specimen of this kind.

3. Perilopa placida, sp. n. (Tab. X. fig. 15.)

Subelliptica, ferruginea, depressa, breviter setulosa, subopaca; elytris seriebus omnino regularibus punctorum

majorum, interstitiis regulariter confertim setosis, ad apicem magis elevatis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo, Chiacam (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui,

Caldera, David (Champion).

Thorax deeply emarginate in front, densely sculptured, but with the sculpture

shallow and very indistinct. Elytra with perfectly regular series of closely placed

shallow punctures, these punctures large and each perfectly circular; the interstices

are broad, and each bears a quite regular series of short recurved sete; the four or five

interstices next the suture are each at the extremity a little compressed and elevated

so as to be subcarinate. Axillary line of the metasternum very definite.

We have received seven examples of this species. It varies in colour from ferruginous

to black. It is extremely similar to P. peltidea, Er.; but in that South-American insect

the serial punctures are rather larger and deeper, and are so closely placed that behind

the middle of the elytra they are, as it were, compressed and no longer round, but with

the front part of each puncture indistinct.

LOBIOPA.

Lobiopa, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 291 (1843)’.

Soronia (pars), Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 46°; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 306.

Lobiopa has been united with Soronta by Reitter? and Horn, but I think incorrectly

so. ‘The distinction between the two in the structure of the antennary grooves, though

not great, is undoubted, and quite sufficient for their separation; but there exists, in

addition, another character, viz. that in Lobtopa the epipleure of the elytra do not

extend round the apex, while in Soronia they are continued at the tip to the suture.

Amphotis and Phenolia, which were established by Erichson, are also, I think, good

genera, though Horn has united the one, Reitter the other, with Soronia.

Lobiopa, as limited by Erichson, is peculiar to the New World, ranging from North

America to Brazil and including the Antilles. The number of species is quite uncertain,

as the specific limits are not easy to ascertain, the attempt to do so having indeed been

as yet scarcely made. About twenty species have been described; only one is at

present recognized as North American, but it is doubtful whether there are not

more there.

_LOBIOPA. 321

1. Lobiopa retusa, sp. n. (Tab. X. fig. 16.)

Rotundato-ovalis, convexa, ferruginea, elytris flavis, in disco et ad apicem ferrugineis, ad basin piceo-maculatis ;

prothorace anterius leviter declivo, ante medium obsolete tri-impresso.

Long. 9 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

Mandibles abruptly curved at the extremity. Thorax convex, with only a slight

explanate portion at the lateral margin, sparingly punctate, depressed in front on the

middle, and behind the depression with three feeble impressions. Llytra explanate at

the sides, but not strongly, rather sparingly punctate, the serial setosity fine and scanty,

the other pubescence very scanty; yellow in colour, with a dark mark behind the

scutellum, some dark spots on each side near the base, and a common flammulate

ferruginous mark on the disc, the extremity broadly ferruginous. Legs stout, the

femora deeply sulcate for the reception of the tibie. Front tibie a little dilated at

the apex, the tarsi rather less slender than in the other species of the genus, Pro-

sternum deeply impressed along the middle.

Of this very distinct species we have received only two badly preserved examples.

The subretuse front of the thorax distinguishes it from all the other known members

of the genus.

2. Lobiopa undulata.

Nitidula undulata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. v. p. 179°.

Soronia undulata, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 308°.

Hab. Nortu America! 2,—Mexico, Northern Sonora (JJorrison).

The two individuals found just within our northern boundary that I refer to this

species differ from some of the varieties of L. decumana only in the eye, as seen on the

underside of the head, being considerably narrower and less convex.

L. setulosa, Lec. (nec Er.), has been united with L. undulata (Say), but perhaps may

prove distinct ; it has not been detected within our limits.

3. Lobiopa decumana.

Lobiopa decumana, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 295°.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Cordova (Sallé, Hoge), Jalapa (Flohr,

Hoge); British Hoypuras, R. Hondo, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuaTEMALs, Pana-

jachel, Zapote, Capetillo, San Gerénimo, Sabo, Panzos (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Belt, Janson); Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui 3000 feet, Caldera, David, Taboga Island (Champion).—SovutH America,

Demerara (Harper); ANTILLES, Cuba!.

This species is common in our region, and is most variable in size, colour, pattern,

and outline, but I am unable to find any constant character for specific division.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1890. 2 T*

322 NITIDULID.

The variation does not seem to depend altogether on locality, though it is decidedly

different in Chiriqui from what it is in Mexico. Varieties occur so closely resembling

L. simulatriz and L. cassidoides in colour, size, and form, that I am able to discriminate

them only by the absence of certain points that I have considered characteristic of those

species, and these varieties occur in the same localities as the species they resemble.

Whether all the numerous forms I have referred to L. decumana really pertain to one

species is still doubtful to me, though, as I have remarked above, I fail to find any

satisfactory distinctive characters. Three South-American species described by Erichson

as distinct are now united with Z. decumana in the Munich Catalogue.

4, Lobiopa cassidoides, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexa, subtiliter pubescens, parce setulosa, fusco-testacea, capite fusco; corporis limbo minus late

explanato.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

between 4000 and 6000 feet (Champion).

The punctuation of the upper surface is almost equally dense all over, and the

punctures are not serially arranged even near the sides of the elytra; the sete are

rather thick, regularly arranged. The punctuation of the under surface is quite fine

and scanty.

In this species there is a comparatively large lobe behind the eyes, on the under

surface of the head: this renders the recognition of the species certain. Moreover,

the mentum and the parts of the head behind it bear some fine, suberect, silky

pubescence; and the front tarsi are more dilated than in ZL. simulatrix. I have not

observed a similar pubescence on the underside of the head in any other species of ~

Lobiopa ; but it is not very conspicuous, and to be sure of its existence and nature must

be looked at laterally.

This species is also a variable one. A considerable series received from Chiriqui do

not vary much, except in size, and these I have treated as the typical form. One

example from Cerro Zunil and two from Zapote agree fairly well with this typical form ;

but the other examples from these two localities are very decidedly different, the form

being more convex, and the punctuation rather coarser and more distant, and each

elytron bearing a large blackish basal mark extending backwards for about half its

length.

5. Lobiopa simulatrix, sp.n. (Tab. X. fig. 17, ¢.)

Parva, ovalis, sat convexa, testacea, minus picturata fere unicolor, fortiter punctata; elytris seriatim parce

setosis, lateribus anguste explanatis.

Long. 4-43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Colima city, Jalapa (Hége); GuatemaLa, Teleman (Champion); Nica-

raGua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

LOBIOPA.—SORONIA. 323

Under this name I separate some examples that, besides being smaller than the

smallest individuals of Z. decumana, differ in the sides of the elytra being less

explanate, the epipleure narrower, and the eyes beneath shorter in the longitudinal

direction, and therefore approaching a semicircular form. These examples more

nearly resemble Z. cassidoides, but they have the disc of the thorax more coarsely and

not quite so closely punctured, and the erect pubescence on the mentum and gula is

not present, and the lobe behind the eye is small. ZL. precox, Er. (Germ. Zeitschr. iv.

p. 297), from Brazil, may possibly be a variety of either LZ. simulatrix or L. cassi-

doides, but I think from the description it is more probably a distinct species. In

L. simulatrix and LZ. cassidoides the lobes over the insertion of the antenne are much

less prominent than they are in L. decumana.

6. Lobiopa discedens, sp. n. (Tab. X. fig. 18, ¢.)

Suboblonga, parallela, parum convexa, picescens, antennis pedibusque piceo-rufis, elytris ferrugineo-variegatis ;

prothorace dense sequaliter punctato; elytris subrugulose punctatis; corpore limbo minus late explanato

sed intra marginem magis depresso.

Long. 54 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Basal appendage of antenne large; eyes large and conspicuous. Thorax rather

deeply and abruptly emarginate in front; sides a little narrowed towards the front,

but, except for this, nearly straight, rather deeply and definitely depressed within the

lateral margin; the surface closely and evenly punctured, very finely pubescent, with

two or three vague depressions near each side. Elytra rather closely and finely but

subrugosely punctate, the serial sete fine and curvate; variegated with some red marks

near the base and beyond the middle; and, like the thorax, deeply depressed within

the lateral margin. Prosternum not at all impressed between the coxe. Legs rather

widely separated. Male with the inner margin of the hind tibize excised at the base.

This species was procured in considerable numbers. It is perhaps entitled to generic

distinction owing to the abdominal lobe between the hind coxe being broad and

truncate, and the inner epipleural margin continued to the suture, the epipleura being

in this part, however, so narrow that there is only just space on it for a series of fine

punctures,

SORONITA.

Soronia, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 277 (1843).

This genus, after subtraction of Phenolia, Lobiopa, and Amphotis, which have been

included in it, will comprise eight or nine species distributed in the Palearctic and

Nearctic Regions, and with species in New Zealand and New Caledonia, which latter,

however, will have to be removed. It is doubtful whether Soronia really occurs within

our limits.

2 T* 2

324 NITIDULID2.

1. Soronia rectangula.

Seronia rectangula (sic), Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii. Abhandl. p. 102°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa?.

Reitter, who united Lodiopa with Soronia, states! that S. rectangula is a true

Soronia, but I greatly doubt whether he was correct in so doing. If the insect is

really a Soronia I am certainly unacquainted with it; if not, it may be L. discedens.

CACCONTA, gen. nov.

Sulci antennarii parum convergentes. Palpi labiales dilatati. Prosternum inter coxas rotundatum, haud

prolongatum. Tarsi elongati, lineares.

I establish this genus for a species of which we have received but a single exponent.

The parts of the mouth are small, the mentum very small. The eyes as seen beneath

are small, subhemispheric. The antennary grooves are sharply defined internally by a

raised line which extends backward along the large submental area; but externally they

are not definitely limited, though there is a large depressed space behind the eye.

There are no antennary lobes, so that on the upper surface the base of the antenna is

quite exposed. The mandibles are concealed by the labrum, which is moderately large,

feebly emarginate in front. The front coxe are large, transverse, not at all prominent ;

the prosternum is gently bent upwards in a curve behind the coxe, and its apex is

concealed, not prominent. The legs are slender, the femora not grooved beneath, the

tarsi long and slender, the claws large. The hind coxe are not widely separated.

Cacconia differs from Soronia and Lobiopa by the want of antennary prominences and

by the prosternum being curved upwards behind the coxe; it agrees with Lobiopa in

the epipleure being not continued along the apex to the suture. In the structure of

the head and antenne it comes nearer to Phenolia, but differs from that genus in the

unmargined femora, the more approximate coxe, and the form of the apical portion

of the epipleure.

1. Cacconia obscura, sp. n. (Tab. X. fig. 19.) |

Breviter ovalis, subconvexa, irregulariter punctata, parce minus subtiliter pubescens, sordide testacea; pro-

thorace irregulari, lateribus explanatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (M. Trujillo).

Antenne with the first joint a little dilated, much longer than broad, the club elon-

gate, infuscate. Thorax deeply emarginate in front, the anterior angles obtuse, the

surface irregular, the sides explanate, the punctuation rather coarse, moderately close.

Scutellum rather large, impunctate. lytra with feeble indications of longitudinal

coste, coarsely, irregularly punctate, the punctuation obsolete towards the suture ;

among the scanty hairs there are a few, differing but little from the others, arranged in

a serial manner.

MELIGETHES.—CAMPTODES. 326

Subfam. STRONGYLINA.

Although Murray has demonstrated (Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xix. p. 169) the

impossibility of separating the Strongyline and Nitiduline as defined by Erichson, |

nevertheless retain the two subfamilies, because by changing the definitions and trans-

ferring a few genera from the Nitiduline to the Strongyline a natural and useful

arrangement may be made. The Strongyline will include all those forms in which

the prosternum and mesosternum are co-adapted to admit a greater or less degree of

contraction of the body, and will include two or three distinct groups. These I cannot

deal with at present, as there are numerous genera not represented in our region.

MELIGETHES.

Meligethes, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. i. p. 45 (1830) ; Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 309.

Meligethes is eminently a palearctic genus and very rich in species. It has also a

few representatives in North America; but the one found just within the limits of our

region is one of the most abundant European insects that has spread over a portion

of the North-American continent.

In accordance with the views expressed in the note under the heading Strongyline I

transfer Meligethes to this subfamily, where indeed it was originally placed by Erichson

himself.

1. Meligethes zeneus.

Nitidula enea, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 78°.

Meligethes eneus, Er. Ins. Deutsch. iii. p. 178 *,

Meligethes rufimanus, Lec. Pacific Railr: Rep. 1857, App. 1, p. 37 °. Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii.

p-. 313°.

Hab. Evrore passim.—NortH AMERICA, California, Oregon 4-—Mexico, Northern

Sonora (Morrison). :

I see no means of distinguishing North-American from European examples, and as

Horn has already suggested that they belong to the abundant I. eneus, I unite the

specimens from both countries under the older name. In some recent catalogues the

species is cited as M. brassicae, Scop.; but it is not advisable to adopt this change of

name until the grounds on which it is proposed have been thoroughly investigated, and

it is recommended by use in a standard work.

CAMPTODES.

Camptodes, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 321 (1848)'; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1,

p. 101”.

Camptodes is peculiar to the New World, where it extends from Northern Mexico

southwards throughout the warmer regions, but has not yet been found in Chili nor, |

326 NITIDULID.

believe, in Uruguay. In the tropical regions of America it is apparently extremely rich

in species. Erichson! in 1843 described thirty-nine, and Reitter? in 1873 distinguished

seventy-four. We have to record about fifty species from our region, a large majority

of which are new.

The specific characters have not yet been well defined; and I have experienced

great difficulty in discriminating them in the material our editors have procured.

This is chiefly owing to the very peculiar characters of the sexes: the males of many

species differ greatly from the females in size, shape, and sculpture; and these sexual

distinctions not only vary from species to species, but in some cases are inconstant

even within the limits of a single species, the smaller males differing but little from

the females, while the larger specimens of the sex in question may be so different in

size and sculpture as to suggest at first that they belong altogether to another species.

Therefore before attempting to determine the species the sexes should be distinguished.

This can nearly always be done by an inspection of the apex of the hind body: the

male has an internal supplementary segment, and though this cannot be itself detected

in the normal state, yet its extremity is fringed with long hairs which can be perceived

projecting externally between the dorsal and ventral plates of the last segment; usually,

too, this sex has the hind margin of the last ventral plate depressed, and more densely

ciliate than it is in the female; but this latter character must not be implicitly trusted,

for in some species the females have these parts much more ciliated than usual, and in

one or two even develop on the middle of the extremity of the last ventral plate some

projecting hairs which look like the pubescence attached to the supplementary segment

of the male. The true supplementary segment, or the extremity of the cedeagus, or

both, are not infrequently a little extruded, and the individual may thus be distinguished

as a male; but in the case of C. masculinus the female has a small chitinous process

on the middle of the hind margin of the last ventral plate simulating the projecting

apex of the male organs. In case of doubt existing as to the sex of an individual, a

needle should be used, after the specimen has been softened, to separate the dorsal

and ventral plates, and then the male supplementary segment, if the individual be of

the male sex, will be detected closely attached to—in fact duplicating the edge of—the

last dorsal plate.

The female characters, so far as I have observed, are constant and without variation ;

the most remarkable of the positive characters of this sex being a greater or less

elongation of the wing-cases, with sinuation or prolongation of their apices; but this

occurs only in a comparatively small number of species.

As the species have been distinguished by previous writers chiefly by colour and

sculpture, and as the former of these characters is apparently in some cases very

variable, and as the latter is liable to great sexual variation in the male, it is almost

impossible to determine with certainty from the descriptions what are the species to

which they are intended to apply ; thus I have not ventured to identify by description

CAMPTODES. 327

alone any of our species with insects described from South America. The number of

species really common to our region and to South America appears, however, so far as

collections at present enable one to judge, to be very small; indeed only two or three

are known to me as common to the two regions. I have seen, however, no Camptodes

from Venezuela.

The genus has been divided into two sections by Erichson by means of the structure

of the claws, which in some species have a rather large lobe at the base, while in others

the lobe is small or altogether absent. This character, though of importance, does not

satisfactorily divide the genus into two groups, and I have therefore abandoned it, using

in preference some other characters. Indeed, by two or three minor structural characters

the genus is so sharply divided into two sections that I have little doubt the two will

ultimately be considered distinct genera. Ihave at present, however, treated them only

as subgenera, giving a fresh name to the section with fewer species, and reserving

Erichson’s title specially for the division containing the larger number of species.

In addition to those enumerated below we have received a few specimens, which more

or less certainly represent other species; these I have not thought it proper to attempt

to characterize with insufficient material.

All the species of Camptodes are, I believe, found on flowers, and some of them appear

to be common insects, though many are very rare.

Subgen. nov. EKucAMPTODES.

Metasternum much produced in the middle between the intermediate core, its front

margin indistinct or interrupted there ; terminal joint of antenne pointed ; sutural

stria of elytra placed at a distance from the suture, the sutural interstice more

or less punctate. (Species 1-19.)

1. Camptodes principalis, sp. n.

Rotundatus, convexus, late rufus, capite prothoraceque nigris nitidis, hoc ad basin utrinque rufo-maculato ;

elytris lete viridibus, crebre sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. capite inflexo 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge, M. Trujillo).

Antenne red, with the club concolorous. Thorax shining black, with a large red

mark on each side at the base, very sparingly and finely punctured. Elytra rather

coarsely punctate, with traces of striation between the punctures. Pygidium coarsely

punctate. Male with the pubescence on the mentum, submentum, and front of pro-

sternum longer and denser, and the hind margin of the last ventral plate bisinuate ; in

this sex the extremity of the hind body exhibits in the middle some longer pubescence,

the pubescence being attached to the extremity of the supplementary segment, which,

except for this, is quite internal.

328 NITIDULID2.

Herr Hége procured a fine series of this handsome insect; the specimens exhibit but

little variation, and the species can always be distinguished from C. ilustris by the

larger size, the quite concolorous club of the antenne, and the diminished punctuation

of the prothorax at the sides.

2. Camptodes illustris.

Strongylus illustris, Chevr. Col. Mex. Cent. i. fasc. 3, no. 43 *.

Camptodes illustris, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 329’.

Hab. Mexico 12, Ventanas in Durango 2000 feet (Hoge, Forrer), Acapulco in Guerrero

(Hoge), Jalapa (Hége, M. Trujillo), Cordova, El Mirador, Vera Cruz (Sal/é).

This species varies much in size and colour; the elytra are usually of a rather obscure

green colour, this varying to purplish-black; specimens are also found in which the

upper surface is dull owing, apparently, to a greater development of the excessively

minute sculpture which the thorax and elytra bear in addition to their more scattered

and coarse punctuation. In the male the hind margin of the last ventral segment is

bisinuate, while in the female it is rounded.

We have received a good series of this species; the examples from Ventanas—seven

in number—are all very aberrant and vary greatly in size; there is considerable variation

also in the large series from Jalapa; from the other localities only single examples have

been received.

3. Camptodes championi, sp. n.

Rotundatus, convexus, rufo-testaceus, antennarum clava, prothorace disco scutelloque nigris; elytris lete

cyaneis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Distinguished from C. dl/ustris by the red thorax, which is broadly black along the

middle; the vertex of the head also is black; the thorax is very finely punctate. In

other respects like C. dllustris, so far as I can judge from the two females which are all

we have received of this species.

4, Camptodes formosus, sp. n. (Tab. X. figg. 20, ¢; 20a, antenna.)

Rotundatus, convexus, subtus rufo-testaceus, prosterno medio pectoreque fuscis, supra cyaneus (vel viridis), pro-

thoracis capitisque limbo rufo-testaceo, antennis rufis, clava fusca; capite, prothorace elytrisque sat crebre

fortiter punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge), Teapa (H. H. Smith), Yucatan (Sallé),

Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer); Brirish Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneauz) ;

GuatemMaLa, San Gerénimo, Cahabon, Chiacam, and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Var. Supra fere omnino viridi-cyaneus, prothorace ad latera anguste flavescente.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

CAMPTODES. 329

Closely allied to C. illustris, but may be distinguished by a glance at the colour

of the sides of the thorax; the male possesses a peculiar character, inasmuch as the

mentum and submentum, besides being pubescent, are finely punctate and opaque; the

prosternum between the front legs is very broad.

We have received seventeen specimens which come under the above definition ; it is

certainly a variable species as no two individuals are exactly alike, and there is a great

difference in size and colour between the extreme forms. The most remarkable variety

is the one alluded to above, of which we have received one female example from Bugaba.

Our figure represents a male found in British Honduras by Blancaneaux.

This species was ticketed C. formosus, Blanch., in Sallé’s collection, but does not

appear to have been described.

5. Camptodes metallicus.

Camptodes metallicus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. 1, p. 112°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova, Playa Vicente (Sallé).

This species cannot be confounded with any other of the genus, owing to the brilliant

unicolorous metallic colour of the upper surface. This colour in the examples before

me is either blue, green, or golden.

6. Camptodes morio.

Camptodes morio, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 225'; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. 1, p. 103°.

Hab. Mexico 2, Ciudad in Durango, Matamoros Izucar (Hége), Acapulco (H. H.

Smith, Hoge), Tierra Colorada 2000 feet (H. H. Smith), Jalapa (Deppe', Hoge), Cordova

(Sallé) ; Guatemana, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Var. a. Subtus (cum abdomine et pygidio) pedibusque rufis.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Temax in North Yucatan (Gawmer); GUATEMALA,

Zapote, Capetillo, Duefias, San Gerdénimo, Tocoy, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion),

Aceytuno 5000 feet (Salvin).

Var, 8. Subtus cum pygidio rufus ; pronoto rufescente.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Saiié), Jalapa (Hoge), Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer);

British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz).

I think there is no doubt that this is a single species variable as to colour (the

variations being rather different in different localities) ; after prolonged examination I

fail to find any constant character to distinguish the varieties, and the cedeagus of

a typical specimen from Jalapa proves to be similar to that of one of the var. « from

San Gerénimo. This insect in its typical form appears to be common at Jalapa, and

there also varieties have occurred sparingly. In Guatemala the var. « is the prevalent

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1890. 2 U*

330 NITIDULIDA.

form, but Mr. Champion obtained two specimens of the typical form at San Gerdnimo.

The series sent by Gaumer from Temax constitutes a variety intermediate between the

typical form and the var. 6. Besides the variation in colour, there is very great

difference in size; in the contracted condition the largest examples are about five,

the smallest about three, millimetres in length.

7. Camptodes gaumeri, sp.n. (Tab. X. figg. 21,9; 21a, labrum and man-

dibles.)

Rotundatus, convexus, sat nitidus, rufus, capite elytrisque nigricantibus, his vix submetallescentibus, prothorace

scutelloque quam elytra parum dilutioribus, subleevigatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer).

Antenne sordid yellow, the club infuscate. Head sparingly, moderately coarsely,

punctured. Thorax ample, transversely very convex, sparingly and extremely finely

punctured, not altogether shining. Elytra sparingly, somewhat coarsely, punctured,

with obsolete strize between the punctures. Pygidium fuscous, nearly impunctate.

Underside and legs red.

Gaumer procured a very large series of this species; the punctuation in it varies

very little, and there is no doubt the insect is distinct. It greatly resembles certain

specimens of var. 8 of C. morio, but may be distinguished by the very obsoletely punc-

tured thorax and pygidium, and by the fact that the thorax is rather broader in front,

so that the sides behind are curvate in a somewhat more longitudinal, less oblique,

direction. There are also traces of the margin on the front of the metasternum being

present : this cannot be seen in C. morio.

A ferruginous-yellow variety occurs, due perhaps partly to immaturity.

8. Camptodes brevis.

Camptodes brevis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 104°.

Hab. Mexico},

I should have no hesitation in assigning one of the varieties (var. «) of C. morio

to Reitter’s description, were it not that the author says that the fine margin on the

front of the thorax is broadly interrupted in the middle. I should not be surprised if

this statement be due to an error of observation, for viewed in certain lights this appears

to be the case in C. morio and C. gaumeri, though it is not really so.

9. Camptodes tricolor.

Camptodes tricolor, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 826°; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 103.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Deppe ').

I see nothing in the description that would not apply to a specimen of C. morio

CAMPTODES. 331

intermediate between the typical form and var. «; but as we have not received any

Camptodes with quite the coloration referred to, I must not treat the name as a mere

synonym at present. A single specimen from Acapulco that I have placed, with some

little doubt, as an aberrant example of the var. 8 of C. morio comes very near to the

description, but does not exhibit so strong a contrast between the colour of the breast

and that of the ventral segments; it is just possible that this specimen may be really

distinct from C. mori, and also that it may be an example of C. tricolor, Er.

10. Camptodes cinctipennis, sp. n.

Latus, convexus, nigerrimus; elytris sanguineis, nigro-cinctis; antennis flavis, clava nigra.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Guaremaua, Capetillo (Champion).

Closely allied to C. morio, but larger, different in colour, and distinguished from it

and the other neighbouring species by the sutural stria being obsolete, though similar

in its position ; the punctuation differs but little from that of C. morio, being distinct

and rather coarse, and the structural characters of the under surface are also apparently

similar. The elytra are red, and have a definite black band along the outer margin—

this commences at the shoulder, continues of one breadth for about half its length,

when it is suddenly widened, and then becomes a little narrower again round the tip

towards the suture; each elytron is greatly rounded at the apex. The pygidium is very

coarsely punctured. One specimen only, of uncertain sex.

11. Camptodes nigroviridis.

Camptodes nigroviridis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 105".

Hab. Mexico !.—SoutH America, Brazil }.

Var. Elytris nigro-cyanescentibus.

Camptodes nigrocyaneus, Reitter, 1. c.*

Hab. Mexico (Chevrolat ').

Reitter gives no distinction between these presumed species except that one has the

elytra blue-black, the other blue-green ; as this distinction is quite without importance

in this genus I have no hesitation in uniting the two; and I am also of opinion that

both will prove to be varieties of C. morio.

12. Camptodes godmani, sp. n.

Rotundatus, convexus, nitidior, rufo-testaceus, et scutello elytris viridescentibus marginibus externis rufe-

scentibus, antennarum clava nigra.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba ( Champion).

2 U* 2

332 NITIDULID.

Head and thorax distinctly, moderately closely, punctate, the punctuation of the

latter not finer on the middle. Elytra very short and broad, rather sparingly punctate,

between the punctuation with very minute definite sculpture on the parts near the

suture. Pygidium rather closely but obsoletely sculptured, dull.

We have received a single male example of this elegant and distinct species; it has

the mentum and submentum covered with long pale, silky pubescence.

13. Camptodes divisus, sp. n.

Rotundatus, convexus, nitidior, lete rufo-testaceus, scutello, elytris, mesosterno abdomineque nigerrimis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Atoyac in Vera Cruz (H. H. Smith); Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

—Souts America, Brazil (coll. Sharp), Para (Mus. Brit.).

Antenne very short ; club with the angle in the middle of the apical joint very obtuse.

Head (with the antenne, thorax, mesosternum, and legs) bright yellow-red. Thorax

and elytra sparingly punctate. Mesosternal carina short.

We have received only two pairs of this pretty little insect; the female does not

differ from the male except by the slight distinctions at the extremity of the hind body.

The examples in the National Collection are labelled C. nigripennis, Er., but Erichson’s

species no doubt belongs to the subgenus Camptodes.

14. Camptodes flohri, sp. n.

Rotundatus, convexus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus, abdomine elytrisque nigris, his testaceo-plagiatis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guadalajara (Flohr).

Antenne short, red, the club not at all darker. Head and thorax sparingly punctured,

bright red. Hlytra black, with distant but not fine punctures, and each with a large

yellow mark on the middle. Pygidium blackish, almost impunctate. Beneath, the

front parts of the body are clear red, the metasternum is more obscure in colour, and

the ventral segments are blackish. The prosternal process is extremely short, and

becomes very much wider immediately behind the front coxe.

I have only seen one specimen of this distinct species; when contracted, it looks like

a Litolibrus.

15. Camptodes collaris.

Camptodes collaris, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 109".

Hab. Mexico (coll. von Bruck }).

The description points to a species allied to C. divisus, but having a black head. We

have not received any such insect.

CAMPTODES. 333

16. Camptodes politus, sp. n.

Subhemisphericus, supra nigerrimus, nitidior, subtus fusco-testaceus, pectore, abdomine pedibusque quatuor

posterioribus nigris ; antennis brevibus, testaceis, clava fuscescente ; sparsim punctatus.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

We have received only one specimen, a female, of this species, and, though it resembles

C. morio, it is very distinct therefrom, so that there will be no difficulty in recognizing it.

The upper surface is remarkably polished, sparingly punctate ; the thorax is yellowish at

the sides towards the front; the pygidium is sparingly and finely punctate, shining black.

The prosternal process is small, the prosternum shorter than usual; the mesosternal

carina is much more slender at the base than it is in C. morio; and the metasternal

margin may be traced in the middle, though it is there both fine and obsolete.

17. Camptodes nigriclava, sp. n. (Tab. X. fig. 22, ¢ .)

Subhemisphericus, nitidus, ferrugineus, antennarum clava nigerrima ; supra sparsim fortiter punctatus.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hége).—Sourn America, Colombia (coll.

Sharp).

This is another species of which we have received only one female example ; though

very like (except in colour) some of the varieties of C. morio, it is readily distinguish-

able by the intense black colour of the club of the antenne in complete contrast to the

rest of the surface; the club is also a little larger than usual. The legs, moreover, are

all considerably more approximate than they are in C. morio or C. gaumeri. ‘The

upper surface is very shining, its punctuation rather coarse but distant ; the punctures

on the pygidium are few and subobsolete.

18. Camptodes decipiens, sp. n.

Rotundatus, convexus, ferrugineus, nitidus, parce subobsolete punctatus; stria suturali parum profunda ;

pygidio nitido, fere levigato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Smaller than C. nigriclava and less distinctly punctured, and, besides, readily distin-

guished by the more pallid club of the antenne; there are no punctures on the

pygidium, but its surface is obsoletely aciculate.

C. decipiens is remarkably similar to C. communis and C. cognatus of the following

section, but the sutural stria and the lobing of the tarsi are quite those of this group ;

the margin of the metasternum is present though only slightly raised and inconspicuous.

Two male specimens.

334 NITIDULIDA.

19. Camptodes aberrans, sp.n. (Tab. X. figg. 23,2; 23a, labrum and man-

dibles.)

Oblongo-ovalis, minus convexus, sat nitidus, niger, subtiliter punctulatus, pedibus fusco-testaceis ; antennis

testaceis, clava obscuriore.

Long. 4-53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Durango city, Esperanza (Hége), Etla, Puebla, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Var. Corpore subtus cum pygidio, toto, vel ex parte, testaceo.

This species seems to be variable as regards colour and punctuation, possibly to as

great an extent as C. morio. It bears a considerable resemblance to C. morio, though

different in form, and it has the apices of the elytra each much less rounded. It

is, however, essentially distinguished from C. morio by the structure of the mandibles,

which are stout at the apex, and there emarginate. The punctuation, like the colour,

varies much, but it is always finer than it is in C. morio, and usually the striation

on the elytra is more distinct. The pygidium is rather sparingly, moderately finely

punctate.

We have received about twenty examples of the species; our figure is taken from a

female of the dark form found at Durango city by Hoge.

Subgen. CAMPTODES. »

| Metasternum but little produced in the middle between the intermediate core, its front

margin very distinct and continued completely across in a sinuate curve; terminal

Joint of antenne emarginate or emarginate-truncate at the extremity; sutural

stria of elytra placed very close to the suture, the sutural interstice impunctate.

(Species 20-51.)

Group 1.

Front coxe less widely separated, the prosternal process very short, rather abruptly wider

just behind the core ; mesosternum with the carina not broader behind 3; metasternum

depressed in the middle in front and finely margined. (Species 20-23.)

The species I place in this group are closely allied, with the exception of C. mela-

nopterus ; they have the scutellum of peculiar form, the apex being subtruncate and

only obtusely angulate in the middle, but C. melanopterus differs in this respect. All

are apparently rare and are variable in colour. The group is the centre of the genus,

having affinities with the preceding and following groups. The claws are in an inter-

mediate condition in regard to the size of the lobe at their base.

20. Camptodes jucundus, sp. v.

Rotundatus, convexus, nitidior, rufo-testaceus, pectore abdomineque fuscis, prothorace disco, elytrorum

marginibus, late nigris,

Long. 4 millim.

Var, Prothorace elytrisque nigris, illo plus minusve vage rufo-marginato.

CAMPTODES, 330

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne red, the club rather small. Thorax finely and numerously punctate. Elytra

scarcely more coarsely punctured than the thorax. Pygidium sparingly and finely

punctate, but little exposed. Male with the thorax and elytra not so shining as they

are in the female.

This is a more polished insect than C. communis, and is distinguished from it by

important structural characters, the prosternal process being short, the middle coxz less

widely separated, and the metasternum a little depressed in front in the middle. The

labrum is more elongate and the mandibles at the apex differently formed. Six examples.

21. Camptodes transversus.

Camptodes thoracicus, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 329+.

Camptodes transversus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 107.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Deppe'), Orizaba, Cordova (Sallé), Playa Vicente (Hdge) ;

Guatemaa (Sallé, Salvin).

This is apparently a rare species, as we have received only ten specimens. The form

with immaculate head and thorax considered by Erichson as a variety should be treated

as the typical form of the species, the insect with maculate head and thorax as a variety.

C. transversus exhibits much variation in the colour of the posterior parts of the under

surface, the prosternum and mesosternum being, however, always yellow, but behind

this the colour varies from yellow to black. There is a great dissimilarity between the

large and small males, the latter differing but little from the females, while the larger

examples have the surface quite dull and the sculpture obliterated. C. transversus

may be distinguished from C. jucundus, to which it is closely allied and with which it

agrees in the peculiar form of the scutellum, by the rather larger size and more distinct

punctuation, by the prosternum being not quite so short, and by the different colour:

though each of the species varies greatly in colour, I have not seen any example of the

one agreeing with the other in this respect. ‘The elytra of C. transversus are either

black or black with a green tinge, and the dark colour on the head and thorax when

present is more definite than it is in the other species.

22. Camptodes solitarius, sp. n. (Tab. X. fig. 24, 2 .)

Rotundatus, convexus, dilute rufus, prothorace medio, pectore abdomineque fuscis, elytris nigris, viridi-tinctis,

sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 47 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Duefias (Champion).

Although we have received only one female of this insect there can be no doubt that

it belongs to a distinct species. It is allied to C. transversus, but the prosternal process

is evidently longer and broader than in that species, and the punctuation of the elytra

is considerably coarser ; these characters also separate it from C. gucundus, to the dark

336 NITIDULID.

varieties of which it is also extremely similar. The scutellum is almost truncate behind.

The structure of the mesosternum and the metasternum in the middle is similar to that

of the other species of this group, the former having a carina not broadened at the base,

and the latter being depressed and rather finely margined. The females in this group

may be mistaken for males owing to the last ventral segment having a depressed

margin behind ; and in the female of C. solitarius the resemblance to a male is increased

by there being some elongate pubescence in the middle of this margin.

23. Camptodes melanopterus, sp. n.

Rotundatus, convexus, dilute rufus, elytris nigerrimis ; antennarum clava lata, nigricante, apice ferrugineo.

Long. 5-52 millim.

Mas. Supra opacus.

Fem. Supra nitida.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco in Guerrero (Hége).

This insect differs from C. transversus and C. jucundus in the form of the scutellum,

the latter being of normal shape, instead of having the sides subangulate and the apex

obtusely angulate in the middle as it is in the species mentioned; the pygidium is

rather more closely and distinctly punctured; the scutellum and the entire surface,

except the elytra, are of a clear red colour; the club of the antenne is considerably

broader than it is in the two allied species, darker in colour, and more distinctly

emarginate at the extremity; the structure of the prosternum and breast is similar to

that of C. transversus.

We have received two male and two female specimens of this species. C. dicolor, Er.,

is said to have the club of the antenne subfuscescent, and I have therefore not identified

it with this species, which has the club black with its apex somewhat ferruginous. It

would perhaps be better to remove C. melanopterus from this group to the following

one.

Group 2.

Prosternal process larger than in group 1; mesosternal carina frequently thickened and

flattened at the base; metasternum not depressed in the middle in front, its margin

very distinct ; lobes of the labrum rounded and simple; margin of the prothoraxz

and elytra without spines. (Species 24-46.)

This is the most numerous in species of any of the groups, and I can at present only

divide it in an artificial and unsatisfactory manner as follows :—

A. Colour testaceous or ferruginous (elytra occasionally with vague black vittee).

Species 24-31.

B. Elytra black in colour; rest of the body either black (in one or two species only)

or rufo-testaceous, or rufo-testaceous with the breast and hind body black.

Species 32-46.

CAMPTODES. 337

Colour testaceous or ferruginous. (Species 24-31.)

24. Camptodes communis.

Camptodes communis, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 336°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Ventanas in Durango 2000 feet (Forrer), Jalapa, Frontera, Tapachula

(Hoge), Atoyac, Teapa (H. H. Smith), Cordova, Vera Cruz, Tuxtla (Sallé), Temax in

North Yucatan (Gaumer); Brisa Honpuras, R. Hondo, Belize (Blancaneaux) ;

GuatemALA, Zapote, San Gerdénimo, Chacoj, Teleman (Champion).

Var. vilis minor, punctatura prothoracis disci minus obsoleta ; elytris fuscis ; mas et femina similes.

Hab. Muxico, Teapa (H. H. Smith), Tapachula (Hége) ; British Honpuras, R. Hondo

(Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata, La Tinta in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species, as understood by me, is a most variable one, and very difficult to define

and recognize in all its variations. It has, however, as the first and most important

character, the sculpture of the pygidium excessively minute, so that it is only subopaque,

and that the larger punctures on it are very fine and distant. Great differences occur

in other respects, more particularly in the males; the large examples of this sex are

quite dull on the upper surface, and have the sculpture of either the thorax or the

elytra, or of both, more or less completely effaced ; other specimens of this sex have the

sculpture but little different from that of the female, and thus connect the var. vilis with

the larger forms; this variety, if compared only with the well-marked males of the larger

form, would be almost certainly considered a distinct species. Mr. Gaumer sent us a

large series of C. communis; the larger number of his specimens are of the female sex,

but the males sent by him exhibit a great deal of variety. There is also considerable

variation in the series procured by Mr. Smith at Teapa. The specimens from Guatemala

are few in number, but also vary very much. Reitter has merged two or three of

Erichson’s South-American species in C. communis, but it is very doubtful whether this

is correct.

25. Camptodes externus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, nitidus, rufo-testaceus, elytris externe late nigricantibus ; prothorace tantum obsolete punc-

tato ; elytris parcius punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Cordova (Sallé); GuatemMata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This, though very closely allied to C. communis, is, I think, probably a distinct

species. The black colour extending all over the outer parts of the elytra is not

perhaps of much importance, but it is accompanied by a finer punctuation on the

thorax and a more scanty one on the elytra. The antenne are entirely yellow, and the

pale yellow pygidium is quite destitute of punctures. The var. vilis of C. communes,

which also has yellow antenne and is the only form of that species that much resembles

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1891. 2X*

338 NITIDULID.

C. externus, has the disc of the thorax much more coarsely punctured. I have seen

only one male that I can refer to C: externus, and it has the sculpture slightly coarser

than it is in the female.

26. Camptodes molestus.

Camptodes molestus, Kirsch, Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1873, p. 147*; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1,

pp. 125, 189°.

Hab. Mexico 2,—Soutn America, Peru !2.

On comparing Reitter’s description and remarks with that of Kirsch it seems probable

that Reitter may have had more than one species before him when treating of C. mo-

lestus, and that his identification of the Mexican and Peruvian examples may prove to

be incorrect, in which case this name should be removed from our list of species.

27. Camptodes adustulus.

Camptodes adustulus, Reitter, Verh. z.-b. Ges. Wien, xxvil. p. 170°.

Heb. Mexico}.

This name probably refers to C. communis, about which, as is not to be wondered at,

Reitter appears to have been rather confused ; he distinguishes it (in addition to certain

characters of punctuation which are unimportant) by the fine punctuation of the pygi-

dium and by the elytra being dark behind; these characters are both given by Erichson

as applying to C. communis. The statement as to the absence of a sutural stria is no

doubt due to an error of observation. I have not seen any Camptodes without a sutural

stria, and Reitter’s remark (Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 102) shows that he believed

the stria to be absent, when it is, in fact, deep but placed very near the suture.

28. Camptodes discoideus.

Camptodes discoideus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 1251.

Hab. Mexico}.

This is perhaps an insect allied to C. cognatus, and with blackish vitte on the elytra,

as I have recorded in a variety of C. cognatus ; but it is impossible to come to a certain

conclusion as to it from Reitter’s tables.

29. Camptodes cognatus, sp. n. (Tab. X. figg. 25,3; 25a, labrum and man-

dibles.)

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, ferrugineus, nitidus, prothorace modice fortiter punctato ; pygidio crebre

fortiterque punctato.

Long. 44-5 millim.

Var. maris, opacus, punctatura elytrorum et prothoracis plus minusve obsoleta.

Hab. Mexico, Chilpancingo and Cuernavaca (H. H. Smith), Acapulco, Matamoors,

Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata (Salvin), Capetillo, Duefias, Sabo (Cham-

pion); Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).

CAMPTODES. 339

I distinguish from C. communis a large number of specimens which have the punc-

tuation of the pygidium coarse; these examples, moreover, are, on the average, consi-

derably larger. The examples of C. cognatus show great variation, but, as in the case

of C. communis, I am unable to find any definite characters to divide them into species.

The males are the most variable: in the typical form this sex differs only very slightly

from the female in sculpture, and nearly all the males of a considerable series found by

Mr. Champion at Capetillo and Duefias are in this condition; but in other localities

there are great variations in the sculpture of the male examples. I am able, how-

ever, to satisfactorily distinguish all the individuals by the coarser sculpture of the

pygidium.

A good series of examples of C. cognatus has been obtained, though apparently it is

much less abundant than C. communis ; if all the specimens I assign to it really belong

to one species, it must be quite as variable as C. communis. Among the examples are

two or three specimens of a variety in which the elytra have each a fuscous vitta, or

large patch, broader behind.

30. Camptodes pyxis, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, ferrugineus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; pygidio densissime, fortiter punctato.

Long. 5-53 millim. |

Hab. Muxtco, Atoyac in Vera Cruz, Teapa (H. H. Smith); Brivish Honpuras, R.

Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, Cubilguitz, San Joaquin, Chaco}, Paso Antonio

(Champion); Panama, Bugaba, David (Champion).

Antenne with the club clear yellow, not large. Thorax moderately closely and finely

punctured, the punctuation on the disc quite distinct though finer than that of the

sides. Elytra sparingly and not coarsely punctured. Pygidium coarsely and very

closely punctured. Male with the upper surface dull.

This is a larger insect than C. cognatus, and will be readily identified by the unusu-

ally coarse and dense sculpture of the pygidium and the clear yellow club of the

antenne. The prosternal process is very broad, and the mesosternal carina has a very

broad flat lower face. It appears to be a rare species, occurring in solitary examples,

only ten specimens having been obtained.

31. Camptodes biformis, sp.n. (Tab. XI. figg.1,¢; 1a, 2, extremity of the

elytra. ) -

Ovalis, sat convexus, ferrugineus, sat crebre punctatus ; pygidio nitido, ortiter punctato.

Long. 54 millim.

Mas capite, prothorace elytrisque opacis, obsolete punctatis, elytrorum acibus rotundatis.

Fem. nitida, fortius punctata, elytrorum apicibus prolongatis et sinuatis.

Hab. Guatemana, Zapote (Champion).

This insect is similar in appearance to the species of group 4 (C. chiriquensis &c.).

2X* 2

340 NITIDULIDA.

Independently of the structure of the labrum, it may be known by the shorter prosternal

process and by the extreme difference between the sexes. Although we have received

only one male and three females, and I have no special evidence that they are the sexes

of one species, I do not feel much doubt as to such being the case. The male greatly

resembles that sex of C. cognatus (the large varieties) and of C. pyxis, but differs from

both in having the hind tibiz rather longer and more slender; the thorax, too, is quite

dull and without sculpture, while in the male of C. pyais the thorax is shining, and

even in the largest varieties of the male of C. cognatus, though the head and thorax are

dull, their sculpture is not so obsolete as it is in this sex of C. biformis. The apices of

the elytra leave the pygidium quite exposed in the male, and are, indeed, not longer

than in C. cognatus. The female has the upper surface entirely shining, the head and

thorax distinctly though finely punctate, the elytra elongate, completely covering the

pygidium, the apices much prolonged and sinuate at the sides. In both sexes the

club of the antenne is moderately broad, brown though not at all blackened. The -

mesosternal carina is rather slender, and its lower face is not flattened.

Elytra black. (Species 32-46.)

This section I cannot divide in any way that would really facilitate the determination

of the species. In many of them the apices of the elytra are peculiar in form in the

female sex; this should be one of the first characters looked at in examining a species,

and those in which this is not the case (Nos. 32-40) are here placed first.

32. Camptodes nigrinus, sp. n.

@. Oblongo-ovalis, minus convexus, sat nitidus, niger; antennis testaceis, clava lata, nigra; tarsis rufis ;

prothorace subtilissime punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Zapote (Champion).

Head moderately closely and finely punctured, with a deep puncture on either side

of the very indistinct clypeal suture. Thorax rather short, extremely finely punctate.

Elytra sparingly and finely punctate, somewhat short; apices each separately rounded.

Pygidium sparingly and finely punctate, moderately shining. Mesosternal carina

slender. One specimen.

This insect, except in colour, comes very close to C, eaternus; it is also extremely

similar to the smallest specimens of C. aberrans of the preceding section.

33. Camptodes limbicollis.

Camptodes limbicollis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii. Abhandl, p. 113°.

Hab. Mexico !, Teapa (H. H. Smith); Guatemaza, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

CAMPTODES. 341

The colour here is peculiar, and is rather of the type found in Lucamptodes, the

under surface being yellow, the upper surface black with pallid side margin to the

prothorax. Only four specimens have been received.

34, Camptodes heterocheilus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, dilute rufus, elytris nigerrimis ; antennarum clava sat lata, subfuscescente.

Long. 5-53 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn), Chilpancingo in

Guerrero (H. H. Smith), Tacambaro in Michoacan (Hége), Guanajuato, Juquila

(Sallé).

Antenne with the club a little infuscate towards the extremity. Thorax clear red,

with numerous punctures, these being more distinct at the sides than on the middle.

Scutellum red, distinctly punctate. Elytra deep black, rather sparingly, moderately

coarsely punctate; apex of each moderately rounded. Pygidium moderately closely

and finely punctured.

This species, of which I have seen only six examples (of the female sex), presents an

extreme resemblance to C. melanopterus and to C. addendus, but the structural distinc-

tions will not allow it to be united with either; the prosternum is longer than it

is in C. melanopterus, and the metasternum not depressed in front; the club of the

antenne is not so large nor so dark. From C. addendus it is distinguished by the

rather smaller prosternum and by the carina of the mesosternum being more slender

at the base. The labrum has the excision in the middle smaller than in some of the

allied species, and with straighter sides, so that in this respect this insect somewhat

approximates to the C. chiriquensis group. The form of the labrum varies, however,

somewhat from species to species in this section of Camptodes, and is not different in

C. heterocheilus from what it is in certain others.

Until more examples have been obtained and the male sex recognized, the species

must be looked on as rather doubtful. The example from Pinos Altos is a male, but

being unique and no female found with it its determination is very doubtful; the

elytra are only fuscous in colour, and the example may be an exponent of a distinct

species allied to C. communis and C. cognatus. It is interesting as being obtained

further to the north than any other individual of the genus. A male from Chilpan-

cingo more probably is really that sex of C. heterochetlus; it is smaller than the

female, and has the elytra only fuscous-black, at the sides even testaceous in colour.

35. Camptodes addendus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, subconvexus, dilute rufus, elytris scutelloque nigris ; illis crebre, minus regulariter, versus

suturam fortius, punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).

342 NITIDULID 2.

Very similar to C. heterocheilus, but with the scutellum black: separated also by

important structural differences, the prosternal process being larger, the basal portion

of the mesosternal carina quite broad, the metasternum less produced in the middle in

front, not in the least depressed there, and with very thick margin; the excision of the

labrum is small, as itis in C. heterocheilus. Independent of these structural characters,

the species may be usually recognized by the punctuation of the elytra being rather

coarser and more irregularly distributed, the punctures being especially large on: the

basal part of the elytra near the suture. The punctuation of the pygidium is fine and

rather scanty. The male is broader and less convex than the female, and has the upper

surface duller and its sculpture much effaced.

36. Camptodes laticornis, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, rufo-testaceus, elytris nigricantibus ad latera plus minusve vage ferrugineis ;

pygidio opaco, subtilissime parce punctato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne with the club large and very broad, slightly infuscate. Head, thorax, and

scutellum reddish-yellow, the thorax with the punctuation on the middle fine. Elytra

moderately closely punctate.

There is a considerable difference between the two sexes, the female being shining,

while the male is dull and has the sculpture obliterated and the elytra not so black

as in the female.

This insect is (especially in the male sex) intermediate in colour between those

species with yellow and those with black elytra, and comes equally near to C. addendus

and to C. communis. From the former it is distinguished by the red scutellum and the

broader club to the antenne; while from C. communis it is separated by the darker

elytra, the rather larger club of the antenne, and by the broader and flatter lower face

of the mesosternal carina. |

37. Camptodes sordidus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, rufo-testaceus, elytris nigricantibus, irregulariter punctatis ; pygidio parce,

subtiliter punctato.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Chacoj (Champion).

We have received only two badly preserved female specimens of this obscure

Camptodes ; but they cannot be reconciled with any other of our region, and are toa

certain extent important because they appear to be almost equally allied to several

species. ‘They perhaps most resemble the small varieties of C. laticornis, but the

smaller club of the antenne distinguishes them therefrom. They are also extremely

similar to the female of C. dimorphus, but the apices of the elytra are different. From

CAMPTODES. 343

C. communis, var. vilis, they differ by the blacker elytra, the more finely punctate disc

of the thorax, and the broader mesosternal carina. The apex of each wing-case is a

good deal rounded. ‘The punctuation of the breast and ventral segments is more scanty

than usual. The legs are slender, as in C. dimorphus.

38. Camptodes bicolor.

Camptodes bicolor, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 333".

Hab. Mexico (Deppe').

I hesitated long whether this description might not be applicable to C. melanopterus ;

but I think not. It is, however, possible that the brief description was drawn from

two species, of which C. melanopterus might be one, C. heterocheilus or C. laticornis the

other. The expression “ clava subfuscescente” suggests an insect with a yellow club

to the antenne which had been a little discoloured by decay.

39. Camptodes erythroderus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, dilute rufus, capite supra, pectore abdomineque nigricantibus, elytris nigris ;

antennarum clava sat lata, brunnea.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente, Cordova, Tuxtla, Juquila, Cosamaloapam (Sad/é),

Atoyac in Vera Cruz, Teapa (H. H. Smith); Brirtse Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blanca-

neaux) ; GUATEMALA, Chacoj (Champion); Costa Rica, Irazu (Rogers).

Head moderately finely punctate, scarcely shining, with a larger puncture on each

side near the front. Thorax extremely finely punctate; on the disc the punctures are

very distant and so minute that they can scarcely be detected, and even at the sides they

are very fine. Scutellum piceous. Elytra quite black, moderately finely punctate,

each strongly rounded at the apex. Pygidium black, shining, moderately finely, rather

distantly, punctate. In the male the surface of the thorax and elytra is less shining

than it is in the female, and in the largest examples of the sex the punctuation of the

thorax and elytra is almost entirely obliterated.

This insect much resembles the female sex of C. laticornis, but in addition to the

colour of the head and of the pygidium, it differs in having the club of the antenne

narrower and the mesosternal carina rather broader at the base. The examples of the

species in Sallé’s collection were labelled C. collaris, Reitter; but that insect I have

already recorded as belonging to another group of the genus. The claws of the tarsi of

C. erythroderus are almost destitute of basal lobe. The species is apparently far from

common ; the localities outside of Mexico have each yielded only a single example.

40. Camptodes terminalis, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, late rufus, elytris nigris ad apicem rufo-marginatis.

Long. 33 millim.

344 NITIDULIDA.

fab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

I have seen no other Camptodes of the colour of this species, viz. red, with the elytra

black margined with red behind. The club of the antenne is broad, clear red. Head

and thorax distinctly punctate. Elytra sparingly punctate, rather long; the apex of

each but little rounded at the suture, similar in the two sexes. Pygidium red, rather

closely and coarsely punctate. Mesosternal carina broad.

Seven specimens; in the male the elytra are dull, while in the female they are

shining.

41. Camptodes maurus, sp. n.

¢. Oblongo-ovalis, minus convexus, nitidus, niger, antennarum funiculo fusco-testaceo; prothorace elytrisque

crebrius subtiliusque punctatis; elytrorum apicibus prolongatis et fortiter sinuatis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuateMa.a, Zapote (Champion).

This species differs from the female of C. biformis not only in its black colour, but also

in being slightly more elongate in form, and in having the elytra at the apices a little

more prolonged and sinuate ; I have therefore no doubt the two are distinct, though,

except in colour, they are certainly very closely allied. The head has a deep puncture

on either side, on the clypeal suture; the thorax is much rounded at the sides near the

hind angles. On the under surface the middle of the prosternum and of the back of

the head are much more dilute in colour than the other parts, being infuscate-yellow.

One specimen only.

42. Camptodes iteratus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, minus convexus, dilute rufus, elytris nigris.

Long. 5 millim,

Mas supra opacus, obsoletius punctatus, elytrorum apicibus rotundatis.

Fem. nitida, minus obsolete punctata, elytrorum apicibus prolongatis et sinuatis.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Zapote (Champion).

Club of antenne large, not infuscate. Head with a deep puncture on each side of

the clypeal suture. ‘Thorax finely, the elytra moderately finely, the pygidium coarsely,

punctate.

Two males and one female.

In colour this insect resembles C. heterocheilus and its allies. The elytra of the

female are not of such an intense black colour as those of the male.

43. Camptodes dimorphus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, parum convexus, dilute rufus, elytris nigris.

Long. 33-33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

CAMPTODES. 345

Club of the antenne moderately broad. Head and disc of the thorax extremely

finely punctate; elytra sparingly punctate, more or less brown at the extremity.

Pygidium sparingly and not coarsely punctate.

In this species the sexual differences are considerable: the female has the terminal

portion of each elytron rounded and obliquely truncate inwardly behind the termination

of the suture; in the male each apex is separately rather strongly rounded. The large

males have the thorax and elytra quite dull and their sculpture obliterated.

Hight specimens.

44, Camptodes furcatus, sp.n. (Tab. XI. figg. 2,6; 2a, 2, extremity of the

elytra.)

Rotundato-ovalis, parum convexus, rufus, scutello, elytris, pectore abdomineque nigris.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Mas elytris apice singulo rotundato.

Fem. elytris apicibus prolongatis et furcatis.

Had. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne with the club red, only moderately broad. Head finely punctate, red, with

the summit of the vertex frequently infuscate. Thorax only very sparingly and finely

punctate. Elytra sparingly punctate. Pygidium black, shining, sparingly punctate.

In the male the thorax and elytra are either dull, or shining as in the female, and the

apex of each elytron is separately rounded ; in the female each elytron has the apex

produced so as to form a rounded prominent process. In the female sex the last ventral

segment has a broad, depressed, shining space extending longitudinally along the middle.

A large series has been received of this species, and, except in the stature and

sculpture of the males, it scarcely varies at all; the summit of the vertex is, however,

sometimes distinctly, sometimes scarcely at all, black.

45. Camptodes signaticollis, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, parum convexus, rufo-testaceus, vertice, prothoracis medio, elytris, pectore abdomineque

nigTis.

Long. 34-4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Caldera (Champion).

Head and thorax finely punctate, the latter with a broad dark longitudinal mark

on the middle, the former with the vertex blackish ; club of the antenne clear red,

moderately large. Elytra rather coarsely punctate. In the male the thorax and

elytra are more or less dull, and the apices of the elongate elytra are much rounded,

the inner part of the curve being somewhat truncate. In the female the surface is

shining, and the elytra are dehiscent at the apices, which form each an obtuse angle,

the hind margin being very slightly sinuate; the apex of the last ventral segment in

this sex is shining in the middle and very feebly raised.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1891. 2Y*

346 NITIDULIDZ.

About twenty specimens have been obtained; they do not vary, except in the stature

and sculpture of the males.

46. Camptodes mexicanus, sp. n.

Ovalis, parum convexus, rufo-testaceus, vertice prothoraceque in medio plus minusve vage infuscatis, scutello,

elytris, pectore abdomineque nigris.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sallé), Soledad in Guerrero 5500 feet (A. H. Smith).

We have received only two females of this species; though very closely allied to

C. signaticollis, it is undoubtedly distinct. The club of the antenna is clear yellow,

rather small; the head is distinctly, the thorax sparingly and extremely finely,

punctate ; the punctures on the elytra are distant and moderately coarse. The apices

of the elytra are obtusely prolonged and dehiscent as in the female of C. signaticollis ;

but the last ventral segment has a peculiar plication, forming an elevation at the apex

in the middle.

Group 3.

Margin of the prothorax and elytra armed at the lower edge with short, sharp spines ;

lobes of the labrum simply rounded. (Species 47.)

Although we have only one species of this group in our region, I have a second from

Brazil, even more remarkable, in my collection.

47. Camptodes armatus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, sat convexus, ferrugineus, crebre punctatus; antennarum clava nigra, apice vix emarginato;

prothorace margine laterali subtus spinis brevissimis, retrorsum spectantibus, armato.

Long. 6 millim.

Mas prothorace elytrisque subopacis.

Fem. supra nitida.

Hab. GuatemMaua, Chacoj, San Isidro (Champion).

Head rather coarsely punctured, shining. Thorax and elytra moderately coarsely

and closely punctured. Pygidium coarsely punctured. Elytra moderately long, apices

each a little rounded, similar in the two sexes.

Of this very distinct species we have received only one pair. It is similar in size,

form, and colour to C. chiriquensis, though the points of difference are so important as

to separate the two very widely. The peculiar spines on the sides of the thorax extend

the whole length of the margin, but are very short in front, and cannot be seen from

above, but towards the base they are longer, and project so as to be easily detected.

‘The sexual difference in sculpture is very considerable.

CAMPTODES. 347

Group 4.

Labrum broader, its lobes more truncate in front, forming an angle, with a minute

denticle on each side of the median excision. Sides of the prothorax and elytra

unarmed. (Species 48-51.)

The species of this group are usually larger insects of less rotund form, and have the

prosternal process comparatively more elongate.

48. Camptodes latipes, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 3, 3.)

Rotundatus, minus elongatus, ferrugineus, elytris posterius ex parte majore nigris; pygidio peropaco,

impunctato.

Long. 57 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

We have received only one male example of this species; it cannot be mistaken for

any other of this group, as the form is that of C. communis, the elytra being less

elongate than they are in its congeners, but by the structure of the labrum and

mandibles the insect certainly belongs here. The surface is completely dull, as in the

largest males of C. communis; the head is only finely punctured, the thoracic sculpture

is completely obliterated, and the punctuation on the elytra can scarcely be detected ;

the large black marks on the elytra are vague in front, do not reach the base, and are

very widely separated at the suture anteriorly, but at the apex they leave only the

margin ferruginous. The mesosternal carina is rather narrow.

I suspect that the female of this insect will prove to be very different from the male.

49. Camptodes chiriquensis, sp.n. (Tab. XI. figg. 4, 9; 4a, labrum and

mandibles; 4 4, extremity of the elytra.)

Rotundato-ovalis, sat. convexus, crebre subtiliter punctatus, nitidus, ferrugineus; pygidio crebre, subobsolete

punctato.

Long. 5-54 millim,

Mas elytris subopacis, apicibus subtruncatis, angulo suturali leviter obtuso: abdomine segmento ultimo

ventrali apice modice pubescente.

Fem. elytris nitidis, apictbus subsinuatis, ad suturam breviter dehiscentibus.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Caldera (Champion).

Head coarsely punctate; club of the antenne fuscous, rather large. ‘Thorax rather

closely and finely, the elytra sparingly punctate.

We have received eighteen specimens of this species. Except in size, it varies little ;

the sculpture in the males exhibits but little peculiarity; the sexual distinctions in the

form of the apices of the elytra, though not great, appear to be quite constant.

2Y* 2

348 NITIDULIDA.

50. Camptodes diffinis, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, crebre subtiliter punctatus, nitidus, ferrugineus; pygidio opaco, obsoletissime

punctato.

Long. 5-54 millim.

Mas elytris minus nitidis, apicibus parum rotundatis, angulo suturali obtuso, haud rotundato.

Fem. elytris nitidis, apicibus ut in mare constructis (vix magis recte truncatis) sutura apice haud dehiscente.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species greatly resembles the large varieties of C. communis, from which it may

be distinguished—independently of the structure of the labrum—by the head being

rather more coarsely punctured, the eyes larger, and the elytra (viewed in profile)

slightly longer, and with their apices a little less rounded. The more obtuse sutural

angle of the elytra and its similarity in the two sexes distinguish the insect from

C. chiriquensis and C. masculinus ; it also has the elytra rather less elongate than they

are in the two allied species. Three male and two female examples have been received

of C. diffinis; one of the former is a very small specimen with the elytra scarcely less

shining than they are in the female.

51. Camptodes masculinus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, crebre subtiliter punctatus, nitidus, ferrugineus; pygidio crebre punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Mas elytris subopacis, apice singulo rotundato.

Fem. elytris nitidis, apicibus nullo modo sinuatis, abdomine segmento ultimo ventrali apice in medio subtuber-

culatim producto.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The female of this species will be readily identified by the peculiar small projection

in the middle of the apex of the last ventral segment; it differs from the corresponding

sex of C. chiriquensis not only by this, but also by there being no trace of any sinuation

of the apices of the elytra, these parts are, however, slightly more prolonged than they

are in the male. The male resembles the corresponding sex of C. chiriquensis so

closely that the only sure way I see of distinguishing them is the more rounded form of

the apex of each elytron in C. masculinus. Five examples—two males, three females.

AMPHICROSSUS.

Amphicrossus, Evichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 346 (1843).

This is a genus consisting of but few species—about ten have been described,—

yet having a very wide distribution in both hemispheres. In the New World, North

America and South America each possess, so far as is at present known, only one or two

species. I now add two from our region. .

The genus is one of the most distinct and isolated of all the genera of the family, and

AMPHICROSSUS. 349

it is remarkable that the species are excessively similar to one another, though the male

secondary sexual characters afford a satisfactory means of distinguishing them.

1. Amphicrossus horni, sp.n. (Tab. XI. fig. 5, 3.)

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, supra fusco-testaceus, capite nigricante, antennis nigris, basi testaceo, pedibus

testaceis ; pube depressa flavescente vestitus, corporis limbo longius ciliato.

Long. 32-5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Teleman, Chacoj, San Isidro (Champion).

Rather variable in colour, and occasionally presenting the appearance of having one or

two pallid testaceous marks at the base of each wing-case; readily distinguished from all

our Nitidulide by the long and conspicuous fringe with which the sides of the thorax

and elytra are ornamented. The male has an erect pencil of sete on each wing-case

not very far from the suture, these pencils being widely separated at their extremities.

Mr. Champion procured a good series of this species at the sap exuding from trees.

It is extremely similar to the North-American A. ciliatus; but the marginal fringe of

the body is considerably longer, the punctuation of the upper surface is finer, and the

terminal ventral segment in the male is differently formed. I have much pleasure in

naming the species after the well-known American savant, who has been so kind as to

forward me a specimen of A. ciliatus for comparison.

We figure a small male found by Mr. Champion at Teleman.

2. Amphicrossus limbatus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, piceus, crebre punctatus, parum nitidus, pube depressa flavescente vestitus,

corporis limbo breviter ciliato; antennarum basi pedibusque rufis.

Long. 3-5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Chiacam, Teleman (Champion).

Antenne with large and dark flat club. Head densely punctate. Thorax finely and

more sparingly punctate, the hind angles very broadly rounded, the base not margined.

Elytra finely punctate, sparingly pubescent, with series of distant sete among the

pubescence. Male with the two pencils of sete on the disc of the elytra placed very

close to the suture, so that their tips touch one another.

We have received only one pair of this species. Besides being darker in colour and

having the cilie surrounding the body shorter than in A. horni, it has the middle of

the prosternum straighter than in the other species, that is to say, the plane of the

front part being less bent upwards differs very little in direction from the plane of the

prosternal process. The male of A. limbatus has the process at the end of the last

ventral plate elongate, and widely separated from the rest of the plate, the tubercle

preceding it broad and very prominent.

350 NITIDULIDA.

AATHINA.

Aithina, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 306 (1848); Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 83.

Originally established for a single representative from Madagascar, this genus now

comprises about ten species from very different parts of the world. It has not been

found in North America, but as it is more numerous in species in Japan and in

Mexico than it is elsewhere, it can scarcely be entirely absent from the southern parts

of the United States. The species appear to be only occasionally met with, but when

found many individuals may be procured. |

All the species of Hthina possess a curious structure in the form of a number of

fovea-like depressions placed behind the suture at the extreme base of the pygidium ;

these fovez in the normal condition are just concealed by the extremities of the

wing-cases.

1. Aithina villosa.

Aithina villosa, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. 1, p. 84°.

Hab. Mexico! (Mus. Vindob.), Mirador, Durango city, Jalapa (Hdge), Guanajuato,

Puebla (Sallé); Brisa Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuatEMALa, Capetillo

(Champion).

This insect is extremely variable in size and in the colour of the surface; the length

varies from 44 to 74 millim., and the colour from black to dark red; the extent of the

dark maculation on the disc of the thorax is also very variable, and may be almost

entirely absent, or may extend all across the thorax. In all its variations A. villosa

may, however, be recognized by there being a band of pale pubescence all across the

extreme base of the elytra, the pubescence elsewhere on the wing-cases being con-

colorous with the surface, black when the elytra are black, red when they are of

that tint. |

We have received a large series of this species. According to Mr. Champion it is

found in rotten oranges and other fruits.

2. Hithina concolor, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 6.)

Oblongo-ovalis, convexa, nigra, dense punctata, superne pube depressa pallescente ubique vestita; antennis.

rufis, clava nigricante.

Long. 5-7 millim.

Hab. British Honpvras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuatTEMALA, Capetillo, Sabo

(Champion).

This species is distinguished from . villosa by the uniform pallid pubescence with

which the upper surface is clothed. In other respects the two are very similar. We

have received a good series of 4. concolor, and it appears to be not quite so variable

in colour and size as 44. villosa is.

RATHINA.—POCADIUS. 351

8. Aithina quadrata, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 7, 3.)

Latior, oblongo-ovalis, nigra, fortiter punctata, pube brevi concolore minus dense vestita; antennis medio rufo.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Las Mercedes, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Broader and shorter, but less convex than . villosa, more sparingly punctate, and

with less conspicuous pubescence ; the apices of the elytra subtruncate, each being less

rounded at the sutural angle. Thorax strongly transverse, the sides rounded and

narrowed in front, nearly straight behind, the base much sinuate on each side. Sutural

stria of the elytra scarcely perceptible. Pygidium closely and deeply punctate. Legs

short, piceous, the tarsi red.

We have received only four specimens of this insect—two are immature, and are of

a dark red colour. We figure the one found at Bugaba, it is a male. 4. quadrata

bears a considerable resemblance to a large black Carpophilus, such as C. rufitarsis.

POCADIUS.

Pocadius, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 318 (1843).

This genus includes about eight species, which are distributed in Europe, Japan,

North and South America, and Cuba. The European species, though very similar 10

those from North America in appearance, presents a well-marked distinction in the

structure of the breast.

1. Pocadius helvolus. (Tab. XI. fig. 8.)

Pocadius helvolus, Kr. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 320'; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. vii. p. 310’.

Hab. Nortu America! ?,—Mexico, Durango city (Flohr), Guanajuato (Sallé).

The specimens from our region agree with one from Montana in my own collection.

2. Pocadius ——?

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

A single individual, in bad preservation, almost certainly belonging to an undescribed

species.

3. Pocadius fulvipennis.

Pocadius fulvipennis, Er. in Germ. Zeitschr. iv. p. 319°.

Hab. Mexico (Ehrenberg 1).

We have not received anything agreeing with this description.

3 52 NITIDULID-.

HEBASCUS.

Hebascus, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 311 (1848).

This is a genus comprehending at present only about half a dozen species confined to

Central and South America, Although placed in a different subfamily to the European

and North-American genus Cychramwus, yet it comes very close thereto; but I think the

two may be kept distinct, as Hebascus has a serial arrangement of the pubescence and

the mesosternum in front more strongly carinate. H. aurantiacus, one of our species,

makes a nearer approach to Cychramus than some of the other representatives. Indeed,

owing to the distinctions in the form of the prosternal process, our Hebasci are divisible

into sections which are almost, if not quite, as distinct from one another as Hebascus

is from Cychramus.

Hebascus, especially in the second section, appears at first sight to belong to the series —

of genera of Strongylinz in which the prosternal process is open behind; but it really

belongs to the Pocadius group of genera in which there is a posterior perpendicular

face to the process; this face is, however, only short, and in the second section is

concealed by the horizontal (lower) surface being prolonged backwards beyond it.

§ 1. Lower face of the prosternal process but little produced beyond the

vertical face.

This section comes very near to Cychramus.

1. Hebascus mexicanus, sp. n.

Circularis, convexus, testaceus, antennarum clava nigra; elytris quasi costatis, setulis seriatis numerosis, decli-

natis, interstitiis parce pubescentibus.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Antenne with the club broad, short, and black. Thorax rather coarsely punctured,

strongly setose, the base almost straight. Elytra with very regular series of closely-placed

sete, which are short, curvate, and much directed backwards, so that they almost give

rise to the appearance of very fine coste; there is no trace of striation, but between

the series of sete are two rows of shallow, not large punctures, each bearing a very

short hair. Prosternal process quite short; middle of the breast smooth and shining.

Four specimens.

2. Hebascus bugabensis, sp.n. (Tab. XI. fig. 9.)

Circularis, convexus, testaceus, antennarum clava nigra; elytris quasi costatis, setulis seriatis numerosis, de-

clinatis, interstitiis parce pubescentibus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab, Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

HEBASCUS. 353

Extremely close to H. mexicanus, but considerably smaller, and having the punctu-

ation, especially on the apical half of the elytra, coarser, and the base of the thorax a

little sinuate on each side. In other respects similar to H. mexicanus. Six specimens.

3. Hebascus aurantiacus, sp.n. (Tab. XI. fig. 10.)

Rotundatus, convexus, setis suberectis densius vestitus, aurantiacus, antennarum clava nigra.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne with rather short, intensely black, club. Head small, the eyes very pro-

minent. Thorax greatly narrowed in front, slightly sinuate at the base on each side,

moderately coarsely and not closely punctate. Elytra rather closely covered with suberect

pubescence, among which there is a seriate pubescence which is not very conspicuous

owing to its differing but little in length and direction from the diffuse setosity. Legs

elongate. Prosternal process quite short. Only one example has been found of this

very distinct species.

§ 2. Lower face of the prosternal process more elongate, definitely margined, and

with the apex rounded.

4. Hebascus discoideus.

Hebascus discoideus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 97’.

Hab. Murxico', Jalapa (Hége), Cordova (Sallé).

5. Hebascus traili, sp. n.

Rotundatus, convexus, fusco-niger, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava fusca; elytris setulis brevibus

distantibus, declinatis, seriatim dispositis, interstitiis obsolete punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Caldera (Champion).—Amazons, Garrao, Rio Jurua (Traié).

Antenne with short broad club. Thorax finely punctate, pubescent, the base not at

all sinuate, the margins testaceous. FElytra with series of rather short distant sete,

which are strongly declinate, the interstices indistinctly biseriately punctate, pubescent.

Legs short ; terminal joint of the tarsi long. Prosternal process large.

Mr. Champion procured a large series of this little Hebascus, exhibiting no variations.

The examples given to me by Prof. Trail, after whom I have named the species, were

found in fungus.

6. Hebascus erinaceus, sp.n. (Tab. XI. fig. 11.)

Rotundatus, convexus, ferrugineus, nitidus, antennarum clava nigra; elytris setis erectis, concoloribus, seri-

atim dispositis armatis, interstitiis parce pubescentibus.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Caldera (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1891. 2 Z*

B54 NITIDULIDA.

Antenne with rather short, broad, very black club. Thorax short, shining, hirsute,

sparingly punctate, the base not at all sinuate. Elytra with long, erect hairs, placed

at a considerable distance from one another in very regular series, the interstices rather

obscurely biseriately punctate and pubescent. Legs short. Prosternal process elongate.

TEICHOSTETHUS, gen. nov.

Metasternum anterius acute marginatum, in medio ultra marginem abrupte reflexum. Mesosternum carinatum.

Prosternum processu sat elongato.

Mandibles with slender extremity, their tips truncate, the truncation emarginate.

Antenne with very elongate, compressed, loosely articulated, three-jointed club.

Maxillary palpi short; labial palpi scarcely thicker than the maxillary. Prosternal

process rather large, acutely margined, with rounded extremity. Mesosternum acutely

carinate, the carina not rising to the level of the metasternum. Metasternum with a

strongly raised margin extending completely across it in front; this margin forms a

gentle curve in the middle, but it does not, however, here mark the junction with the

mesosternum, this taking place at the level of the mesosternum, so that the piece in

front of the metasternal margin is nevertheless a prolongation of the metasternum.

Legs short and stout, the tarsi strongly dilated.

This genus is confounded in collections with Hebascus, and I think also with

Strongylus; from the former it is well distinguished by the curious margin of the meta-

sternum, from the latter by the prolonged prosternal process. From Hebascus it may,

too, be distinguished, without looking at the under surface, by the base of the thorax

being distorted on each side in order to allow of its coadaptation with the humeral

callus. The form of the metasternum suggests that it may be allied to Camptodes ;

but this is not the case, as Teichostethus belongs to the series with the prosternal

process bent upwards as in Strongylus; only that, as in the second section of Hebascus,

the inflection of the apex is masked by the separate development and perfection of the

horizontal part of the process.

1. Teichostethus vinosus, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 12.)

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, rufus, antennarum clava nigra, prothorace elytrisque ex parte majore nigris,

marginibus rufis; pube brevi, erecta hispidus.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne with the club quite as long as the other joints together. ‘Thorax coarsely

punctate, the punctures not round but transverse; the base deeply sinuate on each side.

Scutellum coarsely punctate. Elytra with a scanty suberect pubescence, among which

are some sete serially arranged—these sete, not being very different from the other

pubescence, are not very conspicuous,—and with series of large and closely placed,

TEICHOSTETHUS.—STRONGYLUS. 355

but very shallow, punctures; each interstice with a series of finer punctures along

the middle.

The four examples we have received of this species are not in very good condition ;

the coloration of the upper surface is not very sharply defined and is probably variable.

2. Teichostethus guatemalenus, sp.n. (Tab. XI. fig. 13.)

Ovalis, convexus, rufo-ferrugineus, antennarum clava nigra; hispidus pube erecta; prothorace crebre fortiter

punctato.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, San Isidro, Zapote, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to 7, vinosus, but I have little doubt is distinct ; it is

rather smaller and narrower, and without black markings; the antenne are less elongate ;

and the punctuation and setosity of the upper surface are closer. The peculiar punc-

tures of the thorax, owing to being more closely placed, are seen to have a curved

arrangement in front of the scutellum.

STRONGYLUS.

Strongylus, Herbst, Natursyst. Kifer, iv. p. 188 (1793).

Cyllodes, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 342.

Strongylus at present contains about twelve species; but it is very widely distributed

in both hemispheres, and will probably become an extensive genus. Species belonging

to it are already known from both North and South America.

1. Strongylus unicolor, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 14.)

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, nitidus, nigerrimus, antennarum basi tarsisque rufis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (. H. Smith), Juquila (Sallé).

Antenne with elongate club, the first joint of which is rather longer than broad,

the terminal joint ferruginous at the extremity. Head closely and moderately coarsely

punctured. Thorax with the punctuation very distinct, but finer and less close than

that on the head. Scutellum almost impunctate. LElytra with fine and irregular,

almost duplicate, series of punctures, and with a very fine and scanty interstitial

punctuation.

2. Strongylus lateralis, sp. n. (Tab. XI. figg. 15, 16.)

Ovalis, convexus, nigerrimus, nitidus, antennarum basi, prothoracis lateribus tarsisque rufis.

Long. 47 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo (Champion).

This msect is rather smaller than S. wnicolor, and has the sides of the thorax very

2Z* 2

356 NITIDULIDZ.

evidently pallid, and besides this differs also in sculpture. The thorax is more finely

and sparingly punctate, so that there is a greater contrast between the punctuation on

it and that on the head. The elytra have their series of punctures irregular but not

duplicate, and only a very distant interstitial punctuation.

Mr. Champion procured a small series of this species; the specimens exhibit very

little variation.

3. Strongylus chiriquensis, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, nitidissimus, rufo-piceus, antennarum clava nigra; elytris obsolete seriatim

punctatis.

Long, 43 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This species is distinguished from 8. lateralis by the uniform, more dilute colour,

and by the more obsolete sculpture of the elytra. In other respects the two appear to

be excessively similar. One example only from each locality.

4. Strongylus camptoides.

Strongylus camptoides, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 1287.

Hab. Mexico (Mus. Vindob.+), Cordova (Sallé).

Very close indeed to S. lateralis and S. wnicolor; but the pygidium is red, and the

under surface dark red or piceous. I have seen only two specimens.

5. Strongylus mollis, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, nitidus, piceo-testaceus, supra piceus, prothoracis lateribus, antennis pedibusque

testaceis, antennarum clava fusca.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (MZ. Trujillo).

Though different in colour from S. lateralis this insect is very closely allied thereto,

and may possibly be an immature colour-variety of that species; but I think it more

likely to prove distinct, the shape being broader and the prosternum more obsoletely

carinate: in punctuation the two are very similar. Three specimens. One of the

examples appears to be mature; and in it the colour of the lower surface is flavescent,

with the middle of the body piceous.

6. Strongylus sequalis, sp. n.

Rotundatus, valde convexus, subtus dilute piceus, supra nigerrimus, antennarum basi rufa.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet ( Champion).

STRONGYLUS.—MECYLLODES. 307

Antenne with large, broad club, the basal joint of which is not so long as it is broad.

Head rather coarsely, the thorax finely and sparingly punctured. LElytra with regular

series of fine punctures, interstitial punctuation almost absent.

This is a true Sérongylus, though it has the prosternal process small and narrow; in

size and outline §. equalis more resembles the species of the next genus. Only one

specimen is extant from each locality.

7. Strongylus mimetes, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 17.)

Rotundatus, valde convexus, nitidissimus, rufo-ferrugineus, concolor.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

There can be no difficulty in distinguishing this insect from S. @qualis owing to the

difference in colour; in other respects the two are very much alike, though there is no

doubt S. mimetes is a distinct species, as it differs from its congeners in not having the

prosternum carinate. Az first sight it more resembles Mecyllodes seriatus, from which it

differs, apart from its structural characters, in having the club of the antenne pallid

and the serial punctuation of the elytra very fine. The elytra have almost no intersti-

tial punctuation, and the punctuation of the thorax is fine and distant. The prosternum

is flatter in this species than it is in the allies, and only very obscurely carinate along

the middle.

MECYLLODES, gen. nov.

Corpus rotundatum, convexum, absque pubescentia. Labrum sat magnum, integrum. Mandibule breves,

sub labro condite. Palpi labiales breves, sat crassi. Pedes omni parum distantes, crassi; tarsis fortiter

dilatatis.

The members of this genus are extremely similar to Strongylus (=Cyllodes, Er.) in

appearance, but have the middle and hind legs only slightly separated. The prosternum

is constructed as in Strongylus; the metasternum is not so much produced in front

in the middle; the mesosternum is feebly carinate, and differs also from that of

Strongylus inasmuch as it descends in the middle to the level of the metasternum, and

forms, in fact, a very fine margin in front of it; in Strongylus the descending part of

the middle of the mesosternum is furcate at the extremity, and only the points of the

fork reach the level of the metasternum, where they appear as two very minute pieces

placed one on each side of the angle of the metasternum, close to the coxa. The

antennary grooves are formed as in Strongylus, and so also are the parts of the mouth,

as far as I can see them.

In addition to the two here described, I have a third species in my collection which

I have no doubt is a Brazilian insect.

358 NITIDULIDA.

1. Mecyllodes clavicornis, sp.n. (Tab. XI. fig. 18.)

Rotundatus, convexus, nitidus, ferrugineus, antennarum clava nigra; elytris seriatim sat fortiter punctatis,

interstitiis impunctatis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. GuateMa.a, Zapote (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne with large black club, the first joint of which is strongly transverse and

but little longer than the second. Head rather closely and moderately coarsely punc-

tured. Punctuation of the thorax near the sides similar to that of the head, on the

middle more scanty and finer. Elytra with regular series of rather large punctures, the

interstices almost impunctate. Under surface coarsely and very closely punctate, with

a polished space in the middle of the metasternum ; prosternum carinate along the

middle. Eight specimens.

2. Mecyllodes nigropictus, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, nitidus, rufus, prothorace disco utrinque elytroque singulo nigro-plagiatis ; elytris

interstitiis obsolete minus parce punctatis.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. MExico, Cordova (Sailé), Cerro de Plumas (Hoge) ; GuaTeMaa, San Gerdénimo,

Cahabon, Senahu (Champion).

In this species the club of the antenne is rufescent; there is a rounded dark mark

on each side of the thorax, and a large longitudinal black mark occupying the larger

part of each wing-case; the punctuation of the middle of the breast is scanty, but not

altogether absent, and that of the interstices of the elytra is distinct though very fine;

the punctures in each series on the elytra are much more numerous than they are in

M. clavicornis.

MEONCERUS, gen. nov.

Corpus minus convexum, subelongatum, glabrum. Clava antennarum magna, laxe articulata. Labrum

integrum. Prosternum processu sat elongato, apice acuminato. Mesosternum obsolete carinatum.

Metasternum in medio haud marginato, inter coxas intermedias subcontiguas reflexo-productum. Tarsi

ineequales, anteriores dilatati, intermedii et posteriores subdilatati.

This is apparently very distinct from any other genus; it perhaps comes nearer to

Cychramus than to any cther, though as the upper surface is quite destitute of pubes-

cence the two have a very different appearance. The labrum is rather large, and is

not divided in the middle. The mandibles are short, concealed by the labrum when

closed, and minutely denticulate before the apex. ‘The palpi are simple, the terminal

joint of the labial pair being but little incrassate. The prosternum has a rather

long process between the coxe, and the lower face of the process is placed at a right

angle to the apex, which is applied to the vertical face formed by the meso- and meta-

sterna between the middle coxe. These latter are but little separated, the meta-

MEONCERUS.—SOMATOXUS. 359

sternum being bent upwards in a curve between them. The hind coxe are

moderately distant.

1. Meoncerus salvini, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 19.)

Suboblongus, parum convexus, piceo-ferrugineus, nitidus, antennarum clava nigra; elytris seriatim punctatis,

interstitiis fere impunctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. GuatTeMata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Head rather closely and coarsely punctured. Thorax smooth and shining, much

narrowed in front, strongly margined at the sides, very broad, the base not lobed in

the middle but feebly bisinuate, subobsoletely and not closely punctate. Scutellum

rather large, impunctate. Elytra elongate, with regular series of punctures, and

with a sutural stria which is deep behind and there very close to the suture, but

diverges somewhat anteriorly and is continued to the scutellum as a series of punctures.

Legs slender. Prosternal process a little depressed before the extremity, strongly

acuminate.

Seven specimens. The colour varies from ferruginous to piceous-black. I cannot

detect any sexual distinctions.

2. Meoncerus seriatus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, subconvexus, piceus, nitidus, antennis basi pedibusque sordide rufis, illarum clava nigra; pro-

thorace obsolete punctato ; elytris seriatim fortiter punctatis, interstitiis impunctatis.

Long. 5-6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This insect is, on the upper surface, very similar to JZ. salvini, though it is a good

deal smaller, and has the thorax more obsoletely punctured, and the serial punctures

on the elytra larger. On the under surface the prosternal process is narrower, more

parallel, and but little pointed behind and not impressed before the apex, while the

front of the metasternum is but little prominent and not emarginate for the reception

of the prosternal process.

Five specimens. I am unable to find any external sexual distinctions. Like

M. salvini, the species varies in depth of colour. I have the male before me, and

it has a very large supplementary segment, which, however, is quite internal in the

normal state.

SOMATOXUS, gen. nov.

Corpus elongatum, subdepressum. Elytris acuminatis. Tarsi omnes lineares, anteriores haud vel vix dilatati.

The peculiar form and the slender tarsi of the insects for which I establish this

genus give them an appearance foreign to the Nitidulide; but in all other respects

they are, so far as I can see, quite of ordinary Nitidulid character.

360 NITIDULID.

The labrum is transverse, with a small excision in the middle in front. The man-

dibles are concealed under the labrum; they have an elongate, very slender, and acute

termination. The palpi are short and slender, not dilated. The antennary grooves

are convergent. The prosternum is compressed along the middle, and terminates in a

rather elongate process. The mesosternum is placed above the level of the metasternum

and is feebly carinate ; the middle coxe are not greatly separated, and the metasternum

is prolonged between them and curved upwards to be received into the small furcate pro-

cess in which the mesosternum terminates. ‘The hind coxe are rather widely separated.

The tibiz are slender. The tarsi are elongate and very slender, their terminal joint long,

the fourth joint quite visible, but very small; the third and second joints are each

elongate; the basal joint is as long as the second, third, and fourth together.

These characters bring the genus near to Meoncerus, from which Somatoaus is

distinguished by the elongate acuminate elytra and the filiform feet. It belongs to the

series with the prosternal process closed behind, although the posterior face, or part, is

excessively short.

1. Somatoxus sallei, sp.n. (Tab. XI. fig. 20, 3.)

Elongatus, subdepressus, nitidus, testaceus, antennarum clava fusca, prothorace medio fuscescente ; elytris

seriatim fortiter punctatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé).

Antenne slender, with abrupt, rather short, three-jointed club, which is black, with

the extremity yellowish. Head moderately closely and distinctly punctured. Thorax

not greatly narrowed in front, sparingly punctate, only slightly emarginate in front;

base feebly sinuate, not lobed in the middle ; the surface very shining, not in the least

pubescent. Scutellum extremely short, but broad. Elytra elongate, sinuate at the

sides behind, with the apices acuminate; with regular series of coarse punctures

becoming obsolete behind ; interstitial punctuation almost absent.

In addition to the single immature example from Sallé’s collection I have seen only

one specimen, that has for many years been in my own collection without locality ; I

supposed it to be from the West Indies or Mexico. We figure Sallé’s example, which

is no doubt a male, as it has the front tarsi very feebly dilated and some very minute

denticles at the sides of the elytra behind; in my own example the front tarsi are quite

simple, and there are no denticles at the sides of the wing-cases.

2. Somatoxus hydroporoides, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 21.)

Sat elongatus, subdepressus, nitidus, nigricans, antennis pedibusque fuscis, illarum clava nigra ; elytris seriatim

fortiter punctatis,

Long. 3-4 millim.

Hab. Muxtco, Cordova, Toxpam (Sallé); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

SOMATOXUS.—CYCLOCACCUS, 361

Antenne yellow, with abrupt black club. Head and thorax moderately closely and

coarsely punctate, very shining, black, the side-margins of the latter picescent, the

base produced in the middle. Elytra with series of large punctures, which are finer

behind ; the sides behind oblique, feebly sinuate; the sutural angle acute.

We have received four examples of this species. Two of them I suppose to be males,

as there is a minute barely perceptible denticulation of the lateral margins of the wing-

cases behind ; but the front tarsi are not at all dilated.

CYCLOCACCUS, gen. nov.

Corpus breviter ovale, sat convexum, glabrum. Clava antennarum laxa. Labrum transversum, breve,

integrum. Mandibule breves, sub labro omnino condite. Prosternum processu sat magno, apice

rotundato. Mesosternum obsolete carinatum. Metasternum medio haud impresso, subtiliter margi-

natum, margine inter coxas utrinque producto. Coxe intermedi et posteriores distantes. Tarsi

sequales, omnes sublineares, paullulum dilatati.

Cyclocaccus differs from Meoncerus in the short form, the less dilated tarsi, and the

more widely separated middle coxe. In form it perhaps more resembles Padlodes, from

which it differs by numerous characters, and notably by the more widely separated coxee.

The antennary grooves are strongly convergent, and the short broad labrum has a small

depression on the middle. The palpi are simple and quite short.

1. Cyclocaccus monticola, sp. n.

Subovalis, sat convexus, nitidus, piceus, supra nigro-piceus, antennarum basi, prothoracis lateribus pedibusque

testaceis; antennarum clava nigra; prothorace levigato; elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis im-

punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

Head obsoletely punctate, deeply transversely impressed near the front. Thorax

smooth and shining, black in the middle, broadly yellow at the sides, strongly trans-

verse, much narrowed towards the front, a little curved at the sides; base nearly

straight, rather narrower than the base of the elytra. Scutellum very broad, sinuate

at the sides, very obtuse behind. Elytra with regular series of closely-placed punc-

tures; interstices impunctate, the punctures of the series obsolete at the apex.

Pygidium and under surface smooth and shining. Legs slender, rather long. In the

male the anterior and middle tarsi are broader than they are in the female.

Eight specimens.

2. Cyclocaccus brevicollis, sp. n.

Brevis, sat convexus, nitidus, testaceus, supra piceus, limbo dilutiore; antennarum clava nigra; prothorace

fere impunctato; elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis obsolete punctatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. I. Pt.1, February 1891. 3 A*

362 NITIDULIDZ.

The punctures of the series on the elytra are in this species moderately close, but

little impressed; the interstices are not in the least convex, and have an extremely

fine punctuation. ‘The scutellum is rather elongate, as well as broad.

Only one specimen was found of this remarkably broad little Nitidulid.

3. Cyclocaccus leticulus, sp. n.

Brevis, sat convexus, flavus; capite, antennarum clava, prothoracis medio elytrisque nigerrimis ; his subtiliter

seriatim punctatis.

Long. vix 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Head quite impunctate, deeply transversely impressed. Thorax very short, impunc-

tate, broadly yellow on each side, and with a black patch, of about the same width as

the yellow lateral part, along the middle. Scutellum large, impunctate, scarcely

sinuate at the sides, rounded behind. -Elytra with regular series of distant punctures,

each puncture only slightly impressed, but rather large; the interstices not in the least

convex, and without sculpture. Pygidium and under surface bright yellow.

Only one specimen has been received.

OXYCNEMUS.

Oxycnemus, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 351 (1843).

This genus consists of four or five species, and is confined to Tropical America.

Psilopyga, Leconte, has been referred to it as a synonym, but this is incorrect.

The genus is one of the very few genera of Nitidulide that possess a spinose pro-

duction of the outer angle of each tibia.

1. Oxycnemus rostrosus. (Tab. XI. fig. 22, ¢.)

Oxycnemus rostrosus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. 1, p. 137°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatnmata, San Juan and San Gerénimo in Vera

Paz, Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Cham-

pion). |

The specimens I refer to this species are fourteen in number, and if all really belong

to one species it is a variable one in size and punctuation. As the form of the male

mandibles is the same in all the individuals of that sex, I treat them as of one species,

though they exhibit a good deal of variation in size and punctuation. If there be

more than one species amongst these specimens it will no doubt prove a difficult

matter to distinguish them by any conspicuous characters common to the two sexes.

In the males there appear to be some slight differences as to the extent of the dila-

tation of the intermediate feet.

OXYCNEMUS.—PYCNOCNEMUS. 363

The locality for Reitter’s type of the species is not known}. Our figure is taken

from a male found at San Gerénimo.

2. Oxycnemus fulvus.

Oxycnemus fulvus, Ey. in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 352'.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—SoutH Amzrica, Brazil !

(coll. Sharp).

Our specimens of this species are only three in number, and are distinguished from

O. rostrosus solely by the mandibles of the male being simple; these three examples

are only equal in size to the smallest specimens of O. rostrosus, but Brazilian examples

are equal in size to the largest exponents of O. rostrosus. The male may be distin-

guished from the female by the existence of a long pencil of fine hairs on the middle

of the front edge of the prosternum.

PYCNOCNEMUS, gen. nov.

Corpus breve, haud pubescens. Labrum breve, bilobum. Tarsi anteriores et intermedii dilatati, posteriores

simplices. Coxe intermedie et posteriores minus late distantes.

l establish this genus for an insect, of which we have only received one example, having

so completely the appearance of Oxycnemus that I at first referred it to that genus; it

differs therefrom, however, by important characters. The labrum is quite small, and

the mandibles have not the peculiar formation that is seen in either the male or the

female of Oxycnemus, the terminal portion being slender, and the inner edge possessing

one small tooth some distance before the extremity. The head beneath is formed as

in Oxycnemus, the deep antennary grooves being subparallel and at their termination

curved outwards behind the large ocular lobe. The palpi are simple and short. The

pro-, meso-, and meta-sterna seem to be formed quite as in Orycnemus. ‘The front and

middle legs have their tibie thick and their tarsi rather strongly dilated ; the hind legs

are more slender, and their tarsi are simple ; the outer apices of the tibize are destitute

of the long tooth or spine that exists in Oxycnemus.

1. Pycnocnemus anisotomoides, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 23.)

Brevis, convexus, ferrugineus, subnitidus ; elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis ; tibiis intermediis et posteriori-

bus ad apicem externe haud dentato-productis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne with dark fuscous club, the two joints preceding this transverse. Head

rather closely and finely punctured. Thorax very short, its punctuation scarcely

different from that of the head, but a little more fine and less close. Scutellum finely

and distantly punctate. Elytra rather dull, with fine series of punctures and a very

feeble interstitial punctuation. One specimen, probably a male.

3 A* 2

364 NITIDULIDA.

PSILOPYGA.

Psiloypga, Leconte, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1853, p. 286; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 318.

Eugoniopus, Reitter, Wien. ent. Zeit. il. p. 264, & iv. p. 76.

Psilopyga has been recently abandoned by the North-American entomologists (Lec.

& Horn, Classification of the Col. of N. Amer. 2nd ed. p. 151) as being synonymous

with Oxycnemus. The two genera are, however, very distinct, and I do not think they

should be placed in the same division of the Strongyline. In Psilopyga the meso-

sternum is brought down to the level of the metasternum, and the prosternal process

is free and passes over the carinate mesosternum, and is received upon the front of the

metasternum. This is a very different structure to that found in Oxycnemus, and differs

but little from what exists in Camptodes. Psilopyga thus belongs to the group of

genera in which the prosternal process is quite open behind ; while Oxycnemus is the

most advanced exponent of the group in which it is closed behind.

On the other hand I do not notice any difference between the Japanese genus Hugo-

niopus and Psilopyga, and have no hesitation in uniting them. Psilopyga is thus a genus

having at present one species in Japan, two in North America, and one in Mexico.

1. Psilopyga fasciata, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexa, nigra ; elytris ex parte majore rufo-testaceis ; antennis testaceis, clava fusca ; pedibus piceis,

tarsis dilutioribus.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui, in Mus. Brit.).

Head strongly constricted in front of the eyes, closely and rather coarsely punctured,

piceous. ‘Thorax black, punctured above evenly, like the head. Scutellum triangular,

almost rectilinear at the sides, distinctly punctured. LElytra with the basal portion

reddish-yellow, the apical part black, the black part not so extensive as the yellow

part ;. with regular, very distinct and definite series of punctures, and with a somewhat

sparing and fine, but quite distinct, interstitial punctuation. Pygidium large, black,

coarsely punctate.

This species is known to me only by a single example in our National Collection.

It is a male and hasa large supplementary segment exposed at the apex of the

pygidium. Its resemblance to a Histerid is very striking. In addition to the colour,

it differs from the North-American P. histrina by the much narrower prosternal

process.

PALLODES.

Pallodes, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 348 (1848).

This genus has hitherto consisted of about six species of small Nitidulide, but has

apparently a wide distribution, representatives supposed to belong to it being recorded

from North and South America, Japan, and Madagascar.’

PALLODES. 365

The species of Pal/odes in our region are evidently numerous, but most of them

appear to be extremely rare, and 1 have not been able to repeat my examination of

some of them in such a way as to bring to light all the minor structural characters.

They are, however, more easily distinguished by the superficial points of colour and

sculpture than is usual in the Nitidulide.

§1. Middle tibie broad or moderately broad ; hind coxe widely or moderately

widely separated.

This group includes the large majority of our species. In some of those placed

near the end of this section the prosternum is compressed between the coxz and cari-

nate; in others the hind coxe are more approximate than they are in the species I

have placed at the commencement of the group.

1. Pallodes reversus, sp.n. (Tab. XI. fig. 24, 2.)

Brevis, subrotundatus, flavus, supra nigerrimus, antennarum basi flava, prothorace marginibus picescentibus ;

nitidus ; prothorace minus obsolete punctato ; elytris subtilius seriatim punctatis, interstitiis parce obso-

letissime punctatis.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé).

Head moderately closely and distinctly punctate, shining. Thorax very short and

broad, shining, very distinctly punctate. Scutellum large, more finely punctate than

the head and thorax, still quite distinctly so. Elytra with very fine distant series of

punctures, and with a very slight and distant interstitial punctuation. Pygidium black,

shining, moderately closely and not finely punctate. Under surface yellow, shining,

impunctate.

This species is of unusually broad and circular form, and resembles the European

species of Liodes in the family Silphide. There is very little difference in the sculp-

ture of the surface in the sexes, the male having the elytra only just perceptibly duller

than the female. The male has an excessively large supplementary segment, which

in the normal state is quite internal, only its hind margin being seen between the

edge of the pygidium and that of the last ventral segment. The two sexes can be easily

enough distinguished, however, by the form of the pygidium, which is much broader

and more truncate at the extremity in the male than it is in the female.

Herr Hége procured about a dozen examples of this species. Our figure represents

a female found by him.

2. Pallodes mexicanus, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexus, ferrugineus, supra piceus, prothorace rufo-piceo, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum

clava nigra; prothorace obsolete punctate ; scutello levigato ; elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis, inter-

stitiis vix perspicue punctatis.

Long, 4-43 millim.

366 NITIDULID.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Juquila (Sallé).

This is not so rotund an insect as P. reversus, and has the colour of the upper surface

more dilute, the pygidium being. pallid ferruginous; the large scutellum has no trace

at all of punctuation; and it is not easy to detect any traces of interstitial punctuation

on the wing-cases. ‘The middle femora are broad, and are much punctate on the lower

face. The under surface is quite impunctate, except on the last ventral segment.

Four specimens.

3. Pallodes micans, sp. n.

Ovalis, testaceo-ferrugineus, elytris leviter opalescentibus, antennarum clava nigra; prothorace obsolete punc-

tato; elytris subtilius seriatim punctatis, interstitiis parce subtilissime punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé) ; Guatemaua, Capetillo (Champion).

?. Very shining. Antenne with elongate black club; all the joints preceding this

yellow. Head rather finely, the thorax still more finely and sparingly, punctate, the

latter extremely shining. Scutellum extremely finely and sparingly punctured. Elytra

with distant series of punctures, which are very slightly impressed though not very

small and with a scanty and fine interstitial punctuation. Middle tibie rather slender.

This species is allied to P. stlaceus, Er., but is rather broader and has the serial

punctuation on the elytra much less distinct, and the middle tibie a good deal more

slender. Three specimens.

4. Pallodes strongyliformis, sp.n. (Tab. XI. fig. 25,3.)

Ovalis, convexus, nitidus, ferrugineo-testaceus, antennarum clava nigra; prothorace obsoletissime punctato,

pernitido ; elytris subtilius seriatim punctatis, interstitiis fere impunctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, San Gerénimo (Champion).

We have received only a single example of this species, but it is of the male sex.

The insect much resembles P. silaceus, but differs from that species and its allies by

the metasternal border being much more sinuate and produced between the middle

coxee, as well as by having a feeble punctuation of the breast and ventral segments.

‘The middle tibize are about as broad as they are in P. silaceus, and the punctuation of

the thorax is even more obsolete than it is in the North-American insect. In our unique

example there are four indistinct blackish marks placed transversely on the middle of

the thorax, but I am not sure whether this may not be the result of decay.

I look on this species as a very interesting one, as it appears to me to indicate

clearly that the affinities of Pallodes are with Teichostethus and Mecyllodes.

PALLODES. 367

5. Pallodes signaticollis, sp. n.

Latus, sat convexus, flavus, elytris, scutello, prothoracis maculis anteriore et posteriore antennarumque clava

nigris.

Long. 34-4 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé).

Antenne short, the joints preceding the club pallid yellow, the club itself black.

Head and thorax sparingly punctate, yellow, shining, the latter with a transverse mark

on the front margin and a wider one behind black. Scutellum black, distinctly punctate.

Elytra with distant series of fine punctures, and with a well-marked interstitial punc-

tuation. Pygidium bright yellow. Under surface yellow, impunctate.

We have received three examples of this very distinct species; one of them is a male,

and has the apex of the pygidium more truncate, and the elytra slightly more opales-

cent and less polished than the female.

6. Pallodes sellatus, sp. n.

Latus, sat convexus, flavus ; antennarum clava, prothoracis maculis anteriore et posteriore scutelloque nigris ;

elytris late nigro-cinctis.

Long. 3-4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne short, clear yellow up to the fuscous club, the two joints preceding the

club large. Head and thorax almost impunctate. Scutellum black, obsoletely punc-

tate. Elytra with a feeble and rather distant punctuation, among which the serial

punctuation can scarcely be perceived.

Closely allied to P. signaticollis, but, independently of the peculiar coloration of the

wing-cases, it may be distinguished by the fact that the serial punctuation of the elytra

is very indistinct. ‘The sexual distinctions are the same as they are in P. signaticollis.

Two specimens.

7. Pallodes deletus, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, piceus ; capite nigricante; prothorace in medio irregulariter late fuscescente, marginibus

testaceis ; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; obsoletissime punctatus.

Long. 4 millim,

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sal/é); Guarmmata, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Head finely and sparingly punctate, black. Thorax and scutellum almost impunc-

tate. Elytra with the punctuation quite obsolete, the serial punctuation being only

just perceptible, and the interstitial punctuation also very fine.

Rather closely allied to P. stlaceus, from which it is, however, distinguished by the

obsolete punctuation and the darker colour. There is a great difference between the

sexes, the male being quite dull on the upper surface, as if tarnished, while the female

368 NITIDULID&.

is shining ; both sexes have a well-marked opalescent shimmer on the elytra, and the

sutural stria is deep and distinct. The colour, no doubt, varies a good deal, but the

extensive infuscation of the middle of the thorax is always present in our examples.

8. Pallodes regularis, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexus, sordide testaceus, antennarum clava nigricante ; elytris evidentius seriatim punc-

tatis, interstitiis parce obsoleteque punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Had. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith); Guatemata, San

Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne with broad club, which is of blackish colour. Head rather closely and

finely punctate. Thorax and scutellum almost impunctate. LElytra with series of quite

definite and distinct punctures, and with a fine and distant interstitial punctuation.

Pygidium closely punctate.

Three female examples have been obtained of this species; the distinct serial punc-

tuation of the elytra distinguishes it from P. micans and P. deletus. It differs from

P. silaceus by the dark club of the antennz, and also is of rather more oblong form,

with the interstitial punctuation of the elytra less obsolete.

9. Pallodes cercyonoides, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, piceus, elytris nigris, antennis pedibusque rufis, illarum clava nigra; prothorace crebrius

subtiliter punctato ; elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis, interstitiis fere impunctatis.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith).

Antenne with broad, rather short, black club, the apical joint of which is shorter

and more rounded than usual. Head and thorax closely and finely punctate. Scu-

tellum almost impunctate. Elytra with regular series of fine punctures, with scarcely —

any interstitial punctuation. Under surface piceous-red.

This insect resembles P. mexicanus, but is of darker colour beneath ; has the thorax

more closely punctate and the club of the antenne shorter. Four specimens have been

obtained. The male differs very little from the female.

10. Pallodes smithi, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 1.)

Rotundato-ovalis, sat convexus, testaceo-albidus, elytris fusco-signatis, antennarum clava nigricante, tarsis

fuscescentibus ; elytris parce, irregulariter, sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (7. H. Smith).

Club of the antenne large, black. Head fuscescent-yellow. Thorax pale yellow, vaguely

fuscescent on the middle, rather coarsely but not closely punctured. Elytra pale yellow,

PALLODES. 369

with a large dark mark behind, and a smaller spot at each side; rather coarsely

punctate. Legs slender, the tarsi fuscescent. |

A single male example is all I have seen of this curious insect; it looks like a species

of Anacena, a genus of Hydrophilide. I have much pleasure in naming it after its

zealous and indefatigable discoverer. |

11. Pallodes punctatus, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexus, testaceus, elytris utrinque vage fusco-guttatis, antennarum clava nigricante ; irregulariter,

fortiter punctatus.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Xucumanatlan in Guerrero 7000 feet (JZ. H. Smith).

This is another aberrant Nitidulid which, like P. smithi, has the appearance of a

species of Anacena. Only one specimen has been found; it is distinguished by the

punctuation, which is less fine than usual, and is not serial in its arrangement. The

antenne are short, with broad, black, club. The head and thorax are more deeply and

definitely punctate than they are in any other species of the genus, and the punctures

are more than usually close and distinct on the disc of the thorax; scutellum only finely

and sparingly, the elytra coarsely, punctate.

12. Pallodes vividus, sp. n.

Rotundatus, convexus, rufo-testaceus, supra niger, opalescente-micante ; scutello elytrisque disco post scutellum

rufescentibus ; antennis testaceis, clava nigra.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

A peculiar species, of which only one specimen has been procured ; it is a female

and is very shining. The club of the antenna is moderately long, black, ferruginous

towards the extremity. Head sparingly and finely punctate. Thorax very shining,

almost impunctate, black, the sides narrowly piceous. Scutellum dark red, almost

impunctate. EHlytra black, rufescent behind the scutellum; with remote series of

distant punctures and a faint interstitial punctuation. Pygidium blackish.

This curious species might at first sight pass for a Phalacrid ; the front coxe are but

little separated, but the prosternum is not carinate; the labial palpi are much dilated.

13. Pallodes abdominalis, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexus, niger, nitidus, subtus piceus, pedibus abdomineque rufis, antennarum basi sordide

rufo; elytris seriatim, remote punctatis.

Long. vix 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Club of the antenne elongate, black. Head finely and sparingly punctured. Punctua-

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, Apri? 1891. 3 B*

370 NITIDULID&.

tion of the thorax, scutellum, and interstices of elytra scarcely perceptible, the punctures

of the series on the elytra fine and distant.

This is known to me only by one female specimen ; the structure brings it nearer to

P. vividus than to any other species, but it is well distinguished by the colour and the

narrow form. The hind coxe are more approximate than in the typical forms of the

genus, but are not so close as they are in the species of the next section; the front

coxe are but little separated, but the prosternum is not truly carinate.

14. Pallodes pictus, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 2.)

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, piceus ; antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis ; capite prothoraceque fusco-testaceis ;

elytris basin versus testaceis et piceo-variegatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GvuaTEMALA, near the city, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne with broad, short, dark club. Head finely and sparingly, but distinctly,

punctate. Thorax and scutellum obsoletely punctate, fuscescent, the former broadly

sordid testaceous at the base and sides. Elytra piceous or blackish, with a broad irre-

gular space close to the base yellow, and with a black spot or two, or an interrupted

dark band, across the middle of the yellow part; with regular distinct series of punc-

tures, but almost entirely destitute of interstitial punctuation ; the sutural stria is very

fine and placed near the suture. Under surface piceous. Prosternum carinate in front.

We have received eight examples of this species: the sexual differences are very

slight.

15. Pallodes guttatus, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 3.)

Rotundatus, convexus, nitidus, piceus, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, elytris piceo-testaceis, testaceo-

guttatis ; corpore fere levigato, capite solo conspicue punctato.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne with broad, short, black club. Head with rather coarse, moderately close

punctuation. ‘Thorax sparingly but distinctly punctured at the sides, almost impunc-

tate on the middle; picescent, with the sides dilute. Scutellum very sparingly and

obsoletely punctate. Elytra smooth and shining, with faint traces of a distant serial

punctuation, piceous, paler towards the extremity, and near the base with two rows of

yellowish marks. Prosternum strongly carinate.

Only one specimen has been obtained of this distinct little insect. I think it is a

female.

16. Pallodes jucundus.

Pallodes jucundus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 185°.

Hab. Mexico (mus. Vindod.?).

PALLODES.—EUSPHERIUS 371

§ 2. Middle tibie very slender ; hind coxe only slightly separated: _

17. Pallodes filipes, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, piceus, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis, supra opalescente-micante ; elytris

seriatim, obsolete remoteque punctatis.

Long. vix 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé).

Antenne with dark club, which is ferruginous at the extremity. Head finely and

sparingly punctured. Thorax very short, fuscescent in the middle, more dilute at the

sides; sparingly and obsoletely punctate. LElytra with a few series of distant, sub-

obsolete punctures, which quite disappear before the extremity. Two specimens.

18. Pallodes obscurus, sp. n. (Tab. XII. fig. 4.)

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, piceo-testaceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava fusca; elytris

seriatim punctatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Champion).

Club of the antenne elongate, fuscescent, not black. Head rather sparingly but

distinctly punctured. Thorax very short, sparingly and obsoletely punctured, testa-

ceous, more obscure on the middle. Scutellum rather coarsely punctate. Elytra with

distinct regular series cf punctures, and with a remote interstitial punctuation. Two

specimens.

EUSPHAERIUS, gen. nov.

Corpus fere globosum, contractile. Prosternum ante coxas fere nullum. Coxe anteriores subcontigue,

posteriores late distantes. Tarsi lineares, breves, quinque-articulati, articulo quarto parvo.

Head inflexed; antennary grooves very deep and definite, convergent. Pronotum

very large; prosternum excessively small, the only part visible being the small com-

pressed portion between the front cox. Mesosternum vertical, but with a very short

anterior horizontal part, which is carinate along the middle. Middle coxe widely

separated, the metasternum produced between them, truncate, not turned upwards, the

mesosternum descending to its level and forming an extremely fine margin in front of

it, this margin with a minute interruption in the middle. Hind coxe very widely

separated. Tibie broad. ‘Tarsi small, not at all dilated; first joint of the posterior

pair equal in length to the third, the second joint rather long, the fourth small but

quite distinct, the fifth about as long as the second, third, and fourth joints together.

The increased capacity of enfolding the head and the extreme reduction in size of

the pieces of the prosternum indicate that this genus should be placed at the end of

the Strongyline, in immediate proximity to the Cybocephaline.

3 B*¥ 2

3712 NITIDULIDZ.

1. Eusphzrius godmani, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 5.)

Subglobosus, nigerrimus, nitidus, antennis articulis intermediis pedibusque piceis; elytris seriatim remote

punctatis ; scutello obsolete punctato.

Long. capite extenso 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne short, with large three-jointed club, the basal joint piceous, the following

joints rufescent, the club quite black. Head rather closely punctate. Thorax and

scutellum somewhat sparingly and finely punctate, the latter large. Elytra with

regular series of remote, lightly impressed punctures, without interstitial punctuation ;

sutural stria only visible on the deflexed apical portion. ‘The sutural margins of the

posterior four ventral plates duplicate. Legs piceous.

Mr. Champion secured a fair series of this species; on first examination it would be

' supposed to be allied to Liodes, of the family Silphide.

2. Kuspherius scutellatus, sp. n.

Subglobosus, nigerrimus, nitidus, antennis articulis intermediis pedibusque piceis; elytris seriatim remote

punctatis; scutello fortiter punctato. ,

Long. capite extenso 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas (Hoge); Guatemata, Zapote

(Champion).

I see nothing conspicuous to distinguish this insect from E. godmani, except the

very evident coarse punctuation of the scutellum ; this difference is so marked in the

series of each that I think E. scutell/atus is not a mere variety of E. godmani.

3. Euspherius rubicundus, sp. n.

Hemisphericus, rufus, nitidus; antennis clava nigra, basi pedibusque testaceis; elytris seriatim fortiter

punctatis.

Long. capite extenso 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Only two examples of this species have been received ; it appears to be closely allied

to £. godmani, though so different in colour. The antenne are yellow from the base

as far as the club, the latter being very large. The head and thorax are finely punctate.

The large scutellum is coarsely and sparingly punctate. The punctures of the series

on the elytra are large.

Subfam. CY BOCHPHALINA.

Although great diversity of opinion has prevailed as to whether Cybocephalus

should be placed in the Nitidulide, I think there can be very little doubt that such a

position is correct ; the discovery of another genus or two between it and Luspherius

is all that is required to place the matter beyond question.

PYCNOCEPHALUS. 375

PYCNOCEPHALUS, gen. nov.

Corpus contractile. Caput latissimum. Tarsi quadri-articulati, compresso-dilatati. Antenne parvee, articulo

basali magno, auriculato, secundo subnodoso; clava tri-articulata, parum lata. Pedes lati, posteriores

femoribus tibiisque laminato-dilatatis.

This genus seems to be well distinguished from Cybocephalus by the dilated, lamini-

form femora and tibie of the posterior two pairs of legs. It differs also in other

characters: the head is excessively broad and short, the eyes widely separated, the first

joint of the antennee of peculiar shape. The metasternum in the middle is acuminate

and produced so that the perpendicular part of the mesosternum forms a cavity, the

anterior part of the mesosternum being broadly longitudinally impressed. The middle

femur is greatly dilated (fig. 6a, middle leg), and in contraction the tibia and tarsus

are withdrawn entirely behind it, and appear to be absent; the mesosternum and

the anterior part of the metasternum are impressed for the reception of the middle

legs, and the metasternum and the first ventral segment for the accommodation of the

posterior legs. The tarsi, though dilated, are very strongly compressed.

1. Pycnocephalus metallicus, sp.n. (Tab. XII. figg. 6; 6a, middle leg.)

Globosus, niger, supra metallicus, nitidus, tibiis, tarsis antennisque testaceis, harum articulo basali nigro ;

corpore supra fere levigato, elytris absque stria suturali.

Long. corpore subcontracto 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Tamahu (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).

Head excessively broad. Antenne small, the basal joint large, auriculate, black,

the other joints yellow, the club small. Thorax very convex, very short at the sides

but elongate along the middle, smooth, and very shining, the punctuation being

excessively minute. Scutellum extremely broad and short. LHlytra short, extremely

convex, similar in sculpture to the thorax.

Subfam. JPSIT NZ.

This division is very sharply defined, and differs strongly from all the other Nitidu-

lide in the structure of the head; the epicranium is prolonged much in front of the

insertion of the antenne, while the clypeus is reduced to a very small piece quite at

the front of the head; the labrum, as described by Erichson and others, being covered

by the clypeus.

All the species of this group possess a stridulating-organ on the summit of the,

vertex. I have observed nothing of this kind in any other Nitidulide.

374 NITIDULIDZ.

CRYPTARCHA.

Cryptarcha, Shuckard, Elements of Brit. Ent. p. 165 (1839) ; Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv.

p. 855.

This is one of the most widely distributed of the genera of Nitidulide, occurring not

only in the continental regions of both the Eastern and Western hemispheres, but also

in Australia and New Zealand. About forty species have been described.

The editors of this work have procured examples of a considerable series of species

—about twenty-four,—but most of them appear to be very rare insects. They are very

difficult to determine from descriptions, though they vary little, and are very easily

recognized on comparison of specimens. In some species the male has the right

mandible more or less elongate; but in the case of one or two of our species I am not

able to decide satisfactorily whether a difference in the condition of the mandibles is

a specific character or only a mark of the sexes. The genus is also a very difficult one

to divide into sections, for though numerous minor characters exist that may be easily

enough observed, yet they gradually disappear when a number of species are examined.

The two I use are selected simply because they most easily divide the material ] am

dealing with.

§ 1. Pygidiwm truncate or truncate-emarginate at the extremity.

The species of this group are oblong insects, transversely convex. ‘They are all

apparently very rare.

1. Cryptarcha longidens, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 7.)

Oblonga, ferruginea, dense punctata, pubescens, antennarum clava nigra; mandibulis elongatis, inequalibus,

dextra longiore; pygidio apice truncato-emarginato.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (fHége).

The form of the mandibles and of the extremity of the pygidium are sufficient

diagnostics of this species. The mandibles are not emarginate at the extremity, but

are dentate on their upper edge some distance before the apex ; the right mandible is

much longer and more abruptly curved than the left. The club of the antenne and

the two or three joints preceding it are black. The whole of the upper surface is

closely punctate and pubescent; on each wing-case there are eight or nine lines of hairs

which are difficult to distinguish among the other pubescence, from which they differ

very little. The head is large. The thorax is unusually elongate, strongly sinuate at

the base. The hind margin of the pygidium is truncate and feebly emarginate, and

there are some short ciliz at each angle.

Although we have received only three examples I think they represent both sexes,

CRYPTARCHA. 375

as in one the internal segment bears long hairs which project at the extremity of the

body.

2. Cryptarcha guatemalena, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexa, ferruginea, dense punctata, pubescens, antennarum clava nigra; pygidio apice

depresso et emarginato.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion), Coban (Conradt).

This species is very similar to C. longidens, but has the mandibles simple, short,

and emarginate at the extremity. The lines of pubescence on the elytra are scarcely

distinguishable. The pygidium is very densely punctate, deeply depressed, or indented,

towards the extremity, the hind margin emarginate, and each angle’ ciliate.

Only one example has been obtained from each locality; I can see no difference at

all between the two. I should have been glad to treat this as the female sex of

C. longidens ; but as that species has been procured only in Mexico, and I think pos-

sibly in both sexes, and this only in Guatemala, I am obliged to treat C. guatemalena

as distinct.

3. Cryptarcha sanguinea, sp. n.

Suboblonga, parum convexa, rufa, capite prothoraceque fusco-rufis ; elytris nigris, post scutellum vage rufo-

signatis; antennis testaceis, clava nigra; crebre punctata et pubescens, punctura et pubescentia in elytra

seriatis.

3 ns

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Club of the antenne rather small. Head narrow, somewhat coarsely punctate.

Thorax rather short, fuscous, rufescent about the margins, somewhat coarsely punctate,

with a greyish pubescence, somewhat shining; base distinctly bisinuate. Elytra

rather long, with numerous equal lines of punctuation and griseous pubescence.

Pygidium red, much exposed, very densely punctate, depressed in the middle towards

the extremity, which is truncate. Under surface clear red.

We have received only one specimen of this species, and I am unable to open the

mandibles, but have little doubt that they are short and equal.

4. Cryptarcha nigra, sp. n. (Tab. XII. fig. 8.)

Oblonga, convexa, nigra, antennis tarsisque rufis, pubescens, sat fortiter punctata ; elytris seriatim, interstitiis

fere seriatim, punctatis.

Long. 4-44 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Club of the antenne rather large, the terminal joint large. Mandibles stout, in the

male a little longer than in the female, and unequal, the right one being longer and

more curved. Head rather large, moderately coarsely punctured, the sides concavely

376 NITIDULID.

arcuate. ‘Thorax elongate, moderately coarsely and closely punctate, the base bisinuate.

Elytra not shining, with fine series of punctures and with a subseriate interstitial

punctuation ; the pubescence equal, that of the series being not more raised than that

of the interstices. Pygidium truncate behind, in the female deeply impressed in

the middle posteriorly.

Three specimens.

5. Cryptarcha furcata, sp. n.

Suboblonga, sat convexa, punctata, pubescens, ferruginea, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava nigra ;

elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis punctatis. .

Long. 443 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne with rather large club ; mandibles rather short, similar, toothed above just

before the extremity. Head rather small, sparingly but deeply punctate, with a single

gentle concave curve on each side. Thorax somewhat long, moderately closely and

coarsely punctate, not quite dull, strongly pubescent. Elytra rather long, with the

serial punctuation quite distinct, and with a very distinct interstitial punctuation ; the

pubescence is subseriate in its arrangement, and some more distinct series of pube-

scence can be just distinguished. Pygidium much exposed, quite truncate at the apex,

but with some sete at each angle, thus giving it the appearance of being emarginate.

Two examples; these were placed amongst the duplicates of C. plena, to which the

species bears a great superficial resemblance, although quite distinct by the structure of

the pygidium.

6. Cryptarcha pygidialis.

Cryptarcha pygidialis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii. Abhandl. p. 117".

Hab. Mexico }.

This species I have no doubt is very near to C. longidens and C. guatemalena, but

the details of which Reitter’s description is made do not agree satisfactorily with our

species. The Austrian savant states that the angles of the pygidium are “ utrinque in

dentem producto”: this probably refers to the ciliz at each angle which give rise in

the species of this group to an appearance of that sort.

§ 2. Pygidium rounded or subacuminate at the extrenuty.

A. Club of the antenne elongate and laxly articulated, the terminal joint

narrower than the tenth.

The club of the antenne in these species is dark in colour, the tip of the terminal

joint being usually paler. | |

CRYPTARCHA. 377

7. Cryptarcha inequalis, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 9.)

Breviter suboblonga, posterius angustata, pubescens, fusco-ferruginea, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum

clava nigricante; elytris crebre punctatis, singulo pubescentie perparum elevatis seriebus quinque.

Long. 53-6 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Isidro (Champion).

Antenne with the ninth and tenth joints large, transverse, the terminal joint much

smaller. Head very large, coarsely punctate, the epistome sinuate on each side; man-

dibles very unequal, the right one elongate and abruptly bent, simple at the extremity,

incrassate near the base. Thorax large, very convex transversely, strongly lobed in

front, and with the base sinuate on each side; punctuation and pubescence like those

of the head. Elytra moderately closely punctate, pubescent, the pubescence subseriate

in its arrangement, and with five quite fine and regular lines of pubescence which are

indistinct owing to being very slightly elevated. Pygidium densely punctate, but little

exposed, rounded at the extremity.

We have received four specimens of this species. I do not see any evident external

sexual characters, but the colour varies from dark fuscescent to pale ferruginous.

8. Cryptarcha brevidens, sp. n. (Tab. XII. fig. 10.)

Breviter suboblonga, posterius angustata, pubescens, fusco-ferruginea, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum

clava nigricante ; elytris crebre punctatis, seriebus pubescentibus egre discernendis.

Long. 53-6 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Head large, the epistome not sinuate on each side, deeply, rather coarsely punctate ;

mandibles quite short, similar, emarginate at the apex. Punctuation of the thorax

rather more distant and finer than that of the head. LElytra rather elongate, moderately

closely punctate and pubescent, the lines of pubescence difficult to distinguish.

Pygidium nearly covered by the elytra, densely punctate, rounded at the apex.

Two specimens. <A third example, from Duefas, is smaller, and may possibly belong

to a closely allied species.

Very similar to C. inequalis, from which it chiefly differs by the mandibular struc-

ture, and by the shape of the sides of the head. ‘The lines of pubescence on the elytra

are less distinct than in C. inequalis, but this is not important. Notwithstanding the

differences between the two insects I should not be surprised if they prove to be the

sexes of one species. Although found in different localities this is not of much

importance, as the numbers procured are so small.

9. Cryptarcha gentilis, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, posterius attenuata, fusca, antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava nigricante ; pubescens,

crebre punctata ; elytris seriebus punctorum pubescentizeque discretis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatrmata, San Isidro (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, Apri 1891. 3 C*

378 NITIDULIDZ.

Mandibles very short, similar, each deeply notched at the apex. Head moderately

closely and deeply punctate, the sides subsinuate. Thorax rather short, moderately

coarsely, not closely punctate, almost straight at the base in the middle. Elytra some-

what coarsely punctate, and with distinct series of fine punctures, each series bearing a

fine line of pubescence, which is only very slightly elevated ; their apices just perceptibly

sinuate.

Two specimens.

This insect is rather larger and broader than the European C. strigata, and has the

thorax less truncate at the base in the middle.

10. Cryptarcha subtilis, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 11.)

Breviter ovalis, convexa, pubescens, crebrius subtiliusque punctata, fusca, sat nitida ; elytris pubescentia seriata

conspicua ; antennis pedibusque rufis, illarum clava nigra.

Long. 3-3? millim.

Hab. GuatEMaLa, Chiacam (Champion).

Mandibles short, similar, each notched at the tip. Head rather closely and finely

punctate, the sides but little sinuate. Thorax closely and finely punctate, the base

straight, except close to the hind angle, where there is a short sinuosity. Elytra with

five lines of fine pubescence, the fourth from the suture arcuate, and between it and

the fifth near the base there is interposed an additional, shorter and more obscure line

of pubescence; surface very finely punctate and very delicately pubescent. Pygidium

almost entirely covered by the elytra. Prosternal process very broad, emarginate behind.

Mr. Champion secured a series of about twelve examples of this distinct Cryptarcha.

I do not detect any sexual differences, and very little variation except in size.

11. Cryptarcha gibbula, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, convexa, nigra, subnitida, opalescenti-nitens, minus pubescens, punctulata; pedibus piceis,

tarsis dilutioribus ; antennis testaceis, clava nigra.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (fHége); GuatemMaa, Zapote (Champion).

Mandibles short, similar. Head coarsely punctate, the sides sinuate. Thorax large,

rather sparingly, but not finely, punctate, the base feebly sinuate. Klytra moderately

coarsely punctate, but only feebly pubescent; amongst the general punctuation there

may be distinguished five series of punctures, these being not pubescent and differing

only from the other punctures by their perfectly serial arrangement. Pygidium almost

entirely covered.

This species may be recognized by the black colour, and by the pubescence of the

upper surface diminished to an unusual extent. Three examples have been received,

and I do not notice any sexual distinctions.

CRYPTARCHA. 379

12. Cryptarcha morata, sp. n.

Oblonga, parum convexa, supra nigra, prothorace margines versus elytrisque circa scutellum rufis, antennis

pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava nigra; subtus fusca, prosterno capiteque rufescentibus ; pubescens,

nitida, parcius subtiliusque punctata.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab, GuateMa.a, Duefias (Champion).

Antenne moderately long; club elongate, laxly articulated, the terminal joint some-

what small, ferruginous externally. Head rather small, moderately coarsely punctate,

the sides simply convexly curved. Thorax short, shining, sparingly and finely punctate,

with a scanty but moderately long pubescence. Scutellum narrow, extremely finely

punctate. Elytra with fine and distant, subseriate punctuation and with scanty but

rather long griseous pubescence. Pygidium red, rounded at the extremity, very little

exposed.

This is not closely allied to any other species, so I have described it, although we

have received only one specimen, and the mandibles are broken. I think it belongs to

the series in which the mandibles are equal and moderately long.

13. Cryptarcha regularis, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 12.)

Oblonga, angusta, sat convexa, rufa, capite, prothorace, elytris antennarumque clava nigris, prothoracis elytro-

rumque basibus rufescentibus ; elytris regulariter seriatim punctatis et pubescentibus, interstitiis nitidis,

impunctatis.

Long. 4-43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Head sparingly punctate, the sides concavely arcuate; mandibles moderately long, a

little unequal. Thorax elongate, sparingly punctate. lytra with quite regular

series of fine punctures and pubescence. Pygidium large, closely punctate, very gently

rounded at the extremity. Under surface red ; head fuscous-red.

This is not at all close to any other species here described. Four specimens have

been received ; I am uncertain as to their sex, but it is possible that they are all males.

The regular series of fine punctures and pubescence, without sculpture or pubescence

on the shining interstices, distinguish it from all the allied forms; the series are about

eight in number on each wing-case, and external to them there are some more confused

series or irregularly arranged punctures. |

A single example from Panima in Guatemala (Champion) is considerably smaller,

and I think may belong to a closely allied species.

14. Cryptarcha plena, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 13.)

Brevior, fusco-ferruginea, dense punctata, pubescens, fere opaca, antennarum clava fusca; elytris subtiliter

seriatim punctatis, interstitiis subseriatim punctatis.

Long. 23-3? millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Mirador, Jalapa (Hoge); British Honpuras, R. Hondo

(3)

3 O* 2

380 NITIDULIDA.

(Blancaneaus); GuatumaLa, Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson) ;

Panama, Bugaba, Caldera, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Head and thorax coarsely punctate, the latter broad, strongly bisinuate at the base,

almost lobed in the middle, so that very little of the scutellum is visible. Elytra

pubescent, and with fine serial pubescence not strongly different from the other pube-

scence ; the punctures of the series are very closely placed, so as almost to form perfect

strie ; there is one, rather irregular, series of punctures on each interstice. The

pygidium is largely exposed; it is extremely densely punctate, and is rounded at

the extremity.

This appears to be the least rare of our species of the genus, we having received

altogether about two dozen examples.

B. Club of the antenne compact and broad, the terminal joint as broad as the tenth ;

its colour black, fuscous, or quite pallid.

* Club of the antenne black or fuscous.

15. Cryptarcha cephalotes, sp. n.

Oblonga, sat convexa, ferruginea, antennarum clava fusca ; elytris opacis, seriatim punctatis, subtilius pube-

scentibus.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Only a single example has been received of this species, but the following characters

will permit of its certain recognition: the elytra are remarkably dull, but smooth as if

greasy ; the pubescence is very short; the punctures in each series are remote from one

another, and the interstitial punctuation is also serial, and in fact similar to the other,

so that the elytra thus have numerous series of distant punctures. The mandibles

are unequal, the right one being the longer, and they are dentate above before the

extremity. ‘The head is large, more acuminate in front than usual, the sides nearly

straight. ‘The pygidium is elongate, with the extremity rounded though narrow, a

little reflexed.

16. Cryptarcha puncticeps, sp. n. (Tab. XII. fig. 14.)

Oblonga, sat convexa, ferruginea, antennarum clava fusca; capite pubescens, fortiter punctato; prothorace

nitido ; elytris subopacis, seriatim subobsolete punctatis, fere epubescentibus.

Long. 47 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This is another easily recognized species of which only one specimen has been

obtained ; it is allied to C. cephalotes, but the punctuation and pubescence of the elytra

are more obsolete; the difference between the sculpture of the head and that of the

CRYPTARCHA. 381

other parts of the upper surface is very striking. The mandibles are very unequal, the

right one being greatly prolonged and bent. The head is large, acuminate in front, the

sides very slightly sinuate. The thorax is large, shining, the punctuation on the disc very

distant and fine, coarser towards the sides. The elytra have a greasy appearance, and

the interstitial punctuation is—though seriate—distinct from the serial punctuation,

being finer and more remote. The pygidium is elongate, subacuminate.

17. Cryptarcha clavigera, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, sat convexa, ferruginea, supra nigro-submaculata, crebrius subtiliter punctata et pubescens ;

antennarum clava magna, fusca.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith); Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui

(Champion).

This insect agrees with C. discedens in the unusual size of the club of the antenna, as

well as in the colour thereof, which is not black, but unicolorous fuscous ; C. clavigera

is, however, a short, broader insect than C. discedens, has considerably finer punctuation,

and the upper surface is marked with black, though not very definitely or conspicuously.

The punctuation of the head is fine and not close, that of the thorax fine and close ;

the punctuation of the elytra is very fine, and in fact is concealed by the numerous

series of fine hairs. The pygidium is broad and largely exposed. The thorax has four,

the elytra several, black marks, but these are indefinite and may not be constant.

One specimen from each locality.

18. Cryptarcha discedens, sp. n. (Lab. XII. fig. 15.)

Oblongo-ovalis, sat convexa, pubescens, sat fortiter punctata, subopaca, ferruginea; antennis clava magna,

articulo ultimo majore; elytris crebrius subseriatim punctatis.

Long. + millim.

Hab. GuatEMALa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Mandibles short, similar, toothed a little before the extremity. Antenne with the

club large, not black, only fuscous, the terminal joint unusually large for this genus,

acuminate. Head rather narrow, somewhat coarsely punctate. Thorax rather short,

punctate like the head, the base feebly sinuate, but the hind angles a good deal pro-

longed backwards. Elytra somewhat closely punctate and pubescent, the whole of the

punctures and pubescence subseriately arranged, and without any more distinct series.

Pygidium very densely, coarsely punctate, rounded at the extremity. Prosternal

ptocess rather narrow. |

A single example of this insect was placed amongst the duplicates of C. plena.

Although superficially similar thereto in size and colour it is very distinct, and cannot

be confounded with any other of our species.

382 NITIDULIDZ.

** Club of the antenne quite pallid.

The club is not so large as in the species of Section *, and the apical joint is not so

broad; but its colour being quite pallid the insects placed in this Section may be

readily recognized as belonging here. They are all very small and have lost the

appearance characteristic of the other divisions of the genus.

19. Cryptarcha thalycroides.

Cryptarcha thalycroides, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 146°.

Hab. Mexico (mus. Vindob. 1), Jalapa (Hége), Guanajuato (Sallé); GUATEMALA, near

the city, Duefias (Champion).

Parvula, oblongo-ovalis, sat convexa, testaceo-ferruginea, pubescens, crebrius punctata ; elytris crebrius sub-

seriatim punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Var. lateralis ; metasterno elytrisque anterius ad latera fuscescentibus.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).

Reitter states! that in Mexico C. thalycroides varies in colour; this | am not ina

position to speak about, as we have received only two or three Mexican examples of

the species. We have eight specimens from Guatemala, and—accepting them all as

one species, though as to this Iam by no means sure—there is a decided variation of

colour, though not corresponding to what Reitter describes as existing in Mexican

examples; the fuscescence of the wing-cases, when present, being in the Guatemalan

specimens placed at the shoulder, whereas Reitter says that in the Mexican variety it

occurs at the middle of the side.

20. Cryptarcha comma, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, sat convexa, ferruginea, prosterno apice, pectore scutelloque nigris; pubescens, crebrius punc-

tata; elytris crebrius subseriatim punctatis.

Long. 3-3} millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Puebla (Sailé), Chilpancingo in Guerrero 4600 feet

(HI. H. Smith).

Although doubtless extremely close to C. thalycroides, yet the constancy of the colour

in the five examples of C. comma before me leads me to think that they are distinct

from any of the varieties I have seen of C. thalycroides. ‘The prosternal process, the

mesosternum, and metasternum are quite black. On the upper surface the scutellum

only is black. In other respects this insect greatly resembles C. thalycroides, though it

has the club of the antenne slightly larger.

CRYPTARCHA. 383

21. Cryptarcha imbellis, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexa, sublevigata, nitida, ferruginea, pectore nigricante, elytris subtiliter subseriatim punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guarema.a, Calderas, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne with the club clear yellow, elongate. Head small, moderately coarsely punc-

tate, the sides deeply concavely curvate. ‘Thorax large, shining, finely and sparingly,

but distinctly punctured. Elytra finely and distantly punctate, without pubescence,

the punctures seriate, but not very distinctly so, and exhibiting little difference between

those of the series and those of the interstices. Pygidium exposed, rather coarsely and

sparingly punctured. Under surface somewhat coarsely punctate, finely but quite dis-

tinctly pubescent.

Mr. Champion procured a small series exhibiting no variation at Calderas; at San

Gerdnimo only one specimen was obtained.

22. Cryptarcha costaricensis, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexa, nitida, testacea, pectore fuscescente ; prothorace nitido, parce obsoleteque punctato ;

elytris subtilius punctulatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 7000 feet (Rogers).

Head rather coarsely punctate, quite shining. ‘Thorax very shining, sparingly and

extremely finely punctate. Elytra with series of exceedingly fine punctures, and between

them with an interstitial punctuation differing but little from the serial punctuation.

Under surface rather finely punctate, with but little pubescence.

Though closely allied to 0. iméellis this insect is easily distinguished by the more

pallid colour, and by the finer punctuation of the upper surface.

23. Cryptarcha atomaria, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 16.)

Oblongo-ovalis, convexa, testacea, levigata, minus nitida, subtilius parciusque punctulata.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Payama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species is distinguished from C. costaricensis and C. imbellis, not only by its

smaller size, but also by the peculiar dull surface. Antenne clear yellow. Head rather

coarsely punctate, quite dull. Thorax with a distant and very minute punctuation ; the

surface quite dull. Elytra quite dull, with numerous series of very fine punctures,

without interstitial punctuation. Under surface ferruginous, quite sparingly punctate.

Two specimens.

Aberrant species, subdepressed and unusually elongate, with more imperfect articulation

between the prosternal process and mesosternum : the former of these smaller than

usual,

384 NITIDULIDA.

24, Cryptarcha elongata, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 17.)

Cryptarcha elongata, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. 1, p. 143°.

Oblonga, subdepressa, picea, subtilissime pubescens, crebrius punctata; corpore subtus, antennis pedibusque

rufis, antennarum clava picea.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Mexico (mus. Vindod.1), Guanajuato (Sallé), Esperanza (Hége).

Head large, moderately closely and coarsely punctate, shining. Thorax strongly

transverse, nearly straight at the base, evenly, moderately coarsely and closely punctate,

very minutely pubescent. Scutellum finely punctate. LElytra elongate, rather flat,

moderately closely punctate, the punctuation subseriate, and including some indistinct

distant series of punctures differing very little from the other punctuation. Pygidium

exposed, closely and finely punctate. Male with the apical portion of the right

mandible slightly more elongate than it is in the female.

This species is quite different from any other Cryptarcha, and I have no doubt that it

is generically distinct therefrom ; but as 1 have not discovered any salient character to

distinguish it, I must place it at present as an aberrant member of the genus.

The following species I have not been able to identify with any Cryptarcha we have

received :—

25. Oryptarcha fusca.

Cryptarcha fusca, Er. in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 856'; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 146’.

Hab. Mexico *?.

This, having the antennal club concolorous, probably belongs to group § 2 B**, but

must be larger than any insect we have obtained of that group. In the collection at

the British Museum a specimen of C. guatemalena has been determined by Murray as

C. fusca, Er., but this is certainly a mistake.

26. Cryptarcha aclypta.

Cryptarcha aclypta, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 142°.

Hab. Muxico (mus. Vindod.').

I think this must certainly be a species of which we have not received an example,

and possibly near C. plena; it is said to have punctate-striate elytra, and no mention

is made of any sculpture on the interstices.

27. Cryptarcha clavata.

Cryptarcha clavata, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 144°.

Hab. Mexico (mus. Vindob. 1).

LEPIARCHA.-—LIARCHA. 385

LEPIARCHA, gen. nov.

Prosternum processu parvo. Coxe omnes parum distantes; metasternum inter coxas intermedias productum,

acuminatum, subtiliter marginatum.

The little insect for which I establish this genus cannot remain in Cryptarcha, the

diminution in size of the prosternal process and the more approximate middle coxe

being accompanied by other minor characters that prove the genus to be truly distinct.

The male mandibles are elongate, slender, and equal; in those males of Cryptarcha that

have elongate mandibles these are unequal. The elytra are ample, entirely covering

the body, and the epipleuree are broad. ‘The palpi are small and slender, and the

tibise, too, are slender.

Probably the North-American Cryptarcha concinna belongs to this genus.

1. Lepiarcha omositoides. (Tab. XII. fig. 18, ¢ .)

Cryptarcha omositoides, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 151°.

Hab. Mexico (mus. Vindob.1); Guatemata, Capetillo, San Gerénimo (Champion).

We have only received two specimens of this insect, and though I have not seen any

individual from Mexico, I think they will prove to belong to the species Reitter

described from there under the above name.

We figure the male ; the female has very short mandibles.

LIARCHA, gen. nov.

Corpus ovale, fere levigatum. Mandibule ad apicem graciles, intus membrana grandi auctw; maris

elongate.

Though the curious membrane with which the mandibles are provided seems at first

sight an amply sufficient character for this genus, yet it is not really so, as a similar

though less highly developed membrane exists in several species of Cryptarcha, e. g.

C. inequalis. There are, however, other characters that render the genus a perfectly

good one—the middle of the metasternum being without any margin in front, and the

mesosternum completely consolidated with it on one plane. The mandibles are equal,

acuminate, and though appearing simple at the tip are really bifid, the notch being

placed on the under surface. All the coxe are widely separated and the prosternal

process is large.

1. Liarcha placida, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 19, 3.)

Ovalis, sat convexa, testacea, vage fusco-nebulosa, antennarum clava fusca ; subnitida, subtiliter parce

punctata.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mirador, Jalapa (Hoge), Temax in North Yucatan (Gawmer); GuatE-

maLA, San Isidro (Champion); Costa Rica.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, September 1891. 3 D*

386 NITIDULIDA.

Upper surface without any trace of pubescence. Head moderately coarsely punc-

tured, bisinuate at the sides. Thorax strongly transverse, the base nearly straight, the

hind angles much rounded; more finely punctate than the head. Llytra sparingly and

finely punctate. Under surface with some very fine, extremely short, hairs. In the

male the mandibles are longer than they are in the female; there is a very short

transverse supplementary dorsal segment exposed at the apex of the pygidium ; on

the ventral surface the last ventral plate is sinuate behind, and the supplementary

segment is seen as a linear curve ; these parts are pubescent.

Herr Hége procured a good series of this species at Mirador, but from the other

localities we have received only a small number of examples. Those from Yucatan are

less shining, darker in colour, more finely punctate, and have the breast blackish ; those

from Guatemala are also a little different from the Mirador series. But at present they

had better be treated as all pertaining to one species, the differences being but slight.

We figure a male from San Isidro.

PITYOPHAGUS.

Pityophagus, Shuckard, Elements of Brit. Ent. p. 171 (1839) *; Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soe. vii.

p. 824°.

Ips (partim), Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 358 °.

This genus consists of six species—one European, one occurring in Japan, three in

N. America, and one in Mexico; I now add another from the extreme north of our

region. All the species of Pityophagus live, I believe, in the bark of Conifere.

Though at first sight extremely similar to one another they are distinguished by

important characters: our species, indeed, possesses a most peculiar structure of the

front of the head.

Although the genus was not admitted by Erichson 2, it is, as pointed out by Horn},

structurally very distinct from ps, and there cannot be any further doubt as to its

validity.

1. Pityophagus insignis, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 20.)

Elongatus, niger, sat nitidus, fortiter punctatus ; antennis piceis.

Long. 6-8 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Flohr), Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn).

Head very large, closely and coarsely punctured ; eyes small; the vertical depression

deep though rather ill defined, transverse. Thorax subquadrate, rather coarsely punc-

tate, the punctures elongate. Elytra more finely punctate than the thorax and not so

shining; with a distinct sutural stria, evanescent in front. Pygidium large, densely

punctate; apical margin much elevated.

Three specimens.

The species of Pityophagus much resemble one another, but P. insignis is distin-

PITYOPHAGUS.—IPSIMORPHA. 387

guished by a very curious character, the epistome being deflexed and perpendicular in

front and bearing there two large and deep fovee in the middle. In P. rufipennis,

Horn, the epistoma is not deflexed, but is separated from the head by a well-marked

suture, and its front margin has a deep transverse impression on each side. In the

European P. ferrugineus the epistome is small and appears to me simple, though

probably dissection might show this not to be really the case.

2. Pityophagus arcuatus.

Ips (Pityophagus) arcuatus, Er. in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 360°.

Hab. Mexico }.

This insect is quite unknown to me.

IPS.

Ips, Fabricius, Gen. Ins. p. 23 (1776) ; Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 358.

This genus includes about twenty species distributed in the Palearctic and Nearctic

regions. Species assigned to it from other regions probably do not belong to it.

1. Ips ultimus, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 21.)

Elongatus, parallelus, subdepressus, parce subtiliterque punctatus, sat nitidus, niger; elytris rufis, apice macu-

laque laterali utrinque nigris.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jacale (Sailé), Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith).

Head very finely punctate; epistome with a transverse fovea on each side in front.

Thorax subquadrate, the sides a little narrowed behind but not sinuate ; surface very

finely punctate. Elytra finely and moderately closely punctate, red, with the apical

third black, and with a black spot just in front of the middle.

We have received only two examples ; both appear to be of the male sex.

2. Ips(?) fuscipennis.

Ips fuscipennis, Cast. Hist. Nat. Ins. Col. ii. p. 14°.

Hab. Mexico}.

Nothing is known of this insect; from the size given we may be sure that it is not

an Ips. If the type cannot be found, I do not think the species can ever be satisfac-

factorily identified from the description alone.

IPSIMORPHA.

Ipsimorpha, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xu. 1, p. 165 (1873).

This is a genus containing two species from Mexico. Reitter places it at the end

of the family. We have received nothing that I can assign to it.

3 D*2

388 NITIDULIDZ.—TROGOSITID A.

1. Ipsimorpha striato-punctata.

Ipsimorpha striatopunctata, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. 1, p. 165 -

Hab. Mexico !.

2. Ipsimorpha ruficapilla.

Ipsimorpha ruficapilla, Reitter, Mitth. Minch. ent. Ver. i. p. 130 *,

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek ').

Fam. TROGOSITID *.

The catalogue of this family recently published by M. Léveillé (Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr.

1888, pp. 431-448) includes 335 species. About 100 species are here recorded from

our region, and as between sixty and seventy appear to be new, the described repre-

sentatives of the family will now reach about 400.

No extensive or well-named collection of Trogositide exists in this country ; I should,

therefore, have experienced some difficulty in determining the species previously known

had it not been for the kindness of M. Léveillé of Paris, who examined for me a

nearly complete series of the species hereafter enumerated. I am glad to take this

opportunity of thanking him for his assistance.

Subfam. VEMOSOMATIN A.

NEMOSOMA.

Nemozoma, Latreille, Nouv. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. 1st ed. xxiv., Tab. Meth. p. 157 (1804); Gen. Crust.

et Ins. ii. p. 12.

Nemosoma, Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. iv. p. 381 (1809).

This genus consists of two or three European species, to which Reitter has added

one from Colombia, founded, I believe, on a single example. The Colombian insect

differs from the European type, according to Reitter, in possessing 11-jointed antenne.

In this respect the species I now describe from our region agrees with the Colombian

one, and the two may therefore prove to be really congeneric. ‘There is little doubt

they will have to form a genus distinct from Memosoma, as, besides the difference in

the number of joints of the antenne, the trophi are more largely developed in the

Guatemalan NV. signatum.

1. Nemosoma signatum, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 22.)

Elongatum, angustum, nigrum, supra eneum, elytris signaturis quatuor testaceis, antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 43-54 millim. .

Hab. Guatemata, Quiche Mountains, 7000 to 9000 feet, Totonicapam 8500 to

10,500 feet (Champion).

* By D. Smarr.

NEMOSOMA.—CYLIDRELLA. 389

Head large, elongate, deflexed, subincrassate in front and depressed along the

middle, rather coarsely, moderately closely punctate. Thorax smaller than the head,

finely margined at the base and sides, the lateral margin quite disappearing before

reaching the front margin, the sides narrowed behind the middle to the base, the hind

angles very obtuse, the surface punctured like the head. Elytra narrow and elongate,

shining, brassy, each with a large pallid mark extending backwards from the shoulder

and curving inwards towards the suture, and also with a large transverse spot just

behind the middle; they are rather coarsely and irregularly, subseriately punctate.

Legs slender, pale red. Seven specimens.

CYLIDRELLA, gen. nov.

Corpus parvum, lineare ; abdomine elongato, segmentis quatuor ab elytris haud obtectis.

The little insect for which this name is proposed has more the appearance of a

minute species of Cylidrus—an aberrant genus of Cleride—than of any Trogositid

known as yet; nevertheless, although I have only one example for study, I have no

doubt that its systematic affinities are with Memosoma. The head is elongate, produced

in front into a free, bilobed process overhanging the base of the mandibles. The eyes

are moderate in size, subcircular, not prominent, finely faceted. The antenne are

apparently 10-jointed, but the funiculus is ill-developed and its joints not easy to

count: the basal joint is free, moderately large, 2nd joint much smaller, 3-7 small,

8-10 forming an elongate club, the 8th and 9th rather transverse, 10th subcircular.

Labrum not distinct; mandibles large and prominent, directed downwards. Palpi

small; terminal joint of the maxillary pair small, acute, but with the apex minutely

truncate. Labium concealed. Prosternum greatly compressed between the coxe, which

are large and extend to the sides of the thorax; middle and hind coxe contiguous.

Hind-body elongate, with six ventral segments, the basal five subequal, the terminal

one smaller. Legs slender; the front and middle tibie denticulate externally, without

terminal spurs; tarsi filiform and slender, their joints difficult to count, but apparently

five in number, the basal one short and concealed.

1. Cylidrella mollis, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 23.)

Elongata, subcylindrica, angusta, nigra, elytris abbreviatis in medio sordide albidis, tarsis antennarumque basi

testaceis.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne short, joints 1-7 sordid yellow, the club nearly black. Head very elon-

gate, deflexed towards the front, and canaliculate on the anterior part; sparingly

punctate. Thorax long and narrow, a little narrowed behind, without raised margins,

shining black, sparingly punctate. Elytra covering only about half of the elongate

390 TROGOSITIDA.

hind-body, black, with a broad pale mark across the middle; only obsoletely punctured,

the black apical portion impunctate and shining.

The unique example found of this curious little insect is probably a female.

Subfam. TEMNOCHILIN A.

CORTICOTOMUS, gen. nov.

Corpus parvum, eylindricum. Oculi minus fortiter granulati. Antenne undecim-articulate ; clava maxima,

laxissime articulata. Mandibule breves, superne fere curvate. Tibize subinermes, anteriores et inter-

mediz ad apicem denticulatze.

This genus is proposed for some small Trogositids having somewhat the appearance |

of Corticeus (Hypophlceus), a well-known genus of Heteromera. It should, I think,

come near Airora, which it somewhat resembles in the peculiar form of the head and

in the mouth-parts, but from which it departs greatly by the large club of the antenne

and the comparatively feeble legs. The head above is somewhat hollowed, and when

looked at in profile it is seen that the mandibles are to a slight extent directed

upwards. The clypeus appears to be straight in front, but on examination it is seen

that there is an extremely short, broad, truncate lobe in the middle, and to this the

broad labrum is attached ; it is slightly emarginate. The eyes are transverse, placed

quite at the sides of the head. The mouth is placed quite at the front of the head.

‘The short broad mentum is vertical in its direction. ‘The palpi are short, rather stout,

subacuminate at the apex. ‘The prosternal process is abruptly bent upwards, behind

the cox; the metasternum is elongate. The front tibiz are short, very slender at the

knee, but much broader at the extremity, and on the most prominent part they are

feebly bidenticulate, and are armed at the apex with a stout curved mucro; the middle

tibie bear three denticles at the extremity, and one or two very minute asperities in

the middle. All the tarsi are slender, joints 2—4 elongate, subequal. Front coxe

rather large, with the trochantins visible, the middle and hind coxe only slightly

separated.

Corticotomus has more the facies of Colydobius than of any other 'Trogositid I am

acquainted with, but I cannot think it closely allied thereto, the mandibles being very

different in the two; these organs in Corticotomus have a strongly curved acuminate

extremity and a single small denticle placed near the base.

1. Corticotomus basalis, sp.n. (Tab. XII. figg. 24; 24a, front tibia.)

Subcylindricus, piceus, antennis articulis 1°-8™, pedibus elytrisque basin versus rufescentibus; capite protho-

raecque crebre sat fortiter punctatis, subnitidis; elytris in parte basali subtiliter seriatim punctatis,

punctis apicem versus minutissimis.

Long. 4 millim. .

Hab. Guatemaua, Las Mercedes, Mirandilla (Champion).

CORTICOTOMUS.—AIRORA. 391

Thorax straight at the sides, the basal margin indistinct, the lateral margins excessively

fine; hind angles depressed, quite rounded and indistinct. Scutellum not visible.

Elytra not margined at the base; bearing a serial punctuation which is distinct at

the base but soon becomes excessively fine, and at the apex the minute punctures can

scarcely be detected. Nine examples.

Seven individuals received of this species are all very similar, but the remaining two,

being somewhat immature, have the elytra more dilute in colour, the surface, indeed,

in one of them is entirely testaceous.

2. Corticotomus gracilis, sp. n.

Angustus, cylindricus, piceus, antennis pedibusque pallide rufis, elytris plagis quatuor magnis testaceis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne, including the club, pale red. Head ferruginous, shining, closely punc-

tured. Thorax elongate and narrow, parallel; basal and lateral margins distinct ;

surface moderately closely and finely punctured. Elytra with four large yellow marks,

occupying the larger part of the surface, but leaving the suture, the sides, and a band

across the middle dark ; the sculpture is very indistinct, but the surface is not polished.

Legs reddish-yellow. Two specimens.

ATRORA.

Airora, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiv., Abhandl. p. 18 (1876).

Fight species are known of this genus; it is peculiar to the New World, where it

extends from the United States. of N. America to Paraguay.

1. Airora yucatanica, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. figg. 1; 14a, antenna.)

Cylindrica, nigra, nitida ; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis ; elytris subtiliter striatis, striis sat fortiter

punctatis, punctis elongatis, inter se sat remotis, interstitiis vix transversim convexis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer).

This is readily distinguished from the other species of Avrora found in our

region by the smaller sensitive area on the joints of the club of the antenne ; it is very

similar to the N. American A. cylindrica, but in that species the sculpture of the elytra

is coarser and deeper, the punctures in each stria being only very slightly separated

from one another by the short, very feebly elevated interstices.

I have examined four examples of A. yucatanica ; the male differs from the female

in having the large punctures on the ventral segments a little smaller, and in having

numerous, much finer punctures mixed with the larger.

392 TROGOSITIDZ.

2. Airora pollens, sp. n.

Cylindrica, nigra, nitida, capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis; elytris striatis, striis sat fortiter punctatis,

punctis elongatis, inter se sat remotis, interstitiis vix transversim convexis.

Long. 14-15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tepanistlahuaca (Sallé), Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer).

I have seen only two examples of this insect, and have hesitated whether I should

treat it as a variety of large size of A. yucatanica; I think, on the whole, it is more

likely to prove distinct. ‘The joints of the club of the antenne are rather larger, and

the pits containing the sensitive pubescence are larger, especially the one on the ninth

joint. The sculpture is a little coarser.

The two examples are male and female. In the former sex the small sexual

punctures on the ventral plates are more numerous and definite than they are in

A, yucatanica.

3. Airora longicollis.

Trogossita longicollis, Guér. Icon. Regne Anim. iii. p. 200°.

Airora clivinoides, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiv., Abhandl. p. 19°.

Airora longicollis, Léveillé, Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1889, p. xlv.

Hab. Mexico 2, Cordova, Jalapa (Hége); GuaTEMALA, Pantaleon, Mirandilla (Cham-

pion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—Co.ombia, Bogota? ; Brazit ?.

We have received a series of about twenty examples of this species; it is readily

distinguished from A. centralis by its small size and slender form, and by the fact

that the elytra are finely striate, the striae somewhat remotely punctured, and the inter-

stices bearing a series of fine remote punctures along the middle of each. I cannot

detect any character whereby to identify the sexes.

4, Airora centralis, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. figg. 2; 2a, antenna.)

Cylindrica, nigra, sat nitida; capite opaco, sat parce et subtiliter punctato ; prothorace suboblongo, sat crebre

et fortiter punctato ; elytris seriatim fortiter sat numerose punctatis, interstitiis planis, parce subtilissime

punctatis.

Long. 12-13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sal/é) ; Guatemaua, El Reposo, Pantaleon Torola (Champion);

Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This may be distinguished from the other species here enumerated by the dull and

less coarsely punctate head, as well as by the elytra being not at all striate, the very

definite punctures being arranged in regular rows, and being smaller near the apex.

We have received seven examples; but 1 do not detect any sexual distinctions.

A. centralis agrees in many respects with Reitter’s description (Verh. Ver. Briinn,

xiv., Abhandl. p. 20) of the Antillean A. striato-punctata; but that species is said to

have the interstices subcostate, and a deeply impressed sutural stria.

TEMNOCHILA. 393

TEMNOCHILA.

Temnoscheila, Westwood, Zool. Journ. v. p. 231 (1835).

Temnochila, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. ii. p. 839.

This genus includes about sixty-five species, and has a wide distribution. By far the

larger number of its representatives, however, are limited to the New World, where it

~ extends from the United States of North America to Uruguay.

Several species have been recorded by Reitter as occurring in our region that have

not been met with by any of the collectors employed by the editors of this work. I

have little doubt that some of these Temnochile have been improperly assigned to

Central America: the material used by Reitter was gathered from very various sources,

a large part of it coming from old collections, in which, as is well known, mistakes as

to localities are by no means infrequent.

There is a great general resemblance between the species of Temnochila, so that it is

difficult to distinguish them by diagnostic characters. An inspection of the following

Key will give an idea of the arrangement I have adopted, and thus facilitate the

determination of our species :—

Front tibiz digitate at the apex externally. (Species 1, 2, forming group A.)

Tibiz not digitate at the apex externally.

Prothorax with the lateral margins more or less thick, and the front angles

more or less produced. Groups B to F.

Prosternum with a margin in the middle behind, connected on

either side with the apices of the epimera . . . Group B. Species 3-6.

Prosternum behind the cox excessively coarsely punctate but

not margined; mandibles short . . . . . . Group. Species 7.

Prosternum behind the coxe not margined, excessively coarsely

punctate; mandibles and labium elongate . . . Group D. Species 8.

Prosternum behind the coxz smooth, not conically prominent,

without margin ; mandibles and labium short. . Group E. Species 9-25.

Prosternum with conically protuberant and polished apex.

Group F. Species 26-31.

Prothorax with the lateral margins extremely fine, the front angles not at all

produced . . . . ee ee ee eee ee) 6Group G. Species 32-43.

Group A.—Anterior tibie thicker towards the extremity, with the outer angle somewhat

prolonged and acuminate. (Species 1, 2.)

1. Temnochila digitata, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. figg. 3; 3a, anterior tibia.)

Fusca, supra senescens, convexa, antennis pedibusque rufis vel piceis; capite angusto, anterius canaliculato,

canalicula lata, minus profunda, ad fundum plana; prothorace sat crebre et fortiter punctato, ad latera

utrinque pone medium profunde impresso, post impressionem evidenter quasi-denticulato ; elytris seriatim

subtiliter punctatis, interstitiis parce remote subtiliterque punctatis.

Long. 10-15 millim.

ca)

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, September 1891. 3 K*

394 TROGOSITID.

Mas, area submentali dense punctata, pubescente, medio fascicula latissima pilorum agelutinatorum; area

interoculari opaca; abdomine irregulariter punctato, punctis majoribus sparsis, punctis adjectis haud

numerosis, minus subtilibus.

Fem., area submentali fortiter punctata, tenuiter pubescente ; abdomine segmento ultimo ventrali in medio ad

apicem late vage elevato.

Hab. British Honpuras (Blancaneaur); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson, Belt);

Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Var.? Minor (long. 73 millim.), magis depressa, colore viridi-aurato.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

The peculiar form of the front tibie distinguishes this species from all others yet

found in our region except the following, which is quite different in colour.

The species appears to be rare, as we have received only eight examples of it; of

these three are males: as they come from widely-separated localities, and differ

somewhat from one another, 1 think it possible that more ample material may prove

that Iam including three or even four species under the name of T. digitata. ‘The

type specimens are the large form found at Chontales by Janson, one of which was

received by me many years ago. The small variety specially mentioned above is pretty

certainly distinct, though, as we have received only a single specimen of the female

sex, I do not so treat it at present.

No mention is made by previous writers of any species of Zemnochila possessing such

a form of front tibia as that found in 7. digitata.

2. Temnochila leveillei, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 4.)

Minus elongata, transversim convexa, nigricans, supra purpureo-aurata, capite enescente, prothoracis lateribus

argute leteque viridescentibus; capite prothoraceque angustis, hoc subtilius marginato, parce subtiliusque

punctato; elytris obsolete seriatim punctatis.

Long. 7-10 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo lato armata; abdomine segmentis 2°-4™ fere ubique punctis adjectis

numerosis, marginibus posterioribus levigatis, subincrassatis.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This is one of the most distinct species of the genus ; the comparatively narrow head

and thorax, the short antenne, the remarkable coloration, and the structure of the

front tibiee will allow it to be easily identified. There is no margin on the prosternum

behind the coxz. The groove on the head is of the flat peculiar form seen in 7’. digi-

tata. The submental area is unusually small, and in the female is without positive

characters. The viridescent colour at the sides of the thorax is remarkably sharply

defined from the ground-colour, and just at the line of junction there is an extremely

delicate line of darker colour.

We have received eight specimens of this interesting Temnochila. I have named it

in honour of M. Léveillé, who has kindly assisted me by examining a series of the

Central-American species of Temnochila.

TEMNOCHILA. 395

Group B.—Prothorax with thick lateral margins. Prosternum behind the prosternal

process with a margin connected on either side with the tips of the epimera.

(Species 3-6.)

3. Temnochila chevrolati. |

Trogosita chevrolati, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 12°.

Sat angusta, convexa, nitida, senescens vel nigro-znescens, antennis piceo-rufis, articulo basali anterius

eenescente ; capite angusto, crebre punctato; prothorace elongato, basi leviter rotundato; elytrorum

humeris anterius acutis ; prosterno inter coxas plano vel subimpresso, posterius sat distincte marginato ;

abdomine crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 9-16 millim.

Mas, area submentali setosa, medio fasciculo magno armata ; abdomine segmentis 2° et 3° utrinque punctis paucis

minutis inter puncta majora adjectis.

Fem., abdomine segmento apicali medio parum discrete triangulariter deplanato.

Hab. Mexico !, Bobo, Las Vigas, Misantla, Jalapa (Hége), Cordova, Toxpam, Tuxtla,

Santecomapan, Orizaba, Playa Vicente (Sallé), Temax in North Yucatan (Gawmer);

GuatemaLa, Teleman, Las Mercedes, Pantaleon, Mirandilla (Champion); SALVADOR

(Ulex).—Sovutn America, Brazil ?.

This species is extremely variable in size, and the punctuation of the ventral

segments is also variable to a considerable extent. It may, however, be always

recognized amongst its allies by the narrow, numerously punctured head, the thorax

with the base gently rounded and not in the least sinuate, the well-marked acute

angles of the elytra, the unimpressed or only obscurely impressed prosternum, and

the sexual characters. The last ventral segment of the female is not truly impressed,

but has a rather extensive, somewhat triangular, deplanation of the surface in the

middle. In the large males the sexual supplementary punctures at the sides of the

ventral plates are distinctly seen, though confined to a quite small space; but in the

small males only a few of these punctures exist, and may readily be overlooked.

Herr Hoge procured a large number of examples at Bobo, and these exhibit the great

variation in size remarked on above; the series does not include, however, any

specimens quite so large as those he met with at Misantla or Jalapa. Outside

Mexico the species would appear to be rare, only two females having been procured at

Mirandilla, and one in each of the other localities, and as these few specimens are

rather aberrant, and the male is unknown from there, it is just possible they may

prove to be distinct, but this I think is extremely improbable. These females have,

however, the ventral segments decidedly more sparingly punctate than usual.

We have no evidence of the occurrence of 7. chevrolati in our region more to the

south than Salvador or Guatemala, so that its existence in Brazil, as recorded by

Reitter 1, is open to considerable doubt.

3 K* 2

396 TROGOSITIDA.

4. Temnochila guatemalena, sp. n.

7’. chevrolati proxime affinis, sed minor, nitidior, prosternoque inter coxas argute impresso.

Long. 8-11 millim.

Mas, area submentali breviter setosa, medio fasciculo armata.

Fem., abdomine segmento ultimo ventrali ad apicem leviter transversim impresso.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba, Parada (Sallé); GuaTemaa, Pantaleon, ZLapote (Champion) ;

Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Although certainly very closely allied to the smaller and less punctate varieties of

T. chevrolati, I have little doubt that 7. guatemalena is truly distinct. The surface of

the thorax is of amore shining brassy colour, the minute punctuation between the larger

punctures being finer. In the male the pubescence on the submental area is shorter, and

the median fascicle altogether smaller, and there is no supplementary sexual sculpture

on the sides of the ventral plate; in the female the impression on the terminal segment

is different in shape, extending less forwards and being more distinct on each side at

the hind margin ; and in both sexes there is a quite definite impression of the prosternum

between the front coxe.

Mr. Champion obtained a series of eighteen specimens at Pantaleon, agreeing

satisfactorily, except that three of them are of the larger size (11 millim. long); from

each of the other localities only one example is present, but they appear truly to belong

to this species, though each of them differs slightly in unimportant details.

Reitter has described two species closely allied to 7. chevrolati, viz. T. steinheilc and

T. levicollis, and each agreeing in certain respects with 7. guatemalena. T. steinheitli,

from Colombia, is said, however, to have a large angular impression (like that of

T’. chalcea, I suppose) on the last ventral plate of the female. 7. /evicollis was described

from a single male to which the locality Cayenne? was assigned, and is said not to have

the anterior angles of the thorax acute, and to have no minute punctures on the thorax.

It is impossible, therefore, to reconcile our 7. guatemalena with either of these species.

5. Temnochila quadricollis. (Tab. XIII. figg. 5; 5a, underside of head;

5 6, posterior part of middle of prosternum.) .

Trogosita quadricollis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 15°.

Latiuscula, subopaca, eenescens, antennis piceis vel nigro-piceis, articulo basali anterius senescente ; capite lato,

parce punctato, punctis in partem anteriorem persubtilibus ; prothorace haud elongato, longitudine quam

latitudine evidenter breviore, posterius angustato, basi subtruncata, leviter bisinuata; elytris humeris

anterius subobtusis, nullo modo prominulis, subopacis, seriatim sat fortiter punctatis, interstitiis sat fortiter

punctatis ; prosterno in medio impresso.

Long. 11--18 millim.

Mas, area submentali setosa, medio fasciculo magno armata ; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ punctis minutis, haud

numerosis sed fere ubique adjectis.

Fem., abdomine segmento anali fere simplice, in medio tantum vage et obsolete impresso.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio de Mazatlan (Forrer), Bobo, Las Vigas (Hége), Temax in

TEMNOCHILA. 397

North Yucatan (Gaumer); GuaTEMALA, Pantaleon (Champion) ; Nicaracua, Chontales

(Belt, Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).

We have received a good series of this species, it having been met with in numbers

by Mr. Champion at Pantaleon, while in Mexico Hoge procured about twenty examples.

There is no difficulty in distinguishing it from 7. chevrolati, except in the case of the

smaller and more shining varieties, as a glance at the form of the thorax behind, at the

less acute front angles of the elytra, and the comparatively sparse punctuation of the head

will enable the species to be recognized with certainty. ‘To the characters mentioned

in the diagnosis may be added that in the female the few punctures on the submental

area are much finer than they are in 7. chevrolati, while, on the other hand, the

punctures on the mentum are remarkably coarse. The minute supplementary male

punctuation, though only scanty, is scattered among the larger punctures over a much

greater area of the segments.

I think there is little doubt that this is the 7. guadricollis of Reitter, which was

described from a single example of the male sex. Though he says of the species that

the prosternum is ‘“‘vix aut leviter impresso,” and though it is quite distinctly and

constantly impressed in our insect; yet as he used an alternative while speaking of

only a single example it is pretty clear that he did not very well see the prosternum,

but noticed that it was to some extent impressed.

The specimens labelled 7. guadricollis in Sallé’s collection all belong to 7. chevrolati

or to T. chalcea.

T. cribricollis, Reitter (¢. c. p. 16), appears to be very similar to 7. quadricollis, and

I should not be surprised if they prove to belong to the same species.

6. Temnochila chalcea.

Temnochila chalcea, Kirsch, Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1873, p. 149°.

Trogosita chalcea, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 13’.

Anescens, sat nitida, antennis rufo-piceis, articulo basali anterius eenescente ; prothorace subquadrato, longi-

tudine et latitudine fere eequalibus; elytris humeris acutis, evidenter seriatim punctatis, interstitiis obsolete

parce punctatis ; prosterno inter coxas leviter impresso.

Long. 103-16 millim.

Mas, area submentali setosa, medio fasciculo sat crasso armata ; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ utrinque prope latus

punctis paucis minutis inter puncta majora adjectis.

Fem., abdomine segmento ultimo ventrali in medio ad apicem subtriangulariter profunde et argute depresso.

Hab. Mexico, Bobo, Las Vigas (Hége), Cordova (Hoge, Sallé), Tuxtla, Santecomapan,

Parada (Sallé); Britiss Honpuras, Cayo, Belize (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, El

Tumbador, El Reposo, Las Mercedes, San Ysidro, Volcan ‘de Atitlan, Pantaleon,

Mirandilla, Zapote, Tamahu, Sabo, Panzos (Champion), Yzabal (Sallé); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Belt, Janson); Costa Rica? (Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion), on the Isthmus (Salvin).—Sourn Ammrica*, Bogota (coll. Sharp),

Peru},

398 . TROGOSITIDZ.

T. chalcea is in several characters intermediate between T. chevrolati and T. quadri-

collis; this is the case as regards the general form, the punctuation of the head, the

proportions of the thorax, and the acuteness of the humeral angle of the elytra. The

female of 7. chalcea may, however, be immediately recognized by the remarkably deep

and definite depression on the last ventral segment. The male is not easy to discriminate

at first sight from the two species mentioned; but 7. chalcea nevertheless presents a

slight peculiarity in the punctuation of the elytra in both sexes, which, after it has once

been recognized, enables its individuals to be separated with ease from those of the

allied species. This consists in the fact that whereas in 7. chevrolati and T. quadri-

collis there is but little difference between the punctuation of the interstices and the

striee, both being serial and of nearly equal coarseness, in 7. chalcea, on the other

hand, there is a strongly marked difference in this respect, owing to the punctuation of

the interstices being much reduced ; indeed in extreme cases it is almost entirely absent,

and the elytra bear only widely separated series of punctures.

In the female of 7. chalcea there is but little difference between the size of the

punctures on the submental area and on the mentum.

T. chalcea appears to be an abundant species throughout our region from Central

Mexico southwards, and is probably equally common in the northern parts of South

America. The exponents of the species in Sallé’s collection are labelled 7. guadricollts,

Reitter; and it is indeed far from impossible that if the type example of Reitter’s

species can be examined it may prove to belong to this and not to the preceding species.

Group C.—Prothorax with moderately stout lateral margin. Prosternum very coarsely

punctate at the apex, but without margin. Mandibles short. (Species 7.)

7. Temnochila geminata, sp. n.

Sat lata et convexa, nigro-senescens, supra aureo-enea, antennis piceis, articulo basali anterius znescente ; capite

parce punctato; prothorace sparsim fortiter punctato, punctis ante scutellum ad basin utrinque magis

confertis ; clytris subtiliter et remote seriatim punctatis, interstitiis fere sicut seriebus punctatis.

Long. 13-15 millim.

Mas, area submentali parce punctata et pubescente, medio fasciculo magno armata; segmentis ventralibus

punctis adjectis parcis et subtilibus, parum conspicuis.

Fem., abdomine segmento ultimo ventrali in medio ad apicem profunde impresso.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champzow).

This species is remarkable by the very coarse punctuation of the middle of the

prosternum behind the cox; in front of the coxe the punctuation also is unusually

coarse on each side. TZ. geminata is similar in size and form to 7’. chalcea, but is very

different in the punctuation of the thorax and elytra, and no trace can be seen of the

prosternal margin behind the coxz. It is more nearly allied to the Demeraran 7’. fovei-

collis, Reitter ; but that species has the serial punctures on the elytra remarkably ©

distinct, while the interstitial punctures are even finer than they are in 7’. geminata,

TEMNOCHILA. 399

and in fact can only be detected with difficulty. Moreover, in the female of 7. foveicollis

the last ventral segment is almost unimpressed, while in 7. geminata the impression on

this segment is larger and more distinct than usual, the species being in this respect

intermediate between 7’. chalcea and T. chevrolati.

We have received only four examples of 7. geminata.

Group D.—Prosternum behind the coxe not margined, excessively coarsely punctate.

Mandibles and labiwm elongate. (Species 8.)

8. Temnochila salvini, sp. n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 6.)

Elongata, sat convexa, nigro-enea, supra «nea, pedibus nigris, antennis piceo-nigris; capite prothoraceque

elongatis, dense fortiter punctatis, hoc post medium profunde impresso ; elytris densius punctatis.

Long. 10-15 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio tuberculo sat magno sed perparum elevato; segmentis ventralibus 2°-4™ sat crebre

fortiter punctatis, inter puncta majora punctis minutis parum numerose adjectis.

Fem., area submentali laevigata; abdomine segmentis ventralibus 2°-4™ crebre fortissime punctatis.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

We have no other species that can be confounded with this, on account of the very

dense punctuation of the elytra. The large depression on the thorax is broad, and

does not extend forwards beyond the middle, and has no trace of longitudinal elevation

in it; there is a much smaller depression on each side between the middle and the side,

but no smooth space near the front angles.

T. salvini is allied to T. punctatissima, Reitter, and 7. rugulosa, Kirsch, but differs in

several points from the descriptions of those species, so that I have no doubt of its being

distinct from them ; indeed in 7. rugulosa the punctures on the elytra are a great deal

denser than in 7. salvini, although in this latter species they are much closer than in any

other found in our region. The species of this group are almost entitled to generic

distinction owing to the ligula being elongate, so that the labial palpi are placed far in

front of the mentum.

We have received a small series of 7. salvini, exhibiting very little variation, except

in size.

Group E.—Prosternum behind the coxe smooth, not conically prominent, without

margin. Mandibles short. (Species 9-25.)

In some species of this group the apex of the prosternum is protuberant, but does

not project backwards in a conical manner.

* Humeral angles of elytra more or less acute. (Species 9-14.)

9. Temnochila chlorodia.

Trogosita chlorodia, Mann. Bull. Mose. 1843, pt. 2, p. 301'; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiii.,

Abhandl. p. 32”.

400 TROGOSITIDA.

Trogosita virescens, Reitter, loc. cit. p. 30° (nec Fabr.) ; Henshaw, List Col. Am. North of Mexico,

p- 60%.

Trogosita viridicyanea, Reitter, loc. cit. p. 29°.

Hab. Norta America!?2?45, from Central States to California, Lower California

(coll. Sharp).—MeExico ? 5, |

I have not seen any example of this species from our region; but as it occurs in

Lower California, it may probably be detected in Northern Mexico. Not much

reliance can be placed on Reitter’s record of the species as Mexican.

The characters by which this may be distinguished from 7’. preterita will be found

mentioned under that species.

This insect is named Z’.. virescens, Fabr., in collections and by recent writers; but it

can scarcely be the 7. virescens of Fabricius’s description ; and I have therefore adopted

a more recent name.

10. Temnochila dryadis.

Trogosita dryadis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 30°.

Hab. Mexico 1.

From the brief description, I infer that this is probably a colour-variation of

T. chlorodia. It was described from a single female example.

11. Temnochila preterita, sp. n.

Subdepressa, lete viridis, nitida, antennis pedibusque nigricantibus; capite prothoraceque crebrius fortius

punctatis; elytris minus fortiter sed evidenter punctatis, punctatura serierum interstitiarumque fere

eequalibus ; abdomine sat crebre fortiter punctato.

Long. 12 millim.

Mas, area submentali parce punctato, medio fasciculo parvo armata ; abdomine segmentis 2°-4™ tantum ad latera

punctis adjectis parum numerosis.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (/ége).

This species is extremely similar to the North-American 7. chlorodia; but it may be

distinguished by the less amount of difference between the punctuation of the interstices

and those of the striz, and by the anterior angles of the thorax being more acute, also

the prosternal process has its hind margin more depressed and flatter. It is equally

similar to the small varieties of 7. planipennis, but it has the thorax scarcely at all

angulate at the sides, and not abruptly narrowed in its basal part, the humeral angles

of the elytra not rounded, and the antenne not metallic in colour, even the basal

joint being scarcely at all viridescent in front; the punctuation of the upper surface

is considerably coarser than in any example I have seen of 7. planipennis. I have seen

only three examples of the species, but after comparison with a series of 7. chlorodia I

have no doubt the two are distinct.

TEMNOCHILA. 401

12. Temnochila fraudulenta, sp. n.

Subdepressa, nitida, nigricans, supra lete viridis; capite prothoracequo fortiter crebrius punctatis; elytris

seriatim fortiter punctatis, interstitiis fortiter sed subtilius punctatis; prosterno fere levigato, pone coxas

lato, plano, argute marginato.

Long. 12 millim.

Mas incog.

Hab. Mexico, Bobo (Hage).

Excessively similar to 7. preterita, from which it differs by the definite and distinct

raised margin behind the broad prosternal process. I know no other species that

resembles it in this respect, and have no doubt it will prove distinct, although we have

received only one female example. It differs from the species near which I have placed

it by the small size of the sensitive arez on the joints of the antennal club, and agrees

in this respect with 7. chlorodia. The thorax is rather finely margined at the sides,

not denticulate, the front angles slender and acute. The shoulders of the elytra are

rather acute. The punctuation of the elytra is coarse, like that of the coarsely punctate

varieties of 7. chlorodia.

The species is, to some extent, an exception in this group, owing to the margin of the

prosternal process: this margin is, however, different to what it is in the 7. guadricollis

group, where it has the appearance of being a separate piece connecting the apices of

the epimera; whereas in 7. fraudulenta it is merely a slender raised margin to the

flat prosternal process. |

13. Temnochila planicollis, sp. n.

Minus elongata, subdepressa, nigra, nitida, elytris fusco-violaceis ; capite prothoraceque crebrius fortiusque

punctatis; elytris seriatim sat fortiter punctatis, punctis serierum interstitiarumque subequalibus, ante

apicem paullo subtilioribus; prosterno inter coxas leviter impresso, post hoc convexiusculo, margine

posteriore obsolete marginato; area submentali fortiter punctata.

Long. 10-133 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo sat magno armata; abdomine segmentis 2°-4™ ad latera punctis adjectis

perpaucis.

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerénimo, San Joaquin, Balheu (Champion).

This appears to be very closely allied to 7. preterita, though very different in colour ;

in addition to this the prosternum is somewhat differently formed, and the front angles

of the thorax are more prominent, though, as the sides there are a little incurved, the

angle itself is not more acute. The thorax is rather broad, and a good deal narrowed

from behind the middle to the base. From T. fraudulenta this species is distinguished

by the colour and by the prosternum behind the coxe being less depressed and not so

distinctly margined. In some specimens of 7. planicollis this margin can only be

detected at the hind angles of the prosternal process.

Mr. Champion obtained eleven examples of this species, all from the pine-woods of

Vera Paz.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Colopt., Vol. II. Pt.1 September 1891. 3 F*

402 TROGOSITIDA.

14. Temnochila virescens.

Lucanus virescens, Fabr. Syst. Ent., App. p. 817°.

Temnochila acuta, Leconte, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1858, p. 63’.

Trogosita mexicana, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 32°.

Trogosita metallica, Perch. Gen. Ins., fasc. iv. Col. t. 14 (nec Reitter) *.

Temnochila metallica, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 435°.

Convexa, minus lata, subcylindrica, colore variabilis, sepe virescens, nitidula, antennis nigris, articulo basali

anterius virescente ; prothorace transversim convexo, parce subtiliter punctato, ad latera levigato, margine

laterali fere subtili, angulis anterioribus rectis, haud productis ; elytris subtiliter et parce seriatim punc-

tatis, punctis interstitiarum serierumque fere sequalibus.

Long. 9-21 millim.

Mas, area submentali parce punctata, medio fasciculo sat late armata; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ opacis, fere

per totam latitudinem dense subtilissime punctatis, marginibus posterioribus impunctatis.

Fem., abdomine nitidulo, parce vix fortiter punctato.

Hab. Norta America, Texas 2.—Mexico ® 4 5, Las Vigas, Vera Cruz, Misantla, Salazar,

Bobo, Jalapa, Tehuantepec (Hodge); Cordova, Toxpam, Coapan, Mirador, Santecomapan,

Playa Vicente (Sallé), Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer); British Honpuras, Belize,

R. Sarstoon, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuatemaLa, El Tumbador, El Reposo, San

Isidro, Pantaleon, Mirandilla, Zapote, Capetillo, San Gerénimo, San Juan in Vera Paz,

Chacoj (Champion); Nicaracua, Granada (Sallé), Chontales (Belt, Janson); Costa

Rica (Van Patten), Caché (Rogers); Panama (Saldé), Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Var. Nigra, subenescens, fortius punctata, elytrorum interstitiis obsolete subcostatis.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio de Mazatlan, Ventanas, Tres Marias Islands (Forrer).

Var. Angustior, violacea, prosterno processu post coxas late impresso.

Hab. Honpuras, Ruatan Island (Gaumer).

Var.? Latior, minus cylindrica, viridi-cyanea, capite prothoraceque crebrius punctatis ; capite fere ecanaliculato.

Hab. Mexico, Tres Marias Islands (Forrer).

Var.? Angustior, fere cylindrica, nigra, elytris multo fortius punctatis; capite fere ecanaliculato.

Hab. Mexico, Tacambaro and Huetamo in Michoacan (Hége).

This is a most variable insect in size and colour, and also, though to a less extent,

in punctuation; in consequence it is very frequently wrongly named in collections, the

smaller individuals being mixed with 7. chlorodia, Mann., while the larger examples

are separated under the name 7’. mexicana, Reitt. T. virescens may be, however, in all

its variations separated from 7’. chlorodia by the larger size of the arex of sensitive

sculpture on the ninth and tenth joints of the antenne, as well as by the peculiar

sculpture of the ventral segments in the male sex. In addition to these characters, it

may be added that 7. virescens is a more cylindrical and convex insect than 7. chlorodia,

the thorax especially being more convex, and the lateral margin placed farther down

on the sides.

TEMNOCHILA. 403

The synonymy is very doubtful; and the more: difficult to unravel from the fact that

describers have not satisfactorily distinguished the two species, and may very probably

have: mixed them together. It seems clear, however, that the brief description of

Fabricius! applies better to this species than it does to T. chlorodia; and his name

being the older and being adopted for the species, the subsequent names are of

comparatively little importance, and it is not worth while to discuss them at length

at present. 7’. acuta, Lec.?, is given amongst the synonyms on the authority of a pair

sent under that name to the British Museum by Leconte himself.

The varieties from Tres Marias Islands and from Michoacan may possibly prove to be

distinct; but I have only seen one specimen from the former and two from the latter

locality, and the characters do not seem to be important with the exception of the

obsolescence of the channel on the head.

T. virescens is the most central species of the genus, and in fact is a connecting link

between the species of the division in which I have placed it, and the division with very

fine thoracic margins, and not acute front angles to the thorax.

** Humeral angles of elytra obtuse or rounded. (Species 19-29.) _

15. Temnochila planipennis.

Trogosita metallica, Reitter, Verh, Ver. Briinn, xiii, Abhandl. p. 27 (nec Perch.}".

Temnochila planipennis, Léveillé, Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1889, p. xliv’.

? Temnochila erea, Leconte, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1858, p. 63°.

Subdepressa, late viridis, sat nitida, antennis cyanescentibus, articulo basali viridi, clava brevi; capite protho-

raceque minus fortiter punctatis, illo profunde canaliculato, hoc minus elongato, posterius angustato,

margine laterali in medio sat conspicue impresso, angulis anterioribus porrectis; elytris tantum obso-

letissime punctatis ; area submentali parcissime punctata.

Long. 10-20 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo tenui transverso munita ; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ ad latera punctis

~ adjectis sat numerosis. — .

Hab. Mexico 12, Las Vigas, Toluca, Salazar, Misantla (Hége), Jacale (Sallé), Popoca-

tepetl (Godman), Volcan Ixtaccihuatl 11,500 feet (Richardson).

We have received a large series of this species, which appears, however, to be local.

The majority of our examples were found at Las Vigas by Hoge; the specimens from

this locality do not vary much except in size. The small series: from Misantla are of a

more brilliant and golden colour, are of large size, have the antenne a little more

‘slender and the hind margin of the prosternum a little thicker. The pair found by

Mr. Godman.in a pine-forest on Popocatepetl represent apparently a well-marked

variety with more elongate thorax, which, too, is slightly depressed along the middle ;

they are unfortunately in a very bad state of preservation. |

The series of six specimens from Jacale contains two very remarkable varieties, the

other four being quite normal; one of these varieties apparently agrees with the pair

3 F* 2

404 TROGOSITIDA.

from Popocatepetl mentioned above, while the other is of very large size, 20 millim.

long, and has the channel on the head subobsolete. JI think it possible that these

varieties may prove to be distinct, though in that case very closely allied, species; but

we have not received enough specimens of them to decide this point, and it appears

more probable that they are only local varieties.

T. planipennis is one of the species in which the sensitive are on the club of the

antenne are most reduced in size. I have not seen any example of it from North

America; but Leconte’s description? of 7. wrea, from San Francisco, California, seems

to apply to this species or to one closely allied.

This insect is named 7. metallica, Perch., in collections; but Léveillé? has recently

informed us from an examination of Percheron’s type that this is erroneous, and has

proposed for the species the name I have adopted.

16. Temnochila obsoleta.

Trogosita obsoleta, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii, Abhandl. p. 28°.

Hab. Mexico}.

Reitter places this insect next to 7. planipennis (metallica, Reitt.), but I suspect it

will prove to belong to one of the varieties of 7’. virescens.

17. Temnochila miranda, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 7.)

T. planipennis proxime affinis; subdepressa, lete viridis, elytris externe rubro-cupreo fulgidis, ad suturam

viridescentibus, capitis canalicula valde abbreviata.

Long. 17-21 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith).

Whether this beautiful insect proves to be a distinct species or only a race of

I. planipennis, it deserves a special name. In addition to the colour and the much

abbreviated channel on the head, it has the hind-margin of the prosternum thicker

than in any specimens I have examined of 7. planipennis. The sexual characters seem

to be the same as in that common species.

Mr. H. H. Smith found a series of ten specimens in the months of J uly and August ;

one of them is a remarkable aberration in that it has no channel at all on the head.

18. Temnochila urbensis, sp. n.

Subdepressa, fere opaca, nigro-subviolacea ; capite prothoraceque crebre punctatis, illo obsolete canaliculato

(¢) vel ecanaliculato (9 ), hoc posterius angustato, margine laterali in medio obsolete impresso, angulis

anterioribus porrectis ; elytris obsolete punctatis ; area submentali parcissime punctata.

Long. 12-16 millim.

Hab. Mexico (ex coll. Sturm), near the city at an elevation of 8000 feet (Forrer).

I separate this insect from 7. planipennis on account of the different canaliculation

of the head, the less impressed sides of the thorax, and the peculiar colour but it

TEMNOCHILA. 405

may possibly prove to be only a race of that species. The sexual characters of the

under surface appear to be much the same as those of 7. planipennis.

Forrer has sent three individuals. The specimen from Sturm’s cabinet is labelled

“ T. anthracina,” Sturm; but I have not preserved this name, as the violet colour is

well marked in the other specimens.

19. Temnochila alticola, sp. n.

Subdepressa, sat nitida, cyanea, antennis nigris; capite prothoraceque crebre minus fortiter punctatis, illo

anterius subtiliter canaliculato, hoc basin versus fortiter angustato, margine laterali crasso, in medio

sinuato ; elytris subrugosis, seriebus et interstitiis equaliter parum fortiter punctatis.

Mas, area submentali medio subprominulo et punctata, fasciculo parvo, arcuato.

Long. 19-20 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

This is another species very closely allied to 7. planipennis; but, although we have

only received one pair, I have no doubt it is distinct, as the sensitive aree on the

antenne are more extensive and the hind-margin of the prosternum is thicker. These

characters, combined with the darker colour and more distinct punctuation, will enable

it to be identified. The male has scarcely any additional fine punctuation at the sides

of the ventral plates, so that in this respect it would be passed as a female.

Found in pine-woods, like many other species of the genus.

20. Temnochila grandis, sp. n.

Major, lata, sat nitida, nigro-viridis, supra cyanescens, antennis nigris, articulo basali anterius cyanescente ;

capite prothoraceque sat crebre minus fortiter punctatis, hoc margine laterali sat crasso ; elytris humeris

omnino rotundatis, opacis, seriebus internis externisque punctorum omnino obsoletis, seriebus intermediis

fortis, sed haud striatis, interstitiis fere impunctatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Mas incog.

Hab. Guatemata (Mus. Brit.).

Considerably larger than any individual of 7. planipennis, and distinguished from

all the varieties of that species by the antenne being more elongate, and by the three

intermediate series of punctures on the elytra being much more conspicuous than the

three sutural or the three external series. The head is deeply canaliculate in front.

The sinuation at the sides of the thorax is but slight, and though there is a large

impression on each side there is no trace of any denticulation. The prosternum is

like that of 7. planipennis, except that the posterior aspect of the prosternal process is

much thicker.

I have seen only the single specimen in the National Collection; it was obtained

from the collection of the late G. R. Waterhouse, and is the largest Temnochila as yet

known from our region.

—-

406: TROGOSITIDA.

at, ‘Temnochila exarata, sp. n.

Sat convexa, cyaneo-nigra, supra cyanea, antennis nigris, articulo basali anterius cyanescente ; capite pro-

' thoracéque crebre sat fortiter punctatis, hoc lato, basin versus fortiter angustato, margine laterali crasso ;

elytra ad suturam subtiliter seriatim punctatis, inter suturam et marginem lateralem striis circiter tribus

profunde i impressis,

Long. 14-18 millim.

Mas incog.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge). ee ae

_ This species is distinguished by the deep striation on the middle of each elytron,

the sutural series of punctures being quite fine and the external series quite obsolete.

The thorax has a large impression on each side close to the lateral margin, but this

latter is not at alldenticulate. The species therefore is only closely allied to T. grandis.

The punctuation of the ventral segments is coarse but not dense.

We have received only two’ examples of 7. exarata; they are both females and

possess an extremely indistinct though rather large depression or deplanation along the

middle of the last:ventral segment. 7. olivacea, Reitter, from Bogota, may perhaps be

allied to it, but the description differs in many details from our insect.

22. Temnochila sulcifrons, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 8.)

Nigro-snea, supra snescens vel cyanescens, antennis nigris, clava gracili ; capite fere angusto, crebrius fortius-

que punctato, oculis haud omnino depressis ; prothorace basin versus fortius angustato, crebrius sat fortiter

punctato, medio longitudinaliter leviter impresso, margine laterali crassiusculo, medio impresso et sinuato ;

elytris seriebus et interstitiis perspicue fere equaliter punctatis ; abdomine fortiter punctato,

Long. 12-15 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio pubescente fasciculoque armata; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ ad latera punctis

adjectis parum numerosis.

Fem., abdomine segmento ultimo ventrali in medio ad apicem leviter oblique deplanato.

Hab. Muxico, Chiapas (Sallé); Brisa Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneauzx) ;

GuATEMALA, Capetillo, Calderas, Volcan de Agua 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

The very deep channel on the head, the coarse punctuation of this part, its rather

narrower form, and the slightly more.convex eyes are the most evident peculiarities of

this species; the sensitive areze on the antenne are large; and the: prosternum behind

the coxe is a little thicker than in any of the preceding species. Sixteen examples.

23. Temnochila derasa, sp. n.

, sulcifrontis proxime affinis; violacea, supra parum nitida, elytris omnino obsolete punctatis; capite minus

> .. dense, anterius subtiliter posterius fortiter, punctato; prothorace basin versus fortiter angustato, crebre

parum fortiter punctato, medio longitudinaliter late impresso, margine laterali crassiusculo, pone medium

denticulato ; abdomine parce minus fortiter punctato.

‘Long. 18 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo parvo armata; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ ad latera punctis perpaucis

* adjectis. . .

Fem., abdomine segmento ultimo ventrali simplice,

TEMNOCHILA, 407

. Hab.: Muxico, Parada (Sallé), Las Vigas (Hoge)..

Although very closely allied to 7. sulcifrons, the distinctions that will be gathered

from the above diagnosis seem -to me indicative of another species, of which, however,

we have received only three examples; one of them—the only male—is an aberration

in which the pigmentary matter is deficient, leaving the ground-colour reddish instead

of black. This sort of deficiency occurs in other species of the genus. :

24. Temnochila smithi, sp. n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 9.)

Subdepressa, nigro-viridis, supra viridi-aurata, antennis nigris; capite posterius fortiter, sat crebre, anterius

subtilius punctato ; prothorace medio longitudinaliter late depresso, basin versus fortiter angustato, margine

laterali crasso, in medio sinuato-depresso et denticulato, sat crebre minus fortiter punctato; elytris sat

nitidis, subleevigatis; abdomine parce minus fortiter punctato ; area submentali levigata.

Long. 14-20 millim.

‘Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo sat magno armata; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ ad latera punctis adjectis

parum numerosis.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith), Mochitlan in Guerrero

(Baron), Yolotepec (Sallé).

__ This species is closely allied to 7. sulcifrons and T. derasa; but is distinguished by

the deeper and broader depression along the thorax, the almost polished elytra, and

the golden tint of the upper surface, and by the prosternum being more prominent

behind the coxe. Although this latter character brings it somewhat near to the

species of the next group (Z. polita &c.), yet the shape of the thorax with its thick

lateral margins is quite the same as we find characteristic of 7. planipennis and its

allies ; the channel on the head is very deeply impressed, as in 7. swlcifrons.

Mr. H. H. Smith secured a series of about twenty examples of this elegant insect in

July and August 1888; the single example from Yolotepecis a variety with the surface

comparatively dull.

25. Temnochila diffinis, sp. n.

Nigro-viridis, supra enea, antennis nigricantibus ; capite prothoraceque crebrius fere subtiliter punctatis, illo

anterius minus profunde canaliculato; elytris seriatim subtilius remote punctatis ; prosterno pone coxas

prominulo sed haud conico-elevato.

Long. 13 millim.

Mas incog.

Fem., segmentis ventralibus sat crebre et fortiter punctatis, segmento ultimo inimpresso.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge, M. Trujillo), Bobo (Hoge); GUATEMALA, Panajachel

5000 feet (Champion).

Head moderately broad, moderately closely and finely punctate. Thorax somewhat

rounded at the sides in front, with a rather deep impression close to the side-margin

behind the middle; behind this a good deal narrowed towards the base ; lateral margin

not very coarse, the front angles but little produced ; the punctuation fine. Elytra quite

finely and remotely punctate. Prosternum moderately finely, sparingly punctate.

408 TROGOSITIDZ.

This species is difficult to place, being to a-certain extent intermediate between

very different species; by the form of the prosternum, which is without any trace of

margin behind, it is nearest to 7. smithi, though very different therefrom in other

respects.

Group F.—Apex of prosternum conically protuberant, polished. (Species 26-31.)

26. Temnochila polita.

Trogosita polita, Chevr. Col. Mex. Cent. i. no. 66°.

finea, nitida, antennis pedibusque nigris ; capite fortiter punctato; prothorace medio longitudinaliter depresso,

depressione in medio punctata.

Long. 11-17 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo parvo instructa; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ ad latera subtiliter punctatis.

Fem., area submentali abdomineque levigatis.

Hab. Mexico1, Toxpam, Cordova (Sallé), Bobo (Hége); British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon

(Blancaneauz); GuateMaLa, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil, Zapote, Capetillo, Panima,

Sabo, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species differs from all its allies in having the thoracic depression furnished

along the middle with coarse punctures. Mr. Champion found nearly three dozen

examples in Guatemala, and a single specimen in the State of Panama; this latter

does not differ in any respect from Mexican exponents. The species, however, varies a

good deal in minor characters, and also in the development of the fascicle on the

submentum of the male.

27. Temnochila querula, sp. n.

Enea, nitida, antennis pedibusque nigris; capite subopaco, obsolete punctato, oculis subprominulis ; prothorace

medio longitudinaliter depresso, depressione levigata, margine basali subtili.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Purula, Capetillo (Champion).

I have before me seven examples that I refer to this species; they are well distin-

guished from 7. polita by the less punctate head, with more prominent eyes, the fine

basal margin of the thorax, and the impunctate longitudinal impression on this latter

part. Iam not equally sure, however, that all the seven individuals belong to the

same species, as I fail to distinguish the sexes satisfactorily : in none of the individuals

is there any fascicle on the middle of the submentum, though some of them have a

few fine punctures on this part, while in the others it is quite smooth; also in some of

the specimens there is a coarse punctuation extending across the penultimate ventral

segments, which in other examples is less distinct. I am inclined to think that they will

prove to belong to one species, in which the usual sexual distinctions are nearly absent

and the punctuation of the ventral segments is at the same time more variable than

TEMNOCHILA. 409

usual; but it is possible that they may be the females of two different species. The

head is rather narrow, and the frontal channel is very deep; there are no coarse

punctures across the upper part. The thoracic channel is very marked, and is

entirely free from any punctuation, while the rest of the surface of the thorax is more

or less feebly punctured. There is ne punctuation at the apices of the elytra, but the

depression on each side of the sutural elevation is well-marked and elongate.

28. Temnochila boboensis, sp. n.

Ainea, subtus eneo-subcyanea, antennis pedibusque nigricantibus; capite prothoraceque minus nitidis, illo

fortiter punctato, hoc crebre punctato, medio vage longitudinaliter impresso, margine basali subtili;

abdomine segmentis 2°-4™ medio fortiter punctatis.

Long. 10-14 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo lato instructa; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ ad latera punctis minutis

adjectis numerosis.

Hab. Mexico, Bobo, Jalapa, Misantla ({ége).

Distinguished from the other species of the group by the hind portion of the

terminal ventral plate being markedly perpendicular; this peculiarity (which is also

seen in 7. chalcea and its allies in the preceding group) is more largely developed in

the female than it is in the male, and in the former sex it is more or less prolonged

forwards in the middle, so as to give the appearance of a small depression in the

middle of the hind edge of the segment. The punctulate thorax, and the fact that the

impressions at the apices of the elytra are less marked than in the allies, will, in

addition to the abdominal structure, permit of the identification of the species with

ease. We have received ten examples of 7. boboensis.

29. Temnochila reversa, sp. n.

Supra senea, nitida, prothorace marginibus virescenti-micantibus, antennis nigris, articulo basali, pedibus

corporeque subtus virescenti-cyanibus ; capite fortiter punctato ; prothorace basin versus fortiter angustato,

margine basali subtili, parce punctato, medio tantum obsolete longitudinaliter impresso; abdomine parce

punctato.

Long. 14 millim. ;

Mas, area submentali medio punctata, fasciculo transverso munita; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ ad latera

punctis adjectis numerosis.

Fem., area submentali fere laevigata.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam, Tuxtla (Sal/é).

T. reversa is not very similar to any other species of this group, owing to the thorax

being more narrowed behind ; this character, in addition to the elegant colour of the

under surface and the very obsolete impression along the middle of the thorax, will

prevent its being confounded with 7. polita, which, moreover, has a broad basal

margin to the thorax. There is no punctuation at the apex of the elytra.

Only two specimens of the species have been received; the female has the last

ventral plate quite flat, with the fine margin at its hind edge distinct, but in the male

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, September 1891. 3 G*

410 TROGOSITIDA.

there is a short reflexed apical portion on which the margin is placed, so that this is

concealed until the segment is bent away from the elytra.

T. reversa is similar in many respects to 7. smithi, and were it not for the well-

marked protuberance of the prosternal process would be better placed near to it.

30. Temnochila championi, sp. n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 10.)

Supra wnea, nitida, antennis nigris, articulo basali, pedibus corporeque subtus cyanescentibus; capite fortiter

punctato ; prothorace parce punctato, margine basali medio crassiusculo ; elytris apicibus parce punctatis ;

abdomine medio fere levigato.

Long. 13-20 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo minuto instructa; abdomine ad latera parce subtiliter punctato.

Fem., abdomine fere levigato.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba,

Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera (Champion).

The thorax is rather elongate and parallel-sided, with lateral marginal sinuation

well-marked and the front angles prominent; there is no trace of any depression on

the disc, but there is a more or less feeble flattening of the surface at the base in the

middle. The elytra are polished and shining, but there are always distinct punctures

at the apices. In the female the margin of the last ventral plate is distinct, and even

in the male it is but little concealed, the thickening of the hind edge being extremely

slight.

Mr. Champion procured a very fine series of this species in the State of Panama,

but from Chontales we have received only two specimens, and from Costa Rica only

one example; the species varies but little except in size.

A single female from the Volcan de Chiriqui has a very distinct punctuation on the

ventral segments, and may perhaps prove to belong to an undescribed species. The

unique exponent from Costa Rica has a highly polished surface, and its colour is

slightly different.

31. Temnochila costaricensis, sp. n.

Fem. supra enea, nitida, antennis pedibusque nigris, corpore subtus wneo-subviridescente ; capite fortiter

punctato ; prothorace nitido, parcius subtiliusque punctato, ad basin in medio depresso, margine basali

subtili; elytris impunctatis, politis; abdomine parcius irregulariter punctato.

Long. 19 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

We have received only two examples of this insect, both of the female sex. Although

at first sight they are excessively similar to 7. championi, I entertain but little doubt of

their being distinct ; the basal margin of the thorax shows no trace of the incrassation

that is seen in the middle of its course in 7. championi, and there is no punctuation at

the apices of the elytra; the colour of the under surface is scarcely blue, differing

TEMNOCHILA. All

comparatively little from that of the upper surface, and there is a very scanty

irregularly distributed punctuation to be seen on the ventral segments.

A single female from Bugaba may perhaps be an extreme variety of 7. costari-

censis ; but it has the thorax almost destitute of punctuation, while on the ventral

segments there is a very distinct punctuation extending all across each plate except the

basal one. |

Group G.—Prothorax with the lateral margins fine, the front angles not at all

produced. (Species 32-43.)

32. Temnochila iris.

Trogosita iris, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii, Abhandl. p. 42°.

Elongata, angustula, lete viridis, nitida, elytris singulo vitta longitudinali, elongata, purpurea, antennis nigris,

pedibus rufis; capite crebrius fortiter punctato, anterius obsolete sulcato; abdomine parce sat fortiter

punctato.

Long. 9-12 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo brevi, sat late instructa.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, Volcan de Atitlan (Champion); Costa

Rica, Caché (Rogers).

The hinder portion of the last ventral segment is red in all the four examples we

have received of this species. It is the only one found in our region in which there is

an elongate simple purple vitta on each wing-case.

38. Temnochila sallzi.

Temnochila sallei, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 416°.

Parallela, minus elongata, lete viridis, prothorace longitudinaliter vage purpureo-signato, elytris plaga magna

basali, fascia angulata post medium suturaque posterius purpurascentibus, pedibus rufis, tarsis piceis ;

capite crebrius punctato, anterius sulcato, disco purpurascente, antennis brevibus, nigris, articulo basali

rufo, ad apicem viridescente ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. 73-10 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo late instructa; abdominis segmentis ad latera paullo crebrius punctatis.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan!; Guatremata, Volcan de Atitlan 2500 to 3500 feet, Pantaleon

(Champion).

Var. Colore obscure viridi, capite latius purpurascente.

Hab. Muxtco, Temax in North Yucatan (Gawmer).

M. Léveillé has identified one of our specimens of this species. We have recerved only

four examples of it, all of which have the basal joint of the antenne red, tipped with

green in front, though it is described as metallic green by the French savant. The

variety from Yucatan, though much more obscure in colour, probably belongs to the

same species, though we have received only one specimen of it.

3 G* 2

412 TROGOSITIDA.

34. Temnochila grouvellei.

Temnochila grouvellei, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 415’.

Minus elongata, parallela, nitida, late viridis, capite disco, prothorace late ad marginem anteriorem, elytra

plaga magna basali, fascia post medium suturaque versus apicem purpurascentibus ; pedibus rufis, femoribus

ad apicem tibiisque viridi-micantibus, tarsis piceis ; capite crebre punctato, anterius sat profunde sulcato ;

antennis brevibus, nigris, articulo basali anterius viridescente.

Long. 8-11 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio punctulata, setigera ; abdomine segmentis ad latera crebrius punctatis.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion), Chiriqui }.

In this species the purple coloration of the thorax is placed quite at the front

margin. We have received twelve examples, and they exhibit but little variation.

This has also been determined for us by its describer M. Léveillé: our specimens agree

with his description, except that the legs are more extensively red, and that the trans-

verse impression which he mentions as existing near the front of the thorax cannot

always be detected.

35. Temnochila chiriquensis, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 11.)

Minus depressa et elongata, parallela, nitida, lete viridis, capite disco, prothorace signaturis angulatis in medio,

elytris plaga magna basali, fascia post medium suturaque ad apicem purpurascentibus, pedibus nigro-

viridibus ; capite sat crebre punctato, anterius canaliculato; antennis nigris, articulo basali metallescente.

Long. 73-11 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio parum setigera; abdomine segmentis crebre punctatis.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Very closely allied to T. grouvellei, but as we have received a series of thirteen

examples without an intermediate form, I treat it as distinct. The coloration of the

thorax is different: there is on each side an angular mark extending from the front

angle backwards and inwards, and connecting with the angle of a rhomboidal mark

placed on the disc. The purple colour at the apex of the elytra is dilated, and extends

a little outwards along the apical margin, whereas in T. growvellei it becomes

pointed behind and scarcely reaches the apex itself. The legs, too, are darker in

colour. The insect is of rather more convex form than TZ’. growvellei. There is no

transverse depression on the thorax; but in some examples there is a very feeble

foveiform depression of the surface on each side. The lateral margin of the thorax is

very fine in front, and scarcely visible from above; the lateral denticulation behind the

middle is but*slight.

In addition to the Chiriqui examples, we have received from Caché, Costa Rica

(Rogers), a single specimen of a variety of very small size, in which the lateral apical

extension of the purple sutural stripe is scarcely perceptible.

36. Temnochila telemanensis, sp. n.

Minus depressa et elongata, parallela, nitida, viridi-enea, capite, prothorace anterius elytrisque versus apicem

TEMNOCHILA. 413

_ purpureo-nitidis ; pedibus rufis, tibiis obscurioribus, tarsis nigricantibus; abdomine apicem versus rufo ;

antennis brevibus, nigris ; capite ecanaliculato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Teleman in Vera Paz (Champion).

Similar in size and form to T. chiriquensis, but of different colour, and without a

channel on the head. The antenne are black, short. The head is very shining and in

larger part of a purple colour, its punctuation only moderately fine and close. . The

thorax is brilliant, greenish, tinged with purple in a vague manner, especially in front ;

its punctuation is similar to that of the head; the front angles are rectangular, and

the margin exists only a little way inwards from the side-margin ; the lateral impression

is feeble. The elytra are very shining, finely and sparingly punctate, with a few irregular

strigosities or scratches between the punctures ; the colour is green and purple like that

of the head and thorax, the former colour predominating in front, the latter behind.

The femora are red, the tibiee blackish-red, the tarsi nearly black. The posterior ventral

segments are red. The prosternum is rather coarsely punctate. The male has a large

setigerous area and much punctuation on the submentum, and a rather fine, moderately

close, and evenly-distributed punctuation on the ventral segments.

One specimen.

87. Temnochila stipes, sp. n.

Minus depressa et elongata, parallela, supra nigro-nea, subtus nigra, nitida ; capite haud canaliculato, crebrius

punctato.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco in Guerrero (Hége).

Antenne short, black. Head broad and short, coarsely and rather closely punctured.

Thorax with the front angles rounded and the margin continued inwards nearly half-

way to the middle, the lateral margin almost completely destitute of impression and

denticulation, the surface rather coarsely punctured, the hind angles almost rectangular.

Elytra rather coarsely punctate and with well-marked strigosities. Legs black. Male

with a minute pencil of hairs on the submentum and a scanty punctuation on the

ventral segments; female almost destitute of punctures on the last-named part.

Two specimens. |

This species is only likely to be confused with 7. corynthia, from which it differs by

the unchannelled head, the greater length of the front margin of the thorax, the less

punctate ventral plates, and the quite black legs.

38. Temnochila corynthia.

Trogosita corynthia, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 33°.

Sat elongata, angustula, minus depressa, parallela, nitida, znea, femoribus seneo-rufis ; capite anterius-breviter

canaliculato.

Long. 8-13 millim.

414 TROGOSITIDZ.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova, Playa Vicente, Orizaba (Sallé), Bobo, Las Vigas (Hoge).

Reitter described this species on a single example of the female sex in Chevrolat’s

collection. The male has a small fascicle on the submentum, and a rather numerous

fine punctuation on the ventral plates. The species appears to occur only in one or

two examples at a time and to be rather variable. ‘The anterior thoracic margin can

be detected only quite at the side. One example has the elytra deeply corrugate :

M. Léveillé tells me he has seen other individuals of different species of Temnochila in

this condition. It is certainly a very remarkable aberration, the elytra being otherwise

well developed.

39. Temnochila aureola.

Trogosita aureola, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl., p. 38°.

Hab. Mexico 1.

From Reitter’s description this appears to be very similar to 7. corynthia, but the

male has the posterior tibie dilated at the extremity. We have not received an

example of any Temnochila possessing this character.

40. Temnochila suturata.

Trogosita suturata, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiu., Abhandl. p. 39°.

Hab. Mexico 1.—Soutn America, Brazil !.

This insect is green above, with a narrow stripe of purple colour along the suture

and lateral margins of the elytra. M. Léveillé has been kind enough to send me an

example from Minas Geraes for inspection. The form of the insect is similar to that

of 7. corynthia, but the club of the antenna is different. We have not received

anything at all similar in this respect, and in some other of the characters Reitter

assigns to the species. I look upon the locality “‘ Mexico” as very doubtful.

41. Temnochila laticollis.

Trogosita laticollis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 39°.

Hab. Mexico}.

We have not received anything that possesses the characters assigned to this species.

42. Temnochila festiva.

Trogossita festiva, Serville, Encycl. Méth. x. p. 719°.

Trogosita festiva, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii., Abhandl. p. 41°.

Hab. Mexico 2.—Soutn America, Brazil ! 2.

It is very doubtful whether this insect has really been found in our region.

TEMNOCHILA.—EUPYCNUS. 415

43. Temnochila belti, sp. n.

Fulgida, viridi-aurata, capite prothoraceque medio longitudinaliter purpureo-vittatis, elytris ad medium

purpureo-fasciatis ; tibiis, tarsis antennisque rufis, his articulo basali anterius metallescente.

Long. 14 millim.

Mas, area submentali medio fasciculo sat late armata; abdomine segmentis 1°-4™ fere dense punctatis.

Hab. Ntcaraeua, Chontales (Belt, Janson).

This brilliant insect cannot be confounded with any other of our region; the colour

of the surface, of the legs, and of the antenne being sufficient to distinguish it with

certainty. The antenne, except the basal joint, are clear red, rather elongate, with

elongate club. The head has a short, rather fine channel in front, and is very sparingly

and finely punctate on the vertex, but in front of this more coarsely and closely, a

broad purple stripe extends along the middle. The thorax is very shining, very

sparingly punctured, and has a broad purple stripe along the middle continuous with

that on the head ; it is rather elongate and narrow, not at all broader in front; the

lateral margin is very fine and placed far down at the side. The elytra are almost

impunctate, in front golden-green, at the extremity more of a golden-copper colour, with

a purple band across the middle.

We have received only two specimens of this brilliant insect, but I have seen others

from the same locality in the collection of Mr. Geo. Lewis. It is not at all near any

other species, and structurally appears almost as much allied to 7. virescens as it does

to its neighbours in this group.

TEMNOCHILODES.

Temnochilodes, Léveillé, Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1890, p. clxxxiii.

This genus has quite recently been proposed for a single species from our region.

We have not received an example of it.

1. Temnochilodes dugesi.

Temnochilodes dugesi, Léveillé, loc. cit.’.

Hab. Mexico, Morelia (Dugés). .

EUPYCNUS, gen. nov.

Sulci antennarii latissimi, paralleli. Tibic late, extus spinulose.

I propose this genus for an insect resembling some of the elongate, oblong species

of Tenebroides. It is well distinguished by the peculiar antennary grooves on the

underside of the head: these are very broad, and instead of being convergent behind

are parallel; the margin that limits them internally is behind curved outwards and

passes behind the eye. The eye is finely faceted, and prolonged inwards on the under

416 TROGOSITIDA.

surface of the head in an angular manner. The tibie are broad, and all of them are

armed with a few short spinules on the outer margin. The front coxe are rather

short, and a wide space exists between their external end and the side of the thorax;

the front angles of the prosternal flanks are greatly produced. The other characters

are those of Tenebroides.

1. Eupycnus lentus, sp. n. (Tab. XIII. fige. 12; 12a, underside of head.)

Elongatus, parallelus, parum depressus, niger, antennis rufis, elytris cyaneis; fortiter punctatus, elytris striatis,

interstitiis biseriatim punctatis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tacambaro in Michoacan, Jalapa (Hége).

Antenne red, very thick, with broad club, the joints of which are adpressed, the

sensitive areee very small. Head rather narrow, moderately coarsely and closely

punctured ; epistome feebly emarginate in the middle, but without any projection.

Thorax quadrate, nearly straight at the sides, a little narrowed behind; the surface

rather coarsely punctate ; the base truncate, the basal margin very distinct throughout,

the lateral margin rather fine, the front angles much produced, but broad and not

acute, the front with a raised margin extending from the angle to a considerable

distance towards the middle. Elytra parallel, finely striate, the strize viewed externally

appearing feebly costate, the interstices with fine transverse ruge and distinct biserial

interstitial punctuation, Under surface shining, coarsely punctate.

This insect has somewhat the appearance of Pycnomerus, a genus of Colydiide.

Only two examples have been obtained.

TENEBROIDES.

Tenebroides, Piller & Mitterpacher, Iter per Poseg. p. 87, t. 9. f. 9 (1783).

Trogossita, Olivier, Ent. ii. no. 19, p. 5 (1790).

Tenebrioides, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 65 (1874).

This is an extensive genus of about 100 species, nearly all of which are inhabitants

of the New World; the few exceptions are that two or three species are found in the

Polynesian islands, two or three in the Atlantic islands of Madeira and Teneriffe, while

a single species has been recently described as a native of Barbary and Corsica, and

another species is nearly cosmopolitan, having probably been distributed as a result of

commercial intercourse.

The genus is widely known in Coleopterological literature under the name of

Trogosita; but an older name has, however, been recently discovered for it, and

Reitter and Léveillé having decided to use this, I follow them with hesitation and

regret.

The species of Zenebroides are probably all carnivorous in their habits, and when met

TENEBROIDES. 417

with only a small number of examples can be procured; hence the majority of the

members of the genus have been described from a very limited series of specimens—

frequently, indeed, from uniques,—and very little information exists as to the variation

of the species. In the collections amassed for the purposes of this work only one

species of Tenebroides—in addition to the widely distributed 7’. mauritanicus—is repre-

sented by as many as twenty examples, while the great majority are illustrated by a

very much smaller number of specimens.

The only character that has been found for separating the genus into two divisions

is that used by Reitter and here adopted.

Division A.—Basal line of the prothorax present on each side, but absent in the

middle. (Species 1-17.)

Group 1.—Prothorax strongly transverse. (Species 1-13.)

1. Tenebroides mauritanicus.

Tenebrio mauritanicus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 10th ed. i. p. 417 (1758).

Hab. Fere ubique.—Nortu AmMERICAA—MeExico, Minas Viejas, San Pedro in Coahuila

(Dr. Palmer), Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn), Zapotlan, Colima city

(Hoge), Omilteme in Guerrero (H. H. Smith), Guanajuato, Cordova, ‘Teapa (Sallé) ;

GUATEMALA, Yzabal (Sallé); Nicaragua (Sal/é).

2. Tenebroides depressus.

Trogossita depressa, Guér. Icon. Régne Anim. iii. p. 201°.

Tenebrioides depressa, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 72°.

Hab. Mexico, Chinantla, Orizaba, Playa Vicente (Sal/é); GuatemaLa, El Tumbador,

Pantaleon (Champion), Escuintla (Conradt).— VENEZUELA, Caracas”; Braziu!?.

Distinct from all our other species of this group by its large size; it has, too, a fovea

on the middle of the head, the sculpture of the submental area excessively coarse, and

the terminal joint of the antenne longer than usual. Twelve specimens.

3. Tenebroides breviusculus.

Tenebrioides breviuscula, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 72°.

Latus, depressus, subnitidus, nigro-piceus, elytris piceis, antennis pedibusque rufis ; capite prothoraceque eub-

tiliter punctatis, hoc fortiter transverso; elytris seriatim sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 84, lat. 35 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); GUATEMALA, Pantaleon, Mirandilla,

Capetillo (Champion).—SovutH America, Brazil}.

Head broad and short, opaque, finely punctate, without fovea. Thorax very short,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, September 1891. 3 H*

418 TROGOSITIDZ.

rounded at the sides and narrowed behind ; hind angles very slightly prominent, obtuse ;

the surface dull, as if greasy, finely punctured. Elytra short, without distinct striation,

but with very distinct series of punctures, the interstices not quite flat, their serial

punctuation very indistinct. yes very coarsely faceted. The submental area and

margin very finely punctate. Prosternum impunctate. Hight examples.

An obscure species, without any salient characters. The Mexican examples differ

slightly in punctuation from the three individuals found in Guatemala. M. Léveille

assures me that our insect is really referable to 7. breviusculus, though I quite failed

to detect this from Reitter’s tables.

4. Tenebroides celatus, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 13.)

Piceus, depressus, sat elongatus, nitidus, capite opaco, antennis pedibusque rufis; capite prothoraceque sub-

tiliter punctatis, hoc fortiter transverso ; elytris seriatim sat fortiter punctatis.

Long. 10, lat. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuatzMata, Las Mercedes, Mirandilla (Champion) ;

Nicaracvua, Chontales (Janson).

This is very closely allied to 7. breviusculus; but is a more elongate insect, with a

shining thorax, which has the sides behind the middle more parallel and the raised

margin more coarsely sculptured externally. The eyes are unusually large and coarsely

faceted, and have a greater extension on the upper surface of the head than they have

in T. breviusculus. Five specimens.

5. Tenebroides subplanus.

Tenebrioides subplana, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 70°.

Hab. Mexico }.

The only species we have received examples of that would at all nearly answer to

Reitter’s description is 7. celatus. But T. subplanus is said to be black, to have the

lateral serial punctuation of the elytra not visible, and the interstices almost subcostate

—characters which do not at all apply to Z. celatus.

6. Tenebroides sonorensis, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 14, 2.)

Latus, depressus, nitidus, fortiter punctatus, piceus, antennis pedibusque rufis ; prothorace brevi, basin versus

fortiter angustato, sinuato; elytris striato-punctatis, striis ad apicem obsoletis, interstitiis argute biseri-

atim punctatis.

Long. 74 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

Antenne slender, the club long, the prominent lobes of the club small and much

separated. Head broad, coarsely punctate, shining, almost unimpressed. Eyes small.

Thorax very short, the anterior angles large, acute, much produced, the lateral margin

TENEBROIDES. 419

rather fine; much narrowed and distinctly sinuate behind, coarsely and numerously

punctate, shining. Elytra with regular series of punctures placed on obscure strie,

the broad interstices distinctly and regularly biseriately punctate. Prosternal process

broad and flat, finely punctate. Ventral segments moderately finely and remotely punc-

tate ; in the male with much finer and denser punctuation extending over a large part

of each segment. Three specimens.

This species resembles 7’. mauritanicus, but is broader and more coarsely punctate,

and the joints of the antenne preceding the club are not at all incrassate.

7. Tenebroides ruber.

Tenebrioides rubra, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 73°.

Valde depressus, rufo-ferrugineus, politus ; elytris obsolete striatis.

Long. 63 millim.

_ Had. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—

Soutu America, Brazil !.

Antenne with rather large club. Head somewhat prolonged in front, moderately

closely punctured. Thorax deplanate, very shining, very strongly transverse, a little

narrowed behind ; hind angles not prominent, slightly obtuse; punctuation not coarse,

subobsolete on the disc. Elytra rather broad and short, depressed, the lateral margin

broad, the striz obsolete, the biseriate interstitial punctuation more distinct. Under

surface polished, nearly impunctate. Submental area not distinct. Male with the

anterior margin of the front femora pubescent. Seven specimens.

This also is a very distinct species. M. Léveillé has compared some of our specimens

with Reitter’s type, and I accept his determination ; the peculiar character of the front

legs of the male is not, however, alluded to by Reitter. ‘The single specimen found at

Chontales is a variety of large size, and differs in several points from the examples

found at San Geronimo.

8. Tenebroides chevrolati. .

Tenebrioides chevrolati, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 72°.

Hab. Mextco!, Jalapa, Tehuantepec (Hége); Guaremata, Teleman (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

_ We have received five examples that I refer—on the authority of an examination of

two of them by M. Léveillé—to this species. It appears to me to be distinguished from

T. circumcinctus only by being of a uniformly piceous colour.

3 H* 2

420 TROGOSITIDZ.

9. Tenebroides circumcinctus.

Tenebroides circumcinctus, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 419°.

Depressus, brevis, nitidus, rufus, capite, prothorace elytrisque ad suturam plus minusve late nigricantibus ;

capite efoveolato ; elytris argute striatis, interstitiis latis, biseriatim punctatis.

Long. 6—7 millim.

Var. Rufo-ferrugineus.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Saillé), Jalapa (Hoge), Yucatan (Sallé1), Temax in North

Yucatan (Gaumer); GuatEMALa, Yzabal (Sallé), Tamahu, San Gerdénimo (Champion) ;

Nicaraeua, Chontales (Belt).

Antenne with rather elongate narrow club. Head flat, somewhat shining, mode-

rately closely and coarsely punctured. Thorax but little rounded at the sides, a little

narrowed but not sinuate behind, the lateral margin thick, the hind angles obtuse ;

shining, coarsely punctate. Elytra with regular strie—not series of punctures,—the

interstices broad, quite flat, biseriately punctate. Ventral segments rather finely punc-

tate, the punctuation in the male denser and finer than in the female.

We have received ten examples of this species. I see very little to distinguish it

from T. chevrolati except colour, and this is very variable. Thus I suspect that, if they

are really distinct, our examples of 7. circumcinctus must represent more than one

species; it is perhaps more probable that the contrary is the case, and that 7. chevro-

dati and T. circumcinctus are only colour-variations of one species.

10. Tenebroides facilis, sp. n.

Depressus, nigerrimus, opacus, antennis tarsisque piceis ; elytris obsolete striatis et punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Amecameca (Hége).

A very distinct species not likely to be confounded with any of the preceding, the

black colour and the more or less effaced sculpture of the elytra being characteristic,

although the latter point is subject to considerable variation. ‘The antenne are piceous

in colour, with rather long, unusually slender club. ‘The thorax is very strongly trans-

verse, a good deal narrowed and slightly sinuate behind, the reflexed margin thick, the

hind angles nearly rectangular, the punctuation fine. The elytra are very flat and dull ;

the usual striation and interstitial punctuation are present, but are more or less effaced,

so that in some examples they can scarcely be distinguished; the seventh stria is,

however, always distinct, though those external to it are completely effaced. The male

has no tufts on the margin of the submental area, but they are replaced by a slight

tubercular elevation on each angle of the margin. Six specimens.

This species is probably allied to 7. opaca, Reitter. The two specimens from

Amecameca belong to a variety of large size and more elongate form.

I have placed with some doubt as a variety of this species four specimens, found at

TENEBROIDES. 427

Jalapa and Toluca (Hége) and Omilteme in Guerrero (H. H. Smith), that differ from

the typical form in being less dull, in having the elytra less obsoletely striate, and

the lateral margin of the thorax finer. It is very doubtful whether they are really

conspecific with 7. facilis, but they do not agree sufficiently inter se to justify me in

separating them.

11. Tenebroides spectator, sp. n.

Elongatus, sat depressus, nitidus, nigerrimus, antennis tarsisque rufis; capite prothoraceque crebre fortiter

punctatis, hoc basin versus angustato, lateribus posterius sinuatis ; elytris striatis, interstitiis obsolete

punctatis.

1_101 milli

Long. 93-104 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Resembles 7. repetitus of the second division rather than any species of the first

division; it has much smaller eyes and a smaller antennal club than 7. deceptor and

T. celatus. Wead dull, somewhat convex, rather closely punctate, without fovea.

Thorax punctured like the head, moderately strongly margined at the sides, much

narrowed behind and sinuate near the base, the hind angles slightly prominent

externally, nearly rectangular; basal margin quite distinct in the middle. FElytra

moderately deeply striate, rather shining, the punctuation of the interstices indistinct.

Ventral segments very coarsely punctate. Two specimens.

12. Tenebroides anceps.

Tenebroides anceps, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 421°.

Hab. Mexico}, Jalapa (Hoge, M. Trujillo); Guatemata, Sabo (Champion).

The peculiar sculpture of the elytra distinguishes this from all other species of the

genus: the usual strie are here replaced by fine elevated lines, which are here and

there minutely interrupted, and are shining; the broad interstices are quite dull, and

bear a well-marked biserial punctuation. The club of the antenne is rather large, and

the ares of sensitive surface very large.

Only one example was obtained in Guatemala; it is a variety of rather smaller size,

with the biserial interstitial punctuation of the elytra remarkably definite, the punc-

tures being elongate and almost connected so as to form strie. It may perhaps prove

to belong to a distinct species.

The small series of seven examples from Mexico does not exhibit any variation.

13. Tenebroides yucatanicus.

Tenebroides yucatanicus, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 421°.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Hoge), Yucatan (Sallé1), Temax in North Yucatan (Gawmer) ;

British Hoypuras, R. Hondo, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaur).

422 TROGOSITIDA.

In this species the interruption of the basal margin of the thorax is not so conspicuous

as. it is in most others of this section; and if this character were not correctly observed

the species would be supposed to be near 7. rufolimbatus and its allies in the next

section. It is not at all likely to be mistaken for any of our species with interrupted

basal margin.

T. yucatanicus varies a good deal in size and colour; the antenne are short, and the

aree of sensitive pubescence on the club very small. Some of our examples agree

perfectly with M. Léveillé’s description, and he has also identified the species fur us

by comparison with his type.

Group 2.—Prothorax nearly or quite as long as broad. (Species 14-17.)

14. Tenebroides bipustulatus.

Trogosita 2-pustulata, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 152°.

Tenebrioides bipustulata, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 67.

Tenebriotdes impressifrons, Reitter, loc. cit. p. 66°.

Hab. Mexico, Temax in North Yucatan (Gawmer); Guatemata, El Tumbador,

Pantaleon, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Souru

America }, Colombia °, Cayenne 2, Brazil? ; ANTILLES 3.

This distinct species varies much in colour, being sometimes entirely shining black,

while in other cases the elytra and the ventral segments are more or less broadly

marked with red. M. Léveillé has already pointed out (Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1889,

p. vill) that spotted specimens are not distinct from those that are entirely black: I

have no doubt he is correct in this. Mr. Champion found both forms at Pantaleon.

Whether the species is really the Trogosita bipustulata of Fabricius is very doubtful,

as he states that the thorax is canaliculate in front, while there is not the least trace

of such a character in our insect.

15. Tenebroides sulcifrons.

Trogosita sulcifrons, Jacq.-Desv. in Sagra’s Hist. fisica, polit. y nat. de Cuba, vii., Ins. p. 105? ;

French edit. p. 253.

Tenebrioides sulcifrons, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 66”.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége); Guaremata, El Tumbador (Champion); Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Sovutu America, Brazil?; Anrinizes, Cuba? 2.

I refer to T. sulcifrons, with much doubt, three specimens from our region ; these

three individuals were found singly in widely separated localities, and are far from

agreeing satisfactorily in their details. They agree in most points with the characters

pointed out as distinctive of 7. sulcifrons, and if that species proves to be very variable

they may perhaps really belong to it.

TENEBROIDES, 423

These examples are distinguished from the preceding species by their elongate

parallel form, more quadrate thorax (which has short, broad, not acute front angles),

and the middle of the head not deplanate, but feebly longitudinally impressed along

the middle.

16. Tenebroides oblongus, sp. n.

Angustus, parallelus, minus depressus, subopacus, piceo-rufus; prothorace subquadrato, subtiliter marginato,

angulis anterioribus latis, brevissime productis, angulis posterioribus obtusis ; elytris sat profunde punctato-

striatis, interstitiis subtiliter biseriatim punctatis.

Long. 6-7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chinantla (Sallé), Cordova (Hége); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

Head rather finely punctured, dull, very feebly impressed along the middle towards

the front. Thorax elongate, slightly narrowed but not sinuate behind; the lateral

margin fine, placed rather low down; the front margin but feebly sinuate, so that the

front angles are very broad and project but little; the surface rather more coarsely

punctured than the head. Elytra elongate and narrow, with series of oblong punctures

placed in slight strize, and with a very fine interstitial punctuation.

Only one example has been procured in each locality.

T. oblongus is allied to T. sulcifrons, but the more truncate form of the thorax in

front separates it satisfactorily.

17. Tenebroides mordax, sp. n.

Elongatus, parallelus, minus depressus, piceus, antennis, pedibus elytrisque versus apicem rufis; elytris

fortiter striatis, interstitiis latis, omnium subtilissime punctatis.

Long. 8 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Caché (Rogers).

Head rather narrow, moderately coarsely punctured, very feebly depressed in the

middle in front. Thorax subquadrate, the sides nearly straight, a little narrowed

behind, the lateral margin rather fine, the basal margin interrupted for only a short

distance in the middle, the front angles much produced, acute. LElytra with deep

striz, which are punctate and continued to the apex ; the serial punctures on the inter-

stices are excessively fine and are placed near to the striz, so that they are liable to

be thought absent. Ventral segments coarsely punctate, shining.

We have received only two specimens of this very distinct species ; one of them was

labelled as having been found alive in a box of beetles. TZ. mordagr is perhaps more

nearly allied to 7. sulcifrons than to any other species, though the two are very diffe-

rent. It is probably variable, as the two examples before me differ a little in colour

and sculpture.

424 TROGOSITIDA.

Division B.—Basal line of the prothorax not interrupted in the middle (in a very

few species this line slightly imperfect in the middle). (Species 18-52.)

Group 3.—Jnsects of large or moderate size, without definite markings.

(Species 18-41.)

18. Tenebroides difficilis.

Tenebroides difficilis, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 421°.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (coll. Léveillé*).

M. Léveillé has not recognized this species among the series I sent him. It appears

to be an insect somewhat allied to 7. latus and 7. harpaloides, having the basal line

of the thorax scarcely interrupted, and therefore intermediate between the two divisions

of the genus. It was described from a single example.

The insect, by mistake, is quoted by M. Léveillé as from Yucatan 1.

19. Tenebroides latus.

Tenebroides latus, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 423°.

Hab. Mexico}, Huitzo in Oaxaca (Hoge).

We have received only one specimen that agrees with the description of 7. Jatus, and

my determination of it has been confirmed by M. Léveillé. The species bears a great

resemblance to T. facilis, but is rather shorter and less depressed, and has the basal

margin of the thorax scarcely interrupted in the middle.

20. Tenebroides undulatus, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 15.)

Valde depressus, niger, nitidus, minus parallelus ; capite prothoraceque crebre subtiliter punctatis ; elytris sub-

tilius striatis, striis ad latera et ad apicem omnino obsoletis; pedibus piceis; antennis piceo-rufis.

Long. 10-12 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 feet (Champion).

Head without any fovea, somewhat finely punctured. Thorax much narrowed

behind and strongly sinuate at the sides; the posterior angles not prominent, a little

obtuse though very nearly rectangular; the lateral margin fine, especially towards the

base ; the surface shining, black, rather finely punctured. Elytra not parallel at the

sides, pitchy-black, but little shining, the strie and interstitial punctuation more or less

obsolete, and scarcely to be detected at the sides and apex. Ventral segments sparingly

punctate. Seven specimens.

This and the following four or five species are extremely closely allied. J. undu-

latus, however, is less parallel, and has the sculpture of the elytra more obsolete than in

the rest of the group. I have not observed any sexual distinctions init. Found beneath

the bark of pines (Champion).

TENEBROIDES. 425

21. Tenebroides alticola, sp. n.

Sat elongatus, depressus, niger, nitidus ; capite prothoraceque crebre subtiliter punctatis; elytris subtiliter

punctato-striatis, interstitiis obsolete punctatis; pedibus piceis, antennis tarsisque rufescentibus.

Long. 9-10 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Totonicapam 8500 feet, Quiche Mountains 7500 feet, Duefias

(Champion).

In this species the thorax is narrowed behind and sinuate at the sides ; the anterior

angles are broad and not elongate, the lateral margin moderately raised. The striation

of the elytra consists of series of punctures nearly conjoined to form continuous strie,

and the interstitial punctuation is very obscure; the striae are much obliterated behind.

The punctuation of the ventral segments is coarse but not very dense, and there is

apparently but little difference between the sexes in this respect.

L. alticola differs from T. wndulatus by the rather less depressed and more parallel

form and the less obliterated sculpture of the elytra. It is at first sight more similar

to T. repetitus, but has the anterior angles of the thorax less produced and less acute

and the striation of the elytra more obsolete behind.

We have received five examples of 7. alticola. I also refer provisionally to it three

specimens found in Mexico—by Hége at Esperanza and Jalapa, and by Sallé at Puebla,

—which have the thorax a little more rounded at the sides in front and more narrowed

behind, and the punctuation of the ventral segments rather less coarse. ‘Two specimens

found by Blancaneaux on the R. Sarstoon in British Honduras have a deeper striation on

the elytra and a coarser punctuation on the ventral segments. But it is. not advisable

to treat these as belonging to distinct species.

22. Tenebroides harpaloides. |

Tenebroides harpaloides, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p- 423%.

Minus elongatus, depressus, niger, nitidus; capite prothoraceque crebre subtiliter. punctatis ;: elytris subtiliter

punctato-striatis, interstitiis distincte biseriatim punctatis; antennis pedibusque rufis..

Long. 8-84 millim.

Hab. Mzxico1, Jalapa (Hége).

Head broad and short, somewhat closely punctate, with a small fovea on the middle.

Thorax short and broad, rather finely margined at the sides, rounded at the anterior

angles, which are broad and but little produced. Elytra with series of punctures

which are nearly conjoined to form fine striz, and with a very distinct interstitial

punctuation. Ventral segments extremely coarsely punctate.

The two specimens received are male and female; the male has fine punctures

mixed with the larger ones at the base of the first ventral segment and a small patch

of similar punctuation at the outer edge of each of the three following segments.

Though 7. harpaloides is one of a group of most closely allied forms, and although

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, September 1891. 3 1*

426 TROGOSITIDA.

I have seen only two specimens of it, I think it must certainly ‘be separated from

T. alticola: the well-developed interstitial punctuation, in contrast with the fine stria-

tion, the finer lateral margins to the thorax, and the coarse punctures on the ventral

segments, being its chief distinctions. M. Léveillé has been good enough to lend me

his unique type on which the species was founded, and I believe it to belong to the

species I have described above, though the characters of 7. harpaloides are not quite

so strongly marked in it as they are in our specimens.

23. Tenebroides repetitus, sp. n.

Elongatus, subparallelus, niger, nitidus, subdepressus, subtus pedibusque piceis, antennis sordide rufis; capite

prothoraceque crebre punctatis; elytris regulariter striatis, interstitiis biseriatim punctatis.

Long. 11-13 millim.

Hab. Mexico (ex coll. Sturm), Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé); Guatemaua, Capetillo,

near the city of Guatemala (Champion).

Head dull, moderately closely punctate. Thorax narrowed behind, not sinuate at the

sides, the hind angles slightly prominent, the lateral and basal margins almost equally

thick throughout, the surface shining, rather coarsely and closely punctate. LElytra

subparallel, rather elongate, marked with distinct strie which are not obsolete at the

extremity, and at the sides are represented by series of remote punctures, the interstices

broad, flat, and distinctly biseriately punctate. Under surface piceous; ventral seg-

ments very densely punctate; in the male the punctuation at the sides dense and

minute over a considerable area.

Mr. Champion met with a good series of this insect at Capetillo, and these examples

do not vary much, except that in some of them the head has a small fovea which is not

present in others. The specimens from other localities are very few in number, and

vary much; but I cannot distinguish them as species in a satisfactory manner, and

prefer to treat them as varieties of one only.

24, Tenebroides zunilensis, sp. n.

Depressus, sat elongatus, piceus, nitidus; capite prothoraceque nigricantibus, dense punctatis, hoc lateribus

piceis, illo foveolato ; elytris striatis, interstitiis biseriatim punctatis; antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 10 millim.

Had. Guaremata, Cerro Zunil, Mirandilla (Champion).

Head shining, closely and coarsely punctured. Thorax rounded at the sides and

strongly sinuate behind; lateral margin moderately raised ; front angles rather broad,

less acute than usual; the surface closely and deeply punctured. LElytra with regular

distinct striee, and with very distinct biserial punctuation on the interstices. Ventral

segments closely punctate.

This species is distinguished from its allies by the thorax being more sinuate behind,

and the elytra evidently striate, with very little trace of punctuation in the strie. As

TENEBROIDES. 427

in 7. repetitus, the male has the coarse punctuation of the ventral segments to a great

extent replaced by fine subobsolete punctures.

25. Tenebroides marginicollis, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 16.)

Depressus, subparallelus, parum nitidus, piceus, limbo plus minusve distincte dilutiore ; prothoracis marginibus

bene elevatis ; elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis obsolete punctatis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).

In this species the surface has a peculiar appearance, somewhat as if slightly greasy.

The head is rather large, not foveolate, moderately finely punctate. The thorax is but

little rounded at the sides, slightly narrowed behind, the anterior angles much pro-

duced, slender, the lateral margin rather strongly elevated, similar for all the length ;

the surface punctate like the head; the lateral margins ferruginous, usually more

broadly so at the front angles. Elytra depressed, scarcely striate, but with very distinct

series of punctures, and very fine punctuation on the interstices. Ventral segments

closely punctate. |

Distinguished from all the varieties of 7. repetitus by the more parallel-sided thorax,

the lateral margins of which are more strongly and evenly elevated.

26. Tenebroides instabilis, sp. n.

Parum elongatus, depressus, nitidus, niger, antennis pedibusque rufis ; prothorace basin versus sat angustato,

minus sinuato, crebre subtiliter punctato; elytris subtiliter striatis, interstitiis subtilius biseriatim

punctatis.

Long. 6-7 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé).

Head small, not shining, not densely punctate, the punctures smaller in front, the

forehead not, or very indistinctly, foveate. Thorax strongly transverse, the lateral

margins not coarse, the sides not much rounded, distinctly narrowed behind but not

sinuate, the punctuation moderately dense, not coarse. lytra finely striate.

This, too, appears to be a variable species. I have treated as the type of it four

specimens found by Hoge at Jalapa with finely striate elytra; but the seven other

examples have the elytra more deeply striate, though in a variable degree. 7. instabzlis

appears, however, to be distinct from 7. harpaloides—to which it comes very near—

by its considerably narrower head, the insect being in this respect similar to 7. rufo-

limbatus.

27. Tenebroides incertus.

Tenebroides incertus, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 423°.

Hab. Mexico}.

This species seems, from the description, to be allied to T. harpaloides and

T. instabilis.

3 1* 2

428 TROGOSITIDA.

28. Tenebroides iteratus, sp. n.

Sat latus, minus parallelus, depressus, minus nitidus, piceus, elytris puncto humerali limboque rufescentibus ;

dense punctatus, elytris striatis, interstitiis biseriatim punctatis ; antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

Head moderately broad, coarsely punctate, unimpressed, rather dull. Thorax

strongly transverse, sinuate at the sides and much narrowed behind; lateral margin

only moderately thick ; anterior angles broad, acuminate, though but little produced ;

the surface densely and coarsely punctate, slightly shining. FElytra not parallel, mode-

rately deeply striate, the interstices flat, with rather fine biserial punctuation; the

outer margins, especially behind, are reddish, and there is also a small humeral spot of

the same colour.

We have received only one example of T. iteratus; by means of T. longulus and it,

T. repetitus and its allies are closely connected with 7. rufo-limbatus.

29. Tenebroides rufo-limbatus.

Tenebroides rufo-limbatus, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 424°.

Hab. Mexico !, Omilteme (H. H. Smith), Orizaba (Godman), Puebla, Cordova (Sallé),

Jalapa (Hoge, M. Trujillo); Guaremaua, El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This is a variable species, the length of the specimens before me varying between

62 and 10 millim.; the colour sometimes is shining black on the upper surface,

without the rufescent margins from which the species derives its name. The rather

-elongate, narrow, little-depressed form and the deep striation of the elytra, as well as

the shape of the thorax, are apparently less variable, and permit the identification of

the species. I have included as varieties four examples which may perhaps prove not

to belong to it, viz. a very strongly punctate form with a red humeral spot, found at

Jalapa by Hége; a pale ferruginous specimen with very deeply striate elytra, also

found by Hége in the same locality ; and the two examples procured by Mr. Champion

in Guatemala, which are very deeply striate, and have the lateral margins of the

thorax a little more raised.

30. Tenebroides longulus, sp. n.

Parallelus, angustus, sat depressus, nitidus, piceus, capite prothoraceque nigricantibus, hoc ad latera, presertim

anterius, rufescente ; fortiter punctatus, elytris profunde striatis ; antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 63-73 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Head broad, coarsely punctate, not dull, almost unimpressed. Thorax moderately

short, much narrowed behind, shining, coarsely punctate; lateral margin rather thick ;

front angles much produced, acute. Elytra narrow and parallel, shining, deeply

TENEBROIDES. 429

striate, the interstices a little convex, with a remote biserial punctuation. Ventral

segments coarsely punctate ; in the male with much fine punctuation on the side of

each segment. ‘Two specimens.

This insect is allied to 7. repetitus, but it is not so large, and differs by the important

character that the lobes of the club of the antenne are considerably smaller. From

T. rufo-limbatus, which at first sight it nearly resembles, it differs in its broader

thorax, with thicker lateral margins and more acute anterior angles, and its rather

broader head.

31. Tenebroides auriculatus, sp. n.

Minus elongatus, subdepressus, rufo-piceus, supra piceus, limbo plus minusve evidenter dilutiore ; capite den-

sissime fortiter punctato; elytris profunde striatis, interstitiis fere impunctatis.

Long. 53-7 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, El Tumbador, El Reposo, Zapote (Champion).

Head depressed in front, very coarsely punctate, the punctures more or less elon-

gated and confluent. Thorax short, much narrowed behind, coarsely punctate,

shining; lateral margin moderately coarse; anterior angles much produced, broad,

subexplanate, less acute than usual. Elytra subparallel, deeply striate, the biserial

interstitial punctures remote and very fine. Prosternal process moderately coarsely

punctate. Nine examples.

This species bears some resemblance to the smaller examples of T. rufo-limbatus, but

is considerably smaller, and is readily distinguished by the punctuation of the head and

by the different shape of the front angles of the thorax. In the male the punctuation

of the ventral segments is much finer than it is in the female.

32. Tenebroides bonvouloiri.

Tenebroides bonvouloiri, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 424°.

Hab. Mexico!, Jalapa (Hoge), San Andres (Sallé); Guatemata, Senahu, Chaco}

(Champion), Coban (Conradt).

Var. chontalensis. Capite anterius densissime ruguloso-punctato.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

To judge from the small series we have received this must be a very variable species ;

the specimens are, however, only one or two in number from each locality. The length

varies between 44 and 73 millim. In some of the individuals the basal line of the

thorax is very nearly, if not quite, interrupted in the middle.

33. Tenebroides lucidus, sp. n.

Angustus, parallelus, piceus, supra eneus, nitidus, antennis pedibusque rufis; elytris profunde striatis.

Long. 7-8 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

‘430 TROGOSITIDA.

This species is distinguished by the brilliant brassy colour of the upper surface and

‘the deep striation of the elytra. The antenne are short, pale red, the club rather

small. The head is coarsely, moderately closely punctate. ‘Thorax but little rounded

‘at the sides, narrowed behind and sinuate, the lateral margin fine, the anterior angles

broad and short, acuminate; surface very shining, coarsely and deeply, moderately

closely, punctate. Elytra parallel, with deep regular strie extending to the apex, the

striae marked by large and deep punctures, the interstitial punctuation being remote

and indistinct. Under surface piceous, shining, the ventral segments with very coarse

punctures.

34, Tenebroides excellens, sp. n.

Angustus, subparallelus, piceus, supra eneus, nitidus, antennis pedibusque rufis; elytris punctato-striatis,

striis ad apicem nullis.

Long. 7~8 millim.

_ Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

- At first sight very like 7. lucidus, but there can be no difficulty in distinguishing the

two by the difference in the striation, the strie being in 7. excellens much less deeply

impressed, and quite obsolete at the extremity. The head and thorax are black,

strongly tinged with brassy tint, moderately coarsely and closely punctate, very shining ;

lateral margin of the thorax fine, the anterior angles rather smali. Elytra with regular

series of punctures, the interstices perfectly flat and distinctly biseriately punctate.

Ventral segments in the male finely, in the female moderately coarsely, punctate.

Two specimens.

35. Tenebroides sallei, sp. n.

Brevis, latus, depressus, opacus, rufescens, supra fuscescens, margine rufo-fusco ; prothorace fortiter transverso ;

elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis haud perspicue punctatis.

Long. 6 millim,

Hab. Mexico (Sallé).

Antenne with the joints of the funiculus very short, but the club large. Head flat,

very dull, rather finely punctate. Thorax strongly transverse, curved at the sides in

front and much narrowed behind, the hind angles rectangular, the lateral margin

rather fine, the anterior angles large, but much produced and acute; the surface very

dull, rather closely and finely punctate. Elytra with regular series of punctures, the

punctures fine and connected so as to form very fine strie, which are obsolete at the

apex; the interstices broad, flat, scarcely visibly punctate, not quite so dull as the

thorax and head. Under surface shining, the ventral segments rather finely punctate.

Only one example has been received of this distinct species. It is perhaps more

nearly allied to 7. godmani than to any other species known to me.

TENEBROIDES. 431

36. Tenebroides godmani, sp. n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 17.)

Brevis, subparallelus, subopacus, rufus, capite prothoraceque nigricantibus, hoc previssimo, subtiliter punctato.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne red, the joints of the funiculus very short, the club large. Head rather

large, flat, somewhat sparingly and finely punctate. Thorax unusually short and

broad, the anterior angles very broad, much produced, the sides feebly bisinuate,

narrowed behind, the lateral margin rather fine, the surface finely, somewhat sparingly

punctate, transversely convex. Elytra convex, red, with regular series of punctures

placed on extremely obscure striz, the interstices flat, almost impunctate. Prosternum

in front of the coxe very little punctate, the process behind the coxe densely and

coarsely punctate. Two specimens.

This is one of the most easily recognized species of the genus. One of the two

examples received has the ventral segments more finely punctured, and is no doubt

a male.

37. Tenebroides reitteri.

Tenebroides reitteri, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 420°.

Latus, subdepressus, ferrugineus, subnitidus, prothorace elytrisque in medio nigricantibus; elytris fortiter

punctato-striatis, interstitiis haud omnino planis.

Long. 6—64 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).—Sovuta America, Brazil}.

Head dull red, finely punctured. Thorax very strongly transverse, distinctly

narrowed behind, somewhat finely punctured. Elytra broad and short, with impressed

series of rather coarse punctures, the interstices of the series somewhat narrow and

convex. Under surface with very little sculpture; terminal ventral segment with

the anterior portion shining, the posterior part covered with dense, minute pile. ‘Two

specimens.

This is an easily recognized insect, and is not likely to be confounded with any of

our other species. The dark colour along the middle of the upper surface is not quite

similar in the two individuals, and may probably be very variable. The unusually elon-

gate terminal joint of the antenna suggests an affinity with 7. depressus and T. celatus.

M. Léveillé assures me that the Panama spcimens are undoubtedly conspecific with

his 7. reitteri, and has kindly repeated his comparison at my request ; I am therefore

bound to accept his decision. At the same time it is only right to say that I think it

highly probable the Panama insect will prove to be distinct from the true 7. reittert,

M. Léveillé’s description being inapplicable in several respects to the insect before me.

T. reitteri is said} to have the basal margin of the thorax interrupted ; in our insect

the basal margin is uninterrupted, though when looked at from behind it appears some-

what obsolete in the middle.

432 TROGOSITIDA.

88. Tenebroides helophorus, sp. n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 18.)

Elongatus, subparallelus, minus depressus, nitidus, piceus, supra enescens, antennis pedibusque Tulis, illarum

clava, harum tibiis, nigris ; prothorace margine laterali extus fortiter punctato.

Long. 63-10 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Chilpancingo (Hége), Playa Vicente (Sai/é).

Antenne with an elongate black club, the terminal joint much longer than the

preceding one. Head rather narrow, somewhat closely and coarsely punctured. Thorax

moderately long, the anterior angles greatly produced, the sides narrowed and sinuate

behind, the lateral margin marked externally with coarse punctures—these are largest

behind, and cause the margin, when viewed in some directions, to appear crenate ;

surface coarsely and closely punctured. Elytra elongate, marked with regular series of

rather coarse punctures; interstitial punctuation very indistinct. Ventral segments

sparingly but coarsely punctate, and bearing an elongate, scanty, depressed setosity.

This species may be readily recognized by the coarse punctuation on the lateral

margin of the thorax. Some other species (7. anceps and T. nigro-viridis, Lév. e.g.)

that have an unusually coarse sculpture on the outer margin of the thorax are very

different in appearance from 7’. helophorus. The seven examples received of this

species show much variation in size and colour, and a good deal in the sculpture of

the upper surface.

39. Tenebroides nigro-viridis.

Tenebroides nigro-viridis, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 4277.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, in coll. Sallé1), Yolotepec (Sailé).

A very distinct species allied to 7. helophorus, but of remarkably elongate form, and

with obsolete sculpture on the elytra. We have received only two examples, both in

a bad state of preservation.

40. Tenebroides pollens, sp. n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 19.)

Major, robustus, minus depressus, nitidus, piceus vel niger, antennis pedibusque rufis; -capite prothoraceque

subtiliter punctatis ; elytris striatis, striis dense punctatis, interstitiis subconvexis, levigatis.

‘Long. 11-14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé); Britisa Honpuras, R. Sarstoon, R.

Hondo (Blancaneaux) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne with large club, the terminal joint twice as long as that preceding it.

Head broad, flat, dull, finely punctate, with a small fovea near the middle. Thorax

strongly transverse, slightly rounded at the sides, scarcely narrower at the base than in

front, the anterior angles much produced, acute, the lateral margin fine; the surface

finely and rather sparingly punctate; basal margin with a slight angular dilatation in

front in the middle. Submental area large and coarsely punctate.

TENEBROIDES. 433

This is a very different species from any other Tenebrotdes found in our region, and

may probably be allied to 7. antennalis, Reitter, from Colombia. We have received

eight examples of it; the one from Chontales has the striation of the elytra finer than

the others.

41. Tenebroides explanatus. (Tab. XIII. fig. 20.)

Tenebrioides explanatus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xiii., Abhandl. p. 73°.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Sovutu America, Colombia ?.

Also a very distinct species, with the front of the head elongate, and a large club

to the antenne. The thorax is very strongly transverse, but considerably narrower

than the very broad elytra.

Group 4.—Insects of very small size, with variegated or metallic surface.

(Species 42-52.)

42. Tenebroides gracilipes, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 21.)

Parvus, parum elongatus, depressus, testaceus, subopacus, subtiliter punctatus, elytris obsolete striatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).

Antenne quite pale, with large club. Head flat, finely punctate. Thorax very

strongly transverse, slightly narrowed behind ; front angles a little produced, rather

broad; hind angles slightly obtuse; basal and lateral margins fine, the latter uninter-

rupted; surface dull, rather finely punctate. Elytra with fine, indistinct strize and

very fine interstitial punctuation. Legs very slender.

The two examples received of this species are no doubt male and female, as one of

them has a large transverse depression on the terminal ventral plate and the front margin

of the depression bears a few hairs; this may perhaps be the female ; no trace of this

depression exists in the other specimen.

T. gracilipes is not like any other species of the genus; its small size and pallid

colour give it some resemblance to the Cryptophagide.

43. Tenebroides fenestratus.

Tenebroides fenestratus, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 425°.

Hab. Mexico!, Juquila (Sallé), Jalapa, Esperanza (f6dge); GuaTEMALA, Purula

(Champion).

Herr Hoge procured a small series of eight examples of this species at Jalapa; they

exhibit some variety in size, colour, and sculpture, though not in an extreme degree.

The two specimens found by Mr. Champion in Guatemala are somewhat different,

being of rather larger size and darker colour, with the pallid mark on the elytra less

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1891. 3 K*

434 TROGOSITID.

extended in the anterior direction, so that it forms with the one on the opposite elytron

a fascia interrupted at the suture.

44. Tenebroides sericatus, sp. n.

Parvus, sat latus, subdepressus, parum nitidus, eneo-niger, antennis rufis, pedibus testaceis; elytro singulo

macula parva testacea notato.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemana, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne reddish-yellow, with rather large club. Head and thorax dull, somewhat

finely punctate, the latter very strongly transverse, slightly picescent about the

margins. Elytra rather dull, with regular series of moderately large punctures, and

with a scarcely visible interstitial punctuation ; each with an indefinite yellow spot

placed in front of the middle. One specimen.

I separate this from 7. fenestratus on account of the rather larger size of the joints

forming the club of the antenne ; except for this character I should have treated the

insect as an extreme variety of that species. T. sericatus has, however, the thorax

very short, and its surface quite dull, the serial punctuation of the elytra coarser and

the interstitial punctuation more obsolete, and the yellow mark smaller.

45. Tenebroides bimaculatus, sp. n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 22.)

Parvus, piceus, supra eneus, nitidus, antennis, pedibus elytrorumque maculis duabus parvis, testaceis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This insect also appears to be very closely allied to 7. fenestratus, though it is only

half the size, and differs slightly in nearly all its details from any specimen I have seen

of that species. The joints of the club of the antenne are somewhat more elongate and

less broad than they are in 7. fenestratus. The head and thorax are very shining, the

former smaller than in 7. fenestratus, and rather more coarsely and sparingly punctured,

the latter very short and more strongly rounded at the sides in front. ‘The serial

punctuation of the elytra is well developed, but the interstitial punctuation is scarcely

visible; the spot on each wing-case is placed in the same position as it is in 7’. fenes-

tratus, but is small, and does not extend halfway to the external margin. One specimen.

46. Tenebroides sennevillei.

Tenebroides sennevillei, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1888, p. 425°.

Hab. Mexico!; Gvuatemata, Yzabal (Sallé), Chacoj, Torola, Zapote, Pantaleon

(Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Tolé (Champion).

This is apparently the least rare of the smaller species of Tenebroides, and varies very

little. |

TENEBROIDES. . 485

47. Tenebroides albomaculatus.

Tenebrioides albomaculata, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xili., Abhandl. p. 78°.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA, Yzabal (Sallé), Panzos

(Champion, Conradt), Chacoj (Champion).—Sovttn America, Colombia }.

48. Tenebroides complicatus, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 23.)

Parvus, depressus, piceus, nitidus, supra testaceo-variegatus brevissime setulosus, antennis, tibiis tarsisque tes-

taceis ; crebre punctatus; prothorace basin versus fortiter angustato.

Long. 44 millim.

Mas capite infra anterius longe piloso.

Hab. Britisu Honptras (Blancaneauz); GuateMata, Volcan de Atitlan, Pantaleon,

Zapote, Torola (Champion).

Antenne with elongate, slender club, which is darker in colour than the basal portion.

Head large, elongate, closely punctate, reddish in front. Thorax greatly narrowed

behind ; anterior angles much produced ; lateral margin fine; basal margin not inter-

rupted in the middle; the surface closely punctate, the colour blackish in the middle,

broadly pale at the sides, narrowly so along the front margin. Elytra rather short and |

broad, testaceous, with a black mark at the scutellum, a flammulate black mark on the

disc, a smaller humeral mark, and a hamate lateral-posterior mark, all these dark

marks nearly or quite connected with the large discoidal patch ; they are feebly striate

and have a fine but numerous interstitial punctuation. The male has the whole of the

front part of the head behind the mouth covered with fine, long, depressed hairs.

Ten specimens were procured of this very distinct species.

49. Tenebroides politus, sp. n.

Piceus, supra viridi-cneus, nitidus; elytris politis, subtiliter striatis, interstitiis haud perspicue punctatis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Pantaleon (Champion).

Antenne with the basal joints dusky-red; the club nearly black, large, and with

large sensitive are. Head duller than the thorax and elytra, somewhat sparingly punc-

tured. Thorax rather strongly transverse, almost straight at the sides, a little narrowed

behind, the hind angles nearly rectangular, the front angles slightly produced, broad,

the lateral margin crenate, the basal margin entire, but almost interrupted in the

middle ; the surface very shining, quite sparingly punctate. Elytra, when seen from

the outer side, appearing striate, but seen from the other side looking as if bearing

series of punctures without striation; the surface very polished, without interstitial

punctuation.

This is another very distinct species, of which only one example has been received.

It is to a considerable extent intermediate between the division with basal margin

uninterrupted, and that in which the basal margin is absent in the middle.

3 K*2

436 TROGOSITIDA.

50. Tenebroides fulgens, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 24.)

Niger, nitidus, supra capite prothoraceque «neo-auratis, elytris purpureis.

Long. 47 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne black, with extremely large club. Head rather small, convex, moderately

coarsely punctured. Thorax of a golden-brassy colour, very shining, somewhat

sparingly punctate, rounded at the sides and narrowed behind, the front angles a little

prominent, the lateral margin crenulate, the basal margin uninterrupted. Elytra with

series of punctures, viewed from the outside appearing striate, of a beautiful metallic

purple colour, very shining. Ventral segments sparingly and obsoletely punctate.

Allied to 7. politus, though very different in colour. M. Léveillé informs me that it

also approaches 7’. gownellei, Lév. Only one specimen has been received.

51. Tenebroides merens, sp. n.

Minutus, niger, nitidus, antennis pedibusque rufo-obscuris ; prothorace basin versus angustato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne thick, dark red, the two joints preceding the club transverse, the joints of

the club adpressed and with very small sensitive aree. Head narrow, convex, some-

what closely and coarsely punctured. Thorax rather narrow, much narrowed behind,

the front angles scarcely at all produced, the lateral and basal margins very fine, the

latter uninterrupted ; the surface somewhat sparingly punctate. Llytra shining,

obscurely striate, with scarcely visible interstitial punctuation.

Only one specimen has been received of this distinct little species. It differs greatly

from T. politus and T. fulgens in the structure of the antenne.

52. Tenebroides zapotensis, sp.n. (Tab. XIII. fig. 25.)

Parvus, subcylindricus, niger, antennis elytrisque rufis, his ad apicem nigris, pedibus piceis.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Gvaremata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne red, stout, the three joints of the club broad, but adpressed, their sensitive

are: small. Thorax quadrate, transversely convex, straight at the sides, truncate in

front, with the anterior angles not at all produced, the lateral margin as fine as the

basal margin, the latter not interrupted in the middle; the surface coarsely punctate.

Elytra bright red, broadly black behind, with regular series of impressed punctures,

the lateral series very fine but quite distinct, the interstices finely but distinctly punc-

tured. Legs broad, the middle tibiee with two spinules on the outer edge.

Only one specimen was obtained of this very distinct species; in size and appearance

it resembles a Corticeus (Hypophlwus), a genus of Tenebrionide.

-_=

COLYDOBIUS. 437

COLYDOBIUS, gen. nov.

Corpus gracile, subcylindricum. Oculi liberi, a prothorace distantes. Prosternum anterius truncatum, angulis

anterioribus nullo modo productis, processu post coxas crasso.

The little insects for which I establish this genus have a different structure of the

prosternum from Tenebroides, and can, in addition to this, be distinguished at a glance

by the fact that the eyes are placed far in advance of the front margin of the thorax.

The mandibles are thick, toothed internally before the apex. The eyes are not emar-

ginate, and are placed close to the base of the antenne. The antennary grooves are

short and strongly convergent. ‘The mentum is not visible, being directed to the interior

of the mouth. The submentum consists of an elongate quadridentate margin. ‘The

palpi and antenne are the same as they are in Tenebroides, and the epistome also is

formed as in that genus. The prothorax is elongate, with a very fine lateral margin ;

the flanks of the prosternum are not in the least prolonged in front, the prosternum

extending in a quite straight line from side to side; the cox are placed very near to

the side margins; and the prosternal process is protuberant behind. ‘The process of

the abdomen behind the hind coxe is rather protuberant. The epipleure are extremely

slender. The general facies is rather that of Rhizophagus or some of the Colydiide

than of Trogositide.

1. Colydobius divisus, sp.n. (Tab. XII. fig. 25.)

Angustus, parallelus, subcylindricus, rufus, supra piceus, elytrorum dimidio posteriore rufo-testaceo.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Head and thorax rather finely punctate ; the latter elongate, slightly narrowed behind,

all the angles a little rounded, the lateral and basal margins fine, the lateral margin in

front placed low down and quite obsolete. Elytra slender, with very regular series of

fine punctures, and a very fine seriate, interstitial punctuation. ‘Two specimens.

2. Colydobius signatus, sp. n.

Gracilis, subcylindricus, piceus, supra nigricans, elytris plagis quatuor rufo-testaceis ; antennis pedibusque

piceo-rufis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemana, Volcan de Atitlan (Champion).

Antenne rather long, red, with elongate, somewhat laxly articulated, picescent club.

Head elongate, broadly, but slightly, depressed on the middle in front, rather closely

and finely punctate. Thorax elongate, very convex transversely, the lateral margin

excessively fine, scarcely visible from above; the surface black, shining. Elytra with

fine series of punctures, which become effaced behind, and with a fine interstitial punc-

tuation; each with a large reddish-yellow mark at the shoulder, and a smaller one

behind the middle. A single specimen.

438 SYNTELIIDA.

Fam. SYNTELIIDA*.

Tarsi quinque-articulati, simplices, articulis basalibus quatuor equalibus. Antenne subgeniculatee ; clava lata,

compressa. Abdomen e segmentis quinque ventralibus, septem dorsalibus, totis corneis, compositum.

Coxe anteriores conico-cylindrice, sat exserte, contigue. Coxe posteriores valde transverse, contigue.

Elytra abbreviata.

The genus Syntelia was ascribed by Westwood to the Trogositide, but it has recently

been rejected from that family by Léveillé, and is until now therefore without precise

location. It is clear that it cannot be placed in the Trogositide, but is allied to the

Silphide and Histeride, and should be treated, I think, as the type of a separate family

to be placed near to the two families I have just mentioned. The genus has already

been indicated as the type of a new family by Lewis (Ent. Monthly Mag. xix. p. 137),

but is at present without detailed description or characters. The latter I have endea-

voured to supply above, but more detail will be found in the description of the genus

Syntelia below. The only genus that can at present be certainly placed in the family

is Syntelia; but Spherites, whose position has been varied from the Histeride to

the Silphide, shows so many points of resemblance with Syntelia that I think it would

be a correct course to remove it from the Silphidee—its usual position at present—and

place it in the Synteliide as a separate subfamily thereof, characterized by the anterior

coxal cavities being open behind, whereas they are closed by the junction of the epimera

with the prosternal process in Syntelta.

In the Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. xiii. p. 137, Mr. Lewis alluded to the remark-

able genus he afterwards described under the name of Niponius, as being a member of

the Synteliide ; but in his paper descriptive of the genus (Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1885,

pp. 331-335, t. 8) he withdrew this opinion and placed Niponius as an aberrant member

of the Histeride. In so doing he was, I think, quite correct. Mipontus cannot be

placed in the Synteliidee on account of its round posterior coxe, which are rather widely

separated, and of the structure of the sterna, which agree fairly well with the Histeride,

but are very different from those of Syntelia.

The family Synteliide is distinguished from the Histeride by the contiguous anterior

and hind coxe, by the transverse posterior coxe, by the want of co-adaptation between

the pro- and mesothorax, and by the different relations of the side pieces of the meso-

and metathorax. It agrees with the Histeride in the peculiar form of the antenne

and in the structure of the hind body or abdomen. The family differs from the Silphide

in the form of the antenne and mandibles, in the absence of trochantins to the front

* By D. Suarp.

SYNTELIA. 4359

and middle coxa, in possessing only five ventral and seven dorsal plates to the hind

body, and in the dorsal plates being entirely corneous. This latter character is very

curious; so far as I know, it occurs in no other Coleoptera having the hind body covered

by the elytra except in the Histeride, and, in conjunction with the peculiar antenne,

indicates an undoubted affinity between the Synteliide and the Histeride. M. Salle,

who has seen S. mexicana alive and has given a brief account of it in the Rev. et Mag.

Zool. 1873, p. 11, seems to have entertained the opinion that it is allied to the

Histeride, although when he captured it he supposed it might be a Lucanid allied

to Ceruchus.

SYNTELIA.

Syntelia, Westwood, Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1864, p. 11.

Syntelia was founded by Westwood on a species from E. India and one from our

region. Since then a second species from Mexico and one from Japan have been

added. All are very rare in collections, though from the remarks of Mr. Lewis (Ent.

Monthly Mag. xix. pp. 137, 138) it seems probable that any one acquainted with their

habits might procure them freely. They are pretty certainly all predaceous.

I have dissected an example of S. westwoodi and find some points of interest to be

added to the characters of the genus as given by Westwood.

The labrum is closely soldered with the head, of which it forms the anterior part, and

the front is folded downwards and inwards between the mandibles. The mentum is

very short, strongly transverse, and forms on each side a short angular projection in

front; the ligula is very elongate and is divided quite to the base, the inner margins

of each lobe being ciliated quite to the base (Tab. XIV. fig. 14); the supports of the

labial palpi are quite exposed, are rather widely separated, and each one is soldered to

the outer face of the corresponding lobe of the ligula.

The front of the prosternum has a margin which forms a strong angular projection

in the middle. The median portion of the prosternum is continued backwards between

the coxee as a lamina which is concealed between them, but behind them expands and

forms a process for the reception of the apices of the epimera. There are no trochantins

on the front coxe. The prothorax enjoys free movement, and there is no co-adaptation

between its hind part and the front of the mesosternum.

The middle cox are deeply imbedded, their cavities being subcircular, a little

prolonged, however, externally, and trochantins are absent; they are moderately

widely separated ; no division can be traced between the mesothoracic epimera and

episterna. The metasternum is rather long, its episterna very broad, the epimeron only

slightly exposed behind the point of the episternum. I can determine no mesothoracic

stigma. ‘The hind body is rather short, but its segments are very mobile. The basal

440 SYNTELIIDA.

four dorsal plates are equal in length, are corneous, and each is coarsely sculptured at

the base; the following two plates have a silky and slightly pubescent surface; the

apical plate is very large. There are, in the male, two or three small internal segments

in addition to the cedeagus.

The species of Syntelia probably prey on larve of timber-feeding or other insects.

Lewis met with S. histeroides on the trunks of small oaks in the wood of which larvee

of one of the Hepialide were feeding.

1. Syntelia westwoodi. (Tab. XIV. figg.1; 1a, labium and outer face of the

maxille ; 1 0, inner face of the labium.)

Syntelia westwoodi, Sallé, Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1878, p. 18, t. 9. fig. 3 ‘

Hab. Muxico, Tehuacan (Hége), Rancho de la Parada in Oaxaca 8000 feet }.

This species differs considerably in appearance from its congeners, and somewhat

resembles Necrophorus. I can detect no sexual distinctions in the nine examples that

I have before me of the species.

2. Syntelia mexicana. (Tab. XIV. fig. 2.)

Syntelia mexicana, Westw. Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1864, p. 11°; Sallé, Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1878,

p. 12, t. 9. fig. 2”.

Hab. Muxico (Mus. Mniszech +), Orizaba (Saillé ?).

S. mexicana very closely resembles S. indica and S. histeroides from the Eastern

hemisphere. Only two examples exist in collections, so far as I know; they were

found by M. Sallé at Jacale, on the slope of the Peak of Orizaba, under an enormous

fallen pine near the snow. Westwood’s description was taken from one of these

specimens, then in the collection of the late Count Mniszech; the other is now before

me, having been obtained by our Editors with M. Sallé’s collection.

Judging from the brief notes that have been published about S. mexicana and

S. histeroides, and from the general resemblance between the two species, it appears

probable that S. mexicana passes its earlier stages in or under the bark of trees

attacked by wood-feeding insects, on whose larvee it preys, and that in the perfect state

it frequents trees from which sap is oozing, flying from tree to tree; the Syntelie

being provided with very powerful wings.

ADIMERUS. 44]

Fam, ADIMERIDA*.

Tarsi quasi biarticulati ; articulo basali dilato, subtus spongioso ; articulo ultimo versus basin articuli basalis-

inserto ; articulis duobus parvis ad basin articuli terminalis adjunctis.

The little insects for which I establish this family have a structure of the tarsus

which has not yet, so far as I am aware, been observed elsewhere in the order

Coleoptera. The tarsi look at first sight as if they were composed of only two joints,

the basal joint having a form and structure similar to the third joint of the tetramerous

Coleoptera, and the terminal joint being inserted near its base above; more careful

examination, however, shows that there are two small joints attached to the base of

the terminal joint. This character is of considerable interest : it is well known that in

many Coleoptera, with feet of less than five joints, a small joint can be detected at the

base of the terminal joint, so that some writers have used the terms pseudo-pentamera

and pseudo-tetramera for such insects. In the foot of the Adimeride the dilated joint

bearing the pubescence is the basal one, while interposed between it and the terminal

joint are two small joints analogous to the single joint similarly placed in the pseudo-

tetramera I have referred to.

The other characters, which will be found in some detail in the description of the

genus Adimerus, are those of the Colydiide; the division of Colydiide to which the

family Adimeride perhaps most approximates is the Rhagoderine. ‘The Adimeridee

in appearance more resemble the Aglycyderide, but are distinguished therefrom by the

dilated joint of the foot being the first, not the second, and by the anterior acetabula

being open instead of closed.

ADIMERUS, gen. nov.

Antennz ad capitis latera, sub margine, insertz, setosz, decem-articulate ; articulo ultimo clavam parvam

formante. Coxe anteriores parve, rotundate, sat distantes ; posteriores parum distantes, sat magne,

breviter transverse.

Labrum small, simple, visible beyond the edge of the epistome ; mandibles bidentate

at tip; mentum quadrate; labial palpi three-jointed, terminal joint large; maxillary

palpi with rather large, oval, terminal joint. Antenne very squamose or setose,

especially at the base, inserted at the side of the head at a little distance in front of

the eye, in a cavity protected above by a slightly overlapping edge ; first and second

joints thick, joints 4-9 small and bead-like, tenth joint forming a small club. Prothorax

formed as in the Colydiid, with slightly open anterior acetabula ; the coxe quite

depressed, small, rather widely separated by a margined prosternal process, which

spreads out behind them, forming an acute angle separated by a quite narrow

* By D. Smarr.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1894. 3 L*

442, ADIMERID 2.

chink from the end of the side-piece; the acetabula, though really open, thus appear

closed except from a certain point of view, there being almost an overlapping of the

edge of the side-piece by the angle of the prosternal process. Mesosternum nearly as

long as the short metasternum. Middle coxe globose, slightly separated; hind coxe

moderately large, forming between them a slight emargination for the reception of the

abdominal process. Abdomen with five subequal ventral segments, separated by very

deep sutures as in many Colydiide. Body wingless. Elytra soldered.

The body is covered everywhere with an incrustation, which, being mixed with the

setosity of the surface, quite obscures the sculpture and structure. |

The structure of the foot (Tab. XIV. figg. 3, 3a) is not only of great interest from

certain speculative points of view, but seems to me to necessitate the isolation of these

insects from the Colydiide, in the whole of which family the tarsi are quite simple and

undilated. In some of the Colydiide the basal joint of what should be a four-jointed

foot is not present, whereas it is this joint that is enlarged to an unusual extent in the

Adimeridee.

This genus occurs in South as well as in Central America, as I have in my collection

some species of the genus from Brazil.

1. Adimerus crispatus, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. figg. 8, 3a, tarsus.)

Angustus, fusco-ferrugineus, rugosus, setis curvatis ornatus; elytris nigro-maculatis, antrorsum angus-

tioribus.

191 milli

Long. 27-23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

Two basal joints of antenne thick and very squamose, the first much concealed,

the club small, black. ‘Thorax as long as broad, slightly narrowed behind, transversely

convex, serrate at the sides, the front angles minutely acute. Elytra very convex trans-

versely, slightly curvate at the sides, so as to be distinctly a little narrower towards the

shoulder, very coarsely sculptured, the sculpture consisting of very large and deep

closely placed punctures; the second interstice costate; the colour ferruginous, with a

large black spot just about the middle; the whole of the surface much encrusted, so as

to conceal the colour and sculpture. Tibie angularly dilated externally about the

middle.

Mr. Champion procured about thirty examples of this curious little insect. They

vary but little.

2. Adimerus setosus, sp. n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 4.)

Subparallelus, fusco-ferrugineus, rugosus, setis crassis ornatus ; elytris nigro-variegatis, suboblongis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab, Guatema.a, San Juan, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

2500 to 4000 feet, Pefia Blanca 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

COLYDIID. 445

This insect is extremely closely allied to A. crispatus, but is more parallel and less

convex, and the sete are apparently broader and are more conspicuous. As in the

other species, the surface is so much encrusted that the details cannot be seen; but

the form of the elytra sufficiently distinguishes 4. setosus from A. crispatus. Five

specimens.

38. Adimerus dubius.

Angustus, subdepressus, ferrugineus, rugosus, setis tenuibus ornatus ; elytris nigro-maculatis, subparallelis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Jalapa (Hége), Motzorongo (flohr); British Honpuras

(Blancaneaux).

This species is smaller than A. setosws, and the slender sete are more like simply

truncate hairs; the costa on the wing-case is very obscure, indeed can only be seen at.

the base. The punctuation seems even coarser than it is in A. crispatus, from which

species A. dubius may be distinguished by the more depressed parallel form.

We have received ten specimens of this species; apparently it varies but little.

Fam. COLYDIIDE *.

This family of Coleoptera is one of considerable interest, the larger number of its.

species being confined to the undisturbed forest-regions of the world, where they live

amongst decaying wood or vegetable matter mingled with fungoid growths.

The classification of the family is but little advanced ; it is indeed in an altogether

unsatisfactory state. The Colydiide were first separated as a family by Erichson in

the ‘ Naturgeschichte Ins. Deutschlands,’ vol. iii., where the genera were defined only in

tabular form and by brief notes, many of them possessing no species. Owing to the

rarity of these insects in collections, and to the unsatisfactory start made by Erichson,

no complete attempt has been made to reconsider the groups of genera established by

the German author. Horn has indeed contributed some valuable suggestions concerning

the N.-American forms; but the fauna he dealt with is not specially rich in these

insects, so that his remarks leave a very large number of the genera untouched.

As we shall have to distinguish about forty genera in the following pages, I think it

is necessary to devise some means for their intelligible arrangement, and I have there-

fore drawn up a brief table of the subdivisions I propose to adopt. Although it is far

too soon to attempt a classification intended to be permanent (for probably not one-

tenth of the existing genera have been discovered), yet I hope the arrangement may be

* By D. Sapp.

3 L* 2

444 COLYDIIDA.

of some use as a clue to the classification of the family until a complete revision can

‘be made.

Although the thirteen groups here defined are fairly natural, yet it is very difficult

to arrange them in tabular form, because several characters seem of almost equal

importance, and all are subject to much gradation. On the whole, the insertion of the

antenne is the one that best divides the family into two main groups, viz. one in

‘which the antenne are in repose quite concealed from above, and another in which the

basal joint is left exposed in front when the antenne are retracted. The value of this

character as a means of division is, however, very much diminished by the existence of

certain forms in which the antenne are not retracted at all, while there are others in

which the basal joint is neither completely concealed nor conspicuous when the antenne

are withdrawn,

For these reasons the following table will be found less satisfactory than the student

would wish.

As regards the groups adopted, some of them merge into one another, so that it is

not at present possible to say what may ultimately prove to be the best means of

limiting them. This is specially the case with the Synchitine, the Colydiine, and the

Tarphiine.

1. Antenne inserted at the sides of the head under the edge of the epistome,

by which, however, the basal joint is but little concealed.

Hind coxe approximate; prosternum feebly ciliate behind. . . . . Nematidiine.

Hind coxe approximate; prosternum with membranous border . . . Gempylodine.

Hind coxze widely separated . . . . Pycnomerine.

2. Antenne inserted at the sides of the head ; the basal joint placed under the

edge of the epistome, by which it is more or less completely concealed

from above.

Antenne densely clothed with scales or hairs, broad, not distinctly

clavate . . .... wee ee ee ww wee ) ~Rhagoderine.

Antenne clavate, inserted near the eyes ; basal joint of tarsus scarcely

longer than the second ; anterior coxal cavities usually open. . . Synchitine.

Antenne clavate, inserted near the eyes; basal joint of tarsus much

longer than the second ; anterior coxal cavities closed ; tibie a little

thicker at the tip . . . . . 2 se ew we . . Colydiine.

Antenne clavate ; hind cox more or less widely separated, the 4 process

between them usually truncate; flanks of prosternum more or less

hollow for protection of the antennal club in repose. . . . . . Tarphiine.

Antenne clavate, inserted far from the large, finely facetted eyes. . . Acropine.

3. Antenne less widely separated from one another ; basal joint exposed even

in the state of retraction.

Tarsi 4-jointed ; terminal joint of maxillary palpus not minute; second

joint of antenna inserted more or less distinctly at the back of the

first joint.

RHAGODERA. 445

Front coxe approximate . . . . . . . we eee ee) ~Deretaphrine.

Front coxe distant . 2... 1... 1. ee ee ) «<Bothriderine.

Tarsi 4-jointed ; terminal joint of maxillary palpus minute, aciculate.

Prosternum entire infront . . . . ee ew ew ww ee) 6 Ceryline.

Prosternum separated from flanks by a deep fissure . oe ee . Lapethine.

Tarsi 3-jomted; visible portion of hind coxa minute, globular, widely

separated from the side-piece . . . . . . . . « . « « « = Discolomine.

Subfam. RHAGODERINAL.

This group was distinguished by Horn as having antenne without club, and not

capable of being hidden under the head. This definition, however, applies also to

some of the Gempylodine (which were not known to Horn, there being none of them

in the N.-American fauna) and must therefore be amplified. The Rhagoderine have

the tibie slender at the tip, while they are angularly prominent externally in the

Gempylodine. In this latter group the antenne are inserted in contiguity with the

very large eyes; whereas in Rhagoderine the small eyes are separated by a very evident

space from the point of the antennal insertion.

The genus Anchomma has not been found in our region, although it occurs in

N. America and in Chili (coll. Fry).

RHAGODERA.

Rhagodera, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 255, nota (1845) ; Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc.

xvi. p. 558.

This genus consists of two North-American species.

1. Rhagodera tuberculata.

Rhagodera tuberculata, Mann. Bull. Mosc. 1843, 2, p. 300'; Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xvii.

p- 559°.

Hab. Nortu America !, Alaska to San Diego and Arizona ?.—Mexico, Tehuacan in

Puebla (Hége).

The individuals of the small series found in our region apparently only differ from

a specimen from Arizona by their rather smaller size and slightly more prominent

hind angles of the thorax.

The very great extension of this species, from Alaska to Central Mexico, is most

remarkable, and suggests that a careful comparison should be made of individuals

from different localities, with a view of ascertaining whether all really belong to one

species.

446 COLYDIIDA.

Subfam. SYNCHITINA.

This group comprises the larger part of the Colydiide, but in the present state of

our knowledge I see no way of dividing it further than separating the Tarphiine and

Colydiine ; and at present the distinction of even . these groups by rigid characters is

no easy matter. |

In the Synchitine the antenne are quite retractile during repose, and frequently there

are grooves on the underside of the head to facilitate their complete retraction. All

the cox are but little separated ; there are no depressions on the flanks of the pro-

sternum for the antenne; the tibie are thin at the tip, and in the majority of the

genera the anterior acetabula are open behind.

This latter character would probably furnish a better mode of distinguishing the

group from the Colydiine than that afforded by the relative length of the joints of the

hind tarsus; unfortunately it has not been studied in most of the genera, and cannot

at present be made use of.

ANISOPAULAX.

Anisopaulaz, Reitter, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1877, p. 324.

This genus was established for a Mexican insect that is not included in the collections.

our editors have amassed, and that I know only from Reitter’s description.

1. Anisopaulax brucki,

Anisopaulax brucki, Reitter, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1877, p. 324°.

Hab. Mexico! (coll. von Bruck).

This insect possesses 10-jointed antenne having a 3-jointed club.

LABROTRICHUS, gen. nov.

Corpus elongatum, convexum, hispidum. Caput exsertum; antenne undecim-articulate, clava discrete biarti-.

culata. Tarsi fere triarticulati; articulo basali omnium brevissimo.

The very short basal joint of the foot distinguishes this insect from most others of

the family. Diéstaphyla is allied in this and other respects, but differs from Labdro-

trichus in the structure of the thorax.

Eyes hispid. Antenne distinctly eleven-jointed, the club consisting of two perfectly

separate joints. Antennary grooves quite absent. Anterior acetabula closed, coxe:

moderately distant. Metasternum of moderate length. Hind and middle coxe about

as widely separated as the front pair. Hind body moderately long; the first ventral

segment only about as long as the second, the fourth much shorter than that preceding

or following it. Legs hispid. Tarsi with the basal joint almost invisible, then with.

LABROTRICHUS.—DISTAPHYLA. 447

+wo short equal joints, which taken together are only about one-third or one-fourth as

long as the fourth joint.

1. Labrotrichus aberrans, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 5.)

Elongatus, convexus, rugosus, hispido-tomentosus, niger vix variegatus ; prothorace elongato, ineequali.

Long. 33-5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuatemaLa, Santa Cruz near San Gerdnimo

({ Champion).

Antenne with first joint thick ; second globular; third slender, longer than broad ;

fourth to ninth each perceptibly shorter than its predecessor; fourth scarcely longer

than broad: tenth and eleventh large, tenth transverse; terminal joint rounded,

pubescent, but quite distinct from the tenth. Head hispid. Thorax elongate, narrowed

behind, lobed in the middle in front, transversely very convex, uneven, strongly hispid,

hind angles indistinct. Elytra very uneven, but without any evident sculpture,

covered with tomentum (or texudation) and erect sete. Legs armed with erect

“sete.

Only one example has been procured in each locality. The one from Guatemala is

a mere fragment apparently found dead, and may possibly belong to a closely allied

species, distinct from the Mexican type.

DISTAPHYLA.

Distaphyla, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. i. p. 104 (1860).

? Colydodes, Motschulsky, Etudes ent. 1855, p. 13 (without characters).

This genus includes three Amazonian species, and two others from the Malay

Archipelago. ‘The genus Colydodes, Motsch., though possessing a distinct place in the

Munich Catalogue, is doubtless the same as Distaphyla. Motschulsky’s name cannot,

however, be used, as it was not accompanied by any description.

1. Distaphyla gibbiceps. (Tab. XIV. figg. 6; 6a, profile of head and thorax.)

? Colydodes gibbiceps, Motsch. Etudes ent. 1855, p. 13, t. 1. fig. 117.

Cylindrica, picea, opaca, setosa ; prothorace oblongo, lateribus parallelis serraticulis, margine anteriore pro-

cessibus crassis duobus.

‘Long. 43-53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GUATEMALA, Cerro Zunil, San Gerdnimo (Champion),

‘Coban (Conradt) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne thick, the club large. Thorax with the sides parallel; in front marked by

a deep transverse depression and prolonged anterior to this into two large hispid,

approximate lobes; behind this there is a deep longitudinal depression extending to

448 COLYDIIDA.

the middle of the thorax, and continued backwards to near the base as three very

obsolete grooves; near each side of the thorax there is a broad space free from granules,

and including an elevated ridge; close to the base of the thorax there is a transverse

channel; the surface elsewhere covered with coarse, low granules. Elytra elongate,

with very regular series of punctures, each bearing an erect pale seta. |

A fair series was obtained of this curious insect. The thoracic depressions are

usually filled by an exudation, which must be removed before the limits of the grooves

and impressions can be perceived.

I have applied the trivial name given by Motschulsky to this species after con-

siderable hesitation.. Assuming that there is only one species in the State of Panama

there can be little doubt this is the insect represented by Motschulsky’s figure!. If,

however, there should, as is quite probable, prove to be more than one species of

Distaphyla in Panama, Motschulsky’s figure will not afford the means of distinguishing

them, it being grossly inferior and unaccompanied by a description. Our figure and

description are taken from examples found at San Gerénimo by Mr. Champion, and

it is to the species these represent that the name of gibbiceps should be applied.

Had Pascoe’s name Distaphyla not been published for this genus, I would have made

use of Motschulsky’s Colydodes, treating it asa MS. name; but as the bad figure of

the insect was not accompanied by a description of the genus, it seems impossible to

supplant Distaphyla by Colydodes. In the case of the species I have acted differently,

and made use of Motschulsky’s name with much hesitation—treating the figure as °

sufficient to warrant the adoption of the trivial name gibdiceps, there being no other

in existence.

ASYNCHITA, gen. nov.

Corpus subcylindricum, asperatum ; antenne decem-articulate, sed articulo basali occulto, articulo decimo

abrupte majore, apice pubescente. Acetabula antica aperta. Sulci antennariinulli. Pedes crassiusculi ;

tibiis muticis, linearibus, absque calcaribus ; tarsis articulis basalibus tribus, brevibus, eequalibus, simul

sumtis quam articulo quarto multo brevioribus.

Although very different in appearance from Synchita this genus is undoubtedly allied

_ thereto, and may take a position between it and Distaphyla. Asynchita quite resembles

Distaphyla in form, but differs in the absence of the peculiar thoracic structures of

that genus, and in the club of the antenne consisting only of one joint, or rather of

two joints closely united, for the small terminal pubescent apex clearly represents the

true eleventh joint. The antenna is inserted in a deep lateral cavity, in which the

basal joint is entirely concealed. The structure of the sterna and ventral segments is

that usual in the Synchitine.

An insular genus, yet unpublished, resembles Asynchita, but has the tarsi only

3-jointed.

ASYNCHITA.—SYNCHITA. 449

1. Asynchita granosa, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. figg. 7; 74, posterior tarsus. )

Elongata, subcylindrica, picea, opaca, granulosa, parce hispida ; prothorace lateribus regulariter denticulatis.

Long. 4-5 millim. ~

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne thick, short; first joint concealed ; second and third subequal in length, the

latter rather the more slender; 4-9 short, the ninth very distinctly transverse ; tenth

rather large, with an imperfectly separated pubescent apex. Head finely granulose ;

epistome with an angle on each side in front; eyes free, convex. Thorax rather longer

than broad, almost parallel-sided, with the front nearly straight, the base a little

rounded, the surface very regularly and distinctly granulate, the sides finely denticulate

or tuberculate, each of the little tubercles bearing a fine exserted seta. Elytra with

numerous series of fine crenulations, and with fine, scanty, erect, serial sete.

Five specimens have been procured of this distinct insect.

SYNCHITA.

Synchita, Hellwig, Schneider’s Mag. 1792, p. 401.

Synchita has apparently a wide distribution, though it is very doubtful whether all

of the fifteen species placed in it really belong to the genus.

1. Synchita mimetes, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 8.)

Minuta, depressa, ferruginea, opaca; antennis pedibusque testaceis; prothorace elytrisque costatis, his costis.

primo et tertio versus apicem conjunctis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz).

Head short, with a fine raised margin on each side. Antenne small; first and

second joints very short and thick, equal, the first concealed by the epistome ; joints

3-9 small, nearly equal, the eighth and ninth, however, a little broader, so as to be

broader than long; the third scarcely so large as the fourth ; tenth joint forming an

abrupt round club. Eyes very coarsely facetted. Thorax slightly transverse, roughly

sculptured, parallel at the sides, which are strongly denticulate; on each side of the

middle with two strongly raised coste, and at the base nearer the middle with a less

strongly raised elevation, which extends about halfway to the front. LHlytra coarsely

sculptured, each with four coste in addition to the raised suture; the third costa

curves round near the tip and joins the first. Legs feeble ; tibie slender at the tip.

Only one example has been found of this minute species. It closely resembles

Bitoma sxuthioides; but the coalescent first and third coste distinguish it very readily

even when the structure of the antenne cannot be seen.

This insect has apparently considerable stridulating capacity, as on pressing the base

of the abdomen of the specimen in a relaxed condition an audible sound was always

to be heard.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1894, 3 M*

450 COLYDIIDA.

ENDEITOMA, gen. nov.

Corpus tenuiter hispidum. Antenne decem-articulate; articulo tertio elongato; articulo decimo apice pubescente.

This genus comes between Cicones and Colobicus ; it differs from the former by the

structure of the antenne, the third joint of which is remarkably elongate, and the club

is not a round joint, but is of an oval shape with a pubescent apex. From Colobicus

the genus is distinguished by the club not being distinctly divided into two joints.

The epistome is short and undilated, and leaves the labrum uncovered. The eyes

are free, convex, only moderately coarsely facetted. The mentum is rather large,

transverse. ‘There are short, obscure, antennary grooves, as in Bitoma crenata. The

cox are all very much approximated; the prosternal process is abruptly curved

upwards, and the front acetabula are open behind. The epipleure are rather broad,

and are continued to the apex of the elytra. The legs are simple; the tibie are desti-

tute of spurs; the basal three joints of the tarsi are subequal in length.

1. Endeitoma mexicana, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 9.)

Oblonga, picea; capite prothoraceque granulatis, hoc lateribus serratis; elytris parce subtiliter hispidulis,

crenato-striatis, interstitiis nitidulis, remote granulatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Antenne slender, sparingly setose ; first joint nearly concealed ; second rather longer

than broad; third three or four times as long as the fourth; 4-9 moderately small,

ninth broader than long; tenth joint oval, in larger part bare and shining, but the apex

annulate and densely set with pubescence. Head flat, densely granulate. Thorax

transverse, the sides parallel, serrate, the posterior angles distinct, rectangular, the sur-

face closely granulate. Elytra with numerous series of fine crenulations ; the interstices

broad, shining, viewed from behind appearing transversely wrinkled, and from in front

sparingly granulate ; the sete are fine, long, erect, but scanty.

Only one specimen has been procured of this species. The long third joint of the

antenne distinguishes it from all the other Synchitinee yet known from our region. It

is probable that the North-American Synchita granulata, Say, may be allied to

EF. mexicana.

2. Endeitoma panamensis, sp. n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 10.)

Minor, oblonga, ferruginea ; antennis pedibusque flavis; capite prothoraceque granulatis, hoc posterius angus-

tato, lateribus serratis; elytris subtiliter crenato-striatis, minute, parum perspicue, hispidulis.

~ Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne small and slender; third joint a little longer than the second ; club small.

ENDEITOMA.—PHLGONEMUS, 451

Head broad and short; epistome very broad in front. Thorax about as long as broad,.

very distinctly narrowed behind ; hind angles indistinct ; lateral margin very distinctly

serrate. lytra finely crenate-striate ; interstices rather broad, dull, a little uneven,

but without distinct granules ; setosity minute and scanty.

Only one example was obtained of this little insect. It is nearer to the genus.

Synchita than is E. mewicana.

PHLGZONEMUS.,

Phiconemus, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 258, nota (1845); Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc.

Xvi. p. 568.

This genus comprises some half-dozen species, and is distributed from the United

States of North America to Colombia.

1. Phiconemus adherens, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 11.)

Testaceo-ferrugineus ; subtus planus, supra transversim sat convexus, nudus ; prothorace carinulis irregularibus.

subtilibus ; elytris regulariter carinatis, interstitiis biseriatim punctatis, seriebus singulis crenatis.

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Guatumata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne reddish ; the basal joint stout, above concealed by the explanate epistome,

quite visible beneath; second joint scarcely longer than broad; 3-9 small, the ninth

broader than long ; tenth and eleventh forming a broad, loosely-articulated club, the

eleventh joint pubescent at the tip. Epistome dilated and rounded in such a manner

as to form an angle outside each eye. Thorax transverse; front rounded in the middle,

deeply and broadly emarginate on each side; lateral margins explanate, entire; surface

finely and distinctly granulate, with an interrupted fine raised line between the side and

the middle, and with a pair of median, fine, serpentine lines, each divided behind so as

to enclose a space. Elytra each with five very regular uninterrupted coste, between

each pair two very regular rows of punctures, each puncture connected with the one

following it bya fine raised line. Sculpture of under surface obsolete.

Only one example was obtained of this remarkable insect.

2. Phleonemus interruptus.

Phleonemus interruptus, Reitter, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1877, p. 330%.

Hab. Mexico ! (coll. Haag).

According to the description this is larger (7 millim. long) than P. adherens, and

has the costz of the elytra several times interrupted.

3 M* 2

452 . COLYDIIDA.

ACOLOBICUS, gen. nov.

Corpus ovatum, subtus planum, supra transversim convexum. Antenne debiles, decem-articulate ; clava

magna, uniarticulata, articulo nono elongato. Sulci antennarii perfecti, extrorsum curvati.

The obscure insect for which this genus is established comes nearer to Acolophus

than to any other I am acquainted with, but the two are quite distinct by the structure

of the antenne. Erichson’s definition of Cicones would lead one to suppose that

Acolobicus might be very near it; but this is not the case, for Cicones has only

imperfect oblique antennary grooves.

In Acolobicus the eyes beneath are elongate, and the antennary groove extends the

whole length of the inner margin of the eye, curving outwards behind it. All the

coxee are approximate, and the anterior acetabula are open. The legs are short, with

feeble tibiee and tarsi; the latter are 4-jointed, the basal three joints short and sub-

equal, the suture between the first and second not so distinct as usual.

1. Acolobicus obscurus, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 12.)

Ovatus, parvus, subtiliter sculpturatus, opacus, fuscus; limbo, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace

elytrisque subtilissime costatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Chiacam, Chacoj, San Gerdénimo, Torola (Champion); Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne small, yellow; first joint concealed ; the club rather large, solid, oval, the

joint preceding it not transverse. ‘Thorax transverse; sides explanate ; front angles

much produced ; the sculpture very obsolete; on each side the middle are two very fine

elevated crenate lines, and outside these a third, more obscure line; the colour is fuscous,

with the explanate margins yellow. Elytra dull, each with several very fine raised crenate

cost, the broad intervals very finely biseriately crenate. Tibie and tarsi very slender.

2. Acolobicus ——?

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

A single specimen, in too bad a state of preservation for description ; but evidently

distinct from A. obscurus.

EUCICONES, gen. nov.

Corpus ovatum, supra hispido-squamosum. Antenne decem-articulate ; clava uniarticulata. Sulci antennarii

perfecti, extrorsum curvati, subocculti. Pedes breves, tibiis extrorsum hispidis.

This genus is allied to Acolobicus, but differs in numerous points of detail, and more

especially in the hispid tibie. The facies is that of Colodicus, from which Kucicones

is distinguished by the undivided club of the antenna. Eucicones almost agrees with

Frichson’s definition of Cicones, but that genus has the antennary grooves very

different.

EUCICONES.—HYSTRICONES. 453

Head short; epistome emarginate in front, leaving the labrum visible. The body

above clothed with erect scales or sete, without coste. Antennary grooves very perfect,

curved outwards behind the eye, much concealed by the prominent edge of the flat

under surface of the head. All the coxe are approximate, and the anterior acetabula

open. Metasternum moderately long; ventral segments short.* Epipleuree broad.

Femora short, not extending at all beyond the sides of the body. ‘Tibie moderately

stout, clothed externally with short scales. Tarsi 4-jointed, the three basal joints

short and subequal, together scarcely equal in length to the fourth.

1. Kucicones perfectus, sp. n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 13.)

Oblongo-ovalis, transversim convexus, squamis erectis seriatis ornatus ; subtus ferrugineus, supra nigricans ;

limbo antennis pedibusque testaceis ; elytris ferrugineo-signatis.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne yellow ; the first joint concealed, the third small, the ninth transverse ;

club rounded, quite solid. Head short, quite even above, clothed with short erect

sete. Thorax transverse, rounded at the sides and narrowed in front ; sides explanate,

set with short sete; the surface not distinctly sculptured, but bearing numerous closely-

placed erect sete. lytra blackish, with some ferruginous marks transversely placed

near the base, and with another series of pallid marks behind the middle; sculpture

consisting of series of punctures with crenulations between them, the longitudinal

intervals set with very regular erect sete, some of which are black, others white; the

lateral margins are densely set with short setz directed backwards. Ten specimens.

HYSTRICONES, gen. nov.

Corpus hispidum, prothorace basin versus angustatum. Antenne decem-articulate ; clava uniarticulata. Sulci

antennarii imperfecti, breves, Pedes elongati, tibiis hispidis.

Allied to Cicones and Glyphocryptus, but not very close to either.

Antennary grooves short and oblique, almost as in Cicones. Anterior acetabula open ;

all the coxe distinctly separated. Metasternum rather short. First ventral segment

unusually short. Legs long and slender; tibie thin at the tips, without apical spurs,

but armed externally with erect sete; tarsi with three subequal short joints and a

fourth very long apical one. |

1. Hystricones armatus, sp. n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 14.)

Parvus, supra sat convexus, setis crassis erectis armatus, niger, supra testaceo nigroque variegatus; antennis

tibiis tarsisque testaceis ; prothorace brevi, lateribus denticulatis, denticulo singulo seta erecta aucto. -

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo (Flohr); Guatemata, El Tumbador, Las Mercedes, Cerro

454 COLYDIIDZ.

Zunil, Zapote, Capetillo, Senahu, Chiacam (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

2500 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with joints 3-10 small; the club moderately large, quite undivided. Thorax

short, deeply emarginate in front on each side, so that the front angles are prominent ;.

each side is armed with four or five denticles, each bearing a seta directed outwards ;

the surface is rough, and, like the head, is studded with short, thick, erect sete. The

elytra are rather short and broad, broader behind than at the shoulders; they are

variegate with yellow and black in a variable manner, are finely crenate-striate, and are

studded with short erect sete. Under surface black, with but little sculpture ; meso-

sternum across tbe middle with three cell-like spaces.

A small series of this species has been obtained; there is a good deal of difference in

colour amongst the specimens.

DITAPHRUS, gen. nov.

Corpus ovatum, subtus planum, supra transversim convexum. Antenne breves, undecim-articulate; clava

magna, biarticulata, sutura fere rigida. Sulci antennarii imperfecti, obliqui. Pedes breves, debiles.

Epistome strongly rounded. yes large. Antenne with the basal joint concealed ;

the club very large, divided into subequal parts, which are very closely connected.

Head beneath with oblique, imperfect, antennary grooves, somewhat as in Cicones.

All the coxee approximate; anterior acetabula slightly open. Legs very feeble; tibiz

slender, not hispid, not at all thickened towards the base; tarsi small, four-jointed, but.

the division between the first and second joints indistinct.

The two-jointed club of the antenne, with imperfect division between the two sub-

equal joints, is an interesting character of this genus.

In Pascoe’s collection, now in the British Museum, there is an insect labelled Bitoma

saginata, Pascoe. This is a species of Ditaphrus, but I cannot find that it has been

described.

1. Ditaphrus championi, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig- 15.)

Ovatus, opacus, ferrugineo-testaceus, nigro-variegatus, subtiliter sculpturatus; prothorace elytrisque subtiliter

costatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Zapote (Champion).

Head testaceous in front, blackish behind. Thorax transverse ; sides explanate, the

margins not crenate ; the middle dark, the margins yellow; on each side the middle are

two fine elevated coste, the outer of which is gently curved on to the anterior margin

of the thorax; front angles prominent. LElytra quite dull, each with several extremely

fine longitudinal coste, the outer one of which runs into the epipleural margin beyond

the middle; the colour is in larger part ferruginous, with several black marks..

Sculpture of under surface fine and obsolete.

DITAPHRUS.—ANEUMESA. 455

Only three examples have been received of this species. One of them is a male, and

I find it very difficult to detect in it a clear separation between the first and second

joints on the hind feet.

ANEUMESA, gen. nov.

Corpus parvum, subtus planum, supra convexum, costatum. Antenne parva, undecim-articulate; clava

biarticulata, sed articulis imperfecte disjunctis. Sulci antennarii tenues sat perfecti. Pedes breves, debiles.

This interesting genus is an intermediate form in two very important respects—the

antenne have a two-jointed club with imperfect separation between the two joints, and

the antennary grooves are in a similarly doubtful condition. It is thus, to some extent,

intermediate between Acolobicus and Ditaphrus. It is, however, in its general characters

very close to the latter genus; but whereas in Ditaphrus the antennary grooves are

shallow and comparatively broad, in Aneumesa they are slender and rather deep, and

limited internally by a fine distinct line. The division between the first and second

joints of the hind tarsi is, as in Ditaphrus, less distinct than usual.

If a division of the Synchitinee were based on the presence or absence of distinct

antennary grooves, this genus would come in the first category; while Ditaphrus, on

the contrary, would have to be placed in the division in which these grooves are absent.

The type of Pascoe’s genus Zanclea looks exactly like an Anewmesa, but the descrip-

tion states that the antenne are 12-jointed, and there are no antennary grooves. We

must therefore treat Anewmesa as distinct until it can be shown that Pascoe was wrong

as to these two important particulars.

1. Aneumesa atomaria, sp. n.

Ovalis, supra convexa, testacea, opaca; elytris nigro-signatis, capite posterius prothoraceque disco infuscatis ;

prothorace elytrisque costatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne very small, short, pale yellow; ninth joint small, transverse; club divided

by a quite straight fine suture into two equal parts. Head short, with a fine supra-

ocular line close to the eye. Thorax transverse; sides explanate; front angles much

produced ; two strong coste on each side of the middle, the exterior one curving round

inwards on the front margin; sculpture of the surface very minute and obscure. Elytra

broad and short, continuous in outline with the thorax, the sides explanate; yellow,

with several definite black marks, the largest of which is scutellar ; there are several

very fine longitudinal coste, surmounted by extremely minute yellow sete; sculpture

of the intervals extremely obscure. Legs short and slender. Under surface extremely

finely sculptured.

Zanclea testudinea, Pascoe, from the Amazons, is, according to the type specimen, a

broader insect than A. atomaria, and has a shining surface.

456 COLYDIIDA,

2. Aneumesa costata, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 16.)

Ovalis, supra convexa, testacea, fusco-signata, subnitida ; prothorace elytrisque costatis, his intervallis biseriatim

punctatis.

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Purula (Champion).

Although closely allied to A. atomaria, this species is of considerably larger size,

and is easily distinguished by the comparatively more shining surface, by the more

distinct sculpture of the elytra, and the more broadly explanate margins.

Head _ broad, flat, fusco-testaceous, paler in front; antenne clear yellow. Thorax

rounded at the sides; hind angles obtuse: lateral margins broadly explanate; the cost

strongly elevated, waved; the disc rather flat, a little shining, sparingly punctate.

Elytra with the coste finely crenate at the summit, the broad depressed intervals a

little shining, each with two very definite series of rather large punctures. One

example.

MICROSICUS, gen. nov.

Antenne decem-articulate ; clava uniarticulata. Sulci antennarii desunt. Pedes breves, femorum apicibus

haud liberis.

Antenne very small, with quite undivided terminal joint. Antennary grooves absent.

Anterior acetabula open. All the coxe moderately separated. Ventral segments

short. Legs very short; apices of the femora not projecting in the least beyond the

epipleure ; tibiz short and slender, not thicker at the apex, clothed externally with

short depressed sete, the terminal spur very minute; tarsi with the basal three joints

short, subequal.

This genus is allied to Cicones, from which it is distinguished by the absence of anten-

nary grooves and by the short legs. The North-American Synchita parvula resembles

Microsicus very greatly; but it has the antennary grooves as well developed as they are

in Cicones, so that it would be better, I think, that it should form a distinct genus.

1. Microsicus setosus, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 17.)

Testaceus, supra fusco-variegatus, limbo ciliato, setis numerosis irregulariter dispositis vestitus ; elytris pre-

terea setis crassioribus, erectis, seriatis, ornatis.

Long. 14-12 millim.

Hab. GuatuMaLa, El Tumbador, Pantaleon, Zapote (Champion).

Thorax transverse, nearly straight at the sides; hind angles slightly obtuse; lateral

margins finely crenate and armed with short sete; the surface very slightly uneven,

setose; the sides narrowly explanate. Elytra short, yellowish, with numerous black

marks ; sculpture very indistinct, owing to the plentiful setosity ; they are not costate,

though they have at first sight the appearance of being so, owing to the larger sete

being arranged in a serial order. Tegs very short, pale yellow.

CATOLZAMUS.—BITOMA. 457

CATOLAIMUS, gen. nov.

Corpus minutum, subtus planum, epipleuris prominulis ; supra sat convexum, squamulis omnium brevissimis

ornatum. Antenne parve, decem-articulate; clava uniarticulata. Pedes brevissimi, debiles. Sulci

antennarii perfecti, extrorsum curvati.

This genus is established for an insect that is amongst the most minute of the yet

discovered Colydiide. It is most nearly allied to Anewmesa, but differs from it by the

inflexed epipleuree, which form a sharp prominent margin to the underside of the body.

The antennary grooves are remarkably perfect. The coxe are all extremely approxi-

mate; the anterior acetabula are open. ‘The legs are remarkably short; the tibiz

slender, not armed externally or at the tip.

1. Catolemus minutus, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 18.)

Ovalis, testaceus, capite prothoracisque disco infuscatis; elytris argute nigro-signatis ; superne undique squa-

mulis brevissimis, suberectis, albidis ornatus.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Pantaleon (Champion).

Antenne extremely short. Thorax short, much narrowed in front; anterior angles

prominent; posterior angles very obtuse; sides explanate, entire. Elytra continuous

in outline with the thorax, a little broader behind; pale yellow, with a common black

mark about the scutellum, and an apical dark mark enclosing a yellow spot on each,

the apical mark extending forwards at the side nearly to the shoulder, and with a

shorter and broader anterior prolongation near the suture. The sculpture is very

obscure and consists apparently of fine striation; the extremely regularly-arranged

scale-like sete are directed backwards on the elytra, forwards on the thorax.

Only one example of this minute Colydiid was obtained.

BITOMA.

Bitoma, Herbst, Kafer, v. p. 26 (1796).

Ditoma, Mlliger, Mag. vi. p. 820 (1807) ; Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 265.

Synchytodes, Crotch, Check-list Col. of Am. north of Mex. p. 45 (1873).

This genus includes at present about thirty species, and is apparently almost cosmo-

politan in distribution.

One of the species I have provisionally placed in it is totally different in appearance

from the rest, and will no doubt have to be removed.

The emendation of Ditoma in place of Bitoma cannot be adopted, as it amounts to

the substitution of a new name for a prior one.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, October 1894. 3 N*

458 COLYDIIDA.

1. Bitoma exarata. (Tab. XIV. fig. 19.)

? Coniophea exarata, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. ii. p. 91, t. 5. fig. 8°.

Depressa, parallela, brunnea, squamulis pallide ochraceis vestitus ; antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo, Pantaleon, Zapote (Champion).—Amazons, Ega}.

This remarkable insect is of the form and sculpture common to the majority of the

species of the genus, but the punctuation is concealed by peculiar large, flat, clay-

coloured scales, while the coste appear more elevated in consequence of being sur-

mounted with a closely packed series of such scales. The disposition of the coste on

the thorax and elytra is the same as in B. ornata. ‘The antenne are rather stout, with

an abrupt two-jointed club. The structural characters seem to be entirely the same as

in B. ornata.

Pascoe! founded the genus Coniophwa for an insect the type of which I am quite

unable to distinguish by examination of the upper surface from B. exarata. He

remarks that it, “‘ except for its antennary grooves and the large basal segment of the

abdomen, would approximate to Bitoma.” Our Central-American insect has neither

of the characters mentioned by Pascoe, and until the under surface of his type

be examined we cannot ascertain whether his remarks were based on erroneous

observation, or whether C. exarata is structurally distinct from the Bitoma, which—

in that case—it superficially exactly resembles. The former was I have no doubt

the case.

2, Bitoma socialis.

Bitoma socialis, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. ii. p. 81’.

Parva, angusta, depressa, fusca; antennis pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his vage longitudinaliter fusco

marginatis.

Long. 2-27 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras (Blancaneaux); Guatemaua, Izabal (Sallé), Chacoj and

Panima in Vera Paz, Zapote, El Reposo (Champion).—Amazons, Ega }.

Antenne small, clear yellow, the club large. Head small, its front yellowish; epistome

feebly emarginate in the middle and rounded on each side. Thorax parallel-sided,

serrate at the edges; on each side of the middle are two sharply elevated coste, the

outer distinctly flexuous, and along the middle with two sinuous flexuous ridges broadly

interrupted on the middle. Elytra with the sculpture very coarse and the coste

sharply elevated; their colour is yellow, but infuscate along the suture and outer

margin, so that sometimes only a vague stripe along the middle of each remains yellow.

Underside of head with the eyes large and less widely distant than in the allied

species. |

A very large series of this species was obtained at Zapote; there are a few speci-

mens of an entirely testaceous variety amongst the examples. Our specimens quite

BITOMA, 459

agree with Pascoe’s type, but I should not have surmised the identity from his

-description.

3. Bitoma subfasciata, sp. n.

Depressa, fusca ; elytris versus humeros et apicem rufescentibus ; antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuaTemaLa, Zapote, Capetillo, Chacoj, Chiacam,

San Gerénimo, Tamahu (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Very closely allied to B. soctalis, but in all its variations differing somewhat in

colour, the elytra being infuscate across the middle transversely, or entirely fuscous ; it

is a somewhat larger insect, with rather smaller club to the antennz, and the underside

of the eyes not so large, so that the eyes on the under surface of the head are separated

by a wider space. The epistome in B. sudfasciata is more truncate, being not emar-

ginate in the middle, and having the sides less rounded. The sculpture of the upper

surface is not so coarse in B. suéfasciata as it is in B. socialis.

B. subfasciata is equally close to B. ornata, but the latter insect is more elongate ;

the red markings form four definite spots on the elytra, and the eyes underneath are

considerably less large.

A pale unicolorous variety occurs not unfrequently in this species. This variety

resembles B. pauxilla, Pascoe, which, however, is a considerably narrower and smaller

insect.

4, Bitoma ornata.

Ditoma ornata, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1858, p. 63°; Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xvii. p. 566%.

Hab. NortH America, California}, Arizona?.—MeExico, Northern Sonora (Morri-

son).

5. Bitoma centralis, sp. n.

Depressa, opaca, nigro-fusca; antennis pedibusque rufo-obscuris; elytris sanguineis, singulo nigro triguttato

vel subfasciato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatEeMaua, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000

feet (Champion).

Extremely closely allied to B. ornata and B. subfasciata, though readily enough

distinguished in the typical form by the variegation of the elytra; a variety (2) occurs

(more commonly than this type form), in which the elytra are entirely obscure blackish,

and this I can only satisfactorily distinguish from similar dark varieties of B. subfasciata

by the larger club to the antenne. ‘The thoracic carine are very strongly elevated,

the outer one flexuous; the disc of the thorax between the median lines is hollowed.

3 N*2

460 COLYDIIDA.

The coste of the elytra are very marked; the intervals are depressed, the sculpture in

them rather obscure. The legs are stouter than in the allied species. Eleven specimens.

6. Bitoma gracilis.

Gracilis, depressa, fuscescens ; antennis pedibusque testaceis ; elytris rufo-testaceis, medio transversim fusces-

centibus.

11:

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonoro (Morrison), Vera Cruz (Sallé), Tehuantepec (Hége) ;

GUATEMALA, Paraiso (Champion).

Antenne yellow, with large club. Epistome not at all emarginate, rounded at the

sides. Thorax conspicuously narrower than the elytra, very obscurely crenulate at

the sides; with the usual coste, which, however, are not so strongly raised as in the

allied species, but with the minute setosity. more’ distinct, pallid. Elytra yellowish or

with a tinge of red, with a more or less distinct mark across the middle, and also the

sides dark; with the usual coste strongly raised, finely ciliate, the sculpture of the

deep broad intervals coarse.

The few specimens we have received of this insect I am unable to reduce to a

variety of any of the other species ; they are much narrower than B. subfasciata, and

differently sculptured; they have the antennal club as large as in B. socialis, but

have the thoracic sculpture much less marked, besides differing in the arrangement

of the colours.

7. Bitoma sulcata.

Ditoma sulcata, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1858, p. 63’; Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xvii.

p. 566 *.

Hab. Norta America, California and Arizona ?.—Muxico, Northern Sonora

(Morrison).

Although this insect has entirely the appearance of a typical Bitoma, it nevertheless

adds considerably to the difficulty of defining the genus, as the club of the antenna is

intermediate between the 2- and the 3-jointed forms, and the antennary grooves are

more distinct. In another structural character, B. sulcata approaches Xuthia: it

possesses a fine interocular margin, which is entirely wanting in B. ornata and the

more typical species of the genus.

8. Bitoma jejuna. (Tab. XIV. fig. 20.)

Bitoma jejuna, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. i. p. 102*, and ii. p. 827.

Capite utrinque supra oculum marginato. Ferruginea, subdepressa ; prothorace elytrisque costatis, illo haud

transverso.

Long. 24 millim.

BITOMA. 461

Hab. British Honpvras, Belize (Blancaneaux); GuaTemata, Zapote, Capetillo, San

Gerdnimo (Champion).—Brazit, Rio Janeiro 1.

Resembles &. sulcata, but is rather narrower and less depressed. Head broad and

short; epistome free, and with its outline continued as a fine margin over the eye.

Antenne small; first joint nearly concealed, ninth scarcely broader than the eighth ;

club broad, its two joints only loosely connected. Thorax straight at the sides, about

as long as broad, the sides only obsoletely serrate; on each side of the middle with two

sharply raised coste, the inner of which converge a little towards the base; on the

front margin in the middle are two short obscure elevations; the surface granulate.

Elytra with the usual five elevated coste, which extend unconnected to the tip, the

interstices rather finely and obscurely sculptured. Legs short and rather stout; tibiee

thicker towards the tip, but not angularly enlarged there.

This species connects Bitoma with Xuthia. I have retained it in Bitoma as it is less

cylindric in form than Xwthia, and the tibie are not angularly enlarged at the tip;

moreover, in many of its characters it is approached by B. sulcata. |

9. Bitoma pascoei, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 21.)

Major, elongata, fusco-nigra, opaca; antennis’ tarsisque rufo-obscuris ; inequalis, prothorace lateribus ante

medium dilatatis, rotundatis ; elytris argute carinato-tuberculatis.

Long. 5} millim.

Hab. Muxtco, Huitzo in Oaxaca (Hoge).

Antenne with the first joint exposed, longer than the second, this latter a little

longer than broad ; third joint slender, quite as long as the second; ninth joint small,

but distinctly broader than the eighth; tenth and eleventh very broad, only loosely

connected. Head broad, minutely tuberculate; eyes large, prominent. Thorax much

narrowed behind the middle, the surface rendered very uneven by twelve elevations,

two on the middle in front, two at the base in the middle, and four on each side.

Elytra with about ten short carina-like elevations, making the surface very uneven,

without impressed punctures, but with series of minute asperities. Legs slender; tibial

spurs scarcely perceptible. Under surface punctate, opaque.

Only one example has been procured of this very distinct insect. It somewhat

resembles in form the largest examples of Jilestus terrenus, Pascoe. I have named it

after the diligent English entomologist whom we have so recently lost.

Notwithstanding the fact that this insect is so totally different in appearance from

its more normal congeners, the structural characters that I can see in the single example

at my disposal do not display any corresponding dissimilarity.

462 COLYDIIDA.

ILLESTUS.

Iilestus, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. i. p. 33 (1863).

This genus was established for a single species, but according to Horn (Proc. Am.

Phil. Soc. xvii. p. 570) it is probably not sufficiently distinct from the North-American

Lasconotus, Er.

1. Illestus terrenus.

Illestus terrenus, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. ii. p. 38, t. 3. fig. 4°.

Hab. Mexico}, Las Vigas, Esperanza, Toluca, Jalapa (Hoge), Volcan de Orizaba

(Sallé).

Var. tristis.

Bitoma tristis, Sturm, in litt.

Hab. Mexico, Salazar, Toluca, Huitzo, Cordova (Hége) ; GuaTEMaLa, Totonicapam

8500 to 10,500 feet, Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

This is apparently a common and variable insect. In most of the examples the

thorax is nearly straight at the sides, instead of being deeply constricted in the middle ;

these specimens are usually smaller in size than the examples with constricted thorax,

and at first appear to be specifically different, but in the series before me there are

some intermediate examples.

XUTHIA.

Xuthia, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. ii. p. 128 (1863).

? Eulachus, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 275, nota (1845).

I have not seen the Antillean insect for which the name of Hulachus was proposed,

and cannot therefore say whether it be really congeneric with Xuthia, Pascoe. This

point can only be decided by an examination of Erichson’s type.

I do not think it would be at present advantageous to unite Xuthia with Bitoma.

Although the characters hitherto made use of to separate the two are but slight, yet

there is a well-marked distinction in appearance, so that it is probable that minute

examination will reveal more important distinctions than those at present known.

Xuthia has been hitherto only known from Celebes, Morty I., and other eastern

localities, but it was met with by Mr. J. J. Walker in the Marquesas Islands, so that

its occurrence in the New World is not surprising, even in the event of Hulachus.

proving distinct.

1. Xuthia brevipes, sp. n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 22.)

Sat elongata, ferruginea, subcylindrica, opaca ; prothorace fortius, elytris subtilius, costatis.

Long. 22? millim.

Hab. MExico, Cordova (Sallé); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

XUTHIA.—LADO. 463

Antenne short, pallid, club broad ; ninth joint short but distinctly transverse. Head

broad, supra-antennal ridge much raised. Thorax elongate, parallel, finely crenulate

at the sides ; on each side of the middle with two strongly elevated coste, the surface

between them somewhat excavate, granulate; on the front a short elevation on each

side of the middle, which nearly joins the inner of the two longer coste. Elytra with

five costa, each continued separately to the tip, the intervals occupied with complex

obscure sculpture. Legs short and stout, the tibie with the outer apical angle acute.

Two specimens from each locality.

This species is extremely closely allied to the Japanese X. parallela; X. brevipes is,

however, less elongate, has the antenne rather shorter, the head more uneven, with the

elevation of the supra-antennal ridges greater.

LADO.

Lado, Wankowiez, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1867, p. 249.

Lado belongs to the series of genera having the coxal cavities closed. Hitherto it

has consisted solely of the rare N.E.-European species, for which it was established ;

the species I assign to it are apparently really congeneric with the L. jelskia.

1. Lado elegans, sp. n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 23.)

Angustus, elongatus, subdepressus, ferrugineus, fere nudus; prothorace irregulariter carinato; elytris regu-

lariter parum alte costatis, interstitiis subobsolete sculpturatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatTemaua, Cerro Zunil, Aceituno (Champion).

Antenne yellow, joints 3-8 small; the club large, abrupt, the three joints composing

it very laxly articulated, the first two of them strongly transverse. Head subquadrate,

surface uneven ; eyesconvex. Thorax as long as broad, a little narrowed behind ; lateral

margins finely crenulate ; surface rendered uneven by slightly elevated irregular carine.

Elytra very like those of the genus Bitoma, there being several quite regular longi-

tudinal costee, and between them a coarse though obscure sculpture. Five specimens.

2. Lado ciliatus, sp. n.

Angustus, elongatus, minus depressus, ferrugineus, tenuiter ciliatus; prothorace irregulariter carinato ; elytris

regulariter parum alte costatis, interstitiis fortiter sculpturatis.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Hége); Panama, David, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Although extremely similar to L. elegans, I think this a distinct species, the shining

pallid ciliation of the upper surface being quite distinct, whereas it can scarcely be

detected in LZ. elegans. In addition to this, LZ. ciliatus is not so flat as L. elegans, and

has the sculpture rather coarser. The four examples we have received are unfortu-

nately not in good preservation.

464 COLYDIIDA.

3. Lado funestus. (Tab. XIV. fig. 24.)

Subcylindricus, opacus, tenuiter ciliatus, niger, elytrorum basi rufescentibus ; antennarum basi, tibiis tarsisque

fusco-rufis ; ecostatus, elytris seriatim punctatis.

Long. 3 millim., lat. ? millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,000 feet (Champion).

Basal portion of antenne yellow; club large, black. ‘Thorax longer than broad, very

slightly narrowed behind, opaque, very obscurely sculptured, but with irregularly placed,

distinct sete. Elytra long and narrow, black, with the base reddish, quite dull, densely

seriately sculptured, and with a barely perceptible elevation of the alternate interstices.

Only one example was obtained of this very distinct species.

LASCONOTUS.

Lasconotus, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 258, nota (1845) ; Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc.

Xvli. p. 569.

About ten species have been assigned to this genus, all of them being North-

American.

1. Lasconotus sulcifer, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 25.)

Parvus, anguste oblongus, fuscus; antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace elytrisque longitudinaliter cos-

tatis, his apicem versus late profundeque longitudinaliter, communiter sulcatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne with joints 3-8 quite small, the three-jointed club large and abrupt. Head

deeply and broadly bi-impressed. Thorax longer than broad, finely margined at the

sides, delicately punctate and pubescent, with a broad depression along the middle limited

on each side by an obtuse costa; these costa do not reach quite to the front margin,

but they are each surrounded at the end by a slight curvate elevation; the extreme

base of the thorax is strongly constricted, the true hind angles being thus concealed.

The elytra have the shoulders prominent in front; they are broadly and deeply longi-

tudinally depressed along the middle; the suture is scarcely costate in front, but is

distinctly so towards the apex; the first interstice is feebly costate, but only on the basal

portion ; the third interstice limits the broad depression and is strongly costate, and

outside it there is also another costa, strongly raised and extending from the base to

the apex; the intervals bear obscure serial punctures.

Closely allied to L. pusillus, Lec., but narrower, with the shoulders more prominent

anteriorly, the elytral depression much more marked, and the coste more sharply

elevated. We have received nearly twenty examples; they vary in colour, some being

brownish, but in other respects are very constant.

COLYDIUM. 465

Subfam. COLY DIINE.

Basal joint of posterior tarsus much longer than the second; anterior acetabula closed behind; tibix more or

less enlarged at the tip.

This group comprises some elongate forms, and is closely approached by some of the

Synchitine—such as Zasconotus—that have also closed anterior acetabula. The

prosternal process arches under the coxe, and then is bent upwards behind them.

This character distinguishes the group from the Deretaphrine, independent of the

insertion and structure of the base of the antenne. |

The Colydiine are distinguished by no good or constant character, either in Erichson’s

system or in the present arrangement, from the Synchitine; and probably it will

ultimately be found better to make the condition of the acetabula the point that shall

decide whether a Colydiid belongs to the Synchitine or to the Colydiine; but this

course cannot be adopted till a complete revision of the genera is made. The

plan I formerly suggested of uniting the Colydiine with the Deretaphrine cannot, if

attention be paid to the insertion of the antenne, be considered a proper one, as will be

seen by a comparison of this character in a few forms (Tab. XIV. fig. 26a, head of

Colydium; Tab. XV. fig. 13a, head of Sosylus).

. COLYDIUM.

Colydium, Fabricius, Ent. Syst. ii. p. 495; Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 278; Horn, Proc.

Am. Phil. Soc. xvii. p. 575.

This well-marked genus includes at present about twelve species from the Western

Hemisphere, and two European insects. To these we now add seven new species. The

reference by Lacordaire of Jps monilis, Oliv., to the genus is a mere guess, and does

not furnish sufficient evidence that Tropical Africa is included in the area of distribution

of this genus. The extremely close resemblance of one of our species—C. chiriquense

—to the European C. elongatum is a point of considerable interest.

1. Colydium godmani, sp. n. (Tab. XIV. figg. 26,3; 26a, head from in

front.)

Robustum, subcylindricum, latum, nigrum, nitidum; antennis pedibusque piceis; prothorace parce punctato,

nitido, tristriato, striis lateralibus evidenter abbreviatis; elytris ad basin vix costatis, sed costa secunda

ante apicem altissime elevata, interstitiis nitidis tantum subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 10 millim.

Hab. Mzxico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, Pantaleon, Zapote (Champion).

Club of antenne elongate. Head broad, coarsely punctate; supra-ocular carina almost

entirely absent. Thorax shining, the sides straight, just perceptibly narrowed. behind,

front angles scarcely prominent; along the middle is a fine stria, which does not quite

extend to the base or apex, at each side with a still more abbreviated stria. Hlytra

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, November 1894. 3 O*

466 COLYDIIDA.

shining, only finely punctate ; the cost indistinct at the base, the second very strongly

elevated before the apex. Ventral segments shining, rather finely punctured, without

any rugosities. Male with long conspicuous hairs on the middle joints of the antenne.

We have received a dozen examples of this fine and distinct species.

2. Colydium mexicanum,

Colydium mexicanum, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1878, p. 118°.

Hab. Muxico!, Jalapa, Esperanza, Las Vigas, Amecameca (Hoge), Jacale (Sallé).

This species closely resembles C. guatemalenum as well as C. filiforme, but is readily

distinguished from both by the shining ventral segments, which have only a few

transverse rugosities at the sides.

8. Colydium guatemalenum, sp. n.

Elongatum, subcylindricum, nigrum, subnitidum; antennis pedibusque rufis; capite prothoraceque fortiter

punctatis, hoc tristriato, angulis anterioribus prominulis ; elytris costatis, costa secunda ante apicem quam

costam primam paulo magis elevata, interstitiis fortiter biseriatim punctatis.

Long. 53-73 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Zapote, Capetillo, Guatemala city (Champion).

Head rather short; epistome pubescent in front; supra-ocular carina very obscure.

Club of antennee moderately long. Thorax nearly straight at the sides, very slightly

narrowed behind; the surface coarsely punctured, with a deep median stria extending

from the base to the apex, and on each side a deep lateral stria, extending nearly to the

base, and having its outer margin slightly elevated. Elytra with the apical declivity

elongate, the coste well marked; on the middle of the length the first costa is more

elevated than the second, but on the declivous part the second is slightly higher than

the first. The ventral segments are coarsely strigose-punctate. The male has a very

scanty pubescence on the middle of the antenne. Fifteen specimens.

4. Colydium chiriquense, sp. n.

C’. elongato persimile. Angustum, subcylindricum, piceum, nitidum; prothorace tristriato, nitido, parce

punctato, angulis anterioribus acutis, perparum productis; elytris argute costatis, costis prima et secunda

versus apicem eequaliter elevatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 feet (Champion).

Head closely, moderately coarsely punctate; supra-ocular carina extremely fine;

epistome with long pubescence (in the male). Thorax shining, sparingly punctured;

median stria deep, entire, the lateral stria very nearly reaching the base. Elytra with

the scutellar stria subobsolete ; the first costa evenly elevated from the base to the apex ;

the sutural costa distinctly elevated at the apex, so that it and the first and second are

COLYDIUM. 467

about similar at the tip; grooves rather coarsely biseriately punctate. Ventral

segments densely strigose-sculptured. Male with some long hairs on the middle

joints of the antenne. One specimen.

The resemblance of this insect to the well-known European C. elongatum is very

remarkable. The head is narrower in front in C. chiriquense, and the supra-ocular

carina very fine; besides this, the thorax is rather less sparingly and more coarsely

punctate, and the front angles are distinctly, though only slightly, prolonged. C. chiri-

quense is also extremely similar to C. guatemalenum, but has the front angles of the

thorax less produced, the second costa of the elytra less elevated behind, and the

interstices less coarsely punctured. From C. mexicanum, the more southern species

is readily distinguished by the densely strigose ventral segments.

5. Colydium puncticolle, sp. n.

Subcylindricum, minus nitidum, nigrum ; subtus piceum, abdomine rufo; capite prothoraceque dense fortiusque

punctatis, hoc tristriato ; elytris costatis, costis sat alte elevatis, subeequalibus.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Zacualtipan (H6ége).

Although we have received only one example of this species, and although it is very

similar to C. guatemalenum, I entertain no doubt that it is distinct, and will be easily

enough identified by the coarse and close punctuation of the thorax. The outer margin

of the lateral stria is very strongly raised so as to look like a costa. ‘The first costa of

the elytra is strongly raised at the base, and continues evenly so to the apex; the

second costa is at the base not quite so strongly raised as the first, but afterwards

becomes more elevated, so that on the declivity it is a little higher than the first costa.

The sutural costa is more sharply defined than it is in C. guatemalenum. The punc-

tuation of the deep grooves is coarse and of the usual nature. The ventral segments

are coarsely rugose-sculptured.

The unique specimen is no doubt a female ; it has no pubescence on the epistome.

6. Colydium championi, sp.n. (Tab. XIV. fig. 27.)

Angustum, cylindricum, nigrum, sat nitidum; prothorace unistriato; elytris ad basin haud costatis, interstitiis

secundo quartoque (costis prima et secunda) posterius alte elevatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne quite short, but with very large club. Head finely punctate, without supra-

ocular carina. Thorax very long and slender, almost parallel; anterior angles obtuse ;

surface rather finely and closely punctate, with a well-marked stria along the middle,

but without the usual lateral strie. Elytra slender, somewhat shining; the normal

coste scarcely to be detected at the base, but the normal first costa very strongly

3 O* 2

468 COLYDIID.

elevated behind, and the second costa—approximate to it—also rather strongly elevated ;

interstices rather coarsely punctured. Ventral segments finely, rather closely punctate.

Another very distinct species, of which only one example was obtained.

7. Colydium pusillum, sp. n.

Cylindricum, nigrum, sat nitidum; antennis pedibusque rufescentibus; prothorace medio unistriato, striis

lateralibus obsoletis; elytris ad basin parum costatis, costis prima et secunda ad apicem sat elevatis.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaur); PANAMA, near the city (Champion).

Antenne with large club. Head substrigose-punctate, with a well-marked supra-

ocular carina. Thorax but little elongate; anterior angles not produced ; surface rather

coarsely and closely punctate, with a deep entire median stria and an obsolete and

abbreviate lateral one on each side. LElytra shining, with the coste scarcely visible in

front, but rather sharply elevated on the apical declivity; the interstices distinctly

punctate. Ventral segments strigose-punctate. ‘wo specimens.

This species is of much less elongate form than C. championi, and will be readily

distinguished from that species by the well-marked supra-ocular carina, the presence

of the lateral lines of the thorax, which are distinct, though obsolete, and by the much

less elevation of the second costa behind.

8. Colydium clavigerum, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 1.)

Elongatum, subcylindricum, piceum, sat nitidum; prothorace fere estriato; elytris costa secunda posterius

altissime elevata.

Long. 6-8 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango (Hoge), Orizaba (Sailé).

Antenne with the club elongate. Head elongate; the eyes long; the epistome feebly

emarginate in front ; the surface densely punctate. Thorax elongate ; sides straight, but

a little narrowed behind; anterior angles scarcely at all prominent; the median stria

absent, and the lateral stria short and obsolete; the surface coarsely, closely punctate.

Elytra with the second costa so strongly elevated behind as to form with its fellow a

very deep Jongitudinal depression, extending more than halfway forwards to the base ;

interstices coarsely sculptured. Ventral segments shining, aciculate-punctate at the

sides.

Of this very distinct species I have seen only two specimens.

AULONIUM.

Aulonium, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutsch]. ii. p. 275 (1845); Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soe. xvii.

p. 573.

The species of this genus—to the number of seventeen—occur in North and

South America and in Europe. A Tasmanian insect has also been assigned to

Aulonium.

AULONIUM. 469

1. Aulonium frontale, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 2.)

Vertice bituberculato. Oblongum, angustum, minus depressum, ferrugineum, parum nitidum ; prothorace

sex-sulcato, angulis posterioribus obtusis.

Long. 4-43 millim,

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo in Vera Cruz (Flohr); GuatemaLa, Zapote, Torola

(Champion).

This is the only one of our species with the vertex bituberculate. Antenne short,

with very broad club. Head short. Thorax elongate, with the two median lines

deep, subparallel, but distinctly divergent posteriorly; the intermediate line bounded

externally in front by a raised carina, and on the space between it and the median

lines there is a short obsolete carina; the outer groove is close to the side. ‘The

elytra are feebly punctate-striate, the shoulders not dentiform, the intra-humeral plica

excessively short.

- We have received only one example from each locality. I am not sure that the one

from Mexico really belongs to the same species, as it has the prosternum in front of

the coxze scabrous.

2. Aulonium belti, sp. n. (Tab. XV. fig. 3.)

Oblongo-ovale, subdepressum, nigrum, nitidum, antennis pedibusque rufis ; prothorace sex-sulcato, sulculis plus

minusve evidenter punctatis ; elytris fortiter seriatim punctatis.

Long. 73 millim.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Belt).

Antenne red, the club large and stout. Head short, uneven, with a short, fine

transverse line on the disc. ‘Thorax much narrowed in front, and with the anterior

angles very prominent, shining, finely and sparingly punctured; along the middle with

two rather strongly impressed lines composed of not quite connected punctiform

impressions; on each side the middle with a similar longer line, and with another

groove quite near the side; in propinquity with this latter there is much punctuation,

and just within it, about the middle, there is a vague depression; the intermediate

line is bounded externally in front by an elevation of the surface carried forwards so

as to project and leave a deep emargination of the front just behind the eye; the pair

of these carina-like elevations are connected in front by a very broad margin, which is

limited behind by a series of coarse punctures ; there is a feeble tuberculiform elevation

on each side of the middle of the thorax near the front; the hind angles are rectan-

gular. The elytra bear very regular series of large punctures, and the shoulders are

minutely dentiform. Under surface very shining, the prosternal process unusually broad.

Only one example of this fine and distinct species was obtained.

8. Aulonium tubulum, sp. n.

Angustum, oblongum, minus depressum, nigro-piceum, antennis pedibusque dilutioribus; prothorace sericeo-

subopaco, sex-sulcato, sulculis intermediis externe bene carinato-limitatis, sulculis mediis bene impressis,

470 COLYDIIDZ.

dorso ante medium utrinque tuberculo parum arguto, obtuse cariniformi, instructo; elytris subtilius

seriatim punctatis, plica intra-humerali brevi. ;

Long. 4—7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé), Motzorongo

(Flohr) ; Guatemata, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo, Purula (Champion) ; Costa Rica, Caché

(Rogers) ; Pawama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

The thorax is elongate and very little narrowed towards the front; the pliciform

elevation limiting the intermediate line is strongly elevated and continued to the front,

its termination there being only very slightly curved inwards; the two median lines

are very definite, diverging but little towards the base, and commencing abruptly a

little behind the front margin; about as far forward as their anterior part there is

an obscure, elongate, scarcely tuberculiform elevation. The fine fold at the shoulder

of the wing-case is quite short.

This species, like the following, is represented in our collections by a good series of

specimens; though the two are variable and very closely allied, they can always be

distinguished, but small narrow examples of A. didentatum are at first sight difficult

to identify.

4. Aulonium bidentatum.

Colydium bidentatum, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. ii. p. 556°.

Aulonium bidentatum, Chevr. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1863, p. 607 *.

Oblongum, subdepressum, nigro-piceum vel piceo-rufum, antennis pedibusque dilutioribus ; prothorace sub-

nitido, sex-sulcato, sulculis intermediis externe vix carinato-limitatis, sulculis mediis leviter impressis,

posterius divergentibus, dorso ante medium utrinque tuberculo sat arguto instructo; elytris subtiliter

seriatim punctatis, plica intra-humerali elongata.

Long. 4-7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova, Toxpam, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Motzorongo

(Flohr), Temax in N. Yucatan (Gaumer); Britis HonDuRas, Belize, Rio Hondo, Rio

Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; GuatTeMaLa, Panima, Tamabu, San Joaquin, and San Gerénimo

in Vera Paz, Zapote, Cerro Zunil, Las Mercedes, El Tumbador (Champion) ; Nicaraaua,

Chontales (Belt) ; Costa Rica, Caché (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).—Soutn America!; Cua ?.

This species and the preceding though very closely allied may, in the series before me,

be in all cases distinguished. The diagnoses are drawn so as to express the distinctive

characters, which are as follows: the better impressed median lines of A. tubulum,

which also are less divergent behind ; the form of the thorax—more narrowed in front

in A. bidentatum and with the intermediate cariniform elevation turned more inwards

and more tuberculiform on the front margin. In A. twbulum the median impression

on the front of the thorax is deeper, and the intermediate carina more elevated, while

the tuberculiform elevation near the front margin on each side of the middle is elongate

AULONIUM.—ANARMOSTES. 471

and less distinct. The great majority of the individuals can be distinguished by a

glance at these thoracic characters.

I assign as a variety to A. bidentatum a few specimens in which the median lines of

the thorax are absent; I do so because we have received two or three examples that

are intermediate in this respect.

Chevrolat 2 thought it possible that all the American forms of this genus might

really belong to one species; but this seems very improbable. Possibly a knowledge

of the sexes might throw some light on the subject. I have, however, failed to find

any distinctive external sexual characters, and I doubt very much whether the greater

development of the thoracic elevations, thought by Horn to be characteristic of the

male of A. longum and by Sallé? of the male of A. bidentatum, be really such ; because

in the series before me there is no apparent line of demarcation between the characters

in this respect.

ANARMOSTES.

Anarmostes, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. i. p. 110 (1860).

This genus consists of three or four South-American species. It is misplaced in the

Munich Catalogue, where it stands next Deretaphrus. It is really very close to

Colydium, from which it is distinguished by the greater enlargement of the tibize

towards the apex, and their conspicuous denticulation.

1. Anarmostes argutus, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 4.)

Oblongo-subcylindricus, piceus, opacus, antennis rufis; prothorace elytrisque regulariter alte costatis, his

intervallis fortiter biseriatim punctatis.

Long. 6-7 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belz).

Head indistinctly rugose-punctate; epistome quite rounded at the sides, partly

dividing the eyes. Thorax longer than broad, almost parallel-sided, but very little

narrowed behind, front angles produced, the side-margins much raised; along the

middle are four, very strongly raised, nearly equidistant, coste, so that the thorax

appears sex-costate: all the coste are strongly raised quite at the front margin; the

two median are continued quite to the base, and connected there by a feebly curvate

transverse elevation; the lateral coste extend nearly to the base. LElytra each with

three equal sharply raised coste, and an external fourth one not so strongly raised ;

the intervals broad, biseriately crenate-punctate. Under surface dull, densely sculp-

tured, the ventral segments with a remarkably developed strigose sculpture.

The two examples obtained of this interesting species are unfortunately in an

extremely bad state of preservation. The three South-American species described by

Pascoe are all closely allied to A. argutus, but all four of them differ by slight

characters of form and sculpture.

472 COLYDIIDZ.

Subfam. GEMPYLODINA.

I have recently discussed the characters of this subfamily (Ent. Monthly Mag. xxix.

pp. 256, 257); it is distinguished from all the others by the membranous border of

the prosternum. The form of these insects is more or less elongate; in those in which

it is very long, the prosternum projects beyond the prosternal process, thus giving rise

to an arrangement similar to that of Nematidiwm ; this was considered by Leconte and

Horn to be of a Rhynchophorous nature, but a study of the various forms seems to

show that it is correlative with the elongation of these parts of the insect, and differs

from species to species.

ENDESTES.

Endestes, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. ii. p. 91 (1863).

This genus consists at present of two South-American species. It is a very isolated

form, though I think allied to Mecedanum and Gempylodes. ‘The prosternum between

the coxe is quite distinct, though narrow, and it does not extend over the coxe as in

Colydium, but is immersed between them; behind the coxe it forms a rhomboidal

process closely connected with the tips of the thoracic side-pieces.

Reitter, who described the second species of the genus, thought Gempylodes identical

with Endestes; but this supposition is quite erroneous, though the two have several

points in common.

1. Endestes sculpturatus, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 5.)

Subcylindricus, niger, antennis pedibusque piceis; fortiter sculpturatus, prothorace medio profunde sulcato ;

elytris apice retuso, ibidemque interstitiis 2° 4°que costato-elevatis.

Long. 44-54 millim. .

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; GuatemALA, Pantaleon, Las Mercedes

(Champion). .

Antenne with the joints preceding the terminal three somewhat enlarged, these

latter very loosely connected, so that the antennee can scarcely be called clavate. Head

very closely punctate, with a strongly raised carina extending the whole length of the

side. Thorax very long, very convex transversely, front margin straight, the angles

not produced ; the surface shining black, coarsely punctate; along the middle there

extends a broad groove, the sides of which in front are subcostate; there is also in

front a slight longitudinal depression outside the costiform elevation. Elytra very

coarsely sculptured with series of large punctures separated only by small intervals;

the second and fourth interstices become strongly costate at the tip. Under surface

coarsely punctate. |

Five examples were obtained of this interesting insect. It is extremely similar to

the typical species of the genus, except that E. incilis has apparently thicker antenne,

formed more after the fashion of Gempylodes.

CACOTARPHIUS. 473

Subfam. TARPHIINA.

This group is separated from the Synchitine by the greater distance between the

cox, and by the underside of the flanks of the prothorax being more or less hollowed

for the reception of the antennal club in the position of repose. Each of these

characters shows much gradation, so that it is sometimes almost optional to which of

the two groups a genus should be referred: the great majority of the forms I have

seen fall, however, readily into one or other of these divisions; and as there is a

considerable difference between the two extremes, the recognition of the Tarphiine as

a distinct group appears to be a useful course. No form of it that I have seen is,

however, so uncertain as Cacotarphius, which has much in common with Coxelus,

notwithstanding the difference in the club of the antenne.

CACOTARPHIUS, gen. nov.

Corpus breve, convexum, hispidum. Antenne decem-articulate, clava uni-articulata. Sulci antennarii breves,

imperfecti. Coxe modice distantes.

Allied to Cicones and Pseudotarphius; differs from the former by the short broad

form and hispid tibie, and from the latter by its less widely separated coxe and

slender legs. Epistome very slightly dilated, so that the base of the antenna is but little

concealed. Eyes small, convex. Antennary grooves very short, formed almost as in

Cicones. Anterior acetabula open. Metasternum rather short. Ventral segments

very short, the basal one unusually so. Tibie slender, narrower towards the tip,

armed outwardly with erect setae, but without apical spurs. Tarsi 4-jointed, with three

short, subequal joints and an elongate terminal one.

Although this insect has the facies of the Tarphiine rather than of the Synchitine

yet the two characters that would justify its being considered a member of the former

group are each of them very feebly pronounced ; the hind coxe are apparently a little

more separated than is usual in the Synchitine, but the process of the prosternum

between them is apparently acuminate and not truncate. The hollow or excavation of

the prosternal flanks is certainly present though very feebly pronounced. Hence the

position of the genus must be considered uncertain till further investigation can be

made.

1. Cacotarphius compressus, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 6.)

Brevis, convexus, niger, antennis tarsisque sordide testaceis ; granuloso-rugosus, supra undique setis tenuibus

erectis ornatus.

Lay:

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne short, joints 3-9 small, ninth transverse, tenth large, round, quite un-

divided. Head very short, broad, but only half as broad as the thorax ; this latter

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, November 1894. 3 P*

AT4 COLYDIIDA.

strongly transverse, rounded at the sides, with upturned lateral margin studded with

erect slender sete. Elytra short and convex, with very fine crenate strie ; the slender

erect black sete very conspicuous. One example.

Subfam. PYCNOMERINE.

This appears to beadistinct and natural group. It has been thought by some to be

allied to the Bothriderine, but there is very little really to connect the two.

In the Pycnomerine, the insertion of the antenne is quite lateral, and the side of

the epistome exhibits an incrassation over the articulation; nevertheless, the basal

joint is but little concealed; the articulation of the second joint with the first is

terminal.

PYCNOMERUS.

Pycnomerus, Erichson, Wiegm. Arch. 1842, 1, p. 214.

Penthelispa, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. i. p. 111.

This is an extensive genus and nearly cosmopolitan. I unite with it at present

Penthelispa, Pascoe, which was separated solely on the club of the antenne consisting

of two joints; but intermediate forms, in respect of this character, occur.

1. Pycnomerus truquii.

Penthelispa truquii, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. ii. p. 39’.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui'), Jalapa, Las Vigas Hage), ¢ Orizaba, Jacale (Sallé); Guatz-

MALA, San Ger6nimo, Purula (Champion).

The undulation of the sides of the thorax is not so conspicuous as the original

description might lead one to suppose; indeed in some specimens it can scarcely be

detected. We have received a large series, exhibiting considerable variation in size

and colour.

2. Pycnomerus breviceps, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 7.)

Piceus, elytris pedibusque dilutioribus, depressus ; capite brevissimo, antennis crassis; prothorace -nitido,

fortiter punctato, dorso bi-impresso ; elytris sat profunde striatis, striis minus conspicue punctatis.

Long. 22-3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); GuatemMata, El Tumbador, Cerro

Zunil, San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet

(Champion).

Antenne short and thick, with a short abrupt club, having a very pubescent apex

set also with a few short sete. Head very short, coarsely punctate, epistome much

thickened, disc rather deeply depressed and indistinctly divided into two by a longitudinal

PYCNOMERUS.—ACROPIS. AT5

elevation. Thorax slightly longer than broad, a little narrowed behind; front angles

not in the least prominent, but rather obtuse ; the surface shining, coarsely punctate,

the disc largely but vaguely longitudinally impressed, the impression divided more or

less distinctly into two parts by a polished longitudinal elevation. Elytra narrow,

depressed, with rather narrow striz and also narrow but flat interstices; the stric are

punctured, the interstice between each two punctures being obscure. Penultimate

ventral segment with a slight elevation in the middle behind ; terminal segment deeply

impressed,

We have received only a small series of this species, but they vary a good deal in

the punctuation ; the unique example from the State of Panama is remarkably small,

and also sparsely punctate, but I can separate it by no good character. Judging from

the unique type, Penthelispa porosa, Pascoe, is very near P. breviceps; but the South-

American insect is larger and broader, and has the two impressions on the head

separated by a broad space.

3. Pycnomerus germanus, sp. n.

Nigricans, elytris pedibusque rufescentibus, minus depressus, nitidus; prothorace irregulariter punctato, medio

vage bi-impresso ; elytris profunde striatis, striis fortiter punctatis.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, San Joaquin (Champion).

Antenne very stout, the termination of the club very distinctly pubescent and

setose. Head moderately long, impressed on each side. Thorax about as long as

broad, a little narrowed behind, the front margin very feebly sinuate behind the eye ;

the surface shining, covered with moderately coarse, not crowded punctures, vaguely bi-

impressed on the disc. Elytra deeply striate, the strie impressed with deep, elongate

punctures, each of which looks as if formed from a coalesced pair.

We have received only one example of this species; although very similar to

P. breviceps it is perfectly distinct, the form of the head being different.

Subfam. ACROPINA.

In the typical genus, this group is very remarkable on account of the prolongation

of the sides of the head; in Ethelema this occurs, however, only to a slight extent;

but the structure of the under surface of the head is different to what it is in the

Synchitine, so that no doubt the group is a quite natural one.

ACROPIS.

Acropis, Burmeister, Gen. Ins. i. no. 25 (1840).

This peculiar genus has hitherto been known only from the Southern Continent of

the New World, where about seven species have been discovered.

3 P*2

476 COLYDIIDA.

1. Acropis serrata, sp. n.

Minus elongata, ferruginea, setositate depressa minus dense vestita; elytris in interstitio tertio tuberculis

duobus, in interstitio quarto tuberculo singulo minore munitis.

Long. 3} millim. —

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Thorax transverse, a little curved and minutely serrate at the sides; the surface rather

densely and roughly tuberculate, and with some ochraceous setosity along the middle.

Elytra rather short, with regular series of very deep, somewhat coarse punctures,

a laterally compressed tubercle on the-second interstice in front, a much smaller

one on the fourth interstice, and another compressed tubercle on the second interstice

just before the declivity; the squamosity is scanty—it consists of some ochraceous

scale-like sete, and some finer, suberect, black sete, serially disposed, the summits of

the tubercles bearing a more condensed black setosity. The legs are reddish, with some

fine subdepressed setze on the outer margins of the tibiz.

Ten specimens.

2. Acropis championi, sp. n. (Tab. XV. fig. 8.)

Fusca, setositate flavescente depressa, minus dense vestita, sat variegata; elytris prope suturam tuberculis

tribus in lineam rectam dispositis, exterius tuberculisque duobus ; tibiis externe hispidis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Head of a dark ferruginous colour, covered with rough, depressed, ochraceous

setosity. Thorax much rounded at the sides in front, coarsely rugosely sculptured,

bearing scanty ochraceous setosity. Elytra moderately long, dark ferruginous at the

base, elsewhere nearly black except for the variegate setosity, the most conspicuous

of which consists of two white marks before the apex; they are rough and present

distinct series of deep punctures ; near the suture there are three elevated tubercles, the

hind one the largest, and outside the middle one are two other tubercles. The tibie

have some minute suberect sete on their outer face.

We have only received one example of this species. As it marks a more northern

extension of this peculiar genus, and is evidently distinct from A. recta or A. serrata,

I have described it. In some respects it appears to be more like the original species

of the genus—A. tuberculifera—figured by Burmeister; but the sete on the tibie in

A. championi are quite minute. The number and disposition of the tubercles on the

elytra readily distinguish the species from the other two here described.

3. Acropis recta, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 9.)

Picea, tomento variegato vestita, elytro singulo prope suturam tuberculis tribus in lineam rectam dispositis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Payama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

ACROPIS.—ETHELEMA. | ATT

Head densely clothed with pallid ochraceous, or nearly white, depressed squamosity

composed of irregularly arranged coarse scale-like hairs. Thorax greatly rounded at the

sides ; the surface apparently uneven, but covered with squamosity irregularly distributed

so as to conceal the sculpture, but there is a well-marked longitudinal depression in

the middle in front. Elytra elongate, oblong, covered with much setose squamosity,

so as to conceal the sculpture, which, however, consists of quite regular series of

moderately large punctures; very near the scutellum there is a large tubercle ; just

about the middle there is on the second interstice a much smaller tubercle, and behind

this, just before the apical declivity, another large tubercle ; there is some short, suberect,

black setosity on the summit of each of the tubercles. Legs reddish ; tibiz without

erect sete.

ETHELEMA.

Hithelema, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. i. p. 107 (1860).

This genus was established for a single Amazonian species, to which no other has

until now been added.

1. Ethelema sobrina, sp. n.

Nigra, setositate fusca et albida vestita, minus argute variegata.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Teapa (Hoge); GuaTemMaLa, San Gerdénimo, Chacoj, Torola

(Champion) ; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet, David, Tolé, San

Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Head clothed with mixed white and fuscous setosity, which conceals the very dense

sculpture. ‘Thorax strongly transverse, feebly denticulate at the sides, clothed with

parti-coloured setosity. Elytra clothed in a similar manner, with some more con-

spicuous white marks on the disc; the setosity quite conceals the sculpture. Legs

short; tibiz clothed externally with adpressed white setosity.

This insect much resembles the figure of £. luctuosa, Pascoe; but that species is

said to have hairs on the thorax and tibie.

2. Ethelema decorata, sp. n. (Tab. XV. fig. 10.)

Nigra, albido-rorida, prothorace utrinque nigro-vittato, elytris ad basin nigro-variegatis, tibiis tarsisque

testaceis, illis externe albido-vestitis.

Long. 3-34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Tolé (Champion).

Black, but covered on the upper surface with short white sete, giving a grey appear-

ance ; the black marks are due not to absence of the scales in certain places, but rather

to their being black in colour. Head very broad, regularly studded with minute

glistening-white sete. Thorax strongly transverse, a little narrowed behind, lateral

478 COLYDIIDA.

denticulations very obscure, the surface grey, with a definite black, oblique stripe behind

each eye. Elytra clothed with white scale-like sete, which are extremely minute, and

in addition with regularly placed rather larger serial sete ; with four black marks very

near the base disposed in a transverse manner, and behind these with a large common

black mark very abruptly defined behind; the whole of the basal half of the elytra

without marks.

Subfam. MEMATIDIINA.

In this group we meet with insects of very elongate cylindrical form; the antenne

have a two-jointed club and are retractile, there being grooves for their accommodation

near the eyes. The front coxe are placed a good deal anterior to the hind margin of

the prosternum, and this character readily distinguishes the group from the Colydiine ;

the prosternal process is as prominent as the coxe, and is prolonged behind them.

The ciliation of the prosternal hind margin is excessively minute. So far as I know,

the group includes only Mematidium and an uncharacterized genus from Borneo.

NEMATIDIUM.

Nematidium, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 275, nota (1845) ; Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc.

xvi. p. 576.

Filumis, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xiv. p. 16.

This very interesting genus was established for a single species, which has the pro-

sternum behind the cox constructed in a different manner from most other Colydiide ;

the prosternal process being prolonged backwards and apparently reposing on and

soldered to the apices of the epimera. It has hence been stated that the structure in

this respect is that of the Rhynchophorous series. I, however, entertain grave doubts

as to the epimera being really joined in the Nematidiine, for on carefully cleaning the

specimens an appearance of a triangular piece—in addition to the prosternal process—

is seen separating two rounded points; an appearance which indicates that the true

apices may possibly be themselves separated, but connected by the interposition of a

small piece very closely soldered to them.

The typical species, WV. cylindricum, is said to occur in Brazil and North America,

though it has not been found in our region; several others have been subsequently

added to the genus. Filumis tenuissima, Reitter, is scarcely determinable from the

description and figure; the genus was assigned by this latter writer to the Trogo-

sitidee.

1. Nematidium fryanum, sp. n. (Tab. XV. fig. 11.)

Valde elongatum, cylindricum, ferrugineum, nitidum, elytris fuscescentibus ; capite prothoraceque crebrius sat

fortiter punctatis ; elytris striatis, ad apicem vix oblique retusis, pone suturam obsolete longitudinaliter

impressis ; prosterni processu apice depresso, quam prosternum ipsum evidenter breviore.

Long. 9 millim,

NEMATIDIUM. 479

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero (H. H. Smith).

We have received only one specimen of this remarkable insect; although very

similar to the type-species of the genus it is more elongate, and readily distinguishable

by the more simple apex of the elytra. It differs also in a still more important

character, viz. in the abbreviation of the prosternal process, which evidently does not

reach the hind margin of the prosternum. Hence it might perhaps with propriety

form a distinct genus.

I have named this interesting insect in honour of Mr. A. Fry, who has kindly

entrusted me with his now unique type of NV. mustela, and thus enabled me to distin-

guish WV. fryanum with certainty.

2. Nematidium viverra, sp. n.

Elongatum, cylindricum, ferrugineum, antennis pedibusque testaceis; elytris ad apicem breviter oblique

retusis, singulo prope suturam longitudinaliter impresso, sutura ipsa ibidem elevata.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil, Mirandilla, Pantaleon ( Champion).

Similar to V. fryanum in colour and punctuation, but much less elongate, and with

a little difference in the structure of the terminal parts of the elytra. The oblique

declivity is somewhat short and abrupt, and the strie entirely cease; but the suture

is elevated, and there is a well-marked longitudinal depression on each elytron close to

the sutural elevation.

Fourteen examples were obtained of this interesting insect; they show no variation,

except in size. This species is extremely close to NV. mustela, but that insect has the

prosternal process slightly impressed, so that its tip is a little deflexed, and the middle

of the mesosternum is densely instead of sparingly punctured.

3. Nematidium filarium, sp. n.

Elongatum, cylindricum, nitidum, ferrugineum, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; elytris ad apicem longius oblique

retusis, sutura haud elevata.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Guatnma.a, Calderas (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet

(Champion).

This insect resembles WV. fryanum almost exactly, except that it is much smaller and

narrower; it differs, however, strongly by the structure of the prosternal process,

which extends to the hind margin of the prosternum, and in this respect agrees with

N. viverra.

We have received only two examples.

480 COLYDIID.

Subfam. DERETAPHRINA.

Front coxe slightly prominent, separated only by a narrow band, which is not so

prominent as the tips of the coxe. Hind coxe moderately widely separated.

With this group we commence the series in which the basal joint of the antenne is

quite exposed at the front of the head (Tab. XV. fig. 13a) when these organs are

retracted ; the articulation between the first and second joints also is very peculiar.

This latter feature is also found in the Bothriderine ; but the prosternal structure

seems to separate the two divisions satisfactorily.

SOSYLUS.

Sosylus, Krichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 288 (1845); Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soe. xvii.

p. 581.

This genus includes about twelve species; it is doubtful whether Metopiestes, Pascoe,

can be satisfactorily distinguished from it.

1. Sosylus terminalis, sp. n. (Tab. XV. figg. 12; 12a, extremity of the

elytra. ) |

Niger, opacus, minus elongatus, antennis pedibusque piceis; prothorace minus elongato, crebrius punctato,

punctis anguste ovalibus ; elytris costatis, costa prima ante apicem alte elevata, apice libero, intervallis

densissime subtiliter strigoso-punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Zapote (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama,

Bugaba (Champion).

The form of the head differs in the two sexes: in each of them it is flat, and has the

epistome emarginate, but in the male this peculiarity is much more marked, and there

is an elongate channel reaching nearly to the vertex, whereas in the female only the

clypeus is so marked; in the male, too, the surface is nearly smooth except near the

eyes, whereas in the female it is finely punctate. The thorax has the disc very convex.

The first costa of the elytra is very strongly elevated behind, and has just before the

apex a free, projecting extremity ; the second costa at the same level joins with the

third, and the two are continued in a common sharply marked elevation quite to the

tip; the intervals are very broad and have no trace of punctuation, but are rendered

quite dull by a fine strigose sculpture. The under surface of the head and prosternum

of the male are remarkable: the prominent smooth face of the projecting gena is twice

as large as it is in the female; the prosternum just in front of the coxe is prominent,

and the prominence is greater in the male and forms a transverse sharply marked

line. oe .

A South-American insect determined by the late Mr. Pascoe as being the Colydium

rufipes, of Fabricius, is probably not specifically distinct from Sosylus terminalis. It

SOSYLUS. 481

appears to me, however, impossible to reconcile Fabricius’s brief description with our

insect, the most salient point he alludes to being the “ thorax levis,” a term totally

inapplicable to S. terminalis.

2. Sosylus strigicollis, sp. n.

Parum elongatus, niger, opacus, capite, antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace parum elongato, densissime

striguloso ; elytris costatis, costa prima apice libero, intervallis subtiliter striguloso-sculpturatis.

Long. vix 4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Kpistome narrow in front, the margin in the male slightly retuse, so as to appear

bituberculate ; surface finely punctate. Thorax narrow, moderately elongate, a little

narrowed behind, the whole of its upper surface evenly covered with a dense strigose

sculpture. LElytra costate, the first costa strongly elevated and quite free at its ex-

tremity, the intervals bearing a dense fine sculpture consisting of many minute lines.

This species resembles a small S. terminalis, but is very different in the thoracic

sculpture and the sexual distinctions. We have received only three examples, two of

which have been injured, in all probability by the process of extracting them from

their burrows in the wood.

8. Sosylus simplex, sp.n. (Tab. XV. figg. 13; 13.4, front of the head; 13 8,

base of the antenna.)

Sat angustus, niger, pedibus piceis, antennis rufis ; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis; elytris costatie,

costis prima et tertia mox ante apicem conjunctis, intervallis punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Las Vigas (Hoge); Brittso Honpuras (Blancaneaur); GuatEMALa,

Panzos, Chacoj, and San Juan in Vera Paz, El Reposo, Zapote (Champion).

Epistome simple. Head and thorax coarsely and closely punctate, the latter only

moderately long, a good deal narrowed behind, the punctuation in front very dense.

Elytra distinctly costate, the second and third coste uniting a little before the tip, and

the first and third almost at the tip; the broad intervals bear a distinct, though

shallow punctuation.

This seems to be the least rare of our ‘species, and I am not able to distinguish the

sexes; the gene are simple.

4. Sosylus affinis, sp. n.

Angustus, niger, subnitidus, pedibus piceis, antennis rufis; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis; elytris

~ costatis, costis prima et tertia ad apicem vix conjunctis, ‘intervallis tristriatis, striis integris.

‘Long. 44 millim.

Hab. British. Honpvuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); GUATEMALA, Chacoj in Vera: Paz

(Champion). .

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, November 1894. 3 Q*

482 COLYDIIDZ.

We have received three specimens only of this species, which appears to be struc-

turally very similar indeed to S. simplex; but it is a narrower insect, and may be

identified by the total absence of punctures on the elytra, these being replaced by

three fine lines between each costa. The first costa though very close to the third at

the tip is not connected with it.

5. Sosylus centralis, sp. n.

Angustus, piceus, opacus, antennis pedibusque rufis ; capite prothoraceque subtiliter punctatis, hoc elongato ;

elytris costatis, intervallis fere esculpturatis, omnium obsoletissime punctatis.

Long. 4—43 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Teapa (H. H. Smith); GuateMata, Coatepeque, Zapote (Champion) ;

PanaMa, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Though very closely allied to S. simplex, this is an undoubtedly distinct species, the

thorax being much longer and quite finely punctate. The epistome is broad in front,

subtruncate, with the angles rounded; the whole of the upper surface rather finely

punctate. Thorax considerably longer than broad, distinctly narrowed from the middle

to the base, very dull, even, covered with rather fine narrow punctures. Elytra very

dull, distinctly costate, the coste strongly elevated behind, the first nearly touching

the third before the apex but not joined to it, the intervals very dull and almost

destitute of any sculpture.

Ido not think there are any well-marked distinctions between the sexes of this

species, but we have received only six individuals, so that I may have only one of the

sexes before me. ‘The specimens do not quite agree, the one from Teapa being a little

larger and black ; while the two from Guatemala have the punctuation of the inter-

stices not quite so obsolete. They are so similar that I must consider them all as

belonging to one somewhat variable species. SS. duplicatus, Pascoe, is an allied form

having a shorter thorax, and duplicate series of fine punctures on the intervals

between the costz of the elytra.

6. Sosylus infans, sp. n.

Angustus, castaneus, subopacus ; epistomate parvo, canaliculato ; capite subtilissime punctato ; prothorace sat

elongato, subtiliter crebre punctato; elytris costatis, costa prima ad apicem cum secunda haud conjuncta,

intervallis strigoso-sculpturatis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil, Pantaleon (Champion).

Head flat ; epistome small, in the female distinctly canaliculate, but in the male very

deeply so, in this Jatter sex bituberculate at the extremity ; punctuation dense and very

fine. Thorax moderately long, a good deal narrowed behind, finely not densely punc-

tate, the punctures narrow and elongate, but not forming strie. Elytra costate, the

SOSYLUS. 483

first costa depressed at its termination, but very distinctly separated from the others ;

the intervals sculptured with numerous fine entire lines.

We have received five examples only of this species; it differs strongly from S. cen-

tralis by the sculpture of the thorax. The specimens do not quite agree, but I cannot

satisfactorily distinguish more than the one species, the typical examples being those

from Cerro Zunil. .

7. Sosylus mexicanus, sp. n.

Piceus, sat nitidus, capite prothoraceque parce punctatis ; elytris costatis, intervallis regulariter sub-bicostatis.

Long. 5 millim,

Hab. Mexico (Sallé), Las Vigas (Hége).

Epistome simple, rounded in front; head with distant punctures. Thorax mode-

rately long, a good deal narrowed behind, not closely punctured, somewhat shining.

Elytra elongate ; very distinctly costate, even at the base, the first costa at the apex not

uniting with the others; each interval very definitely sculptured with uninterrupted

lines, so as to give rise to the appearance of each being almost bi-costate.

We have received two specimens only of this species, each in poor preservation ; one

of them has more numerous punctures on the head and thorax than the others, but

they agree in the specific characters of the very regularly costate elytra with definite

lines on the intervals and the simple epistome.

8. Sosylus strigosus, sp. n.

Niger, subnitidus, antennis pedibusque piceis; prothorace minus elongato, strigoso ; elytris costatis, costa

prima ante apicem altius elevata, intervallis minus subtiliter lineato-sculpturatis.

Long. 5 millim,

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Epistome rather narrow and elongate, very slightly emarginate in front, the angles

acute but deflexed ; the whole front of the head finely, very densely, strigose-punctate,

dull. Thorax moderately long, closely strigose-punctate, smooth, however, at each

side; near the base on each side with a deep obliquely-impressed transverse line.

Elytra very distinctly costate, the first costa not united with the others, and the second

also free at the tip; the broad intervals are sculptured with very distinct lines, which

are very elongate, except that the middle line of each interval is quite broken and

irregular.

We have received only one example of this species. It is not very closely allied

to any other. The transverse lines at the base of the thorax ally it to the following

species.

3 Q* 2

484 COLYDIIDE.

9. Sosylus annectens, sp. n.

Robustus, niger, sat nitidus, antennis extrorsum pedibusque piceis; prothorace minus subtiliter strigoso-

punctato; elytris costatis, costa prima ad apicem extensa, intervallis rude substrigoso-sculpturatis.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Head densely rugose ; eyes prominent. Hpistome prolonged, its anterior angles acute

and curved on to the underside of the head; it is canaliculate along the middle, and

does not possess the rugose sculpture of the vertex. Thorax rather short, rounded at

the sides and narrowed behind; the disc densely covered with a rather coarse strigose

sculpture; a deeply impressed, transversely oblique line on each side near the base.

Elytra with the coste very distinct, the first of them connected at the apex with the

apical margin; the intervals broad, each bearing three lines, of which the median is

quite irregular, being broken up into short strigosities; on the apical declivity the

intervals are free from this sculpture.

Only one specimen was obtained of this remarkable insect. No doubt it is a male,

and it is not improbable that the structure of the epistome may be different in the

female.

10. Sosylus salvini, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 14.)

Major, nigerrimus, nitidus; prothorace parce punctato; elytris costatis, intervallis tristriatis.

Long. 11 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Head short, shining, feebly longitudinally bi-impressed, sparingly punctate ; epistome

short; eyes large and convex. Thorax moderately long, narrowed behind, very shining,

black, remotely punctured. Elytra with the coste very distinct, the first not connected

with the apical margin, but almost touching it; the intervals broad, each marked with

three well-separated striz.

We have received but one example of this fine insect. Prolonged reiterated efforts

have quite failed to extend the antenna, and I think it possible that the basal joint is

deprived of the usual freedom of motion, and that such movements as may be made

usually take place by means of the articulation between the first'and second joints.

11. Sosylus chontalensis, sp. n.

Piceus, nitidus, prothorace subtiliter sat crebre punctato, angulis obtusis; elytris obtuse costatis, intervallis

levigatis.

Long. 63 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

Epistome broad and short, front margin feebly bisinuate, angles distinct.. Head

finely punctate, the punctures dense on the middle of the upper part. Thorax elongate,

narrowed behind; hind angles obtuse, front angles quite rounded ; surface finely and

SOSYLUS.—PROLYCTUS. 485

remotely punctate. Elytra with broad costz, the first abbreviated before the apex, and

at its extremity surmouuted with two or three short sete, the broad intervals quite

destitute of sculpture.

This is another extremely distinct species, of which only one example has been

obtained. It has the peculiarity that the anterior coxe are prolonged externally so as

to form a short free angle. This peculiarity occurs, though not to so marked an ex-

tent, in S. salvini, and I have little doubt these two remarkable insects will ultimately

form a distinct genus, of which S. crassus, Pascoe, may possibly also be a member.

- Subfam. BOTHRIDERINA.

The great separation of all the coxe is characteristic of this group, and in conjunction

with the insertion of the antenne, and with the absence of the aciculate palpi of the

Cerylinee and Lapethine, is sufficiently distinctive.

PROLYCTUS.

Prolyctus, Zimmermann, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. ii. p. 254 (1869).

Machlotes, Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xvii. p. 585 (nec Pascoe).

This genus appears to range from the southern parts of the United States to the

southern limits of our region, but I am not acquainted with any South-American

species belonging to it. Machlotes, Pascoe, may perhaps be retained as distinct with

advantage.

These appear, even when met with, to be always rare insects.

1. Prolyctus dorsalis.

Prolyctus dorsalis, Reitter, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1877, p. 346°.

Hab. Mexico!, Jalapa (Hoge, M. Trujillo), Esperanza (Hoge); Guatemana, Mirandilla,

Balheu (Champion).

_ If I am correct in my interpretation of Reitter’s very brief description, P. dorsalis is

a species very similar indeed to the North-American P. exaratus, but having the margin

of the discoidal depression on the thorax less costate-elevate, the elytral coste rather

less elevated, and no trace of any costation or punctuation on the second interval of the

elytra. P.(Bothrideres) latus, Pascoe, is extremely similar to P. dorsalis, but in it the

two median convergent lines on the anterior part of the thorax are entirely wanting.

2. Prolyctus sculpticollis, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 15.)

Fusco-niger, opacus, prothorace acute, intricater multicostatis ; elytris argute costatis, intervallis omnino

esculpturatis.

Long. 5-7 millim. .

Hab. Mexico, Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer); British Honpvuras, Belize

(Blancaneauaz) ; GuatemaLa, San Gerénimo, San Joaquin, Zapote (Champion).

486 COLYDIIDA.

Thorax strongly rounded at the sides, obscurely punctate, with the coste very sharply

elevated and complex, viz. one parallel with the strongly elevated lateral margin, a

short oblique one on the front on each side, and a median pair starting from the front

margin, these diverging strongly and surrounding the discoidal sculpture, outside which

they become a little rounded and then cease; the discoidal sculpture or shield is divided

into two parts by a broad depression, each of the parts being carinate; the basal

sculpture is separated from the discoidal by a deep depression, and consists of two short

processes with converging and somewhat overhanging carinz, and between them, in

front of the scutellum, a short cariniform tubercle. The elytra have each three sharply

elevated coste, the intervals between which are without sculpture; the sutural interval

is a little wider than the others.

Very similar to P. dorsalis, but readily distinguished by the acute costiform elevations

on the disc of the thorax. From P. exaratus, Melsh., to which it is equally similar,

it may be separated by the carinate discoidal and basal tubercles of the thorax, and by

the absence of all trace of costation on the intervals of the costa of the wing-cases.

3. Prolyctus signatus, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 16.)

Rufescens, subnitidus, subdepressus ; prothorace lateribus ante medium subsinuatis, dorso signatura sub-

quadrata, prope marginem lateralem costato ; elytris regulariter argute costatis, intervallis levigatis.

Long. 37-43 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Pantaleon (Champion); Nicaraeua, Chinandega (Sal/é).

Head shining, distinctly punctate. Thorax rather short, a good deal narrower than

the elytra, and a little narrowed behind; near the side with a well-marked costa; the

elevated lateral margin in front suddenly approximated to this costa, so as to meet it at

the front angle, and thus giving rise to the appearance of a sinuous or subangulate out-

line; on the middle there is a large peculiar mark, subquadrate, and connected with

the base by four channels—two, parallel, in front of the scutellum, and one at each

corner behind, forming a slender tortuous channel going to the termination of the costa ;

in front the discoidal mark has a small, less definite, prolongation forwards. Elytra

with four regular coste, the two inner connected at the base; the shoulders with a

minute denticle projecting outwards; the intervals flat, polished. Under surface

polished, and with opalescent reflections.

Three examples were obtained of this elegant and distinct species; the one from

Nicaragua, though darker and larger than those from Guatemala, seems to belong really

to the same species.

4. Prolyctus annectens, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 17.)

Rufescens, vix opacus; prothorace lateribus subrotundatis, intra marginem costato, anterius utrinque carinula

obliqua, dorso signatura magna ; elytris regulariter costatis, intervallis planis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 feet (Champion).

PROLYCTUS.—LITHOPHORUS. 487

Although superficially resembling P. signatus, this insect is much more nearly allied

to P. dorsalis, from which it is well distinguished by its much smaller size, rufescent

colour, and narrower thorax. The thorax is marked as in P. dorsalis, but the discoidal

signature is narrower, and in front its lateral margin is a little more prolonged forwards

on each side; the two flattened basal tubercles or elevations are approximate, indeed

almost contiguous. The sculpture of the elytra is almost exactly as in P. dorsalis.

Only one example was found.

LITHOPHORUS, gen. nov.

Antenne articulo ultimo parvo, in articulo decimo quasi recepto. Oculi haud prominuli. Pedes omnes

distantes. Abdomen absque lineis longitudinalibus.

The insects of this genus have the characters common to Prolyctus and Bothrideres,

but differ from both in form and sculpture, also from the former in the absence of the

so-called coxal lines on the first ventral segment, and from Bothrideres in the form of

the head, the eyes not being prominent, but placed quite near the thorax. The tibie

are remarkably broad, and are denticulate externally.

Judging from the description, the Antillean Prolyctus gemmatus, Reitter, will prove

to belong to this new genus. It has, like the species here described, the peculiarity of

bearing a sort of jewel set in the middle of each rough elytron.

1. Lithophorus gemmifer, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 18.)

Elongatus, nigricans, supra opacus, rugoso-tuberculatus; prothorace perineequali, anterius utrinque costa

elevata ; elytro singulo medio bigemmato.

Long. 6-8 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

Antenne piceous; head scarcely half as broad as the elytra. Thorax oblong, nearly

straight at the sides, much narrower than the elytra; the surface very uneven, without

lateral margin, a strongly raised costa extending on each side of the middle from the

front margin backwards nearly half the length of the thorax; on the middle, extending

backwards, a longitudinal depression terminated behind by an abrupt, almost furcate,

elevation; on each side of this latter a deep irregular fovea; at the sides near the

middle are two acute tubercles; there is no visible punctuation, but a scanty glistening

flavescent setosity is present. Elytra elongate, striate; the third interstice from the

suture set with a series of compressed tubercles, the fifth also tuberculate ; each of

these interstices bears on the middle a translucent yellow tubercle looking like a jewel

or piece of fine amber ; the outer portions bear some smaller tubercles. Under surface

coarsely punctate, but shining. Four specimens.

488 COLYDIIDA.

9. Lithophorus succineus.

Bothrideres succineus, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. i. p. 108, t. 5. fig. 3°; 1. p. 93°.

‘Elongatus, niger, opacus, elytris longitudinaliter tuberculatis, singulo medio bigemmato.

Long. 3-53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Paso de San Juan in Vera Cruz (Hége); Guaremaua, El Tumbador,

El Reposo (Champion).—Amazons, Ega?, Paré+; Brazit, Rio Janeiro } 2,

Antenne piceous, terminal joint almost invisible. Head very coarsely punctate.

Thorax narrow, oblong, its surface rather uneven ; on the middle is a narrow rhomboidal

depression continued forwards as a faint channel, and also prolonged as a channel

behind till arrested by a small elevation ; outside this latter there is a short tortuous

channel, on each side a sharp tubercle. Elytra longand narrow; suture depressed and

flat ; the third and fifth interstices costate, the coste, however, interrupted and irregular,

each of them in the middle with a small translucent piece like a jewel or fine amber ;

the outer parts with numerous rough tubercles or denticles. Under surface coarsely

punctured, dull. Legs long.

Although similar to LZ. gemmifer, this insect is easily separable by the different

sculpture of the thorax. The example found at El Reposo, though only half the

normal size, seems really to belong to the same species.

In his comments on B. succineus Pascoe pointed out? that it should probably form a

new genus.

BOTHRIDERES.

Bothrideres, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 288 (1845) ; Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xvii.

p- 586.

This is apparently one of the most widely distributed of the genera of Colydiide, and

is likely to prove rich in specific forms. About. forty species have been described up

to the present time. |

1. Bothrideres setiger, sp.n. (Tab. XV. fig. 19.)

Elongatus, supra deplanatus, ferrugineus, piliferus ; prothorace fortiter punctato, lateribus in medio denticu-

latis, dorso vage impresso ; elytris interstitiis ineequalibus, alternis fere costiformibus.

Hab. Guavemata, near the city, Capetillo, Zapote, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Var. minor, pallide ferrugineus.

Long. 23-34 millim. .

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city, Capetillo ( Champion).

Thorax subquadrate, but distinctly narrowed behind, the front angles not produced

but minutely acute; the sides with a well-marked denticle in the middle ; the surtace

coarsely punctate, the disc with a vague elongate impression, which is slightly

deeper at its commencement and termination, the intervening space being usually

BOTHRIDERES. 489

smooth ; on the front margin there is also a smooth space. Elytra rather elongate,

flat, a little narrowed behind, deeply striate ; the interstices very unequal in width, the

broader of them serially punctate, the narrower resembling coste, but not more

elevated than the others; the shoulders are a little rounded, and, curving inwards, pro-

ject a little at the base. Under surface very shining, sparsely punctate.

This is apparently a very variable species in size, and also, though to a less extent,

in colour and in the punctuation of the thorax and elytra. The unique type of B. sim-

plex, Pascoe, is extremely closely allied, but has a broader thorax, and the interstices

of the elytra are less unequal, the alternate ones being, therefore, not like coste.

2. Bothrideres depressus, sp. n.

Piceus, depressus, sat nitidus, piliferus; prothorace medio denticulato, dorso obsolete impresso ; elytris striatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatrmata, Mirandilla, Pantaleon (Champion).

Very closely allied to B. setiger, but readily distinguished by the comparatively slight

inequalities of the alternate interstices of the elytra. . depressus, also, is darker in

colour and more depressed in form. The thorax is very coarsely punctate, the disc

vaguely depressed ; a larger puncture or fovea exists at the basal part of the depression ;

there is a smooth space on the front margin. The elytra are flat, rather long, and

distinctly striate, the strie being punctured; the interstices are a little unequal, the

alternate. ones being slightly narrower, but not costate; the broader interstices are

seriately punctate, but there are no punctures on the first, third, and fifth interstices.

Under surface flattened and polished, with distant very distinct punctures (closer

towards the extremity) and scanty setosity. Four specimens.

3. Bothrideres parvulus, sp. n. (Tab. XV. fig. 20.)

Testaceo-ferrugineus, subopacus, subtiliter setosus, elytrorum limbo setis erectis ornato; prothorace medio

quadratim-impresso, impressione longitudinaliter divisa; elytris interstitiis alternis costatis.

1 7 +114 :

Long. 14-17 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo (Champion).

This minute Bothrideres is of short form, and very distinct on account of the costate

elytra. The antenne are small, but the club is large. The head is obsoletely punctate,

feebly longitudinally bi-impressed. The thorax is quadrate, but a little narrowed

behind; the angles are obtuse; the surface is densely obscurely punctate, with a large

depression on the disc, in which there is a longitudinal elevation; there are also two

short obscure longitudinal elevations in front of the scutellum. ‘The elytra are short ;

the alternate interstices are elevated so as to form costz, the outer one continued ehind

so as to form, with its fellow, a continuous margin to the apical part of the body; and

the margin of the after-body in front has very distinct outstanding sete. Under surface

minutely setose, very obsoletely punctate.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, January 1899. 3 R*

490 -COLYDIIDA. |

4. Bothrideres solitarius, sp.n.

- Haud depressus, ferrugineus, capite prothoraceque fuscescentibus, setosus; prothorace subquadrato, dorso

impresso medio ante basin profunde foveolato, basi bidenticulata; elytris setis erectis armatis.

Long. 33 millim. .

Hab. GuatEMaLa, Cerro Zunil (Champion). —

Head rather closely and coarsely punctate, setose; club of antenna large. Thorax

quadrate, coarsely punctate, setigerous, with a large depression on the middle, and

behind it a very definite round fovea; on each side of this there is, as it were, a

very slight elevation directed backwards, so that in profile the base appears bidenticu-

late; the hind angles are rectangular, minutely prominent. Elytra moderately elongate,

subcostate ; the alternate interstices setose, the outer one armed with distinctly erect

sete. Legs rather short.

Only one example was received of this species; it is, perhaps, nearest to B. parvulus.

5. Bothrideres subvittatus, sp. n.

Angustus, haud depressus, parce setosus, nigricans; antennis rufis; pedibus elytrisque rufo-obscuris, his ad

suturam spe nigricantibus; prothorace dorso bifoveolato.

Long. 23-3} millim. .

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne red; club large. Thorax rather longer than broad, a little narrowed

behind, convex; angles obtuse, coarsely punctate, with two large fovee—one in front

of, the other behind, the middle. Llytra finely seriately punctate; the sutural inter-

stice with fine distant punctures, the first interstice outside this polished, without

punctures; the second and fourth interstices punctate, the third and fifth impunctate.

The polished interstice becomes broader and deeper at the apex, and is set on its deepest

apical part with some transverse impressions or coarse rugosities.

This species should perhaps be separated to form a distinct genus, as the front coxe

are only half as widely separated as they are in the normal Bothrideres.

TAPHRIDERES, gen. nov.

Coxe anteriores haud depress, parum distantes.

The insect for which I establish this genus has the appearance and most of the

characters of the narrow species of Bothrideres, but the front coxe are still more

approximate in Taphrideres; moreover, the front coxe are not so very deeply inserted

as they are in Bothrideres, and thus the prosternal process appears somewhat depressed

between them. So far as the prosternal process is concerned, Taphrideres therefore

connects Bothrideres with the more ordinary forms, in this respect, of Colydiide.

TAPHRIDERES.—CERYLON, 491

1. Taphrideres alternans, sp. n. (Tab. XV. fig. 21.)

Niger, haud depressus, tenniter setosus, nitidus; antennis rufis, pedibus piceis; prothorace ante basin in medio

profunde foveolato ; elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis, interstitiis primo, tertio, quinto levigatis, alternis

Setigeris, 9 ~ ee . ,

Long. 4-44 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, El Tumbador, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne obscure red, stout. Eyes large, convex, placed near the thorax. The latter

rather elongate, much narrower behind ; the sides rounded in front; the anterior angles

acute; there is no lateral margin, except at the sides behind, where there is a short

elevated plica; in front of the base in the middle there is a very deep fovea; the surface

is coarsely punctate, but shining, and very distinctly setigerous. Elytra with the second

and sixth interstices prominent at the base; the sculpture consists of series of fine,

setigerous punctures, and a similar but still finer punctuation of the interstices, the

alternate interstices being, however, smooth; the first interstice becomes depressed at

the apex, and is there slightly transversely plicate. Under surface shining, with fine

scanty hairs. This species is apparently confined to the Pacific slope.

Subfam. CERY LINZ.

In this group the antenne have their insertion exposed from the front, and the

terminal joint of the palpi is very minute and aciculate. The subfamily Ceryline com-

prises a considerable number of genera, which require a careful study, as the gradations

in the minor points of strueture appear to be numerous. All are small or minute

Colydiids.

CERYLON. |

Cerylon, Latreille, Hist. Nat. Crust. et Ins. iii. p. 205 (1807); Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl,

lil. p. 298. .

This genus is very widely distributed, but only three or four species have been

described from the Western Hemisphere.

1. Cerylon curtipes, sp. n.

Depressum, breve, castaneum, nitidum, fortiter punctatum ; elytrorum seriebus externe et versus apicem

carentibus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo (Flohr); Guatumata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne short; club rather small. Eyes very prominent. Thorax broader than

long; front angles very little produced; hind angles rectangular; disc coarsely

punctate; basal impressions absent. Elytra with six series of coarse punctures, the

sides and apex smooth. Legs short; tibie dilated and rounded externally towards

the apex, each bearing two long, very fine sete.

3 R* 2

492 COLYDIIDA.

This is one of the smallest insects of the genus; the legs are shorter than usual, and

the two long outstanding sete on the tibiee seem to be peculiar to it. We have

received only one specimen from Mexico, but Mr. Champion procured a fair series at

San Gerdnimo.

PHILOTHERMUS.

Philothermus, Aubé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1843, p. 93; Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 292;

Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc, xvii. p. 589.

This genus at present is scarcely satisfactorily distinguished from Cerylon. Horn

separates it chiefly on account of the open anterior acetabula; but this important

character has not been examined by other describers, who have contented themselves

with separating the two genera by means of a difference in the antennal club. Hence it

is quite uncertain whether some of the species that have been treated as belonging to

Cerylon should not rather be placed in Philothermus. In the present work I have

made use of the ordinary mode of separating the genera, as the material before me is

not sufficient to enable me to examine the acetabula in a satisfactory manner.

The genus is not numerous in species at present, scarcely a dozen having been

described; but they come from widely separated parts of the world.

1. Philothermus politulus, sp. n.

Brevis, piceus, sublevigatus, antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace pernitido, elytrorum seriebus punctorum

valde abbreviatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion).

Antenne small; club rather indistinctly divided. Thorax short, highly polished, with

some rather large punctures on the middle behind; front angles deflexed, very little

prominent; there is an extremely fine lateral margin. LElytra with three or four series

of punctures, the sutura] one entire, the others abbreviated.

We have received one example only of this distinct little species. Though

looking exactly like a Cerylon, it seems that it must at present be placed in Philo-

thermus.

2. Philothermus gibbulus.

Philothermus gibbulus, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeit. 1876, p. 303 -

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Mus. Deyrolle').

We have not received a specimen of this species. It is said to be a very small convex

insect, with scarcely visible thoracic margin. It would from this appear to be nearest

to P. politulus.

PHILOTHERMUS. 493

3. Philothermus cerylonicus, sp. n.

Angustus, parallelus, depressus, ferrugineus, nitidus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; prothorace parce punctato ;

elytris seriebus punctorum versus apicem et ad latera carentibus.

Long. 13 millim.

_ Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé).

_ Antenne small; club elongate, rather indistinctly divided. ‘Thorax about as long as

broad ; front angles rounded, not. produced ; sides straight; the surface finely punctate.

Elytra rather long, with series of fine punctures, which become obsolete towards the

extremity and are absent from the sides; the sutural stria extends to the apex. Legs

rather short.

This is, perhaps, the smallest insect of the whole family. Itis exactly like a Cerylon,

but the antennal club is as distinctly divided as it is in the type of Philothermus.

4, Philothermus marginatus, sp. n.

Piceo-castaneus, nitidus; antennis pedibusque testaceis; prothorace parce punctato, tenuissime pubescente,

crasse marginato; elytris seriebus punctorum abbreviatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme (H. H. Smith); GuateMmata, Capetillo, Zapote, Cerro Zunil

(Champion).

Antenne short ; club elongate, distinctly divided. Thorax rather strongly transverse,

with the lateral margins very distinct; the hind angles well marked, almost acute; the

surface very shining, with distant coarse punctures and a very few extremely fine hairs.

Elytra very shining, with distinct series of remote punctures, none of them extending

to the apex. Tibi slender.

A North-American insect in Pascoe’s collection labelled “Cerylon testacewm, Say,” is

closely allied to P. marginatus.

5. Philothermus puberulus,

Philothermus puberulus, Schwarz, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xvii. p. 361*; Horn, t. c. p. 5907.

Hab. Nort America, Florida!?, Arizona?.—Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Motzorongo

(Flohr); Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Zapote, Capetillo, San Gerdnimo (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The small series we have received of this species shows it to be somewhat variable

in form and in the coarseness of the sculpture, but I am unable to see any good

characters for separating the specimens.

Schwarz + records it as having been found under the bark of Pinus palustris.

494 COLYDIIDA.

Subfam. LAPETHINA.

: This subfamily as at present constituted is somewhat doubtfully distinct from the

Cerylinz, and consists only of a few small insects from the New World. All are more

convex insects than is usual in the Colydiide. |

The Lapethine are distinguished from the Mychocerine by the prosternum having

the chin-piece separated from the flanks by a deep fissure and by the aciculate palpi.

Besides this, there is a want of agreement in many details. Although the Cerylon

alliance is quite clear in Lapethine, I find little to indicate its existence in Mychocerus

pilifer, Lewis.

LAPETHUS.

Lapethus, Casey, Ann. N. York Acad. v. p. 317 (1890).

I think I am correct in referring to this genus a small insect found by Mr. Champion

in Central America; but I have some doubt about it, as Casey says “ pronotum [no doubt

in error for prosternum] widely separating the small globular coxe ”: in the Guatemalan

insect the front coxee are moderately distant, the prosternum projecting beyond them in

the form of a rounded prosternal process.

In establishing the genus Lapethus, Casey referred it to the Murmidiine, where it

was by him associated with Murmidius and Mychocerus. If we are in this country

right as to the insects we assign to Lapethus and Mychocerus the two are by no means

closely allied, neither is there any very near relationship between Mychocerus and

Murmidius. As our Lapethus and Mychocerus do not at any rate enter the same

subfamily, and as Mychocerus has already been dealt with in this work as an aberrant

member of the Histeride (anted p. 244), it is unnecessary for me here to discuss the

question further.

1. Lapethus discretus. (Tab. XV. fig. 22.)

Lapethus discretus, Casey, Ann. N. York Acad. v. p. 318°.

Hab. Norn America, California !.—Gvatema.a, San Gerd onimo, E] Jicaro (Champion);

Panama, Volean de Chiriqui (Champion).

We have received six examples only of this species. The pair found by Casey in

California were obtained from under old bark, near Humboldt Bay. Our individuals

agree with Casey’s description, though he remarks that the thorax has the sides

margined with a “thick acute bead.” In our example the sides of the thorax are

finely margined.

LYTOPEPLUS, gen. nov.

Corpus ovatum, nudum ; prothorace ad elytra et ad mesosternum arcte applicato. Antenne octo-articulate

clava ovata, uniarticulata. Coxe: omnes late distantes; prothorace anterius utrinque fovea elongata.

Tarsi subtus ad basin longe setosi.

This genus is closely allied to the preceding (Lapethus), but is distinguishable by the

LYTOPEPLUS. 495

greater separation of the front and middle coxe, and by the accurate co-adaptation of the

hind portion of the prosternum in the middle and the front of the mesosternum. The

head is very retractile, so that it can be, in repose, almost entirely withdrawn into the

thorax. The club of the antenna has no visible sutures, but it looks as if it might be

composed of three joints—an appearance due to the arrangement of the pubescence.

The hind margin of the prosternal process is gently curved ; it is not received into any

cavity of the mesosternum. The mesosternum has between the cox an exposed portion

brought up to the level of the metasternum; in front of this it is perpendicular, and

then again is continued forwards horizontally; thus it forms a sort of step—like the

step of a stair; the front edge of its posterior part is wider than the prosternal process,

but has a corresponding curvature, and this curvature the edge of the prosternal

projection reposes against. ‘The hind coxe are rather large, and the abdominal

process behind them exhibits a quite straight transverse truncature in front. The

basal three joints of the tarsi are short, and from the first of them there projects a

long delicate pencil of two or three hairs.

1. Lytopeplus compactus, sp. n. (Tab. XV. fig. 23.)

Ovatns, piceo-ferrugineus ; antennis pedibusque testaceis; prothorace polito, parce obsolete punctato, sub-

levigato ; elytris seriebus abbreviatis punctorum.

Long. 2-27 millim,

Hab. GuatEMaLa, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Head very obsoletely punctate; eyes very small, but prominent. Antenne with oval

club, the base of which is glabrous; then there is a band of pubescence, while the apex

is largely pubescent and bears several long sete. Thorax much narrowed in front,

very definitely but finely margined at the sides; the base very feebly broadly lobed in

the middle; the surface with a few fine distant punctures, and also very delicately

alutaceous. Scutellum distinct, small. Elytra with series of rather fine punctures,

which are absent from the sides and apex; the surface shining, but when cleaned and

viewed with a high power found to be studded with excessively minute, remote, erect

sete. Legs slender; under surface almost impunctate. Our specimens of this species

were found under the bark of pines.

Subfam. DISCOLOMINA.

This little group is characterized by the three-jointed tarsi and by the exposed

insertion of the antenne. Some of the Tarphiine have likewise three-jointed tarsi,

but in them the insertion of the antenne is concealed. The palpi are, I believe, very

varied in their development in this small group, which consists of three genera only,

viz. Discoloma, Holophygus, and Notiophygus.

496 COLYDIIDA.

DISCOLOMA.

Discoloma, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iti. p. 292 (1845); Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soe. xvii.

p. 556.

This peculiar genus includes four or five South-American species, and Reitter has

recently added another from Guinea.

The structure of the metasternum and base of abdomen is very peculiar in this genus.

Horn called attention to the fact that the hind coxe are widely separated from the

epimera, and he supposed that the two parts did not articulate. On dissecting off the

abdomen it is, however, seen that the superficial appearance is completely deceptive ;

the posterior cox are really large, and the posterior part of the middle of the meta-

sternum is turned upwards at right angles, and is in this manner concealed ; the apical

angle of the epimeron is curved upwards and inwards, and thus the normal articulation

with the outer portion of the coxa occurs, though quite concealed from observation

made without the aid of dissection.

1. Discoloma vestitum.

Discoloma vestita, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. i. p. 99°.

Hab. Merxico!, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa, San Juan Bautista (Hoge), Motzorongo

(Flohr), Yucatan (Sallé); Brirish Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); GuatEMaa, San

Juan, Tamahu, Senahu, and Cahabon in Vera Paz, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This is apparently a common insect in parts of our region, and varies but little. It

is extremely close to a South-Brazilian insect, but this latter has a shorter, rather more

scanty pubescence.

2. Discoloma cassideum.

Thireosoma cassideum, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. p. 8°.

Discoloma cassideum, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeit. xxi. p. 176 (1877) *.

Hab. Mexico! 2.

When Herr Reitter originally described in a very few words! this supposed new

species, he was not aware that these insects had been previously studied by Erichson

and Pascoe; and it appears probable, therefore, that his 7. casstdeum is the common

Mexican Discoloma, which, indeed, is the only one of the genus known to me as

occurring there. Since, however, the Austrian savant has returned to the consideration

of the genus, and in a brief—and I must add unsatisfactory—table has given

Discoloma vestitum and D. cassideum as distinct species, I follow him till a comparison

of his type shall have settled the point.

DISCOLOMA.—HOLOPHYGUS. 497

3. Discoloma humerale. (‘Tab. XV. fig. 24.)

Subcirculare, depressum, fuscum, limbo ferrugineo ; subtilissime punctulatum, pube erecta evidenter vestitum.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Duefias (Champion).

Club of antenna longer than broad, its extremity quite truncate. Thorax almost

impunctate. Elytra with the expanded margins very broad, reddish in colour, the disc

being fuscous; the red colour extends inwards at the shoulder, forming a humeral

mark; the punctuation is fine and not dense; the explanate margins are marked off

from the body by a very conspicuous series of large punctures, but there is no trace of

other large punctures.

We have received only two examples of this species; it appears to be quite distinct

from D. vestitum.

4. Discoloma circulare, sp. n.

Subcirculare, depressum, fuscum ; subtilissime punctulatum, pube erecta evidenter vestitum.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to D. humerale, but is unicolorous, and has the

punctuation and pubescence rather finer and more dense.

Both species are well distinguished from D. vestitum by the broader explanate margin,

and the entire absence of larger shallow punctures on the disc.

HOLOPHYGUS, gen. nov.

Corpus rotundatum, subconvexum. Antenne 10-articulate; clava uniarticulata. Coxe omnes minute, sat

distantes.

Antenne inserted on the front of the head, the basal joint incrassate, the terminal

one forming a long slender club. Mouth placed at the front of the head, but quite

beneath. yes small, very convex, finely facetted. Prosternum short; front cox

distinctly but not widely separated ; acetabula closed. Mesosternum prominent in front

of the middle coxz, which are moderately distant. Metasternum short. Hind coxe

minute, globose, not very widely separated; more distant from the lateral margin of

the abdomen than from one another. First ventral segment as long as the two

following segments together. Epipleure very broad. Legs slender; tibie quite simple,

without spurs. ‘Tarsi 3-jointed, second joint small.

There can be no doubt that this genus is allied to Discoloma, although the appearance is

so different. The unique specimen has been injured, and has the point of the prothoracic

side-piece broken off on one side, thus rendering the corresponding acetabulum open.

In addition to the two genera of our fauna the only other member of the subfamily

Discolomine is the South-African genus Notiophygus. The insects forming it have a

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, June 1899. 3 $*

498 COLYDIIDA.—RHYSODIDZ.

very different appearance from Holophygus, yet the two genera are apparently very closely

allied structurally. Notiophygus has, however, very thick maxillary palpi, while the

parts of the mouth in Holophygus, so far as I can see them, apparently differ but little

from those of Discoloma.

1. Holophygus celatus, sp. n. (Tab. XV. fig. 29.)

Subrotundatus, sat convexus, fuscus, limbo rufescente ; antennis pedibusque flavis; opacus, breviter parceque

hispidulus, limbo subtuberculato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Club of antenna elongate and slender. Head small, deeply inserted in the thorax ;

this latter broad and short, very greatly narrowed in front. Scutellum extremely short.

Elytra as well as the thorax coarsely, quite irregularly punctured, and studded with

distant, very short, thick, erect sete; the margins of the thorax as well as those of the

elytra are so formed as to give an undulated outline to the insect, the projections on

each wing-case being seven in number.

Of this curious little insect only one specimen was obtained, and it, unfortunately, has

been somewhat injured, probably in connection with its capture.

Fam. RHYSODIDZ*.

According to the Catalogue recently made of these anomalous insects by Mr. Geo.

Lewis, forty-one species are at present known. One only has been previously recorded

from our region, and I now add a second discovered by Mr. Champion in Guatemala.

CLINIDIUM.

Clinidium, Kirby, Zool. Journ. v. p. 6 (1829).

This genus, consisting at present of sixteen species, has an extremely wide distribution

in both hemispheres. C. guatemalenum is found under the bark of pines.

1. Clinidium mexicanum.

Clinidium mexicanum, Chevr. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1878, p. 214°.

Hab. Mexico, Jacale (Sallé}, Truqui), Cordova (Sallé), Omilteme in Guerrero (H. H.

Smith), Las Vigas, Esperanza, Amecameca, Toluca (/oge).

9. Clinidium guatemalenum, sp. n.

Angustum, nigro-piceum, nitidum; prothorace lateribus bisuleatis, dorso profunde sulcato, basi utrinque foveolata,

foveolis longe antrorsum prolongatis ; elytris sulcatis, interstitiis minus argute crenatis.

Long. 7-8 millim.

* By D. Saarp.

CUCUJIDZ. 499

Hab. GuatemMaua, Santa Cruz near San Gerdénimo, Quiché Mountains 7000 to

9000 feet, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Although very similar to C. mexicanum, this insect belongs to a different section

of the genus, owing to the thorax having two grooves instead of one at the sides.

The antenne are only moderately stout, their exserted seta very distinct. Head

with two channels converging to form a single depression behind, which is so deep as

almost to make the vertex appear bilobed. Thorax very long, very highly polished ;

the dorsal channel very deep; the fovee remarkably elongate, so that they do not

entirely disappear until somewhere near the middle of the length. Elytra with the

shoulders prolonged in front, very deeply sulcate, the interstices having their outer

margin somewhat undulatory; the scutellar depression very deep. Male with a small

acute denticle on the front femora; the tibia with a small acute tooth on the inner

margin above the middle; the spurs at the apex of the middle tibia turned more

inwards than they are in the female; those at the apex of the hind tibia directed

inwards, and placed on a small prolongation.

Fam. CUCUJIDA*.

This family at present includes upwards of 300 species, and is represented in all

parts of the world. About 140 have been discovered in our region, and upwards of 100

of them appear to be new. I have to thank M. A. Grouvelle, of Paris, who has devoted

a great deal of attention to this family, for his kindness in examining a series of our

species of Lemophiwus and Silvanine, and communicating to me his views thereon.

The family Cucujidz is one as to the affinities and classification of which considerable

diversity of opinion exists. The sexes in some cases display an inexplicable difference

in the number of joints on the hind feet, which is subject to be one less in the male

than it is in the female. In other cases the feet are similar as to the number of joints

in the two sexes, but exhibit a generic difference in this respect, being in some cases

all 4-jointed, in others all 5-jointed. Hence the family includes a much greater

diversity in tarsal structure than is usual in the families of Coleoptera. The antenne

are sometimes of the typical Clavicorn structure, while in other cases they have no

trace of a club. In some forms the anterior acetabula are closed behind, while in

others they are open.

While so much variety is exhibited within the limits of this small family, it is at the

same time very difficult to separate it from certain other families, ¢. g. Cryptophagide,

Erotylide, and Monotomide. In fact, the classification of this portion of the

Coleoptera will have to be remodelled. Captain Casey has already made various

propositions to this end, but in the case of our limited fauna I have not felt justified

* By D. Suarp.

3 8* 2

500 CUCUJIDE.

in making any radical alterations. I have, however, intimated in the following pages

that the Rhizophagine should be brought into the Cucujide ; that Hemipeplus should

be removed from the family to the Heteromerous series ; and I may here add that several

genera, that will be placed in our pages in Monotomide, in conformity with the views

of Leconte and Horn, should also be brought into the Cucujide, to be placed near

Rhizophagine.

The characters made use of for defining the subfamilies of Cucujide have not been

happily selected by Erichson and his successors, and I have been compelled to establish

a new subfamily, Ancistriine.

Subfam. PASSANDRINA.

In this subfamily the anterior coxal cavities are open; the basal joint of the feet

is extremely short, so that the tarsi appear only 4-jointed ; and the sides of the under

surface of the head are prolonged so as to cover the maxille.

The North-American genus Scalidia is unknown to me*; it will probably prove

to be a member of the Ancistriine, and not of Passandrine, where it is placed by

Leconte and Horn.

PASSANDRA.

Passandra, Dalman, in Schénh. Syn. Ins., App. p. 146 (1817).

This is a genus of some eight or ten species, and is of very wide distribution, though

limited to the warmer regions of the world.

1. Passandra fasciata,

Passandra fasciata, Gray, in Griffith’s Anim. Kingd., Ins. ii. p. 98, t. 60. fig. 2, and t. 75. figg. 2 a-d

(as Parandra) (1832)'; Newm. Ann. Nat. Hist. (1) ul. p. 391 *,

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé), Jalapa, Bobo (Hoge), Yucatan (Sallé), Temax in

N. Yucatan (Gaumer); GuatemaLa, Pantaleon (Champion); NicaRacva, Chontales

(Belt).—Couomata, Cartagena’; ANTILLES, Cuba °.

This appears to be a rare insect, most of the localities having yielded only one or two

examples. Hége, however, procured a small series at Bobo, and this suggests that

the considerable variation the species exhibits in size and colour may be to some

extent geographical.

CATOGENUS.

Catogenus, Westwood, Zool. Journ. v. p. 221 (1835).

This genus comprises about twelve species, and is confined to the New World, with

the exception of one representative found in S. Africa; this I have not seen.

* Unless, as I have suggested in the following pages, when dealing with Syssitos, it should prove to be

that genus.

CATOGENUS. 501

The species are very similar to one another and it is therefore difficult to distinguish

them ; the details of the striation of the elytra, as well as the general form of the body,

the shape of the prothorax, and the structure of the antenne, offer the chief means of

separation ; some are said to be extremely variable in size. Several of the species

present a more or less distinct median channel on the head, extending from the

depression at the vertex to the labrum; this is the case with the first three species in

the following arrangement, while in the others the channel is either very obsolete or

entirely absent.

1. Catogenus integratus, sp. n.

Angustus, piceo-brunneus, nitidus, elytris dilutioribus ; prothorace suboblongo, posterius perparum angustato,

parum punctato, margine laterali antrorsum subabbreviato.

Long. 15 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Temax in N. Yucatan (Gaumer).

This is closely allied to the following species, but the thorax is even less narrowed

behind, and the oblong dorsal impressions on it are absent, as are also the punctate

spaces, which in some other forms represent the depressions. ‘The antenne are thick,

not elongate, the terminal two joints a little more slender than those preceding them.

The median channel of the head is remarkably definite. The thorax is comparatively

longer and narrower, less narrowed behind, and with the hind angles less marked and

less plicate than usual. ‘The elytra are very deeply striate, and the strie at the extreme

base are somewhat irregular, the first and second and the third and fourth being

paired and connected, while the fifth and sixth do not quite reach the base, but are

separated slightly from a vague depression which exists in front of them. The femora

are broad.

Although we have received only one specimen of this insect, I feel no doubt as to

its being distinct from C. germanus. It cannot be confounded with any other of our

species of Catogenus.

2. Catogenus germanus, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 1.)

Angustus, brunneus, nitidus ; prothorace posterius minus angustato, margine laterali antrorsum subabbreviato,

parum punctato, dorso posterius in medio vage depresso, in depressione biplagiatim punctato, inter plagas

levigato.

Long. 9-12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa, Tehuantepec, Bobo (Hége), Yucatan (Sal/é) ;

Guatemala, Mirandilla, El Reposo (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt); Panama,

Tolé (Champion).

This is narrower than our other large species and has short antenne; the longitudinal

channel on the middle of the head is distinct, though not deep. The narrow thorax

is transversely convex, and exhibits the peculiarity that the lateral margin does not

502 CUCUJIDA.

extend as it were quite to the front; its sides are gently curved, and just before the

base exhibit a more sudden though slight contraction, the hind angles being rectangular

and scarcely at all plicate; the surface is polished and irregularly punctate, the

punctuations being numerous and distinct along the sides, more scanty along the

disc, except that there is on each side of the middle behind a slightly depressed

longitudinal space, on which the punctures are somewhat larger and a little

closer. The sixth stria at the base of the elytra curves inward so as to form a sort

of transverse impression, and the fifth stria is continued so far forwards that it appears

to join this impression, though really it is slightly separated; both these strice are

very short, though continued backwards as serial punctures. ‘There is extremely

little punctuation on the prosternum. The middle of the mesosternum is quite on a

level with the metasternum, is polished, and has a well-marked oval fovea on the

middle. The ventral segments are polished, with very little punctuation. The femora

are unusually broad.

Specimens of C. germanus were named “ C. distinctus, Guérin,” in Sallé’s collection ;

but on comparing them with Guérin’s description, I think they are more probably an

allied species. I have not, however, seen any example of C. distinctus from New

Granada, the locality given by Guérin for his species.

3. Catogenus collaris, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 2.)

Elongatus, angustus, niger, elytris rufis; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis, hoc dorso vage impresso,

medio levigato ; elytris striis quinto sextoque discretis, ad summum basin conjunctis.

Long. corp. 10, lat. 23 millim.; long. antennarum 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Head elongate and narrow, coarsely punctate, the median channel deep towards the

vertex, obsolete in front. Thorax long and narrow at the base, with a well-marked,

parallel-sided neck, the punctuation coarse. Elytra narrow, deeply striate, the fifth

and sixth strie distinct and neatly joined at the base. Prosternum coarsely punctate

at the sides. Mesosternum deeply foveolate on the middle. Ventral segments polished,

almost without punctuation. One specimen.

4, Catogenus pusillus, sp. n.

Angustus, parallelus, capite prothoraceque fuscescentibus, crebre punctatis, illo vertice canaliculato, hoc

posterius in medio spatio angusto levigato ; elytris striis quinto et sexto discretis.

Long. corp. 6-7, antennarum 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).

Head closely punctate, the vertex impressed ; along the middle there is a very faint

indication of a channel. Thorax long and narrow, in front transversely convex,

unusually coarsely punctate, with a narrow smooth space along the middle in front of

the base; the lateral margin scarcely extends to the front; the sides are straight till

CATOGENUS. 508

just behind the middle, when they converge a good deal, becoming straight again so as

to form a neck at the base; the hind angles are carinate and almost acute. The elytra

are very narrow, deeply striate, both the fifth and sixth striz are quite distinct and are

joined at the base. The prosternum is very sparsely punctate, the mesosternum deeply

foveolate. ‘The ventral segments are polished and impunctate. Three specimens.

5. Catogenus temacensis, sp. n.

Angustus, piceus, politus, pedibus elytrisque sanguineo-piceis ; prothorace posterius bene angustato, plus

minusve punctato, dorso in medio vix bi-impresso, sed ibidem fortius punctato, inter plagas punctorum

latius levigato.

Long. 8-12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Temax in N. Yucatan (Gaumer).

Although at first sight extremely similar to the more darkly coloured individuals of

C. germanus, this is no doubt a distinct species. In addition to the absence of the

channel on the middle of the head, it differs as follows: it is rather less convex, and

the thorax is more distinctly narrowed at the base, while the lateral margin extends

very nearly as far forward as the front edge; the fifth and sixth strie are perfectly and

quite neatly conjoined at the base of the elytra.

In most of the other characters of the upper surface, the two species are more

similar. The antenne of (. temacensis are only moderately long; the punctuation of

the thorax is much more variable than it is in most of the allied species, but the

existence of an extremely slightly depressed area on each side of the middle towards

the base, bearing coarser punctures, appears constant. The pencil of hairs on each

side of the under surface of the head is placed very near to the mentum. There is

some very coarse punctuation on each side of the prosternum. ‘The under surface

is very highly polished ; there is a narrow fovea on the mesosternum. The femora are

considerably less broad than they are in C. germanus. Ten specimens.

6. Catogenus longicornis.

Catogenus longicornis, Grouv. Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1874, p. xxviii'; Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876,

p. 489, t. 8. fig. 3”.

Hab. Mexico } 2,

We’ have not received any example agreeing with these descriptions and figure.

C. longicornis is perhaps nearest to C. temacensis, but has black elytra, marked with

red behind.

7. Catogenus planus.

Catogenus planus, Reitter, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xxvii. p. 176°.

‘ Klongatulus, subparallelus, nitidus, obscure castaneus, planus; capite punctato, haud canaliculato, sulcis

duobus brevibus antice insculptis; antennis valde elongatis, nigro-piceis, articulis oblongis, extus apice

504 CUCUJID-.

subincrassatis ; prothorace subquadrato, wqualiter punctato, lateribus subrectis, postice arcuatim subito

angustatis, angulis posticis rectis, infra fortiter plicatis ; elytris disco profunde 7-striatis.

“ Tong. 14 millim.”

Hab. Mexico}, Jalapa (Hége); Guatamata, Capetillo (Champion).

I have hesitated much as to whether this name should be applied to the species at

present under consideration or to C. puncticollis. Reitter’s description is applicable

to both; but as he gives ©. planus a length of 14 millim., and I have not seen an

example of C. puncticollis longer than 12 millim., I have decided to apply the name

to the species which meets the requirement in size as well as other particulars.

C. planus is remarkable for the length of the antenne, which in the best developed

example before me attain 11 millim. in length, though in another they are only about

8 millim. long. Independently of this character, C. planus is distinguished from all

our other species by the less scanty punctuation of the ventral segments, and by the

curious impressed line on the last ventral plate being situate farther from the hind

margin, and by its not being angulate in the middle.

Of the four specimens before me, three are from Capetillo and one from Jalapa: two

of those from the former locality have the antenne about 11 millim. long, while in

the example from Jalapa they are only about 8 millim.; the third specimen from

Capetillo has the antenne much mutilated, but from what remains I consider they

would be, if perfect, of about the same length as the Jalapa example. Whether this

difference in the length of the antenne be sexual or not, I am quite unable to say.

8. Catogenus puncticollis, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 3.)

Depressus, nitidus, piceo-brunneus vel ferrugineus ; capite prothoraceque evidenter punctatis, illo vertice

canaliculato-foveolato, hoc deplanato, lateribus posterius rectis; elytris leviter striatis, striis quinto

sextoque bene discretis, ad basin summum conjunctis ; abdomine parce punctato.

Long. corp. 10-12, antennarum 43-6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Huitzo (Hoge); GUATEMALA, Capetillo, Panajachel (Champion).

Thorax with the anterior angles rectangular, the lateral margin extending to the

front; the sides are scarcely curvate, but behind the middle are abruptly narrowed,

and then before the base become quite straight, the hind angles being very conspicuous,

plicate; the punctuation is very distinct, but becomes quite fine at the sides. The

elytra are depressed, the striz moderately deep, the interstices flat ; the fifth stria is

quite distinct throughout its length, and the sixth is but little less so. There is a

short channel on the mesosternum, and the ventral segments are distinctly though

sparingly punctate.

Mr. Champion met with a series of nine examples at Capetillo; the three Mexican

exponents have the striz on the elytra a little deeper.

The North-American C. rufus (Fabr.) is extremely similar to C. puncticollis, but has

the head canaliculate.

PALASTES. 905

Subfam. CUCUJINA.

This subfamily is usually defined by the characters “anterior coxal cavities open

behind ; tarsi of males heteromerous, of the females pentamerous.” In the examination

of our numerous species of Lemophiwus I have found that several insects placed in

that genus have the front coxal cavities closed behind. Although I have given this

character generic importance, I leave these forms in Cucujine, for the character is in

the case of these insects one of transition, the cavities being in some cases scarcely

closed, in others just perceptibly open, and in others broadly open.

The Lamophlceoid forms with closed coxal cavities never have the closure distinctly

visible on superficial examination, and thus differ from the other forms of the family

with the cavities closed; in nearly all of the latter the band closing the cavities is

conspicuous on superficial examination.

PALASTES.

Palestes, Perty, Del. Anim. Art. Bras. p. 83 (1830).

This genus has hitherto consisted of three South-American species, one of which has

been known for many years, the other two—from Ecuador—having been recently

added by Mr. Waterhouse. I now characterize five new forms from our region.

These insects have extremely slight external distinctive characters, colour being, in

fact, almost the only one that is conspicuous; and it might therefore be well supposed

that all are merely local races of one species, and possibly this may ultimately prove

to be the case. I have, however, found on examination of the male organs of two of

the most similar forms, viz. P. bicolor and P. vartipes, that these structures present

distinctions suggesting that the colour-differences may be indicative of genuine specific

separation, and I have therefore treated all the forms for the present as species.

Mr. Champion informs me that these insects are chiefly found between the thin crevices

of freshly split sappy timber, and that they are often to be seen on the wing in forest

clearings.

1. Palzstes variipes, sp. n.

Capite, prothorace, mesosterno, elytrorum quarta parte basali, femoribusque quatuor anterioribus rufo-

testaceis; antennis, tibiis, tarsis, metasterno, abdomine, elytrorumque parte majore nigris ; femoribus

posterioribus nigricantibus, ante apicem plus minusve flavescentibus.

Long. 10-123 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Senahu, Sinanja and Sabo, all in Vera Paz (Champion).

This form greatly resembles the Brazilian P. bicolor, Perty. P. variipes has the

black portion of the elytra more extensive, the metasternum black instead of fuscescent,

and the posterior femora more infuscate, while the mandibles and the front of the

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506 CUCUJIDE.

clypeus are less fuscescent. These colour-distinctions are so constant in the series of

fifteen examples we have received that it is, I think, well to give the form a name,

though ultimately it may possibly prove to be a localized variation.

2. Palestes nicarague, sp. n.

Capite, prothorace, mesosterno, metasterno ex parte majore, elytrorum tertia lata parte basali, femoribusque

rufo-testaceis ; antennis, tibiis, tarsis, abdomine, elytrorumque parte majore nigris ; metasterno posterius

utrinque fuscescente.

Long. 10-11 millim.

Hab. Nicaraava (Sallé), Chontales (Belt, Janson).

Of this form I have seen four specimens. Although at first sight extremely similar ~

to the Brazilian P. bicolor, yet the differences indicate a different distribution, not

mere extension, of the colour. The extent of the black colour on the wing-cases is

slightly less in P. nicarague, the mandibles and clypeus are yellow, and even the

terminal three joints of the antenne are ferruginous; the dark colour on the meta-

sternum is limited to a mark on each side of the posterior part, and the dark colour of

the ventral segments does not amount to intense black, and here and there gives place

to a more or less vague yellow tinge, especially along the mesial line. These colour-

distinctions are constant in the four examples, but in two of them the metasternal

patches of dark colour are connected by an intervening third mark.

3. Palestes abruptus, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 9.)

Niger, pronoto, elytrorum parte lata basali, femoribusque (basalis exceptis) testaceis.

Long. 10-12 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

We have received a fine series of this species, exhibiting very little variation except

in size, and the fact that the terminal three joints of the antenne are obscurely

rufescent to a variable extent. The black colour on the wing-cases covers about one-

half of their area. P. nigriceps, Waterh., from Ecuador, is extremely similar to this

form, but has the prosternum yellow.

4. Palestes nigridens, sp. n.

Capite cum mandibulis, clypeo late anterius, antennis, tibiis, tarsis, femorum basibus, elytrorum dimidia parte

apicali, metasterno, abdomineque nigris; capite, prothorace, elytrorum parte basali, femoribusque rufo-

testaceis.

Long. 10-11 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This is the nearest of the forms discovered in our region to P. bicolor; but it has

the mandibles almost entirely black (with the exception of the somewhat rufescent

basal lobe), the front of the clypeus broadly blackish, and the tips of the femora black.

PALZASTES.—PEDIACUS. 507

These are smaller differences than those separating the other forms, yet I think it will

prove advantageous to give this form a distinct name ; as an additional justification for

so doing, I may mention that when the mandibles are opened their basal lobe is seen

to be differently shaped in the two insects, and that the eedeagus and parts connected

with it also exhibit distinctive characters. Six specimens.

5. Palestes scutellaris, sp. n.

Mandibulis, clypeo late anterius, antennis, tibiis, tarsis, pedibus posterioribus, mesosterno, abdomine, elytrisque

(fere totaliter) nigris ; capite, prothorace, mesosterno, elytris plaga scutellari, femoribusque ex parte majore

rufo-testaceis.

Long. 9-11 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Zapote, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This form is readily distinguished from the others by the elytra being totally black,

with the exception of a triangular patch about the scutellum. Only three examples

have been obtained: one of them is in a somewhat deteriorated condition, and has the

elytra almost entirely black.

PEDIACUS.

Pediacus, Shuckard, Elem. Brit. Ent. i. p. 185 (1839); Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii.

p- 311.

This is a small genus of subcortical insects, widely distributed in the Holarctic

region, but not previously recorded from the tropics.

1. Pediacus major, sp. n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 10.)

Depressus, niger, pedibus piceis; prothorace dense punctato, anterius transversim impresso, lateribus

denticulatis.

Long. 7-73 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Totonicapam and Quiché Mountains 7000 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Thorax densely and coarsely, but irregularly punctate, the punctuation at the sides

confluent and rugose, on the middle a narrow longitudinal smooth space; near the

front a very distinct transverse depression; the length is rather greater in the male

than in the female, and in this latter sex the undulations are more distinct; the

posterior denticle is very distinct, and is placed only very slightly in front of the basal

line. The elytra are very dull, and have a very coriaceous, or leathery, surface, and

bear an excessively fine and scanty pubescence. The male has the front feet very

slightly dilated, the submentum very densely finely punctate in front, and a large

impression on the last ventral segment, the female having two, widely-separated, vague,

jarge depressions. The antenne, too, are a little longer in the male than they are in

the female.

We have received six examples of this species: they were found under bark of

coniferous trees.

3 T* 2

508 CUCUJIDA.

2. Pediacus similis, sp. n.

Depressus, fusco-niger, pedibus piceis ; prothorace dense fortiterque punctato, anterius transversim impresso,

lateribus denticulatis ; elytris opacis, dense minus subtiliter coriaceis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuaTeMaua, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

We have received only two examples of this species; it appears to be excessively

similar to P. major, but the densely, and comparatively coarsely, coriaceous sculpture of

the elytra forms so marked a distinction that I think it better to separate the two

forms.

3. Pediacus confertus, sp. n.

Depressus, fusco-niger, opacus, pube subtili depressa sparsim vestitus; prothorace densissime punctato, lateribus

denticulatis ; pedibus rufo-obscuris.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet, Quiché Mountains 7000 to

9000 feet, Capetillo (Champion).

Head densely punctured, slightly shining. Thorax strongly transverse, extremely

densely punctured, and with a distinct depressed flavescent pubescence, the sculpture

towards the sides assuming the form of fine granules; there is scarcely any trace of a

smooth line down the middle, and the surface is almost unimpressed; the lateral

denticulation is distinct, there being three acute denticles on each side, and between

the anterior one and the second an obtuse angulation of the margin; the third, or

posterior, denticle is placed scarcely at all in front of the basal line. ‘The elytra are

remarkably dull, owing to a very dense coriaceous sculpture, and they have a very

scanty, extremely depressed setosity of a yellowish, almost golden, colour. Under

surface closely and finely punctate.

Twelve specimens were met with at Totonicapam and Quiché under the bark of

fir-trees. The single specimen from Capetillo belongs, I think, to the same species,

though the setosity of the surface is rather more conspicuous.

4. Pediacus mexicanus, sp. n.

Depressus, fusco-ferrugineus, antennis pedibusque rufis; subnitidus, tenuissime pubescens; prothorace dense

punctato, lateribus denticulatis.

Long. 4-44 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jacale (Sallé).

Head finely punctate, with a distinct minute angle behind the eyes. ‘Tborax with

the disc fuscous, the margins more or less broadly ferruginous, densely and finely

punctate, the lateral denticles distinct, the posterior one placed at the base. LElytra

somewhat shining, minutely pubescent, the coriaceous sculpture very fine.

We have received only two examples of this insect, and one of them has lost its leg

PEDIACUS.—PARAPHLMUS. 509

and antenne. It can be readily distinguished from our other species by the less dull

upper surface, and by the smaller eyes; the minute angle behind these organs is

consequently less concealed.

PARAPHLCEUS, gen. nov.

Mandibule subtus processu brevi laminiformi armate. Genee anterius processu brevi, introrsum vix curvate.

Acetabula antica haud ocelusa. Tarsi tenues, quadriarticulati.

The above characters, brief as they are, separate two species of small Coleoptera from

other Cucujide, and I do not think their location in any other family would be at all

satisfactory. I regret that the material at my disposal does not enable me to state the

structural characters with the fulness and precision necessary for deciding on their

affinities; but the points I am able to state will, I think, lead to their identification.

The general appearance is that of the elongate Lemophlei, such as L. clematidis,

but the tarsi are very slender, and I am not able to detect more than four joints on

any of the feet; in addition to this, the curious descending process at the base of the

mandible is very unusual, but is found in certain Lemophlai. The two species will

perhaps prove to belong to different genera. The characters will be taken, however,

from Paraphleus crassiceps.

The antenne are rather short, eleven-jointed, the terminal three joints perceptibly wider than the others.

The mandibles are rather long, and are so much curved and arched that they greatly conceal the other

parts of the mouth, but they are not co-adapted, meeting only at the tips, where they cross a little and

are apparently bidentate. The labrum is not visible, but the epistome is produced in a subtriangular

process directed downwards; the mentum is directed inwards and, I think, is surmounted by a large

ligula (somewhat of the nature of that of Prostomis), the front margin of which is in apposition with that of

the epistome (or more probably of the labrum concealed under this). The labial palpi appear to be two-

jointed, the terminal joint acuminate. The maxille cannot be seen, but the palpi apparently have a

terminal joint shaped like that of the labial pair. The gene are in front thick and slightly prominent,

and just in front of them is a process descending from the base of the mandible. The eyes are distant

from the front of the thorax and placed quite near the base of the antenna, The front coxe are small and

globose, moderately separated by the prosternal process, which is bent upwards behind them; their

acetabula are scarcely at all prolonged externally, and not closed behind, though the form of the parts would

lead one to suppose they might be closed. The prosternal sutures can scarcely be detected, and the

lateral margin of the thorax also is obsolete. The middle coxe are moderately separated. The meta-

sternum is elongate. The hind coxe are slightly separated by a very short obtuse abdominal process.

There are five subequal ventral segments, not connate. The legs are slender; the four posterior tarsi

slender, with the basal three joints short, subequal, the terminal joint elongate. On the front feet I am not

able to see more than three joints.

The North-American genus Narthecius has lately been the object of a renewed study

by Capt. Casey (Ann. N. York Acad. v. p. 321, 1890), and, judging from the information

he gives, there is little doubt that it is allied to Paraphlwus. He assigns a place in

the Passandrine to Narthecius, though the characters he mentions scarcely justify the

selection of this position. But whatever may prove to be the case with Narthecius, I

think it impossible to place Paraphieus in Passandrine, the essential character of that

510 CUCUJID.

subfamily being the folding inwards of the genal processes and their close adpression so

as to cover the maxilla. The only character that Paraphleus possesses to distinguish it

from the Lwmophici is the four-jointed feet. I do not attach great importance to this

peculiarity, because it is evident that the number of tarsal joints is in this family much

less important than it usually is in Coleoptera. When the basal joint of the tarsus is

so extremely short as to leave it doubtful whether it exists or not, it is evidently a

bad character to rely on. This is well shown by the difference of opinion that has

existed for many years as to whether Prostomis has four- or five-jointed tarsi. Hence

I entertain but little doubt that Paraphlwus is really closely allied to Lemophiqus,

although I believe the tarsal formula to be different in the two genera.

1. Paraphleus crassiceps, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 7.)

Angustus, sublinearis, capite majore; nigricans, elytris pedibusque testaceis, antennis mandibulisque sordide

testaceis ; prothorace utrinque carinula subtili ornato ; elytris subtilissime costato-striatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne rather short, stout, first joint somewhat elongate, second inserted on one of

the angles of the first, terminal three joints slightly thickened. Head large, mandibles

elongate; epistome prolonged, narrowed towards the front, rounded at the apex ;

extending from the base of the antenna to near the back of the head there is on each

side a fine straight carina; the surface is finely and not closely punctate. Thorax

elongate, distinctly narrowed behind, finely punctate; the lateral margin can be

distinguished near the base, though very fine; an extremely fine, quite straight line

runs from the front margin to the hind angle; there is a very minute fovea on the

middle near the front. The elytra are elongate and narrow, and are traversed by three

very fine coste. The legs are slender, the tarsi very slender. ‘Three specimens.

2. Paraphleus longicollis, sp. n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 8.)

Angustus, linearis, subdepressus, ferrugineus ; prothorace perelongato, tenuissime costato, nitido, parcissime

punctato ; elytris sublevigatis, obsolete costatis.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. GuateMa.a, Zapote (Champion).

Epistome prolonged, truncate in front. Antenne rather short and feeble, first joint

globular, terminal three joints a little incrassate. From the base of the antenna there

extends backwards a very delicate carina; the surface of the head is shining, very

sparingly punctate. Thorax very long, nearly parallel, but perceptibly narrowed

behind, the lateral margin very fine, and parallel with it an extremely fine costa

extending from apex to base, punctuation fine and scanty. LHlytra very narrow, very

obsoletely costate, so that they appear almost smooth. One specimen.

This little insect is not likely to be considered congeneric with P. crassiceps,

PARAPHL@US.—INOPEPLUS. dll

the mandibles being comparatively short; they possess, however, a distinct basal

protuberance beneath, and the feet appear to be formed as in the typical species of

the genus.

INOPEPLUS.

Inopeplus, Smith, Cat. Col. Brit. Mus., Cucujide, i. p. 4 (1851).

Ino, Laporte (nec Oken) et auct.

This very peculiar genus has a few representatives in most of the tropical regions of the

world. Our five species fall into three sections, distinguished by characters that leave

little doubt they will ultimately form distinct genera. J. difossulatus differs by the

broad distinct gula and the form of the submentum. In J. jugularis and I. concolor

the gene are prolonged to form a floor to the point of insertion of the antenne ; in

I. centralis and J. insularis they are simple.

** Ino” was used two or three times in zoology before Laporte applied it in 1835 to

the insects of this genus.

1. Inopeplus bifossulatus. (Tab. XVI. fig. 11.)

Ino bifossulata, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xv. p. 40 (1876) ’°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemaa, near the city, Capetillo,

Zapote, Cerro Zunil, Purula (Champion).—Cotompta, Medellin }.

A figure of this very peculiar insect has not hitherto been published.

2. Inopeplus insularis.

Inopeplus insularis, Grouv. Notes Leyd. Mus. xx, p. 41°.

Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo 800 feet (Champion).—ANTILLES, St. Vincent and

Grenada !.

I am unable to distinguish the two specimens received from Guatemala from a series

from the West Indies (St. Vincent and Grenada), except by their brighter colour. As

the West-Indian insect is variable in this respect, I think it highly probable that

examples will be found to bridge over this slight distinction.

3. Inopeplus centralis, sp. n.

Sat angustus, depressus, nitidus ; capite prothoraceque fortiter punctatis ; piceus, elytris testaceis vage fusco

pictis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne rather long. Head narrow, densely and coarsely punctate, with a deep

longitudinal fovea on the middle; epistomal impression extending all across the front,

not quite straight behind. Thorax very shining, coarsely but sparingly punctured.

512 CUCUJIDZ.

Elytra testaceous at the base, infuscate before the tip, which is quite pallid. One

specimen.

Closely allied to J. insularis ; distinguished by the coarser punctuation of the head

and thorax, and the deep fovea on the former.

4, Inopeplus jugularis, sp. n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 12.)

Brevis, latus, depressus, nitidus, parce punctatus, niger ; pedibus piceis, tarsis testaceis.

Long. 24-33 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Zapote, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

This species is highly remarkable on account of possessing bread jugular pieces that

are considerably produced and turned upwards so as to be visible from the upperside,

giving an appearance of the antenna being inserted in a large cavity. The antenne

are short, the terminal joint pale at the tip. The head is very short and broad, only

finely and distinctly punctured, the elongate transverse epistomal depression remarkably

deep and definite. Thorax very short and broad, punctured like the head. Elytra

impunctate. Four specimens.

5. Inopeplus concolor, sp. n.

Fulvo-testaceus, haud latus, depressus, nitidus; capite prothoraceque sat parce et fortiter punctatis ; elytris

parcissime punctatis.

Long. 4} millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne rather short. Head very short, not broad; epistomal depression elongate.

Thorax narrower than the head, very narrow at the base. Elytra sparingly but

distinctly punctured, about as long as the part of the abdomen they leave uncovered.

We have received only one specimen of this species; it is remarkable on account

of its uniform bright colour. The jugular pieces are not so large as they are in

I. jugularis. The species bears a superficial resemblance to J. preustus, Chevr., but

that insect does not belong to this section.

HEMIPEPLUS.

Hemipeplus, Latreille, Fam. Nat. Regne Anim. p. 898 (1825).

The position of the very rare insects composing this genus has never received

adequate consideration. ‘They are not structurally allied to any Cucujide, and, as the

tarsi are heteromerous in both sexes, there can be little doubt that they should find a

place among the Heteromera, not here. The genus has no structural relationship of

any kind with Lwmophleus, indeed the heteromerous tarsi of the males of that genus

appears to be the only reason for placing Hemipeplus in Cucujide. Its similarity with

HEMIPEPLUS.—LZMOPHLEUS. 513

Inopeplus is about as little as can be. It should be added that Hemipeplus was

originally assigned to Cucujide because it was supposed that the female, when

discovered, would prove to have five joints on the hind feet. The contrary has,

however, proved to be the case.

The genus is distributed from the Southern States of North America to Brazil.

1. Hemipeplus mexicanus.

Hemipeplus mexicanus, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1896, p. 196, fig."

Hab. Mexico!; GuatemaLa, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

Only one specimen was procured by Mr. Champion.

LAMOPHLCUS.

Lemophieus, Castelnau, Hist. Nat. Ins. Col. ii. p. 385 (1840).

This genus was established by Castelnau for a single European species, Cucujus

monilis, Fabr.; the characters he assigned to it have no distinctive importance, but the

species in question must remain the type of the genus. Our ZL. suturalis and L. distin-

guendus are strictly congeneric with Z. monilis (now called L. denticulatus, Preyssl.).

The difficulties connected with the study of Lwmophilaus are well known, and are

increased by the fact that many of the species are extremely rare. At present upwards

of 100 species are assigned to it. I have, however, here removed from Lemophlous

all those forms that have the anterior acetabula closed, and have established various

genera for them. This still leaves the genus a composite one, and I have endeavoured

to make it somewhat more natural by proposing Rhabdophiwus for a few forms with

the hind cox unusually approximated, and Rhinophleus for a few other species in

which the front of the head is slightly prolonged anterior to the antennal insertion.

After doing this, I find that there are forty species of our fauna still left in

Lemophieus, and I regret that I am not able to arrange them in groups to facilitate

their determination.

{am much indebted to M. A. Grouvelle for examining a series of our Lemophlai,

and favouring me with the names of those known to him. Hitherto only about nine

species of Lamophleus have been recorded from our region. Of these L. teapensis,

L. pallentipennis, and L. minusculus were not recognized by M. Grouvelle amongst our

series, and I have removed L. capito, L. gundlachi, and L. costatus to other genera.

I now add thirty-one new species, as well as three or’ four South-American forms, to

the Central-American fauna.

1. Lemophleus distinguendus, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 1.)

Deplanatus, levigatus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus, sepe circa scutellum et ad suturam nigricans; antennis minus

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IL. Pt. 1, June 1899. 3 U*

514 CUCUJIDE.

gracilibus, articulis tribus ultimis evidenter paullo latioribus ; prothorace valde transverso, utrinque

profunde unistriato ; elytro singulo evidenter tristriato, exteriusque costato-marginato. .

Long. 24-34 millim.

Mas, major, capite latiore, linea epistomatica utrinque curvata ; antennis articulo basali superne leviter

deplanato, ante apicem setis erectis ornato.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Pantaleon, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species and L. suturalis, though of broad form, are distinguished from their

allies by the narrower and more pointed process separating the hind coxe ; this

character, combined with the deep coarse thoracic stria, should enable them to be

easily recognized. The thorax is a little undulating at the sides, and there is a distinct

denticle behind the middle. The three elytral strie are widely separated, and the

intra-marginal costa is quite distinct ; the sides external to this costa are perpendicular ;

the epipleure are broad and horizontal. The under surface is polished and shining,

only sparingly and obsoletely punctate. The punctuation both of the upper and under

surfaces is variable, and is sometimes almost entirely obsolete. Thirty-two specimens.

L. distinguendus is no doubt allied to the Texan L. terminalis, Casey, as well as to

the European L. denticulatus, Preyssl.

2. Lemophleus suturalis. (Tab. XVI. figg. 2, head of large male; 2a, head

of small male; 26, head of female.)

Lemophieus suturalis, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xv. p. 50 (1876) °.

Deplanatus, levigatus, capite prothoraceque parce punctatis ; rufo-testaceus, circa scutellum nigricans; antennis

minus gracilibus, articulis tribus ultimis evidenter paullo latioribus ; prothorace valde transverso, utrinque

profunde unistriato ; elytro singulo evidenter tristriato, exterius costato-marginato.

Long. 3-34 millim.

Mas, major, capite majore, linea epistomatica recta utrinque abbreviata; antennis articulo ultimo elongato,

anterius leviter emarginato.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata', Zapote, Yzabal (Champion); Panama,

Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CoLomBIa ?.

Var. circumdatus, 0.

Elytris margine exteriore nigricante. Maris linea epistomatica obsoleta, a labro latius separata.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

This species is very closely allied to LZ. distinguendus: though the males of the two

are readily distinguished, I am unable to point out any characters that will distinguish

the females without actual comparison. JL. suturalis, 2? , has a longer after-body, a more

distinctly punctured head and thorax, and the thorax is a little less rounded at the sides.

The difficulty of determining this species is increased by the fact that the male

characters become so much diminished that in some specimens scarcely any external

distinction remains as regards the head and antenne ; the sexes are, however, readily

distinguished by the number of joints in the hind feet.

LEMOPHLGUS. 515

M. Grouvelle, who examined males of these two species, thought them distinct and

suggested that L. distinguendus might perhaps be referable to L. terminalis, Casey.

L. terminalis is, however, described and figured as possessing an emarginate labrum ;

this is not the case with L. distinguendus and L. suturalis, in which the labrum is

truncate in front and very slightly asymmetrical. The colour of L. terminalis, moreover,

is apparently different from that of our species. Twenty-four specimens, most of them

from Zapote. The unique individual from the Volcan de Chiriqui is a well-developed

male. ‘The variety is represented by a single example.

Reitter’s description of LZ. suturalis was made from a male from Colombia, in the

von Bruck collection, and a female from Guatemala. This female has now passed

into the possession of M. René Oberthiir, who has been so kind as to send it for my

inspection. Although a poorly developed example, I think it pertains to the species

now described. Reitter’s description applies, however, only in a very dubious manner

to our insect, so that it is quite probable that the male he had before him was that of

some other allied species.

3. Lemophleus germaini. (Tab. XVI. fig. 13, ¢.)

Lemophleus germaini, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1896, p. 200°.

Latus, depressus, politus, nigricans, antennis articulo ultimo, tibiis tarsisque rufis; elytro singulo medio plaga

magna testacea ; fronte profunde triangulariter foveolata.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Las Mercedes (Champion).—CotomBia!; Bontvia!.

Var. Paullo minus brevis, elytrorum plagis testaceis majoribus.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne thick, not at all clavate, distinctly pubescent ; the terminal joint paler than

the others. Head very broad and short. Epistomal line absent in the large males, in

the smaller examples present and connected with the deep triangular fovea on the

middle of the front; the lateral striae very distinct, as well as the posterior line; the

surface very flat and polished. Thorax short and broad, greatly narrowed behind ;

the lateral strize very deep, the sides with an obscure denticle in front of the hind angle,

this latter minutely prominent; the disc very polished and flat. Scutellum large,

triangular. Elytra short and broad, very highly polished, with a large pale mark about

the middle of each; with a distinct sutural stria and a fine intra-lateral carina, and

between the two a broad but abbreviated stria. Five specimens from Guatemala; six

from Bugaba.

I cannot distinguish between small males and females, except by the number of

joints in the hind feet.

I am indebted to M. Grouvelle for communicating to me a pair of L germaini from

Colombia. They are of paler colour than any of our specimens, the yellow mark on

3 U* 2

516 CUCUJIDA.

the elytra is smaller, and the thorax is a little less narrowed behind, but I do not

consider them sufficiently different to require a name. The species is an extremely

peculiar one; all the coxe are very widely separated; the epipleure appear at first

sight to be small, but they are really broad, though much less inflexed than usual.

4. Lemophleus curtus.

Lemophleus curtus, Grouv. Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p. xxxiii’.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—Braziu }.

Mr. Champion procured a good series of this very distinct Lemophleus. I have seen

no other examples. M.Grouvelle expresses no hesitation as to considering it the same

species as his Brazilian type, which he informs me is from Rio Janeiro.

5. Lemophleus breviceps, sp. n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 14.)

Deplanatus, rufus, nitidus, elytris stramineis, leviter striatis; capite prothoraceque brevibus, levigatis ;

antennis haud crassiusculis, leviter clavatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne yellow, not stout, the apical three joints distinctly a little broader, but

scarcely longer than those preceding them. Head broad and short, the eyes placed

but a little distance in front of the thorax. Thorax very short and broad, only slightly

narrowed behind. Strie of the elytra feeble, the intra-lateral carina very fine but

distinct. Four specimens, three males and one female.

Distinct from most of the allied forms by the very short head: in this it almost

agrees with L. championi, but the eyes are much smaller and placed nearer to the

thorax, and there is no trace of any peculiar mandibular structure, the mandibles being

nearly entirely covered by the labrum. This species and L. championi differ from

L. castaneipennis, Grouv., by their broader, flatter form, and the clear red colour, which

extends to the antenne. I cannot ascertain the structure of the feet in L. breviceps,

but I am pretty sure that both sexes are before me.

6. Lemophleus championi, sp. n.

Deplanatus, rufus, nitidus, elytris stramineis, leviter striatis ; antennis haud crassiusculis, leviter clavatis.

Long. 27 millim.

Mas, mandibulis subtus ad basin processu descendente armatis.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Although we have only one specimen of this species, and it is very closely allied

to L. hoplites, I have no doubt it is distinct. The difference in colour is perhaps

not of much importance, but there is a definite distinction in the antenne, which are

altogether smaller in LZ. championi; the eighth joint is a good deal smaller than the

sixth, and is also much shorter and slightly narrower than the tenth. ‘The head and

LAMOPHLEUS. O17

thorax are highly polished and only very obsoletely punctate. The intra-lateral carina

of the elytra is quite distinct.

7. Lemophleus hoplites, sp. n.

Deplanatus, niger vel piceus, nitidus ; elytris stramineis, leviter striatis; antennis haud clavatis, sed apicem

versus leviter incrassatis.

Long. 24-3 millim.

Mas, mandibulis subtus ad basin processu descendente armatis.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatmmata, Cerro Zunil, Zapote, San Gerdnimo

(Champion).

Antenne rather long, from the fifth to the eleventh joints slightly thicker, but the

three terminal joints not forming a club, and scarcely at all longer than those pre-

ceding. Head and thorax flat, extremely shining, sparingly but distinctly punctate.

Labrum large, rounded in front. Thorax strongly transverse, a good deal narrowed

behind, intra-lateral stria very distinct. Elytra pale straw-colour, the shoulders forming

a minute denticle, intra-lateral carina very fine and visible only at the base. Striz very

fine, without any trace of punctuation. Fifteen specimens.

The peculiar process on the male mandibles exists in two forms—the one we have

figured, where it is large and conspicuous, and another in which it is quite small and

would escape observation if not looked for. The black colour of the anterior parts

and the thicker antenne readily distinguish L. hoplites from L. castaneipennis, Grouv.

A specimen in Sallé’s collection was, I believe, formerly considered by M. Grouvelle

to be the female of Parandrita capito; but he informs me that he is convinced this

determination was erroneous.

8. Lemophleus boops, sp..n. (Tab. XVI. figg. 15, 15.)

Castaneus, thorace piceo, elytris testaceis, antennis pedibusque rufis, illis leviter clavatis; minus depressus,

capite brevi, lato, oculis prominulis; prothorace fortiter transverso, basin versus angustato, linea intra-

laterali subtiliter elevata ; elytris stria suturali carinaque intra-laterali subtilibus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

Head strongly narrowed in front, so as to be almost triangular ; epistome deeply

excised over the labrum, which is large and nearly covers the mandibles. Antenne

moderately long; third joint distinctly longer than the second, the three joints of the

club a little longer and broader than those preceding. ‘Thorax rather convex trans-

versely. The strie of the elytra, other than the sutural, and the external carina are

very indistinct. ‘Ihe tibiae are extremely slender. The under surface is highly polished.

Two specimens, probably males.

This species is very similar to Z. anticus, but the form is more convex, and the eyes

are not free behind, but supported by a very distinct lobe of the head.

518 . CUCUJIDA.

9. Lemophleus anticus, sp. n.

Angustus, perpolitus, rufo-testaceus ; elytris obsolete striatis; antennis gracilibus, apice clavato.

Long. 1? millim. .

Mas, mandibulis basi externe processu descendente parvo armatis.

Hab. Panama, Tolé (Champion)

This is another species of which we have received only a single example, but

which is, I am sure, a distinct one. The head is broad and short, the epistome is

deeply excised at the junction with the labrum, which is vrey large and extends as far

as the tips of the mandibles. The eyes are rather large, and are separated from the

thorax by a space rather less than their own length. The antenne are slender, rather

long. There are no punctures on the head and thorax. The elytra have a distinct

sutural stria and a fine intra-lateral carina; the other strie are very indistinct.

10. Lemophleus minutus, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. figg. 16, 16a.)

Parvus, rufo-testaceus, nitidus, perpolitus, fere levigatus ; elytris leviter striatis ; prothorace valde transverso ;

antennis tenuibus, apice clavato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne moderately long, slender, the three terminal joints distinctly broader than

those preceding. Head very broad and short; epistome scarcely at all excised behind

the large labrum, the latter covering the mandibles. Thorax quite twice as broad as

long, narrowed behind, impunctate, and highly polished. Elytra very indistinctly

striate, but with the fine intra-lateral carina distinct. One specimen, probable a male.

This little insect appears to belong to a distinct species. Notwithstanding the very

short head, the eyes are separated from the thorax by a length equal to their own.

Although very similar to L. boops and allies, it is very easily distinguished by the form

of the front of the head, the middle being less advanced in comparison than it is in the

preceding species (L. curtus to L. anticus).

11. Lemophleus teapensis.

Lemophleus teapensis, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p. 494, t. 8. fig. 11’.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa?.

A small insect, 14 millim. long, perhaps allied to L. ignobilis.

12. Lemophleus ignobilis, sp. n.

Subdeplanatus, castaneus, pedibus dilutioribus ; politus, capite prothoracisque disco parce, subtiliter punctatis ;

antennis leviter clavatis ; elytris fere estriatis, stria intra-humerali subtili, posterius subtilissima.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo in Vera Cruz (Flohr); GUATEMALA, Chiacam, San Juan,

and Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion); NICARAGUA, Chontales (Janson).

LZEMOPHLEUS. 519

Notwithstanding the great general resemblance of this species to LZ. doops and

L. anticus, it is readily distinguished by the absence of a flattened disc to the elytra.

There is no trace whatever of a carina limiting the outside of a flat area, as there is in

the species mentioned ; but, instead, there is in LZ. iynodilis a very fine intra-humeral

stria or carina. ‘The head is very broad and short; the prominent eyes are placed very

near the thorax; the epistome is advanced in the middle, deeply excised at the attach-

ment with the labrum; the latter is rounded in front and covers the mandibles. ‘The

antenne are distinctly clavate in the female, but in the male the terminal three joints

are longer, and the club is therefore more indistinct. ‘The thorax is strongly transverse,

a little broader and more narrowed behind in the male than in the female. The elytra

are highly polished, and this renders it very difficult to distinguish the extremely

fine strie.

The four specimens from Mexico agree fairly well, except as to the characters I have

treated as sexual. There are only one or two examples from each of the other localities,

and they all differ slightly from the type and from one another, but the differences are

too small to be considered specific on such slight evidence. One of the specimens from

San Juan has the eyes placed markedly in advance of the front of the thorax.

13. Lemophleus puncticollis, sp. n.

Testaceo-castaneus, nitidus, haud depressus; capite prothoraceque parce, minus subtiliter punctatis, hoc

lateribus subrotundatis ; antennis clavatis; elytris striis suturali intra~-humeralique discretis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

We have received only two specimens of this obscure insect, but I think the sexes

are represented, the head being a little broader and the antennz a little longer in one

example. It is distinguished from the preceding species, L. ignobilis, by the very

distinct punctures on the middle of the thorax, by the less depressed form, and by the

more rounded sides of the thorax. Thorax rounded at the sides and much narrowed

behind, the intra-lateral stria very distinct. The sutural and intra-humeral strie are

very distinct on the elytra, but there is no trace of an intra-lateral ridge.

14. Lemophleus endomychus, sp. n.

Castaneus, antennis pedibusque dilutioribus, politus, capite thoraceque parce punctatis; antennis clavatis ;

prothorace minus fortiter transverso, basin versus angustato; elytris subtiliter striatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Duefias (Champion).

Head small ; epistome margined in front, not angularly produced on each side of the

labrum; this is small, and does not cover the rather small mandibles. The antenne

are rather short, the terminal three joints distinctly thicker than the others. ‘Thorax

a good deal narrowed behind, the side margin almost straight, scarcely visibly crenulate,

520 CUCUJIDE.

distinctly more raised near the hind angles; the intra-lateral carina well-marked, and

between it and the side margin a more than usually distinct fovea. lytra not

flattened, with a well-marked sutural stria, an intra-humeral stria, and one or two.

more indistinct striz between them. One specimen.

Distinguished from L. puncticollis by the indistinct punctuation of the thorax, and

the very evident fovea on each side. On comparison numerous slighter differences in

form are seen.

15. Lemophleus clavicornis, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 17, 2.)

Subconvexus, castaneo-testaceus, nitidus, fere impunctatus; antennis clavatis, brevibus ; prothorace brevissimo,

lateribus fortiter rotundatis; elytris striis tribus subtilibus ornatis; pedibus anterioribus et intermediis

minus late distantibus.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

This little beetle is unlike a Lemophleus in consequence of the less depressed form,

and the short thorax with rounded sides. It is most like LZ. ¢gnobilis, from which it

differs by the distinct epistomal line, and the less widely separated front and hind legs.

The antenne are short, with the terminal three joints much broader than those

preceding. ‘The head is small, the epistome separated by a very distinct suture. The

very short thorax is much rounded at the front angles; the hind angles are minutely

prominent; the surface is sparingly, very finely punctate. ‘The elytra have three or

four very fine striz, the sutural one being very indistinct. |

16. Leemophleus immersus, sp. n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 18.)

Angustus, haud depressus, piceo-niger, elytris stramineis; antennarum basi pedibusque sordide rufis ;

prothorace haud transverso, basin versus angustato ; elytris obsolete striatis.

Long. fere 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Of this very distinct species we have but one specimen. I presume it to be a female,

the mandibles being unusually small, and the labrum also quite small. The head is

immersed in the thorax quite to the eyes; the epistome is emarginate in front and

denticulate on each side of the labrum. The antenne are rather long, moderately

stout, thicker towards the tip, not distinctly clavate. Thorax elongate, narrowed

behind, transversely convex, near the sides with a fine carina, on the middle with

distinct but distant punctures. Elytra pallid, very finely striate, without intra-lateral

carina. .

I am unable to distinguish more than four joints on either of the feet of this peculiar

species; so that it seems probable that the basal joint may have in this case entirely

disappeared ; this is the more remarkable as the following joint (7. e. the basal one as

shown in fig. 18) is unusually elongate.

LEMOPHLMQUS. 521

17. Lemophleus convexus.

Lemophieus converus, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p- 4938, t. 8. fig. 10’.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Torola, Zapote (Champion); Crnrrat Americal,

Six examples. Mr. Grouvelle’s figure appears to have been made from a female.

The male has the mandibles elongate, projecting much beyond the labrum.

18. Lemophleus incisus, sp. n.

Testaceus, nitidus, parce subtiliter punctatus, deplanatus; antennis clavatis, articulo ultimo elongato ; capite

linea epistomatica obsoleta ; elytris costa intra-laterali striisque tribus subtilibus, interstitiis latis, minus

discrete seriatim punctatis.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Mas, capite majore, fronte utrinque supra antennis incisura angusta, profunda instructo.

Hab. Guatemaua, Zapote, Las Mercedes (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne rather long and stout, the terminal three joints distinctly thicker, the end

one elongate, nearly as long as the two preceding together; third joint longer than the

second. Head with an obsolete but distinct epistomal line; excised over the labrum,

which is moderately large, but does not extend to the tips of the mandibles; eyes large

and convex ; surface finely rather sparingly punctate. Thorax transverse, rather strongly

narrowed behind ; the intra-lateral striz very distinct, the surface finely and not closely

punctate. Elytra with the disc flattened and defined by a distinct costa.

19. Lemophleus amulz, sp.v. (Tab. XVI. fig. 19, ¢ .)

Haud depressus, fuscus ; capite prothoraceque dense punctatis ; elytris striato-punctatis, interstitiis equalibus ;

antennis elongatis, haud clavatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Amula in Guerrero 6000 feet (H. H. Smith).

We have received but one specimen of this distinct species. The antenne are just

as long as the body, and I have no doubt it isa male. All the joints of the antenne

beyond the second are elongate, the sixth and eleventh very slightly longer than the

others, and nearly similar in length; first Joint stout, second shorter than the third,

but longer than broad. Mandibles very short, not produced; labrum small ; epistomal

line extremely deep; surface of the head very densely punctate ; eyes free from: the

thoracic margin. Thorax strongly rounded in front and narrowed behind, very

densely punctate, the intra-lateral carina extremely fine. Elytra not at all flattened

on the disc, marked with distinct series of fine punctures, the interstices almost all

similar and not punctate.

The basal joint of the tarsus, though short, is quite distinct in this species.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, August 1899. 3 X*

522 CUCUJIDA.

20. Lemophleus guatemalenus, sp. n.

Haud depressus, testaceus, corpore fuscescente, nitidus ; capite thoraceque crebre, vix subtiliter punctatis ;

elytris striato-punctatis, interstitiis equalibus ; antennis elongatis, haud clavatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet (Champion).

Of this species we have also received only a single male. It is closely allied to

L. amule, but is undoubtedly distinct, the surface being shining, and the punctuation

less dense and fine. The antenne are nearly as long as the body, the terminal three

joints distinctly longer, though not thicker than the others; the sixth joint is a good

deal shorter than the eleventh, the third is but little longer than the second. As in

L. amula, the elytra are not at all flattened, and the fine strie between the suture and

disc are separated by almost equal interstices.

21. Lemophleus optatus, sp. n.

Haud depressus, fuscus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, nitidus; capite thoraceque fortiter punctatis ; elytris

tristriatis, stria intra-humerali profunda, interstitiis seriatim punctatis ; antennis elongatis, haud

elavatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Quiché Mountains 7000 feet (Champzon).

Readily distinguished from L. guatemalenus by the larger size and by the alternate

striee of the elytra being represented only by series of fine punctures. Antenne nearly

2 millim. long, all the joints from the third onwards elongate, the terminal three

slightly longer than the preceding three. Head closely and coarsely punctured ;

epistomal. line extremely deep; eyes convex, free behind. ‘Thorax rounded at the

sides and much narrowed behind, rather coarsely not densely punctured, very shining ;

intra-lateral line moderately fine. Elytra very shining, each with three distinct strie

between the shoulder and the suture, the outer one deeper than the others, the first

interstice very broad and its series of punctures very fine. One specimen.

22. Lemophleus flavescens, sp. n.

Haud depressus, nitidus, flavo-testaceus, elytrorum medio subinfuscato ; prothorace brevissimo, crebre punctato ;

elytris obsolete striatis.

Long. 14 millim,

Hab. Guaremata, Zapote (Champion).

Allied to L. amule. and L. guatemalenus, and like them without any flattening of the

elytra. The antenne are not quite so long as the body; the terminal three joints are

distinctly longer and thicker than those preceding them ; third joint a little longer than

the second. Head very finely, sparingly punctured, transversely depressed behind the

fine, arcuate, epistomal line; the eyes large and prominent, touching the thorax.

Thorax strongly transverse, rounded in front and narrowed behind, the intra-lateral

LEMOPHLM@US. 923

carina very fine, the disc distinctly and moderately sparingly punctured. Elytra very

shining, the striation very fine and indistinct.

I do not know the sex of the only individual we have received. It is distinguished

from its immediate allies by its very fine striation. Although the strie are, in conse-

quence of this, not very easy of discrimination, there appear to be, as in the allies, five

between the suture and shoulder, separated by equal interstices.

23. Leemophleus celatus, sp. n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 20.)

Parvus, subdepressus, nitidus, flavus, obsolete punctatus ; antennis filiformibus, subinfuscatis; elytris striatis,

striis ad basin obsoletis, postice profundis.

Long. vix 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Zapote (Champion).

Very similar to L. flavescens; but, as it is more depressed, and as the alternate strie

of the elytra are represented only by extremely fine linear punctures almost joined so

as to make striz, this species to a considerable extent connects this little group of

peculiar Lemophlwi with the more ordinary forms of the genus. The antenne are

nearly as long as the body, very slightly thicker towards the tip, but the terminal joints

are not different from the others in length or form. Head only very sparingly punctate ;

epistomal line distinct ; eyes large, nearly touching the thorax. ‘Thorax very short,

sparingly and finely punctate; the intra-lateral carina, though fine, quite distinct.

Elytra rather narrow, the intra-humeral stria deep and broad at its commencement,

which, however, is distinctly behind the base, and between this and the suture, with

two other strize deep behind, but quite obsolete at the base.

The large, convex facets of the eyes are remarkable in this minute insect.

24. Lemophleus annectens, sp. n.

Rufescens, subdepressus, nitidus, parce punctatus, elytris transversim fuscescentibus; antennis clavatis, medio

nigris ; prothorace basin versus fortiter angustato ; elytris subtiliter striatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab, Guatemata, Cerro Zunil 4000 feet (Champion).

A small Lemophiwus having the appearance of L. flavescens, but apparently more

allied to L. alticola, the thorax being of the form found in that group of species.

Antenne rather short, the three terminal joints longer and stouter than those preceding

them; from the fourth onwards the joints are almost black in colour, but at the

extremity the colour is again pallid. Head very finely punctate; epistomal line

extremely deep. Thorax much narrower than the elytra, and much narrowed behind,

the front margin not quite straight, the sides much rounded, the hind angles exces.

sively small, each, as it were, forming an extremely minute denticle a little in front of

the base, the intra-lateral carina fine but distinct, the punctuation scanty and fine,

Elytra not deplanate, and without intra-lateral carina, each with five distinct strie

3 X* 2

524 CUCUJIDE.

between the suture and shoulder, the fourth one being really a series of very fine

punctures; the second interstice a little broader than the others. One specimen of

uncertain sex.

25. Lemophleus striatus, sp. n.

Sat elongatus, minus depressus, nitidus, testaceus, fortiter punctatus; elytris profunde striatis ; antennis

crassiusculis, clavatis.

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

We have received only one example of this species, and it is no doubt a female ; it is

readily recognized by the sculpture. Antennze rather long and stout, the terminal

three joints longer and stouter than those preceding; third joint distinctly longer than

second. Head rather small, coarsely punctate, with a slightly impressed line marking

off a very small epistome; labrum short, not covering the thick mandibles. Thorax

rather strongly transverse, only slightly narrowed behind, coarsely punctured, with the

intra-lateral stria deep and coarse. Elytra scarcely flattenéd on the disc, each with six

strie, separated by unequal interstices, and some of them distinctly punctured ; there

are a few punctures on the interstices. Underside with distinct, distant punctures.

The inequality of the striz and their interstices is apparently due to some of the strie

being really series of interstitial punctures.

26. Lemophleus, sp.

Hab. Mexico, Real del Monte (Flohr).

A single female individual, allied to L. striatus, represents a very distinct species

with remarkably coarse sculpture. Unfortunately the specimen is deformed on one

side of the head and thorax.

27. Lemophleus insolitus, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 21, 2.)

Fem., subdeplanatus, nitidus, piceus, pedibus dilutioribus ; antennis subclavatis ; capite thoraceque sat crebre

punctatis, hoc basin versus angustato, elytris multo angustiore ; his profunde striatis, ad basin lateraliter

costato-marginatis, interstitiis punctatis.

Long. fere 3 millim.

Hab. Guaremaa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne nearly 2 millim. long, rather thick, the terminal three joints a little thicker

and longer than those preceding. Head narrower than the thorax, flat, sparingly

punctate; epistomal line obsolete; vertex with a fine longitudinal line; eyes not free

behind; labrum moderately prominent, not covering the mandibles. Thorax narrowed

behind, a good deal rounded at the sides, the minutely prominent hind angles placed

distinctly in front of the base; the intra-lateral carina somewhat elevated ; the surface

LAMOPHLEUS. 525

finely, moderately sparingly punctate. Elytra elongate, rather flat, distinctly costate-

marginate, each with well-marked striz between the suture and coste, the number of

which it is difficult to distinguish, as the interstitial punctures form strize when viewed

in certain lights. Metasternum elongate, coarsely punctate, except in the middle.

We have received only one example, which is certainly a female. It is readily

distinguished from JZ. striatus by the more depressed form, darker colour, and the

different shape of the thorax, which is more narrowed behind.

28. Lemophleus inustus, sp. n.

Haud deplanatus, piceus, nitidus ; pedibus testaceis ; antennis clavatis; prothorace elytris multo angustiore,

basin versus angustato, crebre punctato; elytris elongatis, sat profunde striatis,

Long. 3 millim,

Hab. Guatamaua, Quiché Mountains 7500 feet (Champion).

Although we have only one badly preserved exponent, I have no doubt of this being

a distinct species ; it can only be compared with L. insolitus, from which it differs in

numerous characters. The antenne are moderately long, rather thick, the terminal

three joints distinctly thicker than those preceding. Head flat, moderately coarsely

punctured ; labrum small ; epistomal line obsolete, distinguishable only as a fine line

on each side; eyes not free behind. Thorax much narrower than the elytra, a good

deal narrowed behind; intra-lateral carina moderate, the denticle placed only very

slightly in front of the base; surface moderately coarsely punctate. Elytra at the

extreme base with a very fine intra-lateral carina; fifth and sixth strie only joined at

the base, and there indistinctly; striae rather coarse, interstices of unequal width, the

broader with a few punctures.

29. Lemophleus carabinus, sp. n.

Haud depressus, nitidus, picescens ; pedibus sordide testaceis; antennis fuscescentibus, testaceis ; capite

thoraceque parce punctatis, hoc elytris multo angustiore, basin versus angustato; elytris subtiliter striatis,

striis secundo quartoque obsoletis, quinto et sexto post basin conjunctis, interstitiis fere impunctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui ( Champion).

Antenne only moderately long, stout, the terminal three joints incrassate. Head

flat, finely but distinctly punctured; epistomal line moderately impressed ; eyes not

free behind. Elytra finely striate, the second and fourth striz conspicuously joined a

little behind the base, and deeper at the point of junction. One specimen.

This species has a slight metallic lustre, and most nearly resembles L. distans, from

which it is distinguished by numerous characters, notably by the position of the basal

hind angles of the thorax.

526 CUCUJIDA.

30. Lemophleus corporalis, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 22.)

Subdepressus, niger, nitidus; capite, thorace antennisque piceis; antennarum basi pedibusque sordide rufis ;

antennis clavatis; capite prothoraceque parce haud fortiter punctatis ; elytris striatis, striis quinto et

sexto post basin conjunctis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Although resembling the preceding species almost exactly, L. corporalis is readily

distinguished by the peculiarity that the small denticle indicating the hind angle of

the thorax is placed unusually far in front of the base. Antenne rather short and not

slender, the terminal three joints a good deal incrassate. Head very flat; epistomal

line distinct; the surface sparingly, subobsoletely punctate. Thorax much narrower

than the elytra, much narrowed behind; the intra-lateral line fine; the punctuation

like that of the head. Elytra large, transversely depressed behind the base, not in the

least costate-marginate, the striz rather fine; the sixth stria is a series of punctures,

except near the base, where it joins the fifth; the second and fourth striz are almost

series of punctures. ‘Two specimens, possibly both females.

31. Lemophleus frequens, sp. n.

Haud depressus, nigro-piceus vel piccus, nitidus; capite thoraceque crebre punctatis; elytris haud costato-

marginatis, evidenter striatis.

Long. 2-24 millim.

Hab. Gvuaremana, Volcan de Agua, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

The male is larger than the female, and has much longer antenne. In the former

sex the second joint is unusually elongate, and the terminal three joints are scarcely so

long as those preceding, but are just perceptibly stouter and rather differently shaped ;

the epistomal line is quite distinct; and there is a fine longitudinal line on the

vertex. The surface of the head is shining, moderately coarsely and closely punctate.

The thorax is strongly transverse, rather abruptly narrowed behind; the hind angles

form a small denticle placed at the base; the intra-lateral line moderate ; the surface

more coarsely punctate in the male than in the female. FElytra not elongate, not

flattened, with the humeral stria connected with the intra-humeral one in a very distinct

manner a little behind the base, each becoming markedly deeper at the point of

junction ; the second interstice is broader than the others, very shining, the punctures

on it excessively fine; the punctures on the third interstice more distinct.

This species varies a good deal in colour, the elytra being sometimes so pallid as to

be sordid testaceous. We have fourteen examples from Panama, but only two from

Guatemala; the one from the Volcan de Agua appears to be really conspecific with the

examples from Panama, but the single female from Capetillo may possibly not belong

LAMOPHLEUS. 527

to the same species. There is also a specimen from Chiriqui that may perhaps

represent another closely allied species.

32. Lemophleus alticola, sp. n.

Haud deplanatus, rufo-piceus; capite thoraceque rufis; pedibus antennisque testaceis, his extrorsum fusces-

centibus, clavatis; capite prothoraceque parce punctatis ; elytris minus subtiliter striatis.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Quiché Mountains and Totonicapam 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

This species is undoubtedly allied to L. frequens, as the minute hind angle of the

thorax is placed almost basally; there is, however, but little difference between the

sexes, and the general form approximates to that of L. corporalis. The antenne are

moderately long, the three terminal joints forming a distinct club. The head is only

sparingly punctate, the epistomal line deep and distinct ; the eyes convex, almost free

behind. Thorax distinctly narrower than the elytra, sparingly punctate, strongly

transverse ; sides rounded in front, converging behind, the minute denticle-like hind

angles placed almost basally, the intra-lateral carina distinct. Elytra transversely

convex, not in the least costate-marginate, deeply striate, the fifth and sixth striee joined

a little behind the base; there is some punctuation on the interstices.

Five specimens from the Quiché Mountains, of which only one is a male; it has

larger mandibles and distinctly longer antenne than the others. ‘The example from

Totonicapam is a small female with deep striation on the elytra; it is, I think, really

conspecific.

33. Lemophleus distans, sp. n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 23.)

Subdepressus, niger, nitidus, subeneo-micans ; antennis sordide rufis; pedibus testaceis ; capite prothoraceque

fortiter punctatis ; elytris profunde striatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

This species has very much the facies of a Salpingus, the legs being stouter than is

usual in Lamophleus and the sculpture less highly finished. It agrees with

L. corporalis in the denticle of the thorax being placed evidently in front of the base,

but differs considerably in sculpture. We have only three examples, and it is probable

that all are males. The antenne are rather thick, about 2 millim. long, the terminal

three joints distinctly thicker than the others. Head closely and coarsely punctured ;

epistomal line very deep; eyes convex, free from the thorax. ‘Thorax much narrower

than the elytra, strongly narrowed behind; lateral margin and intra-lateral stria very

distinct ; the surface coarsely punctured. Elytra elongate, not in the least costate-

marginate, deeply striate, the fifth and sixth strie not conjoined behind the base; the

first interstice broad, the others narrow.

528 CUCUJIDE.

34. Leemophleus recticollis.

Lemophieus recticollis, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xv. p. 52 (1876) (part.) °.

Oblongus, deplanatus, tenuissime pubescens, rufus, nitidus; capite thoraceque picescentibus, sat crebre et

fortiter, fere equaliter punctatis ; elytris subtiliter sex-striatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Mas, antenne articulo primo plus minusve elongato, interdum valde elongato, sinuato, apicem versus incras-

sato, apice in processu curvato producto.

Hab. British Honpuras, Rio Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuateMALA, Cubilguitz in

Vera Paz (Champion).—CotomBia, San Carlos 1.

This species is distinguished from L. tteratus and L. addendus by its broader form,

darker colour, thicker antenne, and slight differences in the sculpture; the basal

joint of the antenna of the female is both longer and thicker than it is in those species.

The head and thorax are evenly, rather finely punctured. The thorax has a rather

broad elevation in front of the scutellum, and there are two fine raised strize on each

side, the outer of the two not quite reaching the base; it is much broader than long,

nearly straight at the sides, with the hind angles rectangular. The broad, short elytra

are rounded at the tip; each has three fine strie—one near the suture, the other two

equidistant from the very fine costa that forms a margin, outside which the sides are

abruptly deflexed and perpendicular.

Twenty-three specimens—three from the Rio Sarstoon, twenty from Cubilguitz.

I am indebted to M. René Oberthiir for sending me Reitter’s types of L. uncicornis

and L. recticollis for examination. ‘The former comes from Surinam, and appears to

be very closely allied to JZ. iteratus, but I cannot at present consider it identical

therewith *. The types of L. recticollis consist of specimens of L. iteratus and the

present species; I assign the name to the form marked “type,” which comes from

the Steinheil collection and was found at Medellin. I have very little doubt that it

is a female of the species of which both sexes were found by Mr. Champion in

Guatemala.

35. Lemophleus iteratus, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. figg. 25, ¢; 25, a, 0, c, head

and antenne of smaller males; 26, head and antenne of @ .)

Oblongus, angustus, deplanatus, tenuissime pubescens, rufo-testaceus, nitidus; capite prothoraceque rufis, parce,

subtiliter fere eequaliter punctatis ; elytris subtiliter sex-striatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Mas, antenne articulo primo plus minusve elongato, interdum valde elongato, sinuato, apicem versus

incrassato, apice in processu curvato, producto.

* A large series of L. cteratus, found in the Islands of St. Vincent and Grenada, was named Microbrontes

uncicornis, Reitter, by M. Grouvelle (cf. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1898, p. 405); but none of them agree

satisfactorily with Reitter’s type, which is a more elongate, rather less depressed insect, with the base of the

thorax strongly elevated in front of the scutellum.

LEMOPHLEUS. 529

Hab. Mexico, Villa Lerdo in Durango, Tehuantepec (ége); British Honpuras,

Belize (Blancaneaux); GuateMaLa, Cubilguitz, Zapote (Champion).—CoLomBiA (coll.

Oberthiir).

This insect is so very closely allied to ZL. recticollis that I should have had no

hesitation in treating it as a slight variety thereof had we not received a good series in

which there are no doubtful forms. JL. iteratus is a little smaller than JZ. recticollis

and also paler in colour, narrower, and with finer punctuation; it has the antenne

considerably thinner. We have figured the antenne of several specimens to show the

curious difference in the development of the basal joint.

Forty-seven specimens, mostly from Zapote. From Cubilguitz there is oaly one

female, from Villa Lerdo one female, from Tehuantepec a pair, from Belize a very

feebly developed male and a female.

As stated under L. recticollis, M. René Oberthiir has sent me a specimen of the

female of this species labelled by Reitter as being his ZL. recticollis. This specimen

bears a locality-ticket, on which is written Araqui or some similar name. M. Oberthiir’s

collection also contains two female examples from Colombia.

As this insect and allied species have been referred to JMicrobrontes, Reitter, it is

well to state that they do not belong to that genus. ficrobrontes was established for

a Japanese insect, said to have the hind feet five-jointed in the male sex. Our species

has these tarsi not more than four-jointed, possibly only three-jointed. ‘The elongation

of the basal joint of the antenne was given as a second distinction of Microbrontes ;

but in the forms from our region that have been referred to the genus this elongation

occurs only as an exceptional character in highly developed males. In this group of

Lemophlei it is very difficult to distinguish any structure that convinces one that the

tarsi are on any of the feet more than four-jointed.

36. Lemophleus addendus, s.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 24, head, thorax, and

antenne of 3.)

Oblongus, angustus, deplanatus, tenuissime pubescens, testaceus ; capite thoraceque crebrius punctatis ; elytris

subtiliter sex-striatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Mas, antenne articulo primo plus minusve elongato, interdum valde elongato, sinuato, apicem versus

incrassato, apice in processu curvato producto.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Zapote, Capetillo, Balheu (Champion).

In this species the punctuation of the head and thorax is more developed, especially

towards the sides, it being more scanty along the middle. ‘This is almost all there is

to distinguish LZ. addendus from L. iteratus, except that it isa little smaller. Eighteen

specimens.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, August 1899. 3 Y*

530 CUCUJIDA.

37. Lemophleus pauper, sp. n.

Angustus, oblongus, pubescens, parum nitidus, ferrugineus ; prothorace utrinque unicarinato ; subtilissime

punctatus, elytris obsolete striatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chilpancingo and Omilteme in Guerrero 4600 to 8000 feet

(H. H. Smith).

This insect is extremely close to the European L. ferrugineus, but is only half

the size, and the antenne of the male are much more slender and hairy beneath.

The punctuation is so minute as to be quite indefinite, and is still further obscured

by the fine depressed pubescence. The thorax is longer than broad, a little

narrowed behind; the hind angles are rectangular, the front angles not in the

least prominent; the lateral stria is parallel with the side-margin and extends the

whole length. The strie of the elytra are excessively fine. ‘The slender antenne

are in the male two-thirds and in the female fully one-half the length of the body.

Four specimens.

88. Lemophleus dives, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 3, ¢.)

Ferrugineus, elytris nigro-bimaculatis ; capite thoraceque densissime punctatis, hoc transverso, elytris multo

angustiore, lateribus crenulatis, utrinque unicarinato; elytris ad apicem evidenter costatis, subtiliter

punctatis. .

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Paxama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the three terminal joints thicker than the others. Head narrow;

eyes very prominent, free behind; epistome simply rounded in front, large but with

its line of delimitation extremely obsolete. Thorax short, much narrower than the

elytra, narrowed a little behind, the sides very distinctly undulate, the surface densely

punctured, the carina near the sides very distinct. Elytra suboval, not deplanate, the

tips extending beyond the body; very finely punctate, the intra-marginal carina

distinct, but the other two coste of each only distinct at the tip. Legs rather long,

the femora projecting beyond the sides of the body.

We have only one pair of this distinct species. The antenne of the male are much

longer than those of the female.

39. Leemophleus minusculus.

Lemophleus minusculus, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p. 502, t. 9. fig. 22°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa?.

We have received nothing agreeing with this species. It is one of the smallest

Lemophiei—only 2? millim. long—and possesses a very remarkable sculpture.

LAMOPHLG@US.—RHABDOPHL@US. 531

40. Lemophleus pallentipennis.

Lemophleus pallentipennis, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p. 500, t. 9. fig. 20°.

Hab, CENTRAL AMERICA !.—ANTILLES, St. Vincent, Grenada.

According to the West-Indian specimens named by M. Grouvelle (Trans. Ent. Soc.

Lond. 1898, p. 404), this insect is extremely similar to Silvanophleus gundlachi, and I

expect will prove to belong to that genus. It has an impunctate head and thorax,

and the latter has straight sides converging behind. Two of our specimens of

S. gundlachi from Zapote approach rather nearly to this West-Indian series, but do

not agree satisfactorily. |

LATHROPUS.

Lathropus, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 327 (1845).

This genus includes only three or four species of rare, very minute beetles. Its

position appears to me doubtful; but 1 am not able to throw any light on it, or even

to express an opinion as to whether the New World insects are really congeneric with

the European species for which the genus was established.

1. Lathropus pictus.

Lathropus pictus, Schwarz, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xvii. p. 3858 (1878) *.

Hab. Norrn America, Florida !.—Mexico, Vera Cruz, Teapa (Sallé).

2. Lathropus parvulus.

Lathropus parvulus, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr, 1878, p. 73, t. 2. fig. 9°.

Hab. Mexico}.

M. Grouvelle at first thought the examples in M. Sallé’s collection that I have

referred to L. pictus were this species, but he informs me he does not now consider this

to be the case.

RHABDOPHLCKUS, gen. nov.

Coxee posteriores tantum parum distantes, a processu acuminato separate.

This genus is well distinguished from Lemophiewus by the small size of the

abdominal process projecting between the posterior coxe. ‘The epipleure are very

definite. All the species possess very distinctly costate wing-cases. The head is small,

and quite destitute of peculiar developments in the male. ‘The lower lip and palpi

are very small. The anterior acetabula are not closed.

1. Rhabdophleus concolor, sp. n.

Parvus, depressus, ferrugineus, dense subtilissime punctatus et pubescens, subopacus ; prothorace brevi,

margine laterali crenulato, intra marginem unicostato ; elytris minus alte costatis.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec (Hoge); Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

3 Y¥*2

532 CUCUJIDA.

The whole of the upper and under surfaces covered with a very fine dense

punctuation. Antenne moderately long and stout, distinctly longer in the male than

in the female, the terminal three joints longer and rather broader than the others.

Head similar in the two sexes, considerably narrower than the thorax. Thorax

distinctly broader than long, scarcely narrowed behind, undulating at the sides, and

with a very distinct raised costa on each side. Elytra rather long and narrow, each

_with three distinctly raised cost, in addition to the slightly raised suture. Thirteen

specimens from Zapote, ten from Tehuantepec.

2. Rhabdophleus dispar, sp. n.

Parvus, depressus, ferrugineus, dense subtilissime punctatus et pubescens, opacus ; prothorace brevi, margine

laterali irregulare, intra marginem fortiter unicostato, costaque secunda utrinque ; elytris argute costatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuAremata, El Reposo, Zapote (Champion).

Very similar to Z. concolor, but readily distinguished by the denser punctuation and

the very strongly elevated thoracic carina; the second carina or elevation does not

extend all the way to the front margin. Hight specimens.

3. Rhabdophleus costatus.

Lemophileus costatus, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p. 501, t. 9. fig. 21°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa in Tabasco! (H. H. Smith); Guatemaua, Zapote (Champion).

Mr. Champion procured a large series of this species at Zapote. It varies but little.

‘The male antenne are much longer than those of the female.

4. Rhabdophleus chiriquensis, sp. n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 4, 3.)

Subovalis, latus, depressus, ferrugineus, dense subtiliter punctatus; elytris fortiter costatis, costis hic inde

fuscescentibus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect is readily distinguished from JL. costatus by the broader and more

depressed form, by the explanate margins of the elytra, and by the elongate antennae,

which, however, are considerably shorter in the female than they are in the male. We

have received only three specimens.

RHINOPHLGEUS, gen. nov.

Oculi grosse granulati. Caput sat clongatum, plus minusve rostratum, sed haud angustum. Coxe anteriores

parum distantes ; acetabulis haud occlusis.

This genus makes a certain approach to Rhinomalus, but the two are quite distinct.

Rhinophleus has not the narrow rostrum of Rhinomalus, neither has it the first joint

of the antenne elongated to an unusual extent; the parts of the mouth are much

RHINOPHLQUS. 533

larger than they are in Rhinomalus. Both genera differ from Lemophieus by the more

approximate front coxe, as well as by the prosternum being slightly bent upwards

behind the coxe, whereas in Lemophleus it is quite flat.

1. Rhinophleus productus.

Lemophleus productus, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p. 491, t. 8. fig. 7 *.

Rhinomalus productus, Grouv. op. cit. 1896, p. 200°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Motzorongo (Flohr); GuatemaLa, Zapote (Champion).

—Brazit, New Friburg 1.

Distinguished by the four-spotted elytra, comparatively short antenne, and by the

head being less rostrate, and not sinuate on each side over the insertion of the antenne.

Mr. Champion procured eight specimens at Zapote. I have seen only two examples

from Mexico, and from South America none, but M. Grouvelle has identified the

specimen from Cordova in the Sallé collection ; it is indeed marked “ type,” but

improperly.

2, Rhinophleus gracilis, sp. n.

Testaceus, politus, fere levigatus; antennis gracilibus extrorsum elytrorumque medio fuscescentibus.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes (Champion).

This is very different from any of the allied species, and has the eyes smaller and less

coarsely faceted. The head is but little produced; it is very little sinuate at the

sides ; the epistomal line is distinct and angulate in the middle; the surface is very

shining, and there are very few punctures. The antenne are long and slender, with

the terminal three joints a good deal thicker than the others. ‘Thorax nearly as long as

broad, much narrowed behind, the intra-lateral line quite distinct; impunctate, Hlytra

with the intra-humeral and sutural strie fine, the other striz obsolete, punctuation

wanting. One specimen, in a poor state of preservation.

3. Rhinophleus salpingoides.

Lemophleus salpingoides, Grouv. Ann, Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p. 490, t. 8. fig. 6°.

Rhinomalus salpingoides, Grouv. op. cit. 1896, p. 200°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Sallé); Guaremana, Zapote (Champion).— Brazit, New Friburg?.

Mr. Champion procured fourteen examples of this species at Zapote; they exhibit

but little variation. The antenne are longer in some specimens, and these are no doubt

males; one individual is much paler than the others, and is probably immature. The

specimen from Sallé’s collection is labelled ‘ salpingoides” in M. Grouvelle’s hand-

writing; it is a very large, pallid example, and is a little more sparingly punctured

than the Guatemalan exponents. I have seen none from South America.

534 CUCUJID.

4, Rhinophleus nasutus, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 5.)

Piceus, anterius dilutior, elytris flavo-bimaculatis ; antennis pedibusque sordide testaceis, illis basi late testacea ;

capite longius rostrato, ante antennas fere longiore quam lato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Sallé); Guatemata, Zapote, Pantaleon (Champion).

Although extremely similar to R. salpingoides, this species is readily distinguished

by the much produced head and the more slender basal joint of the antenne. Of the

three examples from Guatemala one is a male, and has the antenne a little longer, but

there is no difference in the form of the head. There is very little punctuation or

striation visible in this species: the intra-humeral stria on the elytra can be easily seen,

and the sutural stria is distinct at the tip, but there are only the faintest traces of any

other strie. The only example from Mexico was labelled in the Sallé collection

“D. salpingoides,” and also “type,” but I doubt whether Mr. Grouvelle ever saw this

specimen ; at any rate it was not labelled by him.

RHINOMALUS.

Homalirhinus, Chevrolat, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. ii. p. 60 (1833) (nec Ménétries, 1832).

Rhinomalus, Gemminger & Harold, Col. Hefte, vi. p. 124 (1870) ; Cat. Col. vii. p. 2062.

Xenorhinus, Leconte & Horn, Class. Col. N. Am. ed. 2, p. 184 (1883).

This genus is remarkable because of the elongate head, having the form of a flat

beak. On this account Chevrolat placed the genus in Curculionidae. The name

Homalirhinus being preoccupied, Gemminger and Harold changed it to Rhinomalus,

but referred the genus to the Heteromerous series near Rhinosimus. Leconte and Horn,

not being aware of these facts, proposed Xenorhinus as a new genus of Cucujide.

I place at present in this genus species having the front coxal cavities closed and

others having them open. This I am compelled to do, as I cannot say to which

category the type-species of the genus belongs, never having seen a specimen of

R. rujirostris, Chevrolat. I anticipate, however, that it will prove to have the coxal

cavities closed, like R. signatus; in that case the name Rhinomalus will be applicable

to the forms with anterior acetabula closed, and the name Xenorhinus can be used for

R. anthracinus and R. chiriquensis, in both of which, as I have ascertained, the cavities

are open.

§1. Anterior coxal cavities closed ; antenne with joints 6-11 similar in thickness.

(RHINOMALUS. )

1. Rhinomalus vicinus.

Rhinomalus vicinus, Grouv. Ann. Soc, Ent. Fr. 1896, p. 197°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova (Saldé).

We have received only one example. It is a small, pale Rhinomalus, with unusually

short, pale antenne.

RHINOMALUS. 535

2. Rhinomalus signatus, sp. n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 6.)

Piceus, nitidus, rostro rufo, elytris flavo-bimaculatis ; antennis articulis basalibus 5 rufescentibus, articulis

ultimis 6 fere equaliter crassis, obscuris ; prothorace parcissime punctato; elytris fere estriatis.

Long. 2-27 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Chacoj in Vera Paz (Champion).

This insect agrees with R. vicinus in the fact that the terminal three joints of the

antenne do not formaclub. The head is broad between the eyes, which are very

large. The thorax is greatly narrowed behind, its punctures very few, the intra-lateral

line quite distinct. The elytra are almost destitute of sculpture, except that the sutural

stria is distinct behind. The thinner parts of the legs are yellow, the thicker parts

darker.

§2. Anterior coxal cavities open ; antenne clavate, joints 9-11 broader than

the preceding. (XENORHINUS.)

3. Rhinomalus anthracinus, sp. n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 7.)

Niger, nitidus, rostro, antennarum parte basali pedumque partibus tenuibus rufis ; antennis articulis ultimis

tribus erassioribus ; prothorace punctato, linea intra-laterali tantum ad basin impressa; elytris omnium

obsoletissime seriatim punctatis, estriatis.

Long. 2-23 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé).

This species is readily distinguished from &. vicinus and R. signatus by the different

form of the antenne, as well as by the colour, and by the thoracic stria being much

abbreviated in front. The absence of striation on the elytra is nearly complete, as I

cannot trace either sutural or intra-humeral strie; there are, however, some excessively

fine punctures placed in the perfectly linear manner that indicates either rudimentary

or vestigial strize in Lemophlat.

I have adopted the name from M. Sallé’s collection, where this insect was labelled

Rhinomalus anthracinus, Deyr. This species, or the following one, is probably the

Xenorhinus truquii, Lec. and Horn (Class. Col. N. Am. ed. 2, p. 134), from ‘* Mexico.”

4. Rhinomalus chiriquensis, sp. n.

Niger, nitidus, rostro, antennarum parte basali pedumque partibus tenuibus rufis; antennis articulis ultimis

tribus crassioribus; elytris stria intra~humerali subtili discreta.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Forests above Jalapa (Flohr); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion). | |

This insect chiefly differs from R. anthracinus by the possession of a distinct stria on

each elytron. ‘The serial punctuation is even more indistinct than it is in that species.

536 CUCUJIDA.

PARANDRITA.

Parandrita, Leconte & Horn, Class. Col. N. Amer. ed. 2, p. 133 (1888) °.

Lemophleus (part.), Casey, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 91 (1884) *.

Although Parandrita has been merged in Lemophiaus it appears to me that it may

be treated with advantage as distinct from that genus, as well as from Stlvanophleus.

In all the species the head is very large in comparison with the other parts of the

body; the eyes are placed far in front of the thorax; and the epipleure are very ill-

developed, being almost vertical in their anterior part and extremely attenuated behind.

All the coxe are very widely separated.

The insects of this genus appear to be extremely rare. I have not seen the North-

American form for which Parandrita was founded, but, according to Casey, it is closely

allied to our P. capito.

1. Parandrita capito.

Lemophieus capito, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1881, p. 94, t. 4. fig. 9*.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé1, Hoge), Amula in Guerrero (H. H. Smith); GuaTEMALA,

Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

This peculiar insect is apparently very rare, as we have altogether only four

examples.

2. Parandrita deceptor, sp. n.

Depressus, parallelus, nitidus, niger; elytris stramineis ; pedibus piceis; capite sat elongato, fortiter punctato.

Long 2 millim.

Hab. Guatmmata, Zapote (Champion).

Antenne not elongate, but with the terminal three joints much longer—though not

thicker—than the others. Head large, rather broader than the thorax, quite flat,

coarsely punctured; the eyes rather small, but prominent and distant from the thorax.

Thorax strongly transverse, as broad as the elytra, a good deal narrowed behind, the sides

not denticulate ; hind angles minutely acute ; surface very shining, almost impunctate ;

the intra-lateral stria quite fine, but very distinct. Elytra small, completely covering

the hind body, pallid, extremely obscletely striate and destitute of intra-lateral costa.

Legs short. ‘Two specimens.

3. Parandrita stipes, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 8.)

Perdepressus, nitidus, rufo-testaceus ; elytris stramineis; captite magno, fortiter punctato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (H. H. Smith); Guatemata, Pantaleon, Zapote (Champion).

Closely allied to P. deceptor, but, besides the different colour, it has a shorter hind

PARANDRITA.—SILVANOPHLEUS. O37

body, and the antenne are altogether smaller, with a comparatively short and very

slightly broader three-jointed club.

This little insect appears, like most of its congeners, to be very rare, as we have

received only four specimens. The head and thorax are more or less picescent.

In the two examples from Zapote the labrum is elongate and projects over a

considerable length of the mandibles; in the other two specimens it is so short that it

is difficult to detect. These latter individuals agree in this respect with the other

specimens I have seen of this interesting genus. I am not able to throw any light on

this peculiar difference in P. stipes; the labrum looks as if it might possibly be

movable and capable of retraction or protrusion. On the other hand, the difference

may possibly be sexual, or even specific. If the latter prove to be the case the name

here proposed should be applied to the form with elongate labrum, which I have

selected as the type, it being the most different from its congeners. Three of our four

examples were sent to M. Grouvelle, and he considered them to be all one species.

SILVANOPHLCEUS, gen. nov.

Acetabula anteriora occlusa. Corpus perdepressum. Coxe omnes late distantes. Epipleura attenuata.

Cetera fere ut in genere Lemophleo.

The European Lemophiwus testaceus is taken as the type of this genus, which may

be briefly defined as consisting of those Lwmophiwi that have the anterior coxe closed

by an actual contiguity between the angle of the prosternal process and the tip of the

prothoracic side-piece. This form of prosternum is markedly different from that of

Silvanus, where the acetabula are separated from the mesopectus, while here they are

in contact with it.

The genus will, no doubt, prove to be a composite one, but its further partition must

be left till our knowledge of this very difficult group of Coleoptera is much more

advanced than is the case at present.

1. Silvanophleus nitens.

? Lemophleus nitens, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. vii. p. 751; Casey, Trans, Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 87,

t. 6. fig. 9 (3d) ?.

Hab. Norta Ammrica *, Colorado River, California !1.—Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

We have received a single female example only of an insect belonging to the

extremely difficult group of species allied to S. testaceus. These insects may be distin-

guished from S. gundlachi by the side of the thorax being sinuate just behind the front

angle, so that the angle projects as a small tooth. I have no means to enable me

to form an opinion as to whether our insect isa North-American species or not.

Specimens of an allied form from South California were sent to me by the late H. K.

Morrison as Lemophleus gundlacht. This species they certainly are not; they are

nearer to the European S. testaceus, but are quite distinct therefrom.

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IL. Pt. 1, August 1899. 3 Z*

538 CUCUJID.

9. Silvanophleus gundlachi.

Lemophleus gundlachi, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p. 499, t. 9. fig. 19°.

Hab. Mexico, Atoyac (H. H. Smith), Motzorongo (Flohr), Cordova, Campeche (Sallé),

Teapa (Sallé, H. H. Smith); Britisn Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA,

Zapote, San Juan, Balheu (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion) ;

CENTRAL AMERICA I.

This species is a very puzzling one, owing to the peculiar sexual characters. In one

sex the terminal segment of the abdomen is more or less prolonged: as these specimens

are usually larger and possess longer antenne I conclude they are males. ‘This abdominal

character is not, however, constant; not only are the females destitute of it, but also

some other examples that, from their long antenne, I consider to be males. It appears

to me, therefore, that this is a secondary male character, variable in the extent to which

it may be developed.

L. politus, Woll., from the Cape Verde Islands, appears to be closely allied to this

species. (Cf. also my remarks, antea p. 531, on Lwmophleus pallentipennis.)

3. Silvanophleus infimus, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 9.)

Perdepreseus, sat angustus, politus, piceus; elytris stramineis, obsolete striatis ; capite prothoraceque parce

punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALa, Zapote (Champion).

Although easily distinguished from S. gundlachi by the nearly black colour of

the under surface, and of the head and thorax, I can find no other good distinctive

characters. We have received only three specimens. ‘There are no intermediates

amonest our rather large series of S. gundlachi.

4, Silvanophleus atomarius, sp. n.

Angustus, rufus, capite thoraceque supra nigricantibus, antennis extrorsum fuscis; politus, elytris stramineis,

obsolete striatis.

Long. 1-1} millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This is the smallest Cucujid of our region. It bears a superficial resemblance to

Lemophleus immersus and to S. infimus, but appears to be thoroughly distinct from

either. The short head has no epistomal suture. The antenne are twice as long in

the male as they are in the female; in this latter sex the terminal three joints form a

distinct club; the second joint is thicker but not longer than the third. Thorax not

transverse, a little sinuate and narrowed at the sides behind, polished and impunctate ;

the fine intra-lateral carina quite distinct. Elytra narrow, not deplanate, very obsoletely

striate, without intra-lateral carina. All the legs widely separated. ‘Ten specimens.

The male is twice as large as the female.

SILVANOPHLGUS. 539

5. Silvanophleus fraudator, sp. n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 10, 3.)

Haud depressus, levigatus, piceo-niger ; elytris ante medium stramineo-maculatis; antennis basi apiceque

testaceis; pedibus piceo-testaceis; prothorace elongato, basin versus angustato, utrinque posterius

sub-bidenticulato.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab, GvatEMA.a, Pantaleon (Champion).

Head short, epistomal line definite, marking off a very short epistome. Antenne

short and stout, not clavate, but thicker from the sixth joint onwards; joints 6-10

black, the others yellow. Thorax narrower than the elytra, much narrowed behind ;

at the side in front of the base with a distinct small denticle, and just in front of

it a second, more obscure, minute prominence; the surface is almost impunctate, the

intra-lateral line fine but distinct. Elytra very polished, extremely finely striate ;

the striz not perceptible at the apex.

We have received four examples of this species. One of them is no doubt a male,

as it has the head broader than the others and the antenne a little longer.

In colour and general appearance this and the two following insects resemble certain

species of Rhinophiwus and Rhinomalus, to which they do not, however, appear to be

at all allied.

6. Silvanophleus cognatus, sp. n.

Haud depressus, nitidus, piceo-niger ; elytris ante medium stramineo-maculatis; antennis crassis, basi rufa ;

prothorace elongato, basin versus angustato, utrinque posterius sub-bidenticulato ; elytris striatis.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Very similar to S. fraudator, but readily distinguished by the striate elytra, and by

the head and thorax being more distinctly punctate. The antenne are stout, and

are thickened from the fourth joint onwards. Each elytron has five or six strise, the

alternate ones being more distinct than the others. One specimen.

7. Silvanophleus bembidium, sp. n.

Haud depressus, leevigatus, nitidus, niger; elytris paulo ante et post medium stramineo-maculatis; pedibus

piceis ; antennarum apice rufo; prothorace elongato; elytris unistriatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

A remarkable little insect, with polished surface almost free from sculpture, a strongly

constricted thorax, and a single, well-marked, intra-humeral stria on each elytron. The

colour and general form give it some resemblance to the spotted species of the

subgenus Lopha of Bembidium. The antenne are moderately long and are thickened

from the fifth joint onwards; they are black, a little paler at the base, the apical joint

red. Head highly polished and smooth. Thorax elongate and narrow, strongly

3 Z* 2

540 CUCUJIDE.

contracted before the posterior lateral denticle, which is prominent, very convex

transversely at the constriction, so that the fine intra-lateral stria becomes there

indistinct, highly polished. Elytra highly polished, with a single well-marked intra-

humeral stria; black, with a pale yellow fascia, interrupted at the suture, just before

the middle, and a smaller spot behind the middle. One specimen.

DEINOPHLUS, gen. nov.

Acetabula anteriora occlusa. Coxe omnes late distantes. Epipleure late. Cetera fere ut in generibus

Lemophleo et Siluanophleo.

While the species of Parandrita and Silvanophieus have the epipleuree very much

reduced, the reverse is the case with the two extremely remarkable Lewmophici for

which this genus is established. They have no resemblance to any of our species of

either of those genera.

1. Deinophleus ducalis, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 11, ¢-)

Deplanatus, politus, piceus, elytrorum disco flavescente ; antennis erassis, clavatis; prothorace basin versus

angustato, lateribus argute marginatis, nullo modo denticulatis, carina intra-laterali argute elevata ;

elytris striatis, ad apicem costatis.

Long. 34-4 millim.

Mas, capite majore, epistomate medio dentibus magnis duobus liberis armato.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith); GuaTEMALA, Capetillo

(Champion).

Surface of head sparingly punctate ; eyes prominent, free behind. Thorax sparingly

punctate, shining, the lateral margin remarkably definite and without any trace of

sinuosity or denticles. Scutellum triangular, moderately large. lytra finely and

sparingly punctate, flat, the flat portion limited by a fine raised margin; each with

three strie on the flat part, which at the extreme tip give place to short, coarse,

longitudinal folds. Hind coxe broadly separated.

This species is remarkable on account of the structure of the male head. The

middle of the epistome projects as two large, free processes over the labrum.

The mandibles are extremely broad at the opposed faces of their tips, and each is

three-toothed there.

2. Deinophleus sinuatus, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 12, apices of the elytra.)

2. Fulvo-ferrugineus, politus, elytris flavo-bimaculatis ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illis clavatis ; prothorace

quadrato, lateribus rectis ; elytris dorso deplanato, apice bisinuato, utrinque fortiter plicato.

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

We have received only two examples of this remarkable insect and there is no doubt

both are females. The antenne are stout, with the apical three joints broader. The

head is long and narrow, flat, very polished. Thorax a good deal narrower than the

DEINOPHL@US.—SYSSITOS. 041

elytra, about as long as broad, straight at the sides, very shining, sparingly punctate,

the lateral carina very strongly elevated at the base. Scutellum triangular, moderate

in size. FElytra quite flat on the dorsum; with intra-lateral carina, and three stricz on

each elytron; the tips are a little prolonged and bisinuately truncate, the sinuation

being caused by the elevation of the strive into folds so as to leave the surface very

uneven between them. Hind coxe very widely separated.

Subfam. ANCISTRIINZ, nov.

Maxille a genarum processibus adpressis obtectee. Acetabula antica occlusa. Tarsi omnes 5-articulati.

The genus Ancistria has hitherto been placed by systematists in the subfamily

Passandrine, the fact that the anterior acetabula are closed behind having escaped

attention. ‘This important point necessitates the separation from the Passandrine of

this genus and those allied to it in this particular.

SYSSITOS.

Syssitos, Pascoe, MS.?

? Scalidia, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 305 (1848)'.

_ The position of this genus is certainly next to Ancistria, and both possess a similar

structure of the prosternum, the acetabula being also in both closed behind. The

structure of the head is, however, different in the two genera. In Ancistria the long

mandibles are curved downwards, the genal processes are prominent, and the antenne

are inserted in a deep cavity sharply defined posteriorly.

In Sysst¢os the mandibles are directed less downwards, and the under surface of the

head is peculiarly deplanate, the genal processes being entirely adpressed, and there is

no definite, or only an indefinite, cavity of insertion for the antenne. There are other

differences of considerable systematic importance between the two forms, one of which

—the retuse elytra of Ancistria—may be specially mentioned, as it supplies a ready

means of distinguishing the two forms at a glance.

As regards this genus, I should have been inclined to suppose that it is the one

referred to by Erichson!, when in a few words he proposed the name Scalidia for two

S.-American undescribed species; but as the N.-American writers Leconte, Horn, and

Casey place the Erichsonian genus in a small group of which they give as one of the

most important characters the open anterior acetabula, this idea must be abandoned,

unless it can be ascertained that they have been in error as regards the point in

question.

The name of the genus Syssitos is due to Pascoe, who has used it in his collection

for several S.-American species, but I have failed to find any trace of the name in

entomological literature.

642 CUCUJIDE.

These insects appear to be of extreme rarity: we have received only four individuals

to represent three species, and Casey says that Scalidia linearis is “ quite rare.” It is

not, therefore, a matter for surprise that much confusion should exist. At the same

time I think it only proper to again express my strong objection to establishing

new genera in two or three lines (or even less), and without assigning any species

to them. This course has been shown by experience to give rise to the utmost

confusion.

1. Syssitos rostratus, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 5.)

Elongatus, subcylindricus, ferrugineus, anterius picescens, nitidus ; capite canaliculato, anterius utrinque linea

curvata insculpto; antennis latis, extrorsum latioribus ; subtiliter punctatus, elytris leviter striato-

punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne thicker towards the apex, the penultimate joints strongly transverse, the

terminal joint large, laterally compressed, the extremity broadly rounded. Head

narrowed towards the front, sparingly punctate. Eyes elongate longitudinally. Thorax

very elongate, the sides straight, but a little convergent from apex to base, the hind

angles minute, definite, rectangular. Elytra elongate, with a deep sutural stria and

another stria approximate to it, which is not complete but composed of punctures ;

outside this there are series of fine punctures; the sutural stria becomes more deeply

impressed at the apex and curves round to the outside, so that a somewhat explanate

margin is formed at the tip. Legs rather long; tarsi elongate.

Only one example was obtained of this remarkable insect.

2. Syssitos longiceps, sp. n.

Subcylindricus, castaneus, nitidus, capite canaliculato, anterius breviter bisulcato ; antennis crassis ; subtiliter

punctatus, elytris leviter striatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Panzos (Conradt), Torola (Champion).

Antenne thick, the joints bead-like but transverse, the first joint but little longer

than the others, the second smaller than any of the rest. Head elongate, finely

punctate, in front finely scabrous, the side with an elongate, very fine, raised margin,

the middle deeply canaliculate, and on each side in front a short, straight channel, the

clypeus in front of these structures very deeply foveolate. Eyes transverse, moderately

large. Thorax elongate, cylindrical in front, so that there are no prominent anterior

angles, finely margined at the sides, near the base a little narrowed, the posterior

angles minutely prominent, the base with a broader but more depressed margin, the

surface moderately coarsely, not closely, punctate. Elytra elongate and narrow, each

with four striz and a series of punctures in place of a fifth stria; these strie do not

SYSSITOS. 543

extend to the apex; the suture, however, is thicker and more elevated at the apex,

and the surface near it somewhat depressed. ‘Tarsi moderately long.

The two examples received of this species are somewhat mutilated as to the front

legs, but I think there is a somewhat curvate tibial spur, closely pressed to the first

tarsal joint and about as long as this.

3. Syssitos addendus, sp. n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 4.)

Testaceo-ferrugineus, linearis ; antennis piceis, sat crassis ; capite anterius deflexo, medio canaliculato, utrinque

minus argute sulcato ; elytris striatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Antenne a little thickened towards the extremity, the joints bead-like, but 8-10

transverse; terminal joint compressed, with broadly rounded apex. Head moderately

long, convex above, so as to be greatly deflexed in front, finely punctate, the surface

of the deflexed tubercles finely scabrous. Thorax long, a little narrowed behind, hind

angles extremely minute but nevertheless prominent, the punctuation rather fine and

scanty. Hlytra with five fine striz, the outer one of which is reduced to disconnected

punctures.

” We have received only one example of this species ; it probably comes nearer than our

other two to the N.-American Scalidia linearis. From 8. rostratus and 8. longiceps it

is readily distinguished by the deflexed front of the head, and by the mandibles not

being at all porrect, but deflexed.

Subfam. PROSTOMIN A.

Tarsi 4-articulati, filiformes. Acetabula antica occlusa.

The genus Prostomis occupies a very isolated position, as remarked by Erichson,

who nevertheless placed it in the Passandrine. This course has been followed by

Leconte and Horn and others, although they assign as a chief character of the

Passandrine that the anterior acetabula are open, and although they are closed in

Prostomis. Erichson gives, in his definition of Prostomis, “tarsi articulo primo

minimo.” This he did under the impression that the tarsi should be five-jointed in

the Cucujide (with an exception as to the hind feet of the males in some genera). I

cannot, however, after an examination of several species of Prostomis, convince myself

that a minute basal joint really exists *. Whether this may prove to be the case or not

is, however, of little importance to us here, as it is quite clear that Prostomis must, in

any case, be removed from Passandrine, its mouth-characters and prosternal structure

being so profoundly different from those of the group in question.

* In saying this I am only confirming an opinion already positively expressed by Du Val and others.

544 CUCUJIDA.

Taking for granted, then, that Prostomis should be removed from Passandrine, I

associate with it an aberrant genus having also the anterior acetabula closed behind

and the tarsi 4-jointed. The genus Dryocora, Pascoe, is a member of this subfamily.

I may remark that I have only associated Zhione with Prostomine temporarily. If my

suggestion to bring Rhizophagine into Cucujide should be adopted, then Thione will

form a new subfamily allied to the two in question.

THIONE, gen. nov.

Corpus cylindricum, capite majore; pygidio haud obtecto. Antenne breves, 10-articulate, articulo basali

elongato, clava biarticulata.

Antenne short, base not at all concealed from above ; 10-jointed, club 2-jointed,

the terminal joint with its apical portion pubescent and annulate; the basal joint

elongate, curvate. Head very long, eyes placed near its front, epistome furcate, labrum |

not visible. Mandibles thick, exserted ; gene prominent, but obtuse ; side of the head

furnished with a depression directed downwards for the reception of the basal joint of

the antenne in repose; underside without sutures behind those connected with the

trophi. The mentum is narrowed in front, the ligula elongate, the outer maxillary

lobe very long and slender; the palpi rather short, with simple, slender, terminal joint.

Thorax elongate; prosternum prolonged between and under the coxe, which are thus

embedded by it; cox small, globular so far as can be seen, their acetabula closed

behind ; prosternal sutures obliterated. Middle coxe moderately distant. Hind coxe

transverse, very slightly separated by an elongate abdominal process. Abdomen with

five ventral segments, which are not connate; the three middle segments equal, short,

each much shorter than the basal or apical one. FElytra abbreviate. Pygidium free.

Legs rather short; tarsi 4-jointed, filiform, first and second joints furnished with

delicate, almost hair-like membranous processes beneath, the first longer than the

second, third small but quite free, fourth elongate, quite as long as the three basal

joints together.

These characters, on the whole, I consider bring the insect somewhat near to Rhizo-

phagus, which genus is usually now placed in the Nitidulide ; its position, however,

should, I think, clearly be in the Cucujide, from which it is supposed to be

distinguished by the anterior acetabula prolonged externally. The anterior acetabula

are, however, prolonged externally in Cucujus, the typical genus of the family

Cucujide, so that there can be no reason for excluding Rhizophagus on account of

that character; and I am quite unable to detect any other that would justify the

exclusion of these insects from Cucujide, where they should, however, form a distinct _

subfamily. If Rhizophagus be brought into Cucujide, I think Thione may also be

placed there, but it must also form a distinct subfamily from any yet recognized,

characterized by the 4-jointed tarsi, free maxillz, closed anterior acetabula, and

THIONE. 545

obliterated prosternal sutures. For the present I associate it with Prostomis, to avoid

multiplication of the primary divisions of the family.

The insects of this genus have been alluded to by Mr. Lewis [Ann. & Mag. Nat.

Hist. (6) iv. pp. 273, 274], who, in describing the Japanese genus Shoguna (which he

subsequently thought to be the same as Pachycephala, Fairm., a name more than once

preoccupied), remarked that certain S.-American insects in Pascoe’s collection appeared

to be congeneric therewith. This, however, cannot, I think, be the case, as my friend

has described, I have no doubt correctly *, the tarsi of Shoguna as being 5-jointed ;

the S.-American insects are those for which I adopt the name Zhione, under which

name they stand in Pascoe’s collection, now in our National Museum, though I am

unable to discover that the genus has ever been described.

1. Thione cephalotes, sp. n.

Subyclindricus, castaneus, nitidus; antennis pedibusque flavis; capite thoraceque parce subtiliter striolato-

punctatis, illo anterius obtuse furcato ; elytris leviter striatis, striis e punctis elongatis compositis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Head in front produced into two short obtuse processes, between which there is

only a slight depression. Thorax elongate, narrowed behind, very finely margined at

the sides; bearing fine distant punctures of the nature of short scratches; hind angles

obtuse. Elytra slender, finely striate, the striz at the apex becoming mere series of

very fine punctures, and even on the basal portion being evidently formed in a similar

manner. Legs pale yellow; tibiz a good deal enlarged and acuminate at the tip.

2. Thione puncticeps, sp. n. |

Subcylindricus, castaneus, nitidus; clypeo anterius impresso, vix furcato; capite crebre, fortius punctato ;

prothorace angusto, subtiliter parce striolato-punctato ; elytris parum discrete striato-punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This insect is extremely similar to 7. cephalotes, but may be distinguished by the

comparatively coarsely punctured head. The punctures on the anterior part of the

head are coarse and of the ordinary form, but on the posterior part they are replaced

by fine strie. The thorax is slender and is sparingly punctate, the punctures on the

anterior part being elongate, while towards the base they are shorter. The head is less

elongate than in either 7. cephalotes or T. championi, and there are really no angular

prominences in front, the appearance that exists of such being due to a deep depression

* Since my remarks were written I have, through the kindness of Mr. Lewis, had an opportunity. of

examining a specimen of the genus Shogunua. It is extremely closely allied to Thione, but the prosternal

process is not bent upwards at the tip and the pygidium and terminal ventral segment are very elongate.

I am unable to distinguish more than four joints on any of the feet.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, August 1899. 4 A*

546 CUCUJID.

on the middle. ‘The sutural stria of the elytra is distinct and extends to the apex; the

other striae are formed by more or less distinctly separated punctures, and become very

fragmentary on the apical part. One specimen.

3. Thione championi, sp.n. (Tab. XVI. fig. 6.)

Subcylindricus, castaneus, nitidus ; antennis pedibusque flavis ; capite prothoraceque parce subtiliter striolato-

punctatis, illo anterius longius furcato, per dimidiam longitudinem suleato; elytris striatis, striis e punctis

elongatis compositis.

Long. 4-5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz and Panima in Vera Paz, El Tumbador, Mirandilla,

Zapote, Torola (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba ( Champion).

Very similar to T. cephalotes, but differing as follows :—The form is more elongate,

the head being so long that it appears entirely disproportionate to the prothorax; the

epistomal processes are longer, and between them there is a broad groove that extends

backwards, becoming gradually more obsolete, for quite half the length of the head ;

the strie are more distinct than in 7. cephalotes.

We have received a small series of this species; at first I thought it might be the

other sex of TZ. cephalotes, but this does not, after examination, seem to me very

probable.

Subfam. SILVANINAE.

As this subfamily is usually defined by the closure of the anterior acetabula and by

the tarsi being said to be simple and 5-jointed, and as I do not find these characters

adequate, it is necessary to make a remark as to its definition.

The acetabula are closed in such a manner as to render support to the coxe from

the mesosternum unnecessary, and the prothorax is therefore usually less accurately

co-adapted with the mesothorax, so that the closure of the acetabula is quite visible ;

whereas in the Lwmophlai it becomes only evident when the mesosternum is forcibly

sundered from the prosternum.

The structure of the tarsi differs from that of the Lemophlwi inasmuch as the

fourth joint is here subject to a great reduction, while the basal joints become more or

less co-adapted and clothed with pubescence beneath. ‘The first joint is subject to

great reduction in size, as it is in Lewmophiei. In many cases the second and third

joints of the tarsi form free lobes. This structure is found even in some species of

Silvanus. I consequently place Telephanus in this subfamily, following in this respect

the example of Erichson.

PLATAMUS. 547

PLATAMUS.

Platamus, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 329, nota (1845).

This is a small genus of about six species, and is peculiar to Tropical America.

Considerable confusion has occurred in connection with it, due not improbably to the

fact that it was too briefly defined by Erichson, and that no species was described at

the time. The genus is readily identified by the elongate hind legs, with dilated tarsi,

of the males. It was placed by Erichson in the group Brontini, which has been quite

properly divided by the American entomologists owing to its containing forms with

closed as well as others with open acetabula. Platamus having the acetabula broadly

closed behind comes into the Silvanine.

The species, like so many others in the Cucujide, are excessively similar; indeed,

had I not seen fair series of those found in our region, I should have looked on them

as mere variations. The sexes being similar to an extent variable according to the

‘species, renders it difficult to pronounce an opinion as to a single individual, Fortu-

nately, in the case of all the species here enumerated, we have received specimens of

both sexes. ‘They appear to be found beneath the bark of coniferous trees.

1. Platamus mexicanus.

Platamus mexicanus, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1876, p. 490, t. 8. fig. 5°.

Hab. Mexico}, Orizaba, Suapam (Sallé), Las Vigas, Amecameca (Hége).

The female differs from the male by the apical portion of the elytra being dull and

its punctuation somewhat obliterated, as well as by the simple hind legs. As in the

other species of the genus, the sexes also differ slightly in the size of the thorax and in

the development of its lateral prominences.

We have received a small series varying in colour from ferruginous to black.

2. Platamus grouvellei, sp. n.

Depressus ; prothorace elongato, crebre punctato, lateribus parum undulatis, haud denticulatis ; elytris pube

brevi subrecta parcius vestitis.

Mas, nitidus; elytris fortius punctatis; pedibus posterioribus elongatis, tarsis articulis duobus dilatatis,

elongatis.

Fem., elytris opacis, seriatim fere subtiliter punctatis ; tarsis posterioribus simplicibus.

Long. 6-63 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith), Parada (Sallé),

Huitzo (Hége).

Thorax deeply, rather closely, and finely punctate; the sides in front for a

short distance straight, then interrupted by a short lateral impression; behind this

almost without denticulations on the lateral margin. Elytra with the punctuation

obsolete at the apex.

4A A* 2

548 CUCUJIDA.

This species differs from P. mexicanus by the more elongate thorax, which also is

less distinctly denticulate at the sides, and by the greater sexual disparity. The male

has the hind legs longer, their dilated tarsal joints very considerably longer ; the female

is duller, and the punctuation of the elytra is much finer than it isin the male. The

species varies in colour, but in the specimens that are quite black above the ventral

segments are ferruginous. Six examples are before me.

8. Platamus difficilis, sp. n.

Depressus, niger vel piceus, pube erecta ad latera crebrius vestitus ; prothorace elongato, crebre punctato, ad

latera denticulato ; elytris fortiter seriatim punctatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Volcan de Agua 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

We have received only one pair of this species, which after comparison | am not

able to consider a variety of either of the other forms here described. It is separated

from P. mexicanus and P. grouvellei by the more abundant pubescence at the sides of

the elytra; from P. uniformis by the shorter joints of the male feet, and by the fact

that the elytra of the female are dull. From P. dispar it differs by the closer

punctuation of the thorax and the much less obliterated sculpture of the wing-cases

of the female.

The sides of the thorax are distinctly denticulate, the lateral margin at the front

angle not incrassate. ‘The wing-cases in the female are dull, and their punctures are

somewhat smaller than those of the male. The length of the dilated joints of the male

feet is about the same as in P. mexicanus, but the tibie are longer and much more

pubescent.

4. Platamus uniformis, sp. n.

‘Elongatus, depressus, niger, nitidus, pube erecta ad latera crebrius vestitus; prothorace elongato, crebrius

fortiter punctato, ad latera obtuse denticulato; elytris fortiter seriatim punctatis.

Long. 63-7 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne elongate, setose, piceous-black, ferruginous towards the extremity. Thorax

more closely punctate than in the other species of the genus, elongate. The elytra

are elongate, and the punctures are coarser than they are in P. growvellei, but become

fine and obsolete at the tip. The dilated joints of the male hind foot are not elongate ;

there is but little difference in sculpture between the sexes.

We have received seven examples of this species, one only of which isa male. ‘The

difference in the sculpture of the elytra of the two sexes is less than it is in either of

our other species. The male may be readily distinguished from that of P. growvellei

by the shorter dilated joints of the feet, and the female may be identified by the shining

PLATAMUS.—EUPLATAMUS. 549

elytra. Both sexes have a more abundant pubescence at the sides of the elytra. In

P. grouvellei the lateral margin at the front angle of the thorax is incrassate ; it is not

so in P. untformis.

5. Platamus dispar, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. figg. 13, ¢ ; 134, hind foot, 3;

14, 2 .)

Depressus, niger ; prothorace magno, minus dense et fortiter punctato, ad latera irregulari. ‘

Mas, antennis longioribus; elytris nitidis, fortiter punctatis; tarsi posterioribus articulis duobus elongatis et

dilatatis.

Long. 7 millim.

Fem., elytris opacis, obsolete punctatis.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Totonicapam and Quiché Mountains 7000 to 10,500 feet ( Champion).

This is readily distinguished from the other species by the diminished punctuation

of the prothorax and by the great disparity between the sexes. The dilated joints of

the male foot are elongate, as in P. grouvellei. We have received a good series,

exhibiting very little variation. They were found under the bark of pines.

EUPLATAMUS, gen. nov.

Corpus depressum, pubescens. Antenne lineares, articulo basali sat elongato. Genee subtus spinosee. Palpi

-maxillares articulo ultimo haud securiforme, parvo. Coxe omnes approximate, haud contigue. Tarsi

brevissimi, lati, quinque-articulati, articulo basali perbrevi, articulis secundo tertioque brevibus, lobatis,

articulo quarto minimo, articulo quinto elongato, unguiculis minutis.

Euplatamus is established for some very rare insects connecting Platamus with

Cryptamorpha. Although differing much in facies from Cryptamorpha on account of

the depressed form, I think the place of Euplatamus is certainly next the genus just

named. It will be best distinguished therefrom by the lobes of the tarsi being entire,

not divided, and by the prominent subspinose angles of the gene. The tarsi appear

to be only 4-jointed: this arises from the minute fourth joint being inserted near

the base of the elongate third joint. The first joint is very short on the upperside,

longer below and there hairy; the second and third joints are fairly similar in form,

each has the joint following it inserted near the base, the joint itself being prolonged

beneath and grooved above.

1. Euplatamus debilis, sp. n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 15, var.)

Depressus, piceus, parce pubescens, nitidus, antennarum basi pedibusque rufis; elytris sordide testaceis,

seriatim fortiter punctatis. .

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Brivish Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

First joint of antenna large, oval, longer than the two following together; joints

6-11 a little broader than joints 2-5, terminal joint elongate, pointed. Head broad

550 CUCUJID.

and short, abruptly narrowed behind, but with the neck very broad; epistome narrow ;

surface shining, sparingly punctate, with a fine carina extending from the antenna to

the vertex along the inner margin of the eye, and in the middle with two longitudinal

strie extending from the epistome to near the vertex. Thorax about as long as broad,

a little narrowed behind, with six denticles at the side; surface rather coarsely and

closely punctured, slightly bi-impressed on each side; the two middle depressions

connected behind by a very feeble transverse depression. Scutellum very broad.

Elytra with very regular rows of moderately large punctures separated by narrow

interstices.

We have received two specimens from Nicaragua, one of which is very immature

and badly preserved. There is only one example from Belize, and it is by no means

clear that it does not belong to a different species, as it differs a little from the type in

almost all the details of colour, sculpture, and form. We have figured this variety.

2. Kuplatamus humeralis, sp. n.

Depressus, niger, nitidus, antennarum basi rufa; pedibus piceo-testaceis; elytris plaga magna basali flava,

seriatim regulariter punctatis, seriebus ante apicem desinentibus.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Closely allied to E. debilis, but, besides the colour differences, the punctuation is

more effaced on the apical portion of the elytra. There is no pubescence on our

specimens of E. humeralis, but, as they are badly preserved, this may be due to

abrasion. ‘Two examples.

8. Euplatamus longicornis, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 16.)

Elongatus, depressus, pubescens, niger; pedibus testaceis; elytris fuscis; dense sat fortiter punctatus ;

antennarum articulo basali elongato.

Long. 4} millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaur); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).

Readily distinguished from the preceding two species by the more elongate form,

and especially by the longer basal joint of the antenne. ‘The antenne are altogether

longer than they are in the other species of the genus; each of the joints, except the

second and third, is more than twice as long as broad, and the basal joint is almost as

long as the three following together.

We have received only two specimens ; I doubt whether they are really conspecific.

The Chiriqui example has the antenne less elongate, yellow at the base, with the basal

joint distinctly shorter and thicker than it is in the type from Belize.

TELEPHANUS. 551

TELEPHANUS.

Telephanus, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 329 (1845).

The Munich Catalogue of Coleoptera includes only two species of this genus, one

of which—TZ. fasciatus, Redtenbacher—has since been shown to be Cryptamorpha

desjardinsii. This leaves the N.-American 7’. velox, for which Erichson founded the

genus, the sole representative of Telephanus. Recently, however, numerous species

from South America and Madagascar have been described by Reitter and Grouvelle,

as well as three or four from our region. To these we now add ten others. The

insects of this genus are fragile and difficult to secure in good condition. One of

the best characters for their discrimination consists in the outstanding sete, arranged

along the contour of the body. Unfortunately these sete, as well as the general

pubescence, are very readily abraded, whereby the recognition of the closely allied

species is rendered a more difficult task. ‘The sete on the thorax often project from

small denticles, and these, fortunately, remain, even when the sete are abraded. In

the following arrangement the species in which the sete and denticles are least

developed are placed first; while we conclude with the species—T. setulosus and

T. sellatus—in which they attain a development that is quite remarkable. |

Mr. Champion informs me that these insects are often to be found in numbers by

beating the withered, pendent leaves of Musaceous plants.

‘1. Telephanus simplicicollis, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 17.)

Flavo-testaceus, elytris plus minusve discrete bimaculatis (maculis interdum posterius prolongatis et sutura

attingentibus); nitidus, parcius breviusque pubescens ; prothorace fortiter punctato, lateribus tantum

denticulis duobus distinctis ; elytris fortiter seriatim punctatis, interstitiis parvis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (fHdége).

This species is readily distinguished by the extremely short and scanty pubescence,

and by the unusually small development of the setigerous tubercles of the thorax, the

lateral margins of this part being, however, quite distinct. It is in size, form, and

punctuation rather similar to Z. agilis, but the antenne are shorter. The thorax

has a very minute denticle forming the anterior angle, and there is another small

denticle just before the base; each of these bears a rather short, fine seta, but there

are no sete between them ; the surface is coarsely and rather closely punctate, but is

shining. The elytra are shining; their pubescence is remarkably short and scanty ;

there are no outstanding sete, and no lateral denticles; the punctures are coarse, and,

though serially arranged, are less regular than they are in most other species of the

genus ; the interstices are but small.

Hoge procured a small series of this species. The dark spots on the elytra vary

much, and may be entirely absent.

5d2 CUCUJIDE.

2. Telephanus centralis, sp. n.

Minus depressus, sat crebre pubescens, rufo-ferrugineus ; elytris bi- vel tri-signatis, interdum immaculatis ;

capite thoraceque fortiter punctatis, hoc lateribus fere absque denticulis; elytris fortiter seriatim

punctatis, interstitiis sat angustis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Aceituno, Capetillo, Zapote, Cerro Zunil (Champion), Coban in

Vera Paz (Conradt).

Var. immaculatus, n

Hab. Guaremata, Senahu, Guatemala city (Chanipion).

Closely allied to 7. agilis, but with the head and thorax less densely punctured,

and the margins of the latter still less denticulate. 7. centralis is also a rather

narrower insect and has shorter antenne. ‘The unspotted varieties might, however, be

readily mistaken for 7. agilis; the spotted forms are more like 7. gracilis.

3. Telephanus agilis.

Telephanus agilis, Grouv. Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1877, p. lvin’.

Hab. Mexico, Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), Omilteme, Cuernavaca (H. H.

Smith), Cordova (Sallé+), Jalapa (Hodge) ; GuatTeMALa, near the city, Capetillo, Zapote,

San Gerénimo (Champion).

Distinguished by its uniform colour, by the coarse punctuation, and by there being

several obsolete denticles on the side-margin of the thorax; these denticles are,

however, often extremely indistinct.

4. Telephanus pubescens.

Telephanus pubescens, Grouv. Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1877, p. viii *.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chinandega (Sallé 1).

I have seen only the type specimen. It comes so near to several of the varieties of

T.. agilis as to raise some doubt as to whether it may be truly distinct.

5. Telephanus mexicanus, sp. n.

Testaceus, capite prothoraceque dense sat subtiliter punctatis, hoc gracili basin versus angustato, lateribus

evidenter denticulatis ; elytris seriatim fortiter punctatis, longe pubescentibus.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Cuernavaca (Hdége).

- Antenne long and slender, unicolorous red. Head with the eyes not large, and

therefore widely distant from the vertex; the constriction of this not abrupt. ‘Thorax

rather slender and a good deal narrowed behind, closely and definitely, but somewhat

finely punctured ; the lateral denticles very distinct. Elytra rather closely punctured,

TELEPHANUS. 553

but with the longitudinal interstices well-marked; the punctures on the apical part much

more indistinct ; the pubescence moderately long. Four specimens.

Although similar in size and appearance (except as to the absence of dark marks

on the elytra) to 7. gracilis, this insect must be separated on account of the eyes being

rather more distant from the vertex.

6. Telephanus nigricollis, sp. n.

Niger, elytris pedibusque testaceis, illis sutura angustissime nigra; abdomine fusco-testaceo ; antennis

variegatis ; capite prothoraceque dense, minus fortiter punctatis, hoc basin versus angustato, lateribus

denticulatis ; elytris pubescentia elongata vestitis, seriebus punctorum majorum regularibus ornatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hége), Omilteme in Guerrero

8000 feet (H. H. Smith); GuatTEMALA, near the city, Duefias (Champion).

Similar in size and form to 7. agilis, but readily distinguished by the colour of the

head and thorax and the finer punctuation of these parts. The antenne are rather

long, dark red, with the first and the penultimate three or four joints infuscate, the

terminal one or two joints pallid. Head black, but with the vertex more or less red ;

palpi yellow. Thorax slender, a good deal narrowed behind, the punctuation dense but

not obsolete, the denticles quite distinct. The elytra are clothed with long pubescence ;

the denticles on the base of the sides are distinct, and there is a distinct angulation

of the lateral margin just behind them; the punctures are large, deep, and very

regularly placed. Five specimens.

7. Telephanus crux.

Telephanus crux, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1877, p. 208, t. 5. fig. 5 *.

Hab. Mzxico (coll. Chevrolat 1).

We have not received any examples of this species; it is said to be coarsely

punctate, and to be in larger part black; the elytra red, with the base, suture, and a

mark just behind the middle black.

8. Telephanus gracilis, sp. n.

Gracilis, testaceus, elytris trisignatis (signaturis interdum conjunctis) ; capite sat fortiter punctato ; prothorace

gracili, basin versus angustato, lateribus evidenter denticulatis, fortiter punctato; elytris seriatim

fortiter puntatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé, Hoge), Motzorongo (Flohr), Atoyac (H. H. Smith),

Teapa, Tapachula (Hége); GuaTemMALA, Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

This is a smaller insect than Z. agilis and considerably more slender. The three

marks on the elytra are always present and are sometimes connected by a sort of V.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, September 1899. 4 B*

554 . CUCUJIDA.

The punctuation of the head is not in the least rugose, and is finer than that of the

thorax. The thorax is more slender than usual, and has the lateral denticles very

evident. |

This is apparently less rare in Mexico than most of the other species of the genus ;

of the series of thirty-five specimens, thirty are Mexican, one is from Guatemala, and

three from Nicaragua.

9. Telephanus gracilicornis, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 18.)

Depressus, testaceus, capite prothoraceque parce perobsolete punctatis, fere opacis, hoc gracili, lateribus

evidenter denticulatis; elytris fortiter, regulariter, seriatim punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This species is readily distinguished by the effaced sculpture of the head and

pronotum and the slender antenne entirely of one colour. The head is rather

strongly and abruptly constricted behind. The thorax is not much more than half as

broad as the elytra; it is scarcely narrowed at all from the front to just behind the

middle, whence it becomes evidently narrower to the base; the lateral denticles are

quite distinct. The elytra bear very regular rows of large punctures, separated by

narrow interstices, and continuing distinct to very near the tip: there are three or

four small denticles on the lateral margin, near the base. The submental area on

the underside of the head has no distinct punctuation, but an excessively minute

sculpture. |

Two specimens in a rather poor state of preservation. They bear a good deal of

pubescence on the apical portions of the elytra; the anterior parts of the body are

almost entirely abraded.

10. Telephanus dromioides, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 19.)

Depressus, parvus, testaceus; capite, prothorace, elytrorum macula discoidale antennarumque articulis 6-8

nigricantibus ; haud nitidus, capite prothoraceque discrete, sat fortiter punctatis, hoc denticulis lateralibus

conspicuis ; elytris parallelis, sat fortiter, regulariter, seriatim punctatis.

Long. 34-33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

We have received two examples only of this insect. ‘They have lost much of their

pubescence, but the species is evidently distinct. On the middle of the elytra there

is a large, common, dark mark that extends along the suture both anteriorly and

posteriorly. The antenne are yellow, with three or four joints in the middle black.

The eyes are large. ‘The thorax is dull, the punctures on it are not large and are

somewhat distant; it is much narrowed behind; the denticles at the sides are

unusually distinct. The punctuation of the elytra is extremely regular; the punctures

are not large, but the interstices are not so large as the punctures.

TELEPHANUS. 555

11. Telephanus fallax.

Telephanus fallax, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1880, p. 171, t. 5. fig. 47.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith), Cordova (Sallé,

Hoge) ; Guatemata, Coban (Conradt), San Gerdénimo, Aceituno (Champion).—CoLomBIA,

Muzo}.

This species is distinguished by the finer sculpture from nearly all its congeners.

The sculpture on the head and thorax is excessively dense and fine, the surface thus

appearing quite dull; and the punctures on the elytra are small, and separated by

unusually definite flat interstices, so that they form extremely regular series. The

head is broad, much constricted behind the eyes; the minute denticles at the sides of

the thorax are quite distinct.

The small series before me exhibits great variety. One form, from Cordova, was

thought by M. Grouvelle possibly to represent a distinct species, but in view of the

great variation exhibited by other specimens I cannot separate it. The most variable

points are the colour of the antenne, head and thorax, and of the pubescence. There

is also considerable difference in the sculpture.

12. Telephanus brontoides, sp. n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 20.)

-Nigricans vel fuscus, deplanatus, pedibus et apice antennarum testaceis; fortiter punctatus, haud nitidus,

setis erectis conspicue vestitus.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé); Britise Honypburas, Rio Hondo (Blancaneauz) ;

GuaTeMALA, San Gerdnimo, Tocoy, Pantaleon (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Belt).

This species is readily distinguished by the larger size, dark colour, and the

conspicuous outstanding sete. Head and thorax coarsely and densely punctured,

the denticles at the margins of the latter distinct, each bearing a long, outstanding,

black seta. Elytra very flat, the lateral setee very distinct, with rows of large and

regular punctures, which are only somewhat finer on the apical part. Terminal

segment of abdomen with a large semicircular impression, the margin of which is set

with long thick sete. Twelve specimens. .

13. Telephanus setulosus, sp. n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 21.)

Testaceus, corporis limbo setis rigidis armato; prothorace minus gracili, crebre sat fortiter punctato, basin

versus angustato ; elytris seriatim fortiter punctatis, interstitiis parvis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé, Hoge), Motzorongo (Mohr); British Honpvuras,

Belize (Llancaneaux); Guatema.a, Zapote, Coatepeque (Champion).

Antenne moderately long, entirely red. Head rather short, much constricted

4 B*2

556 CUCUJIDA.

behind the eyes. Thorax a good deal narrowed behind, not much longer than broad,

rather coarsely and closely punctured, the sides rendered irregular by the numerous

denticles, on which there are implanted rigid, red sete. lytra coarsely punctate, but

the punctuation on the posterior part finer and much less definite; pubescent, the

lateral margins set with numerous rigid, red sete.

This species and 7’. sellatus are readily distinguished by the numerous and con-

spicuous sete. They are apparently allied to 7. paradoxus, Reitter, which, however,

I have not seen. Unfortunately the sete are very easily removed; hence most of the

nine specimens we have received are in bad condition.

14. Telephanus sellatus, sp. n.

Minus depressus, pubescens, corporis limbo setis rigidis armato; rufus, prothorace dorso nigricante, elytris

medio plaga magna nigra; capite prothoraceque crebre fortiter punctatis, hoc basin versus angustato ;

elytris regulariter, seriatim, profunde punctatis.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo in Vera Cruz (Flohr) ; GUATEMALA, Panima in Vera Paz

(Champion).

Readily distinguished (independently of the colour, which probably will prove to be

variable) from 7. setudosus by the very regular arrangement of the serial punctures on

the elytra. ‘The antenne are moderately long and slender. The head is broad and

short, coarsely punctate; the eyes are large and extend nearly to the back of the head.

The thorax is a good deal narrowed behind, and the numerous setigerous denticles are

very distinct. The elytra are rather narrow, parallel, with extremely regular rows of

very definite punctures, with narrow interstices; on the basal part of the lateral

margin there are numerous very minute denticles: these are best seen from beneath.

The legs are rather short.

NAUSIBIUS.

Nausibius, Redtenbacher, Fauna Austriaca, ii. p. 998 (1858).

A small genus of American insects, one of the species having been widely

distributed by commerce.

1. Nausibius clavicornis.

Cucujus clavicornis, Kugel. Neuest. Mag. Ent. p. 571°.

Nausibius dentatus (auct.), Casey, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xi. p. 74, t. 4. fig. 9°.

Hab. Mexico, Tapachula (Hége); Brimise Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz) ;

Guatema.a, Cerro Zunil (Champion) ; Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson).

A cosmopolitan species.

NAUSIBIUS. 557

2. Nausibius brevicornis, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 22.)

Opacus, densissime, minus subtiliter punctatus, niger ; elytris, pedibus antennisque piceis ; prothorace lateribus

obtuse subdentatis, elytris interstitiis subtiliter elevatis; antennis ab oculis distantibus, brevibus,

articulo ultimo parvo.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Shorter than NV. clavicornis and readily distinguished by the very dense, coarse

punctuation of the thorax. ‘The antenne are unusually short, stout, inserted near the

front of the head, the terminal joint very much narrower than that preceding it.

Thorax rather longer than broad, the base much produced in the middle, the sides

undulating so as to form five or six extremely obtuse prominences; the punctuation

coarse, extremely dense, the surface almost unimpressed. LElytra with the sculpture

extremely dense and indefinite, as in WV. clavicornis ; the outer interstices very distinctly

elevated. Legs short; hind femora thick. One specimen.

This species agrees in many respects with the description of WV. repandus, Lec., but

the punctuation appears to be quite different.

3. Nausibius grouvellei, sp. n.

Sat elongatus, haud depressus, subnitidus, niger; antennis pedibusque piceis ; elytris fusco-rufescentibus ;

prothorace crebre subtiliter sed argute punctato, lateribus parum profunde crenulatis; elytris tantum

interstitiis duobus intra-lateralibus subtiliter elevatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Similar in form to WV. brevicornis, but readily distinguished by the entirely different

thoracic punctuation: this consists of fine but definite punctures placed on a shining

surface. Antenne short and stout, the penultimate two joints very strongly transverse.

Eyes moderate, placed at the posterior angles of the head, the antenne inserted

halfway between them and the front of the epistome. Thorax elongate, crenulate at

the sides, and with the front angles very distinctly prominent, the surface distinctly

bi-impressed in front of the base. Elytra finely pubescent, seriately punctate, only the

interstices on the deflexed sides distinctly elevated. Hind femora very thick. ‘Two

specimens.

4, Nausibius silvanoides, sp. n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 23.)

Angustus, dorso deplanato; fuscus, elytris, antennis pedibusque sordide ferrugineis; capite prothoraceque

densissime punctatis, opacis, hoc lateribus vix perspicue crenulatis ; elytris interstitiis haud elevatis.

Long. 23 millim. .

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Eyes rather small; antenne inserted halfway between them and the front of the

epistome, tenth joint a little broader than the preceding or the terminal joint. Thorax

558 CUCUJIDA.

elongate, parallel-sided, but with a very indistinct waving or crenulation of the sides,

the base much produced ; surface very densely sculptured, opaque, with traces of two

longitudinal impressions along the middle. Elytra very narrow, the sculpture dense

and fine, seriate. ‘Two specimens.

This little Nausibius is nearest to WV. elongatus, Grouv., but that species is 53 millim.

long. The narrow form of this insect gives it some resemblance to Cathartus, but the

sculpture is like that of the Silvani of the S. bidentatus group.

SYNOBIUS, gen. nov.

Antenne glabre, parum clavate. LEpipleure late. Tarsi articulis tribus basalibus sat latis.

I am obliged to establish a new genus for a single insect apparently allied to

Nausibius, Cathartus, and Hapalips. It departs entirely from Cathartus by the broad

epipleurw, and from both it and Nausibius by the structure of the feet, which are but

little different from those of Hapalips, there being three joints at the base, equally

and moderately broad, then a very small fourth joint, and a terminal joint not quite so

long as the three basal joints; but the greatest peculiarity of the genus is the peculiar,

glabrous, rigid antenne. ‘The structure of the sterna is that normal in the Silvanides.

1. Synobius lobicollis, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 24.)

Latiusculus, subdepressus, piceo-castaneus; prothorace angulis anterioribus lobato-productis, marginibus

lateralibus argute elevatis, subrectis; elytris densissime subtiliter sculpturatis, brevissime pubescentibus.

Long. 4} millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne piceous, shining, nearly rigid, each joint of the elongate, narrow, 3-jointed

club longer than broad, the terminal joint small, only half as long and half as

broad as that preceding it. Head broadly and rather deeply transversely impressed

just in front of the eyes, which are small. Thorax quadrate, very slightly broader

behind, base truncate, not produced in the middle, the sides slightly irregular, the

front angle furnished with a large lobe projecting forwards and looking as if intended

for a shield or protection to the eyes. LElytra rather broad, the sculpture little more

than a roughness due to the insertion of the very numerous, fine and minute, short,

depressed hairs. Legs short.

I anticipate that this curious insect will prove to be myrmecophilous or termito-

philous in habits.

CATHARTUS.

Cathartus, Reiche, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p. 77.

Reiche referred this genus to the Colydiide. It is, however, extremely close to

Silvanus, and no satisfactory way of distinguishing the two genera has been pointed

CATHARTUS., 559

out, so faras Tam aware. Numerous species have since the establishment of the genus

been referred to it and to Silvanus, but, as it appears to me, in an arbitrary manner.

I think, perhaps, it would be better to sink the genus altogether; but as a satisfactory

study of these difficult forms will probably result in the establishment of several genera,

there can be no harm arising from the course I here adopt of limiting Cathartus to its

original species and one very closely allied to it.

I may add that Reitter (Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, 1879, p. 82) distinguished the

two genera in question as follows, viz. :—

Joints of the club of antenna of one width . . . . . . . . Silvanus.

The first, or the last, joint of the club smaller . . . . . . . . . .) . .) OGathartus.

1. Cathartus cassie. (Tab. XVII. fig. 25, ¢.)

Cathartus cassie, Reiche, Aun. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p- 78°.

Sylvanus gemellatus, Jacq.-Duv. in Sagra’s Hist. fis. polit. y nat. de Cuba, Ins. p. 104.?.

Cathartus gemellatus, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xv. p. 126°.

Hab. Mexico!, Tuxtla (Sallé), Tapachula, San Juan Bautista, Teapa (Hoge) ;

GuatemaLa, El Tumbador, El Reposo, Cahabon, San Juan, Chiacam, Cubilguitz, San

Geronimo, Senahu (Champion), Coban (Conradt); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Cura ! 2,

This species is carried about with the seeds of Cassia fistula *, as reported by Reiche!.

It varies a great deal in the development of the male, in which sex the hind legs are

much elongated in the larger individuals. C. gemellatus, Duval, is apparently founded

on small examples, in which, as is frequently the case in Cucujide, the sculpture is a

little less definite than it is in the large forms. The elongation of the thorax is also

an extremely variable character and our series shows that no line can be drawn between

these two supposed species.

2. Cathartus annectens, sp. n.

Parallelus, subdepressus, sordide testaceus; capite prothoraceque obsolete punctatis, hoc lateribus rectis,

angulis anterioribus minus longe lobatis; elytris densissime punctatis, opacis.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneauz).

Extremely similar to moderate-sized examples of C. cassiw, but with the elytra

sculptured more like those of Nausibius and the typical Silvani; also with the anterior

angle of the thorax lobed and exhibiting an impression in front. We have received

only one example and it is of doubtful sex, the hind legs being short, but with the

femora a good deal incrassate. The eyes are large, and placed contiguous with

the thorax. The antenne are formed like those of C. cassiw, the ninth joint being

* A plant cultivated at Vera Cruz and Campeche (cf. Biol. Centr.-Amer., Botany, i. p. 330).

560 CUCUJIDA.

greatly broader than the eighth, and the eleventh being smaller than the tenth and not

so distinctly disconnected from it as usual. The punctuation of the elongate, straight-

sided thorax is extremely obsolete, and there is a vague depression at the base in the

middle. The elytra are in colour and form like those of Mausibius, and are covered

with a dense, seriate subangulose sculpture, amongst which no definite punctures can

be detected ; the sutural stria is distinct only at the tip.

SILVANUS.

Silvanus, Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. iii. p. 19 (1807).

This genus includes a variety of species, several of which are found in food-stuffs,

and are therefore more or less nearly cosmopolitan.

1. Silvanus surinamensis.

Dermestes surinamensis, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. 2, p. 565°.

Hab. Guatemata, Rio Maria Linda (Champion).—Sourta America, Surinam !.

Cosmopolitan.

2. Silvanus muticus, sp. n.

Ferrugineus, opacus, subdepressus, densissime sculpturatus ; capite post oculos omnium minutissime spinosis ;

prothorace basin versus angustato, dorso longitudinaliter late bi-impresso, angulis anterioribus bene

productis, obliquis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

There are in the Mediterranean region two forms mixed under the name of Silvanus

bidentatus. S. muticus resembles them extremely, but is distinguished from both by

the fact that the head is almost destitute of a spine behind the eyes. This character

readily distinguishes S. muticus from the Central-European S. bidentatus: the

Mediterranean form has the tooth smaller than the Central-European form, but still

larger than it is in S. muticus ; it, moreover, has the thorax nearly unimpressed and is

a little narrower and less depressed. I think S. muticus represents a distinct species

of this difficult group, though I have only a single example to deal with.

8. Silvanus guatemalenus, sp. n.

Ferrugineus, opacus, subdepressus, latiusculus, densissime sculpturatus ; capite post oculos inerme ; prothorace

basin versus leviter angustato, angulis anterioribus bene antrorsum productis.

Long. 33-33 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This is another very close ally of S. didentatus, and is the largest—especially the

broadest—insect I have seen of the group. The antenne are rather longer and thicker

SILVANUS. 561

than in the allied forms, the sixth joint longer than broad. ‘There is no spine behind

the eyes, which extend very nearly to the hind margin of the head. ‘The thorax is rather

deeply sinuate on the front margin behind the eye, and the front angle projects a good

deal forwards, but scarcely at all outwards; the surface is unusually coarsely rugose, and

only by minute examination can any trace of longitudinal impressions be found. Nine

specimens.

It may be well to mention that the late H. K. Morrison sent me from Arizona an

insect allied to S. guatemalenus, but with shorter elytra and differing in several other

respects, as S. didentatus. Our editors also received a specimen of the same species

from Morrison labelled as coming from Northern Sonora. This locality is, I think,

open to doubt.

4. Silvanus vulgaris.

Silvanus vulgaris, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1878, p. 74, t. 2. fig. L1*.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é!); Guatemaua, El Tumbador, Zapote, San Geronimo,

Balheu, Purula, Senahu (Champion).

We have received a good series of this species. In it the anterior margin of the

thorax is not in the least sinuate behind the eye, and the front angle is slightly

prominent exteriorly, but not in the least anteriorly.

5. Silvanus trivialis.

Silvanus trivialis, Grouv. Aun. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1878, p. 75, t. 2. fig. 138'; Champ. Trans. Ent. Soc.

Lond. 1898, p. 408°.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo (Flohr), 'Teapa (fH. H. Smith); British Honpuras, Rio

Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuatemaLa, Zapote, Senahu (Champion).—SovuTH AMERICA,

Brazil!; ANTILLES, St. Vincent, Grenada ?.

6. Silvanus nitidus.

Cathartus nitidus, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1889, p. 162, t. 6. fig. 6°.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo (Pohr), Cordova (Hége), Teapa (H. H. Smith); GuaTEMALA,

Zapote, San Juan, Senahu (Champion).— VENEZUELA, Caracas !.

7. Silvanus consors, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 26.)

Haud depressus, subnitidus, discrete punctatus, ferrugineus ; oculis convexis, liberis ; prothorace subquadrato,

lateribus utrinque post angulum anteriorem parum prominulum leviter sinuatis ; elytris seriatim punctatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, near the city (Champion).

Antenne rather small, joints 4-8 subequal, 9-11 forming an abrupt rather large

club. Head short. ‘Thorax about as long as broad, the front margin nearly straight,

the anterior angles projecting a little externally, the sides slightly narrowed behind ;

rather closely and distinctly punctured. Elytra broader than the thorax, with distinct

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1900. 4 C*

062 CUCUJID.

series of punctures becoming obsolete at the tip. Coxal lines large, extending to the

hind margin of the first abdominal segment. A good series has been received.

This insect is closely allied to Cathartus nitidus, Grouv., but is considerably larger

and more closely punctate. |

8. Silvanus perforatus, sp.n. (Tab. XVII. fig. 27.)

Convexus, ferrugineus, elytris vage nigro-bimaculatis, pubescens; capite post oculos spinoso; prothorace

antrorsum profunde constricto ; elytris seriatim punctatis.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tapachula (Hége); Guatemaa, Senahu, San Gerénimo (Champion) ;

Panama, David (Champion).

Var. concolor, var.n. Prothorace dense punctato, elytris immaculatis.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species is distinguished by the peculiar form of the thorax, and the excessively

dense punctuation of the under surface of the head. The head is short and broad,

rather coarsely punctate above, with a very distinct acute denticle behind the eyes; the

antenne are abruptly clubbed, the terminal joint being almost spherical. Thorax

rather small, the front margin projecting very slightly at each side, so that behind it

there is a short constriction; the lateral margin finely crenulate, a little narrowed

behind; the surface somewhat shining, bearing fine and large punctures, and with a

smooth space along the middle. Elytra pubescent, with regular rows of punctures,

obsolete behind. Six specimens, no two of which quite agree, and this makes me

doubtful as to whether the individual from San Gerénimo with densely punctate

thorax is really distinct.

9. Silvanus signatus.

Silvanus signatus, Frauent. Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xvii. p. 438, t. 121. fig.28'; Champ. Trans.

Ent. Soc. Lond. 1898, p. 406 (S. fasciatus) °.

Cathartus fascipennis, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xv. p. 129°.

Hab. Mexico, 'Teapa (H. H. Smith); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).— ANTILLES,

St. Vincent, Grenada °.

We have received only two examples of this species; it appears to be distributed

widely in the eastern and western hemispheres, and has been found on board ship.

It is distinguished from its allies by having the sides of the thorax setigerous.

10. Silvanus angulicollis.

Cathartus angulicollis, Reitter, Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, xxviii. p. 1947; Champ. Trans. Ent,

Soc. Lond. 1898, p. 407 *.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, San Geronimo (Champion).—CotomBia! ; AntILLES, Grenada 2

Mr. Champion found a good series of this species. Iam indebted for its name to

M. Grouvelle; Reitter’s description is not at all characteristic.

MONOTOMIDé. 56

11. Silvanus advena.

Cryptophagus advena, Waltl, Faunus, i. p. 169 (1832) °.

Cathartus advena, auct.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (H. H. Smith); GuatemaLa, Duefias, Chiacam (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson): Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—ANTILLES,

Grenada.

12. Silvanus quadricollis.

Silvanus quadricollis, Guérin, Icon. Régne Anim., Ins. iii. p. 198°; Casey, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc.

Xl. p. 72, t. 4. tig. 5°.

Cathartus quadricollis, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xv. p. 128°; Champ. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1898,

p. 406 *.

Hab. Nortu America | ?.—MeExico, Motzorongo (floAr), Campeche (Sallé) ;

GuaTEMALA, Senahu, Zapote, Cerro Zunil, Capetillo (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—ANTILLES, St. Vincent and

Grenada ¢.

13. Silvanus excisus.

Cathartus excisus, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xv. p. 128°.

Hab. GuateMaia, Zapote (Champion).—East Inpies!; Europe !.

Fam. MONOTOMIDA*.

This is a small group of Coleoptera consisting of somewhat less than 100 species.

On a preceding page (p. 500) I intimated my opinion that at least a part of this family

should be placed in Cucujide. Since then Dr. Ganglbauer, though not acquainted

with my statement, has treated Monotomide as a subfamily of Cucujide. My recent

study quite confirms this view, and also convinces me that the Hwrops-forms are

really allied to Monotoma proper, notwithstanding the great difference in superficial

appearance.

The subfamily Monotomine is also undoubtedly allied to Rhizophagine, and is

connected therewith to a certain extent by the interesting genus Anewrops, described

below. The two subfamilies remain distinct, as the Rhizophagine have antennal

grooves on the underside of the head, and their anterior acetabula are strongly

transverse.

Upwards of thirty species are recorded in the following pages. Of this number only

five have been previously described. Of all of the latter I have seen typical specimens,

M. René Oberthiir having been so kind as to communicate to me the series of Reitter’s

types of Mexican Monotomide.

* By D. Suarp.

4 C* 2

564 MONOTOMIDZ.

Subfam. MONOTOMINE.

MONOTOMA.

Monotoma, Herbst, Kafer, v. p. 22 (1793).

About thirty species are known of this genus, which has a wide distribution in both

the Old and New Worlds. None have hitherto been recorded from our region, where,

however, three species have been discovered by Mr. Champion.

1. Monotoma centralis, sp. n.

Fusca vel testacea, antennis pedibusque rufis ; parum elongata; capite prothoraceque dense, fortius punciatis,

opacis, hoc subquadrato, basi in medio bifoveolata; elytris seriatim punctatis, setosis, apicem versus haud

omnino opacis.

Long. 24-22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GuateMata, near the city, Zapote, Capetillo, Duefias,

San Geronimo (Champion).

Extremely similar to the European M. brevicollis, Aubé, but rather broader and

with the antenne a little larger. Head broad and short, feebly bi-impressed ; densely

sculptured, opaque. Thorax as broad as long, only very slightly narrowed in front, at

the base with two distant fovez; very coarsely punctate and clothed with rather long

sete. Elytra unusually broad in proportion to their length, with the sculpture and

clothing almost as in JZ. brevicollis, but rather coarser.

Many specimens from Guatemala, but only one from Mexico. The male has a

slight flattening of the middle of the last ventral plate.

M. Oberthiir has sent me an insect allied to W/. centralis, labelled “ M. latridioides,

Reitter, Colombia.” I cannot find a description of this species, but may mention that

it differs from MW. centralis by the narrower thorax, coarser punctuation, and the very

large sete on the elytra.

2. Monotoma munda, sp. n.

Testaceo-ferruginea, opaca, brevissime setosa; prothorace anguste subquadrato, minus fortiter punctato, basi

vix perspicue bifoveolata; elytris seriatim sculpturatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Extremely similar in form to WM. centralis, but readily distinguished by the less

coarse sculpture, the short setosity, and the different male characters. In that sex the

terminal segment projects somewhat downwards, and its ventral surface is broadly and

deeply impressed. The female has only a small obscure impression on the last ventral

plate. One pair.

In size and shape this insect almost exactly resembles a small form of M. brevicollis,

Aubé, that occurs in Britain.

MONOTOMA.—HESPEROBANUS. 565

Obs.—In M. Sallé’s collection there is a specimen of the female sex of a Monotoma

labelled “* Mexico,” without other indication of locality. This example does not agree

satisfactorily with J. munda, but it may be a variety of it.

3. Monotoma pusilla, sp. n.

Fusco-ferruginea, opaca, sat elongata, brevius setosa; prothorace suboblongo, minus grosse punctato, basi vix

perspicue bifoveolata; elytris seriatim sculpturatis.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Extremely similar to I. munda, and, like it, clothed with short sete; but MW. pusilla

is of more slender elongate form. The head is moderately long and narrow, not

impressed. The thorax is slender, a little narrowed in front, and slightly sinuate just

behind the front angles, which are rectangular.

The only example found isa male; it has a large deep fovea extending the whole

length of the last ventral plate.

HESPEROBAENUS.

Hesperobenus, Leconte, Classif. Col. N. Amer. ed. 1, p. 86 (1861).

This genus is doubtfully distinct from Europs. I have placed in it two species in

which the anterioracetabula are very small and the upper surface strongly pubescent.

The Rhizophagus capito of Fairmaire, referred to this genus by Horn and placed in it

in the Munich Catalogue, is a Hurops allied to our E. obtusus and EL, bilineatus. The

genus Phyconomus—to which Reitter referred one of our Hesperobeni—consists of a

single N.-American species of maritime habits.

1. Hesperobzenus subtestaceus.

Phyconomus subtestaceus (and var. discoideus), Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. xx. p. 299 (1876) °.

Depressus, opacus, rufus; elytris flavo-rufis, marginibus vage fuscescentibus; capite prothoraceque crebre

fortiter punctatis, hoc dorso planato, medio area elongata, angusta, levigata; elytris subtiliter striatis,

striis seriatim pubescentibus,

Long. 24-3 millim.

Hab. Mexico! (coll. Oberthiir), Guanajuato (Sallé).

Antenne slender, ninth joint large, tenth with the pubescent apex very minute.

Thorax about as long as broad, distinctly narrowed behind, the front angles depressed

and a little rounded, the impunctate area along the middle small and very ill-defined,

with no transverse impression. Elytra flat, narrow, and parallel, the very narrow strie

are rather deep and are made conspicuous by their pubescence; seen in one aspect, the

elytra appear to be almost estriate, but to be conspicuously seriate-pubescent. The

pygidium clongate, not deflexed. One pair, male and female.

This species is readily distinguished from H. abbreviatus (Motsch.), which I take

as the type to the genus, by the obtuse anterior angles of the thorax; the colour is

566 MONOTOMID£.

evidently somewhat variable. The male is rather larger than the female and has a

larger head; the terminal supplementary segment is very conspicuous.

H. subtestaceus is variable as to the colour of the elytra. I am indebted to M. René

Oberthiir for sending me Reitter’s types; I have no doubt that the “ var. t discotdeus”

of Reitter (/. ¢.) belongs to the same species.

2. Hesperobeenus stipes, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 1.)

Opacus, pubescens, nigricans ; capite thoraceque dense punctatis, opacis, rufo-obscuris ; elytris basi rufescente,

fortiter striatis, seriatim pubescentibus ; antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace area levigata fere nulla,

haud impresso.

Long. 34 millim,

Hab. Guatemata, Volcan de Agua 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

Distinguished from H. subtestaceus by the less depressed form and the coarser

striation of the elytra; the front angles of the thorax are very much rounded, and the

sides much narrowed behind. The pygidium is elongate, moderately bent down.

We have received only one male; it is in moderately good preservation.

EUROPS.

Europs, Wollaston, Ins. Maderensia, p. 149 (1854).

Mimema, Wollaston, Journ. Ent. i. p. 185 (1861).

The insects placed in this genus show various slight distinctions in the structure of

the feet and acetabula, but these characters cannot at present be considered of generic

importance. Numerous species from various parts of the world have recently been

added to Europs, of which two only are recorded in the Munich Catalogue, where the

genus, in accordance with the views of Wollaston, as to its alliance with Rhizophagus,

is placed in Nitidulide. I have acted on the view that Awrops at present 1s.

distinguished from Bactridiwm by the club of the antenne being two-jointed, the ninth

joint being strongly different from the eighth.

1. Europs rhizophagoides.

Europs rhizophagoides, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xi. p. 43 (1872) (excl. var. apicalis) ’.

Subdepressus, rufescens, corpore plus minusve infuscato ; elytris stramineis, ad apicem plus minusve discrete

infuscatis ; prothorace ante basin transversim impresso, utrinque fortiter punctato; elytris subtiliter

seriatim punctatis; pygidio parum porrecto.

Long. 24-3 millim.

Hab. Mxxico ! (coll. Oberthiir), Las Vigas (Hoge); GuaTEMALa, Aceituno, Capetillo

(Champion), Coban (Conradt).

Antenne with the ninth and tenth joints rather large. Head deeply bi-impressed in

front, somewhat sparingly but distinctly punctured. Thorax subquadrate, but little

narrowed posteriorly, with a small very distinct transverse impression behind, which

is curved forwards on each side and soon becomes indistinct; before this there is

EUROPS. 567

an impunctate space, narrower in front; elsewhere the thorax is sparingly but very

distinctly punctured. Elytra straw-coloured, the suture narrowly and indistinctly black,

the apex usually with a distinct angular dark mark, the area about the scutellum

sometimes infuscate. Legs yellow. Pygidium of the male perpendicular. Under

surface with but little sculpture.

We have received a series of fourteen individuals from Guatemala; they show that

the species is somewhat variable in colour and size. I therefore treat asa variety a

small specimen from Las Vigas, Mexico, with the head and thorax black and more

finely punctured ; and, as a second variety, a large individual from Coban, Guatemala,

having the head and thorax black, and the head considerably larger than it is in typical

males.

The var. apicalis of Reitter should, I think, be retained as a distinct species. It is

of more elongate form, the punctuation is a little different, and the black mark at the

tip of the elytra is quadrangular, instead of triangular, in shape.

Reitter 1 described this species as coming from Colombia and Mexico, and mentioned

only the Hofmuseum, Wien, as the source from which his examples were derived.

A specimen from Reitter’s collection sent me by M. Oberthiir, labelled by Reitter

‘‘ rhizophagoides, m., Mexico,” pertains to the species I have above described. It is

clear, however, that the type of the species belongs to the Vienna Museum, and that

it is probably of Colombian origin. As our species apparently does not extend beyond

Guatemala, I have grave doubts if the type alluded to will prove to be the same, and

I have felt strongly inclined to apply the name restrictus to our insect. (See also the

remarks under E. diffusus.)

2. Europs diffusus, sp. n.

Brevior, parum nitidus, rufus; elytris stramineis, circa suturam ad apicem fuscis; capite thoraceque crebre

punctatis, hoc ante basin transversim impresso, medio area levigata; elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis ;

pygidio parum porrecto.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Teapa (coll. Oberthir, Sallé, H. H. Smith); Brivisu

Honpuras (Blancaneauxz); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

This species is readily distinguished from H. rhizophagoides by its smaller size and

brighter colour. ‘The metasternum and first abdominal segment are considerably

shorter. The male has the pygidium strongly deflexed; in the female it is more

porrect, and the corresponding ventral segment is longer. Fourteen specimens.

The specimen sent by M. Oberthiir has been labelled by Reitter “ var. apicalis,” but

it bears very little resemblance to that variety of LE. rhizophagoides. On the other

hand, I refer, as a variety, to L. diffusus two Brazilian examples of small size in my

own collection ; they are very dull and more obsoletely punctured.

568 MONOTOMID.

8. Europs germari.

Europs germari, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. xx. p. 300 (1876) °.

Hab. Mexico ! (coll. Oberthiir).

I am indebted to M. Oberthiir for an opportunity of examining this insect, of which

we have not received an example; it connects LH. rhizophagoides with the following

series of species.

4, Kurops bilineatus, sp. n.

Niger, nitidus, deplanatus, glaber ; pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his apice nigro; antennis pygidioque fusco-

rufis; prothorace lineis duabus discoidalibus impressis, utrinque parce subtiliter punctato; elytris seriatim

punctatis.

Long. vix 24 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Antenne rather short and stout, ninth joint strongly transverse, tenth shorter than

usual. Head large, reddish in front, deeply impressed on each side anteriorly, with a

few fine punctures near the eye. Thorax elongate, nearly straight at the sides, lateral

margin rather fine, scarcely evidently crenate; disc with two elongate, parallel,

impressed lines, which are not connected behind, but have two punctures placed

between them there; at the sides with a few fine punctures. Elytra with the series

of punctures fine and regular, not evanescent at the tip. Pygidium elongate, little

deflexed. One specimen, male.

This distinct little species is, perhaps, our nearest ally, structurally, to the Madeiran

E. impressicollis, Woll., the type of the genus.

5. Europs cognatus, sp. n.

Rufescens, nitidus, deplanatus, glaber ; prothorace fusco-rufo, lineis duabus discoidalibus impressis, utrinque

parce fortiter punctato; elytris seriatim punctatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Of this species we have also received but one specimen; it is a female. Although

very closely allied to E. bilineatus, it is readily distinguished by the colour, and by the

punctures on the head and thorax being much larger. The antenne also have the two

joints of the club rather larger.

6. Europs illaesus, sp. n.

Elongatus, deplanatus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque rufis; elytris flavis, sutura et marginibus nigris,

seriatim punctatis ; prothorace irregulariter fortiter punctato, ante basin in medio profunde transversim

impresso ; pygidio elongato, porrecto.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab, NicaRaGva, Chontales (Janson).

Head short, the vertex with numerous large punctures. Thorax almost square,

EUROPS. 569

crenulation of lateral margins distinct, the surface with numerons large punctures,

those about the disc arranged as a curved or horseshoe-shaped series. Elytra very

distinctly seriately punctate. One specimen, female.

Although superficially similar to E. btlineatus in size and colour, this species differs

in the shape of the head and in the punctuation, as well as in the absence of the two

definite impressed lines on the thorax. The coxal lines are quite detached, and more

distinct than in the other allied forms, but they do not attain the hind margin of the

first ventral segment.

7. Europs obtusus, sp. n.

Depressus, glaber, nitidus, niger ; antennis pedibusque rufis ; elytris pone humeros utrinque plaga magna flava ;

capite prothoraceque parce subtiliter punctatis, hoc medio seriebus subregularibus duabus punctorum ante

basin fere conjunctis ; elytris seriatim punctatis,

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

This species is intermediate between ZF. bilineatus (in which there are two definite

impressed lines on the thorax) and the numerous representatives of the genus in which

there is an irregular punctuation of the thorax with a smooth space in the middle. In

£. obtusus the punctures become crowded at the edges of the smooth space, so as to be

almost confluent; they are somewhat curved towards one another near the base, and

between their extremities there are one or two separated punctures. The other

punctures of the thorax, as well as those of the short head, are few and fine. The

serial punctuation of the elytra is quite distinct, the punctures being about as large as

those on the thorax. ‘The coxal lines are evidently free at the extremity, but not so

distinct as in E. illaesus. One specimen, female. ‘The pygidium is moderately long,

obscurely red in colour.

8. Europs oxytelus, sp. n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 2.)

Parum elongatus, subdepressus, subtilius pubescens, sat nitidus, ferrugineus ; prothorace medio late levigato,

ante basin vix perspicue impresso ; elytris subtiliter punctato-striatis, striis subtilissime pubescentibus,

interstitiis fere planis,

Long. 23 millim.

Hab, Guatemata, Duefias (Champion).

We have received one example of this species; it isa male. The comparatively

depressed form and the very fine and short, though quite evident, pubescence distin-

guish it from any of the other species. The antenne are short. The short broad

head is smooth along the middle quite to the vertex, but has a few fine punctures. on

each side. The thorax is about as long as broad, much narrowed behind, along the

middle with a broad smooth and shining space, the sides finely punctate; in front of

the base there is an obscure transverse impression. The very fine punctures in the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1900. 4 D*

570 MONOTOMID.

elytral strize bear each a very minute and short, erect hair. The pygidium is not

elongate. The coxal lines, though short and strongly divergent, are detached. ‘The

tarsi are short and broad.

9. Europs simplex, sp. n.

Parum depressus, nitidus, haud pubescens, ferrugineus, elytris flavis; capite prothoraceque crebre punctatis,

hoc dorso posterius subplanato, absque area levigata; elytris striatis, striis evidenter.punctatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 6000 to 7000 feet (Rogers).

We have only one example of this species; it is apparently a female. It is

remarkable inasmuch as, though the disc of the thorax is somewhat deplanate, there is

no definite space free from punctures; the flattening does not extend quite to the base,

so that, seen from the front, there appears to be a slight elevation of the middle of the

basal part. The antenne have the ninth joint strongly transverse, it and the tenth

being darker in colour. There is much punctuation on the head. ‘The thorax is rather

narrow, the lateral margins are strongly crenulate, the sides curved, the front angles

rectangular, the hind angles very obtuse, the punctures large and/numerous. The

coxal lines distinctly detached.

This insect is not really free from pubescence, as careful examination shows an

excessively minute short hair rising from each puncture on the elytra.

10. Europs euplectoides, sp. n.

Minutus, depressus, nitidus, glaber, ferrugineus, elytris testaceis, imbo apiceque vage fuscescentibus ; pro-

thorace quadrato, subtiliter punctato, dorso planato, ante scutellum vage depresso, area media irregulari

laevigata.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne small, ninth joint very strongly transverse, much broader than the eighth.

Head broad and short, finely punctulate. Thorax quadrate, straight at the sides; hind

angles rectangular, the surface finely punctulate, with a broad but indefinite area on

the disc free from sculpture ; there is no definite impression at the base. Elytra very

finely punctate-striate; the lateral and apical margins very slightly infuscate. Coxal

lines detached, reaching nearly to the hind margin of the first ventral segment. Legs

short. ‘Three male examples.

11. Enrops pumilio, sp. n.

Minutus, depressus, nitidus, glaber, ferrugineus, elytris testaceis ; prothorace subquadrato, fortiter punctato,

medio area lata impunctata; elytris subtiliter striatis, striis vix punctatis,

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

EUROPS. 571

Closely allied to #. euplectoides, but rather longer and more depressed, and readily

distinguished by the coarser thoracic sculpture. Head short, epistome convex, vertex

coarsely punctate. ‘Thorax straight at the sides, the angles but little rounded, the

lateral margin very fine ; rather coarsely punctate, with a smooth space on the middle,

broad behind, narrower in front; this area is defined by punctures crowded so as to be

almost confluent; there is no distinct depression behind. The strie of the elytra are

very fine and regular. The coxal lines are detached, but are short, and very fine behind.

One specimen, a female; the pygidium is elongate.

Although we have received only the female of this species and the male of

Li. euplectoides, I do not doubt that the two are distinct.

12. Europs nanus, sp. n.

Minutus, depressus, nitidus, testaceus ; capite parvo, subtiliter punctato; prothorace subquadrato, subtiliter

punctato, medio area lata levigata; elytris subtiliter striatis, striarum punctis haud minutis.

Long. vix 14 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Zapote (Champion).

The smallest of the genus; much narrower than EL. euplectoides and more depressed,

the surface more shining than in any other Ewrops known to me. The head is quite

small, the antenne very short, but the ninth joint is strongly transverse. The thorax

is straight-sided, the lateral margin very fine; the punctuation is fine and scanty, but

surrounds a distinct, impunctate, median space, broad behind, narrower in front. The

punctures of the elytra are larger than usual. The coxal lines are slightly detached,

their terminal portions very fine and indistinct. One male.

13. Europs longulus, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 3.)

Haud depressus, subcylindricus, ferrugineus, nitidus ; capite thoraceque elongatis, illo posterius tantum subcon-

stricto, angulis posterioribus fere nullis ; prothorace sat crebre punctato, nullo modo impresso, medio area

angusta, parum discreta, impunctata ; elytris punctato-striatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

An aberrant species, with the facies of Rhizophagus, and distinguished by the

transversely more convex form and the extremely indistinct hind angles of the head.

Antenne with the ninth joint large, the club very distinctly biannulate. Head not

flattened, sparingly punctured. Thorax almost parallel-sided, transversely convex,

front angles not at all prominent, but nearly rectangular, hind angles very obtuse and

rounded, punctuation very distinct but not at all dense. Llytra finely striate, the strie

finely punctured. Coxal lines not at all detached; intercoxal process of abdomen

narrow. ‘Two male specimens.

4 D*2

572 MONOTOMID.

14. Hurops convergens, sp. n.

Nigricans, nitidus, antennis pedibusque rufis; thorace suboblongo, haud impresso, parce punctato ; elytris

striatis, striis subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jacale (Sallé).

Head a little broader than the thorax, sparingly and finely punctured. ‘Thorax

oblong, all the angles very obtuse, the lateral margins crenulate, the surface coarsely

punctate, with a smooth space along the middle: there is no basal impression. Elytra

distinctly and regularly striate, the striz very distinctly punctured. Pygidium but little

elongate, coarsely punctured. The head is larger in the male, and the thorax is

distinctly narrowed behind. One pair. A third specimen from the same locality is

perhaps a very largely developed male of this species; it is broader, and has the thorax

more finely punctured, without a smooth space along the middle.

15. Europs luridipennis.

Phyconomus luridipennis, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. xx. p. 299 (1876) ’.

Haud deplanatus, parum nitidus, pubescens, niger, elytris rufis; prothorace subtransverso, fortiter punctato,

medio area angusta levigata; elytris seriatim punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico! (coll. Oberthiir), Orizaba (Sallé), Mexico city (Hége).

Distinguished from the other species of Europs by the pubescent upper surface and

the less regular sculpture of the elytra; the coxal lines are not at all detached. The

head of the male is remarkably broad, and is short in proportion; the thorax, too, is

shorter than usual. Antenne short, ninth joint large. ‘Thorax broader than long, all

the angles obtuse, the surface rather coarsely and closely punctured, pubescent; a

narrow smooth space along the middle. LElytra red, the suture only infuscate; with

seriate setigerous punctures which form imperfect strie. Pygidium moderately long.

Four specimens. They agree with the types of P. luridipennis, Reitter, lent to me by

M. René Oberthiir.

16. Europs discedens, sp. n.

Minus depressus, angustus, subtilissime pubescens, sat nitidus, ferrugineus; prothorace fortiter sequaliter

punctato; elytris profunde striato-punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuatEMAtLa, Capetillo (Champion).

This little insect is destitute of the facies of the normal Hwrops, and has no smooth

space on the thorax. The two individuals obtained are, I think, females. The

antenne are rather slender, and the ninth joint is not very broad, though different

from those preceding it, and quite detached. ‘The head is but small, and the space over

EUROPS.—ANEUROPS. 573

the mandibles is much smaller than usual; the hind angles are really free though

inconspicuous. The thorax is scarcely so broad as long, not flattened, nearly straight

at the sides, none of the angles are prominent, the hind angles are very obtuse, the

lateral margin is inconspicuous; though crenulate, the punctuation is rather coarse ;

there is no distinct smooth space and not a trace of a basal impression, The elytra

are very regularly sculptured; the sete rising from their punctures are difficult to

detect. The legs are rather slender. ‘The coxal lines are not detached.

EL. discedens in many respects comes near Hesperobenus.

ANEUROPS, gen. nov.

Coxee anteriores omnino incluss, sat parvee; acetabulis externe prolongatis ; trochanteres haud parvi. Pro-

-sterni suture discrete.

This genus differs from Europs in the larger front cox, as well as by the head not

being constricted between the eyes and the posterior angles. It has quite the facies

ot khizophagus and connects Hurops with the Rhizophagine. It is distinguished from

Lhizophagus by the transversely less elongate anterior acetabula, and by the absence

of antennal grooves on the underside of the head.

We figure the prothoracic parts of this interesting form (Tab. XVIII. fig. 4a).

It is clearly connected with Europs by means of E. convergens. The number of

joints in the feet is open to the same uncertainty as it is in many other of the

allied forms: if the tarsi are 5-jointed, then the basal joint is so extremely short

that it remains doubtful whether it is more than the articular portion of a joint.

Counting it as a joint, the second and third joints are short, but rather broad; the

fourth joint is small and forms, in fact, merely a part of the long terminal joint.

In the male the fourth joint of the hind foot has disappeared, though there is

perhaps a trace of it in the form of a dark mark on the basal portion of the fifth

joint. The second and third joints are broader in the male on all the feet than

they are in the female, and have a good deal of pubescence beneath.

1. Aneurops championi, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. figg. 4, ¢; 44, side of pro-

sternum, ¢.)

Sat elongatus, parum deplanatus, nigricans, nitidus, antennis pedibusque rufescentibus; capite parce punctato ;

prothorace suboblongo, lateribus mox ante basin angustatis, crebre irregulariter punctato, area media

levigata, haud impresso; elytris striatis, striis subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 32-5 millim.

Hab. Guatrmata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet, Quiché Mountains 7000 to

9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with the ninth joint large, strongly transverse. Thorax with all the angles

very obtuse, lateral margin crenulate; the surface with numerous punctures, leaving a

574 MONOTOMIDZ.

space along the middle smooth, and with a more indistinct, smooth, lateral space on

each side; there is no basal impression. Elytra regularly striate ; the striz do not

reach quite to the apex, they are finely punctate, but the punctures are very narrow.

The pygidium is rather coarsely punctured ; each puncture on the upper surface bears

a seta so minute as to be evident only on careful examination. Nine specimens.

The male is larger and broader than the female, and has the head unusually large.

The supplementary segment is large and distinct. The basal ventral segment is hairy

along the middle. The female has quite the appearance of a species of Rhizophagus.

BACTRIDIUM.

Baciridium, Leconte, Classif. Col. N. Amer. ed. 1, p. 86 (1861) ’.

Leconte established the genus Bactridium in a very unsatisfactory manner for

two species, without naming one as the type. I think we may take the first he

mentioned as the type of the genus. If we adopt this view, certain of our species

appear to belong really to it, being congeneric with B. ephippigerum, the species in

question. They are distinguished by the short broad form, by the broad intercoxal

process of the abdomen, which is straightly truncate in front, and by the extremely

short intermediate abdominal segments, each of which bears a series of closely-placed

deep punctures. These characters are exhibited in our B. divisum, as well as in

B. ephippigerum. All the other species will probably have to be eventually removed

from the genus. Crine, Pascoe, is at present correctly referred to Bactridium, but will

probably also be separated. Mimemodes, Reitt., also, cannot be at present distinguished

from Bactridium.

1. Bactridium divisum, sp. n.

Breve, depressum, nitidum, piceum ; antennis, pedibus elytrisque rufis, his apice fuscescente; capite pro-

thoraceque nigricantibus, hoc transverso, subtiliter punctato, area lata ante basin levigata; elytris striis

internis obsoletis.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).

Club of the short antenne very large. Head very short, eyes placed close to the

thorax, no free angles behind them ; surface finely punctate. Thorax transverse, the

angles not obtuse, very sharply marked, the sides a little narrowed in front, so that a

very obscure angle is formed in front of the middle; very shining, rather finely and not

closely punctate, with a broad,,very well-marked smooth area, a little depressed behind,

in front of the base. Elytra with a very fine sutural stria, the next two strie obsolete,

two others outside this distinct and finely punctured ; a sixth series of punctures exists

just outside the shoulder. The pygidium is coarsely punctate. Seven specimens; one

of them is of a pallid red colour.

BACTRIDIUM. . 579

2. Bactridium adustum.

Rhizophagus adustus, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xi. p. 389 (1872) '.

Bactridium adustum, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. xx. p. 299 (1876) °.

Bactridwum sp., Champ. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1898, p. 410°.

Hab. Norru America?!—Muexico, Teapa? (coll. Oberthiir); British Honpuras

(Blancaneaua); GuaTemaia, Chiacam and Chacoj in Vera Paz, Guatemala city, Zapote,

El Reposo, Cerro Zunil (Champion).—Antitues, Grenada and St. Vincent.

This insect, though widely distributed, seems to be rare, and we have only one, two,

or three individuals from each locality. If I am right in treating all of them as one

species, it is a variable form. It has the peculiarity that in the male sex the first

ventral segment has a setigerous puncture on each side just within the coxal line.

These punctures are, however, apparently absent in the case of a large male from

Zapote, which I was inclined at first to separate as a distinct species under the name of

B. staphylinum. Small, narrow, pallid examples, with a faint thoracic depression, also

appear to differ considerably. Two of these found at El Reposo may possibly be

distinct. A large unicolorous specimen found at Cerro Zunil scarcely differs from the

type of B. angulicolle, Reitter (from Cuba), except that it lacks the slight angulation of

the side of the thorax described by the name of the Cuban form. A specimen from

Colombia, also kindly sent by M. Oberthiir, has a stronger punctuation on the thorax.

I think it impossible at present to decide whether there is really more than one species

amongst this material.

3. Bactridium brevicorne, sp. n.

Breve, haud depressum, nitidum, rufum, elytris flavis; prothorace transversim subquadrato, dorso subdeplanato,

ante basin parum perspicue depresso ; elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Antenne extremely short. Head with minute free angles behind the eyes; finely

punctate. ‘Thorax not so long as broad, the angles not rounded, the disc moderately

coarsely punctate, without distinct smooth space, but a little flattened, and, when seen

from in front, the punctures at the base form an obscure series, curved and scarcely

visibly depressed. Elytra with regular series of fine punctures. Under surface with

very little sculpture. Coxal lines very short. Three specimens.

4, Bactridium crassum, sp. n.

Convexum, nitidum, rufum, thorace nigro vel piceo, basin versus angustato, haud impresso ; elytris subtiliter

seriatim punctatis.

Long. 2-22 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne with very large club. Head finely punctate, eyes well separated from the

576 MONOTOMIDZ.

thorax, an extremely minute free angle behind them. ‘Thorax about as long as broad,

distinctly narrowed behind, rather finely punctate, a few punctures absent in front

of the base, where there is no trace of a depression. Elytra with five series of fine

punctures, obsolete towards the tip. Coxal lines not detached. Two specimens.

5. Bactridium angustum, sp. n.

Angustum, parallelum, deplanatum, piceo-rufum, elytris pallide testaceis ; antennis pedibusque rufis ; prothorace

subtiliter punctato, ante basin transversim impresso ; elytris subobsolete, parce seriatim punctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz, Guatemala city (Champion).

Distinguished from the other species of the genus by its very narrow form, and by

the diminished punctuation of the elytra. Head without a free angle behind the eyes,

finely punctured. Thorax rather longer than broad, straight-sided, the hind angles

rectangular, not prominent; the surface very finely punctured, transversely impressed

in front of the base, but with only a very obscure smooth space before this. Elytra

elongate, pallid, with series of very fine punctures which become obsolete behind.

The male has a larger head than the female; the supplementary segment is very

obscure. ‘Three specimens.

6. Bactridium flohri, sp. n.

Subelongatum, vix depressum, ferrugineum, nitidum ; prothorace subquadrato, ante basin impresso, subtiliter

punctato; elytris subtiliter striatis, striis externis obsoletis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo in Vera Cruz (Flohr).

This little insect connects to a considerable extent the aberrant B. ewmorphum and

B. germanum with the more ordinary forms of the genus. The ninth joint of the

antenna is not at all enlarged, the club-joint is large. The head is rather large, finely

punctate, and there are no free angles behind the eyes. The thorax is about as long

as broad, straight at the sides, the hind angles rectangular, the lateral margin extremely

fine; the surface rather finely punctate, with a small impression in the middle in front

of the base, with only a very small indefinite smooth area before it. Striation of

elytra unusually fine. Coxal lines detached and reaching to the hind margin of the

first segment. One male. There is no abdominal fovea.

Named in honour of the late Julius Flohr, whose decease has proved a serious loss

to the progress of Coleopterology in Mexico.

7. Bactridium rude, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 5.)

Robustum, haud depressum, piceum, pedibus antennarumque basi rufescentibus, subopacum ; prothorace fortiter

punctato, ante basin impresso, dorso area impunctata; elytris crenato-striatis; antennis pedibusque

crassis.

191 31:

Long. 24-33 millim.

BACTRIDIUM. 577

Hab. GuateMata, Cubilguitz (Champion); Panama, David (Champion).

This peculiar insect is readily distinguished from our other species by the great

development of the head and mandibles. Jt hasa character peculiar to itself, inasmuch

as the coxal lines are not only detached and distinct, but are connected together behind,

so that they enclosea shield-shaped space. ‘The colour is somewhat variable, the elytra

being more or less indistinctly striped with red. The antenne are remarkably thick,

the ninth joint not at all detached from those preceding it. Head thick, the genal

prominences in the male greatly developed, the mandibles so shaped beneath as to

form a protecting cavity for the mouth-parts; the hind angles of the head free; the

surface rather numerously punctate, a few of the punctures on the middle confluent, so

as to form two very short obscure lines. ‘Thorax quadrate, transversely convex, rather

coarsely punctate, with a transverse impression behind; before this there is a short

smooth space, in front of which the surface is very slightly depressed and more nume-

rously punctured. The elytra are alutaceous and regularly crenate-striate.

Eight examples. The one from Panama has the surface more shining.

8. Bactridium eumorphum, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 6.)

Sat elongatum, haud depressum, ferrugineum, nitidum; prothorace sat crebre irregulariter punctato, absque

area levigata discreta; elytris sat elongatis, subtiliter punctato-striatis. .

Long 24-3 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Capetillo, Zapote, Cerro Zunil, Panajachel (Champion).

This and the two following are readily distinguished from most of our other species

by their more Rhizophagoid form and sculpture. Antenne short, penultimate joint not

larger than the others. Head rather sparingly and finely punctured ; there exist small

free angles, but only obscurely. Thorax nearly straight-sided, transversely convex,

shining, rather finely and not densely punctured ; a few of the punctures on each side

of the middle behind are arranged so as to form an obscure line, converging towards its

fellow at the base, and on the area between these obscure lines the punctures are more

sparing. ‘The elytra are elongate, a little paler in colour than the head and thorax ;

‘their sculpture consists of fine striz, in which punctures can be distinguished. The

male is rather broader and more deplanate than the female, and has a larger head;

the terminal ventral segment has a rather broad impression extending the whole

length. Thirteen specimens.

9. Bactridium germanum, sp. n.

Sat clongatum, angustum, haud depressum, ferrugineum, nitidum; prothorace elongato, sat crebre punctato,

medio area angusta levigata; elytris sat elongatis, striatis, striis subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 24-23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Mirandilla (Champion).

Closely allied to B. ewmorphum; a little narrower and less depressed, with the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, February 1900. 4 E*

578 MONOTOMID&.

median impunctate space on the thorax more definite, the punctures of the striz of the

elytra very minute, the pygidium of the male rather stouter, and the fovea of the last

ventral segment obscure. One pair.

Subfam. T7STPHONINAE.

The position of this subfamily is doubtful, a very careful analysis being requisite

before we can decide whether the single genus referred to it, Z¢szphone, Reitter, should

be placed in Monotomide, Nitidulide, or Cucujide. It consists at present of a few rare

and minute insects found in the Southern States of North America, the Antilles, and

Northern South America. I have at present before me eight species, viz.: the three

here described from Mexico and Central America; the two species upon which the

genus Tisiphone was founded, viz. 7. hypocoproides and T. nitiduloides, from the

Antilles; TJ. eaxilis, Grouvelle (Murray %), from Grenada; a species from Jamaica

allied to 7. nitiduloides, in my own collection; and the N.-American 7. palmicola, Lec.

TISIPHONE.

Tisiphone, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. xx. p. 296 (1876).

Smicrips, Leconte, Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc. 1878, p. 8399; Horn, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. vii. p. 326

(1879).

1. Tisiphone chontalenus, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 7.)

Depressus, opacus, rufus, elytris obscurioribus, vage fusco-limbatis; antennis pedibusque testaceis; supra

subtilissime, ubique sequaliter punctatus.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson).

Var.? Pygidio valde elongato.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne rather slender. Head somewhat small; eyes large, separated by but a

little distance from the points of insertion of the antenne. Thorax transverse, slightly

rounded at the sides; hind angles nearly rectangular; surface densely and finely

punctured, without smooth space along the middle. LElytra and pygidium punctured

like the thorax ; the pygidium elongate.

This species is distinguished from the North-American Smicrips palmicola by its

more elongate and depressed form, by the larger but less convex eyes, from which the

antenne are less remote, and by the horizontal and much longer pygidium. ‘The three

examples from Chontales agree, except in a slight difference in colour. The single

specimen from Guatemala, in addition to its very elongate pygidium, has the punctua-

tion of the thorax slightly stronger.

CRYPTOPHAGID. 579

2. Tisiphone mexicanus, sp. n.

Depressus, opacus, testaceus, supra subtilissime punctatus ; thorace medio linea angusta, impunctata.

Long. 1} millim.

Hab. Mexico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith).

Closely allied to T. chontalenus, and distinguished by the smaller size, still more

depressed form, smaller eyes, and the indistinct impunctate line along the middle of

the thorax. One specimen.

3. Tisiphone distans, sp. n.

Sat convexus, subtiliter punctatus, ferrugineo-testaeeus ; prothorace antrorsum angustato, elytris angustiore.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. GuateMAua, Carrizal in Vera Paz (Champion).

‘This species is readily distinguished from all the others of the genus by the more

convex elytra and the narrower thorax. The head is small, with small and very convex

eyes. The thorax is distinctly narrower than the elytra, a good deal narrowed in front,

the hind angles very obtuse, the punctuation extremely fine, without trace of an

impunctate area along the middle. The punctuation of the elytra is extremely fine,

not dense. ‘The pygidium is much deflexed. One specimen.

This insect will probably form a distinct genus, as the more contracted thorax is

accompanied by a greater approximation of the front coxe and a slightly different

structure of their acetabula. It more nearly resembles the North-American 7’. palmicola

than any other species I have seen.

Fam. CRYPTOPHAGIDE *.

In this work we have adopted the system of arrangement made use of in the

Munich Catalogue of Coleoptera, so far as the sequence of families is concerned. As

considerable changes have taken place in the views of taxonomists since that Catalogue

was published, it is necessary to make a few remarks on certain points connected with

Cryptophagide. In the important work in course of publication by Dr. Ganglbauer

(‘ Die Kafer Mitteleuropa’), the family Cryptophagide is regarded as merely a division

of Erotylide. ‘This course has long since been advocated by me, but it cannot here be

adopted, as the Erotylide have already been treated fully in our Vol. VII. of the

Coleoptera. The system I here adopt is not, therefore, to be considered as expressing

my own views. In the Munich Catalogue the Biphylline are placed as a subdivision

of Mycetophagide, but this is certainly erroneous, and renders it impossible to define

the Mycetophagide. I therefore place the group in question in the family under

consideration at present, a course which has already been adopted by Dr. Ganglbauer.

* By D. Saarp.

4 K* 2

580 CRYPTOPHAGID.®.

The family, as thus limited, includes a considerable number of insects, the exotic

forms of which have hitherto been very little studied or collected, so that it is scarcely

a matter for surprise that nearly the whole of the 103 species here dealt with are new.

A few have been previously described by Reitter, and I regret that I have not been

able to obtain his types for comparison, so that my identification of his species is

possibly not in all cases correct.

As regards the groups, I here treat the following as subfamilies, viz.: Telmatophiline,

Cryptophagine, Atomariine, Biphylline *. I may remark that in this case [ adopt

the same course as is pursued by Dr. Ganglbauer, although in our fauna it is very

difficult to draw a satisfactory line of division between Telmatophiline and Crypto-

phagine. On the other hand, the Biphylline appear to be truly distinct, no form

having been brought to light that tends to connect them with any other division.

They might be treated as a separate family with very good reason.

Subfam. TELMATOPHILINA.

In all the insects I place in this subfamily, the tarsi have the third joint, if not also

the second and first, produced at the tip, so as to project under the following joint, a

structure that cannot be well seen unless the terminal tarsal joint is bent away from

the rest of the foot. ‘This structure must not be confounded with the lobe of the

third joint that exists in the subfamily Biphylline, where the lobe is a delicate

appendage, not a part of the body of the joint.

Dr. Ganglbauer, in his classification of the Cryptophagide, attaches great importance

to the condition of the anterior acetabula, 7. ¢. whether open or closed. I am at

present compelled to treat this character as of subordinate importance, and I accordingly

place in the Telmatophiline one genus, Celocryptus, having the acetabula broadly

closed behind.

TELMATOPHILUS.

Telmatophilus, Heer, Faun. Helv. i. p. 417 (1841).

This genus includes a small number of species from the Palearctic and Nearctic

regions, in addition to the one said to occur in Mexico.

1. Telmatophilus ferrugineus.

Telmatophilus ferrugineus, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. xix. p. 227 (1875) °.

Hab. Mexico },

I can give no information about this insect.

* The name Biphyllus is now frequently replaced by Diphyllus. An emendation that makes a new name

is, however, scarcely permissible.

TELMATOSCIUS.—LOBERUS. 581

TELMATOSCIUS, gen. nov.

Tarsi breves, minus graciles, 5-articulati, articulo 4° minuto, 3° breviter lobato; abdomen segmento 1°

ventrali parum elongato, post coxas segmento 2° hand longiore.

This genus may be placed next to Loberus, from which it is distinguished by the

form of the thorax, narrowed in front and destitute of a distinct transverse impression

before the scutellum, and by the shorter, more compact tarsi. The club of the

antenne is 3-jointed, but the ninth joint is considerably smaller than the tenth. The

thorax is very closely applied to the elytra; the prosternal process is short and bent

up. The meso-metasternal suture has a raised margin between the coxe, which are

but little separated. The first joint of the hind foot is quite short, the second is very

short, and obliquely truncate but not lobed, the third joint is rather larger and forms

a short lobe beneath the minute fourth joint, the fifth joint is short and rather

thick.

1. Telmatoscius claviger, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 8.)

Oblongo-ovalis, nigricans, pedibus fusco-testaceis; antennis testaceis, clava nigricante; prothorace obsolete

punctato, subopaco; elytris subtiliter subseriatim punctatis et pubescentibus,

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (HZ H. Smith); Guatemata, San Gerdnimo, Capetillo, Duenas,

Guatemala city (Champion).

Antenne with joints 4-8 small, differing little from one another, ninth strongly

transverse, tenth much broader than ninth, terminal joint as broad as the tenth and a

little longer. Thorax strongly transverse, distinctly narrowed in front, hind angles

rectangular, lateral margin rather broad, but not much raised, continued for a short

distance along the anterior margin; basal margin fine ; surface not finely but obsoletely

punctured, a small impression close to the base on each side, the transverse depression

between them very indistinct, so that the lobed and slightly elevated middle part of the

base is only very indefinitely marked off. Elytra numerously and finely punctured,

the punctures distinctly seriate, though the series are far from being conspicuous ;

sides impressed near the lateral margin, which is very distinct. Seven specimens.

LOBERUS.

Loberus, Leconte, Classif. Col. N. Amer. ed. 1, p. 98 (1861).

This genus is probably peculiar to the New World, where it will no doubt prove to

be rich in species, though but few have hitherto been described ; one of them is North

American.

The various species are excessively difficult to discriminate: attention must be given

to the punctuation of the elytra, which is either diffuse or serial, with many intermediate

conditions ; usually the elytra bear two kinds of pubescence, or sete, one of which is

582 CRYPTOPHAGID.

slightly longer than the other and has a serial arrangement; the extent to which this

longer setosity predominates is also of importance. When the punctuation is perfectly

serial, the setee may be cither well developed or nearly absent. The slight differences

that exist in the coloration of the joints of the club of the antenne appear to be

fairly constant, and are therefore of considerable assistance.

In the following descriptions the species with the least serial arrangement of

punctuation and pubescence are placed first.

1. Loberus chiriquensis, sp. n.

Rufus, antennarum articulis 9° et 10° nigris; elytris vage subinfuscatis, humeris apiceque pallidioribus,

subtiliter aqualiterque pubescentibus et punctatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Terminal joint of antenna much paler than the preceding two joints. Thorax red,

small, finely punctate, sides evenly rounded, front a little narrower than the base.

Elytra elongate, yellow-red, but vaguely and largely infuscate, so as to leave the

shoulders and a broad space at the tip feebly distinguished in colour from the rest

of the surface; with very fine punctuation and pubescence, the latter subseriately

arranged, so that about nine rows of fine sete exist between the suture and the shoulder

of each wing-case. Punctuation of metasternum coarse and definite. Seventeen

specimens,

This species varies much in the amount of infuscation of the upper surface.

2. Loberus guatemalenus, sp. n.

Rufus, subtilius punctatus et pubescens; in elytris sculptura et pubescentia serierum et interstitiarum vix

distinctis. Variat corpore elytrisque plus minus infuscatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge); GuaTemata, Senahu in Vera Paz, Guatemala city,

Aceituno, Capetillo, Duefias, Zapote, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Closely allied to Z. chiriquensis, but rather smaller, with a unicolorous club to the

antenne and the thorax a little more contracted behind. In the specimens most

deeply suffused with dusky colour there is a distinct rufescent humeral angle, but this

is rarely very definite. Near the suture the sculpture and pubescence of the interstices

are distinctly more distant than those of the series, whereas in L. chiriquensis scarcely

any difference can be detected between the two. ‘The sculpture of the metasternum is

not quite so coarse as it is in L. chiriquensis. About thirty specimens.

3. Loberus sellatus, sp. n.

Rufus, prothorace disco antennarumque articulis 9° et 10° nigricantibus ; elytris nigris, humeris apiceque late

flavis, crebrius subtiliter haud seriatim pubescentibus.

Long. 24 millim.

LOBERUS. 583

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (H. H. Smith), Tapachula (Hége); Britisa Honpuras, Belize,

Rio Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuatEMALA, Cahabon, San Juan, Senahu, Teleman, and

Tamahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

Readily distinguished from L. guatemalenus by the colour, a broad space (quite one-

third of the length) at the tip and a large humeral mark being clear yellow. The

punctuation and pubescence are much like those of Z. guatemalenus. From L. humeralis,

var. /etus, which is nearest in colour, L. sellatus may be readily distinguished by the

sculpture and pubescence of the elytra, the serial arrangement of both being but

indistinct. About twenty specimens.

4. Loberus cryptophagus, sp. n.

Suboblongus, ferrugineus ; elytris subopacis, crebrius subtiliter punctatis et pubescentibus, pubescentia haud

seriata, singulo in medio vix perspicue infuscato.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatemMata, Zapote (Champion).

This insect can only be mistaken for a pallid variety of ZL. sellatus. Besides the

colour-distinctions, it is a little larger and broader; the pubescence and punctuation

are even less serial, so that though we have received only one specimen, I think it is

likely to prove a distinct species.

5. Loberus pallidus, sp. n.

Rufus, elytris pallidis, antennis clava obscuriore; elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis et pubescentibus,

pubescentia brevi.

Long. 23-22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge), Motzorongo (flohr); GUATEMALA,

San Gerdnimo, Chiacam and San Juan in Vera Paz, Guatemala city, Aceituno

(Champion).

Smaller than LZ. chiriquensis, and distinguished by the very pallid elytra. Antenne

with the club-joints darker in colour than the others. Thorax narrower in front than

at the base, scarcely at all constricted at the sides behind; very finely punctate, Elytra

with fine, definite punctuation and pubescence, the depressed pubescence short, so that

the erect setee are unusually conspicuous. There is no difference between the serial

and interstitial punctuation near the suture. Highteen specimens.

6. Loberus suturalis, sp. n.

Suboblongus, testaceus, elytrorum sutura anguste nigricante, antennis articulis 9° et 10° nigris; elytris

subtiliter punctatis et pubescentibus, punctatura sat conspicue seriata.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (H. H. Smith, Hoge), Motzorongo (flchr); Guatemata, La

Tinta, Chiacam (Champion); British Honpuras, Belize (Llancaneaux); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Janson).

584 CRYPTOPHAGIDA.

Although very close to L. pallidus the large series we have received of this little

Loberus seems to show that it is distinct ; the suture is always very narrowly blackish,

and the punctuation of the elytra is rather more distinctly serial. The elytra are

shorter, less oval, and the antenne and legs are a little shorter; the whole insect is

rather smaller. About forty specimens.

7. Loberus brevicollis, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 9.)

Angustus, parallelus, rufo-testaceus, elytris disco subinfuscato, antennarum clava fuscescente; prothorace

valde transverso; elytris subtiliter pubescentibus, seriatim punctatis.

Long. 1% millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

This is the smallest Zoderus known to me; it is of narrow, parallel form, and

remarkable by the broad and very short thorax. ‘The only specimen obtained has a

tuft of yellow pubescence on each side of the middle of segments 2—4 of the abdomen:

I do not know whether this is a sexual or a specific character; it occurs in other

species, but all are extremely rare. L. brevicollis can only be confounded with

L. suturalis or L. longulus; from the former even a superficial inspection of the

differences of form and colour readily distinguishes it ; L. dongulus is unicolorous and

more elongate, and is quite destitute of the abdominal tufts of pubescence.

8. Loberus longulus, sp. n. |

Angustus, parallelus, ferrugineus, nitidus; prothorace valde transverso; elytris subtiliter pubescentibus,

seriatim punctatis.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Tolé (Champion).

Readily distinguished from L. suturalis by the elongate, narrow, parallel form, and

the very short thorax, as well as by the slight distinctions in colour. The serial

punctuation of the elytra is very distinct, but the seriate arrangement of the pubescence

is much less conspicuous owing to its being very short.

9. Loberus lateralis, sp. n.

Rufus, antennis articulis 9° et 10° nigricantibus ; elytris dorso vage fuscescentibus, humeris apiceque rufes-

centibus, subtiliter, parum seriatim pubescentibus, ad latera anterius magis profunde impressis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

In this species there is a little tuft of pallid pubescence on each side of the middle

of ventral segments 2-4. This is perhaps a sexual peculiarity, but it is sufficient to

distinguish Z. lateralis from L. sellatus, in which this character does not occur at all.

The comparatively broad oval form and the pubescence and punctuation of the elytra

LOBERUS. 585

being only indistinctly seriate, separate L. lateralis from L. brevicollis, 'The epipleure

are a little broader than in most of the other species of the genus, and the lateral

impression behind the shoulders is slightly more marked. One specimen. .

10. Loberus marginalis, sp. n.

Rufus, antennis articulis 9° et 10° nigricantibus; elytris subtiliter parum seriatim pubescentibus, ad latera

anterius magis profunde impressis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

This species also has tufts of pubescence on the ventral segments, but they are

smaller than in L. lateralis. 'The difference in colour of the elytra of the two is of

but little importance, but L. marginalis is rather larger and broader than L. lateralis,

and the explanation of the margin of the elytra below the lateral impression is greater.

This character distinguishes L. marginalis from most of the species similar to it at first

sight. One specimen.

11. Loberus humeralis.

Loberus humeralis, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xii. p. 75 (1875) °.

Hab. Mexico +, Motzorongo in Vera Cruz (lohr).

Var. letus, var.n. Elytris ad apicem haud infuscatis.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo in Vera Cruz (Flohr), Teapa (H. H. Smith).

This species is remarkable on account of the regularity of the sculpture and

pubescence ; the punctures on the elytra form quite regular, definite series separated

by wide interstices ; the punctures are setigerous, so that the hairs also form regular

series, there being scarcely any punctures or pubescence on the interstices. The colour

of the elytra is deeply infuscate, the shoulders remaining conspicuously ferruginous,

and the apex being vaguely more or less paler. Thirty specimens.

We have a series of examples from Teapa and Motzorongo in which the infuscation

of the elytra is much reduced, so that the apical part is broadly clear yellow, much as

in L. sellatus: these I have called var. /etus. Thirteen specimens.

12. Loberus discipennis.

Loberus discipennis, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xin. p. 76 (1875) *. —

Hab. Mexico, Teapa! (//. H. Smith).

In this species there is a perfectly regular serial punctuation on the elytra, as in

L. humeralis ; but the pubescence is almost entirely absent. There is a large but

very vague, longitudinal infuscation on each end of the elytra. ‘Twelve specimens have,

been received by us.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1900. 4 F*

586 CRYPTOPHAGIDA.

PLATOBERUS, gen. nov.

Coxe omnes distantes; tarsi lati, breviusculi, subtus lobati. Prothorax latus, angulis anterioribus

discretis.

The insects forming this genus are allied to Loberus, from which they are readily

distinguished by the above-mentioned characters. The form of the prothorax is

peculiar, and gives the members of the genus a distinctive facies. The lateral

depression near the base of the elytra is also a good character, though it may be seen

in a less striking form in certain species of Loberus.

I have not seen any specimens of Platoberus from other regions; but as our four

species all come from Panama, the occurrence of the genus in South America is more

than probable.

1. Platoberus latus, sp. n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 10.)

Latus, subdepressus, rufescens, nitidus ; antennis clava magna nigra, prothorace disco plus minusve infuscato ;

elytris post humeros late impressis et explanatis, seriatim subtiliter punctatis et breviter parce setosis,

interstitiis setis raris, longioribus, erectis armatis.

Long. 3-33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

This insect is readily distinguished by the broad lateral cavity of the elytra and by

the peculiar setosity: this consists of regular series of fine curvate hairs springing from

the fine punctures of the elytra, and a few longer erect hairs rising from the broad

interstices. The front angles of the thorax project a little forwards. On the under

surface the metasternum is furnished with distinct, elongate, free coxal lines; but on

the first ventral segment there are no coxal lines, the very flat coxal margin forming

merely a short, angular prolongation. Iam not able to distinguish the sexes. There

is not much variation in the series of about forty specimens received.

2. Platoberus rotundus, sp. n.

Latus, rufo-testaceus, nitidus; elytris post humeros impressis, seriatim subtiliter punctatis, setosis, interstitiis

setis longioribus haud conspicuis.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Readily distinguished from P. latus by the short rotund elytra, the serial punctures

on which are more closely placed and the pubescence longer. The distortion of the

sides of the elytra is less, the prothorax is straight in front, and the front angles project

a little laterally; the head and thorax are also narrower than in P. latus. The coxal

margins of the first ventral segment are not angulate. ‘T'wo specimens.

PLATOBERUS.—TOMARUS. 587

3. Platoberus robustus, sp. n.

Latus, rufescens, antennis ante apicem nigricantibus ; elytris post humeros impressis, seriatim minus subtiliter

punctatis, crebrius minus subtiliter setosis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

This insect is very closely allied to P. rotundatus, but I think it will prove to be a

different species, though there are only two examples to judge from. The punctuation

of the elytra is more crowded and less fine; the elytra are considerably narrower, and

I detect no longer sete amongst their pubescence. The metasternal coxal lines are

very inconspicuous. ‘Two specimens.

4. Platoberus divisus, sp. n.

Minus, latus, rufescens, antennarum clava nigra; prothorace plus minusve infuscato; elytris versus basin.

nigris, apice rufo, pube minuta vestitis.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Var, elytris rufis.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

In this species the elytra have the lateral depression much less marked than in

P. latus; the serial punctuation is fine, and that of the interstices is but little different.

The front margin of the prothorax is a little sinuate. There are no abdominal coxal

lines, though on very careful examination a minute rudiment of their commencement

can be detected.

Eleven specimens; unfortunately most of them in a bad state of preservation. The

colour is evidently variable, but in only one of the examples does it approximate to

that of the other species.

TOMARUS.

Tomarus, Leconte, Classif. Col. N. Amer. ed. 1, p. 99 (1861); Reitter, Col. Hefte, xiii. p. 85

(1875).

This genus comprises a few described species, and is said to occur in the Caucasus

and Japan, as well as in America. Leconte characterized it merely by some rather

indefinite remarks. I have not seen the North-American species for which the genus

was established, but the insects I here assign to it agree with the characters given by

Reitter.

1. Tomarus niger, sp. n.

Niger, nitidus, convexiusculus, parce punctatus; prothorace fortiter transverso, basin versus haud angustato,

lateribus subrectis.

Long. fere 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion).

4F* 2

988 _ CRYPTOPHAGIDE.

A very distinct species: besides differing in form from any other Zomarus, the black

colour, not at all variegate, is peculiar to it. Antenne slender, black, club not very

long, the fifth joint unusually long, slightly longer than the third. Thorax a good

deal narrower than the elytra, strongly transverse, nearly twice as broad as long, as

broad at the base as in front, sides nearly straight, slightly curved, surface unimpressed,

basal fovea obscure. Elytra shining black, not very convex, broad, much narrowed

behind, finely and sparingly punctured. One specimen. ‘There is very little pubescence

indeed on it, but it may be rubbed.

2. Tomarus debilis, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 11.)

Ovalis, ferrugineus, antennis, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his utrinque fusco-maculatis ; antennis articulis 9°

et 10° nigris, articulo ultimo ferrugineo; pube suberecta minus dense vestitus; prothorace fortiter

transverso, elytris parum angustiore, his circa medium sat crebre punctatis.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo in Vera Cruz (Flohr); GuateMaLa, Senahu and San Juan

in Vera Paz (Champion). |

Very like an Atomaria in size and form. Eyes moderately large. Thorax strongly

transverse, a little narrowed in front, but scarcely at all behind, with numerous fine

punctures, and on each side a definite small fovea contiguous with the basal margin.

Elytra with a large dark mark on the side of each, in front of the middle, not reaching

the suture, with slight indications of a smaller spot before the apex; the apical portion

is almost impunctate, and the punctuation is also very indistinct at the shoulders.

The mesosternal margins between and in front of the middle coxe are sharply elevated.

Fifteen specimens.

3. Tomarus pubescens, sp. n.

Ovalis, ferrugineus, antennis, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his post basin fascia lata fuscescente; antennis

articulis 9° et 10° nigris, articulo ultimo ferrugineo; pubescens ; prothorace fortiter transverso, elytris

paulo angustiore, his obsolete punctatis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Very similar to 7. debilis, but the dark marks of the elytra form a broad band

behind the base; the punctuation of the elytra is very obsolete. The latter character,

combined with a slightly narrower form, and rather longer legs and antenne, point to

the distinctness of the species. Eleven specimens.

4. Tomarus lateralis, sp. n.

Testaceus, elytris fusco-variegatis, antennis nigris, basi fusca, thorace fuscescente ; tenuiter pubescens, parce

subtiliter punctatus sat nitidus; prothorace parvo, elytris multo angustiore.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo (Flohr), Teapa (Sallé).

TOMARUS. 589

Antenne small; club rather short, black. Head small, not much more than half

as broad as the elytra. ‘Thorax much narrower than the elytra, slightly curved at

the sides and a little narrowed behind, finely but very distinctly punctured; basal

impressions small and transverse. Elytra rather narrow, testaceous, each with a large,

blackish, lateral spot not quite reaching the suture, also more or less distinctly infuscate

about the scutellum and on the declivous portion about the suture; the basal portion

sparingly punctate. Front of metasternal process deeply bi-impressed, and with two

lateral foveee on each side, close to the coxal margin.

Though resembling 7. dedilis in the elytral pattern, this species is readily

distinguished by the different colour of the antenne and the narrower thorax. Six

specimens.

5. Tomarus pictipennis, sp. n.

Testaceus, elytris fuscis, testaceo-pictis, antennis nigricantibus, basi dilutiore, thorace fusco-rufo; tenuiter

pubescens, parce punctatus, sat nitidus ; prothorace parvo, fortiter transverso.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo (Flohr), Teapa (H. H. Smith, Sallé) ; Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

In this species the dark marks of the elytra have a much greater extension than in

T. lateralis; they meet at the suture, leave a pale large humeral mark, and also a

flammulate band behind the middle and the apex itself pale. The thorax is a little

broader than in 7. lateralis, but otherwise the two are almost identical. Hight

specimens. I refer to this species a smaller example (from Teapa) with the thorax and

basal parts of the antenne clear red.

6. Tomarus atomarius, sp. n.

Ovalis, testaceus, nitidus, haud pubescens, fere impunctatus; elytris utrinque macula fusca.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, San Gerdnimo, Guatemala city (Champion); Nicaraeua, Chontales

(Janson).

One of the smallest species of the genus, very like an At¢omaria in form, readily

distinguished by the shining almost impunctate surface. ‘Thorax strongly transverse,

a little narrower than the elytra, slightly narrowed behind, punctuation fine and

indistinct, basal. foveee very definite. Elytra polished and shining, with a vague

dark mark placed on each so as to form an interrupted band almost across the middle.

Club of antenna much shorter than in the allied species, concolorous. Three

specimens. |

A specimen from Teapa (Sal/é) may perhaps belong to an allied species, as it is

slightly larger and has the thorax a little broader.

590 CRYPTOPHAGID.

7. Tomarus cruciatus.

Tomarus cruciatus, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xiii. p. 86 (1875) *.

Hab. Mexico }.

I judge this to be a species allied to 7. lateralis and T. pictipennis, but this is far

from certain.

8. Tomarus picticornis, sp. n.

Fulvo-ferrugineus, pubescens ; elytris macula humerali, pedibus antennisque testaceis, his articulis ante clavam

nigris ; prothorace fortiter transverso, basin versus angustato.

Long. fere 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Antenne rather stout, hairy, yellow, the three joints before the club black. Thorax

much narrower than the elytra, twice as broad as long, narrowed behind, and a little

rounded at the sides; front angles touching the rather small eyes; surface finely

and rather closely punctured ; basal impressions minute, punctiform, definite. Elytra

scantily and very finely punctured, hairy, of a uniform brown colour, with a small

yellow humeral spot. Metasternal process not impressed.

Four specimens have been found of this very distinct species.

9. Tomarus discoideus, sp. n.

Convexus, testaceus, antennis articulis 7°-10™ nigris, elytris nigro-variegatis, prothorace macula media vel

majore vel minore nigra; prothorace transverso, basin versus angustato; elytris sat crebre minus obsolete

punctatis.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo in Vera Cruz (Flohr); Guatemana, Senahu and San Juan

in Vera Paz (Champion). '

Antenne with the two joints before the club and the first two joints of the club

black, terminal joint yellow. Head small, much narrower than the thorax. Thorax

small, much narrower than the elytra, a good deal narrower behind, reddish, with a

black mark on the middle, lateral margin more or less black; shining, rather sparingly

punctured ; basal impressions definite. Elytra shining, sparingly pubescent, yellow,

with a dark mark at the side becoming obliterated at the suture, and with a smaller

dark mark before the apex; punctuation distinct, rather coarse. Six specimens.

This insect differs from TJ. lateralis in the rather larger size, the colour of the

antenne and thorax, and the rather less transverse form of the thorax.

10. Tomarus confertus, sp. n.

Testaceus, antennis articulis 9° et 10° fuscis, elytris nigro-variegatis, prothorace macula discoidali nigra ;

subtiliter pubescens, crebrius subtiliter punctatus ; prothorace transverso, elytris multo angustiore.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

TOMARUS. 69d

This is the largest of the group of species with six sternal fovee. It is very similar

to T. discoideus, but is readily distinguished by the denser and finer punctuation and

the differently coloured antenne. ‘The three specimens obtained are in an extremely

fragile condition.

11. Tomarus latipennis, sp. n.

Latus, testaceus, elytris fusco-quadrimaculatis ; subtiliter punctatus: prothorace fortiter transverso, elytris

angustiore, basin versus parum angustato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne short, clear yellow. Head extremely finely punctured. Thorax much

narrower than the elytra, about twice as broad as long, a little rounded at the sides

and only slightly narrowed behind; finely and evenly punctured ; basal impressions

definite. Elytra very broad, very finely punctured and pubescent, a black spot on the

middle of each and a second smaller one behind it. The six metasternal fovee very

definite. One specimen.

Distinguished by numerous points from 7. confertus and not at all likely to be

confounded with any other species of the genus.

12. Tomarus abjectus, sp. n.

Testaceus, fere impunctatus, brevissime pubescens ; capite, thorace antennisque ante apicem nigris; elytris

fascia lata pone basin fusca.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

We have received a series of about twenty examples of this species, but they are

in such a bad state of preservation that I have had great difficulty in ascertaining the

characters. The antenne are moderately long; the club is elongate and slender,

the last two joints yellow, the three or four preceding joints black. The thorax is

strongly transverse, black, with the base paler; it is distinctly narrowed behind, but

the sides are not curved; there is no punctuation, and only a very fine pubescence

on it. The elytra are narrower in proportion to their length than they are in any of

the allied species and there is no trace of a sutural stria; they are pale yellow, with

a broad but indefinite dark band behind the base, extending forwards about the

scutellum so as to leave the shoulders broadly pale; the shoulders are a little pro-

‘minent: there is very little punctuation except some rather indefinite punctures on the

dark mark: the pubescence is fine and depressed, with some fine, erect, longer setze.

The metasternum is deeply impressed in the middle in front, immediatly behind the

suture with the mesosternum, but there are no fovee on it.

592 CRYPTOPHAGIDZ.

13. Tomarus heterocerus, sp. n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 12.)

Suboblongus, testaceus, thorace rufescente, elytris medio late fuscescentibus ; antennis ante apicem nigris, clava

maxime elongata; fere impunctatus; prothorace fortiter transverso.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

The unusual structure of the antenne is sufficient to characterize this species: joints

7-10 are black, the terminal joint yellow ; joint 8 is small, but about as broad as long,

ninth joint elongate, a good deal longer than broad, tenth a little shorter than ninth,

eleventh a good deal smaller. Head broad. Thorax broad, but evidently narrower than

the elytra, very little curved at the sides, slightly narrowed behind; basal impressions

minute. Elytra yellow, with a fuscescent band behind the base. Metasternum not

foveolate. ‘Two specimens.

14. Tomarus ——?

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

It is well to mention the existence of two specimens similar to 7. alectus and

T. heterocerus in appearance, but having the sides of the thorax faintly crenulate. They

appear to represent two species, but are not in sufficiently good preservation for

descriptive purposes.

15. Tomarus lentus, sp. n.

Brevior, latus, subnudus, minus obsolete punctatus, fuscescens ; pedibus antennarumque basi et apice testaceis ;

prothorace fortiter transverso, basin versus angustato; elytris testaceo-quadriguttatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (H. H. Smith); Guaremaia, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

This little Zomarus may be distinguished by the short broad elytra, much narrowed

behind, by the small eyes, and on the under surface by the unimpressed metasternum,

which is finely margined between the middle coxe; the latter character separates

it entirely from the 7. discoideus group of species, to which, in general form and

the structure of the antenne, it bears most resemblance. Antenne rather small, joints

6-10 black ; club short. ‘Thorax strongly transverse, much narrower than the elytra,

distinctly narrowed behind, strongly lobed at the base in the middle, and with slight

indications of a transverse impression; distinctly punctured; basal fove absent.

Elytra distinctly punctured, shining, obscure fuscous, spotted with yellow at the

shoulders and just in front of the apex ; sutural stria absent. Three specimens.

EMPOCRYPTUS.—CCELOCRYPTUS. 593

EMPOCRYPTUS, gen. nov.

Corpus ovale, breve, convexum, pubescens. Pedes debiles, tarsi articulo 3° parum lobato. Thorax transversus,

haud impressus, lateribus multisinuatis.

The small Cryptophagid for which this genus is proposed connects the Telmato-

philine with the Cryptophagine, the third joint of the foot being only very slightly

prolonged beneath. Its facies is that of a convex Atomaria, with pubescence and

antenne more like those of Cryptophaqus. The head is small; the antennal club is

very abrupt and broad. ‘The sides of the thorax have numerous slight sinuations,

forming about six feeble lobes on each side. The middle coxe are rather widely

separated ; the suture between them straight, without any trace of a raised margin.

The hind coxe are also rather widely separated. The tarsi are quite slender, moderately

long; the fourth joint though small is distinct. The anterior acetabula are not closed

behind.

1. Empocryptus ovalis, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 13.)

Breviter ovalis, convexus, testaceo-ferrugineus, antennarum clava obscura ; elytris pube brevi vestitis, subtiliter

seriatim punctatis, versus apicem impunctatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne short, joints 4-8 small, club very abrupt, joints 9 and 10 being very

broad and short, terminal joint slightly smaller than the tenth and usually a little paler.

Head small. Thorax strongly transverse, rather narrower in front than behind; hind

angles rectangular, sharply marked. Elytra with a fine, rather dense, nearly erect

pubescence, and with distant series of very fine punctures, which entirely disappear on

the apical portion. Ventral segments densely, extremely finely, punctured. Epipleure

broad. Nine specimens.

CGiLOCRYPTUS, gen. nov.

Acetabula anteriora occlusa. Tarsi articulis 3° et 4° subtus lobatis, articulo 5° elongato. Coxe posteriores

latius distantes ; abdominis processus intercoxalis latus, subtruncatus.

On the upperside this genus most resembles Loberus, but may be distinguished from

it by the longer legs, and by the thorax being much narrower than the elytra and narrowed

behind. Owing to the anterior acetabula being broadly closed behind, the genus

cannot be placed near Loverus, but must find its position near Cryptophilus, Reitter,

which, notwithstanding its Cryptophagus-like facies, is placed by Dr. Ganglbauer in

the Biphylline. With Cryptophilus the present genus appears to have very little real

affinity.

The tarsi are 5-jointed ; on the hind foot the first joint is longer than the next, the

fourth joint is extremely small and can only with difficulty be detected; the third joint

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER,, Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1900. 4 G*

is prolonged under the terminal one to a great extent, and the first and second joints

are similarly formed, though their prolonged lobes are shorter. The front acetabula

are closed by a broad horizontally placed band.

The other characters are much the same as in Loberus, to which genus Celocryptus

would be very closely allied were it not for the closed acetabula.

1. Celocryptus mexicanus, sp. n.

Rufescens, pedibus testaceis, antennarum clava nigricante, elytris fuscescentibus, humeris dilutioribus ;

prothorace angusto, parce obsoleteque punctato; elytris breviter pubescentibus, obsolete punctatis, post

humeros ad marginem ipsam stria profunda crenata.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo (Flohr), Jalapa (Hége).

This insect is narrower than the other species of the genus. Antenne rather slender,

not elongate, the eighth joint rather smaller than the seventh, so that the club is very

abrupt, though it is not very broad ; the terminal joint is slightly paler than the two

preceding. Head narrower than thorax; the latter is much narrower than the elytra

and is slightly narrowed behind ; it is sparingly and rather obsoletely punctured, trans-

versely convex, and has a deep transverse impression in front of and very near to the base,

deeper at each extremity. The elytra are clothed with fine and short pubescence; the

apical portion is almost destitute of punctuation, but there is a slight punctuation on

the basal parts: just above, and touching, the lateral margin there is a series of fine

confluent punctures, forming a sort of minute crenulation; above this there is a short

longitudinal impression, varying greatly in its distinctness. Hoge sent twelve examples,

Flohr only one.

2. Celocryptus cognatus, sp. n.

Rufescens, pedibus testaceis, antennarum clava nigricante, elytris plus minusve vage fuscescentibus ; prothorace

angusto, parce punctato; elytris pubescentibus, subtiliter punctatis, post humeros ad marginem ipsam

stria crenulata.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

Very near C. mexicanus, but slightly larger, broader, and more depressed, with the

pubescence a little longer and the punctuation not quite so obsolete. Five specimens.

3. Celocryptus pallens, sp. n.

Rufo-testaceus, depressus; prothorace transverso, crebre subtiliter punctato; elytris pubescentibus, subtiliter

punctatis, post humeros ad marginem ipsam longitudinaliter impressis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guaremana, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Although closely allied to C. meaicanus and C. cognatus, this species will be very

easily distinguished by the more pallid coloration and the broader thorax. The

CH@LOCRYPTUS.—ANTHEROPHAGUS. 595

ventral segments are more densely and finely punctured, and the impression along the

margin of the elytra is rather broader, and when looked at laterally the sculpture in it

does not assume the appearance of crenulation. One example.

4. Celocryptus discedens, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 14.)

Sordide ferrugineus, antennis, pedibus elytrisque testaceis; antennis articulis 9° et 10° nigris; subtiliter

pubescens et punctatus, prothorace transverso.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Las Mercedes (Champion).

Although extremely similar to C. pallens, this insect differs from it in several

structural points and will no doubt form a distinct genus. ‘The legs are thicker, and

the tibie curiously formed, being dilated some little distance beyond the knee, and

towards the tip obliquely narrowed ; the middle coxe are more widely separated, the

tarsal lobes are shorter, and the transverse impression on the thorax subobsolete.

Antenne rather long, seventh joint perceptibly larger than the eighth or the sixth.

Thorax narrowed behind, with a fovea on each side in front of the base, the two being

connected by a rather vague transverse impression. Elytra with distinct fine punctua-

tion and pubescence, scarcely seriate ; longitudinally depressed along the lateral margin.

Under surface densely punctate.

Only one specimen was obtained of this interesting little insect. It is no doubt a —

male.

Subfam. CRY PTOPHAGINA..

In this subfamily the tarsi have no lobes, either appendicular or other. I place in it

certain forms in which the anterior acetabula are closed behind, though in most of the

genera they are open.

ANTHEROPHAGUS.

Antherophagus, Latreille, Régne Anim. éd. 2, iv. p. 507 (1829).

The few species of this genus are found in Europe and N. America; they are

probably associated with bees.

1. Antherophagus ochraceus.

Antherophagus ochraceus, Melsh. Proc. Acad. Phil. ii. p. 115".

Hab. Norra America, Pennsylvania}.—Mexico, Ciudad in Durango 8100 feet

(Forrer) ; GuatemaLa, Quezaltenango 7800 feet (Champion).

The two examples received are in a bad state of preservation. If distinct from the

North-American A. ochraceus, they are very near to it.

4 G* 2

596 CRYPTOPHAGIDE.

CRYPTOPHAGUS.

Cryptophagus, Herbst, Kafer, iv. p. 172 (1792).

This genus is represented by a large number of species in the Mediterranean region,

and by a much smaller number in North America. Although two specimens referable

to it are extant in our collections, I doubt whether they are natives of the Central-

American region, as these insects are carried about to a considerable extent in

straw, &c.

1. Cryptophagus ——?

Hab. Mexico, Mexico city (Forrer); Guaremata, Zapote (Champion).

The two specimens are probably not of one species, but owing to their condition

they cannot be determined with any certainty. The Mexican example has the

appearance of having been found dead, and the Guatemalan exponent is rather

immature. Possibly one or both were carried to the localities in which they were

found.

PSEUDHENOTICUS, gen. nov.

Prothorace margine laterali integro, leviter unduloso; tarsis articulis 1°-3™ brevibus, subtus vix lobatis,

articulo 4° parvo.

This genus is distinguished from both Cryptophagus and Henoticus by the peculiar

form of the thorax, and by the tarsi making a decided approximation to the Telmato-

philine structure, joints 1-3 being markedly different from the fourth and fifth.

I believe that the hind feet are 5-jointed in both sexes. .

1. Pseudhenoticus parallelus, sp. n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 15.)

Oblongus, ferrugineus, pedibus testaceis, thoracis medio antennisque (basi excepta) nigricantibus; pube subtili

erecta vestitus ; elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Var. Thorace concolore, antennis extrorsum fuscescentibus.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca (Champion).

Antenne stout, rather short, with very large and abrupt d-jointed club; joints

4-8 differing but little from one another, each scarcely so long as broad. Head with

a small fovea on the vertex, immediately in front of the edge of the thorax. Thorax

almost as broad as the elytra, very slightly narrowed in front, hind angles only slightly

obtuse ; the lateral margin much raised, and in outline irregular, being waved, the

front two irregularities of outline being more distinct than the others ; finely punctate,

without basal impressions. Elytra rather long and narrow, without a sutural stria,

PSEUDHENOTICUS.—HENOTICUS. 597

but with regular series of very fine punctures and with a slight punctuation on the

interstices; the fine, short pubescence is less depressed than is usual in the Crypto-

phagine. Whether the two specimens really belong to one species is somewhat

doubtful, as the example from Pefia Blanca, though smaller and with feebler legs,

has a more distinct punctuation on the interstices of the elytra. It may, however, be

a female of P. parallelus.

HENOTICUS.

Henoticus, Thomson, Skand. Col. x. p. 67 (1870).

This genus has hitherto included four or five rare species, one of these being from

Mexico and the others distributed in the Palearctic and Nearctic regions.

1. Henoticus monticola, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, crebrius pubescens, sat fortiter (nullo modo seriatim) punctatus ; elytris stria suturali subtili.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Quiché Mountains 9000 feet (Champion).

Antenne with large concolorous club. Thorax strongly transverse, narrower than

the elytra, moderately coarsely and not closely punctured, with the lateral serration

very sharp, rather large ; there is a basal impression on each side, the two impressions

being connected by a transverse depression close to the base. Elytra moderately

closely and coarsely punctured, with very distinct pubescence. One specimen.

This insect differs from the European H. serratus (Gyll.) by its larger size, clear

reddish colour, less coarse and deep punctuation, and longer and thinner legs, as well

as by the larger fourth joint of the hind feet.

2. Henoticus mexicanus.

Henoticus mexicanus, Reitter, Col. Hefte, xiii. p. 72 (1875) °.

Hab. Mexico }!.

From the description, this insect appears to be closely allied to H. monticola.

3, Henoticus compactus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, breviter pubescens, minus fortiter (nullo modo seriatim) punctatus ; elytris stria suturali

subtili.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Cahabon (Champion).

Of this species we have received only one example; it is a male, and differs from

H. monticola in its larger size and shorter pubescence, as well as in the structure of the

hind feet, the joints of which are strongly obliquely truncate, and the third furnished

598 CRYPTOPHAGIDZ.

beneath with hairs, giving rise to an appearance of this joint being lobed. The teeth

at the sides of the thorax are small. The fourth joint of the hind foot is not visible

in this male example. The metasternum is elongate.

4, Henoticus loberinus, sp. n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 16.)

Oblongo-ovalis, testaceus, antennarum clava fusca; parce subtiliter punctatus; prothorace transverso, antice

angustato, lateribus minute crenatis ; elytris subtiliter pubescentibus, stria suturali subtilissima, sutura

anguste fuscescente.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Quezaltenango 7800 feet (Champion).

Antenne moderately short, club large, abrupt, joints 9 and 10 strongly transverse.

Head coarsely punctate, much narrower than the thorax. Thorax narrower than the

elytra, nearly twice as broad as long, a good deal narrowed in front, the lateral margin

minutely serrate; punctuation rather fine; a definite punctiform fovea contiguous with

the basal margin on each side, this margin strongly raised in the middle. Elytra with

fine punctuation and very short pubescence, neither of which is seriate. Metasternum

with a large fovea at the most anterior and outer part of its lateral lobe. One specimen.

This is a very distinct species, and will perhaps form a separate genus. The legs

are slender, the fourth joint of the hind tarsus is very little smaller than the third

joint and is not at all lobed beneath. The specimen is probably a male, as the

basal joints of the front feet are slightly enlarged. If it be really a male, the

conspicuously 5-jointed hind feet would make the insect a different genus from the

European type.

PHAROXONOTHA.

Pharoxonotha, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1875, Heft iii. p. 44.

The only species described of this genus was originally found in drugs in Silesia, and

was said by Reitter to occur also in Mexico.

1. Pharoxonotha kirschi.

Pharoxonotha kirschii, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1875, Heft iii. p. 44’.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).—Evrops!.

OTHNIOCRYPTUS, gen. nov.

Tarsi sat graciles, elongati, 5-articulati, articulo 3° nullo modo lobato, 4° parvo libero. Acetabula anteriora

late aperta. Coxe omnes equaliter distantes. Abdomen segmentis quinque ventralibus inter se

zequaliter elongatis.

The species for which this genus is established bears very little resemblance to

ordinary Cryptophagide, and has rather the appearance of certain Othniide or Myceto-

OTHNIOCRYPTUS.—HOLOSTERNUS. 599

phagide. The existence of a distinct, though small, true fourth joint on all the feet

removes it, however, from those families, while the unusually short first ventral

segment separates it from the majority of Cryptophagine. The antenne have an

abrupt three-jointed club. The last joint of the labial palpi is small. The front cox

are rather small, oval, not prominent, separated by a rather broad space which

projects behind as a free process; the side-pieces are produced very little inwards.

The tibiz and tarsi are slender, the former without any (except most minute) spines.

The basal three joints of the feet are but little elongate, the first of them rather longer

than the second; on the hind feet the basal joint is more elongate. ‘The first ventral

segment is but little longer than the apical one.

1. Othniocryptus variegatus, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 17.)

Testaceus, pube depressa irregulariter vestitus ; dense punctatus, irregulariter fusco-variegatus.

-Long. 4 millim. °

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne moderately long, second and third joints subequal, the third a little the

longer and more slender, the fifth and seventh slightly longer than the sixth and eighth ;

club broad, rather laxly articulated. Head large. Thorax rather narrower than the

elytra, a little curved at the sides, about equally broad in front and at the base, lateral

and basal margins fine, but quite distinct. Elytra evenly punctured all over, without

the slightest sign of any serial arrangement of the sculpture.

The variegation is caused, to a large extent, by the hair, which differs in colour and

arrangement here and there. The coloration is, however, evidently variable: on the

elytra it consists of darker transverse bands, very irregular, and, with the exception of

one or two, much broken up. Two specimens.

HOLOSTERNUS, gen. nov.

Corpus elongatum, nudum. Antenne breves; clava abrupta, triarticulata. Tarsi 5-articulati, articulis basalibus

tribus subsequalibus, brevibus haud lobatis, subtus setosis; articulo 4° libero, 5° elongato. Coxee omnes

parum distantes, posterioribus processu tenui, acuminato separatis, Abdomen segmento primo secundo

paullo longiore. Prosternum elongatum, suture prosternales obsolete.

This and the following genus are closely allied. They differ from the normal

Cryptophagine in their facies, which suggests an alliance with Rhizophagine, to which

group they approximate considerably by the structure of the feet and legs, but from

which they differ in several characters of greater importance. The prosternum in

front of the coxe is large. The front coxe are very minute, globular, placed quite at

the back of the prosternum, separated only by a very small process, between which

and the middle cox a wide space intervenes; the acetabula are not closed behind.

The middle coxe are also small and globular, and are externally surrounded only by

600 CRYPTOPHAGIDA.

the lobes of the meso- and metasternum, without the intervention of any side-piece. The

metasternum is elongate. The first ventral segment is, behind the coxe, slightly longer

than the second, which itself is scarcely longer than the third; this and the fourth and

fifth are of about equal length, The epipleure are narrow. The palpi are small; the

terminal joints are not enlarged, that of the maxillary pair twice as long as the preceding.

The tibie are slender, a little larger towards the tip, which externally is angular.

1. Holosternus distans, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 18.)

Subdepressus, pallide ferrugineus, nitidus, crebre punctatus ; elytris seriatim punctatis; prothorace sub-

quadrato, haud impresso.

Long. 3-33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Eyes scarcely convex. Thorax subquadrate, nearly straight at the sides, front angles

depressed, obscure, rounded; lateral margin extremely fine, basal margin scarcely

visible, hind angles rectangular; surface moderately finely and closely punctured,

without any trace of impressions. Elytra with regular series of fine punctures, the

sutural one of which terminates behind as a stria, the outer strie quite obsolete ; the

interstices sparingly punctate. Under surface rather more coarsely punctured than

the upper, especially on the prosternum ; the punctuation not so coarse towards the

hinder extremity, especially on the last ventral segment. Two specimens.

ANEPSICUS, gen. nov.

Characteres fere generis Holosterni, prosterni suturis profundis discedit.

Although very closely allied to Holosternus, I think this must be a distinct genus,

the prosternum being shorter and the oblique sutures limiting it remarkably definite.

All the coxe are very slightly separated, and the small size of the front pair and of the

prosternal process between them is remarkable.

This genus is one of several that indicate that the condition of the anterior acetabula

as regards their being open or closed is of very little importance in this family.

In Anepsicus the minute prosternal process is greatly bent up behind, and the tips of

the side-pieces come very close to it without actually touching it. In Trogocryptus

the side-pieces reach the prosternal process. |

1. Anepsicus brunneus, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 19.)

Parallelus, nitidus, ferrugineo-testaceus ; prothorace subquadrato, margine laterali inconspicuo; elytris seriatim

punctatis.

Long. 2-23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo (Flohr); Guatemaa, Sinanja in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne small, the eighth joint transverse though small, the club nevertheless abrupt.

ANEPSLCUS.—CISSOCRYPTUS. 601

Head rather small, finely punctured; eyes a little convex, contiguous with the thorax.

Thorax broader than long, slightly narrowed behind, transversely convex, the basal and

lateral margins extremely indistinct, the latter placed (in front) low down so as to be

concealed ; anterior angles very much rounded, hinder angles very obtuse; surface

shining, not at all impressed, only finely punctured. Elytra with regular series of fine

punctures, the inner one of which develops behind into a fine stria, while the outer

series are obsolete ; interstices not punctured. Legs feeble. Under surface with very

little punctuation. Three specimens.

CISSOCRYPTUS, gen. nov.

Antenne breves, 11-articulate; clava magna, abrupta, triarticulata. Tarsi 5-articulati; articulis basalibus

tribus parum elongatis, articulo 4° tenuiore, parum elongato, precedentibus simul sumtis subequali,

Abdomine segmento primo ventrali secundo longiore, segmentis 2°-5™ equalibus brevibus. Coxze poste-

riores processu sat lato, acuminato, disjuncte.

The single species referred to this genus bears a certain resemblance to various

Cioide, but I think it is really allied to the preceding (Anepsicus &c.), from which

indeed, so far as I can see, it is distinguished only by a number of characters of

subordinate importance. We have only one example, and it is in a very indifferent

state of preservation.

The shape of this insect recalls to some extent the genus (is; it is less elongate than

the allied forms. ‘The labrum is free and conspicuous. The terminal joints of the

palpi are not broad. The prosternum is large, its anterior lateral sutures only

moderately distinct. The front coxe are very small, not prominent, placed quite at

the back of the prosternum ; the process separating them is slender, and is bent up

immediately behind them. ‘The side-pieces approach very near to this process, if they

do not actually touch it. The middle coxe are circular, not prominent, moderately

distant ; the metasternum is moderately long. The femora project but little beyond

the sides of the body. The external apical angles of the tibie are well marked, but

not prominent.

- 1. Cissocryptus insolitus, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 20.)

_ Parum elongatus, piceus, antennarum basi pedibusque testaceis; prothorace subquadrato, basi et lateribus

subtiliter marginatis, angulis anterioribus obtusis, posterioribus fere rectis, sat crebre fortiter punctato,

disco bi-impresso ; elytris seriatim subtiliter punctatis.

‘Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Antenne rather short, joints 4-8 small, the eighth transverse ; the terminal three

form a broad abrupt club, the ninth and tenth being strongly transverse. Head broad,

feebly punctate, the epistome impressed on each side. Thorax almost as broad as

the elytra, very slightly curved at the sides and little narrowed behind. Elytra rather

short, with distinct series of punctures, the inner of which becomes a stria at the tip;

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1900. _ 4 H*

602 . CRYPTOPHAGID.

there is very little interstitial punctuation. Prosternum, mesosternum, sides of the

metasternum, and ventral segments closely punctate. One specimen.

TROGOCRYPTUS, gen. nov.

Corpus elongatum, parallelum, nudum, transversim convexum. Tibi a versus latiores, angulo externo

arguto, spinuloso. Tarsi 5-articulati; articulis basalibus tribus brevibus, subtus setosis, articulo quarto

parvo, quinto elongato. Acetabula anteriora anguste occlusa.

The insect for which this genus is established has given me much trouble. In

working through our clavicorn beetles I have endeavoured to introduce it into several

families, but without success, and I can suggest no position for it except amongst the

aberrant Cryptophagine. We have only one specimen. It looks more like a small

Trogositid than an ally of Cryptophagus.

The palpi are small, their terminal joints simple. The prosternum is large, the

anterior lateral sutures very distinct. ‘The front coxe are very small, placed quite at

the back of the prosternum, not more prominent than the small prosternal process :

this is very slender between the coxe, but immediately behind them is abruptly bent

upwards, and its concealed termination is broader, so that the angles touch the tips of

the prothoracic side-pieces, though there is no union between them. ‘The middle coxee

are not broadly separated ; the metasternum forms an angular process between them.

The mesosternal epimera are excluded from the acetabula bya sort of broad margin of

the mesosternum ; the coxe, though globular, are rather large. The metasternum is

elongate. The five ventral segments are subequal in length. The legs are short and

stout. The epipleuree are very narrow. ‘The femora scarcely extend beyond the

sides of the body. The tibiz are broad and spinose at the tip. The tarsi have the

basal joints but little thicker than the terminal.

This insect and the preceding genus (Cissocryptus) have a very important bearing on

the classification of the clavicorn series of Coleoptera, and it is a matter for sincere regret

that each of them is at present known by only a single example.

1. Trogocryptus nigripectus, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 21.)

Flavescens, prothorace medio sternisque nigris, antennis extrorsum fuscescentibus; prothorace polito, sparsim

P) DS ] 2 2 P

punctato, margine laterali subtilissima, fere occulta; elytris seriatim punctatis.

Long. 43 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cahabon (Champion).

Antenne short, the club abrupt, the ninth and tenth joints being strongly transverse.

Head very feebly punctured, bearing two large depressions transversely placed ; eyes

rather small, but convex; clypeus emarginate in front; labrum large, rounded in front.

Thorax about as long as broad, with the angles greatly rounded, the basal and lateral

margins very fine, the lateral one placed low down and, in front especially, difficult to

see; an obscure depression on each side some little distance in front of the base; the

TROGOCRYPTUS.—EPHISTEMUS. 603

surface very polished and shining, pallid, with a black mark along the middle, the few

punctures concentrated on each side of the middle. Elytra with very distinct series

of punctures, the internal series becoming an impressed stria behind. Abdominal

segments almost impunctate. Mesosternum strongly punctate, as are also the sides of

the prosternum proper and of the metasternum. One specimen.

Subfam. ATOM ARIINA.

CNOSCELIS.

Cenoscelis, Thomson, Skand. Col. v. p. 266 (1863).

This genus is found in both the Palearctic and Nearctic regions, but includes only

three or four species, and appears to be everywhere rare.

1. Cznoscelis optata sp. n.

Ferruginea, subtiliter pubescens ; prothorace haud transverso, crebre fortiter punctato, ante basin depresso ;

antennis sat crassis, clava biarticulata.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Antenne with third joint small, not much more than half as long as the second ;

ninth joint but little larger than the eighth. Thorax long, shining, coarsely and not

densely punctured, with a broad impression at the base in the middle. Elytra finely

punctate and pubescent. One specimen.

Extremely similar to the European C. ferruginea, Sahlb., but readily distinguished

from it by the coarser thoracic sculpture.

EPHISTEMUS.

Ephistemus, Stephens, Hl. Brit. Ent., Mandib. ii. p. 167 (1829); Ganglbauer, Kaif. Mitteleurop.

iii. p. 737.

This genus consists, as limited by Dr. Ganglbauer, of two European and one North-

American species. One is known to me from within our limits.

1. Ephistemus distans, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexus, niger, nitidus; antennis pedibusque flavis, illis clava nigra.

Long. 1 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Aceituno, Zapote (Champion).

This minute insect is almost free from sculpture and very polished. The upper

surface is unicolorous black, the head being reddish only about the mouth-parts. ‘he

outline is quite continuous, the thorax and elytra are very accurately united, the base

of the thorax sloping on each side to form an angle in front of the scutellum, and the

shoulder of the elytra (seen from the side) appearing to slightly overlap the base of the

4* 2

604 CRYPTOPHAGID.

thorax. The antenne are yellow, but the broad and abrupt three-jointed club is dark.

The yellow legs are extremely slender and rather long. Four specimens.

Compared with the European #. gyrinoides, Marsh., this is a very distinct species,

the form being rather broader and flatter, the legs more slender, and the club of the

antenne black. I have not seen EL. apicalis, Lec., the North-American species of

the genus, but it has the elytra red behind and the antenne entirely yellow.

Subfam. BIPHYLLINA.

This subfamily has consisted up to the present time of about a dozen species; the

large series of forms found in our region is therefore remarkable and unexpected.

The position of these insects has been the subject of prolonged difference of opinion.

I here follow Dr. Ganglbauer in placing them with the Cryptophagide, as they have

but little affinity with Mycetophagide. ‘The Biphylline are specially characterized by

the structure of the feet, which are 5-jointed, the third joint being furnished at the

tip with a free membranous appendage. They are singularly uniform in the structure

of the sternal pieces, and the generic characters are to be found in the details of

structure of the antenne and feet, and in the peculiar lines and impressions found on

the metasternum and abdomen.

The group is probably richer than is at present believed, as I possess undescribed

forms from Borneo and Australia.

GONICCELUS, gen. nov.

Metasternum utrinque linea post-coxali profunde impressa, elongata, posterius longius ducta.

I place in this genus a considerable number and variety of forms closely allied to

Diplocelus, but agreeing in the possession of very strongly marked elongate lines

behind the middle cox. This is the only character I can detect common to all the

species and at the same time foreign to Diplocelus. ‘The club of the antenna is always

3-jointed, and exhibits in no case any tendency to approach that of Biphyllus. The

pair of lines between the hind coxe is present in a highly developed form, as in all

the Biphyllinz I have seen ; but there is no trace of the line behind the coxa going

to the outer margin of the abdomen, and this distinguishes Gonicelus from several

others of the subfamily.

The first division of the genus includes several remarkable forms in which the

head or the thorax, or both, is armed with projections or horns. I have long had

in my collection a specimen of this kind and had not suspected its close affinity with

Diplocelus, but the long series of species brought together by our Editors places the

position of these forms beyond doubt.

I divide the species of Gonicelus into three groups, the third of which contains

numerous small and obscure forms very closely allied, but in some cases with peculiar

GONICGLUS. | 605

structures on the head in the male sex. These prominences apparently offer good

specific characters, but cannot be used for making a further division of the genus. I

may, however, call attention to a slight but valuable character for the distinction of

certain species :—When the scutellum is so broad and short as to appear merely like a

raised line, there is usually a slight depression extending a little way on each side of

it, and giving rise to the appearance of a short margin at the base of the elytra; but

when the scutellum is not so extremely short (in G. hystrix, e. g.) there is no trace of

this spurious basal margin.

Group I.—Comparatively large insects, scarcely ever less than 5 millim. in length; the

head or thorax, or both, armed in the male sex with prominences or even horns;

the front tibiz unemarginate at the base.—Species 1-8.

1. Gonicelus unicornis, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 22, 3.)

Ovalis, parum convexus, piceus, nitidus, elytris seriatim fortiter punctatis, pubescentia suberecta sat dense

vestitis ; prothorace dorso nitido, anterius in medio tantum parce et subtiliter punctato.

Long. 5-54 millim.

Mas, prothoracis margine anteriore cornu decurvato armata; capite utrinque plicato-elevato, inter elevationes

impunctato.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

3000 feet, Boquete, Bugaba (Champion).

This species is distinguished by the less convex form and by the very shining middle

portion of the thorax. At the sides of the thorax there are numerous very coarse

punctures, not separated into groups by any distinct smooth spaces; the hind angles

are acute and very definite. ‘The elytra are furnished with very numerous sete, which

do not hide the sculpture or prevent the surface from appearing shining; the punctures

of the series are large except near the suture, and the interstitial punctuation is distinct.

The sculpture of the under surface is excessively fine and the ventral intercoxal lines

are very fine.

In the female the anterior-marginal line of the thorax is distinct in the middle and a

little angularly sinuate there. Twenty-three specimens. Two females from Caldera are

aberrant and may possibly belong to another species.

2. Gonicelus tricornis, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexus, nigricans; elytris seriatim fortiter punctatis, pubescentia suberecta sat dense vestitis ;

prothorace dorso elevato, anterius in medio fortiter punctato, angulis anterioribus minus longe productis.

Long. 5 millim.

Mas, prothorace in medio cornu (basi crassa) decurvato; capite utrinque cornu acuminato, breviore armato.

Fem. prothorace linea marginali in medio interrupta.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This remarkable little insect is distinguished from G. unicornis by the less prolonged

606 CRYPTOPHAGIDA.

anterior angles of the thorax, and by the less coarse lateral punctuation, as well as by

differences of the male and female characters. One pair.

3. Gonicelus relictus, sp. n.

[Femina.| Ovalis, parum convexus, nigricans, nitidus; elytris seriatim sat fortiter punctatis, pubescentia

suberecta minus elongata sat dense vestitis; prothorace dorso punctato, linea marginali in medio

interrupta.

Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Although we have received only a single female of this species its characters are

sufficiently distinctive. It is the most elongate of this group, and in shape is very

similar to G. unicornis: from the female of that species it is readily distinguished by

the punctate disc of the thorax and the interruption of the anterior-marginal line ;

while from the female of G. tricornis the more elongate form, the comparatively smooth

head, the longer front angles of the thorax, and the disc of the thorax flatter and more

evenly punctured, render it sufficiently distinct. The sides of the head are more

elevated over the insertion of the antenne than they are in the allied species, and we

may anticipate that the male will prove to have this part still more peculiarly formed.

4, Gonicelus rudis, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexus, nigricans; elytris seriatim fortiter punctatis, pubescentia suberecta sat dense vestitis ;

prothorace dorso elevato, anterius in medio fortiter punctato.

Long. 53-6 millim.

Mas, capite ineequali, vertice in medio subtuberculato, utrinque vix plicatim elevato.

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion).

Although very similar to G. wnicornis, this species is on comparison readily distin-

guished by the more elevated, less polished disc of the thorax ; this elevation causes

the angular fovea on each side of it to be larger and deeper. The anterior-marginal

line of the thorax is uninterrupted in the middle and straight. The head of the male

is very different from that of G. unicornis, and the thoracic horn is absent. The coxal

lines of the abdomen are very distinct.

5. Gonicelus germanus, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexus, nigricans; elytris seriatim fortiter punctatis, pubescentia suberecta sat dense vestitis ;

prothorace dorso elevato, anterius in medio fortiter punctato.

Long. 53-6 millim. .

Mas, capite ineequali, vertice in medio tuberculato, post tuberculum canaliculato ; prothorace margine anteriore

rude discreto, in medio tuberculo minuto acuminato.

Fem. linea marginali in medio obsoleta.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Although extremely similar to G. rudis, this species is readily distinguished by the

GONICGLUS. | 607

tubercle on the head of the male being divided behind and the division continued

backward as an obscure channel in which a very minute angular projection from the

middle of the front margin of the thorax plays. The female may be identified by the

interruption in the middle of the marginal impressed line of the thorax: in this

character it agrees, I believe, with the female of G. tricornis. Five specimens.

6. Gonicelus brevicollis, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, parum conyexus, niger, nitidus, fortiter punctatus; elytris fortiter seriatim punctatis, pube

erecta minus dense vestitis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Tuxtla (Sallé).

Differs from G. mexicanus in the much coarser punctuation, narrower form, more

scanty pubescence, and rather shorter antenne. It is still closer to G. germanus, but

has a shorter and more coarsely punctate thorax, the anterior-marginal line of which is

straight in the middle, and the hind angles not acute. The three species are similar

in the male characters. In the male of G. brevicollis the projection from the thoracic

marginal line is extremely minute, and the discoidal tubercle of the head is well

marked. It is not improbable that this is a small form of G. yermanus, notwithstanding

the shorter thorax. The two specimens are in a bad state of preservation.

7. Gonicelus mexicanus, sp. n.

Latior, ovalis, subdepressus, nigricans, sat nitidus ; antennis piceis, pedibus piceo-rufis; prothorace disco crebrius

subtiliter punctato, punctis lateralibus parum numerosis ; elytris dense vestitis, seriebus punctorum quatuor

prope suturam persubtilibus.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

Rather larger than G. wnicornis, and readily distinguished by the different sculpture

of the thorax and the very fine series of punctures on the middle of the elytra. The

antenne are unusually long, the club very abrupt and the sete on it unusually long.

Thorax very broad in proportion to the length, much narrowed in front, hind angles

acute; it is rather closely and finely punctured on the middle from front to base, and

the larger lateral punctures are less numerous and distinct than usual; the crenation

of the lateral margin is very fine. ‘The outer series of punctures on the elytra are rather

coarse, but the internal ones become progressively finer, so that the one near the

suture is almost obliterated. The under surface is formed and sculptured almost as in

G. unicornis. _

We have received only one specimen of this fine species; it is doubtless a male.

The head is broad and short, the eyes large; on the middle there is a tubercle, from

which a channel proceeds backward; on the thorax there is a small angular projection

of the middle in front, received into a depression on the head as in G. germanus. This

608 CRYPTOPHAGID.

species is readily distinguished from G. germanus by the broader less convex form and

the fine punctuation of the elytra.

8. Gonicelus celatus, sp. n.

Ovalis, parum convexus, nigricans; antennarum basi pedibusque rufis; prothorace parum clongato, angulis

anterioribus brevibus, posterioribus vix acutis; elytris pube suberecta dense vestitis, seriatim minus

fortiter punctatis.

Long. 44 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Very similar in form to G. unicornis, but readily distinguished by the anterior

marginal line of the thorax being broadly interrupted in the centre. ‘The head has a

small tubercle on the middle. The thorax has the front angles but little prominent,

and the hind angles are almost rectangular; there is much coarse punctuation at the

sides, the disc is rather convex and has some larger punctures scattered amongst the

fine punctuation. The scutellum is very distinct. The inner series of punctures on

the elytra are very fine. The under surface is very similar to that of G. unicornis.

Three examples.

The individual above described is no doubt a male; the other two specimens have

no distinct tubercle on the middle of the head. The smaller size, shorter thorax, and

the finer inner series of punctures readily distinguish this species from the female of

G. germanus.

Group 2.—Comparatively large insects, scarcely ever less than 5 millim. in length ; the

head armed at most with a tubercle; the front tibie emarginate at the base,

strongly in the male, slightly in the female.—Species 9-19.

9. Gonicelus hirtus, sp. n.

Minus elongatus, ovalis, convexus, rufus, pube suberecta, elongata, concolore sat dense vestitus ; prothorace

basi elytris paulo angustiore, ante scutellum impresso, dorso subtiliter punctato; elytris seriatim fortiter

punctatis.

Long. 42 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This Gonicelus appears to be by no means closely allied to any but the following

one. We have received only a single male; in sculpture and clothing it is more

nearly allied to G. celatus and its allies, but by the male-characters it comes nearer to

the G. parnoides group of species. The antenne are short. The prothoracic anterior

marginal line is deep at the sides, but broadly interrupted in the middle. The shape

of the prothorax is peculiar: it is not very much broader near the hind angles than it

is in front, but it is a little sinuate at the sides behind, so that the angles are directed

a little outward and are minutely acute; the crenulation of the lateral margins and

the sculpture at the sides are coarse, the dividing smooth spaces being very indistinct.

GONICCELUS. 609

The prosternal process is broader than usual and slightly flexed upwards. The

sculpture of the flanks of the thorax is quite fine, as in G. wnicornis. The metasternal

channel is short and fine.

The unique individual appears to be, as I have said, a male: but this is not certain.

There is no armature on the head and the excision at the base of the front tibia is

smaller than it is in the male sex of G. parnoides and its immediate allies.

10. Gonicelus cultratus, sp. n.

Minus elongatus, ovalis, convexus, rufus, pube sat elongata suberecta vestitus, fortiter punctatus ; prothorace

seriatim, fortiter, parce punctato.

Long. 43 millim.

Hah. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 feet (Champion).

This is another species of which we have received only a single example. Though

G. cultratus bears a certain resemblance to G. hirtus, it is really very distinct from it,

and is characterized by the fact that the prosternum on the middle is marked with

impressed lines that do not extend to the extremity of the process, nor do they reach

the front of the prosternum. ‘The individual appears to be a male; it has a very

minute tubercle on the middle of the head; the base of the front tibia, as in G. hirtus,

has only a small excision, but, unlike that species, the correlative cultriform process at

the extremity of the femur is unusually largely developed. ‘The antenne are short.

The thorax is much narrowed in front, there is much coarse punctuation at the sides,

the disc is convex, but is slightly longitudinally depressed on the middle, and on the

median area has rather numerous coarse punctures subseriately arranged. The

punctures of the elytra are rather large and distinct. The sculpture of the flanks of

the prothorax is fine and regular. The prosternal process is a little bent upwards.

The metasternal channel is fine and moderately deep.

11. Gonicelus longicornis, sp. n.

Ovalis, elongatus, posterius attenuatus, sat convexus, pube brevi dense vestitus, piceus ; antennis pedibusque

rufis; prothorace punctis majoribus minus seriatis, ante scutellum impresso; elytris seriebus punctorum

minus grossis.

Long. 64 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champzon).

Although we have only females of this species, I must consider it as distinct from

G. parnoides, from the corresponding sex of which it differs as follows:—the antenne

are much longer, the marginal line of the thorax is quite distinct in the middle, and

the smooth spaces near the sides of the thorax are indefinite. On the under surface

the prosternal process is strongly bent upwards, and the metasternal channel is only

fine. |

This is undoubtedly a very distinct species, the much longer antenne distinguish it

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, Apré/ 1900. 4[*

610 CRYPTOPHAGIDZ.

from all the preceding and many of the following species, and the last joint of the

labial palpus is remarkably large. The emargination of the front tibia is scarcely

perceptible. ‘Two specimens.

12. Gonicelus mediocris, sp. n.

Anguste ovalis, posterius attenuatus, sat convexus, pube brevi dense vestitus, piceus ; antennis pedibusque

dilutioribus ; prothorace ad latera punctis majoribus seriatis, ante scutellum profunde impresso ; elytris

seriebus punctorum minus grossis.

Long. 5} millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Eyes projecting but little laterally. Thorax rather long, the anterior angles not very

prominent, the posterior angles rectangular ; the anterior marginal line not interrupted ;

the coarse punctuation at the sides consists of very numerous but not very large

punctures and is somewhat indistinctly divided by longitudinal smooth spaces; the disc

is rather finely punctate, and there is a broad depression in front of the scutellum.

The flanks of the prothorax are almost destitute of sculpture.

The shorter pubescence readily distinguishes this species from many others; this, in

conjunction with the extremely fine sculpture of the flanks of the prothorax, separates

it from most of the allied forms. ‘There is a very slight emargination of the inner edge

of the front tibia below the knee. One specimen, probably a female.

13. Gonicelus parnoides, sp. n. (Tab. XVIII. figg. 23, ¢ ; 23a, front

tibia and tarsus, ¢ .)

Ovalis, posterius attenuatus, sat convexus, pube brevi dense vestitus, piceus ; antennis pedibusque rufis ;

prothorace ad latera punctis majoribus seriatis ; elytris seriebus punctorum minus grossis.

Long. 53-6 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

This species is similar to G. mediocris in many respects, but it has the prosternal

process more bent and the channel on the metasternum remarkably deep. On the

upperside, the best characters for distinguishing the two are the broader head and

more prominent eyes, and the less deep impression in front of the scutellum of

G. parnoides; it has also the anterior marginal line of the thorax indistinct in the

middle. The antenne are long. Thorax with the anterior angles little prolonged, the

posterior angles acute; the longitudinal spaces dividing the punctate lateral area are

very strongly developed; the disc is but little punctate. The male is rather larger and

broader in front than the female; the head is more coarsely punctate, and has the

middle of the front part more raised. The front tibia have in the male a large deep

excavation below the knee, while in the female they have a smaller one and are not so

nearly simple as in the female of G. mediocris. One male, two females.

GONICCELUS. 611

14. Gonicelus latus, sp. n.

Ovalis, latus, subtus convexus, nigricans ; corpore pube densa vestito; prothorace punctis majoribus paucis ;

elytris fere obsolete seriatim punctatis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab, Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This is a very distinct species, on account of the broad form, the dense pubescence,

and the more obsolete sculpture. It appears, however, to be structurally very near to

G. parnoides. The antenne are rather long. ‘he thorax is large, the front angles but

little produced, the hind angles slightly acute; the marginal line is not interrupted

in front, and is continued along the sides for half their length in a definite manner ;

there is a depression in front of the scutellum; near the hind angles there are a few

(10 or 12) large punctures: this is all the sculpture, the surface being clothed with fine

pubescence. A similar clothing obscures the sculpture of the elytra, but the series of

punctures are very distinct at thesides. ‘The flanks of the prothorax show no sculpture,

only a fine pubescence. The prosternal process is rather broad between the coxa and

is bent upwards. ‘The metasternum is convex, its channel fine.

One female. It has a small but very definite excision of the front tibia below the

knee.

15. Gonicelus guatemalenus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, sat convexus, pube brevi vestitus, niger ; antennis pedibusque piceis ; prothorace minus subtiliter

punctato, punctis majoribus versus latera minus discrete seriatis; elytris seriebus punctorum minus

grossis ; metasterno late profundeque impresso.

Long. 63 millim.

_ Hab. Guatemaa, El Tumbador (Champion).

We have received only one specimen of this fine species; it is a male. Allied to

G. parnoides, from which it is readily distinguished by the black colour, the different

thoracic sculpture, and the remarkably large impression on the metasternum. The

flanks of the prothorax have a very fine sculpture, and there are also some larger but

subobsolete punctures on this part. The prothorax has a somewhat coarse punctuation

on the front part, the lateral punctures are not very large, and the smooth spaces between

them are not very definite and but little convex ; the anterior margin is distinct in the

middle ; the front angles are short, the hind angles rectangular. The inner series of

punctures on the elytra are distinct, though fine. The head and front legs are formed

in the male much as they are in G. parnoides.

16. Gonicelus vestitus, sp. n.

Ovalis, parum convexus, piceus, pube pallidiore elongata vestitus; antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace

minore, elytris paullo angustiore ; elytris seriebus punctorum internis distinctis.

Long. 53 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé) ; Guaremata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

41* 2

612 CRYPTOPHAGIDZ.

This is easily distinguished from all the other species of Gonicelus, G. securiger

excepted, by the long pallid pubescence of the upper surface, which is conspicuous even

on the head and thorax. The head is small, the antenne long. ‘The thorax is short,

and at the base is slightly narrower than the elytra; the hind angles are rectangular ;

the marginal line is distinct in the middle in front; the basal margin is dilated in

front of the scutellum ; the few coarse punctures at the sides behind are not separated

by depressions or elevations. ‘The last joint of the labial palpus is very large, but not

securiform. The flanks of the thorax have no large punctures. The prosternal process

is narrow and much bent upwards.

‘Two specimens; the head is quite destitute of elevations and the, front tibie are

simple: they may both be females.

17. Gonicelus securiger, sp. n.

Ovalis, parum convexus, piceus, pube pallidiore elongata vestitus ; antennis pcdibusque rufis ; prothorace

minore, elytris paullo angustiore ;, elytris seriebus punctorum internis obsoletis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Very similar to G. vestitus, but with numerous distinctive characters, and very

remarkable by the excessive development of the last joint of the labial palpi, which is

extremely broad and securiform. ‘Thoracic marginal line subobsolete in front. Antenne

unusually long and slender, the club loosely articulated.

Two specimens: they bear no indication of their sex.

18. Gonicelus hystrix, sp. n.

Anguste ovalis, parum convexus, niger, pube elongata erecta concolore vestitus ; antennis pedibusque rufis vel

piceis ; prothorace elytris fere angustiore, dorso irregulariter fortiter punctato ; elytris seriebus internis

punctorum minus obsoletis.

151 milli

Long. 43-54 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Cordova (Sallé).

This species is distinguished from all the preceding by the numerous coarse punctures

on the under surface of the body, and by their especially large development on the

flanks of the thorax ; it is also remarkable by the straight, upright, setiform pubescence.

The antenne are moderately long. The head is coarsely punctate, without any

tubercles. ‘he thorax is small, the front angles very little produced, the marginal

line very distinct in the middle in front, the hind angles rectangular, the basal margin

not dilated in front of the scutellum; the coarse lateral punctuation is extensive, and

there is much rather coarse punctuation on the middle. Prosternal process narrow,

much bent upwards.

Eleven specimens; there is a slight emargination of the front tibia, but I do not

find any sexual distinctions. |

GONICGLUS. 613

19. Gonicelus championi, sp. n.

Anguste ovalis, parum covexus, piceus, pube elongata erecta vestitus ; antennis pedibusque rufis; prothorace

elytris fere angustiore, dorso irregulariter fortiter punctato; elytris seriebus internis punctorum minus

obsoletis.

Long. 5 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

We have received only one example of this species. It is a male, and differs from

(7. hystrix in having a fine pliciform tubercle on the middle of the head near the front,

and two extremely minute angular projections on the middle of the front margin of the

thorax ; the emargination of the front tibia is more definite and the larger punctures

on the metasternum are much less conspicuous.

Group 3.—Small insects, never attaining 5 millim. in length, rarely 34 or 4; the head

of the male sometimes armed, but the front tibiae never emarginate. The anterior

marginal line of the thorax usually less distinct than it is in the first two groups.

—Species 20-38.

20. Gonicelus throscoides, sp. n.

Ovalis, posterius attenuatus, convexus, niger, antennis pedibusque rufis, pube flavescente depressa vestitus;

prothorace elytrisque subtilius punctatis.

Long. 32 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Head very little punctate. Thorax accurately adapted to the elytra, much narrowed

in front; marginal line definite and very distinct in its deflected sides; the coarse

lateral punctuation much finer than in the species of Group 2; the hind angles are

a little acute; the basal margin is very fine and indistinct. ‘The series of punctures on

the elytra are unusually fine, and the dense fine pubescence is more depressed than

usual. The flanks of the prothorax are very densely, but finely sculptured. The

pubescence of the under surface is extremely fine and minute. ‘The metasternum is

almost destitute of a channel. One specimen.

Although this insect has no striking peculiarities it does not appear to be closely

allied to any except the following species. ‘The definite anterior marginal line of the

thorax and the somewhat larger size suggest that G. throscoides may prove, when the

male is known, to come near some of the species placed at the head of the genus; but

I think it more probable that it is really allied to G. sudtilis. It is distinguished from

that species by the complete absence of a depression extending laterally from the angles

of the scutellum.

21. Gonicelus subtilis, sp. n.

Ovalis, posterius attenuatus, sat convexus, niger, antennis pedibusque rufis, pube flavescente vestitus 3 pro-

614 CRYPTOPHAGID&.

thorace fortiter transverso, linea marginali anteriore discreta, dorso subtilius punctato; elytris versus

suturam seriebus punctorum omnino obsoletis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

In the male of this species there is a short longitudinal carina on the middle of the

front of the epistome, and on the vertex above this a shallow depression; over the

imsertion of each antenna there is a strongly raised, rather short carina directed out-

wards and backwards, and there are a few punctures between these structures; the

marginal line has two minute granules on the middle. In the female the carine are

absent. G. subtilis is distinguished from all the following species, G. chontalenus

excepted, by the fact that, when viewed from above and behind, the anterior marginal

line can be distinctly traced along all the middle of the thorax. The species may be

known by the punctuation near the suture of the elytra being more than usually

obsolete, and the punctuation on the disc of the thorax scanty and fine.

I have treated as a variety three specimens from Bugaba in which the punctuation

of the thorax and the sutural portion of the elytra is distinctly coarser. The male

characters do not, however, differ from those of the other examples.

22. Gonicelus chontalenus, sp. n.

Suboblongus, parum elongatus, haud depressus, rufescens, longius pubescens ; prothorace haud fortiter

transverso, linea marginali anteriore sat discreta; elytris punctis versus basin sat magnis, versus apicem

obsoletis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

An obscure species, but apparently to be distinguished from the others it resembles

by the anterior marginal line of the thorax being visible in the middle. The thorax is

but little narrowed in front; the punctuation on the disc is rather fine and not dense ;

the anterior marginal line is deflexed near each side and is more prolonged backwards

than usual in the small species of the genus, indeed from one point of view it appears

to reach the base. The series of punctures on the elytra are very distinct at the base

and the punctures large ; but the sutural series is quite indistinct.

Tam uncertain as to the sex of the unique individual. The surface of the head is a

little uneven, and there is an obscure depression on the vertex, and a very slight

angulation of the front margin of the thorax in the middle.

23. Gonicelus planus, sp. n.

Oblongus, angustus, subdepressus, rufus, pubescens ; prothorace transversim subquadrato, dorso crebre fortiter

punctato, versus latera parum sculpturato ; elytris seriatim punctatis,

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

GONICQELUS. 615

Of this species we have received only a single specimen in a very bad state of

preservation, but as it shows the extreme of the genus as regards narrow and parallel

form, I have named it. It is less convex than G. crispatus and G. angustus, and I

judge that the pubescence is much shorter; the example is, however, much worn. It

is a male; there is a slight longitudinal elevation on each side of the front of the head,

and between these elevations the space in the middle is longitudinally convex and is

sub-tuberculate behind. ‘The antenne and legs are very short. ‘The thorax is nearly

parallel-sided, very slightly narrowed in front; the hind angles are rectangular, sharply

marked; the disc is rather coarsely and closely punctured, the intra-lateral sculpture

and lines extremely indistinct; there is no anterior marginal line. Elytra very regularly,

rather finely seriate-punctate. Metasternum with a very short channel behind.

24. Gonicelus crispatus, sp. n.

Angustus, oblongus, piceo-rufus, antennis pedibusque rufis, pube fulvescente, in elytris seriata, dense vestitus ;

prothorace dorso crebre subtiliter punctato ; elytris seriatim subtiliter punctatis.

Mas, capite utrinque crista valde elevata, in vertice intus crispata; prothorace margine anteriore medio leviter

sed late producto, parte producta leviter emarginata.

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This little insect is in the male sex readily distinguished by the strongly elevated

crest on each side of the head, and by this crest being curled inwards at the summit;

the surface between the elevations is depressed and not punctured. The female is

destitute of these characters, the head being nearly flat and punctured in the ordinary

manner. ‘The thorax is very little narrowed in front, transversely convex, less strongly

transverse than usual, and with the coarse lateral punctuation much reduced. In

addition to the serial punctuation of the elytra, there is a fine seriate interstitial

punctuation. ‘The metasternal process between the middle coxe is strongly margined

and the metasternum is canaliculate behind.

25. Gonicelus angustus, sp. n.

Oblongus, angustus, haud depressus, rufus, pube fulvescente vestitus; prothorace parum transverso, dorso

crebrius punctato; elytris seriatim subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Salé).

‘Very similar to G. crispatus, but undoubtedly distinct, the metasternum being

unchannelled, and there being numerous other slight distinctions. The unique

example is a male, it having a slight longitudinal elevation on each side of the front

part of the head, and the surface between these elevations is opaque and almost

impunctate. The antenne and legs are very short. The thorax is scarcely narrowed

in front, the hind angles are rectangular, the disc is rather closely punctured. There

is nu anterior marginal line on the thorax; near the side there is a very fine elevated

616 CRYPTOPHAGID.

line, and inwards from it a still more obscure one; lateral punctuation apparently absent.

The punctuation of the elytra is fine. The pubescence is rather shorter than it is in

G. crispatus, and the head is not so wide.

96. Gonicelus bimargo, sp. n.

Angustulus, parallelus, rufescens, subopacus, pubescens ; prothorace linea intra-laterali integra ; elytris sub-

striatis, striis fortiter sed parum profunde punctatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. GuateMALa, Paraiso (Champion).

This insect, though very similar to G. crispatus, appears not to be closely allied to it

or to any other species described here ; it may be recognized by the definite lateral line

near the side of the thorax, which extends the whole length and is somewhat thickened

and raised at the front margin; the true lateral margin is much concealed by this

false margin, being placed lower down, and also a little finer than usual. The

thorax is rather coarsely and closely punctured ; the coarse sculpture contiguous

with the pseudo-marginal line is very dense. The elytra are dull; the sculpture

consists of series of large shallow punctures, giving rise to the appearance of shallow

erooves or strize when viewed in certain lights.

We have received only one specimen of this distinct, though in appearance common-

place, species. I do not know its sex ; there is no peculiar structure on the head.

27. Gonicelus spheniscus, sp. n.

Angustus, convexus, parallelus, ad apicem attenuatus, rufescens, pube sat elongata vestitus ; prothorace haud

oD > >] 9

fortiter transverso, margine laterali subtili, medio anterius crebre subtiliter, posterius parum punctato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

One of the narrower and less depressed species, with the thorax not very short and

apparently without any strongly marked distinctive character. It is rather more

elongate than G. crispatus and G. angustus, and the apex of the body is a little more

acuminate. The antenne are short and very stout. ‘The head is broad, moderately

punctate, the eyes rather large. Thorax straight at the sides behind, the posterior

angles rectangular; near the side in front there is a short, fine, raised line, which on

the front margin is continued inwards for a very short distance, but is so fine as to be

detected with difficulty, the sculpture near this lateral line is not coarse; the lateral

margin itself is finer than it is in most of the other species of the genus. ‘The serial

punctuation of the elytra is very fine and regular. One specimen.

28. Gonicelus humilis, sp. n.

Angustus, oblongus, convexus, pube pallida sat elongata vestitus, piceus; antennis pedibusque rufis ; subtiliter

punctatus, elytrorum seriebus fere obsoletis.

Long. vix 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui), Jalapa (Mohr).

GONICLUS. 617

In the male of this species the front of the head is flat, and there is only a short,

obscure, somewhat curved elevation over the insertion of each antenna; there isa slight

depression on the middle of the vertex. The species is readily identified by the much

effaced punctuation of the elytra. The thorax is rather strongly transverse, the sides

straight behind, a little narrowed in front; the hind angles are rectangular, not acute ;

the sculpture is unusually fine, though there are numerous punctures on the discoidal

portion ; the lateral sculpture is also much less marked than usual; there are no

distinct lateral lines, and only an extremely short obscure line on the front margin on

each side. ‘Two specimens.

This species seems to be intermediate between G. angustus and G. segnis. It comes

near G. angustus by the male characters, but it is less elongate, less parallel and

transversely convex in form, and has the elytral punctuation less definite, and the

thorax without lateral lines. It is narrower than G. segnis, and readily distinguished

from it by the fine sculpture.

29. Goniccelus laticollis, sp. n.

Ovatus, posterius attenuatus, subdepressus, piceus, pube elongata vestitus, fortiter punctatus; prothorace

fortiter transyerso, anterlus angustato.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Sinanja in Vera Paz (Champion).

Of this species we have received only a single male specimen. It is very like a large

G. arduus, but is clearly distinct. ‘The carine on the head do not extend to the vertex,

but are each surmounted by a peculiar slight elevation, looking like a truncated

tubercle ; the two minute acute elevations on the front of the thorax are placed close

together. The thorax has the whole of the discoidal part closely and rather coarsely

punctured ; it is slightly wider than the elytra, and is considerably narrower at the

front angles than at the base; the hind angles are acute, and the base is but little

lobed in front of the scutellum. The punctuation of the elytra is coarser than usual.

The colour is dark, the antenne being blackish and the reddish tibie are piceous at the

tips. The species bears a considerable resemblance in form to G. subtilis.

30. Gonicelus arduus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, depressus, rufo-obscurus, pube elongata vestitus, fortiter punctatus; prothorace fortiter

transverso, linea marginali anteriore medio minus late interrupta.

Long. 24-3? millim. .

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

In this insect the male has on each side a longitudinal carina extending from the

insertion of the antenna to the back of the head, while in the female there are the

merest indications of these carine. G. arduwus is to some extent a connecting-link

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, Aprid 1900. 4 K*

618 CRYPTOPHAGIDA.

between the species with well-marked anterior marginal thoracic line and those

without. There is on the thorax a fine intra-lateral line which is turned inwards along

the front margin and extends as far as the carina on the head, and there is sometimes an

extremely minute tubercle at the point in question. The thorax is a little narrowed

in front; the disc is rather coarsely punctate, and in front somewhat closely. ‘The

punctures of the elytra are moderately coarse and the interstices narrow. The rather

long pubescence does not prevent the surface from being shining.

We have received a fair series of this species; it varies a little in colour, sculpture,

and size.

31. Gonicelus muticus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, depressus, fusco-rufus, antennis pedibusque rufis; fortiter punctatus, pube elongata sat dense

vestitus, subnitidus.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

The male of this species has no peculiar conformation of the head, which is coarsely

punctured, and shining between the punctures. The thorax is strongly transverse, not

broader than the elytra, coarsely punctate, the lateral punctuation but little different

from the discoidal; lateral and anterior lines scarcely indicated. The elytra have

the serial punctures unusually large and the interstitial punctures almost absent ; the

pubescence is suberect, so as not to dull the surface. Four specimens.

82. Gonicelus concolor, sp. n.

Oblongus, minus elongatus, sat convexus, rufus, pubescens, minus fortiter punctatus ; prothorace transverso,

anterius parum angustato, basi ante scutellum profunde depressa ; elytris post scutellum punctis numerosis,

subtilibus, haud seriatis.

Long. vix 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 6000 to 8000 feet (Champion).

This species is apparently destitute of salient peculiarities, though it may be distin-

guished from G. angustus and others that are like it by the marginal lobe behind being

placed lower than the disc of the thorax. This character, in combination with distinct

and numerous fine punctures on the basal sutural part of the elytra, will probably lead

to its recognition. We have received only two specimens, and they exhibit no

character that may be distinctive of the male. It is perhaps nearest to G. segnis.

The thorax is rather strongly transverse, broad in front, the anterior angles somewhat

prominent, the punctuation fine, the anterior marginal line on each side quite’ short.

The serial punctuation of the elytra is a little finer than usual.

38. Gonicelus segnis, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, postice subattenuatus, subdepressus, piceus, ant ennis pedibusque rufis; minus fortiter punctatus,

GONICELUS. 619

pube pallida vestitus; prothorace fortiter transverso, dorso crebre punctato; elytris regulariter, haud

fortiter seriatim punctatis.

Long. 3-33 millim.

Hab. Mexico (Truqui), Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

The male of this species has a short carina on each side of the head, terminated by a

very minute tubercle; on the front of the thorax there are two approximate minute

tubercles or granules. The thorax is scarcely broader than the elytra and is not much

narrowed in front; it has no distinct marginal lines, but there is a sort of hook-mark

on each side of the front margin caused by two extremely short raised lines, one

outside the other, both turning inwards. The series of punctures on the elytra are

fine, and those on the interstices quite distinct.

We have received about a dozen examples of this obscure and uninteresting species.

34. Gonicelus monticola, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, convexus, niger, pube pallida conspicue vestitus, antennarum basi pedibusque piceis ; prothorace

marginibus lateralibus minus obsolete serratis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam 8500 to 10,500 feet (Champion).

We have only one example of this insect, but, like most of the other Coleoptera

from this elevated locality, it appears to be a very distinct species. Head broad, dull,

very little punctured, feebly and broadly bi-impressed, but without definite elevations.

Thorax rather strongly transverse, scarcely broader than the elytra, a good deal

narrowed in front; the front angles produced and acute, the hind angles rectangular ;

the lateral margin distinct and more evidently serrate than in any other species of the

genus ; there are no longitudinal elevations near the sides, and the coarse sculpture there

is but little developed ; the middle of the thorax is moderately coarsely, rather closely

punctured ; there is but little trace of an anterior marginal line, and none at all of a

prolongation backward from it. The punctuation and pubescence of the elytra are

well-marked ; but the obscure punctuation of the interstices is scanty and not regular.

85. Gonicelus oopsis, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, niger, pedibus piceis, minus dense et longe pubescens, fortiter punctatus, parum nitidus ;

prothorace dorso subtiliter punctato, preterea punctis majoribus seriatis.

Long. 33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion).

Distinguished from the other members of the genus by the fact that there are

distinct larger punctures on the disc of the thorax. In several species of Gonicalus

traces of this serial punctuation can be seen, but in no other is it distinct. The head

is broad. The thorax is rather strongly transverse, a good deal narrowed in front, the

larger punctures near the sides very coarse, the outer series continued a short distance

4 K* 2

620 CRYPTOPHAGID.

along the front margin so as to form a deep, though very short, stria; on the disc with

punctures placed in five series, besides some fine ones. ‘The series of punctures on the

elytra are distinct, moderately large. Two specimens of doubtful sex, there being no

peculiar structures on the head or thorax.

36. Gonicelus sellatus, sp. n.

Oblongus, subdepressus, rufus ; elytris plaga magna communi nigra; pube pallida, elongata sat dense vestitus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab, GuaTEMALA, near the city, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).

Club of antenne only moderately broad. Head broad, coarsely punctate, edge of

the epistome obscurely elevated over the insertion of each antenna; eyes with much

lateral extension, more prominent than in most of the allied species. ‘Thorax strongly

transverse, slightly broader than the elytra, the posterior angles acute and sharply

marked, the sides almost straight till near the front angles, then distinctly narrowed ;

the disc coarsely punctate; anterior marginal line absent; sides densely rugosely

punctured, without lines or serial arrangement of the sculpture. LElytra red, with a

large oblong biack patch close to the base, the sculpture rather coarse.

We have received a large series of this species ; it varies but little and can be readily

recognized by the colour. I have identified the sexes, but cannot point out any

striking external mark for distinguishing them. In examples that are well preserved

a very minute bituberculation of the middle of the front of the thorax may be detected,

and this is probably a male character.

37. Gonicelus deplanatus, sp. n.

Ovalis, posterius attenuatus, depressus, flavo-ferrugineus; capite thoraceque plus minusve obscurioribus ;

prothorace fortiter transverso, disco fortiter punctato; elytris seriatim punctatis, interstitiis omnium

subtilissime dense punctatis, subopacis.

Long. 23-3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Teapa (Sallé), Motzorongo (flohr); British Honpuras,

Belize, Rio Hondo (Blancaneauz); GuaTEMALA, San Juan, Senahu, Chacoj, and Tamahu

in Vera Paz, Champerico, Zapote (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson) ; Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

This appears to be the most widely distributed and least rare species of the genus,

and is at the same time the most easily distinguished, the very short and broad thorax,

with strongly punctured disc, and the peculiar interstitial punctuation making it

recognizable at a glance. The colour is more pallid than in its allies, but this is rather

variable. I cannot distinguish the sexes by any external character.

Thorax with a very short, definite anterior marginal line, which is slightly pro-

longed backwards ; hind angles directed backwards, acute ; the pubescence abundant.

GONICCELUS.—DIPLOCGLUS., 621

Elytra with regular and distinct series of punctures, which are a good deal masked by

the short abundant pubescence, and are very indistinct behind.

38. Gonicelus mollis, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, piceus ; antennis pedibusque rufis, thorace sepe nigricante ; pube erecta vestitus, nitidus;

elytris seriatim punctatis.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

This is a very aberrant species, with more slender antenne than usual, finely facetted

eyes, and small prosternal process; on the upperside it is readily distinguishable by

the soft erect pubescence. The thorax is greatly narrowed in front, and bears two

raised lines on each side parallel with the lateral margin, the hind angles acute; disc

convex, in front of the scutellum rather deeply impressed, so that the hind margin

forms a sort of lobe in front of the scutellum. The elytra bear regular series of

punctures, those near the suture being very obscure indeed, the others are made some-

what indistinct by the abundant pubescence ; there is usually a more or less distinct

band of white colour across the middle, due to the hair being more pallid there.

Seven specimens.

DIPLOCCELUS.

Diplecelus, Guérin, Icon. Régne Anim., Ins. p. 196 (1888).

This genus occurs in both Europe and North America, being represented by two

or three species in each case. Of the two species here added, D. bicolor seems to be

nearly allied to those already described; D. parvus is aberrant.

1. Diplocelus bicolor, sp. n.

Convexus, dense subtilissime pubescens, opacus, rufo-obscurus ; elytris pectoreque nigricantibus, elytris minus

discrete seriatim punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab, GuaTeMa.a, Capetillo (Champion).

Rather shorter in form and more convex and compact than the European D. fagi,

Chevr., and with thinner antenne. Head moderately broad, without elevations, finely

punctured. ‘Thorax very strongly transverse, transversely convex, the lateral margin

fine and very densely set with quite short sete; the sculpture much obscured by the

minute pubescence ; near the side with a fine raised line, which is a little curved

inwards in front, without being continued along the front margin; a second much

more obscure line nearly parallel with this exists; the disc is convex, very obscurely

punctured, the hind margin thickened in front of the scutellum. Scutellum clothed

with grey hair. Elytra with the sutural series of punctures almost obliterated, the

622 CRYPTOPHAGID.

more external series present, but much masked by the short clothing, which, viewed in

certain directions, is seen to have very fine lines of slightly more elevated pubescence

in it. Two specimens.

2. Diplocelus parvus, sp. n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 24.)

Ovalis, depressus, dense pubescens, fusco-rufus ; antennis piceis vel rutis; pedibus rufis; prothorace valde

transverso, dorso parce punctato, lateribus crebre fortiter punctatis. .

Long. 2-2} millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, El Tumbador, Las Mercedes (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Head broad and short; eyes less coarsely facetted than usual in the Biphylline.

Thorax broad, extremely short, front angles but little produced, sides minutely serrate,

no anterior margin, except behind the eye; there is some coarse lateral punctuation, and

a fine raised line reaching the front margin at the extremity of the line behind the eye;

the irregularly distributed punctures on the disc are but little different from the lateral

punctures. The elytra have series of punctures much obscured by the short abundant

pubescence. The tibiz are short and very slender. Seven specimens.

I have placed as a variety of D. parvus four specimens from Cerro Zunil and Senahu

in Guatemala, in which the form is narrower, the thorax less narrowed in front, and

the punctuation on its disc scarcely visible.

This species is somewhat aberrant, on account of the thin linear tibia, the small

tarsi, and the somewhat more distinct, though short, mesosternal line.

EUDEROPUS, gen. nov.

Corpus ovale, pube setisque vestitum. Tarsi tenues, posteriores tenuissimi, lobis liberis wgre discernendis.

Metasterno post coxas intermedias, et abdomine post coxas posteriores, lineis inscriptis munitis.

These characters are sufficient to distinguish this genus. The lines behind the

posterior coxe are found in Biphylius, as well as in Anobocelus, but from the former

this genus is abundantly distinguished by the three-jointed club of the antenne, and

from the second by the slender legs; the prosternal process is but small, and is bent

up behind the coxz; the middle coxe are rather widely separated. ‘The character by

which the genus will be most easily recognized is the extremely slender, hair-like, hind

tarsi, in which it is difficult to see the divisions between the joints.

1. Euderopus brevipes, sp. n.

‘Ovalis, sat latus, niger; antennis pedibusque rufis; elytris seriatim fortiter punctatis, pube parum conspicua

haud variegata vestitis, setis reclinatis sat elongatis.

Long. 2 millim.

flab. GuatEMaLa, Capetillo (Champion).

We have only one badly-preserved example of this species; it is more like a

EUDEROPUS. | 623

Gonicelus than the others of the genus, and has the tarsi less elongate, though very

slender; the series of punctures on the elytra are also more distinct. The antenne are

short. The thorax is much narrowed in front, and has a fine raised line parallel with

its margin; there is no second lateral line, but there is an obscure anterior marginal

line. One or two of the series of punctures near the suture on the elytra are

obliterated, but the other punctures are rather large. The prosternal process is very

minute, and the femora scarcely reach the sides of the body. The hind tarsi, though

not very long, are extremely slender.

2. Kuderopus perbrevis, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, convexus, breviter pubescens, opacus, fusco-ferrugineus; antennis pedibusque rufis; elytrorum

seriebus punctorum obliteratis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremaua, Senahu (Champion).

This species differs from all the others of the genus, except. L. microps, by the very

short form, so that it is much attenuated in front and behind. ‘The head is small; the

anterior marginal line of the thorax is quite distinct; the sete on the elytra are but

little developed, and the series of punctures are very much obliterated ; two series are,

however, quite distinct just behind the shoulder, though the punctures are small. One

specimen from each locality. The Mexican one is in a very bad state of preservation.

3. Euderopus microps, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, convexus, pubescens, subopacus, ferrugineus; antennis pedibusque testaceis ; elytrorum seriebus

punctorum subtilibus, seriebus internis obliteratis.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. GuareMata, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion).

This is the smallest of the Biphylline [ have seen, and it has a smaller head than

any of its allies. The thorax is excessively short. The two internal series of punctures

on the elytra are obliterated, but the others can be seen for most of the length. ‘Two

specimens.

I have treated as a variety of EZ. microps a single specimen from the Volcan de

Chiriqui; it isslightly larger, and the punctuation and pubescence are a little different.

4, Kuderopus unicolor, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, brunneo-ferrugineus; antennis pedibusque rufis; elytrorum punctis seriatis tantum post

humeros conspicuis.

Long. 24, lat. 13 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Head rather broad (for this genus). Thorax greatly narrowed in front, the raised

line parallel with the margin very distinct, the sculpture very indistinct in consequence

624 CRYPTOPHAGIDA.

of the pubescence, the anterior marginal line obsolete, the fringing hairs at the sides

long, pallid. On the elytra the serial punctuation consists of only a few large punctures

at the shoulder; the pubescence is rather abundant, but does not prevent the surface

from being shining.

5. Euderopus iteratus, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat latus, sat convexus, brunneo-ferrugineus; antennis pedibusque rufis; elytris seriebus externis

punctorum sat discretis.

Long. 27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This species is nearest to E. brevipes and EL. regularis, but it differs from them in

having the series of punctures on the elytra less distinct ; in colour £. zteratus resembles

E. unicolor, but it is smaller and much less convex than that insect, and has the outer

series of punctures less obliterated ; the pubescence, too, is not so elongate. The thorax

is very short, and the anterior marginal line is quite distinct. One specimen.

6. Euderopus regularis, sp. n.

Ovalis, latus, sat. convexus, flavescens, superne fusco-brunneus, antennarum clava fusca; elytris seriatim sat

fortiter punctatis, seriebus internis obsoletis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

A regularly oval, not very convex insect, with the sete of the upper surface less

developed than in EF. setosus and E. chetophorus; it agrees with FE. brevipes and

E. iteratus in the sculpture, but has somewhat longer and more slender tibiz, and differs

a little from both in outline. The club of the antenne is large and dark. The thorax

has an indistinct second marginal line, which is continued all across the front, forming a

distinct anterior marginal line; there is a very slight punctuation on the disc, which is

a little shining; the marginal fringe is not very long. The outer series of punctures

on the elytra are very distinct, the inner two are obliterated. ‘Iwo specimens.

7. Kuderopus setosus, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, piceus, supra niger ; antennis pedibusque rufis ; elytra ad latera anterius seriatim punctatis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 3000 feet (Champion).

Head armed with elongate sete. Thorax greatly narrowed in front, the lateral line

distinct, the anterior marginal line distinct but fine, the lobe in front of the scutellum

larger than usual. LElytra armed with sete directed backwards and arranged in rows ;

behind the shoulder on each side with three or four abbreviated series of punctures.

EUDEROPUS.—ANOBOCLUS. 625

8. Euderopus chetophorus, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 25.)

Ovalis, convexus, piceus, antennis pedibusque rufis, supra pube grisescente setisque nigris variegatus ; elytrorum

punctatura seriata.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

This species is very remarkable on account of the variegate shimmer of the upper

surface and the beautiful regular development of the system of sete. These are

arranged in rows, and each seta is directed backwards, so that when looked at from the

front they appear on the thorax and elytra like fine raised lines; the sete on the head

are very conspicuons. The minute pubescence that gives the variegation to the surface

varies in pattern according to the direction it is viewed from. In other respects the

species comes close to 4. setosus. ‘The long slender hind tarsi are remarkable. Five

specimens.

ANOBOCQG:LUS, gen. nov.

Corpus sat elongatum et transversim convexum, pube subtilissime vestitum, lineis pubescentie subtilissimis

exaratum. Pedes crassiusculi, tibie posteriores tarsis certe duplo longioribus. Acetabula intermedia et

posteriora lineis postice vergentibus munitis. Antennarum clava valida, triarticulata.

I establish this genus for some little insects apparently of the greatest rarity, so that

I cannot give the characters very fully. The three highly developed pairs of lines on

the under surface are very remarkable; the pair behind the posterior coxe extend to the

outer edge of the abdomen. The comparatively thick legs are very different from those

of Euderopus. ‘These structural peculiarities, in conjunction with the three-jointed

club of the antenne, distinguish Anobocelus from all the other genera of Biphylline.

The prosternal process seems to differ a little in the two species, but the front coxe are

considerably less approximate than they are in Euderopus.

1. Anobocelus optatus, sp. n.

Ferrugineus, pube minutissima subflavescente vestitus, vix perspicue sculpturatus; prothorace lineis decem

subtilissimis exarato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mxrxico, Vera Cruz (Sallé).

Head broad, with large eyes. Thorax strongly transverse; a good deal rounded

at the sides, front angles scarcely prominent, surface densely but very indistinctly

punctured, and with ten perfectly straight very fine lines, of which the four on the

middle part are more approximate. Elytra with the sculpture extremely minute and

obscure, covered with an extremely minute pubescence, and having on each about ten

perfectly straight lines caused by minute depressed sete. Two specimens, both in

fragments.

B1OL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IL. Pt. 1, January 1902. 4 L*

626 CRYPTOPHAGID &.—LATHRIDID.

2. Anobocelus championi, sp.n. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 26.)

Fuscus, opacus, pube minutissima vestitus, vix perspicue sculpturatus; prothorace elytrisque lineis subtilissimis

exaratis.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

We have only one specimen of this species: as it is worn and somewhat damaged,

I cannot speak with precision as to the details of pubescence and sculpture. ‘Though

very similar to A. optatus, I do not doubt that it is distinct. ‘The thorax is a good deal

sinuate at the base on each side, and the lines of pubescence are very obscure. ‘The

scutellum is strongly transverse, and there is an impressed line on each side of it,

giving the appearance of a basal margin along the middle part of the elytra. The

elytra have regular series of obscure punctures.

Fam. LATHRIDIIDE *.

The Lathridiide include, as at present composed, about 400 species, all minute

insects, The family is, however, unsatisfactory, inasmuch as it contains heterogeneous

elements, and at the same time is not satisfactorily distinguished from either Colydiide

or Erotylide. It is supposed to be characterized by the 3-jointed tarsi, but as some

of the Colydiide have 3-jointed feet it is evident that the characters require recon-

sideration, and I am of opinion that, if retained as distinct from Colydiide, at any rate

the whole of the Merophysiine should be removed from Lathridiide to the family

in question. .

The North-American species have recently been monographed by H. C. Fall, and I

have followed his arrangement and pretty nearly his generic views. We have received

only a small series of about twenty species, but I have no doubt that these obscure

little insects are really much more numerous in our region. Fall recognizes fully 100

N.-American species.

Subfam. MEROPHYSIINE.

HOLOPARAMECUS.

Holoparamecus, Curtis, Ent. Mag. 1. p. 186 (1833).

This genus of minute Coleoptera comprises about twenty species, and is widely

distributed, though most of the described forms are from the Palearctic Region. Fall

recognizes six species as found in the United States.

* By D. Suarp.

HOLOPARAMECUS. 627

1. Holoparamecus singularis.

Holoparamecus singularis (Beck), Belon, Rev. Ent. Fr. 1897, p. 160*; 1900, p. 92°.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).—Evurope; Asta; AFRICA.

The single specimen from Jalapa quite agrees with a British exponent of this

species. It has been previously recorded from North America, but, according to Fall,

erroneously. The synonymy is extensive and to a considerable extent doubtful. It is

given in detail by Belon!.

2. Holoparamecus pumilus, sp. n.

Angustus, convexus, pallido-testaceus; oculis haud coloratis, in medium capitis laterorum sitis, a prothorace

remotis ; prothorace ante basin parum discrete impresso.

Long. 17 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chilpancingo in Guerrero 4600 feet (H. H. Sinith).

This little insect is remarkable on account of the apparent absence of eyes, which

are, however, represented by a pallid prominent space on each side of the head placed

near the antenna and far from the thorax. It has only ten joints to the antenne, the

tenth being large and cyathiform, and of itself forming the club. The head is long

and narrow. ‘The thorax is a little narrowed behind, about as long as broad; it is

rather convex, much depressed at the base; but there are no distinct impressions,

though in certain lights a very short line is visible extending a little forwards from the

base near each hind angle. ‘The elytra are convex, with a well-marked sutural stria.

The surface is very shining. One specimen.

M. Belon has established the genus B/umenus for a small Brazilian species having

10-jointed antennz, with one joint to the club. Except in this respect, our insect

appears to have little relation to B. villiger, and I think it better to treat it as a

Holoparamecus.

3. Holoparamecus brosciformis, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 1.)

Elongatus, angustus, rufo-testaceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, politus ; oculis magnis, prothoracis marginem

fere attingentibus ; prothorace elongato, ad basin fortiter angustato, ante basin in medio et utrinque

profunde foveolato.

Long. 1% millim.

Hab. GuareMa.a, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This is a very distinct species of the subgenus Calyptobium, the antenne being formed

of eleven clearly separated joints. ‘The surface is highly polished, there being only

very feeble traces of punctuation. ‘The antenne have the ninth joint transverse; the

club is 2-jointed, the first of the two joints being large, transverse, the terminal joint

much smaller, transverse, obliquely truncate. The thorax is rounded at the sides in

front and strongly narrowed behind, deeply impressed in front of the base, there being

a fovea at each hind angle and a large deep depression between them, which shows

4L* 2

628 LATHRIDIIDZ.

traces of being formed by two confluent impressions. Elytra elongate, with a deep

sutural stria, impunctate. Femora thick.

I see no differences in the nine examples Mr. Champion found of this species.

4. Holoparamecus constrictus, sp. n.

Elongatus, in medio constrictus, rufo-piceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, subpolitus, omnium minutissime

punctulatus; oculis mediocribus, prothoracis marginem haud attingentibus; prothorace ante basin pro-—

funde impresso ; elytris convexis, subinflatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chilpancingo in Guerrero 4600 feet (H. H. Smith).

Another very distinct species of the subgenus Ca/yptobium. ‘The antenne are slender,

the ninth joint not transverse, though broader than the eighth; tenth joint large,

subcyathiform, receiving the small terminal joint, the part of which that is seen is

obliquely truncate and strongly transverse. ‘The eyes are coarsely facetted, but are

small and do not touch the angles of the thorax. The thorax is rather long, convex,

greatly narrowed behind, deeply foveolate at each hind angle, and with a transverse

impression in front of the base. The elytra are slender, convex, much rounded at the

sides and narrowed behind, polished, but with a scanty punctuation and an extremely

minute setosity that is difficult to detect ; there is a well-marked sutural stria. One

specimen.

EVOLOCERA, gen. nov.

Corpus -breviter ovale, fere glabrum. Antenne decem-articulate, clava biarticulata. Palpi breves, crassi.

Oculi prominuli. Prosternum processu parvo, libero. Pedes breves. Metasternum breve.

This insect may be placed between Cholovocera and Merophysia, from the former

of which it differs in numerous details; the most important is, that the middle coxe

are much less widely separated and the division between the metasternum and meso-

sternum indistinct ; the prosternal process is small and narrow, strongly carinate, and

is received in a minute cavity at the junction of the meso- and metasternum. ‘The

structure is thus very different from that of Cholovocera and more similar to that of

Merophysia. There are coxal lines on the first ventral segment, but none on the

metasternum.

The specimens have all been mounted in gum-tragacanth, and the structure of the

tarsi cannot properly be made out.

1. Evolocera championi, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 2.)

Breviter ovalis, superne convexa, ferruginea, antennis pedibusque testaceis, minutissime punctata et setosa,

nitida ; prothorace ad basin ipsam transversim impresso, impressione utrinque a plica brevi terminata.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

EVOLOCERA.—FALLIA. 629

Antenne short; first and second joints thick, the following joints up to the eighth

small; ninth large, not quite so long as broad, tenth not quite so large as the ninth.

Head broad and short; eyes small but prominent. Thorax very short and broad,

closely applied to the elytra, the front angles not prominent; running along the basal

margin there is a fine transverse depression, rendered conspicuous only by the short

longitudinal elevation that limits it on each side. There is no sutural stria on

the elytra.

We have received a small series of this species. According to a note of Mr. Cham-

pion’s, it lives in ants’ nests.

FALLIA, gen. nov.

Corpus rotundatum, superne convexum, glabrum. Antenne 8- vel 9-articulate ; clava magna, uniarticulata.

Coxe omnes minute, globose, haud prominentes, anteriores modice separate ; prosternum absque processu

libero.

This is a peculiar genus, with the compact form of certain Corylophide. ‘The

antenne are somewhat geniculate, to permit of the first joint being deflexed in a short

groove at the inner margin of the eye; the first joint is short and broad, the second

thick, still shorter, the third and fourth elongate (or the fourth divided into two,

making the antenne 9- instead of 8-jointed); fifth to seventh small, eighth forming a

large club. Eyes prominent, contiguous with the base of the antenne. Palpi short

and thick; mentum minute. Prosternum very short, abruptly bent upwards behind

the coxa, closing the acetabula. Mesosternum large, separated by a straight line from

the metasternum ; its anterior part abruptly declivous in correlation with the back of

the prosternum, above this projecting so as to form an apparently free triangular

process (as in certain Spheeridiides), Hind coxe small, globose, widely separated.

Abdomen with an elongate basal ventral segment and four short ones.

The genus will be readily identified by the very minute globose hind coxe,

which are separated from the side by a space three or four times their own

diameter. ‘The metasternum has a small notch for each of these coxe, so that

it is probable that it is really folded over them, and that these are larger than they

appear to be: in other words, I anticipate the structure will be found to be similar

to that of the Discolomine.

Failia is no doubt closely allied to Aphanocephalus, Woll., but it is a much less

remarkable form, the pronotum being normal in shape and arched in front, so as not

to completely cover the head or eyes, while the parts of the body beneath are much

less perfectly co-adapted ; the epipleure are much less developed, and all the coxe are

less widely separated.

I regret that we have only a very few examples of any of the species, so that the

characters cannot be fully investigated, but it is not unlikely that the genus will be

630 LATHRIDIIDA.

found to connect the Cholovocerous series of Lathridiide with the Discolomine *, and

this will probably involve the removal of the Merophysiine to the family Colydiide,

where, in my opinion, they would be best placed.

The late Mr. Matthews proposed a new family, Pseudocorylophide, for Aphano-

cephalus, which, as I have already said, is doubtless closely allied to Fallia. But this

family must disappear, Horn having long previously proposed the family Discolomide

for some allied forms. According to my own views, all these species are aberrant

Colydiide ; but whether this view be adopted or not, the name Pseudocorylophide is

clearly superfluous.

I have named this interesting genus in recognition of the value of Mr. H. C. Fall’s

recent work on the North-American Lathridiide.

1. Fallia synthetica, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 3.)

Breviter elliptica, nigra, nitida, antennis piceis, pedibus sordide rufis, fere impunctata; elytrorum margine

laterali argute elevato, vix subexplanato; epipleuris latis, horizontalibus, minutissime punctatis et

setosulis.

Long. corp. 14, lat. 1 millim.

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).

Thorax and elytra of nearly unbroken outline, with acutely elevated margin.

Scutellum large, triangular. Upper surface almost impunctate. ‘There are no

impressions on the thorax, and no sutural stria on the elytra. ‘The under surface is

without sculpture, except for the minute punctuation of the broad epipleura, which is

continued along the flanks of the prothorax. The legs are quite short, the femora

broad but flat. Four specimens, all in bad condition.

2. Fallia minoy, sp. n.

Elliptica, nigra, nitida, antennis piceis, pedibus sordide rufis, fere impunctata; elvtrorum margine laterali

subtili ; epipleuris horizontalibus, sat latis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. British Honptras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuatemMaALA, Pantaleon

(Champion).

Closely allied to F. synthetica, but smaller and narrower, and with the lateral

margins of the elytra, and the epipleura, less broad. We have received nine specimens

of this minute insect. One of those from Honduras, however, probably belongs to a

different species, as it is of more rotund form, and has a distinct, though extremely fine,

punctuation on the upper surface.

* The specimens have only recently been placed in my hands. Had I been able to study them in connection

with the Discolomine, I believe I should have placed the genus in that group, although the inadequate material

does not permit me to decide with certainty that these insects possess the curious structure of the metasternum

characteristic of the Discolomine.

FALLIA.—CONINOMUS. 631

3. Fallia punctulata, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexa, nigra, antennis pedibusque piceis, nitida, corpore parce irregulariter punctato.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GuateMata, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).

In this species the antenne and the legs are much more slender than in F. synthetica ;

the antenne are quite distinctly 9-jointed, the fourth joint of the latter (which even in

that species shows traces of consisting of two Joints) being replaced by two joints.

The body is covered with a very irregular scattered punctuation. The margins of the

thorax and elytra are less developed, and the epipleura are not so completely horizontal

as in F. synthetica. The minute hind coxe appear to be placed entirely in the

metasternum. ‘Two specimens.

Subfam. LATHRIDIINA.

CONINOMUS.

Coninomus, Thomson, Skand. Col. v. p. 217; Fall, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. xxvi. p. 119 (1899).

Lathridius (subgen. Coninomus), Belon, Rev. Ent. Fr. 1897, p. 174.

This genus includes, according to Belon, twenty-six representatives, and is largely

represented in the Antipodes. Fall records three of the species as occurring in the

United States.

1. Coninomus constrictus.

Lathridius constrictus, Hummel, Ess. Ent. iv. p. 13‘; Belon, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, xlvi. p. 158

(1899) °.

Coninomus constrictus, Fall, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1899, p. 120°.

Hab. Norva America?.—GuateMALa, San Gerdnimo, Duefias, Capetillo, Quiche

Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 8000 feet

(Champion).—Souta America °.—EvuROPE?.

2. Coninomus muticus, sp. n.

Angustus, piceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace ad latera profunde inciso ; elytris seriatim fortiter

profundeque punctatis, interstitiis haud carinatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 8000 feet (Champion).

This small Coninomus may be placed next C. constrictus, from which, however, it is

very distinct by the smaller size, narrower form, and the absence of carination of the

elytral interstices. The antenne are very short, the club 2-jointed, very abrupt.

The head is rather long, rugose, slightly sulcate along the middle, the sulcus ending

in an obscure fovea ; eyes rather large, separated from the thorax by a space nearly

632 LATHRIDIIDA.

the length of the eye. Thorax long and narrow, without supplementary membrane,

the side behind the middle deeply incised ; the surface coarsely rugose, very indistinctly

bicarinate behind; a deep fovea close to each lateral excision, and a feeble groove

along the middle. The sculpture of the elytra is remarkably deep and regular, and

the traces of carination arising from the greater elevation of some of the interstices are

extremely slight. One specimen.

8. Coninomus —— ?

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 feet (Champion).

"We have received a single specimen of a very interesting Lathridiid, in which the

thorax is shaped like that of Conithassa, but has two obsolete longitudinal elevations,

while the elytra are very strongly multicostate. Unfortunately, this individual is not

in sufficiently good preservation for description.

ENICMUS.

Enicmus, Thomson, Skand. Col. v. p. 223 (1859).

This genus includes thirty-four representatives, and is very widely distributed. Fall

records eighteen species from the United States, no less than twelve of which he

treats as new.

1. Enicmus guatemalenus, sp. n.

Angustus, parum convexus, ferrugineus, antennis pedibusque testaceis (elytris interdum nigricantibus) ;

prothorace transverso, subtiliter rugoso, ante basin minus profunde transversim impresso ; elytris profunde

fortiter seriatim punctatis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo, Cerro Zuni], Panajachel (Champion).

This species belongs to the subgenus Hnicmus proper, though the prosternal carina

is very fine ; it somewhat resembles the European £. transversus, and in Fall’s tables

would come near E. fictus and E.mimus. The club of the antenna is long and slender,

the ninth joint not transverse. The head is almost as long as broad, densely rugose,

very feebly sulcate along the middle, the eyes moderately large, the postocular space

scarcely so long as the eye, not divergent. Prothorax transverse, but small and

narrower than the elytra, a little rounded at the sides, with a transverse depression

in front of the base extending completely across; the surface rugose. LElytra with

regular series of large, deep, closely placed punctures extending to the tip, none of

the interstices carinate.

CARTODERE. 633

CARTODERE.

Cartodere, Thomson, Skand. Col. v. p. 219 (1859) ; Belon, Rev. Ent. Fr. 1897, p. 183; Fall,

Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1899, p. 135.

There are about thirty described species of this genus. They are very minute

elegant insects, and some of them appear to be nearly cosmopolitan.

1. Cartodere filum.

Lathridius filum, Aubé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1850, p. 3341; Fall, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1899,

p. 189°; Belon, Rev. Ent. Fr. 1897, p. 187°.

Hab. Norte America, United States 2.—Mexico 3?.—Europe 1.

Said by Belon* to be very common in Mexico, and reported by Fall to have

occurred two or three times in the United States. We have received no species that

resembles C. filum from any part of our region. Belon does not mention the insect in

his recapitulation of the Lathridiide of South America, and we may be pardoned for

supposing that his subsequent citation ? of it as Mexican is an error.

2. Cartodere falliana, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 4.)

Convexa, minus elongata, ferruginea; prothorace transverso, inequali, ante medium et ante basin profunde

transversim depresso; elytris dense profundeque punctatis, singulo longitudinaliter bicarinato.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Antenne 10-jointed, the club 2-jointed; basal joint very large, subglobose ; second

joint large, globose, only about one-fourth the size of the basal one; third joint sub-

globose, not half the size of the second ; fourth joint very long and slender ; fifth to eighth

each slightly shorter and broader than the preceding, each longer than broad; ninth

large, triangular, quite as long as broad. Head largely explanate on each side; eyes

small, convex, each consisting of seven or eight coarse facets; postocular interval as

long as the diameter of the eye. Thorax with the posterior angles free, projecting

backwards, bearing two transverse depressions. Elytra densely covered with large

deep depressions, the suture slightly carinate, the second and fifth interstices strongly

carinate. One specimen.

I have named this charming little insect after Mr. H. C. Fall, who has made

the best study of these forms. C. falliana is very distinct from C. filum, but it

is not necessary to separate it as a genus at present. The under surface is impunctate,

but very deeply grooved ; the peculiar circular elevation of the metasternum of C. filum

is not present, neither are the peculiar plice of the first ventral plate.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1902. 4M*

634 LATHRIDIIDA.

ADISTEMIA.

Adistemia, Fall, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1899, p. 141.

- Lathridius watsoni, Woll., has been recently separated, with good reason, by Fall

from Cartodere. It is the only known species of his genus Adistemia.

1. Adistemia watsoni. (T'ab. XIX. fig. 5.)

Lathridius watsoni, Wollaston, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1871, p. 253°.

Cartodere watsoni, Belon, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, xlvi. 1899, p. 176°.

Adistemia watsoni, Fall, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1899, p. 141°.

Hab. North AMeEricA?.—Mexico?, in houses in the City of Mexico (fohr).—

South America ! 2.—EvurRope2; Maperra }.

A specimen sent to me, and another to the editors of this work, by the late

Julius Flohr, are all I have seen of this elegant species. It was found in houses

in the City of Mexico.

BELONIA.

Belonia, Fall, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1899, p. 142.

This recently instituted genus includes only one species, so far as we know at

present.

1. Belonia unicostata. (Tab. XIX. fig. 6.)

Cartodere unicostata, Belon, Rev. Ent. Fr. 1887, p. 225°.

Belonia unicostata, Fall, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. 1899, p. 142°.

Hab. Norvu America, Florida 2.—Mexico, Cordova! (Sallé), Teapa !.

Subfam. CORTICARIIN AL.

CORTICARIA.

Corticaria, Marsham, Ent. Brit. 1. p. 106 (1802).

Corticaria, even after the separation of Melanophthalma, is an extensive and widely

distributed genus, though as yet only one species has been found in our region.

1. Corticaria humilis, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 7.)

Parallela, subdepressa, fulva, subtiliter punctata et pubescens; prothorace pone medium vage foveolato, dense

punctato ; elytris punctis seriatis tantum ad basin prope suturam distinctis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne short; club 3-jointed, very abrupt, not darker in colour than the rest of

CORTICARIA.—MELANOPHTHALMA. 635

the antenna. Head short, finely punctate; eyes close to the thorax. Thorax strongly

transverse, a little narrower than the elytra, finely and closely punctured, with a rather

indistinct and not broad impression behind the middle, the hind angles minutely

spinose. Elytra very finely punctate; near the suture at the base three or four series

of punctures may be distinguished, but elsewhere the punctuation is not seriate; the

pubescence is very fine and short; there is a sutural depression. The legs are short,

the hind pair rather thick, all the tarsi short.

We have only one mutilated example of this insect, and it appears to be a male.

There is no fovea on the last abdominal segment. The species may be placed in

Group 6 of Belon’s revision (Revue d’Entomologie, 1897, p. 143).

MELANOPHTHALMA.

Melanophthalma, Motschulsky, Bull. Soc. Mose. iii. p. 269 (1866).

This very widely distributed genus includes nearly 100 species. Though the

characters by which it is distinguished from Corticaria are, as pointed out by

Ganglbauer, far from satisfactory, it is at present convenient to adopt it. Cortilena,

treated by Fall as distinct, I have adopted as a subgenus.

§ 1. Club of antenna 3-jointed ; first segment of abdomen with two raised lines

behind the coxe. (Subgen. CorTIcaRINA.)

1. Melanophthalma centralis, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 8.)

Ovalis, testacea ; oculis magnis, prothorace angusto, ante basin sulca transversa integra profunda, fortiter

dense punctato ; elytris subtiliter seriatim punctatis, breviter setosis.

Long. 13-14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge), Atoyac, Teapa (H. H. Sinith), Orizaba

(H. H. Smith & Flohr), Mexico city, Motzorongo (flohr); Guatemata, near the city,

Aceituno, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet, Petia

Blanca, Tolé, Bugaba (Champion).

This insect is extremely similar to the well-known J. gibbosa, but belongs to a

different subgenus (Melanophthalma i. sp.), the first abdominal segment possessing

well-marked, raised, coxal lines. Superficially, it may always be distinguished from

M. gibbosa by the larger and more coarsely facetted eyes, which are less widely

separated, and by the deeper depression on the thorax, though this latter character

varies a good deal in both species. The antennz are slender, the club 3-jointed,

slender, and not very abrupt, the ninth joint a little longer than broad, the tenth about

as long as broad. The thorax is much narrower than the elytra, but is rather broader

than long. The punctures of the elytra are very regularly placed, but each one is

ill-defined ; the serial hairs are quite short. The legs are yellow.

4M*2

636 LATHRIDIIDZA.

We have received upwards of thirty specimens that 1 refer to this species, but,

unfortunately, very few are in a good state of preservation. It varies a good deal in

colour, like WM. gibbosa. The pair from Aceituno, Guatemala, that I have taken as

the types, have the club of the antenne yellow, but in other specimens it is infuscate.

The colour of the elytra varies also a good deal, and the suture is sometimes narrowly

black.

2. Melanophthalma duplicata, sp. n.

Brevis, parum convexa, lete rufa; antennis pedibusque flavis, illis brevibus, clava abrupte triarticulata ;

prothorace fortiter transverso, parce punctato, linea mox ante basin elevata, ante quam impressione

paruin profunda ; elytris subtiliter punctatis et setosis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneausr) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This insect is closely allied to MM. centralis, but is smaller than the smallest

individuals of that species, and is distinguished by the shorter antenne and more

transverse thorax, this latter being elevated behind the transverse depression so as to

appear to be traversed by a raised line just in front of the actual base. The colour is

remarkably vivid for this genus. Four specimens.

§ 2. Club of antenna 38-jointed ; abdomen destitute of lines behind the

hind coxe. (Subgen. MELANOPHTHALMA i. sp.)

8. Melanophthalma subfusca, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexa, rufo-fusca ; antennis pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava triarticulata, obscura; capite parvo,

oculis parvis, prominulis ; thorace fortiter transverso, pone medium foveolato, subtiliter punctato; elytris

subtiliter punctatis et setosis,

Long. 13-13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Zacualtipan, Jalapa (Hége) ; GuaTEMALA, near the

city, Aceituno, Duefias, Zapote, San Gerénimo, Senahu, San Juan (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 to 6000 feet (Champion).

Similar to the European J. fuscula, but smaller, especially shorter and with a more

transverse thorax. Club of the antenna slender. Head small, very much narrower

‘than the thorax, finely punctate, the small eyes very prominent. ‘Thorax short, much

rounded at the sides, the hind angles prominent and therefore quite acute; finely

punctate, with a rather large fovea behind the middle. Elytra short, convex, the

serial punctuation and setosity very fine, but definite. Basal joint of front tarsus very

slightly dilated. Coxal lines entirely absent.

This appears to be a very variable species, but it is possible that one or two

individuals that I have assigned to it may not really belong here.

MELANOPHTHALMA. 637

§ 38. Club of antenna 2-jointed ; first segment of abdomen with raised

lines. (Subgen. CoRTILENA.)

4. Melanophthalma remota, sp. n.

Angusta, parum convexa, testacea, elytrorum sutura fuscescente; parce.,punctata, subtiliterque setulosa ;

antennis clava biarticulata, articulo nono quam articulo octavo paulo majore.

Long. 12 millim.

Hab. GuatEMaua, Capetillo (Champion).

Distinguished from all the varieties of J. centralis by the more depressed and

parallel form, as well as by the smaller ninth joint of the antenne, and the short lines

on the first abdominal segment, which, although present, are very much abbreviated.

Antenne slender. Kyes only moderately large. Head coarsely, rather sparingly

punctured. Thorax transverse, but a good deal narrower than the elytra, rather

coarsely, not densely punctured, very indistinctly transversely depressed in front of

the base ; hind angles only very minutely prominent. LElytra rather long and narrow ;

punctuation very much obliterated, the setosity very short and fine. Legs slender,

the tarsi long and slender. One specimen of doubtful sex. ‘The basal joint of the

front tarsus is not in the least dilated.

5. Melanophthalma inornata, sp. n.

Parum convexa, oblongo-ovalis, testacea, absque pubescentia, parce punctata; antennis clava biarticulata.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (17. H. Smith); Guatemata, near the city, Zapote, Champerico

(Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Ninth joint of antenna only very slightly larger than the eighth, much smaller than

the tenth, which is transverse. Head much narrower than the thorax, rather sparingly

punctured. Thorax strongly transverse, though much narrower than the elytra,

sparingly punctured, without definite impressions; hind angles not spinose. LElytra

with distinct series of punctures, these, however, becoming obsolete at the tip.

We have received only eight specimens of this species; it varies much in punctua-

tion, but may be distinguished from all others by the pallid colour and the absence

of setosity. Structurally, 1. cnornata appears to be closely allied to MM. placida.

In both these species the lines on the first abdominal segment do not extend to the

hind margin.

6. Melanophthalma placida, sp. n.

Parum convexa, angustissime ovalis, capite thoraceque lete rufis, elytris corporeque posterius nigris, antennis

pedibusque flavis ; antennis clava biarticulata, fuscescente.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

638 LATHRIDIIDA.—MYCETOPHAGIDZ.

In this species the punctuation is extremely fine and the setosity so minute that the

insect appears to be bare. The antenne are very slender, 11-jointed, the ninth joint

but little larger than the eighth, the tenth slightly transverse. Head excessively finely

punctate; eyes moderately large, very widely separated; the latter separated from the

neck by a well-marked interval. Thorax strongly transverse, not much rounded at the

sides, which are finely crenate; hind angles rectangular, sharply marked; punctuation

very minute. Punctuation and setosity of the elytra extremely minute. Legs very

slender. First abdominal segment with well-marked coxal lines. ‘Two specimens.

Fam. MYCETOPHAGIDZ*.

This is one of the smaller families of Coleoptera, as most of the genera referred to it

in the Munich Catalogue have since been shown to belong elsewhere. Mycetophagus,

Triphyllus, Litargus, and Typhea are the only genera that can be accepted as valid

and as certainly belonging to the family. The Mycetophagide are very fragile insects

and are but little collected. ‘Two genera allied to Zitargus from our region are not

included in the above-mentioned Catalogue ; one of them has already been distinguished

by Casey from North-American material.

TRIPHYLLUS.

Triphyllus, Latreille, Regn. Anim. 2nd ed. v. p. 98 (1829).

This is a widely distributed genus, though it does not include many species.

Although Leconte in his Synopsis of the Mycetophagide of North America does not

mention any species of Zriphyllus, the genus is now well known as occurring there.

Mycetophagus, which is well represented in the North-American fauna, has not yet

been found in our region.

1. Triphyllus perfectus, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 9.)

Ferrugineus, antennarum clava, thorace elytrisque ex parte nigricantibus, his maculis numerosis testaceis.

Long. 3-43 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca 7000 feet (Flohr); Guaremara (Sallé), Volcan de Fuego

6400 feet (Salvin), San Gerdnimo, Capetillo (Champion).

Antenne red, with the club black, the last joint red at the extremity. Thorax

strongly transverse, densely, somewhat finely rugose ; finely margined at the sides, not

serrate, a small fovea in front of the base on each side of the middle. Elytra very

finely punctate, blackish, with numerous yellow spots irregularly placed, most extensive

about the base.

* By D. Spare.

LITARGUS.—TILARGUS. 639

LITARGUS.

Litargus, Evichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 415 (1856) ; Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1856,

p. 12. |

Litargus is probably the most numerous in species of any of the genera of Myceto-

phagidee, and is very widely distributed. About twenty representatives are known.

1. Litargus balteatus.

Litargus balteatus, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1856, p. 147.

Hab. Norra America, Colorado River near the junction of the Gila !.—Mexuco,

N. Sonora (Morrison), Cordova (Sallé, Hége), Mexico city, Jalapa (Hoge), Guanajuato,

Toxpam (Saddé); Guaremaa, near the city, Zapote (Champion) ; Nicaraaua, Chontales

(Janson) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet (Champion). ,

Var. digjunctus, var.n. Supra niger, elytris maculis sex disjunctis testaceis.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam, Cordova (Sailé), Teapa (H. H. Smith); Brrrish Hoypuras,

Belize (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, Zapote, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

The type-form, as described by Leconte, has a very large pallid mark contiguous

to the scutellum. The yellow marks, however, vary in extent, so that I have treated

a form in which there are separated spots as merely a variety. According to an

example from the Sallé collection, obtained from Sturm, the type-form is the

Mycetophagus fasciatus of that entomologist.

2. Litargus merens, sp. n.

Subdepressus, anguste ovalis, niger ; corpore subtus, antennis pedibusque ferrugineis, antennarum clava plus

minusve fuscescente ; elytro singulo pone medium macula transversa flavescente.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet

( Champion).

The only form in which the elytra are dark with a single rufescent mark on each.

It is rather narrow in shape, but a good deal rounded at the sides; the surface is

covered with a fine yellow-grey pubescence, and the punctuation is very fine; the

impressed line on each side of the thorax is rather long and distinct; the outer margin

of the elytra and the base of the thorax are narrowly and obscurely yellow; the two

rufescent marks on the elytra do not quite meet and do not extend to the side. The

hind tarsi are long and very slender. Four specimens.

TILARGUS.

Litargus, subgen. Tilargus, Casey, Journ. New York Ent. Soc. viii. p. 185 (1900).

Corpus breviter ovale, superne convexum ; palpis maxillaribus apicem versus evidenter incrassatis,

Although closely allied to Litargus, this seems to be a natural genus, the shorter

640 MYCETOPHAGIDZ.

and broader form being accompanied by a difference in the palpi. The insects are

much less fragile than are the species of Litargus. The club of the antenne is

3-jointed, the joints being much shorter than in Litargus. The front coxe are

very slightly distant. The first ventral plate behind the hind coxe is only about as

long as the second segment. I have not seen any species that can be referred to this

genus except those four described below.

I think these undoubtedly belong to the subgenus Tilargus of Casey. Although he

gives no characters apart from those of the species, yet as I include L. tetraspilotus

it is clear that the name he proposes had better be adopted.

1. Tilargus tetraspilotus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 10.)

Litargus tetraspilotus, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1856, p. 14’.

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, subnitidus, minus dense pubescens, niger; antennis pedibusque rufo-testaceis,

his clava nigricante; elytris guttis quatuor transversis testaceis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Nortsu America, Southern and Western States 1.—Mexico, Jalapa, Tapachula

(Hoge), Cordova (Hége, Sallé), Motzorongo (Flohr), Orizaba (H. H. Smith); Guate-

MALA, near the city, Zapote, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales

(Janson) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Antenne short, first two joints of the club transverse, eleventh joint about as long

as broad. Thorax very short, much narrowed in front, very slightly notched or

impressed on the base each side of the scutellum; a little red at the hind angles and

side, finely granulate. Elytra black, with four subequal, large, transversely oval marks,

placed two in front of the middle, two behind the middle; feebly and not densely

punctate and pubescent, the pubescence exhibiting a somewhat seriate appearance.

This is a common insect in Central America and does not vary very much.

2. Tilargus debilis, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, subtiliter pubescens, subnitidus, testaceus; prothoracis disco, pectore, abdomine pedorumque

basi fuscescentibus ; elytris irregulariter nigro-maculatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Hoge, H. H. Smith), Toxpam (Sallé), Omilteme, Chil-

pancingo (H. H. Smith); Guaremaa, Duefias, Capetillo, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Readily distinguished by the colour from 7’. tetraspilotus. Eyes rather small.

Thorax very short, much narrowed in front, finely punctate; lateral margins of the

thorax and elytra very fine; elytra finely punctate, a little shining, the pubescence

not seriate, the black spots very variable, but never entirely absent. Fifteen examples.

This insect is variable as regards colour. ‘The specimen from Toxpam is immature

and perhaps belongs to another species, the marks on the elytra forming a definite

pattern as in Litargus.

TILARGUS.—CATOPIUS. 641

3. Tilargus granulatus, sp. 1.

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, testaceus; pectore, abdomine, prothoracis disco elytrorumque maculis magnis

fuscescentibus ; fere opacus, prothorace granulato-punctato.

Long. 23, lat. 13 millim.

Hab. Guatmmata, Calderas ( Champion).

Though this insect bears a general resemblance to TZ’. dedilis, it is readily distin-

guished therefrom by the peculiar, almost granulated sculpture of the pronotum, the

surface of which is very dull; the pubescence is very fine and dense. The elytra are

more distinctly punctured than usual, and the pubescence does not appear to be

seriate ; the dark marks are but little pigmented, there being two on the suture, a

large one on the disc of each, and one or two others even more indefinite. One

specimen.

4. Tilargus complicatus, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fic. 11.)

Ovalis, convexus, niger, pube flavescente vestitus ; antennis, palpis, pedibus elytrisque testaceis, his maculis

irregularibus nigris ; corpore subtus anterius ferrugineo.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion) ; Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This is a remarkable species, with a very definite complex set of black marks on the

elytra, forming extremely irregular fascia—a pattern that is not easy to describe, but

will be readily recognized from the figure. The antenne are yellow, with stout club.

Thorax very short, greatly narrowed in front, blackish, yellow towards the lateral

margin; sculpture extremely fine and indistinct, but the pale pubescence very evident ;

the basal notch on each side of the scutellum very distinct. Elytra very indistinctly

punctate, but with a distinct pubescence which has some appearance of seriate

arrangement arising from depressed sete. Two specimens.

This species has the thick palpi of Tidargus, but in general appearance is more like

a Litargus. It will probably form a distinct genus, but the two specimens are very

fragile and scarcely fit for description.

CATOPIUS, gen. nov.

Tibie omnes ad apicem calcaribus elongatis et setis rigidis armate.

With a general resemblance to Litargus that makes the relation of the two certain,

this genus is nevertheless distinguished by other characters than those drawn from the

remarkable structure of the tibial spurs. The antenne are slender, with a long slender

club. The eyes are prominent. The prosternum is elongate, with a free acuminate

process. ‘he front cox are larger than in Litargus, and the first ventral segment

behind the coxa is not much longer than the second. The basal joint on all the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1902. 4 N*

642 MYCETOPHAGID H.—DERMESTID#.

ond

tarsi is excessively long, on the hind legs nearly as long as the other three joints

together.

1. Catopius irregularis, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. figg.12; 124, apex of front tibia

and base of tarsus.)

Ovalis, postice angustatus, ferrugineus, supra picescens, pube irregulariter posita quasi maculatus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Motzorongo (Flohr); GUATEMALA, Zapote, El Reposo, Pantaleon

(Champion).

Head very small in comparison with the thorax. Thorax large, almost straightly

truncate in front and behind, but in front much arched ; lateral margin excessively

fine; the base with a depression on each side close to the scutellum. Elytra greatly

narrowed behind, clothed with fine pubescence in a spotty manner, punctuation absent.

The front tarsi are only 3-jointed, notwithstanding their being so elongate. ‘Twenty

specimens.

TYPHAA.

Typhea, Curtis, Brit. Ent. xv. t. 702 (1830).

Owing to its diffusion by commerce this genus is of no special interest.

1. Typhea fumata.

Dermestes fumatus, Linn. Syst. Nat. 1. 2, p. 564°.

Typhea fumata, Curtis, Brit. Ent. t. 7027; Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1856, p. 15°.

Hab. Nort America 3.—Mexico, Toxpam, Cordova (Sallé); GuaTEMALA, near the

city, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).—Kurops + ?.

This species is frequently met with in old straw and hay, and is liable to be diffused

by commerce.

Fam. DERMESTIDA*.

Between three and four hundred species of Dermestide are at present known.

One of the best known of the genera of this family—Anthrenus—is apparently absent

from our region: there is, however, a single specimen belonging to it, labelled

N. Sonora, in our collections; but as the species are extremely liable to be carried.

about with natural history specimens, it is probable that this individual does not really

belong to our Fauna.

* By D. Suarp.

DERMESTES. 643

Subfam. DERMESTIN 2.

DERMESTES. |

Dermestes, Linn. (ex parte), Syst. Nat. i. 2, p. 561 (1767); Erichson, Ins. Deutsch. iii. p. 424.

This genus includes upwards of fifty species, but how many of these are really valid

it is impossible to say, the synonymy being very difficult on account of most of the

descriptions being inadequate. Some of the species are extremely variable. Five

have been detected in our region.

1. Dermestes marmoratus.

Dermestes marmoratus, Say, Journ. Acad. Phil. iii. p. 197'; Jayne, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xx.

p. 849, t. 1. fig. 10 (1882) *

Hab. Nortu America!, Western and Pacific States 2.—Mexico, Villa Lerdo in

Durango ( Hége).

This North-American insect is represented as Mexican by a series of seventeen

specimens. It is a very distinct species, larger than any other, and with the sides of

the thorax much converging in front, but straight behind the middle.

2. Dermestes mannerheimi.

Dermestes mannerheimii, Lec. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1854, p. 107°.

Hab. Norra America, California!, Texas (coll. Sharp)—Mexico, Villa Lerdo in

Durango, Vera Cruz, Cordova (Hége), Santecomapan (Sal/é).

The specimen from Santecomapan agrees almost exactly with one of the individuals

from California named for me many years ago by Dr. Leconte as D. mannerheimi.

Jayne says the species is not distinct from D. marmoratus, but this is apparently an

error. Reitter, on the other hand, says that D. mannerheimi is probably (‘sicher ”)

D. caninus, Germar. That species is said by Jayne to be D. murinus, L.; but this

also may be assumed to be an error arising from badly-named examples, as our

common European J. murinus does not agree with Jayne’s description. We have

received only a small series of six specimens of this insect.

LD. mannerheimi may be distinguished from all our species (except D. marmoratus)

by the thorax being mottled with numerous spots of black, fulvous-yellow, and grey.

3. Dermestes carnivorus.

Dermestes carnivorus, Fabr. Syst. Ent. i. p. 55'; Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xix. p. 29 (1881) ’*.

? Dermestes sobrinus (Lec.), Reitter, l.c.*.

Hab. Noxtu America, Arizona.—Mexico, Ventanas to Jalapa (Forrer, Hoge, &c.),

Yucatan ; British Honpuras; GuaremaLa, San Gerénimo, Volcan de Atitlan (Cham-

pion); Nicaragua; Costa Rica.

| 4N*2

644 DERMESTID ZA.

The species of Dermestes are carried about to a large extent by commerce, and the

localities in which specimens are found are of little interest; but it is remarkable that

we have not received D. carnivorus from Panama, though the insect is very abundant

in Mexico.

According to the very large series before me this is an extremely variable species.

The most highly-coloured forms have the pubescence on the sides and front of the

thorax white, in sharp contrast to the large triangular patch of black pubescence on

the disc; and the elytra more or less broadly red at the base. As another extreme

form, we may mention one in which the upper surface is black, covered with

uniform grey pubescence. Between the two extremes we have numerous varieties, and

it is probable that some of these have been described as distinct species. The

synonymy of these forms of Dermestes is so questionable a matter that it cannot be

dealt with here; but reference may be made to Reitter’s remarks?, which were

apparently unknown to Jayne when he published his paper on North-American

Dermestide. Reitter? records D. sobrinus as occurring in Mexico, and I think it

possible he may refer to one of the varieties of this protean insect. He relies on the

colour of the sides of the metasternum to distinguish D. sobrinus. But the colour of

the under surface is very variable in some of the forms of D. carnivorus. The speci-

mens described by Fabricius were reputed to have been captured in Australia and

New Zealand.

4. Dermestes vulpinus,

Dermestes vulpinus, Fabr. Spec. Ins. i. p. 64°; Erichson, Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 426°.

Hab. Fere ubique.

This species has been widely distributed by commerce, and is sometimes found in

extraordinary profusion in cargoes of bones. It is common in our region, where it

varies greatly. A variety with uniformly distributed grey pubescence is the Dermestes

canus of Sturm, according to a specimen from his cabinet in Sallé’s collection. This

variety resembles almost exactly the unicolorous form of J. carnivorus alluded to

above, so that the two were mixed together by Sallé under the name of D. canus.

D. vulpinus may be distinguished from all our other species by the minute spines at

the apex of the elytral suture, and by the male having only one pencil of pubescence

on the ventral plates.

5. Dermestes cadaverinus.

Dermestes cadaverinus, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 55"; Erichson, Ins. Deutschl. ii. p. 4307; Jayne,

Proce. Am. Phil. Soc. xx. p. 353 (1882) *

Hab. Norra America, Florida ?.—Mexico?, Puebla (Sadlé), Morelia, Vera Cruz

(Hoge); British Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaur).—SiBERIA (coll. Sharp).

This is easily distinguished from the other species here enumerated by the more

DERMESTES.—ATTAGENUS. 645

elongate and flattened form, very dark colour, and by there being a depression on the

base of the thorax on each side. Iam unable to distinguish East-Siberian individuals

from our small Mexican series, and Erichson? has stated that D. domesticus, Gebl.,

from Siberia, is the same as D. cadaverinus.

6. Dermestes peruvianus.

Dermestes peruvianus, Cast. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 83'; Erichson, Ins. Deutschl. iii. p. 427 *.

Hab. Mexico 2.—Sovura America ! 2.

We have not received any example of this species.

Subfam. ATTAGENINA.

ATTAGENUS.

Attagenus, Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. ii. p. 832 (1807).

Novelsis et Aitagenus, Casey, Journ. New York Ent. Soc. viii. pp. 146, 148 (1900).

This is one of the more extensive of the genera of Dermestide, and is numerous in

species in the Eastern Hemisphere. It includes the more imperfect forms of the

subfamily, and there is considerable variety in minor points of structure. I have not

thought it necessary to adopt Casey’s division of the North-American forms at present,

as the material available does not enable me to verify his characters.

1. Attagenus piceus.

Dermestes piceus, Oliv. Ent. ii. 9, p. 10, t. 1. fig. 43,

Atiagenus piceus, Jayne, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xx. p. 355, t. 1. figg. 22, 23, 267.

Attagenus cylindricus, Kirby, Faun. Bor.-Amer. iv. p. 118, t. 7. fig. 3°.

Hab. NortH America ?3.—Muxico (Sallé, Hége).—Evrors }.

I refer three female specimens to this species, which is apparently a common insect

in N. America.

2. Attagenus horni.

Attagenus hornii, Jayne, Proc. Am. Phil. Soc. xx. p. 356, t. 1. figg. 18, 19, 24, 257.

Noveisis horni, Casey, Journ. New York Ent. Soc. viii. p. 148%.

Hab. Nort America, Pacific States, Arizona ?.—Mexico, Mexico city (Flohr),

Frontera in Tabasco (Hége).

Three specimens, considered by Dr. Horn to be probably this species. Jayne’s

description is marred by an error that renders it nugatory. If, however, in his second

description of the elytra, we read “black” instead of “rufous,” this would bring it into

accord with his immediately preceding statement, and would apply to our insect.

According to Casey, the antenne are only 10-jointed in the male.

646 . DERMESTIDZ.

GENATTUS, gen. nov.

Antenne 11]-articulate, articulis 5-8 brevissimis; clava triarticulata, maris elongata laxe articulata. Palpi

maxillares articulo ultimo fere magno, apice truncato. Mentum grande. Prosternum in medio horizon-

tale, anterius ad capitis receptionem adaptatum.

This genus bas the facies of the A. verbasci-section of Attagenus (=Megatoma,

Reitter &c.), but is abundantly distinct therefrom, the prosternum and mesosternum

being brought into contiguity and co-adapted in a much more perfect manner. The

prothorax is without any antennal fosse. The prosternum has the anterior margin a

little pendent, and inside forms a polished oblique plate or chin-piece, against which

the head is retracted ; when retracted the mandibles and a part of the mentum still

project. The middle coxe are moderately separated, with a broad, deep, and perfect

horizontal groove for the reception of the small prosternal process. The club of the

male antenna is remarkable for the loose articulation of the joints, in this respect

much resembling the Dorcatomine-division of Anobiide.

1. Genattus sequalis, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. figg. 13, ¢; 13a, ¢ antenna; 13 4,

2 antenna.)

Ovalis, sat convexus, pube subdepressa conspicua vestitus, niger, pedibus rufis; antennis testaceis, clava maris

nigricante ; elytris versus basin plus minusve rufescentibus, fasciis tribus irregularibus et interruptis

albidis.

Long. 3-4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé).

In this insect the pubescence of the upper surface is more developed than in the

allied forms. The antenne have the first joint a good deal longer than the second,

which is almost spherical; joints 8-5 are very small; the second joint of the elongate

male club is triangular, having only a very slender articulation with the joint before it

and also with the terminal joint, this latter being nearly twice as long as the tenth.

The thorax is rather coarsely punctate, but the punctuation is obscured by the

pubescence, which is mostly pallid except across the middle, where it is chiefly black.

The scutellum and a space on each side of it bear pallid hairs. ‘The elytra have behind

the scutellum a slender looped and angulate fascia of white hairs, and behind the

middle a rather irregular band of spots, and before the tip there is another band. The

amount of red varies, and the ground-colour of the elytra may be almost entirely

black. ‘T'he legs are moderately stout, the tibiz with short stout sete externally.

TROGODERMA.

Trogoderma, Latreille, Régne Anim. éd. 2, iv. p. 511 (1829); Casey, Journ. New York Ent. Soc.

vill. p. 151.

This is a widely-distributed genus, but is a composite one as at present understood,

TROGODERMA. 647

1. Trogoderma filipes, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovale, parum convexum, nigrum, griseo-vestitum ; elytris fasciis duabus, transversis, irregularibus, sat

conspicuis albidis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Puebla (Sallé); Centrat Averica (coll. Sharp).

American T. sternale, Jayne. Antenne black, except the small second and third

joints, which are obscurely yellow; third joint extremely minute ; joints 5-10 trans-

verse, the eleventh acuminate, twice as long as the tenth. Eyes round, convex.

Thorax strongly transverse, but little convex, the sides appearing somewhat flattened

out, black, very finely punctate, with much white pubescence at the sides. Elytra

very finely punctate, clothed with fine dark hair, with a very ill-defined broad marking

of scanty white pubescence somewhat in front of the middle, and a narrower and even

more obscure one before the apex.

I have long had a specimen of this species in my collection, and there are four others

obtained from the late M. Sallé’s Mexican collection.

2. Trogoderma celatum, sp. n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 14, 9 antenna.)

Oblongo-ovale, sat convexum, pube variegata dense vestitum, nigrum; elytris ex parte parum discrete rufo-

coloratis, signaturis albo-pubescentibus discoidalem aream quasi rhomboidalem includentibus.

Long. 3-4 millim. .

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

Similar to 7. filipes, but with the lateral parts of the thorax not spread out, and

the antenne of the male much shorter. The surface is very finely punctate, and bears

much variegate pubescence—white, pale tawny, and black; the white marks do not

form spots, but two angulate bands in front of the middle touch at a point on each

side of the suture, so as to enclose a small space of dark colour, somewhat rhomboidal

in form. The thorax is covered with pubescence, variegate all across, so that only a

comparatively small space in front of the scutellum remains black. The elytra are

stained with red (independent of pubescence) to a variable extent. The legs are obscure

red. The male antenne are short and very broad; the third and fourth joints minute,

fifth also very small, but slightly larger than the fourth (these three joints are not very

definitely separated); sixth strongly transverse ; seventh to eleventh forming a long

broad club of very short joints, the eleventh not being elongate, though nearly as long

as the two preceding together.

Described from four specimens in a very bad state of preservation, so that I have

taken the description of the colour from the female; but I believe all are really one

species. It is apparently allied to 7. simulaus, Casey. ‘The eyes are round and

prominent.

648 DERMESTID &.

3. Trogoderma gravidum, sp. n.

Ovale, convexum, nigrum, fusco-pubescens, minus variegatum; elytris fasciis duabus tenuibus albido-pubes-

centibus ; antennis medio testaceo; pedibus rufo-obscuris.

Long. 2 5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Puebla (Sallé).

We have only the female sex of this insect. The individuals are larger than those

of any other Zrogoderma known to me, and have the upper surface less variegate, there

being no trace of red colour on the elytra, and only two, not very conspicuous, white

bands on the elytra. The eyes are not emarginate. Joints 3-6 of the antenne small,

but not minute; seventh joint transverse, but small; joints 8-11 forming a short club,

darker in colour than the preceding joints. The thorax is strongly transverse, very

convex, the sides not being at all directed outwards, much narrowed in front, the

pubescence at the sides white, and also of this colour at the base, except in the middle.

Elytra with a median arcuate band of scanty white hairs, also with a few white hairs

between this and the base, and a rather more distinct band before the apex; the

clothing is chiefly of a tawny colour. The legs are red, but infuscate, the femora

being nearly black. Four specimens.

4, Trogoderma mexicanum.

Trogoderma mexicanum, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xix. p. 89 (1881) °.

Hab. Mexico}.

I have not seen any specimen corresponding to the description of this species, which

_is stated to have red antenne.

EUCNOCERUS, gen. nov.

Antenne 11-articulate, maris serrata, femine clavate ; clava 4- vel 5-articulata.

This curious genus is readily distinguished by the Serricorn antenne of the male,

and by the unusually large number of joints in the club of the female. The prothorax

is deeply depressed along each side of the under surface for its whole length for the

reception of the antenne, but the groove in its posterior part is much less definite in the

female than it isin the male. The prosternum is quite horizontal along the middle,

with the front margin a little pendent, and the retracted head is closely applied to it,

leaving only the mandibles free. The middle legs are rather widely separated, and the

mesosternum bears a deep and definite horizontal groove for the reception of the

prosternal process. The legs are very slender, the tibiee unarmed externally.

The genus is allied to Zrogoderma, from which it is distinguished by the form of the

male antenne, the articulations of which are placed on one side, as in the Serricorn

Coleoptera, not in the middle as in the Clavicornia. The N.-American Trogoderma

tarsalis and T. serriger probably belong to Eucnocerus. Although T’rogoderma has long

been recognized as a composite genus, Hucnocerus seems to be separable from all its

EUCNOCERUS.—CACCOLEPTUS. 649

species, and must be considered as a very highly organized form.’ Not. only the

antenne, but also the trophi, appear to be very different in the two sexes. In the

female the maxillary palpi are short and very thick, the terminal joint being stouter

than the preceding.

1. Kucnocerus dispar, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. figg. 15, ¢; 15a, ¢ antenna;

15 6, 2 antenna.)

Oblongo-ovalis, sat convexus, niger, supra rufo-maculatus, pube variegata vestitus; antennis pedibusque

testaceis, femoribus piceis,

Long. 3-44 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer),

This is the most remarkable species of the genus, so far as the structure of the

antenne is concerned. It may be distinguished from the others by the fact that

though there are white hairs on the upper surface, they are not anywhere concentrated

into spots or bands. The form is extremely compact. The thorax is very short,

strongly convex transversely, black, excessively finely punctate, clothed with an

extremely fine tomentum, which, though chiefly black, is variegated with white and

tawny hairs. Elytra black, much marked with red, minutely punctate, clothed with a

very fine down, which is variegate so as to add to the mottled appearance without

forming either spots or bands. Legs very slender.

We have a series of about twenty specimens. The female is usually larger than

the male.

2. Eucnocerus anthrenoides, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, niger, supra pube variegata vestitus; elytris basin versus rufescentibus guttisque albidis

ornatis ; antennis pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 3-4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Sal/é); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This is a more oval and convex insect than E. dispar, and has well-marked white

spots on the apical portion of the elytra. We have received a male from Bugaba,

while the Mexican individual is a female. A third specimen, from Chontales,

Nicaragua, is probably a rubbed and denuded example of this species,

CACCOLEPTUS, gen. nov.

Corpus rotundum, setosum. Antenne 11-articulate, subclavate ; clava 5-articulata. Prothorax utrinque ad

antennarum receptionem profunde depressum. Mesosternum ante coxas brevissimum. .

The extremely short mesosternum at once distinguishes this genus from 7 rogoderma,

and the very broad rounded form will readily lead to its recognition. The clothing is

more like hairs than the sete of TZ, rogoderma, and this and the form somewhat suggest

an affinity with Zrinodes. The head when retracted is closely applied to the pro-

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER , Coleopt., Vol. IT. Ft. 1, March 1902. 4 O*

650 DERMESTIDZ.

sternum, which is very short and has a short, broad, prosternal process. The middle

coxee are widely separated, and the metasternum is defined in front in the middle by

a remarkably distinct raised margin, forming a gentle arch: reposing against this the

inesosternum appears as a small transverse piece on each side. ‘The ventral segments

are smaller than usual. ‘The coxal plates are highly developed.

This genus is established for C. rotundus. The second species I have placed in

Caccoleptus will no doubt have to be separated when more is known about it.

1. Caccoleptus rotundus, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 16.)

Brevis, rotundatus, convexus, supra nigricans, subtus dilute piceus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; setis sub-

depressis sat dense vestitus, elytris vix albido-subfasciatis.

Long. 23, lat, 27 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

We have only one specimen of this species, and I am uncertain as to its sex, but it

is probably a male. The antenne are short, rather stout, thicker towards the extremity ;

first and second joints short and stout, third and fourth quite small: from this onwards

the antenna becomes gradually thicker, the tenth joint being strongly transverse ; the

terminal joint is short, but nearly twice as long as the tenth. ‘he eyes are round, not

emarginate. The thorax is very short and broad, and is remarkable on account of the

great prolongation of the base in the middle, which covers and conceals the scutellum.

‘There is no distinct punctuation of the upper surface, but there is a well-developed

clothing of hair, which is mostly black; there are, however, numerous white hairs,

which in a very rudimentary manner form a median fascia.

2. Caccoleptus anisotomoides, sp. n.

Rotundato-ovalis, convexus, rufus, capite thoraceque nigricantibus, nitidus, parce subtilissime punctatus, parce

setosus, hic inde guttis minutis albidis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneauc).

Antenne very small, almost gradually thickened from the sixth joint to the tenth.

Head small. Thorax much lobed at the base in the middle, nearly covering the

scutellum. ‘There is a scanty setosity scattered over the surface, and a few minute spots

due to small agglomerations of pure white hairs. Legs slender.

We have only one specimen of this insect, which might almost be described as

having the form and hind body of Cryptorhopalum, with the head and prothorax of

Trogoderma. it departs in several points from C. ro¢undus, the middle coxe being less

widely separated and the mesosternal margin fine, It is somewhat uncertain how

many joints there are to the antenna: the two short basal joints are definite, and then

there are two or three more slender joints, the sixth joint distinct and almost forming

part of the loosely-articulated 5-jointed club.

HEMIRHOPALUM. 651

HEMIRHOPALUM, gen. nov.

Antenne clava biarticulata, laxa. Prothorax subtus utrinque ad antennarum receptionem late et profunde

sed minus argute impressus.

This genus must be placed between Hadrotoma and Crypturhopalum. It agrees with

the latter in most of its characters, but the sides of the thorax beneath have a large

impression which is shallow behind instead of a depression that exactly fits the club of

the antenne: this impression in front is broadly open. The ocellus is absent, but its

position is indicated by a slight difference of the surface. ‘lhe antenne differ from

those of Cryptorhopalum by having a large, but ordinary, laxly-jointed club of two

joints. The form is oblong, the base of the thorax being less produced over the

scutellum, and the surface much less pubescent than is usual in Cryptorhopalum. The

species composing the genus appear to be all of the greatest rarity.

1. Hemirhopalum clythreforme, sp. n.

Oblongum, nigerrimum, nitidum, fere glabrum, antennis tarsisque sordide testaceis ; subtiliter punctatum,

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

Antenne with the first joint of the club rather larger than the second. ‘Thorax

strongly transverse, all the angles rounded, the base closely applied to the elytra, the

sides very densely punctured, the disc more sparingly punctured and shining. Elytra

finely and sparingly punctate. Ventral segments with an extremely dense punctuation.

One specimen, probably a female.

2. Hemirhopalum bicolor, sp. n.

Oblongum, nigrum, nitidum; elytris lete rufis, parte apicali nigra; antennis testaceis, clava obscura; pedibus

piceis, tarsis rufis ; subtiliter punctatum.

Long. 43 millim.

_ fab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Very closely allied to H. clythreforme, but readily distinguished by the bright red

colour of the greater part of the elytra. The two joints of the antennal club are

infuscate and just about equal in size. The punctuation on the thorax is fine, dense

at the sides, more sparing but definite on the disc, and an excessively minute setosity

is present. The elytra are bright orange-red, but broadly black at the tip, and there is

also a very limited blackening on each side of the scutellum ; they have a very fine,

but not scanty, punctuation, and no setosity. One specimen, probably a female, the

last ventral plate being deeply transversely depressed.

4O* 2

652 DERMESTID.

8. Hemirhopalum buprestoide, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. figg. 17; 17 a, antenna.)

Oblongum, angustum, nigricans, vix nitidum, subtiliter pubescens, antennis pedibusque testaceis, subtiliter

punctatum.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Only one specimen, of uncertain sex, has been obtained of this very peculiar species.

It is in facies somewhat like a Buprestid; it has the head very short and broad, the

eyes prominent, and the parts of the mouth are free when the head is retracted. The

club of the antenna is large, the two joints about equal in size, the terminal one a

little infuscate. The thorax is strongly transverse, not greatly narrowed in front, all

the angles obtuse, but the hinder ones only very slightly so; the punctuation along the

middle is scanty and fine, at the sides denser; the pubescence is scanty and very fine,

but not short. The elytra are long and narrow, dull blackish, with indications of a red

tinge extending backwards from the shoulders; the punctuation is extremely shallow,

but the punctures are not very small; the pubescence is like that of the thorax, ‘The

legs are yellow, but infuscate. ‘The abdominal sculpture is very dense and fine.

4, Hemirhopalum hadrotomoide, sp. n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 18.)

Elongatum, angustum, nigricans, elytris plaga magna humerali rufa, antennis pedibusque testaceis, his infus-

catis; haud nitidum, obsolete punctatum, tenuiter pubescens.

Long. 4 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

Of this species we have two female specimens. ‘lhe antenne are yellow, the terminal

joint fuscescent, not quite so large as the preceding one. ‘The thorax is a good deal

narrowed in front, finely punctate and with a scanty pubescence; the median basal

lobe is emarginate. ‘The elytra are obsoletely punctate, and the pubescence is scanty

and very fine; the red mark is large, but ill-defined. The tarsi are yellow, the femora

nearly black. A large shallow impression occupies the greater part of the surface of

the last ventral plate. In this species the prothoracic antennal cavity is less sharply

defined than in the others.

CRYPTORHOPALUM.

Cryptorhopalum, Guérin, Icon. Régn. Anim., Ins. p. 67 (1838); Erichson, Ins. Deutschl. iii,

p. 424, nota.

Twelve species of this genus are enumerated in the Munich Catalogue, all from

America, Erichson had, however, long previously stated that twenty-five were known

to him. Reitter added about thirty species in 1881, five of them being from the Indo-

Australian region; and in 1900 Casey described twelve new North-American forms.

I have myself seen no true species of this genus from the Eastern Hemisphere, and -

CRYPTORHOPALUM. ; 653

two that I formerly described from Hawaii will have to be removed from it. I here

describe thirty-eight species, and have little doubt that there are many others in Central

America ; indeed we have specimens that probably represent some twenty additional

forms which are left undescribed for want of adequate material.

§ 1. Elytra variegate in colour by bands or spots of pubescence.—Species 1-11,

1. Cryptorhopalum septemsignatum, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 19.)

Breviter ovale, subtus valde convexum, nigrum, supra signaturis septem lete flavis, subtus nigrum, abdomine

lateribusque pectoris flayo-pubescentibus.

Long. 3 millim,

Hab. Britis Hoxpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); Guatumaua, Cahabon (Champion).

This species is recognizable by its surface being definitely variegate with bright

yellow marks of pubescence sharply limited from the black pubescence. ‘The sides of

the thorax are broadly yellow, and there is a patch of yellow hairs on the basal median

lobe. The elytra each bear two yellow spots rather near the suture, one just about the

middle and another at the tip; the punctuation is largely developed, and at the base

consists of a mixture of large and small punctures, becoming dense and fine towards

the apex. ‘T’he club of the antenna is blackish, its two joints accurately co-adapted,

the terminal one not quite so large as the preceding, truncate at the tip. Apparently

allied to C. sexsignatum, Reitt., from Bolivia, but that insect has three yellow spots,

instead of two, on each elytron, ‘This species and the following will doubtless form a

genus distinct from our other Cryptorhopala, the prosternal process being much

broader, and the front of the prothorax so formed that the antennal cavities look

more outwards and less downwards.

2. Cryptorhopalum bisignatum, sp. n.

Breviter ovale, subtus valde convexum, nigrum, supra signaturis quinque flavis, subtus nigrum, abdomine

lateribusque pectoris flavo-pubescentibus.

3 a:

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). y

Distinguished from C. septemsiqnatum only by the fact that the yellow pubescence is

less bright, and the apical pair of elytral spots quite wanting. One male specimen.

3. Cryptorhopalum posticatum, sp. n. ’

Breviter ovale, convexum, pallide griseo-pubescens; elytris pone medium macula magna communi nigra ;

tibiis, tarsis antennisque rufis.

Long. 22 millim,

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion).

In this insect the sculpture is concealed by the dense pubescence; this is of very

pale, but not white, colour, mixed a little with dark fuscous hairs, and there is a

654 DERMESTID.

very vague fuscous band across the thorax. The most remarkable feature is, however,

the large, oval (almost circular), black ornament just before the tip of the elytra; this

is rendered more conspicuous by the white pubescence in front of it being concentrated

so as to form part of aring. The femora are so densely covered with pubescence that

their colour is concealed. The unique example is no doubt a male. The club of the

antenna is oval, rather short, and broad, with the terminal joint distinctly smaller than

the first.

4. Cryptorhopalum instabile, sp. n.

Breviter ovale, convexum, griseo-pubescens, nigrum, supra plus minusve rufescens, fasciis transversis irregu-

laribus ornatum ; antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 2-23 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil, Zapote, San Gerénimo, El Jicaro, Cahabon (Champion) ;

Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Pefia Blanca 3000-4000 feet (Champion).

I refer to this species a large number of specimens allied to the North-American

C. balteatum, but of less oblong form. ‘hey differ from C. germanum by the club of

the antenne being smaller and red in colour. There is much variation in the colour

of the upper surface, which is sometimes almost entirely red, sometimes nearly all

black. ‘he paler examples are usually less in size than the dark individuals. The

pubescent bands consist of a postbasal and a postmedian, and a small mark at the

apex; the surface is very easily abraded in this species, and the bands are therefore

sometimes very indefinite. ‘There is much pallid pubescence on the thorax. The

punctuation is everywhere fine. The club of the male antenna is broad and rather

short, the first of its two joints scarcely so long as broad, distinctly but not a great

deal longer than the terminal one.

It is possible I may be mixing more than one species under this name, but I have

failed to find any satisfactory means of separating the individuals. C. instabile differs

from C. balteatuinm by the absence of the two circular spaces on the last ventral segment

of the female.

5. Cryptorhopalum dubium, sp. n.

Breviter ovale, convexum, nigricans, elytris brunneis, antennis pedibusque rufis ; pallide griseo-pubescens,

minus discrete fasciatum, elytris dense subtiliter punctatis.

Long. 2-23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé, Hoge); British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz).

Although closely approached by some of the varieties of C. instabile, I think this

will prove to be a distinct species. ‘The pubescence is more abundant and more

uniformly distributed, so that the fascie are less marked, and in consequence of the

whole length of the sutural portion being pallidly pubescent the darker marks form

spots rather than bands; the postbasal fascia is almost completely obliterated. The

CRYPTORHOPALUM. 655

pubescence is also rather paler and finer. The club of the antenna is but little

different from that of €. instadile, but is apparently a little shorter. ‘Ten specimens.

6. Cryptorhopalum flammulatum, sp. n.

Breviter ovale, convexum ; capite pectoreque nigricantibus ; pronoto, elytris abdomineque brunneis; antennis

pedibusque testaceis; griseo-pubescens, elytris fasciis duabus angustis distantibus.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador (Champion).

This is another close ally of C. instadile. The thorax is abundantly clothed with

pale pubescence. The elytra have a postmedian and a postbasal fascia, which extend

but little in the longitudinal direction (the fascie thus appearing to be widely separated) ;

and they have also some pale pubescence scattered over the rest of the surface, and so

rendering the two bands less definite, but this does not extend along the suture. ‘The

two examples are, I think, male and female; if so, there is less difference than usual in

the antennal club, which is rather small, oval, with the first joint not quite so long as

broad, and not very much larger than the terminal joint.

7. Cryptorhopalum germanum, sp. n. (Tab. XIX. figs. 20a, ¢ antenna:

206, 2 antenna.)

Breviter ovale, convexum, griseo-pubescens, nigrum, elytris apicem versus plus minusve rufescentibus, fasclisque

transversis irregularibus ornatis ; antennarum basi pedibusque rufis.

Long. 2-22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé), Tonila, Colima (Hoge), Amula, Acaguizotla,

Rincon, Cuernavaca (H. H. Smith) ; GUATEMALA, near the city, Capetillo, Duefias,

Zapote (Champion).

In this species the elytra are sometimes almost entirely black, and sometimes almost

entirely red; in all cases, however, there is a certain extent of red at the tip and some

black near the scutellum, but there is no alternation of the red and black ; the preapical,

band of pale pubescence is always distinct, and at the suture sends an angle backwards

that connects with the spot at the tip. The premedian band of pubescence is com-

paratively slender and scanty. ‘The antenne have the club dark, the apical joint larger

than the preceding one, but not twice as large. The thorax is covered with a grey

pubescence, with vague darker spots or rather small areas. The punctuation of the

upper surface is very fine. The pubescence of the elytra is grey on the basal portions,

always more or less flavescent or rufescent on the apical bands and spots; between the

bands the pubescence is dark. On the underside the grey pubescence is very distinct.

We have received a large series of this species, which is apparently a common insect

in Mexico and Guatemala. It seems to be allied to C. hemorrhoidale, Lec.

656 DERMESTID.

8. Cryptorhopalum argutum, sp. n.

Regulariter ovale, convexum, griseo-pubescens, nigrum; elytris rufo-variegatis, argute transversim griseo-

fasciatis, macula pallida apicali magna; antennarum basi pedibusque rufis.

Long. 23-22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Mexico city (Héye), Guanajuato (Sal/é); Guatemata, Coban in Vera

Paz (Conradt).

Var. cordovanum, var, n.

Oblongo-ovale, magis elongatum.

Long. 3-3} millim,

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sal/é).

In this species the ground-colour of the elytra is biack, more or less fasciate with

red ; the premedian band of pale pubescence is situate on an area that is more or less

distinctly red, and behind it the surface is again darker. ‘This at once distinguishes

the insect from C. germanum, though they are at first sight very similar. The

distinctness of the two is made certain by numerous other points, the most important

of which is the considerably larger size of the club of the male antenna. The thorax

is uniformly covered with grey pubescence. ‘The punctuation throughout is very fine.

The pale pubescence forming the markings on the apical half of the elytra is not at all

flavescent, but quite concolorous with that on the anterior parts; the apical spot is

remarkably large and definite, and is quite disconnected from the preapical band.

Five specimens.

Iam not sure that the specimens from Cordova do not represent a distinct closely

allied species, but there are only four examples, and two of them are in very bad

condition.

9. Cryptorhopalum bicolor, sp. n.

Breviter ovale, nigrum, nigro-pubescens, nitidum; elytris pone basin fascia latissima sanguinea; antennarum

clava pedibusque fuscis, tibiis, tarsis antennarumque basi rufis.

Long. 24-33 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz).

Thorax very sparingly and finely punctured and pubescent, shining, black, the

pubescence concolorous; the basal lobe very broad, short, abrupt. KElytra finely

punctured, with a very broad blood-red band a little distance behind the base, the

pubescence concolorous, 7. e. black on the black portions, sanguineous on the red band.

The club of the male antenna is only moderately long and broad, the first joint not

greatly longer than the second. ‘The legs and club of the antenna are not black, but

more or less infuscate red.

Reitter’s C. rufo-fasciatum would appear from the description to come between this

species and C. divisum.

CRYPTORHOPALUM. 657

10. Cryptorhopalum divisum, sp. n.

Ovale, convexum, nigrum, fulvo-pubescens, elytris pone basin fascia latissima rufa; antennis pedibusque

rufis ; crebre subtiliter punctatum.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Narrower than C. bicolor, and readily distinguished by the tawny pubescence. The

male is not known, but the female has a short club to the antenna, which is peculiar,

inasmuch as the first of the two joints forming the club is not longer than, indeed is

slightly shorter than, the terminal joint. Three specimens.

11. Cryptorhopalum subfasciatum, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 21.)

Ovale, sat convexum, nigrum, elytris apicem versus, antennis pedibusque rufis, antennarum claya sub-

fuscescente ; elytris post basin fascia transversa, etiam ad apicem macula transversa griseo-pubescentibus,

parum conspicuis,

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

This species connects the transversely fasciate forms with those that have con-

eolorous pubescence; the bands of pubescence undoubtedly exist, though but little

conspicuous. The thorax is much narrowed in front, black, but with a good deal of

white pubescence at the sides, and rather less on the disc, very finely punctate. The

elytra are rather densely, somewhat roughly, punctured; they are broadly black on

the basal part, and red on the apical part, the one colour merging gradually into the

other; the pubescence is rather scanty, and the postmedian band and apical spots

are formed by comparatively few hairs. The under surface is densely punctured,

griseo-pubescent. The club of the antenna is very much larger in the male than it is

in the female; the terminal joint is large, but is distinctly smaller than the first joint

of the club.

§ 2. Elytra unicolorous, or obscurely and indefinitely paler towards the tip.

Thorax not distorted at the sides.—Species 12-35.

12. Cryptorhopalum affine.

? Cryptorhopalum affine, Casey, Journ. New York Ent. Soc. viii. p. 157 (1900) °.

Hab. Norra America, California!, Arizona (Morrison, in coll. Sharp). —Mexi00,

N. Sonora (Morrison).

Distinguished from the following species by the stiffer, less conspicuous pubescence,

which is slightly tlavescent in colour, and by the more elongate club of the male

antenna. J am not at all sure that this is really the same as the N.-American insect

with the description of which I identify it.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1902. 4 p*

658 . DERMESTIDA,

13. Cryptorhopalum guatemalenum, sp. n.

Breviter ovale, nigrum, griseo-pubescens, elytrorum margine ad apicem vage rufescente; crebrius, fortiter

punctatum, haud nitidum; pedibus rufis, femoribus nigricantibus; antennis medio testaceo, clava

elongata, apicem versus fuscescente.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).

The pubescence in this insect covers the surface more evenly, and on this account

and its paler colour is more conspicuous than usual. The thorax is distinctly punc-

tured, even on the disc; the punctuation of the elytra is rather coarse and rough.

On the under surface the metasternum is coarsely punctate, the punctuation and

pubescence dense. The club of the antenna is long and broad; the terminal joint is

always dark, and is not so short as in the allied species: in the male it is two-thirds

or three-fifths the length of the preceding joint; in the female it is not much shorter

than the preceding joint. Twenty specimens. One of them, from Guatemala city, has

the thorax less punctate, and the legs, including the femora, brighter red.

14, Cryptorhopalum teapense, sp. n.

Breviter ovale, nigrum, elytris piceo-rufis, flavo-pubescens, antennis pedibusque rufis; elytris crebrius sat

fortiter punctatis ; antennarum clava parum elongata.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa in Tabasco (H. H. Smith).

Extremely similar to the specimens of C. affine with red elytra, but readily distin-

guished therefrom by the smaller club of the antenna. In the male the terminal joint

is unusually small, is narrower than the preceding joint, and only about one-third as

long. In the females the antennal distinctions of the two species are much less marked.

There is a fine punctuation on the disc of the thorax. The punctuation of the under

surface is very dense. ‘The legs, including the femora, are red. Five specimens.

15. Cryptorhopalum appendiculatum, sp.n. (T'ab. XIX. fig. 22, g antenna.)

Breviter ovale, nigrum, nitidum, subtiliter fusco-pubescens, antennis pedibusque fuscis; elytris fortiter sat

crebre punctatis ; antennarum clava elongata, articulo ultimo minuto.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Rincon in Guerrero (1. H. Smith).

Distinguished from C. teapense by the black colour, and by the very elongate club of

the male antenna, which, however, is chiefly formed by one joint, the terminal joint

being minute. The thorax, though quite shining, is definitely punctate. ‘The punc-

tuation of the elytra is also definite, and is not dense and confluent on the basal part.

The terminal joint of the antenna in the male is only about one-fourth as long as the

preceding joint. The femora are nearly black. One specimen.

CRYPTORHOPALUM. 659

16. Cryptorhopalum celatum, sp. n.

Ovale, nigrum, griseo-pubescens, sat nitidum; antennis pedibusque rufis, femoribus nigricantibus ; elytris

crebrius fortiusque punctatis ; antennarum clava modice elongata, crassiuscula,

Long. 2? millim.

Hab. Mexico, Acaguizotla, Rincon, and Chilpancingo in Guerrero, Cuernavaca

(H. H. Smith).

Extremely close to C. guatemalenum, but with the pubescence of the upper surface

Jess uniform and less evenly distributed, it being more concentrated on the sides of the

thorax and more scanty on the disc, which is very indistinctly punctate. The elytra

have a rather rough and coarse punctuation, but nevertheless the surface is somewhat

shining, the pubescence being somewhat short and fine. The under surface is very

densely punctate. ‘The club of the male antenna is rather large, stout, the first joint

scarcely twice as long as the terminal one; that of the female is much smaller.

Seven specimens.

17. Cryptorhopalum cribriceps, sp. n.

Ovale, convexum, nigerrimum, subnitidum, nigro-griseo-pubescens, capite elytrisque fortiter profundeque

punctatis; palpis antennarumque medio testaceis,

Long. 33 millim.

Hab, Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

We have only one specimen of this species, but it is so distinct that it will be easily

recognized. ‘he punctuation of the head is coarse, close, and deep. The thorax is

very large, finely punctate. The punctuation at the base of the elytra is dense and

coarse, becoming finer and more distant at the apex; the pubescence is blackish, but

in certain lights is distinctly grisescent. The legs are black, the tarsi fuscous. The

club of the antenna is rather small, the terminal joint quite evidently smaller than

the preceding one. The punctuation of the metasternum is more coarse than usual.

18. Cryptorhopalum laterale, sp. n.

Ovale, fere angustum, nigrum, nitidum, griseo-pubescens, antennis tarsisque rufis; prothorace disco fere

impunctato, ad latera (presertim angulos anteriores versus) fortiter punctato.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

Of this insect also we have only one specimen, but the species will be readily

distinguished by the thoracic punctuation, which is remarkably coarse at the sides and

anterior angles, in striking contrast to the almost impunctate disc. The head is more

definitely punctured than usual. There is much pallid pubescence about the sides of

the thorax. ‘The punctuation of the elytra is so distant that the surface is shining.

The first joint of the club of the antenna is not quite twice as long as the second.

The punctuation of the under surface is dense and rather fine.

4 p*2

660 . DERMESTID.

19. Cryptorhopalum incanum. .

? Cryptorhopalum incanum, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xix. p. 47 (188]) *.

Ovale, vonvexum, nigrum, elytris sordide rufis, equaliter griseo-pubescens; elytris dense fortiter punctatis ;

antennis pedibusque rufis, illaram clava apicem versus fuscescente.

Long. 2-2} millim.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek 1), Tapachula (Hége).

This species is almost evenly covered with griseous pubescence, so that it has a dull,

uniformly grey appearance ; the punctuation of the elytra, too, is remarkably dense,

and the surface is rough, the individual punctures being ill-defined and only indefi-

nitely impressed. ‘The club of the male antenna is long and slender, the terminal

joint more than half the length of the preceding one. One pair only has been

received. It is somewhat doubtful whether this is really Reitter’s species, but our

insect must be at any rate very closely allied thereto. It is smaller than C. teapense

or C. guatemalenum, and has the punctuation of the elytra extremely dense. The club

of the antenna is oblong-oval, and differs but little from that of C. guatemalenum.

20. Cryptorhopalum robustum, sp. n.

Late ovale, nigerrimum, crebre, minus subtiliter punctatum, nitidum, nigro-fulvo-pubescens, antennis

pedibusque rufis.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Hoge).

One of the largest and broadest of the genus, and with the surface shining, aithough

the punctuation is rather coarse. The pubescence has a slight tawny tinge, but not

vivid enough to prevent the insect from appearing black. ‘The thorax 1s large, with

the basal lobe broad; a large portion of the scutellum is exposed. ‘The punctuation,

even on the disc of the thorax, is quite distinct. The legs and the club of the antenna

are dark red. The club is only moderately long and broad, the first joint not quite

twice as long as the second. Three specimens.

21, Cryptorhopalum rufipes.

? Cryptorkopalum rufipes, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xix. p. 4’.

Latum, ovale, convexum, nigerrimum, antennis pedibusque rufis, parce subtiliter punctatum et nigro-

pubescens, sat nitidum.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Muxico (Bilimek 1), Alto del Tizar (Flohr), Puebla, Cordova (Sai/é).

This species is readily distinguished by the characters given above, the comparatively

fine and distant sculpture making it somewhat remarkable amongst the other black

forms. ‘The male has the club of the antenna long and rather narrow in proportion

to the length, the first of its two joints being distinctly longer than broad, and the

CRYPTORHOPALUM. 661

second is evidently, though not greatly, shorter than the first; the total length of

the club is a little less than s millim. In the female the club is much smaller.

The lobe of the base of the thorax is broad and abrupt, the sinuation on each side of

it being very strong.

I refer six specimens to this species, but there are several others that are either

varieties or allied forms.

22. Cryptorhopalum gravidum, sp. n.

Ovale, convexum, crebre subtiliter punctatum, nigro-pubescens, sat nitidum; pedibus fusco-rufis, femoribus

nigris; antennis medio flavo, clava nigricante.

Long. 3-34 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chilpancingo, Cuernavaca (Sailé).

In this species the club of the male antenna is very elongate, but it is broad and

the terminal joint is quite small, being only one-fourth the length of that preceding it.

The thorax is quite definitely punctured, even on the disc; the punctuation of the

elytra is more scanty, but their pubescence is very conspicuous on the apical parts.

Four specimens.

23. Cryptorhopalum ventanense, sp. n.

Ovale, convexum, crebre subtiliter punctatum, fusco-nigro-pubescens; pedibus fusco-rufis, femoribus nigris ;

antennis medio flavo, clava rufescente.

Long. 37 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas in Durango (fége).

In this insect the club of the male antenna, besides being paler, is more slender

than it is in C. gravidum, but the relative proportions of its two joints are about the

same. ‘The pubescence on the elytra is not quite so black. Three specimens.

24. Cryptorhopalum funestum, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovale, sat convexum, nigrum, nigro-pubescens, crebrius punctatum; antennis medio flavo, clava

nigricante.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas (forrer), Chilpancingo (HZ. H. Smith).

Smaller than C. gravidum, and more closely punctured, being also narrower and

more oblong in form and with the thoracic lobe much narrower. The club of the

male antenna is elongate, the terminal joint being small, about one-third the length of

the first joint. The species is further distinguished by possessing a small, indistinct,

round impression on the centre of the metasternum. The colour of the pubescence

varies a little, and seems somewhat less black on the underside than it is above. This

species, at first sight, much resembles C. subtile, which, however, has longer and

thinner legs and very differently formed antennz. Three specimens.

662 DERMESTID£.

25. Cryptorhopalum misellum, sp. n.

Ovale, convexum, nigrum, haud nitidum, crebre subtiliter punctatum, nigro-pubescens; antennis rufis, pedibus

sordide rufis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatema.a, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

Distinguishable from the four preceding species by the finer punctuation of the

upper surface, and from C. subtile by its comparatively broader form and shorter legs.

We have only two specimens: they are females, and one of them is immature and

piceous in colour. The club of the antenna is of moderate size, the terminal joint

rather large, being a good deal more than half the size of the first joint.

26. Cryptorhopalum subtile, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovale, leviter convexum, nigerrimum, brevissime fusco-nigro-pubescens, sat nitidum; antennis rufis,

pedibus sordide rufis.

Long. 3-33 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Calderas, Chiacam (Champion).

The most oblong in form of this group of species; rather narrow, of an intense

black colour, which is scarcely rendered less black by the very short fine pubescence.

The punctuation of the thorax is both fine and scanty; the basal median lobe is broad

and truncate. The elytra are very long in comparison with the thorax. The club of

the male antenna is very long; the terminal joint long, rather more than half the

length of the preceding one. The club in the female is much shorter. The legs are

very slender, the femora black. |

Mr. Champion found twenty-five specimens at Calderas. The single individual

from Chiacam is more densely punctate and may belong to another species.

27. Cryptorhopalum sordidum, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovale, minus convexum, nigrum, griseo-pubescens, antennis medio, tibiis tarsisque rufis, crebrius

subtiliter punctulatum ; antennarum clava, oblongo-ovali, sat magna.

Long. 2-23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

A rather long and narrow form, not closely allied to any other, though it has no

strikingly peculiar characters. ‘The club of the antenna is less largely developed than

usual, and differs comparatively little in the two sexes; it is quite black, and the

articulation separating the two joints is very distinct, the first of the two joints being

distinctly longer than the last, and a little longer in the male than in the female.

‘The thorax is closely, but very finely punctate, the punctuation being similar all over

its surface. The elytra are finely and rather closely punctured, and clothed with a

fusco-griseous pubescence. —

The nine specimens, from the Sallé collection, are not in a very good state of

preservation. The elytra are sometimes rufescent towards the extremity.

CRYPTORHOPALUM. 663

28. Cryptorhopalum brevicolle, sp. n.

Breviter oblongo-ovale, sat convexum, nigrum, subtiliter fulvo-pubescens, antennis pedibusque rufis, crebre,

subtiliter punctatum; maris antennarum clava sat magna, articulis minus disparibus.

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. Panama, Tolé, David (Champion).

The smallest of our species of this genus, and one in which there is least disparity

in the sizes of the two joints of the antennal club. The club in the male is a good

deal larger than it is in the female, and the first joint is distinctly larger than the

second ; in the female the two joints are even less unequal in size. The punctuation

of the thorax is quite fine, that of the elytra a little coarser; the surface is not shining,

and the tawny or flavescent pubescence does not detract much from the black appear-

ance. ‘Three specimens.

We have five others almost as small as C. brevicolle, but they apparently represent

as many different species.

29. Cryptorhopalum chontalense, sp. n.

Subhemisphericum, nigricans vel rufescens, dense equaliter griseo-pubescens; antennis pedibusque rufis,

illarum maris clava elongata.

1 3 3

Long. 23-22 millim.

Hab, Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

The surface in this insect is densely covered with a pallid pubescence that entirely

conceals the sculpture, which, however, is extremely fine. The club of the male

antenna is elongate, the terminal joint a little infuscate, nearly half as long as the

preceding ; in the female the club is much shorter and is oval. The pubescence of

the under surface is very dense, and on the metathorax has a slight blue tinge. The

colour of the surface varies from red to nearly black. In the male the pubescence of

the last ventral plate forms a very short tuft on each side of the middle projecting

backwards. Four specimens.

30. Cryptorhopalum ochraceum, sp. n.

Breviter ovale, convexum, omnium densissime ochraceo-griseo-pubescens, antennis pedibusque rufis; maris

antennarum Clava ovali.

Long. 2-22 millim.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata, Cahabon (Champion).

Distinguished from all the other forms here described, except C. chontalense, by

the extremely dense pubescence, which everywhere covers the surface and conceals the

sculpture. The club of the antenna of the male is moderately large, oval, the terminal

joint infuscate, fully half as long as the preceding one. In the female the club is

much smaller. Distinguished from C. chontalense by the very dense ochraceous

pubescence and narrower form; the tufts at the apex of the last ventral plate of that

insect are not present in C. ochraceum. Three specimens.

664 DERMESTIDZ.

81. Cryptorhopalum globuloide, sp. n.

Subhemisphericum, rufum, parce subtiliter punctatum et pubescens; antennis clava nigra, parum magna,

articulo ultimo precedente majore.

Long. 22 millim.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Of this species we have only a single specimen in indifferent condition, but which I

do not hesitate to name, as it presents a character foreign to nearly all our other

members of the genus, inasmuch as the last joint of the antenna is rather larger

than that preceding it. This and the globular form, the scanty and fine punctuation

and pubescence, and the uniform red colour, should readily lead to the identification

of the insect. It has a small head, and the eyes are smaller than in any other form.

32. Cryptorhopalum cyphonoide, sp. n.

Ovale, convexum, nigricans, elytris sepius rufis, subtiliter punctatum, equaliter pubescens, haud nitidum,

antennis pedibusque rufis.

Long. 3-3; millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sallé).

One of the most commonplace-looking species of the genus, somewhat reminding

one of a Cyphon. The club of the antenna is rather slender, oval, the terminal joint

moderately large, but a good deal smaller than the preceding one. Palpi yellow.

Thorax with a fine, moderately close, punctuation, which, as well as the pubescence, is

as marked on the disc as on the sides, though not quite so dense. LElytra only finely

and sparingly punctured, but with rather long, evenly distributed pubescence. Legs

including the femora, quite red. The elytra are sometimes blackish in colour, but even

then the humeral prominence is reddish. Seven specimens.

I have also provisionally assigned to C. cyphoaoide two or three specimens from

Guatemala, in which the punctuation and pubescence are more scanty and the surface

therefore more shining; they may belong to another species.

83. Cryptorhopalum mordelloide, sp n.

Oblongo-ovale, convexum, nigrum, flavo-griseo-pubescens, elytris brunneis, subtiliter punctatum, fere sequaliter

pubescens, antennis pedibusque rutis.

Long. 3; millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, San Gerdénimo (Champion).

Though from the description this insect appears to be extremely similar to C. cypho-

noide, yet it has the elytra straighter at the sides, and is therefore different in form.

The club of the antenna is similar in shape in the two species. The elytra have a

less scanty punctuation and pubescence than in C. cyphonoide. From C. incanum, and

the species allied thereto, C. mordelloide can be distinguished by the more elongate

and oblong form and the much finer punctuation of the elytra. It also resembles

CRYPTORHOPALUM. 665

C. fraternum, but there is not the least trace of any distortion of the sides of the

thorax.

The three examples obtained of this species are probably all females; they closely

resemble one another, except that the club of the antenna is a little darker in one

of them. Mr. Champion also found a female at Duefias and a male at Calderas that I

have for the present referred to C. mardelloide. The form is still more oblong, and the

elytra more elongate. This is almost all there js to distinguish the female, except

that the punctuation is slightly more evident. The male example has the antennal

club very large.

34. Cryptorhopalum ducale, sp. n.

Ovale, rufum, elytris lete viridi-cyaneis ; tenuiter pubescens, nitidum, subtilius punctatum.

Long. 4} millim.

Hab. Guaremata, Las Mercedes 3000 feet (Champion).

This species cannot be confounded with any other on account of the bright metallic

colour of the upper surface and the much-diminished pubescence. The antenne are

red, with an elongate club, the first joint of which is nearly three times as long as

the last. The pubescence of the upper surface is fine, rather scanty and depressed,

and the punctuation is very fine and more distant than usual. The under surface and

legs are red, the pubescence on the ventral segments rather more conspicuous than

elsewhere. One specimen, probably a male.

35. Cryptorhopalum equisoles, sp. n. (Tab. XIX. figg. 23; 23 a, breast.)

Ovale, sat convexum, nigerrimum, glabrum, thorace elytrisque punctis rudis nonnullis impressis.

Long. 2-23 millim.

Hab, Mexico, Rincon in Guerrero (1. H. Smith); Brrvisa Hoypvras, Belize

(Blancaneauxr).

This insect, though very peculiar in appearance, has apparently but little to distin-

guish it from a normal Cryptorhopalum, though the ocellus is extremely indistinct ; its

intense black colour (only the minute intermediate joints of the antenne being

yellowish), the quite glabrous surface, and the peculiar, large, but imperfect,

punctures on the upper surface are diagnostic. On the under surface it presents a

very remarkable feature, the whole of the middle of the metasternum being highly

polished and quite smooth, and this space limited by a horseshoe-shaped raised line ;

the prosternum is rugose, the sides of the metasternum are coarsely punctured, the

ventral segments finely punctured. The middle femora are laminate and definitely

punctured. ‘The tarsi are black. The club of the antenna is oval, its two joints

closely co-adapted, the terminal joint not quite so large as the preceding one. Five

specimens.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1909. 4 Q*

666 DERMESTIDZ.

§ 3. Thorax somewhat distorted at the sides owing to the large size of the

antennal cavity.—Species 36-41,

‘The species of this section are more oblong in form than the others of the genus.

36. Cryptorhopalum discedens, sp.n. (Tab. XIX. fig. 24, antenna.)

Suboblongum, leviter convexum, nigrum, antennis, tibiis tarsisque rufis; parce subtiliter punctatum et

pubescens ; antennarum clava magna, subovali.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (H. H. Sinith).

The club of the antenna is both long and broad, the terminal joint large, though a

good deal smaller than the preceding one. There is scarcely any punctuation on the

thorax, but there is a griseous pubescence at the sides. The elytra are finely and

sparingly punctured, and have a scanty griseous pubescence, which is short and but

little conspicuous. The punctuation of the abdomen is dense and fine, and the

pubescence correspondingly conspicuous. The pubescence has a slight flavescent tint,

and this makes the abdomen look tawny. One specimen.

37. Cryptorhopalum amulg, sp. n.

Oblongum, leviter convexum, nigrum, griseo-pubescens, antennarum clava fuscescente, tarsis rufis; crebre

subtiliter punectatum, haud nitidum ; antennarum clava elongata.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Amula in Guerrero 6000 feet (HZ. L7. Smith).

More elongate than C. discedens, and readily distinguished by the more conspicuous

punctuation and pubescence, and the different form and colour of the club of the

antenna, which is narrower and more oblong than it is in C. discedens, and the two

joints forming it are less accurately connected together. One specimen.

38. Cryptorhopalum vestitum, sp. n.

Suboblongum, nigrum, supra fuscescens, setosum, antennis pedibusque rufis, parce subtiliter punctatum ;

maris antennarum clava maxima.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula (Champion).

The pubescence of the upper surface is stiffer and rougher than usual in this species,

and the ground-colour of the elytra is not pure black; the pubescence is griseous, with

a slight flavescent tinge. The side of the thorax is strongly arched over the antennal

fossa. The legs, including the femora, are red, the tibie and tarsi long and very

slender. The large club of the male antenna is somewhat slender-oval, the first joint

not quite twice as long as broad, the terminal joint large, rather more than half as

long as the preceding one. ‘Two specimens.

CRYPTORHOPALUM. 667

39. Cryptorhopalum fraternum, sp. n.

Suboblongum, leviter convexum, nigrum, elytris vel rufis vel fusco-nigris, subtiliter pubescens, antennis

pedibusque testaceis; maris antennarum clava magna, ovali, articulo ultimo perparvo.

Long. 3 millim.

flab. Mexico, Omilteme, Xucumanatlan, and Chilpancingo in Guerrero, 4600 to

8000 feet (H. H. Smith).

Very similar to C. vestitum, but rather narrower, with the sides of the thorax less

flattened out, the pubescence just a little shorter, and the club of the male antenna

strongly different; this latter forms a moderately narrow, oval piece, having the

terminal joint minute and closely connected with the main joint. The club in the

female is of similar shape, and the terminal joint is about as large as it is in the male,

but the preceding joint is a good deal smaller. The eyes of the male are somewhat

larger than those of the female. Eleven specimens.

The female of this insect having the sides of the thorax almost simple, it is very

liable to be mistaken for a male belonging to the other section, especially as the

antenna is very like that of the male of several other species. ‘The variation in colour,

from nearly black to pale red or testaceous, is partly due to maturity or the opposite,

but probably only partly so; the colour of the legs varies like that of the body.

40. Cryptorhopalum vicinum, sp. n.

Suboblongum, leviter convexum, nigrum, elytris vel rufis vel fusco-nigris, subtiliter pubescens, antennis

pedibusque testaceis ; maris antennarum clava oblongo-ovali, articulo ultimo sat parvo.

Long. 23-3} millim.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

This species varies in colour like C. fraternum, and is, so far as I can find, only to

be distinguished by the more slender antenne, and those of the male having the

terminal joint larger in comparison with the preceding one. When the sexes of

the two are compared, their distinction is not difficult. In the female of C. vicinum

the club is, in proportion to its width, considerably longer than usual. Hight

specimens.

41. Cryptorhopalum pedestre, sp. n. (Tab. XIX. figg. 25, 9; 254, ¢

antenna. )

Suboblongum, convexum, fusco-nigrum, supra ferrugineum, griseo-pubescens, pubescentia in elytris longi-

tudinaliter vittata ; antennis pedibusque rufis, illarum clava maxime elongata.

Long. 33-4 millim.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil 4000 to 5000 feet (Champion).

One of the most distinct members of the genus, the antennal club in the female

being elongate (more so, indeed, than in the males of many species), while in the male

it is very elongate, with the terminal joint longer than broad, though much shorter

4 Q*2

668 DERMESTID.

than the basal joint of the club. The pubescence, too, is peculiar, being vaguely

arranged so as to form somewhat interrupted longitudinal vitte. The legs are more

elongate than they are in the other species of Cryptorhopalum. ‘The punctuation

is extremely fine, and the pubescence is long and has a flavescent tint. Nine

specimens.

I am not able to give any information as to the following species, briefly described

by Reitter without any reference to the antenna :—

Cryptorhopalum globulum.

Cryptorhopalum globulum, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xix. p. 46°.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek 1).

Cryptorhopalum puberulum.

Cryptorhopalum puberulum, Reitter, l.c. p. 46°.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek +).

Cryptorhopalum cribripenne.

Cryptorhopalum cribripenne, Reitter, l.c. p. 467.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek').

Cryptorhopalum bilimeki.

Cryptorhopalum bilimeki, Reitter, 1. c. p. 47°.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek').

Cryptorhopalum villosum.

Cryptorhopalum villosum, Reitter, 1. c. p. 47°.

Hab. Mexico (Bilimek 3),

Subfam. TRINODINE.

APSECTUS.

Apsectus, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1854, p. 1138.

This genus is known only from a single North-American species. It is closely

allied to the Old World Zrinodes, and in fact exactly similar in appearance, ‘The

North-American insect is rare and unknown to me, but it seems clear from descriptions

that it is different from any of our forms.

1. Apsectus hystrix, sp. n.

Ovalis, parum convexus, fusco-setosus, antennis pedibusque testaccis, nitidus, parce punctatus.

Long. 1? millim.

Hab. Mexico, Amula in Guerrero (H. H. Smith).

APSECTUS. 669

Shining black, densely clothed with long erect hair of a dark, though not black,

colour, The terminal joint of the antenna of the male is both long and stout; it is

not black, though it and the other two joints of the club are a little infuscate. When

the hairs are removed the punctuation of the elytra is seen to consist of distant and

fine, but definite, punctures. The tibie and tarsi are yellow, the femora infuscate.

Seven specimens.

2. Apsectus centralis, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexus, niger, fusco-setosus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, nitidus, parce subtiliter punctatus.

Long. 2 millim,

Hab, Guatemaa (Sallé), Guatemala city (Champion).

In this species the terminal joint of the male antenna is very elongate, more than

twice as long as broad; in the female it is only about half as long, and is oval, rather

than oblong, in form. We have received only three specimens, and they are in bad

condition. The insect is distinctly larger than C. hystrix, and has the last joint of the

male antenna considerably longer.

8. Apsectus obscurus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, niger, minus longe setosus, subtilissime punctatus, sat nitidus; antennis

pedibusque testaceis, illarum clava nigra.

Long. 2} millim.

Hab, Mexico, Toxpam (Sal/é).

We have only one female of this species, but it is clearly different from A. centralis,

the setosity being shorter and much less erect; the shape is broader and the surface

less polished. The punctures on the elytra can scarcely be distinguished.

4, Apsectus minutus, sp. n.

Brevissime ovalis, parum convexus, niger, dense sat longe fusco-setosus, subtilissime punctatus; antennis

pedibusque testaceis.

Long. 1 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Chilpancingo 4600 feet (H. H. Smith).

This is much smaller than any other known Apsectus, and compared with A. hystrix

has the sete shorter. The club of the antenna of the male is broader in proportion to

its width, and is oval, rather than oblong, in form, its width being greater in proportion

to its length than it is in any of the other species of the genus. ‘The punctures of the

elytra are so extremely minute that they are not distinguishable when the setosity is

not rubbed off. One specimen.

670 BYRRHIDZ.

Fam. BYRRHIDA*.

This is one of the smaller families of Coleoptera, comprising altogether some 200 to

300 species. It is not clear that it can be separated from either Parnide or Dascil-

lide. The four recognized subfamilies of Byrrhide have little connection beyond the

fact that all have peculiar arrangements for retraction of the legs and packing them

very close to the body.

The typical subfamily Byrrhine is not represented in our collections.

Subfam. NOSODENDRINZ.

NOSODENDRON.

Nosodendron, Latreille, Gen. Crust. et Ins. ii. p. 43 (1807) ; Erichson, Ins. Deutschl. ii. p. 465.

Dendrodipnis, Wollaston, Ent. Monthly Mag. x. p. 33 (1878).

This at present is a genus of some ten species, but is very widely distributed.

Dendrodipnis was founded by Wollaston for an insect destitute of fascicles, and our

species therefore all belong to it; but it cannot at present be adopted, as the clothing

of the surface does not divide the genus satisfactorily. In North America only two

species are known—N. californicum, Horn (a true Nosodendron and distinct from

N. fasciculare), and N. unicolor, Say, a Dendrodipnis. So far as hitherto knewn these

insects, both in the larva and imago stage, live in the sap flowing from wounded trees ;

but this is probably not the case with IV. mexicanum, which was found by Flohr in

muddy places. |

The members of this genus have the gula striate, so as to form a stridulating-organ

scratched by the front of the prosternum. The structure of the mentum affords

excellent characters for the distinction of the species. Our seven representatives thus

fall into four categories, viz. :—

1. Mentum broad, without impressions.—WN. latifrons.

2. Mentum with three longitudinal grooves, joined in front by the convergence of the two

outer grooves.—N. politum.

3. Mentum with a transverse groove near the front.—N. sudbtile, N. derasum.

4. Mentum with an oblong longitudinal impression divided into two by a raised carina,—

N. mexicanum, N. championi, N. chiriquense.

1. Nosodendron mexicanum, sp. n.

Ovale, fere angustum sat nitidum, nigrum, pedibus piceis, antennis testaceis ; dense subtilissime punctatum,

elytris seriebus punctorum majorum ad basin haud desinentibus.

Long. + millim.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Flohr).

One of the narrowest species of the genus. ‘The upper surface bears a minute

punctuation, which is wanting on the middle of the thorax and on the sutural portion

* By D. Swarr.

NOSODENDRON. 671

of the base of the elytra, but is very dense on the apical portion of the latter; on the

other hand, the large serial punctures are very definite on the base of the elytra, but

become quite fine behind, and are lost among the minute punctuation of the apex.

Mentum divided into three longitudinal areas by a pair of parallel lines down the

middle, the middle one of the three areas being very narrow.

2. Nosodendron subtile, sp. n.

Breviter ovale, nigerrimum, sat nitidum, pedibus piceis, antennis testaceis; elytris punctorum seriebus et

apicem versus dense minute punctatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2500 to 4000 feet (Champion).

Resembles JV. championi, but distinct by the minutely punctate apical portion of the

elytra, by two of the series of elytral punctures being incomplete near the scutellum,

and by the differently formed mentum, which is coarsely punctate and nearly simple,

being only transversely impressed in front. The present insect is shorter than

N. mexicanum, and has the fine punctuation of the upper surface less extensive and

the mentum differently formed. One specimen.

8. Nosodendron championi, sp. n. (lab. XIX. figg. 26; 26a, sculpture of

elytra.)

Ovale, nigerrimum, nitidum, pedibus piceis, antennis testaceis ; thorace ad latera subtiliter punctato, elytris

seriebus integris punctorum majorum et ad apicem reticulatis.

Long. 33-34 millim,

Hab. GUATEMALA, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

In this species the series of elytral punctures are entire, each one extending from

the base to the apex; on the apical portion the punctures become finer and each one

is the centre of a peculiar network of fine punctures, as shown in the figure (fig. 26 a).

This peculiar sculpture may be seen in some of the other members of the genus, but

in none of them is it so highly developed as in WV. championi. ‘The head and thorax

are distinctly punctate, but the disc of the latter is nearly smooth. The middle of

the mentum is occupied by a large depression, in the centre of which there is a

carina; the unimpressed lateral portions are small and finely punctate. The parts

of the mouth are more hairy than usual. Fourteen specimens, exhibiting but little

variation *.

= I received a species closely allied to this in Castelnau’s collection of Cyclonotum; it may be the form

referred to as Nosodendron cribratum, Fleutiaux & Sallé (Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1889, p. 392), but is certainly

not Cercyon cribratus, Cast., as they supposed, for the parts of the mouth cannot be scen, while Castelnau

described them as visible in his species. This insect is 332 millim. long, allied to WV. championi, having the

sutural series of punctures entire and the mentum with a large divided impression ; it differs from NV. cham-

pioni by the entire absence of the hexagonal sculpture, which is replaced by a very minute punctuation, more

dense at the tip of the elytra than elsewhere. Hab. Ayzittes, Guadeloupe. The species may be called

N. cribratum, though it cannot be referred to Castelnau,

672 BYRRHIDZ.

4, Nosodendron chiriquense, sp. n.

Ovale, nigerrimum, nitidum, pedibus piceis, antennis testaceis ; elytris seriebus punctorum ad basin prope

suturam desinentibus.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui below 4000 feet, Bugaba (Champion).

This species has no punctuation on the thorax, and this character, and the fact that

the two inner series of punctures on the elytra are obliterated at the base, readily

distinguish it from 1. championi, which it resembles extremely at first sight. The

sculpture of the elytra has the peculiar “ cell-arrangement” at the tip, but not nearly

so well developed as it is in N. championi. ‘The mentum has a large oblong

impression on the middle divided into two parts by a strong carina. This character

and the absence of the dense fine punctuation on the apical half of the elytra easily

separate WV. chiriquense from N. subtile. Seventeen specimens.

5. Nosodendron derasum, sp. n.

Ovale, convexum, nigrum, nitidum, pedibus piceis, antennis rufis; elytris seriebus punctorum ad basin prope

suturam desinentibus.

Long. 34 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

This insect agrees with WV. subtle in the mentum having a transverse impression, or

groove, near the front ; it differs from that species, however, in the fact that the apical

portion of the elytra has a “cellular arrangement” of the sculpture, instead of a

minute close punctuation. JV. derasum is much shorter in form than NV. mezicanum,

and the surface is more polished than it is in NV. subtile. The punctures of the elytral

series are not so large as in the allied species, and the punctuation of the metasternum

is much reduced. The punctuation of the head is quite distinct, though fine, and

there is a scanty fine punctuation at the sides of the thorax. One specimen.

6. Nosodendron politum, sp. n.

Late ovale, nigerrimum, nitidum, antennis piceo-testaccis; elytris seriebus punctorum ad basin prope suturam

desinentibus, punctis remotis sed ad apicem discretis.

Long. 37-4 millim.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).

The highly polished surface is in this species not diminished by any minute

punctuation at the apex of the elytra. The clypeus is finely, but not densely

punctured. ‘The thorax is highly polished, but there is a patch of definite punctures

on each side. The elytral series of punctures are perfectly regular and distinct on the

apical parts. Mentum with two longitudinal grooves converging in front, and with a

third longitudinal groove along the middle. Seven specimens.

NOSODENDRON.—EULIMNICHUS. 673

7. Nosodendron latifrons, sp. n.

Late ovale, nigerrimum, nitidum, antennis piceo-testaceis ; elytris seriebus punctorum ad basin desincntibus,

ad apicem subtilibus ; clypeo latissimo.

Long. 4 millim.,

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

We have only one specimen of this species; it is very distinct, on account of the

short broad head and of the mentum being without grooves. At first sight WV. latifrons

is very similar to WV. politum. Head very finely, distinctly punctured. Thorax

impunctate. Base of the elytra in the middle free from punctuation; elsewhere with

series of remote, moderately large punctures, which become smaller towards the tip,

where each is surrounded by an irregular large area, only indefinitely marked out by

minute punctures,

Subfam. LIMNICHINAL.

A very distinct subfamily, consisting, according to the Munich Catalogue, of about

twenty species of minute Coleoptera, that frequent very wet and muddy places.

Since 1868 the number of described representatives has been increased to about fifty.

The most important recent work on the subfamily is the Revision of the North-

American forms by Casey [Ann. New York Acad. v. (1890)], who recognizes eighteen

species. I place the genus Hrsachus in the Limnichine only because Erichson did so,

and because the Elmine, to which it belongs, have already been treated in a previous

volume of this work.

EULIMNICHUS.

Limnichus, subgen. Eulimnichus, Casey, Ann. New York Acad. v. p. 146 (1890).

Eulimnichus is the American analogue of the European genus Pelochares, from

which it is well distinguished by the sulcate prosternum, a character apparently

special to the American Limnichine. It has hitherto consisted of seven North-

American species.

1. Kulimnichus ephistemus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, convexus, nitidus, niger, glaber.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guarmmata, near the city, San Gerdnimo, San

Joaquin (Champion) ; Nicaracua, Chinandega (Sal/é).

The smallest and least elongate of the group of species with diminished clothing,

and distinguished from all other forms by its polished surface, and by the absence of

hairs and punctuation, even on the head. ‘There is a minute pubescence on the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, May 1902. 4 R*

674. BYRRHIDA.

ventral segments, which makes them appear dull. The prothoracic front angles are

not spinose. The prosternal impression does not extend much more than half the

length from back to front. Six specimens.

2. Eulimnichus sublevis, sp. n.

Ovalis, convexus, niger, nitidus, obsolete punctatus, parce brevissime setosus, fere nudus; capite opaco,

vertice sublevi.

Long. 13 millim.,

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This insect agrees with E. ephistemus in that the sculpture of the head is much

more effaced than it is in the following species. E. sublevis is, however, much more

elongate than E. ephistemus, and the integument is not polished and highly shining,

but under a good power (4-inch) exhibits a peculiar sculpture consisting of distant

and rather large, but extremely shallow punctures, accompanied by a fine reticulation ;

the excessively minute sete are only conspicuous on the thorax. In this group of

species there exists a very remarkable character, inasmuch as a large area at the base

of the thorax is delimited by a line of excessively minute dense sculpture ; this line

is extremely indistinct in the allied species, but is clearly perceptible with a good

Coddington lens in E. sublevis. (In the genus Phalacrichus this peculiarity of sculp-

ture becomes much exaggerated.) The sculpture of the head and upper surface is

much more effaced in E. sublevis than it is in E. leticulus and E. optatus. ‘Three

specimens.

3. Kulimnichus leticulus, sp. n.

Ovalis, elongatus, niger, fere subsenescens, nitidus, parce punctatus, subtiliter pubescens; prothoracis angulis

anterioribus haud spinosis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Flohr); Guatemata, Paso Antonio, San Gerdénimo

(Champion).

This species is allied to Limnichus montanus, Lec., the intervals between the remote

punctures being occupied by an extremely fine reticulation of a somewhat hexagonal

shape, as described by Casey; besides this, the punctures are not sharply defined,

obscure creases proceeding from them, so that the surface is somewhat coriaceous,

not at all polished. Although the front angles of the thorax are not spinose, yet

they are (viewed from beneath) well-marked and almost rectangular, and just per-

ceptibly prominent. The under surface, legs, and antenne are intensely black. The

posterior coxal plates bear deep punctures, but are not impressed in a sulcate manner.

The scutellum is elongate and narrow. Four specimens.

EULIMNICHUS. 675

4, Kulimnichus optatus, sp. n.

Ovalis, niger, fere subenescens, nitidus, parce punctatus, subtiliter pubescens ; prothoracis angulis ante1ioribus

brevissime spinosis,

Long. vix 2 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Mohr), Tupataro (Hoge); Guatemala, near the city, |

San Gerdénimo (Champion).

Closely allied to E. leticulus, but slightly less elongate, and with the surface more

polished; besides this, the front angles of the thorax are certainly, though most

minutely, spinose. 4. optatus is also very similar to a New Mexican species sent me

by Mr. Wickham, and which I believe to be £. perpolitus, Casey. ‘Ten specimens:

the two from Guatemala do not quite agree with the types, which were sent me by

Mr. Flohr; those from Tupataro are also a variety.

5. Kulimnichus plebeius, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat latus, niger, breviter squamosus, minus variegatus, antennis rufis; subtiliter punctatus, haud

nitidus, punctatura basin versus obsoleta, apicem versus discreta; prothoracis angulis anterioribus

haud spinosis.

Long. 2-24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Mohr); Guatemata (Sallé), San Gerénimo (Champion).

One of the most commonplace and unattractive species; slightly larger than

Limnichus versicolor, Waltl, which it superficially much resembles. The antenne are

quite short, the two or three penultimate joints distinctly transverse; they are dull

reddish or black in colour. The sides of the thorax are less depressed than usual,

standing out a littlemore. The scutellum is elongate. The punctuation of the elytra

behind is dense and fine, at the base more effaced. The clothing consists of short scale-

like depressed hairs, chiefly of a flavescent colour, and indefinitely variegated with white.

Viewed from beneath, the prothoracic anterior angles are seen to be very obtuse,

though just perceptibly free. The prosternal groove is broad, but not very deep; and

the mesosternum is slightly sulcate, so that there is in some lights an appearance of

the channel extending from near the front of the prosternum to near the apex of the

metasternum. ‘The abdominal punctuation is extremely fine. There is an indistinct

transverse channel on the coxal plates of the hind legs. ‘Ten specimens.

6. Kulimnichus analis.

Limnichus analis, Lec. Bull. U.S. Geol. & Geogr. Surv. v. p. 515 (1879) *.

Limnichus (Eulimnichus) analis, Casey, Ann. N. York Acad. v. p. 148°.

Hab. Nortu America, Texas, Arizona2, California !?.—Mexico, Yautepec (Flohr),

Teapa (H. H. Smith); Panama, Tolé (Champion).

The four specimens I refer to this species come from three localities, and are far

from agreeing among themselves; but they approach so closely to an example of

4 R*2

676 BYRRHIDA.

E. analis from Arizona, sent me by Captain Casey, that I think it quite likely they

are merely varieties of it. The most distinct is the specimen from Yautepec given

me by Flohr, which has the surface more deeply and coarsely punctured.

7. Kulimnichus sordidus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, sat convexus, niger, setositate fulva albaque minus discrete variegatus, obsolete punctatus ;

prothoracis angulis anterioribus breviter bispinosis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion).

Though closely allied to E. analis, this species is of shorter form and has more

obsolete and scanty punctuation. The breadth just surpasses 1 millim. ‘The setosity

of the upper surface is rather dark tawny, but there is some white mixed with it, not

forming, however, definite spots. ‘The punctuation is not very definite, even on the

apical half of the elytra, and is very indistinct at the base. The anterior angles of

the thorax form a very acute short spine. There is no sulcus on the lamina of the

posterior coxa. Nine specimens.

8. Eulimnichus guatemalicus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, niger, supra pube grisescente (parum flavescente) maculatim vestitus, crebre, subtiliter, fere

equaliter punctatus, haud nitidus; prothoracis angulis anterioribus muticis,

Long. 2, lat. 13 millim.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Panzos, Coban (Conradt).

This insect can only be confounded with E. sordidus, from which it is distinguished

on the upperside by the denser, more definite punctuation. The pubescence is fine

and not scale-like, and, though very “ spotty,” is less variegate in colour than in the

other large species, the tendency to tawny colour being very slight. ‘The anterior

angles of the thorax are not in the least free. The pubescence beneath is fine and

evenly distributed. There is no trace of a groove on the posterior coxal plates, though

seen from in front the hind margin seems to be very slightly raised.

We have received two specimens only of this species, but there can be no doubt

that it is quite distinct. Mr. Champion found, however, at Guatemala city a single

example of a form closely allied to E. guatemalicus, being considerably smaller and

with the punctuation more effaced.

9. EKulimnichus confertus, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovalis, sat convexus, nigricans, densissime fortiter punctatus, pube fulvescente maculatim vestitus ;

prothoracis angulis anterioribus spinosis.

Long. 13 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Atoyac (HZ. H. Smith), Cuernavaca (Flor); GuaTEMALA, near the

city (Champion).

EULIMNICHUS.—LIMNICHODERUWS. 677

Distinguished from all the other species of the genus, except the following, by the

densely-packed definite punctures of the upper and under surfaces. It is clothed

above with a rather scanty, fine, grey and flavescent setosity, giving rise to a faintly

spotted appearance. The thoracic angles form a very definite slender spine, and

there is even a second excessively minute spine on the front margin, where the

prothoracic flank joins the prosternum: very careful examination is required for

the detection of this second prominence. The prosternal groove is broad and deep,

and the mesosternal cavity leaves only a slender margin behind it between the

middle coxe.

Mr. Champion secured a good series of this insect, which apparently varies but

little. The specimens from Teapa and Cuernavaca seem to belong to the same species.

An example sent from Motzorongo by Flohr indicates apparently a nearly allied form,

the punctuation being less crowded; this individual is, however, in a very bad state

of preservation.

10. Eulimnichus admirandus, sp.n. (Tab. XX. fige. 1; la, sculpture of

elytra. )

Suboblongus, opacus, omnium densissime fortiter punctatus, setositate brevissima vestitus, subvariegatus.

Long. vix 1} millim.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (H. H. Smith).

Few insects have as remarkable a punctuation as EH. admirandus, the large deep

punctures being so closely packed that the interstices are reduced as far as is possible,

consistent with leaving each one distinct. The surface has a somewhat file-like

appearance, owing to the interstices being so fine. ‘The clothing consists of excessively

short, suberect, truncate sete, and the surface is slightly variegated by them; they

are chiefly tawny, but some groups are more pallid, so that a slight spotty effect is

produced.

We have only one specimen of this species; it is in perfect condition, and as the

insect cannot be confounded with anything else, I have not taken it off the card to

see the under surface. 4. admirandus bears some resemblance to the small narrow

examples of £. confertus, but it is much more oblong in form, the punctures are

more crowded, and are as well developed on the disc of the thorax as elsewhere.

. LIMNICHODERUS.

Limnichus, subgen. Limnichoderus, Casey, Ann. New York Acad. v. p. 146 (1890).

I refer two species allied to the European Limnichus to this group of Captain

Casey’s. These agree with Limnichus, but have a sulcate prosternum ; the genus,

therefore, bears the same relation to Limnichus that Hulimunichus does to Pelobates,

LTimnichoderus includes five North-American species. 7”

678 BYRRHIDZ.

1. Limnichoderus curtulus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, posterius acuminatus, nigricans, subtus rufescens, pedibus flavis ; tomento minuto griseo

undique vestitus, minutissime punctulatus, punctis majoribus adspersis perparum conspicuis.

Long. 14, lat. vix 1 millim.

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

Very like the European Limnichus sericeus in clothing and sculpture, but much

smaller, of different outline, and on the under surface very distinct. I am not able to

see the antenne. The thorax is very short, the sides straight, but strongly convergent in

front. The sculpture of the elytra is very difficult to see on account of the fine matted

pubescence, but it consists of extremely minute punctures, and other much larger,

though still very fine, remote punctures scattered over the surface. The whole of the

under surface is red, the tibiee paler. The prosternum is short. ‘Two specimens.

2. Limnichoderus indiscretus, sp. n.

Breviter ovalis, posterius acuminatus, nigricans, subtus rufescens, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; subtilissime

griseo-pubescens, subnitidus, punctis adspersis parum conspicuis.

Long. 14 millim.

Hab. Guatemaus, Duefias (Champion).

Closely allied to Z. curtulus, but rather larger, with the surface less densely clothed

with tomentum, so that it is a littie shining; the scattered punctures on the elytra

are considerably larger. I have seen the antenna in this species; it is of the same

type of structure as that of Limnichus sericeus, the third joint being thick, about as

long as broad, and from this to the sixth joint each becomes more slender, so that the

sixth is narrower than either of the contiguous joints, being about two or three times

as long as broad. ‘T'wo specimens.

I possess a specimen from Castelnau’s collection of a species closely allied to

L. indiscretus, labelled *‘ Ersachus americanus, De}. Texas.” It may possibly be

Limnichus ovatus, Lec., but this is very doubtful, as I interpret Casey’s description

of that species as indicating that the angles of the thorax are spinose.

PHALACRICHUS, gen. nov.

Antenne tenues, fragiles ; clava laxissime articulata. Prosternum sulcatum.

Allied to Eulimnichus, but with very different antenne, the mentum and ligula

smaller and less horny, and the terminal joints of the palpi larger. The colour and

clothing of the body are quite different, the pubescence being fine, short, and erect,

and the facies somewhat recalls that of the Phalacrida. There is a peculiar transverse

seriate punctuation on the thorax. The arrangements for the contraction of the head

and legs seem to be much the same as they are in Hulimnichus. In facies, Phala-

crichus appears to a certain extent to connect the forms allied to Limnichus with the

PHALACRICHUS.—CYPHONICHUS. 679

new and aberrant genera I have called Cyphonichus and Euthryptus, but is distin-

guished from them by the sulcate prosternum. I do not think it is the same as

Lichminus, Casey, though I am not quite sure about this. The insects seem to be

very rare, and I can only set forth their characters at present in this imperfect

manner.

1. Phalacrichus atomarius, sp. n. (Tab. XX. figg.2; 2a, punctures at base

of thorax.)

Ovalis, convexus, piceus, antennis pedibusque flavis, sat nitidus, pube subtili subdepressa parum dense

vestitus, parce subtiliter punctatus.

Long. 2 millim,

Hab. Mexico, Frontera in Tabasco (Hége).

This species has somewhat the appearance of a large Atomaria. It bears on the

upper surface a rather scanty clothing of fine pallid hairs, which are directed

backwards, but stand up quite free from the surface; the punctures are moderately

large, but shallow. The antenne are yellow, very pale (and the mouth-parts are

of the same colour); the first two joints are very thick, 3 to 8 slender, 9, 10, 11

slender and elongate, but nevertheless distinctly differentiated from the preceding

joints, each of them oval, considerably longer than broad, and so loosely connected

that they separate with very little manipulation; they are pubescent, and bear

numerous longer fine hairs. In addition to the diffuse punctuation, the thorax has

a series of closely-placed shallow punctures forming a transverse row about one-third

of the length from the base to the front, and on each side turning back to the base

at an obtuse angle. ‘The punctuation of the under surface is excessively fine, the

thoracic segments smooth and shining along the middle.

CYPHONICHUS, gen. nov.

Antenne fragiles, setose, haud clavate; articulo secundo brevi, crasso. Prosternum haud sulcatum.

The species of this genus have lost the facies characteristic of Limnichus, and more

resemble Cyphon. The head is only imperfectly drawn into the thorax in repose, the

parts of the mouth being closely applied to the front of the prosternum. ‘The arrange-

ments for packing away the retracted legs are the same as in the normal Limnichi.

This genus occurs in Asia. (Cf. Ent. Monthly Mag. xxxviii. p. 61.)

1. Cyphonichus panamensis, sp. n.

Ovalis, sat convexus, rufo-brunneus, antennis, pedibus partibusque oris pallide favis, pube gracili suberecta

vestitus, parce punctatus, elytris seriebus punctorum majorum brevissimis.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, San Miguel in the Pearl Islands (Champion).

680 BYRRHID#.

This species is readily distinguished from the others having abbreviated series of

large punctures on the elytra by its smaller size. We have only two specimens, and

they are in a bad state of preservation, so that the condition of the pubescence cannot

very well be made out, but it appears to be more scanty and less upright than in the

other forms, except C. olibroides. The antenne are extremely slender and fragile, not

at all clavate, the terminal joint not being larger than the preceding one. The

surface is shining, the punctuation being scanty and excessively fine. The elytra,

also, are extremely finely punctate, but there are four very abbreviated series of

large punctures on the basal part, nearer to the suture than to the outside; these

series are irregular, the punctures not being of equal size nor quite symmetrically

placed. The under surface, except along the middle of the thoracic segments, is made

dull by extremely minute punctuation and pubescence. Two specimens.

2. Cyphonichus olibroides, sp. n.

Ovalis, subdepressus, ferrugineus, antennis pallidis, sordide testaceis ; subtiliter parce punctatus et pubescens.

Long. 23 millim.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Paso Antonio (Champion).

Distinguished from its allies by the more pallid colour, comparatively depressed

form, and the diminished punctuation and pubescence, there being almost no

secondary—4. ¢. larger—punctures on the elytra. The antenne are extremely slender

and fragile, filiform, but with the terminal joint distinctly larger than the tenth.

The thoracic punctuation is extremely fine; the punctures on the elytra are fine and

rather numerous, and careful observation shows that one or two rather larger impres-

sions on the disc of each elytron exist to represent the serial punctures that are found

in the other species of the genus. The under surface is pale red and dull, being

extremely densely and finely punctured and minutely pubescent, except along the

middle of the sterna. I have hesitated as to whether the two examples on which I

describe the species may be immature individuals of the following one, but I do not

think this is the case.

8. Cyphonichus celatus, sp. n.

Ovalis, parum convexus, niger, pube nigro-fusca subtili subdepressa vestitus, antennis pedibusque testaceis,

femoribus fuscis; elytris crebre punctulatis, seriebus valde abbreviatis, duabus vel tribus, perparum

conspicuis punctorum majorum.

Long. 24 millim.

Hab. Guatemaa, Paso Antonio (Champion).

This insect is of a slightly narrower oval form than C. olibroides, and, besides

differing strongly in colour, has the punctuation and pubescence of the elytra more

distinct ; the serial punctures are but small, fine, and few, and this character distin-

guishes C. celatus from the following species. One specimen.

CYPHONICHUS. 681

4. Cyphonichus mollis, sp. n.

Ovalis, subdepressus, piceus, anterius fere omnino niger, pube fusca subtili parum elongata vestitus ; antennis

pedibusque testaceis ; elytris parce punctatis, singulo ante medium seriebus nonnullis punctorum, valde

abbreviatis.

Long. 24 millim.

//ab. Guatemaua, Torola 1000 feet (Champion).

The series of larger punctures are four in number on each wing-case, and though

greatly abbreviated are very distinct. The pubescence is short and very fine. The

form is short-oval, but little pointed behind: this character and the shorter antenne

readily distinguish C. mollis from C. vestitus. One specimen.

5. Cyphonichus vestitus, sp.n. (Tab. XX. fig. 3.)

Ovalis, parum convexus, nigricans, antennis pedibusque testaceis, subtiliter punctatus, pube sat elongata

suberecta dense vestitus ; elytris seriebus punctorum majorum abbreviatis.

Long. 35 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Rather elongate-oval, considerably narrowed behind, blackish, the elytra being black

and the abdomen more rufescent than the rest of the body. ‘The pubescence is of a

dark fuscous colour, abundant and conspicuous; the punctuation on the thorax is

scarcely evident, and on the elytra is scanty and fine, there being four or five series of

larger punctures on each, reaching halfway, or less, towards the apex. On the under

‘surface there is a very fine pubescence, which renders the surface dull.

Described from eight specimens found at San Gerdnimo. Two Mexican examples

are rather smaller, and exhibit slight distinctions in the sculpture, but I hesitate to

treat them as distinct while we have so little evidence as to the variation of these

closely allied forms.

6. Cyphonichus misellus, sp. n.

Ovalis, minus angustus, sat convexus, fusco-niger, antennis testaceis, pedibus rufis; pube elongata dense

vestitus; elytris seriebus punctorum majorum abbreviatis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (H. H. Smith).

In this insect the serial punctures of the elytra are conspicuous and less abbreviate

than in most of the other members of the genus, and extend from the suture outwards ;

the series along the suture, though consisting of remote punctures, can be traced for

the greater part of the length of the elytra; the minute diffuse punctuation is less

than in most of the other species, and all the sculpture is much concealed by the

largely developed pubescence.

Though we have only one specimen, I think it represents a distinct species from

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IL. Pt. 1, May 1902. 4 §*

682 BYRRHIDZ.

C. vestitus, being of much shorter and more rounded outline. From the forms

placed before C. vestitus it can be recognized by the greater development of the

serial punctuation.

EUTHRYPTUS, gen. nov.

Antenne fragiles, haud clavate; articulo secundo elongato, leviter curvato. Prosternum haud sulcatum.

Corpus setosum.

I establish this genus for two somewhat discordant species, distinguished from

Cyphonichus by the fact that the second joint of the antenna is elongate, somewhat

flattened, and slightly curved, so that the joint is adapted to the curvature of the eye

when the antenna is retracted. The prosternum is not very elongate, and the head

appears to be less perfectly retractile than in the normal Limnichine. I think it is

highly probable that the antenne remain outside the body when the head is retracted,

and do not enter the cavity of the thorax. The arrangements for packing away

the legs are as perfect as in the other forms of the subfamily. The two species

are probably very rare insects. The characters are drawn from each of them, but

E. trigonalis may be taken as the type when the genus comes to be divided.

1. Kuthryptus orbiculatus, sp. n. (Tab. XX. fig. 4.)

Subhemisphericus, nigricans, pube elongata erecta vestitus, antennarum basi pedibusque piceis; sat nitidus,

elytris seriatim punctatis, punctis externis magnis et profundis.

Long. 3 millim.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Las Mercedes (Champion).

The convex rotund form and the copious erect pubescence make this species very

distinct from all its known allies. The pubescence is somewhat varied in colour, but

has, in certain lights, a distinct flavescent or even golden appearance, and is somewhat

irregularly arranged so as to give a slight variegation of colour, as is so common in

the Limnichi. ‘The antenne are very fragile, strongly setose, not clavate, but with the

terminal joint a good deal larger than the penultimate. The punctuation of the thorax

is very fine, and the surface is shining between the hairs. On the dorsum of the

elytra the punctuation is obscure, but becomes more definite at the sides, so that

the external series consist of very large and deep punctures. The punctuation of the

under surface is strongly marked and deep, but rather fine. ‘Three specimens.

2. Kuthryptus trigonalis, sp.n. (Tab. XX. fig. 5.)

Ovalis, sat convexus, nigricans, pube subaurea variegata minus dense vestitus; antennis elongatis, basi picea;

elytris fortiter et profunde punctatis.

Long. 3} millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Paraiso (Champion).

EUTHRYPTUS.—ERSACHUS. 683

This remarkable and very distinct species is represented by a single example.

Though it has entirely lost its legs, the insect is otherwise in a good state of

preservation, and I have no hesitation in describing it *. ‘The antenne are longer

than in any other described species of the subfamily; they are very fragile, slightly

thicker towards the extremity, setose, the terminal joint subacuminate, twice as long

as broad. ‘The head bears on each side a longitudinal groove running backwards from

the front of the eye, and diverging from the eye so as to mark off a triangle limited

by it, the side of the eye, and the anterior margin of the thorax. The eye is margined

supero-internally. The thorax is greatly narrowed to the front, extremely closely

connected with the after-body, the outline of the two being perfectly continuous ; it is

covered with fine, moderately numerous punctures, which would be very definite were

it not for the hair. The punctures of the elytra are large and deep, very numerous,

and arranged in an irregularly seriate fashion.

ERSACHUS.

Ersachus, Erichson, Ins, Deutschl. iii. p. 497 (1848).

This genus was established by Erichson in a brief note, and since then seems to

have entirely dropped. Lacordaire’s description is merely an extract from Erichson,

and I have not found any further reference to Ersachus, nor have I ever seen any

specimens in collections. If I am right in identifying the following species as belonging

to Ersachus, Erichson was wrong in placing it in Limnichine, the species having none

of the characters of that subfamily. The correct position appears to be near Edmis, in

the Parnide.

1. Ersachus erichsonianus, sp.n. (Tab. XX. fig. 6.)

Brunneus, pube minutissima plumbea maculatim vestitus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; sub pube, irregulariter

sat fortiter punctatus.

Long. 3, lat. 14 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Flohr); Guaremata, San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama,

Caldera (Champion).

Basal two joints of the antenne thick, third very slender, 9-11 forming a slender

feebly-differentiated club. Eyes very convex. Thorax short, very closely and perfectly

applied to the base of the elytra, which is clasped by the attenuate hind angles ;

abruptly narrowed to the front, and with the surface uneven, so that the back of the

head is clasped by the middle of the front of the thorax. Scutellum almost equi-

laterally triangular, densely clothed with minute plumbeous or silvery pile. Elytra

variegated with spots of a similar pile. Under surface entirely covered with this

minute down.

* An allied form from Borneo in my collection, recently described by me under the name Caccothryptus

compactus (Ent. Monthly Mag. XxXxviii. p. 63), has longer antenne than Z. trigonalis.

48* 2

684 BYRRHIDZ.

I do not think this is the Ersachus described by Erichson; all that he says about

his species is ‘“rufo-piceus, pube brevissima densa maculatim aureo cinereoque

variegatus; elytris punctatis. Long. 14 lin. Von Moritz in Columbien entdeckt.”

2. Ersachus lugubris, sp. n.

Minus latus, niger, pube grisea maculatim vestitus, antennis pedibusque testaceis; parce, irregulariter

punctatus.

Long. 23, lat. 1 millim.

Hab. GuaTEeMata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Closely allied to E. erichsonianus, but distinguishable by the blacker colour and

narrower form. The specimens—four in number—are in a very bad state of preservation,

but I have little doubt as to the distinctness of the species.

3. Ersachus mexicanus, sp. n.

Brevis, rufescens, tomento minutissimo griseo maculatim vestitus, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace

medio supra caput valde gibboso.

Long. capite extenso 2, lat. 1,5 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Atoyac in Vera Cruz (H. H. Smith).

Very similar to E. erichsonianus, but of shorter form, and separable therefrom by the

great gibbosity of the middle of the prothorax, which seen from the front forms a sort

of knob, which is very densely punctate. One specimen.

Subfam. CHELONARIIN.

The position of the curious beetles that form the genus Chelonarium is by no means

clear. Erichson did not allude to the genus in his notice of the Byrrhide in the

third volume of the ‘ Insecten Deutschlands,’ from which we may infer that he did

not consider it to belong to this family. By the early authors Chelonarium was placed

in Throscide. In the Munich Catalogue it is placed in Byrrhide, but on what grounds

I do not know. It appears to me to be more allied to Dascillide than to any other

Coleoptera. The limits of the families Byrrhide, Parnide, and Dascillide are at

present merely conventional, and as they will probably be united, it is not necessary to

further discuss the position of Chelonarium.

CHELONARIUM.

Chelonarium, Fabricius, Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 101 (1801).

This genus consists of about twenty-five species, most of which are found in the tropical

regions of the New World. A few forms are recorded from the Eastern Hemisphere,

but I have never seen any of them. These insects are most difficult to study. No

structural characters are available for their discrimination, and it is necessary to rely

on the slight peculiarities afforded by shape, size, and the nature of the surface. The

CHELONARIUM. 685

species have hitherto been very inadequately described, and their recognition is at

present little better than guesswork.

The punctuation of the elytra is of great importance. If one of the species having

little clothing be examined, it will be seen that the punctuation is formed by double

punctures, a comparatively large circular depression and a very small one near it:

the distance between the pair varies according to the species, but the position is always

similar, viz., the larger puncture behind, and in front of it the very minute one; the

latter always bears the seta. Towards the tip of the elytra the large punctures are

larger and the arrangement becomes confused. In the species that bear a clothing of

white hairs, in addition to the sete, the arrangement of the punctuation is less regular ;

the surface becomes more or less dull in consequence of reticulation and unevenness,

and the patches of white hair arise from groups of very minute punctures. ‘Che more

polished species can readily be recognized by peculiaritics of the sculpture and sete;

but those bearing patches of white clothing cannot at present be satisfactorily limited.

I have failed to find any reliable external signs of the sex.

In the following diagnoses the length is measured from the front of the thorax to

the tip of the elytra.

1. Chelonarium mexicanum.

? Chelonarium mexicanum, Castelnau, in Silbermann’s Rev. Ent. iii. p. 178 (1835) ; Chevrolat,

Le Naturaliste, ii. p. 260 (August 1880).

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hége), Toxpam, Cordova, Playa Vicente, Tuxtla,

Orizaba (Sallé).

Var. longulum, var.n. Nigrum, politum, elongatum. Long. 53-73 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Var. mexicanum, i. sp.

Brevius, rufo-piceum, pectore piceo ; punctatura et setositate minimis. Long. 6 millim.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Yzabal (Sallé),

Var. chontalense, var.n. Brevius, nigrum, setositate perparva. Long. 6 millim.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt, in coll. Sharp).

I refer to this species all those specimens that have the surface quite polished,

sparingly punctate, and apparently destitute of any clothing. On examination it is

seen, however, that each puncture bears an extremely minute seta only about as long

as the diameter of the puncture. All the other forms found in our region have a

distinct clothing, consisting of comparatively long fine hairs, which in the case of some

of them are scanty in number. In C. mexicanum, however, the elytral punctures are

not geminate. As thus limited, the present species exhibits considerable variation,

686 BYRRHIDZ.

the colour becoming sometimes piceous instead of black. I am not sure, indeed, that

there may not be two or three very closely allied forms amongst our specimens. The

two most distinct are those I have named meaicanum and chontalense. The three

specimens from Panama are very elongate, and have the punctuation somewhat

effaced ; but they approach so nearly to some of the examples from Cerro de Plumas

that I cannot at present consider them distinct.

It is quite doubtful whether this is Castelnau’s species ; all he says is as follows:—

“Brun obscur, couvert d’une pubescence grise, finement ponctué; corselet demi-

orbiculaire, trés relevé en avant, guilloché au bord postérieur; dessous du corps d’un

brun rouge. Mexique. Long. 24 lig., lat. 14 lig.”

This does not appear to point to our insect, which is the most glabrous of the genus;

possibly it may have been taken from the var. mexicanum, though I think this

extremely uncertain. All the specimens named C. mexicanum in Sallé’s collection

belong to this species, which is probably the form intended by Chevrolat. Under these

circumstances I am not prepared to assign the name “ mexicanum ” to any other of our

forms. The matter must remain uncertain until Castelnau’s type can be examined *.

2. Chelonarium zapotense, sp.n. (Tab. XX. figg. 7; 7a, punctures of elytra.)

Ovale, sat nitidum, ferrugineum vel piceum, parce subtiliter punctatum; elytris setis distantibus, elongatis,

depressis yestitis ; puncto singulo geminato, e puncto minuto et puncto minimo composito.

Long. 53-64, lat. 3-3} millim.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas (forrer), Tuxtla, Playa Vicente, Panistlahuaca (Sallé),

Cerro de Plumas, Jalapa, Tapachula (Hége); GuatTEMaua, Zapote, San Gerdénimo,

Panzos (Champion).

Easily recognizable by the scanty, depressed, fine hairs on the elytra, each hair being

about as long as the interval between the punctures; the punctures are extremely fine,

and when highly magnified each one is seen to consist of a small puncture and a

second extremely minute puncture imperfectly separated from the larger one. (In

some allied species the two punctures are separated, but remain a pair.) The head is

coarsely and densely punctured. The thorax has a rather broad band of punctuation

round the front part, the disc is only very scantily and obsoletely punctured, and the

sete in the punctures are so minute that they can only be detected under a high

power. The punctuation of the under surface is not dense, and the sete are very

short, though quite visible. Thirty-four specimens.

One individual from Zapote is of much narrower form, resembling in this respect

C. succinctum ; it may represent a distinct species.

* Some of Castelnau’s specimens of Chelonarium came into my possession many years ago; amongst them

is an individual labelled “ C. mexicanum, Dej., Mexico.” This is certainly not the type, and also does not

agree with the description ; it appears to be nearer to C. errans. If the examples in Dejean’s collection can

be found, they may throw some light on the subject.

CHELONARIUM. 687

3. Chelonarium hyphydroide, sp. n.

Ovale, minus elongatum, parum punctatum, politum, nigricans vel piceum; elytris ad apicem setis depressis

parum numerosis, ante apicem fascia transversa albido-tomentosa.

Long. 43-54 millim.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

One of the smallest of our species, and of less elongate form than usual, and with

the punctuation and clothing much reduced. The antennae are moderately long, in

repose only just falling short of the hind margin of the metasternum. The head has

a more or less extensive irregular space along the middle free from punctures. The

thorax is highly polished, the front margin is but little reflexed, and the punctua-

tion is obsolete in the hollow, and absent on the elevated, portion, and the sete in the

punctures are excessively minute. There are some white hairs on the scutellum. The

punctuation on the parts of the elytra anterior to the white band is extremely fine and

distant, and the hairs proceeding from the punctures very small; on examination under

a microscope it is seen that, on the front parts, each puncture really consists of two fine

approximate punctures placed longitudinally, the fine seta proceeding from the anterior

one of the pair. The white postmedian band varies in size and is sometimes reduced

to a few hairs; behind it, the sete are more distinct than those at the base, but though

long they are very distant, and the sculpture is extremely fine. The punctuation of

the under surface is much reduced, the ventral segments being almost smooth on a broad

space along the middle; the plates of the hind coxe are only finely punctate, shining,

and there is but little punctuation on the metasternum. EHighteen specimens.

4, Chelonarium errans, sp. n.

Ovale, elongatum, parum punctatum, nigricans vel piceum; elytris ad apicem setis depressis elongatis, parum

numerosis, ante apicem fascia transversa albido-tomentosa.

Long. 54-6 millim.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui below 4000 feet

(Champion).

This species is very closely allied to C. hyphydroide, but is of more elongate form,

and is easily distinguished by the greater length of the sete, a character which becomes

very marked on the apical part of the elytra. The sete are also yellower in colour, the

surface is rather less polished, and the punctuation of the under surface is not quite

so obsolete. ‘Thirty-three specimens. There is little or no difference between the

individuals from Chiriqui and those from Guatemala.

5. Chelonarium chiriquense, sp. n.

Ovale, rufescens ; elytris parce setosis, guttisque albidis hic inde sparsis, ante apicem in fasciam transversam

imperfecte aggregatis ; corpore subtus modice punctato ; antennis parvis.

Long. 5-53 millim.

688 BYRRHIDZ.

Hab. Panama, Volean de Chiriqui below 4000 feet (Champion).

This species to a considerable extent connects the C. hyphydroide-forms with the

C. succinctum-forms. The white pubescence is not sufficiently diffuse to give a grey

appearance to the wing-cases, but forms small spots, giving rise to a pretty flecked

appearance. ‘The surface is polished as in C. hyphydroide, and the under surface is

punctate in a manner intermediate between that of C. hyphydroide and that of

C. succinctum. ‘The antenne are about 1$ millim. long. There is much punctuation

along the front margin of the thorax, and a deep depression there, not extending to

the base; this depression is in some specimens separated into two by an obscure

elevation of the middle; there is but little setosity on the elevated disc. The setosity

of the elytra is rather scanty, but definite, and does not very much conceal the shining

surface. The punctuation of the under surface is not dense or coarse along the middle,

and there is not a great deal of punctuation on the metasternum. Four specimens.

Oue of them is a variety of shorter, more oblong form, with the white spots not united

into a fascia.

6. Chelonarium succinctum.

Chelonarium succinctum, Chevrolat, Le Naturaliste, ii. p. 260 (August 1880) *.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate 1, Sallé); Guaremaua, Panzos (Champion).

This is an oval species, variegated on the elytra with much white hair, but with

little tawny setosity. It is readily distinguished from C. scabrosum by the small

antenne, only about 14 millim. long. C. gravidum has also short antenne, but is a

rather larger insect, of more oblong form, with very dense punctuation of the under

surface.

Of four specimens named C. succinctum in Sallé’s collection, three are perhaps this

species, the other being C. gravidum. Chevrolat’s description is very poor, and as

it is contained in a work not easily procurable, we here reproduce it :—‘ Long. 6 mil.,

lat. 3 mil. EHlongato-oblongum, nigro-brunneum, nitidum, dense et minutissime

striatum et breviter pubescens, fascia postica arcuata alba; prothorace semiarcuato,

lateribus valde reflexo, intra canaliculato, basi crenato, supra scutellum truncato, nigro-

brunneo nitido, dense minuteque punctato; scutello subtriangulari plano; elytris

ovalibus convexis, versus medium latioribus, minute punctulatis, breviter griseo-

pubescentibus, fascia obliqua alba ante apicem ad marginem ducta; corpore infra

punctulato, rubido. Teapa, 2 ex. a D. L. Pilate datum.”

With regard to this and all the following species, I may remark that I have not seen

a sufficient number of specimens to justify me in forming any positive opinion about

them.

CHELONARIUM. 689

7. Chelonarium scabrosum, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovale, piceum vel rufescens ; elytris pube variegata e setis albidis et fulvis composita, ante apicem

fascia irregulari albida ; abdomine densissime scabroso-punctato ; antennis elongatis.

Long. 53-7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sailé), Cerro de Plumas, Tapachula (Hoge); GUATEMALA,

Zapote, San Isidro (Champion).

Very similar to C. succinctum, but with the antenne much longer (almost 3 millim,

long), and the abdominal punctuation remarkably dense, coarse, and rough, It is rather

straighter at the sides, and therefore more oblong in form. There is a very evident

setosity scattered all over the thorax, and a broad band of punctuation round the

margins. The setosity of the elytra consists of a preapical irregular white band (very

variable) and rather numerous white flecks elsewhere, and also of many tawny sete.

When the pubescence is removed, the surface is seen to be dull and the sculpture much

effaced. The metasternum is punctured all over. Nine specimens.

8. Chelonarium gravidum, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovale, nigricans, elytris copiose albido-setosis, ante apicem guttis irregularis quasi fasciam formantibus ;

abdomine fortiter denseque punctato; antennis parvis.

Long. 7 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco, Tapachula (Hége).

One of the largest and apparently darkest in colour of the white-clothed species of

Chelonarium. Notwithstanding its large size, the antenn are scarcely 2 millim. long.

Except for this, some of the specimens would be with difficulty separable from certain

varieties of C. scabrosum. The punctuation of the ventral segments is extremely dense

and confluent, so as to give rise to a very rough appearance, except along the middle of

the basal two or three. Three specimens.

I have referred to this species, as probably varieties, five specimens of smaller size,

d-0# millim. long. Four of them are from Guatemala (Teleman and San J uan), the

fifth from Mexico (Cerro de Plumas).

9. Chelonarium prolixum, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovale, elongatum, rufescens, sat nitidum, parce setosum et punctatum ; elytris guttis albidis, parum

discretis, hinc inde sparsis ; corpore subtus dense fortiterque punctato, opaco.

Long. 7, lat. 3 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

This is comparatively the most elongate, narrow, and parallel of the species. We

have only one specimen and the antenne are imperfect; they appear to be slightly

shorter than in C. scabrosum, but considerably longer than in C. gravidum. The

definite sculpture of the elytra is more like that of the species of the C. mexicanum-

group than that of the C. succinctum-group ; the surface is polished, sprinkled with

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IT. Pt. 1, March 1905. 4'T*

690 BY RRHIDZ.—RHIPIDANDRI.

short fine sete, and here and there with patches, each formed by a few white hairs;

the punctuation is definitely geminate, there being a distinct circular puncture

accompanied by a small setigerous one. There is a great deal of coarse punctuation

along the front of the thorax, and a moderately long scanty setosity on the surface.

The punctuation of the under surface is dense and coarse, like that of C. scabrosum.

10. Chelonarium ducale, sp. n.

Oblongo-ovale, fuscum ; elytris albido-maculatis, subtiliter setosis, maculis ante apicem in fasciam latam quasi

ageregatis; antennis elongatis.

Long. 8, lat. 3? millim.

Hab. GuateMAua, near the city 5000 feet (Salvin), Duetias (Champion).

Closely allied to C. scabroswm, rather larger, and with the surface more shining, and

when the clothing is removed more definitely punctured. The thoracic sete are less

developed than in C. scabrosum, and the abdominal punctuation is not quite so dense

along the middle. There is much coarse punctuation along the margins of the thorax.

The white flecks on the elytra are extensive; the others are rather long, fine, and

evenly distributed; when the clothing is removed the surface is shining. Two

specimens.

THE CENTRAL-AMERICAN RHIPIDANDRI*.

Leconte, in the first edition (1862) of the Classification of N.-American Coleoptera,

p. 236, proposed a group, ‘“‘ Rhipidandri,” in the family Tenebrionide, for a small

beetle of the United States (Xyletinus flabellicornis, Starm). In the second edition of

this work (1883), p. 232, he transferred Rhipidandrus from Tenebrionide to Cioide,

remarking that it bears “a deceptive resemblance to Eledona” of the Tenebrionide.

In consequence of this, the Central-American Rhipidandri were omitted from the

Tenebrionidee when that family was treated by Mr. Champion.

These insects live in boleti, in the same manner as does Eledona, and I find on

comparison that the resemblance between them is not, as described by Leconte,

deceptive, but a perfectly genuine one, the two forms being really closely allied.

The structure of the feet of Eledona is very peculiar for a Heteromerous insect, as

all the tarsi appear to be four-jointed. This fact is not, so far as I can find, stated in

the literature of Coleopterology ; and Leconte therefore doubtless supposed that the

feet in this genus were evidently Heteromerous, and that the “ Rhipidandri,” in which

they appear to be Tetramerous, must be quite distinct, and he was thus led to speak of

the resemblance between Eledona and Rhipidandrus as deceptive.

In Cherostus cornutus (a Rhipidandrid) I have been able to see the structure of the

* By D. Suarp.

RHIPIDANDRUS. 691

front tarsi and find that they are five-jointed, the basal joint being extremely short and

connate with the second. ‘This can only be seen by placing the specimen in a selected

attitude, because the tarsus is inserted almost at the extremity of the tibia, and the

lower part of the latter forms an edge that conceals the extreme base of the tarsus.

I have seen almost the same structure in C. walkeri, the insect for which the

genus Cherostus was established; here, however, the two joints do not seem to be so

perfectly connate.

Other entomologists have been deceived by the apparently four-jointed feet and

by the peculiar antenne of Rhipidandrus, Lacordaire having described the genus as

Eutomus and placed it in the Scolytide. Mr. Arrow, too, informs us that the genus

(under the name Heptaphylia) has been referred to the Lamellicornia by Friedenreich

and de Borre. The position of Hledona and Rhipidandrus is, I think, clearly that of

an aberrant group of Tenebrionide allied to the Bolitophagini.

RHIPIDANDRUS.

Rhipidandrus, Leconte, Class. Col. N. Amer. ed. 1, p. 236 (1862); ed. 2, p. 232 (1883); Arrow,

Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (7) xiv. p. 31 (1904).

Eutomus, Lacordaire, Gen. Col. vii. p. 369 (1866).

Heptaphylia, Friedenreich, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1883, p. 375.

At present very few species are known of this genus, but as they occur in very

different countries no doubt others will be discovered.

1. Rhipidandrus mexicanus, sp. n.

Piceus vel niger, antennis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace densissime sat fortiter sculpturato, anterius leviter

angustato; elytris sulcatis, interstitiis angustissimis acute elevatis.

Long. 13-24 millim.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Sallé); British Honpvuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ;

GuATEMALA, Yzabal (Sal/é).

The fifth joint of the antenne is large; the club consists of six broad hairy joints,

very like those of Passalide, and capable of being closely adjusted as in that family of

Coleoptera: the fifth joint shares in this development, inasmuch as it is longer on its

inner aspect and admits of the base of the club being closely pressed to it.

2. Rhipidandrus championi, sp. n.

Ferrugineus, antennis pedibusque testaceis, prothorace densissime punctato; elytris sulcatis, interstitiis

angustissimis acute elevatis.

Long. 2 millim.

Hab. Guatemata, El Reposo (Champion).

Extremely close to &. mexicanus; rather narrower and more parallel, the sculpture

a little finer, the lamine of the antennz slightly shorter, and the process separating

the front coxe very slender. Two specimens.

4T* 2

692 RHIPIDANDRI.—PSELAPHIDZ.

CHEROSTUS.

Cherostus, Waterhouse, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) xiv. p. 68 (1894); Arrow, op. cit. (7) xiv.

p. 31 (1904).

This genus is doubtfully distinct from Rhipidandrus: of. Mr. Arrow’s remarks (J. ¢.).

1. Cherostus cornutus.

Cherostus cornutus, Arrow, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (7) xiv. p. 31°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sallé), Canelas in Durango (fohr).—ANTILLES, St. Vincent

and Grenada |.

We have received two specimens of this species. On comparison with the type in

the British Museum, I find only very slight differences.

List of Species described from Central America since the publication of the

preceding pages f.

PSELAPHIDA.

Hamotus ursulus, Schauf. Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1887, p. 307.—Mexico.

centralis, Reitt. Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1888, p. 229.—Guatemala.

Bryaxis soror, Schauf. Tijdschr. voor Ent. xxx. p. 122 (1887).—Mexico.

sarcinaria, Schauf. 1. c. p. 127.—Yucatan.

biocellata, Schauf. 1. c. p. 127.—Mexico.

—— (Eupines*) separabilis, Schauf. 1. c. p. 129.—Yucatan.

( ’) adparata, Schauf. 1. c. p. 129.—Yucatan.

impunctata, Schauf. 1. c. p. 182.—Yucatan.

Batribraxis inflexa, Schauf. 1. c. p. 147.—Mexico.

* Actionoma obesum, Raffr. Rev. Ent. Fr. xvii. p. 235 (1898).— Mexico.

* Actium caviceps, Raffr. 1. c. p. 234.—Mexico.

Apothinus brevicollis, Raffr. 1. c. p. 221.—? Mexico.

* clavatus, Raffr. 1. c. p. 222.—Mexico.

* sharpt, Raffr. 1. c. p. 221.—Mexico.

* Batrisus (Arthmius) crassicornis, Raffr. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. Ixvi. pp. 492, 498

(1897).—Mexico.

* ( ) bubalus, Raffr. 1. c. pp. 465, 499.—Mexico.

( ) simplicior, Raffr. 1. c. pp. 466, 500.— Yucatan.

* ( ) latipes, Raffr. 1. c. pp. 475, 503.—Mexico.

+ The species marked with an asterisk were found amongst the refuse of Mexican tobacco in Paris.

PSELAPHIDZ., 698

Batrisus (Arthmius) punctatus, Raffr. 1. c. pp. 496, 514.—Mexico.

Pseudotrimium microcephalum, Raffr. Rev. Ent. Fr. xvii. p. 230.—? Mexico.

*Tomoplectus cordicollis, Raffr. 1. c. pp. 266, 267.—Mexico.

*Bythinoplectus denticornis, Raffr. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. Ixv. p. 230, t. 10. fig. 16

(1897).—Mexico.

*Ctenisis brevicollis, Raffr. 1. c. p. 272.—Mexico.

raffrayi, Casey, Col. Not. v. p. 503 (1893).—Mexico and Arizona.

*Ctenisodes laticeps, Raffr. 1. c. p. 275.—Mexico.

Dalmodes schaufussi, Raffr. 1. c. p. 267.—Mexico.

*Dalmophysis cylindrica, Raffr. 1. c. pp. 267, 268, t. 11. fig. 7.—Mexico.

*Hupsenius gibbicollis, Raffr. 1. c. p. 263.—Mexico.

* mexicanus, Raffr. 1. c. p. 264.—Mexico.

* grouvelle:, Raffr. |. c. p. 264.—Mexico.

*Sebaga lamellata, Raffr, Rev. Ent. Fr. xii. p, 51, t. 2. fig. 87 (1893).—

Mexico.

Arthmius pedestrianus, Raffr, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. xxiii. p. 16, fig. 17 (1894).—

Mexico, Durango.

Scalenarthrus subcarinatus, Raffr. 1. c. p. 125.—Yucatan.

obliquus, Raffr. 1. c. p. 126, fig. 127.—Mexico, Guanajuato.

* clavicornis, Raffr. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1896, p. 258, t. 11. fiz. 10 (Hupines) ;

op. cit. 1904, p. 209.—Mexico. |

Drasinus binodulus, Raffr, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. Ixxiii. p. 148, fig. 57.—Mexico.

Bunoderus carinicollis, Raffr. 1. c. p. 152, fig. 58.—Mexico.

Reichenbachia diversula, Raffr. 1. c. p. 242 (n. n. for Bryaxis diversa, Sharp,

antea, p. 29).

*__ grouvellei, Raffr. 1. c. p. 158.—Mexico.

trrita, Raffr. 1. c. p. 162.—Mexico.

luteola, Raffr. 1. c. p. 163.—Mexico.

falsa, Raffr. 1. c. p. 170, fig. 67.—Yucatan.

mexicana, Raffr. 1. c. p. 173, fig. 69.—Mexico.

appendiculata, Raffr. 1. c. p. 174, fig. 70.—Mexico.

obnubila, Raffr. 1. c. p. 175.—Yucatan.

Euteleia nodosa, Raffr. 1. c. p. 184.—Mexico.

Decarthron arthriticum, Raffr. 1. c. p. 189, fig. 77.—Mexico, Durango.

quadraticeps, Raffr. 1. c. p. 190, fig. 86.—Mexico, Cuautla.

schmitti, Raffr. 1. c. p. 191, fig. 80.—Mexico, Cuernavaca.

vulneratum, Raffr. 1. c. p. 192, fig. 82.—Mexico.

planifrons, Raffr. 1. c. p. 194.—Yucatan.

694 SCYDMANIDA.—HISTERIDZ.

ScYDMZNIDZ.

*Chevrolatia growvellei, Croiss. Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1890, p. clvi; Schauf, Ent.

Nachr. xvii. p. 33 (1891).—Mexico.

SILPHID.

Lomechon aifaroit, Wasmann, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1897, p. 284, t. 2. fig. 5.—

Costa Rica.

'TRICHOPTERYGIDA.

Trichopteryx fuliginosa, Matth. Suppl. Mon. Trichopt. p. 68 (1900).—Mexico.

ScAPHIDIID A.

Scaphidium matthewsi, n. nu. for S. unicolor, Matth., Csiki, Wien. ent. Zeit.

1904, p. 85.

HISTERIDE Ff.

Homalodes humerosus, Schmidt, Ent. Nachr. xv. p. 362 (1889) (Omalodes).—

Mexico, Medellin.

perpolitus, Schmidt, Ent. Nachr. xix. p. 11 (1893) (Omalodes).—Guatemala.

Phelister canalis, Lewis, antea, p. 193; Mars. Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1859, p. cxxxix.

uncistrius, Lewis, antead, p. 192; Mars. 1. c. p. exlvi.

insolitus, Schmidt, Ent. Nachr. xix. p. 12.—Mexico.

sculpturatus, Schmidt, 1. c. p. 12.—Mexico.

hamistrius, Schmidt, 1. c. p. 18.—Mexico.

completus, Schmidt, 1. c. p. 81.—Mexico.

parallelisternus, Schmidt, |. c. p. 86.—Mexico.

—— plicicollis, Schmidt, 1. c. p. 87.—Mexico.

aduncus, Schmidt, 1. c. p. 89.—Mexico.

Reninus, n.n. for Renia (R. salvini, antea, p. 220), Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat.

Hist. (6) iv. p. 275 (1889).

Synodites gibbidorsum, Schmidt, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1893, p. 180.—Mexico.

detritus, Schmidt, 1. c. p. 180.—Mexico.

graniformis, Schmidt, 1. c. p. 181.—? Mexico.

Hister latistrius, Lewis, Ent. Monthly Mag. xxvii. p. 106 (1891).—Mexico, Tepic.

latimargo, Schmidt, Ent. Nachr. xix. p. 14 (1893).—Mexico.

flohri, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (7) ii. p. 168 (1898).—Mexico, Vera

Cruz.

gibberosus, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (7) v. p. 232 (1900).—Mexico.

— meridanus, Lewis, 1. c. p. 233.—Yucatan.

+ For the corrections in the synonymy, see my new Catalogue of Histeride, 1905.—G, .L

HISTERIDZ.—TROGOSITIDA. 695

Hister levimargo, Lewis, 1. c. p. 246.—Costa Rica.

planimargo, Lewis, 1. c. p. 247.—Costa Rica.

—— confector, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (7) xii. p. 423 (1903)—Yucatan.

tricuspis, Lewis, |. c. p. 424.—Yucatan.

Saprinus pygidialis, Lewis, |. c. p. 429.—Mexico, Guerrero.

*Paratropus manicatus, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) viii. p. 890 (1891).—

Mexico.

* castaneus, Lewis, |. c. p. 391.—Mexico.

*Teretriosoma nigrescens, Lewis, |. c. p. 398.—Mexico, Guanajuato.

* plumicorne, Lewis, 1. c. p. 399.—Brit. Honduras.

pilicorne, Lewis, 1. c. p. 399.—Centr. America.

Lrichoreninus flohri, Lewis, Ent. Monthly Mag. xxvii. p. 107 (1891).—Mexico,

Atlixco.

Carcinops prasina, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (7) iv. p. 18 (1899).—Mexico.

* Huclasea obliqua, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) xi. p. 425 (1893).—Mexico.

Heteriomorphus perplezus, Schmidt, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1893, p. 186.—

Mexico.

Heteriodes fraudulentus, Schmidt, 1. c. p. 188.—Mexico.

Onthophilus juli, Lewis, Ent. Monthly Mag. xxviii. p. 124 (1892).—Mexico,

Amecameca.

*Colonides parvulus, Lewis, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) viii. p. 404 (1891).—

Mexico.

PHALACRIDA.

Ganyrus strigiilatus, Guill. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. Ixiii. pp. 298, 299 (1894).—

Mexico.

Heterolitus mexicanus, Guill. 1. c. p. 298.—Mexico.

Tinodemus ornatus, Guill. 1. c. p. 301.—Mexico.

NITIDULID&.

Brachypeplus (Letopeplus) compressus, Grouv. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. xvii. p. 348

(1898).—Mexico.

* Cilleus impressicollis, Grouv. 1. c. p. 350.—Mexico.

sharpi, Grouv. 1. c. p. 351 (n. n. for C. prolixus, Sharp, antea, p. 281).

Camptodes sharpi, Grouv. 1. c. p. 369 (n. n. for C. béformis, Sharp, anted, p. 327).

‘TROGOSITID&.

Airora decipiens, Léveillé, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. Ixvili. p. 644 (1900).—Mexico,

Durango.

Temnochila biolleyi, Léveillé, Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1903, p. 191.—Costa Rica.

696 TROGOSITIDZ.—LATHRIDIID.

Tenebroides cribratus, Léveillé, Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1894, p. cxlvii ( Zenebriotdes).—

Mexico, Guanajuato.

RHYSODIDA.

Clinidium centrale, Grouvelle, Rev. Ent. Fr. xxii. p. 153, t. 2. fig. 16.—Costa Rica.

LATHRIDIIDA.

Metophthalmus grouvellei, Belon, Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1899, p. 37.—Mexico, Cordova,

INDEX.

[Names in small capitals refer to Families, &c.; those in roman type to the chief reference to each species included in the work ;

those in italics to species incidentally mentioned, synonyms, &c.]

Page

ACOLOBIOUS ....... 0.0002 ee 452

Acolobicus 66... cece eee 455

Pec cca e eens 452

obscurus .............. 452

ACOlOPhus vo. ccc cece reves 452

Acratrichis brunneipennis .... 148

CONVENG viv cece cece eee 143

—— elongatula ..... 0. cece eee 154

Senestrata oo. ccc ee evens 144

—— fulva oor e cece ccnees 136

GVOSSA eve cueae, 134, 135

Mfuscatd oo... cece eeaee 136

lividipennis .........44. 148

—— planulata ....... 0. cee. 1438

—— pustlima ....eeecce eee 144

SUOGIADIA wee cece eee 143

—— sylvestris... ce eee 148

VELULING . 6. ere rece eee 148

ACRITUS wo. cee cee eee ees 238

AcrituS vo... ceca 237, 239, 240

ALOMAPIUS . 6. eee ee 239

bipartitus .............. 240

Clarulus vee cece v eee 239

corpusculus ............ 241

—— fuligineus .............. 240

gulliver ...........0005. 241

hilum... ... eee eee 239

lateralis... cece cece eee 241

—— liliputianus ............ 241

peculiaris .............. 240

quadristriatus .......... 240

simpliciculus .......... 241

stmpliculus 6... eevee. 241

SEYUGOSUS vee cece eee eee 238

substriatus ............ 239

ACROPINED vec. eee cee eee ees 475

ACTOPINE ve eevee ccevececee t44

ACROPIS wo... cece cece eee 475

——championi............ 476

TECH Lee cee cece eee eee 476

serrata woe. cece ee eee 476

tuberculiferd.........0.. 476

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1905.

Page

Acrotrichis crotchtt .......... 186

mnvistbhilis ... ccc ec eee 154

ACTIDIUM ........ 0c cee eee 147

Acttdium occ ec ccee cues 127, 150

fowlerianum .......... 148

UNCAVE Loci ce ccc eecuee 148

Actionoma obesum .......... 692

Actium caviceps ............ 692

ACYLOMUS ...... cece eee 256

Acylomus oo. cc cece cece ceees 257

Pec cece e eee eee 257

Seetieneeee anee 257

— Pesce eee eeeee 257

—— aciculatus.............. 257

——- aciculatus vice. cece cee 258

ADIMERIDE vee eee cece eens 44]

ADIMERUS..... 00.00 eee e eee 44]

——-crispatus .............. 442

—— crispatus ... 6... cece. 443

—— dubius ................ 443

—— setosus ............0005 4492

—— SCLOSUS Lecce cece cenes 443

ADISTEMIA oe .e cece eee eee 634

watsonl .......-...05. 634.

AGNES veces 238, 239

AENIGMATICUM, ... 0... 0000s 104.

AMNIGMALICUM ee ccce renee 102

—— ptilioides .............. 105

AETHINA oo ccc e cece eee eee 850

concolor ...........00. 300

—— quadrata .............. 351

—— villosa ................ 350

——. V1NOSA eve cece cece 351

AGATHIDIUM .........0000 74

Agathidium vi... cece e. 72,77, 78

californicum ............ 75

— cognatum.............. 77

—— difficile ................ 76

CSEPIALUM voce cece eevee 77

——exiguum .............. 75

oniscoides .............. 74

—— PCEUM dee eee eee 74

Page

AGLYPTUS oo. cee cece eee eee 77

Aglyptus wi... cece eee 72,78, 80

horni....... ee eee eee 78

a 79

—— ]HVIS .... cee eee ee eee 79

——(P)minor .............. 79

ATRORA 2... ec cee ee cece eee 391

AUWOPG oe cece eee eee 390

centralis ..........00.. 892

clivinotdes ... cece ceca 392

—— cylindrica 6... cece eens 391

—— decipiens .............. 695

longicollis ............ 392

—— pollens ................ 392

striato-punctata ........ 392

yucatanica ............ 391

—— YUCAEANICA deere eeeeeee 392

AMPHICROSSUS .......4. “Lees 348

CUIATUS vee eeccecccucuce 349

——horni.................. 349

——limbatus .............. 3849

Amphotts oo. ce ccceeee 320, 323

ANACANA vivccccevecvcveeee 369

ANARMOSTES ..........0005 471

argutus ....... cece eae 471

ANChOMMA vc eeveccvccvcccece 445

ANCISEIUA Lecce ec cc cee eens 541

ANCISTRIINE ... eee eee eens 541

ANEPSICUS ........--e eee 600

ANEPSICUS Cove eee cee e une 601

brumneus ............0. 600

ANEUMESA 2... eee ee ee eee 455

ANCUMESA civecisccvcvccveae 457

—— atomaria .............. 455

ALOMATIA veceeceecccues 456

costata wo... 2... ce eee 456

ANEUROPS .....eeeeeeeeaee 573

AMEUPOPS Lice ccc cece veeeaee 563

championi ............ 573

ANISOPAULAX ....eeceeaeeee 446

brucki ............00., 446

ANISOTOMA ...ceeeeeees sees 87

698

Page

Anisotoma podagrica ........ 88

ANISOTOMINA vee eee ee eeees 74

ANOBOCELUS we. cece cece eee 625

Anoboceelus .iccececseceaces 622

championi ............ 626

optatus ..... ee eee ee eee 625

OPtAtUS occ eccvecccevces 626

ANTHEROPHAGUS ....e..00- 595

ochraceus ...........0.. 595

ANERPENUS oo cee 642

Aphanocephalus .. 102, 629, 680

APOBLETES ..........00000- 189

Apobletes i... ccccee ec ceeee 234

ConnectenS ........ eae 120

YUAENS vee cece eee 190

SUDTUCENS oo cece eee 190

APOTHINUS vo... cece cece ee 35

—— brevicollis ............ 692

— clavatus ............ .. 692

impressifrons ........46 35

UMPVESSUFYONS cee cae 36

—— obscurus ........-.0008 36

Sharpl ...........0000. 692

APSECTUS 1... cece eee eee ees 668

APSCCLUS Looe ccc cece eee eee 669

centralis ............0. 669

—— hystrix ......... voce ras 668

—— Wystrid vo vevcccccccneee 669

—— minutus .............. 669

ObSCUrUS ... eee eee eeee 669

Arthmius oo... cc ceeee cb eeee 11

pedestrianus ............ 698

ARTHROLIPS «oe. ee. cece eee 118

Arthrolips oo... 0.605 108, 104, 112

dimidiatus ............ 114

fenestratus ........000. 111

hirsutus ........e0.00, 116

harsutus....ceeccees 114, 115

——nmisellus .............. 115

MISCUUS . occa ce cece neve 114

—— niger ........... sees 116

1 114

Oberthiirt oo. ccc cee cues 109

—— ovatus ........... 000s 115

—— OVULUS Lee eeeccceccces 114

subvittatus 2... eee ees 112

ASYNCHITA ec cece cece ees 448

OTANOSA ..... eee eee eee 449

Atholus oo. ccc ccc ccc en es 198

Atomaria ...... 588, 589, 593, 679

ATOMARIINE ........0..005 603

ATTAGENIN® ............4. 645

ATTAGENUS ..ec...ceeeeeaee 645

AUAGENUS woe cece e eee ee 646

--— cylindritus ............ 645

—hornl ................ 645

INDEX.

Page

Attagenus piceus ........06.- 645

VEPDASCL oo. eee eee eens 646

AUGASMUS Wiveiccrcccceneeee 245

AULONIUM ve cece eee eee 468

1) C0 469

bidentatum ............ 470

bidentatum 6... eevee 471

frontale 2.0... ce ee ee eee 469

—— longum 1... cc cece ceeee 471

——tubulum .............. 469

—— tubulum oc iv ceeceneee 470

BACANIUS 2.0.2... eee eee eee 237

hamatus ............-- 23

ignobilis ............-- 238

—— mexicanus ............ 238

mMmrsellUus oe cee ee eeeee 238

—— rhombophorus .......... 238

scalptus ..........008- 237

LENUIS vee eee cece reece 237

BACTRIDIUM ..........0.005 574

Bactridtum occ cece e cc aee 566

—— adustum .............. 575

angulicolle ........205s 575

angustum ...........2.- 576

brevicorne ........066- 575

CYASSUM ve ee eee ee eee 575

divisum ........-.00.. 574

ephippigerum .......05- 574

——eumorphum ............ 577

CUMOMPRUM Loe veceeeee 576

— flohri..... 0... eee eee 576

——germanum ............ 577

GETMANUM oer e veces 576

TuUde 22... . cee eee eee 576

staphylinum ........006. 575

BROCERA ...... 2. cee eee ee 168

APUCANS eee cece eee 170

erichsoni .............. 169

ertchsont .......... 168, 170

—— gyrinoides.............. 170

GYPNOUWES Vee e ee eee aee 169

—— major ............005. 169

MAJOY vive reeves 168, 170

—— mexicana .............. 170

MEHICANA ore evcvececes 169

—— punctipennis............ 170

—— punetipennis ........2..4. 169

BATOCTENUS.......-... 20005 18

Batoctenus oo. ee cee eae 19, 22

puncticollis ............ 19

simplex we... . eee eee. 19

Batribaxis inflexa............ 692

BATRISINZA wo... ee eee eee ee 10

BATRISUS 1... ccc ee eee een eee 10

Batrisus ........ 17,19, 20, 38, 39

Page

Batrisus Poke cee ee eves 18

armatellus ............ 15

armatellus. icc ccccceces 16

—— (Arthmius) bubalus .... 692

castaneus .............. 138

CUSLANCUS oe eee cece 14

coronifer ...........006 16

—— (Arthmius) crassicornis ,. 692

Crassip€S ..........000, 17

CYASSYPES ove eee eee eee 18

curvicornis ...... teens 11

curvicornis 12, 18, 15, 16

SOPMICATIUS Lo. vec e cee. 17

geniculatus ............ 11

GenweulatUsS ever ecsrese 12

—— hamaticollis............ 16

lamellipes.............. 18

—— (Arthmius) latipes ...... 692

MONOCEPOS 2... ee eee . 14

— plicicollis .............. 16

—— (Arthmius) punctatus.... 693

quadripunctatus ........ 12

rivularig oe... eee ee ae 17

scaphiger ..........0... 14

—— simplicicornis .......... 12

Ssimplicrcornts ..6..... 138, 15

—— (Arthmius) simplicior .. 692

truncaticeps .........6.. 13

VIVIGUS 2... eee ee eee 16

BELONIA wee cece cece eee 654

unicostata ........068, 634

Bembidum oc ccccccecccces 5389

BIPHYLLIN® 2... cee eae 604

Biphyllus .......64. 580, 604, 622

BITOMA ... cece eee cee 457

Litoma ..., 458, 460, 461, 462, 463

centralis ........0..00. 459

—— CVENATA Lecce ccc ccees 450

—— exarata ..... ccc eee eee 458

—— gracilis ................ 460

jejuna ....... eee eee 460

OTNATA weeeeeee cece eee 459

OPNAA ve eee cecaeee 458, 460

PASCOE] .. 6. ee eee eee eee 461

PAUEUlde ce reccveccves 459

SAGINATA ever eeecceues 454

— socialis ..........00.05, 458

SOCLANS woe. eee eens 459, 460

—— subfasciata ............ 459

subfasciata .........0ee 460

suleata .........0..000, 460

—— SUICATA eee eee ccceccaes 461

UPUSEUS eee eee eee ee aee 462

—— awuthioides ..........005. 449

Blumenus oo... ccc cece cece 627

villager oo. ccc cece eeees 627

Page

Bostrichus proboscideus ,..... 229

BoTHRIDERES ......,....... 488

Bothrideres ........ 487, 489, 490

depressus ...........00. 489

LAtUS oo ede eee c cece eeee 485

parvulus .............. 489

——— ParvUulUs wee eececececes 490

—— setiver ............005. 488

—— sumple® oe cee 489

—— solitarius .............. 490

—— subvittatus ............ 490

SUCCINEUS oe eee ccc ee eas 488

BoTHRIDERINZE ............ 485

Bothriderin@ ...........4.. 445

BRACHYPEPLUS ............ 277

ANCEPS oo. eee ec eee eee 278

brachypterus .......... 278

brachypterus ......06. 279

—— (Leiopeplus) compressus.. 695

conoteloides ............ 279

——. CONVERUS ode eee eee 279

—— costatus........... 0000. 278

—— lispinoides ............ 280

—— nigripennis ............ 280

——— staphylinoides .......... 279

VICINUS 26... ee eee eee 278

BRACHYPTERINE .......... 265

BRACHYPTERUS ..........0. 265

globularius ............ 266

urticee ................ 265

UTUCOE crv ceccncccecues 266

BRYAXINA .. ec cece cece ee eee 22

BRYAXINA oe. ccc cece eee 2)

BRYAXIS ... 0... ce cee eee eee 24

Bryaxts ws... 23, 25, 32, 33, 38

(Hupines ?) adparata .... 692

—— biocellata .............. 692

—— bythinoides ............ 30

—— celata...... 0... cece eee 25

—— CEldMh eee eee 26, 80

— cochlearifer .........4.. 23

—— crassipalpis ............ 26

—— cristata ......... cece eee 30

——— CUrTICOYNIS kee cee 24

—— denticornis ............ 24

—— designata .............. 29

diversa ..........0 cee 29

AWE SA vee e eee cence ee. 893

diversicornis .......... 28

impressicollis .......... 30

empressicollis ........6% dl

impubis .............. 32

CY 1 33

impunctata ............ 692

—— intacta ................ 28

nominata .............. 26

INDEX.

Page

Bryaxis cedipus...........-.. 33

parviceps ...........5.. 25

——— PAT VICEPS viv evcvvcceees 26

—— pubescens .............. 26

pusilla .............0.. 30

reichei ..........00000. 27

POURED vee ee eee ene 25, 29

rubecula ...........00. 28

PUDCCUE. 6. ccc c nec eeeee 26

Sall@i..... eee eee eee 27

SALA. eee 26, 28

—— sarcinaria ............6. 692

—— (Kupines?) separabilis .. 692

——- simulatrix.............. 31

—— SUMUNALITL cece 32

——— SOTOP oe eee cece eee 692

—— suturalis ... 0. cece eee, 23

trimioides ..........004. 32

vulnerata ...........04. 31

Bunoderus earinicollis ........ 693

BYRRHIDH ..... eee eee eee 670

Bythinoplectus denticornis .... 698

CACCOLEPTUS ......e0.00eee 649

Caccoleptus ..cce cece ccceees 650

anisotomoides .......... 650

—rotundus ............0. 650

CACCONTA ..ceeeeee cece eeeee 324

—— obscura ...... 0. ee eee 324

CACCOPLECTUS ........200005 22

celatus ..........00000. 22

Caccothryptus compactus ...... 683

CACHEXIA ... cece cece eee eeee 236

puberula .............. 236

CACOTARPHIUS .........2000- 473

COMPYressus ............ 473

CANOSCELIS ........2.00000- 6038

Servugined ov vvvevevvces 608

; optata ..... ee eee eee 603

Cerosternus levissimus ...... 2492

Calyptobium .........06- 627, 628

CAMPTODES ..........0000-. 325

Camptodes...... 327, 831, 332, 334,

338, 341, 342, 344, 354, 364

aberrans .........0000. 334.

GQDEVTANS vecseccccvcees 340

addendus ..........000- 841

Addendus ..ccceveescees 342

adustulus ...........0.- 338

AYMATUS.. 6... eee eee 346

bicolor ......... eee eee 343

Dicolor wc cece cece eens 336

biformis.............00. 339

biformis.......- 340, 344, 695

DYEVIS ... eee eee eee eee 3830

championi.............- 328

Page

Camptodes chiriquensis ...... 347

—— chirrquensis . 339, 341, 346, 348

—— cinctipennis ............ 331

—— cognatus .............. 338

—— cognatus ., 388, 339, 340, 341

—— collarigs ..... 0.0... eee 332

—— collarts oo. cece cece eee 343

—— communis.............. 337

—— communis ...... 388, 335, 338,

339, 34], 342, 347, 348

— , var. vilis.......... 337

—- , var. vilis... eee 343

—— decipiens .............. 333

diffinis ................ 348

——dimorphus ............ 344

dimorphus .......... 342, 343

——- discoideus.............. 338

—— divisus ................ 332

—— erythroderus............ 348

—— extermus .............. 337

—— €2xbernus8..... 6.060. 338, 340

flohyi ...............00. 382

formosus .............. 328

JOrMOSUS 2.0.6... eae 829

furcatus.............0.. 346

—— gaumeri................ 330

GAWME . eee cc eeceeneee 333

——godmani .............. 331

—-heterocheilus .......... 34]

heterochetlus .... 342, 348, 344

illustris.........000008. 3828

allustris 6.6... eee eee 329

—— iteratus ................ 344

jucundus .............. 384

—— jucundus .......... 335, 336

laticornis .............. 342

laticorntS .eveececcceaee 3438

latipes... ee... eee 347

limbicollis.............. 340

——masculinus ............ 348

—— mascultnus. ... 0. ccc ceees 326

—— maurus ................ 344

——melanopterus .......... 336

—— melanopterus.... 334, 341, 3438

—— metallicus.............. 329

—— mexicanus.............. 346

—— molestus ............., 338

—— MOTIO.................. 329

morvo...... 330, 331, 333, 334

nigriclava .............. 333

—— nigrinus................ 340

NUGPYENNIS ....... 000, 332

NUJYOCYANCUS 6... eee ee 331

—— nigroviridis ............ 331

—— politus .............0.,. 338

principalis..........00., 327

4U*2

700

Page

Camptodes pyxis ..........4. 339

HIS ccc ccc ccnneee 340

Sharpl ...e..eeeee renee 695

signaticollis .......-...- 345

stgnaticollts 6... 6c. eens 346

solitarius .........e0 eee 335

SOULAYIUS voce cece eee 336

sordidus ..... eens 342

terminalis ...... ee eenes 3438

—— thoracicus 0.6... cee ceees 38385

transversus ......00. eee 38!

EPANSUEVSUS oe ee ees 836

tricolor .... ee. eee eee 830

ErtColor oo ce ee eee 331

CANTHODERUS ......0..-0005 34

UPSINUS . 2... eee ee ee eee 35

villosus ......... cee eee 35

CARCINOPS 1... see ee eee eee 209

Carcinops .....66..4. 182, 212, 239

atrata . oe eee eee ee 212

bellula 2.0.0.0... cee eee 213

—— cavisternum ............ 212

collaris ..... 0... cee eee 211

—— CONSOIS ..... eee eee eee 210

——— COPTICIS cence 211

——— CUPTINA eee ees 213

—— EXIM] oo... ee eee 2138

PUuMala voce v vce ceceues 211

fumosa ..... cee eee eee 211

—— garbigliettii ............ 209

—— gilensis ...... cc. cee eee 210

lanista oo... cee eee ee 210

——— lantstd oe ivcvcccccares 211

——merula ............008. 210

——— MINING rence ncees 209

—— misella ..........-. cee 211

——— MISEP occ cc ce nen neees 211

—— miserula ...........0.. 212

—— multistriata ............ 209

—— ovatuld vo. ccc rereeeees 210

PVASINA . 6... cece ee ee eee 695

punctinotum.........66. 209

PAULA oo cee eee 209

tantilla ...........0.00. 211

teJONICA . 6... eee ee eee 2138

tenella .....ceeeee ee eee 211

—— tr 1StUS. ee eee eee 211

viridicollis ............ 213

CArcinuS . 0. ees 209

CARPOPHILINE...........06. 266

CARPOPHILUS ......0e0ee0-- 286

Carpophilus ........ 287, 290, 296,

301, 304, 305, 351

alticola ............0050. 293

brachypterus... cece cee ee 292

—— canescens ............5- 301

INDEX.

Page

Carpophilus comatus ........ 292

concolor. ...... see e wees 298

—confertus .............. 295

CTASSUS 2... ee eee eee 297

—— CUTVIPES .... eee eee ee 299

CUPVUPES Wo cece nce ner anes 300

—— deceptor ........0-.00. 303

—— deflexus.............04. 290

dimidiatus ............ 302

AiSCOUCUS 6. sec eeveveves 294

—— dulcis .............0.. 294

UCAS voce eee ces ». 295

—— elaterinus .............. 296

—— epurewoides ............ 293

evichsonl ......e.eeeeee 295

CFUCNSONE cee ce ccueene 296

—— ferrugineus ............ 3038

floralis ........ ee eee eee 300

—— floralis .occcececseeeaes 301

—— funebris.............0.. 288

FUnebrts oo ccc cn ennces 289

—— hemipterus ............ 287

humilis .............06. 292

humilis oo. cece cece eee 293

—— lacertosus ..........0.... 291

HigneusS ....... eee eee eee 294

—— NGNCUS Lecce ccrcceeeees 295

Limbipennts ......ceeeee 298

—-— longiventris ............ 301

lugubris........e....00. 289

LUGUUris. cic eccceeccaee 290

lutecpennis. ...scecceveee 500

marginatus ..........65 504

margimatus ........ 295, 296

melanopterus .......... 291

MEXICADUS.. 1... eee ee eee 298

MELICANUS vo. cee cees 299, 380i

—— 11ger oo cee 288, 289, 294

obscurus ..........-060- 293

—— obtusicollis ............ 299

ophthalmicus .......... 298

——pallipennis ............ 300

PallipenntsS. 6... cere ccnes 801

palmatus .............. 296

palmatus ..sseecies 297, 298

—— PIQeVr vee eee eee eee eee. 296

PUGEP voce cc vccnvervcans 297

pollens ......6. 300, 801, 302

—— purpureipennts .......... 291

—-rufitarsis .............. 290

PUPEANSIS eee cece ee 351

— rufus ..............005. 291

PUFUS Coe eee ee 300

SENEX .. ee eee ee ee eee 292

SCENE voce cece eeee 293, 297

——senilis ............00.. 302

Page

Carpophilus senilis .. 292, 295, 808

similaris .... ec. e eee 289

similaris. oe cece ue cause 290

SUCCISUS 6 oe eeceveces wee. 302

transitans ...........00. 290

— ventralis .............. 297

— ventralis ......0... 293, 298

Vere pacis .. 6... .. eee eee 303

VETEPACIS oo vec eeveeee 302

viduatus ..... cece eae 288

CARTODERE .............05. 633

Cartodere oie cece cc cucucae 6384

-— falliana................ 633

—— filum.................. 633

—— unicostala . 6... eee ccna 634

—— WALSONE oe eee eens 634

CATHARTUS ........eeeeeeee 558

Cathartus ooo. ceccccc cee eces 559

AAVENG weceeccuccevvces 5638

—- angulicollis ......605. .. 562

—— annectens .............. 559

—— CASSI wee eee eee 559

———— EXCISUS cece cence eee 563

SUSCIPENNIS. . ove cece 562

gemellatus ........ eee 559

NULIdUS oe eee ee. 561, 562

—— quadricollis .........4.. 563

CATOGENUS .........000008, 500

Catogenus vic iccccccccvcees 501

collaris ..... 0... ...000, 502

——- distinctus ...........4.. 502

germanus ............., o01

GerMANUS . 6... cece 502, 5038

integratus ...........00. 501

—— longicornis ............ 503

—— planus .............6.. 503

PLANUS Lee eee eee 504

puncticollis ............ 504

pusillus .............0.. 502

TUFUS occ eee 504

temacensis.............. 503

CATOLEMUS ..... 0.0... c eee, 457

minutus................ 457

CATOPIUS .........00 0.000 cee 641

irregularis.............. 642

Catops consobrinus............ 100

CERCOCERUS.........0..00.. 9

batrisoides ............ 9

Cercus pallipennis .........04. 300

CercyOn vececccccseecccucuee 156

CrUDratUS eevee ee cece 671

Ceruchs.. cc. cece cece ew ees 439

CERYLINE.... 0... ce cee eee 49]

CerylIN@ cei vceccccccenees 445.

CERYLON .....cc cece ec ueeee 49]

Cerylon .......5. 492, 498, 494

Page

Cerylon curtipes ............ 491

CESEACEUM vee eccccvcces 493

Ceutocerus ..caccccccsees woe. 248

Chalepopeplus ..........000. 280

CHAMPIONELLA ............ 130

Championella ......00.0. 0004. 127

nubigena .............. 130

CHELONARIINE ............ 684

CHELONARIUM .............. 684

Chelonarium ............ 686, 689

chiriquense ............ 687

chontalense ............ 686

ducale ................ 690

— evans ... eee, 687

CITANS cece cee eeeee 686

—— gravidum .............. 689

—— gravidum oe... 6.60, 688, 689

—— hyphydroide............ 687

—— hyphydrode ............ 688

—— mexicanum ............ 685

—— mexicanum ........ 686, 689

, var. chontalense.... 685

—-— ——, var. longulum .... 685

, var. MeXicanum.... 685

prolixum .............. 689

scabrosum ...........0.. 689

—— 8cAbrOSUM oo. eee 688, 690

— succinctum ............ 688

—— succinctum ........ 686, 689

ZAPOLENSE oe. seve se veces 686

CHEROSTUS .........000008. 692

Cherostus ... ccc c cece eee eee 691

cornutus ...........00. 692

COYNULUS oe cece 690

WAKE oo eee ees 691

Chevrolatia grouvellei ........ 694

CHOLEVA ...... cc cece eens 98

Cholevd oo... ccc cece cece 100

fimbriata .............. 98

— semipicea .............. 99

LEPMUNANS occ ccc ce cecves 99

CHOLEVINA 2... eee cece eee 98

Cholovocera... 0... ec ee 628

Cicones J... eee eee 450, 452,

4538, 454, 456, 473

CILLBUS 2... cc eee eee ee eee 281

impressicollis .......... 695

— prolixuS............008, 281

—— pr0WXUS Lecce eee nee 695

prolongatus ............ 282

—— sharpl ... cc. eee cece 695

gunilensis ........e.000. 282

CUrCOCETUS voce crecccecereues 9

. batristoides ..... eee cee 9,10

—— batrisoides ........005. 9, 10

—— perplenxus vevsevcsvees 9, 10

INDEX.

Page

CUS ieee c ec eee cece nee 234, 601

CISSIDIUM ............0.0000, 155

—— basale... 0.0... 0... ee, 155

—— rufescens ............., 155

CISSOCRYPTUS .............. 601

Cissocryptus .... 0... cece eee 602

insolitus.............0.. 601

CLAMBINA ..........000000e, 73

CLAMBUS ....... 0.0000 cece, 73

CXIQUUS ....... eee eee 74

——gibbulus .............. 73

Gtbbulus oo. eee eceeeeeee, 74

Clidteus oo. ec cece eee 70

CLINIDIUM ............00e 498

centrale.............00. 696

guatemalenum.......... 498

—— mexicanum ............ 498

MEXICANUM vee eevee, 499

CaiLOCRYPTUS ..........000. 593

Coelocryptus ....... 0004. 580, 594

cognatus ...........0.. 594.

—— discedens .............. 595

—— mexicanus.............. 594

—— pallens ................ 594

PAalens 6... cece eevee, 595

COLASTUS ...... ce. cece eee 269

Colastus oo... cece 270, 272, 274

aberrans ..........00., 277

amputatus.............. 276

angularis .............. 274

A 274.

— bimaculatus ............ 278

— , var. menor ........ 273

Disignatus ....eceececces 270

—— brevicollis vic. cee cece ees 275

brevipes............ wee. 271

OreVipes voce eevee ve eeee 272

chiriquensis ............ 275

AECOrUSs occ ec e eee cece 270

—— denticulatus............ 276

dispar ...... bos eeeeens 274

guatemalenus .......... 269

—— guatemalenus .......... 270

MJUNUS ev eecccececcues 277

inflatipennis ............ 272

—— levicollis ........ settee 278

—— latus ....... ee eee eee, 270

latus ..se0e 271, 272, 278, 276

—— lUGeENS oe ececeevccess 276

—— MACHOPLEYUS voce veeecee 271

— , var. sordidus ...... 271

— , var. sordidus ...... 274

1 270

—— mimetes..............., 270

—— mollis................. . 273

MOTTO ccc cece ceuce 276

Page

Colastus plagiatus ....... 00005 273

POSTICUS .. eee eee eee 269

——— POSEICUS Lace cevnneees 270

—— punctiventris .......... 275

SCULCUHATIS ccc cee ceees 269

SEMULECEUS Lovee recnceaes 276

—— setiger ...........0,, .. 274

—— simplex ............ wee. 275

— , var. sallee ........ 275

—— sordidus........ Cenc eeee 272

—— thalestris vice ccc ceeeees 271

CONSUS. eevee ce eccevenes 271

truncatus ..........4. .. 277

VeStitUs ... cece cee ees 272

COSEULUS Coe e ccc e ee eaee 273

—— VUINETALUS oo. eee cece 273

COLENIS... cc. cece eee ences 86

CYASSICOINIS ..........0, 87

TMpPUNclala oe veeceeceee 86

—— (P) levis... eee eeee 79

punctulata ............ 86

PUNCUALA. oe cece eens 87

Colobicus. 2.6... cece eee 450, 452

COLON woe. eee e eee eee eens 101

——clavatum .............. 101

Colonides parvulus .......... 695

Colopterts oo. ccc cece ccc ee nee 269

COLYDIIDH ....... eee eee 443

COLYDIINE ..... ee cee eee eee 465

Colydun@ viieecccccccccvees 444

COLYDIUM........e ec ceca ee , 465

Colydium vice eccccccces 471, 472

brdentatum oo... cece 470

——championi ............ 467

ChAMPVONE vee cece veces 468

—— chiriquense ............ 466

—— chiriquense ......4. 465, 467

clavigerum ............ 468

—— elongatum ........4. 465, 467

SJiliforme .... cece eee 466

godmani ............45 465

—— guatemalenum.......... 466

—— guatemalenum ..... 6.005 467

mexicanum .........0.5 466

MEXUCUNUM vee ee ceccees 467

—— puneticolle ............ 467

pusillum ...........06. 468

TUfIPES we cveeveeeeecive. 480

COLYDOBIUS ...........00 eee 437

Colydobius voce ccecveeesccce 390

divisus ............000. 437

Signatus........... eee 437

Colydodes oo... cee v evens 447, 448

gubbiceps vec eiccceeeeee 447

CONINOMUS .... ee cece eee eee 631

——— Pose eee ee ceeee 632

702

Page

Coninomus constrictus........ 631

MuUtICUS ..... cece ee eee 631

Contophned ... ec cccccrvsveves 458

CLAVALA ooo ccc cence ens 458

COntthassd oc ccc cnccccces 632

CONODES ..... cee cece ee eee 107

Conodes ...... 0.000. 102, 103, 104

CONICUS «2... cece eee eee 108

CONOTELUS ....... 0c eee 282

Conotelus ...... eee een. 283, 285

chiriquensis ............ 284

guatemalenus .......... 285

—— hondurensis ............ 284

latitarsis 2.0... 0.0... 285

MEXICANUS.. 2... ee ee 283

NIQET oo... eee ee eee eee 288

rr 284

—— nigricornis ............ 284

nitidissimus ............ 285

rufipes ......... eee eee 283

PUSIPCS vee eceeccceneee 284

—— stenoides .............. 283

CONTIPUS .... cee eee e ee ca eee 198

subquadratus .......... 198

Contopus oo... cece eee eee 198

CORTICARIA ...... cee eee eee 634

Corticaria oo. cee ccc cece 104, 635

humilis ............0..0. 634.

CoRTICARIIND ......0...00.. 634

Cortecarind eee ccc cece eee 635

Corticeus 2.6... ec cece 390, 436

CoRTICOTOMUS..........0-.. 390

—— basalis ..............0. 890

gracilis ..........e eee 391

Cortilena .... cece ee eee 635, 637

CoRYLOPHIDE .........000e 102

CORYLOPHINA .....-..e00005 118

Corylophinad ..csceccceceeeee 103

CORYLOPHODES ......00ee. 119

Corylophodes ...... Leta eens 118

castaneuS ..........000. 121

———_ CASLANCEUS occ cececeees 120

championi.............. 120

——- CRAMPIONE 6 eee enee 121

jamsoni ............68., 120

orbicularis ............ 122

Orbiculris.... ccc c cee eee 120

—— torquatus .............. 121

COPQUALUS Lo. cece eee eee 120

Corylophus .. cc... cee eee eee 120

Comelus occ ec ccc cece ceees 473

CREAGROPHORUS..........4. 82

Creagrophorus ....... 066 78, 81, 83

bihamatus........ 0 ..... 84

hamatus ...........00. 83

OA 574

INDEX.

Page

Cryptamorpha ..cccccceevaes 549

desjardinsti wo... eee. eee 551

CRYPTARCHA ........ee0 ee 374

Cryptarcha ........ 878, 384, 385

aclypta ..... eee eee ee eee 384

atomaria ..........005- 383

—— brevidens .............. 377

—— cephalotes.............. 380

Clavata ........... ee eee 3884

clavigera ..........00e 381

—— COMMA ......... ce eee 382

CORCINNA oe eee recess 385

costaricensis............ 383

discedens .............. 381

elongata .............. 384

furcata ............000. 376

—— fusca .... eee eee eee, 384

gentilis .... 2.0.20... 377

gibbula ................ 378

—— guatemalena............ 375

guatemalena ........ 376, 884

imbellis................ 383

—— imeequalis .............. 377

—— tnequalis ....... 20.0. 385

—— longidens .............. 374

longidens .......4-- 375, 876

—— morata ..............., 379

NIQTA 6. eee eee eee eee 75

omositoides ......0.000 885

—— plena......... eee ee, 379

—— plenad.......... 876, 881, 884

—— puncticeps ............ 380

—— pygidialis .............. 376

—— regularis ........... ... 3879

SANgUINES ........ eee eee 3875

SETUGALD vee cecccevecnces 378

subtilis ............004. 378

—— thalycroides ............ 382

— , var. lateralis ...... 382

CRYPTOPHAGIDE.... ee eee. 579

CRYPTOPHAGINE..... 608. -. 595

CRYPTOPHAGUS ......00.0.. 596

Cryptophagus....cceccces 593, 602

—— Peewee et aeeees 596

AUVENA vice c ec cvceaeeas 563

Cryptophilus .... cece cee eee 598

CRYPTORHOPALUM .......... 652

Cryptorhopalum ........ 650, 651,

6538, 665, 668

—— affine.......... sec eeees 657

ONE oe ccc cece cccae 658

amule ...... ec cee oo.. 666

——appendiculatum ........ 658

argutum 2... ......00e. 656

—_ , var. cordovanum .. 656

balteatum .......... cee. GO4

Page

Cryptorhopalum bicolor ...... 656

bicolor oo... eee ee eee 657

——bilimeki .............. 668

bisignatum .........-.. 653

brevicolle .............. 663

—— celatum................ 659

chontalense ............ 663

cribriceps .............. 659

cribripenne ..........., 668

—— cyphonoide ............ 664

discedens .............. 666

divisum..............6 . 657

AWISUM ee eeeccccececes 656

—— dubium................ 654

ducale ...... bee e eee eee 665

equisolee .............. 665

flammulatum .......... 655

fraternum ...........06- 667

Sraternum...cceccevcces 665

funestum .............. 661

germanum ............ 655

GETMANUM. vo vceeees 654, 656

globuloide.............. 664

—— globulum .............. 668

gravidum ............05 661

—— guatemalenum.......... 658

guatemalenum ...... 659, 660

—— hemorrhoidale .......... 655

imcanuM ...........00. 660

INCANUIN oe ececaceeceee 664

—instabile .............. 654

MStADUE. . ee ceceecccces 655

—— laterale............0... 659

——misellum ............., 662

—— mordelloide ............ 664

mordellovde .eccesceseres 665

—— ochraceum ............ 663

—— pedestre .............. 667

—— posticatum ............ 653

puberulum ............ 668

robustum ............4. 660

rufipes ............000. 660

— rufofasciatum .......... 656

—— septemsignatum ........ 653

—— sexsignatum ........0005 653

sordidum .............. 662

—— subfasciatum ...,....... 657

—— subtile ................ 662

— subtile ....... ccc eee 661

teapemse ............., 658

teapense .........000., 660

—— ventanense ............ 661

vestitum ............., 666

vestitUM ..eeeeeeec cee 667

VicinumM..............,. 667

yillosum ,........, >... 668

INDEX. 703

Page Page Page

Ctenisis brevicollis .......... 693 Dalmodes schaufussi..........: 693 | Diphyllus oo... 60. cee ces 580

raffrayl oo... eee eee ee eee 693 | Dalmophysis cylindrica ...... 698 | DIpLocm@Lus ............6- 621

Ctenisodes laticeps .......... 693 DECARTHRON ..eee eee eee ee 22 Diplocelus ... 0.006 ees 604

CTENISTINA ........00 see eee 2 Decarthron .....cceeeeeee 23, 26 bicolor ....... 0.00. eee 621

CTENISTINE ...... 0... cece 2 arthriticum ..........4- 69° 5 621

CUCUSIDE . 6... eee ee eee ee 499 —— cochlearifer ............ 23 parvus ..... ee eee eee 622

CUCUSINA. cece ccc cee 505 —— cochlearifer ....eceeeeee 26 PAVVUS occ cee cee ee 621

CUCUJUS ooo cece eee 544 —curticorne........ ..ee.. 24 | DtSconoma ............006. 496

CLAVICOTNIS. .. eee eee 556 denticorne........6..06 24 Discoloma ........4. 495, 497, 498

MONUMES Lo. cece eee eeees 513 fallaciosum .........+.- 93. ——cassideum.............. 496

CYROCEPHALINE..........0. 872 | ——planifrons.............. 693 circulare .............. 497

Cybocephalus .........+4- 372, 873 —— quadraticeps............ 693 humerale ............-. 497

CyChramus. co cecevcveces 352,358 | —— restitutum.............. 23 vestitum ......... 00s 496

Cychrocephalus ......0.. 0.00. 268 | —— restitutum ........0 000s Q4 | —— vestitUM..... cece ce ceees 497

COPVINUS. 6. ere ee eee e eee 268 ——schmitti ...........06. 693 | DISCOLOMINE .............. 495

CYCHROPIESTUS ........065- 268 —— similare.............56- 24 | Drscolominé ..........0 00 ee 445

COrViNUS ........00006- 268 —— suturale......... 0.0006, 23 DISTAPHYLA 2.2... se ee ees 447

CYCLOCACCUS 1.2.20... eee ee 361 — vulneratum ............ 693 Distaphyla ... 6. cee 446, 448

brevicollis..........006- 361 | DEINOPHL@US.............- 540 gibbiceps ...........08. 447

— leticulus .............. 362 ducalis ............005- 540 gibbiceps oo. ee ee eee 448

monticola............4- 361 sinuatus......... +002 eee 540 | DITAPHRUS .............0.. 454

Cyclocephala ....... 6... cee ee 986 | Dendrodipnis ...........05. 670 | Ditaphrus ..... 6... cece eee 455

Cyclonotum vi vseceecsaceecs 671 Dendrophilus ellipticus ...... 206 championi............4- 454

CYLIDRELLA......... 0.0056: 389 SIMUIS oo eee cece eens 206 | Ditoma ....ccccecv cece cease 457

—mollis ............008- 889 | DERETAPHRINE .........+4- 480 OTNAEA voce cavceeeeees 459

Cylidrus 6... cee eee ee 389 Deretaphrin@ ..... cee eee 445 SUICALE oo cece eee eee 460

Cyllodes . 6... cc ccc eee 355, 857 Deretaphrus ... 0... .c cee ees 471 Drasinus binodulus .......... 693

Cyllopodes .. 1 eee eee 269 | DERMESTES .........-..--5 648 | Dryocora ..... cee eee eee 544

POsttCUS . 2. cece ceeeeee 270 Dermestes ... 0... ccc eve cece 644 | DUCIOLA 2... cc eee eee eee 44

CYPARIUM ......-..000005: 165 ALOMATIUS . 61. eee eee 188 | Ductola .... cece cee eee ee 45

Cyparium ooo. cece ec e ee ees 166 | ——cadaverinus ............ 644 aberrans ..........000- 44

championi ............ 167, | —— cadaverinus .......+040% 645 | —— aberrans 1.0... cee eee 45

cChampiont ..... 5.02 cee 166 ——— CANINUS 6 oe e eee e ene 643 | —— punctata .............. 45

—— palliatum ............-. 166 ——— CONUS pcr ccecaceeneces 644 | —— scydmeenilla............ 44

— sallei..... 2... eee eee 166 —— CATMIVOTUS ..... se ee eee 643 —— scydmenilla ..... eevee 45

terminale ...........+4- 167 ——— CAYNIVOTUS 6d eee we eee 644

terminale ....... 00000: 166 | —— domesticus .........06: 645 | EcTINOCEPHALUS .......... 105

Cyphon occ. ce eee e ee eee 664, 679 fumatUs. ccc cee ceecenes 642 | LEctinocephalus .......... 102, 103,

CYPHONICHUS ........2+0005 679 —— hemipterus ....cseueeee 287 104, 106, 107

Cyphonichus ....... cree eee 682 | ——-mannerheimi .......... 643 tropicus........ee eee eee 106

celatuS .........-0e eee 680 —— marmoratus ...........- 643 | Elachys flaviventris .......... 144

misellus ..........-06- 681 MUTINUS 6. eee ee eee 643 | Eledona .......+..eee eee 690, 691

mollis .........-00008 681 | —— peruvianus ............ 645 | Elis... cee eee cee 688

—— olibroides ..........-.6- 680 PUCOUS. Lovee eevenenenes 645 | EMPOCRYPTUS ...........0.. 593

—— panamensis ..........+- 679 SODTINUS.. oe ee eee es 643,644 | ——ovalis .......-.eeeeeee 593

VestitUs..... 0. eee ee eee 681 SUTINAMENSIS vee ee seve 560 | ENDFITOMA .............06. 450

vests ..... cee eee neeee 682 UNECE vee ce ee ceeseeees 965 | —— mexicana ..........66.. 450

CyrtoscydMmus... 1... ee eee eens 63 ——vulpinus ............-- 644 MELUCANA vresccercseres 451

CYRTUSA Loc eee eee ee eee 85 DERMESTIDH ........eeeeee 642 | ——panamensis ............ 450

Cyrtusd ......66-- 81, 82, 83, 253 DERMESTINAD ..,.eee ee ee eee 643 EINDESTES .........000. vere. 472

plandissima .......-.-+: 85 DESIMIA . oc cee eee eee eee 2 INCUS 0 cece ee ccees wee. 472

dispar ......... eee Q | ——-sculpturatus............ 472

DALMODES........- +00 sees 89 | DIBTTA ..... 6. cece eee eee 88 | Endomerus.......... 293, 296, 297

brevicollis...........-.-. 39 | Dietta..... cc ccc cece eee 89 | ENDYTOCERA .............. 45

brevicollis .... 0. cee eee 40 sharpi ........e ee eee es 89 cognata........e ee eeeee 46

COGMALA ver vaceveveevaes 45

—— rybaxides ..........+--- 40 | —— sperata ......... ee eee 90

704

Page

Endytocera vestita .......... 46

a 1, rr 45

ENIOMUS ..... cece cece eens 632

JiCtUS voce cece cece ecaes 632

guatemalenus .......... 632

MUMUS sececceccvnceues 632

EPANSVETSUS ove e cence 6382

EPHIMIA 2... ee. cece cece 3

crassicornis ............ 3

SUMONE vo ecevcvcuccuces 3

EPHISTEMUS ........eeee eee 603

A 604

distans ...........0000- 603

—— JYPINOIES ee eee 604

EPIERUS ......e cee eee eee 204

EMerus oo cece wees 182, 208

antillarum ..........4. 208

—— axillaris .............. 206

—— caviscutus............0. 205

AOCUptenS vecvecavvvaves 207

GCVIANS Lovee ccccucenes 207

devius ........ 00.000 206

Givisus ........ cece eee 206

dubius ...... 0... cee 208

frater.... oe eee eee 205

frontalis ..........006. 204.

fulvicornis ............ 208

INCAS 2... ee eee ee eee 205

incultus...........00005 207

intermedius ............ 205

—— longulus .............. 207

lucens ............000. 205

—— lucidulus .............. 206

——— MENICANUS Loe cece cces 206

———— MEXICONUS Voc cccccccces 206

——— NABUTUS vee ccc cccceves 207

patruelis ............., 205

——planulus ............., 207

—— rufulus ,............... 208

—— PUFUUS cc naeccoees 209

—— SCIEUS. .. eee cee eee ee eee 207

——— TUK cic eee eee eee ee 205

VAZALS cor eeeee sve veees 206

EPURMA vec eee eee cece ueeee 806

ENPUr@ vvvcvcccccvevaes 804, 805

alticola ....... ce eee eee 309

OT 308

—— corticinad .......... 307, 308

JUGVOSCENS vec evccceevuee 308

—— flQviCANS ei veeeeeeeee 308

INteQTA wo... eee eee eee 306

(NECGTA vivvcccccvaceves 307

labilis ..... cee eee eee 808

Vadis. ve ee cece e neces 309

—— luteola wecevccceccceces 805

—— mexicana ........... 2.2 007

INDEX.

Page

Epurea misera ......6 be eeeee 307

PAPAGONA wesw sceeeaee 308

PVOlixa ... ccc eee eee eee 309

SOTOr ...... Cece eceeteee 308

SOTOP wivscvcccsvsevcves 3809

torticollis ............6. 307

torticollis .. ccc cee c eens 308

truncated. .e.erecsecaee 309

EretmotuS .occcccccvvcecucs . 220

ERSACHUS... cece cece eee ees 6835

EYSQChUS. cece cen e ees 673, 684

GMELICANUS voce caves 678

—— erichsonianus .......... 683

~—— ertchsSontanuS.......eeces 684

—— lugubris................ 684

—— mexicanus............5- 684.

EXTHELEMA ...ccee ee eeeeues 477

Ethelema vicvvcccvcvccaccecs 475

decorata ......e cece eee 477

LUCEUOSA. Lecce ene 477

sobrina ............000. 477

Eucamptodes .....-. 10.0 827, 341

EQVUCICONES vo. cece cece eeeee 452

perfectus .............. 453

EVUCLASEA 0... cece cece eee ees 220

godmani ...........0.. 221

—— obliqua ................ 695

EXQUCNOCERUS....00. eee eeecee 648

anthrenoides............ 649

—— dispar .............0.. 649

FEXUCONNUS.. oe cee cee eee 47

ELUCONNUS vec eee es 58, 68

alticola ..........00.00. 62

—alticola oo... ccc ceee 47

armatipes .............. 59

AUTItUS 2.6... . ce ee ee eee 49

bacchus ... 6. ee ccc eee 61

bifoveolatus ............ 47

CAlVUS Lo... eee ee eee 51

COIVUS wee eeveceeee 52, 55, 56

—— celatus ............0005 61

COLATUS voce cece ec ceees 62

championi.............. 55

— chevrolati.............. 47

—— chiriquensis ............ 56

difficilis...... 0.0... eee 50

—— diffictts . ove ceec cece cee 47

distans ............0005 53

excavatus ......... 0000: 53

frontalis......... cee eee 55

—— fustiger.............0.. 60

galericulatus............ 59

germanus ...........04. 56

—— gibbiodes .............. 62

givaffa ......... sees 52

—— gracilicornis ............ 52

Page

Euconnus gravidus .......... 48

—— yravidus eee ee eeecee 49

—— guatemalenus .......... 54

—— guatemalents ........ 52, 55

hirculus................ 58

hirsutus.........0...0005 61

AUVsutus oe cee cevcvcces 47

hoplites................ 60

—— incultus................ 57

—— indutus ................ 51

—— medialis................ 59

—— medialis... ccc cceees 58, 60

——mirandille ..........., 52

—— mirandus .............. 62

—— mutandus.............. 54

—— obesus ............000, 50

——— obtusus ................ 61

oscillans ............., 50

OSCLULANS oo ee cee eneeees 51

palpalis.............0.,. 63

pubifer ............00., 57

—— pubifer vecieccccccceee, 58

—— puncticollis ............ 58

—— S@QMIS..........-0. 0000, 49

——— SEMIS. eee ec e eee 50

—— simplicitus ..........., 63

—— solitarius ............., 52

—— solitarius ...ccceceeeaee 55

— subclavatus ............ 48

subtilis ............008. 55

—— terminatus ..........., 57

—— torquatus .............. . 48

Corguatus ...... cee. .. 49

—— trigeminus.............. 47

—— vividus ..............,, 58

EUDEROPUS .............008 622

Euderopus oo. cc cece ccees 625

brevipes............00., 622

—— brevipes vee eee cece en, 624

—— cheetophorus..........., 625

—— chetophorus ............ 624

~—— iteratus ................ 624

—— Microps..............., 623

—— perbrevis ............., 628

——regularis ............., 624

—— setosus ..............., 624

—— S€tOSUS Lee ee ce ceecccene 625

— unicolor................ 623

UNUCOLT oo. eee eee cece. 624

LUGONIOPUS eee e ees 364

Eulachus.o we cee ccc ecce ce ceeee 462

EQULIMNICHUS ............., 73

Eulimnichus .........04. 677, 678

admirandus ............ 677

analis..... eee. 675

INDEX. 705

Page Page Page

Eulimnichus confertus........ 676 | EUPLECTINE.............0.. 34 | Eustilbus gracilis ............ 254

CONFETTUS Lecce cece nee 677 | EupLEcTUS .........-..005. 36 | ——mollis ................ 254

ephistemus ............ 673 Euplectus o.. 0.00. ee. 35, 38, 89 placidus.............00. 255

ephistemus occ cccecenes 674 guatemalenus .......... 36 | Huteleia nodosa.............. 693

guatemalicus .......... 676 SUJNATUS. Loe cece eee 37 EQUTHRYPTUS......... 0000005 682

—— leticulus .............. 674 solitarius ...........0.. 37 Luthryptus. cece ccc cece ceees 679

—— leticulus ieee c eee eee 675 | Eupsenius gibbicollis ........ 693 orbiculatus ............ 682

optatls ... 0... . ee. eee 675 erouvellei .............. 693 —— trigonalis .............. 682

OPTAtUS vi vecacecaeeeens 674 —— mexicanus.............. 693 —— trigonalis ..........0055 683

perpolitus oe ceccvccuae 675 EUPYCNUS 20... eee e ee eee 415 EUtomus occ ccccc ences 691

plebeius.............0.. 675 lentus............. 2000. 416 Eutrichites 6.0.0... eee 32

sordidus .............. 676 EURHEXIUS ........... 0.005 41 EVOLOCERA ..........00000- 628

sublevis .............. 674 Eurhexus viccicvcceeccvvees 40 ——championi.............. 628

EULITRUS ...........-..004. 257 parviceps .............. 42

BUNtr Us cee 245, 258 —— trimiodes .............. 43 FALLIA wo... cece cece ees 629

anisotomus ............ 258 ventralis .............. 42 FAM oc wees 630

estriatus...... cece eee 258 vestitus ....... eee eee 41 MINOP........ ee ee eee 680

EUMICRUS «0.0... cee eee eee 64 | Hurops .................000. 566 —— punctulata.............. 631

Bumicrus vee eevee eeeee 63, 64 Europs...... 5638, 565, 571,572, 573 —— synthetica.............. 630

Pc eee ce eens 68 apicalts .........4.. 566, 567 —— synthetica ...........04 631

ANNUILCOINIS vo. eee ec anes 68 —— bilineatus .............. 568 FARONINA oe. eee eee eee eee 44

bispheericus ............ 67 —— bilineatus .......... 565, 569 Filumis voc eee 478

—— brevipes..............0, 68 cognatus .............. 568 CENUUSSUMA oe eevee enne 478

brunneus .............. 65 convergens ............ 572

BLUNNCUS oo. cee eae 66, 67, 68 CONVEP GENS voce ee cee 573 Ganyrus strigillatus .......... 695

— centralis .............. 66 —— diffusus................ 567 Gempylodes oii .ee eee ec ees 472

—— cognatus ...........00. 65 discedens .............. 572 GEMPYLODIN®.............. 472

—— commilitonis............ 67 —— discedens ..........0064. 573 Gempylodin@ oo... cece ee ees 444

CommilitOnts . 6... eee ees 68 euplectoides ............ 570 GENATTUS ..........0. 0000s 646

—— concretus ............., 68 euplectoides ............ 571 eequalis .............00. 646

——— CONGTELUS Lec eee ee ees 69 germarl .......... ee eee 568 Glyphocryptus ..... cc. cee 453

— laminatus .............. 66 illesus ........... 0000. 568 Gnathoncus rotundatus ...... 226

—— mexicanus.............. 69 UWI@SUS ee eee eee 569 GONIACERINA ........- 000s 21

—— minutissimus .......... 70 —— impressicollis..........4. 568 GONIACERUS ........00...005 21

palmatus ...........46.. 69 ——longulus .............. 571 gibbus ................ 21

—— pectoralis .............. 66 luridipennis ............ 572 GoniasteS oe. eee eee eee 21

Salli... cc eee eee eee 67 NANUS...... eee ee ee 571 GONICGELUS ........... 000s, 604

speculator ...........00. 69 obtusus ...........00 00, 569 Gonicelus ...... 608, 612, 619, 623

subnudus .............. 69 ODtUSUS Lovee cece eee ees 565 angustus .............. 615

—— vestalis ....... cc cee 65 oxytelus ...........00. 569 ANGUSTUS. 6.2... 616, 617, 618

VESEANS Levee cece eee e ees 66 | —— pumilio................ 570 arduus ........0..00 00 617

EUMYSTROPS.......-....000. 304 restrictUS ... ccs eee eee 567 —— bimargo................ 616

centralis ..........000 304 rhizophagoides.......... 566 brevicollis.............. 607

EUPHALEPSUS ........-00005 20 rhizophagotdes ...... 567, 568 celatus ....... 0.02.00, 608

centralis ...........04 20 simplex .............0.. 570 — championi.............. 613

CENLV AUIS. oe eve cence nes 21 HUSPHHIRIUS.... 2... eee eee 371 —chontalenus ..........., 614

globipennis ............ 20 | Euspherius ............ 372, 373 —— concolor................ 618

LONGicornt8., . 6... s ev veeee 20 godmani .............. 372 crispatus .............. 615

reitteTl ....... see eee eee 21 rubicundus ............ 372 CYUSPALUS eee eee cece 616

Eupines clavicornis ......e0. 693 scutellatus.............0. 372 —cultratus .............. 609

EUPLATAMUS..... 000 eee ce eee 549 | Husrinpus..............000. 253 —— deplanatus.............. 620

debilis .............04, 549 Eustilbus .. 245, 246, 248, 255, 256 germanus .............. 606

evilis... ccc cveccceveees 550 wequalis ..... eee eee 255 GEVMANUS ....600 0. 607, 608

— humeralis .............. 550 apicalis ............005- 2538 guatemalenus .......... 611

longicornis ............ 550 | —— distinctus .............. 254 hirtus............00000, 608

FXUPLECTINA .. 0. cece eee ees 34 AUStinCtUuS .re vere reveaee 253 —— Mrtus... oe eee 609

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1905. 4X*

706

. Page

Goniccelus humilis .......... 616

hystrix ..... cece eee ee 612

—— hystrix wiccececeaes 605, 6138

laticollis ..........000- 617

latus 2... cc cece ee ee eee 611

——longicornis ............ 609

—— mediocris ......... eee. 610

MEXICANUS. .... eee eee 607

——mollis .............0.6. 621

~—— monticola ...........06. 619

——— MULICUS... ee eee eee 618

OOPSIS. .. eee eee eee eee 619

—— parnoides ...........0.. 610

parnoides ...... 608, 609, 611

—— planus ......... cee eae 614

— velictuS ...... cece cee eee 606

TUGIS 2... cece eee eens 606

—— S€CUTIZET oo... eee ee eee 612

SEQNIS. .. 6... ce cece eee ee 618

SEJIUS Coc ccc cece cenvees 617

sellatus ....... cece ee aes 620

—— spheniscus............8. 616

— subtilis .............0., 6138

SUBEUIS oe ee eee 614, 617

—— throscoides ............ 618

tricornis ...........0.. 605

UPUCOTNIS. vee eee scans 606, 607

——umicornis .............. 605

—— unicornis .. 606, 607, 608, 609

—— vestitus ......... vee eeee 611

VESEUUS Cece cccecceveces 612

Hadrotom@.. icc ccc eee 651

HALEPOPEPLUS.........000 0s 280

DALESE occ ewes 280

optatus .... eee eee eee 281

politus ......... ce. eee 280

—— polttus wo. cc ececccccees 281

FHAMOTUS wee eee cece wee eee 3

Famotus... cc cc cece cece 4,9

centralis ..........000e 692

—— commodus............0. 4

curtipalpis...........4.. 6

difficilis.............008- 5

grandipalpis ............ 9

—— latipalpis .............. 6

—— monachus .............. 6

nodicollis ............0. 7

—— parvipalpis ............ 8

—— pubiventris ............ 4

rostratus ..... ce eee eee 8

SCLIPCS oo. e cece eee e eee 7

—— singularis .............. 7

SINGFUIATUS Coc ec cer cveces 8

suturalis ......e..ecee 7

—— tritomus ......... sevee A

INDEX.

Page

Hamotus tritomus......ceeees 5,6

UPSUlUS ... cece cece eeee 692

—— VICINUS .... cece eee eee 5

VECINUS ecvvevevcvcecece 6,7

Fapaltps.. cc. ccveees cece eee 558

Haptoncura vivccvcccevccuee 805

luteola vevccecevccceees 805

HLAPTONCUS 1.0... . eee ee ee ees 805

Haptoncus vc ccc cece cece ees 304

——— flOreOlusS. cov cveccevvvcas 305

luteolus...... cc. cece eee 805

LuUteolUs vi ccccccvcceces 298

pauperculus ..ccccevevee 805

TIEBASCUS ... cece cece eeeee 852

THebascus veevevcveceees 353, 354

aurantiacus ......e..ee 353

QUYANTIACUS Wo... ecco ee 352

——- bugabensis ............ 352

discoideus...........005 353

CYINACEUS 2... eee eee ees 3853

—— MEXICANUS. ...... ee ee eee 352

MELICANUS vo cevceccucces 3853

traili ... eee eee eee 8538

HIECOTUS 2... . ee cece eee eee 70

AQUIS LL. eee cece eee 71

—— mexicanus.............. 71

HIEMIPEPLUS..... 0.000 eee eee 512

Hemipeplus ........605. 500, 518

MEXICANUS..... eee eee 5138

HEMIRHOPALUM ............ 651

bicolor ...........0000, 651

—— buprestoide ............ 652

clythreforme .......... 651

hadrotomoide .......... 652

HENOTICUS ....... 000000005 597

TT enotwcus oe ccc ccc cece 596

—— compactus.............. 597

loberinus .............. 598

MeXiICANUS....... 0... ee 597

—— monticola.............. 597

SETTALUS Coe cee ce cece 597

Heptaphylla oo... cc eee eee. 691

HESPEROBZNUS .........00. 565

HHesperobenus ..... 6... cee 573

abbreviatus ..........4. 565

discordeus ....ceevevevee 566

stipes... . eee ee ee 566

subtestaceus............ 565

subtestaceus ............ 566

Heteeriodes fraudulentus...... 695

Hetzriomorphus perplexus.... 695

Tfeterolitus mexicanus........ 695

HISTER «0... . eee eee 198

Hister so. ccc eee, 201, 221

acuminatus ..........., 222

Hister areolifer

eee eer eee eee oe

coor eeer oe ee sree

giatuS .........0..

eo ree eee eee eee

eee eecee eee eso oes

Ciliatus .............00. 199

eee ere errr oreo e

eo eee eee oro see oe

eo eee sere ee roe

198, 208

183, 211

eee ee eer ero eevee

ore eee eo ee eee too.

ever ero eee eee eve

— diadema

eee ce ree eee ose

eee ee rere ee ere ree

eee ee ere ee eee Ooo oe ®

—— fulvicornis

eer es ocoe se ee eee

eevee er eer ore eee

re ey

—— levigatus

—— levimargo

CC Oe

Pe ee

eee ee oe eer eee eee

Cr ee

eo oer eee eer ee eta oe

TUCANUS Loc cece cece nee

ee ee oe ese eee eso e

LTT!

eee eer eee eo eee

eevee te eee ee eee

—— panamensis

Page

200

202

200

203

201

221

204

199

198

-s

Page

Hister planimargo .......... 695

politus .............00, 202

- proboscideus oo... . ee... 229

punctiventer .......... 201

—— 4dentatus...........0.. 188

VECEUSTETNUS voces ceccees 201

repletus ...ccvceeees 199, 200

SCUATUS Looe ccc eee eees 202

SCMIUSLVVATUS 6. cece eens 222

SETVUS Lo... cee ee ee eee 204.

sexstriatuS ..........0. 201

stmplietmanus oo... .. 00. 198

SUTINAMENSIS ove eevee 189

tricuspis .............. 695

truncatisternum ........ 201

FIISTERIDE ............ 182, 694

HOLOLEPTA ............000. 183

Fololepta vive cece cece eens 187

aradiformis ............ 185

attenuata ......... 0000 185

belti oo. 186

bogotana ............05 186

CUCTE Cece e cece cee eee 187

canalicollis ............ 185

canalacollis occ. eee 182

cayennensis ............ 186

colombiana ..........4. 184

CONSUMNUNS 0... cece eee ee 186

COrticalts voce eee ee ane 183

CXCISA Lecce eee ee eee 184

Slagelata oo... ccceveeae 189

——guidonis .............. 184

LUCTAG viv ccccaccncnees 184

—— meridana ............5. 185

MIURULA voc cece nccnecnes 189

——— MOVALOP iv vccancvcevees 186

Obscura .... eee cence ees 184

PUZATTVE vvvvccccevevcaes 184.

—— placida ............000. 186

platySMA visvvecersevaee 189

—— pontavicel..........e0e, 184

populnea ...........0.. 184

PYUNCEPS ecw ce en eens 187

—— pygolissa ...........0.. 186

—— 4-dentata ....... cece. 188

quadriformis........:... 186

subhumilis ............ 185

sublucida ...........6.. 184

CONUALE Wee e eevee creas 185

—— vulpes ..... ee eee eeee 185

HoLOPARBAMECUS............ 626

Hloloparamecus 6.0.6.0... cca 627

brosciformis ..........4. 627

constrictug ............ 628

——pumilus .............. 627

—— singularis ...........66. 627

INDEX.

Page

HIOLOPHYGUS woe cee e eee eee 497

Holophygus vc... cee. 495, 498

Celatus ...... 0... eee eee 498

HOOLOSTERNUS woe cee eee eee 599

FLolosternus oc ceveveccvvees 600

distans ...........0008- 600

Hlomalirhinus oo. .cceccceceas 534

HOMALODES ..........00 000s 195

Homalodes 0... ccc cece cca 197

angulatus .............. 195

brasilianus ............ 196

—clavulus ............8. 197

gagatinus ...........00 196

QTOSSUS 2. eee eee e ee eeeee 196

humerosus ........6... 694

lucidus ......ee. ec ee eee 195

—mendax .............. 196

— monilifer .............. 196

—— perpolitus.............. 694

—— rotundatus ......... 1. 197

—— sobrinus .............. 197

soulouquii...........00. 197

vapulo ...... eee eee eee 196

HOMALOPYGUS .........0000- 235

FTOMALOPy Gus. .cvcccvcee. 182, 236

eequatus .e.ceeevseeseee 236

COMMENSAUS voc vcverveces 236

latipes ..... eee eee eee 236

HLOMOCONNUS ........0 000 64

SPINIPES ose eee eeeeees 64

Hypophlous oo... cece 390, 436

HYSTRICONES ....c.. cece eee 458

armatuS....... ee. eee 4538

IDOLMIA wee ee eee eee eee eee 242

—— antennata ...:..e...eeee 242

gibba ww. eee eee eee 242

—— levigata .............. 242

scitula . eee. eee eee eee 242

ILLESTUS 2... cc. cece eee eee 462

TELTENUS. . 6... ee eee eee 462

LETTENUS. voce ccc ce eens 461

-—, var, tristis ........ 462

TNO viv ccc rec cccc cece cnneaes 511

bifossulatad ss ese eee cane 511

INOPEPLUS woe cece cece ee eee 511

Tnopeplus vivvcvccccscvcccces 513

bifossulatus ............ 511

centralig ....... 06. 511

—— concolor ..........0eee 512

CONCOLOP cee ec veneenee 511

insulaviS ..ee. eee eee eee 511

——— INSULATIS eee 512

jugularis .............. 512

—— fugularts wi. ceccceees 511

—— PT@USUS wevvsicvcvveee 512

Page

IPS cic cece cece cece eee eens 387

TPS coe c cence eee nneee 386

AVCUALUS vice vce evenness 387

—— (P) fuscipennis.......... 387

MONTE vovcecerencvcues 465

——ultimus...........0.0.. 387

TPSIMORPHA .........ceceeee 387

ruficapilla..... 6... eee 388

striato-punctata ........ 388

IPSINA 2 oe. eee eee ee eee 373

Tsoplastus v6... cece eee eee 83

JUBUS cece ceee cece ee ceeee 43

JDUBUS Coc cee eee eens 44

denticollis ............ 43

KUssister eee cecceccvvcecs ... 209

MUMUMUS vee ccvcccveeee 209

LABROTRICHUS ........006 446

-—— aberrans ..........04.. 447

LADO wee ccc eee cece eee eee 463

ciliats ..........0.000. 463

elegans ........... 0005. 463

funestuSs .......-..004. 464

Jelshit vecvcecccecvvees 463

LMOPHL@US ...... cece eee 513

Lemophiceus .... 499, 505, 509, 510,

512, 516, 520, 523, 527, 529, 530,

531, 538, 535, 536, 537, 540, 546

——addendus .............. 529

—— addendus ........ 0.005. 528

—— alticola ............0005 527

—— alticola ... 0... cece ee 523

——amule ................ 521

—— AMUIT@ deere veeeveeeee 522

—— annectens.............. 523

—— anticus ....... cece eee 518

——— ANUWOUS ve ne 517,519

—— boops.,.....-....00000. 517

DOOPS ws cee eee ees 518, 519

—— breviceps .............. 516

COPLO vec ee eeee, 513, 536

—— carabinus ...........06. 525

castanetpennis ...... 516, 517

Celatus ....... ee ce eee 523

—— championi.............. 516

— clavicornis ............ 520

Clematidis ... 0. ccc eee 009

CONVEXUS ........00.0.. 521

—— corporalis............., 526

COPpOralts vss. cece eeeeee 527

COSLALUS . . oc eee evans 513, 532

curtus wo... eee eee 516

CUITUS occ e cece ceeanes 518

denticulatus ........ 513, 514

—— distans ................ 527

708

Page

Lemophloeus distans...ccveees 525

distinguendus .......... 513

distinguendus ...... 514, 515

GIVES Loe eee eee ee cece eee 530

endomychus............ 519

SeTTUGINCUS cre vecseeeee 530

—— flavescens ...........05. 522

JIAVESCENS Lev icceevevees 523

frequenS ......ee ee eee 526

FVCQUENS viv ccccecceens 527

—— germaini ..........6... 515

—— guatemalenus .......... 522

—— gundlachi ...... 5138, 537, 588

——hoplites .............. 517

hoplites v6... cece eens 516

ignobilis ..........eeee 518

—— mgnobilis. cc cs cceves 519, 520

iMMeYSUS ......... 0406 520

——— IMME'SUS oe ccc eeees 538

insolitus ..........000. 624

INSOULUS. oo eevee ene 525

inustus ................ 525

iteratus....... cee ee eae 528

ULEPACLUS . eee ne cee ees 529

—— minusculus ............ 530

—— minusculus ...... bones 613

——— Minutus........ eevee 518

MONULS 6. cecccvcecvvees 513

——_ MENS vere eccnvenceee 537

—— optatus .............06. 522

pallentipennis .......... 531

pallentipennis ...... 513, 588

pauper ......... eee eee 530

POlitUs .icccccecevcaees 538

PrOdUctUs ....veceeeees . 633

—— puncticollis ............ 519

puncticollis ...ccceveuee 520

recticollis .............. 528

recticollis oo... cee ee eee 529

salpingoides ........ 538, 584

S) Or 524

—— striatus ..........00000, 524

SEYUATUS .. eee cee ee eee 525

suturalis .............. 514

suturaligs oi... cans 518, 515

ee , var. circumdatus .. 514

teAPEDSIS wo... eevee eee 518

LEAPENSIS weceevsseeeeee 518

terminalis... 1.0066. 514, 515

LESLACEUS vee cece eeceece 537

UNCUCOTNUS Lecce eeecnns 528

LAPETHINA 26... ieee eee eee 494

Trapethin® oo... ceceee ces 445

LAPETHUS ...... sees eee 494

—— discretus ........0..00. 494

INDEX.

Page

LASCONOTUS .... 000s ee ee eee 464

DASConotus oo... ceccveees 462, 465

PusellUs vic ceccceccvvves 464

sulcifer ......... ce eee 464

LATHRIDIIDH .......... 626, 696

LATHRIDIINE 1... . eee eee 631

Lathrtdius 0. cc cece cece 631

—— constrictus... 6... cece eae 631

—— flUM vcr even cc cas 633

WAESONE Woven nce n ees 634

LATHROPUS ..... cece ee ee eee 5381

parvulus .....c.. eee ee 531

PictuS ..... cee cece 531

Lewonota vec vccccvcaccveces 187

AUrteUulata ev evcccvace 188

CONFUSH ccc eve neens 188

GVANAS vere eee cree cnens 187

———— MEXICANA vesecccccvaces 188

MUNUED voc cccccncecuaes 189

OK a 188

quadridentata oo... ..ees 188

TEURW cevecvcccenceees 188

strigtcollis ve. eee ee 188

YUCALECH vere vee vvcuee 187

Letopeplus compressus .....66% 695

LEPIARCHA ..eee eee eee eee 385

omositoides ........0005 3885

OMOSILOLAES ve eee cece 317

LIARCHA 2... cece eect eee 885

placida ........ eee eee 385

LAchMminus occ ccccccccccuces 679

LIMNICHINA oo. eee eee eee 673

LIMNICHODERUS ....... 00005 677

curtulus ...... cc... cee 678

indiscretuS ...........5 678

Limnichus .. 678, 677, 678, 679, 682

ANAWS . occ ccna reese 675

——— MONEANUS oo. e reece 674

OVALUS cece cece renee 678

SETUCEUS Coc eee cence ence 678

versicolor oo. cecevcceeee 675

LIODERMA ... eee cece ee eee 187

TioderMa occ ccc cccccvces 234.

CACTL oo eee eee ee eee 187

claudum ..........005. 188

— confusum .............. 188

dorcoides ...........06. 187

BOVCOIdeS 1... eevee eee 182

Grande ... ccc eee aee 187

—— mexicanum ............ 188

——— minoraium .icccsccccuen 189

—— minutum .............. 189

—— politum................ 188

—— pumicatum we... cereees 188

punctulatum oo... cease 189

—— quadridentatum ........ 188

Page

Lioderma quadridentatum .... 189

reichli ............000. 188

PUMOSUM occ ences 189

strigicolle .............. 188

subnitidum ............ 189

yucatecum ............ 187

9 OL, (rr 365, 372

LIOPHALACRUS.. 1... eee ee cee 255

Tnophalacrus oo. cece cence 256

(P) Pec c seen ee ces 256

bicolor ............0008 256

rotundus .............. 256

LisTRIOPHORUS ..........-. 21

1b 21

LITARGUS oo... cece eee ee eee 639

Ditargus oc. cevcceee. 638, 640, 641

balteatus ..........0.0, 639

—— —, var. disjunctus .... 639

——— MOYeNS ....... eee eee 639

tetraspilotus ......0e eee 640

TAthOcrus eee ce ccccececccuee 262

LITHOPHORUS .........00 005 487

gemmifer .............. 487

gemmiper voc iivcccccees 488

SUCCINCUS ....... 0. ee eee 488

LITOCHRUS ......... eee eee 262

Litochrus ...... 2456, 258, 263, 264

(?) Pee eee eee eee 264

——globulus .............. 263

TEVETSUS. 6... eee eee eee 263

LITOLIBRUS ..........0-.065 258

Litohibrus ........4. 245, 258, 255,

262, 263, 264, 332

— Po eee eee eee ee 262

cinctus .............00. 259

fulgens ................ 261

MINOF,....... ee ee ee eee 262°

obesus ...........0000. 259

posticatus .............. 261

—— quadratus .............. 260

— rufipennis .............. 259

TUSIPENNIS . 6... ee. 260, 261

Signatus........... 600. 260

VATIANS 2... eee ee eee ee 260

VATUANS eevee cceeee 261, 262

LOBERUS oe... cece eee eee 581

Loberus ........ 584, 586, 593, 594

brevicollis ............ 584

brevicollts oo... eee eee 585

-—— chiriquensis ............ 582

ChUiquensis ... eee eee 583

—— cryptophagus .......... 583

discipennis ............ 585

guatemalenus .......... 582

guatemalenus .......... 583

—— humeralis.............. 585

Page

Loberus humeraltis ......0 00045 583

, var. letus ........ 585

—— l@tus 6. eee 583

lateralis ...........05. 584

lateralis... cece aes 585

longulus ...........005 584

——marginalis ............ 585

pallidus .............. 583

Padus oo. veneceaee 584.

—— sellatus............008. 582

—— sellatus ........ 5838, 584, 585

—— suturalis ...........0. 583

SUEUTALIS vce ccc ccees 584.

LOBIOPA oo. eee eee eee 820

Lobwopa ........ 317, 322, 323, 324

cassidoides ..........4. 322

CASSIAOIAES ove ee eee 323

decumana.............. 321

Aecumana ... 1... 0s 322, 323

discedens ...........04. 323

discedens ....... 0.0. 324

PVACOL vive ccc eee 323

Tetus@ ........0 0c eee 321

SELULOSA 0. ee eee 321

simulatrix ..........0. 322

Simulatrte vee cece cceee 323

undulata ............0. 321

Lomechon alfaroi............ 694

Dopha vice vvcceeccc ce ccves 539

LUcanus virescens oo... cc ceeee 402

LYTOPEPLUS ..... 0.00 cece eee 494

compactus ............ 495

Machlotes .......5. ace ee ee 485

Macrosternus viceccescecees 189

MACROSTOLA vo. eeee eee e eee 286

——- PICEA Lee eee e eee eee 286

straminea ........ 20 ee 286

Mecedanum vecccvccccceeees 472

MECYLLODES .............. 357

Mecyllodes ..... 0. cece cence 366

clavicornis ............ 358

nigropictus ............ 358

Megatoma oo. cece c cece ceuee 646

MELANOPHTHALMA.......... 635

Melanophthalma ........ 634, 636

centralis ...........0.. 635

centralis ........4. 636, 637

duplicata ...........0.. 636

SUSCUA icc c eee 636

gibbosa ............ 635, 636

imornata ...........00- 637

—— placida ................ 637

Temota ....... cece eee 637

subfusca ..........000, 636

MELIGETHES ............0.. 325

INDEX.

Page

Meligethes eeneus............ 325

BVASSICE oc ce eee 325

TUPLIMANUS Wo veeeeeevcee 825

MEONCERUS ....... eee eeaee 358

MeConcerus oo. ccc ceeenes 360, 361

SAlvini vo... eee eee eee 359

Seviatus .... cee eee eee 359

SEPIALUS Coe cece eens 357

Merophysia occ... cece eee 628

MEROPHYSIINE ........00., 626

Metophthalmus grouvellei .... 696

METOPIAS ......... 0000 ce eee 10

elegans ......... cee eee 10

Ravtus ve cevvcvcccceces 10

Metopiestes ...... cece eee 480

Metoprorys oo ccevccvvcccues 10

Micridium lineatum....... 006 155

Microbrontes ... 00. cece ec eee 529

UNCUOYNIS vee cee vcevcecs 528

MICROSICUS ..... cee eee eee 456

SCtOSUS Lec eee eee eee 456

Microsporus icc c eee eee eee 157

Microstagetus oi... cceeeeeee 102

MIcROUM ...... eee cece eee 118

Microiim ...... 102, 103, 107, 119

ovoforme ..........000s 118

Microwanthus icc. cc ccc ewes 295

MILLIDIUM ........ 00 eee 156

sculpturatum .......... 156

triramosuM ..........0. 156

Mimema vi cveccccccccccuces 566

Mimemodes ..vcvccccccvcees 574

MONOTOMA ........e eee eee 564.

Monotoma vo. ce ccececaee 563, 565

brevicollis oo... ccc eee 564.

centralis ........ ccc aee 564

—— latridiotdes ..........04. 564

munda ......... cece e ee 564

——— MUNAA vere ecvccccveves 565

pusilla .............00. 565

MONOTOMIDE .......e cece 563

MONOTOMINA ....... cece 564

MURMIDIUS ......... ee eeeee 2438

Murmidius .isccceccuee 244, 494

irregularis ............ 243

OVALS vec vcccvcuceaces 248

rectistriatus .........00. 243

MYCETOPHAGIDM ........0. 638

Mycetophagus ...ccscvvvevee 638

SASCUALUS vo eee cceeeaees 639

MYCHOCERUS ..........000. 244

Mychocerus .......0..4 243, 494

AePVeSSUS vo esse vceeves 244

—pilifer .............00- 244

pilefer viv vvvvcvsvevees 494

MYRMECOTRICHIS .......... 155

709

Page

Myrmecotrichis sequatorialis .. 155

subvittata9 ....... 0.00, 155

Myrmicotrichis ... 0... 155

@quatortaus .... 0... cee 155

MYSTROPS ............000. 266

ebilis ec ee ccc ceeveene 266

——durus ................ 266

—— flavicans oo. cc cccceeeae 268

heterocerus ............ 268

heterocerus .... 0. cece 304

—— mexicanus ............ 267

MELUCANUS vee eee ences 268

——rotundulus ............ 266

teapensis .............. 267

NANOSELLA ............000. 153

Nanosella oo. ccc cece cece 127

PUNT eee eee 155

——~ PUNGE ec ce cane 126, 146

Narthecius .....cc cee cee 509

NAUSIBIUS .............00. 556

Naustbius .......... 558, 559, 560

brevicornigs ............ 557

—— clavicornis ............ 556

Clavicornts vice cea eces 557

AENtatus ve eevvccccevas 556

ClongatUs vo. .cevceseee 558

grouvellei.............. 557

TEPANAUS 6.6... ceeeeeee. 5OT

silvanoides ............ 557

Necrodes analis. oo... ccc cu 95

NECROPHORUS ...........005 90

Necrophorus ..eveceseeee 89, 440

interruptus... .cccseeee 91

—— marginatus ............ 93

—— mexicanus ......... ... «OL

—— montezume............ 92

MOTTUOPUM cecesvcccnes 94

olidus ..... ce cece eee ee 92

—— quadrimaculatus ........ 93

—— quadrimaculatus ........ 94.

TUSPALOY veveeceveveees 91

NEMATIDIINE ............0. 478

Nematidvn@ occ ccccccnccns 444

NEMATIDIUM ..........0.5. 478

Nematidium ..cccccccccceees 472

cylindricum os... cc cee 78

——filarlum .............. 479

——fryanum .............. 473

—— frYANUM viveeerecccaes 47S

—— musta .iceececceceae 479

VIVEITA 2. eee ce eee 479

NEMOSOMA 2... cee eee cece eee 388

NCMOSOMA occ cece eee ne nee 389

signatuM ...........04. 388

NEMOSOMATINE .,.....eceee 388

710

Page

NEMOZOMA vicsvevveveveees 388

NEPHANES wo. ceeeeeee renee 144

Nephanes ..cvevcccrvaes 127, 145

—— flaviventris ............ 144

—— pubescens......+-..e00- 145

PUDESCENS veeeeevcrvvane 144

DUpOntus veceevcccvvcevaves 438

NITIDULA wee eee eee eee eee 306

1 325

COYNUTA vec ce ec eveeaee 318

imidiata vo. eve eeeceee 302

——_ JEMINALA oor cceveees 312

—— macropterad ........000. 271

—— SEIUJOSH ve vtcvccencene 310

—— truncata woe eeeeccceees 277

—— undulata oo. cece cae. 821

ZICZAC vee cece ee eee eees 306

NITIDULIDH .......... 265, 695

NITIDULINE oo. eee eee eee 805

NUtops vevsevecccveeees 296, 297

NOSODENDRINZ ..........-5 670

NOSODENDRON ......++..000, 670

—— californicum ..ccccuees 670

——championi ............ 671

—— championi.......... 670, 672

—— chiriquense ............ 672

—— chairiquense ..........4.. 670

—— crtbratum ov ceveccccccecs 671

derasum .............. 672

ACVASUMN voce cece enees 670

Fasciculare oo cece eae 670

latifrons ............6. 6738

—— latafrons ce cececcceaes 670

—— mexicanum ............ 670

———— MEXICANUM veces 671, 672

—— politum.............0.. 672

—— politum ...... cece 670, 673

—— subtile .............0.4. 671

—— subtiie wi. cece cea 670, 672

UNICOLOF vee eveccevvaes 670

NOS8IdiUM voc vce e cece cena 154

Notiophygus ........ 495, 497, 498

Novelsts oi cece ccc ccc cee ee nee 645

RON voce cece neewene 645

OCHROLITUS .......0.00 aw... 264

optatus ........... ee eee 264

Oiceoptoma granigerum ...... 96

Lappontcum vevccvcveees 96

OLIBRUS wee eee een eee eee 248

OUUDrUS eee cee ces 245, 249, 250,

251, 252, 258, 255, 262

APICAS vie cesecevaues 253

—— atomarius........... oo. 252

ALOMATIUS oe cee ences 264

—— CONSIINANNS We vecesceeces 254

INDEX.

Page

Olibrus guatemalenus ........ 248

guatemalenus ....++ 249, 250

latipes .... eee cece eens 253

—— MEXICANUS .ssceeceeees 249

——— MEXTCANUS vd vaceeccaces 251

—— microsternus ........-- 252

MICVOSLEYNUS va vesvvace 253

——partitus .........-eeee 250

porrectus ........eeeees 251

—— porrectUs ...ceeeees 252, 256

—— posticalis ...........54. 250

rubiginosus ........++4- 249

submaculatus .......... 251

substrigosus ..........-- 252

teapeMsiS ....... eee eee 249

vulgaris so... cece ee eee 248

Olistherus vice ccccceccceces 253

Omalium .occccccececeeeaes 279

OmalodeS 1... ccc ecw cece eee 195

——~ angulatus oo ceecccrcenes 195

brastlianus peccecceeuee 196

GAGAUNUS Woe ce cece cnees 196

—— JTOSSUS vee ceceecnceeee 196

AwmMerOsuS ov eee veevaee 694.

—— le@vigatus oo. .cecceeeeee 197

—— luctdus ... cece cccaceces 195

——— MENAAL vec rccecaces 196

MELUCANUS va vevsvvcves 197

MONMIPCY Lice cccceveees 196

Per poltus ovcvvesveevees 694

rotundatus ...cecereees 197

POCUNAICEPS occ seuenes 197

SODTINUS cece cece eee 197

SOUWOUGUIE LL cee cee eee 197

UAPUO vrececvsvvevvaee 196

OMOSITA . eee cece eee eee 306

COlON Lou eee eee ee eee 306

funesta .. 0... eee eee eee 3806

ONTHOPHILUS .....-. cee eeee 235

APiNIS voce cece cee 235

50C6) 10 235

juli ws... ee eee eee 695

— Jecontet v.00. cc cece veces 235

SEPIALUS Coe ce ee 285

ORTHOPERINA ..c esses eee ees 122

Orthopertna ..... cece cee ee 103

ORTHOPERUS ......-. es eeee 122

Orthoperus ......005. 103, 128, 124

OvaliS ..... cece eee eee 128

OVAtUS 2... ee eee eee 124

OVALUS ve cece e cece cence 123

—— perpusillus ............ 124

perpustllus oi. cevceceee 123

OTHNIOCRYPTUS ......00.00- 598

variegatuS ........000. 599

Page

Oxarthrius......0. Senne ees 16

OXYCNEMUS 2... eee eee ee ee 362

OxyCneMUs weceecccaces 365, 564

fulvus ...... cece ee eee 363

TOStYOSUS ....ee eee eee 3862

TOSLTOSUS seececececeves 363

Oxysternus oo. eeccecceceues 182

Pachycephala vo .veveesseeee 545

PACHYLOPUS ..eceee eee eaee 226

AUSPAP vecivvavceeceees 226

gaudens .............. 227

Pactolinus .. 0. ccc cee 198

PALASTES ........ cee ee eee 505

abruptus ...........04. 506

bicolor... eee eeeeee 505, 506

NICATAQUB oo... eee eee 506

—— NUQTICEPS eee eeeecenee 506

nigridens ..........008. 506

scutellaris ............ 507

VATlIpeS vee eee eee eee 505

PALLODES ..........ececeeee 364

Pallodes .... ccc. ecee 361, 365, 366

abdominalis..........6. 369

cercyonoides .......... 368

deletus ........ cece eee 367

deletus oo. cc cc ceceecece 3868

——filipes .............0.. 371

—— guttatus .............. 370

—— jucundus ............6.. 370

MeXICANUS ....... ee eee 365

——— MCEXICANUS vee enna 368

——— MICANS .... cece e eee 366

MICANS cercecevccececes 368

ODSCULUS 2... cece eee eee 371

pictus ....... eee eee 370

—— punctatus.............. 369

regularis ...........0.. 368

YEVETSUS «ee eee ee ee eee 365

PEVEVSUS vee ecencceucs 366

sellatus ....... 0... eae 367

signaticollis ............ 367

silaceusS ........ 366, 367, 868

smithi .............00. 3868

SMUtRE oe cece nes 369

strongyliformis ........ 366

VividuS ...........0000. 3869

VIVIAUS oe eee cee cee eee 370

Parandra fasciata «1.6.6.4... 500

PARANDRITA «ow... eee ee eee 58

Parandrita ec, 539

capito ..... eee eee eee 5386

——captto ow... eee eee, 517

—— deceptor .............. 536

—— stipes ........... 00, 536

——— StUPES eee eee ee eeee, 537

PARAPHLEUS .... sees sees

Paraphloeus ..cesseccceees .. 510

CYASSICEPS ........00000% 510

—— crassiceps

oe eee ore ee eo vee

Paratropus castaneus .

ooo see eee oe eos ee

—— didymus

ores eto ee ee oe ew

eee ee ee err ore eee

eo eee eee se ee eo eo e

eer e ere re eevee

oes reese ee renee

PVOAUCEUS . 6. eee ee eens

—— pupillus

eevee o eee eee oee

eee er eoere ec eee ee eee

eee ee root eevee eee

eevee evesreeeeoe

eo eevee e ert oe ee soe

eee eeeoeeeoere er eoe

eoececeoree eee eee e

eee acer see oo e

ere eee seo eee oe oe

— trifolium

eee sere eee eo eee ee

PassANDRINZ

aero ee error eee

Pr a

eee eee eee serene

eos ere eee ose ee ee eee

eeee are soe er eee oere

eo eo eeeeee ree ee

ereee ree ee eo eo oo

orev eee eves eae

eevee e rere ee ee eo oe

INDEX.

Page

Penthelispa porosa .......4- 475

——— HFUUAD ve cee cece eeeee 474

PERILOPA 2... ... cece cee 318

deplanata .............. 319

pelttded vr. ceccveeee 320

—— placida ................ 320

punctigera ............ 319

PUNCHYEVA . 6... cece eee ee 318

Phenocephalus ...........4.. 102

PHALACRICHUS ........-00 678

Phalacrichus .........0.00005 674

atomarius .............. 679

PHALACRIDE .......... 244, 695

PHALACRUS ..... 0... ce eee 246

Phalacrus ..... 0.0.00 00 245, 256

APUCAltsS oo eee cece eens 2538

brunneus oo... eee ee 262

COTTUSCUS oo. ee ee ees 246

flavicornigs ............ 247

germanus .............. 247

—— lucidus ................ 248

obscurus ..........000. 247

OVALIS.. ce eee ee eee eee 246

——rufipes ................ 246

——— FUPiPES Loe crevceceees 247

— scutellaris.............. 247

—— seutellarts .. 0.06. cc cee 248

PHAROXONOTHA ............ 598

kirschi ..........000 eee 598

PHELISTER ..... ec cece eee 191

Phelister... 0.0... 00. eee 182, 208

AGUNCUS...... eee ee ee eee 694

—— affinis.............0000. 198

BOVINUS 2... ee ee ees 192

canalis ............ 198, 694

carinatus ...........00 194

CelEDIUS 66. cece cee ees 191

— completus.............. 694

——crenatuSs ..........000. 192

cumanensis ..........4. 192

AWS vice cece ec ee cence 191

——eximius .............. 191

FriburgieuS wivceseveees 192

godmani ............. . 191

— hemorrhous............ 195

— hamistrius ............ 694.

IMpPVessUfrONS ....ereeee 191

insolituS ..........066. 694

TUNAttCus voc cecccecees 191

MiraMOn .,.....eees sees 194

PANAMA ves evvvvvvaees 194

panamensis ............ 194

parallelisternus ........ 694

parvulus ..........0 00. 194

—— plicicollis...... eee eee 694

—— pulvis ...... cece eee eee 194

Page

Phelister quadri-punctulus.... 192

quadri-punctulus ..... ».. 193

1) | 191

rouzetl ......... eee eee 193

seulpturatus ............ 694

SOLALOY occ cece eee eee 193

—— teapensis .............. 193

uncistrius .......... 192, 694

violaceus ..........0004. 192

VIOLACEUS vee cece vereeee 191

VIOLAYIS . cece eee eeeeees 192

Phenolia .......65. 320, 323, 324

PHILOTHERMUS ...... veces 492

Philothermus ...00 csc cuceeee 493

cerylonicus ............ 493

gibbulus ..........6... 492

—— marginatus ............ 493

politulus .............. 492

puberulus.............. 498

PHLG@ONEMUS ...........44. 451

adherens .............. 451

interruptus ............ 451

Phyconomus wi cceccceccceees 565

AiSCOUdCUS . 66. eee cee 565

luridipennis ..scee.cveees 572

subtestaceus .....00.e00e 565

PHYLLOMA 2... eee eee eee 182

bahiense... 2... ceva cee 183

corticale .............. 183

Corticdle. .. eee ee ee ee 182

facetum ...........44. 183

MALAGNONE ...sevcaeees 183

—— plagigerum ............ 183

PITYOPHAGUS ...........0.. 386

AYCUALUS .... eee eee eee 387

ferrugimeus .. 0... cence 387

—— insignis .............00. 386

TUPIPENNUS Voc ee cecveeeee 387

PLATAMUS 2... .e ee eee eee 547

PlataMus vicecvcccccceccves 549

difficilis .............. 548

dispar .....ce eee eee 549

Aispar eevee ccc eee 548

grouvellei ...........00. 547

grouvellet .......4. 548, 549

—— mexicanus.............. 547

——. MEXICANUS . 0... eee eee eee 548

— uniformis .............. 548

—— UNUFOPMIS Voc seeeveesee 549

PLATOBERUS ..... cece e ee eeee 586

divisus ......... 0... eae 587

—— latus...........0. 0000. 586

UAtUS Coc cece eee eeees 587

robustuS ..........000- 587

rotundus .......+..00.. 586

—— rotundus .....sseu. .e.. 587

712

Page

PLATYCHORA oe... eee ee eeee 317

lebasi ww. eee eee eee 317

Platypus. cecrivcccccvccceaes 227

PLATYSOMA woe cece eee eee 190

Platysoma wvcceceees 182,189, 191

columellare ............ 190

—— cylindroides ............ 191

—— cylindroides ..........66 190

INfIMUM ve vccvceccuee 218

PLEGADERUS ..... eee eeee 237

Plegaderus occ cc ivccvvevcccees 236

comonforti .........64. 237

monachus ............-. 237

POCADIUS 1... eee cee eee eee 351

Pocadws. ccc ccc cae eens 352

Pee cece eee eens 361

—fulvipennis ............ 351

—helvolus .............. 351

Priops. ccc cece eens 266

MEXICUNUS ve eee eee 267

PROLYCTUS 1.2... eee ee eee 485

Prolyctus voice cece ceca 487

annectems .............. 486

— dorsalis..............0. 485

dorsalis............ 486, 487

CHATALUS 6... ee eee. 485, 486

GEMMALUS Love cee cceeee A487

lAtUS 2. eee ec eee ee 485

sculpticollis ............ 485

SIQNAtUS oe. eee ee eee 486

SUJNALUS eee caccecnvees 487

PROMETOPIA oo... sees eee ee 316

Prometopva vicccivccccucces 317

eequalis ........... ee eee 316

——— QUAM veer ieccaee 317

CONMUCNS 66. ce ec eceeees 316

cryptarchoides .......... 317

POYCINA ...... eee ee eee 316

TAUCA wee ee eee eee eee 316

soronioides ............ 317

PROSTOMINA. «2... eee ee eee 543

Prostomis .. 509, 510, 548, 544, 545

PSELAPHIDH ........ eens 1, 692

PSELAPHINE ....... eee eee 34

PSELAPHOMORPHUS.......... 34

sculpturatus .........00.. 34

PSELAPHUS .......es eee eee 34

longiceps .......e eee eee 34

PSELAPTUS ....... ee ee eee 33

batrisoides ............ 33

belfraget wie. cc eee . 33

PSEUDHENOTICUS..........6. 596

—— parallelus.......... oo. 596

parallelus ... 6. ere cee 597

Pseudotarphius ......0 0c cece. 473

Pseudotrimium microcephalum . 693

INDEX.

Page

PSILOPYGA wo. cece eee wees 364

Psilopyga .evccaccaes be eeaee 362

fasciata ... 6... ce eee eee 364

1S 0) 364

PSILOTUS woe cece ee ec ee eee 318

atratus ....... eee eee eee 318

—— cCormutus ..... cee eeeee 318

hoffmanseggtt ....00..6 318

-—— mimetes ......,.0e eae 318

PTENIDIUM oo... cece eee eee 148

Ptenidium ....eecees 127, 149, 150

Druckid oo. ccc cc ce cee ens 152

foveatum ...........06- 150

fOvEATUM Livceccescrves 149

fuscipenne......6.. eee 152

ignobile........... eee. 151

—— ignobile ......... even 149

—— impunctatum .......... 152

—— impunctatum ......60.. 149

——nitens ............000. 151

—— MITENS dere eccneeeee 149

——— obesumM ..... eee eee eee 150

—— ODESUM. Lice cccauveenes 149

—— strangulatum .......... 149

PTEROLOMA ..... eee cee eee 97

Pteroloma vo. cecccccececceee 98

sallei.. cece cee eee 97

SAMUEL. eee 98

PTERYCODES. 1... ee cece eee 131

Pterycodes occ cc cece cee cnes 127

Salvini ....... ee eee eee 132

PteryE ee cvcccccccecccvces 181

Ptilinad co.cc cece evens 126, 127

PYILIUM 2... cece eee eee 145

Ptilium vice cecvcvecces 104, 127

foveolatum ..cceceeseee 147

—— hornianum ............ 146

hornianum os... 64. 126, 145

—— planum................ 146

PUANUM ve evccrccvcncece 147

TUGUIOSUM . ove ec eevees 146

—— tropicum .............. 147

CLOPICUM eer ere ceceeee 146

PTINELLA 22.6.2 cee cee eee 127

Ptinella vo... cc. eee 128, 180, 131

championana .......... 128

flavidula we... eee eee 129

—— incerta ........0. ce eae 129

UNCEITA Levee cece re cneee 128

—— pellucida .............. 129

pellucida ....... cece eee 128

QUEYCUS 2... eee eee 129

LESLACED oo. ee cece eee 128

PTOMAPHAGUS ....... 0.0000 99

Plomaphagus ... 0. .00e. sevens 100

consobrinus ...... ee eee 100

Page

Ptomaphagus forticornis...... 100

PYCNOCEPHALUS ..........0.. 3738

—— metallicus.............. 373

PYCNOCNEMUS .......00ce ees 363

anisotomoides .......... 363

PYCNOMERINE...........00. 474

PYCNOMETINE Voce 444

PYCNOMERUS ........00-00 474

PYCNOMETUS Loe eee eee eee 416

breviceps .............. 474.

BrevicepS oo. ccc ceccaes 475

GWeTMANUS «eee. e ee eee 475

TIUQUIL 2. eee eee eee eee 474

Reichenbachia appendiculata .. 693

diversula ............0. 693

—— falsa ....... ccc cece ee 693

—— grouvellei.............. 693

WYItA . oo eee eee 693

— luteola ................ 693

—— mexicana .............. 693

obnubila ..........000. 693

RENIA wee cece ee eee neces 220

Renta oo cnn ee 182, 694

MeticulOSa ... ce eecceces 220

Salvi ...... eee eee eee 220

SALVING vice cc cece nes 694

Reninus salvini.............. 694.

RHABDOPHL@US ...... 0.0005 5381

Rhabdophleus 1.06... cee cues 518

chiriquensis ........6-4. 532

concolor .. ee... eee ee ee 531

CONCOLOT. . oe eee ee eee eens 532

costatus....... cee ee eee 532

dispar .............0.. 532

RHAGODERA ..... 0.0.00 0000. 445

—— tuberculata ............ 445

RHAGODERIN®..........000. 445

Rhagoderine . 0... cee cece eee tit

RHEXIUS ........ 0... e ce eee 40

RHELUS Coc cece nes 41

—— insculptus 6.0... cece 4]

—— optatus .........0..008. 4]

PVOCEVPUS vee eevee eevee 41

SUMONMIS ooo ccc cece nce 41

RHINOMALUS .........00005 534

Rhinomalus ........ 532, 558, 539

anthracinus ............ 5385

anthractnus ...... 00.00, 5384.

—— chiriquensis ............ 539

. CRUPIQUENSIS .... eee 534

productUs oo. ce cce veces 533

——- PUfiV08TTIS 6 534

-—— salpingoides ............ 533

signatus ..........008, 535

—— SUIQNAWUS ee eee cece 534

INDEX.

Page | Page

Rhinomalus vicinus .......... 534 Saprinus eneicollis .......... 223

VUCINUS oo. cee eee 585 |. CNCUS. ce seveeee Se eneees 222

RHINOPHL@US ............ 5382 belioculus.............. 224

Rhinophleeus ........44.. 5138, 589 bistrigifrons ....,....... 226

—— gracilis ......... 000 533 — blandus................ 224

MASULUS . 6... cee eee eee 534 —— blissoni................ 224

productus ..........64.. 533 bohemani .............. 228

salpingoides ............ 533 —— californicus .issessceeee 221

salpingotdes ........0005 584 campechianus .......... 224

Rhinosimus vi... cece vce ee 534 Ciliatus ... 0... cece ee eee 925

RHIPIDANDRI «1... 00.0 ee eee 690 CONSIMIUES Lo eee ec cence 221

RAIPIDANDRUS ....ee ee eee 691 COMSPULUS ...... cee eee 226

Rhipidandrus .......4.. 690, 692 -— dentipes .............. 226

— championi.............. 691 diptychus .............. 222

mexicanus.......-..++-- 691 discoidalis.............. 221

Rhizophagus...... 0.6645 437, 544, discors ..... 0... .0000- 226

566, 571, 5738, 574 —— fimbriatus.............. 224

AAUStUS ... eee ee 575 PeEMMENUS. .... eee eens 225

0 565 GEMMENUS vv vcccvvcnees 226

RHYPOBIUS ...........0005. 124 guyanensis ..........4- 223

Rhypobius ........-. 103, 122, 125 1gnotus ..........000 00 224

—— guatemalensis .......... 125 IMAUSUS . 6... eee eee ee 223

MATINUS sev veeeeeaeee 125 lubricus...........00005 223

RHYSODIDH ............ 498, 696 lugens .........ee ee eee 221

Rypobus vecccvcvvecseccves 124 LUG™ubVis. ccc cc cecceeeces 221

MANUSCULUS vs se ecevaeee 225

SACIINA 2. eee eee eee eee eee 104 MAURULUS 0 cece enceeee 225

SActUind . 6. cee ees 103 nitidulus .......... wee. 222

SACIUM 1... cece eee ee eee 108 pectoralis .....e eee ee ee. 225

Sacium . 103, 104, 109, 112, 114, 115 ——plenus .............005 225

AtTUM 2... eee eee eee 112 —— punctato-striatus ........ 222

—— ATUM ccc vccnecccnes 109 —— pygidialis .............. 695

—collare ..............6. 112 —— queesitus .........0006, 225

——collare .........00- 109, 118 solitarius ..........000. 222

Fasciatum oo. cece cee ces 109 sparsipunctatus........6- 222

fenestratum ............ 111 SPCCULAIUS .oeecceecceees 226

Fenestratum oo... .eeeeee 109 subdiptychus .......... 223

incertuM ..........56.. 110 tarnieVl ..... eee eee ee eee 224

INCEFTUM vee eve cenecces 109 triangulifer ............ 224

laticolle ...........05- 118 —— turcomanicus .......... 222

daticolle .. sce cc eee eeeeee 109 UPALENSIS vevecseceecees 222

— latifasciatum .......... 110 vafer oo... cece eee e eee 225

latifasciatum ...... 109, 111 VitiOSUS .. 6. eee eee eee 225

decontet .... sees eee eee 109 Scalenarthrus clavicornis...... 693

—— marginatum ..........+. 112 obliquus ..........0005 693

—— marginatum ........ 109, 118 subcarinatus ..........05 693

—— mexicanum ............ V1 | Scalidia 6.0... cece eee eee 500, 541

——_ MEXICANUN va sevavseves 109 LN€AVIS wee eeeeees 542, 543

—— misellum ...seereeeeeee 115 ScAPHIDIIDE ......500. 158, 694

—— MOLINUM ec cercccccaee 111 SCAPHIDIUM .....ecceeeeeeee 159

—— oberthiiri ............-. 109 Scaphidium ....ecereeeveees 158

—— oberthiirt ...... 110, 111, 112 atruM .... eee ee eee eee 164

OcellatUum ..seeseeeveees 111 ALTUM Lee cen eeeeeeee 160

Salpingus cee cerecceeceecces 527 FASCIPENNE . ove eeveeeeee 164

SAPRINUS 1.0... cece cence ces 221 geniculatum ............ 162

Saprinus ..-.esavvereee 182, 234 geniculatum ....6.--- ... 160

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1905.

Page

Scaphidium lineaticolle ...... 163

—— lineaticolle........4. 160, 164

—— marginatum ..........+. 160

MAP GINALUM vec eercceees 159

—— matthewsi...........06. 694

—— mexicanum ............ 161

——— MEXICANUM veces 160, 162

——— MUGTIPES Lecce cece eee 161

—— rubicundum ........ 161, 162

— transversale ............ 164

transversale ...cecveveee 160

unicolor...... eee eee eee 16)

unicolor........ 159, 162, 694

variabile .... 0... eee ee 162

variabile ..... eee 160, 164

SCAPHISOMA .........ee cea 170

Scaphtsoma..... +. ccceees 158, 181

balteatum .............. 172

Galteatum occ cece eee 171

—— }ilimeki................ 175

—— bilimeht oo. eee 171

breve... cee eee ee eee 176

2 172, 177

— CASTANCUM Loc cacaccvcees 181

CONVELUM Loc ceccacvevas 181

guatemalense .......... 175

—— guatemalense ...... 171,181

letum oo. ce eee ee 172

—letum ....... Lee e een 171

longicolle .............. 177

longicolle . i... cee eee ees 172

lunatum oo... ee eee eee 173

lunatum. ee .ceeees 171, 174

luteipes ............0000. 174

luteipes . 6. c cee ave ences 171

nebulosum.............. 173

NEDULOSUM Lovee ecceccues 171

neotropicale ............ 176

neotropicale ........ 172, 181

punctatissimum ........ 177

punctatissimum ........ 172

——puncticolle ............ 176

punecticolle oo... cee eenes 172

LerMInatuM veveccccvacs 174

——thoracicum ............ 174

——- thoracicum ....eecccaee 171

Scaphium ......cce cece 158, 159

SCOTOCRYPTUS ..........000. 80

Scotocryptus .......0000+ 78, 81, 83

inquilinus .............. 81

—— melipon®@ .........04. 81, 82

SCYDMHNIDH............ 46, 694

SCYDMUENUS ...... cece cee 63

ScydMenus oo... cece eae 47, 64

DACCRUS Voce cee eee 61

Batest oo ee eee 64

714

Page

Scydmenus bifoveolatus ...... 47

bonvowloirt ec ee ewes 64

brevipes. ...... eee eee ees 63

DrunneUus oo. eee evevnes 65

chevrolatt 6... cee canes 47

COGNALUS eee eeeneeeee 65

ACNtUPCS occ even ec evens 64

galericulatus ... 6.66. c eee 59

—— hirsutus .. 0... cece ceees 61

——(?) plicatulus............ 64

SUMpLICLUS vo ccc vr eeeneee 63

SPINUPES sees ceeecreceee 64

——— LerMinatus... cece ce renee 57

UTUGEMINUS veer cevccees 47

Sebaga lamellata ............ 693

SERICODERINA .......ee eee 117

Sericoderinad ....cceccececees 108

SERICODERUS ....ce.eeeeeee 117

lateralis... ccc cece ceees 118

Jatus .... cee eee ee eee 117

MEXICANUS 6... e evans 111, 112

Seronia rectangula,....e.escee- 324

Shogund ...6..6 eee ewan eee 540

SILPHA wee eee cece eee tees 04

SUPRA voce ceccccceeeeeeee 72

analis..... cece eee ee eee 95

ANAS. occ eee eee 96

CANSOPNICA . 6... cee eens 96

CAUAAEA 6. cee cee eens 96

COION Lice cece cee eens 306

——— JFANNGYEV A eee cece cece 96

—— lapponica ..........66.. 96

TAOS 2... eee eee eee eee 95

truncata........-.. 2. eee 95

—— tuberculata ...ceceveees 96

SILPHIDHE oo... ee eee eee 72, 694

SILPHINA ....ee eee eee reece 90

SILVANINAD ose eee eee eee 546

SILVANOPHL@US ........004- 537

Silvanophloeus ....0.e0e 536, 540

—— atomarius .............. 588

bembidium ...........- 539

CognatuS ....e ee eee eee 539

fraudator .........-08.. 5389

gundlachi ...........4-- 5388

—— gundlacht .....ceee. 531, 587

infiMuUS ........eee ee eee 538

—— nitens......... ce ee ee eee 5387

LestACeUS. eee e eee eees 5387

SILVANUS 2... ccc eee eee eens 560

Stlvanus ......6 537, 546, 558, 559

AdVENA 2... eee ee eee 563

angulicollis .........-.- 562

bidentatus ...... 558, 560, 561

——— CONSOYS ... ss eee ee eee o61

w= OXCISUS Lecce ee ere e evens 563

INDEX.

Page

Silvanus fasciatus ....eeereees 562

euatemalenus ....---+-- 560

guatemalenus ....0.+0+- 561

mMuticus......--.e8eeees 560

—-—- Mitidus ....ee see ee ee eee 561

—— perforatus ........--+055 562

coe , var. concolor ...... 562

quadricollis .........-+- 563

—— signatus .......-..5 eee 562

surinamensis.......+-++- 560

trivialis .... 0... eee eee 561

vulgaris... ...ee eee ee ees 561

SMcrips . 6. cco c eee eee eens 578

palmicola ......eereeeee 578

SOMATOXUS ......eee eee eee 359

SoMaAtoxus oo. ccc cece ce eeeee 360

hydroporoides .......-.. 360

sallei... cee ee eee 360

SORONIA .... eee ee ee ee ee ee eee 323

Soronta ..... eee eee 817, 320, 824

rectangula ..........-0++ 324

—— undulata ...secccccvues 821

SOSYLUS ..... 2. e eee ee eee 480

Sosylus.. 1... cece cece eee ees 465

affiMiS.. 2... eee ee eee 481

—— annectensS ........--0-6- 484

—— centralis..........00008: 482

—— centralis........- eens 4838

chontalensis ............ 484

——— CPABSUS ees 485

—— duplicatus 0.0.6... eee 482

—— infans....... 0. cece ee eee 482

——— mexicanus............6. 483

—— gsalvini .......ee eee eee 484

—— SAIVINE eee ese ee eeeeees 485

—— simplex .....+e0-.eeeee- 481

SUMPIOL oo. sv eecceneeees 482

—— strigicollis...........--. 481

—— StVigOSUS .....eeeeeeees 483

terminalis ........-.-0-- 480

terminalis ....scecceeees 481

Spheridium testaceum .....++. 262

SPHHERIIDH .... eee cece eens 156

Spherites ....ccceerecevcees 438

SPHARIUS ......e cece ee ee ees 157

SPh@vius o 6. cece cece ceeneeees 156

ACATOIdCES oe cevevceeees 157

RispantCus ..cceeeereeee 158

trOpicUs . 2... eee eee ee ees 157

STELIDOTA..... eee ee ee eeeee 310

Stelidota ... cc cece cece eee ees 313

— Plc e eee ene eee 313

altermaus .....-. eee eee 313

——— bugabensis........----+- 313

championi..........+55: 315

—— chontalensis ..........-. 314

Page

Stelidota chontalensis . 318,315

clavigera ......... ccc ee 314

——extramea .............. 315

fortis... .. eee eee 314

geminata ............4. 312

GEMINALA Lecce ee 311

octomaculata.........4.. 313

OvaliS.... cc eee eee 312

pallens ................ 311

TUbYIPeS........ ee ee eee 310

solitaria..........00.00. 311

SOULATUA. Loe cece ees 313

stictica ..... cee eee eee ee 312

StViGOSA .. ee ee eee 310

—— SULIGOSA 6... eee eee 311

StUbUMN occ c ccc cece eee 258

StUlbUs. oe ccc eee 2538

SEPAtus oo ccc ccc ccc cncccees . od4

UPSINUS oo cvceccaceecaee 385

STRONGYLIN® ..........000. 325

STRONGYLUS .........00 0000 355

Strongylus oo... cece cceee 354, 357

—— equalis ............000. 356

—— @Yualts oe eee ee 357

——camptoides ............ 356

—— chiriquensis ............ 356

UlUWStriS oo e cece ee 828

lateralis...........-.02- 855

lateraus 0... ce ee 3856

—— mimetes...........0005. 357

——mollis .............05. 356

—— unicolor.............04. 355

UNICOLON vec vcccececees 356

Sylvanus gemellatus ......+6+5 559

SYNCHITA ,..e eee eee eee eee 449

SYNchita occ ee eee 448, 451

GTANUALA Coc ecc cence 450

—— mimetes............006. 449

PATEUla vee eercrneeceees 456

SYNCHITINE....... 0.0000 eee 446

SYNChUINE . ccc cece cee e eens 444

Synchitodes. 2.2.00. e eee eens 457

SYNOBIUS ....--eee ee eee eee 558

lobicollis .............. 558

Synodites detritus............ 694

gibbidorsum ............ 694

graniformis ..........5. 694

SYNTELIA oo... . eee ee ee ee eee 439

Syntena oocccrecccccccee 38, 440

histeroides ... 6... cece 440

—— INUICA. cece eens 440

Mexicana ...........00- 440

——— MEXICANA oo. ee eee eee 439

— westwoodi.............. 440

WestWOOdL Lo. cee ccveveee 439

SYNTELIIDZ ...... beeaae 438

Page

SY88ttOS voce cece eee ee eens 500

addendus ............-. 543

longiceps ............5. 542

TongicepS. sc cece eee eees 543

—— rostratus ...........06. 542

POSLVALUS eee ce eee ees 543

TAPHRIDERES .............-. 490

alternans .............. 49]

TARPHIINE .........0-0 eee 473

Tarphun@ ..... cece cc eens 444

TEICHOSTETHUS ............ 3854

Teichostethus ........000 000s 366

guatemalenus .......... 355

VimMOSUS 1.2... cece eee eee 854

VINOSUS voc cece cree ees 355

TELEPHANUS.........0-0000: 551

Telephanus ....... 0002 cece eee 546

agilig ..... eee ee eee ee 552

AGUS 0... cece eee ee 551, 553

pbrontoides ...........-.. 555

centralis............000. 552

—— ——-, var. immaculatus .. 552

CYUX oe eee eee ee eee 553

dromioides...........--. 554

fallax .. 0.0.0... ce eee eee 555

—— fasciatus ....-.-+-2+6--- 551

gracilicornis ............ 554

gracilis ........2-.-2--- 553

——— gracilis ooo c eee es 552

Mexicanus.......-..---. 552

nigricollis .......-...--. 5538

paradOoxUus .... 222-2 e ees 556

pubescens ........ Denes 552

sellatugs .......-..-.0.05. 556

sellatus . 6... eee ee eee 551

setulosus ...........05- 555

SELULOSUS. .... acces dd1, 556

simplicicollis............ 551

VELOU Loc cence ees 551

TELMATOPHILINE .......... 580

TELMATOPHILUS .........--- 580

ferrugineus ............ 580

TELMATOSCIUS ........------ 581

claviger......... 0.00 ee 581

TEMNOCHILA .........0000 005 393

Temnochila.......... 394, 405, 414

ACUA . oc cece eee 402, 408

——— RIED vec ec evenness 403, 404

——alticola .............4.- 405

ANERTACINA, 0. ee ees 405

aureola ..... 2... eee eee 414

belti oo... cee ee eee 415

biolleyi ...........0.4-. 695

—— boboensis .............. 409

INDEX.

Page

Temnochila chalcea .......... 397

chaleea .... 896, 398, 899, 409

—— championi.............. 410

—— chevrolati.............. 395

—— chevrolati .......... 396, 397,

898, 399

—— chiriquensis ............ 412

ChIriquensts Lo. ceeceeees 413

chlorodia .............- 399

chlorodia .. 400, 401, 402, 403

——corynthia .............. 413

COPYMMIA voc cee cece 414

costaricensis .........06. 410

COSEAPICENSUS Wee ee cee 411

cribricollis 6... ce eee 397

derasa oo. eee ee 406

~—— Merasd ccc eens 407

diffinis ..........0.006- 407

digitata ........... ee eee 393

Aigitata vi .cecveecveeee 394

—— dryadis ........... eee 400

exarata ....... 0... eee 406

festiva ..... cee eee eee 414

foveicollis .......4. 398, 399

fraudulenta ........6.6- 401

geminata .........eeees 398

GEMINALA vivecveevvcees 399

grandis ......e. eee ee eee 405

GTANAIS voce eve eee eeeee 406

erouvellel ......eeeee eee 412

—— guatemalena............ 396

50 0 411

—— levicollis wi. cccceececes 396

laticollig .......-.0.0e- 414

——leveille@i .....-....0 0 ee 394

—— metallica ...... .... 402, 404

MELICUNA sevvoevevevecs 402

—— miranda...... bee e ee eees 404

obsoleta.... ese ee eens 404

OMLVACED oa evra cneeveecs 406

—— planicollis .............. 401

—— planipennis ............ 403

planipennis . 400, 404, 405, 407

polita..... cc. eee eee eee 408

POUtd sc ecerevvcnees 407, 409

preterita ....see eee e eee 400

—— ppreberttd oc vcsecvcceces 401

punctattssiMa .s..se0ee 399

—— quadricollis ............ 396

quadricollis .... 897, 398, 401

—— querula .......eeee eens 408

——— FEVETSA wees eee e eee eens 409

—— EVES vec ceevcenncnnes 410

——— PUYPULOSH. vec vvcveneees 399

—— sallel. ics. ce cece cece eee 41]

—-—salvini ...... bene eeas 399

Page

Temnochila smithi .......... 407

SMUtht vee vcveccane 408, 410

Steinhetli ..ccccce cence 396

StipeS . 6... eee ee ee ee eee 413

sulcifrons ..........000% 406

SULCIFYONS woe cececeeeees 407

—— suturala....... cece eee 414

telemanensis..........-. 412

urbensis.........2.0000- 404

VITESCENS ..... eee eee eee 402

virescens.... 400, 408, 404, 415

TEMNOCHILINA ......00.00- 390

TEMNOCHILODES ..........-- 415

dugesi ..........0-.00- 415

Temnoschetla oo. 00. ccc cee 893

Tenebrio mauritanicus ........ 417

Tenebrioides ... 0. cece cee ee 416

albomaculatus .......... 435

—— bipustulatus ..........4. 422

—— breviusculus ..... 0. cece. 417

cChevrolatt oo... ccc w nee 419

CYUOTALUS ces 696

AEPTeSSUS weesvevcseseees 417

erplanatus....ccecees ... 433

UNPTESSUFVONS ss eeesvee 422

OPACUS Liv seveveevevees 420

—— PUDEF Lecce cere cnceaee 419

SUBPLANUS weveeeeeneceee 418

—— sulcifrons ........ beneee 422

TENEBROIDES ..........0008 416

Tenebroides ......... 00 415, 417,

438, 434, 487

albomaculatus .......... 435

alticola ...........000e. 425

AUICOlA wee ccc eee 426

——— ANCEPS oe seers esseeeee 421

——— ANCES Leecrvcvccvnees 432

antennalis ..... 6. cee ceee 483

auriculatus ..........6. 429

bimaculatus ............ 434

bipustulatus............ 422

—— bonvouloiri ..........,. 429

a , var. chontalensis .. 429

breviusculus..........6. A417

breviusculus ... 2... cee A418

celatus ......... ce eee 418

CelAtUS 66. cece cere 421, 431

chevrolati...........0.. 419

Chevrolatt ... 0... cece eee 420

circumeinctus .......... 420

CUPCUMCINCLUS ove cecvees 419

complicatus ............ 435

cribratus ........-.e0e 696

Acceptor vo. sececcceveaee 421

depressuS ..........000. 417

Mepressus veeveesssceves 431

716

Page

Tenebroides difficilis.......... 424

excellenS ........-s0e0. 430

——explanatus ..........-- 438

facilis... .. ec cece eee eee 420

facilis... ccc eevnees 421, 424

fenestratus .......+000. 433

—— fenestratus ...ceeceeees 434

—— fulgens ........eee scene 436

godmani ....... eee eee 431

—— godMani.......seeeeeess 480

—— gounellet i... eee eeeee 436

gracilipes ..........646- 433

—— harpaloides ............ 425

harpaloides .... 424,426, 427

helophorus ............ 452

—— incertus.............405 427

— instabilis .............. 427

lteratus 26... 0. ee eee eee 428

latus 22... cee cee ee eee 424

longulus ...........04. 428

lucidus ........--.e000- 499

—— luctdus woe ccccccvcccees 430

—— marginicollis............ 427

—— mauritanicus...........4. 417

MAUPILANICUS . oo cee eee 419

——— MOCTENS .....-. eee eee 436

—— mordax ................ 428

nigro-viridis ...........- 432

—— oblongus ............4. 423

OPACUS vice cece reer ees 420

politus ..... eee eee eee 435

—— pOlituS ev vvcecccveeece 436

pollens ...........-.0 ee 432

yeitterl 22.0... cece ee eee 43]

repetitus ......66..06-. 426

repetitus ....61.ee 421, 425,

427, 428, 429

ruber... eee eee ee eee 419

rufolimbatus............ 428

rufolimbatus.... 422, 427, 429

sallei..... eee eee ee eee 430

—— sennovillel...........006 434

sericatuS .......ee ee ees 434.

SONOPENSIS . 1... ee eee eee 418

spectator ........00 eee. 421

subplanus .......--0- 00s 418

— sulcifrons ...........06. 429

SUICLFVONS Loe ceeneeeee 423

undulatus .........00005 494

—— undulatus .. 00.6... cane 425

—— yucatanicus ............ 42)

—— yncatanicus oo... seen 429

zapotensis ...........605 436

zunilensis .........+00-6 426

TERAPUS vo... cee eee ee ee eee 235

Terapus ccc cic cece cece ceeee 182

INDEX.

Page

Terapus mniszechi ........6+ 235

TERETRIOSOMA......0+0e008: 232

Teretriosoma ..ceeccceves 182, 234

CaVIfYONS ........ eee eee 234

chalybeum 6... 666. 232, 233

-—— conigeruM...........04 233

FACEUM . cic ceccccceee 282

PestteUuMs ccc cvccccvces 233

—— immarginatum.......... 233

impressisternum ......+- 233

NIQTESCENS ... 1... eee eee 695

paradoxum ...-....-0e- 234.

-—— pilicorne ........00- 695

——plumicorne ............ 695

SOMETSELE vicecvcceveaee 232

——-VIFEMS 6. eee eee ee eee 238

VUTENS oe eee ces 234

TERETRIUS ....ce. seers eee 231

Teretrwus.. cee cece ce ceeee 232, 234

longulus ........ ee eee 232

—— obliquulus .... 0. cee eee 232

—— orbus.......e ewes eee 202

——— UWUPES re vecrcccveeees 232

—— rufulus .. ............. 282

SEGNIS occ c ccc eee eens 232

SOMENSELE Loe cece ecccacs 282

VITENS occ cece nee ncens 233

Tetvacts occ ccc cece eens 2

Thanatophilus lapponicus...... 96

THIONE . occ eee cece eee ee ees 544

TRON. oe eee wees 545

—~—— cephalotes ............ 545

—— cephalotes ..... ccc eevee 546

—— championi.............. 546

—— champion ....... 0.0 ee 545

puncticeps.............. 545

Thireosoma cassideum ........ 496

THROSCIDIUM .........-00-- 1538

Throscidium .....0cccees 127, 154

invisibile .............. 154

TILARGUS 2.0... cee ee eee eee 639

TUlargus oo. ce cc ce veenees 640, 641

complicatus ............ 641

—debilis ................ 640

1 641

granulatus.......6....., 641

tetraspilotus ............ 640

Tinodemus ornatus .......... 695

TISIPHONE... 2... ess ee eee eeee 578

—chontalenus .........6.. 578

cChontalenus ...ceenecees 579

distanS .... eee cece eee 579

—— VTS Lec c ccc eccecs 578

—— hypocoproides .......45 578

——— mexicanus...........0.. 579

—— nitiduloides ........ wee 578

Page

Tistphone palmicola ...... 578, 579

TISIPHONINE ..........000. 578

Tolyphusi ccc ccc ccccccccccves 245

TOMARUS ...-..ceeeceeeeeee 587

TOMarus oo... cece ceceeee 588, 592

Peewee eee eee 592

—— abjectus................ 591

—— abjectus ... cece ceca 592

—— atomarius .............. 589

—— confertus .............. 590

confertus we. ccc eee cceee 591

—— cruciatus ............., 590

debilis .............0.. 588

Mevilts. occ cee 589

—— discoideus.............. 590

discotdeus .......045 591, 592

heterocerus ............ 592

lateralis. ...........000. 588

lateralis .......4., 589, 590

latipennis .............. 591

-— lentus...............0.. 592

—— niger... eee eee 587

picticornis.............. 590

pictipennis ............ 589

PUtIPENNS oer e renee 590

—— pubescens .............. 588

Tomoplectus cordicollis ...... 693

TOXIDIUM ....... ee cece eee 178

T0rvtdium ccc ccc cece ens 158

bifasciatum ............ 179

bifasciatum ........ 178, 180

gammaroides............ 180

gammarotdes... 6.6... eee 178

OvatuM ...........0004. 180

OVALUM oo ce evens 179, 181

——- parvum .............0.. 181

PAPVUM Coc ccc cece ee 179

punctatum ............ 179

——— punctatum..... eee ee 178

Tribalus levigatus ............ 242

TRICHONYCINA .......0000, 40

TRICHONYX .........ee00 eee 40

—— (?) venustulus .......... 40

TRICHOPTERYGID® ...... 126, 694

TRICHOPTERYGINA .......... 127

Trichopterygina os... cece. 126

TRICHOPTERYX.........0.00. 182

Trichopteryx .... 127,183,184, 154

alliberti..... 0... 0.0000. 185

allibertt . 0... cece eee 183

angustipennis .......... 189

angustipennis .......... 134

atomaria ............., 138

ALOMAMA Lecce ee cecee 133

~aubei ........... 0.00, 142

TL 134

Trichopteryx bidilatata

eee ere re rose rere e

oeereo ee eee ese soe

e@rereere ro ee se ree

eee r eres ere ee stoe

@eoee eee eee eer oe

eeeoee eee eo se eee roe

eee eee eee se oeeree

occ eee eee se soe

et eer se oeree renee

eee tose reveee soe

—— godmani

eecoeevee ee ee ere ree

eeceosrere eee eee eeee es

ee eereee ee eee occ eee

eee eevee reece eee eee es

oe oer ere rere reese

eo ore ero ee see eeee

—— planulata

—— pusillima

— rufescens

eoeecere eer eee eee

oeoe eee eee eee ee

coo rere reer eee eee

eee cere reso eevee

eee rere reer ee oe

eoseere reer ee eee

over er eee eee oe

oe ere rere ere ese oeee

oe ere rere eo ee eevee

eoereeoe sce eee eee eee

—— femoralis

eeoerer eevee ee ree

INDEX.

Page

Trimiopsis mimula .......... 38

Minuta ......e. eee e eee 38

TRIMIUM. .... cece cece eee eeee 37

TYVINUUM . occ cc cece eee neees 38

CONCOLOY. .... ee eee ee eee 37

CONCOLOY ... cece cence 38

Trimodes . 6... cece eevee 649, 668

TRINODINE vo. cece eee ee ees 668

Tripanidius flavipennis........ 228

TRIPHYLLUS 1... .. eee ee eee 6388

perfectus ...........0.. 638

TROGOCRYPTUS...... 0.00000. 602

Trogocryptus oo ccccececcecces 600

nigripectuS ........006. 602

TROGODERMA .....ee eee e eee 646

Trogoderma ..e...4. 648, 649, 650

Celatum .... 0... ccc ee eee 647

—— filipes...............00, 647

—— gravidum .............. 648

——— mexicanum ............ 648

—— SEIT UYE! cove ccccaceeenes 648

——— SIMUTANS vr eeecerecnees 647

——— 8ETNALE Le ce rccccnecces 647

tarsale .isseccscceseees 648

Trogosttd vicccveccccseveves 416

AUPCOID vic cvcevcnccaees 414

—— bipustulata ...scseveeee 422

——_ ChAMEU eee ncccnnes 397

—— chevrolatt oo... ccc ceaee 395

—— chlorodiad .icvviccccceees 399

—— corynthia vice eecvccvces 413

——— AAryadts oo cece cece 400

Festa vce ccc ceceeee 414

ee Y 2 a 4]]

laticollis. .. 0... cece eee 414

metallicd .......0ee 402, 403

MELUCANA vec cccecevnees 402

ObSOleta voce ee eee 404

UO 408

—— quadricollis oo... eee eee 396

—— sulctfrons 60... cece eens 422

—— suturatd.. ccc cece eeeee 414

———. VITESCENS vee cece ceees 400

VUVAICYANEM wi veevveceees 400

TROGOSITIDA ........0. 388, 695

Tr0gossttd oo cccecccnvcenvece 416

ACPVeSSA. vec cece ee euee 417

Pesta vec evcccncccneee 414

longicollis... 1... eee 392

TRYPANAUS 2... eee ee ee ee eee 227

TV YPAN@Us occ vec ceees 228, 234

—- aculeatus .............. 230

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. II. Pt. 1, March 1905.

Trypanzeus ampullaceus ......

angustatus... 66.6... eee

—-— bicaudatus... 0.0.6.0 eee

bifidus

—— hisulcifrons

—— carthagenus ........ 6.0.

— columellaris ............

—— elongutus ......... cea

—— flavipennis

——- montivagus ............

noxius

parallelus ...........0..

pauperculus ov ccccveees

PUCtUS coe cree eens

—— proboscideus............

-—— punctinotus .........6..

—— quadricollis wo... ccc

quadrituberculatus ......

spiniger... 6.6... eee eee

CEPOS cee eee eee

torpedo ..... 6... cece eee

—— tuberculifrons ..........

—— vulcanius .............4.

——- vulcamus 6.6... eee eee

Try pon@us oo. c ccc eens 182, 2

torpedo .. 6. cece aceveee

TYPHBA... eee eee eee

TupN@a vic ciccccccccecccuns

fumata oo... . cece ee eee

TYRINA ... cee cece eee eee

XONOWMNUS. oe ccc ce eee 534,

WUQUI vee cece cece nee

AXCStUPYGC ccc ccc ceeccences

garbiglhetti

PAAUGA ie ce cece eee ues

Xiphonotus .. 0. cece ec ceccees

ere ee ee eoree

checrolatt oo... cece eee

KMUTHIA . oe. cece eee eee eens

Authia

——— brevipes... ...... 0000

DreVtIpeS occ c cee enes

parallela ..cccccveceees

Xyletinus flabellicornts . 6.6.66.

ZANCIEN viceccc cc cevecnveees

—— testudined ......... cca

4 7*

luteivestis ...........00. 2:

pallidipennis ........6.5. 2 2

tuberculifrons .......... 22