BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA.

ZOOLOGIA.

Class INSECTA.

Order COLEOPTERA.

Tribe PHYTOPHAGA.

(SUPPLEMENT To Vou. VI. Parr 1.)

Since the publication of this portion of the Phytophaga was commenced in June

1880 a great number of accessions have been added to the collections placed at my

disposal for examination. These relate chiefly to the earlier groups, those referable to

the later ones having been duly inserted in their places. The additions therefore in

all the Families from the commencement to the Eumolpide are very numerous and

will render this part of the Supplement much more extended than that relating to the

large Families which follow. The collection of M. Sallé had not then been acquired ;

and Mr. Champion had only been working for a short time in Guatemala, and his

explorations in the State of Panama had not been commenced. Most of the additions.

derived from Herr Hége’s second Mexican expedition have also still to be dealt with.

These and many smaller consignments received from time to time have all swelled the

materials which I now propose to examine.

ORSODACNE. (To precede Aulacoscelis, p. 1.)

Orsodacna, Latreille, Hist. Nat. Crust. et Ins. iii. p. 223 (1802).

Orsodacne, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. xi. p. 3237.

The twelve or thirteen species placed in this genus chiefly inhabit Europe or North

America; three, however, are known from Chili and one from Ceylon. One of the

North-American species extends southwards to our northern boundary.

1. Orsodacne childreni.

Orsodacna childreni, Kirby, Faun. Bor.-Amer. iv. p. 221, t. 7. fig. 6°.

Hab. North America, Canada 1, United States——Mexico, Northern Sonora.

(Morrison).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt. )Suppl., June 1888. i)

Vol. VI. Pt. 1

*s, o

as , .

timate

vi INTRODUCTION.

It will perhaps be of interest to mention some of the genera which are either peculiar

to Mexico or Central America, or have very many representatives there. This is all we

can do at present, as we scarcely have as yet any knowledge of the life-history of any of

the species. It is probable that the larve of these insects play some part in checking

vegetation, as is the case with many species in the temperate zone, where they often

seriously injure crops and cereals. Yet it is difficult to believe that the luxuriant

tropical vegetation should be at all seriously affected by the ravages of the Phytophaga,

while on the other hand a very considerable number of them probably fall victims to

birds or other enemies. Be this as it may, there is no doubt that the Eumolpide,

especially the metallic species, and the still more numerous Galerucide (Diabrotica, &c.)

swarm in Central America, and are a feature amongst the Coleoptera of that region.

Amongst the Sagride, Aulacoscelis has 11 species, 2 only of which were known at

the date of publication of Gemminger and Harold’s Catalogue. Amongst the Eumol-

pide, the genus Euphrytus, characterized in this work for the first time, has 17 species,

and Promecosma 19 species, all of which are peculiar to Mexico. It is, however, —

among the true Chrysomelide that we find genera numerously represented by species

which are for the greater part peculiar to our region; these are Calligrapha, Zygogramma,

Leptinotarsa, and others, for the most part containing neatly marked, closely allied species,

distinguished by the peculiar pattern of the elytra and their system of punctuation—

characters apparently depending on each other for their development. These genera

have their head-quarters in Central America, North and South America each possessing

comparatively few representatives. As regards the numerous new genera of Halticine

and Galerucine described in this work, it is impossible to say anything at present

about their geographical distribution, as it is highly probable that some of them

extend beyond our limits.

Owing to the great variability of the Phytophaga, more particularly of the Galeru-

cide, our immense amount of material has increased the difficulty of accurately

defining the limits of particular species, instead of diminishing it as might have been

expected. If the extreme varieties only of certain of them were available for examina- —

tion, they would in most cases be considered as specifically distinct, the variation not

only affecting colour, but, in some species, shape or sculpture also. So that, until the

limits of variation are better understood, nothing can be done by the systematic

worker but to treat as distinct such forms which in his opinion differ sufficiently from

their allies.

INTRODUCTION. Vii

_ Of the totally insufficient diagnoses, often of three or four lines, of various authors,

it is not necessary to speak here.

The total number of 2166 species belong to 199 genera, and are apportioned

thus :—

Mexico and Central America. D mee ead the genera

Number New Number New America

of genera of species north of south wot d

genera. | described. | species. | described. || Mexico. . ,

Sagridee .......... ce cece aes 2 12 8 2 .. 1

Donaciide ............ 0.00000, 2 2 ee 2 .. 2

Crioceride .......... cece ee eee 3 168 91 2 3 2

Megalopodidj..............006, 3 - 42 17 . 3 ..

Clythride .......... cece eee 12 e «84 37 8 12 3

Cryptocephalide................ 5 7 181 103 4 5 3

Chlamydide ..............008. 4 77 39 3 3 2

Lamprosomid® .............0. 2 s 64 39 1 1 2

Eumolpid® ................000. 39 5 299 205 12 29 6

Chrysomelide.................. 13 . 219 66 7 13 3

Galerucid Halticine.......... 77 21 628 466 20 50 13

arene? | Galerucine ........ 37 17 390 292 9 11 7

199 43 2166 1363 70 130 44

From these fioures it will be seen that nearly half the total number of species, and

more than half of the genera, belong to the Galerucide. Of the 199 genera, 70 are

represented in America north of Mexico, 130 in South America, and 44 in the Old

World. The Eumolpide furnish 39 genera, 27 of which do not reach the United

States. The 13 genera of. Chrysomelide are all represented in South America, 7 in

America north of Mexico, and but 3 only in the Old World. The Halticine belong

to 77 genera, of which, so far as at present known, 22 are peculiar to Central America;

20 are represented in North, 50 in South America, and 13 in the Old World. ‘The

Galerucine, with 37 genera, have 18 peculiar to Central America ; 9 are represented

in North, 11 in South America, and 7 in the Old World. The genera containing the

greatest number of species are :—Diabrotica 178 (116 new), Lema 129 (73: new),

Edionychis 75 (44 new), Cryptocephalus 72 (43 new), Chlamys 69 (37 new), Lampro-

soma 62 (37 new), Pachybrachys 50 (28 new), Lactica 43 (35 new), Systena 38 (32 new),

Noda 38 (30 new), Disonycha 36 (25 new), Scolochrus 33 (17 new), Mastostethus 31

(13 new), Haltica 31 (19 new), Epitrix 31 (21 new), and Aphthona 31 (27 new). Of

20 consecutive Halticid genera, Allochroma to Hylodromus inclusive, only one (Hypo-

lampsis) reaches the United States. Of the 2166 species described or enumerated

Vili INTRODUCTION.

in the following pages, about 90 only are known as yet to occur north of the Mexican

boundary and about 150 in South America, thus leaving nearly 1930 species peculiar

to our region. This number will of course be very greatly reduced when the northern

part of South America is more thorougly explored, and a comparison can be made

of the types of some of the Central-American species with those of North America.

In Henshaw’s “List of the Coleoptera of America north of Mexico” (1885), and

its Supplement (1887), 553 species of the eleven: families of Phytophaga dealt with

here are enumerated, about one fourth of the total number of the Central-American

forms. It will thus be seen that Central America has an exceedingly rich and peculiar

Phytophagous fauna, the affinities of which are much greater with South America than

with America north of Mexico. 7

My heartiest thanks are due to the Editors for their liberal assistance in furnishing

me with all necessary material, books, &c. to complete this work, which has occupied

a large part of my leisure time during the past twelve years.

M. J.

May 1892,

LIST OF PLATES.

[The pages marked “‘s” refer to the Supplementary Volume. ]

Fig. Page. Plate, Fig. Page

Aulacoscelis candezei.......... XXXYV, 7 1,s 2 || Lema minuta................ II. 3 10

melanocephala .......... I. 1 2 antennalis .............. I, 6 10

tibialis ............000. XXXV. | 2 s3 | —— scutaria................ IT. 6 10

hogel ...... 00.000 cece, XXXV. 6 s3 || ——insularis .............. XXXV. | 20 s 30

variabilis .............. XXXYV. 8 s4 | ——incisa ................ XXXYV. | 24 s 30

— A) on XXXV. 9 84 hogei 0... . cee eee eee IL. 5 11

sanguinea .............. XXXV. | 10 s 5 dorsalis .............06) A, 9 12, s 35

elongata, ¢ ............ XXXV. 5 s 5 subapicalis.............. ee bs 12 |. 12

femorata, ¢ .........4.. XXXV. 3 s 5 | —— bipustulata ............ IT. 10 13

— » 2, VAP we cece eee XXXV. 4 s 5 Mexicana ..........00 0% II. 7 14, s 41

grandis, d...........0.. XXXYV, 1 s 6 || —— pustuligera ............ I. 9 14

Donacia cincticornis .......... XXXV. | 11 s 7 || Crioceris intermedia .......... I. 16 16,8 47

Hamonia nigricornis.......... XXXV. | 12 s8 | —— flohri.................. XXXVI 1 s 47

Lema bouchardi, var. problematica I, 10 3 sallei ...... cee eee I, 15 17,8 47

fulvo-fasciata .......... XXXYV. | 19 s 12 scabrosa ........ ee eee I. 17 17,8 48

equestris .............. IT. 8 3,812 rugipennis ............ XXXVI 2 s 48

elegantula .............. I. 4 3 rugicollis ..........0... XXXVI. | 38 s 48

dimidiaticornis .......... XXXV. | 18 s 13 || Megascelis purpureicollis ...... I. 2 18, 52

apicicornis.............. XXXV. | 14 s 14 mexicana .............. XXXVI 4 s 53

~—— sexplagiata ............ XXXV, | 15 s 15 || Mastostethus fraternust ...... I. 11 20

transverso-fasciata ...... I. 11 4,815 Salvini ............005. I. 18 21

nicaraguensis .......... I. 13 4 |—— i) Cae XXXVI 5 s 58

biornata................ II, 1 5,8 16 cordovensis ............ XXXVI 7 s 58

opulenta* .............. I. 3 6,8 17 gracilentus ............ XXXVI 6 s 59

—— nigrolineata ............ XXXV. | 25 s 18 sexplagiatus ............ I. 24 21

—— maculigera.............. XXXV. | 17 8 18 rubricollis .............. I, 20 21,s 59

—— suffriani................ I. 14 7 || ——championit ............ IT. 12 21,8 60

— sexlineata .............. XXXV,. | 22 s 19 TOQETSL .... cece eee eee I, 23 22,8 60

—— chiriquensis ............ XXXV. | 18 s 20 chontalensis ............ I. 21 22,8 60

——forreri ................ XXXV. | 16 s 21 femoratus ..........00. XXXVI 8 s 60

—— championi.............. I. 5 7,8 22 || —— 9-maculatus ............ OL 19 23,8 61

—-—clarki ................, XXXV,. | 21 s 23 placidus .............. I. 22 23

bella ....... eee ee ee eee XXXV. | 23 s 23 || —— nigrofasciatus .......... I. 25 2.

quinquenotata ..........] II. . 2 9 modestus ...........-.. XXXVI. | 13 s 61

Sexnotata ...........0.. I. 8 9,8 26 panamensis ............ XXXVI. 9 s 61

nigromaculata .......... OL 7 9,8 27 || —— A (:) oa XXXVI. | 10 s 61

godmani........+....05. IT. 4 9,8 28 | —— imitans ................ XXXVI. | 11 s 62

* Lema ornata on the Plate.

+ Mastotethus fraternus on the Plate.

t Mastotethus championi on the Plate,

BIOL.. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, April 1892.

LIST OF

PLATES.

Plate.

Mastostethus humero-notatus XXXVI

—— 8-maculatus ............ XXXVI

Megalopus violaceo-fasciatus ....| XXXV1

Titubcea sanguinipennis *, ¢ II.

QD cece ence eeees II.

brevilineata, ¢......+--- XXXVI

hégel, Sweet eee eee XXXVI

villosa, Gow. cece ee cee es XXXVI

Gynandrophthalma agilis ...... IT.

aviculus) ...... eee eee II.

Megalostomis splendida........ II.

metallica ........2-005- XXXVI

—— dimidiata, var. .......... Il.

femorata .......0.e eee XXXVI

-flavipennis .........4.. II.

—— punctatissima .......... XXXVI

fulvipes .. 6... eee ee eee XXXVI

anachoreta.........+e05 XXXVI

AMAZONA .- ee eee ee eee XXXVI

Coscinoptera purpurea ........ XXXVI

Euryscopa pilatel ............ II.

nigritarsis ........-2+54- XXXVI.

MEXICANA 12... ee eee eee XXXVIT.

Villosa ... cece eee eee XXXVII.

semistriata ........056- XXXVI.

longicollis .............. XXXVII.

regularis ... 0.0... eee ee XXXVI.

parvula .......... ee eeee XXXVI.

Proctophana fulvicollis ........| XXXVII.

Dachrys bipartita ............ II.

Babia chiriquensis ............ XXXVITI

| Saxinis sonorensis ............ XXXVIT

hogei ...... ce cee eee ee XXXVIT

guatemalensis .......... Il.

Monachus guatemalensis ...... III.

bimaculatus .........4.. Ill.

—— A-plagiatus ............ XXXVIL.

flavipennis.............. XXXVI

Cryptocephalus semimarginatus..; __ IIT.

difficilis, Q ............ XXXVIT

nigrovittatus ............ It.

—— 4-vittatus ...........0.. IV.

— patheticus .............. IIT.

POTOSUS 1.6... eee ee eee eee IIl.

——- 18-punctatus ..........) Ill.

—— quaternarius ............ IT.

forreri ..........e00ee XXXVI.

atrofasciatus ............/ 5. IV...

—— subcurvatus .........-.. XXXVITI

drroratus ..... eee e eee ele .- III.

trizonatus .....-.. ee eeee SII.

guatemalensis ..........|. TIL...

—complicatus .........6.. XXXYVII.

Fig. Page. Plate. Fig Page

12 s 62 || Cryptocephalus stigmatipennis .. III. 14 50

14 s 63 14-pustulatus f........6- III. 7 | 51,5110

15 s 64 championi...........055 TIL. 13 51

16 27, s 65 || —— 10-plagiatus ............ XXXVII. | 18 s 111

17 27, s 65 || —— militaris...........-50- IIT. 5 | 58, 8 112

18 8 66 basalis ........ cece eee IV. 4) 538, 8112

16 s 66 || —— -, var. cruentatus IV. 6| 53, 5112

17 3 67 salvini .......... ee eee IV. 3 54

22 28, s 68 obscuripennis .....+++-- III. 11 54

18 29, s 68 levipennis.....- ee aeeoes ITI. 18 | 55,8113

15 30 inconspicaus .........66- IIT. 12| 56,5113

19 s 69 zapotensis .........++0-- IV. 5| 56,8114

14 30, s 71 || —— juquilensis...........+-- XXXVI} 1 s 116

20 s 71 || —— 7-punctatus .........--- XXXVIII.| 2 s 116

13 31, s 72 dolorosus ........eeeee5 XXXVIT. | 19 s 118

22 87 flavofasciatus .......++- XXXVI. | 20 s 118

21 s 72 || —— , VOL. cece eee eee XXXVII. | 21 s 118

23 s 73 flavomaculatus .......... XXXVIII.|; 3 s 119

24 s 73 || —— multipunctatus .........- XXXVII. | 22 s 119

| 25 s 74 || —— ll-plagiatus ...........%. XXXVII. | 23 s 120

20 32, 87 problematicus ........../. XXXVIT. | 24 s 121

1. s 76 admirabilis ..........-.]. XXXVII, | 25 s 121.

2 s 76 || Stegnocephala costata .......+). XXXVIII.|. 4 s 123

3 3 77 longicornis.........+..6- XXXVIII.| 5 8 123

4 s 78:|| Scolochrus purpurascens ...... iil. 21| 58,5124

5 s 78 pallipes ...... eee eee ee XXXVITI.| 6 s 125

6 s 79 || —— Ac) XXXVIIL.|. 7 s 125

7 s 79 montezuma@ ........+-.4- Tit. 19 59 |

8 s 81 CAZICUS Fee eee eee ee eee ITI. 24 60

19 33, s 81 suffriani...........0600- IV. 7| 60, s 126

9 s 84 CITANS veces eee eee eeee Iii. 25 61

10 s 88 - decoratus ........ee eee Il. 23 | 61, s 126

11 s 90 personatus ..........4- ITI. 20 61.

21 36 || —— eC) III. 22 61

1 38, s 91 panamensis .........-.. XXXVIII.| 8 s 126

2 39, s 92 sulcipennis ..........+- . IV. 9 | 63, 5127

12 s 98 boucardi .........e eee IV. 8 63.

13 s 98 maculicollis ............ XXXVIII.| 9 s 127

3 | 438, s 100 d-maculatus .........-6- XXXVIIT.| 10 s 128

14 s 101 || —— yucatanus .............. XXXVI. | 11 s 128

16 44 || —— 12-guttatus ............ XXXVITI. | 12 s 129

1 44 || ——17-guttatus ............ XXXVI. | 13 s 129

17 | 45, 5 104 robustus ......... .eeee|/ XAXXVITT.| 14 s 130

4| 46, 5 106 — imitans ............065- XXXVITI.} 15 s-131

6] 46, s 106 minutus ...........+-. XXXVIII.| 16 s 131

15 | 47, s 106 cordovensiS ...........- XXXVIII.| 17 s 182

15 s 106 GAMMA... ee eee ee eee XXXVITI. | 18 s 132

2 48 fallax... ccc cece ee eee XXXVITITI.; 19 s 133

16 s 107 || —— modestus .............. XXXVI. | 20. s 133

. 9] 49, 5108 geometricus ..........+. XXXVITL. | 21 s 134

8 | 49, 5108 4-maculatus .....-...06- XXXVIITI. | 22 3 1385.

10 | 49, s 109 || Pachybrachys thoracicus ...... XXXVITI.| 23 s 186

17 s 109 semibrunneus ........-- .XXXTX,. |. 1 s 137

* Anomea sanguinipennis on the Plate.

+ Cryptocephalus tesseratus on the Plate.

t Scolochrus cacicus on the Plate.

LIST OF PLATES. xi

Plate. Fig. Page. Plate, Fig Page.

Pachybrachys hematodes ...... IV. 11 64 || Chlamys stigmula ............ IT. 25 82 |

rubronotatus .......... IV. 18 | 65, s 187 ferrugata ...........05. V. 5 82

rubro-ornatus .......... IV.- 19 65 || —— fulvicollis .............. Y~ 6 83 |

—— minutus................, XXXIX 2 s 138 || ——— stictica ................ V. 1; 83, s 166

inclusus..............., XXXIX 3 s 139 bugabensis.............. XXXIX. | 24} s 167 |

irregularis............., IV. -- | 12] 67, s 140 semifulva .............. - XL, 7 | s 167 |

forreri .... 0.2... 0.00, XXXVIITI. | 24 s 141 | —— hypocrita .............. IV. 21 | 84

durangoensis............ XXXVITI. | 25 s 141 insidiosa .......... 000, XL. 8 | 85, 8s 168.

maculicollis ...........: XXXIX, 4 s 142 kraatzi ................ Vv. 11 86

punctatissimus ..........} - IV; 20 | 68, s 143 || —— bipunctata.............. IV. 24 86

—— umbraculatus .......... IV. 14 | 69, 5 148 maculicollis ............ V. 9 87

flavescens .............. XXXIX. | 5]. 8 148 venusta * .............. V. 7 |85, 88, 8169

gregarlus .... ......... IV. 13 69 pardalis. ...........04. IV. 25 88

regularis .............., IV. 15 69 || ——- admirabilis ............) KXXIX. | 93 s 169

brunneo-maculatus ...... XXXIX. | 6 s 144 || —— biplagiata .............. XL, 9 3 169

juquilensis ..........., XXXIX. | 7 s 145 multifasciata............/ - XL, 10 s 170

sall@i oo ...... 0. eee XXXIX. 8 s 145 angulicollis ............ XI. 11 s 171

MexicanuS ............ XXXIX. 9 s 147 || Lamprosoma sallwi............ Vv. 14/ 91,8173

marmoratus, 9 ........0. XXXIX. | 10 s 148 hypochryseum .......... V. 17 | 92, 8174

— bifasciatus.............. IV. 17 | 71, s 148 chapuisi.............0.., Vv. 21} 92,8174

laticollis .............. IV. 16/ 72, s 149 chlorizans ............., as 20 93

reticulatus............ ref IV. 10 | 73, s 344 || —— insigne ................ Vv. 18 | 94, 8 174

——— livens? ................ XXXIX. | 11 s 151 || —— opulentum............;; V. 23 | 94, 8174

longicollis .............. | XXXIX. | 12 s 152 || —— refulgens .............; Vv. 22 | 95,8175

nigrofasciatus .......... XXXIX. | 13 s 153 || —— bifasciatum ............, V. 19 | 95, s 176

decoratus .............. XXXIX, | 14 s 154 splendidum ............ V. 16. 100

Diaspis paradoxa ............ Ve 2 v4 || —— juvencumt ............ Vv. 24 | 101, 3 177

Chlamys amoena.............. V. 4 76 balyi oo... eee, V. 15 102

godmani .............. XXXIX. | 16 s 155 || Chrysodina ignita ..........., VI. 1 106

pavonina .............. II. 23 | 76, 8 156 COTTUSCA.. 1... eee ee, VI, 2 107

-—— militaris .............. XXXIX, | 17 8 156 || -—— pubescens .............. VI. 7 | 108, s 184

sextuberculata .......... II. 24 76 cupriceps .............. Vi. 3 | 109, 8 185

Sall@i.... oe eee eee IV. 23 77 || — p VAL. Lee cece ee eee VI. 4 109

episcopalis............., V. 3, 77, 3 157 || Phedra maxima.............. VI. 5 | 112, s 189

maculipes ............., Vv. 10 | 78, s 157 dives .......... 0.00000, VI. 6 112

semilutea ............., XXXIX. | 15 s 157 || Noda cretifera .............. VI. 10 | 114, 3 193

insularis .............. a's 12 | 78, 8 158 OPACh..... eee eee, VI. 8 116

a.) oe XXXIX. | 19 s 158 0: re VEL. 11 | 119

frontalis............000. VV. «| 12a] 79, 3 158° eurtula ...........0..., VI. 9 | 120, s 197

— fulvomaculata .......... XL. 1 s 158 || Spintherophyta cephalotes, ¢ VIL. } 122

collaris ................ XXXIX. | 20 s 159 | —— a VII. 2 122

hogei ...............0., XX XIX. | 18 s 159 | Ischyrolampra panamensis, ¢ XL. 12 s 204

instabilis .............. XL | 2 s 161 | Agbalus violaceust.. ........ IX. 3 | 154, s 206

—— sublevicollis ............ ~ XL. 3 s 161 || Euphrytus eneus ..... ...... VII. 25 | 125, s 207

scabrosa...........0000. XL. Af s 162 opacicollis .............. VIII 18 | 125

punctipennis ............ XXXIX. | 22 8 163 varipennis § ............ VIII 19 | 126, s 208

tragulus................ IV. 22 |" 80 pallidus ............. wee XL, -13 7] s 209

—— pilatel ........ eo, Vv. 8] 81, s 163 elongatuS .............. XL. 14 8 210°

strigicollis .............. XXXIX. | 21 ' § 164 humeralis .............- XL. 15 s 210

luteola, var. ..........:. Vv. 13 81 apicicornis .............. XL. 16 8s 211

insignis .............00. XXXIX. | 25 s 165 (?) rugosus...........00, XL. 17 s 212

prodigiosa ........... . XL. 5 s 165 || Pseudochoris fulvicollis cee e cease XL. 18. s 213

nitidiceps .............. XL. 6 s 166 || Ephyreea isthmica ............ XL. 19 8 214

* Chlamys fasciaticollis on the Plate.

Tt Lamprosoma pediculus on the Plate.

£ Corysthea violacea on the Plate.

§ Huphrytus fulvicollis on the Plate.

xii

LIST OF PLATES.

Coytiera fulvipes

Sh 72) oh

Tugipennis .....-.-++-++-

Choris pubicollis..........-- _

Clisithera cerasina .......-.66-

Beltia nicaraguensis ......-+.-

Talurus salvinit......-.-e+ee

TUGOSUS [ 1. ee eee ee ees

Metaxyonycha tridentata ......

hirsuta, d..... sec e eee

panamensis, 5 ...-..+---

—— godmani........+eeeeees

Prionodera amasia §

salviNi .. 1... eee ee eee

—— hirtipennis..:......+--.-

limbata ........ 20s eee

Pee ee ee

eevee eeveve

__— seutellare ...... 602 eee

——— nobilitatum

—— cinctipenne

——— gallai.... ccc ee ee ee eee

Gugesi ...- seers eeeees

inflatum........ cece wees

—— dilatatum

fervidum ........eeee es

lepidum ......+++++eeee

lugens

on eoeee moe eae

eevee oe eeree

Pe ee ed

Colaspis splendida

gemmingeri .....-+++++

—— hypochlora.......+---+::

prasina

eeoeoerereree rere ee ee

—n

submetallica ....--.-+++>

Delti oo. cece ee ee ee eens

suturalis

—— IMPTesSA® wee ee ee eee ee

, var. ||

Aletes mexicanus

variabilis .....-+e+-eees

Bhabdophorus mexicanus ..... .

guatemalensis ......---:

Chalcophana cincta.......--++>

eveeceneeer eee

—— mutabilis ......-+---+-+5>

—— godmani......e+seserees

——— discolor ......+e-eeeees .

rufipennis .....+-++eees

Plate. | Fig. Page. Plate Fig Page.

VIII. 15 | 126, s 215 || Xanthonia guatemalensis .....- VII. 20 164

VII. 3 | 154, s 215 marmorata.......eseee8: IX. 5 | 165, 8 231

VIII 16 127 tuberosa....seeeeeeeeees IX. 4 166

XL. 20 3 216 || Fidia pedestris .......--+-++> VII. 12 166.

XL. 21 g 216 || —— spuria ......-ee eee eres Vil. 11 166

VITl. 25 128. humeralis .......eee-eee Vil. 13 167

IX. 2 | 148, s 217 . 14,

VIL. 8 | 150, 8217 plagiata ......+--- sees VII. 1B | 167

VI. 12 429 || —— albovittata ..........-65- VII. 16 | 167, s 232

XL. 22 s 217 sallw@i..... cece eee reves VII. 17 167

XL. 23 s 218 guatemalensis .......--- IX. 6 167

VI. 13 130 || Metachroma variabile.........- IX. 7 | 170, s 233

VI. 14 130 mexicanum ....---eeeee IX. 11 | 171, s 234

vit ot 131, s on Eumolpus surinamensis........ TX. “ \ 172, 8 235

XL. 24 s 219 BpeciosUS ...-.. eee ees IX. 15 173

VII. {1,2 132 |'Tymnes verticalis .........-.- IX. 19 - 174

Vill 3 132 || Myochrous sallei .........++- VIL. 19 174

XL. 25 s 219 melancholicus ........++ VII. 18 | 174, 5 236

Vill 4 132 tibialis ........00-e eens IX. 8 175

VIL 5 | 132, s 219 || Glyptoscelis albicans .......-.. VI. 4 177

vat ’ 138 Typophorus humeralis ........ VIl. oS } 178

VIIT 8 183 viridicyaneus J] .......... VII. 21. 179

VIII 9 | 184, s 220 MCXICANUS .... 6. . eee eee VIL. 24 | 180, 8 237

Vill 10 134 || Paria vitticollis ........-..00- IX, 9 183

Vill 11 134 y VAL. eee e eee eee IX. 10 183

VIIL 13 134 || —— nigritarsus..........++.- IX. 12 | 184, s 238

Vill 12 135 levipennis...........06- IX. 13 184

VIII 14 | 135, s 220 || Colaspoides batesi .........+.- IX. 17 186

Vi. 17 136 unicolor ...... wee eeeees IX. 18 186

VI. 15 137 || Pheedon cyanescens .......+.. IX. 21 188

Vi. 18 | 188, s 220 cyanopterus ........++.- X. 4 189

VI. 16 | 188, s 220 MeEXicANUS .........0008- IX. 20 189

VI. 20 138 || Plagiodera punctigera ........ IX. 22 190

VII. 7 | 140, s 221 semivittata .......0eee- IX. 23 190

VL. 21 141 maculatella .........-.. TX, 25 190

VI. 19 143 congesta ......eeeeeeee IX. 24 191

VIII. 23 | 145, s 222 flosculosa ** .........000- X. 1 193

Vil. 6 | 144, s 222 bis-tripunctata .......... XLI. 1 s 242

VII. 5 146 viridimaculata .......... XLI. 2 s 242

IX. 1 147 || Lina scripta .......--e sees X. 2 | 194, s 244

VIII. 24 148 depressa.... 6... eee ee ees X. 3 | 194, s 244

VIIl. 22 150 || Calligrapha eneopicta ........ X. 12 195

VII. 9 | 155, s 228 Giversa ..... cece eee eee X. 15 | 196, s 244

22, geographica .........6.- X. 18 196

VI. 23, 157 consputa ........ Le eeee X. 17 196

o4 scalaris ........ eee eees XI. 6 197

VII. 10 160 || —— multipustulata ...... weae X. 16 | 197, s 244

VI. 25 168 ancoralis ..... ... seeee X. 20 197

VIII 17 163 || —— 9-maculata .........6.. XI. 20 198

* Corysthea higei on the Plate.

+ Rhabdophorus salvini on the Plate.

+ Rhabdophora rugosa on the Plate.

§ Metawyonycha amasia on the Plate.

|| Colaspis laticollis on the Plate.

{| Typophorus sturmi on the Plate.

** Plagiodera ceneiventris on the Plate.

LIST OF PLATES. xlil

Plate. Fig Page. Plate Fig Page

Calligrapha notatipennis ...... X. 25 | 198, s 244 | Zygogramma 5-virgata ........ XII. 21 215

labyrinthica .....6...... XI. 1,2,3) 199, 5 244 eeneo-vittata ............ XII. 3 215

—— suffrianl................ XI. 16 | 199, s 244 lepidula........... 0.04. XII, 16 | 216, s 249

— subooulata. sees eee Xf] gy] } 2008285 | etna SSE) ne | a5) 26 248

—— p VOL. cece cee eee X. 23 200 || —— Ph 1) a XII. 19 217

—— fulvitarsis ....... wecceae XLI. 3 8 245 stali wo... eee ee eee eee XII. 4 217

intermedia.............. XI. 19 200 championi.............. XII. 6 218

—— pmirsa .............00. XI, 18 201 ornata .......e eee eee XII. 22 218

ramulifera .............. XI. 4 | 201, s 245 | —— Sn XII. 23 218

—— argus* ................ Xx. 19 | 201, s 246 | —— hypocrita ............. XII, 20 219

—— tortilis ................ X. 21 | 202, s 246 9-virgata Lo. ce eee eee ee XI. 5 220

—— eupatris.............0.. Xx. 22 202 fasciatipennis............ XLI. 6 8 249

—— serpentina .............. X, 11 | 203, s 246 obscuro-fasciata.......... XLI. 7 s 250

—— 20-maculata ............ XI. 11 | 203, s 246 || —— durangoensis............ XII. 8 s 250

stillatipennis ............ XI. 14 203 -maculicollis ............ XII. 9 s 250

—— » VOL. we rc ewe wees XI. 15 2038 militaris .............. XLI. 10 s 251

—— multiguttata............ X. 5 | 204, s 246 || _— 10-pustulata............ XLI, 11 s 251

—_—— A) oa X. 6 204 thoracica ...........05. XII. 12 8 252

barda............ceeeee XI. 12 | 204, s 246 || Stilodes atromaculata.......... XIII. 8 222

_ 7 XI. 13 204 coelebs ............004. XII. 25 | 228, s 252

fulvipes .............0.- X, 8 | 205, s 246 | —— nigromarginata.......... XIII. 1 223

pantherina.............. X, 9 205 nigricollis ............. XIII, 2 224

felina.......... cee eee X. 10 | 206, s 246 neptis .......c cece eee XII. 24 224.

—— billbergi................ X. 7 206 motschulskyi............ XIII. 4 224

—— limbaticollis ............ XI. 8 206 leoparda.............0.. XIIT. 6 225

—_— Co XI. 9 206 S10) | XIII. 5 225

—- gyllenhali .............. XI. 10: 206 fuscolineata ... ........ XITI. 3 226

euplecta.......... 00 cees XI. 5 207 pallidipennis ............ XIII. 7 226

Sylvia... . ke eee eee ee XI. 7 207 quadristriata............ XLI. 13 s 252

matronalis.............. XI. 17 207 || Leptinotarsa cacica .......... XIV. 23 227

violaceo-maculata ........ XIV. 22 | 208, s 247 chalcospila ............ XIII. 9 | 227,58 252

elegantulat ............ XIV. 18 208 lacerata ...........0.05- XIII. 10 228

femorata .............. XLI. 4 s 247 | —— heydeni................ XIII 11 | 228, s 253

marginipennis .......... XLII. . 5 s 247 puncticollis ............ XIII 12 228

Zygogramma nicaraguensis XI. 21 209 zetterstedti ............ XIII 19 229

quenselit .............. X. 24 210 behrensi || .............. XIII 13 | 229, 8 253

23, dilecta .............2.. XIII 16 230

Piceicollis .............. XI, | 24, | 210, 248 flavitarsis ..........00.. XIV. 12 | 281, s 253

25 lineolata ...........0.. XLI. 14 s 253

signatipennis§ .......... XIV, 24 210 || —— ecalceata.......-........ XIII 14 231

malve 2... cee eee eee ee XII. 2] 211, s 248 obliterata .............. XII 15 232

dulcis...........-....0.. XII, J 211 | —— pudica ................ XIII 25 232

—— mexicana .............. XII. 7 212 signaticollis ............ XIII 20 | 232, 8 253

lemur .........2cceeee XII. 8,9] 212, 8 248 || —— 10-lineata .............. XII. 24 | 233, 8 253

. 10, angustovittata .......... XII. 15 8 254

opifera .. 2.6.6... esse, XIL. { 11 | 213.8 248 defecta .......000.0.-.. XIII. | 21 234

bigenera .........00505 XI. 22 | 213, 8 248 melanothorax .......... XIII. 22 | 234, s 254

POPA ... ccc ee cece eeeees XII. 13 214 dahlbomi .............. XIII. 23 235

guttulosa. .........-.6.- XII. 12 214 eval eg TS VE 1 237

. 14, avopustulata .......... XIII. 17 238

lentiginoga,, .....+...+.. XII. { 15 } 214 belli. sence XII. | 18 238

* Calligrapha famularis on the Plate.

t Calligrapha elegans on the Plate.

+ Calligrapha quenselc on the Plate.

§ Calligrapha signatipennis on the Plate.

|| Leptinotarsa modesta on the Plate.

X1V LIST OF PLATES.

Plate Fig Page. Plate. Fig Page

Leptinotarsa evanescens........ XV. 2 238 | Hoplacerus tibialis........-+.-- XLII. | 21 8 344

distinguenda * .......... XIV. 25 938 || Piasus fulvus, Q .......-e eee ee XLII. 25 8 345

dohrni ........-eee08- XY. 4 939 || Lactica bifasciata ........+-6.. XVI, 3 270

hégei...... 22 ee eee beaee XV. 3 240 nigromaculata .......--- XVI. 1B 270

typographica .......+..6- XLI. 16 8 254 er r 7,

Tabidomera suturellat |... 0... XV. |5,6| 240, s 255 variabilis «+... +-s sees XV {}ig)} 27

Doryphora paykulli .......>.. XIV. 16 |. 243 chevrolati ........+++e0- XVI. 16 271

petulans .......-ee eee XIV. 15 243 chiriquensis ........++.- XVI. 14 272

panamensis .......+..-- XV. 11 244 uniformis .......6.6204: XVI. 5 272

insignicornis ......-..+.. XIV. 17 245 scutellaris ..........-6-. XVI. 6 | 278, s 259

semiambita .....+..+--- XV. 7 | 245, s 255 subcostata ........ e605 XVI. 13 273

—— purulensis ..........+4-- XV. 8 246 || ——— minuta ............005- XVI. 15 | 274, 5 259

bicolor .....- eee ee eee XIV. 5 246 MEXICANA 2... ee eee eens XVI. 7|- 274

bella... cee ee ee eee XY. 9 2Q47 hOgel...... cece ee ee eee XVI. 8 275

lativittis ...... eee eee XV. 10 247 perplexa ...... eee eee XVI. 21 276

—— mirabilis ..........065- XV. 14 248 antennalis .......2..e08- XVI. 11 277

marginalis..........++-. XV. 15 248 panamensis ........--.. XVI. 4 277

spectanda .......-..+0e XIV. 7 249 geneipennis ....++.+.-.- XVI. 20 277

—— 10-stillata ..........68.. XIV. 21 249 violacea ....... cess eevee XVI. 23 278 |

diagonalis ..........0055 XV. 13 250 viridipennis ........+-. XVI. 9 279

—— pneo-ornata .. 1... ee eee XV. 12 ; 950 abdominalis ............ XVI. 10 279

decorata......cece seers XIV. 11 | 250, 8 255 cupreata 6... ee ee ee eee XVII. 2) 281, 8 259

ornata .. eee ee ee eee XIV. 9 250 —godmani ..........-66- XVII. 1 281

ocellata ........ ce ee eee XIV. 4 951 chontalensis ...........-- XVI. 22 989

—. pVaret we cece ee eee XV. 19 251 ornata ve. cee ee eee eee XVI. 19 282

IMpar... esse eee eee eens XIV. 10 251 pinotata........ ce ee eee XVII. 3 282

——— chontalensis ............ XV. 17 252 QeETMAL «2... eee eee eens XVII. 9 283

—— stabilis .. 2... ... eee eee XI. 17 s 256 || —— 4-notata .............. XLI. 21 s 260

TOQETSI§.. 1. cece eee eee XIV. 20 254 vittatipennis ............ XLII. | 22 s 245

sallwi.... ee ee eee ee ee XIV. 14 255 VariGOrmis .......0.e eee XLITI. 24 s 346

salvini .. eee ee ee eee eee XIV. 6 255 || Hermeophaga parvula@] ...... XVII. 16 | 299, 5 261

pboucardi ......-.eeeeee XV. 20 256 minuta ** .........-.... XVII. 17 | 299,s 261

Opposita...... eee ee eee XV. 21 256 || Plectrotetra clarki, d.......... XVI. 24 284.

flavoguttata .........6-- XIV. 2 257 Qc cee cece cease XVI. 25 284

bisbimaculata .......... XIV. 8 257 submetallica ........... XVII. 5 285

antennalis ...........--+ XV. 18 258 || —--- regularis ...........0., XVII. 6 285

dorsomaculata ........-: XIV. 1 258 PFOXIMA.... see eee e eee XVII. 4 | 286, 5 264.

—— punctipennis ............ XIV. 3 258 MoMStrosa ...... ee ee eee XVIL. 8 286

viridifasciata ..........-- XV. 16 258 || —— chiriquensis ............ XVII. 7 287

—— ligata.......e seer eee eee XIV. 13 259 nigripennis ............ XLI. 22 s 264

spectabilis........-..4.- XIV. 19 259 | Phrynocepha pulchella ........ XVII. | 24 291

Elytrosphera 4-maculata ...... XV. 22 260 elongata, Sw... ee eee ee XVIII. 1 292

-——— Mexicana ...... essere XV. 23 QBL | —— ——, Qe eee ecececees XVIII. 2 2992

annulata .....eeeeeeeee XY. 24 262 levicollis ...... eee ees XVIII. 3 293

-gsyecds a= | { 241,8 255, || Hemiphrynus tenuicornis, ¢ XLI. 23 s 265

—— tibialis || .--++-+++ee. XV. | 25 { 256 sulcatipennis ....... +... XLL | 24 5 266

marginicollis .......+.-.. XII. 18 8 256 || Haltica patruelis ............ XVIL. 11 294

—— bifasciata ........ee cece: XLi. 19 8s 257 jamaicensis ............ .. XVII. 15 995

erratica 2... eee eee eee XII. 20 s 257 amethystina ..........6. XVII. 12 295

Diphaulaca chiriquensis........ XVI. 1 266 MEXICANA ..... ce ee eee XVII. 13 296

jucunda .......-.0.-eee- XVI. 2 269 breviS ......... See eeee XVII. 19 |. 298

* Calligrapha distinguenda on the Plate. |

+ Labidomera germari on the Plate.

+ Doryphora transversoplagiatus on the Plate.

§ Doryphora 12-guttata on the Plate.

|| Prosicela tibialis on the Plate.

{ Haltica parvula on the Plate.

** Haltica minuta on the Plate.

LIST OF PLATES. xv

Plate. Fig Page. Plate. Fig Page.

Haltica complicata............ | XVIT: 10 300 || Systena oberthiiri ............|- XIX, 15 323

ongicornis, S .......... ~ XLE «+ | 25 s 270 neaetede]s ty: {| 16- ao:

Syphrea pretiosa ............ XVIL.- | 23 | 302, s 279 Variable ses eee esses, XIX. { 21 s2e

Exoceras facialis ............ XLIL. 1 s 273 . . . vofie. 23,

Cacoscelis compta ............ XVII. | 18 302 nigroplagiata............ _, MIX. { 24 | 324,828]

Salli... .. ll, XVII. | 14 303 contigua ............40/-- XIX. | 25 325

—— d-lineata .............. XVIII. 5 303 undulata .......... eee h- - XIX, 22 | 325, 8281

flava oo... eee eee XVIII. 4 303 apicicornis.............. XX, 1 325

scriptipennis .-.......... - XVIII. 6 | 804, s 273 posticata ..........00. vf. XX, 2 326

varians, var.* .........:| XVII. 22 | s 273, 346 championi.............. - XX, 11 3826

Disonycha nigripes............ XVIII. 7 305 || —— dilatipennis ........... . XX, 12 327

melanocephala .......... XVIII. | 10 306 || —— teniata, var. discicollis. .. XX, 5 | 331, s 281

nigripennis ............ — XVIIL, 9 306 || —— , Var, semivittata .... XX, 9 | 335, 8 281

mexicana ............../ XVIII. 8. 306 || —— , var, capitata ......|-. XX. 6 | 336, s 281

subenea .............. XVIIE. | 183 307 || —— chloropus .............. XIX, 14 | 328, s 281

apicalis ..............4. “XVIII. |-16 307 17, | | ‘

dorsata 2020000 XVIII. -| 11 308 || —_ Bstulata........ 2.6... 2 { is'|f 828

salle@i.... 2... .... ee, XVIII. 12 308 metallica .............. XX. 13 328

pallidicornis ............ XVIII. | 17 308 viridipennis ............} XX, 3 329

—— trifasciata .............. XVIII. | 14 309 || —— regularis ..............| XX, 14 329

—. VOM... cee eee ee XVIII. 15 309 |} —— coxalis ................ XX. 19 330

angulata ............../ > XLIL 2 s 275 || —— longicornis ............ XX... 16 330

dimidiata .............:/ XVIIT. | 21 309 brunneovittata ....... oe XX. 15 332

austriaca .............:| XVIII. | 18 310 || —— thoracica .............. XX, 4 3383

—— 6-maculata ............ XVIII. | -19 310 bohemani .............. XX, 7 334

—- cordovana.............. XVIII. | 20 310 Salvini ............008. XX, 8 335

recticollis .............. XVIII. | 25 313 laticollis .............. _ XX, 10 336

panamensis ............ XIX, 1 313 || Clamophora nigritarsis ........ XX. 21 339

militaris .............. XIX. 5 314 || Sangaria haagi ..............] XX, 20 340

figurata........ 0.0.0.0. XVIII. | 24 314 || Pseudoepitrix hirtipennis ...... XX. 22 341

hogei...........0.0008. XIX, 2 315 vittatipennis ............ XX, 23 342

antennata .............. XTX. 4 315 || Crepidodera chiriquensis ...... XX, 25 342

crenicollis .............. XVIII. | 22 316 || —— amplicollis.............. XLII. 9 8 283

brevilineata ............| XVIIL. | 23 317 || Orthygia unifasciata .......... XLII. 10 8 286

abbreviata.............. XIX. 3 317 || Suetes niger, g .............. XLII 11 8 286

Orodes nigropictus............ XLII. 3 s 277 || Mesodera fulvicollis .......... XX, 24 345

Nephrica inornata...........:| XLII | 4 s 277 || Epitrix violacea.............. XXI. 1 346

Ceeporis subcostata............ XIX. 10 318 thoracica .............. XXI. 2 347

Acanthonycha elegantula + XVII. 25 | 318, s 278 intermedia.............. | XXYI, 3 351

eee ee eee ee ewe ees XIX, 7 | 318, s 278 || —— dilaticornis ............... XXL. 4 352

Pelonia clarki................ XIX. 9 319 subcostata .............. — XXII, 5 353

balyi wo... eee eee XIX. 8 319 parvula ...............,/ XXI, 6 | 355, 8 28

seminigra .............. XIX. 6 320 || Trichaltica bogotana .......... XXI, 7 356

Aphanocera fulveola .......... XIX. 11 320 variabilis .............. XXI. 9 356

Megasus bimaculatus.......... XIX. 12 321 || Crimissa cruralis ............ XXiI, 8 357

Calliphron ferrugineum, ¢ XLII. 5 s 278 || Dibolia ovalis|| ............4. - XXT, 10 | 358, s 290

Prasona Viridis .............. XIX, 13 322 || Pseudodibolia picea .......... - XLII. 20 8 291

Iphitroides 4-maculata ........ XLIT. 6 s 279 || Luprea fulvicollis ............/. XXII... | 11 | 359, s 292

—— 4-punctata ............ XLIE, |. 7 s 280 || Aphthona diversa ............]. - XXII, .20 361

nigrocincta ............ ‘XLII. 8 s 280 —obseuripennis .......... XXII, 19 362

Systena marginatat .......... XVII. 21 322 semipunctata .......... -XXI. 22 | 363, s 293

mexicana§ ..... see weas ‘XVII. 20 323 pallipes ...........0.... XXII. | 18 | 364, s 293

_ ® Prasona nigripennis on-the Plate.

+ Pelonia elegantula on the Plate.

+ Prasona marginata on the Plate.

§ Prasona mexicana on the Plate.

|| Dibolia borealis on the Plate.

Xvi

LIST OF PLATES.

Plate. Fig. Page. Plate. Fig Page.

Aphthona mexicana .....-.+-- XXII. 21 | 366, s 294 || Homopheta affinis .....-...- XXIII. 5 406

——— fulvipennis ......-++--- XXI. 24 366 albofasciata ...... oteee XXITI. 1 406

chiriquensis .....-..-++-- XXII. 25 367 || —— cinctipennis ...........- XXIII. of 407

aterrima .... eee ee eee XXI. 23 367 : ,

Phyllotreta guatemalensis ...... XXI. 14 369 simulans ..+-.+-+seer ee XLII. { 25 } s 316

—— abdominalis .....-+-++-+ XXI. 12 370 || GEdionychis reichel............ XXIII. | 11 | 408, s 316

—— nigricollis .....--+-++0+> XXI. 15 370 icteridera ......0+.+eee- XXIII. | 12 409

——— submetallica .........--- XXII. 16 371 acutangula.......--+.-- XXIV. 2 | 409, s 317

——— mexicana ......-eeeeees XXI. 13 | 871, s 297 frontalis........0+eeeee XXIII. | 14 | 410, s 317

crotchi .....e ee eee tees XXI. 17 | 372, 8 297 dugesi .......6.-- XXIV. | 12 411

Paleothona rugifrons........-- XXII. 6 377 purulensis ........--+-.-- XXIV. 3 411

longicornis......-.+--++ XXII. 7 378 antennalis .........-.-+- XXIV. 4 413

Chrysogramma 8-maculata...... XXII. 8 380 || —— limbatipennis .......... XXIV. 1 413

trifasciata ....-- ee ee ee ee XLI. 12 s 304 || —— 4-lineata .........+---- XXIV. | 13 414

——(?) 7-punctata .....-..-- XLII. 13 s 304 chevrolati ........e-eee5- XXIV. | 15 414

——(?) omiltemia .........--+ XLIT. 14 s 304 ormata ..eeceee cece eee XXIV. | 16 415

pictipennis........++-+-- XLII. 15 s 305 infirma ......0- secure XXIII. | 10 417

Acrocyum dorsalis .......+-++> XXII. | 23 381 longicollis ......6..--06- XXIV. | 20 417

galleel fee eee eee ee eee XXII. 25 381 sublineata .......-e0005- XXIV 7 418

maculicollis .........4-+ XXII. 24 382 oculata? ws... eee eee eee XXIV. 6 418

Notozona histrionica .........- XXII. 9 383 seriata ....seeeeeeees| MAIV. | 10 419

semifasciata .....-..+-ee XXII. 10 383 discoidea .........-0055 XXIV. | ll 419

Blepharida suturalis .......--- ., XXII. 12 385 interjectionist .........- XXIV. | 14 | 420, s 318

reticulata ........++---5|. XXIDL 11 385 godmani........++.e.ee XXIII 23 421

MeXICANA «1... eee ee eeee XXII. 16 386 illigeri .......... ee eee XXIII 21 421

trifasciata 2.6.6... ee eee XXII. | 14 386 exquisita ......-- ee eee XXIV 5 423

marmorata........eeeee XXII. 13 387 15,

—— punctatissima ......---- XXII. 17 387 || —— 10-guttata, varr. .......- XXIII 18, 423

godmani ..... eee eee es XXII. | 18 387 22°

maculicollis ......... «> XXIT. | 19 388 | —— 12-maculata ............ XXII 16 424

—— 14-punctata .......e eee XXII. | 15 388 panamensis ..........-- XXIII 17 425

— unicolor...... ee eee eres XXII. | 21 389 salvini ...... eee ee eee XXIIT 24 426

flohri .... eee ee ee ee eee XXII. 20 3889 | —— y VAT... ee eee eee eens XXIlt 25 426

alternata .......eeeeeee XLII. 18 s 306 transversalis .........4-- XXIV. 17 426

singularis ........-+--+- XLII. | 23 s 347 tenuicincta ......+-.6-- XXIV. | 22 426

Pseudogona chiriquensis ...... XXII, | 22 391 championi ..........+-+- XXIV. | 18 427

Cyrsylus recticollis .......... XLII. 16 s 306 inscripta .....66. eee XXIV. 21 427

crassivornis, Gd ...+-.seees XLII. 17 8 307 biarcuata ........ ee eee XXIII 13 428

vittatus .-... 6. eee ee eee XLII. 19 s 308 PTOXIMA.... cece eee ees XXIV. | 19 428

Homophyla variabilis* ........ XXII. /1,2)| 392, s 308 maculata .........-.64- XXIV 9 430

brevicornist ...-...-.e6- XXII. 3 | 393, s 308 conspurcata .........-55 XXIV. 8 4381

—— pallida ......eeee ee eeee XLII. 21 s 310 JANSON] 0... . ee eee eee XXIV. | 24 432

Spheroderma eeruleum........ XLII. 22 s 810 || —— querula. .........-.6.- — XXIII 19 432

Phydanis nigriventris.........- XLII. 23 s 310 hondurensis .........0-- XXIV, 25 . 483

Cheetocnema transversicollis .... XXII. 4 396 violaceomarginata........ XXIV, 23 433

capitate... ee eee eee ees XXII. 5 396 || —— pavonina .............. XLII 1 8 319

Asphera transversofasciata ....| XXIII. 7 399 || Allochroma 6-maculatum ...... XXV. 1,2,3 436

cyanopis.....+++-s sees | MXIT 9 401 fasciatum ........-2000- XXYV. 4 437

semifulva .....0.eeeeeee XXIII. | 20 402 festivum ........-e2eees XXV. 7 437

pallida ........eeeeeees XXII. 8 404 1) 2 XXV. 5 438

Homophesta variabilis ........ XXIII. 2 405 || —— bimaculatum............ XXV. 6 438

recticollis .......e.eee5- XXIII. 3 | 405, 8 315 || —— 6-signatum ............ XXV. 9 439

—— championi...........5.- XXIII. 4 406 chiriquense .........e65 XXV. | 10 439

* Euplectroscelis variabilis on the Plate.

+ Euplectroscelis brevicornis on the Plate.

+ Gdionychis gracilis on the Plate.

LIST OF PLATES.

Plate. Fig Page. | Plate.

Allochroma godmani .......... XXV. 12 439 || Ccelomera punctaticollis ...... XXVII.

i) XXYV, 13 439 atrocerulea ............ XXVIT.

coccineum .............. XXV. 14 440° || Coraia maculicollis..........., XXVIT,.

mexicanum ............ XXYV,. 8 440

—— biplagiatum 11112111177) XXV. 16 440 clarki..............00., AXVIL

flavonotatum............ XXV. 15 44] apicicornis.............. XLII.

posticatum.............. XXYV, 11 441 || Nestinus bimaculatus ......., XX VII.

castaneum .............:, XXY. 17 442 auriquadrum............ XXVIT.

nigroplagiatum .......... XXYV. 18 444 . «aes -

teapense, go XLII 9 s 319 || Lrirrhabda variabilis.......... XXVII.

flohri, Go... eee eee, XLII 5 s 319 hégei ..............., XLII.

Cerichrestus clarki............ XXVI 3 445 || -—— sublevicollis............ XLII.

Omototus albomaculatus ...... XXVI 15 446 || —— obscuro-vittata .......... XXVITI.

Idmosyne clarki.............. XXVI 8 447 || —— mexicana ............,. XXVII.

panamensis ............ XXVI 9 447 | —— (?)modesta ............ XXVII.

Octogonotes rufipennis ........ XXVI. | 10 448 foveicollis............., XXVII.

fulvomarginatus ........ XXVI 11 449 semiviridis ............ XLII,

i) XXXVI. |4,12 449 TUQISA 2... eee ee XIUITI.

Metriotes nigricollis .......... XXVI 5 449 || Galerucella (?) transversicollis ..| XXVITI.

apicicornis.......:...... XXVI 6 450 fusco-maculata.......... XXVIII.

Sparnus chiriquensis .......... XXVI 2% 451 marmorata ............ XXVIII.

apicalis ................ XXVI 24 451 godmani ............., XXVIII.

flavicollis .............. XXVI 25 451 amabilis.............04. XLITI.

Zeteticus panamensis.......... XXVI 7 452 | Ophrea subcostata............ XXVIII.

Rhoicus unifasciatus .......... XXVI. 2 454 TUZOSA .......... 0.00, XXVITI.

8-maculatus ............ XXVI. 1 454 =) et: XXVIT : .

, metallica .............. CXVITI.

Tetragonotes oculata .......... XXY. { 99" } 457 melancholiea. 0.200. XXVIIL

oe { 23, Monoxia obtusa .............. XXVILI.

militaris................ XXV. 24, | 458 guttulata?...... ee... XXVII.

25 Schematiza collaris .......... XXVIII.

Physimerus brunneus ........ XXVI 21 461 bicolor ................ XXVIII.

constricticollis .......... XXVI 20 | 463 chontalensis ............ XXVIII.

(?) nigripennis .......... XXVI 22 | 465 lateralis ...........04. XXVIII.

Thrasygoeus cordovensis ...... XXVI. | 16 466 sall@i...... 0... eee. XXVIII.

femoralis .............. XXVI 17 467 Clarki... 6... 2... 0.0... XXVITI.

| scabrosus .............. XXVI 18 467 || —— thoracica .............. XXVIII.

| var... see. XXVI. | 19 467 suturalis |...) 1.) XXVIII

| Phylacticus Major .-.......0., XXYV. 19 468 | Diabrotica regalis ............ XXVIII

| Omotyphus asper ............ XXVI. | 18 470 lacordairei *............ XXVIII

semifasciatus............ XXVI. | 14 472 | —— pygidialis, ¢ .......... XXIX

| suturalis ......,..-.... XLII 3: s 322 fenestralis ..........., XXVIII

-——carinatus 2.0... cee, XII. | 4 s 323 || -——elegantula.............. XXVIII

| Cleophes unifasciata .......... XXV. | 20 476 gratiosa.... 6... XXVIIT

| Monocesta duealis ............ XXVII. | 1 477 tessellata .......05...,, XXIX

| Jansoni ...........-.... XXVII. 2 477 paradoxa ............., XXIX

clarki oo... eee eee eee XXVIL 6 478 pulchrat ............0, XXIX

depressa ..........005. XXVII. | 3,4 478 viridi-fasciata .......... XXIX

/—— pallida... ee. XXVIL | 5 478 | signifera «26.6.2... XXXI

cyaneo-maculata ........ XXVIII 7 479 TOgersi ............004, XXVIII. |

| Coelomera nigricollis .......... XXVII 8 480 |

| olivieri .............06- XXVII 9 481 | pulchella .............. XXIX.

godmani ...........05, XXVIT. | 10 481 | —— 8-plagiata.............. XXX,

| é

* Diabrotica morosa on the Plate.

t Diabrotica albosignata on the Plate.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, April 1892.

Fig. Page

11 A481

12 481

13 482

18,

19 } 482

6 8 324

15 483

14 483

16, |.) ~

8 s 825

7 8 325

22 486

21 487

20 487

23 488

9 s 326

10 8s 326

1 490

2 49]

3 491

4 | 492, s 327

11 8 327

5 493

6 493

7 494

8 494

9 495

24 496

25 497

15 498

14 499

17 499

16 499

10 500

11 501

12 501

13 501

18 502

19 | 503, s 328

1 503

20 504

21 504

22 504

3, 4 505

13 506

14 | 506, s 328

15 507

3 507

24,

25 509

11 510

17 511

‘xviil LIST OF PLATES.

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

Diabrotica adelpha........+--- XXIX. 8 511 || Diabrotica hirta ............-- XXXII. | 16 547

tibialis ......0...2e eee ee XXIX.. 9 512 cruciata... ele eee eee XXXIT. 2 547

circulata 1.0.0... eee eee el XXIX. 5 513 adonis .......eeeee eee XXXI 21 548

—-— biannularis ......--.+-- X XIX. 7 513 || —— nigro-fasciata .........- XXXI 24 549

nummularis .......- XXIX. 6 | 514 || —— P VAT. cee eee eee ees XXXII. | 25 549

—— litterata* .... 0.0... eee XXTX. | 10 | 514, s 328 CONNCKA.... 2. eee eee ees XXXII. | 20 549

——- viridicollis.........-.-5: XXX. 9 | 515 rufo-fasciata ...........- XXX. 21 549

—— on 7:) XXIX.. 2 515 guerreroensiS .....+.+-- XLII 13 s 331

—— militaris 2... ...e eee eee XXVIII. | 23 516 dorso-plagiata, var. ...... XXXII. | 24 550

quadricollis .........--5 XXX. 20 516 leevicollis, var. .....+--+- XXXII 4 550

tripunctata ........++5- XXIX 24 | 516, s 328 tricinctat.........+.ee XXXII 3 | 551, s 331

flaviventris .......--005 XXIX 20 517 figurata 6... ee ee ee eee XXXIL. | 14 551

—— fulvo-signata ........-. XXIX 12 5i7 || —— a.) XXXII. | 15 551

—— tricolor ...... wee ee eee XXXI 16 517 irregularis........--.655 XXXI. | 21 ‘554

—— 12-notata ....... 06. eee XXX. 5 518 -bohemani .......-.--05- XXXI 13 554

spilota ...... ee ee eee eee XXX. 6 518 | —— bicolor ..........000555 XXXII 6 555

duplicata .........0 005: XXX. 7 519 interrupto-fasciata .....- XXXIL. | 13 555

apicicornis...........++: XXX. 1 519 jamsoni .. 1.62. eee eee ee XXXII. } 20 556

—— fulvicornis........ re XXX, | 2 520 femorata ........+-005- XXXI 8 556

brevilineata .........--5 XXX 3 521 V-nigruM .... 6... eee eee XXXII. 18 556

—— nigrosignata ..........+: XXX. 10 522 | —— 7-punctata .........+-- XXXII. | 23 556

trifurcata .... 6... ee eee XXX. 4 522 mexicana ..........006- XXXII. | 22 557

cyaneo-maculata eee eee XXX. 8 523 —_— 14-punctata re XXXI 14 s 332

| —— nigrolineata ........-+-. XXX. 16 523 | —— 6-punctata .........55. XXXI 19 558

curvilineata ........--6: XXX. 15 524 | ——— 8-signata, var. .......--. XU 23 558

unilineata ..........0-5 XXX. 14 524 corallina .........2008- XXX. 17 560

—— trilineata ..........56-- XXX. 13 525 lateritia...... eee ee eee XXX. 12 561

hogel, Var... 2 ee eee ees XXX. 12 525 flavifrons .........-008: XXXII. | 22 561

porracea ..... eee ee eee XXIX. | 17 526 distinguenda............ XXXII 5) 564

— 7) XXIX. | 18 526 | -—— smaragdina ..........-- XXXII 1 565

—— 6-maculata ........-5-- XXIX. | 16 527 gemmula .........+.--- XXXIT 7 565

variegata .... 5... eee ee XXXL. 2 527 nigricepS .....2..ee eee XXXII. | 18 566

selecta ...... eee cee XXIX 21 528 | ——- marginella ............. XXXII. | 12 566

viridula, var. To... eee XXIX. | 25 | 528, 8 329 curtisi 2.6... eee ee ee ee XXXI. | 10 567

— — rufomaculata...........: XXIX 22 | 529, s 329 longitarsiSs.........++--- XXXI. | 11 | 567, s 332

balteata.. 2... eee ee XXIX 23 530 fusco-marginata XXXI 19 568

-tortuosa 6... ee eee eee XXX. 18 530 || —— waterhousei .........--- XXXI 24 568

——— dissimilis ...........-.- XXIX. | 19 531 || —— maculata .....-.....---- XXXI 11 5AB

impressipennis ........-> XXXII. | 17 531 antennata ........ 56s XXX. 15 s 333

piceo-notata .......-..55 XXXI. 1 531 || Pseudodiabrotica metallica, ¢ ..| XXXII. | 16 s 334

—— Vittata ..... ec eee eee XXXI. 5) 535 |) Microbrotica subglabrata . XLII 25 57

——— POTOSA eee ee eee ees XXXI. 9 536 || Phestus chiriquensis.......... XLUTI 1 570

—— difformis ..........--5+ XXXII. 9 | 536, s 330 || Neobrotica semicostata ......--. XXXII. | 15 574

cormuta.... cee ee eee eee XXXI. 8 587 vittatipennis .......... XXXIIL. | 18 576

SCtOSA oe eee eee eee XXXII. | 19 | 537, s 330 hondurensis ...........- XXXITL. | 22 577

CAVA cece cece eee ees XXXI. 7 539 denticornis, ¢ .......-.: XXXIII. | 11 578

decorata .......-.0.00- XXXI. 6 539 cavifrons, ¢.....+2.ee- XXX. 12 578

granulata .......--- ee XXXI 4 540 | —— melanocephala .......... XXXII. | 14 57

—— 6-lineata .........-.05. XXX. 11 541 ruatane..... eee ee eee XXXIII. | 17 s 335

ventricoSa .....-.. 0.206 XXXII. | 25 543 || —— 6-plagiata§ ............ XXXIII. | 14 | 553, s 331

——- bifasciata ...........05- XXXII. | 23 544 |) —— a 2) XLUI 15 553

subsignata ...........- XXXII 10 546 || Pyesia mexicana .........-.. XXXII 7 580

peregrina ........-..08- XLII 12 s 330 | Malacorhinus tripunctatus | ....| XXX. | 25 583

* Diabrotica delineata on the Plate.

+ Diabrotica fuscomaculata on the Plate.

+ Diabrotica suffriani on the Plate.

§ Diabrotica 6-plagiata on the Plate.

|| Malacosoma tripunctata on the Plate.

LIST OF PLATES. ° xix

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

Malacorhinus irregularis, g ....| XXXIII. | 16 | 583 || Scelida viridis................ XXXIV. | 12

antennatus, g .......... XXXII. | 19 | 584 (?)antennata .......... XXXIV. | 13

—— 10-punctatus............ XXXIIT. | 18 | 584 glabrata ...........0., XXXIV. | 14

—— biplagiatus, g .......... XXXII. | 20 585 TUZOSA .............0., XXXIII. 8

—— 6-punctatus, g.......... XXXIII. | 21 586 elegans .. 6.00... eee, XXXIV. | 15

—— dilaticornis, ¢ .......... XXXITI. | 22 589 || —— bella ..........0........ XX XIII. 9

reticulatus, ¢ .......... XXXII. | 17 590 metallica ..........0... XXXIII. | 10

cobanensis, d .......... XLII. | 18 s 336 || Scelidopsis subcostata ........ XXXII. 2

exclamationis, $ ........ XLIL. | 19 s 336 | Chthoneis dilaticornis, g ...... XXXII. | 24

Oreetes flavicollis, 9 .......... XXXITI. 4 600 || Miraces eneipennis .......... XXXIV. | 16| 611,8

Metacycla marginata, g ...... XXXIV. | 1 601 | Hecateus nigricollis ......:.., XXXII. | 23

a XXXIV. 2 601 | Elyces nigro-maculatus, @ ....| XXXII. 5

ceruleipennis, J ........ XXXIV. | 3 601 4-maculatus, ¢ ........ XXXII. | 6

robusta ................ XXXIV, 4 602 | Masurius bifasciatus ......... ..| XXXTV. | 17

Platymorpha variegata, g ....; XXXIV. | 5 | 603 || Cerotoma salvini, g .......... XXXIV. | 18

smaragdipennis, g ...... XXXIV. 6 603 dilatipes, So... 0... 0... XXXIV. | 19

Pteleon semiceruleus, g¢ ...... XXXIV. 7 604 rogersi, d..........004, XXXIV. | 20

2 Q2,VvVar oe... ee XXXIV. 8 604 | Monolepta irazuensis.......... XXXIV. | 21

Cneorane nigricornis .......... XXXIV. | 9 604 imitans .....0.......0.. XXXIV. | 22

mexicana .............. XXXIV. | 10 605 panamensis ............ XXXIV. | 23

Metacoryna fulvicollis, g...... XXXII. | 3 605 velutina .............. XXXIV. | 24) =

fulvipes, ¢ .........0.. XXXIV. | 11 606 | —— bipartita .............. XXXTYV. | 25

pretiosa, g ..........., XLUI. | 20 s 338

ERRATA ET CORRIGENDA.

Page Line

5 10 for Senanhu read Senahu.

14 34 and p. 20 line 18, for Pancina read Panima. 186

24 6 for Il. read I.

26 8

Panistlahuaca.

and in many other places, for Panistlahuca read | 189

48 22 and p. 56 line 1, for Crytocephalus read | 201

Cryptocephalus.

59 10 after Cuernavaca, dele “ Gua,”

61 36 for margin read margin of the elytra.

63 37 for T. read 8.

64 26 for T. read P.

71 12 for Pachybrachys read Cryptocephalus.

71 13° for iv. read i.

86 34 for bipunctatus read bipunctata.

104 35 for hirta read hirtum.

106 «13S fer fig. 7 read fig. 1.

112 36 for Zumbador read Tumbador.

115 34 for Cosamatopan read Cosamaloapan.

122 25 for 1876 read. 1877.

124 7 for 2 read i.

127 36 and in other places, for Tepanistlahuca read

'Tepanistlahuaca.

142 17 forsubcostatus read subcostata.

143. 25 for Taf. read Tab.

145 11 for Colapsis read Colaspis.

-151 8 and p. 152 line 29, for Cosamaleapam read | 569

Cosamaloapan.

157 19 for Zambador read Tumbador.

175 +25 for M. read N.

179 «364 «for viridicyanea read viridicyaneus.

Page Line

43 7 for 65 read 64.

43 31 for 66 read 65.

44 3 for 67 read 66.

59 15 for gracilenta read gracilentus.

79 387 for 13 read 14,

80 17 for 14 read 15.

127 12 for fig. 4 read fig. 9.

105 1 for Diaspsis read Diaspis.

PART I.

Page Line

183 25 for brunneus read brunnea.

34 before Panama insert Had.

189 4 for cyanopterum read cyanopterus.

10 for viride read viridis.

189 14 formexicanum read mexicanus.

26 for Minas Viaxas read Minas Viejas.

238 3 for Vera Cruz read Vera Paz.

249 29 for Cosamoloapam read Cosamaloapan.

258 13 after punctipennis insert (Tab. XIV. fig. 3.)

272 5 for xantochroa read xanthochroa.

275 3 for Haltengo read Jaltenco.

276 29 for semiviolaceus read semiviolacea.

984 17 for Pletrotetra read Plectrotetra.

286 23 for Panama, Bugaba read Guatema.a, Zapote.

295 34 for Chapas read Chiapas.

8303 27 ~~ for Yuquila read Juquila.

305 10. for Codahuila read Coahuila.

305 11 for Cosomatepec read Coscomatepec.

384 dele lines 23, 24, 25.

394 28 transfer ‘“b. Anterior coral cavities closed.” to

p- 893 before PsyLuiopEs.

464 2 for rubicunda read rubicundus.

477 9 and p. 485 line 25, for Coscomotepee read Cosco-

matepec.

517 11 = before Diabrotica, insert 34.

dele lines 32, 33, 34.

580 16 after mexicana insert (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 7.)

614 41 for four read three.

615 18 for flavipes read flavicollis.

SUPPLEMENT.

Page Line

155 65 for paradoxus read paradoxa.

236 =. 88. for viridicyanea read viridicyaneus.

238 7 for limbata read limbatus.

238 16. for limbata read limbatus.

241 5 for fusculum read fusculus.

241 19 for fusculwm read fusculus.

2538 12 before Leptinotarsa insert 11 (a).

331 384 for 55 read 551.

BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA.

ZOOLOGIA.

Class INSECTA.

Order COLEOPTERA.

Tribe PHYTOPHAGA.

Fam. SAGRIDZ.

The genus Awlacoscelis (now containing three Central-American species) has lately

been included in this family by Chapuis, but not without some doubt as to its

proper place amongst the Phytophaga. The comparative length of the abdominal

segments and the form and shape of the tongue, however, justify its classification

amongst the Sagride with greater right than amongst the true Chrysomelids, in which

Stal included it.

AULACOSCELIS.

Aulacoscelis, Chevrolat, Dict. Univ. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 388 (1849).

Three species belonging to this genus have been described up to the present time,

all peculiar to Mexico and Guatemala.

1. Aulacoscelis melanocera.

Aulacoscelis melanocera, Stal, Nov. Act. Ups. 1865, p. 842; Chevrolat, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 419.

flab. MEXIco.

2. Aulacoscelis candezei.

Aulacoscelis candezei, Chapuis, Gen. Col. x. p. 55.

Hab. GUATEMALA.

Chapuis has only given a short diagnosis of this species, which is principally distin-

guished by the violet reflections and the two longitudinal coste of the elytra.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1880. | b

2 PHYTOPHAGA.

3. Aulacoscelis melanocephala. (Tab. I. fig. 1.)

Aulacoscelis melanocephalus, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1877, p. 510.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city (Salvin).

Fam. CRIOCERID.

Out of the ten or eleven genera of this family three only have representatives in

Central America, viz. Lema, Crioceris, and Megascelis.

LEMA.

Lema, Fabricius, Ent. Syst. Suppl. p. 90 (1798).

The Munich Catalogue contains the names of no less than 417 species of Lema, from

all parts of the globe. More than half of them inhabit the New World; and of these

upwards of sixty species are found in Central America.

1. Lema eraria.

Lema eraria, Lacord. Mon. p. 354.

Hab. MEXIco.

2. Lema bituberculata.

Lema bituberculata, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 35.

Hab. MExico.

3. Lema angelica,

Lema angelica, Lacord. Mon. p. 357.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca.

4, Lema fryi.

Lema fryi, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 60.

[lab. Mexico.

5. Lema chalybeipennis.

Lema chalybeipennis, Chevr. Col. Mex. 1885, cent. ii. no. 111; Lacord. Mon. p. 385.

Hab. MExico.

6. Lema bouchardi.

Lema bouchardi, Baly, Cistula Entom. ii. p. 307 (1878) *.

Hab. Guatumata 1, Calderas (Champion).

Of this species two specimens have been received from the above locality: one ot

LEMA. 3

them agrees perfectly with the typical specimen before me; the other, however,

although not structurally different, disagrees entirely as to colour; but as this is the

only difference, I consider it to be a variety, which I propose to call

Lema bouchardi, var. problematica. (Tab. I. fig. 10.)

Distinguished by having the head and breast black instead of fulvous, the elytra

violaceous blue with the apex only fulvous instead of being entirely of this colour,

and by the fulvous colour of the hinder tibie, which are black in the type. The

latter may possibly be an immature specimen.

7. Lema cingulata.

Lema cingulata, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 41.

Hab. Mexico.

8. Lema quadricolor.

Lema quadricolor, Lacord. Mon. p. 402'; Jacq. Duv. La Sagra’s Hist. Cuba, vii. p. 116°; Dej.

Cat. 3rd ed. p. 386°.

Hab. Mexico 1.—Cvusa2.

9. Lema equestris.

Lema equestris, Lacord. Mon. p. 403; Klug, Dej. Cat. 8rd ed. p. 386.

Hab. Mexico; Guatemaua, Duefias (Champion).

Numerous specimens have been sent by Mr. Champion from the latter locality.

10. Lema elegantula. (Tab. I. fig. 4.)

Elongate, convex, testaceous; head and thorax rufous; antenne (the first two joints excepted), legs, and part.

of the breast black; elytra deeply punctate-striate, testaceous, a transverse band at the base, another

behind the middle, and the extreme apex black.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, deeply foveolate in the middle; antenne about one third the length of the body, black, the:

first two joints rufous, third joint double the length of the second ; thorax very moderately constricted at

the sides, the transverse basal depression obsolete, with a short fovea near the base and a few punctures.

placed on the disk; scutellum rufous; elytra very deeply but distantly punctate near the base, more

finely towards the apex, the interstices at the latter place distinctly costate, of a light testaceous colour,

a transverse band at the base occupying about one fourth of the elytra, another band of equal width

below the middle, and the extreme apex black; none of these bands touches the lateral margins; under-

side testaceous, part of the breast and the legs black.

Hab. British Honpvuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneauz).

Closely allied to L. equestris and L. placida, Lacord.; but the laterally interrupted

elytral bands and the strong punctuation distinguish it, the latter difference from

L. placida, the former from L. equestris.

4 PHYTOPHAGA.

11. Lema bitzniata.

Lema biteniata, Lacord. Mon. p. 405; Chevrol. Col. Mex. cent. i. fase. L no. 24.

Hab. Mexico.

This species may be separated from L. equestris and L. elegantula principally by its

rufous antenne and black underside.

12. Lema flavofasciata.

Lema flavofasciata, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 43.

Hab. PANAMA.

18. Lema violaceofasciata.

Lema violaceofasciata, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 42.

Hab. Mexico.

14. Lema transversofasciata. (Tab. I. fig. 11.)

Elongate-parallel, flavous ; head, basal and middle joints of the antenne, and the breast black ; elytra with a

broad transverse bluish-black band at the base surrounding two small flavous spots, and another narrow

band below the middle.

Length 34 lines.

Head with some distinct punctures round the inner orbits of the eyes and a small fovea in the middle ; antennse

slender, filiform, flavous, or the basal and middle joints more or less black ; thorax scarcely longer than

broad, moderately constricted at the sides, the basal transverse groove obsolete ; surface impunctate,

shining flavous or rufous; scutellum black; elytra moderately deep punctate-striate, the punctuation

obsolete towards the apex, where the interstices are slightly costate, without any basal transverse depres-

sion, of a slight flavous colour; the basal dark blue band reaches to nearly half the length of the elytra,

and has near its anterior margin two small flavous spots or streaks, while its posterior margin is irregu-

larly dentate or sinuate; the second band is of less than half the width of the first, neither of them

extending to the lateral margin; legs and abdomen entirely flavous. .

Hab. Costa Rica, Rio Sucio, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

Several almost similarly coloured species have been described. This is most nearly

allied to LZ. ducalis, Lacord., and L. basalis, Chevr., as well as to L. violaceofasciata,

Clark; but it differs from the first and second by the colour of the antenne and legs

as well as that of the head; the blue elytral bands are also differently shaped ; from

L. violaceofasciata the light-coloured legs and the small fulvous basal spot of the

elytra will separate it, although the latter may sometimes be wanting.

15. Lema nicaraguensis. (Tab. I. fig. 13.)

Lema nicaraguensis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 774.

Head and thorax ferruginous ; antenne (the base excepted), breast, tibiee, and tarsi black ; elytra bluish black,

the lateral margins, a transverse median band, and the apex flavous ; femora and abdomen testaceous.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

LEMA. 5

16. Lema biornata, sp. n.

Ovate, convex ; head, antennw (last three joints excepted), breast, and tibie black; thorax, abdomen, and

femora fulvous; elytra bluish black, a small spot at the base of each elytron, a transverse band in the

middle, and another oblique spot near the apex flavous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, entirely black; antenne reaching to one third of the elytra, black, their three apical joints

_ fulvous ; thorax nearly as long as broad, the sides not deeply constricted, surface impunctate; elytra

deeply punctate-striate near the base, the punctures greatly diminishing below the latter, almost obsolete

towards the apex, the interstices scarcely costate.

Hab. Guatemata, Senanhu, Vera Paz (Champion).

This is another species closely allied to LZ. bitewniata, Lacord., and L. transverso-

fasciata, Jacoby, as well as to L. flavofasciata, Clark ; from each of which it differs in

some way or other.

From L. transversofasciata (described here) it differs in the black apex of the elytra and

the colour of the antenne and legs as well as that of the breast; from L. biteniata in

the black head and the small flavous spot near the base of the elytra; and, lastly, the

colour of the underside and head distinguish it from L. flavofasciata. All these species,

together with others belonging to the seventeenth group of Lacordaire, are closely

allied in coloration; but although the differences between them are not great and

consist principally of colour, yet they are constant and form good characters to distin-

guish the species from each other.

17. Lema picturata.

Lema picturata, Lacord. Mon.‘p. 406.

Hab. Mexico.

Another nearly allied species to the four or five preceding ones; the colour of the

antenne, which are black, with the exception of the first four joints, will help to

distinguish it. |

18. Lema troberti.

Lema troberti, Lacord. Mon. p. 407.

Hab. Mexico.

19. Lema confusa.

Lema confusa, Chev. Col. Mex. cent. ii. no, 116"; Lacord. Mon. p. 409°; Jacq. Duval, La Sagra’s

Hist. Cub. vii. p. 117, t. 11. f. 3°.

Var. Lema trabeata, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 386%.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan.—Cvusa?.

20. Lema signaticornis.

Lema signaticornis, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. ii. 1885, no. 113 ; Lacord. Mon. p. 417.

Hab. MExico.

6 PHYTOPHAGA.

21. Lema trilineata.

Lema trilineata, Oliv. Ent. vi. 1808, p. 739, t. 2. f. 20; Lacord. Mon. p. 418; Harris, Rep. Ins.

Massach. injur. p. 95.

Lema, var. immaculicollis, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. 11. 1835, no. 112.

Lema trivirgata, Leconte, Col. of Kansas, 1859, p. 22.

Lema lecontei, Clark, Cat. Phyt. 1866, p. 31.

Lema trivittata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. 11. p. 429.

Hab. N. America.—Mexico; Honpvuras; Costa Rica.—CuvuBa.

Var. immaculicollis, Chevr., has also been received from Honduras.

22. Lema nigrovittata.

Lema nigrovittata, Guér. Ic. Régn. Anim. 11. p. 262°; Lacord. Mon. p. 421.

Lema melanocephala, De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 386.

Hab. N. America, California!.—MExIco.

This species is very closely allied to the preceding one, and is equally variable. It

is, however, less robust and smaller; and the submarginal stripe is not placed so close

to the outer margin as in L. trilineata.

23. Lema opulenta.

Lema ornata, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, xvi. p. 158! (nec Gravenb.).

Lema opulenta, Gemm. & v. Har. Cat. Col. xi. p. 3258”.

Hab. Guatemata}, Zapote, Duefias (Champion).

The Munich Catalogue name, L. opulenta, Harold, has been substituted for that

given by Mr. Baly, whose title is unfortunately preoccupied. I am, however, quite

unable to find any reference to the subject in part xii. of the Coleopterologische

Hefte, or any mention of the species.

24, Lema abrupta.

Lema abrnpta, Lacord. Mon. p. 422.

Hab. MExico.

25. Lema salvini.

Lema salvini, Baly, Cistula Entom. pt. 0. 1878, p. 313.

Hab. GUATEMALA, near the city (Salvin).

26. Lema semisepta.

Lema semisepta, Lacord. Mon. p. 423°.

Hab. Guatemaua, Capetillo (Champion).—Braziu1.

I refer a single specimen sent from Guatemala to this species ; it differs, however, in

several particulars: the tibie and knees are black, as well as the antenne, with the

exception of the last two joints, which are rufous; the thorax is as broad as long; and

the elytral spot is absent as in Lacordaire’s var. a.

LEMA. 7

27. Lema suffriani. (Tab. I. fig. 14.)

Lema suffriani, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 982.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

Light testaceous ; head and breast black ; elytra testaceous, a short sutural and submarginal stripe at the base,

and two small spots, one before the other, behind the middle of each elytron, violaceous black.

Length 22-32 lines.

The light-coloured antenne and the extra spot on the posterior half of the elytra

principally distinguish this species from the preceding one.

28. Lema basalis.

Lema basalis, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. ii. no. 115; Lacord. Mon. p. 436.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz.

29. Lema biannularis.

Lema biannularis, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 46.

Hab. GUATEMALA.

30. Lema bicincta.

Lema bicincta, Lacord. Mon. p. 440.

Hab. MExico.

31. Lema championi. (Tab. I. fig. 5.)

Lema championi, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 778.

Fulvous ; head and breast black; basal and three terminal joints of the antenne fulvous, the rest black;

elytra punctate-striate, dark violaceous, a curved median transverse band and the apex fulvous.

Length 32 lines.

Head impunctate, constricted behind the eyes, the lateral grooves deeply impressed; antenne nearly half the

length of the body, joints two and three and the three terminal ones fulvous; thorax a little longer than

broad, its sides moderately constricted near the base, surface impunctate and not transversely grooved ;

elytra with a short, rather obsolete impression below the base, deeply punctate at their anterior half, the

punctures greatly diminishing in depth towards the apex, the interstices also finely punctured and slightly

costate posteriorly, violaceous blue, with a narrow transverse band across the middle of the disk and the

apex more broadly fulvous ; abdomen and the legs lighter fulvous.

Hab. Guatema.a, Zapote (Champion).

This species is another form belonging to the several almost similarly marked ones

of group 19 of Lacordaire. It cannot, however, be easily confounded with the rest

on account of the colour of the antenne, the want of the fulvous elytral margin, and

the basal depression, as well as the punctured interstices of the elytra.

32. Lema lucublanda.

Lema lucublanda, Lacord. Mon. p. 441.

Hab. Mexico,

8 PHYTOPHAGA.

This insect, as well as L. dicincta, Lacord., is most nearly allied to LZ. champtoni;

but in both the thorax shows a distinct transverse basal depression and the antenne

are entirely rufous.

33, Lema soror.

Lema soror, Lacord. Mon. p. 442.

Hab. Mexico.

The black antenne, punctured thorax, and the black spot of the latter will separate

this species from the two preceding ones.

34, Lema bisbivittata.

Lema bisbivittata, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 49.

Hab. Mexico.

Clark says that this species belongs to the seventeenth. group of Lacordaire’s Mono-

graph, and that it is closely allied to L. signaticollis, Lacord.; but both assertions are

evidently mistakes, as L. signaticollis does not belong to the seventeenth but to the

twenty-third group; Clark’s species, moreover, bears no affinity whatever to L. signa-

ticollis either in shape or coloration, as the type (which is contained in the collection

of the British Museum) has proved to me.

The insect, however, is not unlike L. signaticornis, Chevr., after which it ought to be

placed; and it is very likely that Clark meant this latter insect, and has by mistake

substituted the name of L. signaticollis, although he even quotes the page in Lacor-

daire’s work where this species is described.

35. Lema varipes.

Lema varipes, Lacord. Mon. p. 454.

Hab. Mexico.

36. Lema nupta.

Lema nupta, Lacord. Mon. p. 455.

Hab. Mrxico.—CoLoMBIA.

To Lacordaire’s excellent description I may add that the specimens which I possess

from Mexico show a slight depression below the base of the elytra and some fine

punctures on the anterior portion of the elytral interstices; the antenne are robust,

short, and their apical joints almost as broad as long. Although Lacordaire gives

Colombia as the habitat, my specimens must be referred to this species on account of

the colours of their antennee, which have their first six joints of the ground-colour,

instead of four, as is the case in L. varipes.

LEMA. | 9

37. Lema quinquenotata. (Tab. II. fig. 2.)

Lema quinquenotata, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 50.

Hab. Mexico.

38. Lema atricornis.

Lema atricornis, Chevy. Col. Mex. cent. ii.; Lacord. Mon. p. 457.

Hab. MExico.

39. Lema sexnotata. (Tab. I. fig. 8.) |

Lema sexnotata, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. ii. no. 114; Lacord. Mon. p. 460.

Hab. Mexico.

40. Lema nigromaculata. (Tab. I. fig. 7.)

Parallel, convex, rufous ; antenne (first joint excepted), sides of the breast, and the tibie and tarsi black ;

elytra deeply punctate-striate (the ninth stria not interrupted), rufous, a sutural spot at the base, another

at the shoulders and at the extreme apex, and a short transverse band below the middle black.

Length 24 lines.

Head and thorax impunctate, the former with a short but distinct fovea and a more obsolete transverse groove

between the eyes, these latter very prominent ; basal joint of the antenne rufous; thorax subquadrate,

very moderately constricted at the sides; surface obsoletely transversely grooved, with a small fovea near

the base ; scutellum rufous; elytra with a short depression below the base, very deeply punctured ante-

riorly, much less so towards the apex, of a little lighter colour than the thorax; each elytron with a spot

of nearly quadrate form at the shoulder, not touching the margin, a smaller one at the extreme apex, and

a narrow transverse short band below the middle black ; a larger nearly circular spot, common to both

elytra, surrounds the scutellum ; underside coloured like the elytra, the sides of the breast, a triangular

patch occupying the sides of the first and second abdominal segments, base and upperside of the femora,

and the tibise and tarsi black.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

The black elytral apex and the position of the other spots will separate this species

from those allied ones, belonging to the first division of Lacordaire, with uninterrupted

ninth stria.

41. Lema godmani. (Tab. II. fig. 4.) |

Convex, parallel, rufous; antenne, legs, and seven spots (3, 2, 2) on the elytra black ; ninth stria of the latter

entire.

Length 2 lines.

Head exactly like that of the preceding species ; antenn about half the length of the body, black ; thorax shaped

like that of ZL. nigromaculata, the sides a little more constricted, and the anterior part rather swollen and

prominent; surface impunctate and resembling L. nigromaculata; scutellum black; elytra very convex, with a

very indistinct short depression below the base, moderately deeply punctate-striate at their anterior portion,

the apex smooth and impunctate ; rufous, a little black spot surrounding the scutellum and three larger

ones on each elytron placed as follows—an oblong spot at the shoulder, a larger round one near the

suture below the scutellum, and a short transversely shaped mark below the middle; the underside and

the base of the femora light rufous, sides of the breast and the legs black.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1880. C

10 PHYTOPHAGA.

It is possible that this species may turn out to be a variety of L. sexnotata, Lac.,

from which, however, the entirely black antenne, the impunctate thorax, and the extra

scutellar black spot distinguish it. From L. nigromaculata the convex elytra and the

want of the black apex of the latter separate it.

42. Lema minuta. (Tab. II. fig. 3.)

Elongate, parallel, piceous below, ahove fulvous ; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the anterior part of the suture

and a spot at each shoulder, as well as the antennz and legs, black.

Var. The elytral spots wanting.

Length 13 line.

Base of the head rugose-punctate, distinctly bituberculate, the tubercles divided by a short longitudinal ridge ;

lower part of face covered with thin yellowish hairs; labrum piceous ; antenns nearly as long as half

the body, black; thorax elongate, fulvous, moderately constricted in the middle, the anterior angles

rotundate, distinctly transversely grooved near the base, surface with a double row of fine punctures, the

anterior angles also distinctly punctate; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the interstices near the -apex

distinctly costate, the ninth stria uninterrupted; they are of the same fulvous colour as the thorax, with

the first third of the sutural margin and the shoulders narrowly black ; underside piceous, the abdomen

more or less fulvous and finely pubescent; legs entirely black, the posterior femora not extending much

beyond the first abdominal segment. In the variety there is an entire absence of the elytral spots.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

43. Lema antennalis. (Tab. I. fig. 6.)

Lema antennalis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 774.

Elongate, subdepressed, parallel, chestnut-coloured, variegated with piceous; antenne short, robust, their

apical joints transverse, black, three basal joints rufous; elytra finely punctate-striate, the interstices

finely rugose, piceous, the sutural and lateral margins light brown.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

This interesting species, of which only one specimen was received from the above

locality, will easily be recognized on account of the curiously shaped antenne, the

broad subdepressed elytra, and the fine rugosities which cover their interstices; the

thorax shows some traces of punctures near the sides and on the disk; the latter has

also a longitudinal indistinct black central line and an equally obsolete piceous spot at

each side, while the head bears traces of the same colour near the base and the middle.

44, Lema hexastigma.

Lema hexastigma, Lacord. Mon. p. 476.

Hab. Mexico.

45. Lema scutaria. (Tab. II. fig. 6.)

Elongate, subdepressed, fulvous; antenne, sides of breast, knees, and the tibie and tarsi black 5 elytra deeply

punctate-striate, the ninth stria largely interrupted, with a semicircular depression below the base fulvous ;

a short sutural stripe, a small shoulder-spot, and a short longitudinal stripe near the apex black.

Length 2 lines. .

LEMA. ll

Head convex, impunctate, not constricted behind the eyes; antenne not quite half the length of the body, the

fifth to the eleventh joints thickened and robust; thorax rather longer than broad, its sides moderately

constricted, surface with a few very minute punctures in the middle, the transverse groove obsolete;

scutellum black ; elytra with a distinct semicircular depression below the base, their surface rather depressed

and very deeply punctate-striate, the interstices near the apex distinctly costate ; the ninth stria is only indi-

cated by one or two punctures anteriorly, the rest is smooth and costate; the colour of the elytra is of a

rather lighter shade than that of the thorax; each elytron has a small black spot at the shoulder and a

short longitudinal rather curved stripe near the apex; the suture, to the extent of one third its length,

is also narrowly black at the base. Below, the sides of the breast, the coxee, and the knees, as well as the ©

tibiee and tarsi, are black ; the other parts light fulvous, finely pubescent.

Hab. Guatuma.a, Calderas (Champion).

I know of no species with which the present one may be confounded; the circular

depression at the base of the elytra and the markings of the latter distinguish it from

nearly allied forms of the second subdivision of Lacordaire.

46. Lema discoidalis.

Oblong-parallel, flavo-testaceous ; antenne (the first joint excepted), apex of the tibie, and the tarsi black ;

elytra foveolate, punctate-striate, flavous, the disk occupied by a broad longitudinal piceous patch from

base to nearly the apex.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Zapote (Champion).

The differences between this insect and L. dejeani, Lacord., to which it is closely allied

in coloration, consist in the following points:—It is smaller and of a uniform testa-

ceous colour, while in L. dejeant the anterior part of the head is black; the principal

difference, however, consists in the sculpture of the elytra, the latter in the present insect

being so deeply punctate as to represent small foveas; the interval between the eighth

and ninth striz is also much less raised and does not form a distinct costa as in

L. dgeani; lastly, the two patches on the elytra of the last-named species are here

united and form one continuous broad vitta, whose extremity is widened and does not

touch any of the margins; the thoracic transverse impression near the base is much

more distinct than in Z. dejeani.

47. Lema hogei. (Tab. Il. fig. 5.)

Oblong, fulvous ; antenne, tibie, sides of the breast, and a round spot on each elytron below the base black.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, with the orbital grooves distinct ; antenne filiform, as long as half the body, black, first and

second joints fulvous; thorax subquadrate, sides moderately constricted, basal groove obsolete on the

disk, distinct at the sides, surface smooth, impunctate; elytra parallel, with a short but deep transverse

depression below the base, very deeply punctate-striate, the ninth stria interrupted, interstices near the

apex costate, fulvous, with a round black spot placed in the hollow of the basal depression. Underside

finely covered with yellowish pubescence ; the sides of the breast, the upperside of the anterior femora,

together with the tibie and tarsi, black ; posterior femora.a little shorter than the abdomen.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

12 PHYTOPHAGA.

48. Lema, sinuata.

Lema sinuata, Lacord. Mon. p. 482.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca.

49. Lema albini.

Lema albini, Lacord. Mon. p. 492.

Hab. N. America.—MeExico; GuaTeMALA, Duefias (Champion).

A specimen before me from Guatemala differs in the following points from the

typical species:—The antennz, instead of being entirely black, have their first joint

rufous; the thorax shows a fine central line of punctures; and the posterior femora do

not reach further than to the second abdominal segment, instead of the fourth, as

‘described by Lacordaire; but the latter character may be sexual. As it agrees

perfectly in other respects with the type, the specimen in my hands may be a local

variety.

50. Lema longicornis.

Lema longicornis, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. ii. no. 118; Lacord. Mon. p. 500.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz.

51. Lema dorsalis. (Tab. I. fig. 9.)

Lema dorsalis, Oliv. Encycl. Méth. vi. p. 201; Ent. vi. p. 743, t. 2. f. 27; Lacord. Mon. p. 499.

Lema nigricornis, Fabr. Suppl. Ent. Syst. p. 91.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).—Cupsa; SourH AMERICA.

It is not easy to determine with certainty three or four almost identically coloured

species described by Lacordaire, of which this is one; and he himself doubts the specific

distinction of ZL. longicornis. The specimens from Guatemala, however, agree per-

fectly with Lacordaire’s description of LZ. dorsalis in not having the lateral margin

anteriorly marked with piceous, as is the case in L. gracilis. Their length is two lines;

and in one specimen the anterior elytral blue patch is broadly united to the posterior

one along the sutural margin. Although this species has a very wide range, it has

not been previously recorded from Central America.

52. Lema dichroa.

Lema dichroa, Lacord. Mon. p. 514.

Hab. Mexico.

53. Lema subapicalis. (Tab. I. fig. 12.)

Lema subapicalis, Baly, Cistula Ent. pt. 1. 1878, p. 310.

Hab. GUATEMALA.

LEMA. 13

54. Lema plumbea.

Lema plumbea, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. ii. no. 117’; Lacord. Mon. p. 516.

Hab. Muxico!; Guaremana, Tamahu, Vera Paz (Champion).

This insect is larger than L. pudens, Lacord., and distinguished by the red base of

the femora, the distinct elevation of the base of the elytra, and the red basal portion of

the head.

55. Lema pudens.

Lema pudens, Lacord. Mon. p. 515.

Lema rubricollis, Dej. Cat. 8rd ed. p. 387.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Duefias, Guatemala city, and Tamahu, Vera Paz (Cham-

pion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

Smaller than L. plumbea, the base of the elytra much less raised, the punctured strie

more deeply impressed ; legs entirely black.

56. Lema alcyonea.

Lema alcyonea, Lacord. Mon. p. 517.

Hab. Mexico.

57. Lema maculifrons.

Lema maculifrons, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 59.

Hab. Costa Rica.

58. Lema bipustulata, (Tab. II. fig. 10.)

Oblong-parallel, violaceous, below black; base of the head with two rufous spots, smooth; elytra deeply

punctate-striate; base of the femora rufous.

Length 2 lines. .

Head smooth, shining ; antenne slender, filiform, as long as half the body; thorax a little broader than Jong,

the anterior angles subacute, sides very moderately constricted, the basal transverse groove distinct and

sinuate at the sides, surface impunctate; elytra moderately deeply punctured, their base distinctly

elevated and deeply depressed below the elevation, the punctured strie much less deep towards the apex,

the latter not costate except near the lateral margin, the ninth strie interrupted; underside black, finely

- pubescent, base of the femora rufous.

Hab. Costa Rica (v. Patten).

The differences between this insect and L. maculifrons consist in the larger size of the

former, its black antenne, the totally impunctate and not rugose head, and the colour

of the base of the femora; the transverse basal depression of the elytra, although deep,

is not so strong as in L. maculifrons ; and the thorax shows no traces of punctuation.

59. Lema inquinata.

Lema inquinata, Lacord, Mon. p. 527.

Hab. Mexico.

14 PHYTOPHAGA.

60. Lema cerulea.

Lema cerulea, Lacord. Mon. p. 523°.

Hab. Guatemaua, Zapote (Champion).—CoLomsta!.

I do not find any considerable difference between the one insect sent from Guatemala

and the Colombian form: the punctures on the elytra are rather more distant, and the

basal depression is very deep.

61. Lema mexicana. (Tab. II. fig. 7.)

Oblong, fulvous ; antennee (the first joint excepted) and legs black; elytra with the ninth stria interrupted,

light fulvous, a broad transverse band at the base and a narrower one below the middle black.

Length 2 lines. .

Head impunctate, rufous ; antenne three fourths the length of the body, filiform, black, the first joint fulvous ;

thorax subquadrate, but slightly constricted laterally, basal transverse groove obsolete, surface impunctate,

rufous ; scutellum fulvous, as well as the elytra; these transversely depressed below the base, deeply

punctate-striate, diminishing in depth towards the apex; the basal transverse black band occupies one

third of the length of the elytra, and its posterior margin is cut obliquely; it also extends to the lateral

margin, which is not the case with the narrow band behind the middle, which reaches to the sutural but

not the lateral margin ; underside and legs black, base of the femora fulvous.

Hab. Mexico.

The interrupted ninth stria places this species in the second division of Lacordaire’s

Monograph, where it might follow L. verecunda, Lacord.

62. Lema pustuligera. (Tab. II. fig. 9.)

Black, base of the head more or less rufous; elytra transversely depressed below the base, deeply punctate-

striate anteriorly, dark violaceous or bluish black, shining, a transverse narrow band behind the middle and

the lateral margin posteriorly, both more or less distinct, fulvous.

Length 12-2 lines.

Head distinctly bituberculate behind the eyes, impunctate, orbital grooves distinct, lower part of face black,

upper part of the head rufous, with a smaller or larger blackish spot between the eyes; antenne as long

as half the body, black, the first joint fulvous ; thorax almost square-shaped, moderately constricted, with

a rather distinct transverse groove near the base, surface impunctate, black ; elytra deeply depressed. below

the base, the latter raised, strongly punctate, the punctures much less deeply impressed behind the middle

and almost connected with each other towards the apex, the interstices there distinctly costate near the

lateral margins; the fulvous band is narrowed towards the suture and does not extend quite to the

latter; the ninth stria is largely interrupted.

Hab. GuatTeMALA, Pancina, Vera Paz (Champion).

This pretty little species bears some resemblance to L. rufozonata, Clark; but is

perfectly distinct on account of the dark legs, antenne, and thorax, as well as other

particulars.

CRIOCERIS.

Crioceris, Geoffroy, Hist. Ins. Par. i. p. 237 (1762).

The thirteen species of this genus recorded in the Munich Catalogue which are

CRIOCERIS. 15

found in Central America have their metropolis in Mexico according to the state of

our present knowledge, although their geographical distribution extends doubtless

much further, two species at least having been found quite lately as far south as

Guatemala. Neither North nor South America has furnished us with a single species—

the more remarkable, as the latter country especially possesses so many species of the

nearly allied genus Lema. The rest of the species of Crioceris, to the amouut of about

seventy-three, are pretty nearly equally distributed over the Old World.

1. Crioceris lafertei.

Crioceris lafertei, Lacord. Mon. p. 548.

Hab. MeExtco.

2. Crioceris viridis.

Crioceris viridis, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. i. no. 20; Lacord. Mon. p. 549 ; Cand. Mém. Liége, xvi.

p. 386, t. 5. f. 3. .

Hab. MExico.

8. Orioceris nitida.

Crioceris nitida, Lacord. Mon. p. 550.

Hab. MEXiIco.

4. Crioceris alternans.

Crioceris alternans, Lacord. Mon. p. 551; Klug, Dej. Cat. 8rd ed. p. 385.

Hab. Mexico.

5. Crioceris costulata.

Crioceris costulata, Lacord. Mon. p. 551.

Hab. MEXxtico.

6. Crioceris indigacea.

Crioceris indigacea, Lacord. Mon. p. 552.

Hab. Mexico.

7. Crioceris lazulina.

Crioceris lazulina, Lacord. Mon. p. 553.

Hab. Mexico.

8. Crioceris smaragdina.

Crioceris smaragdina, Lacord. Mon. p. 554.

Hab. Mexico; GuaTEMALa, Zapote (Champion).

Three specimens of this insect were sent by Mr. Champion, one of which agrees in

16 PHYTOPHAGA.

all respects with Lacordaire’s description ; the other two, however, show some differences

in the sculpturing of the thorax, which is not smooth as in the typical species, but

finely transversely wrinkled ; the femora also are much less robust and shorter than

those of C. smaragdina. As these, however, are the only differences between the

specimens, I am inclined to regard the two aberrant forms as the females.

9. Crioceris gemmans.

Crioceris gemmans, Guér. Ic. Régn. Anim. iii. p. 261; Lacord. Mon. p. 554.

Crioceris superba, De}. Cat. 8rd ed.

Hab. Mexico.

10. Crioceris nullicedo.

Crioceris nullicedo, Lacord. Mon. p. 556.

Hab. Mzxico; Guaremaa, Zapote (Champion) ; Costa Rica, R. Sucio (Rogers).

Seems to be a rather common species in Guatemala, to judge by the many specimens

received from there.

Var. callizona.

Crioceris callizona, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 64.

Hab. Mexico; Guatemaua, Zapote (Champion) ; Costa Rica.

‘Although this insect is considered by Clark a distinct species, I believe it to be only

a colour variety of C. nullicedo. It has been sent rather frequently in company with

and from the same locality as C. nullicedo, from which it does not differ except in

coloration, being violaceous instead of green, and in having the elytral bands only

indicated. Clark gives as his reason for considering it a distinct species, because the

head of C. nullicedo is smooth or impunctate, agreeing with Lacordaire’s description,

while in Clark’s species the same part is punctured. I find that all the true

C. nullicedo are sparingly but distinctly punctured, as is the case with C. gemmans, also

described by Lacordaire as having a smooth head. Clark’s description was drawn from

a single specimen. The thorax is also rather variable in the specimens before me,

and the hinder femora differ according to the sex; moreover intermediate forms have

come under my notice, and therefore I cannot admit C. callizona as a good species.

11. Crioceris intermedia. (Tab. I. fig. 16.)

Metallic green; abdomen more or less fulvous; elytra with two broad transverse copper-coloured bands, one

before, the other behind the middle.

Var, The anterior elytral band sending off a branch of the same colour to the base of the elytra.

Length 5 lines.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt) ; Costa Rica (v. Patten).

This species seems to be intermediate between C. gemmans and C. nullicedo; it is

CRIOCERIS.—MEGASCELIS., 17

closely allied to the latter, but differs in the following points :—The elytral bands aré

as broad as in C. gemmans, while the punctuation of the elytra is equally strong as in

this latter species: moreover the colour of the abdomen is always metallic green in

C. nullicedo; in the species before me, as well as in C. gemmans, it is stained with

fulvous. The thorax in C. gemmans is much more transverse and the lateral grooves

obsolete, while in C. intermedia and C. nullicedo they are strongly impressed; the

present species is also devoid of the coppery patches which adorn the shoulders, head,

and legs of C. gemmans. These differences are too marked and constant to admit of the

species being considered a variety of either C. gemmans or C. nullicedo.

Received from the above localities in numerous specimens.

12. Crioceris sallzi. (Tab. I. fig. 16.)

Crioceris sallei, Baly, Journ. of Entom. i. 1861, p. 195.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca.

13. Crioceris scabrosa. (Tab. I. fig. 17.)

Crioceris scabrosa, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, vol. xvi. p. 153.

Hab. Mexico.

MEGASCELIS.

Megascelis, Latreille, Cuv. Régn. Anim. i. p. 138 (1829).

Although about ninety species of this genus are known, but few have been described

from Central America, the great majority having been found in South America, and

one species in Honolulu. On account of their similarity of coloration, these insects are

very difficult to determine ; and even the best description cannot always give a clear

idea of the species, which are very variable amongst themselves, so that a good many

specimens are required in order to come to certain conclusions as regards their specific

distinctions.

1. Megascelis dilecta.

Megascelis dilecta, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 8.

Hab. Mexico; Guatemata, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion).

The specimens from Guatemala agree very nearly with Clark’s type, contained in the

collection of the British Museum. The insect is of a bright grass-green above; the

head and thorax are very deeply and closely punctured ; the elytral suture is but very

narrowly fuscous ; the antenne have their first four joints testaceous, the rest piceous ;

and the breast is metallic green. In the type the antenne are testaceous, stained with

fuscous, the whole underside is testaceous, and the suture of the elytra is a little more

distinctly purplish-coloured. |

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1880. d

18 . PHYTOPHAGA.

2. Megascelis humeronotata.

Megascelis humeronotata, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. 1865, p. 19.

Hab. Mexico.

3. Megascelis affinis.

Megascelis affinis, Lacord. Mon. p. 289".

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).—CotomBia '.

A single specimen received from Guatemala does not much differ from Lacordaire’s

description ; but the underside is metallic green, changing to blue on the abdomen,

the latter having the last segment testaceous, which, however, is also the case with

M. erea, Lacord., an allied species. The thorax of the present species is distinctly

transversely strigate-rugose throughout, which principally distinguishes it from

M. crea.

4, Megascelis vittata,

Megascelis vittata, Fabr. Syst. El. i. p. 477; Illig. Mag. vi. p. 179; Lacord. Mon. p. 271.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).—NortHern Braziu, Para.

The specimens from Guatemala are rather light-coloured, the sutural purplish

vitte of the elytra occupying the first three strie, while the marginal ones are very

narrow and obsolete; the elytra are covered with fine but distinct light-yellowish

pubescence.

5. Megascelis purpureicollis. (Tab. I. fig. 2.)

Megascelis purpureicollis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1877, p. 511.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

In the original description the size of the insect is given as three lines; it ought to

have been, however, four lines. The principal difference from other similarly coloured

species, as regards the elytra, is to be found in the light coppery colour of the head

and thorax and the thick yellowish pubescence covering these parts.

6. Megascelis viridipallens.

Megascelis viridipallens, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 4’.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).—Braziu }.

I can but refer the Guatemalan specimens to Clark’s species, the type of which is in

the British Museum, although the colour is slightly different, the elytra being more of

a testaceous hue, while the shoulders and lateral margins only are brilliant pale

green. |

MEGASCELIS.—MASTOSTETHUS. 19

7. Megascelis stratiotica.

Megascelis stratiotica, Lacord. Mon. p. 261°.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).—CotomBra 1.

The strong triangular tooth near the apex of the posterior femora distinguishes this

species from any other. The only specimen from Guatemala agrees very nearly with

the description of Lacordaire; but the elytra in the specimen before me are more

bronze-coloured than violet, as in the type, and covered with rather long golden-

yellowish pubescence, while Lacordaire describes his species as possessing very short

whitish hairs. The femoral tooth is very strongly developed. In the absence of more

specimens I feel scarcely justified in describing it as new.

8. Megascelis smaragdula.

Megascelis smaragdula, Lacord. Mon. p. 268.

Hab. MEXIico.

Fam. MEGALOPODIDE.

Megalopide, Lacordaire, Mém. Soc. Liége, iii. p. 609 (1845).

This family contains eight genera, of which two have representatives in Central

America, the others being either exclusively South-American or belonging to the Old

World. | |

MASTOSTETHUS.

Mastostethus, Lacordaire, Mém. Soc. Liége, iii. p. 614 (1845).

The number of species at present known as inhabiting Central America amounts to

eighteen, more than sixty having been described from South America.

1. Mastostethus balteatus. |

Mastostethus balteatus, Klug, Jahrb. Ins. p. 219; Lacord. Mon. p. 616.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca.

According to Lacordaire the thorax is scarcely visibly and the elytra finely punctate.

- In the specimen before me, also from Mexico, I find the thorax and the base of the

head very distinctly punctured, the former having a smooth median space from the

base to the apex; the elytra are closely and rather deeply punctate to the apex, not

diminishing there in depth of punctuation, as Lacordaire says; the black band extends

from below the base nearly to the apex, in fact surrounding two transverse rufous spots

atthe end of the elytra. These differences would be quite sufficient for considering it a

distinct species if I had more specimens to compare ; but as all other characters agree

with Lacordaire’s type, and the insect has been recognized and determined by no less

an authority than Mr. Baly, it must be regarded as a variety more strongly sculptured

‘than the original insect.

20 PHYTOPHAGA.

2. Mastostethus nigrocinctus.

Megalopus nigrocinctus, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. i. no. 77’; Lacord. Mon. p. 617.

Megalopus variabilis, Dej. Cat. 8rd ed. p. 385.

Hab. Mexico, Almolonga (Hége), Cordova!; GuatEMALa, Zapote (Champion) ;

Nicaraaua, Chontales (Belt).

Lacordaire has enumerated six varieties of this species. Amongst the specimens

from Guatemala a good many have the elytral black band reduced to four small

transversely placed spots, while in others even these are entirely wanting. ‘This

species may be best distinguished from JZ. balteatus by the much more distant and

also finer punctuation of the elytra, which is constant in the numerous specimens

I have examined. |

3. Mastostethus cingulatus.

Mastostethus cingulatus, Lacord. Mon. p. 618.

Hab. Mextco.

4. Mastostethus bilobus.

Mastostethus bilobus, Lacord. Mon. p. 619.

Hab. Mexico, Tabasco; British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaua); GUATEMALA,

Panima in Vera Paz (Champion).

The red underside, head, and margin of the thorax are the principal characters which

distinguish this species from J. nigrocinctus. The colour of the legs varies from black

to rufous. One specimen, from Vera Paz, is, with the exception of the black elytral

marks, entirely of a rufo-testaceous colour.

5. Mastostethus duplocinctus.

Mastostethus duplocinctus, Clark, Cat. Phyt. App. p. 71.

Hab. MExIco.

6. Mastostethus tricinctus.

Mastostethus tricinctus, Lacord. Mon. p. 626.

Hah. MrExico.—CoLomBIa.

7. Mastostethus fraternus, (Tab. II. fig. 11.)

Mastostethus fraternus, Baly, Cist. Ent. ii. p. 1281.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).—Brazit |.

The Nicaraguan specimens before me agree in every respect with the Brazilian type.

Mr. Baly has pointed out the difference between this species and MM. bicolor. I

may further add that the anterior margin of the black part of the elytra is rather

MASTOSTETHUS. 21

convex in the present species, while it is concave in If. bicolor. The extreme apex of

the tibiz and all the tarsi are black.

8. Mastostethus salvini. (Tab. I. fig. 18.)

Mastostethus salvini, Jacoby, P. Z.S. 1878, p. 983.

Hab. Costa Rica, Caché (Rogers).

Testaceous, sides of the breast and the upper part of the head shining black; thorax rufous; elytra light

testaceous, a large semiquadrate patch from the base to the middle of each elytron, and a broad. trans-

verse fascia behind the middle, common to both elytra, black.

Length 43 lines.

The pattern of the elytra in this species is different from that of any other known

to me, the black portion being divided by a narrow triangle of testaceous, two arms.

of which extend across the disk, the other along the suture to the base,

9. Mastostethus sexplagiatus. (Tab. I. fig. 24.)

Mastostethus sexplagiatus, Lacord. Mon. p. 658°.

Hab. Muxico!; Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).

Specimens from the last locality belong to var. B of Lacordaire, the thorax being

entirely black or narrowly margined with testaceous.

10. Mastostethus rubricollis. (Tab. I. fig. 20.)

Mastostethus rubricollis, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. i. 1834; Lacord. Mon. p. 659.

Hab. Mexico.

To Lacordaire’s description I may add that the black transverse band across the disk

of the elytra is nearly straight, and not oblique, as in the preceding species, while it

is connected with the black apex by a narrow line of the same colour at the lateral

margin.

11. Mastostethus championi. (Tab. II. fig. 12.)

Elongate, parallel, testaceous ; head and thorax fulvous; antenne, tibie, and tarsi black; elytra pale

testaceous, a transverse narrow band at the base, another broader one behind the middle and the apex,

black.

Length 43 lines.

Head closely and rather deeply punctate near the inner margination of the eyes, more distantly at the vertex ;

apex of the mandibule black ; thorax of usual shape, the posterior margin nearly straight, surface with

an oblique short groove on each side near the anterior and posterior margins, fulvous, covered with very

distinct but remotely-placed punctures ; middle of the disk with a more or less distinct black spot ; scu-

tellum fulvous; elytra parallel, rather deeply and closely punctate at their anterior half, finer and more

distantly towards the apex, of a light testaceous colour with a transverse black band at the base not

quite touching the lateral margin and slightly narrowed towards the suture; another broader band is

placed behind the middle, and, extending to the apex along the sutural and lateral margin, surrounds two

oval spots of the ground-colour ; underside and legs light fulvous ; tibiee and tarsi black.

22 PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. GuateMata, Purula (Champion).

This species is not unlike M/. rubricollis, but is broader and distinguished by the

fulvous head, the colour of the tibie, and the shape of the elytral bands, the middle

one of the present species being more straight and not obliquely cut, as is the case with

M. rubricollis; the underside also in the latter insect differs in colour.

12. Mastostethus stalii.

Mastostethus stélii, Baly, Journ. Ent. i. p. 282, t. 13. f. 4.

Hab. Mexico.

In the type before me, as well as in the specimen in my collection, the thorax is

very finely punctate, the punctures being visible only under a strong lens, while the

punctuation of the elytra is very distinct.

13. Mastostethus vicinus.

Mastostethus vicinus, Lacord. Mon. p. 660.

Hab. MExico.

The shape of the elytral bands principally distinguishes this species from the

preceding one.

14. Mastostethus rogersi. (Tab. I. fig. 23.)

Head dark rufous, distantly punctured at the base, more closely round the inner margin of the eyes; antenne

black, the base and underside of the first joint rufous; thorax coloured like the head, very remotely

punctate ; elytra slightly narrowed behind, distinctly and rather closely punctate, testaceous, a triangular

patch at the base of elytron, and a broad band behind the middle, the anterior margin of which is

straight, the posterior one bilobed, black; breast and sides of the tibiz piceous; all other parts below

rufous ; posterior femora with a distinct triangular tooth.

Length 4 lines.

Hab. Costa Rica, Caché (Rogers).

15. Mastostethus chontalensis. (Tab. I. fig. 21.) .

Testaceous; base of the head, a transverse band at the thorax, two others on the elytra (one at the base,

the other below the middle), and the breast and tibie black.

Length 4} lines.

Head rather closely punctured round the eyes, black from the base to the middle of the eyes, lower part of

face testaceous; antenne black, sides of the apical joints testaceous; thorax with a few punctures at the

disk, testaceous, a broad transverse black band occupies the surface without extending to either margin ;

this band is distinctly narrowed in the middle, each end being widened posteriorly as well; scutellum

black; elytra very remotely but rather deeply punctate, more finely so towards the apex, their marking

being identical with those of rogerst, but the basal band is wider and the posterior one perfectly straight

and not bilobed at its hind margin ; underside and the femora testaceous ; breast and tibie black.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

MASTOSTETHUS. 23

16. Mastostethus versicolor.

Mastostethus versicolor, Lacord. Mon. p. 662.

Hab. Mexico.

17. Mastostethus phaleratus.

Mastostethus phaleratus, Klug, Jahrb. Ins. p. 221; Lacord. Mon. p. 663.

Mastostethus dohrnii, Baly, Journ. Ent. i. p. 281, t. 13. f. 5.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca ; Costa Rica, Caché (Rogers).

As will be seen by the above synonyms, I have united Mr. Baly’s species with that

of Klug; from Lacordaire’s description I am absolutely unable to distinguish them.

Curious mistakes, however, seem to have taken place in regard to this insect,

whose elytra are described by Mr. Baly as “clothed with very short suberect

hairs ;” in the type before me I am unable, even with the strongest glass, to discover

any hairs. In the catalogue of Gemminger and von Harold, Mr. Baly’s species is

classified in the genus Agathomerus, no doubt on account of the description in

regard to the pubescence cf the elytra; while Mr. Baly himself has described it as

belonging to Mastostethus. In every respect the insect agrees with the description in

Lacordaire’s Monograph.

About twelve specimens have been collected by Mr. Rogers; and they all agree

perfectly with the type, and show no trace of hairs on the elytra. It is a true

Mastostethus.

18. Mastostethus hieroglyphicus.

Mastostethus hieroglyphicus, Klug, Jahrb. Ins. p. 222; Lacord. Mon. p. 663.

Hab. Mexico.

19. Mastostethus novemmaculatus. (Tab. I. fig. 19.)

Mastostethus novemmaculatus, Klug, Jahrb. Ins. p. 211; Chevr. Col. Mex. Cent. ii.; Lacord. Mon.

p. 668.

Hab. Mexico.

The antenne of this species (the colour of which Lacordaire could not give, on

account of his specimen only possessing one joint) are entirely rufous, and slightly

longer than the thorax.

20. Mastostethus placidus. (Tab. I. fig. 22.)

Mastostethus placidus, Baly, Cist. Ent. 1. p. 127.

Hab. Mexico.

21. Mastostethus lavatus.

Mastostethus lavatus, Baly, Journ. Ent. i. p. 281, t. 13. f. 6.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca.

24 . PHYTOPHAGA.

The remarks made in regard to U/. phaleratus apply to the present species. Mr.

Baly has rightly described it as belonging to Mastostethus, but described the elytra

as being indistinctly pubescent, on account of which it is included in Gemminger’s

Catalogue under the genus Agathomerus. Except at the head and near the extreme

lateral margins of the elytra, I am quite unable to discover any hair.

22. Mastostethus nigrofasciatus. (Tab. II. fig. 25.)

Elongate, parallel, fulvous; antennsz, a spot at the vertex, two at the thorax, scutellum, a transverse band |

across the elytra, and the base of the femora black.

Length 44 lines. .

Head distinctly punctured in front of the eyes; mandibule and a longitudinal mark at the vertex black ;

thorax with all the angles acute, the posterior margin cut obliquely at each side; surface scarcely

visibly punctate even with a strong lens, fulvous, a spot at each side on the disk black ; scutellum of the

same colour ; elytra subdepressed, parallel, distinctly but not closely punctured, fulvous, with a perfectly

straight narrow band from one side across the middle of the disk to the other, and extending to the

lateral margins, black; underside and the legs also fulvous; a spot at the sides of the anterior coxe,

another at the mesothorax, the base of the femora and the apex of the tibie, together with the tarsi,

black.

Hab. Guarumata, Sabo, Vera Paz (Champion).

The only species the present one somewhat resembles is W/. zonatus, Klug; it is, how-

ever, perfectly distinct from the latter, as the head is fulvous, the antenne entirely

black, and other differences in colour show themselves in the present species.

AGATHOMERUS.

Agathomerus, Lacordaire, Mém. Lidge, iii. p. 673 (1845).

The insects belonging to this genus are distinguished from those of the preceding in

having the metasternum of normal shape and not produced and compressed ; the elytra

are more or less pubescent. Five species are known from Central America; the others,

amounting to thirty, are inhabitants of South America.

1. Agathomerus pulcher. _

Agathomerus pulcher, Lacord. Mon. p. 675.

Hab. Mexico.

2. Agathomerus rufus.

Megalopus rufus, Klug, Jahrb. Ins. p. 218; Lacord. Mon. p. 694.

Megalopus lateritius, De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 384.

Hab. Mexico.

8. Agathomerus dubiosus.

Agathomerus dubiosus, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1876, p. 808.

Hab. Mexico.

AGATHOMERUS. 25

To be distinguished from A. rufus by the black underside, femora, and the scutellum.

The knees, tibie, and tarsi are rufous; there is also a short black spot at the middle of

the head; in other respects this species resembles the preceding.

4. Agathomerus rubrinotatus.

Agathomerus rubrinotatus, Clark, Cat. Phys. App. p. 83.

Hab. Mexico.

5. Agathomerus sallei.

Agathomerus sallei, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. ser. v. p. 153.

Hab. Mexico, San Andres Tuxtla (Sailé).

6. Agathomerus atripennis.

Elongate, parallel; testaceous below; head and thorax rufous, the former with one, the latter with two black

spots; elytra deeply and closely punctured, pubescent, black, the extreme lateral margin and the apex

flavous.

Length 4 lines.

Head coarsely punctured at the sides, more sparingly at the middle, rufous, with a large central irregular-shaped

spot; antenne entirely black, the first four joints shining, the rest closely pubescent and opaque; thorax

convex, about one-half broader than long; surface glabrous, shining, with a few but distinct punctures,

rufous, the disk with two elongate black spots; scutellum rufous; elytra parallel, slightly depressed below the

base, deeply and rather closely punctured, covered with light hairs ; the interstices, especially towards the

suture, irregularly transversely wrinkled ; the entire surface black and shining, the extreme lateral margin

and the apex of each elytron light yellow; the breast and legs rufous;. tibie and the abdomen testa~

ceous ; tarsi black.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sal/é).

7. Agathomerus affinis.

Rufous below ; lower part of the face and the antenne testaceous ; head black ; thorax obscure testaceous, with

two black spots; elytra coarsely but distantly punctured, black, the extreme lateral margin and the apex

broadly flavous.

Length 32 lines.

Head punctured at the sides and very sparingly across the middle, the rest smooth, black, shining ; lower part

of face testaceous, mandibule black ; antenne entirely obscure testaceous ; thorax convex, nearly twice as

broad as long, the posterior angles not produced; surface entirely impunctate, obscure testaceous, with a

large transverse black patch at either side; scutellum flavous, the base piceous; elytra parallel, the disk

flattened and distinctly depressed below the base ; surface with coarse but not closely approached punc-’

tures, black, the extreme margin widened at the. apex into a triangular broad space, flavous; underside

and legs as in the preceding species.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Sallé).

Although closely allied to A. atripennis, it is impossible to consider the present insect

a variety of that species; the colour of the head and of the antenne, and especially

the much less close punctuation of the elytra, separate it; the thorax is also somewhat

differently shaped and without punctuation ; the tarsi, in the only specimen before me,

are unfortunately wanting.

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1880. e

26 PHYTOPHAGA.

MEGALOPUS.

Megalopus, Fabricius, Syst. El. 11. p. 367.

Up to the present time no species belonging to this genus has been recorded from

Central America, all of them inhabiting South America.

1. Megalopus inscriptus.

Megalopus inscriptus, Klug, Ent. Mon. p. 61, t. 4. f. 6; Lacord. Mon. p. 709*; Dej. Cat. iii.

p. 885.

Hab. Mexico, Panistlahuca, Cordova (Sallé).—CaYENNE’.

The species agrees perfectly with the typical description, and may be recognized by

the distinct M-shaped black mark on the thorax; the basal part of the elytra is of a

lighter colour than the rest and limited obliquely by the darker portion ; the female is

much smaller, and the posterior thighs do not extend beyond the abdomen, which is

the case to a great extent in the male insect. I believe that this species is identical

or very closely allied to MU. sexvittatus, Bates.

Fam. CLYTHRIDE.

Subfam. CLYTHRINZ.

This subfamily is not very numerously represented in Central America. Of the

twelve genera belonging to it, four only are found in the subregion, each with a few

species, as far as our present knowledge extends.

TITUBCEA.

Titubea, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 141 (1848).

This genus has been split up by Lacordaire into six subgenera; but their characters

are not clearly defined and certain, and in the Munich Catalogue they are all united

under the generic name of Tituba@a. There are five Central-American species.

1. Titubea humerigera.

Anomea humerigera, Lacord. Mon. p. 140’.

Hab. Mzxico', La Parada (Sallé).

A single female from La Parada differs from the type in having an additional small red

spot near the apex and close to the suture of each elytron.

TITUBGA. 27

2. Titubea mutabilis.

Anomea mutabilis, Lacord. Mon. p. 137.

Hab. Norta AMERICA.—MExiIco.—CoLOMBIA.

This species is regarded by Lacordaire as a doubtful one. The male insect may be

recognized by the transverse piceous band of the elytra; the female is identical with

that of 7. rujifrons.

3. Titubea rufifrons.

Anomea rufifrons, Lacord. Mon. p. 135'; Chevr. Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 443.

Hab. Mexico’, Jalapa (Hoge).

The thorax of this species is impunctate, and the vertex of the head almost smooth |

or very finely strigose. The specimens collected by Mr. Hoge belong to var. ¢ of

Lacordaire, and vary in size from 4 to 43 lines.

4. Titubea sphacelata.

Anomea sphacelata, Lacord. Mon. p. 138.

Hab. Mexico.

I possess three specimens of this species, which I consider to be varieties of Lacor-

daire’s type ; they differ in having the thorax punctate as well as the elytra, and in the

want of the longitudinal stripe on the latter. The head of this species 1s strigose

throughout ; it is, moreover, at first sight to be distinguished by the black semilunate

spot at each side of the thorax.

5. Titubea sanguinipennis. (Anomea sanguinipennis, Tab. II. figg. 16 & 17.)

Anomea sanguinipennis, Lacord. Mon. p. 181".

Hab. Mxxico!; Guatemata, near the city (Salvin), Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Belt) ; Costa Rica (Rogers).

Male. Head distinctly strigose at the vertex, with a triangular fovea in the middle ; lower part of face punctate-

rugose and finely strigose, testaceous; vertex black or marked more or less with rufous; apex of jaws

piceous; antenne black, four basal joints testaceous ; thorax narrowly transverse, as wide as the base of

the elytra, the posterior margin distinctly sinuate at each side, the anterior one straight, surface sub-

depressed, finely punctate near the base, the anterior portion impunctate, light testaceous, with a broad

transverse black band near the base which does not quite extend to the lateral margins ; elytra cylindri-

cal, very minutely punctured, opaque, testaceous, a round spot below the base near the sutural margin,

and a narrow, sinuate, transverse band below the middle, black ; underside black, densely covered with

silvery pubescence; femora testaceous, streaked above with black, as well as the posterior tibie, the

anterior ones and the tarsi entirely black, first joint of the latter as long as the two following united.

Length 33-43 lines.

Var. a.

The transverse band at the thorax interrupted or reduced to four small black spots.

28 PHYTOPHAGA.

Var. 6.

Thorax entirely black ; elytra rufous, the anterior spot extending in the shape of a transverse narrow band to

the shoulders. .

There can be no doubt that this is the male of 7. sanguinipennis. Numerous females

have been received from Guatemala, and amongst them four males; but I find that it

is the latter which has the first joint of the tarsi equal in length to the two following

ones, and not the female, as stated by Lacordaire, in which the tarsal joints are nearly

of equal length.

The female is subject to the same variations in colouring, and differs in the thorax

being less broad, and in having a distinct deep fovea at the last abdominal segment.

The figures are taken from Guatemala specimens.

GYNANDROPHTHALMA.

Gynandrophthalma, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 256 (1848).

Nine American species have been enumerated by Lacordaire, of which six are

peculiar to Central America. The other species of the genus, amounting to over

seventy, inhabit the Old World.

1. Gynandrophthalma bisquadripunctata.

Gynandrophthalma bisquadripunctata, Chevr. Col. Mex. Cent. ii. ; Lacord. Mon. p. 260’.

Hab. Mexico’, Orizaba, Playa Vicente (Sal/é).

2. Gynandrophthalma agilis. (Tab. II. fig. 22.)

Gynandrophthalma agilis, Lacord. Mon. p. 261°; Chevr. Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 443.

Hab. Mexico!; Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

This species is very coarsely rugose-punctate at the thorax and the elytra ; the former

is black, with the anterior and lateral margins fulvous, the latter fulvous with two

transverse black bands. The figure represents a specimen from Guatemala.

3. Gynandrophthalma bimaculata.

Oblong ovate, widened posteriorly ; black, pubescent; thorax finely, elytra deeply and closely punctured,

black, each elytron with a triangular large red patch from the shoulder to the middle.

Length 2% lines.

Female. Head rugose punctate and pubescent, with a shallow fovea between the eyes; labrum fulvous;

antenne as long as the thorax, black, the second and third joints fulvous ; thorax of exactly the same shape

as that of G. agilis, also of the same punctuation and colour ; elytra closely and, principally near the base,

deeply punctured, black, finely pubescent, the extreme lateral margin and a large spot from there to the suture

bright red; the anterior margin of this spot is cut obliquely, the posterior one straight, but the humeral

callus is not enveloped and the suture not touched ; underside and legs black, closely silvery pubescent ;

tibie rufous.

Hab. Mexico, Peras (Sallé).

GYNANDROPHTHALMA.—MEGALOSTOMIS. 29

From G. agilis, to which this species is closely allied, it is distinguished by the

colour and shape of the elytral spot, which leaves the base itself black, while this part

is constantly rufous in G. agilis.

4. Gynandrophthalma aviculus. (Tab. II. fig. 18.)

Gynandrophthalma aviculus, Lacord. Mon. p. 263°.

Hab. Guatemata', Zapote (Champion). -

A species differing from G. agilis by its smooth and shining thorax and elytra.

5. Gynandrophthalma leucognatha.

Gynandrophthalma leucognatha, Lacord. Mon. p. 265.

Hab. Mexico.

6. Gynandrophthalma quadripartita.

Gynandrophthalma quadripartita, Lacord. Mon. p. 264°.

Hab. Mexico}, Guanajuato (Mus. Jacoby), Yolotepec, La Parada (Salié).

A variety from Guanajuato is before me, which has the elytra uniformly fulvous,

and the suture and lateral margin, as well as a small spot at the shoulder, black ; the

other marks are absent. The whole difference between this species and G. lewcognatha

seems to be the shining green markings of the elytra, which are black in the other

species, their shape being variable. This variety may possibly belong to a different

species. Lacodaire’s type of G. guadripartita was a female. Several males which I

refer to this species are before me, but they do not differ materially.

7. Gynandrophthalma spectabilis.

Gynandrophthalma spectabilis, Liacord. Mon. p. 262.

Hab. Mexico.

Subfam. MEGALOSTOMIN A.

This subfamily, containing five genera, is restricted to the New World. Four of

these are represented in Central America.

MEGALOSTOMIS.

Megalostomis, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 519 (1848).

_ Thirty-four species of this fine genus are known, but six only from Central America.

The genus has been divided by Lacordaire into three subgenera; but their characters

30 PHYTOPHAGA.

are rather variable and ill-defined, and they have consequently been united under the

above generic name by Gemminger and v. Harold in their Catalogue.

1. Megalostomis splendida. (Tab. II. fig. 15.)

Minturnia splendida, Lacord. Mon. p. 522’.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca'; Guatemaza, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Of this fine insect three specimens were collected by Mr. Champion, which differ

in coloration from those described by Lacordaire: the elytra and thorax are greenish

geneous; and the metallic-green colour and bands of the elytra are changed to coppery

red. One specimen measures 5 lines in length, but does not differ in other respects.

The plate represents a Guatemalan specimen.

2. Megalostomis pyropyga.

Minturnia pyropyga, Lacord. Mon. p. 524’.

Hab. Mexico’, Almolonga (Hége); GuatemaLa, Duefias (Champion).

This insect seems to be not uncommon in the neighbourhood of Guatemala.

3. Megalostomis notabilis.

Minturnia notabilis, Lacord. Mon. p. 525.

Hab. Mexico.

4, Megalostomis dimidiata. (Tab. II. fig. 14.)

Minturnia dimididta, Lacord. Mon. p. 526".

Megalostomis dimidiuta, Klug, Dej. Cat. p. 441.

Hab. Mexico’, Jalapa (Hége); Guatemaua, San Gerénimo (Champion); NicaRracva,

Chontales (Belt).

This is a very variable species in regard to coloration, and is closely allied to the

preceding. It varies in size from 3 to 5 lines; and the elytra are distinctly covered

with whitish pubescence; the black portion of the elytra never extends so far upwards

as in WM. notabilis.

The specimen represented on the Plate is a variety from Jalapa,

5. Megalostomis tomentosa.

Oblong, cylindrical ; black, closely pubescent ; elytra finely transversely rugose, their anterior third fulvous.

Length 3-3 lines.

Head covered with long and dense pubescence; anterior angle of epistome semicircular ; antenne much shorter

than the thorax, the eighth to the eleventh joints transverse and serrate, black, pubescent ; thorax twice as

broad as long, subcylindrical, the sides deflexed and rounded, surface very finely punctured and pubescent, —

black ; elytra cylindrical, slightly narrowed towards the apex, finely transversely wrinkled and covered

MEGALOSTOMIS.—EURYSCOPA. 31

with fine white hairs, the first third of their length fulvous, a spot at the shoulder and the rest of the

surface black ; pygidium with an elongate central line devoid of hairs. . t

Hab. Mexico, Etla, Capulalpam (Saidé).

This species represents MV. dimidiata in miniature, but is at once distinguished

from it and from WM. notabilis by its much smaller size, its short antenne, and the

elongate nude space of the pygidium, which in I. notabilis is represented by a conical

protuberance. The antenne in the present species do not extend much further than to

the commencement of the thorax. The female has the usual round fovea on the last

segment, but does not differ in other respects.

6. Megalostomis flavipennis. (Tab. II. fig. 13.)

Q. Elongate, subcylindric, black; thorax minutely, elytra more deeply punctured, finely pubescent, flavous-

testaceous.

Length 5 lines,

Lower part of the head rugose-punctate, with a very distinct longitudinal median ridge, extending from the

upper margin of the eyes to the clypeus; a smaller ridge runs parallel with the inner orbit of the eyes ;

vertex more distantly but deeply punctate; antenne black, reaching to the base of the thorax, the latter

with the posterior margin straight at each side, broadly lobed in the middle, the lateral margins very

slightly rounded ; surface with an obsolete oblique depression from the anterior angles towards the middle

of the disk, distinctly covered with whitish hairs at the sides; the disk itself rather closely and finely

punctured ; scutellum also finely punctate and pubescent; elytra convex, a little narrowed towards the

apex, irregularly and more strongly punctured than the thorax, and sparingly covered with yellowish

hairs ; underside and legs black, covered with fine pubescence.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

A single female was obtained by Mr. Belt in Nicaragua; it differs from its allies

in the uniform light yellow colour of the elytra.

COSCINOPTERA.

Coscinoptera, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 511 (1848).

Principally found in California and Colombia.

1. Coscinoptera cribrata.

Coscinoptera cribrata, Lacord. Mon. p. 512'.

Megalostomis mucida, Say, Bost. Journ. 1837, p. 197.

Hab. Mexico’; GuatTemata, Capetillo, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

EURYSCOPA.

Euryscopa, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 493 (1848).

Of the nineteen known species of this genus, four have been found in Central

America. From Coscinoptera, which they closely resemble in form, they are principally

32 PHYTOPHAGA.

distinguished by the punctuation of the elytra, which is regularly placed in strie instead

of confusedly’ arranged.

1. Euryscopa carnifex.

Euryscopa carnifex, Lacord. Mon. p. 498.

Hab. MEXxIco.

2, Euryscopa macrophthalma.

Euryscopa macrophthalma, Lacord. Mon. p. 500.

Hab. Mexico.

3. Euryscopa pilatei. (Tab. II. fig. 20.)

Euryscopa pilatei, Lacord. Mon. p. 5047.

Hab. Norra America, Texas—Mexico, Yucatan’; GUATEMALA, Capetillo, Duefas

(Champion).

This seems to be a common species in Guatemala, to judge by the numerous speci-

mens received; it varies greatly in size, as much as from 2 to 4 lines, and may be

recognized from the following species by the elytral fulvous band, which is more slender

and of greater extent, and by the fulvous colour of the tibie. The figure is that of a

specimen from Capetillo.

4. Euryscopa scapularis.

Euryscopa scapularis, Lacord. Mon. p. 505.

Hab. Mexico.

The difference between this and the preceding species is but slight; the legs in the

present one are blackish, and the fulvous spots on the elytra more square-shaped.

PROCTOPHANA.

Proctophana, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 4:90 (1848).

Two species only are included in this genus—one from Colombia, the other from

Brazil. The former has also been received from Central America.

1. Proctophana basalis.

Proctophana basalis, Lacord. Mon. p. 4921; Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 440.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).—CoLomB1a’.

‘The single specimen obtained by Belt does not differ from the Colombian form.

DACHRYS.—BABIA. 33

Subfam. BABIN.

This subfamily is exclusively American, five out of the nine genera being represented

also in Central America. The determination of the species is not always easy, as the

coloration is almost identical in all of them.

DACHRYS.

Dachrys, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 405 (1848).

More than twenty species of Dachrys are known to inhabit the New World; two

have been described from Central America, and one from the Cape. The genus

resembles Bavia; but the anterior margin of the thorax is not advanced in the middle,

and the general form is more cylindrical and smaller in the present genus.

1. Dachrys scutellaris.

Dachrys scutellaris, Lacord. Mon. p. 424.

Hab. Mexico.

2. Dachrys bipartita. (Tab. Il. fig. 19.)

Dachrys bipartita, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1877, p. 511.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

The elytra in this species are light fulvous, with a transverse broad black band behind

the middle.

| BABIA.

Babia, Lacordaire, Mém. Lidge, v. p. 424 (1848).

This and the two following genera are found only in the New World, ranging from

North to South America. About seventeen species are known, five from Mexico &c.

1. Babia pudica.

Babia pudica, Lacord. Mon. p. 425.

Hab. Mexico.

It requires a long series of specimens of this species, B. stabilis, and B. pulla to

settle their specific value, as they are very variable in shape and sculpture, and I possess

intermediate forms which may be classified with either of them. Even the two

principal divisions of Lacordaire do not always give a clue to ‘be depended on, as

some species have a gradual development of the antenne in regard to the shape of

their joints, which makes it impossible to decide whether they belong to the first

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI., Pt. 1, October 1880. f

34 PHYTOPHAGA. ©

or second division. The punctuation of the head and thorax is equally subject to

variation.

9. Babia magnicollis.

Babia magnicollis, Lacord. Mon. p. 426°.

Hab. Mexico’, Juquila (Sallé).

8. Babia stabilis.

Babia stabilis, Lacord. Mon. p. 427; Klug, Dej. Cat. p. 441.

Hab. Mexico.

4. Babia pulla.

Babia pulla, Lacord. Mon. p. 429}.

Hab. Norra Amertca'.—Mexico!; Guatemata, San Gerénimo Champion).

) ip

The specimens from Guatemala agree perfectly with Lacordaire’s type, and vary in

length from 14 to 23 lines. The basal fulvous spot of the elytra is very nearly square-

shaped, the inner margin slightly oblique and not extending to the suture. The strie

on the elytra are indistinct and intermixed with other punctures ; and the thorax and

head are very finely punctate.

5. Babia costalis.

Babia costalis, Lacord. Mon. p. 430!; Forsb. Nov. Act. Ups. vill. p. 271.

Clythra humeralis, Fabr. Syst. El. 11. p. 37 5 Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 96.

Hab. Mexico’.

STEREOMA.

Stereoma, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 437 (1848).

One species only of the twelve described by Lacordaire has been found in Mexico.

The others are, with two exceptions, peculiar to Brazil. The enlargement of the tarsi

in the male forms the distinctive character of this genus.

1. Stereoma anchoralis.

Stereoma anchoralis, Lacord. Mon. p. 441.

Hab. MExico.

URODERA.

Urodera, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 449 (1848).

This genus contains more species than any of the preceding genera, twenty-seven

having been described by Lacordaire. Mexico is represented by three; the rest are

found in South America. The prosternum and the mesosternum are larger, and, the

URODERA. . _ 8d

former especially, more or less distinct, by which the genus is distinguished from Babia

——although these characters are not always recognizable at first sight, the prosternuum

especially being difficult to distinguish on account of its being almost hidden from view

by the head.

1. Urodera crucifera.

Urodera crucifera, Lacord. Mon. p. 454}.

Babia crucifera, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 441.

Hab. Mexico’; Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Duefias (Champion).

The numerous specimens sent by Mr. Champion vary in length from 3 to 44 lines,

and have either the basal fulvous spots of the elytra interrupted by the suture or

extending entirely across the disk. As the entire difference between this and the

following species lies, according to Lacordaire, in the greater width of the thorax in the

former, I must refer all the specimens before me to U. crucifera, as the thorax is

distinctly broader than long. | |

2. Urodera hepfneri.

Urodera hoepfneri, Lacord. Mon. p. 455.

Hab. MExico.

8. Urodera godmani.

Urodera godmani, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 775.

Oblong-ovate, black, shining, beneath closely pubescent; head and thorax finely punctured ; elytra finely

punctate-striate, black, a transverse band at the base, not touching the suture, and the apex rufous.

Length 3-4 lines.

Hab. GuatEMALa, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion).

It is not improbable that this species may be but a variety of U. crucifera, Lacord.

The differences lie in the distinctly punctured thorax, especially visible near the anterior

and lateral margins, and in the punctured striz of the elytra, which are not uneven as

is the case, according to Lacordaire, with U. crucifera; the interstices also between the

strise are in the present insect very finely punctured.

4. Urodera chevrolati.

Urodera chevrolati, Lacord. Mon. p. 456}.

Babia chevrolati, De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 441.

Hab. Mextco!.

This species is difficult to distinguish from the two preceding ones, as it has some of

the characters belonging to each; but the elytral black band is generally much narrower,

and, instead of being placed at or before, is situated behind the middle.

£2

36 PHYTOPHAGA.

SAXINIS.

Saxinis, Lacordaire, Mém. Liége, v. p. 478 (1848).

Four out of the eight described species have been found in Central, the others, in

North and South America. They are not difficult to distinguish from the former genera,

on account of a tranverse basal depression in front of the scutellum, the strong and

closer punctuation of the elytra, and the produced lateral lobe of the same.

1. Saxinis basilaris.

Saxinis basilaris, Lacord. Mon. p. 481".

Hab. Muxtco1, Orizaba (Sailé).

2. Saxinis quadrina.

Sawinis quadrina, Lacord. Mon. p. 482°.

Megalostomis mexicana, Dej. Cat. 38rd ed. p. 441.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Parada (Sailé)!; Guaremaua, near the city (Salvin).

From the preceding species, to which the present is closely allied, this may be

distinguished by its distinct blue colour, the entirely black antenne, and by the punc-

tuation of the thorax, which is very close and deep. In S. dasilaris the thorax is much

more finely and on the disk more obsoletely punctured, and the second and third joints

of the antenne are fulvous. S. propinqua, Jacoby, is another allied species, in which the

thorax is finely and rather remotely punctured: in colour it approaches 8. guadrina ; but

the fulvous elytral spot only occupies the humeral callus, and the thorax is differently

shaped.

3. Saxinis saginata.

Saxinis saginata, Lacord. Mon. p. 483.

Hab, Mexico.

The largest of the genus, specimens varying from black to dark blue ; the punctuation

of the elytra is distinctly visible with the naked eye.

4. Saxinis guatemalensis. (Tab. II. fig. 21.)

Saxinis guatemalensis, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1876, p. 810.

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city (Salvin).

In size this species very nearly agrees with S. saginata; but the elytra are much less

coarsely punctured, and the interstices between their strie are also finely and closely

punctate; the space below the base of the elytra surrounding the scutellum is distinctly

raised.

SAXINIS, ~ISCHIOPACH YS. 37

5. Saxinis punctatissima.

Elongate, parallel; bluish-black, closely pubescent below; thorax and elytra opaque, densely punctured ;

elytra with a subquadrate fulvous spot at the shoulder.

Length 3 lines.

Head densely punctate-rugose ; antenne extending to two-thirds the length of the thorax, black, the second

and third joints rufous below; thorax twice as broad as long, the entire surface densely covered with rather

elongate punctures of a dark opaque blue; scutellum deeply punctured; elytra slightly narrowed behind

in the male, parallel in the female, deeply and closely punctate and partly transversely wrinkled, the

interstices here and there obsoletely longitudinally costate; they are of the same colour as the thorax,

and have the usual quadrate fulvous spot at the shoulder. .

Hab. Mexico, La Parada, Oaxaca (Sal/é).

The differences between this species and S. saginata, which it resembles closely, lie

in the opaque colour of the upper surface, caused by the dense punctuation of this

part. In comparing the two insects the difference in this respect is very obvious, there

being a distinct gloss of greenish, especially on the thorax, in S. saginata, where the

punctuation is much less deep and close; the same may be said of the elytra, which are

much more closely and more irregularly punctate in the species before us. There are

three specimens contained in M. Sallé’s collection, which agree perfectly with each

other ; I believe, therefore, that the species is a good one.

ISCHIOPACHYS.

Ischiopachys, Lacordaire, Mém. Soc. Liége, v. p. 468 (1848).

Ten species belonging to this genus have been made known, one of them (the most

variable in coloration) inhabiting North and Central America as well as Colombia.. The

rest belong to other parts of South America.

1. Ischiopachys proteus,

Ischiopachys*proteus, Lacord. Mon. p. 470°.

Hab.. Norta America, California !.—Mexico, Almolonga (Hége).—CoLomsia !.

No less than eight varieties of this species have been described by Lacordaire. The

insects sent by Mr. Hoge all belong to the dark fulvous variety, which has the apex of the

elytra dark blue. From J. bicolor and from some of its varieties it differs in the shape

of the thorax, which is less convex than in that species. I may add that the base of

the elytra in the present insect is not nearly so raised as in J. bicolor, where a rather

deep transverse depression limits its basal elevation.

38 PHYTOPHAGA.

Fam, CRYPTOCEPHALIDA.

This immensely rich group, of which more than 1200 species are known and

described, is distributed over the entire world. The neatness of their shape and the

variety of their coloration justify fully the favour they have found amongst collectors.

As regards Central America, the proportion to other countries may be put down as one

to eighteen ; of the 1200 species, about eighty are found in Central America.

MONACHUS.

~ Monachus, Chevrol. De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 449; Suffrian, Monogr. in Linn. Entom. vi. p. 210 (1852). .

This genus, characterized by its small size and peculiar shape, and principally

distinguished from Cryptocephalus by the short and thickened antenne, contains about

100 species, of which the great bulk inhabit Tropical America. Central America

does not contain more than eleven species; and the larger West-Indian Islands have

not furnished us with a single Monachus.

1. Monachus guerini.

Monachus guerinii, Perbosc, Rev. Zool. 1839, p. 264°; Suffr. Linn, Entom. vi. p. 216°.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Perbosc1), Jalapa?; GuatemaLa, San Gerénimo, city of

Guatemala (Champion).

This species seems to be not uncommon in the neighbourhood of Guatemala, and is

contained in most collections ; it is easily recognizable by its bright coloration of red

and blue and its comparatively large size. I have seen Suffrian’s specimen in the Berlin

Museum. |

2. Monachus scaphidioides.

Monachus scaphidioides, Suffr. Linu. Entom. vi. p. 215.

Black below; above black, opaque, with a slight biuish tint; thorax impunctate, opaque ; elytra very finely

punctate-striate, the strix diminishing posteriorly, the two marginal ones distinct in shape of grooves.

Hab. Mazxico, Yucatan; Guatemana, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

‘This species is described by Suffrian as blue ; all the specimens I have seen, including .

the type from M. Deyrolle’s collection, are black below. It cannot be confounded

with the preceding species, on account of the impunctate and black thorax and the

abbreviated red elytral band.

3. Monachus guatemalensis, (Tab. III. fig. 1.)

Broadly ovate, metallic dark blue; thorax purplish, distinctly punctured ; elytra deeply punctate-striate, dark

blue, each elytron with an oblique transverse band below the base, not touching the suture. °

Length 1 line.

Head flat, impunctate, dark blue; antennew robust, each joint gradually widened and thickened towards the

apex, blackish-blue, the first two basal joints stained with fulvous below; thorax very convex, much

narrowed anteriorly, sides nearly straight, posterior angles acute, surface with two very shallow depres-

MONACHUS. 39

sions near the scutellum, distinctly and evenly punctured throughout, of a purplish blue; scutellum

smooth ; elytra about double the length of the thorax, convex and scarcely narrowed behind, each elytron

with ten rows of regular and rather deeply impressed punctures, which, however, are becoming indistinct

near the apex, and of which the sixth, seventh, and eighth strie are interrupted by the humeral callus

and closely approached below that place; the colour is rather darker than that of the thorax, and an

oblique transverse bright fulvous band extends from the shoulder to a little distance from the suture,

where it is also much narrowed ; underside and legs dark greenish blue.

The male is of shorter and rounder shape, and the fulvous colour of the elytra of greater width.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé) ; Guatemata, Duefias (Champion).

Although this new species is almost identical in regard to its coloration with MW. sca-

phidioides, it is easily distinguished by the distinct punctuation of the thorax and the

elytra, especially of the latter. In M. scaphidioides the thorax is opaque and im-

punctate. The present species, moreover, is much broader and the thorax much more

convex.

4. Monachus lacertosus.

Monachus lacertosus, Suffr. Monogr. vi. p. 218}.

Brick-red, base and a spot at the apex of the elytra, as well as two spots of the thorax, metallic green, the

latter finely punctured, the strie of the elytra diminishing posteriorly with finely wrinkled interstices.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Mexico}, Cordova (Sallé).

Easily distinguished from MM. guerini by its small size and the laterally interrupted

apical band of the elytra, which does not cover the extreme apex as in the species

mentioned. Through Dr. Peters’s kindness I have had an opportunity of examining

Suffrian’s type specimen.

5. Monachus bimaculatus. (Tab. III. fig. 2.)

Black, shining ; thorax with a transverse furrow near the base; elytra with a broad red basal spot; pygidium

and last abdominal segment red.

Length 1 line. .

Head finely and irregularly wrinkled, greenish black ; clypeus rather prominent; labrum red ; antenne black,

the basal joint red, first joint elongate, much thickened towards the apex, the following three joints

not thicker, thence to the apical joints gradually widening; thorax very convex, the anterior portion

greatly deflexed, the posterior part much widened ; posterior margin distinctly sinuate at each side, its

angles acute; surface with a short but distinct groove in front of the scutellum, rest of the surface im-

punctate and very shining black; elytra deeply striate-punctate from the base to the apex, the inter-

stices slightly convex near the lateral margin, shining black, each elytron with a transverse broad

irregularly shaped patch of a light red colour extending from a little below the base to the third sutural

strie and laterally to the extreme margin ; pygidium strongly: punctured, light fulvous as well as the last

abdominal segment; rest of the underside and the legs black. |

Hab. Guatema.a, Zapote (Champion) ; Nicaragua.

A species allied to MU. basilaris, Suftr., in regard to coloration, and to M. stricticollis,

Suffr., in regard to shape; from the first it is distinguished by the distinct punc-

tuation of the elytra, which remains visible to the apex, and from the last by the

colour of the pygidium and the underside. J. dasilaris has the entire abdomen red.

A Guatemalan specimen is figured.

40 PHYTOPHAGA.

6. Monachus bicruciatus.

Monachus bicruciatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 229°.

Hab. Mrxico!; GUATEMALA, near the city (Salvin).

A good many specimens of this large and curiously coloured species were found by

Mr. Salvin; its size and opaque colour will make it easily recognizable. | Suffrian did

not know the male -insect, of which I possess several: they are not distinguished from

the female by any greater gloss of their surface; but the eyes are nearly contiguous,

and the hinder thighs extend quite to the end of the elytra, which is not the case in

the female. The specimens were taken by Mr. Salvin at an elevation of 5000 feet

above the sea. |

7. Monachus anaglypticus.

Monachus anaglypticus, Suffr. Linn. Entom. vi. p. 214.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa; British Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneauz).

Through the kindness of Dr. Peters of Berlin I am enabled to compare Suffrian’s

type with the insect received from Honduras; there is no doubt that the former, as

Suffrian suspected, is an immature specimen. The Honduras specimen is uniformly

black, with the exception of the first two or three joints of the antenne and parts

of the mouth; in other respects it agrees with the type. Whether Suffrian’s species

is a really distinct one from I. saponatus, Fabr., is somewhat doubtful; and this can

only be decided by comparison of numerous specimens. The nearest allied species is

M. ater, Knoch, which Suffrian himself does not warrant as being really specifically

different from I. saponatus, Fabr. Yet he has described WM. anaglypticus from a

single immature specimen, and points out that the differences between his species

and WW. ater are extremely slight and few, while I. ater is probably identical with

M. saponatus.

8. Monachus nigritulus.

Monachus nigritulus, Bohem. Res. Eugen. p. 158°; Suffr. Linn. Entom. xv. p. 86 an

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); GuatemaLa, Duefias, and San Juan,

Vera Paz (Champion).—Braziu 1.

Although this species has only been recorded as inhabiting Brazil, where it is rather

common, I cannot distinguish the Central-A merican specimens sufficiently to refer them

to another species ; the only difference is a stronger punctuation of the elytra, visible more

or less distinctly towards the apex. The elytra are dark bluish black, shining; and the

whole shape of the insect is broad at the base, but distinctly narrowed towards the

apex. It may possibly be another species, as the punctuation in WV. nigritulus is rather

fine, diminishing posteriorly.

MONACHUS. | 4]

9. Monachus semipunctatus.

Below black; head, thoraZ, and the legs light red; elytra very finely punctate-striate, green or greenish blue.

Length ? line.

Head flat, impunctate, eyes rather closely approached and deeply emarginate ; antennew extending to the end

of the thorax, black, the first two or three joints flavous; thorax of the same colour, opaque and im-

punctate ; scutellum black, very narrow and pointed at the apex; elytra broad, narrowed behind, the

apex of each elytron evenly rounded, the humeral callus very prominent and almost tubercular; surface

very finely punctate-striate, the strie disappearing almost entirely near the apex, the interstices extremely

finely wrinkled, of a silky appearance ; the colour a light greenish of moderate gloss; underside black,

with a slight greenish tint; legs and tarsi reddish.

Hab. Guatemala, near the city, Duefias (Champion).

This is another species to be added to the second group of Suffrian’s Monograph,

which contains several similarly coloured species. The present one, of which nearly a

dozen specimens are before me, is distinguished by the minute punctuation of the

elytra and the silky appearance of the latter, together with the uniform coloration

of the legs. It is closely allied to WU. semicyaneus, Suftr.

10. Monachus scrobiculatus.

Monachus scrobiculatus, Suffr. Monogr. xv. p. 90°.

Black-blue; head, base of the antennz, legs, and the sides of the thorax fulvous, the latter impunctate,

opaque ; elytra deeply punctate-striate.

Length 2 line.

Hab. British Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaur).— Surinam}.

The specimen before me, from Honduras, does not seem to differ in any way from the

description given by Suffrian, except in the colour of the legs, of which the base of the

thighs only is fulvous; the antenne (which were wanting in Suffrian’s type) are black,

the basal six joints fulvous. Haldeman has given the diagnosis of a similarly coloured

species, which he calls MM. awritus, and which is found in North America; but his

description is too short to decide whether this and Suffrian’s species are identical.

11. Monachus sculptilis.

Broadly ovate, black; thorax opaque, minutely punctured; elytra coarsely punctate-striate, bluish black,

interstices finely wrinkled.

Length 13-12 line.

Head with a ‘few but distinct punctures, eyes closely approached ; antennz as long as the thorax, black, the

first and second joints more or less fulvous; thorax twice as broad as long, finely margined, sides slightly

rounded, posterior margin oblique and slightly sinuate at either side, the median lobe short and straight,

surface opaque, black, very minutely punctured near the base, with two short but rather deeply

impressed rows of punctures in front of the scutellum, the latter narrow, triangular, and pointed ; elytra

broad, very moderately convex, bluish black, each elytron with ten rows of deep punctures, commencing

below the base, and distinctly visible but slightly finer at the apex, the interstices, more especially near

the base, finely transversely wrinkled and aciculate, those of the last four rows forming two highly raised

costz from base to apex; underside and legs black.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sal/é).

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1880. g

49 | PHYTOPHAGA.

A species allied to I. saponatus, Fabr., but distinguished by the deep punctuation |

of the elytra and the minute punctuation of the thorax; the antenne in V. saponatus

have their first four joints fulvous; in all the specimens of the present species only the

first two are of this colour.

CRYPTOCEPHALUS.

Cryptocephalus, Geoffroy, Hist. Ins. pars 1, 1762, p. 281 ; Suffrian, Monogr. Entom. vols. ii.—xvi.

More than 800 species are contained in this genus, about forty inhabiting Central

America; the species from the latter country, although somewhat closely allied in

colour and sculpture to North-American species, yet seem to form a small special

group by themselves, not extending to either South or North America with but few

exceptions. While the Old World possesses but few species with regular punctured

elytra, those of the New World have these parts deeply and regularly punctate-striate ;

the sexual differences are clearly expressed in the longer antenne of the male and the

deep abdominal groove in the female. Another well-marked sexual character which I

do not find mentioned by Suffrian or other authors, is the much greater length of the

posterior thighs in the male, which extend to the end of the elytra in all the species I

have examined, and enable one to distinguish the sex at first sight.

1. Cryptocephalus abruptus.

Cryptocephalus abruptus, Suffr. Monogr. vi. p. 245.

Rufous; thorax impunctate, its margin and two spots at the base light yellow; elytra testaceous, with three

black longitudinal vittse, deeply punctate-striate.

Length 24 lines.

Hab. MExico.

Kindly lent to me for examination by Dr. Peters.

2. Cryptocephalus hirtus.

Cryptocephalus hirtus, Suffr. Monogr. vi. p. 286, xii. p. 361’.

Cryptocephalus mexicanus, De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 447.

Dark brown above, finely pubescent ; thorax very closely punctured, the interstices aciculate, with an elevated

central ridge; elytra deeply punctate-striate, finely covered with hairs set in rows, dark brown, with

three interrupted reddish transverse fasciz, consisting of short longitudinal streaks.

Length 14 line.

Hab. Mexico’, Oaxaca (Sal/é). .

3. Cryptocephalus alternans.

Cryptocephalus alternans, Suffr. Monogr. vi. p. 290.

Yellow above; three spots on the head, a heart-shaped one at the base of the thorax, and three oblique bands

at the elytra black ; below and the legs black and yellow.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Mexico.

CRYPTOCEPHALUS. 43

4. Cryptocephalus gemellatus.

Cryptocephalus gemellatus, Suffr. Monogr. vi. p. 292, xii. p. 364.

Yellow above; head with three, thorax with four spots; elytra geminate punctate-striate, yellow, each

elytron with two longitudinal bands; underside black, spotted with yellow.

Length 2} lines,

Hab. Mexico, El Mirador.

Closely allied to the preceding species, but principally distinguished by the want of

the third elytral vitta.

5. Cryptocephalus semimarginatus. (Tab. III. fig. 3.)

Cylindrical, black and yellow below, above light yellow, three central and two lateral spots, as well as the

margins of the thorax, black ; elytra geminate punctate-striate, each elytron with two longitudinal vitte

and the sutural and lateral margins black. .

Length 24 lines.

Head with a few deep punctures at the middle, yellow, extreme vertex, a short longitudinal central line, and

a spot at the base of the antenne at each side black; antenne black, the second and third joints obscure

fulvous or flavous; thorax with acute and elongate posterior angles and a short oblique depression in

front of the latter ; surface finely and distantly punctured, yellow, shining, the posterior margin narrowly

black, two triangular spots at the middle of the disk, a short transverse streak in front of the base,

sometimes divided into two spots, and a semicrescentiform narrow longitudinal band at each side, nearly

touching the base, black ; scutellum black, with a basal groove ; elytra slightly narrowed behind, mode-

rately deep punctate-striate, the punctures running parallel and in pairs, the first pair united at the end

near the suture, the third pair widened anteriorly, the lateral margin accompanied by a deep and

regular single row of punctures, interstices finely transversely rugose, sutural and the posterior half of

the lateral margin, as well as two vitte, black, the first of these latter is situated between the second pair,

the second between the third pair of stria, neither of them touching the base or the apex of the elytra ;

underside and legs black ; sides of the breast and the space between the legs yellow. Female with a deep

circular groove at the last abdominal segment.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sallé).

Five specimens of this species from Mexico are before me. They show no material

difference except in the punctuation of the thorax, which in one of them is almost

absent; the markings of the latter part do not allow this species to be united either with

C. alternans or C. gemellatus. Another peculiarity is the colour of the anterior and

outer part of the lateral elytral margin, which remains of the ground-colour in all the

specimens, the posterior part being black only, while the inner one at the underside is

black throughout ; the present species would seem to be most nearly allied to C. gemel-

latus. Besides the above noticed difference, the punctured striz of the elytra, which

are distinctly visible to the end, while they are obliterated in C. gemellatus, will help to

distinguish the two insects.

6. Cryptocephalus flavonotatus.

Cryptocephalus flavonotatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 1; Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 302.

Yellow; thorax with a bilobed central rufous spot; elytra closely and coarsely punctured, with three sinuate

rufous transverse bands, below brown and yellow.

Length 3} lines.

Hab. Mexico.

44 PHYTOPHAGA.

7. Cryptocephalus circumfiexus.

Cryptocephalus circumfleaus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 4.

Hab. Mexico.

In coloration almost identical with the preceding species, but differing by the shape

of the thorax and its different markings, and by the numerous transverse raised spaces

(called fields by Suffrian) of its elytra. The insect is also smaller, the size being

23-3 lines.

8. Cryptocephalus nigrovittatus. (Tab. III. fig. 16.)

Flavous, shining ; terminal joints of the antenne, the posterior margin of the thorax, and two interrupted

longitudinal vitte of the elytra black, the latter subgeminate punctate-striate.

Length 1-1} line.

Head flat, impunctate ; antenne longer than half the body in the male, shorter in the female, their basal five

joints flavous, the rest black, slender; thorax rather long in the male, distinctly narrowed anteriorly,

with its sides scarcely rounded but deeply deflexed, posterior angles pointed, surface very shining light

fulvous or flavous, the margins lighter, disk totally impunctate, narrowly margined with black poste-

riorly ; scutellum flavous, margined with black; elytra deeply punctate-striate, each elytron with nine —

rows of punctures placed as follows—the first sutural row abbreviated a little behind the middle, the second

one slightly curved and united at the apex with the submarginal row, the space between these occupied

by two pairs of strie, the inner one of which is narrowed at the middle, while the outer pair separates

or widens gradually towards the base of the elytra, the seventh row is only indicated by a few punctures

below the shoulder; all these strie are very distinctly visible to their ends, but the inner pairs do not

extend quite to the apex; the interstices are distinctly costiform near the lateral margin, and the space

between the first pair of strie is occupied by a black longitudinal band from the base to below the

middle, while another band occupies the space of the following pair, but is sometimes interrupted and

- forms three black spots ; underside and the legs entirely flavous; prosternum deeply bilobed ; the female

insect is larger and the thorax more transverse.

Hab. Guatemaua, Zapote (Champion).

The geminate striate elytra and the markings of the latter would show this species

to belong to the seventh group of Suffrian, while its small size and other characters

would separate it from any other species belonging to that group.

9. Cryptocephalus quadrivittatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 1.)

Broadly cylindrical, flavous ; last six joints of the antenns, the tibiee, five spots at the thorax, sutural and

lateral margins of the elytra, and four longitudinal vittee of the latter (the outer one short) black.

Length 2 lines.

Head with a shallow depression between the eyes, and some more or less numerous punctures; clypeus

subquadrate, distinctly punctured and separated from the head; antenne extending to one third the

length of the elytra, the joints, with the exception of the second one, of nearly equal length, the first

five joints fulvous, the rest black; thorax nearly three times as broad as long, cylindrical when seen

from above, the sides greatly deflexed, anterior angles acute, pointed, and directed backwards, the lateral

margin evenly rounded, surface entirely impunctate, fulvous, shining, the posterior margin narrowly

black ; five black spots, of which the middle one is more elongate, are placed across the disk at regular

intervals ; scutellum black, with a deep basal groove ; elytra broadly cylindrical, only about twice as long

as the thorax, rather finely but distinctly punctate-striate from a little below the base to the apex, the

six and seventh rows abbreviated below the shoulder, the latter and the commencement of the following

row much deeper impressed than the others, the interstices flat and impunctate; the colour is of a lighter

CRYPTOCEPHALUS. 45

shade than that of the thorax, the sutural and lateral margins black (the former broadly, but narrowed

near the apex), a broad black stripe on the disk of each elytron runs parallel with the suture, but is

abbreviated near the base and apex ; another much shorter stripe is placed near the lateral margin, com-

mencing from the base and extending to about half the length of the elytra, where it finishes in a point ;

underside and thighs light fulvous, thinly pubescent, inflexed lateral margin of the elytra and the tibie

and tarsi black ; prosternum narrowed at the base, slightly longer than broad, and deeply bidentate at

its posterior margin.

Var. Dark fulvous; the thorax without spots.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Sallé); Guatemaa, Yzabal (Sallé).

This handsome species cannot be confounded with any of the first or second groups

of Suffrian, to which it is somewhat allied in the colour and markings of its elytra ;

in the present species these marks run straight and contrary to the oblique punctured

striee which they cut; the latter also are much finer than in C. ornatus, Fabr., and its

allies.

10. Cryptocephalus plagiatus.

Cryptocephalus plagiatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 8".

Black, the interrupted anterior and lateral margins, as well as two spots of the thorax and eight spots of the

elytra (3, 2,2, 1), yellow ; below black and yellow.

Length 13 line. |

Hab. Mexico!, Cuernavaca (Sallé) ; Guatemata, Calderas (Champion).

Only a single specimen has been received from Guatemala, which does not quite agree

with Suffrian’s type either in sculpturing or shape of the elytral spots; the antenne

also are entirely black, with the exception of the first two joints; but as this species

is no doubt as variable as many others, further material is necessary to come to a

conclusion. Another specimen, from the collection of Mr. Sallé, is smaller, and the

spots are surrounded by narrow and deep black rings. I have examined the type in

the Berlin Museum.

11. Cryptocephalus patheticus.

Cryptocephalus patheticus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 10°.

Above yellow, the margins of the thorax lighter ; elytra black, with eight partly united yellow spots (3, 2, 2, 1).

Length 13 line.

Hab. Mexico}, Oaxaca (Sallé); Guatema.a, Duefias, Calderas (Champion).

It is not without doubt that I refer the specimens received from Guatemala to this

species. Suffrian has described his from a single specimen ; and there is nothing except

the colour of the thorax to distinguish it from C. plagiatus; the spots of the elytra

are here as variable as in other species; and not even the punctuation of the latter is

‘constant. In some specimens the elytra are black, with no other spots than those

along the lateral margin; the thorax, however, is in no specimen yellow, as Suffrian

describes it, but rufous or dark fulvous, which is also the case with a specimen in

Dr. Baly’s collection and marked “ type.”

46 . PHYTOPHAGA.

12. Cryptocephalus porosus. (Tab. II. fig. 4.)

Cryptocephalus porosus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 11.

Brown; thorax coarsely rugose-punctate, the margins and two basal spots yellow ; elytra yellow, with three

transverse brown bands formed of spots.

Length 24 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca.

The sculpture of the thorax will distinguish this species from similarly coloured ones.

13. Cryptocephalus teniatus.

Cryptocephalus teniatus, Sufir. Monogr. vu. p. 13.

Brown ; head, the margins, and two spots of the thorax yellow, the latter coarsely punctate ; elytra yellow,

with three interrupted brown longitudinal lines.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico.

14. Cryptocephalus loratus.

Cryptocephalus loratus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 15.

Brown, anterior and posterior margins, as well as two spots of the thorax, yellow ; elytra yellow, with three

brown longitudinal vittee ; interstices flat, alternately wider, interrupted behind the shoulder by a distinct

transverse space.

Length 24-22 lines.

Hab. Mexico.

Specimens of this species from the Berlin Museum have been also lent to me

by Dr. Peters.

15. Cryptocephalus saginatus.

Cryptocephalus saginatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 19.

Rufous; thorax smooth, its margins yellow; elytra very regularly punctate-striate, the sixth and seventh

rows abbreviated, rufous, base, apex, and a number of irregularly placed elongate spots light yellow.

Length 12 line.

Hab. MExico.

16. Cryptocephalus rimosus.

Cryptocephalus rimosus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 22".

Fulvous ; thorax scarcely visibly punctate; elytra with two obscure transverse brown bands, the striw semi-

regular, the sixth and seventh row irregular.

Hab. Mexico’, Oaxaca, Juquila (Sallé); GuateMaLa, Aceytuno (Salvin).

Suffrian’s type has been kindly lent to me for examination by Dr. Peters.

17. Cryptocephalus octodecimpunctatus. (Tab. III. fig. 6.)

Cryptocephalus 18-punctatus, Chevrol. Dej. Cat. iii. p. 447 ; Suffr. Monogr. Vii. p. 23°.

Yellow; thorax smooth, finely margined with black posteriorly; elytra regularly punctate-striate, the fifth

CRY PTOCEPHALUS. 47

and two following striz interrupted below the shoulder; each elytron with nine small black spots |

(1, 4, 2, 2).

Length 22 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa’, Vera Cruz, Oaxaca.

This easily recognizable species does not seem to be a rare one, and is contained in

most collections; it has not been received as yet from Guatemala or other parts to my

knowledge.

I cannot at all agree with Suffrian’s definition of the elytral punctuation in this

and several other species. In counting the number of strize on each elytron, I find

in the present insect but nine rows (the short sutural one not included); the eighth

row, according to Suffrian, is absent and only indicated by an impression of the

ninth (!), which I am at a loss to understand, as it conveys no meaning. This author

further says that the fifth and eighth strie are united at their points, which cannot be

the case, since, according to the same author's description, the eighth row is absent; it

is in reality the third and fourth and the fifth and seventh rows which unite at their

ends. Suffrian assumes ten rows in all the species of Cryptocephalide; and although

these are generally present, there are plenty of exceptions; where there are less it would

be better, to avoid confusion, to count and describe them according to the number present.

18. Cryptocephalus ictericus. -

Cryptocephalus ictericus, Suffr. Monogy. vil. p. 25.

Light yellow; thorax smooth, impunctate; elytra with the punctured rows almost disappearing near the

apex, yellow, extreme base, as well as the base of the thighs and the knees, black.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Mexico.

The type has been sent to me by Dr. Peters.

19. Cryptocephalus quaternarius. (Tab. III. fig. 15.)

Cryptocephalus quaternarius, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 230°.

~ Piceous or black below, testaceous above, the thorax with three transversely placed spots; elytra regularly

punctate-striate, each elytron with four transversely placed spots, two at the base, and two behind the

middle; legs fulvous.

Length 13 line.

Hab. Mexico', Cordova; Guaremana, Capetillo (Champion).

The figure represents a specimen from Capetillo.

20. Cryptocephalus austerus.

Cryptocephalus austerus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 27°.

Testaceous or brown; thorax finely punctate; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the fifth and following strie

united at their base and apex and of half the length of the others, with two or three more or less distinct

narrow, transverse, sinuate bands.

Length 13-13 line.

Hab. Mexico’, Orizaba, Jalapa (Sad/é).

48 PHYTOPHAGA.

_In this species the fifth elytral stria is only half the length of the others and deeply

hollowed out near its base, followed directly by an equally developed convexity ; it is

further united to the following stria (called by Suffrian the eighth), and encloses a

smooth space something like a hatchet with two blades. The species varies from light

yellow to brown, and is closely allied to C. rimosus, but distinguished by the fine punc-

tuation of the thorax and the different directions of the punctuated striz. I have also

examined the specimen in the Berlin Museum.

21. Cryptocephalus insolidus.

Cryptocephalus insolidus, Suffr. Monogr. vi. p. 29.

Yellowish brown; thorax scareely punctured, with a narrow black posterior margin; elytra with narrow

dark lines, following the striz, the latter with the sixth and seventh rows interrupted, the eighth curved

inwards.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Mexico.

22. Cryptocephalus maculipennis.

Cryptocephalus maculipennis, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 30.

Rufous; margins of the thorax and two oblique narrow spots at its base flavous; elytra distantly but deeply

subgeminate punctate-striate, flavous, each elytron with five transversely placed spots at the base (the

inner two of which are linear), three others behind the middle, and two near the apex brown.

Length 23-3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba, Cuernavaca (Saldé).

23. Crytocephalus atrofasciatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 2.)

Below flavous; thorax fulvous, the margins and two oblique basal spots obscure flavous; elytra deeply

punctate-striate, flavous, each elytron with three deeply dentate black transverse bands.

Length ¢ 24, 2 34 lines.

3. Head with a few deep punctures, flavous, with a central fulvous spot; antenne nearly as long as the

body, all joints from the fifth very slender and elongate, the first four and part of the fifth joints flavous,

the rest black ; thorax much narrowed towards the apex, posterior margin not lobed in the middle and

moderately rounded, surface very minutely punctate, fulvous, the margins and two more or less distinct

oblique basal spots flavous; scutellum black; elytra deeply and closely punctate-striate, the fifth stria

connected with the eighth by a short transverse row of punctures, representing the sixth and seventh

row, the latter two interrupted below the shoulder and limited by two transverse smooth elevated spaces,

behind which there is a continuation of the fifth and sixth rows, represented by a few punctures only ;

interstices near the lateral margins distinctly longitudinally costate; the colour is the same as that of

the thorax or lighter flavous; a deeply bilobed transverse band at the base of each elytron, another one,

immediately below the middle, distinctly toothed near the suture, and a third, apical band sometimes

interrupted, deep black ; all these bands extend from the lateral margin across the sutural one, the former

as well as the latter being also black ; underside flavous; legs fulvous with lighter marks, the posterior

thighs extending quite as far as the elytra; prosternum acutely bidentate.

Var. The black of the elytra predominating so much as to enclose three transverse rows of yellow spots more or

less interrupted by the black interstices; the apex also yellow.

Q. Much larger; the basal and apical black elytral bands represented, the former by five, the latter by two

elongate spots ; posterior thighs much shorter than the abdomen ; last abdominal segment with a profoundly

impressed smooth fovea.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sallé).

CRYPTOCEPHALUS. 49

There will be no difficulty in distinguishing this species from C. congestus, Fabr., near

which it ought to be placed. It differs in the want of the tooth, so distinct in C. con-

gestus, below the anterior angles of the thorax, and in the very acute- and long-toothed

prosternum ; the antenne, although long, do not extend beyond the elytra. The same

differences and others separate it from C. sulphuripennis, Melsh.

24. Cryptocephalus irroratus. (Tab. III. fig. 9.)

Cryptocephalus irroratus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 32°.

Rufous ; thorax finely rugose-punctate, the margins and two oblique basal spots flavous ; elytra very deeply

and remotely punctate, flavous, with three broad transverse rufous bands, the last consisting of two or

more spots.

Length 24-3 lines.

Hab. Mexico}, Tehuantepec, Panistlahuca (Sallé); British Honpuras, R. Hondo,

R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaur); Guatemala, Tocoy, Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaragua,

Granada (Sallé); Panama (Boucard).

A rather variable species in regard to colour, some specimens being almost dark

brown above, with more or less distinct yellow spots; others, again, have the latter

colour predominating, with distinct rufous bands. The finely rugose thorax will help to

distinguish this species. The figure is from a Honduras specimen that does not

differ from the type in the Berlin Museum, which I have examined.

25. Cryptocephalus trizonatus. (Tab. III. fig. 8.)

Cryptocephalus trizonatus, Suffr. Monogr. xii. p. 372’.

Cryptocephalus tricinctus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 34’.

Rufous; thorax impunctate, the margins flavous, the posterior one interrupted; elytra moderately deeply

punctured, flavous, with two transverse brown bands, the first near the base, the second below the middle.

Length 13-2 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca! 2, Campeche? (Sallé); GUATEMALA, near the city (Champion) ;

Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt, Janson).

This does not seem to be a rare species in Guatemala, and is easily known by the

brown transverse band of the thorax. I have also examined the type in the Berlin

Museum; the figure is from a Chontales specimen.

26. Cryptocephalus guatemalensis. (Tab. III. fig. 10.)

Pale rufous below ; thorax rugosely punctate, flavous, with two broad longitudinal rufous bands ; elytra deeply

and remotely punctured, flavous, a transverse basal band, another much shorter one behind the middle,

and two or three spots near the apex rufous.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head deeply but remotely punctured ; antenn@ in the male nearly extending the length of the body, black,

the first three joints rufous; thorax proportionally long, its sides nearly straight, and narrowed ante-

riorly, surface rather coarsely and closely punctured, with a smoother central line; scutellum flavous,

margined with rufous; elytra almost foveolate and very distantly punctate, the punctures near the base

very irregular and the interstices distinctly transversely costate, those towards the apex longitudinally

raised ; the basal brown band not extending to the lateral margin, its posterior margin convex, and at the

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, December 1880. h

50 _ PHYTOPHAGA.

suture extending to the middle of the elytra, the second band much shorter and sometimes connected

with the apical spots ; pygidium coarsely rugose-punctate, with an elevated central ridge and two flavous

spots, which are sometimes absent; legs and underside rufous; prosternum and the middle of the

abdomen more or less flavous ; posterior thighs as long as the elytra in the male.

Var. The two brown bands of the thorax divided into four.

Hab. Muxico, Playa Vicente, Oaxaca (Sallé); Guatemata, Capetillo, Duefias

(Champion). | | | |

This well-marked species seems to be closely allied to C. leucomelas from North

America, from which it is distinguished by the different coloration of the elytra and

the length of the antenne. All the Mexican specimens before me belong to the above

variety, while those from Guatemala all agree with the type figured; but this difference

is the only one.

27. Cryptocephalus xanthospilus.

Cryptocephalus xanthospilus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 38.

Hab. Mexico.

I have great doubt whether this species is really distinct from C. irroratus, Suffr. I

fail, at least, to find sufficient distinguishing characters in the author’s description ; the

four brown spots at the apex of the elytra, upon which Suffrian lays some stress, and all

intermediate stages to a band are visible in the specimens which I refer to C. irroratus ;

the same may be said of the more or less distinct elytral bands. Other differences I

cannot find ; and in Suffrian’s long description hardly any allusion is made to the direc-

tion of the elytral strie.

28. Cryptocephalus stigmatipennis. (Tab. III. fig. 14.)

Light fulvous ; apical joints of the antenne black; thorax with a short transverse basal depression, distantly

punctured ; elytra yellowish white, deeply punctate-striate, each elytron with six small black spots

_ (2, 2, 2).

Length 12 line. , .

Head impunctate, lower part of face protruding, eyes almost contiguous and very large in the male; antenne

as long as half the body, first five joints flavous, the rest black ; thorax with the posterior margin slightly

and evenly rounded, without any median lobe, sides with an oblique distinct depression, which extends

nearly to another transverse depression in front of the scutellum, surface covered with distinct but not

very closely approached punctures, fulvous, shining, the posterior margin narrowly black; scutellum

elongate subtriangular, black ; elytra pale yellowish, deeply punctate-striate, the first stria (not the scu-

tellar one) short, the second united at the apex to the ninth, the same being the case with the third and

fourth and the fifth and eighth strie, the latter making a short inward curve near the middle, the sixth

and seventh row abbreviated below the shoulder, interstices smooth, slightly costate in the male, more

distinctly in the female, an elongate spot at the shoulder, another between the latter and the scutellum,

placed between the first and third row, two round, transversely placed spots behind the middle, and two

others near the apex, at the end of each united pair of striee, black. Female with the usual deep abdominal

groove, but the elytra extending beyond the pygidium; posterior margin of the prosternum nearly

truncate.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

On account of the distinct lateral and basal depressions of the thorax, this species

CRYPTOCEPHALUS. 51

cannot very well be classified amongst any of Suffrian’s North-American groups, but

should form a special division.

29. Oryptocephalus quatuordecimpustulatus, (Tab. IT. fig. 7.)

Cryptocephalus 14-pustulatus, Suffr. Monogr. vil. p. 41°.

Cryptocephalus tesseratus, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. i. 1834, fase. iv. no. 85; Sturm, Cat. p. 302.

Yellowish brown; thorax impunctate ; elytra finely punctate-striate, with a transverse depression below the

shoulder, the light colour divided by brown bands into eight large spots (3, 2, 2, 1).

Length 2-23 lines,

Hab. Mexico}, Tuxtla, Cordova, Santecomapan, Playa Vicente (Sallé); GUATEMALA,

near the city (Salvin), Capetillo (Champion).

This species is contained in most collections, and has been sent by Mr. Champion in

great numbers; the depth of the punctuation varies a good deal, as do also the size of

the spots of the elytra. The figure is drawn from a specimen from Capetillo.

30. Cryptocephalus championi. (Tab. III. fig. 13.)

Elongate, parallel, rufous ; thorax finely punctured, the margins and two oblique basal spots flavous ; elytra

regularly geminate-punctate-striate, the interstices alternately more or less broadly flavous.

Length 2-23 lines. .

Head with a central space of deep punctures, this space brown, rest bright flavous; antenue more than two

thirds the length of the body in the male, black, the underside of the first two or three joints fulvous ;

thorax twice as broad as long, distinctly narrowed in front, its posterior margin nearly straight, posterior

angles produced backwards, surface more or less distinctly punctured, bright rufous, the anterior margin

narrowly, the lateral one broadly light yellow and nearly divided by a narrow protruding point of the

ground-colour into two spots, two more like-coloured round spots are placed at each side at the base ;

scutellum black, with a small basal fovea; elytra nearly parallel, very regularly, closely, and deeply

geminate-punctate-striate, the first (subsutural) row abbreviated at a little distance from the apex, the

second row connected with the ninth posteriorly, the same being the case with the next three pairs of

strie, of which the middle one, however, is much shorter than the others; the space between the

punctures distinctly transversely wrinkled, the interstices smooth and costate near the lateral margin, the

latter broadly, base and apex narrowly yellowish white; two other very narrow longitudinal vitte of the

same colour are placed between the first and second and third and fourth striz ; indications of others are

more or less distinct in some specimens. If the light colour of the elytra were assumed as the ground-colour,

there would be a sutural common brown band narrowed at the apex, another narrower one and sub-

sutural, and a broad band on the disk. Underside and legs brown or piceous, base of the latter lighter ;

the abdomen mottled with flavous to a greater or smaller degree, prosternum and breast of the same

colour; posterior thighs in the male extending to the end of the elytra.

Hab. GuatEMALa, near the city (Salvin), Capetillo (Champion).

I know of no species with which the present one can be confounded, the elytral

strie being perfectly regular without interruption, and at the same time deeply and

closely impressed. The specimen figured is from Capetillo.

31. Cryptocephalus ocellatus.

Cryptocephalus ocellatus, Suftr. Monogr. vii. p. 43'.

Cryptocephalus subtilis, Harold, Col. Hefte, x. 1872, p. 254.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa!; Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).

52 . . PHYTOPHAGA,

In colour this species agrees with C. 14-pustulatus, but is much smaller, and the

punctures of the elytra are much more deeply impressed. In a specimen contained in the

collection of Mr. Baly, and named by Suffrian, there is scarcely any trace of the darker

markings which divide the spots on the elytra, while the specimens sent by Mr. Champion

are very distinctly marked, but differ in having only six large yellowish spots, the shoulder-

spot and those of the apex being united together. In other respects the insects do not

differ. The type has been kindly lent to me for comparison by Dr. Peters.

32. Oryptocephalus rhombeus.

Cryptocephalus rhombeus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 44",

Hab. Mzxico!; Guatemata, Zapote, Duefias (Champion), Chinautla (Salvin).

This is another species allied to the preceding ones, but larger than C. ocellatus, and

distinguished by the distinct yellow spots; from C. guttulatus, which it resembles in

that respect, the want of the transverse raised space below the shoulder separates it.

The species seems to be a very variable one. A good many specimens were obtained by

Mr. Champion; these, however, differ somewhat from the type, the males being smaller,

more deeply punctate-striate, and some of the elytral spots sometimes absent ; in others

there are the usual yellowish spots on the thorax, which in the type are wanting ; but

as these are only differences in colour, and the rest of the characters agree with

Suffrian’s species, I have no doubt that all the specimens belong to the same. Through

Dr. Peters’s kindness I have been enabled to examine the type in the Berlin Museum,

which is a female.

The figure represents a well-marked specimen from Zapote.

33. Cryptocephalus irazuensis.

Light brown; a spot on each thigh, two on the thorax, and the margins of the latter light yellow; elytra very

finely punctate-striate, each elytron with seven light-yellow spots (2, 2, 2, 1).

Length 14 line.

Head with a few punctures, yellow; antenne light brown ; thorax impunctate, yellow, the middle occupied by

a broad w-shaped brown mark, the lateral strokes of which extend to the anterior margin ; elytra very

finely punctate-striate, the strie becoming partially very obsolete ; two small yellow spots are placed at

the base (one near the scutellum, the other between it and the middle). The other spots are placed

exactly as in C. rhombeus.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

It will only be necessary to point out the differences between the present species and

C. rhombeus, to which it is closely allied. The antenne in C. irazuensis are entirely brown ;

the thorax is distinctly marked with the same-shaped spot as in C. plagiatus; but the

principal distinction lies in the fine or almost obsolete punctuation of the elytra, which

in C. rhombeus have also an extra spot at the shoulder, and connected with another one’

below it, which is entirely absent in the present species; the legs, moreover, in the latter,

CRYPTOCEPHALUS. 53

have each a yellow spot at the end of the thighs. Two females were received from

Costa Rica, which do not differ from each other.

34. Cryptocephalus militaris. (Tab. III. fig. 5.)

Cryptocephalus militaris, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 58, xii. p. 8743.

Cryptocephalus purpureomaculatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 51?.

Cryptocephalus miniatus, De}. Cat. 8rd ed. p. 447.

Metallic green below, finely pubescent; above metallic greenish blue; thorax closely rugosely punctate; elytra

deeply punctate-striate, each elytron with a large triangular patch at the shoulder and a small apical spot

bright red.

Length 2-3 lines.

Hab. Mexico 12, Izucar, Etla, Puebla (Sal/é); Guatemata, near the city (Salvin), El

Jicaro, Vera Paz (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

This handsome species is not uncommon in Mexico, and is contained in most collec-

tions. It is very variable in size and colour, one specimen in M. Sallé’s collection having

the surface of the elytra entirely red with only a small sutural blue spot, while another

specimen is entirely blue with a small square-shaped red spot at the shoulder; the blue

colour of the elytra is sometimes changed to black. Suffrian, who describes his C. mzli-

taris as black and red, says!, that black varieties exist according to his informant Truqui,

but does not say whether the entire insect is of that colour, or how far the latter extends.

I have never seen entirely black specimens. ‘The figure represents a Mexican specimen,

which does not differ from the type in the Berlin Museum.

35. Cryptocephalus basalis. (Tab. IV. fig. 4.)

Cryptocephalus basalis, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 54, xil. p. 8767.

Cryptocephalus cruentatus, Suftr. Monogr. vii. p. 56’.

Cryptocephalus mucoreus, Lec. Col. Kans. 1860, p. 23°.

Black or red, finely pubescent ; thorax finely rugosely punctured, black, the anterior margin and two more or

less distinct basal spots red; elytra coarsely punctate-striate, the interstices finely transversely rugose,

covered throughout with fine grey hairs, black, the base red.

Length 23-3 lines.

Var. a.

Sides of thorax, base, sides, and central transverse spot, together with the apex of the elytra, red. (C. cruen-

tatus, Suffr.)

Var. 6.

Elytra red, with a posterior black elongate spot on each.

riya ant hoax black, a triangular spot at the base and a smaller one at the apex red.

Hab. NortH America, Texas ?.—Mexico1, Parada, Yolotepec, Cuernavaca (Sallé) ;

GuateMALA, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion).

The numerous specimens before me bring me to the conclusion that C. dasalis and

54 PHYTOPHAGA.

C. cruentatus are but one species. The only difference, according to Suffrian, is one of

coloration, which is very variable in this species, and of which I have nearly all

the intermediate stages before me: the underside is either red or black ; and the elytra

vary much in the same respect, sometimes the one, sometimes the other colour pre-

dominating. The figures represent Mexican specimens of both Suffrian’s species, the

types of which I have examined in the Berlin Museum.

36. Cryptocephalus sordidus.

Cryptocephalus sordidus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 58°.

Fulvous above; head, antenne (the basal joints excepted), and the underside black ; thorax finely rugosely

punctate; elytra deeply punctate-striate, with two obsolete transverse bands and a spot at the apex

piceous ; legs fulvous.

Length 2-24 lines.

Hab, Mexico', Parada (Sal/é).

The bands of the elytra in this species are not black in the specimens before me, but

brownish and more or less obsolete; seen under a lens they are still more indistinct,

the central one only being plain, while the others appear as isolated spots, thus agreeing

generally with the type in the Berlin Museum.

37. Cryptocephalus salvini. (Tab. IV. fig. 3.)

Cylindrical, fulvous, shining ; antennz (their basal joints excepted) and legs black ; elytra very finely punctate-

striate, with a short transverse subbasilar depression.

Length 13 line.

Head flat, distantly punctured, fulvous, shining; antenne two thirds the length of the body, slender, the first

four joints fulvous, the rest black ; thorax very convex, narrowed from the base to the apex, the posterior

margin but slightly sinuate and produced at the middle, posterior angles acute but not much produced,

surface perfectly smooth, impunctate and shining, fulvous, with a very slight depression at each side in

front of the scutellum; the latter also fulvous, with a small groove at the base; elytra very slightly trans-

versely depressed below the shoulders, very finely and regularly punctate-striate, the third and fourth and

the fifth and eighth strie united at a little distance from the apex, the sixth and seventh row only indi-

cated by a few punctures in front of the basal depression, interstices flat and smooth, of the same colour

as the thorax, the base very narrowly margined with black ; underside and the base of the anterior femora

also fulvous ; all the rest of the legs black.

Had. GuateMata, near the city (Salvin).

This new species, of which Mr. Salvin only obtained a single female, approaches in

shape and colour to C. perplexus of South America; but it differs in the much finer

punctuation and the colour of the legs.

38. Cryptocephalus obscuripennis. (Tab. III. fig. 11.)

Light flavous; antenne (their basal joints excepted) black ; thorax impunctate, fulvous, shining, the margins

and two oblique basal spots flavous; elytra moderately deeply punctured, with the inner three pairs of

strie united at their apex, each elytron with six very obscure flavous spots.

Length 2 lines.

CRYPTOCEPHALUS. 55

Head flat, impunctate ; antenns as long as half the body, slender, the first four joints fulvous, the rest black ;

thorax nearly three times as broad as long, the sides evenly rounded, the posterior angles not produced

but acute, posterior margin slightly sinuate and but little produced towards the middle, surface perfectly

impunctate and shining, the interrupted lateral margin broadly, the others narrowly flavous, and the base

with two widely apart yellow oblique spots ; scutellum fulvous, margined with black ; elytra cylindrical

and parallel, with ten rows of brown punctures, placed as follows—the first one ending much behind the

middle, the third and fourth united at some distance from the apex, the fifth and sixth rows also united,

but much shorter than the preceding ones, the seventh and eighth of the same length as the first pair, and

interrupted below the shoulder by two short oblique transverse rows of punctures which enclose between

them a smooth space, the ninth and tenth rows complete and ending near the apex, the interior of the

punctures dark brown, forming irregular longitudinal lines which surround, when seen without a glass,

five or six large round flavous spots, as represented on our Plate. Underside also flavous, legs more fulvous.

Hab. Guaremata, Capetillo (Champion).

In the markings of the elytra this species, of which I have seen a single female only,

somewhat resembles that of C. 14-pustulatus, and in some respects also C. rimosus; but

the totally different punctuation will not allow it to be confounded with either of them,

as all the strie are present here and only interrupted by a short transverse space.

39. Cryptocephalus levipennis. (Tab. IIT. fig. 18.)

Elongate, parallel ; below flavous or black and flavous; antenne black, the basal joints fulvous; above black,

margins and two spots of the thorax yellow; elytra almost impunctate, two or three longitudinal narrow

streaks at the base, two spots behind the middle, and the apex yellow.

Length 1-14 line.

g$. Head impunctate, bright yellow, with a short central brown impressed line; eyes nearly contiguous ;

antenne as long as half the body, rather robust, the first four joints fulvous, the rest black; thorax trans-

verse, of nearly equal width, but a little narrowed anteriorly, sides slightly rounded, posterior margin deeply

sinuate at each side, surface impunctate, smooth and opaque, black, the lateral margins broadly, the others

narrowly (as well as two narrow oblique spots at the base) yellow; scutellum black; elytra cylindrical and

parallel, with very faint indications of punctured strie, sometimes even these absent, and, if visible, only

confined to the two outer rows, of the same subopaque black colour asthe thorax, a streak from the base

of the shoulder to the middle of the elytra, another of equal length near the sutural margin, and between

these a very short streak (which is sometimes absent) yellow, two spots near the apex and the latter

itself of the same colour: all these marks are rather variable in shape; and the elongate ones are generally

widened at their ends. Underside and legs fulvous or flavous, the former more or less mixed with black,

especially at the abdominal segments ; posterior thighs as long as the abdomen.

9. Larger; eyes more distant; thighs shorter, the last abdominal segment with a deep triangular fovea.

Var. Black, with the exception of the narrow anterior margin of the thorax and two apical spots of the elytra,

which are bright yellow ; legs fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sallé); GUATEMALA, near the city (Salvin), Zapote

(Champion). | |

This curious species, which was found by Mr. Salvin at an elevation of 5000 feet, is

the only instance, so far as I know, of a Cryptocephalus from the New World having

almost entirely smooth or impunctate elytra, whereby it constitutes a special group,

the peculiar elongate shape of the insect adding to its distinctive characters. Hight

specimens are before me, of which two are males. The figure is drawn from a specimen

from Mexico.

56 PHYTOPHAGA.

40. Crytocephalus inconspicuus. (Tab. ILL. fig. 12.)

Light fulvous; thorax impunctate, margins and two oblique basal spots obscure flavous; elytra with brown-

punctured striz, the sixth row short and connected with the eighth, interstices finely transversely rugose.

Length 23 lines.

Head flat, impunctate, flavous, shining; antenne slender, filiform, the third and fourth joints of equal length

and three times as long as the second; thorax very convex, subcylindrical, with a slight oblique groove in

front of the posterior angles, the latter acute, posterior margin oblique, scarcely sinuate, and greatly —

widened towards the middle, surface impunctate, obscure fulvous, with an indication of the usual basal

spots and the lighter margins ; scutellum fulvous, margined with brown ; elytra convex, deeply and very

regularly punctate-striate, the stria somewhat approached in pairs, the first and second, the third and

fourth and the fifth and eighth united at their ends, the latter abbreviated before the apex, the former

behind the middle; the sixth and seventh rows are indicated only by a few punctures, and connected

behind the shoulder with the eighth ; interstices distinctly raised and partially transversely rugose towards

the apex; extreme base without any punctures, flavous, the interior of all the punctures dark brown, and

the base narrowly margined with black. Underside and legs light fulvous ; prosternum deeply emarginate

at its posterior margin.

Hab. British Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuatemaLa, San Juan and

Panzos, Vera Paz (Champion).

This rather large and robust species is almost identical in coloration with C. insolidus

(not mentioned in Gemminger’s Catalogue), but is quite distinct in the sculpturing of

the elytra, the strie in the other species not being united at their ends, the eighth of

which is bent inwards and returns again to its position. The figure on the Plate repre-

sents a female from Honduras; the male is smaller, and its antenne longer.

41, Cryptocephalus zapotensis. (Tab. IV. fig. 5.)

Black below ; above bright yellow ; thorax with three broad longitudinal bands ; elytra very finely punctate-

striate; a spot at each shoulder, another surrounding the scutellum, and a transverse band below the

middle black.

Length 13-2 lines.

3. Head with a few but distinct punctures; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the joints, with the

exception of the second, slender and elongate, obscure fulvous, the apical joints darker; thorax very

convex and widened in the middle, the posterior margin deeply sinuate at each side, the posterior angles

acute and pointed with a slight oblique depression near their apex, surface smooth and impunctate,

yellow, with three broad longitudinal bands, which do not quite extend to the anterior margin, and are

sometimes connected in shape of an ; scutellum black: elytra finely and regularly punctate-striate, the

strie becoming very obsolete posteriorly, the interstices flat ; yellow, a round spot surrounding the shoulder,

another, more triangular-shaped, below the scutellum at the suture, and a broad sinuate transverse band

below the middle, extending to the lateral margins, as well as the latter itself, black. Underside black ;

legs fulvous ; hinder femora as long as the body.

2. Larger, the antenne shorter, and the eyes wider apart; in the Mexican forms the two anterior spots are

united in shape of a transverse band; the pygidium and the underside are dark fulvous, the former with

the base and a central line black.

Hab. Mexico, San Andres Tuxtla (Sallé); Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

This species has been received in great numbers from Guatemala ; and, although it

resembles much C. apocryphus from Brazil in the colour and arrangement of its pattern,

it is distinguished from that species by the black colour of the underside and the bands

CRYPTOCEPHALUS. 57

of the elytra; the spots are also differently placed in this species; and the punctuation

is still finer. ‘The Mexican specimens do not differ sufficiently to consider them different

species. A Zapote specimen is described and figured.

42. Cryptocephalus auratus.

Cryptocephalus auratus, Fabr. Syst. El. ii. p. 57 ; Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 71, xil. p. 377, xv. p. 283).

Cryptocephalus eneus, Dejean, Cat. 3rd ed. p. 449.

Cryptocephalus ereus, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 304.

Cryptocephalus chalconotus, Mannerh. Bull. Mose. ii. p. 312 (1843) *.

Cryptocephalus viridis, Melsh. Proc. Ac. Phil. iii. p. 174; Haldem. Journ. Ac. Phil. ser. i. p. 256

(1849).

Greenish eeneous; lower part of the face, sides of the thorax, basal joints of the antenne, and the legs flavous ;

elytra finely punctate-striate, indistinctly so laterally and posteriorly.

Length 3-1 line.

Hab. Nortn AmERIcA, Pennsylvania 2, California, Carolina, Texas.—Mexico, Yucatan};

GUATEMALA, near the city, Calderas, Duefas, Zapote (Champion).—CoLomBia}.

This is, as will be seen by the above localities, a widely distributed and not uncommon

species, of which we have received numerous specimens from Guatemala. Suffrian

describes the antenne as yellow ; all the specimens before me have only the first six joints

of that colour, the rest being dusky. The elytra have a kind of brassy reflection, but

more of a greenish hue than yellowish; but a variety exists with blue elytra. Two

specimens from Duefias are before me which are entirely dark green, with piceous legs,

and no trace of any yellow on the thorax; but I do not think this difference sufficient

to consider it another species.

43. Cryptocephalus subzneus.

Piceous below ; above light fulvous; elytra rather finely punctate-striate, their posterior half more or less

greenish seneous.

Length 3 line.

Head impunctate, with a distinctly impressed central line, the latter generally darker ; antenne as long as the

thorax, the first four joints fulvous, the rest black; thorax about twice as broad as long, with the poste-

rior angles distinctly produced into a point, surface shining fulvous, totally impunctate; scutellum raised

posteriorly, black. Elytra finely punctate-striate on the disk, but the lateral striz deeply impressed, the

interstices there distinctly costate; the apical portion of the elytra almost impunctate; humeral callus

prominent: the colour is the same as that of the thorax; but the basal and sutural margins are black,

and the apical part of the elytra is greenish eeneous, this colour extending across the suture to a greater

or smaller degree without touching, however, the extreme apex. Legs entirely fulvous; underside piceous.

Hab. GuateMata, Zapote (Champion).

This very small species seems to be most nearly allied to C. exilis, Chevr.; it is, how-

ever, of half the size only, and sufficiently distinguished by its colour.

fade

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, December 1880.

58 PHYTOPHAGA.

44, Cryptocephalus inornatus.

@. Black below; base of the antenne and of the anterior femora fulvous; above metallic violaceous blue.

Length line.

Eyes very closely approached, face and labrum yellow or fulvous ; antenne rather long, extending to one third

the length of the body, four lower joints fulvous, the rest black and nearly as broad as long; thorax

very convex, much narrowed anteriorly and deflexed, with a short but distinct basal transverse groove in

front of the scutellum, surface very shining and totally impunctate, dark blue, the anterior margin very

narrowly fulvous; apex of scutellum very acute, black; elytra cylindrical, convex, and parallel, very

finely but regularly punctate-striate, the punctuation indistinct posteriorly ; the sixth row short, the

seventh absent; interstices smooth. ;

3. Darker blue ; head, anterior and part of the lateral margin of the thorax, a8 well as the legs, flavous ;

elytra deeply punctate-striate.

Hab. Guatemaa, Duefias, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Although there is a good deal of difference in both colour and elytral sculpturing in

the two sexes of this species, I must, for want of more specimens, conclude that they

are in reality identical in regard to the species, which seems to be allied to C. virtdi-

eneus, Boh., but differs in its general colour and in the transverse depression of the

thorax.

SCOLOCHRUS.

Scolochrus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 104.

Griburius, Haldeman, Journ. Ac. N. Sc. Philad. 1849, p. 245.

Although this genus forms a link between the genera Cryptocephalus and Pachy-

brachys, and even approaches sometimes so close to the latter that the true determination

is not at all easy, yet the general shape, in most instances, is well marked—the broad

thorax, flattened upper surface, and the more developed anterior legs giving the insects

a characteristic appearance. More than a hundred species are already known, prin-

cipally from South America. Central America has furnished us at present with

fifteen species. |

1. Scolochrus dichrous.

Scolochrus dichrous, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 108 (1852).

Steel-blue ; sides of the thorax and a basal and apical spot of the elytra yellow ; thorax coarsely and closely

punctate; elytra regularly, near the suture confusedly, punctate-striate, the interstices finely wrinkled.

Length 13-13 line.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca.

2. Scolochrus purpurascens. (Tab. III. fig. 21.)

Scolochrus purpurascens, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 109, xii. p. 3877.

Steel-blue, purplish above ; sides of the thorax finely punctured and pubescent ; elytra coarsely and irregularly

punctate, a basal transverse band and the apex red.

Length 23-22 lines.

SCOLOCHRUS. 59

Hab. Muxico!, Cordova (Sailé); Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion) ; Costa Rica, Volcan

de Irazu (Rogers). | |

The difference between this and the following species consists principally in the

purplish and more finely punctate thorax, which is also devoid of the light anterior

margin; the legs in the present insect are also uniformly dark blue.

8. Scolochrus albilabris.

- Scolochrus albilabris, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 111, xii. p. 388°.

Scolochrus suturalis, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 118.

Scolochrus biverrucatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 115, xii. p. 389.

Hab. Mexico}, La Parada, Cuernavaca, Gua, Capulalpam, Juquila (Sadlé) ; Guate-

MALA, near the city (Salvin); Honpvuras (Sal/é).

After examining a great many specimens, I have come to the conclusion that

these three of Suffrian’s species cannot well be regarded as specifically different. He

admits himself the great variability of this insect, of which scarcely two are alike, and

does not think it improbable that his S. suturalis is identical with S. albilabris.

S. biverrucatus is founded upon a single female, differing in the closer punctuation of

the thorax and by the want of the apical elytral spot; the lateral margin of the former

is also described as being uninterrupted white. I have now before me specimens which

agree partially with Suffrian’s type of this species; the thorax, however, is entirely

black, as well as the posterior part of the elytra;. and I could further distinguish

another species closely allied to S. aldilabris or to any of its allies; but I do not

think that I am wrong in considering them all local varieties. A little closer punc-

tuation and the absence of a spot is, in my opinion, not sufficient to make a new species

of an insect which is known to vary to a great extent, not alone in regard to colour, but

also in the punctuation of its different parts.

4. Scolochrus zonatus.

Scolochrus zonatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 118.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca.

This species, which resembles very closely S. aldilabris, is distinguished by the

different shape of its body, the latter being more convex and the thorax laterally

more rounded; the antenne also are not widened at their extremity, but slender. The

type of this species has been also kindly lent to me by Dr. Peters.

5. Scolochrus montezuma. (Tab. III. fig. 19.)

Scolochrus montezuma, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 116'.

Scolochrus speciosus, Lec. Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. i. p. 56 (1867).

60 PHYTOPHAGA.

Black, covered below with short white hairs; posterior half of the thorax bright fulvous, anterior margin

narrowly yellow ; surface closely and deeply punctate; scutellum white ; elytra black, sutural and lateral

margins (the latter interrupted) shining white.

Length 2—24 lines.

Hab. Mexico}.

Suffrian only knew a single female of this curiously coloured species. . I have now

another male insect before me, from the collection of Mr. Baly, which is smaller and

has the sutural white margin abbreviated posteriorly, the lateral one being only indi-

cated by a short streak of white below the shoulder. It is not improbable, therefore,

that specimens with totally black elytra may be met with. The specimen figured is

that of the Berlin Museum. |

6. Scolochrus cazicus. (Tab. III. fig. 24.)

Scolochrus cazicus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 119°.

Below black, silvery pubescent; sides of the abdomen and the posterior thighs yellow; thorax and a spot

between the eyes fulvous; anterior margin of the former narrowly black; elytra black, shining, a sub-

quadrate sutural spot at the base yellowish white.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Mexico (Baly), Yucatan '.—CotomB1al.

This species is very closely allied to S. montezuma. Ido not think it at all impro-

bable that it is but a variety of that species. It is true that S. cazicus is a shorter

insect, which two specimens from the collection of Mr. Baly confirm; but in regard to

the colour, no great reliance is to be placed on that, as other species of this genus

show; and both the present one and S. montezuma were described by Suffrian from

single females. The figure on our Plate is taken from a Mexican specimen.

7. Scolochrus suffriani. (Tab. IV. fig. 7.)

Black below, covered with thick white pubescence; sides of the abdominal segments and part of the posterior

thighs yellow ; posterior part of the thorax fulvous, the anterior margin black; elytra yellowish white, a

narrow basal margin and a transverse band near the apex black.

Length 23 lines.

$. Eyes nearly contiguous; antenne fulvous, their five terminal joints black; thorax deeply foveolate-

punctate at the sides, the interstices transversely wrinkled, to a smaller extent on the disk, the black

anterior part much widened towards the middle; scutellum yellowish white: elytra deeply punctate-

striate, the extreme apex smooth, the interstices very minutely rugose ; yellowish white, the sutural and

lateral margins, the humeral callus, and a streak from the latter to the suture, together with a transverse

band below the middle, narrowed interiorly, black: posterior thighs extending to the end of the

abdomen.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec (Saldé).

I do not think I am wrong in considering the present insect a different species from

the preceding ones. It is, although a male, larger than the females of the latter. The

thorax is more deeply punctured, forming even small foveas; and the interstices are

wrinkled. The white colour of the elytra predominates, and only leaves a transverse

black band, although this may be subject to variation. The female is unknown.

SCOLOCHRUS. 61

8. Scolochrus errans. (Tab. III. fig. 25.)

Scolochrus errans, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 120°.

Hab. Mxxtico (Baly), Yucatan‘.

This is another somewhat doubtful species, described by Suffrian from a single female

specimen. The one figured is taken from the collection of Mr. Baly, and does not quite

agree with the typical description, inasmuch as the lateral margin of the thorax is

broadly black. More specimens are required in order to come to a conclusion as to the

specific value of Suffrian’s type.

9. Scolochrus decoratus. (Tab. III. fig. 23.)

Scolochrus decoratus, Sturm, Cat. p. 303 (1843) ; Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 124’.

Var. Scolochrus larvatus, Newm. Ann. Nat. Hist. ser. 2, iv. p. 250° (1840); Suffr. Monogr. xii.

p. 390.

Scolochrus spadiceus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 131”.

Below black, sides of the abdomen and the legs yellow, above yellow ; thorax with two black lateral broad

bands ; elytra regularly punctate-striate, yellow, the base, a sutural spot below the scutellum, and a

transverse band below the middle black.

Var. a.

The black bands of the thorax abbreviated posteriorly; elytra with a spot at the shoulder, another near the

scutellum, and a third one near the apex black.

Var. 0.

Thorax with two small black spots; each elytron with one black shoulder-spot, and another near the apex.

(S. larvatus.)

Var. ¢c.

The elytral bands broken up into spots.

Hab. Norta America, Florida!.—Mexico, Oaxaca?, Cordova, Tuxtla, Tehuantepec,

Vera Cruz (Sallé).

Besides the above varieties, several others have been described by Suffrian. This

author describes at length S. Jarvatus, Newm., and compares it with S. equestris, Fabr.,

from which it is no doubt well distinguished ; but I am not able to find any important

difference between it and S. decoratus, var. b. In the collection of Mr. Baly I find a

specimen labelled S. larvatus, and marked “named by Suffrian ; ” so that I must con-

sider this as good as the type itself, with which, according to the description, it certainly

agrees well enough; but I have no doubt whatever that the species is but a variety of

S. decoratus, of which the intermediate forms are before me. From others the present

species may be recognized, amongst other characters, by the posterior extreme lateral

margin, which is brown or black, the anterior part remaining of the ground-colour, and

which is constant in all the specimens I have examined.

The figure on our Plate is from a Mexican specimen. ‘The Berlin specimens have

been kindly lent me by Dr. Peters—also Suffrian’s type of S. spadiceus, in which I can

62 PHYTOPHAGA.

see nothing but a variety of S. decoratus, being yellow and brown instead of yellow

and black. The punctured strie of the elytra, which according to Suffrian are

different from those of S. decoratus, do not show any difference whatever from any

specimens of the latter which I have examined. I cannot, therefore, admit S. spadiceus

as specifically distinct, more especially as a specimen from Tehuantepec, although

evidently belonging to the last-named variety of Suffrian, again differs in colour.

10. Scolochrus personatus. (Tab. III. figg. 20 & 22.)

Scolochrus personatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 133 '.

Hab. Mzxico1, Cordova, Playa Vicente (Sal/é); Brirish Honpuras, Rio Sarstoon

(Blancaneauaz) ; Guatemaa, San Gerdnimo, Zapote (Champion) ; Nicaracua, Chontales

(Belt).

This is another most variable species, founded by Suffrian upon a single female specimen.

It may, however, be recognized from others by the transverse black or brown mark

at the middle of the elytra, which assumes, however, sometimes the shape of a band,

as the figure on our Plate shows. I also refer to this species several specimens from

Nicaragua and Mexico which are of a uniform brown colour above, without any trace

of darker marks; in general shape and sculpturing they agree, however, with the

normal specimens. Of those figured here, the lighter-coloured one has been collected

at Zapote, the other at Vera Paz by Mr. Champion.

11. Scolochrus triangularis.

Scolochrus triangularis, Suffr. Monogr. xvi. p. 162°.

Below dark blue or black, covered with thick white pubescence; thorax black, with a purplish gloss, sides

closely pubescent ; elytra very closely and irregularly punctate-striate, light or dark fulvous, margins and

a triangular spot on the disk bluish black.

Length 24-33 lines.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).—Co.tompia!; Venezvueta; Braziu? (Clark).

This species has as yet been only recorded from South America. Two specimens

(females) collected by M. Boucard near Panama agree in every thing with the type

before me, and may be at once distinguished from varieties of S. purpurascens and

other similarly coloured species by the close and irregular punctuation of the elytra and

the triangular black spot of the latter.

12. Scolochrus indigestus.

Scolochrus indigestus, Suffr. Monogr. xvi. p. 79.

Black ; head, the anterior angles of the thorax, and the scutellum white; disk of the thorax finely punctate ;

elytra fulvous, finely punctate-striate, interstices very finely punctured and shining.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Mexico.

SCOLOCHRUS. . 63

Founded upon a specimen in Clark’s collection, and allied to S. curtus, from

Cayenne.

18. Scolochrus foetens.

Scolochrus foetens, Suffr. Monogr. xvi. p. 181’.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).—CotomsBia’; Bottvia’.

A specimen from Panama before me belongs to this species of Suffrian, differing in

no respect from the Colombian form. The species may be known by its yellowish

posterior half, the lateral margin of the thorax and the abdomen being of the same

colour.

14. Scolochrus sulcipennis.

Scolochrus sulcipennis, Suffe. Monogr. xvi. p. 241°.

Scolochrus alutaceus, Jacoby, Mittheil. entom. Ver. Miinsch. i. p. 144°.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).—Co.oms1a, Bogota 1, Ocafia ?.

A single specimen of this species from M. Boucard’s collection does not differ from

the Colombian form, a slight variety of which was described by me erroneously as new

under the above synonym. The opaque colour of the upper surface, caused partly by

the dense punctuation, will distinguish this species from others.

15. Scolochrus boucardi. (Tab. IV. fig. 8.)

Below black and yellow, above bright red; thorax with a semicrescent band at each side black; elytra

closely punctate-striate, the sutural and lateral margins and two longitudinal bands connected transversely

at two places black.

Length 23 lines. .

Head closely punctate, red; vertex, a central spot, and lower part of face black; thorax with a deep oblique

and distinctly punctured groove at each side, rest of the surface very minutely punctate ; disk at each side

with a very broad curved band (not extending to the anterior margin, but touching the base) and a small

central streak black; scutellum black ; elytra very regularly and closely punctate-striate, the striz on the

disk wider apart than near the sides, the interstices slightly transversely rugose when viewed in certain

lights ; a very broad black longitudinal band extends from the base to a little distance from the apex of

each elytron, the outer margin of which is concave in the middle, and is connected with the opposite band

at and below the middle of the elytra by short transverse branches; below and the anterior legs black,

closely pubescent ; sides of the abdomen and the other legs yellowish, the latter with a black spot at the

middle of the femora.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).

I am in possession of a single specimen from M. Boucard’s collection ; and although

it is very probable that the peculiar black markings of the elytra may be subject to

variation as in so many other species, yet I know of none with which the present one

can be confounded, on account of the close elytral punctuation. 7. spadiceus resembles

it in the markings of the thorax, which, however, like those of the elytra, are brown

instead of black; moreover the sculpture in the latter species is totally different, as

well as the shape of the other markings.

64 PHYTOPHAGA.

PACHYBRACHYS.

Pachybrachys, Suffrian, Monogr. Linn. Entom. iii. p. 111 (1848, ex Chevrolat).

The species of this genus amount, at present, to about 170. Central America is

represented by about twenty-six, Europe by the same number, while North and South

America seem to possess the greatest number. From the genus Scolochrus, to which

the present one is closely allied, it is principally distinguished by the differently-

constructed prosternum and the elytral punctuation: yet there are instances in which

the separation of the two genera is difficult and unsatisfactory. ‘The elongation of the

posterior thighs in the male, to which I have drawn attention in the genus Crypto-

cephalus, is also clearly visible in the genus Pachybrachys.

1. Pachybrachys fenestratus.

Light brown below ; thorax widened behind the middle, surface rather closely and distinctly punctured on the

darker parts, more sparingly on the lighter places, light yellow, the disk occupied by a brown n-shaped

mark connected at each side with a ring of the same colour: elytra with irregular-shaped deep-punctured

stria, enclosing smooth elevated spaces, of which four are placed in pairs near the sutural margin, a

larger transverse space immediately below the shoulder and another similarly-shaped one below the middle

near the lateral margin ; all these spaces, as well as the apex, are bright yellow and irregularly divided

by the brown punctured strie, of which two unite close to the suture, but at some distance from the

apex, and two, enclosing a much wider space, near the lateral margin ; a spot at the shoulder, connected

by an oblique line extending to the suture, as well as two transverse narrow bands near the lateral margin,

dark brown: femora with a whitish spot near the apex.

Length 13 line.

Hab. Mexico, San Andres, Tuxtla (Sal/é).

Only a single specimen from M. Sallé’s collection is before me, the characteristic

sculpture of the elytra of which will not allow it to be confounded with any other

species ; it approaches, however, in that respect somewhat 7. pumicatus of Cuba; but

may be distinguished from it by the wider and much more distinctly punctured thorax,

as well as by the different shape of the elevated spaces and the transverse bands of the

elytra. The antenne in the present specimen are unfortunately wanting.

2. Pachybrachys hematodes. (Tab. IV. fig. 11.)

Pachybrachys hematodes, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 1507’.

Deep black ; basal joint of the antenne, sides of the thorax, some more or less distinct spots of the elytra,

apex of the pygidium, and the base of the thighs blood-red; the entire upper surface closely pubescent

and punctured.

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca, La Parada (Sallé).

This species is variable and closely allied to P. pubescens (Oliv.) from North America,

with which it forms the second group of Suffrian’s monograph, both being distinguished

from all others by the pubescence which covers their upper parts. The specimen on

our Plate is from La Parada, and differs slightly in its colour from the type in the

Berlin Museum, which I have examined.

PACHYBRACHYS. 65

8. Pachybrachys ‘rubronotatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 18.)

Black below; head closely and distinctly punctured, light red, the vertex and a central line black ; labrum

yellow ; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the first six joints fulvous, the rest black ; thorax

closely and deeply punctate, the sides distinctly widened before the base—black, opaque, the lateral

margins, a spot at each side at the base, and a smaller one near the lateral margins, red ; elytra rugose

punctate, with traces of longitudinal coste—black, the extreme base, two or three spots at each side, and

the apex red ; underside closely pubescent, black, femora with a red spot at the base and at the apex, the

posterior ones extending beyond the body in the male.

Length 14 line.

Hab. Mexico, La Parada (Sallé).

A single male of this insect is before me, which, although it seems closely allied to

P. pulvinatus, Bober., differs sufficiently to be considered distinct. It is distinguished

from this species by the shorter antenne, the colour of the thorax, and that of the legs,

according to the description given by Suffrian. LP. trinotatus, Melsh., which the present

species also resembles, has the antenne and the elytra quite black, the thorax much

longer, and is altogether a much larger insect. Another allied species, P. dilatatus,

Suffr., differs in the fine and remote punctuation of the thorax.

4, Pachybrachys varicolor.

Pachybrachys varicolor, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 153°.

Pachybrachys occator, Suffr. ibid. p. 189.

Piceous below; legs and sides of the abdomen in the female pale fulvous ; head black, margined with yellow

round the eyes; thorax closely punctate, black, the margins, a central spot or line, and two spots at the

base yellow; elytra more deeply punctured than the thorax, without longitudinal coste, the interior of

all the punctures black, the interstices here and there slightly raised in yellow short spaces ; pygidium

yellow, with a basal and central black line.

3. Narrower; thorax with the black parts more distinct and in the shape of an n.

Length 13-2 lines.

Hab. Mexico? ?,

The loan of the types in the Berlin Museum enables me to give a new short diagnosis

of this species, with which I must unite Suffrian’s P. occator, which is, in my opinion,

nothing but the male insect. Except in size and some small difference in coloration, I

cannot find any characters to separate the two species. If one compares Suffrians

descriptions, the similarity must strike’ any one, allowance, of course, being made

for sexual differences. ‘The predominating black colour of the elytra (which, when

seen without a glass, appears to form three obsolete transverse bands), and the want of

the longitudinal coste, principally distinguish this species.

5. Pachybrachys rubro-ornatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 19.)

Widened posteriorly, black; basal half of the thorax red; elytra subrugose punctate, a lateral longitudinal

band and the apex of each elytron yellowish red. ,

Length 14 line.

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, December 1880. k

66 PHYTOPHAGA.

Head very finely and closely punctate, black; clypeus fulvous ; labrum yellow; antenne about half the length

of the body, black, the first five or six joints fulvous; thorax not more than twice as broad as long, very

closely and equally but rather finely punctate, black, the posterior half in the shape of a transverse band, red,

this colour extending higher atthe sides than at the middle, and the anterior margin of this band deeply

sinuate ; elytra widened behind, much deeper and more irregularly punctate than the thorax, the inter-

stices partially transversely wrinkled, the extreme lateral margin anteriorly and the apex yellowish white ;

each elytron with a longitudinal band which widens towards the apex, but does not quite extend to the

latter, reddish ; this band commences directly below the shoulder, and is situated close to the lateral

margin; underside and legs black, closely pubescent ; base of the femora reddish.

Hab. Mexico, La Parada (Sallé).

There are sufficient distinguishing characters to separate this species from P. subfas-

ciatus, which it closely resembles in shape. The much finer and closer punctuation of

the thorax in the present species, together with the entirely different position and shape

of the red colour, will make it recognizable at first sight.

6. Pachybrachys bajulus.

Pachybrachys bajulus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 175.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa.

Suffrian says:—‘ Again very closely allied to P. infaustus, Hald., and only distin-

guished by very fine but acute characters ;” but Suffrian very much doubts the specific

distinction of P. infaustus, and thinks that this species may be identical with P. atoma-

rius, Melsh. The principal difference of the species before us consists, first, in the

coloration of the thorax, which is divided by two longitudinal yellow stripes extending

from the anterior to the posterior margin; secondly, in the evenly rounded lateral

margin of the thorax, which in other species is more angulate; and, lastly, in the colour

of the pygidium, which has two yellow spots instead of being entirely black. Suffrian’s

species was described from a single specimen. The type in the Berlin Museum is now

before me; but, instead of the thorax being, as stated by Suffrian, divided into three

longitudinal spaces, I find the surface covered with irregularly-distributed yellow spots

of different shapes; in other respects it agrees with the description.

7. Pachybrachys scenicus.

Pachybrachys scenicus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 194.

Hab. Mexico.

Not unlike P. histrio (Oliv.), but with the thorax more sparingly punctured and the

longitudinal elytral coste distributed over the entire surface. The type, kindly lent to

me by Dr. Peters, is distinguished by the large white spots of the elytra, which are

surrounded by black lines, of which three, placed triangularly on the disk and the apex

of each elytron, are especially prominent.

PACHYBRACHYS. 67

8. Pachybrachys irregularis, (Tab. IV. fig. 12.)

Pachybrachys irregularis, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 196*.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca!, Etla, Cordova, La Parada, Cuernavaca, Orizaba (Sallé) ;

GuatemaLa, San Gerdénimo, Zapote, Duefias (Champion).

The long antenne and the raised smooth triangular patch near the suture of the

elytra will help to distinguish this species from others, although the latter character is

common to several other species. Some specimens from Etla which are before me are

larger and paler than the type in the Berlin Museum, but do not differ materially in

other respects.

9. Pachybrachys labyrinthicus.

Pachybrachys labyrinthicus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 1971.

Above obscure yellowish white, with black regularly punctured strize; below black, with the shoulders and the

sides of the abdominal segments white ; thorax unevenly and coarsely punctured, the elytra nearly regu-

larly punctate-striate, with distinct longitudinal coste.

Length 1,5, line.

Hab. Muxtco!: Guatemaa, Duefias (Champion).

The above is the substance of Suffrian’s diagnosis of this species, which he principally

distinguishes by the regularity of the strie of the elytra. In his long description (the

species differing but little from many others) he says, in speaking of the elytra, that they

have ten nearly regular strie, but that the inner ones near the base are a little confused,

that the second turns obliquely inwards and returns again further on, inclosing thereby a .

smooth space (which is also the case with P. irregularis) and that the ninth stria is

curved above the lateral margin. All this does not seem to imply that regularity upon

which Suffrian lays principal stress in distinguishing the species. Through the kind

loan of the specimens of this species, as well as those of P. irregularis in the Berlin

Museum from which Suffrian’s descriptions were drawn, I find the principal and somewhat

doubtful difference between the two insects to lie in the widened space near the suture

of the elytra, which in the present species is drawn out intoa longitudinal space, the

corresponding part in P. irregularis consisting of a round-shaped space; but I have

great doubt of the two species being really distinct.

10. Pachybrachys nebulosus.

Pachybrachys nebulosus, Suftr. Monogr. vii. p. 202.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz.

Suffrian distinguishes this species from others, and specially from P. obsoletus, by the

black underside, the much more irregular punctured strie of the elytra, and the

small size, which does not exceed a line. The description was drawn from a female

k 2

68 PHYTOPHAGA.

specimen, and seems scarcely to vary from most of the others belonging to his

fourth section.

11. Pachybrachys incrassatus.

Pachybrachys incrassatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 206).

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa!; GuareMaLa, San Gerénimo (Champion).

The shorter antenne (which do not extend to half the length of the body), the

close and strong punctuation of the thorax, and the irregularly sinuate coste of the

elytra form the principal distinguishing characters of this species, to which I refer a

male (a sex unknown to Suffrian) sent by Mr. Champion, and which agrees well enough

with the type in the Berlin Museum. The general colour is yellow, with brown lines

and punctures.

12. Pachybrachys longulus.

Pachybrachys longulus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 207.

Hab. Mexico.

Again a closely allied species to the preceding ones, but separated by the long and

narrow cylindrical body and the white colour at the sides of the abdominal segments.

The type in the Berlin Museum is a female, the antenne of which reach nearly to the

end of the body. The elytra are very closely and irregularly covered with brown punc-

tures; and the legs and underside are of the same colour.

13. Pachybrachys punctatissimus. (Tab. IV. fig. 20.)

Broad, parallel, brown below ; head and thorax closely punctured, the latter with two longitudinal bands and

the margins yellow; elytra light yellow, covered. closely with brown punctures.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head exceedingly closely rugose punctate, brown, with irregular spots of yellow; antenns extending to one

third the length of the body, the apical joints rather robust and much widened, black, basal joint fulvous ;

thorax of equal width, its sides straight, posterior margin distinetly produced at the middle ; surface very

closely, evenly, and deeply punctate, brown, interrupted here and there by small yellow spots, and divided

longitudinally by two bands of the same colour, more or less distinct ; scutellum dark brown ; elytra punc-

tured like the thorax, the punctures themselves brown, the interstices light yellow, and now and then

arranged into smooth, narrow, longitudinal coste ; underside and legs darker or lighter brown ; female

with some brown spots near the apex of the elytra.

Hab. Mexico, La Parada, Cuernavaca (Sallé).

A species allied to P. longulus, Suffr., from which it is distinguished by its shorter

body, antennee, and the very close and rugose punctuation of the head; that of

the elytra in P. Jongulus is also finer, and does not extend quite to the apex; and

the abdomen in the present species is without the white spots. A specimen in the

collection of Mr. Baly slightly exceeds two lines, and is proportionally robust.

PACHYBRACHYS. 69

14. Pachybrachys umbraculatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 14.)

Pachybrachys umbraculatus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 213°.

Above yellowish, a few longitudinal lines on the thorax, the suture, and a pair of narrow stripes on the elytra

black ; below black; shoulders and the abdominal sides yellow ; legs yellowish white; thorax unevenly

and coarsely punctured ; elytra regularly punctate-striate, with sinuate, partly interrupted interstices.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa* (Sallé).

The type from the Berlin Museum, which is before me, agrees completely with the

description of Suffrian; another, from M. Sallé’s collection, is lighter—the sixth and

seventh rows of the elytra, which in the type are abbreviated by a broad smooth space,

are here nearly united; but I fail to find any other differences of importance.

15. Pachybrachys gregarius. (Tab. IV. fig. 13.)

Pachybrachys gregarius, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 215.

Larger than P. umbraculatus. The elytra marked with black and white, and the first strie surrounding a large

triangular smooth space near the suture.

Hab. Mexico!, Cuernavaca, Juquila (Sad/é).

The type in the Berlin Museum, which Dr. Peters has kindly lent me for comparison,

is a male, not a female, as Suffrian says. Three others, also males, are before me from

M. Sallé’s collection, which show no material difference. Two other specimens, however,

are smaller and lighter-coloured. The species is not difficult to recognize, on account

of its elongate triangular space on the elytra, and the strongly marked colour of the

latter and of the thorax (which distinguishes it at the same time from P. labyrinthicus).

16. Pachybrachys regularis. (Tab. IV. fig. 15.)

Elongate, subdepressed ; below yellow or black ; above yellowish white, the thorax with a distinct M-shaped

mark; elytra subgeminate punctate-striate, yellow, with longitudinal, more or less interrupted, dark-

brown interstices.

Length 2 lines.

Head yellow, with the base and a longitudinal central line, which divides further down into two branches, deep

brown; the light parts impunctate ; antennz of about half the length of the body, with the third joint twice |

as long as the second, and the fourth joint nearly double as long as the third, black, the basal joints lighter ;

thorax yellow, with a very dark-coloured well-defined M-shaped mark enclosing on each side another,

smaller spot of the ground-colour—the dark places closely, the light ones more remotely punctured ;

scutellum yellow, margined with brown ; elytra subdepressed, slightly transversely depressed towards the

middle, with the following punctured dark-brown strice :—two sutural ones, running nearly parallel with

each other, but dividing near the middle, where they enclose a short widened space, and finishing at some

distance from the apex; the next pair of strie are much shorter, and finish a little below the middle ; the

following pair are a little longer, and interrupted near the middle by a narrow, transverse, smooth place ;

the last pair are narrowed, or approaching each other, near the middle, and, after curving inwards near the

apex, finish in a line with the first pair of strie; all the spaces included by these punctures are deep

brown, but interrupted here and there by the raised smooth ground-colour, which fills out the rest of the ©

intervals between the strie; the extreme lateral and sutural margins are also dark brown; but the apex

remains yellow: pygidium of the same colour, with a short longitudinal central line ; underside and legs

70 | | PHYTOPHAGA.

darker yellow, finely pubescent ; the breast black, or this colour extending on the abdomen as far as the

sides of the segments; thighs with a faint brown mark in the middle. -

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).

I cannot find any species with which the present one (of which more than half a

dozen specimens are before me) agrees. It ought to be placed, without doubt, in the .

fifth section, near P. gregarius, of Suffrian, and may at once be recognized by the very

distinct mark of the thorax. The colour of the underside in these insects does not seem

to me to be of much value in their determination, as one before me, which does not

differ in other respects, proves. The’ principal difference between the present species

and P. gregarius lies in the much shorter thorax and the different direction of the elytral

strie, which do not enclose a large triangular space near the suture, very plainly

visible in P. gregarius.

17. Pachybrachys cribellatus.

Pachybrachys cribellatus, Suffr. Monogr. vil. p. 221.

Hab. MEXico.

The type in the Berlin Museum (which I have compared) is a female, which

may be known from other species by the very close punctuation of the thorax and

the sutural parts of the elytra, in connexion with the small general size and pale

colour. Some regular rows of punctures are only visible towards the lateral margins of

the elytra. |

18. Pachybrachys posticus.

Pachybrachys posticus, Suffr. Monogr. vu. p. 222.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa.

Closely allied to the preceding species, but of only half the size, and the smallest

species of this genus. The elytra in the only female specimen in the Berlin Museum

are still more irregularly punctate, and without any arrangement in rows; the underside

also is black.

19. Pachybrachys uniformis.

Black or dark brown below, uniformly light brown above ; head and thorax closely and strongly punctured, the

latter with an indistinct black M-shaped mark ; elytra semipunctate-striate at the outer half, with or

without a few black spots near the apex.

Length 2 lines.

Head light brown, the middle and the vertex more or less black, very closely and more strongly punctured than

the lighter parts ; eyes rather distant in both sexes, and but little emarginate; antennx of half the length of

the body, the third joint but little longer than the second, and the fourth joint nearly double as long as

the third, black, the basal joint only lighter brown; thorax distinctly narrowed from the base to the apex,

the posterior margin slightly oblique at each side—surface deeply and very closely punctate throughout,

PACHYBRACHYS. 71

light brown, with a more or less distinct M-shaped black mark; scutellum black; elytra semiregularly

punctate-striate at their outer half, irregularly punctured towards the suture, each elytron with two rather

distinct and slightly raised interstices from the base to the apex, the others flat and more irregular—a spot

at; the shoulder, and three others at some distance from the apex, in some specimens obsolete or wanting,

black ; underside fine silvery pubescent; thighs with a black central spot, extending nearly to the end of

the body in the male.

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city (Champion).

This is a closely allied species to P. cribellatus, distinguished by the larger size, the

black underside and antenne, and the semidistinct, smooth, longitudinal coste of the

elytra; the latter are also dark brown, instead of light yellow.

20. Pachybrachys hepaticus.

Pachybrachys hepaticus, Melsh. Proc. Ac. Phil. iii. p. 171’; Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 223%.

Pachybrachys punctatus, Hald. Journ. Ac. Phil. ser. 2, iv. p. 257°.

_ Hab. Norta America, Pennsylvania! ?—Mextco, Jalapa2, Vera Cruz (Sallé); Gua-

TEMALA, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion).

The specimens collected by Mr. Champion agree very nearly with the type in the

Berlin Museum, except that they are more robust and more distinctly marked; in other

respects I see no material difference.

21. Pachybrachys pinguis.

Pachybrachys pinguis, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 225.

Hab. Mexico.

Resembles very much P. hepaticus, but is a little smaller and more evenly punctured

throughout the entire surface; the elongate light patch at the hinder half of the

elytra occupies here the entire apex; head and legs darker. I have also compared

this type in the Berlin Museum.

22. Pachybrachys bifasciatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 17.)

Below black and yellow; thorax fulvous, the margins and a central spot on the disk yellow; elytra semi-

regularly punctate-striate, yellow, an interrupted transverse band at the base and another narrower one

below the middle black.

Length 17 line.

Head yellow, the base and a central line brown; eyes closely approached; antenne very thin and slender,

extending to one third the length of the body, the first six joints testaceous, the rest black; thorax very

narrow, of nearly equal width and with a distinct transverse groove at each side near the base—surface

deeply but remotely punctured, fulvous, all the margins and a central more or less distinct spot bright

yellow ; scutellum yellow or black ; elytra with distinct but posteriorly abbreviated punctured strie, which

run as follows :—an oblique closely approached pair below the scutellum towards the suture, the outer

row of which is connected with the third row at its apex, and enclosing a widened smooth space; the

fourth and fifth rows nearly parallel, but shorter than the preceding and following ones, and also united

at their apex; the interstices mostly raised in smooth spaces of unequal size, the black-coloured portions

72 PHYTOPHAGA.

consisting of a ring at the base, connected with the sutural and lateral margin, and with another

transverse irregular black band near the apex; the latter and all the other spaces bright yellow: pygi-

dium and sides of the abdomen yellow; legs fulvous; breast black.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sallé); Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species is easily recognizable by the distinct black bands of the elytra and the

fulvous thorax; it seems to be allied to P. mollis, Hald., but differs in the light under-

side and the differently coloured thorax. The specimen figured is from San Geronimo.

23. Pachybrachys laticollis. (Tab. IV. fig. 16.)

Black below, above light brown; head and thorax very closely and distinctly punctured, the latter with an

n-shaped black mark ; elytra deeply and irregularly punctured, the interstices distinctly costate near the

apex.

Length 2-27 lines.

Head yellowish, with a black central line which divides into two branches lower down, rather deeply and

closely punctured ; antenne half the length of the body, third joint nearly double as long as the second,

third and the following joints still more elongate, the terminal joint long and much widened ; thorax

very convex and much widened near the base, sides rounded and extending as far as the sides of the

elytra, surface impressed throughout with crowded, deep, and rather elongate punctures and numerous

small, round, smooth elevations of lighter colour, the ground-colour a light brown, the disk with a

distinct n-shaped black mark, the sides of which are very wide; scutellum black, the apex yellowish ;

elytra as wide at the base as the thorax, with about eight very deep coste, mostly visible near the apex

only, but two or three of them extending towards the base, the interstices irregularly and closely

punctured, the ground-colour a light brown, the humeral callus, the coste posteriorly more or less,

and the interior of all the punctures black ; pygidium black, with two terminal yellow spots; underside

black, closely pubescent, the sides of the last abdominal segment and the legs brown or yellowish ; hinder

thighs with a black central mark.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz, Cordova, La Parada (Sallé); Guatema.a, near the city,

Capetillo, Tocoy, San Gerénimo (Champion).

The rather robust shape and large size of this species, together with the other

characters given, will help to distinguish it from its allies. ‘The females differ in the

want of the dark thoracic mark and, as usual, by the shorter hind thighs. Another

special peculiarity of this species consists of the elongate and thickened terminal joint

of the antenne and the broad laterally widened thorax. The figure represents a

Mexican specimen. All the specimens from Guatemala differ somewhat in coloration

and in having a rather more distinct smooth space on the elytra behind the middle.

24. Pachybrachys championi.

Light brown below, yellow above ; thorax with an obsolete n-shaped brown mark ; elytra geminate punctate-

striate, the first pair widened at the middle, enclosing a round smooth space.

Length 23 lines.

Head closely punctured at the middle, impunctate near the sides, yellow, a central spot and the vertex brown ;

antenne half the length of the body, light brown, the apical joints piceous; thorax narrowly transverse,

the sides very rounded near the base, rather closely and deeply punctate on the disk, more remotely near

the sides—the usual dark mark extending across the entire disk, but rather broken and unconnected, and

consisting of dark brown spots; elytra convex, slightly narrowed at the middle, with deep dark-brown

PACHYBRACHYS. 73

punctured strie, mostly running in pairs—the first pair enclosing a smooth round space near the suture,

connected, but abbreviated, at some distance from the apex, the second pair also connected at its end

but much shorter than the first pair, the following rows indicated only by a few punctures below the

shoulder, some others at the middle, but placed transversely, and a short curved row near the apex ; the

shoulder and an indistinct mark at the middle near the lateral margin brown; underside of the same

colour ; the sides of the abdomen and the base and apex of the legs white.

Hab. Guatemata, Panzos (Champion).

Of this species a single female only has as yet been captured. There is no doubt

that it approaches in its pattern P. contortus, Baly, and also P. clathratus, Suffr. ; it

is, however, larger, the thorax is more rounded, and the sculpture of the elytra,

although like that of the above-named species, runs differently and is shaped otherwise.

25. Pachybrachys melanostictus. __

Pachybrachys melanostictus, Suffr. Monogr. vii. p. 191°.

Hab. Norta America, Californiat.—Mexico (Baly); GuatemaLa, San Gerénimo

(Champion).

Only a single specimen has as yet been collected by Mr. Champion, which agrees very

nearly with a typical specimen named by Suffrian in Mr. Baly’s collection. The elytra

in this species have a black spot at the shoulder, and another below the base near the

suture, also a raised smooth roundish yellow spot at the middle close to the suture, of

which Suffrian makes no mention; the outer parts of the elytra are rather regularly

but narrowly costate, the coste uniting at a little distance from the apex.

96. Pachybrachys reticulatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 10.)

Pachybrachys reticulatus, Fabr, Mant. 1. p. 84; Suffr. Monogr. xvi. p. 453°,

" Pachybrachys jucundus, Dejean, Cat. 3rd ed. p. 445.

- Hab. Mexico (Baly).—Venszveta!; Cotompia?; Bonivia?.

Although this species has a wide distribution, it has not yet been recorded from

Central America. A specimen, however, is contained-in Mr. Baly’s collection, which

we now figure on our Plate.

Fam. CHLAMYDID.

Chlamydine, Lacordaire, Monogr. in Mém. Soc. Liége, v. (1848).

These curiously shaped and remarkable insects, of which more than 200 species

have already been described, have their metropolis in the hotter regions of the New

World; very few have been as yet described from the Old World, although Africa

and the Malayan Archipelago are not entirely devoid of species. Central America

now furnishes us with more than forty species, some of which extend as far south

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1881. l

74 PHYTOPHAGA.

as Brazil. Their determination is, except in the case of peculiarly-coloured species,

often a very laborious and difficult task, inasmuch as a certain system in regard

to the elytral and thoracic prominences prevails to a more or less extent in most of the

species, which the clearest description cannot always make plain. A great many

undescribed species are yet contained in collections. ‘The group has been divided into

eight genera.

DIASPIS.

Diaspis, Lacordaire, Mon. p. 646 (1848). .

This genus was founded by Lacordaire to include certain species with two distinct

scutella, the only instance in which this peculiarity is to be found in the whole of the

‘oleoptera. At present two species have been described as belonging to this genus,

one by Lacordaire, the other by Mr. Baly ; one or two more species, which are contained

in the collection of the last-named author, must also be classified with these, as they

show two scutella. I must confess, however, that my belief in the stability of the

characteristic peculiarity of this genus is somewhat shaken, as I have now before me

three specimens of the same species (Chlamys memnonia), one of them Lacordaire’s

type, which shows two scutella and was consequently put by Mr. Baly in the genus

Jhaspis; two other specimens, however, from Mexico and Guatemala respectively,

which agree in every thing else with the type, have but one scutellum, and no sign

whatever is visible of a second one; I therefore think it not improbable that the

visible presence of a second scutellum is due to the imperfect closing of that part of

the elytra. In D. paradoxa (the type) the fissure is much greater, and consequently

the scutellum larger than in any other species which I have seen, where the second

scutellum is very narrow and even almost obsolete ; so that, in the case of Lacordaire’s

Chiamys mestifica and C. memnonia, the presence of a second scutellum seems to

have escaped this celebrated author’s observation. As to the second characteristic,

the bifid claw, which is present in D. paradoxa, is certainly absent in D. memnonia.

More material, however, is needed to form a conclusive opinion.

1. Diaspis paradoxa. (Tab. V. fig. 2.)

Diaspis paradoxa, Lacord. Mon. p. 646°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Tabasco 1.

The specimen from M. Sallé’s collection has the elytral sculpturing less strongly

marked than one from Yucatan in the collection of Mr. Baly (which is a female) and

the type mentioned by Lacordaire and described as a variety sent to him by Pilate.

M. Sallé’s specimen is a male, and has the posterior thighs protruding beyond the

abdomen.

‘The second scutellum is also plainly visible in this specimen, which is the second I

DIASPIS.—CHLAMYS. 75

have seen agreeing so far perfectly with Lacordaire’s views in regard to this species at

least. The figure is from a Cordova specimen.

2. Diaspis mestifica.

Chlamys mestifica, Lacord. Mon. p. 706’.

Hab. Catirornta !.—Muxtico 1, Juquila, Capulalpam, Vera Cruz (Sal/é).

On account of the double scutellum, this species must also be placed in the

present genus; the second scutellum is very narrow, sometimes almost indistinct ; the

elytral tubercles are very much raised and acute; the space below the scutellum

appears black when viewed in a certain light ; and the thorax is acutely bilobed at the

top of the callosity. It is not improbable that Lacordaire had for his type specimens

which did not show the second scutellum, as it is not likely he would have overlooked

it. The specimens before me agree, however, not only with his description but also

with two examples in the collection of Mr. Baly, which the latter had also placed in the

genus Diaspis. The claw is not bifid in the species before me, being only appendiculate.

8. Diaspis memnonia.

Chlamys memnonia, Lacord. Mon. p. 708°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova (Saldé), Yucatan! (Baly); Guatemala, Zapote (Champion).

As already pointed out in my general remarks on this genus, the present species, of

which Lacordaire’s type is before me (who, however, included it in the genus Chlamys),

is somewhat puzzling, the three specimens differing inasmuch as one shows two scutella,

the other two only one, but they exhibit no other difference whatever. As the type

shows, however, two scutella, I think it best to leave the species at present in the genus

Diaspis, in which it was also placed by Mr. Baly.

CHLAMYS.

Chlamys, Knoch, Neue Beytr. Ins. i. p. 122 (1801).

Since Lacordaire’s great monograph but few additional species have been made known

to science in this genus, although many are contained in different collections. Those which

have been described since by Mr. Baly and myself are from the Amazon Region, where

a good many showy species have their haditat ; those from more northern parts usually

assuming more sombre colours. The transverse shape of the antenne of these insects

shows their affinity with the Clythrine; the globular shape and metallic colour of

their bodies in many instances an equal affinity to the Lamprosomine. Lacordaire’s

division into numerous sections, according to the shape of the antenne, thorax, &c., is

often exceedingly difficult to follow, the insects being of a very variable disposition ; it

would, however, be still more difficult to devise a better system for the determination of

76 PHYTOPHAGA.

the species, of which neither figures nor descriptions can in all instances give an

adequate idea.

1. Chlamys amena. (Tab. V. fig. 4.)

Chlamys amana, Lacord. Mon. p. 655°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova (Sallé).

From C. pavonina this species is distinguished by its more elongate shape, different

prosternum, and the ill-defined black basal patch of the elytra, as well as the three-

ridged pygidium. A Cordova specimen is figured. |

2. Chlamys pavonina. (Tab. II. fig. 23.)

Chlamys pavonina, Lacord. Mon. p. 656°.

Hab. Mexico 4, (Sallé).

This species may be easily known by the well-defined black elytral spot ; it is closely

allied to the preceding species ; but the differences are pointed out by Lacordaire, and

consist principally of the differently-shaped prosternum and metasternum. I find that

Lacordaire makes no mention of a tubercle near the suture behind the middle of the

elytra, very distinctly visible in the specimens which I have examined. One of M.

Sallé’s specimens is figured.

3. Chlamys cinerea.

Chiamys cinerea, Lacord. Mon. p. 6591; Dejean, Cat. 3rd ed. p. 440.

Hab. Mzxicot, Cordova, Vera Cruz (Sal/é).—Co.ompia!; Peru tl.

As will be seen above, this species has a wide distribution, and is contained in most |

collections. The general colour of this insect is leaden, closely covered with whitish

hairs; but some specimens have a violaceous tint, and the elytra are totally devoid of

the usual protuberances ; but a very narrow transverse tubercle is generally visible

below the middle near the suture. The posterior legs in the male insect protrude

beyond the abdomen in this as in most other species of Chlamydine, showing in that

respect an analogy with the Cryptocephaline.

4. Chlamys sextuberculata. (Tab. II. fig. 24.)

Chlamys sextuberculata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 775°. )

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sallé); Guaremaua, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion 1).

Although this species is very closely allied to C. cinerea, it is well distinguished by

its bright metallic blue colour and the stronger punctuation of its elytra. The specific

name of sertuberculata is scarcely appropriate, as the three tubercles, although more

CHLAMYS. T7

distinct here, are also present in C. cinerea. A good many specimens were received

from Guatemala, of which one is figured here.

5. Chlamys sallei. (Tab. IV. fig. 23.)

Oblong-ovate, above dark blue, pubescent; head, posterior margin of the thorax, and the anterior legs bright

fulvous.

Length 13 line.

Head scarcely visibly punctured; antenne black, their four basal joints fulvous; thorax of nearly the same

shape as in C. cinerea, very closely punctate, the anterior half dark bluish, the rest fulvous, this colour also

extending to the lateral margins ; elytra narrowed posteriorly, more strongly and more distantly punctured

than the thorax, with a narrow transverse tubercle behind the middle, and two others, more or less distinct,

situated respectively in front and behind the transverse one ; pygidium fulvous, with a large central blue

patch ; underside fulvous ; centre of the abdomen and the middle part of all the legs, with the exception

of the anterior femora, dark blue; prosternum narrowed posteriorly.

Hab. Mexico, Panistlahuca (Sailé).

6. Chlamys gersteckeri.

Subquadrate, dark blue and fulvous below, above bluish black, opaque; thorax with a central band and the

lateral margins fulvous; head entirely fulvous ; elytra rugose-punctate, with a transverse tubercle behind

the middle.

Length 2 lines.

Head fulvous, with a slightly impressed central groove; antennee rather slender, as long as the thorax, fulvous,

the apical joints darker ; thorax with a moderately high elevation at the middle of the disk, surface closely

rugose-punctate and covered with very short and fine white pubescence, bluish black, the middle occupied

by a longitudinal bright fulvous band from the apex to the base, but narrowed to a point at the latter

place, the lateral margins also narrowly fulvous ; scutellum trigonate, impunctate ; elytra punctured and

pubescent like the thorax, and of the same opaque blackish-blue colour, the base near the scutellum distinctly

raised and convex, this convexity fitting into a corresponding concavity at the base of the thorax; a deep

oblique depression is situated near the lateral margin at the middle of the elytra, a transverse short tubercle

is placed below the middle near the suture, and two others at the same place near the apex; pygidium

fulvous, with a central blue spot, traversed through its entire length by a narrow ridge; underside and

legs fulvous ; breast and centre of the abdomen dark blue ; prosternum in shape of a posteriorly narrowed

acute ridge.

Hab. Costa Rica (dus. Berol.).

The type of this species, which has been kindly lent to me for description by

Dr. Peters, is a male, and is without doubt allied to C. cinerea and C. sextuberculata,

Jac., on account of the shape of its prosternum and the fine pubescence of the upper

parts. It is easily distinguished from both by the coloration and the total want of

any gloss, as well as by the more distinct and greater number of tubercles on its elytra.

7. Chlamys episcopalis. (Tab. V. fig. 3.)

Chlamys episcopalis, Lacord. Mon. p. 666"; Dejean, Cat. p. 439.

Hab. Mexico 1, Playa Vicente, Oaxaca (Sailé).

Of a brilliant metallic blue colour with purplish reflections. The thorax of this

78 PHYTOPHAGA.

species is almost perpendicularly elevated, the top of the elevation being narrowly

divided by a deep groove. The figure is from the specimen from Oaxaca.

8. Chlamys maculipes. (Tab. V. fig. 10.)

Chlamys maculipes, Chevrol. Col. Mex. Cent. i. 1835 ; Lacord. Mon. p. 660°; Dejean, Cat. 3rd ed.

p- 440.

Hab. Mexico 1, Panistlahuca, Cuernavaca, Cordova, Tehuantepec (Sallé); Nicaraaua,

Chontales (Janson).

This species is not uncommon in Mexico, and varies much in shape and size, some

specimens being narrowed posteriorly, while others are nearly square. The same is

also the case in regard to the thorax, the latter varying in length and breadth. The

species may always be recognized by the two black spots of the thorax, which are

denuded of hairs. The specimen figured here is from Chontales.

9. Chlamys insularis. (Tab. V. fig. 12.)

Subelongate, robust, black or black and fulvous below and above; thoracic elevation moderately raised, divided

and three-tuberculate above; elytra deeply punctured, each elytron with about ten tubercles, the inner

sutural one in the shape of a transverse high curved ridge.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head fulvous, more or less stained with black, distinctly but not very closely punctured; antenne entirely

fulvous, from the third joint to the apical ones transverse ; thorax transverse, anterior portion almost per-

pendicular, posterior elevation moderate, broadly divided at the top, each side of the division with three

triangularly placed tubercles or thin ridgés; surface irregularly but rather deeply covered with brown

punctures, anterior margin broadly fulvous or testaceous, a triangular patch of the same colour situated

in front of the scutellum; the latter smooth, fulvous, margined with black ; elytra narrowed from the

middle to the apex, closely covered with deep, somewhat elongate punctures; each elytron with the

following isolated and acute tubercles :—four placed parallel and close to the sutural margin, the second

of which consists of a transverse sharp ridge, the outer side of which is slightly curved upwards or

rather extended a little distance towards the base, the middle of which is occupied by a large tubercle ;

two others are placed posteriorly—a small one below the transverse sutural ridge, and a large pointed

one near the apex placed outwards at the extreme lateral margin ; the latter is accompanied at the middle

by another short curved ridge, in front of which two or three more or less distinct tubercles are visible :

pygidium distinctly punctured, fulvous, variegated with darker colour, with a very distinct central ridge

and several lateral depressions ; underside foveolate-punctate ; legs with a piceous central patch or entirely

fulvous.

Var. Above entirely black, only the anterior part of the thorax and part of the legs spotted with flavous.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente, Cordova, Juquila (Saddé).

The nearest ally to this species seems to be C. nodosa and also C. venusta,

from both of which either colour or differently placed and shaped elytral tubercles

divide it. Six specimens are before me for comparison, one of them from the collection

of Mr. Baly, marked Mexico, and collected by Pilate. The figure represents a specimen

from Juquila.

CHLAMYS. 79

10. Chlamys hybrida.

Chlamys hybrida, Koll. Mon. Chlam. p. 24, t. 1. fig. 27*; Lacord. Mon. p. 689’.

Chlamys inequalis, Klug, Ent. Mon. p. 129, t. 8. fig. 12°. .

Hab. Mxxico, Cordova (Sallé).—Braziu °, Rio de Janeiro 12.

As I have only one specimen from M. Sallé’s collection to compare, it would not be

prudent to come to a definite conclusion in regard to this species. Two specimens in

the collection of Mr. Baly agree very nearly with the Mexican form. The latter

however, is slightly more elongate, and the thorax, instead of being partly transversely

rugose, is simply punctate, and the channel which divides the elevation is placed more

forward ; there are also small dark fulvous spots visible on the anterior part. I cannot,

however, in default of other characters, find sufficient difference to separate the two

forms. Klug’s description and figure give no proper idea of the species, the first being

too short and obscure, and the second disagreeing with the figure given by Kollar. I

very much doubt whether the two insects are identical, although Lacordaire quotes

them as such; but neither does his description agree well with that of Kollar.

11. Chlamys frontalis.

Oblong, parallel, subcylindrical, black or black and fulvous below ; head fulvous, with a black spot at the base ;

thorax closely punctured, with a moderately high rounded elevation, black; elytra blackish eneous, each

elytron with nine or ten isolated tubercles.

Length 2 lines. .

Head closely and finely punctured, fulvous, with a square-shaped or triangular patch at the vertex, blackish ;

antenns as long as the thorax, piceous, three or four basal joints fulvous, transverse from the fifth joint ;

thorax closely rugose-punctate, with a rounded moderately high elevation, the latter furnished at the top

at each side with a slightly sinuate ridge diverging towards the anterior margin; in front of the latter

several small more or less distinct fulvous spots placed in a crescent are visible ; elytra slightly constricted

at the middle, distantly punctured, each elytron with nine or ten tubercles placed as follows :—four situated

along the suture, the second of which is in shape of a short transverse ridge ; four others also placed

longitudinally on the disk, the first of which is the largest and situated at the middle of the base; two or

three more are seen near the lateral margins; when viewed laterally the first two rows of tubercles form

two more or less interrupted lines from the suture to the base: pygidium finely and remotely punctured,

blackish, margined in some specimens with fulvous; underside black, varied to a greater or lesser extent,

as well as the legs, with fulvous; breast coarsely punctured.

- Hab. Guatemaua, near the city, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion).

From C. hybrida and C. flavifrons, to which this species is rather closely allied, the

much smaller and rounded thoracic elevation, which is not divided by a channel as is

the case in the first-named species, the much finer punctuation of the thorax, together

with the spotted head and thorax, will divide the present species, of which some

specimens have the underside and legs almost entirely fulvous. Ten specimens were

collected by Mr. Champion. |

80 . PHYTOPHAGA.

12. Chlamys ccelocephala.

Chlamys ceelocephala, Lacord. Mon. p. 693°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca }.

The excavation of the head and the shape of the epistome form the principal

distinguishing features of this species.

13. Chlamys plicata.

Chlamys plicata, Fabricius, Ent. Syst. Suppl. p. 111*; Oliv. Entom. vi. p. 876, t. 1. fig. 3a, 6°;

Lacord. Mon. p. 701°. |

Chlamys gibbosa, Fabr. Gen. Ins. p. 212 (1777); Ent. Syst. i. 2, p. 370; Oliv. Ene. Méth. v.

p. 198.

Chlamys tuberosa, Kuoch, Neve Beytr. i. 1801, p. 128, t. 4. figs. 1 & 2.

Hab. Norra America, Texas !2,—Mexico °,

14. Chlamys assimilis.

Chlamys assimilis, Klug, Entom. Monogr. p. 239°; Dejean, Cat. ed. 3, p. 489 ; Lacord. Mon.

p-. 7027. —

Chlamys affinis, Klug, Entom. Monogr. p. 115.

Hab. Norta America! 2,—-Mextico}.

This is, according to Lacordaire, a doubtful species, and probably nothing but a small

variety of C. plicata. The only constant difference, according to the same author, is the

division of the lateral elytral ridge into two parts in the first-named species, while in the

other one it is entire.

15. Chlamys tragulus. (Tab. IV. fig. 22.)

Chlamys tragulus, Lacord. Monogr. p. 710.

Hab. Honpvuras, Mosquito Territory.

The type of this species contained in the Berlin Museum has been kindly lent to me

by Dr. Peters, and is figured qn our Plate. The underside, with the exception of the legs

and the extreme lateral margin of the thorax, is fulvous, the rest of the surface bronze-

coloured. The hump of the thorax is deeply divided by a longitudinal groove ; and each

side of this hump is again traversed by a shorter groove. The disk of the elytra is nearly

black, and limited by an oblique highly-raised ridge extending from the shoulder nearly

to the suture.

16. Chlamys decipiens.

Chlamys decipiens, Lacord. Monogr. p. 708!.

Hab. Mexico}.

-CHLAMYS. , . 81

17. Chlamys pilatei. (Tab. V. fig. 8.)

Ovate, narrowed posteriorly ; bronze-coloured ; antenns fulvous ; thorax punctate and strigose, with an acute

elevation, the latter deeply channelled posteriorly, blackish ; elytra reticulate from base to below the middle,

this portion velvety black, rest of the surface finely strigose.

Length 14 line. .

Head closely but rather finely punctate; antenne short, transverse from the sixth joint, fulvous ; thorax with

an acute and rather high elevation, the top of which is shaped into two points by the deep channel which

divides it, and which extends in a less deep groove nearly to the anterior margin; the sides in front of this

groove are again more or less deeply longitudinally impressed ; when seen in certain lights the whole of

the raised portion appears of a velvety black, finely punctate and reticulate, while the sides are very finely

strigose and covered with irregular foveas and punctures; scutellum very finely strigose; elytra

bronze-coloured or greenish like the thorax, with the anterior portion, from the base to below the

middle, of a velvety black when viewed in certain lights, this portion reticulate, with two short oblique

ridges, one from the middle of the base, the other from the shoulder, and both joined together at

the middle of the disk ; the black part of the elytra further limited behind by a short oblique ridge near

. the apex, the portion in front of the latter with two more or less distinct tubercles, finely strigose and

foveolate; pygidium with a distinct central raised line and another more indistinct one at each side,

deeply punctate throughout as well as the underside, the punctures of the latter resembling small

foveas.

Hab. Mexico.

The black-shaded thorax, want of the tubercles behind the elytral ridge, together with

the smaller size, distinguish this species from C. mestifica, Lac.; while from C. mem-

nonia it may be separated by the closely reticulated disk of the elytra and the much less

distinct and more posteriorly placed oblique ridge of the elytra, which in C. memnonia

is joined by another, while here the second ridge is absent.

18. Chlamys mexicana.

Chlamys mexicana, Lacord. Mon. p. 745°; Dej. Cat. ed. 3, p. 439.

Hab. Mexico}.

19. Chlamys crassa.

Chlamys crassa, Lacord. Monogr. p. 748.

Hab. Mexico, Tabasco.

20. Chlamys luteola. (Tab. V. fig. 13.) Oo

Chlamys luteola, Germar, Ins. Spec. nov. p. 554; Klug, Ent. Monogr. p. 151, t.'10. fig. 8; Lacord.

Mon. p. 752.

Chlamys signata, Koll. Monogr. Chlam. p. 44, t. 2. fig. 47°; Dejean, Cat. ed. 3, p. 439.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sal/é).—Brazit, Rio de Janeiro 1,

Although the specimen from M. Sallé’s collection, which is figured here, differs some-

what from the Brazilian form (the latter country being as yet the only recorded habitat

of the species), the differences are not sufficient, in my opinion, to justify the separation

of the species. ‘The thorax in the Mexican form is shorter, broader, and the posterior

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1881. m

82 PHYTOPHAGA.

elevation less developed. The punctuation of the elytra is also less close, and the trans-

verse tubercle of the latter is placed further backwards. Allowance being made, in a

variable group like the present, for variation and local difference, it would not be advisable

to make it another species, unless more specimens confirm the difference between the

Brazilian and Mexican forms.

21. Chlamys stigmula. (Tab. II. fig. 25.)

Chiamys stigmula, Lacord. Mon. p. 736°.

Hab. Mexico},

‘The figure represents a Mexican specimen from the collection of Mr. Baly.

22. Chlamys ferrugata. (Tab. V. fig. 5.)

Chlamys ferrugata, Lacord. Mon. p. 762!; Dej. Cat. ed. 3, p. 440’.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila, Cordova, Playa Vicente (Sal/é).—Braziu* ?.

This species has as yet only been recorded from Brazil. The Mexican forms before

me show but slight variations from the southern ones; they are a little smaller, and the

thorax is slightly longer. This species shows two distinct longitudinal depressions, one

near the suture, and divided by a short transverse ridge into two parts, the other near the

lateral margin in the middle of the elytra. The interior of these depressions is much

more darkly marked than the rest of the surface. In the Mexican specimen the under-

side is more or less mottled with black, and the legs are spotted with the same colour.

Lacordaire remarks that Chevrolat’s type was sent to him as having come from Mexico ;

but he regards this statement as erroneous, as Dejean has given Brazil as the true

habitat. The specimens in M. Sallé’s collection prove that Chevrolat’s statement was

true, and that the species, like several others, has a wide geographical range. The figure

represents a specimen from Cordova.

23. Chlamys gnatho.

Chlamys gnatho, Lacord. Mon. p. 7661.

Hab. Mexico, Tabasco}.

Lacordaire’s description of this species was made from a single specimen, and founded

upon an extraordinary development of the left mandible, as well as upon the different

sculpture of the elytra. As regards the first character, I have a specimen before me

which I must certainly refer to C. ferrugata, which shows the same great development

of its left mandible, while the other character is absent. It is therefore somewhat

doubtful whether Lacordaire’s species can stand as a good one, more specimens being

required to settle the point.

Laat

‘ t

_ CHLAMYS. 83

24. Chlamys fulvicollis. (Tab. V. fig. 6.)

Oblong, cylindrical; below black, variegated with rufous ; head and thorax fulvous, closely rugose; elytra

rufous with black punctures, each elytron with five elevated lines and the interstices excavated, the exca~

vations black.

Length 13 line. :

Head finely rugose, fulvous ; antenne half the length of the thorax, fulvous, the last four joints black ; thorax

much wider than long, with a rounded and rather high elevation, the latter very obsoletely channelled at

its posterior part, surface closely and rather deeply rugose, fulvous, with or without traces of black spots ;

elytra deeply punctured with five very distinct lines, arranged as follows :—the first, commencing at some

distance from the suture, approaching the latter at the middle, and finishing almost directly below the

latter ; the second line, commencing from the middle of the base, after joining the first by a short trans-

verse line at the middle, runs nearly to the apex of the elytron ; both these lines commence with a distinct

tubercle at the base; the third line starts between the shoulder and the second line, and, after joining the

latter before the middle by an oblique branch, continues parallel with the preceding, in a curved shape, to

some distance from the apex; the fourth line runs parallel with the lateral margin, and is also joined

before the middle to the two preceding ones; the fifth line runs at the posterior part of the elytron almost

parallel and very close to the exterior line ; the spaces between the first and second and the two following lines

are rather deeply excavated and of black colour; apex of the elytra deeply reticulate ; pygidium closely

rugose, with a central ridge and four more or less distinct black lateral impressions ; legs and underside

fulvous, variegated with black, deeply punctured ; prosternum narrowed behind; elytral suture closely

serrate through its entire length.

- Hab. Muxico, Juquila, Tehuantepec (Salié).

This is another rather troublesome species to distinguish from the many almost

similar ones described in Lacordaire’s monograph ; and I am in doubt whether to com-

pare it with C. ferrugata, C. mixta, C. rimosa, or others. It will be necessary to follow

attentively the direction of the elytral ridges to separate it from the above-named species.

The uniform fulvous colour of its thorax, however, together with the deep and black

elytral interstices, will help to make it recognizable, although I am not at all certain

that it may not represent one or other of Lacordaire’s species, if only as a variety. I

have, however, three specimens to compare, and cannot find any species with which I

may identify it, although C. mixta seems to approach it nearest; but from that

species the colour, the less strongly rugose thorax, and the extra transverse elytral

ridges separate it.

25. Chlamys stictica. (Tab. V. fig. 1.)

Chlamys stictica, Lacord. Mon. p. 767 1, .

Hab. Mexico*, Oaxaca (Sallé) ; GuatemaLa, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).

The light brown general colour closely covered with blackish spots, together with the

two dark bands at the thorax, will hélp to distinguish this species from those which

have a similar elytral sculpture. The specimen figured is from Zapote.

96. Chlamys granulicollis.

Chlamys granulicollis, Lacord. Mon. p. 768°.

Hab. Mexico', Cordova (Sallé).

84 PHYTOPHAGA.

Three or four almost similarly marked species have been described by Lacordaire and

Kollar; and it is very difficult to come to certain conclusions as regards their specific’

value, it being necessary to compare all the types. Of the present species, to which I

refer a single specimen from M. Sallé’s collection, Lacordaire says nothing in regard to

the length or width of the thorax, which I consider of importance in these similarly

coloured insects; but the description agrees in general with the specimen before me;

the elytral lines of which Lacordaire speaks may be seen more distinctly if the insect is

held sideways, in other positions these lines are almost obsolete and very difficult to

follow. |

27. Chlamys gysseleni. |

Chlamys gysseleni, Koll. Mon. Chlamyd. p. 43, t. 2. fig. 461; Lacord. Mon. p. 769’.

Chlamys granulata, Klug, Ent. Mon. p. 146, t. 10. fig. 3.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova, San Andres, La Parada, Juquila (Sailé); Guarema.a (Sallé).—

Brazit, Rio de Janeiro ! 2,

I cannot but refer the specimens from M. Sallé’s collection to the Brazilian species,

allowing of course for variations natural in countries so far removed: the elytral coste

in the Guatemalan insect are not very distinct; and the elytra are very irregularly

foveolate punctate ; but in general character I cannot find sufficient ground for separating.

the two forms. The specimens from Mexico show, again, some difference in the sculp-

turing of their elytra; so that almost each of them might constitute a species if one

drew the line too close ; but, on the whole, the same characters are visible in all of them.

28. Chlamys hypocrita. (Tab. IV. fig. 21.)

Chlamys hypocrita, Lacord. Mon. i. p. 77 2.

, |

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Yucatan; Britisn Honpuras.—CoLoMBia:

This species is not easy to distinguish from several others belonging to the same

group described by Lacordaire. A specimen from Honduras contained in the Berlin

Museum is figured here ; two others, contained in the collection of M. Sallé, do not

quite agree with the Berlin specimen; the elytra are much more deeply sculptured

and punctate, the raised coste much more distinct, in which respect they resemble

C. gysseleni, Lac., which species, however, varies in: other respect; I do not think it

therefore advisable to make the above-named specimens new species unless more material

should necessitate it, but consider them varieties of C. hypocrita.

29. Chlamys scabiosa.

Chlamys scabiosa, Lacord. Mon. p. 776}.

Hab. Mexico’.

CHLAMYS. | 85

30. Chlamys insidiosa.

Chiamys insidiosa, Lacord. Mon. p. 778°.

Hab. Mexico '.

This is a species comparatively easy to recognize, on account of the black bands of the

thorax and the sharp, thin, and regular ridges of the elytra; the latter are also very

closely and finely punctured.

31. Chlamys clarki.

Subquadrate, rufous ; head finely, thorax granulate punctate; elytra deeply punctured, each elytron with four

longitudinal costz, the first and second and the third and fourth connected with each other by a ' transverse

branch.

Length 12 line.

Head flat, very finely punctured ; antenns rufous, the last five joints black; thorax much broader than long,

with a rather high and rounded elevation, the sides of which are deeply constricted or grooved, while the

top is but obsoletely channelled; each side of the thorax near the base also distinctly swollen ; surface

deeply punctate and granulate, especially at the top of the elevation, where a sharp ridge is visible at each

side of the channel ; scutellum impunctate ; elytra two and a half times as long as the thorax, deeply punctate

throughout, each elytron with the following raised lines or coste :—the first, subtuberculate at its base and

end, from the base to the middle of the elytron, parallel with the suture; the second from the middle of

the base, where it commences with a tubercle, to nearly the apex, at which place it has considerably

approached the suture ; this line is joined to the first and third by a transverse branch before and at the

middle ; the third line runs parallel with the second to the middle of the elytron, where it terminates, or

rather is lost, in the network at the apex; the fourth line is placed close to the lateral margin, and joins

the third at its end by a rather large and distinct transverse costa; near the apex of the elytra four or

five small tubercles are also visible; pygidium closely punctured or finely reticulate, with a smooth central

ridge; prosternum greatly narrowed posteriorly.

Hab. Mzxtco, Cordova (Sallé).

Although this is another closely allied species to C. granulicollis, C. pohlii, and several

others of this group, the distinct and more numerous transverse branches of the elytral

coste will help to distinguish the present, although the determination will not be

always easy to follow where the insect shows variation.

32. Chlamys fasciaticollis. (Tab. V. fig. 7.)

Subquadrate, narrowed behind, black ; head, part of the margins, and two oblique longitudinal bands at the

thorax fulvous ; elytra deeply punctate, each elytron with nine or ten tubercles placed longitudinally

underside, pygidium, and legs bluish black, variegated with fulvous.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head finely and closely punctured, fulvous, with a triangular black spot at the vertex; antenne rather long,

fulvous ; thorax nearly three times as broad as long, with a rounded and very moderately elevated hump,

the latter with a shallow central channel near the base and two short acute ridges at the top of the

elevation ; entire surface closely punctured, finer at the sides than towards the middle, fulvous, with two

broad irregular-shaped lateral bluish-black bands and a narrow central one, all united at the base into a

transverse patch ; another round spot is situated at each side and attached to the lateral bands; elytra

narrowed behind, the surface closely and deeply punctured, the punctures somewhat arranged in regular

rows near the suture, each elytron with the following isolated tubercles—five, of which the middle one is

placed transversely, parallel, and close to the suture, one transverse tubercle at the middle of the lateral

86 PHYTOPHAGA.

margins, and two more or less distinct ones towards the outer side at the apex ; the colour does not differ

from the dark bands of the thorax; underside fulvous, a spot near the second pair of coxe, another at

the sides of the abdominal segments, and the cavities for the reception of the legs black with a bluish tint ;

legs fulvous, all the tibia and the middle of the posterior femora with a black elongated spot; pygidium

closely punctured, with a central smooth line, bluish black, the basal margin fulvous; prosternum very

narrowed behind.

Female broader, more square-shaped ; underside with the black colour predominating, last abdominal segment

with a very shallow fovea.

Hab. Muxico, Juquila, Cordova, Oaxaca (Sallé).

This species may be known by the blackish spot at the base of the fulvous-coloured

head and the dark bands of the thorax, which is constant in every specimen, one of

which is figured from Oaxaca. |

33. Chlamys kraatzi. (Tab. V. fig. 11.)

Elongate, subparallel, obscure zeneous ; antennz and tarsi fulvous; thorax with a moderately high elevation,

deeply channelled, closely and finely punctate ; elytra with four longitudinal and two transverse raised

lines, the interstices deeply excavated.

Length 2 lines.

Head finely and closely punctate, with a longitudinal short central impressed line; antenne transverse from the

fourth joint, fulvous ; thorax exceedingly closely and finely punctured throughout, with a gradually and

moderately raised elevation of a round shape deeply divided at the top, the division extending, although less

deeply, to the anterior margin ; elytra much more distantly and deeply punctured, each elytron with the

following raised lines—two oblique coste running parallel from the base to the suture connected before

and at the middle by a highly raised transverse branch, which latter extends also to the third and fourth

lines, these last short, the third much shorter than the fourth and interrupted by the transverse costa, but

continued behind, and after ruuning parallel and close to the second line is again interrupted by the

second transverse costa; this latter forms two convex branches, the outer one connecting the fourth with

the third line; interstices excavated near the lateral margin ; suture crenulate at its latter half; pygidium

very finely punctured near the apex, the rest smooth, opaque, with a narrow but rather deep lateral

depression and a short raised central line near the apex ; breast deeply, abdomen finely punctate ; pro-

sternum greatly narrowed behind; tarsi fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

This species is allied to C. elongata by its shape, but differs by its dark uniform

colour and the very rounded and finely punctured elevation of the thorax.

34. Chlamys bipunctatus. (Tab. IV. fig. 24.)

Elongate, subcylindrical, dark blue, opaque ; head, thorax, and legs fulvous; thorax with two blue spots;

elytra with six longitudinal elevated lines ; deeply punctate.

Length 14 line.

Head rugose, punctate, with a central impressed line; mandibule piceous; antenne of the same colour, the

two basal joints fulvous ; thorax with a very rounded and rather high elevation, the latter with a shallow

groove dividing it through its entire length, basal margin double the width of the anterior one when

seen from above; surface rugose throughout, of the same bright fulvous colour as the head, the top of the

elevation with two semicrescent dark blue spots; elytra constricted laterally below the middle, punctate

anteriorly, transversely wrinkled at their posterior part, each elytron with six very distinct raised coste,

the first from the base to the middle and connected at that place with the second costa running from the

middle of the base to the apex in a curved line, the third parallel with the second, but abbreviated behind

where it joins the fourth line, which latter is only visible near the apex, the sixth costa runs parallel and

CHLAMYS. 87

close to the lateral margin, but only at its first two thirds; all the interstices distinctly transversely

wrinkled posteriorly or reticulate; pygidium rugose and longitudinally striate at the base, with a distinct

elevated central ridge ; underside deeply punctate, of the same dark indigo-blue as the elytra, with the

exception of the thorax and the legs, which are fulvous.

Hab. Mxxico, Juquila (Sailé).

Of this interesting species only one specimen is before me. It belongs, without

doubt, to Lacordaire’s group containing C. granulicollis, C. pohlit, and others, but is

sufficiently distinguished by its colour.

35. Chlamys maculicollis. (Tab. V. fig. 9.)

Elongate, subcylindrical, light yellowish brown, closely covered with black punctures; thorax with a black spot

near the base; elytra with five more or less distinct longitudinal coste.

Length 13 line. «

Head flat, light yellowish, with some more or less closely placed brown punctures; antenne robust, transverse

from the fourth joint, flavous, the three or four apical joints black; thorax twice as broad as long when

seen from above, with a high elevation, the latter truncate at the top and divided by a longitudinal

groove, the edges of which are acute; surface slightly rugose, more or less closely covered with black

punctures, which near the base congregate in such numbers as to form a distinct black patch; scutellum

impunctate ; elytra of the same colour as the thorax, closely covered with black punctures and the usual

more or less distinct longitudinal lines as in C. stictica and others; underside and legs light fulvous, the

breast sometimes black, also closely covered with dark punctures; claws very distinct and rather long,

appendiculate.

Hab. Guarnmaua, near the city, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).

The elytra in this species do not differ from many belonging to Lacordaire’s sixteenth

group; the general light colour, dark thoracic basal spot, and the different shape of the

latter’s callosity, which is not rounded above but truncate, will distinguish the present

species, of which eight specimens are before me, which show but slight variation, and

of which one from the neighbourhood of the city of Guatemala is figured here.

36. Chlamys carbonaria.

Chlamys carbonaria, Lacord. Mon. p. 798°.

Hab. Mexico 1.

The very elongate shape of this species, which surpasses in that respect C. elongata,

will help to distinguish it. |

37. Chlamys modesta.

Chlamys modesta, Lacord. Mon. p. 803 ‘,

Hab. Mexico}.

38, Chlamys facialis.

Chiamys facialis, Lacord. Mon. p. 806 am

Hab. Mexico’.

88 PHYTOPHAGA.

The elytra of this species are devoid of the usual protuberances, but have three

tubercles, of which one is placed at the middle, the others near the sutural and lateral

margins towards the apex. The general colour is a brilliant blue.

39. Chlamys mixta.

Chlamys mixta, Lacord. Mon. p. 818’.

Hab. Mexico, Merida 1, Yucatan ; Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson).

The type of this species has a rufous head and the thorax spotted with the same

colour. I possess a specimen from Nicaragua which, with the exception of the rufous

tarsi and base of the antenne, is entirely black, and, although differing somewhat in

sculpturing from the type, yet not to such a degree*as to necessitate considering it a

different species, although the thorax in my specimen is more transversely reticulate

instead of rugose, and the edges of its elevation are more sharply defined; but, as it

does not differ materially in other respects, I must regard it as a variety, unless more

specimens should prove the reverse. |

40. Chlamys signaticollis.

Chlamys signaticollis, Lacord. Mon. p. 839’.

Hab. Mexico 1.—Cotompta 1.

A species principally distinguished by the sculpture of the thorax, which consists of

longitudinal ridges.

41, Chlamys venusta.

Chlamys venusta, Lacord. Mon. p. 781°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca 1.

This species is principally distinguished by the colour of the thorax and the isolated »

tubercles of the elytra.

42. Chlamys pardalis. (Tab. IV. fig. 25.)

Chlamys pardalis, Lacord. Mon. p. 782’.

Hab. Muxtco!, San Andres, Tuxtla (Sailé).

This is one of the most easy recognizable species amongst the whole of the Chlamyde,

on account of the spotted upper surface. Two specimens from M. Sallé’s collection are

before me—one a female from San Andres, which is figured here, the other a male,

which does not materially differ, but is a little smaller and devoid of the abdominal

fovea.

EXEMA. 89

EXEMA.

Ezxema, Lacordaire, Mon. p. 844 (1848).

This genus was founded by Lacordaire upon the peculiar shape of the antenne, of

which the last six joints form a transverse mass ; the tarsi are also more slender than

in the genus Chlamys. These characters, however, are of doubtful value, as Lacordaire

himself admits. The species are inhabitants of both the New and the Old World, those

of the latter comprising only two or three species.

1. Exema dispar.

Exema dispar, Lacord. Mon. p. 850!; Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 440.

Hab. Norta America!; Mexico, Guanajuato (EL. Dugés, coll. Sallé); Yucatan};

GUATEMALA, near the city, Duefias, Zapote, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This species seems to have a rather wide geographical range, having been found in

nearly every part of the United States and down to Guatemala. Mr. Champion has sent

home numerous specimens, which comprise most of the varieties described by Lacor-°*

daire. The species is more or less marked with fulvous; but the head seems to be

entirely of that colour. ‘The elytral tubercles are for the most part isolated ; but even

in this respect the species is subject to variation, some specimens having indications

of coste connecting the tubercles distinctly visible.

9. Exema punctatipes.

Ezema punctatipes, Lacord. Mon. p. 853°.

Hab. Mexico 1.—Cotomsia!; Braziu}.

Lacordaire quotes the above localities of this species as they were labelled accord-

ing to Chevrolat, Reiche, and others from whom he received his specimens. It

requires, however, confirmation whether the present species is in reality so widely

distributed. It belongs to the division in which the thorax has six distinctly elevated

ridges extending from the base to the apex ; in the species before us the intervals

between the latter are smooth and the ridges isolated.

3. Exema complicata.

_ Elongate, black; antennz obscure fulvous; thorax with a high rounded elevation, six-costate ; elytra rugose,

subfoveolate, with highly raised short oblique ridges.

Length 1 line.

Head finely rugose punctate, slightly depressed between the eyes; thorax highly elevated posteriorly, its sides

rugose punctate, with six distinct longitudinal cost, which all unite at the base, but the outer ones of

which are abbreviated anteriorly, while the preceding are curved outwards at their anterior half; the

interstices are irregularly rugose and punctate ; and two fine ridges are visible between the posterior —

portion of the middle coste ; elytra irregularly rugose and transversely wrinkled, with a series of com-

plicated oblique ridges difficult to describe ; a short ridge extending from the middle of the base to the

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1881. n

90 PHYTOPHAGA.

suture at a little distance below the scutellum, the next two of the same length, but united at their ends,

and sending off an oblique branch towards the sutural margin below the middle; between this branch

and the suture an annular short ridge is situated ; and other short longitudinal coste are placed near the

apex, at which place, but near the lateral margin, a distinct tubercle is also visible; pygidium punctured,

with a distinct central ridge; underside deeply punctate; prosternum greatly narrowed posteriorly,

finishing in an acute point.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata, San Juan (Champion).

This species bears great resemblance in its complicated elytral design to E. intricata,

but is at once distinguished by the sculpturing of the thorax and the black tarsi, while

the difference in the elytral coste separates it from others of Lacordaire’s monograph,

its nearest ally being E. carinaticollis ; that species, however, according to Lacordaire, is

devoid of tubercles and costa at the apical part of the elytra, as well as of the ring-like ©

ridges near the sutural margin. .

POROPLEURA.

Poropleura, Lacordaire, Mon. p. 868 (1848).

Six species are at present known of this handsome genus, distinguished from the

others of the present group by its simple claws. The species are all of large size,

brilliant colour, and distinguished by the acute and high tubercles of their upper

surface. Until now the northern and southern parts of South America have been

recorded as their only habitat.

1. Poropleura bacca.

Poropleura bacca, Kirby, Trans. Linn. Soc. xii. p. 446 (1818); Kollar, Mon. Chlam. p. 6,t. 1. £97;

Lacord. Mon. p. 868°.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé).—Brazi 1 2.

One specimen in the collection of M. Sallé, and labelled “ Mexico,” proves the wide

geographical extent of this well-known species, although (if no mistake as to the locality

has been made in the present instance) it is somewhat singular that so large and showy

a species should have hitherto escaped the collectors in Central America, at least to my

knowledge. The specimen before me does not much differ in general from the Brazilian

form, but belongs to the obscure bronze-coloured variety, and the thoracic tubercles

are less strongly marked.

Fam, LAMPROSOMIDA.

LAMPROSOMA.

Lamprosoma, Kirby, Trans. Linn. Soc. xii. p. 445 (1818).

The present subfamily is divided into three genera, one of which is well represented

in Central America, one or two species belonging to the other genera having also been

LAMPROSOMA. 91

found in Europe.and the island of Formosa. There exists without doubt a close

relationship between the present insects and the Chlamydide, much more so than on

the other side to the Eumolpide ; and in some instances certain species of Chlamydide

so much resemble some of the Lamprosomide that only the examination of the scutellum

reveals their proper position. All the species of the present genus are highly metallic

and of great brilliancy, and resemble each other very closely, unless examined care-

fully; and although more than seventy species have been described by Lacordaire,

‘IT have found it necessary, from the material before me, to augment their number

considerably, several distinctive characters uniting to necessitate their separation from

closely allied but distinct forms. |

a. Species not unicolorous above.

1. Lamprosoma, nicaraguense.

Lamprosoma nicaraguense, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1879, p. 776".

Hab. Guatumata, Chacoj (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt}).

This species is very closely allied to LZ. dives, Lacord., and is perhaps only a variety

of that insect. The differences consist in the deeply concave anterior margin of the

epistome, which in L. dives is nearly straight, in the colour of the antenne, which are

metallic green in the last-named species, and black (the first joint excepted) in the

present one, and in the rather strong elytral punctuation in ZL. nicaraguense. Two

more specimens lately received from Mr. Champion are rather smaller, but differ scarcely

from the type. | |

2. Lamprosoma sallwi. (Tab. V. fig. 14.)

Broadly ovate, very convex; aureous below; above obscure dark blue, head, lateral and anterior margin of the

thorax, a posterior lateral band of the elytra, and the legs golden aureous; tarsi black.

Length 3 lines.

Head convex, very minutely punctured; anterior margin of the epistome deeply concave; labrum and base of

the jaws coloured as the head; antennz short, black, the first joint cupreous; thorax very convex at the

middle, the sides greatly deflexed, lateral margins straight, surface impunctate at the sides, finely

punctured at the disk, dark greenish blue, shining, sides occupied by a broad aureous band, which

widens anteriorly, and extends along the anterior margin of the thorax in a narrow stripe; elytra

scarcely narrowed behind, each elytron with ten regular rows of close and very deep punctures, coloured

like the thorax, with a rather broad apical and lateral band of metallic aureous, extending to about one

third of their length. Underside and legs aureous; tarsi and sides of the abdomen black ; prosternum

nearly square-shaped, flat, punctured.

_ Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec (F. Sumichrast, coll. Salié).

Although the present species is again closely allied to Z. dives, Lacord., and L. nica-

raguense, Jac., yet there are sufficient notable differences to justify its being considered

a new species. The punctuation of the elytra is visible to the naked eye, which is not

the case with the other species; the thorax is also differently coloured, and the tarsi are

black. One specimen only, which is figured here, is contained in M. Sallé’s collection.

92 PHYTOPHAGA.

3. Lamprosoma hypochryseum. (Tab. V. fig. 17.)

Lamprosoma hypochryseum, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc. xiv. p. 347°.

Hab. Mexico!, Cuernavaca (Sallé); GuaTEMALa?.

This species, the type of which is before me, is very closely allied to the preceding

ones, but may be at once recognized by the want of the aureous spot at the apex of

the elytra; the specimens from Cuernavaca, one of which is figured here, show no

difference from the type. Entirely dark-blue specimens have been described by Mr. Baly

as a variety ; but I doubt very much their identity, as the thorax in the supposed variety

is more transverse and not so long, and there is no trace whatever of the bright aureous

colour in any part, which is so conspicuous in the type.

4, Lamprosoma gratum.

Lamprosoma gratum, Lacord. Mon. p. 608°.

Hab. Yucatan, Merida}.

The underside, head, and anterior margin of the thorax in this species is of a

metallic but not very brilliant :pale green, by which, in connexion with its size of two

lines, it may be recognized. I have examined Lacordaire’s type in the collection of

Mr. Baly, and find nothing to add to the author’s description.

5. Lamprosoma magicum.

Ovate, convex, black; above dark violaceous blue ; head, lateral margin of the thorax, and the apical margin

of the elytra coppery red, finely granulate. .

Length 2 lines.

Head flat, very finely granulate and minutely punctured; anterior margin of the epistome straight; labrum and

antenne black, first joint of the latter fulvous below; thorax very minutely punctured on the disk, rather

deeply so near the base, the sides are occupied by an irregular-shaped broad coppery red band, which has

its posterior margin cut obliquely, and extends along the extreme anterior margin of the thorax ; elytra

scarcely narrowed near the apex, their lateral lobes rounded and not much produced ; surface closely and

rather deeply punctate-striate, the interstices obsoletely transversely rugose, the apex occupied by a broad,

but short, coppery red spot. Underside and legs black, shining; prosternum longer than broad, narrowed

at the middle.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

This species seems to be very closely allied to L. scintillans, Lacord.; but I think it

is nevertheless quite distinct. The present insect is longer, the thorax distinctly punc-

tured near the base, and the metallic red bands or spots are not brilliant, but rather

opaque, caused by the fine granulations of these parts, while all the rest of the surface

is shining, these differences being noticeable to the naked eye. The prosternum is

also differently shaped. A single specimen is contained in M. Sallé’s collection.

6. Lamprosoma chapuisi. (Tab. V. fig. 21.)

Lamprosoma chapuisi, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 983.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers); Panama (Boucard).

LAMPROSOMA. . 93:

From the preceding species, excepting LZ. magicum, the present one principally

differs in its small size, the black underside and tarsi, and the very distinct punctua-

tion of its head and thorax. A specimen lately received from M. Boucard differs

from the Costa-Rican specimen in the much wider metallic aureous bands of the

thorax, which leave only a central narrow space of the ground-colour, but agrees in all

other respects with the type, which is figured here. |

7. Lamprosoma ignicaudatum.

Lamprosoma ignicaudatum, Lacord. Mon. p. 582.

Hab. MExico.

This species is coloured like several others, especially like L. chapuisi, Jac., but

differs in having a smooth head and thorax.

8. Lamprosoma nigripenne.

Broadly ovate, very convex anteriorly, black ; head, lateral and anterior margin of the thorax aureous, the

latter closely punctured ; elytra distinctly punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head moderately convex, very minutely granulate, finely and rather closely punctured; parts of the mouth

and the jaws and antennz black, the latter with the basal joint fulvous below ; thorax closely punctured

at the disk, obsoletely and finely near the sides, the latter and the anterior margin coloured like the head,

rest of the surface black; elytra broad, very convex at the anterior third, thence to the apex greatly

deflexed, black, shining, each elytron with ten very distinct rows of punctures ; below and the legs black,

outside of the anterior and part of the intermediate femora metallic green; prosternum longer than

broad, narrowed behind, its surface finely rugose.

Hab. Guatemata, Chacoj (Champion).

There will be no difficulty in recognizing this species, the black ground-colour of the

elytra and thorax and the broad peculiarly shaped form being its special peculiarities.

Only a single specimen was obtained by Mr. Champion.

9. Lamprosoma chlorizans. (Tab. V. fig. 20.)

Oblong, convex, black; above dark blackish blue; sides of the thorax and apex of the elytra, as well as the

legs, greenish golden; head and thorax finely granulate; elytra deeply punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head very dark violaceous, minutely granulate and punctured, anterior margin of the epistome moderately

concave ; jaws black; antenne black, second and third joints fulvous ; thorax much narrowed anteriorly,

its sides much rounded near the base, thence to the apex straight, surface very minutely punctured, finely

granulate at the golden-coloured portion, the rest of the surface more shining, and in the shape of a

dark blue central longitudinal band, which is much widened at the apex; elytra not narrowed posteriorly,

very regularly and deeply punctate-striate, dark violaceous, the apex with a short, but broad, metallic

greenish-golden band. Underside and the tarsi black; legs greenish golden.

Hab. Muxico, Tuxtla (Sailé).

The. smaller size, the ‘colour of the head, and the shape of the thoracic metallic

lateral bands distinguish this species from all others.

94 - PHYTOPHAGA.

10. Lamprosoma chrysonotum.

Lamprosoma chrysonotum, Lacord. Mon. p. 579°.

Hab. Mexico}, Cordova (Salié), Jalapa (Hoge).

The thorax in this species is entirely impunctate, the elytra have a golden spot

below the scutellum, and their lateral similarly coloured band is abbreviated anteriorly

below the shoulders. |

11. Lamprosoma panamense.

Oblong, narrowed behind, convex, black; head, lateral margin of the thorax, and the apex of the elytra

reddish cupreous ; prosternum quadrate.

Length 2 lines.

Head finely granulate, distinctly punctured, with an oblong median depression between the eyes; epistome

separated from the face by a distinct transverse groove, its anterior margin almost straight; jaws and

antenne black; thorax more than twice as broad as long, its posterior lobe moderately rounded, upper

surface a little more distinctly punctured than the head, especially near the base, the metallic colour, like

that of the head, extending broadly at the lateral, more narrowly along the anterior margin, but varying

in prominence when seen in different positions; scutellum black; elytra greatly narrowed towards the

apex, regularly convex, finely punctate-striate, black, the apex and part of the lateral margin cupreous;

underside and legs black ; prosternum very nearly square-shaped, rugose-punctate.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).

The colour of the upper parts and the posteriorly narrowed shape of the present

insect will separate it from any other; and although I possess only one specimen,

there is no doubt that it is distinct from any described species, not only in coloration,

but in the many other ways described above.

12. Lamprosoma insigne. (Tab. V. fig. 18.)

Lamprosoma insigne, Lacord. Mon. p. 576°.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

All the specimens before me have the anterior elytral golden band divided into two

spots. The shape of this species is broadly ovate.

13. Lamprosoma opulentum. (Tab. V. fig. 23.)

Lamprosoma opulentum, Lacord. Mon. p. 5771.

Hab. Cauirornia!.—Mexico, Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

This and the preceding species are very closely allied in regard to colour, and also

rather variable in this respect. The present species is more elongate, narrower, the

prosternum longer than in L. insigne, and the colour of the head and the legs metallic

green, the same parts in the other species being of a more golden or reddish tint. The

specimen figured is from Juquila.

LAMPROSOMA. | 95

14. Lamprosoma refulgens. (Tab. V. fig. 22.)

Lamprosoma refulgens, Lacord. Mon. p. 582°.

Hab. Muxtcot, Playa Vicente, Cordova (Sallé, Hége); Guaremata, Teleman

(Champion).

The black underside and the elytral aureous stripe, which extends from the shoulder

to the apex, distinguishes this species from its allies. Two specimens in M. Sallé’s

collection vary in being shorter and rather more strongly punctured at the elytra,

while two others have the aureous colour of the thorax interrupted by a rhomboidal

violet spot; but as neither of these varieties differs in other respects from Lacordaire’s

description, it would not be prudent to consider them different species. A single

specimen received from Guatemala differs again in the shape of the elytral golden

band, which here only occupies the apex, and does not extend to the shoulder; the

prosternum is also nearly square. In the absence of more material I am unable to

come to a definite conclusion as to the specific value of this Guatemalan specimen.

15. Lamprosoma bifasciatum. (Tab. V. fig. 19.)

Ovate, convex, metallic green; thorax finely punctured, with two violaceous longitudinal bands ; elytra

distinctly punctate-striate, the suture and a longitudinal band at the disk of each elytron, abbreviated

behind, violaceous ; abdomen black.

Length 2 lines.

Head with a deep longitudinal groove between the eyes, rather closely and somewhat rugose punctate; anterior

margin of the epistome concave; antennz black, the first joint fulvous below; thorax closely and distinctly

punctured at the disk, more finely at the sides, coloured like the head, with two broad slightly curved

violaceous bands from base to apex; elytra rather deeply punctate-striate, metallic green or aureous, the

suture narrowly, and a broad band extending from the shoulder to behind the middle of each elytron,

violaceous or purplish ; tarsi and abdomen black; prosternum nearly square-shaped, finely punctate.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec, Cuernavaca (Sallé).

This species varies in the width of the violaceous bands and the colour of the under-

side, which is sometimes entirely black. The shape of the insect is exactly that of

LL. insigne ; and I have great doubt whether it is not only a variety of that species; but

as the specimens before me agree in the shape of their pattern, I must regard them

as distinct ; moreover the sculpture of the head differs from that of L. insigne in having

a deep longitudinal groove. The specimen figured is from Tehuantepec.

16. Lamprosoma elongatum.

Oblong-ovate, convex, black; head and thorax aureous, the latter with a transverse basal violaceous spot,

closely punctured ; elytra obsoletely punctate-striate, violaceous, the apex cupreous.

Length 13 line.

Head convex, with a triangular fovea between the eyes, the surface extremely finely granulate and punetared ;

anterior margin of the epistome straight; mouth and jaws black; antenne with the first joint cupreous;

thorax closely and much more distinctly punctured than the head, of the same colour as the latter, the

base occupied by a narrow transverse blue band, which is widest at the middle; elytra narrow, elongate,

96 PHYTOPHAGA.

almost cylindrical, their surface very obsoletely punctate-striate, with the exception of the last row of

punctures, which is distinct near the apex, the colour is a dark violaceous blue, and the apex is occupied

by a broad aureous spot, which extends laterally to nearly half the length of the elytra; underside and

legs shining black; prosternum longer than broad, slightly hollowed out along its surface, and with a

few punctures.

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

The coloration of this species is again nearly identical with several others belonging

to this division, from all of which it differs, however, in its small size and narrow

elongate shape, as well as in the almost obsolete punctuation of the elytra. Only a

single specimen is before me.

17. Lamprosoma ignicolle.

Lamprosoma ignicolle, Jacoby, P. Z.S. 1880, p. 167.

Hab. Brirish Honpvras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneauz).

This species may be recognized from all the preceding ones, with each of which it has

one or other characteristic mark in common, by the entirely bright reddish golden

colour of the thorax, in which respect it resembles L. refulgens ; but this species is much

smaller, and the underside and legs are black, while here they are bright metallic aureous.

The species was described by me from a single specimen ; and although distinct in regard

to its colour from any other, it may yet be but a variety of one or the other allied forms.

18. Lamprosoma guatemalense.

Lamprosoma guatemalense, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1880, p. 168.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

Again extremely closely allied to L. refulgens, L. ignicolle, and others, from which

it may be recognized by its small size, and especially by the narrowness of the elytra at

their apex, which is almost pointed. ‘The thorax of this species is very closely punc-

tured, and has a violaceous spot at the base, which interrupts the golden colour in its

centre, the coloration being exactly like that of LZ. cupricolle, Lacord., from Colombia.

That species, however, has, according to its describer, a smooth thorax and obsoletely

punctured elytra, which in the present insect are very distinctly punctate.

b. Species unicolorous above.

19. Lamprosoma semiopacum.

Lamprosoma semiopacum, Lacord. Mon. p. 593".

Hab. Yucatan, Merida}.

The opaque head and thorax forms the principal distinguishing character of this

species; the type in the collection of Mr. Baly is before me, and agrees perfectly with

Lacordaire’s description.

LAMPROSOMA. 97

20. Lamprosoma testudineum.

Lamprosoma testudineum, Lacord. Mon. p. 598".

Hab. Mrxico 1, Tuxtla, Playa Vicente (Sallé); Nicaragua.

This species was founded by Lacordaire upon somewhat slight characters, which are

difficult to detect unless the type of this and allied species are before one. The present

one is compared with LZ. amethystinum, from which it differs in shape, and the punc-

tuation of its thorax and elytra. I must refer the specimens from the above localities

to Lacordaire’s species, although the specimens differ slightly amongst themselves.

The rather long prosternum (nearly double as long as broad) will help to distinguish

the species. |

21. Lamprosoma approximans.

Lamprosoma approximans, Lacord. Mon. p. 601°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cuernavaca (Sallé); Panama (Boucard).

Of a uniform brilliant violet-blue above and below, this species, although agreeing

with many others in colour, may be recognized by the acutely produced shoulders and

distinctly narrowed shape towards the apex. ‘The elytra in this species are very

minutely punctured (in one specimen before me almost smooth), and the prosternum

is large and slightly broader than long. A specimen from Panama, obtained by

M. Boucard, is of a more greenish hue, but scarcely differs from the others in other

respects.

22. Lamprosoma laticolle.

Ovate, narrowed behind, metallic blue; above dark violaceous; head and thorax distinctly punctured, the

latter three times as broad as long; elytra distinctly punctate-striate.

Length 2¢ lines.

Head rather flat, subopaque, with a cruciform depression between the eyes, surface finely and remotely punc-

tured; epistome deflexed, more strongly punctured than the head, its anterior margin concave; antenne

greenish black, the first joint fulvous below, metallic green above; thorax very broad, the sides but

slightly deflexed, the basal lobe produced and rather pointed, surface punctured like the head, strongly

near the base; elytra showing the greatest convexity near the extreme base when viewed sideways,

abruptly declined from there to the apex, surface distinctly but not very deeply punctate-striate, lateral

lobe not angulate and but little produced ; underside metallic greenish blue; prosternum rather broader

than long, slightly excavated, and distinctly rugose-punctate.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

The shape of this species, especially that of the thorax, distinguishes it from its

allies; the sides of the thorax are scarcely deflexed, while the reverse is the case in

most other species, the shape of the elytra in the present one being an additional

character. A single specimen was obtained by Mr. Rogers.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1881. 0

98 PHYTOPHAGA.

23. Lamprosoma inornatum.

Lamprosoma inornatum, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 984.

Hab. Panama, Chiriqui.

This species has the thorax but slightly depressed laterally, in which respect it

approaches L. laticolle, but differs from the latter in the black underside, and from

that and all other allied species by the greatly deflexed epistome, which is bordered or

limited in front by a very distinct ridge, the colour of which is metallic green. In

general shape the present insect is much more regularly convex than L. laticolle.

24. Lamprosoma violaceum.

Lamprosoma violaceum, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1880, p. 167.

Hab. British Honpvras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaus).

The present species was founded by me upon a single specimen from the above

locality; the distinguishing characters, taken conjointly, are the perfectly impunctate

head, very minutely punctate thorax, with the sides of the latter entirely straight, and

the rounded, not acute, lateral lobe of the elytra.

25. Lamprosoma prosternale.

Broadly ovate, moderately convex, black; above dark metallic blue or greenish; head and thorax smooth;

elytra remotely punctate-striate ; prosternum depressed, subconical.

Length 3 lines.

Head rather convex, metallic green, impunctate, anterior margin of the epistome straight; antenne black,

second joint fulvous; thorax rather long, not more than twice as broad as long, the basal lobe acute,

surface impunctate; elytra regularly but moderately convex, the apex broadly rounded, each elytron with

ten rows of distantly placed but very distinct punctures, which are less strongly impressed towards the

apex; underside and legs black; prosternum raised anteriorly in the shape of a narrow cone or protuberance,

the sides deflexed, and the base slightly concave, its surface smooth.

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson).

This is the only instance known to me of a species belonging to this genus possessing

a prosternum shaped as described, by which it may be known from all others. A single

specimen is contained in my collection.

26. Lamprosoma lacordairii.

Ovate, convex anteriorly, narrowed behind, violaceous blue; head and thorax finely punctured ; elytra finely

punctate-striate ; prosternum broader than long, deeply excavated anteriorly.

Length 3 lines.

Head convex, very minutely punctured ; epistome scarcely deflexed, its anterior margin concave, thorax pune-

tured like the head, a little more distinctly at the base, basal lobe not very acute, subrotundate; elytra

convex to the anterior first third, thence to the apex regularly rounded, very distinctly punctate-

striate, the punctures somewhat irregular laterally, the lateral lobes very acute, pointed and angulate;

underside and legs dark violaceous; prosternum very broad, deeply excavated anteriorly, and distinctly

punctured.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

LAMPROSOMA. . 99

On account of its very broad and excavated prosternum, this species must be sepa-

rated from others of similar coloration; another specimen from Mexico, in my collec-

tion, agrees in all respects with that from the collection of M. Sallé.

27. Lamprosoma nigritarse.

Ovate, constricted behind, dark violaceous or greenish blue; head impunctate, and thorax minutely punctate ;

elytra finely punctate-striate; tarsi black; prosternum subquadrate.

Length 2 lines.

Head rather convex, metallic blue, with a more or less distinct longitudinal central groove; epistome scarcely

deflexed, its anterior margin concave; thorax rather long, its sides but moderately deflexed, surface

scarcely visibly punctured, even under a strong lens; elytra distinctly narrowed behind, rather finely

punctate-striate, the lateral lobe angulate, but moderately produced ; underside dark violaceous or greenish,

legs of a little more brilliant colour; tarsi black; prosternum scarcely longer’ than broad, slightly exca-

vated at its anterior border.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Orizaba (Sal/é).

A number of distinctive characters are united in the present species to separate it

from its allies, its small size, impunctate head, and nearly square prosternum, together

with the black tarsi, distinguishing it from others. The only species with which it

might be compared in regard to size is L. amabile, from which it differs by the smooth

head and the colour of the underside. There are five specimens before me which

show no material difference.

28. Lamprosoma amabile.

Lamprosoma amabile, Lacord. Mon. p. 605 '.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan !.

The type of this species is before me; and I may add to Lacordaire’s description that

the thorax of the insect is rather long, and the elytra rather deeply punctured. The

black underside and the fine punctuation of head and thorax distinguish the present

species from others.

29. Lamprosoma phyllochroum.

Lamprosoma phyllochroum, Lacord. Mon. p. 618 ‘,

Hab. Mexico!, Playa Vicente, Puebla, Orizaba (Sallé), Misantla (Hoge); Gua-

gmmaLA!, Zapote (Champion).

The shape of this species is proportionally narrow, oblong, and almost subcylindrical ;

and the punctures of the elytra approach very closely, the interstices being at the

same time somewhat rugose and very finely punctured. lLacordaire only knew the

metallicegreen form. I have some specimens from Orizaba before me which are

entirely dark blue or violaceous, but do not differ in any other respect. A single speci-

men of this species was also obtained by Mr. Champion.

100 PHYTOPHAGA.

30. Lamprosoma smaragdinum.

Lamprosoma smaragdinum, Lacord. Mon. p. 613’.

Hab. Mexico!, Playa Vicente (Sallé).

The type of this species was described from a single specimen. I find in the collec-

tion of M. Sallé two others which agree perfectly with the description, except that the

prosternum is rather broader than long and its anterior margin distinctly concave.

The species is of a rounded subglobular form, which distinguishes it at first sight from

its allies.

31. Lamprosoma viridipes.

Lamprosoma viridipes, Lacord. Mon. p. 621.

Hab. Mexico.

32. Lamprosoma satrapa.

Lamprosoma satrapa, Lacord. Mon. p. 624.

Hab. MExico.

Principally distinguished by its shape, which is the most elongate of the genus,

according to Lacordaire.

33. Lamprosoma splendidum. (Tab. V. fig. 16.)

Lamprosoma splendidum, Lacord. Mon. p. 612°.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sallé); Guatemata, Izabal (Sal/é)—Gutana, Cayenne !;

BRAZIL.

Two specimens from Mexico and Guatemala are before me, which differ somewhat

from each other, both in shape and colour, the one being of a metallic green, the other

of a brilliant aureous above; in the latter specimen the elytra are more narrowed

behind than in the other, and the prosternum is broader; but in the general characters:

of this species, as given by Lacordaire, the differences are too slight in these instances

to consider them specific, unless more specimens should prove this to be the case.

The specimen on the Plate is figured from the insect from Orizaba.

34. Lamprosoma politum.

Lamprosoma politum, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1880, p. 168.

Hab. Mexico, Santecomapan (Sallé); British Honpvuras, river Sarstoon (Blan-

caneaux); GUATEMALA, Panima, San Juan, Sinanja valley (Champion).

The type of this species was described by me from a single specimen obtained in

British Honduras; since then about eight other specimens have been received from

LAMPROSOMA. 101

Guatemala, which do not show any difference from the type, except that the thorax is

a little more closely punctured. The distinguishing characters of this species are the

metallic green upper and underside, the finely punctured head and thorax, and the

nearly square rather convex prosternum ; the tarsi are black.

35. Lamprosoma pediculus. (Tab. V. fig. 24.)

Lamprosoma pediculus, Lacord. Mon. p. 628'.

Hab. Mexico!, La Parada, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé); GuareMata, Chacoj

(Champion).

This small species seems to be rather subject to variation, several specimens being

before me which, although evidently belonging to the same species, yet show a good

deal of difference in the shape of their body and its punctuation, the latter being espe-

cially very strongly marked in one specimen from La Parada, while the type is supposed

to have an almost impunctate head and thorax. But this being the case in one instance

only, and the specimen having come from the same locality as the others, I should

scarcely be justified in describing it as new. The specimens, again, collected by

Mr. Champion are smaller, of a deeper reddish purple, but scarcely vary in other

respects, and they may be regarded as local varieties. The specimen figured on the

Plate is from La Parada.

36. Lamprosoma salvini.

Oblong-ovate, convex, black; above bright metallic green; head minutely granulate and punctured; thorax

_ distinctly punctate; elytra rather strongly punctate-striate ; prosternum subquadrate, flat.

Length 3 lines. .

Head rather long, extremely finely granulate and punctured; anterior margin of epistome very deeply concave,

the lateral angles acutely produced; the space between the eyes with a rather deep oblong fovea; jaws

and antenne black, underside of the first and second joints of the latter fulvous; thorax not more than

twice as broad as long, sides moderately detlexed, the median basal lobe rounded, upper surface more

distinctly punctured than the head, the punctures distant and, as usually, more deeply impressed towards

the base; elytra convex at their first basal third, thence to the apex rapidly declining, the lateral

lobe strongly produced and subangulate; surface rather deeply and very regularly punctate-striate ;

underside and legs black, the latter with a slight metallic-greenish hue; prosternum slightly longer than

broad, rugose-punctate.

Hab. Guatemata, Panzos (Champion).

Very closely allied to L. speciosum, Lacord., but differing in the following points:

the present species is more elongate, less broad, and less regularly convex, the thorax

is distinctly longer and more finely punctured, and its median lobe rounded, not acute ;

the shape of the epistome is also different. Although only a single specimen has

been received from Guatemala, the above differences are too marked for it to be con-

sidered identical with L. speciosum.

102 | PHYTOPHAGA.

37. Lamprosoma championi.

Oblong-ovate, narrowed behind, metallic green; head and thorax extremely minutely punctured; elytra finely

punctate-striate, the interstices subrugose ; prosternum much broader than long, excavate.

Length 24 lines.

Head convex, extremely finely punctured, even under a strong lens, with an obsolete median elongate groove,

metallic green with a slight brassy reflection; epistome concave, emarginate; jaws black; thorax very

moderately deflexed at the sides, coloured and punctured like the head, except near the posterior lobe,

where the punctuation is a little stronger ; in front of the lobe are two oblique, rather distinct depressions,

the apex of the former of a rounded shape; elytra very finely punctate-striate, the interspaces minutely

aciculate and subrugose, lateral lobe acute and well produced; underside and legs metallic green; pro-

sternum distinctly broader than long, excavated anteriorly.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sailé).

Although I have only a single specimen of the present species before me, I have no

hesitation in considering it a distinct one. In general shape and colour it agrees with

L. politum, but is distinguished from that and others by the very fine punctuation of

head and thorax, and especially by the shape of the prosternum, which is, to my mind,

a good distinguishing character of the present family. In the specimen before me the

prosternum is distinctly broader than long, deeply excavated anteriorly, and finely

punctured, separating it from its allies.

38. Lamprosoma balyi. (Tab. V. fig. 15.)

Oblong-ovate, narrowed behind, metallic cupreous below, above metallic purplish and dark violaceous; head

impunctate; thorax finely punctured; elytra distinctly punctate-striate ; prosternum much broader than

long, deeply excavated.

Length 3 lines.

Head very convex, totally impunctate, bright purplish aureous; epistome with a few punctures, concave-

emarginate anteriorly ; antenne black, the first joint metallic green, fulvous below; thorax not more

than twice as broad as long, its sides rather rounded, as well as the posterior lobe, surface finely and not

very distinctly punctured anteriorly, more deeply near the base, the colour the same as that of the head;

scutellum metallic green; elytra showing the greatest convexity near the base, thence to the apex

but moderately declining, narrowed behind, the lateral lobe not very produced and rather rounded, each

elytron with ten rows of very distinct punctures of rather less brilliant purplish than the thorax,

the colour changing almost entirely to dark violaceous when viewed in certain lights; underside and legs

of a more metallic greenish tint, the base of the abdomen black; prosternum much broader than long,

very deeply excavated anteriorly, the basal margin rounded.

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec (Boucard, coll. Salié).

This handsome species cannot easily be confounded with others, on account of the

peculiar colour of its upper surface and the very broad and deeply excavated pro-

sternum, its size and posteriorly narrowed shape will also help to distinguish it.

39. Lamprosoma tibiale.

Ovate, very convex, distinctly narrowed behind; submetallic bluish green below, above brilliant metallic

green; head rugose-punctate; thorax and elytra distinctly punctured ; anterior tibiae sulcate.

Length 2? lines. :

Head flat, irregularly transversely rugose and finely punctured ; epistome deeply concave-emarginate; labrum,

jaws, and the anteane black, underside of the first joint of the latter fulvous; thorax rather long for

LAMPROSOMA. 103

this genus, not more than twice as broad as long, finely and very distantly punctured on the disk, very

deeply near the base; elytra largely and acutely angulate at the sides, deeply punctate-striate, the inter-

stices here and there with a few fine punctures ; underside much less brilliant than above, of a bluish

tint, the last abdominal segments and the tibie nearly black; the anterior pair of the latter longitudinally

sulcate through their entire length above; prosternum twice as long as broad, rugose punctate.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

There are sufficient distinguishing characters in the present species, of which only a

single specimen has been received, to recognize it easily; the only known species with

which it may be confounded, on account of the sulcation of its anterior tibie, is L. forni-

catum, Lacord.; from that species the posteriorly narrowed shape, however, as well as

its coloration divide it; the rugosity of the head seems to me to be accidental, although

I cannot be sure about this, having only a single specimen before me.

40. Lamprosoma separatum.

Oblong-ovate, convex, black, above metallic green; head and thorax finely but distinctly punctured, clypeus

separated from the face; elytra rather deeply punctate-striate ; prosternum slightly longer than broad.

Length 23 lines.

Head scarcely convex, finely and rather closely punctured ; clypeus separated from the face by a distinct and

rather deep transverse groove, base of the clypeus raised in the shape of a ridge, its apical portion deflexed,

apical margin nearly straight; thorax about twice as broad as long, the sides moderately deflexed,

posterior lobe rounded, upper surface punctured like the head; elytra distinctly narrowed posteriorly,

the shoulders scarcely prominent, surface very regularly and rather deeply punctate-striate, the inter-

stices smooth and shining; underside and legs black, shining ; prosternum flat, a little longer than broad,

the sides narrowed at the middle, surface with a few punctures.

Hab. Guatemata, Teleman (Champion).

A single specimen from the above locality. The shape and separation of the clypeus

in the present species will distinguish it from those of similar colour.

41. Lamprosoma minutum.

Regularly ovate, short; below black; head and thorax bluish black, the former impunctate; elytra metallic

cupreous, distinctly striate-punctate.

Length ? line.

_ Head very convex, shining, totally impunctate, anterior margin of the epistome straight; antenne black, two

or three basal joints fulvous; thorax more than three times as broad as long, the sides rounded and very

deflexed anteriorly, so that, when viewed from above, the basal portion seems twice as broad as the apical.

one, surface very minutely punctured, only visible under a strong lens; elytra very convex, slightly

narrowed behind, the lateral lobe scarcely produced, surface rather deeply punctate-striate ; underside and

legs black, shining ; prosternum subquadrate.

Var. Entirely dark bluish black or purplish.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; Guaremana, Izabal (Sallé), San Juan,

Sinanja valley, Senahu (Champion).

Two or three species, resembling partially or entirely the present one in regard ta:

its size, have been described by Lacordaire from South America (L. trochilus, L. longi-

frons, and L. annectens). The species before us has been sent plentifully from the

104 PHYTOPHAGA.

localities given above, and differs from JL. trochilus in its smaller size, colour, and

punctuation of the elytra, from ZL. longifrons in the normal shape of its head and

general colour, and from L. annectens in the punctured thorax and want of the elytral

waved striez. The Honduras specimens belong nearly all to the dark variety, while the

typical form has mostly been received from Guatemala, although also intermixed with

the darker form.

42. Lamprosoma godmani.

Ovate, short, black; head minutely granulate; thorax scarcely visibly punctured; elytra finely punctate-

striate.

Length ? line.

Head rather elongate, convex, very minutely granulate, opaque; antenne black, the second joint fulvous ; eyes

very large; thorax rather convex and much deflexed anteriorly, the posterior margin almost straight,

surface extremely finely punctured, black, more shining than the head ; elytra distinctly narrowed behind,

much less convex than is generally the case, rather obsoletely punctate-striate, the interstices somewhat

finely rugose ; prosternum subquadrate.

Hab. Guatemata, Chacoj (Champion).

The uniform black colour and finely granulate head will separate this small species

from L. longifrons, to which it seems closely allied.

48, Lamprosoma modestum.

Broadly ovate, short, black ; antenne fulvous; head, lateral margin of the thorax, and the legs metallic green.

Var. Thorax and underside entirely black.

Length ? line.

Head very finely granulate, metallic green, anterior margin of the epistome nearly straight ; parts of the mouth

black ; antennze fulvous, the basal joints more or less piceous; thorax nearly four times as broad as long,

anteriorly very deflexed, posterior margin nearly straight at the sides, scarcely produced at the middle, °

surface closely and rather distinctly punctured, black, the sides broadly metallic green; elytra convex,

broadly ovate, scarcely narrowed behind, distinctly punctate-striate anteriorly, the punctures diminishing

in size towards the apex; underside black; legs more or less metallic green ; prosternum broad, slightly

broader than long.

Hab. Guaremata, Chaco} (Champion).

This very small species is evidently closely allied to the preceding one, and is there-

fore placed here, although its coloration would place it amongst the species of the first

section ; the much broader prosternum, more distinctly punctured thorax and elytra

will distinguish it from L. godmant.

44, Lamprosoma hirta.

Broadly ovate, convex; underside, head, and lateral margins of the thorax reddish cupreous; above dark

violaceous, closely and irregularly punctured and covered with white pubescence.

Length 23 lines.

Head finely granulate, slightly convex, rather closely and strongly punctured, with a few long hairs in the

middle, cupreous, opaque; base of the mandibule of the same colour, their apex black ; antennew of the

same colour, basal joint cupreous; thorax not more than twice as broad as long, the basal lobe almost

LAMPROSOMA.—CHRYSODINA. 105

truncate, sides straight, upper surface closely and irregularly punctured and covered rather thickly with

long whitish hairs, the lateral margin narrowly cupreous, which colour also extends slightly along the

anterior angles, rest of the surface very dark violaceous blue; elytra of the same colour and with the same

pubescence as the thorax, the punctures towards the sutures arranged in regular rows, the interstices and

the rest of the disk closely covered with smaller punctures ; entire underside and the legs coloured like the

head, granulate and punctured, of a rather opaque appearance; prosternum subquadraté, rugose-

punctate.

Hab. Mexico, Almolonga (/ége). .

Of this highly interesting species only a single specimen was obtained by

Mr. Hoge. It is the only instance known of a true Lamprosoma having its upper

surface covered with hairs, and is, no doubt, a very rare insect.

Fam. EU MOLPIDA.

This great family is well represented in Central America, but, as it seems, more in

regard to the number of individuals than of species, not more than about seventy of the

latter having, up to the present time, been described. It will, however, be found that

many species are common to both South and Central America, a great many hitherto

unknown, or at least undescribed, having been lately collected by Mr. Champion in

Guatemala, a country of which our knowledge of the number of species belonging to it

was previously but scanty, Mexico having furnished us with most of the material. A

perfect monograph of the Eumolpide is as yet wanting; but both Mr. Baly and the

late M. Chapuis have greatly added to our knowledge of the family, the latter’s

classification (the only one) being of most valuable assistance in clearing up, to a great

extent, the chaos which was the rule with most collections in regard to the present family.

CHRYSODINA.

Chrysodina, Baly, Journ. Ent. ii. p. 221 (1864).

Spintherophyta, De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 434.

This genus is principally characterized by its short ovate form and the shape of its

antenne, which have the terminal joints more or less dilated and robust, which is, however,

also the case in the allied genus Noda—the latter being a more elongate form, with the

scutellum of a different shape, an uncertain character rendering the assignment of some

species to their respective genera sometimes very difficult and doubtful. Upon the latter

character M. Chapuis laid considerable stress. I believe, however, that the terminal joints

of the antennee, which in the present genus are short and almost transverse, while they are

more elongate and, although thickened, yet longer in Noda, will be of equally valuable

assistance in separating the two genera. The only Central-American species of Chrysodina

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1881. Pp

106 ss PHYYTOPHAGA.

have been described by M. Lefévre, several others having lately been collected by

Mr. Champion and Mr. Hodge; all others, to the number of eight, inhabit South

America. |

1. Chrysodina fuscitarsis.

Chrysodina fuscitarsis, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, série 5, 1877, p. 116°.

_ Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz}, Cordova (Sadlé), Jalapa (Hége); GuaTEMALA, Sinanja,

Purula (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

The type from M. Sallé’s collection is before me, and agrees perfectly with M. Lefévre’s

description. A dozen specimens collected by Mr. Champion agree also in every respect

with the Mexican insects, except the colour, which is not so brilliant and rather darker ;

while one specimen from Nicaragua has the tarsi of a testaceous colour and is much

smaller.

2. Chrysodina ignita. (Tab. VI. fig. 7.)

Chrysodina ignita, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, série 5, 1877, p. 116’.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila! (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

I have examined the type also of this species, but fail to discover its specific distinc-

tion from C. fuscitarsis. The insect, except being rather longer, does not seem to differ

sufficiently to justify it being considered another species. The tarsi in C. fuscitarsis

have also a distinct bluish tint; and in my opinion the two insects are identical. As this

opinion is, however, not shared by so good an authority as M. Lefévre, it will perhaps be

better to keep the two species apart till the arrival of more material settles the point.

8. Chrysodina festiva.

Chrysodina festiva, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, série 5, 1876, p. 117°. .

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sailé), Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Playa Vicente (Hége) .

British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); GuaTEMALA, Zapote, Capetillo, Chiacam,

San Juan, Chacoj (Champion).

This species is shorter and more ovate than the preceding ones; the elytra are more

distantly punctured; and the type, which is before me, has two metallic-green spots in

front of the antenne, which in some specimens, however, are wanting. The Guatemalan

specimens have the underside in some instances almost black, and vary slightly i in the

depth of the punctuation of the head, but in general agree well with the type.

4. Chrysodina flavipes.

Oblong, convex ; black, above eneous, shining ; first six joints of the antennz and the legs flavous.

Length 1-14 line.

CHRYSODINA. 107

Head deeply and rather closely punctured ; thorax and elytra distinctly punctured, the latter punctate-striate

and slightly transversely depressed below the base. . °

Hab. GuateMaa, Capetillo (Champion).

Very closely allied to C. festiva, of a more oblong shape, and principally distinguished

by the entirely flavous legs. Four specimens were received from the above locality, which

show no difference except in size.

5. Chrysodina corrusca. (Tab. VI. fig. 2.)

Chrysodina corrusca, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, série 5, 1877, p. 117’.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz}, Cordova (Sallé); Guaremana, Chacoj, Cubilguitz

(Champion).

The head, thorax, and a lateral spot at the apex of the elytra in this species are

metallic cupreous; rest of the surface dark blue, in which respect it resembles greatly

certain species of Lamprosomata. The type of M. Lefevre I have compared with the

specimens sent by Mr. Champion; but the latter do not show any difference. The

specimen figured is from Cordova.

6. Chrysodina ornata.

Oblong-ovate, greenish blue below ; base of the antenne and the tibiz fulvous, above metallic blue; thorax and

a broad lateral band from the middle to the apex of the elytra metallic cupreous.

Length 13 line.

Head purplish, lower part greenish blue, rather closely and deeply punctured; antenne extending to the base

of the thorax, the first six joints fulvous, the rest piceous; thorax convex and rather long, much narrowed

towards the front, its sides rounded, upper surface reddish cupreous, very finely margined with blue, very

closely and rather finely punctured ; scutellum blue; elytra regularly punctate-striate, the punctures much

larger than those of the thorax, and arranged somewhat indistinctly in double rows, the interstices sub-

costate towards the apex, of a dark metallic blue; a broad yellowish cupreous band, margined with

purplish red, occupies the entire sides from the middle to the apex, without, however, quite extending to

either ; underside and legs greenish blue; extreme apex of the tibie and the tarsi fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sa//é).

There are sufficient differences noticeable in the present insect to distinguish it from

C. corrusca, to which it is closely allied, the latter being of broader shape and the

thorax differently made; the punctuation of the present species is also much closer

at the elytra, and the metallic band of the latter extends much higher towards

the base.

7. Chrysodina championi.

Oblong, bluish black below ; above metallic blue; thorax cupreous, closely and distinctly punctured; elytra

geminate punctate-striate.

Length 1? line.

Head rather long, strigose at the vertex ; lower part of face closely and deeply punctured, purplish blue; palpi

and the first five joints of the antenne fulyous, the rest black; thorax narrow, transversely convex,

108 PHYTOPHAGA.

metallic cupreous, finely margined with blue, surface closely but rather finely punctured ; scutellum blue;

elytra very distinctly geminate punctate-striate, metallic blue ; underside and legs blackish blue; tarsi

obscure fulvous.

Hab. Guatema.a, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Although I have only one specimen of this species to examine, I believe it to be

distinct from C. corrusca and C. ornata, the differences consisting in the blue head and

the absence of the cupreous spot at the apex of the elytra. C. égneicollis, Baly, is much

larger, and differs in the coloration of its head and underside.

8. Chrysodina ornaticollis.

Oblong-ovate, greenish black below; first five joints of the antennz testaceous ; head and thorax aureous, the

latter closely punctured ; elytra violaceous, strongly punctate-striate ; tarsi fulvous.

Length 2 lines.

Head deeply and closely punctured at the vertex, more distantly at the middle ; clypeus separated from the face

at the sides only, the space in front of the antenne and the anterior margin of the clypeus metallic blue ;

antenne half the length of the body, black, the first five or six joints testaceous ; thorax transversely

convex, the anterior angles acute and rather thickened, upper surface brilliant aureous, very finely and closely

punctured ; elytra violaceous blue, strongly and rather regularly punctate-striate, the punctures diminish-

ing at the apex; underside and legs greenish or purplish ; tibie obscurely, tarsi light fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Hége), Oaxaca, La Parada (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Guana-

juato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

The principal distinguishing characters of this species are the blue margin of the

clypeus, the bright aureous colour and fine punctuation of the thorax, and the colour of

the elytra. The general shape of the insect is also more oblong than is usually the case,

in which respect it resembles somewhat the species of the genus Typophorus.

9. Chrysodina pubescens (Tab. VI. fig. 7.)

Oblong, greenish eneous below ; base of the femora and of the antennee fulvous; above light green, opaque,

finely subpunctate-striate ; elytra and thorax covered with fine whitish hairs.

Length 17 line.

Head flat, greenish opaque, scarcely visibly punctured ; anterior margin of the clypeus concave-emarginate ;

antenne robust, nearly as long as half the body, the apical joints gradually widened and thickened, black,

first six joints fulvous; thorax transversely convex, sides straight at the base, from there to the apex

rounded and narrowed ; surface opaque, light green, very minutely punctured and covered with fine silky

but short white hairs; scutellum of the same colour; elytra moderately convex, punctured and coloured .

like the thorax, the punctures, however, placed more or less distinctly in double rows; the interstices

pubescent like the thorax, but the hairs set in rather regular lines; underside and legs more shining and

darker, the base of the femora, to a larger or smaller extent, fulvous.

_ Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Duges, coll. Sallé).

In the peculiar colour and pubescence of its upper surface this species forms a great

exception to the general rule of the other highly metallic species, but its well-marked

generic characters show it to be a true Chrysodina. It is another instance, analogous to

a true Lamprosoma described by me, of a species having its upper surface covered

CHRYSODINA. 109

with hairs. Three specimens of the present insect, of which one is of a more greyish

tint, are from M. Sallé’s collection.

10. Chrysodina purpureicollis.

Oblong-ovate, obscure greenish blue below; antenne and tarsi piceous, basal joints of the former fulvous ;

thorax purplish, basal margin metallic green, surface very closely and finely punctured ; elytra cupreous,

deeply and closely punctate-striate.

Length 13 line.

Head purplish or metallic green, the vertex finely, lower part of face more strongly punctured ; labrum fulvous ;

four first joints of the antenne fulvous, the rest black or piceous ; thorax purplish, convex, finely margined

with metallic blue, very finely and closely punctured ; scutellum purplish ; elytra cupreous, slightly

depressed below the shoulders, surface very closely and rather strongly punctate-striate ; inflexed limb

purplish ; legs eneous or greenish, base of the femora more or less fulvous. .

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca, La Parada, Yolos (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

The fine and close punctuation of the thorax, in connexion with the closely approached

and deeply punctured elytral striz, distinguishes this species well from others, another

characteristic peculiarity being the colour of the thorax.

11. Chrysodina cupriceps. (Tab. VI. figg. 3, 4.)

Chrysodina cupriceps, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, série 5, 1877, p. 118°.

Chalcoplacis instabilis, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 777°.

Hab. Guaremata, Zapote? (Champion).—Honpuras' (Salié).

In comparing Lefévre’s type with my own, I find that the two insects are identical,

and that, without doubt, the species has been rightly placed by M. Lefévre in the present

genus, the shape of the antenne having unfortunately been overlooked by me in the

single specimen at that time before me. Numerous others have since then been received

from Guatemala, but only one from Zapote. The two specimens figured are Lefévre’s

type and a more narrow one from Zapote. The species varies from dark blue to

bronze-colour, but may be at once recognized by the cupreous colour of the head,

although a single specimen has the latter nearly entirely black, this being, however, the

only instance among nearly thirty specimens.

12. Chrysodina marginicollis.

Oblong-ovate, moderately convex, metallic green below ; antenne black, five or six basal joints obscure fulvous ;

above seneous or cupreous ; head and the lateral and basal margins of the thorax metallic green.

Var. Entirely violaceous blue.

Length 13-2 lines.

Upper part of the head impressed with deep and oblong punctures ; clypeus wedge-shaped, separated from the

face by a distinct transverse depression, subrugose-punctate, its anterior margin deeply concave; labrum

obscure fulvous, with a metallic green tint; antenne half the length of the body, the first six joints

obscure fulvous, shining, the rest thickened, transverse, opaque ; thorax transverse, closely but finely

punctured, the basal margin accompanied by a row of stronger punctures, surface cupreous, the lateral

margin narrowly and the basal one broadly metallic green ; scutellum cupreous ; elytra of the same colour,

110 PHYTOPHAGA.

much more strongly punctured than the thorax, the punctures arranged in regular rows and distinct to

the apex, the latter acute and rather pointed; underside and legs metallic green; tarsi darker, with a

metallic gloss, those of the male insect dilated (the anterior legs).

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Quiché mountains, 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

A pretty little species, which has only been received from the above locality. It is

distinguished by its metallic-green thoracic margins and the underside of the same colour.

A single specimen of a uniform violaceous blue colour, which, however, does not differ

in any other way, was also received from the same locality.

13. Chysodina minuta.

Narrowly oblong, greenish «neous below ; legs and antenne light fulvous ; above bronze-coloured or greenish

neous ; head and thorax very closely and finely punctured ; elytra closely punctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

Head extremely finely and closely, in some specimens almost invisibly, punctured ; clypeus not separated from

the face, its anterior margin nearly straight; labrum and palpi fulvous; antenne fulvous, extending to

about one third the length of the body; thorax transverse, scarcely narrowed in front, more distinctly

and less closely punctured than the head; elytra finely and closely punctate-striate, the punctures towards

the apex arranged in lines, those near the lateral margin deeper impressed than the others; legs and

tarsi fulvous.

- Hab. Guaremata, Chiacam (Champion).

The very small size, finely and almost obsoletely punctured head, as well as the colour

of the legs and the antenne, will at once separate this species from all others. The

narrow and elongate shape, however, makes it doubtful whether its true place is in the

present genus. This being, however, the only difference, as far as I am able to make

out, I think it is best to include the species here.

14. Chrysodina hoegei.

Oblong-ovate, convex, black below ; base of the antenne, the labrum, and legs fulvous ; above metallic greenish

blue ; thorax closely, elytra strongly punctured.

Length 13 line.

Head longitudinally strigose at the vertex, lower part strongly but not very closely punctured; clypeus

distinctly separated from the face, very strongly punctured ; first six joints of the antenne fulvous, the

rest black ; thorax not more than twice as broad as long, rather convex, its sides nearly straight, surface

closely and distinctly covered with oblong punctures ; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the punctures nearly

as strong at the apex as at the base, the lateral margin accompanied by a distinctly raised costa near the

apex ; legs and tarsi fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Separable from its allies by its general colour, that of its legs, and by the strong

punctuation of the elytra, as well as by the striz of the head.

CHALCOPLACIS.—PHADRA. ‘TLL

CHALCOPLACIS.

Chalcoplacis, Chevrolat in d’Orbign. Dict. Univ. Hist. Nat. 1843, p. 372; Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc.

ser. 3, ll. p. 838 (1865).

Like several other allied genera, the present genus bears a great outward resemblance

to the Lamprosomide, and even to the Coccinellide. Up to the present year no species .

has been described from Central America, all of them, to the number of nineteen, having

been found in different parts of South America only.

1. Chalcoplacis fulvipes.

-Rotundate, convex, metallic green below ; legs and antenne fulvous; thorax metallic cupreous, margined with

green, strongly punctured ; elytra dark blue, punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines. ;

Head metallic green, closely and strongly punctured, with an obsolete longitudinal central groove ; clypeus

closely and deeply punctured, separated in front from the face by two smooth elevations ; antenne half

the length of the body, entirely light fulvous; thorax transversely convex, brilliant cupreous, shading into

metallic green at the anterior margin, surface strongly but not very closely punctured ; scutellum violaceous,

smooth ; elytra dark blue, distinctly semiregularly punctate-striate ; legs and tarsi fulvous.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu (Champion).

Nearly allied to C. sumptuosa, Baly, but at once distinguished from that species by

the strong punctuation of the thorax.

2. Chalcoplacis jansoni.

Metallic green; antenne obscure fulyous; above cupreous ; head deeply strigose-punctate ; thorax strongly

and closely punctured ; elytra regularly punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head deeply punctured at the vertex, longitudinally strigose in front of the eyes; clypeus rugose-punctate,

limited in front by two strongly raised smooth spaces ; labrum and jaws piceous ; thorax punctured as in

C. fulvipes; elytra more strongly punctured than the thorax, the punctures arranged in regular rows ;

underside and legs metallic green.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Distinguished from all other species by the metallic-green underside and legs, in

connexion with the striz of the head.

PHADRA.

Phaedra, Dejean, Cat. 8rd ed. p. 438 ; Chapuis, Gen. Col. x. p. 285 (1874).

The species constituting this genus are but few in number. It was founded upon a

small species from Cayenne, in shape and form very like a species of Coccinella, and

distinguished by the broadness and concavity of the elytral epipleure. The latter

character, however, is to a less extent to be found in the genus Chalcoplacis; and I

doubt very much the propriety of separating these two genera,.as all the characters are

common to both, and the concavity of the elytral epipleuree seems to vary in the

different species.

112 . PHYTOPHAGA.

1. Phedra maxima. (Tab. VI. fig. 5.)

Phedra maxima, Lefévre, Rev. et Mag. Zool. 1875, p. 106°.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé).—CayEnne },

The general upper colour of this species is a dark leaden blue, the head, legs, and

abdomen being of a bright fulvous colour. The Mexican specimen in the collection of

M. Sallé, and named by M. Lefévre, does not vary from the type from Cayenne.

Another specimen from the last locality, in my collection, is smaller, but agrees in all

other respects.

2. Pheedra dives. (Tab. VI. fig. 6.)

Phedra dives, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 119’.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz 1, Cordova (Sallé).

The type of this species is before me, and agrees with the description of the author.

The underside is of a dark, the upperside of a brilliant metallic green; the antenne and

legs are fulvous; head and thorax very closely and strongly punctured.

LAMPROSPHERUS. '

Lamprospherus, Baly, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 3, iv. p. 124 (1859); Trans. Ent. Soc. ser. 3, 11. p. 337

(1865).

The species comprising this genus, to the number of about a dozen, are small and

round in shape, in which respect they resemble the genera Phaedra, Chalcophyma, &c. ;

the thorax in the present genus, however, is devoid of the lateral groove on the under-

side, and the elytral epipleure are less broad. No species has previously been described

from Central America, all of them having been obtained in South America.

1. Lamprospherus apicalis.

Ovate, convex, more or less narrowed behind, fulvous ; thorax metallic green or black ; elytra rather strongly

punctate-striate, fulvous, their last third metallic green or blue.

Var. a. Thorax, the elytral spot, and the femora and tibie black.

Var. 6. Entirely fulvous.

Length 132 line.

Head strongly but not very closely punctured, with a more or less distinct longitudinal groove ; clypeus trian-

gular, more closely punctured than the head; antenne two thirds the length of the body, fulvous, the

apical joints more or less stained with piceous ; thorax not more than twice as broad as long, the anterior

margin distinctly produced at the middle, sides evenly rounded, surface finely but distinctly punctured ;

scutellum fulvous or metallic green; elytra deeply punctate-striate near the base, more finely towards the

apex, the interstices near the lateral margin distinctly costate to the apex.

Hab. Brivisn Honpuras, Rio Hondo, river Sarstoon, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; GuatE-

MALA, Cubilguitz, Cerro Zunil, Las Mercedes, El Zumbador (Champion).

LAMPROSPHARUS.—NODA. 113

In coloration this species almost entirely resembles L. hebe, Baly; it is, however,

larger, the thorax is of a different shape, and the elytral punctuation is much stronger in

the present insect. It seems, moreover, to be subject to great variation, not only in

regard to its colour, but also its shape. I have before me more than a dozen specimens

from the above localities; and although without doubt all belong to the same species,

scarcely two are exactly alike, some having the shape peculiar to the present genus, while

others are much more slender, greatly narrowed behind, in which respect they almost

resemble a small species of the genus Chalcophana. The thorax is also rather differently

shaped than is generally the case with the genus before us; and the first joint of the

anterior tarsi in the males is greatly dilated. The insect is either entirely fulvous, or

the head, thorax, and elytral spot are of a metallic green, being, however, in one instance

black, as well as the femora and tibie. I do not see sufficient reason, in spite of the

rather different aspect of the insect, to separate it from the genus Lamprospherus, as all

the general characters peculiar to it are present.

2. Lamprospherus minutus.

Ovate, short, black below; labrum, antenne, and legs fulvous; above metallic green; thorax finely, elytra

more strongly punctate-striate.

Var. Dark violaceous above.

Length 1 line. ,

Head with a more or less distinct longitudinal sulcation, rather closely and coarsely punctured towards the

clypeus, vertex finely punctate ; antenne of about half the length of the body, light fulvous ; thorax about

three times as broad as long, its sides evenly rounded, the posterior margin slightly produced at the

middle, upper surface rather closely and finely punctured ; scutellum impunctate; elytra rather regularly

and closely punctate-striate, the punctures strongly impressed near the base, but diminishing in size

towards the apex.

Hab. Guaremaa, Zapote, San Gerénimo, Purula, Senahu, San Juan (Champion).

The very small size, and the colour of the antenne and legs, will distinguish this

species from all others.

NODA. =N? poNo ! f

Noda, Chapuis, Gen. Col. x. p. 240 (1874).

The species composing this genus are mostly of small size, their antenne having their

terminal joints thickened as in the genus Chrysodina, but of a more elongate, not trans-

verse shape. The semicircular scutellum is the principal distinguishing character of

the present genus, according to Chapuis; but this is not always to be depended on, as

some species show great variation in this respect, as well as in many others; in fact, all

the species seem subject to great variation in colour and even in sculpture, making their

determination a very difficult task. Numerous specimens are generally required in order

to arrive at a conclusion as regards many species; and it is particularly necessary to

determine the sexes. This is usually not difficult, on account of the dilatation of the

BIOL. CENT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1881. q

114 PHYTOPHAGA.

anterior and often also the posterior tarsi in the male, the female generally having the

elytra more strongly punctured than the male, and, in addition, in most cases tuber-

culate or strongly costate. Besides these characteristics, I have found that the first

abdominal segment in the female is longer than that of the male, aiding in the recog-

nition of the sex. It is somewhat doubtful whether all the species here described by

me are really distinct, as it is often almost impossible to say whether a variety or a

species is under examination. Out of the vast material before me I have taken the

most prominent forms; and I could easily have doubled their number. But few species

have hitherto been described from Central America, the tropical parts of South

America having furnished most of the species ; they are, however, not entirely strangers

to the other parts of the globe, although it is doubtful if those described from the

Old World are strictly members of the present genus.

1. Noda cretifera. (Tab. VI. fig. 10.)

Noda cretifera, Lefévre, Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1875, p. 110°.

Hab. Mexico}, Juquila, Oaxaca, Capulalpam, Yolos, Puebla, Yolotepec (Boucard,

coll. Sallé), Guanajuato (E. Dugeés, coll. Sallé); British Honpuras, river Sarstoon

(Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata, Capetillo, Purula (Champion).

The female of this species may be recognized by the more or less strongly raised

longitudinal coste near the lateral margin of the elytra, and by a short transverse or

oblique wrinkle in front of the latter; the species varies in size from one and a half

to two and a half lines, and in colour from dark green to blue; the male is generally

smaller, and devoid of the coste and elytral tubercle. M. Lefévre evidently only knew

the female insect; but I have before me a number from the same locality, which do not

differ except in the absence of the elytral elevations, and which I take to be males on

account of the dilatation of the anterior first tarsal joint and the longer posterior femora.

Two specimens from Yolotepec are much more finely punctured on the elytra, but do

not otherwise differ. The figure is from a female specimen from Juquila.

2. Noda viridis.

Noda viridis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 986.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé) ; GUATEMALA, near the city (Salvin).

The thorax of the present species is much more transverse than is generally the case,

and its surface closely, almost rugose-punctate ; the general shape of the insect is more

parallel-sided, and but very slightly narrowed towards the apex. The female is not

known to me. From WU. lateralis N. viridis is distinguished by the much finer punc-

tuation of the thorax and the elytra, as well as its smaller size and narrower shape.

NODA. 115

3. Noda irazuensis.

Oblong-ovate, dark sneous below; legs and base of the antenne ferruginous; above metallic green, very

closely and finely punctured ; elytra closely and regularly punctate-striate.

Length 13 line.

Head remotely and rather finely punctured at the vertex, lower part of face strongly punctured ; the clypeus

triangular and distinctly separated from the face ; antenne as long as half the body, piceous, the first six

' joints fulvous; thorax transverse, the sides but very slightly rounded and narrowed in front, surface finely

and closely punctured; elytra very closely and regularly punctate-striate, the interstices near the apex

slightly costate.

@. Antenne shorter; elytra with three very distinct longitudinal coste near the lateral margin, the first two

of which are interrupted below the base and have generally a short transverse tubercle between them.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu, Cache (fogers).

Nearly allied to WV. costipennis, Lefévre, from Brazil, but differing in the more closely

and regularly punctured elytral strie, as well as the lateral costee, which in the present

species are much more regular and less interrupted, the thorax at the same time being

much more distinctly punctured. The male of this species is very like that of WV. viridis,

Jac.; the elytral punctuation of the latter species, however, is much finer and more

remotely placed, leaving broad interstices between. Numerous specimens were obtained

in Costa Rica by Mr. Rogers. |

4, Noda lateralis.

Oblong, greenish zwneous below; antennz and legs ferruginous, above eneous, metallic green, or blue; thorax

closely punctured ; elytra distinctly geminate- punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head strongly and rather closely punctured; clypeus triangular, distinctly separated from the face ; labrum

and palpi fulvous; antenne of half the length of the body, entirely ferruginous, the apex of the terminal

joint darker; thorax transversely convex, the sides much rounded, anterior and posterior margin nearly

straight, surface very closely but rather finely punctate; scutellum much broader than long, pentagonal ;

elytra rather elongate, much more strongly punctured than the thorax, the punctures arranged in double

rows on the disk, but in single lines near the apex; legs and tarsi ferruginous.

@. Elytra with three strongly raised longitudinal coste near the lateral margin, of which the second or middle

one does not extend to the base, but commences below the middle; the outer costa begins from the

shoulder, and runs in a rather oblique line close to the lateral margin; the spaces between them are

strongly punctured in single rows; a short tubercle is sometimes present below the base.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Cosamatopan, Juquila, Tepansacualco, Peras, Totoni-

sapan, Silao (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé); GUATEMALA, near

the city, Capetillo, Zapote, Duefias (Champion), Aceytuno (Salvin).

The present species is of a rather elongate shape, and, although closely allied to

W. cretifera and N. costipennis, Lefévre, may be at once recognized by the colour of the ©

antenne and the legs; the elytral costee in the female are also of different shape, and

the punctuation is closer; the elytral tubercle below the base is in most instances

absent, and only present in a few specimens which do not differ in any other respect.

Numerous specimens of this species were sent home by Mr. Champion, principally from

Capetillo. Some Mexican specimens from M. Sallé’s collection are metallic blue, and

116 PHYTOPHAGA.

the punctuation is closer and scarcely geminate; but I am not able to discover any other

differences, and must consider them local varieties.

5. Noda costipennis.

Noda costipennis, Lefévre, Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1875, p. 109’.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).—Brazit 1,

I have examined the type of this species in the collection of Mr. Baly, and find it to

agree in almost every respect with the specimens collected by Mr. Hége, which vary in

colour from dark blue to bronze. The male is, as usual, devoid of the elytral coste;

the insect in general is rather broad and convex, the thorax very finely and closely

punctured, and the elytra subgeminate- punctate-striate ; from N. cretifera it is sepa-

rated by the want of the oblique elytral coste and its different general shape.

6. Noda opaca. (Tab. VI. fig. 8.)

Ovate, subparallel, blackish blue; thorax convex, very minutely punctured; elytra obsoletely depressed below

the base, strongly punctate-striate.

Q. Elytra very finely geminate- punctate-striate, laterally costate, with a short tubercle below the base.

Length 2 lines.

Head finely punctured, more strongly at the clypeus, the latter triangular and separated from the face;

antenne black, the first six joints fulvous; thorax transversely convex, the sides rounded and widened

towards the base, extremely finely punctured; elytra closely and rather strongly punctate-striate; legs

dark greenish blue.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Tuxtla, Playa Vicente (Salié).

The uniform dark blue, almost black colour, and the very fine punctuation of the

thorax form the principal distinguishing features of this species, which seems, however,

closely allied to WV. lateralis, of which species I should have considered it a variety, had

I not six specimens to compare, which agree perfectly with each other. The thorax is

also less narrowed in front than in UW. lateralis, and the anterior angles much less pro-

duced. The female of the present insect is only to be distinguished from that of the

other named species by the colour and the fine double rows of punctures of the elytra.

A specimen from Cordova is figured.

7. Noda thoracica.

Ovate, convex, parallel, metallic green; head and thorax strongly and very closely punctured; elytra very

closely punctate-striate, unicostate near the lateral margin.

Length 2 lines.

Head opaque, finely granulate, covered with deep oblong punctures; clypeus not separated from the face ;

antennx black, the first six joints fulvous; thorax rather long, not more than twice as broad as long,

sides straight near the base, from there to the apex greatly rounded and slightly narrowed, surface very

convex, extremely closely punctured, the sides substrigose, metallic green; elytra very deeply punctured,

the punctures arranged in double rows, below the middle the lateral margin smooth and raised into a

longitudinal costa; underside and legs darker metallic green; tibiee dark fulvous.

Hab, Muxico, Puebla (Sallé), Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé).

NODA. — 1a

Although there are of the present insect but two specimens (a male and a female)

before me, there is no doubt that they are distinct from any other species, on account of

the opaque head and the close and strong punctuation of the thorax, together with the

shape of the latter, which is much longer than in any species known to me, and very

convex at the same time, as well as the elytra, giving the entire insect a parallel and

almost cylindrical appearance. There does not seem to be any great difference between

the male and female, if I am not mistaken as to the sexes. W. strigicollis, Lefévre (the

type of which I have examined in Mr. Baly’s collection), is a closely allied species, but

differs completely in the transverse scarcely convex thorax.

8. Noda subcylindrica.

Ovate, subcylindrical, metallic green or eneous, first six joints of the antenne fulvous; thorax remotely punc-

tured at the disk, finely and closely at the sides; elytra strongly punctate-striate.

Length 12 line.

Head strongly and rather closely punctured ; clypeus not separated from the face, but the space in front of it

rather rugulose ; antenne black, first six joints fulvous; thorax transversely convex, very little narrowed

in front, finely but distinctly punctured, the punctures at the disk much more distant than at the sides,

where they are crowded and aciculate ; elytra with a very obsolete transverse depression below the base,

strongly and closely subgeminate- punctate-striate, the strie distinctly visible to the apex, but in single

rows only ; legs entirely metallic eneous or greenish.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Cuernavaca, Cordova (Salié).

The principal distinguishing features of this species are its almost cylindrical shape,

the fine, close, and aciculate punctuation of the thorax at the sides, and the absence of

any coste at the elytra in both sexes, the male being as usual recognizable by the

dilatation of its anterior tarsi. The females are all of the eneous colour and rather

more strongly punctured; the elytra are less closely so; and the punctuation is more

distinctly arranged in double rows.

9, Noda lefevrei.

Noda lefevrei, Jacoby, P. Z.S8. 1878, p. 985.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sallé); Brrrisu Honpuras, Belize, river Sarstoon, Rio Hondo

(Blancaneaux); Guatemata (Sallé); Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica,

Volcan de Irazu (fogers).

This is a rather small and convex species, of which numerous specimens were obtained

by Janson in Nicaragua. The colour of the upper surface varies from neous to

metallic green or blue. The male insect has the elytra much more finely punctured

than the female, and is almost devoid of the raised apical interstices, which are very

conspicuous in the latter and occupy the entire apex. The species may also be known

from others by the dark eneous legs and the fine and rather remote punctuation of the

thorax, the latter being at the same time greatly narrowed anteriorly. The species

seems to be closely allied to WV. semicostata, Lefévre, but differs in the even punctuation

118 PHYTOPHAGA.

of the thorax, which in the species referred to is finely punctured on the disk and strongly

at the sides; the elytra in the present species have also the interstices raised into eight

cost at the apex, while WV. semicostata has only six.

10. Noda tarsata.

Broadly ovate, dark purplish below, base of the antenn and the legs ferruginous; above metallic green or

purplish ; thorax finely and closely punctate; elytra punctate-striate ; tarsi piceous.

Length 2 lines.

Upper part of the head distinctly but remotely punctured, obsoletely depressed at the middle ; clypeus not

separated from the face, more strongly and closely punctured than the head ; palpi and the first six joints

of the antenne ferruginous; thorax more than twice as broad as long, its sides rounded and distinctly

narrowed in front, anterior angles very acute and slightly produced, sides finely margined, surface metallic

green, closely and rather evenly covered with fine punctures ; scutellum subpentagonal ; elytra convex,

widened towards the middle, surface finely and rather regularly punctate-striate, the punctures arranged

in single rows, the interstices at the extreme apex somewhat raised and very finely transversely wrinkled ;

tarsi greatly dilated in the male.

9. Elytra more strongly and more irregularly punctured, the humeral callus distinctly raised and elongate.

Hab. Muxico, La Parada (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

Three specimens of this very distinct species are contained in M. Sallé’s collection.

The ferruginous legs and piceous tarsi, and especially the broadly ovate shape of the

present insect will easily distinguish it from its allies. The only species with which it

might be confounded is WV. rufipes, Lefévre, which differs in the punctuation of the thorax

and the uniformly coloured legs and tarsi.

11. Noda violaceipennis.

Noda violaceipennis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 987.

Hab. Guatemata, Aceytuno (Salvin), Capetillo (Champion).

Of this species, which was described by me from specimens collected by Mr. Salvin,

several more have since been received from Mr. Champion, which show no material

difference, but belong all to the male sex. The species is of a dark blue; the thorax is

transversely convex, finely punctured; and the antenne and legs are proportionally

much longer than is generally the case. ‘The female is unknown to me.

12. Noda boucardi.

Noda boucardi, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 986.

Hab. GuateMa.a, Palin (Salvin).

In the colour of its upper surface this species is allied to the preceding one, but differs

in the red tibiee and tarsi and the different shape of the thorax, which in the present

species is much less transverse and more narrowed in front. From blue specimens of

N. viridis it is distinguished by the colour of the femora, which in the last-named

NODA. | 119

species are fulvous, as well as the tibie, the whole insect being also of a more cylindrical

shape; lastly, from W. lefevrei the much finer punctuation of thorax and elytra, in

connexion with the colour of the legs, separates it.

13. Noda atra. (Tab. VI. fig. 11.)

Noda atra, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 31°. .

Hab. Muxtco, Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemata, San Juan (Champion) ; Nicazacua, Chon-

tales (Janson); Costa Rica, Rio Sucio, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).—CoLoMBIA ?.

If I am correct in referring all the specimens which are before me to the same species,

the latter has a wide geographical distribution; but I cannot see sufficient differences

to separate them. The species is deep black ; the thorax rather narrowed in front, and

finely but not very closely punctured ; and the female has a little tubercle placed below

the base. Von Harold has described the species at length. A specimen from Costa

Rica is figured.

14. Noda balyi.

Noda balyi, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 985.

Hab. Mxxico, Cordova, Toxpam (Sallé); Guatemaua, near the city (Salvin).

I now very much doubt the specific distinction of this species and JN. viridis, Jac.,

although the present insect is more strongly punctured and the thorax rather more

rounded than that of WN. viridis, which is altogether more cylindrical. The antenne in

the other species are also entirely fulvous, WV. viridis having black apical joints. As both

species were obtained in the same locality by Mr. Salvin, and individuals are in general

so variable, I am somewhat doubtful as to their relationship.

15. Noda igneicollis.

Q. Broadly ovate, obscure greenish black below ; head and thorax strongly and regularly punctured, metallic

cupreous; elytra bluish black, finely punctate-striate at the disk, strongly at the sides, the interstices at

the latter place longitudinally costate.

Length 2 lines.

Head very strongly and rather closely punctured; clypeus laterally separated from the face by a distinct groove ;

labrum obscure fulvous; antenne with the first six joints fulvous, the rest black ; thorax twice as broad

as long, convex, sides much rounded, and greatly narrowed in front, surface evenly and closely covered

with distinct punctures, aureous or cupreous ; scutellum rounded ; elytra finely geminate- punctate-striate

near the suture, transversely depressed below the base, sides strongly punctate-striate, the shoulders and

three or four interstices longitudinally costate; underside and legs greenish black, shining, extreme apex

of the tibiee and the tarsi obscure fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Panistlahuaca (Sal/é).

In shape this species approaches closely WV. tarsata, although it is scarcely so broad.

and rounded. The colour of the thorax and its close and rather strong punctuation, as

well as the very rounded shape of its scutellum, will separate the present species. —

120 PHYTOPHAGA.

16. Noda cribellata.

Oblong, greenish eneous below ; six basal joints of the antenne fulvous; above light green or dark brown ;

thorax subopaque, finely punctured; elytra finely punctate-striate, the interstices near the suture

subcostate.

Length 13 line.

Head finely punctured ; clypeus separated from the face, more strongly punctate; antenne fulvous, the

last five joints black ; thorax about twice as broad as long, sides much rounded at the middle, the base

and apex constricted, surface rather opaque, caused by its scarcely visible granulation, finely punctured ;

elytra rather elongate, scarcely more shining than the thorax and not more strongly punctured, the punctures

arranged in close and single lines, interstices near the apex obsoletely costate ; tarsi obscure fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Cordova (Sailé).

The upperside of this species is extremely finely granulate, giving it an opaque

appearance, although not altogether devoid of gloss; this, as well as the fine punctua-

‘tion, will distinguish it. The specimen from Cordova is almost black, but agrees in all

other respects.

17. Noda distincta.

Ovate, obscure eeneous below; antenne and the tarsi light fulvous ; above greenish seneous ; head, thorax, and

elytra extremely closely and rather strongly punctured.

Length 1 line.

Head closely and deeply punctate, the punctures arranged in oblique lines in front of the eyes; clypeus not

separated from the face, its anterior margin straight; antenne fulvous, the last three joints stained with

piceous ; thorax very transverse, but slightly narrowed towards the apex ; sides rounded, surface punctured

like the head, extremely closely at the sides, a little more remote on the disk; elytra obsoletely trans-

versely depressed below the base, not more strongly but almost as closely punctured as the thorax, with

indications of a linear arrangement near the suture; underside obscure greenish «neous; tarsi bright

fulvous ; legs finely pubescent.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sallé).

Although only a single male specimen is contained in the collection of M. Sallé, it is

sufficient to show that the present species is a very distinct one on account of the dense

and strong punctuation of its upper surface, in connexion with the colour of the antenne

and tarsi and its small size.

18. Noda curtula, (Tab. VI. fig. 9.)

Subrotundate, convex, greenish eneous below; above bronze-coloured or blue; head strongly, thorax very

closely and finely punctate; elytra deeply and closely punctate, more finely at the apex, the interstices

more or less distinctly smooth.

Length 14-23 lines.

Head distinctly but rather remotely punctured at the vertex, strongly and closely at the clypeus, the latter more

or less distinctly separated from the face by some smooth tubercles at each side; palpi and antenne black,

the first five joints fulvous; thorax transversely convex, the sides much rounded and finely margined ;

posterior margin greatly produced and evenly rounded at the middle; surface very finely and closely

punctured at the sides, more remotely at the middle; scutellum impunctate; elytra distinctly widened

towards the middle, strongly and closely punctured at the base, more finely (and the punctures arranged

in single rows) towards the apex ; some rather broad and smooth interstices are visible more or less plainly

near the suture and on the disk ; underside and the legs entirely greenish or brownish eneous.

NODA. 121

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Yolos (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Cuernavaca (Sallé).

From all described species the present one may be at once recognized by its broadly

ovate or rounded shape, by the fine and close punctuation of the thorax, and by the

generally plainly visible smooth longitudinal spaces of the elytra. Its colour varies

from green or blue to dark eneous. The specimen figured is from Oaxaca.

19. Noda dispersa.

Broadly ovate, metallic green ; antennz and legs fulvous; thorax finely and distantly, elytra strongly and very

remotely geminate- punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines. _

Head with a few deep punctures, especially at the clypeus, the latter not separated from the face; thorax

transverse, sides much rounded, the anterior angles acute and produced outwards, surface finely but

distantly punctured; elytra broad, convex, and regularly rounded towards the apex, surface deeply and

very remotely punctured, the punctuation on the disk arranged in double rows, but singly towards the

apex; the outer rows parallel with the lateral margin, but not quite extending to the apex, the two rows

which precede abbreviated behind the middle. Female unknown.

Hab. Mexico, San Andres Tuxtla (Saldé).

The deep and remote punctuation of the elytra, in connexion with the colour of the

antenne and the legs, separate the present species from all others. In shape it approaches

N. tarsata, but differs in its sculpture and the colour of the tarsi.

20. Noda bicallosa.

Broadly ovate, greenish eneous below ; antenne and legs fulvous ; above metallic green; thorax closely and

distinctly punctured; elytra geminate- punctate-striate, the interstices broad and smooth, each elytron

with a longitudinal and transverse tubercle.

Length 2 lines.

Head very deeply and remotely punctured ; clypeus separated from the face at the sides only, its anterior

margin concave ; labrum very narrow, transverse, fulvous ; antenne of the same colour; thorax trans-

versely convex, much narrowed anteriorly, the anterior angles acute but not produced, sides but slightly

rounded, surface closely and moderately strongly punctured ; elytra distinctly but finely punctate-striate,

the punctures arranged in double rows, distinct to the apex, but in single rows only at the latter place,

the interstices between them broad and smooth, slightly costate near the apex; a short elongate and

another transverse tubercle is placed below the shoulder of each elytron ; legs dark fulvous, covered (like

the abdomen) with yellowish pubescence. Male unknown.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé).

In shape this species resembles WV. dispersa, N. curtula, &c., but differs from all of

them in the broad interstices of the elytra and the two tubercles of the latter, in

connexion with the colour of the legs. |

21. Noda levicollis.

Narrowly oblong, greenish eneous below ; above «neous, opaque; head and thorax impunctate; elytra

extremely finely geminate- punctate-striate ; legs and base of the antennz fulvous.

Length 1 line.

Head swollen, totally impunctate, greenish «neous; eyes very distant ; antenne very long, extending to two

thirds the length of the body, the first six joints fulvous, the rest black; thorax subquadrate, about one

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1881. r

122 PHYTOPHAGA.

and a half times as broad as long, surface opaque, perfectly impunctate; elytra minutely geminately

punctate-striate, the punctuation entirely disappearing towards the apex, at which place there are faintly

impressed lines ; legs fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

Three specimens of this very distinct species are before me. Although allied to

NV. cribellata, it is at once distinguished from that species by its totally impunctate

head and thorax, its long antenne, and its fulvous legs.

SPINTHEROPHYTA.

Spintherophyta, Dejean, Cat. 8rd ed. p. 434; Lefévre, Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1875, p. 104.

This genus was founded by Dejean (without description) upon certain species now

classified under the genus Chrysodina. M. Lefévre applied Dejean’s name to two

Mexican insects having the general appearance of the members of the last-named

genus. The thorax of these insects, however, is much more transverse and of equal

width to the elytra; the epistome is deeply emarginate, and the prosternum of different

shape. These insects are not altogether strangers to other parts of America, several

undescribed species from the Amazons region being contained in collections.

1. Spintherophyta lesueuri.

Spintherophyta lesueuri, Lefév. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1875, p. 105°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Toxpam, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); GuateMaLa, San Joaquin,

Balheu (Champion). |

The male of this species may be known by the greater development of the mandibles

and the dilatation of the anterior tarsi. The elytra are closely and not very strongly

punctate-striate, and there is no trace of a transverse basal depression.

2. Spintherophyta cephalotes. (Tab. VII. figg. 1, 2.)

Spintherophyta cephalotes,Lefév. Aun. Soc. Ent. de France, 1876, p. 115.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

From the preceding species the present one is separated by the fulvous antenne and

legs, as well as by the much greater development of the mandibles in the male; the

puncturing of the upper parts does not differ much from that of S. lesueurt. The types

from M. Sallé’s collection are figured here, male and female.

3. Spintherophyta hybrida.

Oblong-ovate, greenish eeneous; antenne and legs fulvous; head finely rugose; thorax very finely punctured,

narrowed and deflexed in front; elytra rugose punctate-striate.

Length 12 line.

Upper part of the head flat, finely rugose punctate, with a transverse narrow raised line between the eyes

SPINTHEROPHYTA.—AGBALUS. 123

clypeus longitudinally strigose ; antenne rather long, extending further than the base of the thorax ; the

latter with the anterior portion much deflexed at the sides, upperside very finely and closely punctured ;

elytra distinctly depressed below the base, much stronger punctured than the thorax ; the interstices near

the sides slightly wrinkled and longitudinally costate ; legs fulvous.

Hab. Guatemaa, Aceituno (Champion).

Only a single specimen from Guatemala is before me; but there is no doubt that,

though closely allied to S. cephalotes, it belongs to a different species. The thorax

when viewed from above looks much narrowed in front, owing to the deflexed sides ;

the punctuation of the elytra is‘also much stronger and somewhat rugulose, a

character which distinguishes the present species from both the preceding ones; the

antenne are longer; and, lastly, the head is flat and subrugose, instead of convex and

remotely punctured.

4, Spintherophyta guatemalensis.

Ovate, convex, short, aneous; head strongly strigose and punctured; thorax and elytra strongly and closely

punctured, the latter subcostate near the sides ; apex of tibie and the tarsi fulvous.

Length 14-2 lines.

Head longitudinally strigose at the vertex; clypeus closely punctured, not separated from the face; antenne

extending further than the base of the thorax, black, the first five joints fulvous; thorax very transverse,

scarcely narrowed in front, sides rounded, surface very closely and rather strongly punctured ; scutellum

smooth; elytra very convex, obsoletely transversely depressed below the base, very closely and strongly

punctured; the interstices near the lateral margin costate towards the apex and partly transversely

wrinkled ; legs eneous, apex of tibie and the tarsi fulvous.

Var. Legs entirely fulvous. ‘

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerdnimo (Champion); Costa Rica (van Patten).

Again closely allied to the preceding species, but no doubt distinct. From S. lesueurt

it is separated by the sculpture of the head, and the much stronger punctuation of the

thorax and the elytra, as well as the lateral coste of the latter, and by the distinctly

longer antenne, while the transverse shape of the thorax and different head, as well

as the colour of legs and antenne, distinguish the present species from S. hybrida.

Numerous specimens were obtained by Mr. Champion at San Gerdénimo, amongst

which is only one specimen of the variety. The female has the eyes not quite so widely

separated, and the mandibles much less strongly developed. The length of the antenne

will make this species at once known from S. lesuewri, in which these organs do not

extend beyond the base of the thorax.

AGBALUS.

Agbalus, Chapuis, Gen. Col. x. p. 242.

The partly or entirely pubescent upperside, short, robust antennee, in connexion with

the flat truncate prosternum, are the principal characters upon which this genus was

formed by Chapuis upon a single species; since then six more have been described by

124 . PHYTOPHAGA.

M. Lefévre in the Munich ‘Entomologische Mittheilungen.’ Whether these latter

species belong, strictly speaking, to Chapuis’s genus, seems somewhat doubtful to me,

as none of M. Lefévre’s species are described as being pubescent on any part. In the

species described here the principal characters are present; the general outlines of the

insects, however, are at variance with the type; and they may possibly form another

genus. The species described up till now have been from South America.

2. Agbalus quadriplagiatus.

Oblong, slightly convex, black ; head and thorax finely pubescent ; elytra strongly punctate-striate, interstices

subrugose, black, an elongate patch, covering the shoulder and the base, as well as a round small spot at

the apex light red.

Length 3 lines.

Head closely and distinctly punctured, sides of the vertex substrigose; clypeus broad, limited in front by a

shallow depression and two elevated smooth spaces; labrum square-shaped, fulvous, piceous at the middle ;

left mandible strongly developed; antennz scarcely half the length of the body, robust, black, second and

third joint fulvous, apical joints much thickened, pubescent ; thorax transverse, rather convex, sides much

rounded, anterior angles produced into an acute tooth, surface very closely punctured, the sides covered

with thin but distinct pubescence; scutellum as broad as long, punctured at the middle; elytra about

three times as long as the thorax, but slightly convex, covered throughout with deep punctures, arranged

partly in regular lines, with the interstices transversely rugose ; a large bright red spot extends across the

base and shoulder to nearly the middle of the elytra and to the lateral margin, its inner margin being

very concave, another small elongate spot is situated at the extreme apex; underside and legs black ;

anterior tibie armed at their extreme apex with a short acute tooth.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sallé).

2. Agbalus mexicanus.

Oblong, greenish black ; head and thorax metallic green, finely pubescent ; elytra fulvous, semi-punctate-striate,

and transversely rugose ; tess fulvous, tarsi black.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sallé).

The present species so much resembles the preceding one in every respect, except in

its colour and size, that a detailed description of it is unnecessary. Whether it is but

a variety of A. guadriplagiatus I am not able to say, as of each I have unfortunately

but a single specimen for comparison.

EUPHRYTUS.

Elongate, convex, parallel; eyes sinuate, large; last joint of palpi ovate, its apex subtruncate; antenn»y

robust, the basal joints short, the terminal ones thickened; thorax transversely convex, its sides rounded

and entire; elytra irregularly punctured; legs slender, the posterior femora incrassate and sometimes

toothed ; first tarsal joint as long as the two following united; claws appendiculate ; prosternum greatly

narrowed between the thighs, its base truncate; anterior thoracic episternum concave.

I propose this genus for the reception of a few Mexican species having the general

appearance of certain members of the genera Chalcophana and Coytiera. From

the last of these the thickened antenne and dilated femora separate it, while it is

EUPHRYTUS. . 125

distinguished from the first by the truncate prosternum, as well as the other characters .

just named. It ought to be placed amongst Chapuis’s first section, the Iphimeine.

1. Kuphrytus zneus. (Tab. VII. fig. 25.)

Elongate, convex, greenish eneous; legs and base of the antennz testaceous; thorax and elytra closely and

_ finely punctured ; posterior femora incrassate, subdentate.

Length 3 lines.

Head closely and distinctly punctured; clypeus triangular, limited anteriorly by two highly-raised smooth

spaces ; antenne more than half the length of the body, robust, first joint swollen, pear-shaped, second

very short, globose, third and fourth joints a little longer, of equal length, the rest more elongate, but

thickened and slightly compressed, the four basal joints testaceous, the rest black; thorax transversely

convex, its sides evenly rounded, the anterior margin not produced in the middle, the posterior one slightly

rounded, surface everywhere and closely impressed with fine but distinct punctures; scutellum oblong,

apex rounded; elytra very elongate, parallel and rather convex, the shoulders prominent and limited

inwards by a shallow longitudinal depression, surface punctured like the thorax, but the punctures arranged

in indistinct rows, with traces of longitudinal coste near the apex; last abdominal segment thickened and

produced ; legs elongate, the posterior femora much widened and produced into a broad triangular tooth,

its inner margin deeply concave and fringed with hairs, first tarsal joint as long as the two following

united ; claws appendiculate ; prosternum greatly narrowed between the thighs, its base truncate.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sal/é).

The specimen which I believe to be the male shows rather less of the femoral dila-

tation, but the first tarsal joint of the anterior legs is more thickened (but not dilated)

than in the female.

2. Euphrytus simplex.

Greenish sneous; base of the antenne and the femora and tibie fulvous ; antenne filiform, gradually thick-

ened; thorax and elytra finely punctured, the former transversely depressed at each side; posterior

femora simple.

Length 3 lines. .

Head strongly and rather closely punctured; clypeus limited in front by two smooth moderately-elevated

spaces, its anterior margin straight ; labrum broad, fulvous ; antennz nearly as long as the body, fourth

joint longer than the third, the following ones elongate, terminal joints compressed and greatly dilated,

plack, the two basal joints and the apex of the following two fulvous; thorax transversely convex, its

sides slightly sinuate near the base, surface very closely punctured ; elytra closely geminate- punctate-

striate, the interstices forming longitudinal smooth spaces; legs fulvous, tarsi piceous; the posterior

femora moderately thickened, unarmed.

Q. Antenne shorter ; posterior femora wider, subangulate.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Panistlahuca (Salié).

As will be seen by the above description, this species deviates considerably from the

type of the genus, on account of its more filiform antenne and the unarmed and much

less dilated posterior thighs. The general shape of the insect, however, and that of

the palpi, and its other characters, seem to justify me in including it in this genus.

3, Euphrytus opacicollis. (Tab. VIII fig. 18.)

Narrowly elongate, black below; antenne and legs fulvous, above metallic green, subopaque ; thorax impunc-

tate; elytra finely punctate-striate ; femora normal.

Length 2 lines.

126 PHYTOPHAGA.

Head extremely finely punctured; eyes very prominent; labrum fulvous ; antenne more than half the length

of the body, the third and fourth joints of equal length and double as long as the second, the terminal

joints gradually widened ; thorax about twice as broad as long, slightly narrowed towards the apex, and

anteriorly deflexed, the anterior angles slightly thickened, posterior margin very little widened at the

middle, surface of a subopaque silky appearance, impunctate ; elytra more shining, very finely and rather

obsoletely punctured at the disk, more distinctly towards the sides, the puncturing arranged in indistinct

strie, extreme apex with a short costa; legs and tarsi fulvous; femora slightly widened, but not dilated ;

claws appentliculate.

Var. Above metallic blue.

Hab. Mexico, Yolos, Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sailé), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

In this species the femora are not dilated; and this almost necessitated the erection

of another genus; but as the thickened antenne and narrow truncate prosternum

agree with the other generic characters, I have, for the present, included this small

species, which may be recognized by its opaque thorax, in the present genus.

4, Euphrytus fulvicollis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 19.)

Elongate, convex, fulvous ; last four joints of the antenne black ; elytra greenish neous, finely subpunctate-

striate, the interstices extremely finely granulate.

Length 23 lines.

Head convex, extremely finely punctured, fulvous; clypeus triangular, its anterior margin slightly concave ;

antenne two thirds the length of the body, filiform, the last joints widened, somewhat hatchet-shaped,

fulvous, last four joints black ; thorax very transverse, the sides widened towards the base, then subangulate

to the latter, surface subopaque, fulvous, covered with minute punctures, which are only visible under a

strong lens; scutellum fulvous; elytra not wider at the base than the thorax, rather convex, finely but

much more distinctly punctured than the other parts, the punctuation arranged in subregular close

lines, the minutely granulate interstices giving the whole a silky-like appearance ; underside (with the

exception of the middle of the abdomen, which is piceous) and the legs fulvous; posterior femora trian-

gularly dilated ; anterior tarsal joint in the male widened.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca, Capulalpam, Puebla (Sal/é), Juquila, Oaxaca (Boucard,

coll. Sallé).

The fulvous head and thorax, together with the silky-like appearance of the elytra

and its fine punctuation, distinguish this species at first sight; the terminal joint of

the palpi is obliquely truncate, as in the other species.

COYTIERA.

Coytiera, Lefévre, Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1875, p. 116.

A single species served M. Lefévre for the erection of this genus, which greatly

resembles again Chalcophana and Euphrytus. With the latter genus it has the truncate

base of the prosternum in common, but differs in the more rounded shape of the sides

of the thorax, the simple femora, and the more slender antenne.

The type is from Cayenne.

1. Coytiera fulvipes. (Tab. VIII. fig. 15.)

Oblong, greenish black below, zeneous above ; antenne filiform, fulvous; thorax finely, elytra strongly punctate-

striate; legs fulvous.

COYTIERA. 127

Q. Elytra subgeminately punctate-striate, the interstices longitudinally costate.

Var. a. Above metallic green.

Var. 6. Antenne and legs black.

Length 2 lines.

Head distinctly and rather closely punctured; anterior margin of the epistome straight ; labrum fulvous; eyes

very large, convex ; antenne two thirds the length of the body, fulvous, the two terminal joints piceous ;

thorax transversely convex, its sides much and regularly rounded and narrowly margined, surface very

closely and rather finely punctured, a little more distinctly at the sides; scutellum oblong, impunctate ;

elytra closely and regularly punctate-striate, the punctures much more strongly impressed than those of

the thorax; the suture accompanied at its last half by an impressed line; legs and tarsi entirely fulvous ;

anterior first tarsal joint moderately dilated in the male.

Q. The interstices between each two rows of punctures raised into very distinct longitudinal coste; the ante-

rior tarsal joint elongate.

Hab. Muxtico, Panistlahuca, Cuernavaca, Istapan (Sailé), Oaxaca, Juquila (Boucard,

coll. Sallé).

Although in this species one of the characters peculiar to the genus in which I have

included it, the curved anterior tibie, is absent, and the prosternum also of slightly

different shape, I feel scarcely justified in erecting another genus for its reception.

The differences do not seem of great importance ; and in other respects the insect agrees

with the type.

It seems to be avery variable species: in some specimens the thorax is copper-

coloured, in others blue; the same may be said of the elytra; while the general shape

seems equally variable, some specimens being more elongate than others: yet there do

not seem to me to be sufficiently important characters to separate them.

2. Coytiera rugipennis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 16.)

Narrowly oblong, greenish black below; antenne and legs fulvous; above bright metallic green or blue; thorax

finely punctured ; elytra geminately punctate-striate, the interstices rugose and longitudinally costate at

the sides.

Length 13 line. +

Head rugose punctate; epistome limited in front by two smooth elevated spaces; labrum fulvous, its anterior

margin deeply concave; antenne half the length of the body, filiform, fulvous, the four apical joints

piceous; thorax transversely convex, sides rounded and entire, finely marginate, surface very closely and

finely punctured, a little more strongly at the sides ; elytra strongly geminate- punctate-striate, the inter-

stices everywhere transversely rugose, with about four longitudinal coste near the sides; prosternum

broad, widened greatly at the base, the latter truncate ; legs fulvous. -

Hab. Mexico, Tepanistlahuca (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

This small and very distinct species ought perhaps to be placed in a genus of its own;

but 1 find most of the characters peculiar to Coytiera present, the only difference

being the almost simple and straight tibie and its small size. The rugosities of the

elytra can be noticed with the naked eye. All the specimens from Jalapa, of which

one is figured here, are metallic blue; and a single female has the elytra much more

rugose and longitudinally costate than the male.

128 | PHYTOPHAGA.

BELTIA.

Oblong, convex; head perpendicular; eyes oblong, sinuate at their inner margin; palpi filiform, apical joint

ovate, apex pointed; antennez subfiliform, second joint short, third of twice the length, the five terminal

joints slightly thickened; thorax very convex, the anterior margin sinuate behind the eyes and produced

in the middle, the sides simple, rounded towards the base, anteriorly greatly deflexed; scutellum broad,

its apex rounded ; elytra very convex, rounded and slightly narrowed towards the apex, surface irregularly

punctured, interstices at the sides rugose; legs robust, anterior femora with a strong tooth directed

forward ; tibiee channelled at their apex only ; claws appendiculate; prosternum subquadrate, very broad,

its base truncate; anterior thoracic episternum concave.

A number of characters unite in the present insect to prevent its being confounded

with any genus belonging to the Iphimeine, amongst which it must find its place.

The general aspect is that of the genus Endocephalus or Corynodes,—the nearest allied

genus being apparently Sterneurus, Lefévr., which differs, however, in the subdentate,

not strongly toothed, anterior femora, and the elytra, which are much wider at the

base than the thorax, as well as other characters obvious on comparison. M. Lefévre

compares his genus with Chalcophana, with which the present one has nothing in

common. Only a single specimen was obtained, by the late Mr. Belt, in Nicaragua.

1. Beltia nicaraguensis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 25.)

Below metallic greenish, finely pubescent; labrum, antennz, and legs fulvous ; above greenish seneous ; head

rugose punctate; thorax and elytra closely punctured, interstices of latter near the sides transversely

wrinkled.

Length 32 lines.

Head very broad, slightly depressed between the eyes, covered entirely with longitudinal and transverse strige ;

epistome not separated from the face, its anterior margin sinuate; labrum transverse, fulvous; antenne

of half the length of the body, fulvous, the two terminal joints black ; thorax very convex, subcylindrical,

the anterior angles acute, entire surface evenly and finely but very distinctly punctured ; scutellum im-

punctate ; elytra slightly transversely depressed below the base, the humeral callus rounded, but prominent,

surface much more strongly punctured than the thorax, the punctures arranged somewhat regularly in close

lines, those near the sides much stronger, and the interstices transversely rugose ; underside obscure fulvous,

with a metallic green gloss,gand covered with very short silvery pubescence ; legs not very robust, the

anterior femora near their apex (which is much hollowed out) armed with a rather long and acute tooth,

which is directed forward and forms the limit anteriorly of the broadly dilated thigh ; prosternum nearly

square-shaped, the sides concave.

Hab. Nicaraeua, Chontales (Belt).

METAXYONYCHA.

Metazyonycha, Chevrolat, in d’Orb. Dict. d’Hist. Nat. viii. p.172 (1847); Metaxyonycha, Marshall,

Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, xiii. p. 8382 (1864).

This genus is one which, with about a dozen others, forms a group of elongate

species, generally of metallic or light brown colour, of which the principal character

is found in the dentate lateral margin of the thorax. Besides that, it is distinguished

by the emarginate apex of the middle tibia. Several species have been described from

Central America, the others (to the number of about a dozen) having been found in

different parts of South America.

METAXYONYCHA. 129

1. Metaxyonycha tridentata. (Tab. VI. fig. 12.)

Metaxyonycha tridentata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1877, p. 512.

Hab. Mextco, San Andres, Santecomapan (Sallé); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson,

Belt); PANAMA.

The antenne of this species have joints five to seven, as well as the apical one,

black ; the head and thorax are very deeply punctured, the latter having three more or

less distinct teeth at the middle of the lateral margin; and the elytra are ornamented

with two metallic green spots, one at the shoulder, the other of a narrow transverse shape

below the middle. ‘The specimen figured is from Nicaragua.

2. Metaxyonycha chlorospilota.

Metaxyonycha chlorospilota, Marsh. Monogr. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, xiii. p. 385 -

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova, Santecomapan, Playa Vicente (Sallé, Hoge).

A great number of specimens were obtained by Herr Hége, which I refer, as well

as those contained in M. Sallé’s collection, to the above species, but not without

some doubt, although they agree perfectly with the specimens so named in the

collection of Mr. Baly. Marshall, who gives a good description of the species, says the

punctuation is more faintly impressed (after comparing it with J. crucifera), and that

the general appearance is less glossy, due to a fine aciculation between the punctures,

of which, however, I am quite unable to detect any sign ; the author further makes no

mention of the coarse transverse rugosities which are so plainly visible between the

elytral costee near the base and the apex. I may further add that the female has a

much more transverse thorax than the male, the sides of which are scarcely dentate, but

rather more sinuate, the male being, besides that, distinguished by a distinct inward

curve and dilatation of the middle tibie; the emargination of the latter is but very

slight in the present species.

3. Metaxyonycha crucifera.

Metaayonycha crucifera, Marsh. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, xili. p. 385 *

Metaxyonycha chevrolati, De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 480”.

Hab. Mexico!?; BRAZIL.

The absence of the elytral coste and the different shape of their metallic spots, which

leave the ground-colour between them in the shape of a cross, divides this species from

its allies. In the collection of Mr. Baly all the specimens are marked with the locality

“ Brazil ;” and as neither M. Sallé’s nor Hoge’s collection contains a single specimen, I

am almost inclined to believe that Marshall may have been mistaken as to the locality

of the species in question.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, December 1881. S

130 PHYTOPHAGA.

4, Metaxyonycha godmani. (Tab. VI. fig. 13.)

Elongate, parallel, testaceous; antenne with joints five, six, seven, and the two terminal ones black,

_ thorax three-dentate; elytra deeply semipunctate-striate, the interstices rugose, a humeral and a subapical

large spot metallic green.

Length 43 lines.

Head with a rather deep depression between the eyes, distinctly but not very closely punctured at the vertex;

antenne more than two thirds the length of the body, shorter in the female; thorax nearly square-shaped,

the anterior and posterior angles produced into an acute tooth, the lateral margin three-dentate, the

posterior tooth, however, obsolete, surface very closely and rather evenly punctured, the punctures not

stronger than those of the head; elytra with two or three regular rows of deep punctures near the suture,

rest of the surface irregularly punctate, the interstices everywhere transversely wrinkled and distinctly

costate near the extreme apex, a large metallic-green spot, obliquely cut at its posterior margin, is placed

at the base, another of the same colour below the middle, neither of these spots touches the lateral and

sutural margins; legs testaceous, the femora in the male extending to nearly the apex of the abdomen,

those of the female shorter.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

At first sight this species resembles Jf. chlorospilota; but an examination of the

antenne and the shape of the thorax will at once show its specific distinction. Five

specimens, which show no variation, were obtained by Mr. Champion. SBesides the

colour of the antenne, the totally different sculpture of the elytra will separate the

present species.

PRIONODERA.

Prionodera, Chap. Gen. Col. x. 1874, p. 248.

The few species constituting this genus seem to form a connecting link between the

genera Metaryonycha and Colaspis, approaching the first by their general shape and that

of their thorax, and the latter genus by their simple, not emarginate tibie, but differing

from it, according to Chapuis, by the thickened middle joints of the antenne. This

latter character, however, I have searched for in vain, and find that the joints very

gradually and slightly thicken towards the end, and are by no means thicker in the

middle than at the base or apex. Two South- and two Central-American species are

known.

1. Prionodera amasia. (Metaryonycha amasia, Tab. VI. fig. 14.)

Metaxyonycha amasia, Marshall, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, xiii. p. 388°.

Prionodera wagneri, Harold, Col. Hefte xii. 1874, p. 66°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Sallé); Guatemata, San Juan, Sinanja, Panzos (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt) ; Costa Rica}? (Sallé), Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

There seems to be no doubt, according to the descriptions, that Marshall’s and v.

Harold’s species are identical. The former included it in the genus Metaxyonycha, from

which it differs, however, in the simple intermediate tibie. The species is easily recog-

nized by the metallic green elytra and their irregular punctuation, besides the inter-

PRIONODERA. 131

mediate piceous joints of the antenne, a constant character in all the specimens I have

examined ; but in the Guatemalan specimens the apical joints are also piceous, and

the elytral sculpture is rather finer ; but I scarcely think this sufficient to consider them

to belong to another species. The figure is from a specimen from Costa Rica.

2. Prionodera salvini. (Tab. VIII. fig. 20.)

Elongate, slightly widened behind, fulvous; last six joints of the antenne obscure piceous; thorax bifoveolate,

strongly punctured, three-dentate; elytra metallic green, geminate- punctate-striate, interstices longitu-

dinally costate.

Length 4 lines.

Head with large and smaller punctures at the vertex, and a cruciform depression at the middle; antenne half -

the length of the body, fulvous, the last six joints obscure piceous; thorax with a deep transverse depres-

sion at each side, lateral margins distinctly three-dentate, surface strongly and irregularly punctured

throughout; scutellum fulvous; elytra slightly transversely depressed below the base and widened poste-

riorly, of a bright metallic green, surface very strongly impressed with double rows of punctures, the

interstices from base to apex strongly longitudinally costate; underside and legs entirely fulvous.

Hab. Costa Rica (coll. Sallé); Guatemaa (coll. Baly).

From P. amasia the present species is easily distinguished by the highly raised longi-

tudinal costz of the elytra and the colour of the antenne.

3. Prionodera hirtipennis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 21.)

Elongate, parallel, fulvous ; antenne black, the three basal joints testaceous; thorax obscure, sinuate at side s

elytra metallic green, the lateral margin and the apex fulvous; surface irregularly punctured and trans-

versely rugose, with rows of yellowish hairs.

Length 24-3 lines.

Head closely and rather deeply punctured; clypeus concave at its anterior margin, impunctate; antenne

nearly as long as the body in the male, shorter in the female, black, four basal joints testaceous; thorax

closely and distinctly punctured, with a very shallow depression at each side, the lateral margins obsoletely

bisinuate ; elytra elongate and parallel, of a very bright metallic green, the lateral margin and the apex

narrowly testaceous or fulvous, disk closely rugose punctate, the interstices with some fine fulvous

pubescence, set in rows at regular intervals; underside and legs light fulvous, the latter also covered with

hairs; anterior tarsal joint in the male slightly thickened.

Hab. Guatemana, Capetillo (Champion).

About twenty specimens of this very distinct and pretty little species were obtained in -

the above locality only. The female is generally larger than the male, the punctuation

of the thorax coarser and more irregular, the antenne shorter, and the anterior tarsal

joint elongate and slender. The pubescence on the elytra is a peculiar feature of this

species.

PROMECOSOMA.

Promecosoma, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 126.

Metaxyonycha, Chapuis, Gen. des Coléopt. x. p. 246.

The present genus bears a great resemblance to the preceding one, and has in con-

sequence been united with it by Chapuis; M. Lefevre, however, has divided the two

genera again, on account of the different antennz and general appearance of the insects,

132 PHYTOPHAGA.

which are less parallel, more widened at the middle, the antenne being at the same

time thickened and less elongate (although not in every case); the elytra are nearly all

of a dark metallic-green colour. The species are exclusively Mexican.

1. Promecosoma abdominale. (Tab. VIII. figg. 1, 2.)

Promecosoma abdominale, Lefevre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 127°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Oaxaca (Hoge, Boucard, coll. Sallé), Peras, Durasnal (Boucard, coll,

Salle), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sailé).

This is a common species in collections, and may be known by the greenish-black

thorax in connexion with the narrow elongate shape and fulvous colour of the under-

side; the colour of the elytra varies from green to purplish. The figures represent

specimens from Oaxaca (fig. 1) and Jalapa (fig. 2).

2. Promecosoma dispar. (Tab. VIII. fig. 3.)

Promecosoma dispar, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 127.

Hab. Muxtco, Yolos (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

I strongly believe that this species is but a variety of the preceding one, the whole

difference between the two being the fulvous head and thorax, the latter having,

however, the sides narrowly dark green; the apex of the elytra is also in one

specimen (the type) fulvous, while in another this colour is absent, the insect showing

therefore its tendency to vary as regards colour; but, in the absence of intermediate

forms, it may be as well to keep the two species separate.

3. Promecosoma scutellare. (Tab. VIII. fig. 4.)

Promecosoma scutellare, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 128.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Sallé).

This is a large species, of a purplish colour above, which in general appearance

approaches much nearer the genus Metaxyonycha than most of the other species; the

thorax is broadly transverse ; and the antenne are more elongate and filiform than is

usual in this genus. The specimen figured is from Playa Vicente.

4, Promecosoma nobilitatum. (Tab. VIII. fig. 5.)

Promecosoma nobilitatum, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 128°.

Hab. Mexico}, Playa Vicente (Sallé); Guatema.a! (Sallé).

The largest species of the genus, and, besides this, distinguished from its allies by

the red elytral apex, the robust legs, and black tarsi; in other respects it resembles the

preceding species.

PROMECOSOMA. 133

5. Promecosoma cinctipenne. (Tab. VIII. fig. 6.)

Promecosoma cinctipenne, Lefevre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 129°.

Hab. Mexico ! (Sallé).

M. Lefévre’s single type specimen is contained in M. Sallé’s collection, as well as

representatives of all the species of this genus. The present insect is distinguished

by the rufous margin and apex of the elytra, as well as by the deep punctuation and

coarse transverse rugosities of the latter.

6. Promecosoma elegantulum.

Promecosoma elegantulum, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 180.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

Except in the colour of the underside, which is piceous, and the smaller size of the

present species, the latter does not differ, in my opinion, sufficiently from P. cinctipenne

to justify its separation; but more specimens are necessary to form a decisive opinion.

7. Promecosoma sallzi. (Tab. VIII. fig. 7.)

Promecosoma sallei, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 1380.

Hab. Mexico, Michoacan (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

The metallic-green upperside, interrupted by a sutural and marginal band of fulvous,

distinguishes well the present species from all others.

8. Promecosoma sanguinolentum.

Promecosoma sanguinolentum, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 181".

Cacoscelis sanguinolenta, Sturm, Catal. MS.

Hab. Mexico ! (Sallé).

Again closely allied to P. sal/ez, but differing in the rufous thorax and coarser punc-

tuation of the latter, as well as the stronger rugosities of the elytra. The typical

specimen from M. Sallé’s collection was formerly in Sturm’s possession under the

above manuscript name.

9, Promecosoma dugesi. (Tab. VIII. fig. 8.) _

Promecosoma dugesi, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 131.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

Of this species three specimens are contained in M. Sallé’s collection. The colour of

the upperside is dark metallic green or blue; the head and thorax are very rugose ; and

the elytra have the apex of a rufous colour. From P. abdominale the species may be

distinguished by the shorter shape and much broader thorax.

134 PHYTOPHAGA.

10. Promecosoma jucundum.

Promecosoma jucundum, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 131’.

Hab. Mxxtico 1.

11. Promecosoma inflatum. (Tab. VIII. fig. 9.)

Promecosoma inflatum, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 182.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sallé).

The red thorax and the peculiar shape of the insect before us, which is greatly

widened towards the middle of the elytra, will help to distinguish it; this latter

character, however, is scarcely recognizable in a smaller specimen before me, which is

much more parallel than the others.

12. Promecosoma dilatatum. (Tab. VIII. fig. 10.)

Promecosoma dilatatum, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 133.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

A great many specimens of this species are contained in M. Sallé’s collection, having

been all obtained in the above locality. The species is a very distinct one, on account

of its short posteriorly widened shape and the uniform metallic-green colour of its

upperside. .

13. Promecosoma chrysis.

Promecosoma chrysis, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 1337.

Hab. Mexico!, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

In shape this species resembles exactly P. inflatum and P. dilatatum, from both of

which but slight differences separate it; and, in my opinion, the species in question are

identical. Neither size nor colour seem to be constant in these insects; and the same

applies to the sculpturing of the elytra and thorax. |

14. Promecosoma fervidum. (Tab. VIII. fig. 11.)

Promecosoma fervidum, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 184°.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato ! (Dugés, coll. Sailé).

The only species with which the present one might be confounded is P. dispar, from

which, however, it is separated by the much more transverse thorax and the semipunc-

tate-striate elytra; the latter, besides these differences, end also in an acute point or

tooth.

15. Promecosoma lepidum. (Tab. VIII. fig. 13.)

Promecosoma lepidum, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 134’.

Hab. Mxxico, Panistlahuca ! (Sallé).

PROMECOSOMA.—COLASPIS. 135

The underside, head, and thorax, as well as the extreme lateral margin and apex of

the elytra, in this species are fulvous; in other respects it does not seem to differ to any

extent from P. fervidum and P. cinctipenne.

16. Promecosoma lugens. (Tab. VIII. fig. 12.)

Promecosoma lugens, Lefévre, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 185.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

Distinguished by the comparatively long antenne, the black underside, legs, head,

and thorax. Only a single specimen is before me.

17. Promecosoma viride. (Tab. VIII. fig. 14.)

Elongate, convex, metallic green; antenne and legs fulvous, last three joints of the former piceous; thorax

closely punctured ; elytra punctate-rugose, the interstices at the apex costate.

Q. Elytra with a strongly raised longitudinal costa from the shoulder to the apex.

Length 2 lines.

Head closely punctured, with a more or less distinct longitudinal groove; the spaces above the insertion of the

antenne smooth and shining; thorax transverse, strongly and closely punctured, the sides rounded and

entire ; elytra punctured like the thorax, the interspaces transversely rugose, and raised near the extreme

apex into two or three short cost; legs fulvous, the intermediate tibiz entire.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Guanajuato (Duges, coil.

Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge).

I find the name given to this species by M. Lefévre under half a dozen specimens in

M. Sallé’s collection; but I am not able to find any description or note referring to it,

and conclude that it is a MS. name, which I have retained; I am also inclined to

believe that the present species is out of place here, as the principal characters, the

emarginate middle tibie and sinuate lateral margin of the thorax, are absent. The

general appearance and sculpture of the species, however, are so much like those of the

others belonging to the genus that I thought it best to leave it amongst the latter.

The insect before us is the smallest of the genus, and was obtained in great numbers

by Herr Hoge.

COLASPIS.

Colaspis, Fabr. Syst. El. i. 1801, p. 411; Chapuis, Gen. des Coléopt. 1874, x. p. 248. .

With more than sixty described and a great many undescribed species, this genus

may be considered the type of the group (the Colaspine of Chapuis). Although no

doubt closely allied to Metaayonycha, Prionodera, and several other genera, the present

one has a certain facies in most cases to distinguish it; numerous exceptions are,

however, to be found, and it is scarcely possible to point out the characters peculiar

to Colaspis only. From Prionodera, for example, I know of no definite structural

character to divide the present genus, unless the convex upper surface and anteriorly

narrower thorax are taken as a guide: these two characters hold good generally ; and

136 PHYTOPHAGA.

I know of no species which might not be separated from Prionodera by its general

convex appearance. Species of Colaspis have been described from nearly all parts of

the globe, although the authors have themselves not at all times been without doubt

as to the right position of their types. It is very curious that, amongst the sixty-two

species enumerated in Gemminger’s catalogue, not a single species (except an undescribed

one) is mentioned as found in Central America. Great numbers of specimens were

collected by Champion and Hége; but most of them belong to a few species only.

1. Colaspis splendida. (Tab. VI. fig. 17.)

Elongate, narrowed behind, metallic green ; antenne black, the six basal joints violaceous ; thorax bidentate at

the sides, purplish, the margins metallic green; elytra foveolate punctate, interstices longitudinally and

transversely tuberculate, each elytron with a broad longitudinal purplish band,

Var. brilliant cupreous above; thorax more closely punctured.

Length 6 lines.

Head rugose punctate, with a central longitudinal groove, the anterior part cupreous ; epistome and lower part

of face metallic green; antenne half the length of the body, the first joint metallic green, the next five

joints fulvous, with a purplish tint, the rest black, opaque, all the joints, with the exception of the first

two, of nearly equal length; thorax transverse, its angles acute, the sides distinctly bidentate, surface

deeply foveolate punctate, the interstices irregularly raised and rugose, cupreous, the extreme lateral

margins and a short space near the middle of the base metallic green; scutellum small, semicircular,

metallic green; elytra of the same colour, with a broad band of cupreous of equal width extending from

the shoulder to the apex, without, however, touching either the latter nor the lateral margin; surface

longitudinally and transversely costate and tuberculate, the tubercles arranged partly in rows near the

sides, rest of the surface deeply foveolate punctate; underside and legs metallic green; tibie and tarsi

purplish.

Hab. Costa Rica (var.); Panama (Boucard).

This most beautiful species is one of the largest of the present genus, and almost

identical in size and colour with Adorea speciosa, Lefév., with which I would have

associated it; but the different shape of the antenne, sides of the thorax, and the very

broad prosternum of M. Lefévre’s insect do not permit the belief that the two species are

identical, although evidently they are closely allied. A specimen in my collection (the

variety from Costa Rica) varies principally in the closer punctuation of the sides of

the thorax and the three basal joints of the antenne, which are fulvous (the rest being

wanting). I scarcely think these differences sufficient to justify the separation of

another species. The type from Panama is figured here.

2. Colaspis chontalensis.

Elongate, semiconvex, copper-coloured; head sparingly, thorax closely rugose punctate, with two obscure

dark lateral bands; elytra tuberculate and wrinkled, strongly punctured, each elytron with a longi-

tudinal dark broad band from the base to the apex.

Length 43 lines. .

Head very dark purplish, sparingly punctured at the vertex, but intermixed with numerous minute punctures,

and with a distinct longitudinal groove in the centre; clypeus triangular, reticulate punctate, with a

short raised middle line at the apex; antenne wanting; thorax transverse, of the same shape as

C. splendida, but the surface much more closely punctured, especially near the sides, which are obsoletely

three-sinuate, the punctures on the disk interrupted by moderately raised smooth spaces, an obscure

COLASPIS. 137

(nearly black) band occupies the sides from the base to the apex, interrupting the more metallic coppery

colour at the disk; scutellum small, impunctate; elytra slightly widened towards the middle, acutely

pointed at the apex, surface somewhat depressed at the middle, strongly tuberculate, and transversely

rugose as in the preceding species, the intervals subfoveolate-punctate, of the same colour as the thorax,

the dark band of the latter continuing at the sides of the elytra from base to apex; underside and legs .

more shining, finely pubescent.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

The only specimen obtained by Belt is a male; and I should consider it a variety of

C. splendida had the punctuation of the thorax been the same; this, however, is

much closer, and extends quite to the lateral margin, in the present species. In

C. splendida this part is sparingly foveolate, and the interspaces are raised in smooth

transverse wrinkles; the elytra show the same closer sculpture in the species before us

on comparing it with the other.

8. Colaspis gemmingeri. (Tab. VI. fig. 15.)

Chalcophana gemmingeri, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xii. 1874, p. 81’.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam (Sallé); Britise Honypuras, river Hondo (Blancaneaur).—

Braziu}.

This species was described by v. Harold under the genus Chalcophana; and although’

no doubt a true Colaspis, it seems to be almost intermediate between the two genera

in question. The thorax, instead of being laterally dentate, is only angulate at the

middle, sometimes even rounded; and the prosternum differs in the specimens before

me in having its base perfectly truncate or emarginate, but certainly not bilobed, which

would justify its being included in the genus Chalcophana. It is one of the most easily

recognized species of the present genus, on account of the longitudinal smooth fulvous

coste of the elytra and the metallic-green punctures of their interstices, which are

arranged in double rows. The Brazilian specimen in my collection is larger and more

narrowed behind than the northern forms, but does not show any other important

difference. The figure represents a specimen from British Honduras.

4. Colaspis championi.

Oblong ovate, convex, light fulvous; the seventh and two terminal joints of the antenne piceous; thorax

closely punctured, sides angulate or obscure sinuate; elytra geminate- punctate-striate and longitudinally

costate.

Length 34 lines.

Head very closely punctured throughout; anterior margin of the clypeus straight; thorax very closely punc-

tured, the margin more or less metallic green, obsoletely angulate at the middle; elytra closely geminate-

punctate-striate, each elytron with about seven longitudinal costs, the interior of the punctures more or

less distinctly metallic green ; underside and legs light fulvous, with an obscure metallic green tint.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Cubulco (Champion).

At first sight this species seems to be identical with C. gemmingeri; but a number of

differences show it to be distinct: it is separated by the antenne having piceous joints,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, December 1881. t

138 PHYTOPHAGA.

by the close punctuation of the head and thorax, the latter having no smooth

spaces like C. gemmingeri; the elytra in the present species are less acute and narrowed

posteriorly, the longitudinal coste are less prominent; and the entire colour of the

insect is much lighter; 1 may further add that the thorax of C. champions is distinctly

narrower than in the other species. All these differences are constant in the ten

specimens before me.

5. Colaspis hypochlora. (Tab. VI. fig. 18.)

Colaspis hypochlora, Lefév. Mittheil. Miinch. ent. Verein. 1878, p. 123 ,

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Cordova, Yolos, Tuxtla, J uquila, Teapa, Playa Vicente,

Puebla, Cuernavaca, Guanajuato (Sallé, Boucard, Dugés); British Honpuras, river

Hondo, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaur); GuateMaLA, Zapote, Dueias, Panzos, San

Gerénimo (Champion, Salvin, Sallé); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica,

‘Volean de Irazu, Cache (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2000 to 3000 feet

(Champion).—Co.omB1at.

This seems to be an abundant and widely distributed species, as will be seen by the

numerous localities quoted. It represents C. gemmingeri and C. championi on a small

‘scale, being identical in sculpture and colour; but besides being much smaller, the

underside is metallic dark green, and the thorax is coarser and more sparingly punctate.

The figure represents a specimen from Teapa.

6. Colaspis prasina. (Tab. VI. figg. 16, 20.)

Colaspis prasina, Lefév. Mitth. Minch. ent. Verein. 1878, p. 120°.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba, Juquila, Cordova, Capulalpam, San Andres, Santecomapan,

Jalapa (Sallé, Boucard, Hoge); British Honpuras, Belize, river Hondo, river Sarstoon

(Blancaneaux) ; Guatema.a, Capetillo, Duefias, Cerro Zunil, Chiacam, Teleman, Panima,

San Gerénimo, Sabo, Purula, La Tinta (Champion, Salvin, Sallé); Nicaraeua,

Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu, Cache, Rio Sucio

(Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CoLomB1A, Fusagasugé, Guayabal,

Muzo, Copér?.

I am not certain whether I have referred rightly the numerous specimens from the

above localities to M. Lefévre’s species. There are, in fact, so many very closely allied

species which all resemble to a greater or lesser extent C. wruginosa, Germ., that it is

necessary to compare long series of specimens before deciding upon their specific value.

The present species is of metallic green or bluish-purplish colour (fig. 20). The thorax

and elytra are deeply punctured, the latter having the interstices costate in some

instances, while in others they are wanting; but no other difference seems to be

noticeable. C. ewruginosa has part of the antenne piceous, while here they are entirely

fulvous. The other figure is taken from a Guatemalan specimen.

COLASPIS. 139

7. Colaspis callichloris.

Colaspis callichloris, Lefév. Mitth. Minch. ent. Verein. 1878, p. 121°.

Hab. Mexico!.—Cotompia, Canoas, Ocafia!.

M. Lefévre compares this species to C. wruginosa, Germ., but says that its general

colour is more brilliant, and that the punctuation is deeper; the elytra are described

as geminate-punctate-striate, and the interstices costate, which would apply equally to

the preceding species.

8. Colaspis bifasciata.

Elongate, convex, metallic green; head cupreous; thorax deeply punctured, cupreous, the lateral margins

and a triangular basal spot metallic green, sides bidentate; elytra foveolate-punctate and transversely

rugose, metallic green, each elytron with a broad lateral cupreous band from base to apex.

Length 4 lines.

Head with a deep central longitudinal groove, closely covered with larger and smaller punctures; space above

the insertions of the antenne raised into two highly elevated, smooth, metallic green spaces; eyes very

large and prominent; clypeus finely punctured, metallic green; labrum obscure fulvous; antenne

nearly as long as the body, the first joint metallic green, the following two fulvous, the rest purplish ;

thorax transversely subquadrate, its sides bidentate, disk deeply but not very closely punctured, the

interstices raised into smooth elevated spaces, dark cupreous, the lateral margins (narrowly) and a central

triangular basal spot metallic green; elytra distinctly narrowed posteriorly, convex, with two or three

irregular rows of distant punctures near the suture, rest of the surface deeply foveolate, and traversed

near the sides by highly raised transverse rugosities, surface metallic green, the sides occupied by a

broad dark cupreous band from the base to the apex; underside and legs metallic green, the latter very

slender and elongate, intermediate tibie slightly curved near the apex.

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

This handsome insect bears the greatest resemblance to C. splendida, Jac., in regard

to colour, but is totally different as to the sculpturing of its upper parts, which in the

present species are devoid of the rugosities which cover the entire surface of the elytra

in C. splendida, being confined here to the sides only; the thorax, instead of being

transverse as in the latter species, is in C. bifasciata nearly square; and the antennze

are nearly as long as the body. A single male specimen is at present before me, which

may possibly be that of C. splendida.

9. Colaspis lebasi.

Colaspis lebasi, Lefév. Mitth. Miinch. ent. Verein. 1878, p. 121°.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Tuxtla, Toxpam, Playa Vicente (Sallé, Boucard, Hoge) ;

British Honpvuras, river Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuateMaLa, Capetillo, San Gerdénimo,

Tamahu, Coatepec (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica; Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui, 2000 to 8000 feet (Champion).—CoLompra}.

I refer the numerous specimens received from the above localities to M. Lefévre’s

species, although some slight differences, which I attribute to local influences, are

present. These consist in a rather more regular arrangement of the elytral punctures,

the latter being at the same time less deeply impressed, in the presence of another

£2

140. PHYTOPHAGA.

minute tooth preceding the more distinct one at the thoracic lateral margin, and in the

colour of the antennz, which have the seventh and last three joints usually (but not

always) piceous. The species is smaller than C. prasina, and may be distinguished

from the latter by the transversely wrinkled interstices, which are especially plainly

visible near the lateral margins, and by the want of the longitudinal coste; the elytra

in most specimens have a cupreous tint; and the suture is generally entirely of that

colour. ‘The thorax is more closely and finely punctured than in C. prasina; and the

interstices are scarcely raised. The male insect is of a more parallel and narrower

shape than the female. The colour of the antenne is variable ; they are either entirely

flavous, or have the apical joints more or less of a piceous tint, while in many

specimens the seventh and last three joints only are of that colour.

10. Colaspis mexicana.

Oblong, convex, narrowed behind, metallic green; antenne and legs flavous; thorax obsoletely angulate,

closely punctured ; elytra very closely and strongly punctured, the interstices subreticulate.

Length 3 lines. ;

Head rather finely and very closely punctate, the punctures of a rather elongate shape; middle of the head

impressed with a narrow longitudinal groove; clypeus closely punctured, limited in front of the eyes by

two highly raised, smooth, metallic green spaces; labrum fulvous; antenne half the length of the

body, entirely flavous; thorax not more than twice as broad as long, its sides very obsoletely angulate

behind the middle, the anterior angles slightly thickened but scarcely produced, surface very closely

punctured, the punctures deeper than those of the head, the interstices here and there raised into small

smooth spaces; scutellum small, impunctate; elytra convex, distinctly narrowed behind, the apex rather

pointed, surface closely covered with punctures of a larger size than those of the thorax and arranged

near the sutural margin into rather regular lines, the interstices reticulate, more especially near the sides ;

two narrow but distinct coste: run parallel and close with the lateral margin, from below the shoulder to

the apex; underside metallic green, finely punctured.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége).

The general shape of the present species is narrow and elongate, its colour scarcely

shining, but subopake dull green. The very close sculpturing of its elytra, which is

not interrupted by coste except near the extreme lateral margin, in connexion with

the metallic green underside will distinguish it from its allies, of which C. viridissima,

Lefév., seems to be the nearest form. That species, however, is much larger; and its

thorax much more deeply punctured, and strongly dentate at its sides.

11. Colaspis submetallica. (Tab. VII. fig. 7.)

Oblong, moderately convex, fulvous, above with a metallic green tint, seventh joint of the antenne piceous ;

thorax long, sides bidentate; elytra moderately strongly geminate-punctate-striate.

Length 3 lines.

Head swollen at the vertex and finely punctured; clypeus more strongly punctured; labrum fulvous; jaws

black; antenne light fulvous, the seventh joint piceous; thorax scarcely twice as broad as long, much

widened at the middle, sides behind the latter with two teeth, surface very closely but finely punctured,

fulvous, with a strong metallic green gloss; elytra of the same colour as, and scarcely more strongly

punctured than the thorax, the punctuation very close, and arranged in double rows anteriorly, the

COLASPIS. 141

interstices very obsoletely costate near the apical and lateral margins; underside and legs fulvous, the

base of the tibiee piceous; legs rather short and robust.

Hab. Brivis Honpvras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuatumMaa, Yzabal (Sal/é),

La Tinta, Chaco} (Champion); Panama.

The more than usually long thorax, its fine punctuation, and that of the elytra,

together with the peculiar light metallic green colour, distinguish this species well

from its allies. In the specimen from Panama in my collection the breast is also

tinged with metallic green. The figure is drawn from the Mexican form.

12. Colaspis fulvo-testacea.

Colaspis fulvo-testacea, Lefév. Mitth. Miinch. ent. Verein. 1878, p. 123°.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sallé); Guaremata, Zapote (Champion).—CotomBia!.

A single male specimen from Mexico and a female from Guatemala which are

before me do not seem to differ from M. Lefévre’s description of his species in any

respect ; and as several instances of species of Colaspis being common to Colombia and

Mexico have occurred, I see no reason to separate the species. The difference in size

of the sexes before me is very great, the female being considerably larger, and of nearly

double the width of the male.

13. Colaspis belti. (Tab. VI. fig. 21.)

Oblong-ovate, piceous below, above fulvous; sides of thorax bidentate, middle of disk piceous; elytra closely

punctate-striate, with an indistinct transverse piceous basal band ; knees and base of tibie black.

Var. a. Thorax without dark spot.

Var. 6. Entirely light fulvous.

Length 24-3 lines.

Base of the head very swollen, impunctate, flavous, with a deep transverse groove between the eyes; clypeus

very strongly punctured; jaws black; antenne slender, entirely flavous; thorax transversely convex, its

sides greatly widened at the middle and produced into two distinct teeth, the basal angles also acutely

dentate, surface of the disk closely and distinctly punctured, the sides a little less closely; an obscure

ill-defined patch is situated in the centre of the base, but does not extend to the apex; scutellum fulvous ;

elytra deeply transversely depressed below the base, strongly and very closely punctate-striate, the punc-

tuation getting more distinct and weaker towards the apex, where the interstices are slightly raised; the

colour is the same as that of the thorax, but is interrupted below the base by a broad, more or less

distinct, piceous, band, which is common to both elytra, and extends to the lateral margin; underside

piceous, last abdominal segments fulvous; legs of the same colour, the knees and base of the tibie

black.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt, Janson).

The description is drawn from a well-marked specimen ; in another the dark marking

of the thorax is wanting, and that of the elytra much less strongly defined, while the

variety is entirely devoid of dark spots; but in all specimens the coxe and knees are

black. The male has, as usual, the anterior tarsal joint dilated. Three specimens were

obtained by Belt, and one by Janson.

142 PHYTOPHAGA.

14, Colaspis inconstans.

Colaspis inconstans, Lefév. Mitth. Miinch. ent. Verein. 1878, p. 122’. :

Hab. Muxtco, Cordova (Sallé); British Honpuras, Belize, river Hondo (Blancaneaus);

GuatemaLa, Cahabon, Purula, Tamahu, San Juan (Champion).—Co.omBia!.

This is a small species of metallic-green colour, with light-flavous legs; the thorax

is simply angulate behind the middle, very finely punctured ; and the elytra are distinctly

and rather regularly punctate-striate; the basal portion is transversely depressed, and

the punctation there as well as at the sides much stronger; the posterior knees are

generally piceous.

15. Colaspis hypoxantha.

Colaspis hypoxantha, Lefév. Mitth. Minch. ent. Verein. 1878, p. 122.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova (Hége).—CoLomBia’.

Two specimens from Mexico are before me which I must refer to M. Lefévre's

species, although with some degree of uncertainty, as the type must be compared. In

these Mexican specimens there is a distinct basal depression of the elytra; in other

respects they agree with the description.

16. Colaspis subcostatus.

Subelongate, obscure dark rufous or piceous; legs light fulvous; thorax angulate at the sides, closely punc-

tured ; elytra geminate-punctate-striate, the interstices costate.

Length 27-22 lines.

3d. Head longitudinally depressed at the vertex, closely and finely punctured ; clypeus more or less distinctly

separated by a transverse groove; labrum narrow, testaceous ; antennee testaceous, the terminal joints

more or less stained with fuscous; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides reflexed-marginate, angulate

behind the middle, surface closely and finely punctured, but more strongly towards the base; elytra

obsoletely depressed below the base, distinctly and rather strongly geminate-punctate-striate, the punc-

tuation less strong and arranged in single rows towards the apex, where the interstices are slightly

costate; underside obscure rufous, more or less stained with piceous; intermediate tibize curved.

Q. Larger, of a lighter fulvous colour, especially the thorax, the latter obsoletely bisinuate at the sides; elytra

with a metallic greenish tint, the interstices throughout raised into longitudinal cost; underside and

legs fulvous ; intermediate tibie but slightly curved.

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

I have but little doubt that the four specimens obtained by Mr. Champion represent

both sexes, although the differences in colour and sculpture are rather strongly

expressed. The tarsi in the males are, as usual, strongly dilated, those of the females

normal. C. inquinata, Lefév., seems to be an allied species, but differs in the strong

and distant punctuation of the thorax, and in its smaller size. The male of the present

species is of a dark bronze or piceous colour; its longitudinal elytral coste are

only indicated; its thorax is more distinctly dentate at the sides, while that of the

COLASPIS. 143

female is broader, the sides sinuate ; and the general colour of the latter sex is a lighter

fulvous.

17. Colaspis melancholica.

Ovate, convex, purplish blue below; base of the antenne fulvous; sides of thorax angulate; above obscure

brownish eneous; elytra and thorax foveolate-punctate and transversely rugose, interior of punctures

metallic green.

Length 23 lines.

Head closely punctured, with two raised metallic smooth spaces in front of the antenne; the latter longer than

half the length of the body, black, the five or six basal joints (the first excepted) fulvous; thorax narrowly

transverse, the sides angulate behind the middle, surface strongly and closely punctured, the interstices

raised into irregular smooth spaces of different sizes and shapes, of a dark bronze colour, the extreme

lateral margin and the interior of the punctures of a metallic green or blue colour; elytra convex, of the

same colour as the thorax, deeply and irregularly foveolate-punctate, the interstices partly transversely

wrinkled and longitudinally costate; underside and legs metallic purplish blue.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége), Tuxtla, Orizaba (Sallé); Guatrmata, El Reposo,

Zapote, Chacoj (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2000 to 3000 feet

(Champion).

The sombre aspect of this species, the upperside of which is nearly black, while the

metallic green interior of the punctures is visible without a glass, will make it recog-.

nizable at first sight, C. derosa, Lefév., being, as it seems, the most nearly allied form.

There is considerable difference in the shape of the male and female insects, the former

being narrowed distinctly towards the apex, and the elytral cost at the same time

more regularly and strongly raised. In the female the thorax is porportionally narrow,

and the elytra short and ovate.

18. Colaspis suturalis. (Taf. VI. fig. 19.)

Colaspis suturalis, Lefév. Mitth. Miinch. ent. Verein. 1878, p. 123°.

Hab. Mexico}, Jalapa (Hége), Cordova, Tuxtla, Teapa, Playa Vicente (Sallé), Yucatan ;

British Honpvuras, river Sarstoon, river Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemala, Zapote,

Panzos, Purula, San Gerénimo, Teleman (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion, Baly).—CoLomsia!.

This pretty little species seems to have a wide range of distribution, and to have less

tendency to vary in colour than is generally the case with members of this genus. It

is easily recognizable on account of its colour, which is testaceous above, the head,

sutural and lateral margins, as well as the entire underside being metallic-green ;

the punctuation of the elytra is arranged in close double lines, the interstices of which

are costate. The specimen figured is from Playa Vicente.

19. Colaspis balyi.

Ovate, convex, obscure aneous; head and thorax closely punctured, the latter subangulate at the sides ; elytra

deeply subgeminate-punctate-striate, the interstices closely transversely wrinkled.

Length 27 lines.

144 . PHYTOPHAGA.

Head and clypeus very closely punctured; antennw longer than half the length of the body, black, three or

four basal joints stained with fulvous, the rest gradually thickened and elongate; thorax transversely

convex, the anterior angles acute, the sides subangulate behind the middle, surface very closely and

strongly punctured, the interstices here and there, notably at the disk, raised into smooth spaces;

scutellum small, narrowly oblong; elytra convex, more strongly punctured than the thorax, the punc-

tuation arranged in subregular double rows, the interstices transversely wrinkled and obsoletely

longitudinally costate ; underside and legs very dark greenish sneous.

Hab. Guatumaua, near the city (Salvin), Duefias (Champion).

The differences between the present species and C. melancholica, to which it is closely

allied, consist in the following points:—The antenne in C. baly: are obviously more

thickened at the terminal joints, although the latter themselves are not shorter; the

thorax is much more closely punctured, as well as the elytra, which, instead of showing

irregular raised spaces, are closely transversely wrinkled, the punctuation at the same

time being arranged in double rows; lastly, the interior of the punctures is not of a

different colour from the rest of the surface. C. notaticornis, Lefév., seems to be a

closely allied species, but differs in having the last joint of the antennz black as well as

the seventh, and in the three-dentate lateral margins of the thorax. Another allied

species, C. luridula, Lefév., differs in the punctuation of the thorax and the elytra.

20. Colaspis laticollis. (Tab. VII. fig. 6.)

Dark violaceous blue; antenne (the last three joints excepted) and legs fulvous; tarsi black; thorax obsoletely

angulate at the sides, strongly punctured.

¢. Narrowly oblong, convex; antennze as long as the body.

©. Larger, greatly widened posteriorly ; antennz shorter.

Head more or less strongly punctured at the vertex; palpi fulvous, the apical joint thickened, black; antennz

as long as the body, fulvous, the last three joints black ; thorax rather broad, scarcely narrowed in front,

the sides rounded, very obsoletely angulate behind the middle, surface moderately closely covered with

oblong deep punctures; elytra distinctly and deeply transversely depressed below the base, the latter

raised, closely punctate-striate, like the thorax of metallic dark-blue colour; legs fulvous; tarsi black,

the anterior ones dilated in the male.

Q. Thorax and elytra less closely and strongly punctured, the latter greatly dilated ; thorax more narrowed

towards the apex.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila, Cordova, Panistlahuca, Jalapa (Sallé, Boucard, Hoge); Gua-

TEMALA, Zapote, El Reposo (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).

The differences in shape, and in some respect in sculpturing, between the sexes of

the present species are very great, the female being of a much larger size and much

more convex and gibbous than the male. M. Lefévre has described a variety of his

C. impressa which seems to agree to some extent with the present insect ; but the tarsi

in the latter and the last three joints of the antenne are deep black in all the specimens

before me, not “ nigro-infuscatis,” and the punctures of the elytra are not aciculate, but

simple. The above variety has also been described from Rio Janeiro. A specimen

from Cordova is figured.

COLASPIS. 145

21. Colaspis impressa. (Tab. VIII. fig. 23.)

Colaspis impressa, Lefév. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1876, p. 139°.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sallé); GuateMaLaA.—BraziL, Rio Janeiro }.

Three specimens from M. Sallé’s collection agree sufficiently with the author's

description to enable me to place them with that species; but an examination of the

type is necessary to be certain on this point. The species before me has the thorax

crowded with oblong punctures; the antenne are nearly black (in which respect they

do not agree with the description); the elytra are finely punctate-striate, depressed

below the base, and of a dark metallic-blue colour. The crowded punctuation of the

thorax will separate this species from C. laticollis.

22. Colapsis jansoni.

Oblong-ovate, black; above metallic green; thorax very finely punctured; elytra depressed below the base,

geminate punctate-striate near the suture, strongly and irregularly punctured at the sides.

Length 2 lines.

Head with a more or less distinct purplish tint, rather strongly but not very closely punctured, the space

between the eyes impressed by a small fovea; clypeus finely punctured, not separated from the face ;

labrum obscure fulvous or piceous; antenne black, the basal joints obscurely fulvous at the apex; thorax

transverse, the sides angulate at the middle, the anterior angles produced into a distinct tooth ; surface

very finely and closely punctured; elytra distinctly depressed below the base, much more strongly

punctured than the thorax, the punctures arranged near the suture in double lines at the base, but singly

towards the apex, sides much more strongly and irregularly punctured, the interstices obsoletely trans-

versely rugose; entire underside and legs black.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt).

The small size, black underside and legs, in connexion with the fine punctuation of

the thorax, will distinguish the present species, of which but two specimens were

obtained by Janson and one by Belt.

23. Colaspis godmani.

Oblong, subovate, convex, fulvous; legs and base of the antenue flavous; above metallic green; a basal round

spot and a sutural and lateral longitudinal band, from below the base to the apex, obscure cupreous.

Length 13 line.

Head strongly but not very closely punctured, deeply transversely grooved between the eyes; spaces in front

of the antenne raised, smooth; labrum and palpi fulvous; antenne piceous, the first five or six joints

light fulvous; thorax distinctly angulate at the middle; surface strongly and closely punctate; elytra

deeply transversely depressed below the base, subgeminate punctate-striate near the suture, deeply punc-

tured and transversely rugose near the sides, the latter from below the base to the apex narrowly

cupreous, a broader band of the same colour running parallel with the suture, and a round cupreous spot

occupying the base of each elytron; underside fulvous ; legs flavous.

Hab. British Honpuras, river Sarstoon, river Hondo (Blancaneaur); GUATEMALA,

Zapote, Cahabon, San Juan, Cubilguitz (Champion); Nicaraeua, Chontales (Janson).

This pretty little species seems to be very closely allied to C. pulchella, Leféev., from

which it differs in the fulvous underside, the uniform flavous legs and tarsi, and in the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1882. u

146 PHYTOPHAGA.

colour of the thorax, the latter being also sparingly punctured in C. pulchella. About

twenty specimens, which show no variation, are before me, justifying the species being

considered a distinct one.

24. Colaspis plicatula.

Oblong, piceous below ; legs and basal joints of the antenne fulvous ; head and thorax obscure xneous, very closely

punctured ; elytra subrugosely and geminate-striate punctate, fulvous, sutural and lateral margin eneous.

Var. a. Entirely obscure fulvo-eneous.

Var. 6. Entirely fulvous, only the elytral margins eneous.

Length 2 lines.

Head moderately closely but finely punctured; clypeus separated from the face at the sides by the distinctly

raised smooth callosities in front of the antenne; labrum testaceous; antenne more than two thirds the

length of the body, rather robust in the male, and with the terminal joints distinctly thickened; thorax

not narrowed in front, the posterior angles obtuse, and, like the sides, rounded, the latter slightly sinuate

or obtusely angulate behind the middle, surface very finely and extremely closely subaciculate punctate; .

scutellum oblong, its apex somewhat pointed; elytra parallel at the sides, irregularly subrugosely punc-

tured at their anterior half, geminate punctate-striate posteriorly, the punctuation much more strongly

- impressed than that of the thorax, and the interstices near the sides and apex distinctly costate.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

This species, of which about twenty specimens were obtained at Capetillo, only

deviates somewhat in the form of its thorax from most of the species of this genus,

inasmuch as the lateral margin of that part is nearly rounded, and only slightly angulate

in some specimens; but in all other respects I see no reason to separate it from the

present genus. I have taken the darker-coloured specimens as typical, although

they form but the minority, most of the others being of lighter colour; but the thorax

of nearly all of them shows an obscure metallic neous tint. The species may be

recognized by the extremely fine and close punctuation of its head and thorax, and the

lateral coste of its elytra; these latter are much more deeply punctured in the female.

ALETES.

Aletes, Chapuis, Genera des Coléopt. x. 1874, p. 250.

The compressed, robust antenne, large development of the eyes, and the shape of the

thorax are the characteristics of this genus, which in other respect agrees with Colaspis.

Since the establishment of the genus, founded on one species, M. Lefévre has described

five others, all from Colombia. The three species from Central America before me,

although not quite so prominently marked in their generic structure as the type, agree

nevertheless well enough to admit of their being included in the present genus.

1. Aletes mexicanus. (Tab. VII. fig. 5.)

Suboblong, black below ; basal joints of the antennee and the legs fulvous; above metallic blue; thorax finely,

elytra more strongly punctate-striate.

Length 3 lines.

Head rather strongly punctured, substrigose at the sides; space between the eyes impressed with a shallow

ALETES. | 147

fovea; labrum and palpi fulvous; antenne half the length of the body, robust, the joints slightly

thickened at their apex and compressed, fulvous, last five joints piceous; thorax transverse, moderately

convex, anterior margin straight, posterior one rounded and produced at the middle, sides rounded,

obsoletely three-sinuate, surface metallic bluish green, finely and rather closely punctured at the disk, a

little more strongly at the sides; scutellum ovate; elytra slightly depressed below the base, punctate-

striate near the suture, the interstices at the sides strongly transversely rugulose, the apex subcostate ;

underside black, last abdominal segment fulvous; legs of the same colour, robust ; tibiae dilated at the

apex, anterior first tarsal joint dilated, as well as the posterior one.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

9. Aletes guatemalensis.

Subelongate, greenish black below; antenna, legs, and abdomen fulvous; above metallic dark blue; thorax

strongly punctured; elytra regularly subgeminate punctate-striate, transversely rugose at the sides.

Length 24 lines. ;

Head with a central longitudinal groove, closely covered with oblong punctures, more crowded at the sides ;

clypeus strongly punctate, limited in front by two smooth raised spaces; labrum and palpi fulvous, jaws

black; antenne robust, entirely fulvous; thorax less transverse than in A. meaicanus, its sides very

obsoletely triangulate; surface very irregularly impressed with smaller and larger punctures, the latter

predominating at the sides and the base ; elytra very regularly and rather strongly subgeminate punctate-

striate at the sutural half, transversely rugose and subfoveolate punctate at the sides, the interstices at the

apex distinctly costate, the latter itself rather pointed ; legs fulvous.

Hab. Guatemaua, Capetillo (Champion).

Although only a single specimen of this species was obtained at Capetillo, I

believe it to be distinct from A. mexicanus, as well as from A. variabilis, on account of

the much more regular punctuation of the elytra, which in the latter species are

distinctly geminate punctate-striate and deeply depressed below the base, this depres-

sion being only slightly indicated in the present insect; the thorax is also much more

strongly punctured ; and the insect is of smaller size.

3. Aletes variabilis. (Tab. IX. fig. 1.)

Subelongate, fulvous below; above metallic green or purplish ; head strigose-punctate; thorax minutely punc-

tured, its sides bisinuate; elytra subgeminate punctate-striate, sides transversely rugose.

Q. Elytra with a row of tubercles at the sides.

Var. a. Antenne and legs entirely fulvous.

Var. b. Underside, legs, and antenne black.

Length 3-33 lines.

Head longitudinally grooved in the centre, closely and strongly strigose-punctate; clypeus deeply concave-

emarginate, its sides angulate; labrum fulvous; antennz one third the length of the body, robust, either

entirely fulvous or with the terminal joints black; thorax not more than twice as broad as long, sides

rounded and: narrowly margined, more or less distinctly bisinuate, surface moderately closely and very

finely punctured ; scutellum subovate, metallic green or obscure fulvous; elytra elongate, pointed towards

the apex, deeply transversely depressed below the base, strongly geminate punctate-striate near the suture,

rest of the surface irregularly punctured and near the sides transversely rugose.

®. Elytra generally less strongly punctured on the disk, with one or two rows of tubercles of irregular shape

from the shoulder to more than two thirds the length of the elytra.

Hab. Guaremata, Purula, Sabo, Sinanja (Champion).

Of this species about thirty specimens were obtained, principally from Purula; they

148 . PHYTOPHAGA.

show a good deal of variation in colour as well as sometimes in the strength of their

punctuation, varying above from brilliant purplish or copper-colour to metallic green,

and below from fulvous to black. The species may be recognized by the deep elytral

depression below the base, which is plainly visible to the naked eye, by the close and

strong punctuation of the head and the minute punctuation of the thorax. A female

specimen from Sabo is represented on the Plate.

RHABDOPHORUS.

Rhabdophorus, Lefévre, Mitth. Miinch. ent. Vereins, 1878, p. 126.

This genus was founded by M. Lefévre on a few species from Colombia, having the

general characters of Colaspis, but differing in the shape of the thorax, which is much

more transverse in Rhabdophorus, and in the greater width of the prosternum. Both

characters, although well expressed in some species, seem to be subject to modifications,

some forms from Central America showing intermediate structural characters which

would with equal right include them in either genus.

1. Rhabdophorus mexicanus. (Tab. VIII. fig. 24.)

Ovate, convex, fulvous; above submetallic green; thorax distantly punctured; elytra deeply subgeminate

punctate-striate, the interstices at the apex costate.

Var. a. Entirely light fulvous.

Head swollen at the vertex, distantly punctured, with a deep longitudinal groove in the middle; palpi very

slenderly filiform; antenne two thirds the length of the body, fulvous, joints eighth and the last two

piceous ; thorax transverse, slightly narrowed towards the apex, finely margined, the sides scarcely visibly

angulate at the middle, surface distantly punctured at the disk, smooth and impunctate near the margins ;

scutellum rounded, small; elytra convex, slightly geminate punctate-striate near the suture, the punctures

arranged in single and close lines towards the sides, where the interstices are somewhat rugose, while those

near the apex are strongly raised into longitudinal coste ; underside and legs dark fulvous, stained with

piceous at the breast; tarsi entirely of that colour, those of the male greatly dilated.

Hab. Mexico, San Andres Tuxtla, Playa Vicente, Santecomapan (Sa//é, Boucard);

Guaremata, Isabal (Sai/é), Purula, Zapote, Chacoj (Champion); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui, 2000-3000 feet (Champion).

The general colour of the upperside in this species is a light fulvous with a strong

metallic-green gloss; the punctuation of the thorax is rather fine and notably distant.

From the entirely light fulvous colour of the variety (a specimen of which is figured from

Tuxtla) to that of the type, intermediate shades are before me; in other respects the

specimens show scarcely any difference. The prosternum in this species is distinctly

broader than in species of the genus Colaspis. Two specimens from Chiriqui differ in

the finer punctuation of the thorax, but in no other way. |

2. Rhabdophorus salvini. (Tab. IX. fig. 2.)

Ovate, fulvous; thorax finely and remotely punctured; elytra metallic green, subgeminate punctate-striate,

the sides deeply punctured and transversely rugulose.

Length 3 lines.

RHABDOPHORUS. 149

Head rather closely covered with larger and smaller punctures; clypeus indistinctly separated from the face,

its apex deeply concave-emarginate ; antennx two thirds the length of the body, fulvous, the three or four

last joints piceous; thorax nearly as wide as the elytra, very moderately deflexed anteriorly, the anterior

angles acute, its sides rounded and narrowly margined, surface more or less distinctly but remotely punc-

tured at the disk, more closely at the sides, entirely fulvous ; scutellum of the same colour ; elytra metallic

green, their apex rather pointed and narrowed, surface with three double rows of punctures, which unite,

however, into single lines towards the apex, near the suture, the rest of the disk deeply and closely

punctate-striate, the interstices towards the sides closely and strongly transversely wrinkled and rugose ;

underside and legs entirely fulvous.

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé); Guarmmaua, near the city (Salvin).

The fulvous colour of the legs, head, and thorax, and the metallic-green elytra,

make this species recognizable at first sight; the punctuation of the thorax seems

subject to variation, being much finer in some specimens than in others; and the head

is sometimes of a distinct metallic-green colour, this latter being entirely absent in

others. The species does not seem to be an abundant one, as only five specimens are

‘before me from Mexico and Guatemala. One from the latter country is figured.

3. Rhabdophorus perplexus.

Oblong, light fulvous; seventh and two last joints of the antenne black; above fulvous with a metallic-green

gloss; thorax closely and finely punctured; elytra geminate punctate-striate, the interstices costate.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a few deep punctures, impressed between the eyes; clypeus separated from the face by two fine

lateral grooves, punctured, its apex deeply concave-emarginate ; terminal joint of palpi piceous; elytra

two thirds the length of the body; thorax distinctly narrowed in front, transverse, its sides rounded or

obsoletely sinuate, its surface irregularly and closely covered with larger and smaller punctures; scutellum

subpentagonal; elytra very strongly geminate punctate-striate, anteriorly and near the suture, simply

punctate-striate towards the apex, rest of the disk more irregularly punctured and transversely rugose ;

the interstices at the apex strongly costate, those of the other parts subcostate ; underside and legs light

fulvous; prosternum broad.

Had. Guaremaa, Purula (Champion).

Of this species about fifty specimens were sent by Mr. Champion. The shape of the

thorax is much more that of a true Colaspis than it is generally in the genus before

us; but the broad prosternum shows its affinity to Rhabdophorus. In colour the species

much resembles Colaspis submetallica ; but the absence of the teeth at the sides of the

thorax in the present insect will at once distinguish it.

4. Rhabdophorus jansoni. |

Oblong-ovate, piceous below ; above metallic dark green; thorax finely and remotely punctured ; elytra very

strongly punctate-striate, the apex longitudinally costate, the sides subrugose.

Length 3-34 lines.

Head closely punctured ; clypeus rugose-punctate ; antenns fulvous, the seventh joint piceous, the rest wanting ;

thorax transverse, the sides evenly rounded and narrowed towards the apex ; surface finely and remotely

punctured on the disk, more closely towards the side; scutellum distinctly broader than long; elytra of a

dark metallic green colour, very obsoletely depressed below the base, the punctures arranged in rather

150 PHYTOPHAGA.

close and regular rows, the first two near the suture subgeminate, extreme apex costate ; another sub-

marginal costa extends higher up towards the base; the interstices between the apical costee scarcely

punctured.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

Although the punctuation of this species is almost the same as that of 2. meaicanus,

the shape, which is more elongate, and the metallic green of the upperside and the

piceous colour below, as well as the stronger punctuation of the elytra, will separate

the present insect.

5. Rhabdophorus rugosus. (Tab. VII. fig. 8.)

Oblong, parallel, convex, fulvous below; above submetallic green or eneous; thorax strongly and closely

punctured, very broad ; elytra strongly punctate-rugose, the interstices transversely wrinkled.

Length 3 lines. .

Head broad, flat, closely covered with large and small punctures; space in front of the clypeus irregularly

depressed, the latter anteriorly deeply concave, emarginate; labrum fulvous; antenne half the length of

the body, fulvous, the last three joints generally piceous; thorax narrow, nearly three times as broad as

long, the sides much and regularly rounded, distinctly marginate, the anterior angles acute and slightly

- produced outwards ; surface everywhere closely and strongly punctured ; elytra not wider at the base than

the thorax, parallel, closely punctate-striate near the suture, the rest very irregularly and strongly

punctured, the interstices, especially those at the sides, transversely rugose.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Tuxtla, Playa Vicente (Sallé, Hoge).

The metallic green colour of this species is greatly reduced by the fulvous ground-

colour shining through it, in which respect it differs from 2. salvini, which is of a

bright green colour; in general shape, however, it nearly approaches this species,

although rather more parallel-sided; but the two insects are at once distinguished by —

the difference in the punctuation of the thorax, which in the present one is strongly

and closely punctured, the same part being more finely and distantly punctate in

R. salvini. From R. mexicanus the species before us may be separated by the much

greater width of the thorax, which gives the insect the appearance of a species of

Chrysomela. The punctuation of the female is still more strongly impressed than that of

the male insect. Five specimens are before me for comparison, of which one from

Cordova is figured.

6. Rhabdophorus guatemalensis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 22.)

Oblong-ovate, seneous; antennee testaceous, the seventh and the two terminal joints black ; thorax finely and

closely punctured ; elytra closely geminate punctate-striate, the interstices costate.

Length 22 lines.

Head rather closely and finely punctured, especially at the clypeus, with a fine central groove, ending in a

broader depression between the eyes; labrum light fulvous ; antenne half the length of the body ; thorax

narrowly transverse, the sides much deflexed anteriorly, the lateral margin subangulate behind the middle,

surface finely and closely punctured, more so at the sides than on the disk, with an obsolete shallow

depression at each side; elytra narrowly oblong, convex, slightly transversely depressed below the base,

their apex subacute, surface deeply gcminate punctate-striate at the sutural portion, irregularly punctured

RHABDOPHORUS. 151

near the sides, interstices distinctly costate at the posterior half, less so anteriorly ; legs and underside

obscure fulvous, with a more or less distinct seneous gloss; prosternum broad, much widened at its base.

Hab. Mexico, Cosamalcapam, Puebla, Playa Vicente (Sallé, Hoge); GuaTEMALa, San

Gerénimo, Senahu, Panzos, Sinanja, Mirandilla (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales

(Janson) ; Brittso Honpuras, river Sarstoon, river Hondo (Blancaneauz).

In shape this species resembles R. perplexus, at least the male, which is narrower

than R. hypochalceus, Har., from which the close punctuation of the thorax and the

double rows of punctures at the elytra separate it. 2. perplexus differs principally by

its light fulvous colour, with but a slight metallic gloss, and by the more regularly

punctured thorax ; the female of the present species is broader, but resembles the male

in all other respects. R. curtus, Lefév., seems to be another closely-allied species ; but

the thorax here is described as remotely punctured, and the interstices of the elytra

very finely punctate. A specimen from San Gerdénimo is figured.

7. Rhabdophorus chontalensis.

Ovate, convex, obscure fulvous ;. above submetallic green or eneous ; antenne testaceous, joints seventh and the

last two piceous; thorax finely punctured ; elytra costate at the sides, finely punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head swollen at the vertex, nearly impunctate ; clypeus distinctly separated from the face, closely punctured,

its anterior margin nearly straight; labrum fulvous; antenne more than half the length of the body,

with the seventh and the last two joints piceous ; thorax very transverse, its sides greatly rounded, ante-

riorly narrowed, but little deflexed, the lateral margins scarcely visibly angulate, the anterior angles acute,

but not produced; surface very finely and rather closely punctured ; scutellum broadly ovate ; elytra

distinctly transversely depressed below the base, and longitudinally within the humeral callus, finely and

remotely punctate-striate towards the suture, the latter accompanied by a row of closer punctures, which

change posteriorly into an impressed line, the sides more strongly punctured, the interstices forming two

or three more or less distinct longitudinal cost, which are more strongly visible towards the apex.

Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson).

Only two specimens of this very distinct species are before me, one of much lighter

colour than the other and probably immature; the fine punctuation of the thorax

and that of the elytra (the punctures on the latter being, at the same time, very

remotely placed) will easily distinguish this species from the others described here.

8. Rhabdophorus violaceus.

Ovate, convex, violaceous blue; antenne (their basal joints excepted) and the tarsi black; thorax finely,

elytra more strongly and regularly punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

@ larger; thorax much dilated at the middle ; elytra deeply depressed below the base.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a narrow central groove, distinctly punctured between and in front of the eyes, the latter very

large and prominent; clypeus square-shaped, punctured on the disk, rather convex, its anterior margin

nearly straight ; palpi testaceous, their terminal joint piceous ; antenne two thirds the length of the body,

slender, filiform, black, the first five joints testaceous below; thorax narrowly transverse, much dilated

at the sides, almost angulate behind the middle, with a very distinct margin, the angles obtuse and rather

rounded, surface rather closely and finely punctured; elytra convex, distinctly narrowed towards the

152 PHYTOPHAGA.

apex, with a shallow depression below the base; shoulders scarcely prominent, surface regularly punctate-

striate, the punctuation stronger than that of the thorax, but getting finer towards the apex ; prosternum

broad, pubescent.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson).

The uniform violaceous colour distinguishes this species well from any of its allies;

and although its general shape resembles almost entirely that of a species of the genus

Chalcophana, the broad and truncate prosternum will at once reveal its proper place.

The female is much larger, the thorax much more dilated at the sides ; and the tarsi are

of normal shape, while those of the male are distinctly widened, as is usually the case.

One male and two female specimens were obtained by Janson.

9. Rhabdophorus fulvipes.

Ovate, piceous below; legs and antenne fulvous, joints seventh and the two terminal ones piceous; above

eneous; thorax subremotely punctured ; elytra subgeminate punctate-striate, their apex longitudinally

costate ; tarsi piceous.

Var. Tarsi as well as the legs fulvous.

Length 2-24 lines.

Head rather closely and distinctly punctured ; clypeus not separated from the face ; labrum fulvous ; antenne

about half the length of the body, light fulvous, the seventh and two last joints piceous, nearly equal in

length; thorax transverse, the sides deflexed anteriorly, all the angles acute and slightly produced out-

wards, surface irregularly and deeply punctured, remotely at the disk, closely and subfoveolate punctate

at the sides, the interstices very minutely punctate, the lateral margins more or less distinctly angulate

behind the middle, brownish eeneous, the extreme lateral margins metallic green ; scutellum subrotundate,

smooth ; elytra with the following strie of deeply impressed punctures—a very short sutural one below

the scutellum, the three following rows consisting of double punctures anteriorly, but arranged in single

punctured strie behind the middle, the rest of the sides much closer and more irregularly punctured, all

the interstices towards the apex longitudinally and distinctly costate, the apex of the coste joined ; under-

side piceous ; legs fulvous, extreme apex of the tibia and the tarsi piceous; the latter much dilated in

the male.

Hab. Mexico, Cosamalcapam, Santecomapan (Sallé) ; GuaTemMata, Chacoj, La Tinta,

San Juan, Teleman (Champion); BritisH Honpuras, river Hondo, river Sarstoon (Blan-

caneaux); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This is without doubt a closely allied form to #. caliginosus, Lefév., and &. curtus,

from which it may be at once distinguished by its smaller size and the fulvous legs

and piceous tarsi. J have many specimens before me from the above localities,

which show a good deal of variation in the sculpturing of the thorax and the elytra,

some being almost regularly punctate-striate anteriorly, while others have the

punctures arranged in double lines; but I do not think that this difference, of which

intermediate degrees are not wanting, is sufficient to constitute different species, the

constant character (the fulvous legs) not being wanted in any of them; there are also,

in most specimens, indications of coste at the base of the elytra and a slight depression

below the latter. Whether the species is identical with one of the above named forms

described by M. Lefévre, it is impossible to say without comparing the types.

RHABDOPHORUS.—CORYSTHEA. 153

10. Rhabdophorus thoracicus.

Greenish seneous; antenne testaceous, joints fifth to eighth and the two terminal ones black; thorax irregu-

larly and strongly punctured, the sides angulate before the middle; elytra punctate-rugose, apex costate ;

legs fulvous.

Length 23 lines.

3. Head finely and closely punctured, vertex with a central longitudinal groove, and another transverse one

between the eyes, the latter large and prominent; clypeus closely punctured, separated from the face

laterally by two fine grooves; labrum fulvous; jaws black ; joints of the antenne, with the exception of

the second one, slender and elongate; thorax transverse, scarcely narrowed anteriorly, the sides nearly

straight at the base, distinctly angulate before the middle, surface closely rugose punctate and subfoveolate

at the sides, centre of the disk very sparingly punctured, the interstices somewhat raised here and there,

extreme lateral margin reflexed, metallic green; scutellum broadly ovate; elytra moderately convex,

slightly narrowed towards the apex, almost entirely and irregularly rugose, especially at the sides, the

interstices punctured, the apex obsoletely costate; legs dark fulvous; tarsi black ; prosternum broad, a

little longer than wide, the base very slightly concave.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species, of which two male specimens were lately received, is well distinguished

by the antemedian angulation of the sides of the thorax and the strongly rugose

sculpture of the elytra; the insect seems, without doubt, very closely allied to &. tuber-

culatus, Lefév.; but in this species, which inhabits Colombia, the middle of the thorax

is given as angulate, and the elytra are described as irregularly punctured.

11. Rhabdophorus intermedius.

Ovate ; obscure metallic green; legs and antenne fulvous, joints seventh and the two terminal ones of latter

black; thorax finely punctured, the sides bidentate ; elytra subgeminate punctate and rugose, interstices

longitudinally costate.

Length 24 lines.

Head sparingly punctured at the vertex, with a longitudinal central groove, and an obscure transverse cupreous

band at the base; clypeus strongly punctured anteriorly, distinctly separated from the face, limited in

front of each eye by a smooth raised callosity of metallic cupreous colour; antenne of half the length of

the body; thorax transversely convex, the angles scarcely prominent, the sides distinctly dentate before

and at the middle, surface rather closely and finely punctured ; elytra strongly convex towards the middle,

rather abruptly declined to the apex, like the thorax obscure metallic green, geminate punctate-striate

anteriorly and near the suture, strongly punctate-rugose at the sides, the interstices towards the apex

raised into strong longitudinal coste ; legs and tarsi fulvous; prosternum very broad, punctate-rugose.

Hab. Guatemata, Sabo (Champion).

Although I have only a single female specimen of this species to compare, I must

consider it a new one, on account of the finely and evenly punctured thorax in connexion

with the bidentate sides of the latter.

CORYSTHEA.

-Corysthea, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 3rd ser. ii. 1865, p. 336.

Corycia, Baly, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 222.

The genus founded by Mr. Baly is one of two genera, containing a good many species,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1882. x

154 ' PHYTOPHAGA.

in which the principal character is to be found in the concave emarginate or even

bilobed base of the prosternum. In the present genus this character is but slightly

expressed; and in one of the types before me (C. feror) the base of the prosternum

might almost be called truncate, resembling thus the genus Rhabdophorus.

The antenne seem also subject to variation, unless the two species described do not,

in reality, belong to the same genus. In C. fumesta these organs are very slender and

filiform; but in C. ferox they are proportionally very short, scarcely extending to

beyond the first third of the elytra, and their terminal joints, instead of being filiform

and slender, are distinctly shortened and thicker than the rest of the joints. It must

be left to future studies to decide whether these differences are sufficient for the

erection of a separate genus or not, and if real advantages in the study of entomology

are obtained in drawing the lines so close as to necessitate continual erections of

genera already bewilderingly numerous. In addition to the shape of the prosternum |

the present genus is otherwise distinguished by the transversely dilated thorax, which

in the allied genus is narrowed anteriorly.

1. Corysthea violacea. (Tab. IX. fig. 3.)

Oblong-ovate, black below; base of the antenne and the legs fulvous; above violaceous blue, shining ; thorax

minutely punctured; elytra distinctly punctate-striate ; g posterior tibie with a long spine.

Length 2 lines.

Head finely and distantly punctured at the vertex, closely and strongly at the clypeus, the latter not

separated from the front, its anterior margin straight; labrum fulvous; antenne two thirds the length of

the body, entirely fulvous, or the basal joints only of that colour; thorax rather long, not more than

twice as broad, very moderately narrowed in front, sides rounded and entire, the angles not produced,

‘surface extremely closely and finely punctured; scutellum ovate, broad; elytra distinctly transversely

depressed below the base, closely punctate-striate, the punctuation, especially near the sides, much more

deeply impressed than that of the thorax, the impunctate smooth interstices becoming much broader at

the apex than at the rest of the surface; legs rather robust, the posterior tibie in the male armed with a

long spine.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).

In the presence of a spine at the posterior tibiee of the male the species here described

agrees with C. feror; it is sufficiently distinct from the latter by its less robust shape,

the fine punctuation of its thorax, and the fulvous colour of the legs. Hight specimens

were obtained by Mr. Champion.

Note.—The insect figured as Corysthea hoegii (Tab. VII. fig. 3) now proves to be a

variety of Coytiera fulvipes (antea, p. 126).

CHALCOPHANA.

Chalcophana, Chevr., d’Orbign. Dict. Hist. Nat. i. 1848, p. 372.

Cychrea et Eriphyle, Baly, Journ. Entom. i. p. 222.

The species comprised in this genus seem to rival in point of numbers the genus

CHALCOPHANA. 155

Colaspis, with which they have their general shape in common. They are at once

distinguished from the last-named genus by the rounded, not dentate, lateral margin of

the thorax and the bilobed prosternum. A great many species seem very closely allied ;

and their determination, as is the case in the genus Noda and Colaspis, is not easy.

The females in Chalcophana are mostly provided with ribs or coste on the elytra, but

not invariably so; and this is also sometimes the case in the male. riphyle, Baly, has

the antenne rather more dilated than usual, but has been included by Chapuis in the

present genus. Cychrea, however, is a true Chalcophana.

The species of this genus are very numerous, and found in most parts of the New

World; seven or eight species have been described from Central America, the rest

from the more southern parts of the continent.

1. Chalcophana cincta. (Tab. VII. fig. 9.)

Chalcophana cincta, Klug, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 481'; Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xii, 1874, p. 76”.

Chalcophana klugi, Dej. Cat.*

Hab. Mexico !23, Cordova, Tuxtla, Orizaba, Teapa, Yolos, La Parada, Jalapa (Sallé,

Hoge); Brrrise Honpvuras, rivers Sarstoon, Hondo (Blancaneaux) ; Guatemaua, Capetillo,

Sabo, Sinanja, San Gerdénimo (Champion, Salvin); Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers).

This is one of the common species which are generally received in great numbers

from Mexico. It may be known by its metallic green or bluish upper surface, and

by the transverse fulvous band of the elytra, which extends across the disk and to the

lateral margins; this band is generally very narrow, but often varies in width; but its

anterior margin is almost always straight, while the posterior one is oblique. The

male is usually smaller than the female; and the punctuation of the elytra is subject

to variation, some specimens showing a much stronger punctuation than others; the

antennee have the last five or six joints black, the rest are fulvous. Several specimens

without the fulvous band, but differing in no other respect, were obtained at Sabo by

Mr. Champion.

2. Chalcophana championi. .

Fulvous; last eight or nine joints of the antenne black; elytra metallic green, rugose punctate-striate; the

lateral margins and a rhomboidal spot at the middle of the disk fulvous.

Length 24-34 lines. ,

3. Head finely punctured, longitudinally impressed between the eyes; antenne more than two thirds the

length of the body, slender, black, the first three joints fulvous; thorax transverse, but little narrowed

in front, anterior angles produced into a distinct tooth, surface deeply but remotely punctured; scutellum

fulvous; elytra distinctly narrowed towards the apex, the latter acute, closely geminate punctate-striate

near the suture, rest of the surface more irregularly and more strongly punctured, the interstices trans-

versely rugose at the sides, with indications of short longitudinal costee at the shoulder and base; elytra

bright metallic green, with a rhomboidal or triangular spot at the middle of the disk, the lateral margins

and the apex fulvous ; apex of the tibise and the tarsi generally, but not always, black.

9. Larger and broader ; head strongly and closely punctured ; thorax covered with large and small punctures ;

156 -PHYTOPHAGA.

elytra strongly rugose punctate at the sides, deeply transversely depressed below the base, the interstices

strongly longitudinally costate at the sides.

Hab. Guaremata, Capetillo, Purula (Champion); Costa Rica (van Patten).

This species cannot possibly be considered a variety only of C. cincta; all the

numerous specimens before me show the same characters. ‘The species is separated

from C. cincta, first by the strong punctuation of the elytra and their rugose inter-

stices, secondly by the shape of the fulvous spot, which never extends‘to the lateral

margins of the elytra, but ends on each side in a sharp point, and lastly by the shape

of the prosternum, which has its base concave emarginate, but not distinctly bilobed as

in C. cincta. |

3. Chalcophana depressa.

Oblong, subdepressed above; fulvous; elytra closely and strongly punctate-striate, the sides with two or

three highly raised costs, metallic green, a broad central transverse band, the lateral margins and apex

fulvous.

Length 3-34 lines. ;

Head rather strongly and closely punctured, the vertex swollen; clypeus triangular, separated in front by a

distinct depression, which at each side is limited by an elevated smooth space; apex of the jaws piceous ;

antenne two thirds the length of the body, entirely fulvous, shining, the last five joints thickened and

opaque in consequence of fine pubescence; thorax rather convex, all the angles produced outwards and

acute, surface distinctly and not more strongly punctured than the head; scutellum fulvous, its apex

rounded; elytra distinctly flattened at the centre of the disk, the sides and the apex much deflexed ; the

humeral callus produced into a short but highly raised oblique ridge, behind which two equally raised

cost run in a rather curved line towards the apex, without, however, extending to the latter, rest of the

surface deeply and rather irregularly punctate-striate, the interstices near the apex and in front of the

above-mentioned coste also more or less distinctly raised.

Var. a. Above violaceous blue, last six joints of the antenne piceous; the central elytral band much narrower.

Var. }. Antenne black, the three basal joints fulvous only; the apex of the tibize and the tarsi black; the

elytral band very narrow at the sides and abbreviated.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Oaxaca, Guanajuato (Lldge, Sal/é).

Of this species only specimens of the female sex are before me; but I do not doubt

that they represent a distinct form, of which the principal distinguishing characters are

the sharp and highly raised lateral coste, and the close and deep punctuation of the

elytra, which does not run in double lines, as well as the flattened upper surface of the

latter. The specimens from Cordova have the antenne entirely fulvous; but in one

from Oaxaca and another from Guanajuato the last joints are black, and the band of the

elytra is much narrowed, this latter being particularly broad in the Cordova specimens.

The above characters are sufficient to distinguish the present insect from C. cincta.

4. Chalcophana ancora.

Chalcophana ancora, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xii. 1874, p. 78°; Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 294°.

Hab. Mexico 12, Cuernavaca (Sallé); GuateMata, near the city, Zapote (Champion) ;

Costa Rica (van Patten). 7

CHALCOPHANA. 157

From C. cincta the present species may be known by the shape of the fulvous band

of the elytra, which extends not only in a transverse, but also in a longitudinal direction

along the posterior part of the suture; the male seems to have the thorax much more

closely punctured, the elytra deeply and rather irregularly punctate-striate, while in

the female these parts are more distinctly punctate-striate and the interstices sub-

costate; the usual triangular dilatation of the anterior tarsi in the male is also present

here; and one specimen belonging to the latter sex from Mexico, which is before me,

shows the following differences: the eyes are more prominent and larger, the antenne

rather shorter and much more robust; and the thorax is more closely punctured: but

as I have only this one specimen to compare, I am not able to decide upon its specific

value. In all the Guatemalan specimens, which are females, the fulvous colour occupies

a much greater space of the elytra at the apex, reducing the green portion to a

more or less oblong or rounded spot; while in one specimen, which, by its sculpturing,

evidently belongs to the present species, the transverse band is entirely absent, the

margins and apex only being fulvous.

5, Chalcophana mutabilis. (Tab. VI. figg. 22, 23, 24.)

Chalcophana mutabilis, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xii. 1874, p. 75°.

- Hab. Mexico, La Parada, Oaxaca (Sallé); Guaremata, Zapote, Las Mercedes,

Fl Zumbador, Panima, Tamahu, San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaraaua, Chontales

(Janson, Belt); Costa Rica’, Volcan de Irazu, Cache (Rogers).

This is a most variable species in regard to colour, being either entirely fulvous or

dark blue, with the apex and margin of the elytra fulvous, while others have two

larger or smaller blue spots on each elytron. The species may, however, be known by

the sculpturing of the elytra, which consists of double rows of fine punctures, the female

having three distinct lateral coste at the sides and a deep transverse depression below

the base: these coste are absent in the male; but a deep oblique longitudinal depression

sn front of the shoulders indicates the position of the principal costa. The constant

characters in both male and female seem to be the almost or totally impunctate head

and thorax, the first three rufous joints of the antenne, and the colour of the tibie,

which are either entirely black or rufous at their bases only. I have before me from

Chiriqui one specimen which exactly resembles C. cincta in coloration, except that the

fulvous elytral band is very narrow and straight; but the characters pointed out above

are all present here, and prove it to belong to the present species; specimens with

metallic-green elytra have also been received from the latter locality.

6, Chalcophana wagneri.

Chalcophana wagneri, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, 1874, p. 72°.

Hab. GuatemaLa!; NIcARAGUA, Chontales (Janson, Belt).

158 PHYTOPHAGA.

Two specimens, a male and a female, from Costa Rica agree well with von Harold’s

description; the species may be separated by the entirely red antenne and legs, and by

the elytral apex, which is of the same colour, the lateral margins remaining of the

ground-colour. I may add to von Harold’s description that the female has the elytra

simply punctate-striate, double rows of punctures being visible only in the male; the

specimen of the latter sex before me has the thorax nearly impunctate. ‘The size of

31 millim. as given by v. Harold is evidently a mistake, as the species has a length of

three to three and a half Jines, and the author draws attention to the larger size of the

insect in comparing it with others.

7. Chalcophana germari.

Elongate, convex, rufous; apex of tibis, tarsi, and the antennz (their two basal joints excepted) black ; elytra

metallic green, subgeminate punctate-striate, the lateral margin and the apex rufous.

Q. Larger; elytra more distinctly geminate punctate, deeply transversely depressed, the sides with three or

four more or less distinct coste.

Var. Above violaceous blue.

Length 23-33 lines. .

Head rather swollen, the vertex impressed with larger and smaller punctures ; clypeus impunctate, triangular,

its anterior margin concave; antenns two thirds the length of the body, black, the two, and sometimes

three, basal joints rufous; thorax transverse, not narrowed anteriorly, the anterior angles acute and

somewhat produced, surface rather distantly punctured, the punctuation resembling that of the head ;

scutellum rufous; elytra with a short longitudinal depression within the humeral callus, strongly, closely,

and rather irregularly punctured anteriorly, but the punctures arranged in more regular and double rows

towards the apex, the latter as well as the lateral margins narrowly rufous; underside and legs entirely

of this colour, the apex of the anterior and that of the other tibie (but to a smaller extent), as well as

the tarsi, black.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Orizaba, Cerro de Plumas, Cordova, La Parada, Oaxaca (Sallé,

Hoge). | |

Although closely allied to C. wagneri, C. fraterna, and C. consobrina, the present

species, which is before me in great numbers, shows sufficient differences to justify its

separation. C. fraterna, Har., seems to be the nearest allied form, but is described as

entirely devoid of coste (the author does not mention if this applies to both sexes), and

as having entirely red legs; the punctuation is also given as regular. C. consobrina

differs by the same want of coste and by the fine punctuation of its elytra, especially

near the apex, and C. terminalis by the greater extent of the rufous colour of the elytra

and their finer punctuation. I have no doubt that the females before me from the

same locality belong to the present species: the elytra are much more regularly gemi-

nate punctate-striate ; but the punctures themselves are quite as distinct, and nearly

as strongly marked at the apex as at the anterior portion; besides the longitudinal

basal depression of the male, there is a distinct and deep transverse one below the base,

from which, near the shoulders, three or four very distinct coste run parallel with the

lateral margin, the inner one being, however, very short, the following gradually

increasing in length, and all of them uniting at a little distance from the apex. By

CHALCOPHANA. 159

far the greater number of specimens are of a metallic-green colour, only two being

violaceous blue and having the first four joints of the antenne rufous, but differing in

no other way whatever.

8, Chalcophana terminalis.

Chalcophana terminalis, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xu. 1874, p. 71°.

Hab. Costa Rica }.

Again closely allied to C. germari and similarly coloured species, but, according to

von Harold, to be separated by the very fine punctuation on the disk of the elytra, and

the colour of their apex, which is rufous and extends much further upwards than in

the other allied species.

9. Chalcophana apicalis.

Chalcophana apicalis, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xii. 1874, p. 74'; Sturm, Cat. 1843”.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé).—Braziu 1 ?.

The most important character of separation between this species and others similarly

coloured is the sharply raised humeral callus and another equally sharp ridge extending

from the shoulder nearly to the apex. Whether this character is peculiar to the

female only or to both sexes, the author does not mention. I have now a single

specimen from the collection of Sturm, and contained in that of M.. Sallé, which

thas the above characters well expressed; it is a female, with bright metallic-green

elytra. .

10. Chalcophana semirufa.

Chalcophana semirufa, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 988.

Chalcophana uniformis, Jacoby, ibid. p. 989.

Hab. Costa Rica (van Patten).

_ I have now no doubt that C. uniformis described by me is but a variety of the

present species, as I suspected at the time I described it. The upper colour of the

insect is a greenish bronze, the variety being entirely dark rufous, which latter colour

occupies the extreme sides and apex of the elytra only of normally coloured specimens ;

in this respect it resembles several species, but differs from all in the rufous first six

joints of the antenne, a character which is constant in all the specimens.

11. Chalcophana violaceipennis. —

Chalcophana violaceipennis, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xii. p. 80, 1874".

Hab. Costa Rica}.

160 PHYTOPHAGA.

12. Chalcophana mexicana.

Chalcophana mexicana, Baly', Trans. Ent. Soc. 1881, p. 499°.

Hab. Mexico}.

The typical specimen, which I have examined, is a male, and cannot be mistaken for

any other, on account of the purplish-blue elytra, which have their outer margins

narrowly rufous, but not their apex, as is the case with so many other species; the

punctuation is close and fine, with occasional traces of double lines. Only a single

specimen is contained in the collection of Mr. Baly.

13. Chalcophana godmani. (Tab. VII. fig. 10.)

Narrowly oblong, fulvous or rufous below; antennew (their three basal joints excepted) and the apex of the

tibie and tarsi black; thorax impunctate; elytra metallic green, their lateral margin and apex fulvous,

strongly punctate-striate.

Q. Larger; elytra geminate punctate-striate, the sides with four abbreviated costae.

Var. a. Light fulvous with a greenish gloss.

Var. 6. Elytra with a transverse narrow fulvous band at the middle.

Length, ¢ 2 lines, 9 3-34 lines.

3. Head nearly impunctate, deeply foveolate between the eyes; antenne two thirds the length of the body,

very slender, black, the three basal joints rufous; thorax transversely convex, the anterior portion

deflexed and the angles produced into a short tooth, surface very smooth, entirely impunctate, rufous or

fulvous, very shining; scutellum falvous; elytra distinctly narrowed towards the apex, longitudinally

grooved within the humeral callus, and with a short transverse depression below the base, strongly and

rather regularly punctate- striate, the strie a little more distinctly geminate towards the side, but fainter

and more distant towards the apex; the extreme lateral margin and the apex narrowly fulvous; lower

half of the tibice and the tarsi black.

Q. Larger, elytra more finely and very distinctly geminate punctate-striate, each elytron with the following

costee—a very short one below the transverse depression, another very distinct one from the humeral

callus to a little distance from the apex, running in a rather curved shape, and two others parallel with

the second near the lateral margin, and of nearly the same length as the preceding one; outside this last

costa is a double row of punctures, another deeply impressed punctured single line accompanying the

lateral margin.

Hab. Mexico, La Parada (Sallé); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2000-3000 feet

(Champion).

The present species may be distinguished from C. hybrida by the entirely impunctate

thorax of the male, and the almost simply punctate-striate elytra, the rows of which are

more distantly placed and more regular than in the last-named species, which shows more

distinct traces of double lines. The female of C. godmani is more difficult to separate

from that of C. hybrida; the punctuation in the former, however, is arranged in close

double lines, the costee are more highly raised, and the space between the second and

third costa is wider and contains many more punctures: this latter character seems

to be more constant than the others, as the specimens show a good deal of variation in

regard to the sculpturing of the elytra. Many specimens have been lately received

from Chiriqui, from which I have been able to determine the relationship of the sexes.

The varieties are either entirely fulvous above, with a slight metallic-green gloss, or a

CHALCOPHANA. 161

narrow fulvous band extends across the elytra, ‘as in the case of C. cincta. The

specimen figured is a female variety from La Parada, which I cannot distinguish

from the specimens from Chiriqui, although the thorax is much more closely

punctured.

14. Chalcophana hybrida.

Oblong, narrowed behind, rufous or fulvous; thorax distantly punctured; elytra metallic green, strongly

geminate punctate-striate, their margin and apex fulvous; apex of the tibie and the tarsi black.

@. Larger, the elytra more finely punctured; the sides with three more or less distinct coste.

Length 2-3 lines.

Head with a few very fine punctures and a more or less distinctly impressed longitudinal groove; antennx

black, the first four joints fulvous; thorax transverse, the anterior angles produced into a short tooth ;

surface very remotely but distinctly punctured; elytra with a distinct transverse depression below the

base, strongly and closely subgeminate punctate, the interstices not subrugose at the anterior portion,

metallic green, the lateral margin and the apex narrowly fulvous.

Hab. GuateMata, Capetillo (Champion).

Again similarly coloured to C. germari and the allied species, but evidently a distinct

one, as the following differences will suffice to show :—The present species, if the males

are compared with those of C. germari, is of a more pointed shape posteriorly, nar-

rower and less convex; the antenne are more slender, and their terminal joints less

robust and shortened; the thorax is more sparingly and less deeply punctured, and the

elytra less coarsely punctate, the interstices smooth and not subrugose anteriorly. The

female may be distinguished from that of C. germari by the shining and very sparingly

punctured thorax, the more finely geminate punctate-striate elytra, and the coste of the

latter running in a curved line, and not in a straight one as in the former insect. It 1s

absolutely necessary in the descriptions of these closely allied insects to mention the

differences between the sexes, or, where both are not known, to indicate the sex

before one. V. Harold has omitted this in several instances; and I am in these cases

not sure with which of his species those described here are to be compared. The present

species was received in abundance from Capetillo only.

15. Chalcophana obscura.

Gyate, short, obscure piceous or dark brown below; head and thorax brown or piceous, distinctly punctured ;

elytra dark violaceous blue, finely subgeminate punctate-striate.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures at the vertex and an obsolete depression between the eyes ; clypeus triangular,

distinctly limited behind by two smooth raised spaces ; antenn bluish black, the first three joints obscure

piceous or brown; thorax not more than twice as broad as long, piceous or dark brown, its surface very

irregularly covered with small and larger punctures; scutellum black; elytra somewhat irregularly

geminate punctate-striate, the punctures much more finely impressed and more regularly arranged in

double lines near the apex than at the base; underside and legs brown or piceous, with a more or less

distinct purplish reflection. Female unknown.

Hab. Mexico (Boucard, coll. Jacoby).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1882. y

162 PHYTOPHAGA.

Of this species two specimens are contained in my collection, given to me by

M. Boucard ; although they evidently belong to the same species, the punctuation of

the elytra is rather different in each, one specimen being much more distinctly gemi-

nate-punctate than the other, and having at the same time a well-marked depression at

the base, which is almost entirely absent in the other specimen. The distinctly

punctured thorax, and want of the elytral cost, will separate the present insect from

C. violaceipennis.

16. Chalcophana simplex.

Rufous; antenne (the basal joints excepted), apex of tibie, and the tarsi black; thorax remotely punctured ;

elytra metallic green, their margin and apex rufous, closely punctate-striate.

©. Larger, thorax transverse, thorax and elytra more strongly punctured, without coste.

Length 3-33 lines.

Head with a distinct cruciform depression between the eyes, almost impunctate; antenne long and slender,

black, the first three joints rufous; thorax with a few very distant punctures; elytra slightly narrowed

behind, the apex pointed, with a short but deep transverse depression below the base; the shoulders

rounded and not very prominent, surface rather finely punctate-striate, the punctuation stronger at the

basal depression, and at the sides and near the apex arranged in widely apart single rows.

Hab. Brrrish Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneauz).

Of this insect, which is very closely allied to C. hybrida, Jac., and C. fraterna, Har.,

a male and a female specimen are before me; but the following differences between the

present species and the last named prevent me from considering them identical with

the latter:—The thorax in C. simplez, if a male specimen is compared with that sex of

C. hybrida, is, although transverse, less convex, and the anterior margin is produced in

the middle, which is not the case in C. hybrida, in which insect the first four joints of

the antenne are rufous, instead of three; the elytra in C. simples ( ¢ ) are closely

punctate-striate, with traces here and there of double rows; in C. hybrida they are more

distinctly geminate-punctate, and the intervals between the rows are greater; lastly,

the female of the present species from the same locality is entirely without ribs or

coste, differing in that respect from the female of C. hydrida. With all these differences

I cannot, however, quite conceal my doubt as to the specific value of C. simplex, as I

have only two specimens for comparison. C. fraterna seems also very closely allied ;

but as v. Harold does not mention the sex, and gives the tarsi as entirely red, I

cannot consider my species identical with his.

17. Chalcophana dissimilis.

Rufous below; apex of the tibie and the antenne (their basal joints excepted) black; thorax finely punc-

tured; elytra violaceous blue, finely geminate punctate-striate, their apex rufous.

Var. antenne and legs black.

Length 3 lines.

Q@. Head finely and closely punctured, rufous, with a more or less distinct fovea between the eyes; antenne

entirely black, or with the two or three basal joints more or less distinctly rufous; thorax narrow, trans-

verse, the anterior angles mucronate, the sides rounded, surface closely and extremely finely punctured ;

CHALCOPHANA. 163

scutellum rufous; elytra dark violaceous blue, the apex only narrowly rufous, the sides with three or four

more or less distinct costee and a rather deep depression below the base; the interstices finely geminate

punctate-striate, simply punctate-striate towards the apex.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, El Tumbador (Champion).

Of this species four female specimens were obtained by Mr. Champion. On account

of the colour of the elytra the insect can only be compared to C. wagneri, from

which it is distinguished by its narrower shape, the colour of its antenne and legs,

and the closely and finely punctured thorax.

. 18. Chalcophana discolor. (Tab. VI. fig. 25.)

Chalcophana discolor, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xii. 1874, p. 77°.

Chalcophana costatipennis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 144’.

Hab. Costa Rica12, Cache (Rogers); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt); PANAMA

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

Since the publication of my species I have received sufficient material to come to

the conclusion that the latter is identical with v. Harold’s insect. The size is given by

this author as nine millimetres ; my insects vary from two to three lines only ; specimens

of such large size as v. Harold gives I have not seen. The species is entirely of reddish-

brown colour; and the elytra are costate throughout, less distinctly so in the male than

in the female; the thorax is nearly impunctate on the disk. The specimens from Chiriqui

are partly almost black below, and the first four joints of the antenne are rufous, instead

of three joints as given by v. Harold; but in all other respects they agree with the

description, which seems to me to be that of the female. Male specimens which I take

to belong to this species are smaller; the head has a distinct elongate triangular

depression between the eyes; and the punctuation of the elytra is, except at the middle,

nearly simply punctate-striate, the sides have only one or two ill-defined coste; and

the interspaces there are coarsely and irregularly punctate.

19. Chalcophana rufipennis. (Tab. VIII. fig. 17.)

Chalcophana rufipennis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 144°.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu’ (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2000 to

3000 feet (Champion). .

This very distinct species is at once separated from the two preceding ones by its

black underside and the light flavous legs and antenne; the elytra are more or less

rufous and closely punctate-striate, with three lateral coste. The male is unknown; but

a single female specimen has lately been received from Chiriqui, which is much

larger than the Costa-Rica insect, and differs in the colour of the antenne and legs,

which are fulvous instead of light flavous; but it agrees in all other respects.

164 PHYTOPHAGA.

XANTHONIA.

Xanthonia, Baly, Journ. of Entom. ii. p. 151 (1868).

The present genus is one of many, forming together a group of small pubescent

species, the principal character of which is to be found in the absence of a distinct

lateral thoracic margin and bifid claws. In connexion with these characters the

present genus has a rather flattened thorax, which distinguishes it from that of the genus

Fidia, in which the thorax is cylindrical. Chapuis, in his diagnosis of the genera of

this group, gives the thighs in Yanthonia as unarmed, while Mr. Baly, who separated

the genus, says that they are sometimes toothed. The genus is not altogether absent

in the Old World, one species having been described as inhabiting Japan; the other

three or four species are North-American.

1. Xanthonia guatemalensis. (Tab. VII. fig. 20.)

Oblong, subcylindrical; below piceous or black ; antennw, base of the thighs, and a ring at the apex of the

tibie, fulvous; above obscure brownish fulvous or piceous, closely covered with yellowish pubescence ;

thorax minutely, elytra closely subpunctate-striate ; anterior thighs toothed.

Length 2-3 lines.

Head very closely punctured, opaque, finely pubescent ; clypeus transverse, a little more shining, finely rugose-

punctate, its anterior margin bidentate; jaws black; antenne of half the length of the body, the third,

fourth, and fifth joints of equal length, the sixth and terminal joints shorter, fulvous, or the base of the

joints piceous ; thorax slightly broader than long, subcylindrical, with a shallow depression parallel with

the anterior margin ; surface rather flat, extremely closely punctured, and covered with yellowish hairs ;

scutellum subpentagonal, thickly covered with whitish pubescence; elytra obsoletely depressed below the

base, much wider at the base than the thorax, more strongly punctured than the latter, the punctures

arranged in subregular close strie ; entire surface pubescent, like the thorax of an indistinct dark fulvous

or piceous colour, the pubescence thin but very closely and rather evenly distributed, of a yellowish-white

colour; underside piceous ; the base of the femora and the middle portion of the tibis fulvous ; the former

compressed, and the anterior ones armed with a distinct tooth; apex of the tibie distinctly dilated ; tarsi

. piceous; claws bifid.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége); Guatemata, near the city (Salvin), Cerro Zunil,

Capetillo, Duefias, Calderas, San Geronimo, Volcan de Agua, 8500 to 10,500 feet,

Panajachel (Champion).

In the compressed anterior femora and their tooth, the present species approaches

the genus Trichotheca from India; but the much more transverse thorax and the

differently-shaped antenne prevent its being included in that genus. ‘The elytra in this

species are variable in colour, some showing indistinct patches of fulvous and yellowish

tufts of hair, while others are more regularly pubescent and of a piceous colour,

marbled here and there with small fulvous spots. The figure is taken from a specimen

from Cerro Zunil.

2. Xanthonia plagiata.

Ovate, obscure piceous; base of the femora and the antenne fulvous, the seventh and last two joints of the

latter piceous; above obscure piceous, covered with grey pubescence ; elytra with a triangular sutural

XANTHONIA. 165

patch at the middle and several smaller ones near the base and apex denuded of hairs; anterior femora

compressed and distinctly toothed.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Gerénimo (Champion).

I should consider this insect a variety of X. guatemalensis, but for the dozen speci-

mens before me all showing the same differences, which are as follows:—the colour

of the antenne and the arrangement of the pubescence of the elytra, which is much

denser and leaves bare patches, as given in the diagnosis; the general shape of the

insect also is less broad and more tapering towards the apex, and the punctuation of

the elytra finer than in X. guatemalensis; the sutural elytral patch is distinctly

bordered behind by two small whitish tufts of hair well visible to the naked eye.

3. Xanthonia nigrofasciata.

Ovate, piceous below; antenne black, the basal joint fulvous; above fulvous; thorax rugose-punctate, bifo-

veolate ; elytra finely punctured and pubescent, fulvous, each elytron with a black longitudinal band,

obsoletely and closely subtuberculate ; thighs finely toothed.

Var. The elytral black band indistinct or entirely absent.

Length 13 line.

Head punctured and coloured as in X. tuberosa; antenne with the last five joints thickened and of nearly equal

length; thorax distinctly widened at the middle, the sides subangulate at the middle when seen from

above; surface with a distinct transverse depression near the anterior margin, and a small round fovea at

each side, finely rugose-punctate and pubescent; elytra with the sides and the apex much deflexed,

surface finely covered with yellow pubescence and suberect hairs, entire disk covered with indistinct

tubercles, each elytron with a gradually widened black band from below the base to the apex; legs dark

fulvous; femora with a short tooth.

Hab. Guatemata, Totonicapam (Champion).

Although this species is closely allied to the preceding one, the toothed femora,

bifoveolate thorax, and closely tuberculate elytra will at once separate it.

4. Xanthonia marmorata. (Tab. IX. fig. 5.)

Ovate, piceous below; antenne (their base excepted) and the apex of the femora black; above light brown,

pubescent; thorax finely rugose-punctate ; elytra finely punctate-striate, each elytron with about ten

black spots.

Var. Entirely light fulvous.

Length 1 line. ; .

Head broad, rugose punctate, closely covered with yellowish hairs; antenne not reaching further than the base

of the elytra, with the last five joints gradually but distinctly thickened; thorax subtransverse and

flattened, the sides rounded and distinctly widened at the middle, surface with a shallow transverse depres-

sion, parallel with the anterior margin, very closely and finely rugose-punctate, and covered with very fine

yellowish pubescence arranged in transverse lines, fulvous, the sides often piceous; scutellum subquadrate,

dark fulvous; elytra much wider than the thorax, about three times as long, somewhat shining, the

punctuation stronger than that of the thorax and arranged near the suture in subregular lines, the pubes-

cence thin, suberect, and arranged partly in rows, the colour the same as the thorax, with three trans-

verse rows of black spots (when visible), one at the base, consisting of three spots, one near the middle,

with four obliquely placed spots, and three more spots near the apex.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Hége); GUATEMALA, San Gerénimo, Calderas, Cerro Zunil,

166 PHYTOPHAGA.

Zapote, Duefias, Quezaltenango, Quiche Mountains, Volcan de Fuego ( Champion,

Salvin).

Of this little species great numbers have been received from the above localities.

In the shape of its antenne it deviates from the typical form described by Mr. Baly;

but, all the other characters being present, I think it best to leave it in this genus.

By far the greater number of specimens are of a light or darker uniform fulvous

colour, others having the spots on the elytra obsolete, but in some very distinctly

marked. Its minute size will distinguish this species from its allies.

5. Xanthonia tuberosa. (Tab. IX. fig. 4.)

Ovate, piceous below; above dark fulvous, closely covered with yellow pubescence ; thorax finely, elytra irre-

gularly punctured, the latter covered with numerous small black tuberosities.

Length 1 line. |

Head closely rugose-punctate, with an indistinct central longitudinal groove, and covered with bright yellow

hairs; antennz of the same shape and length as in X. marmorata, the basal joints fulvous, terminal ones

obscure piceous; thorax also resembling that of the last-named species, closely covered with yellow hairs ;

elytra slightly depressed below the base, irregularly and more strongly punctured than the thorax, and

closely covered with long silky pubescence, the disk beset with numerous small black shining wart-like

tuberosities ; legs unarmed, fulvous or testaceous ; apex of the femora and base of the tibie piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

Only three specimens of this very distinct species were obtained by Herr Hoge.

FIDIA.

Fidia, Dejean, Cat. 3rd ed. p. 486; Baly, Journ. of Entom, ii. p. 153.

This genus, indicated by Dejean, was subsequently characterized by Mr. Baly, who

gave as the type F. lurida, Dej. The species belonging to this genus are subcylindrical,

pubescent (the pubescence being sometimes arranged in regular lines). The cylindrical

not transverse thorax and unarmed thighs divide the present genus from Xanthonia ;

several North and Central American species are known.

‘1. Fidia pedestris. (Tab. VII. fig. 12.)

Fidia pedestris, Lefév. Ann. Soc. Entom. France, 1877, p. 164°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca}, Toxpam, Cordova, Cerro de Plumas (Sallé, Hoge).

The colour of this species is a uniform chestnut-brown and shining, in spite of the

bristly pubescence which covers it; the legs are bluish black. The type, from M. Salle’s

collection, is figured here. Ten specimens were obtained by Herr Hoge.

9. Fidia spuria. (Tab. VII. fig. 11.)

Fidia spuria, Lefév. Ann. Soc, Ent. France, 1877, p. 165°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca}, Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

FIDIA. . 167

The type is figured here; the species is distinguished from the preceding one by the

entirely fulvous colour of the legs and body, the closer punctuation and pubescence of

the elytra.

8. Fidia humeralis. (Tab. VII. fig. 13.)

Fidia humeralis, Lefév. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 165°.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca ! (Sallé).

The figure represents the type from M. Sallé’s collection.

4, Fidia plagiata. (Tab. VII. figg. 14, 15.)

Fidia plagiata, Lefév. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 165’.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca! (Sadlé).

In comparing the present species and the variety, both types of which are figured

here, with the type of F. humeralis, I have strong doubts as to the specific value of

F. plagiata, the only differences being the larger elytral red spot and the size.

5. Fidia albovittata. (Tab. VII. fig. 16.)

Fidia albovittata, Lefév. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 166°.

Hab. Mextco 1, Tuxtla, Cordova (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hoge) ; British Honpuras,

river Hondo (Blancaneaux).

The Honduras specimens show no difference from the Mexican forms; and the species

may easily be known by the four more or less abbreviated white hairy stripes of the

elytra.

6. Fidia sallei. (Tab. VII. fig. 17.)

Fidia sallei, Lefév. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 166°.

Hab. Muxtco, Guanajuato! (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

This species, the type of which is figured, is easily separated from J. albovittata by

the regular white hairy lines on the elytra, and their shining rugose interspaces, as

well as the rugosely punctured thorax. A single specimen only is contained in M. Sallé’s

collection.

7. Fidia guatemalensis. (Tab. IX. fig. 6.)

Fidia guatemalensis, J acoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 778.

Hab. Guaremata, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion) ; British Honpuras, Belize (Blan-

caneaux). |

Only a single specimen was obtained by M. Blancaneaux, numerous others by

Mr. Champion. The species is easily known by its.metallic bronze colour, and the

rugosely punctured elytra and raised interstices of the latter.

168 ° PHYTOPHAGA.

8. Fidia lateralis.

Oblong, black below; above, and the antenne and legs, fulvous, shining; thorax rugose-punctate ; elytra

punctate-striate, with a lateral longitudinal black band.

Length 12 line.

Head finely but very closely rugose-punctate, obscure fulvous ; clypeus light fulvous, square-shaped, rugose-

punctate; antenne nearly as long as half the body, fulvous, last five joints much thickened, piceous ;

thorax cylindrical, dark fulvous, very closely rugose-punctate, sparingly pubescent ; scutellum broadly

ovate, piceous; elytra transversely depressed below the base, very closely punctate-striate, the puncturing

distinct to the apex, fulvous, shining, the sides occupied by a longitudinal black band from the shoulder

to nearly the apex; underside black, legs and tarsi fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sal/é).

The only species to which the present one, of which a single specimen is contained

in M. Sallé’s collection, can be compared, is F. pedestris, from which it differs sufficiently

in the black underside, the closely punctured thorax, and the black elytral stripe.

9, Fidia unistriata.

Oblong, black, shining ; antenne piceous, their base fulvous; thorax very distantly punctured, finely pubescent ;

elytra deeply depressed below the base, finely punctate-striate, the suture and a stripe from the shoulder

to the apex covered with fine white hairs.

Length 2-24 lines.

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerénimo, La Tinta, Chacoj (Champion).

At first sight this species seems identical with F. albovittata, which it resembles

closely ; but as all the specimens from Guatemala show the same distinctive characters,

I must consider them to represent a distinct form, which may be separated from

F. albovittata as follows :—The insect shows a much more shining black upper surface ;

the antenne, instead of being entirely fulvous, have the base only of that colour; the

thorax is more remotely punctured and entirely devoid of the central white line; the

elytra, instead of having four pubescent stripes, have only a lateral stripe besides the

sutural one. These characters are constant in all the specimens before me. .

10. Fidia atra.

Subcylindrical, convex; black, closely covered with greyish-white pubescence.

Length 2 lines.

Head closely punctured, pubescent; antenne half the length of the body, black, the third and fourth joints

of equal length, the last five joints distinctly thickened; thorax cylindrical, widened at the middle,

punctured and pubescent like the head; scutellum subtriangular, its apex obtusely rounded, thickly

covered with white hairs ; elytra with a circular depression below the base, obsoletely and closely punctate-

striate, the interstices also minutely punctured, closely covered with rather long whitish hairs ; underside,

legs, and tarsi black.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca ({oge).

Of this very distinct species, which is easily known by its entirely black colour, only

a single specimen was obtained by Herr Hoge.

HABROPHORA.—METACHROMA. 169

HABROPHORA.

Habrophora, Erichson, Arch. f. Naturg. 1847, p. 163.

Three species, from Peru and Colombia respectively, have up to the present time been

described as belonging to this genus, which is distinguished by small, finely pubescent,

and rather delicate forms, having somewhat the appearance of species belonging to

the Galerucide. The deeply emarginate eyes is the principal character of Habrophora,

of which one species has been received from Central America :—

1. Habrophora maculipennis.

Subelongate, fulvous below ; joints seventh, eighth, and the two terminal ones of the antenne piceous ; above

obseure fulyous, fimely pubescent; elytra with longitudinal and transverse fuscous markings, more or less

distinct.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head extremely finely pubescent, not visibly punctured; clypeus not separated from the face ; antenns slender

and filiform, of more than half the length of the body; thorax pubescent like the head, its posterior

margin sinuate at each side, obscure fulvous or fuscous, or the sides of the latter colour only ; elytra sub-

parallel in the male, more convex and slightly widened’ in the fémale, covered with yellowish-grey fine

hairs, very finely punctate-striate, the interstices partly denuded of hair, and in the shape of fuscous

lines, of which about six extend from the base to the middle of each elytron, behind which a transverse

zigzag band is placed; three other broader longitudinal bands are situated towards the apex ; legs and

underside light fulvous, also finely pubescent.

Had. Brirish Honpuras, river Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuareMaLa, Cubilguitz, El

Reposo, San Isidro (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

Of this species about twenty specimens have been obtained, which vary much in size,

and also in coloration, the elytral markings being sometimes almost entirely obsolete ;

the antenne, too, are either entirely testaceous or have the seventh, eighth, and apical

joints piceous. H. varia, Erichs., seems to be a closely-allied form, but is described as

being black below, and differing in the markings of the elytra, as well as in the colour

of its legs.

METACHROMA.

Metachroma, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Philad. ix. p. 85 (1858).

Up to the present time no species belonging to this genus have been described

from Central America, the only “habitat” recorded being North America and Cuba.

The genus is distinguished rather easily by the emargination or notch of the four

hinder tibiee in connexion with the bifid claws ; the concave anterior thoracic episternum

preventing them being confounded with the Typophorine, which agree in the former

characters. Chapuis has united this genus with Rhyparida of Baly, which certainly

bears a great resemblance to it; but this latter genus (as Mr. Baly has pointed out) has

the second joint of the antenne always much shorter than the third one, while in

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1882. Z

170 PHYTOPHAGA.

Metachroma these joints are quite or nearly equal; moreover the genus Rhyparida

seems to be entirely restricted to the Old World. In the shape of the species of

Metachroma much variation seems to exist, which is very striking, as will be seen by

comparing VW. quercata, Fab., with those described here ; but the presence of the typical

characters forbid the erection of a new genus for them.

1. Metachroma variabilis. (Tab. IX. fig. 7.)

Oblong, convex; piceous or fulvous; head and thorax impunctate ; elytra depressed below the base, deeply

punctate-striate, their apex nearly impunctate. .

Var. a. Above piceous, the elytral margins fulvous.

Var. b. Entirely piceous.

Length 2-23 lines.

Front of the head swollen, impunctate, except at the extreme base, shining ; clypeus square-shaped, distinctly

separated from the face by a transverse groove, closely and finely punctured, its anterior margin deeply

eoncave and bidentate; labrum fulvous, jaws black; antenne half the length of the body, fulvous, the

seventh and the terminal joint piceous ; thorax about one half broader than long, the sides much rounded

and constricted at the base and apex, anterior angles mucronate, surface nearly impunctate or extremely

finely punctured only when seen under a strong lens; scutellum broader than long; elytra very deeply

and regularly punctate-striate, the first five rows (not counting the short sutural one) placed at regular

distances from each other, the following rows much more closely approached, the apical region almost

entirely impunctate, and the suture accompanied by a deeply impressed line; underside piceous; legs

fulvous, the last two pairs of tibia deeply notched near the apex.

Hab. British Honpuras, river Hondo (Blancaneauz) ; GuateMaLa, Zapote, Duefias,

La Tinta, Capetillo, Mirandilla, Pantaleon (Champion).

The colour of this species is very variable, either fulvous or piceous predominating.

The figured specimen from Zapote is of an intermediate character, the fulvous elytra

being spotted near the base with black. Numerous specimens were obtained in

various parts of Guatemala.

2. Metachroma regularis.

‘Oblong, obscure piceous ; above dark fulvous; last seven joints of the antenne black ; thorax extremely finely

punctured ; elytra regularly punctate-striate.

~ Length 3 lines.

flead with a few fine punctures at the vertex; eyes very prominent, black; clypeus square-shaped, its lower

margin deeply concave, surface finely rugose-punctate; antenne slender, more than half the length of the

body, the first four joints fulvous, the rest black ; thorax of the same shape asin M. variabilis, the sides still

more rounded, with a narrow reflexed margin, surface closely and very finely punctured ; elytra with about

ten rows of deeply and regularly punctured strie, the interstices smooth and shining, the punctures

distinct to the apex, but much finer; underside obscure piceous, the abdominal segments generally fulvous

at their apex; hinder tibiz deeply notched.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Hége).

The larger size and finely punctured thorax, as well as the punctuation of the elytra,

which is visible to the apex, separate this species from the preceding one. ‘The upper-

side is generally of a shining fulvous colour; but the elytra in two specimens have a

broad piceous patch. About a dozen specimens were obtained by Herr Hoge.

METACHROMA. 171

3. Metachroma convexa.

Ovate, convex, fulvous or piceous below; thorax fulvous, impunctate; elytra testaceous, punctate-striate, the

striz visible to the apex ; legs testaceous.

Length 23 lines.

Head very minutely punctured at the vertex; the eyes deeply grooved in front of their inner margin ; clypeus

nearly twice as broad as long, finely and closely punctured, the anterior margin concave emarginate,

obliquely cut at each side; labrum and jaws fulvous; antenne half the length of the body in the male,

shorter in the female, the first five joints fulvous, the rest piceous; thorax transversely convex, slightly

widened at the- middle, the anterior angles produced into a very short tooth, surface impunctate, shining

fulvous ; scutellum crescent-shaped ; elytra convex, not more than twice and a half as long as the thorax,

narrowed towards the apex, testaceous, each elytron with ten rows of moderately deep punctures, which

extend to the apex but are much more finely impressed at the latter part ; legs rather short, testaceous.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Only two specimens of this species were obtained by Janson. They differ from

M. variabdilis in the shape of their elytra, which are more convex, shorter, and more

narrowed towards the apex, the punctuation at the same time extending to the end;

the sides of the thorax are also less rounded, and the legs less robust and shorter.

4. Metachroma minuta.

Light fulvous ; antenne and legs testaceous; thorax finely and closely punctured; elytra finely punctate-striate,

their apex impunctate.

Length 1 line.

Head very minutely punctured ; elypeus distinctly broader than long, remotely and distinctly punctate ; antenne

slender, entirely testaceous ; thorax nearly three times as broad as long, the sides greatly widened at the

middle and rounded, surface closely covered with minute punctures; elytra with a short depression below

the base, finely but distinctly punctate-striate anteriorly, much more finely towards the apex, the latter

entirely impunctate ; below and the legs light fulvous.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz).

5. Metachroma mexicana. (Tab. IX. fig. 11.)

Ovate, piceous or fulvous below; above testaceous; thorax impunctate, with a black spot on the disk ; elytra

depressed below the base, striate-punctate in the depression only, rest impunctate ; each elytron with a

short black streak at the middle of the disk.

Var. Thorax and elytra without spots.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head rather flat, very finely rugose near the clypeus, the latter separated from the face by a semicircular

groove ; antennz half the length of the body, fulvous, the terminal joints more or less distinctly piceous ;

thorax transverse, the sides much rounded and widened at the middle ; the anterior portion rather deflexed,

surface entirely impunctate, with a V-shaped black spot at the middle of the disk; scutellum semicircular,

black ; elytra with a distinct transverse depression below the base, the latter somewhat thickened, and

longitudinally grooved within the humeral callus, distinctly punctate-striate within the depression only,

the other parts impunctate, the suture and a short longitudinal streak below the middle piceous or black,

Underside either fulvous or the sides of the breast and the abdomen black; legs robust, the posterior

femora with a very minute tooth; knees and apex of the tibiz piceous.

Hab. Mzxico, Guanajuato (Duges, coll. Sallé), Silao (Salié).

The impunctate thorax and latter portion of the elytra form the principal marks of

172 PHYTOPHAGA.

distinction in this species, of which a spotted specimen from Silao is figured; others are

entirely light fulvous, but agree in all other respects.

6. Metachroma guatemalensis.

Ovate, entirely light fulvous; thorax extremely finely punctured; elytra with a deep but short basal depres-

sion, the latter punctate-striate, rest of the elytra impunctate.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate; clypeus triangular and distinctly separated from the face, its surface finely punctured ;

antenne less than half the length of the body, piceous, the three basal joints testaceous; thorax trans-

verse, its sides much rounded and produced before the middle, from there to the base obliquely cut; surface

closely covered with very fine punctures; elytra almost entirely impunctate, with only a few punctures

- within the depression, which is placed more towards the lateral margin than in M. meaicana. Underside

and legs entirely fulvous; prosternum rugose-punctate. .

Hab. GuateMaLa, Cahabon (Champion).

Although closely allied to the preceding species, the present one shows sufficient

distinctive characters to justify its separation. The punctuation and shape of the

thorax, as well as that of the clypeus, are quite distinct from those of I. mexicana.

EUMOLPUS.

Eumolpus, Weber, Obs. Ent. 1801, i. p. 28.

The large and handsome species comprised in this genus seem to be more subject

to variation as to size, sculpturing, and colour than any other genus of the present

family; and, except in one or two instances, the determination of the species, in

spite of a monograph by Mr. Baly published in 1877, is an almost hopeless task.

That author has often taken as a guide the telum or male organ, the characters of the

females, which seem to be the commoner of the sexes, being still obscure and unsatis-

factory ; while an examination of Mr. Baly’s types seems to show that not too much

reliance can be placed on the shape of the penis, which I think will sometimes be

found to vary like other parts. It seems, however, that only two species are at present

known to inhabit Central America; and the determination of these two, at all events,

is not difficult, since their antenne are totally different. Chapuis, in his ‘Genera des

Coléoptéres,’ errs when he includes Humolpus in his first section, or those Eumolpide

which have the anterior thoracic episternum concave; in the genus Lumolpus this

margin is more or less distinctly convex towards the middle.

1. Eumolpus surinamensis. (Tab. IX. figg. 14, 16.)

Eumolpus surinamensis, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 96*; Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 898°; Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877,

i. p. 49°.

Elongate-ovate, narrowed behind, dark green or violaceous blue; head with a fine central longitudinal groove,

rather closely and finely punctured; clypeus separated from the face by a fine transverse groove, and

laterally by an oblique finely impressed line at each side ; antennez black, the first six joints metallic blue

or green, third joint a little longer than the fourth, the last five joints dilated and compressed; thorax

EUMOLPUS.—TYMNES. 173

about once and a half as broad as long, very finely and closely punctured ; elytra slightly narrowed

below the base when viewed from above, distinctly narrowed behind, much more strongly punctured than

the thorax, the punctuation also very close, somewhat rugose near the sides; prosternum longer than

broad, much widened behind.

Var. Much larger, brilliant metallic green, the elytra less strongly and more irregularly punctured, the inter-

stices everywhere aciculate or scratched.

Hab. Mexico3, Jalapa, Almolonga, Mirador, Panistlahuca, Vera Cruz, Cuernavaca

(Sallé, Hége); Guaremata, Lanquin (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt, Janson) ;

Panama (Boucard)—Gutana!; Amazons?; Braziu®.

I have given a renewed description here of this species from the numerous specimens

before me, most of which agree with those in the collection of Mr. Baly. Two speci-

mens from Panama, of which one is figured here, vary in being nearly twice the size of

the Mexican specimens, and have the elytra aciculate between the punctures ; in other

respects they agree with the rest. The species is distributed throughout the greater

part of South America.

2. Humolpus speciosus. (Tab. IX. fig. 15.)

Eumolpus speciosus, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877, p. 52°.

Eumolpus mexicanus, Sturm, Cat. 1848, p. 296.

Eumolpus hipfneri, De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 437.

Hab. Mexico (Sturm, coll. Sallé).—Braziu '.

The only specimen from Mexico before me is from Sturm’s collection, and has his

ticket labelled “ E. mevicanus” attached to it; the species proves to be identical with

Mr. Baly’s type, who described it under the name of EH. spectosus. From £. surinamensis

the present one is easily distinguished by the long filiform antennz (which in other

groups would have been thought sufficient for the erection of another genus), the strongly

and very closely punctured thorax and elytra, and the nearly square prosternum.

In addition to these important differences, I find that the claws can scarcely be called

bifid, the inner division being very obscure, and so closely attached to the outer part

that the claws would be better called appendiculate.

TYMNES.

Tymnes, Chapuis, Genera des Coléopt. 1874, x. p. 310.

This genus was founded by Chapuis upon a species from North America, of elongate

shape, resembling the genus Edusa of Australia in its general appearance; but it is

devoid of the lateral elytral rugosities peculiar to the Australian genus. In Zymmnes the

anterior margin of the thoracic episternum is convex; and the genus consequently

belongs to the second section of Chapuis’s arrangement, where he has included it in the

Edusine; the latter, however, form a special group, distinguished by their elytral

rugosities, which, as already remarked, are absent in the present genus. I refer the

174 | PHYTOPHAGA.

only Central-American species before me to Chapuis’s type, although with some doubt,

as only a short diagnosis is given by that author:

1. Tymnes verticalis. (Tab. IX. fig. 19.)

Tymnes verticalis, Chap. Gen. des Coléopt. x. p. 311, note 1’.

Hab. Norra America !.—Mexico, Playa Vicente, Jalapa (Hoge).

The three specimens obtained by Herr Hoge, of which one from Jalapa is figured

here, show some variation in shape and punctuation, which may be attributed to sexual

differences. In one of them the underside is piceous, while the femora and upper

parts are of a dark neous colour ; antenne, tibie, and tarsi are fulvous; the head is

closely and strongly punctured, with an elevated short ridge at each side near the base;

the thorax is of transverse shape with rounded sides, the anterior angles being much

deflexed and acutely pointed, the surface is punctured like the head, but less closely ;

the elytra are geminate punctate-striate near the suture, irregularly punctured at the

sides; in the other specimens the thorax is less transverse, the elytra less distinctly

geminate punctate, and the underside and legs are dark fulvous.

MYOCHROUS.

Myochrous, Erichs. Archiv f. Naturg. 1847, i. p. 164.

About a dozen species from North and. South America constitute the genus ~

Myochrous, which may be known by the scale-like pubescence covering the upper

surface, and by the dentate lateral margin of the thorax in connexion with the convex

anterior margin of the thoracic episternum. One species only, up to the present time,

has been described from Mexico,

1. Myochrous sallei. (Tab. VII. fig. 19.)

Myochrous sallei, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1865, ser. 3, p. 335°.

Hab. Mezxico !, Oaxaca, Playa Vicente (Sai/é).

This is a species of narrow and elongate shape, covered above with very fine and

closely arranged greyish-white pubescence, the legs and antenne being of a fulvous

colour.

A specimen from Playa Vicente is figured.

2. Myochrous melancholicus. (Tab. VII. fig. 18.)

Obscure sneous; the three basal joints of the antenns obscure rufous; thorax as broad as long, sides three- _

dentate ; elytra closely punctate-striate, covered with yellowish scales; anterior tibie with a triangular

tooth near the apex. -_

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Toxpam (Sallé), Playa Vicente (Hoge); Panama (coll, Jacoby).

MYOCHROUS. | 175

Very closely allied to M. denticollis, Say, but differing in the shape of the thorax,

which in that species is distinctly broader than long, while in the present one it is as

broad as long; the teeth at the lateral margin are placed rather close.

The figure is taken from a Mexican specimen.

8. Myochrous tibialis. (Tab. IX. fig. 8.)

Elongate, obscure eneous ; base of the antenne and the tibie obscure rufous ; thorax cylindrical, as long as

broad, three-dentate at the sides; elytra covered with yellowish scales; anterior tibize dentate at the

apex.

Length 24-3 lines.

Head closely punctured and covered with yellowish scales; clypeus broader than long, its anterior margin

concave ; labrum obscure fulvous ; antenne distinctly longer than the thorax, the first six joints fulvous,

the rest obscure piceous and slightly thickened, terminal joint elongate; thorax as broad as long in the

female, a little narrower and more cylindrical in the male; the sides distinctly three-dentate, and obliquely

cut from the last tooth to the base; surface rugose-punctate, covered (especially near the sides and at the

middle) with yellow scales; scutellum black, without hairs, and with a distinct fovea at the base; elytra

closely and distinctly punctate-striate, the interstices (especially near the sides) finely transversely rugose,

covered like the thorax, but not very closely, with scales. Underside obscure geneous or cupreous, punc-

tured only at the abdominal segments ; the legs impunctate, and covered, like the rest of the underside,

with whitish hairs; tibize and tarsi rufous, the anterior pair of the former curved, and with a short tooth

near the apex.

Cubilguitz, Lanquin (Champion).

Although closely allied to M. denticollis, I believe the present species, of which

numerous specimens were obtained at Panzos, to be a distinct one. The thorax”

is not broader than long, as is the case with WM. denticollis, and is more rugosely

punctured, while the scales covering the upper parts are not grey, but yellow.

M. longulus, Lec., is described with the thorax longer than broad and sparingly

punctured.

A Honduras specimen is figured.

4, Myochrous femoralis.

Oblong, subdepressed, seneous; base of the antennez and the tibie fulvous; thorax slightly broader than long,

three-dentate at the sides; elytra regularly punctate-striate, thinly covered with yellowish scales; ante-

rior tibize toothed near the apex ; posterior femora dilated into a triangular tooth.

Length 27 lines.

Hab. British Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneauz).

A single specimen (and, as it seems, rather rubbed) was obtained by M. Blancaneaux,

which differs from any of its allies by the dilated subdentate posterior femora. The

antenne are distinctly longer than the thorax ; the latter is rather finely punctured; the

elytra show a shallow transverse depression below the base, and are very regularly

punctate-striate, without the transverse rugosities seen in MU. tibialis.

176 PHYTOPHAGA.

5. Myochrous albovillosus.

Ovate, subcylindrical, narrowed behind ; black, thickly covered with white pubescence; tibise obscure rufous ;

sides of the thorax without teeth; elytra obscure eneous, finely punctate-striate, closely covered with

whitish scales, each elytron with about seven white thickly-scaled spots.

Length 1 line.

Antenne not longer than the thorax, obscure piceous ; thorax cylindrical, about as broad as long ; the sides

entire, finely serrate ; upper surface closely covered with yellowish and white scales, the latter forming a

narrow central and two broader lateral longitudinal bands; scutellum small, triangular; elytra convex

and distinctly narrowed posteriorly, covered with scales like the thorax, the white ones forming about

seven more or less distinct spots, of which two, more plainly marked, are situated behind the middle in a

transverse line; tibie straight, unarmed.

Hab. Mexico (Pilate, coll. Baly, coll. Jacoby).

Of this minute but very distinct species 1 find a specimen contained in the collection

of Mr. Baly; another is in my own.

GLYPTOSCELIS.

Glyptoscelis, Chevrolat, Dej. Cat. 8rd ed. p. 488 ; Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1859, p. 81.

Glyptoscelis may be at once distinguished from Myochrous, with which it has the

general appearance and its pubescence in common, by the bifid claws and the absence

of the teeth at the sides of the thorax, this latter character being, however, sometimes

absent also in Myochrous. No species of Glyptoscelis has, up till now, been described

from Central America, North and South America having been the only recorded loca-

lities. Three species from the former country have now come to my knowledge.

1. Glyptoscelis chontalensis.

Elongate, parallel, subcylindrical, piceous below; antenne and legs obscure fulvous; above dark sneous,

covered with long white pubescence; thorax with a central ridge; elytra finely and irregularly

punctured.

Length 4 lines.

Head broader than long, finely and closely punctured, covered with long white hairs; eyes emarginate in front

of the antenne, the latter extending to one third the length of the elytra, robust, fulvous; thorax trans-

verse, the posterior margin very rounded and produced at the middle; sides much deflexed when viewed

from above, and distinctly constricted near the base; surface finely and closely punctured, with a distinct

central slightly raised ridge from the apex to the base, and covered, like the head, with long white

pubescence, which is placed transversely at each side of the ridge; scutellum transverse, subquadrate ;

elytra moderately convex, the apex very acute and produced into sharp points; disk more strongly

punctured than the thorax, metallic eneous, but covered everywhere with thin and long white hairs.

Underside and legs thickly covered with white pubescence.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

_ The eneous colour of the upper surface, in connexion with the central ridge of the

thorax, separates this species (of which two specimens were obtained by Belt) from

several of its allies, otherwise closely allied to it.

SANE:

GLYPTOSCELIS —-TYPOPHORUWS. ~ 177

2. Glyptoscelis albicans. (Tab. VII. fig. 4.)

Glyptoscelis albicans, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1865, p. 334.

Hab. Mexico (Sturm, coll. Sallé).

The single specimen contained in the collection of M. Sallé agrees perfectly with the

typical insect in Mr. Baly’s collection, except in one point, the claws being simple

instead of bifid, a peculiarity of the present genus—a rather important difference, I

admit, and one which, if connected with any other, would have induced me to erect

another genus; but having only this one specimen before me, which differs in no

other way whatever from Baly’s species, I look upon the simple claws as an abnormal

occurrence, which I believe is not without precedent in other families of Coleoptera,

instances being known to occur in the Curculionide for example. In the present case

there is certainly no trace of a bifid or appendiculated claw, even when seen under the

microscope; and this shows us further how careful we ought to be in the erection of

_ genera as well as of species when we take a single structural character as a guide,

especially when founding it upon a single specimen.

The “habitat” of the present species was not known to its author; the insect,

formerly in the collection of Sturm, is labelled Mexico.

3. Glyptoscelis mexicanus.

Elongate, subcylindrical, black ; antennz (their apical joints excepted) and legs obscure rufous; thorax and

elytra opaque, alutaceous, very finely punctured, and covered with thin grey pubescence.

Length 3-33 lines.

Head convex at the vertex, finely punctured and closely pubescent; antenne with the last five joints distinctly

thickened, black, rest of the joints rufous; thorax cylindrical, nearly as long as broad, the posterior

margin only slightly produced at the middle, anterior margin greatly advanced in front, the sides slightly

rounded and widened from the base to the apex, surface extremely finely punctured and granulate, thinly

covered with yellowish-grey hairs; elytra subcylindrical, very slightly widened towards the apex, the latter

rather acute but not produced into a point; surface punctured and pubescent like the thorax; legs obscure

rufous, closely haired.

Hab. Muxtco, Playa Vicente (Sal/é).

Of this species, which may be known by its opaque black colour and the fine

granular punctuation of its upper surface, I find two specimens contained in M. Sallé’s

collection. .

TYPOPHORUS.

Typophorus, Erichson, Arch. f. Naturg. 1847, i. p. 163.

Several good characters unite in this genus to distinguish it from the rest of the

Eumolpide—namely the general shape of the thorax and the elytra (the latter of which

__-——~are distinctly wider at the base than the thorax), the groove round the inner orbit or

the eyes, and the emarginate tibie, dentate femora, and bifid claws. The head is

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1882. 9a

178 PHYTOPHAGA.

always much swollen, and divided from the face by a deep triangular fovea. Some of

the species seem to be most variable in point of colour and sculpture, and very difficult

to separate. The genus seems entirely confined to the New World. Several species

have been described from Central America.

1. Typophorus humeralis. (Tab. VII. figg. 22, 23.)

Typophorus humeralis, Baly, Ann, & Mag. Nat. Hist. 1859, ser. 3, iv. p. 128°.

Var. rufa, Jacoby, P. Z.8. 1876, p. 815”.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Panistlahuca (Sadlé); Brivis Honpuras, river Sarstoon

(Blancaneaux); Guatemata! (Sallé), near the city (Salvin?), Cahabon, Senahu, San

Joaquin, Capetillo, Zapote, Duefias, Cerro Zunil, Las Mercedes (Champion); NIcaRaGva,

Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu, Cache (Rogers).— Panama (Boucard),

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CoLoMBIA.

The type of this species in Mr. Baly’s collection is represented by a single normally

coloured specimen, to which he evidently added subsequently a specimen of uniform

bluish-black colour, and devoid of the red basal spot. The very numerous specimens

which have been received from the above localities prove to me that but little reliance

can be placed on colour in these insects ; but, at the same time, I am unable to come toa

definite conclusion whether all the different forms before me should be regarded as merely

local varieties of one species or not: I have, however, preferred the former. The type is

of a greenish-black colour, with a square humeral spot not reaching the sutural margin ;

the elytra have a deep basal depression and a short oblique costa below the shoulder

(¢), and are strongly punctate-striate in the depression only, the rest of the elytra

being finely punctured. All these characters are present in the specimens before me

from the different localities, with the exception of the colour, which varies greatly.

Normal specimens are mostly from Guatemala, as well as the rufous variety described

by myself2; from the same locality purplish, greenish, and blue specimens without

the shoulder-spot occur, while all those from Chiriqui are of a uniform metallic colour,

either blue or blackish green; generally the first four joints of the antenne are fulvous,

but often the first six joints; and the punctuation of the elytra is also very variable.

I have also specimens before me in which the red basal spot extends quite to the

suture, resembling therefore 7. obliquus, Baly, which species is probably only a variety

of the present. From Chiriqui metallic-coloured as well as entirely rufous specimens

are before me, scarcely two being exactly alike; and some specimens from Guatemala

in M. Sallé’s collection have the thorax rufous as well as the elytra: the former, when

seen under a powerful lens, is finely punctured; and the latter are also minutely but

yinele nun atnean am 4A awmananen *.. a1 Bs as - =e lne me wanunh in denth,

: a a” é . nee

Spar cay pulvvale 1 Ue Spaces vetWeen the Strie, the latter VaTYING wus se wp 5

in some specimens being almost obliterated behind the middle, while in others they

are much stronger and visible to the apex; but intermediate degrees occur in numerous

'TYPOPHORUS. 179

specimens. It is therefore altogether impossible to fix the limits of these forms, as

constant structural characters are absent. I may further add that the male is almost

devoid of an elytral depression and entirely destitute of the oblique humeral costa.

2. Typophorus viridicyanea, (7. sturmi, Tab. VII. fig. 21.)

Paria viridicyanea, Crotch, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1873, p. 40°.

Typophorus sturmi, Lefév. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 317’.

Hab. Norta America }.—Mexico 1, Orizaba?; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson) ; Costa

Rica, Volcan de Irazu (fogers).

Specimens from Nicaragua, named by Crotch himself, which I have for comparison,

prove the insect to belong to the present genus, with which I must identify M. Lefévre’s

species, according to this author’s description ; the latter, as well as Crotch, gives Mexico

as its locality. It is impossible to say whether the metallic blue colour and the finely

punctured thorax of this species are attributable to specific difference or to local variation

only, so many equally variable forms being before me from other localities.

3. Typophorus chalceus.

Typophorus chalceus, Lefév. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1877, p. 317°.

Hab. Mexico}, Jalapa, Cordova, Vera Cruz, Orizaba, Guanajuato, Tuxtla, Cosamalo-

apam, Oaxaca, Teapa, Tehuantepec, Cuernavaca (Sallé, Hoge).

M. Lefevre described the type of the present species from bronze-coloured specimens,

in which the thorax is finely punctured, and the elytra distinctly punctate-striate to

the apex. I have now, from the same localities, specimens of blue or greenish colour

before me, which by their sculpturing I must refer to this species, while others again

vary in their punctuation, shape, and size, so that it becomes almost impossible to fix

their limit, constant characters seeming to be absent. Normal specimens are of a

coppery colour, with a rather transversely shaped and finely punctured thorax, the elytra

being very distinctly punctate-striate to the apex, and the antenne having their first

- five or six joints fulvous.

4, Typophorus paradoxus.

Greenish neous below, above subcupreous; first six joints of the antenne fulvous; head and thorax finely

punctured ; elytra very strongly punctate-striate, the punctures distinct to the apex.

Length 2-3 lines.

Hab. British Honpvras, river Sarstoon, river Hondo (Blancaneauz).

I am obliged to separate this species, on account of the closely and finely but distinctly

punctured thorax and the deeply punctate-striate elytra, the punctuation of which is

even visible to the naked eye. The male is very convex, and without an elytral

depression, while the female is deeply depressed below the base, as usual, and has a

2a2

180 PHYTOPHAGA.

short oblique raised ridge below the shoulder. It is true that I have before me, from

the same locality, specimens of the same colour ; but in none of them is the punctuation

of the élytra so strongly impressed, and that of the thorax so distinct and close, as in

the present species, of which I have four specimens for comparison.

5. Typophorus mexicanus, (Tab. VII. fig. 24.)

Typophorus mexicanus, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1876, p. 814°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Guanajuato, Tuxtla (Sal/é) ; Guaremana, near the city (Salvin *),

Capetillo, Duefias (Champion). |

The red head and thorax, violaceous blue elytra, and the rather small size of the

insect will easily distinguish it. A variety with a black head and thorax, the latter of

which has only the anterior margin fulvous, was also received, in company with numerous

normally coloured specimens, from Capetillo: of this variety a dozen specimens were

obtained. Those from Capetillo vary somewhat from the Guatemalan type, being

shorter and the elytra rather more strongly punctured ; the latter is figured.

6. Typophorus melanocephalus.

Typophorus melanocephalus, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1876, p. 8147.

Hab. Mexico 1, Puebla, Cuernavaca, Guanajuato (Sal/é); GUATEMALA (coll. Jacoby).

The black colour and close punctuation of the head, in connexion with the deeply

punctate-striate elytra, which are metallic blue, the thorax being fulvous, distinguish

well the present species from others with similarly-coloured upper surfaces.

7. Typophorus erythrocephalus.

Black ; the first four joints of the antenne and the head and thorax rufous, the latter finely punctured; elytra

metallic blue or green, finely punctate-striate, the punctuation nearly invisible towards the apex.

Length 2-23 lines.

3. Head extremely finely punctured when seen under a powerful lens, rufous; antenne two thirds the length

of the body, black, the first four joints rufous, the basal one stained with piceous above; thorax transverse,

distinctly widened at the middle, rufous, surface very finely and rather irregularly punctured, the inter-

stices somewhat finely rugose or uneven; scutellum very broad; elytra distinctly transversely depressed

below the base, the punctures much deeper within this depression; the strize distinct only at the basal

portion, but nearly entirely absent below the middle. Underside and legs black, with a slight greenish

tint; femora with a very minute tooth.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Duges, coll. Sallé).

Of this species, which differs in size and colour, as well as punctuation, from 7. meai-

canus and T. melanocephalus, one male and three female specimens are contained in

M. Sallé’s collection. The latter sex is a little larger, with the antenne shorter and the

punctuation of the elytra much stronger, although the apical portion is as smooth as

in the male insect. The punctured and at the same time subrugose thorax is a good

distinguishing character of the present species.

TYPOPHORUS. 181

8. Typophorus cyanipennis.

Typophorus cyanipennis, Lefév. Revue et Mag. de Zool. 1876, p. 308°.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla!, Cordova, Cuernavaca, San Andres, Etla, Oaxaca, Jalapa

(Sallé, Hoge).

Closely allied to 7. mexicanus, but always distinguished by the red legs ; sometimes

the tibize and knees are black; but the base of the femora remains constantly red.

I have examined about thirty specimens from the above localities.

9. Typophorus nigricollis.

Narrow, subcylindrical, black; four or five basal joints of the antenne fulvous; thorax black, closely punctured

on the disk ; elytra dark violaceous blue, strongly punctate-striate, the striz visible to the apex.

Length 14-2 lines.

Head impunctate, or with a few fine punctures at the vertex ; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the

apical joints robust ; thorax subcylindrical, black, closely and finely punctured, the base nearly impunctate ;

elytra cylindrical, more or less distinctly depressed below the base, very strongly punctate-striate, the

punctures, although somewhat finer, yet very distinct at the apex. Underside, legs, and tarsi black, with

a slight greenish tint.

Hab.. Mexico, Cuernavaca, Guanajuato (Sad/é).

This is a rather small species, of almost cylindrical shape, which may be separated

from its allies by the black and distinctly punctured thorax and the very strong and

regular elytral strie. The specimens from Guanajuato differ slightly in the more

distant punctures of the elytra, but otherwise agree with the others.

10. Typophorus subbrunneus.

Subovate, black ; the five basal joints of the antennew, apex of the tibie, and tarsi light fulvous; elytra dark

brown, with a metallic green gloss, finely punctate-striate, the apex nearly impunctate.

Var. Legs entirely fulvous.

Length 1-13 line.

Head impunctate ; antenne not longer than half the length of the body, the first five joints fulvous, the rest

black, the last six joints dilated ; thorax narrowed from base to apex, more transverse in the female than

in the male, black, entirely impunctate; elytra of a dark chestnut-brown, with a more or less strong

metallic-green tint, very obsoletely depressed below the base, the latter distinctly punctate-striate, but

the strie disappearing below the middle; legs black, apex of all the tibie and the tarsi entirely light

fulvous.

Hab. British Honpvras, river Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, Cahabon, Chiacam,

_ Zapote (Champion).

Of this small species numerous specimens were received from Honduras, but only three

from Guatemala; closely allied forms seem to inhabit Colombia and the Brazils. The

present species may be recognized by the impunctate thorax and the fulvous colour of

the apex of the tibie and tarsi—one specimen, however, having the legs entirely of that

colour.

182 . PHYTOPHAGA.

11. Typophorus purulensis. © |

Ovate, bluish black ; first four joints of the antenna, the tibise, and tarsi testaceous ; thorax impunctate ; elytra

finely punctate-striate, the strie distinct to the apex.

Length 1 line.

‘Hab. Guatemaia, Purula, Panima (Champion).

Closely allied to 7. subbrunneus, but differing in the black upper surface, the entirely

testaceous tibie, and the elytral punctuation, which, although finer posteriorly, 1s

distinctly visible at the apex. 7. tibialis, Lefév., seems to be another closely allied

form, but has the thorax closely punctured at the sides. The present species is smaller

than 7. subbrunneus, and entirely without the brown ground-colour of that insect.

A good many specimens were obtained by Mr. Champion at Purula, a single specimen

only at Panima.

12. Typophorus variabilis.

Testaceous ; thorax impunctate ; elytra finely punctate-striate, the striz obsolete behind the middle, testaceous ;

each elytron with an obscure spot near the scutellum and behind the middle ; femora unarmed,

Var. a. Piceous below; thorax and the base and apex of the elytra black.

Var. b. Entirely black, with the exception of the antenne and the legs.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Guaremata, San Juan (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2000-3000

feet (Champion). |

One of the smallest species of the genus, and easily recognized. The antenne are

entirely testaceous, with the exception of the last joint, which is piceous; the second

joint is more thickened than usual, and the last six joints are robust. The thorax, when

seen from above, is much narrowed in front, and, owing to the sides being greatly

deflexed, appears almost cylindrical. The fine punctures of the elytra are generally

surrounded in the light-coloured specimens by a piceous ring, the general colour varying

from testaceous to black.

Six specimens were obtained by Mr. Champion.

PARIA.

Paria, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1858, ix. p. 86.

Paria is very closely allied to Typophorus, but may be distinguished from it by the

generally less cylindrical thorax and the continuity of the epistome with the face,

the former being always separated in Typophorus by a distinct transverse groove.

The known species have been described as inhabitants of North America, and also

of the eastern hemisphere. From Central America none have previously been made

known.

PARIA, 183

1. Paria vitticollis. (Tab. IX. figg. 9, 10.)

Elongate, subcylindrical, light fulvous ; thorax impunctate, with two central longitudinal black stripes ; elytra

finely punctate-striate ; the suture, a lateral basal stripe, a spot at the shoulder, another below the base,

and a narrow transverse stripe at the middle of each elytron black. .

Var. The elytral stripe greatly widened at the suture.

Length 2 lines.

Head perpendicular, impunctate, the vertex with a short central longitudinal groove ; the clypeus separated in

front by a moderately well-defined transverse impressed line ; labrum fulvous ; apex of jaws piceous ;

antennse more than half the length of the body, filiform, entirely fulvous ; thorax subcylindrical, entirely

impunctate, the base with a deeply impressed transverse groove; two narrow longitudinal vitte are placed

at each side near the middle of the disk, in some specimens not quite extending to the base ; scutellum

fulvous, margined with black; elytra broader than the thorax, elongate, very distinctly depressed below

the base, finely punctate-striate, more deeply at the basal depression, but very obsolete towards the apex,

the suture accompanied by a deeply impressed stria; each elytron with an oblique spot near the scutellum,

a narrow stripe commencing at the shoulder and extending along the lateral margin to the middle, and a

central transverse stripe, as well as the suture, black. Entire underside and the legs fulvous; prosternum

rather elongate, scarcely constricted at the middle. |

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

This pretty little species resembles closely in general appearance and shape P. vittati-

collis, Baly (unfortunately, also, in its specific name, M. Baly’s species having been

overlooked by me at the time the figure was drawn), but is quite distinct by the

colour of the antenne and the markings of the thorax and elytra. In the variety

which is figured (fig. 10) the transverse elytral band widens into a triangular sutural

patch ; of this form one, of the others six specimens were obtained.

2. Paria brunneus.

Ovate, chestnut-brown ; antennee fulvous, seventh to tenth joints piceous ; thorax impunctate ; elytra without

basal depression, rather strongly punctate-striate, the apex impunctate ; a round spot at the shoulder and

an elongate one below the middle black ; legs piceous.

Var. Entirely brown, without spots.

Length 1-13 line.

Head impunctate, with or without a short longitudinal groove; apex of the clypeus concave-emarginate ;

antenne fulvous, the terminal five joints, with the exception of the last, piceous ; thorax slightly trans-

verse, the sides moderately deflexed, lateral margins nearly straight, surface impunctate; scutellum a

little longer than broad ; elytra very convex, without the basal depression, rather deeply and remotely

punctate to about two thirds of their length, the apex impunctate; a round spot at the base, and an

elongate one behind the middle, and placed near the suture, black. Underside and legs darker, the latter

nearly piceous.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

The dark brown colour, that of the antennz, and the absence of a basal depression

at the elytra separate this species, of which two specimens have been obtained. The

variety differs in the absence of the elytral spots and the uniform coloration of the

upper and under sides.

184 PHYTOPHAGA.

3, Paria nigritarsus. (Tab. IX. fig. 12.)

Oblong-ovate, fulvous ; antenne (their three basal joints excepted) and tarsi black ; thorax impunctate; elytra

finely punctate-striate anteriorly, each elytron with two spots at the base, another behind the middle, and

the suture black.

Length 2 lines.

Head entirely impunctate, orbital grooves deeply impressed and extending nearly as far as the base of the

antennee; the latter slender, filiform, black, with the exception of the first three joints, which are testa-

ceous; thorax rather transverse, the sides very moderately deflexed, surface impunctate ; scutellum fulvous,

proadly ovate, the apex rounded ; elytra convex, with a short transverse depression below the base, finely

punctate-striate, the punctures scarcely visible below the middle; each elytron with a narrow spot at the

shoulder, a larger one near the scutellum, and an equally large one in the middle black ; underside and

the legs fulvous ; tarsi piceous or black.

Hab. Guaremata, Cubilguitz (Champion).

To be distinguished from P. 6-notata, Say, by the fine punctuation of its elytra and

the black tarsi.

Ten specimens were obtained.

4, Paria levipennis. (Tab. IX. fig. 13.)

Ovate, convex, fulyous; antennz piceous, the three or four basal joints testaceous ; thorax impunctate ; elytra

deeply transversely depressed below the base, punctured at the depression only, a small spot at the

shoulder, an oblique short stripe at the base, and a spot in the middle of each elytron black.

Var. The oblique stripe thicker, and connected with the posterior spot.

Length 1-13 line.

Head impunctate; antenne about half the length of the body, the last five joints thickened; thorax sub-

quadrate, rather convex, the sides somewhat rounded, surface impunctate, shining ; scutellum broad, the

sides rounded ; elytra with a short but very deep depression below the base, with indications of punctured

striee within this depression, rest of the surface impunctate; a short piceous oblique stripe, more or less

distinct, extends from the middle of the base towards the suture; a small spot is placed at the shoulder,

and a more transversely shaped one in the middle, of each elytron. Underside and legs fulvous.

Hab. Brrmsh Honpvuras, river Hondo (Blancaneaus); GuaTeMaLa, Cahabon, La

Tinta (Champion).

This seems to be a rather variable species in regard to shape and elytral markings,

some specimens being much more elongate than others, and varying greatly in the spots

of the elytra, so that it is almost impossible to fix their limit. The figure, taken from

a Honduras specimen, shows the elytral spots well defined ; but these latter are often

connected with each other so as to assume the shape of longitudinal bands of greater

or smaller width. The punctuation of the elytra differs also somewhat; and the name

of P. levipennis is more appropriately applied to the type from Honduras, which shows

no traces of punctures beyond the first third of the elytra.

5. Paria tibialis.

Oblong, obscure fulvous ; terminal joint of the antenne, a spot at the head, and the base of the femora and

tibie piceous ; thorax impunctate ; elytra distinctly punctate-siriate anteriorly, impunctate near the epex.

Length 13 line.

PARIA.—COLASPOIDES. 185

Head impunctate ; ocular grooves very narrow; clypeus finely punctured, its apex nearly straight; vertex of

the head with a black longitudinal spot; antenne with the basal three or four joints fulvous, the rest

black ; thorax rather transverse, and narrowed anteriorly ; surface impunctate, with central black spot ;

scutellum broader than long, subpentagonal ; elytra elongate, scarcely depressed below the base, distinctly

and rather closely punctate-striate near the base and the suture ; the apex impunctate, the punctures near

the basal margin deeply impressed ; surface of each elytron with a very indistinct spot near the base and

below the middle ; tibiee fulvous, varied with piceous.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Panzos (Champion).

Of this species two specimens are before me, which I believe to be distinct from

P. levipennis, on account of their much more elongate shape and more distinct punc-

tuation; they differ in coloration, but not in other respects, one specimen being almost

piceous on its upper surface as well as its legs, the knees only of the latter being

fulvous.

PHANATA.

Phaneta, Lefévre, Mittheil. Miinch. ent. Verein, 1878, p. 182.

The only known species of this genus was described by the author from a Colombian

insect, the principal characters being the dentate lateral thoracic margin, and the

broad truncate prosternum, in connexion with the convex anterior thoracic epi-

sternum. All these characters are well expressed in the insects from Guatemala

which I refer to this genus; but the antennz, which in M. Lefévre’s type are described

as having the second joint slightly longer than the third, differ in the species before

me, in which the third joint is distinctly longer than the second. Whether I am right

or not in referring the insect in question to the present genus I am unable to say, not

having seen the type.

1. Phaneta ruficollis.

Phaneta ruficollis, Lefév. Mittheil. Miinch. ent. Verein, 1878, p. 132°.

Hab. Guaremata, Purula, San Juan, Sinanja, Tamahu, Cubilguitz (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, 2000-3000 feet (Champion).—CoLomBia }.

In every respect the insects obtained by Mr. Champion agree with the description

given by M. Lefevre. The thorax is rather closely and strongly punctured, as well as

the elytra, which in the female show some distinct coste near the base. The head

and thorax are rufous ; the elytra violaceous blue.

COLASPOIDES.

Colaspoides, Castelnau, Silb. Rev. 1833, 1. p. 20.

Pleuraulaca, Chevrol.. Dej. Cat. 2nd edit. p. 109.

Colaspoides is a genus principally known to inhabit the eastern hemisphere, nearly

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1882. ob

186 PHYTOPHAGA.

thirty species being enumerated in Gemminger’s and v. Harold’s Catalogue, the species

from the New World amounting to seven only at the time of publication ; since then,

however, many more have been described by M. Lefévre from South, and two other

species by myself from Central America. Mexico has not, up till now, furnished us

with any species, no example being contained either in M. Sallé’s or Herr Hoge’s

collections; so that Guatemala seems to be the most northern limit of the genus. The —

latter may be known by its ovate, convex, and rather short shape, and the convex

anterior thoracic episternum. M. Baly has remarked that the species from the Old

World have generally punctate-striate, those from the New World more irregularly-

punctured elytra, which I have also found to be generally the case. .

1. Colaspoides batesi. (Tab. IX. fig. 17.)

Colaspoides batesi, Jacoby, P. Z.S. 1879, p. 779.

Hab. Costa Rica (coll. Jacoby).

The two specimens in my collection which I received from M. Boucard are of a

bright metallic green colour, and of nearly the same shape and size as C.unicolor. The

head and thorax are very finely and rather irregularly punctured, the interstices having

a somewhat rugose appearance; the elytra are also much more closely and finely

punctured than in C. wnicolor.

2. Colaspoides chiriquensis. |

Ovate, convex, metallic green below; antenne testaceous, the terminal joint piceous; tibiee and tarsi fulvous ;

above obscure metallic cupreous ; head and thorax finely, elytra closely and more strongly punctured.

Length 232 lines.

Head rather flat, closely and finely punctured at the vertex ; clypeus distinctly separated from the face, its

apex concave-emarginate, its surface more strongly punctured than. the head, and of a more aureous colour,

the margins metallic green ; labrum and jaws dark fulvous; maxillary palpi and the antenne testaceous,

the latter slender, filiform, and extending beyond the half of the elytra, their two apical joints obscure

piceous; thorax nearly three times as proad as long, very convex, and of almost equal width, the sides

evenly rounded and distinctly narrowed anteriorly, surface very finely and closely punctured ; scutellum

about as broad as long, finely punctured ; elytra about one half longer than broad, slightly narrowed

towards the apex, with a very obsolete depression below the base, very closely, evenly, and more strongly

punctured than the thorax, of a dark cupreous colour ; the suture towards the apex metallic green;

prosternum a little broader than long, its base slightly concave, surface somewhat rugose; thighs

unarmed.

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

8. Colaspoides unicolor. (Tab. IX. fig. 18.)

Colaspoides unicolor, Jacoby, P.Z.S. 1879, p. 780.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson; Belt); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Cham-

pron).

COLASPOIDES. . 187

The original description gives the head as deeply punctured, which is a mistake; it

ought to be distinctly but finely punctate. The species is of a uniform dark violaceous

blue colour; but the labrum and the legs, especially the anterior ones, are more or less

distinctly metallic green; the thorax is also very finely punctured, sometimes almost

impunctate, at the disk; and the elytra, although very closely, are also rather finely

punctate. The species (of which specimens showing no difference have been lately

received from Chiriqui) seems very closely allied to C. viridicornis, Lef., from Colombia,

but differs in the fine punctuation of the head and the uniformly fulvous basal joints of

the antenne.

4. Colaspoides quadriplagiatus.

Ovate, moderately convex, below black ; antenne and legs testaceous ; thorax metallic green or eeneous, closely

punctured; elytra violaceous, a square-shaped spot at the shoulder and another at the apex of each

elytron fulvous,

Length 1-1} line.

Head metallic green, deeply longitudinally grooved in the centre, strongly but not very closely punctured ;

clypeus triangular; antenne entirely testaceous, about half the length of the body ; thorax about three

times as broad as long, the anterior margin distinctly sinuate behind the eyes and produced at the middle,

posterior margin distinctly produced or widened ; surface closely and rather strongly punctured; scutellum

broadly ovate, minutely punctured; elytra rather regularly and closely punctate-striate at their anterior

portion, the strie towards the apex finer and much wider apart, dark violaceous blue, each elytron with

a rather large generally square-shaped spot at the shoulder, and another rounded one near the apex,

fulvous: these spots do not extend to the sutural margin. Legs and tarsi testaceous.

Hab. Guaremata, San Gerénimo, El Jicaro (Champion).

This little species, of which but four specimens were obtained, resembles somewhat

in size and markings C. dorsata, Baly, from which it differs sufficiently in the arrange-

ment of the elytral spots and the colour of the thorax.

5. Colaspoides marginatus.

Ovate, black; antenns and legs light fulvous; head and thorax metallic green, finely punctured; elytra more

strongly punctate-striate, black, the lateral margins metallic green.

Length 1 line.

Head with a distinct central longitudinal groove, remotely but distinctly punctured ; clypeus triangular, sepa-

rated from the face by finely impressed lateral grooves, strongly punctured ; antenne entirely fulvous, the

last five joints distinctly thicker than the rest; thorax narrowly transverse, the sides moderately deflexed,

lateral margins rounded and narrowed towards the apex, surface rather remotely and finely punctured ;

scutellum ovate, impunctate, metallic green; elytra slightly narrowed towards the apex, much more

strongly punctured than the thorax, and the punctuation arranged in rather regular and close lines; the

interstices near the lateral margins slightly costate; surface black, the extreme base and the lateral

margin narrowly metallic green. Legs and tarsi fulvous; anterior thoracic episternum convex at the |

middle.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

2b2

188 PHYTOPHAGA.

Fam. CHRYSOMELID.

This great family, which is distributed over every part of the world, is also well

represented in Central America—although it does not play quite such a prominent part

as the Eumolpide, either in regard to species or individuals. The Catalogue of

Gemminger and von Harold contains the names of about 130 Central-American species

_the whole number of those from the New World amounting to about 700. ‘Their

classification has, up to the present time, been most ably pointed out by Chapuis in his

‘Genera des Coléoptéres,’ whose arrangement I propose following here, merely dwelling

upon the distinctive characters of each genus,—Stal’s division, in his fine Monograph

of American Chrysomelide, offering some occasion for remarks.

In regard to the name of the present family, I think it preferable to reserve it

exclusively for those genera which fall under our present classification, commencing

with Colaspidema and ending with the Australian genus Paropsis, instead of using the

name Chrysomelids for the whole of the Phytophaga, as is done in Gemminger’s

Catalogue. Stal has given short diagnoses of many species in the Ofvers. Vet.-Ak. Forh.,

which are here simply referred to as “ Diagnosis.”

PH/AEDON.

Phedon, Latreille, Cuv. Régn. Anim. 1829, v. p. 151.

Nearly forty species of this genus have been described, amongst which two only are

known from Mexico; their colour is generally a dark blue or green, with occasional

spots of another shade.

From nearly all parts of the world species of Phedon are known.

1. Phedon cyanescens. (Tab. IX. fig. 21.)

Phedon cyanescens, Stal, Ofvers. Vet.-Ak. Férh. 1860, p. 470; Monogr. Chrysom. Amer. p. 320°.

Phedon janthinum, Sturm, Cat. 1848, p. 2927.

Hab. Mextco12, Cordova, Yolos, Guanajuato, Puebla, Toluca, Las Vigas, Jalapa

(Sallé; Hoge); Guaremana (Sallé), Capetillo, Duenas, Ostuncalco, Quezaltenango

(Champion); Costa Rica (van Patten).

The numerous specimens which are before me from the above localities show

occasionally slight differences in shape and sculpture, but not to a degree which I

should take for specific. St&l describes the head as smooth; but in a specimen

named by that author, and contained in M. Baly’s collection, I find the head finely

punctured, in which it agrees with all the other specimens I have for comparison. The

species is of an entirely dark violaceous or greenish colour; the thorax is finely and

closely punctured; and the interstices of the punctate-striate elytra are smooth and

impunctate ; antenne and legs black.

PHADON.—-PLAGIODERA. 189

Stal gives the size of this insect as 8} millim., which is no doubt a misprint, as neither

the specimen named by himself nor any of the others before me is more than 2 lines

long, and most of them are only 14 line.

2. Phedon cyanopterum. (Tab. X. fig. 4.)

Phedon cyanopterum, Guér. Icon. Régne An. 1888, p. 303°.

Phedon buquetti, Blanch. Hist. de Chili, 1851, p. 548°.

Hab. Mexico (Sturm, coll. Sallé).—Cuitt 12.

Two specimens from Mexico contained in M. Sallé’s collection do not show any

differences from the Chilian forms, with which I must consider them identical.

3. Phedon viride.

Gastrophysa viridis, Melsh. Proc. Ac. Phil. ii. p. 175.

Chrysomela viridis, Rogers, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1856, p. 38; Suffrian, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 394°.

Hab. Norta America !2.—Mexico 3(?).

4, Pheedon mexicanum, (Tab. IX. fig. 20.)

Below black ; basal joint of the antenne, the legs, and last ventral segment obscure fulvous ; head and thorax

rufous, the disk of the latter piceous; elytra blackish blue, punctate-striate.

Length 13 line.

Head extremely finely punctured; the clypeus separated from the face by a distinct triangular groove ; antenne

with the last four joints thickened and distinctly broader than long, black, the basal joint fulvous; palpi

black; thorax with the sides very slightly rounded ; surface extremely closely and slightly more strongly

punctured than the head; elytra rather strongly punctate-striate, the rows towards the side rather close

together, the interstices entirely smooth and impunctate but somewhat convex. Legs obscure fulvous;

tarsi piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Sallé).

Whether this species is but a variety of P. fuscipes, from Colombia, I am unable to

say. It differs from that species in the entirely fulvous underside of the thorax and

the obsolete (scarcely perceptible) piceous disk of that part, as well as in the smooth

elytral interstices.

PLAGIODERA.

Plagiodera, Redtenbacher, Fauna Austriaca, 1849, p. 553.

Plagiodera is a genus of rather peculiar appearance amongst the Chrysomelide,

having often a shape more resembling that of the genus Coccinella, on account of the

convex elytra and narrow crescent-shaped thorax. The antenne always end in trans-

verse joints, more or less forming a club; the prosternum is very narrow in the

middle, the metasternum, however, very long (not the mesosternum, as Chapuis says,

this part being very short indeed).

190 -PHYTOPHAGA.

The genus is of wide geographical distribution, and contains more than seventy

species, eleven being known, up to the present time, to inhabit Central America.

1. Plagiodera punctigera. (Tab. IX. fig. 22.)

Plagiodera punctigera, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 298°; ; Diagn. Ofvers. Vet. Ak. Forh. 1860,

p- 466°.

Hab. Mexico !2, Cordova, Playa Vicente (Sallé, Hoge); GUATEMALA, Teleman, Chacoj,

Purula ( Champion).

The specimens received from Guatemala do not differ from the Mexican forms

described by Stal. The species is easily recognized by the three elytral black spots,

placed in a triangular position.

2. Plagiodera semivittata. (Tab. IX. fig. 23.)

Plagiodera semivittata, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 467; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 304.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam, Orizaba, Cordova, Jalapa (Sallé, Hoge); GuatemMaLa, Duefas,

San Gerdénimo, Calderas, Sinanja (Champion).

Normal specimens of this species are fulvous above, with the thorax spotted as

described by St&l, or without spots; the elytra have two isolated spots at the base and

a curved triangular band from the middle to nearly the apex; the suture is either

entirely black or this colour is interrupted in the middle. From Guatemala specimens

have been received in which the elytral spots are dark green and larger and the ground-

colour of a much darker shade, the punctuation being also more regularly striate, and

the underside of an obscure piceous colour. In other respects they resemble the

Mexican forms, of which one is figured.

3. Plagiodera maculatella, (Tab. IX. fig. 25.)

Plagiodera maculatella, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 467; Monogr. Chrys. Amer, p. 305.

Hab. Guatemaa (Sallé).

Mr. Champion has not met with this species in Guatemala, and a single specimen

only is contained in M. Sallé’s collection.

4, Plagiodera sneiventris.

Plagiodera eneiventris, Stil, Diagn. 1860, p. 467; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 305 *.

Hab. British Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaur); GuatemaLa, Capetillo,

Duefias, Zapote (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica’.

From P. maculateila the present species differs in the marking of the elytra, which

have always a sinuate transverse stripe at the middle instead of isolated spots; but

their punctuation may serve as a better guide in the separation of the species in ques-

PLAGIODERA. 191

tion. In P. eneiventris the elytra, although rather closely punctured, still show traces

of arrangement in rows, and there are spaces between the latter distinctly visible; in P.

maculatella, however, the punctuation is very close and irregular, without any interstices.

Great numbers of the present insect have been received from Capetillo.

5. Plagiodera congesta. (Tab. IX. fig. 24.)

Plagiodera congesta, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 467; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 3051.

Hab. Mexico}, Cordova, Toxpam, Jalapa (Sallé, Hége); Guaremaa, Sinanja (Cham-

pion).

Only from one locality in Guatemala has this pretty little species been received.

The figure, which represents a specimen from Cordova, will give a better idea of the

elytral markings than any description.

6. Plagiodera vitticollis.

Subrotundate, convex, flavous; the terminal joints of the antenne, two longitudinal bands of the thorax, the

suture, and four spots of the elytra black.

Length 2 lines.

Head with a distinct central groove, impunctate; antenne slightly longer than the thorax, transverse from

the seventh joint, the five basal joints testaceous, their apex black; thorax narrow, of equal width, the

sides straight, and narrowed towards the apex, surface closely and finely punctured, a small spot and

two narrow stripes from the base to the apex at each side black; scutellum black; elytra closely punctate-

striate, the suture, a spot at the shoulder, another near the scutellum, and two smaller and more obsolete

spots near the middle of each elytron black. Underside flavous; sides of the breast, the margins of the

abdominal segments, as well as the coxee, knees, and tarsi black.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo, Zapote (Champion).

Five specimens of this distinct species were obtained in Guatemala.

7. Plagiodera thymaloides.

Plagiodera thymaloides, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 468; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 311".

Hab. Mexico, Campeche, Tuxtla (Sallé)!; Britiss Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blan-—

caneaux) ; GUATEMALA, Calderas (Champion).

The type in the collection of Mr. Baly agrees very well with the few specimens from:

Mexico; but in those from the other localities the fulvous margin of the elytra is

wanting, but just indicated in the only specimen from Guatemala. The species is

fulvous below, as well as the head and thorax; the latter has an obscure eneous

central spot ; and the elytra are of the same obscure eneous colour. The Honduras

specimens show, besides the uniformly coloured elytra, some slight differences in the

punctuation of the latter, which is stronger, the interstices being at the same time

somewhat. rugose; but in general the specimens agree with the type, and, I believe, :

represent the species as a local variety.

192 PHYTOPHAGA.

8. Plagiodera uniformis.

Rotundate, convex, entirely testaceous ; last six joints of the antenne black; thorax closely punctured at the

sides, remotely at the disk; elytra strongly punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head flat, without central groove; antenne as long as the thorax, the first five joints testaceous, the rest

black and transverse; thorax as broad at the base as the elytra, closely punctured at the sides, the

disk with a few punctures only; scutellum testaceous ; elytra rather convex from base to the middle,

strongly punctate-striate, the rows more distantly placed near the suture than at the sides. Legs

testaceous. ;

Hab. Mexico (Sallé, coll. Baly) ; Guatemata, Chacoj, San Juan, Panima (Champion).

The uniform coloration and strong punctuation of this species form the principal

distinguishing characters. Four specimens only were obtained by Mr. Champion ;

another, in the collection of Mr. Baly, is of a rather more ovate and less rounded shape,

but does not differ in other respects.

9. Plagiodera atritarsis.

Plagiodera atritarsis, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 298°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sallé); Guaremata, Zapote, Dueiias, San Gerénimo (Cham-

pion, Sallé).— VENEZUELA, Caracas *.

As indicated above, the country of this species, as given by Stal, is Venezuela; in

the collection of Mr. Baly the locality is given as Mexico and Guatemala, the specimen

contained in it having been named by Stal himself, and agreeing perfectly with several

before me from Guatemala &c. The species is of a light fulvous or testaceous colour,

with the suture narrowly and the scutellum entirely black; the last six joints of the

antenne are black and transverse, and forming a club ; the closely and finely punctured

elytra show traces of smooth longitudinal strie, which are impunctate. The underside

is generally of the same colour as above; but several specimens from Guatemala are

nearly entirely black below, in which respect the specimens seem almost identical

with P. cerea, Stal, which may be only a variety of P. atritarsis.

10. Plagiodera unicolor.

Ovate, rather convex, subparallel, fulvous ; last four joints of the antenne black; thorax finely punctured ;

elytra punctate-striate near the suture, with two or three smooth longitudinal interspaces.

Length 3% lines.

Hab. Mexico, Chiapas (Sa//é).

Although the present species, of which I havea single example for comparison, 1s no

doubt closely allied to P. atritarsis, I believe it to be distinct from the latter on account

of the following differences :—The antenne have the first seven joints of a fulvous colour,

instead of five as in the other species; the thorax of the present one is not so narrowed

in front, and the sides are more rounded, while they are nearly straight in P. atritarsis.

PLAGIODERA.—LINA. 193

The scutellum is fulvous, as well as the entire underside, legs, and tarsi; but the latter

have the apex of each joint piceous. In other respects the species is similar to the

preceding one, of which it may possibly be only a variety.

11. Plagiodera flosculosa. (P. eneiventris, Tab. X. fig. 1.)

Plagiodera flosculosa, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 467; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 306.

Hab. Mexico, Etla, Capulalpam, Jalapa, Playa Vicente (Sallé, Hoge).

The locality of this species was not known to Stal; the specimens obtained by Herr

Hoge agree perfectly with the author’s description and with a specimen in Mr. Baly’s

collection, also from Mexico. From P. eneiventris, which the present species resembles

closely in the elytral markings, it may be separated by the crescent-shaped sneous

band of the thorax and of the head. The spots at the elytra are also larger, and

leave only narrow spaces of the ground-colour. In all the specimens before me the

first five joints of the antenne are testaceous; and in many of them the femora have

a metallic spot at the base, or are entirely fulvous.

In the plate the name of the present species must be substituted instead of that of

P. eneiventris.

12. Plagiodera quadrimaculata.

Plagiodera quadrimaculata, Jacoby, P. Z.8. 1880, p. 171.

Hab. Costa Rica, river Sucio (Rogers).

This is the largest species of Plagiodera from Central America known to me, and, at

the same time, one of the handsomest, being of a black ground-colour, with four red

elytral spots. Only a single specimen was obtained by Mr. Rogers.

13. Plagiodera viridipennis.

Plagiodera viridipennis, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 468 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 310°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—Brazits !.

I cannot discover any difference of importance to justify the separation of the Nica-

raguan forms from Stal’s type, which I have before me for comparison.

. LINA.

Lina, Redtenbacher, Fauna Austriaca, 1849, p. 551.

Melasoma, Stephens, Brit. Entom. 1831, p. 351.

Plagiodera, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer, p. 293.

- ‘The insects comprising this genus have much in common with Plagiodera, in which

genus Stal has included them; their general “ habitus,” however, and the form of ‘the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1882. 9¢

194 . PHYTOPHAGA.

thorax (which is shorter and less rounded than in Plagiodera, and has, moreover, a

shallow groove at each side) justify its separation from the latter genus. The meta-

sternum (not mesosternum as misprinted in Chapuis’s ‘ Genera’) is similarly shaped as

in the preceding genus. Although the genus is found in all parts of the globe, the

Central-American species are but few in numbers, and those principally confined to

Mexico. One species has been described from Chili; and two specimens of a known

form were obtained by Mr. Champion in Guatemala.

1, Lina scripta. (Tab. X. fig. 2.) |

Lina scripta, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 488°; Olivier, Entom. v. p.559°; Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858,

p. 389°; Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 294%.

Lina lineatopunctata, Forst. Nov. Spec. Ins. 1771, p. 22.

Hab. Nortu America! 2? 4,—Mexico %, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

This species seems to have its most southern limit in Mexico, and there even seems

to be rather rare, only four specimens being contained in M. Sallé’s collection, and none

having been met with by Herr Hoge. One of the former is figured.

2. Lina depressa. (Tab. X. fig. 3.)

Lina depressa, Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 890’; Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 295°.

Hab. Mextco12, Oaxaca, Puebla, Jalapa, La Parada (Sallé, Hoge); British Hon-

DuRAS, river Sarstoon (Llancaneaux); GuateMaLa, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Although similarly marked to ZL. scripta, the very rugose upper surface of the

present species is a good distinguishing character. The species is liable to variation in

regard to the elytral marks, which sometimes are confluent, or disappear altogether,

or nearly so, as shown in the two specimens from Guatemala. A specimen from Oaxaca

is figured.

3. Lina scabricula.

Plagiodera scabricula, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 466; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 297°.

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca !, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Cordova, Juquila (Sallé).

Of a fulvous colour throughout, the elytra with a more or less distinct violaceous tint.

The sculpturing is almost identical with that of Z. depressa; but the present species is

much smaller and without any elytral markings. It is a true Lina, not Plagiodera, in

which genus Stal included it. From unspotted varieties of Z. depressa it may be distin-

guished by the narrower thorax, the anterior and posterior margins of which are much

more semicircular than in L. depressa, in which the thorax is longer.

CALLIGRAPHA. 195

CALLIGRAPHA.

Calligrapha, Erichson, Archiv f. Naturg. 1847, i. p. 158.

Calligrapha, Stal, Ofv. af K. Vet.-Akad. Férh. 1860, p. 460.

Chrysomela, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. 1862; Olivier, Entom. v. p. 532.

Calligrapha was founded by Erichson on a species from Peru, C. matronalis.

Chapuis, in his ‘Genera des Coléoptéres,’ has dwelt at length upon the characters

of this interesting genus, which offers almost all the structural peculiarities of our

European genus Chrysomela. In comparing the two genera, a small number of not

very important differences may be pointed out, such as the raised prosternum in

Calligrapha (this part being generally flat and grooved in Chrysomela), and the some-

what longer third joint of the antenne in the former genus. It is, however, when

we look to the sculpturing of the elytra that the difference is at once striking and

interesting. We find there that pattern and punctuation seem to be dependent on

each other (a circumstance almost without parallel amongst the Coleoptera) in such a

way that all the spots or darker markings are limited by impressed punctures, beyond

which the former do not extend.

The elytra when examined from their inner side show the same sculpturing as above,

but look as if they were lined with a fine skin, which gives a more obsolete appear-

ance to the punctures; these latter, together with the dark spots of the upperside, can

be scraped off with a sharp instrument, proving the punctuation to be of little depth ;

those of the inner side, however, remain when the former are removed, and are therefore

independent punctures. A close investigation of these sculpturings in the genus

Calligrapha in different stages of development would perhaps throw some light on the

connexion of spots and punctures in these insects.

Chapuis’s remarks on the differences in the shape of the jaws between Calligrapha

and Chrysomela seem to be very noteworthy, these organs being very robust, thickened,

and forming an almost square-shaped mass in the former. The metallic golden appear-

ance of most species of Calligrapha when in a living state has already been drwan

attention to by other authors. We find the same character in many species of the

Australian genus Paropsis and amongst the Cassidide. The present genus is principally

found in Central America; a few species are known from more southern parts. Shape

and sculpturing offer but little guidance in the determination of these insects, being

very variable ; but the elytral designs seem to be more constant, and form almost the

sole clue to the separation of the numerous species.

1. Calligrapha eneopicta. (Tab. X. fig. 12.)

Calligrapha eneopicta, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 273 -

Calligrapha suturalis, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 288 *,

Hab. Mexico 12, Cordova, Toxpam, Orizaba, Jalapa (Sallé, Hoge).

202

196 PHYTOPHAGA:

Easily distinguished by the entire absence of any small elytral spots. The general

colour is a dark greenish; the thorax has a small fovea at each side; the elytra have

the usual elongate shoulder-spot, and: the suture is widened before the middle, sending

off two small spots at right angles behind the middle. Amongst twenty-six specimens

two only are before me, in which two or three small spots are placed near the lateral

margin behind the middle; generally there is only the spot at the shoulder present.

2. Calligrapha diversa. (Tab. X. fig. 15.)

Chrysomela diversa, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 324"; Monogr. Chrysom. Amer. p. 274 *,

Hab. Mexico!2, Etla, Juquila, Oaxaca, Cuernavaca, Guanajuato, Jalapa, Cerro de

Plumas (Sallé, Hége); Guatemaa (Sallé), Duefias, Zapote, Capetillo, Purula (Champion) ;

Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt); Costa Rica (van Patten).

In the type from Mexico the green suture of the elytra is divided or split below the

base into a thin branch, pointing outwards; a row of five spots runs straight and

parallel with the lateral margin, leaving the latter entirely without any spots from base

to apex, which is one of the characteristic features of this species ; the position of the

spots is shown in the figured specimen from Juquila. In all the Guatemalan specimens,

with a single exception, the suture is not split as in the type, but extends to nearly the

basal margin, in which respect it resembles closely C. simillima from Venezuela, a

species which is doubtless only a variety of the present form; the other elytral spots in

the Guatemalan insects are also placed somewhat closer, and are of larger size; but

this character sometimes varies, and I cannot consider it of specific value, the position

of the spots and all other characters being identical.

3. Calligrapha geographica. (Tab. X. fig. 18.)

Chrysomela geographica, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 462°; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 276”.

Hab. Mexico !2, Cosamaloapam, Playa Vicente (Sa//é).

There is very little difference between the present and the preceding species; the

head and thorax are rather more closely punctured; and the markings of the elytra,

although similar, are more closely placed; the sutural design is broader; and a thin

dark line composed of several spots runs parallel with the lateral margin, this part in

C. diversa showing no trace of any markings. This species seems to be entirely confined

to Mexico.

4, Calligrapha consputa. (Tab. X. fig. 17.).

Chrysomela consputa, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 275'; Diagn. 1860, p. 462°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca! ?, Panistlahuca (Sallé).

In this species there is again a nearly spotless narrow lateral margin of the elytra,

CALLIGRAPHA. 197

like C. diversa and C. geographica, from both of which the much more numerous and

smaller spots situated between the shoulder and apex separate the present insect. The

whole of the elytra, in fact, is covered with dark markings in such a way as to leave but

very narrow spaces of the ground-colour. The species seems to be a rather rare one in

Mexico, as only three specimens are contained in M. Sallé’s collection, and none in that

of Herr Hoge.

5. Calligrapha scalaris. (Tab. XI. fig. 6.)

Calligrapha scalaris, Leconte, Ann. Lyc. N. Y.i. p. 173, 1824, t. 2. £187; Rogers, Proc. Acad. Phil.

viii. 1856, p. 82, t.1. £2; Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 256°; Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 422.

Chrysomela philadelphica, Kirby, Faun. Bor.-Amer. iv. p. 210 (1837) ”.

Chrysomela multiguttis, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 261°.

Hab. Norra America, Canada, Missouri ! 2?.—Mexico 4.

This species has been amply described by the above authors, and more particularly by

Suffrian, and may best be compared with C. diversa, from which it is distinguished by

the spot situated at the middle of the elytral margin, and by the red antenne and legs.

Although this species seems to have been well known to Stal, he has described it again

under another name, quoting the original names as synonyms. In its elytral markings

it is almost identical with C. diversa; but in that insect the elytral margin is always

spotless, while in the present one a single spot is placed at the middle of the lateral

margin. No specimen is contained either in M. Sallé’s or Herr Hége’s collection. I

possess, however, two specimens, received from M. Boucard, from Mexico which show

the same difference from the North-American forms as already pointed out by Suffrian.

A specimen from the collection of Sturm is labelled by him C. rufipes. The synonyms

of C. lateralis, Stm., given in Gemminger’s Catalogue must therefore refer to another

species. One of the Mexican specimens from my collection is figured.

6. Calligrapha multipustulata. (Tab. X. fig. 16.)

Chrysomela multipustulata, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 325; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 275°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cuernavaca, Chiapas (Sallé) ; Guatemaa! (coll.’ Baly).

The type, in the collection of Mr. Baly, has the elongate shoulder-spot divided into

two branches, and a semicrescent spot near the scutellum. The spots from the middle

to the apex number sixteen, and are rather irregularly distributed and small; another

spot is placed exactly at the middle of the lateral margin.

7. Calligrapha ancoralis. (Tab. X. fig. 20.) |

Chrysomela ancoralis, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 462; Monogr. Chrys. Americ. p. 278°,

Hab. Mexico ! (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge), Ventanas (Forrer).

As will be seen in the figure, the present species is rather easily distinguished by its

198 PHYTOPHAGA.

anchor-shaped mark below the middle of the elytra; it varies, however, in this respect,

as sometimes the triangular point of the anchor is separated, and often not even the

same at each elytron. I have only seen, besides the type in Mr. Baly’s collection, six

specimens from Mexico, amongst which is a rather small one formerly in the collection

of Sturm, and labelled by him C. imperialis.

8. Calligrapha novemmaculata. (Tab. XI. fig. 20.)

Greenish seneous below, clypeus, antenna, and legs rufous; elytra testaceous, the suture, a short vitta attached

to it, the apex of which is curved outwards, an elongate shoulder-spot, a round spot near the scutellum,

another at the middle of the lateral margin, and six small spots at the disk of each elytron dark purplish.

Length 3 lines. _

Head almost impunctate; clypeus, palpi, and antenne rufous; the last five joints. of the latter distinctly

thickened, the terminal joints slightly longer than broad; thorax greenish seneous, its sides straight near

the base, then slightly rounded towards the apex, the anterior angles produced, but not very acute,

surface finely and rather closely punctured, the sides more strongly but not deeply punctate. Elytra

convex, the sutural band widened directly below the base and produced into a very short point ; before

the middle another band is attached to it, which is also produced anteriorly in a longer point, and

posteriorly in a narrow curved hook almost extending to the lateral margin, where an elongate spot

widened in the middle is placed; the usual shoulder-spot is elongate, rather pointed posteriorly, but not

bilobed, and extends slightly below the commencement of the sutural vitta; a single spot is placed near

the scutellum, four others, obliquely, within the curved branch of the sutural band, and two more near

the apex, the inner one of which is elongate and the largest.

Hab. Guatemata, Sabo (Champion).

C. ancoralis seems to be the only species with which I can compare the present one ;

the latter, however, is smaller, and the elytral markings are of different shape, the

marginal spot is much longer, and the suture is devoid of the spot attached to it near

the apex in C. ancoralis. There are, besides this, other differences, which must be

compared in the figures. Only a single specimen has been received.

9, Calligrapha notatipennis. (Tab. X. fig. 25.)

Calligrapha notatipennis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 324°.

Chrysomela notatipennis, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 283 *,

Hab. Mexico 12, Jalapa, Vera Cruz, Orizaba, Tuxtla, Cordova, J uquila (Sallé, Hoge) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (coll. Jacoby).

Distinguished by its ferruginous colour. The elytra have always two spots below the

base, placed longitudinally near the suture ; the latter has a short curved band attached

to its hinder portion, and generally connected anteriorly with the very elongate shoulder-

spot, which latter extends quite to the middle of the elytra, and below which are placed

two rows of punctures in a parallel position, each row consisting of three spots ; another

very small spot is visible near the lateral margin below the base: in a female specimen

from Vera Cruz there is also a band placed from the middle to the apex at the extreme

lateral margin; but the specimen differs in no other respect from the type, which is

CALLIGRAPHA. | 199

before me. Numerous specimens were obtained by Herr Hoge. A specimen from

Cordova is figured.

10. Calligrapha labyrinthica. (Tab. XI. figg. 1, 2, 3.)

Calligrapha labyrinthica, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 824; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 282°.

Calligrapha flavosignata, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 288.

Hab. Mexico ! (coll. Baly), Yolos, Mazatlan, Cuernavaca (Sal/é).

I have great doubt as to the specific distinction of this species from C. notatipennis.

Both insects agree exactly in the elytral design; but in the last-named species the band

which occupies the extreme lateral margin from the middle to the apex is often, but

not always, absent, and intermediate forms from the same locality may be referred to

either species. The markings, it will be seen, are broader than in C. notatipennis; the

shoulder-spot is connected with the suture, the attached branches of which are less free

at their extremities than in this insect generally ; but, as I said before, intermediate forms

are before me which show the variability of the elytral markings of these insects within

certain limits; perhaps the best distinctive character between the two allied species is

the fuscous margin which generally surrounds all the elytral markings in the present

one; these latter are often confluent, and occupy nearly the entire disk, as shown in fig. 2

(from Mazatlan); fig. 1 is from a specimen in Mr. Baly’s collection named by Stal, the

third being taken from a specimen formerly in Sturm’s collection, and named by him.

11. Calligrapha suffriani. (Tab. XI. fig. 16.)

Obscure greenish eneous; thorax, antenne, and legs obscure rufous; elytra.testaceous, the suture, an elongate

shoulder-spot, posteriorly divided into three parts, three spots at the lateral margin, eight or ten smaller

ones below the middle, another attached to the suture near the apex, and a sutural curved stripe below

the middle rufous.

Length 4-44 lines.

Head closely and rather finely punctured; antenne with the last six joints distinctly thickened, the last joint

longer than broad; thorax with the sides but very slightly rounded, surface very remotely and finely

punctured, the sides subfoveolate-punctate. lytra rather elongate, moderately convex, light testaceous,

the suture and extreme lateral margin, as well as the epipleure, rufous; attached to the suture is a short

curved stripe below the middle and a spot near the apex; at the shoulder an elongate stripe extends

nearly to the middle of the elytra, and is divided at its end into three narrow branches, the inner one of

which curves towards and nearly touches the sutural margin, the middle one being directed towards the

sutural stripe and the outer one towards the lateral margin; near the latter are placed three spots, one

below the base, the second at the middle, and the third near the apex; the rest of the disk is occupied by

about ten very small spots, placed remotely and at irregular distances from each other.

Hab. Muxico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

The only species with which I can compare the present one is C. notatipennis ; but

in that insect the thorax is much more transverse, and very nearly as wide as the elytra,

while in the present species the latter are much wider at the base, and the sutural

brown stripe is not split near the base, but extends almost as far as the latter; in

C. notatipennis the two posterior spots near the lateral margin are absent, and those at

200 _PHYTOPHAGA.

the disk. much larger and placed in rows. C. suffriani is altogether a more elongate

and less convex species.

Three specimens, one of them an immature one, are contained i in M. Sallé’s collection.

12. Calligrapha suboculata. (Tab. X. figg. 13, 14, 23.)

Calligrapha suboculata, Stal, Diag. 1859, p. 325; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 279°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova, Toxpam, Orizaba, Cerro de Plumas, Jalapa (Sallé, Hoge).

The figures represent a male and a female specimen from Toxpam, and a variety

from the same locality. It will be seen that the species resembles greatly in its design

C. notatipennis. The latter, however, is always of a rufous colour; and the posterior

Stripe attached to the suture is free at its anterior portion and placed further towards

the apex of the elytron than in the present species. The broad oblique shoulder-stripe

in C. suboculata is generally attached to the sutural stripe at the middle of the elytra;

but the spots between this portion and the apex vary in number from one to six; the

spot at the middle of the lateral margin, however, is always present. The general

colour of the insect varies from rufous to greenish zeneous, the thorax having sometimes

both colours mixed in various ways.

13. Calligrapha intermedia. (Tab. XI. fig. 19.)

Greenish or brownish eneous below; the basal joints of the antenne ferruginous; elytra testaceous, the

suture with a short vitta and a spot attached to it posteriorly, a broad band at the shoulder, from the

base to the middle, two spots near the scutellum, one below the other, and seven or eight irregular-shaped

spots below the middle of each elytron obscure dark seneous. .

Length 43 lines.

Antenne gradually thickened at the last joints, the terminal one distinctly longer than broad; thorax strongly

but remotely punctured on the disk, deeply foveolate-punctate at the sides, the latter nearly straight and

only rounded near the anterior angles, which are produced and extend further than the eyes. Elytra of the

same shape as in C. consputa, the sutural and extreme lateral margins with a short curved vitta, attached

to the former below the middle, and a sutural spot near the apex brownish zneous; the usual band at

the shoulder extends as far as the middle, quite or nearly touching with its posterior end the subsutural

vitta; below the base, near the scutellum, two spots are placed one below the other, the basal one being

the smallest of the two, while the space below the band at the shoulder is occupied by seven or eight

rather large spots, placed in two rows parallel with the lateral margin, but of dissimilar shape and at unequal

distances ; the suture near the extreme apex has another small spot attached to it; further, two more

or less distinct spots are placed near the lateral margin, one before the other, at the middle of each elytron,

Legs greenish eneous or rufous, with a metallic green gloss.

Hab. Mexico, Panistlahuca (Sallé).

I am obliged to separate this species from its allies C. consputa and C. geographica, on

account of the elytral markings, which differ from those of the last-named species in the

following ways: the vitta at the shoulder extends here to the middle of the elytra;

the attached sutural stripe is placed below the middle instead of before; and two spots

are placed near the scutellum instead of one. The two specimens before me differ

slightly from each other; in one of them the elongate band at the shoulder is divided

CALLIGRAPHA. 201

posteriorly, and does not quite touch the sutural vitta, while in the other specimen the

first of the spots placed near the lateral margin is absent. The shape of the thorax, as

well as its punctuation, also varies: in both specimens the thorax is slightly narrower at

the base than the elytra; but in one the punctuation is less close, and a small fovea is

placed at each side, the thorax being at the same time less long and the anterior angles

more acute, which probably is attributable to sexual difference.

14. Calligrapha pnirsa. (Tab. XI. fig. 18.)

Calligrapha pnirsa, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 462; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 279°.

Hab. Costa Rica },

The only specimen which I have seen is the type in Mr. Baly’s collection, I am

inclined to believe that the species is but an extreme variety of C. ancoralis. In the

present insect nearly all the elytral markings are confluent.

15. Calligrapha ramulifera. (Tab. XI. fig. 4.)

Calligrupha ramulifera, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 325; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 278°.

Polyspila scalaris, Guér. Verh. zool.-bot. Ver. Wien, 1855, p. 606’.

Hab. Guaremata2, Zapote (Champion); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).—

Ecuapor }.

Guérin’s type, in the collection of M. Sallé, and another specimen (named by Stal), in

Mr. Baly’s collection, which is now figured, agree well with several specimens obtained by

Mr. Champion. The usual spot at the shoulder is in this species short and subquadrate ;

and the rest of the spots are extremely small and surrounded by a pale margin, this

latter being also visible round the sutural design.

16. Calligrapha argus. (C. famularis, Tab. X. fig. 19.)

Calligrapha argus, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 462; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 277°.

Calligrapha famularis, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 462 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 2777.

Hab. Mexico1*, Campeche (Pilate, coll. Baly), Minas Viaxas (Dr. Palmer), Vera

Cruz, Etla, Juquila, Cerro de Plumas, Almolonga, Tuxtla (Sallé, Hoge); GuareMata,

Capetillo, Sinanja, San Gerénimo, Panajachel, Purula, Chacoj, Cerro Zunil, El Reposo

(Champion); Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

I have no doubt that the above two species described by Stal are in reality identical,

as the very numerous specimens and the type before me prove. The species is a rather

variable one in regard to the colour and number of the elytral spots, some specimens

having the latter of a rufous, others (and they are the majority) of a greenish colour.

Stal’s C. famularis is founded on a specimen in which the spots are larger and

more closely placed in consequence; but the insect does not differ sufficiently from his

C. argus to justify its being considered a distinct one. It is even doubtful to me whether

RIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1882. od

202 PHYTOPHAGA.

C. ramulifera is a good species, and not a variety of the present insect in which the

spots, although larger, are placed similarly, as several intermediate forms before me may

be referred to either species. In C. argus the design of the elytra consists, besides the

broad shoulder-spot, which sends a short branch off towards the suture, in a round

spot near the scutellum, in a central spot at the lateral margin, and in two rows of

smaller spots placed longitudinally and in parallel lines on the disk, the first row

consisting of five, the second of four spots generally ; near the suture (which has four

indentations, counting the two posterior spots attached to it as such) there is another

round spot, placed close below the second indentation, either free or connected with the

suture. All these designs and spots are also present in C. famularis, but rather more

confluent. A specimen from Vera Cruz is figured.

17. Calligrapha tortilis. (Tab. X. fig. 21.)

Calligrapha tortilis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 328 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 282°.

Hab. Guatumara } (Sallé); Costa Rica’.

The thorax and the legs of this species are dark brown with a slight purplish gloss.

The design of the elytra resembles somewhat that of C. ancoralis; but in the latter the

shoulder-spot is not connected with the suture, which is the case in the present species,

which shows also two spots below the base (the lower of which is attached to the

oblique band from the shoulder) and two others near the extreme lateral margin. The

insect was not obtained either by Mr. Champion or Herr Hoge.

18. Calligrapha eupatris. (Tab. X. fig. 22.)

Calligrapha eupatris, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 462; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 281°.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hége; Sturm, coll. Sallé); GuaTEMALa + (Sallé),

Duefias, Capetillo, San Gerénimo (Champion).

St&l evidently described this species from a single specimen in Mr. Baly’s collection,

which is now before me, and which agrees perfectly with a number of others from

different parts of Guatemala, except in the general colour of its elytra, which in the

type are light testaceous, most of the Guatemalan specimens being of a light brown

colour. The broad spot at the shoulder is free in the type, but united with the sutural

stripe before the middle in most of the other specimens; of the other isolated spots,

five are situated parallel with the lateral margin, three or four placed longitudinally

from the middle to the apex, and a V-shaped spot, often indistinct, near the suture at

the middle.

Two specimens obtained by Herr Hoge vary a good deal from the Guatemalan

forms: the head shows one or three fulvous spots in an zneous specimen, the other

being of a more fulvous colour; the elytral spots near the suture are irregular and

confluent; and the testaceous ground-colour is dotted over by irregular piceous small

CALLIGRAPHA. 203

spots; but the general arrangement of the latter clearly show the specimens to belong

to the present species, which may be also known by the sutural stripe, instead of

branching off in different directions as in most other species of Calligrapha, being of

nearly equal width and without any divisions or spots attached to it.

19. Calligrapha serpentina. (Tab. X. fig. 11.)

Chrysomela serpentina, Rogers, Proc. Ac. Philad. 1857, p. 32°; Suffrian, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858,

p. 258.

Calligrapha mexicana, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 823; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 270°.

Hab. Norte America, Texas 1.—Mexico 2, Ventanas (forrer), Tuxtla, Guanajuato,

Playa Vicente (Sallé, Hége), Queretaro (Dr. Palmer); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—

VENEZUELA 2,

This seems a very widely distributed species, being found in most collections, and is

easily recognized by the S-shaped longitudinal subsutural stripe; from Ventanas and

Tuxtla I have several specimens which differ either in wanting the posterior transverse

line attached to the S-shaped stripe, or in having the shoulder-spot attached to the

latter anteriorly. Besides these differences, some specimens (no doubt immature) are

fulvous with a bluish gloss; others show a more elongate, posteriorly narrowed shape ;

but I have no doubt whatever that they are but local forms of the same species.

20. Calligrapha viginti-maculata. (Tab. XI. fig. 11.)

‘Calligrapha 20-maculata, Chevrol. Coléopt. du Mex. 1833*; Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 285°.

Hab. Meuxico!2, Orizaba, Cordova (Sallé); GuaremaLa, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil,

Duefias (Champion).

The locality given by Chevrolat and Stal is Mexico only. Mr. Champion has obtained

many specimens in Guatemala. The insect is easily recognized by the twenty roundish

silvery spots of the elytra; the latter vary, however, from greenish’ eneous to piceous, —

of which colour I have several specimens from Mexico before me. The shape and

colour of the spots are equally variable; they are either yellow or metallic golden or

silvery, while their shape is round, oval, or irregularly angulate; but their position is

always the same.

21. Calligrapha stillatipennis. (Tab. XI. figg. 14, 15.)

Calligrapha stillatipennis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 326; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 285°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Juquila, Cerro de Plumas (Sallé, Hoge).

Of this species I have two specimens before me labelled by Sturm C. maculata. The

elytral spots resemble, in their position, those of C. 20-maculata ; but they are smaller,

of less rounded shape, and have no punctures, but are smooth and rather convex or

raised ; the interstices are more strongly punctured and almost rugose-punctate. I also

2a 2

204 -PHYTOPHAGA.

‘refer two. specimens to this species which were obtained by Herr Hoge, and of which

one (fig. 15) is figured. Although at first sight they seem to be very different, a close

examination shows that they are evidently but a variety in which the dark rings

surrounding the light spots are so far reduced at the posterior portion of the elytra

that only three small spots, as well as the commencement of these rings near the

sutural and lateral margins, remain; in other respects they show but little difference,

the ground-colour of the elytra being more fulvous than is the case in the type and

the general size larger. |

Two specimens from Juquila, which I refer to the present species, seem to be inter-

mediate between the two insects figured. In one of them the elytra are almost entirely

of a dark purplish, with a few small yellow spots and transverse markings which

correspond in their position to those seen in fig. 14. In the other specimen these

spots are more numerous, and the legs and part of the mouth are dark rufous, but the

position of the light spots is the same. The present species seems to be distinguished

from all others, besides the differences pointed out above, by the narrowly but constantly

black or dark elytral margin, which commences below the base and extends to the

apex.

29. Calligrapha multiguttata. (Tab. X. figg. 5, 6.)

Calligrapha multiguttata, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 8326; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 265°.

Calligrapha alboguttata, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 288°.

Hab. Mexico !2, Puebla, Chiapas, Yolos (Sal/é), Ventanas (Forrer) ; GUATEMALA, near

the city (Salvin).

This is a species of rather small size and peculiar elytral marking, the latter being

~ represented in normally coloured specimens by about nine large whitish spots surrounded

by narrow eneous rings; the size and number of these spots are very variable, either

the light ground-colour or the dark surroundings predominating, the latter sometimes

occupying nearly the entire disk in the shape of broad longitudinal bands, as shown in

the variety (fig. 6). In all the specimens I have seen, the sutural band never extends to

the base; and a small spot at the middle of each lateral margin seems to be constant.

93. Calligrapha barda. (Tab. XI. figg. 12, 13.)

Chrysomela barda, Say, Boston Journ. Nat. Hist. 1835, p. 197".

Calligrapha morbida, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 826 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 285°.

Hab. Mexico 12, Puebla, Yolos (Sad/é).

This insect, described by ‘Say under the generic name of Chrysomela, can only be

referred to St&l’s C. morbida, who himself simply reprinted Say’s description under

those species unknown to him. A true Chrysomela spotted like Say’s species is not

‘known; the insect agrees in every way with the species described by Stal; and I

have not the slightest doubt as to their identity. The elytra are crowded with irregular

CALLIGRAPHA. 205

yellow spots, which only leave a transverse space below, the base and the suture of the

ground-colour. Say remarks that the species is a common one in Mexico; I have

myself seen but half a dozen specimens in the collection of M. Sallé and others. The

figure will give a better idea of the elytral spots than any description. A single

specimen from Yolos (fig. 13) differs, however, in the shape and number of the spots,

which are less numerous at the posterior part of the elytra; while the space below the

base, which in normal specimens is always unspotted, shows here three spots in a

triangular position close to the suture; the elytral epipleure, also, are yellowish white

at their anterior portion. Whether the specimen represents a distinct species I cannot

decide, as J have no others to compare; as it does not differ in any other respect, it is

probably but a local variety.

94. Calligrapha fulvipes. (Tab. X. fig. 8.)

Calligrapha fulvipes, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 323’; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 268’.

Calligrapha marmorata, Chevr. Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 422°.

Hab. Muxico }2%, Toxpam, Cordova, Orizaba, Tuxtla, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Sallé, Hoge) ;

Buitish Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaua) ; Guaremata, Zapote, Capetillo, Duenas,

San Gerénimo, Cubilguitz, Purula, Teleman, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Costa Rica (van

Patten).

The antenne and legs of this species are fulvous; the design of the elytra consists of

an oblique thick shoulder-spot and another one of oval shape behind the middle, which

two spots are the largest of all; the interspaces are covered with about nine or ten very

small spots, of which two are placed at the anterior portion of the lateral margin and

one near the scutellum. ‘The species seems to be a not uncommon one in Mexico.

Two very closely allied species are C. pantherina and C. felina. |

25. Calligrapha pantherina. (Tab. X. fig. 9.)

Calligrapha pantherina, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 328; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 268*; Chevr. Dej.

Cat. p. 423°.

Hab. Muxico !2, Vera Cruz, Cordova, Playa Vicente, Guanajuato (Sal/é); GUATEMALA

(Sallé), near the city (Salvin), Duenas, Capetillo (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales

(Belt).

This species bears such a. close resemblance, excepting its size, to C. felina that I

doubt much its specific distinctness. It is true that the latter is larger and the elytral

spots more numerous; but this latter character is very variable and often not even the

same on both elytra. One can at all events distinguish C. pantherina generally by its

smaller size and the smaller spots, of which only the one at the shoulder and another

behind the middle are more prominent, but never reaching the size of those in the

allied form.

206 PHYTOPHAGA.

96. Calligrapha felina. (Tab. X. fig. 10.)

Calligrapha felina, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 461'; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 268 *.

Calligrapha signatipennis, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 288°.

Hab. Mzxico 123, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Oaxaca, Cerro de Plumas, Juquila,

Etla, Nurasnal, Cuernavaca (Sallé, Hoge).

As I remarked before, the present species seems to be separated from the preceding

one by but slight characters, which are the greater size and the larger spots, of which,

as in C. pantherina, only the shoulder-spot and the one behind the middle are the

largest; structural characters of any consequence I cannot find any. The two species

in question differ from C. fulvipes, in which the elytral spots are similarly arranged, in

the greater number of the latter, C. fulvipes having spots of double the size of those

in either C. felina or C. pantherina.

97. Calligrapha billbergi. (Tab. X. fig. 7.)

Calligrapha billbergi, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 461+; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 266°.

Hab. Mexico 1? (Salle).

This species is not difficult to recognize on account of the two spots placed trans-

versely near the scutellum, the transverse short band across the sutural margin, and the

eleven rather large spots of almost equal size, of which two occupy the extreme lateral

margin; the shoulder-spot .is very elongate and rather curved, extending to nearly the

middle of the elytra.

28. Calligrapha limbaticollis. (Tab. XI. figg. 8, 9.)

Calligrapha limbaticollis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 324; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 283".

Hab. Mexico ! (Sal/é).

In this insect the ferruginous colour prevails and occupies in its design nearly the

whole of the elytra as well as parts of the thorax; the synonym of C. maculicollis,

Sturm, as given in Gemminger’s Catalogue, does not refer to the present, but represents

another allied species. The figures are taken from a normally coloured specimen and a

variety (fig.9). The species does not seem to be an abundant one; it was not obtained

by Herr Hoge, and is represented in M. Sallé’s collection by three specimens only.

99. Calligrapha gyllenhali. (Tab. XI. fig. 10.)

Calligrapha gyllenhali, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 324; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 284’.

Calligrapha maculicollis, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 288’.

Hab. Mexico !2 (Saldé, coll. Sturm).

The two specimens named by Sturm, and contained in M. Sallé’s collection, prove

this species to be the C. gyllenhalt of Stal. In general coloration it is allied to

CALLIGRAPHA. 207

C. limbaticollis; but it is larger, and the elytra have three longitudinal stripes, of

which the outer one is curved in the shape of an S. ‘The species seems to be a very

rare one.

30. Calligrapha euplecta. (Tab. XI. fig. 5.)

Calligrapha euplecta, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 462; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 281".

Hab. Mexico (Baly); Guatemata1, Duefias (Champion).

In this species the antenne and legs are rufous. ‘The elytra have three spots placed

at the lateral margin—one before, the second at, and the third behind the middle; the

shoulder-spot is connected with the suture before the middle, and includes a spot near

the scutellum ; in the type, which is figured, the spots are much more confluent, forming

almost transverse dentate bands, while in the other specimens from Guatemala they are

smaller and free. The principal characters of distinction in the present species are the

three marginal spots and the red legs and antenne. I have not seen any specimens in

either M. Sallé’s or Herr Hége’s collection, and but few from Guatemala.

81. Calligrapha sylvia. (Tab. XI. fig. 7.)

Calligrapha sylvia, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 462; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 273°

Hab. Mxxico!, Cosamaloapam (Sa//é).

The underside, thorax, and legs of this species are piceous or dark brown, as well as

the elytral design: of this the shoulder-spot is not divided at the apex, but ends in a

point, near which a small round spot is placed ; the sutural stripe has two blunt teeth,

one near the base and one before the middle; behind the latter it is connected with a

large round spot directed backwards ; of other spots there are but two or three, with

traces sometimes of several minute spots, all parallel with the lateral margin, which is

entirely wnspotted.. I have seen but two specimens—the type (which is figured) and

one in the collection of M. Salleé.

32. Calligrapha matronalis. (Tab. XI. fig. 17.)

Calligrapha matronalis, Erichs. Arch. f. Naturg. 1847, p. 158°; Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer.

p. 266’.

Hab. Panama (Ridde)—Bouivia?; Peru!”

The spots of the elytra are of comparatively large size and very near together, the

oblique curved shoulder-spot, a transverse one near the suture at the middle, and a

triangular one below it being the largest; near each lateral margin two small spots are

placed anteriorly, at the sides of which another one forms with them a triangle. The

specimen figured is one of two obtained by Herr Ribbe.

208 PHYTOPHAGA.

33. Calligrapha dislocata.

Chrysomela dislocata, Rogers, Proc. Acad. Philad. 1856, p. 82', t. 1. £. 4; Suffrian, Stett. ent.

Zeit. 1858, p. 258°; Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 264°.

Calligrapha circumflexa, Sturm, Cat. 1843 *.

Hab. Norva America, Texas! 2,—Mexico 34, Puebla (Sailé).

Suffrian has given a more lengthened description of this species than Rogers, likewise

St8l. All the specimens which I have for comparison have the outer curved stripe

connected with the shoulder-spot. Specimens in which the latter is separated, as

figured by Rogers, I have not seen.

34. Calligrapha violaceo-maculata. (Tab. XIV. fig. 22.)

Calligrapha violaceo-maculata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 147.

Hab. Costa Rica (coll. Jacoby).

Of this handsome species a single specimen is contained in my collection. The elytral

markings, as will be seen, are unlike those of any other species of Calligrapha in regard

to the absence of small spots and the violaceous colour of the markings; the thorax is

of a dark metallic green, the antenne and legs being fulvous. The species must be a

very rare one, as I have not seen any other specimen from Central America.

35. Calligrapha elegantula. (Tab. XIV. fig. 18.)

Calligrapha elegantula, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1877, p. 519.

Hab. Costa Rica (van Patten), Cache, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

Numerous specimens of the present insect have been received from Costa Rica only.

It may be separated from its allies by the uninterrupted sutural band, which has no

spots or stripes attached to it, while a short vitta runs parallel with it from before to

below the middle, and ends in a knob, another spot being placed below the base at

its anterior part; this vitta is always free, and never attached to the suture; the lateral

margins of the elytra are entirely without spots.

36. Calligrapha bajula.

Calligrapha bajula, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 461; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 269°.

Hab. Guatemaa}.

St&l compares this species to C. serpentina, but says that it is smaller and devoid

of the elytral sutural vitta. I have not seen any such species in either M. Sallé’s or

Mr. Baly’s collection, nor has the insect been met with by Mr. Champion.

ZYGOGRAMMA. 209

ZYGOGRAMMA.

Zygogramma, Chevrolat in d’Orbigny’s Dict. Hist. Nat. iii. 1843, p. 656.

This genus can only be considered a modified form of Calligrapha, which it

resembles exactly in its principal structural characters, as well as in the peculiar

arrangement of the elytral markings and the sculpture connected therewith. We meet,

however, here with forms which are strangers in the latter genus in regard to the

elytral designs, some species of Zygogramma exhibiting alternate stripes of dark and

light colour of regular parallel shape, which are not found amongst those of the preceding

genus, where a system of spots prevails. "Where this latter occurs in the present

- genus, the claws united at the base to a greater or less degree will at once decide

the proper place for the species, those belonging to Calligrapha having in all instances

the claws widely and distinctly separated. Zygogramma extends throughout the entire

American continent, Central America furnishing twenty-nine species. I cannot agree

with Chapuis as to the position he has assigned to his Zygogramma zetterstedti, which

has been, I think, rightly placed by St&l in the genus Leptinotarsa.

1. Zygogramma nicaraguensis. (Tab. XI. fig. 21.)

Greenish eeneous below; antenne and legs obscure rufous ; elytra obscure testaceous, the suture split into two

branches anteriorly, a stripe at the shoulder connected with the second branch, a spot near the scutellum,

three others at the lateral margin, one below the other, seven spots below the middle, and a V-shaped

mark near the apex obscure greenish eneous; claws united at the base.

Length 43 lines.

Head finely punctured, flat, with a central finely impressed line; labrum and antenne rufous, the last five

joints of the latter widened, nearly as broad as long, opaque, the basal joints shining. Thorax transverse,

of nearly equal width, the sides rather deflexed and slightly rounded ; anterior angles acute, but scarcely

produced ; surface with a shallow fovea at each side below the anterior margin, finely and remotely punc-

tured on the disk, the sides strongly punctate. Elytra elongate, moderately convex, of an obscure testaceous

colour, with the darker marks also obscure, brownish or greenish geneous ; of these, three are placed at the

lateral margin, one before, one at, and the third below the middle, all of them of rather elongate shape ;

the stripe at the shoulder is of an elongate shape, extending to about one third the length of the elytra,

and is divided posteriorly into two parts or branches, the inner one joining the sutural band at the side of

its second division or branch; between this latter and the base a round spot is placed (in the figure this

spot ought to have been isolated); three other spots of unequal shape are attached to the sutural band

below the middle, the last of which forms a U-shaped mark near the apex; the rest of the disk near the

sides is further occupied by two or three hook-like marks of irregular shape, for the most part attached to

each other at one point or other.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson).

This species, of which I have two specimens before me, has the usual markings of a

species of Calligrapha, from which I must separate it on account of the structure of

the claws, which are united at their base; the ground-colour of the elytra is greatly

reduced in extent on account of the size and number of dark spots and stripes ; the three

narrow elongate spots at the lateral margin will separate it from somewhat similarly

coloured species of Calligrapha, although I do not know of any species with which to

compare it, the nearest approach to it being, perhaps, C. intermedia.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1882. Qe

210 , PHYTOPHAGA.

2. Zygogramma quenseli. (Tab. X. fig. 24.)

Calligrapha quenseli, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 462*; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 280’.

Hab. Mexico !2, Cordova, Santecomapan (Sailé).

On account of the claws in the present insect being united at their base, I have placed

it in Zygogramma. The ground-colour of the elytra is dark testaceous; the oblique

_ shoulder-spot has a short stripe attached to it near the suture; of the eleven or twelve

spots which occupy the rest of the disk, one is placed in the centre of the lateral

margin, preceded by another at the side of the shoulder-stripe; three or four larger

spots in a semicircular position are placed below the middle, and four smaller ones in

a square at the apex. A variety from Santecomapan has the entire head rufous, and

the spots or stripes near the shoulder all confluent and attached to the suture, which is

also the case with the spot below the middle. On the whole, there is some slight difference

in the position of the spots in this specimen ; but I believe that I am right in considering

it a variety only.

8. Zygogramma piceicollis. (Tab. XI. figg. 23, 24, 25.)

Calligrapha piceicollis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 322; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 253”.

Calligrapha aggregata, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 461; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 252°.

Hab. Mexico}, Oaxaca, Las Vigas (Hoge), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Coscoma-

tepec, Orizaba, Cuernavaca, Capulalpam, Yolos (Sallé), San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer);

GuaTeMaLa, Volcan de Agua, Capetillo, Duefias, San Gerénimo (Champion); Costa Rica

(van Patten).

The numerous specimens which are before me, as well as the insect named by Stal

C. aggregata, in Mr. Baly’s collection, prove to me that the species is a very variable

one, not only in regard to the elytral designs, but to its general shape; and I cannot

admit Stal’s C. aggregata as more than a variety of the present species in which the

spots are broader and more confluent. Between this form and the true Z. piceicollis

I have many intermediate specimens, which may represent other species. Normally

marked specimens of Z. piceicollis (principally from Mexico) are of rather narrow and

elongate shape, the elytral spots being thin, and the one below the middle near the

suture representing a strong curve or hook; other specimens are much shorter and

more convex, the spots thicker, and the curved one broken up into two, while in Stal’s

C. aggregata they attain their maximum size and are partly confluent. Of each of these

forms a specimen is figured. The general colour of the insect varies from dark fulvous

to greenish eneous, the elytra being testaceous or obscure fulvous.

4. Zygogramma signatipennis. (Calligrapha signatipennis, Tab. XIV. fig. 24.)

Callgrapha sygnatipennis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 321; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 252.

Calligrapna hieroglyphica, Klug, De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 422. .

ZYGOGRAMMA. 211

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége), Coscomatepec, Cordova, Orizaba, Guanajuato, Jalapa,

Yolos (Sallé), San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer); Brimish Honpuras, river Sarstoon

(Blancaneaux); Guaremata, San Gerénimo, Capetillo (Champion); Costa Rica (van

Patten).

This is apparently a most common species in Guatemala, whence it has been

received in great numbers, plenty of specimens having been also obtained by Herr Hoge ©

in Mexico. Although closely allied to Z. piceicollis, it may be at once distinguished

from that species by the elongate and oblique shoulder-stripe, which is always connected

with the sutural band near the middle; the colour of the body and thorax, as well as

that of the elytral marks, is also constantly greenish black, and never fulvous or piceous

as in Z. piceicollis. ‘The species, on the whole, does not seem to be subject to variation

in regard to the elytral spots, as, amongst more than a hundred specimens which I have

before me, only one shows a greater extension of the dark marks than the rest.

5. Zygogramma malve. (Tab. XII. tig. 2.)

Calligrapha malve, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 322; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 2551.

Calligrapha signifera, Sturm, Cat. 18438, p. 288°.

Hab. Mexico+?, Guanajuato (Dugeés, coll. Sallé), Ventanas (Forrer).

This species seems to be confined to Mexico. The elytra have the parts near the

sides unicolorous; a curved longitudinal vitta, thickened at the middle, and having a

hook-like appendage at its end, extends from the shoulder to a short distance from the

apex; it is connected with another short streak at the shoulder; an oval spot is placed

near the scutellum, and three smaller ones posteriorly near the lateral margin. The

colour of the body, legs, and thorax is greenish.

6. Zygogramma dulcis. (Tab. XII. fig. 1.)

Calligrapha dulcis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 8322; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 251".

Calligrapha lepida, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 288°.

Hab. Mexico1?, Juquila, Oaxaca, Cerro de Plumas (Hoge), Playa Vicente (Sallé),

Milpas, 5900 feet (forrer). |

Stal compares this species to Z. signatipennis in regard to shape; all the specimens

which I have for examination, however, are shorter and more convex than in the latter

species; the thorax and legs are more or less fulvous, with a slight greenish gloss. As

in Z. signatipennis, there is an oblique band extending from the shoulder to the middle

of the suture; below this band, and parallel with it, three spots are placed, and two

others near the apex; these spots are sometimes more or less confluent; a narrow dark

line is situated at the lateral margin from before the middle to the apex; in this

character the species agrees with several others. A large specimen of this species,

named Calligrapha tritona, and marked “ type Stal,” is contained in Mr. Baly’s collection.

2e2

212 PHYTOPHAGA.

Iam unable to find any such name amongst the species Stal has described, and must

attribute the statement on the label of the specimen to an error.

7. Zygogramma mexicana. (Tab. XII. fig.7.)

Obscure piceous or seneous; the last five joints of the antenne black ; elytra testaceous, the suture, an elongate

shoulder-spot extending to the former, two spots near the scutellum, another below the middle near the

suture, and twelve or fifteen smaller ones placed in irregular rows from the middle to the apex of each

elytron obscure geneous or piceous.

Var. Head and thorax dark greenish eneous; elytra with the shoulder-spot shorter and not extending to the

suture ; the spots below the middle less numerous.

Length 22-32 lines.

Head very finely punctured ; antenn with the last five joints thickened and transversely shaped. Sides of the

thorax much rounded anteriorly, the anterior angles produced, surface. finely and closely punctured at the

middle, the sides strongly punctate; scutellum rather elongate, triangular. Elytra with two rows of

punctures near the suture, limiting the dark band placed there; this latter protrudes in a thin branch at

each side of the suture to nearly the base, and is slightly widened near the apex; three spots of

irregular shape, but larger than the rest, are placed near it, one before, one at, and the third below

the middle; the second of these spots is either connected with the elongate shoulder-spot or is free; a

small spot, sometimes attached to the first sutural one, is also placed near the scutellum; the rest of the

disk of each clytron is occupied by two or three very irregular rows of small spots, from ten to sixteen in

number; the lateral margin is entirely without spots, but has an impressed dark line running parallel

with it; elytral epipleure, as well as the underside and the legs, obscure eeneous or dark fulvous with a

metallic gloss.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas, 2000 feet (Forrer).

Four specimens of the present species, which is closely allied to Z. picetcollis, are

before me; it differs from the latter in the greater number of spots, which are placed

in semiregular rows below the middle of the elytra; in the place of the band which

accompanies the extreme lateral margin from the middle to the apex in Z. piceicollis,

a dark impressed line runs near the lateral margin. The thorax in the present species,

also, is much more transverse and greatly rounded anteriorly, which is not the case

in the allied insect. In the present one the shoulder-spot is often divided into two,

but in one instance these spots are not the same on both elytra; the dark line parallel

with the lateral margin, however, is present in all specimens.

8. Zygogramma lemur. (Tab. XII. figg. 8, 9.)

Calligrapha lemur, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 460; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 246°.

Hab. Mexico !, Juquila (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hage).

Of this species a specimen named by Stal, from the collection of Mr. Baly, and

several others from Mexico are before me. The insect seems to be subject to consi-

derable variation, as several specimens from Mexico, collected by Herr Hoge, show:

these are of an obscure piceous colour, as well as the elytral markings, the latter being

very dark greenish in the type. In its elytral designs the species is very closely allied

to Z. piceicollis, especially some of its varieties; but on comparing the two forms

it will be seen that the sutural band in Z. piceicollis is of equal width, and extends very

ZYGOGRAMMA. 213

nearly to the base of the elytra; in the present insect this band is distinctly widened at

a little distance below the base, while the rest of the disk below the middle is occupied

by numerous small spots, which are sometimes more or less confluent. In general

shape the species is larger, more convex, and broader ; and the thorax is transverse, and

as wide as the base of the elytra, which is not the case in Z. piceicollis. I may further

add that in Z. lemur there are two (and often three) confluent spots at the shoulder,

generally connected with the suture at the base.

9. Zygogramma opifera. (Tab. XII. figg. 10, 11.)

Calligrapha opifera, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 460; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 246°.

Hab. Mexico}, Puebla, Tepanistlahuca (Salié).

Both typical specimens, from Mr. Baly’s and Deyrolle’s collection, I have for

examination, as well as two specimens from Puebla. The most characteristic design of

the elytra is a broad longitudinal curved band from the: shoulder to the middle, which

is either so wide as to occupy nearly the entire anterior portion (with the exception of

the sides, which are always spotless but have a narrow stripe from the middle to the

apex at the extreme lateral margin), or is very narrow, but of the same shape, and

frequently connected with the broad sutural band before and behind the middle. In

some specimens this band predominates to such an extent as to leave only three small

testaceous spots parallel with the suture—one at the base, the second before, and the

third behind the middle. Between this variety and the one in which the vitta is

narrow there are intermediate degrees; but two minute spots near the side, one at the .

middle, the other near the apex, seem to be constantly present.

10. Zygogramma bigenera. (Tab. XI. fig. 22.)

Calligrapha bigenera, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p..822; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 254°.

Hab. Muxico!, Toxpam, Cordova, Playa Vicente, Orizaba (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge) ;

GuatemaLa, Chacoj, Panima, Tamahu, Teleman, Purula (Champion); Nicaragua, Chon-

tales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica, Cache (Logers). |

This species seems to have less propensity to vary than many others, the numerous ~

specimens which are before me from the above localities scarcely varying in their elytral

designs. The insect is of short and convex form, with almost white or slightly yellowish-

white elytra, with the dark markings brownish or greenish zneous; the sutural band is

always connected before the middle with the shoulder-stripe by a thin branch which

joins the latter, and below which four spots are generally placed parallel and at some

distance from the lateral margin (the second of which is the largest, the others being

- very small); there is also in nearly all specimens a more or less distinct spot at the

middle of the last punctured stria near the lateral margin. Thorax and legs are often

obscure rufous or piceous. A specimen from Nicaragua is figured.

214 PHYTOPHAGA.

11. Zygogramma popa. (Tab. XII. fig. 13.)

Calligrapha popa, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 461; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 248°.

Hab. Mextco!, La Parada (Boucard, coll. Sallé); Guatemata1, Capetillo, Duefas

(Champion); Costa Rica ?.

As usual, this species varies in the colour of its body and elytral markings from

piceous to greenish eneous. The elytra have the portion from the middle to the apex

crowded with small spots, which do not extend, however, to the lateral margin; one or

two larger spots are placed close to the scutellum, and an oblique, short, longitudinal

band at the shoulder. I have, however, a single specimen from La Parada before me,

in which this band is also divided into numerous spots, in which respect it resembles

the following species, from which it may be distinguished by its usually more elongate

shape and the unspotted lateral margin. A specimen from the collection of Sturm

bears the label C. multipunctata.

12. Zygogramma guttulosa. (Tab. XII. fig. 12.)

Calligrapha guttulosa, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 822; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 249°.

Hab. Guatemata 1, San Gerénimo, Duefias, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Costa Rica '.

This is a species of a more convex shape and shorter than the preceding one, which

it much resembles in the numerous small elytral spots which crowd the whole surface, and

which, unlike those of Z. popa, extend close to the lateral margin; the short band at the

shoulder is always absent in the present species. I have seen but six specimens, from

Guatemala. Stal says that the suture of the elytra is testaceous; I find this is so in all

the specimens before me, including a type from Mr. Baly’s collection, the suture being

of exactly the same colour as the spots. |

13. Zygogramma lentiginosa. (Tab. XII. figg. 14, 15.)

Calligrapha lentiginosa, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 461; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 249°.

Hab. Mexico, San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer), Oaxaca 1, Yolotepec (Sallé).

Although, again, closely allied to the two preceding species, the present one may be

separated by the purplish or eneous colour of its body and of the elytral spots, the

latter of which are also larger and much less numerous. Several specimens from the

collection of M. Sallé and Mr. Baly are distinguished by having a broad dark fulvous

band from the base to the apex, occupying the disk of each elytron, of which Stal

makes no mention; but in other respects there is not much difference from the other

forms, although the number of spots varies greatly as well as their shape. A specimen

collected by Dr. Palmer, and one from M. Sallé’s collection, are figured.

The species is not the C. clathrata of Sturm, as given in Gemminger’s catalogue.

ZYGOGRAMMA. 215

14. Zygogramma quinquevirgata. (Tab. XII. fig. 21.)

Calligrapha quinquevirgata, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 326; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 245 *.

Hab. Mexico 1.

The type, formerly in the collection of Deyrolle, and which is figured, is of a dark blue

colour; the elytra are testaceous, and have, besides the sutural band, two others of very

regular shape and joined at their apex, placed on the disk of each elytron; of these

bands the inner one is the widest, both are crowded with deeply impressed punctures ;

the lateral margin, as well as the epipleure, is blue also, the former having another

narrow band running close to its edge from the middle to the apex. I have seen no

other specimen but the type, now in the collection of Mr. Baly.

15. Zygogramma eneo-vittata. (Tab. XII. fig. 3.)

Calligrapha eneo-vittata, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 825; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 245°.

Hab. Mexico !, Puebla, Panistlahuca (Sallé), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

Of this species I have Stal’s type, formerly in the collection of Deyrolle, for exami-

nation; it agrees with a number of specimens from the above localities; the elytra,

however, can scarcely be called three-banded, as described by Stal. In all the specimens,

as well as in the type, there is only a narrow band placed near the suture and connected

at its apex with a broad band near the lateral margin; this latter band is often notched

at the middle, or interrupted partly by the ground-colour, as described by Stal; but in

many specimens this is not the case, and the band is entire; none of these bands

extend quite to the base of the elytra. Like many other species, the colour of the

body and thorax varies from dark fulvous to greenish black. C. /et¢a, Sturm, refers to

another species, and is not synonymic with the present one, as stated in Gemminger’s

catalogue.

16. Zygogramma conjuncta.

Chrysomela conjuncta, Rogers, Proc. Ac. Phil. viii. 1856, p. 34°, t.1. fig. 9; Lec. Trans. Amer.

Ent. Soe. ii. 1867, p. 57’.

Chrysomela, var. pallida, Bland, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. 1864, p. 71°.

Chrysomela, var. stolata, Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 271*; Stal, Mon. Chrys. Amer. p. 255°.

Calligrapha amena, Sturm, Cat. 1848, p. 288°.

_ Hab. Norta America !?°,—MeExico 45%, Puebla (Sadie).

Allied to Z. malve, but at once to be distinguished by the testaceous thorax, which

has a large triangular greenish-black or obscure dark ferruginous spot occupying the

entire base and extending in a point to the anterior margin. Suffrian and Stal have

described a variety, in which the first of the two longitudinal bands, which are joined

posteriorly, is broken up into two or three spots, under the name of Z. stolata. The

species often varies in this respect: the above-mentioned vitta is either entire or inter-

216 PHYTOPHAGA.

rupted. The underside and legs also vary from piceous or fulvous (immature ) to

greenish black. A specimen in the collection of M. Sallé, and labelled by Sturm

C. amana, proves his C. amena to belong to the present species, and not to Z. guitati-

collis, as given in Gemminger’s catalogue.

17. Zygogramma amanda.

Calligrapha amanda, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 822; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 251".

Hab. Mexico}.

I have not seen any species agreeing with the author’s description, who compares the

type to Z. lepidula, although the latter has no elytral stripes, except the sutural one,

the present species being described as having three on each elytron, in which it would

agree with Z. stali, Jac. The direction of the stripes in the latter species, and the

want of any spots, will prevent it being mistaken for Stal’s species.

18. Zygogramma guttaticollis.

Calligrapha guttaticollis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 322; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 249".

Hab. Mexico}.

As already mentioned before, C. amena, Sturm, is not a synonym of this species, with

which I am not acquainted, but refers to Z. conjuncta, Rogers.

19. Zygogramma lepidula. (Tab. XII. fig. 16.)

Calligrapha lepidula, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 322; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 249°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca 1, Cordova (Sallé), Playa Vicente (Hoge).

In this species the small elytral spots are placed parallel with the sutural and lateral

margins, leaving the disk of the ground-colour; but often a number of small spots occupy

the apex, and those near the lateral margin are confluent and form a longitudinal

narrow band of variable length. The species is of a rather elongate shape.

20. Zygogramma morbillosa. (Tab. XII. fig. 17.)

Calligrapha morbillosa, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 461; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 250°.

. Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca}, Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

Specimens of this species, named by Stal, are contained in Mr. Baly’s collection, a

few others in that of M. Sallé. The description given by the author is rather unsatis-

factory, inasmuch as he says nothing about the position or number of the elytral spots,

so that it is almost impossible to recognize the species without the type. ‘The insect is

of a very convex shape, with the elytra of a more or less metallic golden hue, the latter

colour occupying, however, but little of the disk, on account of the large-sized subcon-

fluent spots. Of these a large round one is situated near the scutellum, and often

ZYGOGRAMMA, 217

confluent with the very irregularly shaped sutural band; another somewhat curved and

elongate broad spot is placed at the shoulder; below this latter several broad spots,

placed transversely, and often confluent in an irregular way, extend to the suture, the

outer one being generally connected with a short elongate streak near the lateral

margin ; near the apex, or rather at the posterior portion of the elytra, two to eight

spots are to be seen, of such variable outlines that it is impossible to fix their shape,

and differing in every specimen; the interspaces between them ‘are very narrow in all

of them, producing the effect of waved golden lines. The species seems to be

_ confined to Mexico only.

21. Zygogramma clathrata. (Tab. XII. figg. 18, 19.)

Calligrapha clathrata, Sturm, Catal. 1843, p. 288.

Obscure piceous below; elytra testaceous, the suture, a longitudinal broad band irregularly sinuate at the

sides, from the base to the apex, and several small spots at each side of the band black; lateral margins

unspotted.

Var. The lateral margin of the thorax testaceous.

Length 23-37 lines.

Head finely punctured ; labrum, palpi, and the base of the antennx obscure fulvous, the terminal joints of the

latter transverse, gradually thickened, not longer than broad. Thorax transverse, the sides somewhat

thickened, straight at the base, but gradually rounded near the apex; surface finely, sides strongly

punctured. LElytra parallel, irregularly punctured on the disk, with two rows of punctures near the suture,

the latter piceous or black, the sides irregularly dentate or sinuate, but widened near the base and apex ;

the disk of each elytron is occupied by a broad longitudinal band from base to apex, generally narrowed

towards the middle and very irregularly sinuate at each side; between this band and the lateral margin

several small spots are placed, the former itself being, however, unspotted, but having a row of piceous

punctures running parallel to it; elytral epipleure piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge, Salié).

A single specimen in M. Sallé’s collection, and formerly in Sturm’s, bears the

latter author’s label “ Calligrapha clathrata,” which specific name I have adopted.

The specimen labelled by Sturm differs from those obtained by Herr Hoge in having

numerous small spots placed between the band of the elytra and their sutural and

lateral margins; but specimens of intermediate degrees, with but very few spots, are

before me from Oaxaca, showing the species, like most others of the genus, to vary

greatly in its elytral design; there is, however, always a narrow space visible of the

ground-colour between the band and the suture, although in one specimen the latter is

connected with this band in several places. The species bears some resemblance to

Z. opifera, but may be at once distinguished by the want of the piceous stripe at the

extreme lateral margin; the latter in the present species is accompanied, however, by

a row of punctures more or less distinctly piceous. The specimen from the collection

of Sturm is figured, as well as a variety from Oaxaca.

22, Zygogramma stali. (Tab. XII. fig. 4.)

Zygogramma leta, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 288.

Dark eneous or purplish; palpi and three basal joints of the antenne fulvous ; thorax finely punctured, the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1882. Of

218 PHYTOPHAGA.

sides subfoveolate punctate; elytra with four testaceous longitudinal vitte, the first and fourth joined at

the apex, the two middle ones abbreviated.

Length 3-3 lines. |

Head finely and rather closely punctured; antenne piceous, the basal joints more or less fulvous. Thorax

slightly widened from the base to the apex, the sides nearly straight, and rounded ouly near the anterior

angles, the latter somewhat thickened and obtuse; surface remotely covered with fine punctures, the sides

with some very deeply impressed punctures ; scutellum smooth, greenish. Elytra with two rows of punc-

tures near the suture, rest of the surface irregularly but strongly punctured, obscure dark neous or

piceous, each elytron with four testaceous stripes, the first sutural one joined at its apex to the lateral

stripe, the second one extending from the base to two thirds the length of the elytra, the third one from

- pefore the middle to some distance from the apex; the epipleure and a narrow stripe from the middle to

the apex at the lateral margin of the ground-colour. Underside and legs metallic greenish black ; tarsi

piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

I cannot consider the present species a variety of Z. wneo-vittata, which it much

resembles ; in the latter the elytra have three testaceous bands only, which is also the

case in Z. guinquevittata, while there are four bands on each elytron in the present insect ;

of these the first two near the suture are rather curved, the other two running more

parallel with the lateral margin. If the yellow is taken as the ground-colour, the

elytra have each three dark bands, all of which are joined at the apex, but not at the

base, where only the two outer ones unite; the punctuation also is different, the dark

bands in Z. eneo-vittata being limited at each side by a row of regular punctures, the

latter being much more irregularly placed, and extending across the bands themselves

in Z. stdli. Three specimens are before me, which do not show any difference, except

in size; one of them is labelled by Sturm Z. leta.

23. Zygogramma championi. (Tab. XII. fig. 6.)

Zygogramma championi, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 781°.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion ').

Of this very distinct species (which cannot be confounded with any other, on account

of the uniformly coloured dark «neous elytra margined with yellow) seventeen speci-

mens were received from the above locality. While most of the specimens are of the

colour described, some show a very small testaceous spot at the middle of the base

of the elytra, almost as an indication of a stripe so frequent in this genus. Elytra and

thorax are rather strongly and irregularly punctured, the latter, as usual, more finely on

the disk than at the sides.

24. Zygogramma ornata. (Tab. XII. figg. 22, 23.)

Obscure cupreous below; antenne and tarsi fulvous; thorax dark cupreous ; elytra yellowish white, their

epipleure, a sutural band, and a sinuate broad longitudinal stripe from base to below the middle

cupreous.

Var. Elytra cupreous, the lateral margin narrowly, five small spots near the suture, and another at the sides

yellowish.

Length 3-3} lines.

ZYGOGRAMMA. 219

Head closely and finely punctured ; labrum fulvous; antenne extending considerably beyond the base of the

thorax, fulvous, the basal joints lighter, the last five joints gradually increasing in thickness, terminal

joint longer than broad; sides of the thorax rather prominently widened anteriorly and much rounded

there, the anterior angles moderately acute and produced, surface rather closely covered with fine punc-

tures, those at the sides more strongly impressed ; scutellum impunctate. lytra substriate punctate near

the suture, the rest irregularly punctured, yellowish white, with a sutural cupreous band narrowed |

behind and more or less distinctly dentate at each side below the middle; a longitudinal band of the

same colour commences at the base near the shoulder, directed towards the suture as far as the middle

from there in a more straight line towards the apex without reaching the latter, and much narrowed at

its extremity ; this band has the outer margin produced in a short tooth below the base, while the inner

one is dentate near the middle and apex; elytral epipleure, as well as the underside, metallic cupreous.

Legs dark fulvous or piceous, with a cupreous tint; tarsi lighter fulvous.

_ Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

This handsome species, of which sixteen specimens were obtained, seems allied in its

coloration to Z. championi, which latter may almost be regarded as a variety of the

present insect in which the dark cupreous colour so far predominates as to leave only

the lateral margin yellow. I possess, however, of both species sufficient material to

enable me to decide their specific value. In the present one the elytral band varies

also greatly in width, and is often attached to the sutural one at those places where in

normally coloured specimens it is dentate only. In the variety (which is also figured)

the dark colour has so far extended as to leave only the indications of the lighter

portions of the elytra in the shape of spots. In Z. championt the elytral margin is

always regularly shaped and never indented by the cupreous portion below the base,

as is constantly the case in Z. ornata.

25. Zygogramma hypocrita. (Tab. XII. fig. 20.)

Below, head, and thorax dark metallic green, antenne and legs fulvous; elytra testaceous, the suture, two.

subsutural narrow longitudinal stripes, the outer one abbreviated, an angular short band at the shoulder,

a spot at the middle of the lateral margin, and about eleven small spots at the outer half of the elytra

greenish or purplish.

Length 34-4 lines. |

Head finely punctured; antenne with the last five joints much thickened, the two terminal ones longer than

broad. Thorax of nearly equal width, the sides straight near the base, slightly rounded near the apex, the

anterior angles acute, but scarcely produced ; disk finely and rather sparingly punctured, sides more closely

‘and strongly punctate, with an obsolete shallow fovea at each side ; scutellum impunctate. Elytra convex,

testaceous, a narrow sutural band slightly widened towards the base, and accompanied by a narrow stripe

commencing directly below the base, and extending nearly to the apex, as well as another one of half the

size of the second, and situated closely to it, but of rather curved shape, metallic green; near the

shoulder a narrow angular stripe, and pointing inwards, extends to nearly the middle of the elytra; close

to this stripe and parallel with the lateral margin six spots are placed, the former having another elongate

spot in the middle at its extreme edge; at the posterior portion of the elytra four spots are situated and

run parallel with those at the lateral margin from the middle to the apex; another spot is seen within

the extremity of the outer curved stripe; epipleure metallic green.

Hab. Guarema.a, Sabo (Champion).

This species, of which but two specimens were obtained, bears a curious resemblance

2f2

220 PHYTOPHAGA.

in its elytral pattern to Calligrapha dislocata, from which the claws united at their base,

as well as the red legs and attennze, at once separate it. Although the marking is very

similar, the present insect has in addition the median marginal spot as well as the

shoulder-stripe, both of which are absent in the other insect. In regard to the punc-

tuation of the elytra, all the dark marks and stripes are regularly limited by rows of

punctures, as is the case particularly with species of the preceding genus.

26. Zygogramma gracilis.

Below obscure greenish piceous; basal joints of the antenne and the legs dark fulvous ; thorax dark fulvous,

rugose-punctate ; elytra light testaceous, closely and strongly punctate, the suture fulvous; a narrow

marginal and sutural line, two others at the disk and joined at their apex, and a short streak near

the scutellum greenish seneous. |

Length 33 lines.

Head very closely punctured, dark fulvous, the base greenish eneous ; last five joints of the antenne thickened,

a little longer than broad. Thorax transverse, the anterior angles but little produced and obtuse, sides

slightly rounded, nearly straight at the base ; surface closely rugose-punctate at the sides, much more

finely and distantly punctured on the disk ; scutellum fulvous, triangular. Elytra not widened behind,

moderately convex, yellowish white, closely covered (especially near the sides) with irregularly distributed

piceous punctures; the suture narrowly fulvous; close to and parallel with it runs a narrow greenish line

from below the base to a little distance from the apex, at which place a short greenish stripe is attached

to the sutural margin; close to the subsutural line a small thin streak is placed obliquely from the base to

the first third of the elytra followed by two other equally thin lines, which run parallel with each other,

and join at a little distance from the apex ; their first or anterior half runs obliquely towards the suture ;

from there they follow a straight direction; a fifth line, joined at the base to the preceding one, runs at

some distance and parallel with the lateral margin, the extreme edgo of this latter being also of a dark

green metallic colour; elytral epipleure testaceous at the anterior half, the rest piceous. Underside

metallic greenish, with the abdominal segments more or less fulvous or piceous. Legs fulvous, the femora

stained with greenish eneous; claws joined at their base.

Hab. Mexico, Yolos (Saldé).

In the punctuation, and pattern of the elytra, this species is quite distinct from

any other in this genus. Only a single specimen is before me.

27. Zygogramma novemvirgata. (Tab. XII. fig. 5.)

Zygogramma novem-virgata, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 319; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 242°. .

Hab. Mexico (Sturm, coll. Sallé).— Amazons (coll. Jacoby, Baly); Boutvta;-

Braziul.

The only specimen from the collection of M. Sallé, which I have before me, and

which is figured, agrees so closely with Stal’s type, which I have also for examination,

as well as with several specimens from the Amazons region in my collection, that I

must consider them all to represent one species. Stal himself has described six

varieties, showing the species to be a very variable one ; his type, from the collection

of Deyrolle, is larger than the other specimens before me, and differs from the Mexican

and other forms in having a greenish-blue thorax instead of a fulvous one, which is the

colour of the Mexican specimen; but even here the lateral margins of the thorax are

ZYGOGRAMMA.—STILODES. 221

testaceous, as well as the elytral epipleure anteriorly, the posterior portion of which, as

well as the extreme lateral margin of the elytra, is piceous. There are four narrow

longitudinal bands on each elytron, the outer three of which unite at the apex; the

space between the first and second band is slightly wider than those between the others.

The species seems to extend as far south as Brazil.

28. Zygogramma magica.

Calligrapha magica, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 322; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 247.

Hab. Mexico.

According to the author’s description, this species must be closely allied to Z. dulcis.

The type, with which I am not acquainted, is contained in the Berlin Museum.

29. Zygogramma disrupta.

Chrysomela disrupta, Rogers, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1856, p. 34, t, 1. f. 10; Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858,

p- 271°; Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 256°. .

Hab. Nortu America !23,—Mextico 3.

It is on the authority of St&l that Mexico is given as one of the countries inhabited

by the present species. I have never seen a specimen from that locality, and doubt

somewhat the correctness of Stal’s quotation.

STILODES.

Stilodes, Chevrolat in d’Orbigny’s Dict. Hist. Nat. iii. 1843, p. 656; Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat

Hist. ser. 3, iv. p. 58.

Deuterocampta, Erichs. Arch. f. Nat. 1847, p. 157.

Considerable confusion seems to prevail in regard to the genera Stilodes and Deute-

rocampta, which I do not see the necessity to separate, it being in fact impossible

to draw a strict line between the numerous species which have been described as

belonging to either genus by Stal, Baly, and other authors. The numerous types and

specimens which I have before me admit of no strict separation; and I think it best to

unite those from Central America, at least, under the older generic name of Stilodes.

Chapuis also remarks that Dewterocampta is but feebly characterized, but says that the

strong punctuation of the metasternal epipleure separates it from Stilodes. This is not

at all the case with many species, S. annuligera, Evichs., for example, showing very

strongly punctured epipleure, as well as many species at present placed in the same

genus. Deuterocampta, on the other hand, has all the other structural characters to be

tound in Stilodes, most of which, however, will be found to vary to a smaller or greater

degree, but, in my opinion, not sufficiently to separate those species hitherto placed in

the two genera in question.

222 PHYTOPHAGA.

_Stilodes has but few representatives in Central America; a great many species,

however, are known from the more southern parts.

1. Stilodes atromaculata. (Tab. XIII. fig. 8.)

Deuterocampta atro-maculata, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 314; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 177’.

Hab. Mexico 1, Playa Vicente, Misantla, Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas (Hoge), Cordova,

Santecomapan (Sallé); GuatEMaLa, Cahabon (Champion).

The only specimen obtained by Mr. Champion differs in the following particulars

from all the Mexican forms:—The thorax is more narrowed at the middle; and the

elytra have the two posterior spots united into a transverse band; the anterior spot is.

of a more regular shape and less sinuate than is usually the case. The specimen

from Playa Vicente is figured.

2. Stilodes flavicans. 7

Deuterocampta flavicans, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 456; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 181’.

Var. hepatica, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 456 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer, p. 181.

Hab. Mexico}, Playa Vicente (Hoge); Panama, Bugaba, 800-1500 feet (Champion).

Only a single specimen obtained by Herr Hoge and another by Mr. Champion seem

to prove this species to be rare, no specimens being contained in the collections of

Mr. Baly or M. Sallé. Stal’s description agrees perfectly with the specimens before me ;

from similarly coloured species the present one may be known by the remote and

rather fine punctuation of the thorax, and by the punctures of the elytra, which are

placed in regular rows near the sutural half, the other being very finely and irregularly

punctate; the portion near the lateral margin is entirely impunctate. In the colour of

the underside the Mexican specimen agrees with the description given by Stal; but the

insect from Panama differs in having underside and legs of a bluish-black colour, in

which respect it agrees with St&l’s D. hepatica, which the author himself believes

to be perhaps only a variety of the present species. ‘There are certainly no other

characters present, according to his description, to define it as a distinct species.

3. Stilodes modesta.

Black below; first five joints of the antenne testaceous ; head and thorax very closely punctured ; scutellum

black; elytra subregularly punctate-striate, the interstices partly finely punctured, dark fulvous.

Length 33-4 lines.

Head closely and finely punctured, with several obsolete depressions ; Jaws piceous ; antenne with the last five

joints transverse, as broad as long, black, the basal joints testaceous. Thorax of nearly equal width, the

sides very slightly rounded, the anterior angles scarcely produced and obsoletely rounded ; surface mode-

rately closely punctate on the disk, the punctures not much stronger than those on the head, the sides very

closely and a little more deeply punctate; scutellum black, impunctate, its sides rounded. Elytra convex,

the sides nearly parallel, but rounded towards the apex; each elytron with ten rows of moderately deeply

impressed punctures, the first sutural one very short, those near the sides somewhat irregular and often

disturbed by extra punctures, the fifth and following two rows approaching near the base, the eighth one

STILODES. 223

commencing below the humeral callus, and all the striz: meeting irregularly near the apex. Underside

and legs black, shining, the last abdominal segments margined obscurely with fulvous; metasternal

epipleurz coarsely punctured ; claws without teeth.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Paso Antonio (Champion).

From S. flavicans this species is easily distinguished by the regularly punctate-striate

elytra and the close punctuation of the thorax. SS. celebs may be separated by the

smaller size, lighter colour, and different punctuation of its elytra.

4. Stilodes celebs. (Tab. XII. fig. 25.)

Deuterocampta celebs, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 457; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 196’.

Hab. Mzxico ', Panistlahuca, Santecomapan, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, San Juan

in Vera Paz, Panzos, Pantaleon, Zapote (Champion).

This seems to be a species of variable colour and punctuation; and it is impossible to

say whether all the specimens contained in M. Sallé’s collection and those obtained

by Champion really represent one species only or not. Stal himself has described

several varieties in which the underside varies from testaceous to black. The punctua-

tion of the thorax seems, however, equally variable, as I have specimens distantly as

well as closely punctured before me, and intermediate degrees equally numerous. The

prevailing upper and under colour is a light yellowish brown; the punctured striz on

the elytra are still more regular than those of S. modesta, and the two outer ones

are closer than the rest. In other specimens the tarsi and knees are black as well as

the scutellum. The insect is of a more elongate and parallel shape than S. modesta,

in which the two outer strie on the elytra are equally distant with the rest, and the

upper surface of a dark fulvous colour.

5. Stilodes nigromarginata. (Tab. XIII. fig. 1.)

‘Ovate, convex, black below; above obscure testaceous; thorax closely punctured, margined with black ;

scutellum black ; elytra punctate-striate, the strie irregular, the suture narrowly black.

Var. Underside and part of the tibise obscure piceous (immature ?).

Length 34-4 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures, testaceous, as well as the jaws, the apex of the latter piceous; antennzx black,

the two or three basal joints testaceous, the terminal joints gradually thickened, slightly longer than

broad, and extending beyond the base of the thorax. Thorax transverse, as broad as the base of the

elytra, the anterior and posterior margins slightly produced in the middle ; lateral margin rather regularly

rounded, the anterior angles distinctly produced but not very pointed ; surface closely covered with strong

punctures, less crowded on the disk than on the sides, and a row of deeper punctures situated at each side

of the posterior margin; the latter as well as the anterior one very narrowly black. Scutellum of the

same colour. Elytra convex, testaceous, the disk more or less stained with obscure piceous, each elytron

with ten rows of very distinct punctures, the first one very short, the others often waved and irregular,

and disturbed by extra punctures; of these rows the second and third and the fourth and fifth unite

at the base; the punctures near the apex are finer, and ends of the strie all meet at that place. Elytral

epipleure testaceous. Underside and legs black ; claw-joint unarmed; metasternal epipleure rugose-

punctate.

Hab. Mextco, Jalapa (Hége).

224 PHYTOPHAGA.

Distinguished from 8. celebs by the black underside and margins of the thorax, as

well as by the less regularly punctured elytral striz. Three specimens were obtained.

6. Stilodes nigricollis, (Tab. XIII. fig. 2.)

Oblong-ovate, black; thorax remotely punctured; elytra dark fulvous, finely punctate-striate, the sides

irregularly punctured.

Length 4 lines.

Head very minutely punctured, black, as well as the palpi and the antennx ; the latter short, the last five joints

transverse, distinctly broader than long; thorax of nearly equal width at the middle, the sides but slightly

rounded towards the apex, surface very irregularly and distantly punctured, the sides scarcely more closely

punctate than the disk; scutellum fulvous, impunctate ; elytra of the same colour, each elytron with seven

rows of fine but regular punctures, the first very short, those near the sides still finer and irregularly

placed; metasternum slightly raised, its sides rugose-punctate ; claws unarmed.

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

At once to be separated from the preceding species by the black thorax, head,

antenne, and underside. | .

7. Stilodes neptis. (Tab. XII. fig. 24.)

Deuterocampta neptis, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 459; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 340°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Playa Vicente (Sallé); GuatemaLa, Chacoj, Pantaleon, Paso Antonio,

San Isidro (Champion).

The elytra in this species are strongly marked with ring-shaped and elongate spots

at their interior or inner side in such a way as to reappear in a fainter degree on the

outside, and in some specimens scarcely visible. All these marks are distinctly circum-

scribed or limited by punctures, the longest being placed close to a thin subsutural

longitudinal stripe, the rest of the markings being of a more roundish shape. A well-

marked specimen from Pantaleon is figured.

8. Stilodes motschulskyi. (Tab. XIII. fig. 4.)

Stilodes motschulskyi, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 340%.

Hab. Centrat America!; Nicaraeua, Chontales (Janson, Belt).

This is a species of very convex and rounded shape, not difficult to recognize, on

account of the elytral design. As Stal gives the latter as obscure testaceous, the

ground-colour as flavo-testaceous, it must have been an immature specimen which

he had before him. All those which I have for examination have the elytral spots very

dark fulvous: their shape and position agree with Stal’s description; but in some

specimens the central spots form a dentate transverse band and unite with the sutural

spots; in others this band is broken up into two spots. The thorax in this species

is rather finely punctured, and the sides are almost smooth and impunctate.

STILODES. 995

9. Stilodes leoparda. (Tab. XIII. fig. 6.)

Fulvous below, as well as the thorax, the latter deeply punctate near the sides, disk finely punctured ; elytra

punctate-striate, testaceous, two sutural spots, a crescent-shaped mark below the base, three large spots

placed triangularly below the middle, and a small spot at the lateral margin below the base dark fulvous.

Length 34-4 lines.

_ Head extremely finely punctured; antenne very gradually widened at the terminal joints, the latter as broad

as long, somewhat triangularly shaped, entirely fulvous; thorax shaped like the preceding species, very

finely and rather sparingly punctured at the disk, deeply punctate near the lateral margin and the base ;

elytra regularly punctate-striate, testaceous, with a large fulvous spot placed across the suture at the

middle, and a smaller one near the apex, also common to both elytra, rest of the suture narrowly fulvous ;

an almost ring-shaped mark, but open at its anterior portion, is placed at the base, touching the latter

with its outer portion; opposite it a very small spot is situated close to the lateral margin, while three

large spots in a triangular position occupy the rest of the disk below the middle, the one nearest the apex

being of a more elongate shape than the others.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Distinguished from S. motschulskyt by the strong punctuation at the sides of the

thorax and by the spots of the elytra, which are of different shape and position.

10. Stilodes panamensis.

Fulvo-testaceous, convex; thorax remotely and finely punctured; elytra striate-punctate, testaceous, the

sutural and lateral margins, a broad hook-like mark from the base to nearly the middle, and a large round

spot below the latter obscure fulvous.

Length 37 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures ; antenne gradually thickened at the terminal joints, entirely fulvous; thorax

of the same shape as in the preceding species, finely and remotely punctured, not more strongly at the sides

than at the disk; elytra strongly striate-punctate, the first stria very short, the fifth and sixth closely

approached near the base, all the punctures much finer at the apex; sutural and lateral margins narrowly

fulvous; each elytron with an elongate spot at the base of nearly the same shape as in S. pardalina, but

larger and extending further downwards, fulvous, and another spot of the same colour of regularly rounded

shape below the middle. Claw-joint simple; metasternal epipleure rugose-punctate.

Hab. Panama (Boucard, coll. Jacoby).

The single specimen in my collection, although closely allied to S. leoparda, differs

so much in the pattern of its elytra and the punctuation of the thorax, that I have no

doubt about its specific distinction.

11. Stilodes stali. (Tab. XIII. fig. 5.)

Ovate, convex, light fulvous; thorax finely and evenly punctured; elytra testaceous, regularly punctate-

striate, each elytron with seven spots (3, 2, 2). ,

Length 3 lines.

Head entirely impunctate; antenne with the terminal joints gradually thickened, slightly longer than broad,

entirely light fulvous; thorax finely and rather closely punctured, not stronger on the sides than on

the disk; elytra rather strongly and very regularly punctate-striate, testaceous; the suture narrowly .

and seven spots on each elytron dark fulvous; of the latter, three of narrow and elongate shape are

placed transversely below the base, two large roundish spots at the middle and two others near the apex;

of these last, the outer spot is very elongate, of triangular shape, and runs parallel with the lateral

margin; underside fulvous; claws unarmed; metasternal epipleure rugose-punctate.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, 800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1883. 9 g

226 PHYTOPHAGA.

Closely allied to S. motschulsky? in regard to shape and colour, but at once separated

by the position of the spots and the want of those at the sutural margin; the thorax is

also much more closely punctured in the present insect. Four specimens were obtained.

12. Stilodes fuscolineata. (Tab. XIII. fig. 3.)

Chrysomela fuscolineata, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 340°.

Stilodes chapuisi, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1880, p. 169°.

Hab. Centrat Amurica!; Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt); Panama (Boucard), Bugaba,

800 to 1500 feet (Champion).

The description given by Stal of this species agrees very nearly with the specimens

from Nicaragua, which I considered at the time to be specifically distinct. Since then

more specimens have been received from Panama, which all differ from the Nicaraguan

insects in having the elytral stripes entire and not interrupted, but do not differ

materially in other respects. It is therefore highly probable that these are but local

varieties. The specimens described by me as Stilodes chapuist have the elytral punc-

tuation rather more irregular than Stal’s description demands, and were therefore

considered by me distinct ; but as they agree in other respects (principally in the inter-

rupted elytral stripes, as given by Stal), I think it as well not to make of it another

species. A Nicaraguan specimen is figured. 7

13. Stilodes pallidipennis. (Tab. XIII. fig. 7.)

Oblong, parallel, black; head with two yellow spots; thorax light yellow, with a W-shaped mark; elytra

obscure fuscous, each elytron with four longitudinal thin lines, more or less curved, and the lateral

margin light yellow.

Length 4 lines.

Head black, very minutely punctured, the base occupied by two large round yellow spots; last joint of the

maxillary palpi broadly transverse, larger than the preceding one, its apex truncate; antenne dilated and

thickened, from the sixth to the terminal joints black, the three basal ones fulvous below ; thorax scarcely

widened, transverse, the sides but little rounded towards the apex, surface nearly impunctate, with only

a few deep punctures near the sides; the yellow ground-colour interrupted on the disk by a W-shaped

black mark, the outer ends of which have another bidentate stripe attached to it, which runs parallel with

the lateral margin; scutellum yellow, margined with black ; elytra of an obscure light fuscous, each

elytron with four longitudinal very thin bands of alight yellow colour, but here and there spotted with

black; of these lines, one runs close and parallel with the suture from base to apex, the second parallel

with the first, but abbreviated near the apex, the third is of the same length, but curved inwards at the

middle of the disk, the fourth interrupted posteriorly, but also curved parallel with the preceding one; all

these lines have their interior more or less marked with black, and are limited at each side with very

distinctly impressed punctures, the interstices of the elytra being closely and rather finely punctate; the

lateral and inflexed margin of the elytra also light yellow. Underside and legs black.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Jacoby), La Parada (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

This curiously marked species, of which but two specimens are now before me,

ought perhaps to be placed in a special genus on account of the shape of the maxillary

palpi, which agree with Zygogramma. The simple claws, widely separated at their

STILODES.—LEPTINOTARSA. 227

base, forbid, however, to include the species in the latter genus. The palpi in different

species of the same genus show occasionally a good deal of variation in these insects ;

and it is difficult to fix a limit, unless accompanied by other characters of a more

constant kind; I have therefore thought it best to leave the present species in Stilodes.

I must add, further, that the tibie in the insect before me agree with those of the

genus Leptinotarsa, from which the totally different palpi distinguish it; so that it

seems to be an intermediate form of several closely allied genera. The specimen in

my collection is of a darker colour (light brown above) than the other, but agrees in

all other respects.

LEPTINOTARSA.

Leptinotarsa, Stal, Ofy. af K. Vet. Ak. Férh. 1858, p. 475.

Myocoryna, Stal, ibid. p. 316.

‘Chrysomela, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 154.

Doryphora, Rogers, Proc. Ac. Phil. viii. 1856, p. 30.

Leptinotarsa, although resembling in general appearance the preceding genus, was

founded by Stal on the different comparative length of the palpi, in which the terminal

joint is much shorter than the preceding one and truncate, and on the structure of the

tibize, which show a more or less distinct groove, extending sometimes to half their

length. This latter character, however, is in some cases almost obliterated, and nothing

but the shape of the palpi, taken conjointly with the other characters, remains to

identify the genus. The species seem entirely confined to North and Central America.

1. Leptinotarsa cacica. (Tab. XIV. fig. 23.)

Leptinotarsa cacica, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 475; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 156°; Dej. Cat. 3rd ed.

p. 421%.

Hab. Mexico!?, Toxpam, Cordova, Orizaba (Sallé), Misantla, Cerro de Plumas

(Hoge).

There is a good deal of difference in size in this species, the females being much

larger and more dilated posteriorly than the males. The species is contained in most

collections, and easily recognized by the uniformly testaceous elytra, which have ‘only

the sutural and lateral margins narrowly bluish black. In the figured specimen a

number of obscure spots have been drawn, which are only visible in specimens in which

the elytra have through some cause been discoloured.

2. Leptinotarsa chalcospila. (Tab. XIII. fig. 9.)

Leptinotarsa chalcospila, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 476; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 157°.

Hab. Mexico}.

Of the same size as L. cacica, but each elytron with from seven to ten spots placed

222

228 . PHYTOPHAGA.

transversely. Only a single specimen (which is figured) is contained in the Sallé

collection, two others in that of Mr. Baly. The species seems to be a rare one.

3. Leptinotarsa lacerata. (Tab. XIII. fig. 10.)

Leptinotarsa lacerata, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 476; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 157°.

Myocoryna hépfneri, De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 421°.

Hab. Mexico 12, Oaxaca, Playa Vicente (Hége), Peras, La Parada, Etla (Sallé).

A large and handsome species, apparently not uncommon in Mexico, and easily

distinguished by the three deeply dentate black transverse bands on each elytron, if

the flavous is taken for the ground-colour.

4. Leptinotarsa heydeni. (Tab. XIII. fig. 11.)

Leptinotarsa heydeni, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 475; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 158°; Hoépfner, De}.

Cat. 3rd ed. p. 421°.

‘Hab. Muxico2, Almolonga (Hége), Tanetza (Sallé).—Brazit (?)*.

This species is as large as the preceding one, and distinguished by the six flavous

large spots on each elytron, of which the middle one near the suture is sometimes

confluent with the elongate spot near the lateral margin, thus forming a transverse

dentate band. The dark ground-colour in the present insect is never black, as in

L. lacerata, but always either bluish violet or green. Stal gives the Brazils as the

“habitat ;” but this is, without doubt, a mistake, all the specimens which have come

under my observation having been obtained in Mexico; Chapuis makes the same

observation.

5. Leptinotarsa puncticollis. (Tab. XIII. fig. 12.)

Ovate, purplish or blackish eneous below; above dark greenish or purplish blue; head and thorax extremely

closely. punctured ; elytra very closely and rather strongly punctured, the interstices somewhat raised and

smooth ; each elytron with four subsutural small spots and two elongate lateral stripes flavous.

Length 7-8 lines.

Head closely covered with somewhat elongate punctures near the base and the sides; labrum and palpi black ;

antenne extending below the base of the thorax, the pasal five joints bluish black, shining, the rest

opaque, pubescent, and a little longer than broad. Thorax of the same shape as L. heydeni, extremely

closely covered with larger and smaller punctures, those at the sides scarcely larger than at the disk;

scutellum very finely punctured at the base; elytra very convex, slightly widened towards the middle,

punctured as in the preceding species, and with the interstices slightly raised and smooth, each elytron

with a narrow elongate band from the base to the middle near the lateral margin, and a shorter stripe at

the same place below the middle, flavous; four small spots, of which the second one is of a more trans-

verse shape than the others, and of the same colour as the lateral stripes, run parallel with the suture in

exactly the same position as in L. heydeni. Legs and underside as in that species.

Hab. Muxico, Sonora (coll. Jacoby, Baly), Ventanas (Forrer).

At first sight I was inclined to regard this species as a local variety of L. heydent, in

which the elytral spots have been reduced to a much smaller size. I have, however,

LEPTINOTARSA. 229

eight specimens of the present and a number of the preceding insect for comparison,

and find no intermediate degrees between them. Yet this would not have induced me

to describe the present form as new, had not the thorax shown a different punctuation

in all the specimens from that of the allied species. In the latter the sides of the

thorax are always and distinctly deeply punctate, while the disk shows comparatively

few punctures; but in Z. puncticollis the entire thorax is covered with minute and

larger punctuation, scarcely, if at all, more strongly impressed at the sides, and the

elytral spots, although placed in the same position as in L. heydeni, are of less than half

the size. Lastly, the species is of larger size than the latter insect.

6. Leptinotarsa zetterstedti. (Tab. XIII. fig. 19.)

Leptinotarsa zetterstedti, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 316 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 154".

Hab. Mexico }.

I cannot agree with Chapuis in placing this species in Zygogramma. The claws,

although approached at the base, are not united; the tibie have a distinct groove up to

the middle; and the general shape of the insect, as well as that of the thorax, agrees

perfectly with the other species of the genus, but in no way with Zygogramma. Stal

made a division of the present species, for the sake of aid in its determination

amongst the others. The species does not seem to be a common one: none were

obtained by Herr Hige; and the collection of M. Sallé contains but a single specimen ;

another I have in my collection.

7. Leptinotarsa modesta. (Tab. XIII. fig. 13.)

Oblong-ovate, convex, greenish eneous or bronze-coloured ; head finely punctured; thorax closely covered with

larger and smaller punctures; elytra strongly punctured, the punctures arranged in irregular rows, the

interstices aciculate.

Length 63-74 lines.

Head minutely and closely punctured at the base, more strongly at the sides; palpi and antennz black, the

latter extending to about one third the length of the elytra; the first six joints shining, the rest opaque,

closely pubescent and distinctly widened, but longer than broad; thorax transverse, of nearly equal

width, the anterior angles very acute and produced into a short point; the sides rounded and irregularly

sinuate; surface extremely closely covered with larger and smaller punctures, the former prevailing,

especially near the sides; scutellum triangular, minutely punctured; elytra very convex, the sides

parallel, not widened posteriorly ; surface much more strongly punctured than the thorax, the punctures

placed in very irregular rows, the interstices aciculate or scratched ; inner margins of the elytral epipleuree

narrowly fulvous ; tibize rugose-punctate, very obsoletely channelled at their outer surface ; claws fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé).

In size this species resembles L. heyden and L. puncticolis. From these, as well as

all other species of this genus, the present insect is separated by its uniform greenish-

bronze colour. It cannot be considered a variety only of L. puncticollis, inasmuch as

the elytral punctuation is quite different, and leaves no broader longitudinal smooth

230 PHYTOPHAGA.

interstices, as is the case in the last-named species. The three specimens contained

in M. Sallé’s collection are the only ones I have seen.

8. Leptinotarsa dilecta. (Tab. XIII. fig. 16.)

Leptinotarsa dilecta, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 456; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 159°.

Deuterocampta patruelis, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 287.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca !2, Yolotepec, Juquila, Puebla, Yolos, Cuernavaca, La Parada

(Sallé).

Stl, who describes this species, does not give any particulars as to the position and

direction of the five lines on each elytron, which it will be as well to add here. The first

of these, commencing a little below the base and ending at a little distance from the

apex, runs close and very nearly parallel with the suture, slightly approaching the

latter towards the posterior half; the second line, commencing at the base, runs perfectly

parallel with the first, and often joins the third and fourth lines at the apex; the third

one begins, close to the preceding one, at the base, and, after following a nearly straight

direction to the middle, curves outwards below the latter to a greater or smaller degree ;

the fourth line always commences below the shoulder, and makes a curve towards the

lateral margin at the middle, where it is interrupted, and then continued again parallel

with the others; the fifth line runs parallel with and very close to the lateral margin.

All these lines finish at some distance from the apex of the elytra; and their interstices

are occupied at the middle by single piceous spots, placed transversely, and sometimes

assuming the shape of a narrow band. Thorax and underside are either metallic green,

cupreous, or bluish. Legsand the base of theantenne fulvous. ‘The description given

here is that of the normally coloured specimens described by Stal, and of which a typical

one is contained in Mr. Baly’s collection. Others are before me, which I must look upon

as varieties, since they agree in all essential points but the colour. These specimens

have only the base of the head metallic green; the thorax, scutellum, and the elytral

stripes are fulvous or piceous ; and in some the small spots on the elytra are absent. It

is possible that these individuals are immature; a specimen of the latter colour, and

formerly in the collection of Sturm, is labelled by him JD. striolata. The figure is from

an insect from Juquila.

9. Leptinotarsa novemlineata.

Leptinotarsa novemlineata, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 456; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 160°.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca}, Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

A distinct species, and allied to Z. calceata, from which it differs in the much more

strongly punctured thorax and elytra, as well as in the colour of the longitudinal stripes

on the latter, which are not black, but brown; they are sometimes connected with a

transverse spot of the same colour placed in the middle of the first and second pair of

LEPTINOTARSA. 231

stripes. The body and thorax in the present species are of a more coppery colour,

instead of blue or green, as in L. calceata. Besides four specimens contained in

Mr. Baly’s collection, I have seen but three others from Juquila.

10. Leptinotarsa flavitarsis. (Tab. XIV. fig. 12.)

Polyspila flavitarsis, Guér. Verh. zool.-bot. Ver. Wien, v. 1855, p. 606°.

Leptinotarsa signatipennis, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. iv. p. 355, 1858, tab. 27. fig. 2°.

Leptinotarsa flavitarsis, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 476; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 161°.

Hab. Mexico?; Guatemata!3 (Sallé), near the city, Zapote, Cerro Zunil (Champion);

Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica (Saldé).

Mr. Baly gives Mexico as the country inhabited by the present species, and a

specimen in his collection is labelled accordingly; but I have not seen any others

obtained there, all the specimens which have come under my observation having been

collected at the places given above. The colour of the underside and thorax is either

metallic dark blue or bright green; but the apex of the tibie and the tarsi are always

light fulvous, which separates it from the following species.

11. Leptinotarsa nitidicollis.

Leptinotarsa nitidicollis, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 456 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 161°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Tuxtla (Sallé).

In coloration L. nitidicollis exactly resembles the preceding species, except in that of

the tarsi and tibiee, which are of the colour of the body. A closer examination reveals,

besides this difference, several others. In general shape the present species is rather

more convex and widened posteriorly, and the punctuation of the elytra is also much

finer and less closely arranged; lastly, the elytral bands are thinner, and seldom

continued, but nearly always interrupted at the middle. 1 have seen but few speci-

mens, and those from one locality only.

| 12. Leptinotarsa calceata. (Tab. XIII fig. 14.)

Leptinotarsa calceata, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 476; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 160°.

Leptinotarsa vittata, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. iv. 1858, p. 851°; Candéze, Mém. Liége, 1861, xvi.

p. 892, tab. 6. fig. 2.

Hab. Mexico! 2, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Misantla (Hoge).

Great numbers of this species were obtained by Herr Hoge at Misantla. In the

flavous apex of the tibie and the tarsi of the same colour, the insect agrees with

L. flavitarsis, but differs in the four narrow blackish stripes of the elytra; of these, the

first one is placed near the suture, commencing directly below the base and finishing at

a considerable distance from the apex; of the three following stripes the middle one is

232 PHYTOPHAGA.

slightly longer than the others, and often joined at the apex to the second stripe. As

in the preceding species, the body and thorax are either metallic green or blue.

13. Leptinotarsa obliterata. (Tab. XIII. fig. 15.)

Doryphora obliterata, Chevr. Col. de Mex. 1833, fasc. 1°.

Leptinotarsa subnotata, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 476°. |

Chrysomela obliterata, Stil, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 162°.

Hab. Muxico 12%, Toxpam, Cordova (Sailé), Almolonga (Hoge).

This species so completely resembles L. nitidicollis, except in the elytral design, in

which the stripes are reduced to spots, that I have great doubt as to its specific

distinctness; there are, however, no specimens before me with intermediate markings

to make me sure on this point.

14, Leptinotarsa pudica, (Tab. XIII. fig. 25.)

Leptinotarsa pudica, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 456; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 162°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova (Hége), Juquila (Sadie).

Smaller than L. obliterata, and similarly marked, but at once distinguished by the

stronger, closer, and more irregular punctuation, the interior of the punctures being at

the same time piceous. A specimen, obtained at Cordova by Herr Hége, differs from

the normal forms in having five instead of four spots on each elytron, besides another

one across the suture at the place where in the other specimens the sutural band is

slightly widened. ‘The spots in this specimen are also much larger than is usually the

case; the extra spot is situated close to the first one below the base.

15. Leptinotarsa signaticollis. (Tab. XIII. fig. 20.)

Leptinotarsa signaticollis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 317; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 163°.

Hab. Mexico}, Izucar, Puebla (Sad/é).

The elytra in this species are generally of a uniform testaceous colour, with the suture

narrowly black, and the punctuation very irregularly distributed, with a slight tendency

to arrangement in rows near the suture. I have besides these specimens, which agree

with St&l’s description, two others before me, formerly in Sturm’s collection, and labelled

by him Chrys. nigropunctata, which are much larger than usual ( ? ), and having the

elytra crowded with innumerable and large punctures, which in one of them form a

number of closely approximated longitudinal thick vite. The antenne are also much

shorter than in the males, and only extend to the base of the thorax. The very

irregularly arranged punctures however, will, separate the present species from the

following ones, even when the elytra show stripes as in the specimens just mentioned.

The last joints of the antenne in L. signaticollis are very thickened, and distinctly

broader than long.

LEPTINOTARSA. 233

16. Leptinotarsa decemlineata. (Tab. XIII. fig. 24.)

Chrysomela decemlineata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. in. p. 453°; Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858,

p. 245°.

Doryphora 10-lineata, Rogers, Proc. Ac. Phil. viii. 1856, p. 30°; Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 244;

Harold, Berl. ent. Zeit. 1874, p. 444.

Myocoryna multilineata, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 316; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 164’.

Hab. Nortu America! ?34,—MeExico®, La Parada, Toluca (Sal/é), Cerro de Plumas,

Misantla (Hoge); Costa Rica (coll. Sallé).

There is not much doubt that this insect represents the ill-famed Colorado potato-

beetle, although v. Harold thinks that several closely allied species may share this

odium. Figures of the potato-beetle, published in America, which have come under

my observation, at all events prove that it is Say’s species which is meant for this

destructive insect, which is distinguished from others, very closely allied, by the

fulvous legs and underside, the abdomen being spotted with black at each side as

well as the base of each segment, while the elytral epipleure are entirely fulvous.

L. juncta, a very closely allied species, which differs in the larger size and the position

of the elytral stripes, seems to be rarer, and confined entirely to North America,

where it may possibly attack the potato-plant in company with the present species.

The latter does not seem to extend further south than Mexico and Costa Rica, where

its place is taken by another closely allied insect. From the former localities I have

seen but very few specimens, and from Costa Rica but a single one.

17. Leptinotarsa multitzniata.

Myocoryna multiteniata, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 317; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 164°.

Hab. Mexico}, Toluca, La Parada (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hoge).

The differences between this species and the preceding one, as pointed out by Stal,

seem to me to be hardly sufficient for its validity; but without having the type

to compare, it is not possible to come to a definite conclusion. I have, however,

before me several specimens which agree very nearly or entirely with the author’s

description, and are intermediate between L. decemlineata and L. 11-lineata, and

which I should have preferred to consider varieties of the first-named species on

account of the spotted abdomen and the fulvous elytral epipleure. ‘The specimens

show, moreover, a good many differences amongst themselves in the shape as well as

in the markings of the thorax, and incline to either of the species under consideration.

In some of them the legs are half black and half red; and the elytral stripes resemble

also either the preceding or the present species in the distance they are placed from

each other.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1883. . Qh

234 PHYTOPHAGA.

18. Leptinotarsa undecimlineata. |

Myocoryna 1l-dneata, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 316; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 163°.

Hab. Mexico, Misantla, Cerro de Plumas (Hége), Guanajuato (Duges, coll. Salle),

Orizaba, Vera Cruz, Oaxaca, Tuxtla, Cordova (Sallé); Brrrish Honpuras, river Sarstoon

(Blancaneaux); GUATEMALA, Cubilguitz, El Reposo, San Geronimo, Purula, Tamahu,

Duefias, Capetillo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica?,

Volcan de Irazu (Rogers, Van Patten).—Cotompia!; Boutviat. |

The entirely blackish-green underside, legs, and elytral epipleuree, which are constant

in the very numerous specimens which have been received principally from Mexico and

Guatemala, distinguish well the present species from L. 10-lineata. Stal gives Bogota

and Bolivia as localities inhabited by L. 11-lineata; it is therefore more than probable

that it may be found as well in the State of Panama. ‘'wo curiously marked specimens

from Mexico, which I take to be varieties, have come under my notice. In these speci-

mens only the margins of the elytral bands are indicated by fine black lines, the inter-

mediate spaces being of the ground-colour, so that in fact each elytron shows eight fine

longitudinal lines. In other respects the specimens show but little difference from the

normal ones.

19. Leptinotarsa defecta. (Tab. XIII. fig. 21.) "

Myocoryna defecta, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 317; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 165°.

Hab. Norvn America, Texas .—(?) Muxtico' (coll. Jacoby), Yucatan 1 (Sallé).

Specimens of this species have the general appearance, with respect to their coloration,

of immature examples of L. decemlineata in which the elytral stripes have been prevented

from becoming perfectly developed; a closer examination proves, however, that the

species is no doubt a distinct one. Stal only describes the thorax as spotted and

exactly resembling in its markings that of L. decemlineata. The elytra, however, are

differently punctate-striate. In the last-named species the third stria (counting the

short sutural one as the first) joins the suture at some distance below the middle; in

the present insect the corresponding stria continues to the apex. The elytral markings

will be better understood by reference to the figure. Stal gives Texas as one of the

localities inhabited by this species. I have only seen specimens from Mexico, and find

no reference to the species inhabiting North America in either Rogers's or Crotch’s

monograph of North-American Phytophaga.

20. Leptinotarsa melanothorax. (Tab. XIII. fig. 22.)

Myocoryna melanothoraxz, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 317; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 166°.

Hab. Mexico’, Toluca, Puebla (Sallé), Guanajuato (Duges, coll. Sallé).

Easily distinguished from the preceding species by the entirely black head and

thorax; the third and fourth elytral black stripes are sometimes united.

LEPTINOTARSA. 235

21. Leptinotarsa dahlbomi. (Tab. XIII. fig. 23.)

Myocoryna dahibomi, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 317; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 166°.

Hab. Nort America, Texas'—Muxico', Yolos, Puebla (Saidé), Yucatan! (Pilate.

coll. Sallé); Nicaragua, Granada (Sadlé).

This species does not seem to be common in Mexico, to waich country it is

principally restricted. It has not been met with by Mr. Champion in Guatemala;

nor by Janson or Belt in Nicaragua, whence a single specimen is contained in .the

collection of M. Sallé. I may add to the description given by Stal, that the sides

of the thorax are crowded with strong punctures, and that the yellow elytral stripe

is distinctly narrowed at the shoulder, where it is of only half the width of the rest.

The commencement of the sutural stripe, however, is widened immediately below the

base in all the specimens before me.

22. Leptinotarsa haldemani. |

Doryphora haldemani, Rogers, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1856, viii. p. 30’; Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858,

p. 248°.

Hab. Norta America! ?.—Mexico?, Ventanas (Forrer), Puebla, Cuernavaca (Sallé),

Almolonga (Hége).

According to Suffrian the present species is one of four which, although distinguished

by very obscure differences, yet he believes to be distinct. Amongst more than a

hundred specimens which are before me, on account of the great variability of the

insects I am unable to agree with Suffrian, and can only distinguish, at the most, two

species, though, if I were to take these slight differences into account, I might easily

multiply the species to six or eight. Since most of the specimens which I have for

examination were obtained in different yet in limited localities, and still show variation,

I must conclude that the species is a very variable one.

L. haldemani is perhaps the only one which is easier to recognize than the rest on

account of its black head and thorax (the only species in which these parts are of this

colour); but shape and punctuation are as variable as in the others, and so many inter-

mediate forms are before me that I cannot be certain to which species in Suffrian’s

- gense I am to refer them. A specimen of the present insect, contained in Mr. Baly’s

collection, and named by Dr. Horn, agrees also with the description given by Suffrian ;

others from different parts of Mexico agree with this specimen in the black and opaque

colour of the head and thorax, and also in the shape of the latter, which is more

straight and concave at each side near the base than in the other species; but the

punctuation shows all degrees from minute and distant to close and more strongly

impressed punctures. There may in reality exist but one species, which point, I think,

can only be settled by resident entomologists.

2h2

236: PHYTOPHAGA.

23. Leptinotarsa libatrix.

Doryphora libatriz, Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 248°.

Hab. Mexico !, Cordova, Almolonga, Jalapa (Sallé, Hoge) ; GuatEeMALaA?, Cerro Zunil,

El Reposo, El Tumbador, Volcan de Atitlan, Zapote, Las Mercedes (Champion).

In comparing this species with L. haldemam I find that the only appreciable differ-

ence consists in the more convex and rounded shape of the present one, the rather more

transverse and narrower thorax, and the more metallic colour of the upper surface,

which is a bright green. The punctuation is as variable as in L. haldemani. I refer

the present insect to Suffrian’s L. libatrix on account of one of the localities given by

him being Guatemala (his other species being referred to Mexico only), and also because

the insect agrees in general with his description.

24. Leptinotarsa chlorizans.

Doryphora chlorizans, Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 248 ‘,

Hab. Mexico, Mazatlan *.

I merely refer to this and the next species, as I have not seen the types; but I have

no doubt that they both represent but slight variations of L. libatriz.

25. Leptinotarsa litigiosa.

Doryphora litigiosa, Suffer. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 248 *,

Hab. Mexico, Mazatlan’.

26. Leptinotarsa violacescens.

Myocoryna violacescens, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 317’; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 168°.

Leptinotarsa violacea, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 287°.

Hab. Mexico 12, Orizaba, Cordova, Almolonga, Tuxtla (Sallé, Hoge).

Except in its general colour, which, as its name implies, is a uniform dark violaceous,

this species differs in no respect from L. libatrix. It is equally variable in the sculpturing

of its upper parts, and is, in my opinion, not specifically distinct. I have before me a

specimen named by St&l and another by Sturm from the collections of Mr. Baly and

M. Sallé respectively. One of these specimens is of a silky opaque colour and extremely

finely punctured; the other (named by Stal) is of a more metallic lustre, and more

distinctly punctate, in which it agrees with others before me from Mexico. The more

I examine all the specimens the more clear it is to me that no reliance can be placed,

in this case, on punctuation or colour for specific distinction, and also, but to a less

degree, in shape. I think nothing is gained by considering these uncertain characters

specific distinctions.

LEPTINOTARSA. 237

27. Leptinotarsa rubiginosa.

Doryphora rubiginosa, Rogers, Proc. Ac. Phil. viii. 1856, p. 830'; Suffrian, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858,

p. 2457.

Chrysomela rubiginosa, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 168°.

Hab. Norva AmeErica!.—Mexico’, Mazatlan2, Alvarez Mountains (Dr. Palmer),

Ciudad, Milpas (forrer), Guanajuato (Dugés, coll. Sallé), Puebla (Saldé).

Of a uniform yellowish brown, with the exception of the antenna, palpi, scutellum,

and legs, which are black. The thorax is extremely finely punctured on the disk; and

the punctured. subgeminate strive of the elytra are also very finely impressed. Stal

describes the thorax as being marked sometimes with a black discoidal spot. Such

specimens I have never seen; nor does Rogers or Suffrian refer to this character. The

latter author thinks that the colour of this insect ought to be called a “ brick-red,” with

which I cannot agree, the description, “ yellowish brown,” given by Rogers expressing

perfectly the proper colour of the species. A specimen, formerly in the collection of

Sturm, is labelled by him D. nigripes. I have not seen more than about a dozen

specimens, all of them having been obtained in Mexico.

28. Leptinotarsa stali. (Tab. XV. fig. 1.)

Ovate, convex, greenish black; labrum and the basal joints of the antenne testaceous; thorax minutely

punctured; elytra closely subgeminately punctate-striate, yellow, the suture, an elongate large spot from

the middle of the base, a transverse dentate band below the middle, a narrow line attached to it posteriorly,

a sutural spot below the middle, and another small spot anteriorly, near the lateral margin, dark cupreous

or greenish black.

Length 4 lines.

Head distinctly and rather closely punctured; palpi obscure piceous; antennz with the last five joints trans-

verse, piceous, the first three joints and the apex of the following two testaceous. Thorax greatly deflexed

at the sides, the posterior margin distinctly produced towards the middle, the sides nearly straight, and

only slightly rounded near the apex, surface very finely and rather closely punctured, a little more

distantly on the disk, of a metallic dark greenish colour; scutellum triangular, impunctate, greenish.

Elytra much more strongly punctured than the thorax, the punctuation arranged in double rows near the

suture, more irregularly towards the sides; the colour is a bright yellow, a sutural band from the base

to the apex, slightly narrowed towards the latter, and connected with a broad mark, which extends from

the base to nearly the middle of the elytra, at which place it is greatly widened, greenish or dark cupreous ;

another transverse band of the same colour extends across the suture below the middle; this band is much

narrowed towards the suture, and its margins are dentate or irregular, while a narrow dark line attached

to its outer margin extends nearly to the apex, and runs parallel with the lateral margin; the band just

mentioned commences with a small hook-like process, which is directed towards the lateral margin; a

very small spot is further placed near the latter below the shoulder; and another short transverse spoti

extends across the suture below the middle. Underside greenish black; tarsi dark fulvous, stained with

piceous ; elytral epipleure testaceous at their anterior half, the rest black.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla, Izucar (Sa//é).

Of this distinct and well marked species, two specimens are contained in the collection

of M. Sallé.

238 PHYTOPHAGA.

29. Leptinotarsa flavopustulata. (Tab. XIII. fig. 17.)

Calligrapha flavopustulata, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 460; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 169°.

Hab. Guaremata !, San Juan in Vera Cruz, Chacoj (Champion).

The type of this species, contained in the collection of Mr. Baly, was originally

placed by Stal in the genus Calligrapha; the distinctly channelled tibiz, however,

make it advisable to transfer the insect to the present genus, where it is also put in

Gemminger’s catalogue. Two other specimens have been obtained by Mr. Champion,

which vary from the type in being of a dark fulvous colour, with the exception of the

elytral spots, which are the same. One of these is figured, which makes a detailed

description of the spots unnecessary.

30. Leptinotarsa belti, (Tab. XIII. fig. 18.)

Stilodes belti, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 782.

Hab. Guatemaua, Chacoj, Panima (Champion); Nicaraeva, Chontales (Belt).

For the same reason, having the tibie sulcate, this species had better find its place

here. In structural characters it is identical in every respect with the preceding

species; and in spite of the totally different design of its elytra, which is the same in

the four specimens before me, I cannot help feeling some doubt as to whether they are

not merely varieties of L. flavopustulata. It is true that no sien of any flavous spots

exists here; if, however, the dark markings surrounding those of L. flavopustulata were

interrupted in a certain way, a design like that found in the present species would

be the result. At present, however, in the absence of intermediate marked specimens,

I cannot but consider the species a distinct one.

31. Leptinotarsa evanescens. (Tab. XV. fig. 2.)

Calligrapha evanescens, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 460.

Chrysomela evanescens, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 168°.

Hab. Guatemata!; Costa Rica 1.

Of this species I have seen only St4l’s type, in the collection of Mr. Baly, and which

is figured. The insect has not been met with by Mr. Champion or Mr. Rogers, and is

no doubt rare. The thorax is crowded with smaller and larger punctures, the latter

being specially numerous near the sides. The elytra also are very strongly and closely

punctate near the sides, geminate punctate-striate near the suture. For their pattern,

St&l’s description and the figure must be compared.

32. Leptinotarsa distinguenda. (Calligrapha distinguenda, Tab. XIV. fig. 25.)

Calligrapha distinguenda, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1877, p. 518°.

Hab. Guaremata, Teleman, Chacoj (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales * (Janson).

LEPTINOTARSA. 239

Since this species was described by me, a number of others have been received from

Guatemala. On account of the distinctly channelled tibie, I think the insect had

better be placed in Leptinotarsa. The other characters agree with Calligrapha and

Stilodes, with the latter genus in the partially punctate-striate elytra and the compa-

rative length of the joints of the maxillary palpi. The figure, from a Chontales

specimen, shows the posterior black spot of the elytra separated from the transverse

band; in many specimens these are united, and form a crescent-shaped mark, open at

its outer portion. Others, again, are entirely fulvous, or have the thorax and the

underside greenish «neous, while in a few the black spots of the elytra are either

entirely absent or indicated only by obscure fulvous.

33, Leptinotarsa tlascalana.

Leptinotarsa tlascalana, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 476; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 1587.

Hab. Mexico 1.

Iam not acquainted with this species, which in its design seems closely allied to

EL. dahlbomi.

34. Leptinotarsa dohrni. (Tab. XV. fig. 4.)

Below metallic greenish swneous; antenne, the apex of the tibie, and the tarsi fulvous; head and thorax

obscure cupreous, remotely punctured ; elytra testaceous, geminately punctate-striate, covered with numerous

smaller and larger blackish spots.

Length 43 lines.

Head very finely punctured ; labrum obscure fulvous; palpi and antennz fulvous, the latter long, extending

nearly to the middle of the body, the terminal joints gradually but very slightly thickened and much

longer than broad. Thorax transverse, the sides much rounded from the base to above the middle, from

there to the anterior angles obliquely cut, the latter acute but not prominent; surface rather remotely and

very irregularly punctured, the punctures stronger than those on the head, but not more deeply impressed

at the sides than on the disk; the latter irregularly depressed. or flattened near the sides, cupreous, very

narrowly margined with metallic green; scutellum of the same colour, broadly triangular, impunctate.

Elytra very convex, slightly narrowed from the middle to the apex, somewhat irregularly but distinctly

geminately punctate-striate throughout, of a dirty testaceous colour, with about ten rows of small blackish

geneous round spots, placed more regularly near the sutural and lateral margins, and interrupted near the

base and at the middle by larger confluent spots of the same colour, of which the largest is placed near

the suture below the middle, at the sides of which a narrow oblique streak is placed, the outer end of

which is thickened ; the suture is also spotted from the base to nearly the middle with obscure sneous,

the same colour occupying the interior of all the impressed punctures. The apex of the tibie, and

the tarsi entirely, are fulvous ; the former are obsoletely channelled ; claws distant.

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec (Sallé).

Of this curiously marked species, which exhibits all the characters of a true Leptino-

tarsa, only a single specimen is before me; it is very probable that the pattern of the

elytra is subject to variation. I know of no species with which to compare it.

240 PHYTOPHAGA.

35. Leptinotarsa hogei. (‘Iab. XV. fig. 3.)

Oblong ovate, dark cupreous ; antenne and tarsi dark fulvous ; thorax distinctly punctured on the disk; elytra

subgeminately punctate-striate, testaceous, a broad sutural and discoidal longitudinal band, as well as the

extreme lateral margin of each elytron, cupreous. _

Length 4—44 lines.

Head extremely finely punctured, distinctly broader than long; labrum dark fulvous ; maxillary palpi with the

last joint nearly as long as the preceding one, the apex broadly truncate; antenne elongate, extending to

nearly the first third of the elytra, dark fulvous, the last six joints gradually widened but longer than

broad. Thorax transverse, the anterior and posterior margins nearly parallel; the sides deflexed, much

rounded near the anterior angles, the latter acute ; surface rather finely punctured on the disk, the punctures

placed distantly, more closely although scarcely more strongly punctured at the sides ; scutellum triangular,

impunctate, cupreous. Elytra scarcely wider at the base than the thorax, parallel in the male, more

dilated in the female; the darker bands finely subgeminately punctate-striate, the lighter portions nearly

impunctate, these latter of a yellowish or testaceous colour; the extreme lateral margin connected at the

apex with a broad sutural band, the latter narrowed near the base, dark metallic cupreous ; another longi-

tudinal band of similar colour extends from the middle of the base to a little distance from the apex, the

inner margin of this band is deeply concave at the middle, the outer one but slightly concave at the same

place, and produced below that into a short straight tooth. Underside, the legs, and the elytral epipleure

metallic cupreous ; tibie obsoletely channelled towards their middle; claws simple, unarmed.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

Ten specimens of this interesting species were obtained by Herr Hége. Although

not quite agreeing in the comparative length of the joints of the palpi and the antenne,

the grooves of the tibie are, I think, sufficiently characteristic (though obsolete)

to place the species in the present genus. In colour the insect bears a most striking

resemblance to Zygogramma ornata, from which the widely separated claws and the

punctuation of the thorax and elytra will at once separate it.

LABIDOMERA.

Labidomera, Chevrolat in d’Orb. Dict. univ. Hist. Nat. ili. p. 656 (1848).

Cryptostetha, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. iv. p. 850 (1858).

In this genus the meso- and metasternum is raised to a higher level than the pro-

sternum, the apex having a transverse tuberculate appearance. The last joint of the

maxillary palpi is transversely truncate and much shorter than the preceding one.

Oryptostetha has been separated by Mr. Baly on account of the unarmed anterior

femora; the female sex in Labidomera shows, however, the same structure, the teeth

being peculiar to the male insect only. On that account it is better not to separate

the genera, in which I follow also the arrangement of the Munich Catalogue. One

species has been described from Central, the others principally from South America.

1. Labidomera suturella. (Tab. XV. figg. 5, 6.)

Labidomera suturella, Chevr. in Guér. Icon. Régne anim. p. 301 (1838) *.

Labidomera suturella, var. germari, Chevy. loc. cit. p. 301 2. Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 148 *,

LABIDOMERA.—PROSICELA. . 24]

Hab. Mexico12%, Cordova, Cosamaloapam, Orizaba, Puebla, Vera Cruz, Chiapas

(Sallé) ; Guatemaa (Sallé), Coban, Chiacam (Champion).

The present species occurs in several varieties in regard to coloration, which have been

described by Chevrolat as two distinct species. Stal has given descriptions of three

varieties. The entire insect is either of a purplish or greenish blue, with the elytra

light flavous, the suture only being of a bluish colour, or each elytron having four

flavous round spots on a metallic blue ground. Between these extremes different

degrees of coloration occur, some specimens only showing the faintest indications of

flavous spots, others having these latter joined so that the darker ground-colour appears

in the shape of transverse bands which change from blue, as usual, to an obscure light

brown in some cases. The species has not previously been recorded as inhabiting

Guatemala.

2. Labidomera clivicollis.

Chrysomela clivicollis, Kirby, Faun. Bor.-Am. iv. p. 213°; Rogers, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1856, p. 30° ;

*‘Suffr. Stett. ent. Zeit. 1858, p. 248°.

Chrysomela 3-maculata, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 592; Fabr. Ent. Syst. p. 95.

Hab. Norra America ! 2 3,—Mextco 3.

Whether this species really extends into Mexico remains to be seen, as I believe

Suffrian to be the only author who mentions this locality?. No specimen from Mexico ©

has come under my notice.

PROSICELA.

Prosicela, Chevrolat in d’Orbign. Dict. univ. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 656 (1843).

Labidosterna, Motschulsky, Schrenk’s Reisen, ii. p. 182.

The long filiform antenne, the terminal joints of which are not thickened, distinguish

this genus principally from others of the present group. Not more than six species

have been described, of which one inhabits Guatemala as well as parts of South

America.

1. Prosicela tibialis. (‘lab. XV. fig. 25.)

Obscure cupreous; antenne, tibie, and tarsi fulvous; elytra obsoletely geminately punctate-striate, their

epipleure and lateral margin, a spot near the scutellum, three others at the middle, and three elongate spots

near the apex, as well as a narrow sutural line below the middle, flavous.

Length 4 lines.

Head finely and rather closely punctured; labrum fulvous; antenne filiform, extending to two thirds the

length of the elytra, the terminal joints very elongate. Thorax transversely convex, the sides very rounded

and finely marginate, surface finely and rather closely punctured, longitudinally depressed near the sides.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1883. Qi

242 . PHYTOPHAGA.

Elytra more strongly punctured than the thorax, the punctuation arranged in irregular double rows, the

interstices finely aciculate and slightly costate. .

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec (Saillé).

The single specimen before me exactly resembles in coloration the spotted variety of

Doryphora sallei, from which the structural characters peculiar to the present genus at

once separate it. I know of no species of the latter with which to compare the insect

before me.

2. Prosicela signifera.

Prosicela signifera, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 474; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 153°.

Prosicela chevrolatii, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1858, p. 351°.

Labidosterna semilineata, Motschulsky, Schrenk’s Reis. 1860, ii. p. 182°.

Hob. Guavemana2.—Cotompra!; Vunezuena+’; Perv (coll. Jacoby).

I have not seen any other specimens from Guatemala than those contained in the

collection of Mr. Baly. |

3. Prosicela brevicollis.

Oblong-ovate, widened behind, metallic green ; terminal joints of the antenne and the palpi black ; thorax

finely punctured ; elytra obsoletely punctate-striate, obscure testaceous, the suture, a longitudinal sub-

sutural stripe, a shorter one from the base to the middle, and two oblique stripes at the sides, metallic

green.

Length 4-6 lines.

Head convex, with a few fine punctures near the clypeus, metallic green; antenne nearly half the length of

the body, the last four joints black, distinctly longer than broad. Thorax short, scarcely twice as broad as

long, metallic green, closely and rather finely punctured, with a small fovea at each side, the latter very

slightly rounded and scarcely constricted near the base; scutellum broadly triangular, dark green. Elytra

- distinctly widened behind, very obsoletely and rather finely geminately punctate-striate, testaceous, the _

suture, a longitudinal subsutural stripe from the base to below the middle, a shorter one from the middle

of the base to the middle of the elytra, and two other oblique short lines at some distance from the apex

near the side of each elytron obscure greenish or bluish. Underside and legs metallic green.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula, Sabo (Champion).

In the elytral pattern and general colour the present species much resembles P. sig-

nifera ; it is, however, of different shape, narrower at the base than that species; the

thorax is much shorter and quite differently punctured, as well as the elytra, the latter

further differing in the want of the sutural spots, which are here replaced by a single

stripe. The female of the present insect is larger than the male, and the elytra are

more strongly punctured. About a dozen specimens were obtained.

DORYPHORA.

Doryphora, Mliger, Mag. fiir Insekt. vi. p. 331 (1807).

Megistomela, Chapuis, Genres des Coléopt. xii. p. 398.

Trichomela, Chapuis, loc. cit. p. 399. ,

Dorysterna, Guérin, Verhandl. zool.-bot. Ver. Wien, v. p. 605.

DORYPHORA. 243

The handsomely marked and, for the most part, large-sized species which constitute

the present genus are all easily recognized by the peculiar elongation of the meso-

sternum, which protrudes in a more or less elongate process between the intermediate

pair of legs. The other structural characters are for the most part constant, and offer

no great variation, with the exception of the antenne, which vary in shape and size at

their terminal joints.

Of the numerous species, principally described by Stal, twenty are given as inhabitants

of Central America; to this number more than as many again have been added lately,

and are included below.

1. Doryphora paykulli. (Tab. XIV. fig. 16.)

Doryphora paykulli, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 805 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 11 *,

Hab. Mexico }, Panistlahuca (Sallé); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt, Janson).

In the ten rows of small black spots on the elytra this species resembles several

from South America, but differs in the size of the thorax, which is scarcely twice

as broad as long. ‘The lateral margin of the elytra is spotless and not produced

below the shoulder. Some specimens from Nicaragua differ from the normally

coloured ones, with testaceous ground-colour of the elytra, in having these latter almost

blood-red.

2. Doryphora biremis. _

Doryphora biremis, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 470; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 22°.

Hab. Costa Rica}.

One of the typical specimens from M. Deyrolle’s collection is contained in that of

Mr. Baly. In its design of the elytra it agrees with D. petulans, but differs in the

arrangement of the punctures, which in the present species are more distinctly

geminate punctate-striate, the interstices being much broader, while in the allied

insect they are covered everywhere with irregular dark punctuation. I cannot call

the colour of D. petulans ferruginous, as St&l does; in all the specimens before me, as

well as in the present species, the colour is a dark greenish black.

3. Doryphora glomerata.

Doryphora glomerata, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 253; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 21°.

Hab. Panama, Veragua '.

4. Doryphora petulans. (Tab. XIV. fig. 15.)

Doryphora petulans, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 305 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 22

Hab. Costa Rica; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson ; Belt).

A somewhat variable species. The elytra are much broader than the thorax (not

212

244 PHYTOPHAGA.

sufficiently indicated in the figure), and light or darker testaceous, covered with

very numerous small black spots, each of which surrounds the impressed punctures.

These latter are very irregularly distributed, for the most part united in pairs, which

form semiregular rows well visible with the naked eye; below the base and imme-

diately below the middle, the elytra are traversed by two black irregularly dentate

transverse bands, which either extend quite to the lateral margin or are abbreviated at

the sides. Stal describes these bands as being “ eneo-ferrugineis,” no doubt from an

immature specimen ; all those before me, to the number of ten, have black bands.

The extreme lateral margin, as well as the elytral epipleure, are generally dark red or

crimson-coloured; but in some specimens the colour is uniform with the rest of the

surface. All, however, have at the inner margin a black spot, corresponding in its

position with the first transverse band—that is to say, in a line with it.

5. Doryphora panamensis. (Tab. XV. fig. 11.)

Oblong-ovate, narrowed behind, greenish black ; elytra obscure testaceous, a transverse band below the base, a

round subsutural spot near the middle, and numerous minute spots at the disk, piceous.

Var. Smaller; elytra bright yellow, their epipleure red, interrupted below the base by a longitudinal black

spot.

Length 6-7 lines.

Head remotely and rather finely punctured; antenne greenish black, the basal joint testaceous below, terminal

joints gradually widened and flattened, longer than broad. Thorax more than twice as broad as long, the

sides nearly straight near the base, gradually rounded towards the anterior angles, the latter deeply

concave behind the eyes, surface very little shining, irregularly and rather remotely covered with very

distinct but not deeply impressed punctures, the sides a little more closely punctate; scutellum triangular,

the sides slightly rounded, surface smooth. Elytra distinctly narrowed behind, convex at the base only,

from there to the apex gradually deflexed, the disk subgeminately punctate-striate near the suture, the sides

very irregularly and deeply punctured, all the punctures surrounded, as well as their interior, by piceous

or black, the interstices also finely punctured here and there; a transverse band, narrowed and abbreviated

at the sides, extends across the suture directly below the base, and is followed immediately below by a

small round spot placed close to the suture; another elongate black mark is placed below the base at the

inflexed margin of the elytra. The mesosternal process robust and slightly curved.

Hab. Panama (Boucard, coll. Jacoby), Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (var.) (Champion). :

In the shape of the elytra the present species somewhat resembles D. cireumflexa,

St., and allied forms, while their markings are not unlike D. petulans and several

others. From the latter species the narrowed shape of the insect, the less rounded

appearance, and the form of the band below the base in connexion with the isolated

spot near the suture will at once distinguish it. A’ specimen from Chiriqui agrees

entirely with one in my collection, but has the sides of the elytra stained with piceous,

as if the black rings surrounding the punctures had united there. In the variety, the

elytra are bright yellow, and their epipleure crimson-red, which colour spreads also along

the extreme lateral margin, as is the case with some specimens of D. petulans. I may

add, further, that in the last-named insect the interstices between the punctures of the

elytra are always impunctate, which is not the case in D. panamensis.

DORYPHORA. 945

6. Doryphora insignicornis. (Tab. XIV. fig. 17.)

Doryphora insignicornis, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 254; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 30°.

Hab. Mxxico!, Playa Vicente (Sallé, Hoge).

Entirely of a very dark brownish cupreous, with the exception of the antenne, which

are light fulvous, the apical joint being black only.

7. Doryphora pallidicornis.

Obscure dark brown, subopaque; antenne entirely flavous; thorax remotely and finely punctured; elytra

. minutely and closely punctate-striate.

Length 7 lines.

Head with very few and fine punctures; antenne of the same length and shape as the preceding species,

entirely flavous; thorax very finely and moderately closely punctured; elytra very finely and rather

closely punctate-striate, the punctures almost disappearing near the apex, of a uniformly opaque dark

brownish black.

Hab. Guaremata, Senahu (Champion).

Closely allied to D. insignicornis in coloration, but quite distinct on account of the

very fine punctuation of the thorax and elytra and the uniform flavous antenne. The

two specimens obtained show an almost abnormal development of the left jaw, which

is black and shining, much thickened and produced in front of the parts of the mouth.

The punctuation of the allied species is well visible with the naked eye; in the present

one this is not the case.

8. Doryphora semiambita. (Tab. XV. fig. 7.)

Doryphora semiambita, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 255; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 30%.

_ Hab. Mexico }, San Andres (Sallé); Guaremata!, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil, El

Stal’s type from Guatemala in Mr. Baly’s collection agrees in nearly all respects with

the numerous specimens obtained by Mr. Champion; the elytra in the typical form,

however, are more geminate-punctate than in the other specimens, which are strongly

punctate-striate; and the thorax is scarcely so rounded at the sides. In all the

specimens the punctuation of the elytra is very strong, and well visible with the

naked eye.

9. Doryphora subfastuosa.

Below black; basal joints of the antenney testaceous below; thorax brownish piceous, subopaque, finely punc-

tured ; elytra blackish brown, finely geminately punctate-striate, the basal and sublateral margin, the latter

part of the suture, and a transverse short band at the middle of each elytron flavous.

Length 5 lines.

Hab. Brivish Honpvras, Belize, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GUATEMALA, San

Juan in Vera Paz, Cubilguitz, Senahu, Coban, Panima (Champion), Yzabal (Sallé).

This species so completely resembles D. semiambita at first: sight, that it will only

246 PHYTOPHAGA.

be necessary to point out the differences between the two insects. In the present

species the thorax is less shining and finely punctate; and although some specimens

have a stronger punctuation, the latter is never deep, or almost rugose-punctate as in

D. semiambita, in which this strong sculpturing can be well seen without a glass. The

elytra in D. subfastuwosa are marked and of the same colour as in the allied insect, with

the exception that the transverse flavous band at the middle does not extend to the lateral

band of the same colour, but is abbreviated, in which respect it resembles D. purulensis.

In their punctuation the elytra in D. subfastuosa differ in being more distinctly geminate-

punctate, the punctures being at the same time much finer, and not visible without a

glass, the reverse being the case in D. semiambita. In all other respects the species

are similar.

I would not, perhaps, have attached specific distinction to the present insect, which

may possibly be only a local form of D. semiambita, had I only a single specimen for

comparison ; but I possess of both species many examples, which are all separated by

the differences pointed out; moreover D. subfastuosa is from the Atlantic side of

Guatemala, D. semiambita being from the Pacific and Mexico. ©

10. Doryphora purulensis. (Tab. XV. fig. 8.)

Very convex, ovate, piceous below, above dark chestnut-brown, shining, a spot near the scutellum, a band near

the lateral margin, the posterior half of the suture, and a transverse short band at the middle flavous.

Length 4-5 lines.

Head very finely and closely punctured; antenne black, the three basal joints fulvous, terminal ones gradually

thickened, longer than broad. Thorax narrowly transverse, the sides much rounded anteriorly, surface finely

and rather remotely punctured, shining. Elytra very convex at the first half, abruptly deflexed towards the

apex, very finely punctate-striate, of a dark shining chestnut-brown, each elytron with a longitudinal

band close to the lateral margin, a narrower one at the posterior half of the suture, and joined at the

apex to the marginal band, a short transverse stripe at the middle, and a round spot near the scutellum at

the base flavous. Mesosternal process robust and curved. ;

Hab. Guatemata, Purula (Champion).

Again very closely allied in colour to the two preceding species, and principally to

the last, from which it may be distinguished by the much more polished upper surface,

especially that of the thorax (which in D. subfastuosa is always opaque), the much

finer punctuation of the elytra, and their more convex shape ; the flavous band at the

base of the elytra in the allied insects is here interrupted in the middle, so as to form

a spot near the scutellum. Many specimens have been received, all of which show

the above slight but constant differences from D. subfastwosa. More than twenty

specimens were obtained at Purula.

11. Doryphora bicolor. (Tab. XIV. fig. 5.)

Doryphora bicolor, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1877, p. 515°.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales! (Janson, Belt).

DORYPHORA. | 247

This, again, is a species similarly coloured to D. semiambita and D. subfastuosa, but

may be known by the punctuation of the elytra, which is fine and distinctly geminate

punctate-striate at the anterior portion, the rows uniting closer, and becoming simply

punctate-striate towards the apex, where the interstices are very finely rugose and

aciculate. The colour of the thorax and the head is very nearly black, and the

general shape of the insect larger and less convex and rounded, while the elytra are

also less shining, owing to the fine aciculate interstices between the punctures. I have

four specimens before me, which agree perfectly with each other.

12. Doryphora bella. (Tab. XV. fig. 9.)

Doryphora bella, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. new ser. iv. 1858, p. 341°.

Doryphora tricincta, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 471; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 31”.

Hab. Mexico !?, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemaua, Purula (Champion).

In the type and two other specimens from Mexico before me the dark colour of the

elytra is interrupted at the base, the middle, and near the apex by three narrow dentate

flavous bands, which extend to the similarly coloured band near the lateral margin ;

in two other specimens from Purula and Mexico respectively these transverse bands

are interrupted at their outer ends; the punctuation of the elytra is also stronger

and rather more irregular. But these differences are perhaps attributable to local

influences.

13. Doryphora lativittig, (Tab. XV. fig. 10.)

Greenish black; thorax finely punctured, subopaque; elytra strongly punctate-striate, the interstices finely

punctured, fulvous or flavous, the sutural and lateral margins, a broad transverse band before, another

behind the middle, and the apex obscure piceous or blackish.

Length 5 lines.

Head flat, opaque, greenish, very minutely punctured, the clypeus more strongly punctate; antennz with the

first six joints shining, the first two joints testaceous below, the three terminal ones opaque, longer than

broad. Thorax of nearly equal width, transverse, the sides straight near the base, rounded near the

anterior angles only, the latter pointed but not much produced ; surface of the same silky opaque colour

as the head, remotely covered with fine punctuation not stronger at the sides than on the disk. Elytra

broad, convex, and parallel, rather strongly and regularly punctate-striate, the strie placed remotely,

the interstices finely punctured, the punctuation very fine, and almost disappearing near the apex;

obscure fulvous or flavous, the sutural and lateral margins as well as the extreme apex greenish black or

piceous; a band of similar colour and very regular shape extends across the suture below the base towards

the sides, where it is abbreviated at a little distance from the lateral margin; another band of the same

size is placed below the middle, the ends of which are slightly narrowed and turned upwards. Meso-

sternal process robust and curved.

Had. Guatemata, Senahu, Panzos, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

In the design of the elytra this species completely resembles D. bella, and also

closely D. blanda, St&l. I am compelled to separate it from the first on account of the

many specimens I have for comparison, agreeing in every respect with each other. The

insect is of broader and more robust shape than JD. bella, the transverse dark elytral

248 . PHYTOPHAGA.

bands are narrower, the fulvous spaces dividing them consequently broader, and their

margins more regularly shaped. The thorax is distinctly more transverse, and has the

same silky opaque appearance and fine punctuation as D. subfastwosa, in which it

differs greatly from D. bella, which has a strongly punctured, nearly subrugose thorax.

D. blanda is similarly marked, but the bands of the elytra are differently shaped, espe-

cially the second one, which is of an almost triangular pointed form, while the apex is

but very narrowly marked with black.

14. Doryphora mirabilis. (Tab. XV. fig. 14.)

Doryphora mirabilis, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 307 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 52°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Tuxtla (Sallé); Guaremata, Sabo, San Juan in Vera Paz, Senahu,

Sinanja (Champion).

In some specimens from Guatemala the entire base of the head is black, and the two

longitudinal bands of the thorax are very wide, almost occupying the entire sides. Stal

describes these bands as spots; but in all the specimens before me, including some of

the typical ones from the collection of M. Sallé, the thorax has two bands extending

from the base to the apex, near which two small spots are placed at each side, one

below the other. The elytra are greenish blue, with four oblong fulvous spots along

the lateral margin, and three others, larger and more transverse, placed parallel with

the suture. The mesosternal process in this species is very short. A Mexican

specimen is figured. |

15. Doryphora marginalis. (Tab. XV. fig. 15.)

Black below; head with a triangular testaceous spot; thorax flavous, with two longitudinal bands, connected

at the base, black; elytra irregularly geminately punctate-striate, greenish eneous, the lateral margin

(widened triangularly below the middle) and three subsutural spots flavous.

Length 5-53 lines. ,

‘Of same shape as D. mirabilis. Head very finely and closely punctured, black, a large triangular-shaped spot

between the eyes testaceous; labrum testaceous, spotted or margined with black; antenne black, the

_ basal joint testaceous below, terminal joints gradually widened, longer than broad. Thorax twice as broad

as long, the sides rounded and slightly widened before the middle, somewhat narrowed near the base, the

anterior angles not pointed but produced, surface irregularly covered with strong punctures remotely

placed; at each side near the middle a broad longitudinal black band extends from base to apex, at which

latter place they are joined ; and this is also the case, to a less extent, near the anterior margin ; so that

these bands include an oval-shaped space of testaceous ; scutellum blackish, impunctate. Elytra regularly

convex, with about ten rows of double punctures irregularly placed, the punctuation becoming confused

and close near the apex; the ground-colour is a dark greenish eeneous, with the lateral margin narrowly

fulvous ; this colour is widened below the middle into a triangular-shaped spot ; three other spots are placed

parallel with the sutural margin: of these the first is situated below the base, near the scutellum, and is

of rounded shape; the second, of transverse form, occupies the middle; while the third is common to both

elytra, and ends in an elongate point near the apex. Underside and legs black. Mesosternal process

very short.

Hab. Guaremaua, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

The narrow flavous margin of the elytra, want of the extreme apical spot, and the

DORYPHORA. 249

black underside and legs distinguish this species well from D. mirabilis. The punctua-

_ tion of the elytra also is quite different. ‘Two specimens were obtained, one of which

is figured.

16. Doryphora spectanda. (Tab. XIV. fig. 7.)

Doryphora spectanda, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 469; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 43°.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Mirandilla (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson, Belt, Sallé); Costa Rica!, Volcan de Irazu, Cache (Rogers).

The specimens which are before me from the above localities are no doubt to be

referred to St&l’s species, with which they agree in every respect according to the author's

description. The insect is of large size, above either metallic green or blue, but

without much gloss, each elytron having two fulvous transverse dentate bands, two

spots at the base, and another at the apex. The bands are either entire or separated

into spots. The thorax in the male insect is dilated and broader than the elytra. A

specimen from Nicaragua is figured.

17. Doryphora decemstillata. (Tab. XIV. fig. 21.)

Doryphora decemstillata, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 254; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 39.

Hab. Mexico}, Cordova, Santecomapan, Cosamaloapam (Saillé), Cerro de Plumas

(Hoge); Guaremata, Senahu (Champion).

This large-sized species is easily known by its uniform dark greenish or bluish colour

and the ten fulvous spots on the elytra. A single specimen was received from Guatemala,

which differs from the Mexican forms in its more finely punctured elytra and thorax,

but agrees in all other respects. The figure representing the insect is too short, and

the last spot at the apex of the elytra is absent.

18. Doryphora princeps.

Doryphora princeps, Gray, Griff. Anim. Kingd. p. 149, t. 67. f. 6; Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer.

p. 53.

Doryphora magnifica, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 455 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 386’.

Doryphora superba, Perty, Delect. anim. 1832, p. 106 *,

Hab. Mexico 2, Cosamoloapam (Sallé); British Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blanca-

neaur); GUATEMALA (coll. Sallé).—Braziu?; Bourvia!.

This large and handsome species is a most variable one in regard to coloration as

well as to its sculpturing, which induced Stal to separate, as specifically distinct, his

D. magnifica, in which the entire disk of the thorax is greenish eneous, and the elytra

rugose-punctate. I have, however, many intermediate forms before me, in which the

two bands of the thorax show all intermediate degrees of distinctness, from being well

separated to becoming united, the sculpturing of the elytra being equally variable, so

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1883. ok

250 PHYTOPHAGA.

that I cannot but consider them all specifically identical. In his diagnosis of D. princeps,

St&l describes the elytra as three-banded ; this is evidently a mistake, each elytron having

but two, transverse, narrow, undulated bands, which is also the case in a typical specimen

in the collection of Mr. Baly and named by Stal himself. These bands vary in width,

but are never very wide. The colour of the thorax is sometimes entirely fulvous without

any bands, at other times even entirely eneous without any fulvous; and the elytra are

either blue or green, finely or rugose-punctate ; so that scarcely two specimens are exactly

alike. The species has also a very wide geographical distribution.

19. Doryphora diagonalis. (Tab. XV. fig. 13.)

Doryphora diagonalis, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 256; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 51°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Playa Vicente, Cordova (Sallé), Misantla, Jalapa (Hoge).

A dozen specimens were obtained by Herr Hége. One of these is figured.

20. Doryphora eeneo-ornata. (Tab. XV. fig. 12.)

Doryphora eneo-ornata, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 471; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 52’.

Hab. Mexico}, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

Very closely allied, in the design of the elytra, to the preceding species, but quite

distinct. In D. eneo-ornata the elytra are irregularly geminately punctate-striate, the

suture is never flavous at its anterior portion, as is constantly the case in D. diagonalis,

and the fulvous spot at the base is placed quite close to the scutellum. In the preceding

insect the elytra are regularly and simply punctate-striate.

21. Doryphora decorata. (Tab. XIV. fig. 11.)

Doryphora decorata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 992.

Hab. Costa Rica (coll. Jacoby).

Closely allied to D. mirabilis, but at once distinguished from that species by the

geminately, not simply punctate-striate elytra and by their design, which consists of

a basal and apical large fulvous spot, two others behind the middle, and a transverse

band at the latter place. In the present insect the lateral margin from the base to the

middle is metallic green, and without the fulvous spot seen in D. mirabilis; the

species also much resembles D. vitéaticollis, St. ; but the elytral pattern is different. In

the figure the apical spot is not indicated. Two specimens are contained in my

collection.

22. Doryphora ornata. (Tab. XIV. fig. 9.)

Doryphora ornata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1877, p. 516.

Hab. Nicaraeua, Chontales (Janson).

Amongst the transversely banded species the present one may be known by the

DORYPHORA. 251

isolated black spot near the apex of the elytra. The latter resemble somewhat in their

design D. wallisi, Steinheil ; but the fulvous spots are of different shape, and the whole

insect is more convex, the punctuation being also very different.

23. Doryphora ocellata. (Tab. XIV. fig. 4. D. transversoplagiata, Tab. XV.

fig. 19.)

Doryphora ocellata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8S. 1878, p. 991.

Hab. Costa Rica (coll. Jacoby); Panama (Boucard), Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

It is very probable that the single specimen in my collection is but an immature

form of the preceding species, from which it differs in its pale fulvous (instead of black)

colour, the four thoracic small eneous spots, and the shape of the lateral basal spot,

which is not pear-shaped as in D. ornata, but rounded. In other respects it resembles

the latter. The species figured as D. transversoplagiatus, which I believed at first to

represent a distinct species, must be united with the present one, as a close examination

of the specimens lately received proves. These are varieties of darker colour, with the

fulvous bands more or less interrupted.

24. Doryphora sheppardi.

Doryphora sheppardi, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. iv. 1858, p. 348, t. 27. fig. 6°.

Doryphora divisa, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 258; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 18’.

Hab. Mexico?, Cordova (Hége, Sallé), Santecomapan (Sallé); British Honpuras,

river Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA 1, Volcan de Atitlan, Cerro Zunil, El Reposo,

Pantaleon, Mirandilla, Zapote, Sinanja, Senahu, Coban (Champion); Nicaragua, San

Lorenzo (Janson).

This species does not seem to be uncommon in Mexico and Guatemala. The broad

elytral transverse band and triangular spot and in consequence also the yellowish-white

bands which separate the darker parts are subject to variation. The elytral epipleure

have before the middle a dark eneous spot, which is a continuation of the transverse

anterior band. In the single specimen from San Lorenzo, which I have before me, the

thorax and legs are brownish piceous, the punctuation of the elytra is more remote and

less deep, even fine near the apex, and the interstices are not transversely rugose, as in

all the other specimens, but finely aciculate and flat. ‘The same is also the case in

regard to the thorax. Whether this specimen is the representative of another species

I cannot decide without having others from the same locality to compare.

25. Doryphora impar. (Tab. XIV. fig. 10.)

Doryphora impar, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 307; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 71°.

Hab. Mexico !, Cordova (Sallé).

2k2

252 PHYTOPHAGA.

Two forms of this species seem to occur. In the typical one the spots of the elytra

are dark zneous, and separated as St] describes them ; in two other specimens before me

these spots are united in the form of a broad transverse band of a dark chestnut-brown

colour, which is also the ground-colour of the insect. This variety was not known to

St&]. The shape of these bands and the dentation of their margins correspond so

exactly with those of the spots in the type that I must consider these specimens

varieties of the latter, especially as in one of them the elytral bands show a much more

intermediate degree between the two forms. The variety agrees in all other respects

with the normal-coloured specimens.

26. Doryphora decens.

’ Doryphora decens, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 307; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 871.

Hab. Panama (Boucard), Bugaba (Champion) ; CoLoMBIA * (coll. Jacoby).

This insect occurs in several varieties: in one the elytra are pale fulvous without any

spots; in another each elytron has five large black spots (2, 2, 1) placed transversely.

The unspotted form was the only one known to Stal. All together the insect varies in

the following way :—

a. Black or blackish blue below as well as the head and thorax, the former with a

triangular spot, the latter with sides narrowly fulvous; elytra pale brick-red.

(Typical form.) |

b. Thorax entirely blackish, without fulvous margin. .

c. Below (with the exception of sides of the breast and the first four abdominal

segments) and the legs testaceous; head and thorax of the same colour, the

latter with two transverse black spots; elytra fulvous, two large spots at the

base, two below the middle, and one near the apex black.

d. Thorax as in the type; elytra as in var. c.

All these forms scarcely differ in regard to their punctuation, which is very fine,

and arranged in irregular double rows on the elytra, the lateral margins of which are

impunctate. The antenne have their apical joints very short and transverse ; and the

mesosternal process is also very short.

27. Doryphora chontalensis. (Tab. XV. fig. 17.)

Dark fulvous; thorax remotely punctured ; elytra testaceous, regularly punctate-striate, the sutural and lateral

margins, two spots before, two behind the middle, and another spot near the apex of each elytron dark

fulvous.

Var. Thorax and elytral spots greenish black.

Length 33-4 lines.

Head distinctly broader than long, with a few fine punctures; labrum testaceous; antenne, light fulvous, the .

terminal joints slightly and gradually thickened, longer than broad. Thorax narrowly transverse, the sides

more or less rounded, surface distantly and rather finely punctured, fulvous, shining ; scutellum of the

same colour. Elytra very regularly and rather strongly punctate-striate, flavous or testaceous, the sutural

and lateral margins narrowly fulvous, two elongate large spots, connected with each other and touching

DORYPHORA. 253

the suture below the base, two others of the same shape below the middle, also joining the suture, and a

large triangular spot near the apex dark fulvous. Underside and legs of the same colour. Mesosternal

process short and conical. .

Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson, Belt).

In coloration and shape this species is closely allied to D. eucosma, from which the

arrangement of the elytral spots sufficiently distinguishes it. The thorax varies a good

deal in the five specimens before me, being more convex and narrower and the sides

more rounded in one instance than in the others, the punctuation also varying from

few to many punctures, which, however, are never very closely placed.

28. Doryphora eucosma.

Doryphora eucosma, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 469; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 72°.

Hab. Costa Rica; Panama (coll. Jacoby).

Of this apparently rare species the type, contained in Mr. Baly’s collection, is the

only specimen besides a variety contained in my own which has come under my

notice. In the insect from Panama, which is much larger than the typical specimen,

all the darker parts have a metallic greenish gloss, and the elytral anterior marks vary

in the following way: the elongate band from the base to the suture is connected

with the latter not only behind the middle, as in the type, but also directly below the

scutellum ; and the large lateral spot is prolonged to the lateral margin below the

shoulder: the spot below the middle also touches the margin at one point. In other

respects the insects are the same. The lateral margin of the thorax in the present

species shows a more or less distinct tendency to thicken, the thickened part being

preceded by an obscure longitudinal groove, as so often seen in many European

species of Chrysomela, but scarcely ever to be found in the insects of the present

genus.

29. Doryphora biplagata.

Ovate, convex, bluish black; thorax strongly and remotely punctured; elytra subgeminately punctate-striate,

each elytron with an elongate lateral spot at the base (including a small dark spot) and another oval one

near the apex fulvous.

Length 5 lines.

Head closely and finely punctured; antennse rather long, extending to nearly. the first third of the elytra, the

last six joints widened, slightly longer than broad, black, basal joint testaceous below. Thorax transverse,

_ the sides flattened, the lateral margin much rounded towards the anterior angles, the latter acute, scarcely

produced ; surface remotely covered with rather deep punctures irregularly distributed ; scutellum impunc-

tate, broad. LElytra convex at their first third, thence to the apex rather suddenly declining, surface

_ rather regularly subgeminately punctate-striate, the punctuation becoming more confused towards the

sides, of a dark blackish blue; a pear-shaped fulvous spot extends from the base to nearly the middle of

the elytra, and is placed nearer the lateral than the sutural margin; and, including a small bluish-black

spot, another fulvous more oval-shaped spot is situated near the apex and close to the suture. Mesosternal

process long and curved.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

254 PHYTOPHAGA.

The single specimen which was lately received from the above locality is quite distinct

in the markings of the elytra from any with which I am acquainted, while in shape

it approaches D. insularis, Jac., and many others.

30. Doryphora geometra.

Black below; thorax greenish black, opaque, remotely punctured; elytra subgeminately punctate-striate,

testaceous, sutural and lateral margins, a large subtriangular patch below the base, connected with the

_ suture, and another triangular band below the middle piceous.

Length 6 lines.

Head distantly punctured, greenish black, opaque; antenne with the terminal joints distinctly longer than

broad, black, apex of the last joint obscure fulvous. Thorax scarcely widened at the middle, the sides

nearly straight, anterior angles produced into a short tooth; surface irregularly covered with remote but

rather deep punctures, those at the sides rather more closely placed, opaque greenish black ; scutellum

elongate, greenish eneous. FElytra a little wider at the base than the thorax, more distinctly so behind

the middle, rather convex near the base, from there to the apex subdepressed, very distinctly and rather

regularly geminately punctate-striate, the punctuation more irregular and fine towards the apex, light

yellow, the sutural and lateral margins narrowly piceous; a transverse subtriangular patch before the

middle, and of the same piceous colour, joins the suture at the same place; the posterior margin of this

patch is straight, the anterior one strongly angulate towards the base; another longitudinal band, of

triangular shape, is placed below the middle: none of these marks touch the lateral margin, the posterior

one being entirely isolated. Mesosternal process long and curved; elytral epipleure black.

Hab. Panama (coll. Jacoby).

I cannot compare the only specimen in my collection to any other species with which

Iam acquainted in regard to the elytral marking, the nearest approach to it being

perhaps to be found in D. eneo-ornata.

31. Doryphora rogersi. (Doryphora 12-guttata, Tab. XIV. fig. 20.)

Light fulvous or flavous; last six joints of the antenne black; elytra subgeminately punctate-striate, greenish

eeneous, each elytron with six large fulvous spots (1, 2, 2, 1).

Length 43-53 lines.

Head very closely and finely punctured, generally with a thin central longitudinal groove ; apical joints of the

antenne gradually thickened, longer than broad, black, the basal joints fulvous. Thorax with the sides

rather strongly rounded near the anterior angles, the latter acute but scarcely produced, middle of the

disk very remotely and finely punctured ; the sides closely and strongly punctate, somewhat flattened ; all

the margins narrowly greenish sneous ; scutellum broadly triangular, the apex acute, surface smooth,

greenish neous. Elytra of the same colour, closely and not very regularly geminately punctate-striate, a

spot close to the scutellum, two larger ones of irregular shape before, two behind the middle, and another

at the extreme apex of each elytron light fulvous or flavous. Underside and legs fulvous or varied with

greenish eneous. Mesosternal process short and robust.

Hab. Costa Rica, Cache, Rio Sucio, Volcan de Irazu (fogers).

The description given by Stal of D. 12-guttata, Fab., agrees so closely with the

present species that I identified the latter at first with it; typical specimens, however,

contained in the collection of Mr. Baly prove to me that the Costa-Rican specimens

must be considered specifically distinct. In the elytral pattern the species resembles

closely D. 12-guttata, but differs in the following way: all the spots at the elytra are

much larger ; consequently the greenish neous spaces dividing them are much narrower ;

DORYPHORA. 259

the sutural spot near the scutellum is placed quite close to the suture, and is almost

contiguous with the one on the other elytron: in D. 12-guttata this spot is much further

removed from the sutural margin. The thorax in the present species is less narrow;

the sides, instead of being finely punctured like the disk, as in D. 12-guttata, are

strongly punctured. The metallic green colour of the upper surface in the latter

species is much more brilliant than in D. rogersi. Of the eight specimens obtained

by Mr. Rogers two show some slight variation in the size of the spots, which are

larger than in the others and nearly confluent. The abdomen in one specimen,

and part of the legs also, are obscure greenish eneous; but in all other respects the

specimens agree. The large size of the spots will at once distinguish D. rogersi from

other species similarly marked. The latter name must be substituted for the name on

the Plate.

32. Doryphora sallwi. (Tab. XIV. fig. 14.)

Doryphora sallei, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 308; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 104*.

Hab. Mexico ', Panistlahuca, Juquila (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

This seems to be one of the most variable species of the genus, of which more than

sixty specimens were obtained by Herr Hodge, and, although not differing much

amongst themselves, are quite distinct from the description given by Stal as regards the

elytral pattern, yet evidently represent the same species. In the type the elytra have

the suture and four narrow longitudinal bands greenish eneous, as well as the lateral

margin. In all the specimens from Cerro de Plumas the four elytral bands are inter-

rupted at the base and below the middle by transverse patches of the same colour as

the bands (generally greenish cupreous), in such a way that the latter are only visible

in the middle and at the apex, with the exception of the sutural band, which is entire.

The punctuation of the elytra is also much stronger than in the typical specimen from

M. Sallé’s collection; and the thorax is equally variable, some specimens having a

shorter and wider thorax than others. Another variety before me shows no trace of

any bands on the elytra, which are of a uniform testaceous or fulvous. The most

constant characters seem to be the convex and greatly dilated form of the elytra

behind, the testaceous spot at the base of the head, and the light fulvous colour of the

tibie and tarsi, as well as the very short mesosternal process. The figure represents a

normally coloured specimen from Mexico contained in my collection.

As the specimens from Cerro de Plumas agree in general with the typical forms,

I prefer to consider them local varieties.

88. Doryphora salvini. (Tab. XIV. fig. 6.)

Doryphora salvini, Baly, Trans. Ent: Soc. 1864, ser. ti. p. 225°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt, coll. Jacoby); Panama },

256 PHYTOPHAGA.

The specimen which served Mr. Baly for his type seems to be an immature one, as

all the others before me are of a greenish geneous colour, having the elytral spots

confluent in the shape of transverse deeply dentate bands. . I have seen no other

specimen from Panama than the type, and am therefore not able to say whether the

form found at that locality occurs always like it. The specimens from Nicaragua

are almost identical in the elytral design with D. eudoxa, Stal; but the shape of

the bands and spots are slightly different at the shoulder and at the apex of the

sutural margin.

34. Doryphora boucardi. (Tab. XV. fig. 20.)

Subelongate, black ; thorax remotely punctured; elytra subgeminately punctate-striate, testaceous, three trans-

verse narrow bands and some spots near the apex black.

Length 6-7 lines.

Head extremely finely punetured, opaque, black; antenne with the last six joints flattened, slightly longer

than broad, black. Thorax of equal width, distinctly narrower than the elytra, of an opaque silky-like

appearance, very finely and remotely punctured throughout ; scutellum triangular, black. Hlytra moderately

strongly geminately punctate-striate at the sutural half, irregularly punctured at the sides, testaceous ; each

elytron with three narrow irregularly dentate transverse black bands, one placed directly below the base,

the second before, and the third behind the middle, all of them extending to the lateral and sutural

margins; another short, curved, black stripe occupies the lateral margin close to the apex, and is preceded

by two spots, of which one touches the suture. Elytral epipleure testaceous, a spot below the base and

their apex black. Mesosternal process moderately long and curved.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).

In its narrow and elongate shape the species resembles HL. eudoxa, Stal, also to a less

degree in its elytral pattern. From all the known transversely banded species, the

present one is distinguished by the position of the bands and their number. The

specimen obtained by Mr. Boucard differs from one contained in my collection by the

less opaque colour of its thorax and the more numerous punctures to be seen on the

disk of the latter.

35. Doryphora opposita. (Tab. XV. fig. 21.)

Black; thorax finely and very remotely punctured; elytra finely punctate-striate, flavous, the sutural and

lateral margins, an oblique band from the base to the suture, joined below the base to another longitudinal

lateral band from the shoulder to nearly the apex, black.

Length 4 lines.

Head entirely impunctate, with a fine central longitudinal groove; labrum margined with testaceous; antenns

black, terminal joint obscure fulvous, the last five joints longer than broad. Thorax moderately convex,

of nearly equal width, surface and the sides with a few fine punctures, shining black; scutellum of the

same colour. Elytra finely and regularly punctate-striate, the space between the ninth and tenth strie

wider than the others, flavous, shining, the suture broadly, the lateral margin narrowly black; from the

middle of the base a short oblique band, wider at its posterior portion, joins the suture at the middle;

another, longer band runs parallel with and at some distance from the lateral margin, commencing at the

shoulder, where it is connected with the other band, and ending at a little distance from the apex, at

which place it is somewhat curved and directed towards the suture. Underside and legs black; last

abdominal segment margined with fulvous. Mesosternal process very short.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).

DORYPHORA. 207

86. Doryphora uniformis.

_ Below, the antennx and the scutellum black; above rufous; thorax very finely punctured ; elytra geminate

punctate-striate at the sutural half.

Length 44 lines.

Head very minutely and rather closely punctured; labrum obscure piceous; apex of jaws black; antenne

extending to the first third of the elytra, black, the basal joint rufous below, the first seven joints shining,

the rest, with the exception of the terminal joint, short, transverse, subquadrate; thorax about twice as

broad as long, widened at the middle, the sides nearly straight and parallel, surface scarcely visibly punc-

tured at the disk, a little more distinctly at the sides; scutellum broad, subovate, shining black ; elytra

slightly wider at the base than the thorax, rufous, like the head and thorax, finely geminate punctate-

striate near the suture, the sides irregularly punctured ; underside and legs black, with a slight greenish

tint; mesosternal process very short.

Hab. Payama, Volcan de Chiriqui ( Champion).

The single specimen obtained bears a close resemblance to Leptinotarsa rubiginosa

in regard to colour. ‘The structure of the mesosternum will of course at once

distinguish it.

37. Doryphora arangoi.

Doryphora arangoi, Steinheil, Mittheil. ent. Ver. Miinchen, 1877, p. 43, tab. i. fig. 6°.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil (Champion).—Co.oms1a !.

The dozen specimens obtained by Mr. Champion agree so closely with the figure

given by Steinheil, and also for the greater part with his description, that I cannot

but refer them to this species. The only differences that I find are, the finely

punctured interstices of the elytral strie, of which Steinheil makes no mention, and the

shape of the sutural dark band, which in the Guatemalan insects is extremely narrow.

The elytral second transverse band is either free as the author described it, or connected

by a thin point with the suture.

38. Doryphora flavoguttata, (Tab. XIV. fig. 2.)

Doryphora flavoguttata, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 145°.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu 1, Rio Sucio (Rogers).

But three specimens of this species have been received, the spots on the elytra of

which are not flavous (as the name would indicate), but dark fulvous.

39. Doryphora bisbimaculata. (Tab. XIV. fig. 8.)

Doryphora bisbimaculata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1877, p. 518°.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson’).

In addition to the light fulvous patches of the elytra as represented in the figure,

there is often another minute spot of the same colour visible near the apex. I have

seen only four specimens from Nicaragua.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, March 1883. 91

258 PHYTOPHAGA.

40. Doryphora antennalis. (Tab. XV. fig. 18.)

Doryphora-antennalis, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1877, p. 516°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales' (Janson, Belt).

The antenne in this species are rather filiform and longer than usually, and not much

thickened. Five specimens were received.

41. Doryphora dorsomaculata. (Tab. XIV. fig. 1.)

Doryphora dorsomaculata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 146°.

Hab. Nicaracva ! (?).—Braziu (coll. Baly).

The specimen given to me by Mr. Rippon at the time of publication, I understood

to have been procured at Nicaragua; but as I have never seen any other from that

locality, and three specimens in Mr. Baly’s collection all bear the label “ Brazil,” it is

very probable that the latter country is the true locality of the species.

42. Doryphora punctipennis.

Doryphora punctipennis, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 145°.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers').

Only two specimens were obtained. The posterior portion of the elytra are depressed

and deflexed rather suddenly, which gives an angular appearance to the insect when

viewed sideways. ‘The elytra are strongly rugose-punctate at their posterior half; and

the flavous bands at the middle and at the lateral margin are very narrow and regularly

shaped.

43, Doryphora viridifasciata. (Tab. XV. fig. 16.)

Very convex, light fulvous; base of the head, four spots at the thorax, and the scutellum black ; elytra finely

subgeminate punctate-striate, each elytron with three broad metallic green transverse bands.

Length 5-53 lines.

Head with a few extremely fine punctures, fulvous, the base with a semiquadrate black spot ; antenne entirely

light fulvous, the last six joints flattened and gradually widened, slightly longer than broad; thorax

nearly three times as broad as long, the sides almost parallel at the base, very slightly rounded towards

the apex, surface very sparingly covered with distinct punctures, fulvous with four subquadrate black

spots placed transversely across the disk ; scutellum black, shining ; elytra very convex, almost cylindrical,

slightly narrowed at the base, each elytron with about ten rows of fine punctures arranged in double lines

towards the middle, the interstices finely aciculate, a broad band at the base, a second one immediately

below the middle, and another of a more triangular shape near the apex bright metallic green ; the last

of these bands does not extend quite to the apex, nor either of them to the sutural margin. Mesosternal

process very short.

Hab. Muxico, Chiapas (Sal/é); GuateMa.a, Purula, Sinanja (Champion).

Of this handsome species five specimens from Guatemala and one from Mexico are

before me. ‘The latter differs from ail the others in the greater extension of the black

at the base of the head, in its closer punctuation, and in the black colour of the last

DORYPHORA. 209

seven joints of the antenne; the thoracic spots also are of larger size, and the elytra

more distinctly and more regularly geminate punctate. The species would perhaps

be best placed after D. wneo-ornata.

44, Doryphora ligata, (Tab. XIV. fig. 13.)

Doryphora ligata, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 473 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 75.

Hab. Mexico!; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).—Pxru |.

The Panama specimens differ from the type from Peru in the collection of Mr. Baly

in being paler and having all the darker lines on the elytra much less distinctly marked ;

but in all other respects they are similar. A specimen from Panama is figured.

45. Doryphora falléni.

Doryphora falléni, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 309; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 77".

Hab. Mexico}.

46. Doryphora decurrens.

Doryphora decurrens, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 472 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 65°.

Hab. Costa Rica}.

47. Doryphora spectabilis. (Tab. XIV. fig. 19.)

Doryphora spectabilis, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. iv. 1858, p. 341’; Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 667.

Hab. Guatemata!; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt, coll. Sallé); Costa Rica,

Cache (fogers).

48. Doryphora clarki.

Greenish eneous below; thorax finely punctured; elytra punctate-striate, testaceous, the sutural and lateral

margins, a large elongate mark connected at the middle with the suture, and an irregular patch below the

middle of each elytron piceous or dark fulvous.

Length 33-4 lines.

Head extremely finely punctured; antenne fulvous, all the joints, with the exception of the first four, sub-

triangular, short; thorax transverse, of equal width, with a small fovea at each side; the disk rather

closely and very finely punctured, the punctuation scarcely stronger at the sides ; elytra with ten rows of

very regular punctures of moderate depth, testaceous, the lateral margin narrowly, the suture more

broadly dark fulvous ; an elongate broad stripe extends from the base to the middle of the suture, and is

connected with a large roundish spot at the shoulder, which does not extend to either the basal or lateral

margin; another subtriangular large spot is placed below the middle; mesosternal process long and

robust.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

If the dark markings of the elytra are taken for the ground-colour, the testaceous or

flavous portion may be described as follows :—A small streak near the scutellum and a

still smaller one near the shoulder, a narrow band parallel and close to the lateral

212

260 . PHYTOPHAGA.

margin, and an equally narrow convex and dentate band placed at the posterior half and

at some distance from the suture. The insect, of which three specimens have been

lately received, much resembles D. eucosma, from which the simply punctate-striate

elytra at once distinguish it, the latter being geminate punctate in the allied species.

DESMOGRAMMA.

Desmogramma, Erichson, Archiv f. Naturg. 1847, i. p. 157.

In the species constituting the present genus, the prosternum is distinctly raised

anteriorly and truncate, which structural character separates the genus at once from all

others. About twenty-eight species, all inhabitants of South America, are known; the

genus wants, however, revising, D. redtenbacheri, St&l, for example, belonging to

another genus on account of the prosternum being normal and not raised. A single

species is known to me from Central America :—

1. Desmogramma conjugata.

Desmogramma conjugata, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 320; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 227°.

Hab. Panama (Boucard), Veragua', David (Champion).—CoLoMBIA?.

The general colour of this species is not always chestnut-brown as stated by Stal, but

varies in often having a decided eneous tint. The specimens obtained by Mr. Champion

agree in all respects with those in the collection of Mr. Baly named by Stal.

ELYTROSPHAERA.

Elytrosphera, Stal, Diagn. 1858, p. 474; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 146.

In the want of membranous wings and in its general shape, Elytrosphera

approaches very closely the genus Z¢marcha, as has been also pointed out by Chapuis.

‘The thorax in the former genus is much constricted at the base, and generally much

narrower than the elytra, the latter being very convex and much narrowed at the apex.

Amongst the described species many have the elytra ornamented by waved transverse

metallic golden lines on a dark ground, others resembling in their markings some

species of Doryphora. I am acquainted with only five species from Mexico, of which

three have not been described previously.

1. Elytrosphera quadrimaculata. (Tab. XV. fig. 22.)

Oblong-ovate, convex, widened behind, black; head and thorax rugose-punctate ; elvtra subgeminate punctate-

striate, testaceous, the sutural and lateral margins and two triangular large patches, one before, the other

behind the middle of each elytron, black.

Length 5-6 lines.

Head very closely punctured, rugose punctate near the middle; antenne extending scarcely beyond the base of

-the thorax, the first six joints shining, the rest opaque, slightly longer than broad ; thorax scarcely twice

as broad as long, the sides nearly straight, slightly narrowed towards the base, the anterior angles acute

ELYTROSPHARA. 261

and produced into a short tooth, surface very closely punctured, the interstices somewhat rugose, more

especially at the sides; scutellum broadly triangular; elytra widened towards the middle, geminate

punctate-striate, testaceous, their epipleuree and the sutural and lateral margins blackish green, a large

subtriangular patch of the same colour extends from the base to the middle, and has its posterior edge

cut oblique at each side, another still larger patch of a more regular triangular shape extends to nearly

the apex, the anterior edge of this patch is concave; underside and legs greenish black.

Hab. Mexico, Tanetza, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

The depth of the punctuation varies in this species, being sometimes almost obsolete ;

the elytral sutural band is narrowed at the base, but is widened almost directly below

the latter, and continues in that shape to the apex; the patches of the elytra occupy

the greater part, so that only a narrow space of testaceous is seen between them and

near the margins. I have retained the manuscript name given to it by Deyrolle.

2. Hlytrosphera mexicana. (Tab. XV. fig. 23.)

Ovate, convex, black; antenne and legs fulvo-piceous; thorax and elytra rugose-punctate, the latter with the

base, the lateral margin, and three narrow transverse lines and two spots near the apex golden yellow.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures; labrum fulvous; antenne extending to one third the length of the elytra,

fulvous, the last four joints thickened, longer than broad; thorax transverse, the sides distinctly rounded

anteriorly, longitudinally rugose and variolose punctate, disk closely but less strongly punctured, black ;

elytra irregularly and rather strongly punctured, the interstices rugose, black, the base and lateral

margin narrowly golden yellow ; an oblique stripe of the same colour runs from the shoulder towards the

sutural margin; another, sinuate stripe extends across the middle and joins the marginal stripe where

the latter is convex for a short distance ; a third oblique stripe, angulate at its inner portion, is placed

below the middle, and two small spots of a ring-like shape near the apex; a small spot further joins the

basal band near the scutellum ; and another one is placed between the two posterior bands near the suture ;

femora piceous, tibie and tarsi fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

The shape and position of the golden lines on the elytra separate the present species

from others of similar coloration. In the single specimen before me none of the

transverse lines touch the suture, the marginal band is raised at the middle in a

short convex shape, upon which the central band is placed, and the first oblique stripe

is interrupted in its middle. The thorax is entirely black; and this distinguishes the

species from its allies.

8. Klytrosphera, villica.

Elytrosphera villica, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 455; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 147’.

Hab. Mexico 1, Yolotepec (Sad/é).

4, Elytrosphera aciculata.

Elytrosphera aciculata, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 455 ; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 1487.

Hab. Mexico 1, Yolotepec (Saldé).

In the single specimen before me from the Sallé collection, the thorax shows no trace

262 PHYTOPHAGA.

of punctuation whatever; and in a specimen named by Stal from the collection of

Mr. Baly, there are only a few very minute punctures visible at the sides, the rest of

the disk being impunctate, thus differing from Stal’s description, who gives the thorax

as ‘* vix perspicue, latera versus distinctius punctulatus.”

5. Elytrosphera annulata. (Tab. XV. fig. 24.)

Fulvo-piceous; antenne and legs fulvous; thorax subremotely punctured ; elytra closely and irregularly

punctured, a ring-shaped mark near the suture at the base, a transverse line at the middle, a longitudinal

row of spots below the latter, and the lateral margin golden yellow.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures, lower part of face and the labrum fulvous; antenne with the terminal joints

gradually thickened, and nearly as broad as long, the last joint elongate ; thorax of the same shape as

that of EZ. mexicana, but less closely punctured at the disk, the sides strongly rugose-punctate; elytra rather

strongly and closely but irregularly punctured, the interstices rugose near the sides, the suture accom-

panied by a row of closely arranged punctures; at the base near the suture a large ring-shaped mark of

golden yellow extends to nearly the middle of the elytra; below the middle near the sutural margin a

longitudinal row of small spots extends to the apex in a somewhat curved shape, and having another

oblique spot attached to its commencement, while a transverse short narrow line of yellow is placed at the

middle and rests upon the similarly coloured lateral margin in the same way as in the preceding species ;

this transverse line extends inwards only as far as the ring, which it nearly joins at its outer limb.

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec (Saidé).

The elytral pattern of this species, of which I have also only a single specimen before

me, is quite distinct from that of E. mexicana; so that it cannot be considered a variety

of that species, although it is closely allied to it in other respects.

PYXIS.

Pyzis, Chevrolat in D’Orbign. Dict. univ. Hist. Nat. 1843, ili. p. 656; Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 468 ;

Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 289. .

The species constituting this genus bear a great resemblance to those of the genus

Plagiodera, from which I am only able to distinguish them by their appendiculate

(not bifid as Chapuis says) claws, these organs being simple in the allied genus. As to

the concave form of the abdominal segments, upon which Chapuis lays stress, I find the

same to occur occasionally in Plagiodera, while in Pyxis it is not always present,

P. clavigera showing scarcely any trace of it. The same remark applies to the length

of the first abdominal segment, which is of equal size to the rest in Plagiodera, while

in some species of Pywis it is scarcely longer than the following ones. Only a single

species has been described as inhabiting Mexico: I find the same locality given to a

species (P. clavigera) in the collection of Mr. Baly; but this is probably an error, as I

have not seen any other specimens from that locality.

1. Pyxis indiga.

Pyzis indiga, Stal, Diagn. 1860, p. 463; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 290’.

Hab, Mexico}, Cordova (Sal/é).

DIPHAULACA. 263

Fam. GALERUCIDA.

Subfam. HALTICINA.

In attempting to monograph the Halticine of Central America I am fully aware of

the great and many difficulties which have to be overcome—the great amount of

material before me, the structural characters of the group which have to be taken into

account, many of which are perhaps rather dubious when used as a guide to determi-

nation of genera, and, most of all, the difficulty one has to encounter in trying to

arrange the vast material into some state of order so as to assist as much as possible

the student in the determination of this difficult group. To solve this perplexing

problem would have been a more arduous undertaking, had not the genial Chapuis

marked out a basis for future studies in his continuation of Lacordaire’s ‘Genera des

Coléoptéres. In the present monograph of the Halticine of Central America I preter,

however, not to follow entirely that author’s arrangement, but adopt the plan followed

by von Harold in his description of Colombian Halticine (Coleopterologische Hefte,

xiv.), dividing the entire group into two sections, viz. those in which the thorax shows

a more or less distinctly marked transverse groove, and others in which the thorax is

entirely without that character. The first section can then again be divided into

genera with open and genera with closed anterior coxal cavities. The first of these

characters, the thoracic groove, seems to me of quite as great importance as the state of

the anterior cavities, and is at all events easy of recognition, which is of great value in

so numerous and difficult a family.

Section I.—Thorax with a transverse groove, the latter limited and interrupted at

the sides.

a. Anterior coxal cavities open.

DIPHAULACA.

Diphaulaca, Clark, Journ. Ent. ii. 1865, pp. 377, 386; Chevrolat in D’Orbign. Dict. univ. Hist.

Nat. v. p. 46.

The differences between this and the next genus (Lactica), to which it is closely

allied, has been well pointed out by von Harold in the ‘ Coleopterologische Hefte,’ to

which I simply refer here. Clark’s definition of the genus is therefore only partly

correct; and the species he describes cannot belong all to Diphaulaca, on account of

the punctuation of the elytra, which is arranged in regular strie and not confusedly

punctate as some of Clark’s species are. The anterior angles of the thorax in

Diphaulaca are acute and turned outwards, the claws are appendiculate, and the palpi

have the terminal joint pointed and slender. Only a single species has been described

previously from Central America, the others from South America.

264 PHYTOPHAGA.

1. Diphaulaca aulica.

Diphaulaca aulica, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 678, t. i. fig. 15'; Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 4’.

Diphaulaca bicolor, De Geer, Mém. Ins. v. p. 357, t. 16. fig. 20°.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila, Capulalpam, Oaxaca, Cordova, Puebla, Toxpam, Santecoma-

pam, Cuernavaca, La Parada, Cosamaloapam, Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); British

Hownpuras, river Sarstoon, river Hondo (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA (coll. Sallé), near

the city (Salvin), Zapote, Capetillo, Chacoj, Chiacam, Sabo, Tamahu (Champion) ;

Costa Rica (van Patten); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CoLomBIA ? ;

Guiana! 3,

Von Harold has given a renewed description of this species, which seems to have a

wide geographical distribution. From the above localities more than a hundred speci-

mens are before me, the variability of which leave me no other choice but to refer them

all to the same species: the type, which is described as having red legs and underside,

agrees with a great number obtained by Mr. Champion; others, from the same

localities, are black below with legs of the same colour; and between these forms I

have all kinds of intermediate stages. The punctuation of the elytra is also somewhat

variable, the stria, which are fine, sometimes continuing to the apex, but generally

becoming indistinct below the middle ; the size of the insects is also varying to a very

great extent, from two to four lines, and the colour of the antenne varies from red to

black, with intermediate stages. I see therefore no reason to consider those forms

specifically distinct, and prefer to look upon them as varieties.

9. Diphaulaca wagneri.

Diphaulaca wagneri, Harold, Coleopter. Hefte, xiv. 1875, p. 5.

Hab. GUATEMALA.

I have but little doubt that this species is but one of the numerous varieties of

D. aulica, as the principal difference, according to the author’s diagnosis, seems to be

one of colour; but not having the type to compare, I cannot be sure about it.

3. Diphaulaca intermedia.

Oblong-ovate, rufous; antenne (the three basal joints excepted) and tarsi black ; elytra metallic green,

closely and finely punctate-striate.

Length 2} lines.

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles small but distinct; carina short, tuberculate ; antennz less than half the

length of the body, all the joints rather short, the first three rufous, the rest black; thorax transverse,

constricted near the base, the sides rounded anteriorly, anterior angles acute but little produced ; basilar

sulcation deep; scutellum rufous ; elytra widened towards the apex, the base distinctly raised and trans-

versely depressed, the shoulders prominent; surface very closely and finely punctured, the punctures

forming semiregular lines, but disappearing towards the apex ; underside and legs rufous ; tarsi black or

piceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

DIPHAULACA. 265

I separate this species from its congeners on account of the close punctuation of the

elytra, which is rather obsoletely arranged in rows. The typical character of this species

is not so pronounced as usual; the frontal tubercles are, however, very distinct, the

carina is very short, and the anterior angles of the thorax are equally pointed, although

not produced outwards. The basal elevation and punctuation of the elytra show the

place of the insect to be in this genus, of which I know no species with such closely

punctured elytral strie. I may add here that Clark, in his paper on the American

Halticidee, describes one or two species which he compares to D. punctata and D. con-

tempta. No such species as these latter ones have ever been described under such

names to my knowledge.

4. Diphaulaca nitida.

Ovate, widened behind, very convex, dark metallic violaceous blue; thorax impunctate, transversely and

longitudinally grooved. Elytra with deep basal depression, finely punctate-striate, apex nearly im-

punctate.

Length 2-3 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles distinct, well limited, and rather elongate; carina short, but distinctly

raised ; palpi slender ; antennsw nearly two thirds the length of the body, third and fourth joints equal,

the former twice as long as the second joint, obscure bluish violaceous, closely pubescent ; thorax trans-

versely convex, anterior angles acute and slightly produced outwards, sides rounded at the middle; the

basilar groove deep and sinuate at the middle, its sides limited by a deep longitudinal groove; surface

entirely impunctate, very shining and smooth; scutellum with the apex rather rounded; elytra widened

behind the middle, very convex, the base swollen and transversely depressed below this elevation; surface

finely, closely, and rather regularly punctured, the apex nearly impunctate in many specimens.

Var. Above metallic yellowish green.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas (Hége), Santecomapan, Teapa, Cordova (Sal/é) ;

British Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuaTeMALa, San Geronimo, Capetillo,

Purula (Champion); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

The species described here is one of the most puzzling insects of the genus in which

I have placed it, on account of the projecting anterior angles of the thorax, which also

has a deep transverse and longitudinal groove, and of the distinctly raised basal portion

of the elytra. The amount of variability exhibited by the very numerous specimens

before me makes it impossible to come to any even approximate conclusion as to the

specific value of the characters to be found. The description given above can only be

used as a general guide, to which I will add that shape, comparative length of the joints of

the elytra, sculpture of the latter, and general form of the insect are scarcely alike in

two specimens even from the same locality, which I consider of more importance in the

separation of forms than even their outward appearance. I may, however, remark that

nearly all the Mexican specimens are of a dark violaceous blue colour, and the Guate-

malan and Costa-Rican insects of a yellowish metallic green, although specimens of a

blue colour occur also amongst those from the last-named localities. From Jalapa and

Costa Rica I have before me small and larger specimens more or less convex, with stout

or more elongate antenne, and elytral punctuation as variable, which would necessitate

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1884. 2m

2.66 . PHYTOPHAGA.

their separation into half a dozen species, which would be scarcely satisfactory. I

prefer, as in the case of D. aulica, to regard all the forms as belonging to one very

variable species.

5. Diphaulaca panamensis.

Ovate, very convex, dark violaceous blue; antenne slender ;

punctuation visible to the apex, the base raised.

Length 24 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles elongate and obliquely shaped, limited posteriorly by a transverse

groove; carina short and thick; antenn half the length of the body, greenish blue, the first three

joints shining, the rest opaque, closely pubescent; fourth joint slightly longer than the third, fifth

one half longer than the fourth ; thorax transverse, very convex, impunctate, the sides straight at the

pase, rounded at the middle; anterior angles acute; basal, transverse, and longitudinal sulcation deep,

the former extending also upwards laterally beyond the longitudinal groove ; surface impunctate; elytra

very convex, wider at the base than the thorax, distinctly transversely depressed below the base, the latter

raised, the humeral callus prominent; surface very closely and rather strongly punctured, the punctuation

more finely but distinctly visible towards the apex.

elytra closely and distinctly punctured, the

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

I have separated this species from D. nitida on account of its more convex shape,

longer antenne (the joints of which are more elongate), and stronger elytral punctuation,

all of which characters are the same in the dozen specimens obtained at Bugaba.

The present species and D. nitida cannot well be included in von Harold’s genus

Lactina, on account of the distinct basal elevation of the elytra and their more striate-

punctate sculpture. The continuation of the thoracic groove beyond the lateral one is

visible in certain lights only, and may be found to a greater or smaller degree in other

species of Diphaulaca. Von Harold has described a few similarly marked insects, and

put them in the genus LHaltica (Graptodera), to which I cannot refer the present and

preceding insects on account of the deep longitudinal thoracic groove and the other

structural characters pointed out above. In the insect described here from Panama

there is no variation visible amongst the specimens, as in the case of D. nitida.

6. Diphaulaca chiriquensis, (Tab. XVI. fig. 1.)

Metallic violaceous or greenish blue; head with a deep fovea; thorax impunctate ; elytra closely punctured,

the punctures arranged in irregular strie.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, with a deep longitudinal fovea between the eyes; antenne scarcely half the length of the

body, black, the apex of the first three joints obscure fulvous, third joint nearly twice as long as the

second; thorax rather convex, the anterior angles thickened and slightly pointed outwards; sides nearly

straight, the transverse sulcation very distinct, sinuate, and deeply limited laterally by a longitudinal

groove; the entire surface impunctate and rather swollen in front of the sulcation ; elytra with a distinct

but not very deep depression near the suture below the base; the punctuation somewhat variable in depth,

generally well visible anteriorly, and arranged in rather irregular double rows towards the suture, the

punctuation more fine towards the apex, but more strongly impressed near the sides. Legs dark blue;

underside blackish blue.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

DIPHAULACA. 267

The present species can only be confounded with two others, D. fossifrons, Har.,

and D. jucunda, Har., with both of which it has the deep fovea of the head in common.

The former insect is, however, distinguished by the colour of the first three joints of

the antenne and of that of the anterior part of the femora, which are rufous, and by

the want of the punctuation below the middle of the elytra. D. jucunda is smaller ;

the first three joints of the antenne are described as being reddish, and the apex of the

elytra impunctate and with a shallow depression. Von Harold does not mention the

shape of the sides of the thorax, nor does he compare the last-named species with

D. fossifrons, to which it seems more nearly allied than to D. colombica and D. hilaris.

According to Mr. Baly these latter species ought to be placed in the genus Hermeo-

phaga (Trans. Ent. Soc, 1879), on account of a small spine at the four anterior tibie.

I am unable to discover this character in a typical specimen contained in my collection,

and think that von Harold has placed the species in the proper genus, all the other

characters peculiar to Diphaulaca being also present.

Another species described by von Harold, D. sulcifrons, seems also closely allied to

the present (both having the thoracic groove continued parallel with the lateral margin

when viewed in certain lights); but in the last insect the antenne and legs are of

different colour.

7. Diphaulaca sobrina.

Ovate-oblong, obscure testaceous below, dark violaceous above; four basal joints of the antenne and the base

of the legs testaceous; head deeply foveolate; thorax impunctate; elytra with a few punctured strie

anteriorly.

Length 13 line.

Hab. Muxico, Playa Vicente (Sal/é).

As this species is, again, closely allied to D. chiriquensis, D. fossifrons, and one or

two others, it will be better to point out the distinguishing differences only. In the

species before us the upper colour is a dark violet, in which the insect differs from all

other allied forms. The head has a deep fovea extending nearly to the vertex. The

antenne are more than half the length of the body, the third joint is nearly double

the length of the second, the four basal joints testaceous. The elytra have the base

rather raised, with a punctured stria near the suture and a few others towards the sides,

the rest of the surface impunctate. Legs and underside obscure testaceous, with a

more or less distinct violaceous blue gloss.

This colour and that of the upperside will separate this species from D. jucunda,

Har. The two specimens before me do not differ from each other in any way.

8. Diphaulaca crassicornis.

Ovate, convex, dark violaceous blue; antennz black, incrassate towards the apex; thorax with the transverse

groove continued laterally ; elytra with deep basal depression, distinctly punctate-striate anteriorly.

Length 1} line.

* 2m2

268 | PHYTOPHAGA.

Head smooth, impunctate, the frontal tubercles elongate and not well limited posteriorly ; carina short, rather

plunt; labrum piceous ; antennew half the length of the body, the first joint metallic violaceous, third and

fourth joints of equal length, distinctly longer than the second; the following joints gradually widened and

covered with rather long pubescence ; thorax much broader than long, the sides rounded at the middle,

angles acute, the anterior ones thickened ; posterior margin slightly produced at the middle ; surface smooth,

impunctate ; the basal groove deep, slightly sinuate, and limited laterally by a deep longitudinal groove,

beyond which the transverse one extends some distance upwards near the lateral margin when the insect

is seen in certain lights; elytra with the base distinctly raised and deeply depressed below the latter,

rather strongly, regularly, and closely punctate-striate to beyond the middle, from there to the apex

impunctate ; the basal margin is also narrowly raised and accompanied by a row of deep punctures.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula, San Gerénimo, Senahu, Tamahu, Cahabon, San Juan in

Vera Paz; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

9. Diphaulaca brevicollis.

Oblong-ovate, subparallel, rufous; antenne (the two basal joints excepted) and tarsi piceous; thorax short,

very transverse; elytra violaceous blue, without basal elevation, closely and semiregularly punctate-

striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, with a deep fovea in front of each eye; frontal tubercles very small and indistinct ; labrum

fulvous without punctures; antenne half the length of the body, two lower joints rufous, the rest

black ; third and fourth joints scarcely longer than the second, rest of the joints also rather short ; thorax

nearly three times as broad as long, all the margins straight, the anterior angles acute but not produced ;

surface impunctate ; the basal suleation deep and rather closely approached to the posterior margin ;

scutellum broad, fulvous; elytra not widened behind, without any basal elevation or depression, closely

and rather strongly punctate-striate, the apex nearly impunctate.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

From all the other described species the present one will be readily known by its

transverse thorax, which is as wide as the elytra, the comparative length of the joints

of the antenne, and their colour. One specimen only is before me.

10. Diphaulaca quadraticollis.

Greenish black below, metallic green above; antenne black, long; thorax square-shaped, impunctate ; elytra

regularly and strongly punctate-striate.

Length 14 line. .

Head impunctate, with an impressed line round the inner margin of the eyes; frontal tubercles rather flat-

tened, with a fovea dividing them; carina very short and indistinct; antenne two thirds the length of

the body, black, the first joint metallic greenish; third and fourth joints of equal length and double the

length of the second; thorax nearly square-shaped, widened at the sides before the middle, the angles

acute and produced in a short tooth ; surface much swollen in front of the basal groove, the latter deep

and of usual shape; elytra with the base scarcely raised, strongly and regularly punctate-striate, espe-

cially anteriorly and laterally, the punctuation less strongly but still distinctly visible at the apex ; tarsi

piack.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Iam somewhat doubtful whether this species, of which I have but one specimen to

compare, is not a variety of D. hilaris, Har., to which, at all events, it is very closely

allied. The antenne in the latter insect are, however, more elongate and slender, and

DIPHAULACA. 269

the first three joints are red; the thorax in the present species is more convex and

rather longer; and, lastly, the colour of the entire insect is more of a brassy dark

green. |

11. Diphaulaca jucunda. (Tab. XVI. fig. 2.)

Diphaulaca jucunda, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 9 (1875) }.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Cotompia },

The specimens obtained by Mr. Champion agree very nearly with a typical specimen

contained in my collection, kindly given to me by M. Oberthiir. There are some slight

differences to be found in the colour of the first three joints of the antenne, which is

not red but metallic green above in the Panama specimens, although those joints are

fulvous below. The punctuation of the elytra is also somewhat more strongly

impressed and a little more regular; but I think these differences only attributable to

local influences.

12. Diphaulaca colombica.

Diphaulaca columbica, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 8 (1875) *.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Toxpam (Sal/é).—Cotomsia !.

The differences notable between the Mexican insects and one from Colombia in my

collection (named by von Harold) are but slight. In the latter the first joints of the

antenne are reddish at their apex; in the Mexican specimen they are black. In other

respects the insects agree with the description of the author.

13. Diphaulaca irazuensis.

Subelongate, narrow, obscure greenish black below, above metallic green; antenne, tibie, and tarsi black;

elytra depressed below the base, finely punctured at the same place, impunctate from middle to apex.

Length 13 line.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu, Rio Sucio (Rogers).

I separate this species from D. jucunda and allied species on account of the following

differences :—The underside is nearly black, the breast and femora only being tinged

with metallic greenish colour. The antenne are black, with the exception of the first

joint, which is more of a metallic bluish colour; the third joint is double the length of

the second, in which character the antenne agree with D. jucunda. The principal

difference is to be found in the punctuation of the elytra, which are very finely punc-

tured near the base only, the rest of their extent being nearly impunctate.

Some specimens from the same locality are of a more robust and broader shape,

and the thorax is more transverse; but as they agree in all other respects, I take

this difference to be peculiar to the female sex. The palpi in D. irazuensis have the

penultimate joint rather robust. In size and shape the species agrees with D. jucunda.

270 PHYTOPHAGA.

LACTICA.

Lactica, Erichson, Archiv f. Naturg. 1847, 1. p. 178.

Monomacra, Strabala, Lacpatica, Chevrolat, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 413.

Camena, Baly, Journ. of Ent. i. p. 458.

Although closely allied to Diphaulaca and Lactina, Har., the shape of the thorax

and that of the frontal carina in Lactica separate it distinctly from both the above-

named genera. Von Harold has pointed out the obtuse not produced anterior angle

of the thorax and the widened carina in ZLactica, in connexion with the want of an

elytral basal elevation and their generally confusedly arranged punctuation. Instances,

however, occur in which it is extremely difficult to separate Lactica from Diphaulaca,

as intermediate forms are found here, as well as in other branches of zoology, which

may be rightly classed in either genus. These cases, however, are rare. Lactica is

tolerably rich in species from most parts of the world: few have up till now been

described from Central America.

1. Lactica bifasciata. (Tab. XVI. fig. 3.)

Elongate, subparallel, testaceous; head, antennw, and legs black; thorax and elytra impunctate, testaceous,

each elytron with a black longitudinal band from the base to nearly the apex.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head impunctate, shining, the frontal tubercles but slightly raised and divided by a shallow groove ; clypeus

thickened, widened in front, minutely punctured; antenne less than half the length of the body, the first

joint curved and thickened, subclaviform, the second one short, the third and following joints of nearly

equal length and rather short ; thorax transverse, impunctate, the sides narrowly margined and nearly

straight, the basal groove sinuate, very obsolete, and visible only in certain lights, but limited at each side

by a deep sulcation ; scutellum small, the apex obtuse; elytra but little convex, not visibly punctured,

testaceous ; a broad black band slightly narrowed at the middle extends from the base to a little distance

from the apex. .

Var. Base of the femora testaceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Caldera (Champion).

2. Lactica nigromaculata., (Tab. XVI. fig. 12.)

Elongate, subparallel, testaceous ; antenne (the basal joints excepted), tibie, and tarsi black ; thorax and elytra

impunctate, testaceous ; a spot at the base of the latter and another near the apex black.

Length 2 lines.

Head slightly broader than long, with a small fovea near the inner margin of the eyes; frontal tubercles small,

rather obsolete ; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the first three joints testaceous, the rest black ;

third joint twice as long as the second, the three following joints distinctly longer than the third ; thorax

transverse, impunctate, the basal sulcation deep as well as the lateral grooves; elytra very slightly widened

towards the apex, the shoulders prominent, the base not transversely depressed, surface impunctate ; each

elytron with a narrow spot placed at the shoulder and another rounded one near the scutellum, black ;

another spot of the same colour, but larger and round, is situated at a little distance from the apex;

neither of these spots touches the lateral nor the sutural margin. Underside and femora testaceous ; tibiee

and the tarsi black.

Var. The elytral basal spot divided.

Hab, GuatEMaLa, Capetillo (Champion).

LACTICA. 271

Of the two or three similarly coloured species, the present one is at once distinguished

by its much smaller size and that of the elytral spots, also by the colour of the legs and

the antenne. While two of the four specimens received are marked as described above,

the two others have the two spots at the base of the elytra confluent, but in such a way as

to preserve the shape of the elongate shoulder-spot. The insect is of less than half the

size of L. macula, Fab., from which it is further distinguished by the deep thoracic

groove.

3. Lactica variabilis. (Tab. XVI. figg. 17, 18.)

Oblong, parallel, obscure testaceous ; antenne (the three basal joints excepted), the apex of the femora, tibie,

and tarsi piceous ; elytra extremely finely punctured, testaceous, a subquadrate spot at the base blackish

blue.

Length 14-1% line.

Head impunctate, frontal tubercles very flattened and obsolete ; carina but little raised, broad; antenne two

thirds the length of the body, black, the first three joints obscure fulvous, third joint about half as long as

the second, fourth joint one half longer than the third; thorax impunctate, transverse, sides slightly

rounded and constricted near the base, basal sulcation deep; elytra rather elongate, scarcely widened

posteriorly, the punctuation microscopically fine, each elytron with a subquadrate piceous or bluish spot

at the base which does not extend to the sutural or lateral margin; apex of the femora, the tibie, and

tarsi more or less distinctly piceous.

Var. a. Elytra with an additional apical spot.

Var. b. Elytra unicolorous, obscure fulvous.

Hab. Mzxico, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge) ; GuateMaa, Duefias, Zapote, Capetillo,

Purula, Tamahu, San Joaquin in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).

The normally coloured specimens of this species, or those which have a basal spot,

are not difficult to distinguish on account of this coloration. Between this form

and those without elytral spots numerous intermediate stages are before me, the species

having been obtained in great numbers. In some the basal spot is just visible, in others

it has disappeared altogether, and in two specimens obtained at Jalapa there is an addi-

- tional spot near the apex of each elytron. The colour of the legs is equally variable, but

generally the apex of the femora and the tibiz are piceous. Spotless examples of this

species are not easy to distinguish from other small forms of somewhat similar colour.

In the present insect the colour is a very light fulvous ; the shape is narrow and parallel,

not widened posteriorly. The colour of the antenne and that of the body will help to

distinguish the variety from DL. uniformis. A specimen from Chiriqui and one from

Jalapa are figured.

4. Lactica chevrolati. (Tab. XVI. fig. 16.)

Elongate, subparallel, testaceous; antenn, the apex of the femora, tarsi, and tibie black ; elytra impunctate.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head distinctly punctured near the inner margin of the eyes, space between the latter impressed with a longi-

tudinal fovea; maxillary palpi thickened at the penultimate joint, piceous ; antenne two thirds the length

272 PHYTOPHAGA.

of the body, the first three joints more or Jess distinctly testaceous, the rest black, third joint about half

as long as the second; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides straight, basal sulcation deep, surface

impunctate ; elytra elongate, nearly parallel, entirely impunctate ; scutellum comparatively large and broad.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Toxpam (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége).

Very closely allied to L. bogotana, Har., and also to L. xantochroa, Har.; from the

first distinguished by the smaller size, more transverse and altogether differently shaped

thorax, and from the second-mentioned species by the impunctate elytra and different

length of the joints of the antenne. LL. tibialis, Oliv., is much smaller.

5. Lactica chiriquiensis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 14.)

Ovate, fulvous; antennee (the first joint excepted), tibie, and tarsi black ; elytra very minutely punctured.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, very flat; eyes slightly emarginate ; carina narrow and raised between the antennez, much

widened and flattened anteriorly ; antenne more than half the length of the body, the second and third

joints of almost equal length, all the joints robust, the first fulvous; thorax transverse, its sides very

straight, almost concave at the middle; basilar and lateral sulcation very distinct, surface impunctate ;

scutellum small, fulvous; elytra widened towards the middle, from there to the apex narrowed, extremely

finely punctured near the basal portion ; underside more testaceous, tibie and the tarsi piceous or black.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).

In shape this species somewhat approaches L. scutellaris, in coloration L. citrina, Har.

I would not have separated the insect from the latter species, to which it is closely allied,

but for the following differences: the body, instead of being widened towards the apex,

as in L. citrina (of which, through the kindness of M. Oberthtir, I have a typical

specimen for comparison), is widened at the middle; the second and third joints of the

antenne are of nearly equal length; the thorax is distinctly more transversely shaped

and the sides straighter; lastly, the posterior tibize are longer and somewhat curved.

6. Lactica uniformis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 5.)

Oblong, convex, parallel, testaceous or flavous, shining; antenn black, the two basal joints flavous; elytra

extremely minutely punctured.

Length 13 line.

Vertex of head impunctate ; carina strongly raised ; frontal tubercles very obsolete ; eyes large, rather closely

approached ; antenn about two thirds the length of the body, third joint one half longer than the second,

the other joints elongate, of nearly equal length, black, the two basal joints flavous ; thorax about twice

as broad as long, its sides straight and parallel, narrowly margined, the anterior angles obtuse and rather

obliquely cut, basilar groove deeply impressed ; elytra narrow, convex, and parallel, without basilar depres-

sion, exceedingly minutely punctured when seen under a strong lens, the punctures generally surrounded

by piceous rings; entire underside, legs, and tarsi flavous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The narrow parallel shape, and the pale and uniform flavous colour of the body, will

help to separate the present insect from L. citrina, Har., L. pallida, Clark, and all

other somewhat similarly coloured species. It has been obtained in great numbers by

Mr. Champion.

LACTICA. 273

7. Lactica scutellaris. (Tab. XVI. fig. 6.)

Altica scutellaris, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 699, t. 3. £. 7567.

Lactica scutellaris, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. 1875, p. 20°.

Haltica ambulans, Suffrian, Wiegm. Arch. 1868, p. 182°.

Strabala hematina, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 413 +.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Juquila, Puebla, Cordova, Teatengo (Sallé); Brrrisu

Honpuras, river Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guaremana (Sallé), Zapote, Duefias, San

Gerénimo, Coban, Cahabon, Purula (Champion); NicaRaGua (coll. Sallé); Costa Rica

(van Patten), Volcan de Irazu, Cache (Rogers).—Cusa*?; Braziu4; Cotomsra 2.

This seems to be a rather common and widely distributed species, which was received

_ plentifully from the above localities. Von Harold has redescribed it at length in the

‘Coleopterol. Hefte,’ to which I must refer here. Besides those varieties mentioned

by this author, I have three specimens from Juquila before me which differ from all

others in having the scutellum red like the elytra, instead of black; in other respects I

can see no difference from the normal forms. A specimen from Cordova is figured.

8. Lactica intermedia.

Lactica intermedia, Jacq. Duy. Hist. Phys. Cub. Ins. p. 311; Suffr. Wiegm. Arch. 1868, i. p. 184?;

Harold, Col. Hefte, xiv. p. 22; Dej. Cat. 8rd ed. p. 418.

Hab. Costa Rica 2,—Cusa 1.

I am not acquainted with this species, which, according to von Harold, is separated

from L. scutellaris by the more distinctly punctured elytra and the longer spine at the

posterior tibiz.

9. Lactica subcostata. (Tab. XVI. fig. 13.)

Subelongate, slightly widened behind, pale fulvous below ; antenne, apex of the femora, the tibia, and tarsi

black ; thorax with an anterior lateral fovea and a deep basal groove, fulvous; elytra obsoletely longitu-

dinally costate, fulvous, scarcely visibly punctured.

Length 2 lines.

Head convex, deeply and irregularly punctured near the eyes, the vertex somewhat rugose, the frontal tubercles -

rather elongate, not very distinct ; clypeus triangularly widened in front, testaceous; antenne more than

half the length of the body, rather robust, black, the first two or three joints testaceous below; thorax

transversely subquadrate, the sides rounded, basal sulcation sinuate, deep, and gradually approaching the

posterior angles ; another short oblique transverse fovea is placed at each side near the anterior margin,

rest of the surface rather convex and impunctate ; scutellum triangular, the apex acute; elytra extremely

finely punctured, only visible under a strong lens, very faintly depressed below the base, with traces of

longitudinal coste at the disk which become more distinct near the lateral margin, near which at least one

well-marked longitudinal sulcation is visible. Legs finely pubescent, testaceous, the apex of all the femora,

together with the entire tibie and tarsi, black.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemaua, Torola, Mirandilla, Paso Antonio, Cubil-

guitz (Champion).

This and the following species may be distinguished from those similarly coloured by

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1884. on

274 PHYTOPHAGA.

the anterior depression at the thorax ; the present insect, besides this character, by the

obsoletely costate elytra *. Many specimens from the different localities given above

have been obtained ; a single one only at Jalapa, which agrees with the others. This

species deviates somewhat from the typical forms of Lactica in the shape of the thoracic

groove, which is not so well limited laterally as is generally the case, but approaches

more gradually the angles of the posterior margin. The head also shows a rather

unusual sculpture; in all other respects the species cannot be separated from the genus.

The specimen figured is from Paso Antonio.

10. Lactica minuta, (Tab. XVI. fig. 15.)

Ovate, rufous, shining; terminal joints of the antenne black ; base of the femora and tibie fulvous ; tarsi

black ; basal groove of thorax obsolete, the latter with a lateral anterior fovea; elytra smooth, impunctate.

Length 1 line.

Head rather flat, strongly punctured near the inner margin of the eyes; frontal tubercles very small; antennz

two thirds the length of the body, slender, black ; three basal joints testaceous, fourth joint distinctly

longer than the third; thorax transverse, the sides very slightly rounded; basal margin and the basal

sulcation rather sinuate, the latter shallow but distinct; a transverse short depression is placed laterally

near the anterior margin, rest of the surface impunctate ; elytra rather convex, rufous, entirely impune-

tate when seen under an ordinary magnifying-power; knees, the apex of the tibie, and the tarsi

piceous.

Hab. Guaremata, El Jicaro, San Juan (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion). -

From L. subcostata, with which the insect before us has the anterior thoracic depres-

sion in common, L. minuta may be easily distinguished by its small size, slender

antenne, the uniform rufous colour, and absence of the elytral coste. In the one

specimen obtained at Bugaba the anterior thoracic depression is almost obsolete ; all

other characters, however, agree with the specimens from the other localities. L. rubra,

Illig., seems also very closely allied, and, according to a specimen in Mr. Baly’s collec-

tion, differs only in its uniformly coloured fulvous legs and tarsi. ‘The present insect

may therefore be possibly but a variety of L. rubra; it is, however, still smaller than

the latter and a little more widened posteriorly.

11. Lactica mexicana. (Tab. XVI. fig. 7.)

Fulvous; antennee (the first joint excepted) black ; elytra impunctate, depressed below the base, dark viola-

ceous or greenish blue; tarsi black.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles indistinct ; carina swollen, much widened in front; antenne half the

length of the body ; the second joint subrotundate, short, third joint twice as long, the basal joint rufous,

the rest black ; thorax transverse, the sides narrowly margined, anterior angles obtuse, the basal sulcation

deep, limited at each side, surface shining, impunctate ; scutellum fulvous ; elytra parallel, distinctly

* ZL. rubricata, Ilig., seems a very closely allied species (to judge by @ specimen contained in Mr. Baly’s

collection), but differs principally in the colour of the antenne and legs. The present species may possibly be

only a variety of this insect.

LACTICA. 275

depressed below the base, the shoulders prominent, longitudinally depressed within, surface entirely

impunctate, dark violaceous blue ; underside and legs fulvous ; tarsi obscure piceous or black.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge), Haltengo (Sallé); Guaremata, San Gerdénimo (Cham-

pion).

The nearest allied species to the present one seems to be JZ. dives, Har. In this

species, however, the underside and the posterior femora are piceous, and the three

basal joints of the antenne rufous.

Three specimens were obtained by Herr Hoge; one, in the collection of M. Sallé, is

rather larger and brighter rufous, but agrees in other respects. In the Guatemalan

‘specimen the tarsi are black; but I see no other differences to separate it from the

rest. L. mexicana is further distinguished by the rather deep depression below the

base of the elytra.

12. Lactica hogei. (Tab. XVI. fig. 8.)

Oblong-ovate, fulvous; antenns (the first joint excepted), apex of the tibie, and the tarsi piceous; elytra

violaceous blue ; abdomen bluish black.

Length 24 lines.

Head flat, extremely finely punctured when seen under a strong lens, with a small fovea between the eyes ;

frontal tubercles obsolete ; antennee more than two thirds the length of the body, black, first joint more

or less rufous, the third joint slightly longer than the second, the fourth as long as the two preceding

together ; thorax transversely convex, the posterior angles somewhat obliquely cut, basal sulcation deep,

but of usual shape; scutellum large, piceous; elytra slightly widened posteriorly, narrowed below the

base, where they are distinctly transversely depressed ; upper surface entirely impunctate, dark violaceous

blue ; abdomen dark bluish black ; rest of the underside fulvous ; the tibiz partly and the tarsi entirely

piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége), Toxpam (Sal/é).

From L. mexicana the present species is principally distinguished by the different

comparative length of the joints of the antenne, the less parallel shape, and the bluish

abdomen. The thoracic groove is also of less transverse extent than in the allied

species. Three specimens are before me.

13. Lactica lecontei.

Oblong-ovate, fulvous ; antenne black, the first joint fulvous; elytra metallic green, very finely punctured ;

abdomen greenish black.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, with a small fovea in front of the eyes ; frontal tubercles scarcely raised, the carina strongly

elevated, elongate, and widened in front; antenne long, rather robust, the third joint double the length

of the second, fourth joint twice as long as the third, following joints elongate (the three terminal oues

broken off); thorax twice as broad as long, the sides evenly rounded, surface impunctate, the basal groove

not deeply impressed, sinuate; scutellum black; elytra regularly ovate, with a shallow depression below

the base, bright metallic green with a slight bluish tint, very finely punctured, only visible under a strong

lens ; legs fulvous; abdomen dark greenish.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

2n2

276 PHYTOPHAGA.

Allied to L. héget in general size and coloration, but differing in the following

points:—The thorax is of a more equal width and not narrowed in front ; the elytra

are not narrowed below the base, but gradually widened towards the middle; the

carina is much more elevated and elongate; and, lastly, the colour of the elytra is

metallic green instead of violaceous.

14. Lactica perplexa. (Tab. XVI. fig. 21.)

Oblong-ovate, fulvous ; antenne (the first joint excepted), tibie, and tarsi black; elytra violaceous, closely

punctate-striate.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head impunctate; maxillary palpi swollen and robust; frontal tubercles very small and indistinct ; carina

very short; antenne less than half the length of the body, the third and fourth joints of equal length,

not much longer than the second, rest of the joints rather robust, black, the first joint fulvous; thorax

transverse, the anterior angles rather acute, the sides slightly widened directly below the latter, basilar

sulcation very deep, surface impunctate ; scutellum fulvous; elytra violaceous or greenish blue, closely

and rather regularly punctate-striate, the punctures distinctly visible to the apex; prosternum rather

broad and elongate.

Var. Abdomen and legs entirely black.

Hab. Guarana, Purula, Calderas, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Boquete, David,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Several characters unite in the present species to distinguish it from its allies, of

which L. dives, Har., seems to be the most nearly allied form. A typical specimen of

the latter insect, kindly given to me by M. Oberthir, differs in the entirely rufous

underside and legs, the more elongate and filiform antenne, and the more slender palpi,

as well as in the narrower prosternum. I think I do not err in referring the few

specimens from Guatemala to the same species, although they differ slightly in shape

and in the colour of the legs. The very distinct punctuation of the elytra, which are

without any basal depressions, will separate this species from others similarly coloured,

and the differences pointed out above from L. dives.

15. Lactica semiviolaceus.

Oblong, dark violaceous blue; head and thorax testaceous; antenne and scutellum black; above entirely

impunctate.

Length 23 lines.

Head impunctate, with a small but deep fovea in front of the eyes; frontal tubercles distinct, almost con-

tiguous ; carina convex, dilated in front ; labrum and apex of jaws piceous ; antennz more than half the

length of the body, the fourth joint distinctly longer than the third; thorax transversely convex,

more than twice as broad as long, anterior angles thickened, the basal sulcation moderately deep, and

interrupted slightly at each end, surface entirely impunctate ; scutellum black, large; elytra slightly

widened below the middle, entirely impunctate, dark violaceous; underside and legs almost black, with

a violaceous blue tint.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Jacoby).

The colour of the underside and legs well distinguishes this species, of which a single

specimen is contained in my collection.

LACTICA. 277

16. Lactica antennalis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 11.)

Elongate, parallel, testaceous below; breast, abdomen, and terminal joints of the antenne black; head

fulvous; elytra violaceous, very minutely punctured.

Length 13 line.

Head obscure fulvous, broad; eyes very distant, inner margin near the latter impressed with a few rather

deep punctures ; frontal tubercles absent ; antennz more than two thirds the length of the body, obscure

fulvous, the four or five terminal joints piceous, fourth joint as long as the second and third joints

together; thorax impunctate, testaceous, the basal sulcation deep ; scutellum of the same colour ; elytra

narrowly parallel, without any basal transverse depression, of a dark violaceous blue, very finely punctured

when seen under a strong glass; underside, with the exception of part of the breast, piceous ; abdomen

black; legs testaceous.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

I must separate this species, of which I have five specimens for comparison, from the

preceding ‘ones similarly coloured, on account of the fulvous head, the long antenne,

their colour, and general shape of the insect.

17. Lactica panamensis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 4.)

Oblong-ovate, fulvous; antenne (the three basal joints excepted) black; elytra bright metallic green,

minutely punctured.

Length 13 line.

Vertex of head extremely minutely punctured; a single fovea is placed close to the inner margin of the eyes ;

clypeus strongly raised and somewhat curved, narrowed between the eyes; antenne nearly as long as

the body, black, the first three joints fulvous, the fourth as long as the two preceding joints together ;

thorax transverse, fulvous, very shining, the sides rounded and slightly narrowed in front, basilar sulcation

very deep, slightly sinuate, and terminating at each side at some distance from the lateral margin; scu-

tellum broad, fulvo-piceous ; elytra convex, nearly parallel, the base with a shallow transverse depression;

longitudinally sulcate within the humeral callus, disk very minutely and closely punctured; visible only

under a strong lens ; a row of deeper punctures extends along the extreme lateral margin; underside and

legs fulvous; tarsi obscure piceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

From similarly coloured species the present one may be separated by the small size,

the bright metallic green elytra (which have only a slight tint of blue in some speci-

mens), and the long antenne. L. dives, Har., is distinguished by the dark violaceous

elytra and the different comparative length of the joints of the antenne, being besides

of larger size. To judge by the numerous specimens received, the species must be not

uncommon in Panama.

18. Lactica seneipennis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 20.)

Elongate, parallel, testaceous below ; antenne piceous ; eyes closely approached; elytra impunctate, metallic

greenish eneous.

Length 14-2 lines. |

Head about as broad as long; eyes very large and prominent, the space dividing them much narrower than

their diameter in the male, deeply longitudinally foveolate, obscure piceous or fulvous; carina distinct ;

penultimate joint of the maxillary palpi elongate, slightly thickened, terminal one acute, short ; antenne

278 PHYTOPHAGA.

longer than the body in the male, third joint double the length of the second, the rest elongate, filiform

the three basal joints obscure testaceous below; thorax narrowly transverse, of equal width, testaceous,

disk sometimes spotted with piceous; basilar sulcation deep, sinuate anteriorly ; scutellum testaceous ;

elytra shining metallic eneous, nearly parallel; underside testaceous, finely pubescent.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil, Sinanja, Cubilguitz, Cahabon (Champion).

This is a very distinct species, on account of the very long antenne and the narrow

space dividing the large and plainly reticulate eyes in the male, to a little smaller

extent in the female. In the latter the antenne are not so long as in the male, where

they extend quite to the end of the elytra. The species seems to vary considerably in

size, some of the specimens having also four or five piceous spots on the disk of the

thorax, while a single one so marked has the elytra entirely of the same colour; but

the dozen other specimens show no variation in this respect.

19. Lactica elongata.

Elongate, parallel, below black; head, thorax, legs, and antennz testaceous; elytra dark greenish, finely and

closely punctured.

Length 13 line.

Base of the head obscure fulvous, with some punctures; frontal tubercles elongate, obliquely shaped ; carina

scarcely raised and indistinct; terminal joint of the maxillary palpi acute; antenne more than half the

length of the body, entirely testaceous, fourth joint distinctly longer than the third, the two terminal

joints thickened; thorax narrowly transverse, the sides scarcely rounded, anterior angles obtuse, surface

impunctate; the basilar sulcation deep and sinuate; scutellum black; elytra narrow, parallel, closely

punctured, the interstices somewhat rugose; underside of the thorax, part of the breast, and the legs

testaceous.

Hab. Mexico, Ciudad in Durango (forrer).

Closely allied to LZ. antennalis, but differing in the colour of the antenne and the

punctuation of the elytra.

20. Lactica dives.

Lactica dives, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 16 (1875) *.

Hab. Panama, Pena Blanca, 3000 to 4000 feet (Champion).—Cotomsra 1.

The only difference I can detect between the one specimen obtained by Mr. Champion

and a typical insect from the Steinheil collection in my possession is the smaller

size of the former and the entirely red tibie and tarsi. The antenne are black, with

the exception of the two red basal joints.

21. Lactica violacea. (Tab. XVI. fig. 23.)

Oblong, very slightly widened behind, black or blackish-blue below; above violaceous or greenish blue ;

antenne black; elytra very finely punctured at the base, with an obsolete depression below the latter.

Length 14 line.

Head impunctate, inner margin of the eyes with a single small fovea ; frontal tubercles very indistinct ; carina

broad, widened in front; palpi thickened, apical joint acute; thorax transverse, convex, the anterior

portion deflexed, its angles obsolete, slightly thickened but not produced; basilar sulcation very deep,

LACTICA. 279

sinuate at the middle and deeply limited laterally by the longitudinal grooves; scutellum blackish, its

apex slightly rounded; elytra a little widened posteriorly, with a longitudinal depression within the

shoulders and an obsolete transverse one below the base, the latter minutely punctured, the punctuation

disappearing almost entirely towards the apex; antennse longer than half the length of the body, black,

the fourth joint much longer than the third one; underside black, with a slight metallic greenish or

violaceous tint, finely pubescent.

Hab. Guatemana, San Juan in Vera Paz, Zapote, Purula (Champion) ; PanAma, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).

I know of no species of Lactica with which the present one may be confounded, on

account of the uniform coloration; the latter is in most specimens a fine violaceous

blue, changing to greenish in a few others. The typical characters peculiar to the

genus are all present, so that the species cannot be identified with some similar coloured

ones belonging to allied genera. The thoracic groove is well limited laterally, and the

anterior tibize are unarmed. A dozen specimens were obtained.

22. Lactica viridipennis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 9.)

Elongate, parallel, black below ; head, thorax, and legs testaceous; elytra bright metallic green, extremely

finely punctured.

Length 1-13 line.

Head impunctate, frontal tubercles absent ; inner margin of the eyes impressed at each side with a small fovea ;

antenne two thirds the length of the body, black ; first three joints obscure testaceous, third joint double

the length of the preceding, fourth as long as the two preceding joints together; thorax narrowly

transverse, the sides very slightly rounded, anterior angles obtuse ; basal sulcation deep; surface impunc-

tate, light testaceous ; scutellum black; elytra parallel, very obsoletely depressed below the base, of a

bright metallic green, surface very minutely and rather closely punctured when seen under a strong lens ;

underside, with the exception of that of the thorax, the prosternum, and the cox, black; legs entirely

testaceous.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Tt will not be difficult to distinguish this small species from L. specularis, Har., on

account of the colour and fine punctuation of its elytra, and the uniform testaceous legs .

in respect of the punctuation the species resembles L. elegantula, Har., from which it

may, however, be separated by the absence of the tubercles at the head and the tes-

taceous legs. I have before me a dozen specimens, which all agree in the above

particulars.

93. Lactica abdominalis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 10.)

Subovate, fulvous ; antenne (their basal joints excepted) and abdomen black ; elytra metallic bluish green,

their base minutely punctured.

Length 1-14 line.

Head as in the preceding species; antenn half the length of the body, the three basal joints fulvous, the

rest black ; third and fourth joints of equal length, about half as long as the second joint; thorax less

transverse than in L. viridipennis and more narrowed in front, fulvous, impunctate ; basal sulcation deep ;

elytra slightly widened towards the middle, very obsoletely depressed below the base, the latter very

minutely punctured, rest of the surface impunctate; scutellum fulvous ; breast and legs fulvous; abdomen

black.

Hab. British Honpvras, river Hondo, Belize (Blancaneaua).

280 PHYTOPHAGA.

I am obliged to separate this species from the preceding one on account of its less

parallel shape, the fulvous breast and scutellum, and the less transversely shaped thorax ;

the joints of the antenne are also of different comparative length ; all these differences

are present in the six specimens before me. From L. elegantula, Har., the present

insect differs in the metallic green elytra, the fulvous legs and breast, and from L. spe-

cularis, Har., by the same characters.

24. Lactica obscura.

Oblong, black; three basal joints of the antenne, the head, thorax, and legs pale fulvous; elytra black,

impunctate.

Length 1 line.

Head with a few punctures round the inner margin of the eyes, the vertex impunctate, frontal tubercles entirely

indistinct ; antenne of half the length of the body, black, the three first joints fulvous, second and third

joints of nearly equal length, the rest rather short ; thorax transverse, very little narrowed in front, the

sides nearly straight; surface impunctate, the basal sulcation very distinct, and extending almost across

the entire disk, but distinctly bounded at the sides by the longitudinal groove ; anterior angles of the

thorax obtuse; scutellum black; elytra scarcely widened behind, black, scarcely visibly or microscopically

finely punctured, the interstices very slightly rugose near the suture; underside of the thorax, the legs,

and tarsi fulvous, the rest black.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, San Miguel, one of the Pearl Islands

(Champion).

25. Lactica elegantula.

Lactica elegantula, Harold, Col. Hefte, xiv. p. 16 (1 875)’.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).—CoLomsta '.

Four specimens obtained by Herr Hoge agree so perfectly with von Harold’s

description, that I must refer them to this author’s species. The only difference in the

Mexican specimens is the smaller size by one millimetre.

26. Lactica salvini.

Oblong-ovate, black; head and thorax violaceous blue, impunctate ; elytra cupreous violaceous, the base not

raised, entirely impunctate.

Length 13 line.

Head impunctate, with a distinct but small fovea in front of each eye; frontal tubercles entirely obsolete ;

carina thickened and much dilated in front; labrum black; antennz two thirds the length of the body,

the third joint one half longer than the second ; the apices of the first and second joints fulvous ; terminal

joints rather slender and gradually thickened ; thorax transverse, the sides rounded and narrowly margined,

anterior portion rather deflexed at the sides, the angles obtuse ; surface impunctate, the basal sulcation

deep and rectangular at the sides; scutellum black ; elytra rather convex, scarcely widened behind, very

obsoletely depressed below the base, impunctate, of a reddish violaceous; underside and legs black.

Hab. Guatremata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

A single specimen only was obtained.

LACTICA. 281

27. Lactica pusilla.

Ovate, slightly widened behind, black below. Three basal joints of the antenne and legs (the posterior femora

excepted) fulvous, Above bluish green; elytra with a basal depression, entirely impunctate.

Length 1-1} line.

Head impunctate, with a small fovea in front of the eyes; the frontal tubercles entirely obsolete ; carina much

widened anteriorly ; apex of jaws fulvous; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the third joint

nearly twice as long as the second, terminal joints gradually thickened, piccous, the three basal joints

fulvous. Thorax transverse, twice as broad as long, the sides rounded and finely margined; anterior

angles obsolete; basal sulcation deep and well limited laterally by the longitudinal groove ; surface entirely

impunctate ; scutellum black ; elytra widened towards the middle, the base distinctly raised and depressed

below the elevation, the entire surface impunctate, of a bluish-green metallic colour ; legs and tarsi fulvous,

the posterior femora piceous.

Hab: Mexico, Cordova (Sailé).

The small size, fulvous legs, and entirely bluish upper surface without any punctuation

will distinguish this species, which has all the typical characters of a true Lactica.

Three specimens are before me.

28. Lactica cupreata. (Tab. XVII. fig. 2.)

Ovate, below black ; above metallic reddish cupreous, entirely impunctate; antenne black, long; elytra with

a deep basal depression.

Length 12 line.

Head impunctate, with a small fovea in front of the eyes, the latter widely separated ; frontal tubercles very

obsolete; carina strongly raised and widened in front ; antenne two thirds the length of the body, black,

the second joint obscure testaceous below, third and fourth joints of equal length; thorax short, very

transverse and rather convex, the sides rounded, anterior angles very obsolete, basal sulcation sinuate and

very deep; elytra much widened behind, rather deeply depressed below the base, entirely impunctate, of

a bright metallic cupreous colour; entire underside and legs black.

Hab. Mexico (Sa//é).

The peculiar copper colour of the upper surface in connexion with the more

transverse and convex thorax will separate this species from L. violacea, Jac., to which

it is otherwise closely allied.

29. Lactica godmani. (Tab. XVII. fig. 1.)

Ovate, below black; four basal joints of the antenne, legs, head, and thorax fulvous ; elytra metallic reddish

cupreous, very finely punctured.

Length 13 line.

Head with a small fovea near the eyes, extremely finely punctured at the vertex ; frontal tubercles very small ;

carina widened anteriorly ; antenne nearly as long as the body, piceous, the four basal joints fulvous,

fourth joint nearly twice as long as the third, rest of the joints very elongate and slender ; thorax twice

as broad as long, the sides evenly rounded, basal sulcation deep and sinuate; surface impunctate ;

scutellum obscure fulvous; elytra very slightly widened towards the apex, extremely minutely punctured,

of a bright metallic cupreous colour.

Hab. Panama, Pefia Blanca (Champion).

This pretty little species may be easily known by the bright metallic copper colour of

its elytra, dark underside, and fulvous thorax and legs.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, April 1884. 90

282 | PHYTOPHAGA.

30. Lactica chontalensis. (Tab. XVI. fig. 22.)

Oblong, slightly widened behind, testaceous; antenne and legs more or less distinctly piceous ; thorax and

elytra impunctate, testaceous, a transverse band at the base of the elytra, blackish.

Length 14 line. .

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles small and obsolete ; carina distinctly raised, somewhat curved and convex ;

eyes very light fuscous or testaceous; antenne half the length of the body, piceous, third and fourth

joints of equal length; thorax transverse, of equal width, the sides slightly concave, transverse basilar

sulcation moderately deep ; scutellum testaceous ; elytra rather convex and slightly widened towards the

middle, without basal depression, entirely impunctate, the base to nearly the middle occupied by a

transverse blackish band which does not quite extend to the basal nor lateral margin.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

The two specimens obtained by Janson agree in most essential points, but one of

them has the antenne wanting and the legs of a lighter colour ; the eyes are also a little

wider apart. The concave sides of the thorax and size and shape of the elytral band

will distinguish the species from L. variabilis.

31. Lactica ornata. (Tab. XVI. fig. 19.)

Ovate, rufous; antenne (the first two joints excepted) black; elytra impunctate, each elytron with a

subquadrate spot at the base, violaceous blue.

Length 14 line.

Head very minutely punctured, frontal tubercles small and indistinct, carina distinctly raised ; antenne half

the length of the body, rather robust, the first two joints rufous, the rest black; thorax transverse, the

sides rounded, basal sulcation distinct, but not very deep, surface impunctate; elytra with a shallow

transverse depression below the base, of a little lighter colour than the thorax, impunctate with a square-

shaped spot extending to the lateral but not to the sutural margin, dark violaceous blue; underside

covered with fine silk-like yellowish pubescence ; tarsi obscure piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sallé).

Although there is unfortunately only a single specimen of this pretty little species

contained in the collection of M. Sallé, it cannot be mistaken for any of its allies on

account of its bright and well-marked coloration in connexion with its small size.

32. Lactica violaceipennis.

Camena tibialis, Baly, Journ. of Ent. i. 1862, p. 459, t. 21. fig. 5°.

Lactica tibialis, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 396°.

Lactica violaceipennis, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 413°.

Hab. Mexico 2.—Braziu ! 3,

Clark says that he has received this species from Mexico; I have never seen any

specimens from that locality. On account of the specific name tibialis having already

been used by Olivier for a species of the same genus, I propose to alter Mr. Baly’s name

to the older one of Dejean.

38. Lactica binotata. (Tab. XVII. fig. 3.)

Lactica binotata, Baly, Ent. Monthly Mag. 1876, p. 81°.

LACTICA. 283

Hab Mexico, Teapa!; Guaremata, Panzos in Vera Paz (Champion).

In the type before me (a single specimen) the head is impunctate, with a single small

fovea in front of the eyes. The antenne are rather long and robust; the third and

fourth joints are of equal length. ‘The thorax has the sides straight and the sulcation

almost interrupted at the middle. The elytra are impunctate, yellowish white, with

a single black spot before the middle. The scutellum, knees, tibie, and tarsi are

black. The general shape of the insect is robust and rather convex. ‘The single

specimen obtained by Mr. Champion is stouter and larger than the type, of darker

coloration, and with an obscure black spot at each side within the basal sulcation

of the thorax; in other respects there is no difference of any importance. |

34. Lactica germari. (Tab. XVII. fig. 9.)

Broadly ovate, robust, convex ; metallic blue or green; antenne (the first joint excepted) black ; thorax trans-

verse, nearly impunctate; elytra with basal depression, scarcely visibly punctured.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head extremely minutely punctured, the space round the inner margin of the eyes depressed; frontal tubercles

scarcely raised ; carina strongly raised and widened in front ; labrum piceous, margined with testaceous ;

antenne two thirds the length of the body, the third joint one half longer than the second, fourth joint as

long as the two preceding ones together, terminal joints gradually shortened; basal joint metallic green,

the rest black ; thorax nearly three times as broad as long, the sides narrowly margined and very slightly

rounded, the basal sulcation not strongly impressed, but distinct, and deeply bounded laterally by the

longitudinal groove ; surface nearly impunctate; scutellum broad, violaceous; elytra widened below the

middle, convex and depressed below the base near the suture, extremely finely punctured (visible under a

strong lens only) at their anterior portion, the rest impunctate; underside and femora nearly black, with

a metallic greenish gloss.

Hab. Guatemata, Calderas, Duefias (Champion).

At first sight this species resembles much that of one of the genus Haltica or

Diphaulaca, from the former of which the shape of the thoracic groove and that of the

frontal carina distinguish it, while the latter character in connexion with the blunt

anterior angles of the thorax and the nearly impunctate elytra will help to separate the

insect from the latter genus. Ten specimens were obtained.

35. Lactica frontalis.

Below black ; above bluish black; lower part of vertex transversely raised; thorax transverse, extremely

finely punctured ; elytra finely semipunctate-striate.

Length 14 line.

Vertex of head very finely transversely wrinkled, its lower portion above the eyes transversely raised and limited

posteriorly by a slight transverse groove and anteriorly by a deep furrow; frontal tubercles distinct, sub-

triangular; carina flattened and widened in front; antenne more than half the length of the body, black,

the third joint longer than the fourth; thorax transverse, the sides greatly rounded ; anterior angles

produced in a short tubercle; basal groove straight, and placed rather closely to the posterior margin,

deeply impressed and distinctly limited at the sides ; rest of the surface extremely finely punctured, visible

only under a strong glass; scutellum black; elytra widened below, the middle much more distinctly

punctured than the thorax, slightly depressed below the base, the punctuation anteriorly arranged here

and there in indistinct longitudinal rows, the apex more finely and indistinctly punctured.

202

284 PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Guaremata, Duefias (Champion) ;. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

The rather abnormal structure of the head, the groove of the thorax, which is placed

close to the posterior margin, and the almost black colour of the entire insect will assist

to distinguish it, Five specimens were obtained.

PLECTROTETRA.

Plectrotetra, Baly, Journ. of Entom. i. p- 454 (1862).

The only species constituting up to the present time Mr. Baly’s genus is well charac-

terized by the shape of the thoracic groove, which gradually approaches the posterior

angles (not being bounded at the sides by a longitudinal groove), by the robust antenne

in the male, and the bifid claws. The type (P. clarki) is, moreover, of easy recognition

on account of its size and sculpture of the elytra. Many new species, however, have

now been obtained by Mr. Champion and Herr Hége, some of which seem to be of very

variable punctuation as regards the elytra, and altogether very difficult to separate into

species. I have taken as a principal distinctive character the comparative length of the

joints of the antenne in the male, as this seems to be a more constant character than

the punctuation of the elytra.

1. Pletrotetra clarki. (Tab. XVI. figg. 24, 25.)

Plectrotetra clarki, Baly, Journ. of Ent. i. p. 455 (1862)', tab. xxi. fig. 3.

Diphaulaca rugipennis, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 282.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca}, Yolotepec, Capulalpam (Sallé); GuaTeMaLa, San Juan,

Sinanja in Vera Paz, Calderas (Champion); PANAMA, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This is the largest species of the genus, the male of which may be known by the

robust antenne, the third joint of which is much larger than the fourth; the elytra in

the same sex have three or four double rows of punctures, the interstices of which

are somewhat convex and broad. In the female the antenne are much shorter,

thinner, and the third and fourth joints are of nearly equal length; the elytra are

longitudinally costate, and the interstices finely transversely rugose and punctate; of

the ridges, three are generally more raised than the others, wider apart, and somewhat

curved, which characters will help to separate the female of the present species from

closely allied forms. The specimens from Guatemala are smaller than the Mexican

insects, but in other respects similar.

2. Plectrotetra dohrni.

d. Fulvous; antenne, their basal joints excepted, black; elytra metallic green, strongly and subgeminate

punctate-striate, the interstices towards the apex costate.

Q. Elytra more finely and more regularly geminate punctate-striate, each elytron with three more strongly

raised costee, which are depressed posteriorly more or less.

Length 23 lines.

PLECTROTETRA. 280

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Playa Vicente (Hége).

It will only be necessary to point out the differences between this species and

P. clarki. The former is smaller, with bright metallic green or sometimes blue elytra;

the latter are not so regularly geminate punctate as in the male of P. clarki, but the

rows of punctures are more strongly impressed and more closely approached, and placed

at more regular distances; the antenne resemble those of the allied species, except that

the first three joints in P. dohrni are fulvous. |

The female is much more difficult to distinguish from that of P. clarki, and the only

difference I can find besides the smaller size is the flattened or depressed appearances of

the three coste below the middle of the elytra, the space between them having a peculiar

opaque appearance, but consisting of finely transverse rugosities as in the allied form.

_ The present insect was obtained in great numbers, which all agree in the above

structural characters, so that I cannot look upon it as only a variety of P. clarki.

3. Plectrotetra submetallica. (Tab. XVII. fig. 5.)

3. Fulvous ; third joint of the antenne much longer than fourth ; elytra obscure fulvous with a metallic blue

gloss, very finely punctate-striate.

9. Elytra with short but highly raised cost, interrupted anteriorly and posteriorly.

Length 12~2 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles very prominent ; antenne nearly as long as the body, entirely fulvous,

or with the terminal joints obscure piceous, the third joint much longer than the second ; thorax rather

long, about one half broader than long, the sides narrowed from the base to the apex and regularly

rounded; surface impunctate, the basal sulcation deep; scutellum fulvous; elytra with a shallow but

distinct oblique depression below the base, the latter somewhat raised, surface very finely punctate-striate,

the strie very indistinctly arranged here and there in double rows, the interstices not raised.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Tuxtla (Saldé).

The peculiar half fulvous, half metallic-blue elytra, their fine punctuation, the colour

of the antenne, and principally the distinctly longer thorax, narrowed in front, distin-

guish well this species from the preceding ones. The female, which I refer to the

same species on account of the same coloration and locality, may be known by the

different shape of the highly raised coste, of which three run parallel with the suture

at the posterior half of the elytra, but do not extend to the apex nor the base; at the

middle of the disk and close to the three sutural coste is another very short one,

preceded laterally by a flattened broad and finely punctured space, the latter of which is

again limited near the sides by one or two more elongate ridges.

Ten specimens, all agreeing in the above particulars, are before me.

4. Plectrotetra regularis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 6.)

dg. Pale fulvous; antenne robust, piceous, third and fourth joints nearly equal; elytra fulvous with a slight

metallic violaceous gloss, distinctly and regularly geminate punctate-striate.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, with highly raised frontal tubercles, deeply transversely grooved behind the latter as usually ;

286 PHYTOPHAGA.

antenne more than two thirds the length of the body, very robust, the third and three following joints of

almost equal length, piceous, the basal joint fulvous ; thorax transverse, of equal width, the sides regu-

lgrly rounded, surface impunctate, the basal sulcation deep; elytra with the basal portion distinctly

raised, bounded below by an oblique depression of darker colour than the thorax, with a very slight bluish

gloss, the disk with four double rows of distinct punctures, the interstices of which are rather wider than

the rows of punctures and only very slightly raised towards the extreme apex ; knees and base of the tibie

piceous, the two anterior pairs with the usual apical spine; tarsi greatly dilated.

Hab. Guatemata, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion).

The only specimen before me differs sufficiently from P. clarki and P. dohrni to

be considered another species. The structural character of the antenne, the regularly

geminate strie of the elytra and their flat interstices, will, without difficulty, sepa-

rate it.

5. Plectrotetra proxima. (Tab. XVII. fig. 4.)

3. Fulvous; antenne very robust, third joint much longer than the fourth; elytra violaceous blue, very

closely subgeminate punctate-striate ; intermediate femora with a strong tooth.

Length 23 lines.

Head impunctate, of the usual structure; antenne nearly as long as the body, very robust, the third joint very

long, the following ones gradually decreasing in length, all the joints covered with fine but rather long

hairs at their inner side; thorax transverse, twice as broad as long, the sides much rounded, anterior

angles slightly produced in a very short tooth; elytra with about ten double rows of closely placed and

very distinct punctures, their interstices slightly costate towards the apex; legs and tibie very robust,

and the latter as well as the tarsi greatly dilated, the intermediate femora with a robust tooth.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

The close punctuation of the elytra in connexion with the robust antenne and the

toothed intermediate femora distinguish this species well from the preceding ones, A

single specimen was obtained.

6. Plectrotetra monstrosa. (Tab. XVII. fig. 8.)

3. Fulvous; antenne piceous, the basal joint fulvous; third and fourth joints subequal; elytra violaceous

blue, closely punctate-striate ; intermediate tibiees without spine ; intermediate femora with a long lateral

projection at each side.

Length 23 lines.

Head impunctate; antenne nearly as long as the body, very robust, the third joint scarcely longer than the

fourth ; thorax longer than usual, not more than one half broader than long, the sides rounded, the

anterior angles not produced, surface rather convex, impunctate, the basilar groove very thin, sometimes

indistinct ; elytra with about ten distinct and closely placed rows of double punctures, the interstices

scarcely convex ; tibiee unarmed ; tarsi not much dilated; a long spiniform and pointed process is attached

to each side at the base of the intermediate femora, protruding beyond the elytra, and visible even from

above.

Hab. Nicaragua (coll. Jacoby), Chontales (Janson).

The most peculiar femoral process, unlike any thing I am acquainted with amongst

the Phytophaga, and the unarmed tibize, will easily separate this species from its allies.

Three males, all of them possessing the above structural characters, are before me;

the female I am not acquainted with. As this long spiny protuberance is attached to

PLECTROTETRA. 287

the extreme base of the femora, it follows of course that the insect can move it

downwards or sideways with the movements of the legs; in the usual position of the

latter, the process forms a right angle with the mesosternum, and projects beyond the

elytra.

7. Plectrotetra basalis.

¢. Fulvous below ; antenne piceous or black, third and fourth joints equal; elytra metallic green or bluish,

the base strongly raised, very closely punctate-striate, the sides irregularly punctured ; intermediate tibise

with a spine.

@ . Interspaces of the elytra slightly costate.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Guatemata, Sinanja in Vera Paz (Champion).

The specific differences to be seen in this species are as follows :—the antennz, which

are pubescent at the sides in the male, are nearly black, with the exception of the first

joint, which is more or less fulvous, the third and fourth joints are of equal length;

the elytra have the base distinctly raised and bounded below by a transverse depression,

and the punctuation is arranged in closely approximating rows, which near the suture

assume sometimes an appearance in pairs, but are extremely closely and irregularly

arranged near the sides, where the interstices are finely transversely wrinkled, which is

best seen when the insect is viewed sideways; at the extreme apex only a few scattered

punctures are seen; the male has the usual spine near the apex of the last two pairs of

tibiee.

The female from the same locality differs only in the more strongly punctured elytra,

the interstices of which are slightly costate anteriorly, and in the thinner antenne and

absence of the spines at the tibie.

8. Plectrotetra chiriquensis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 7.)

6. Fulvous; antenne thin, third and fourth joints equal; elytra obliquely depressed below the base, greenish

or bluish, closely punctate-striate, the interstices fiat; sides more irregularly and closely punctured.

Q@. Antenne and legs often piceous or black; elytra deeply geminate punctate-striate, the interstices slightly

costate.

Length 17-2 lines.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In the male of this species the antenne are thin and slender, not pubescent, entirely

fulvous, and the third and fourth joints are of equal length, in which respect. they

resemble P. basalis; the elytra have the base less distinctly raised and rather more

finely punctured; the punctures are closely approached, and show only traces of double

rows here and there. In the female the rows of punctures at the elytra are still more

closely approached, more deeply impressed, and the interstices more or less distinctly

costate. .

From P. basalis the present species differs in the more slender and entirely fulvous

288 -PHYTOPHAGA.

antenne and in the less elevated base of the elytra. As I have many specimens before

me which all resemble each other, and the locality is also a different one, I have thought

it best to separate the insect from P. basalis.

9. Plectrotetra guatemalensis.

g. Fulvous; third and fourth joints of the antenne equal; elytra bluish green, finely geminate punctate-

striate, the interstices flat. .

©. Elytra more strongly punctured, the third and fourth interstices longitudinally costate.

Length 2 lines.

Head and thorax impunctate, the latter transverse, of usual shape, the ahterior angles slightly produced, the

basal groove deep; antenne rather robust and of nearly the length of the body in the male, the third

and fourth joints equal, entire antennz fulvous; elytra with four double rows of fine punctures extending

to the apex, the interstices rather broader than the space occupied by each double row of punctures, flat ;

intermediate tibiee with a distinct spine.

9. Elytra with several longitudinal cost, -at the sides of which two are more highly raised and distinct than

the others, surface more strongly punctured ; terminal joints of the antenne piceous.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Zapote (Champion).

P. guatemalensis cannot be mistaken for any of the preceding species on account of

the four double rows of punctures of the elytra. P. clarki, which has the same kind

of punctuation, is much larger, and has quite different antenne, the latter in the present

species being much less robust, and the third and fourth joints equal.

10. Plectrotetra sallei.

¢. Fulvous; antenne robust, third joint much longer than fourth; elytra violaceous blue, rather strongly

punctate-striate, the punctures forming single rows, interstices slightly costate.

9. Antenne with the third and fourth joints equal, the rest piceous; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the

interstices regularly and strongly costate.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sal/é).

In the robust antennz, of which the third joint is much longer than the fourth, the

present species agrees with P. clarki and P. proxima, from both of which it is distin-

guished, as well as from others described here, by the punctuation of the elytra, which is

arranged in single, regular, and closely approached rows, the interspaces being slightly

costate near the suture and the apex; the base of the elytra is also slightly

raised.

Female specimens from the same locality which I refer to this species have the

interstices regularly costate, and the punctures between them here and there doubled,

which is especially noticeable at the sides, where the coste separate a little more than

at the disk. The strongly raised and regularly placed coste will separate the female of

this species from that of P. basalts, the latter of which has the base of the elytra much

more strongly raised.

PLECTROTETRA, 289

11. Plectrotetra flohri.

3. Fulvous; terminal joints of the antenne piceous, their third and fourth joints equal; thorax rather

convex, the posterior angles not produced ; elytra dark blue, each elytron with four deeply impressed and

closely approached double rows of punctures, the interstices costate near the suture and apex; anterior

tarsi dilated ; intermediate tibia with an acute spine.

Length 2 lines,

Hab. Mexico, Michoacan (Flohr).

The single male specimen kindly sent to me by Mr. Flohr differs again from its allies

in the rather feeble and short antennz, which have the third and fourth joints of equal

length and the following joints rather shorter. The elytral punctuation is strong and

closely approached, although the double rows are not difficult to see, while the inter-

stices are equally distinctly costate, although not acutely raised—that is, not forming

sharp ridges. The antenne in this species approach more those of a female; the

structure of the tarsi and tibiz, however, proves the specimen to be a true male.

12. Plectrotetra inzqualis.

g. Fulvous; antenne, their two basal joints excepted, black ; third and fourth joints equal; elytra violaceous,

geminate-punctate striate at the disk, the sides more irregularly punctured and costate.

@. Metallic green.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam, Capulalpam (Sal/é).

Although the present insect seems to me a somewhat doubtful species, I must

separate it from those with which it has in common the structure of the antenne, on

account of its different elytral punctuation. The latter is arranged as follows:—two

double rows of punctures are placed on the disk near the sutural portion, the suture

itself being accompanied by another row of anteriorly double but posteriorly single

punctures; these double rows have often extra punctures placed close to them, which

gives them sometimes the appearance of consisting of three lines; towards the sides

the punctuation becomes irregular, subrugose, and stronger, and the interstices are

distinctly but not acutely costate. A single female specimen from Capulalpam agrees

perfectly with the male in the elytral sculpture, but the colour of the elytra is metallic

green, and the antenne are nearly entirely black; in the male the latter are scarcely

thicker at the base than at the apex, slender and long.

13. Plectrotetra nigripes.

3. Below and the legs and antenne black ; third joint of the latter much longer than the second; head and

thorax fulvous ; elytra dark violaceous blue, strongly subgeminate punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Guatemata, Duefias (Champion).

In this species the antenne have more of the typical structure than is the case in

many others, the basal joints being robust, and the terminal ones gradually tapering

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, April 1884. | 2p

290 PHYTOPHAGA.

towards the apex; the third joint is also of nearly twice the length of the second. The

elytra have distinct and closely approximating rows of punctures, which are arranged

in pairs from the third row, the first three sutural rows consisting of single punctures

only; towards the apex the interstices are slightly convex; the underside and legs are

black, which will further help to distinguish this species.

Two female specimens from the same locality differ in having the first three or four

joints of the antenne fulvous, and the punctures at the sides of the elytra rather more

strongly impressed and the interstices rugose; but these females are scarcely to be

distinguished from those of P. chiriquensis, with which they may possibly be identical.

14. Plectrotetra rugosa.

¢. Fulvous; antenne slender, third and fourth joints equal ; elytra bluish green, rugose-punctate, the inter-

stices longitudinally costate.

Q. Elytra more strongly punctured and costate, each elytron with three more highly raised coste.

Length 2-27 lines.

Hab. Mextco, Guanajuato (Sallé); Guaremana (coll. Jacoby); Panama, Bugaba

(Champion).

The only species with which the present one can be compared is P. clarki, which some-

what resembles it in the elytral sculpture; the latter in P. rugosa is, however, still

more coarse and irregular, and the punctures are not so regularly arranged in lines, the

interstices are nearly everywhere transversely rugose and interrupted by numerous

more or less distinctly raised longitudinal coste; the antenne are, however, quite

distinct from P. clarki; they are not robust nor thickened at the base, shorter, and the

third and fourth joints are of equal length *. In the female the elytra are rather more

strongly punctured, and of the coste three more highly raised than the others are

visible near the sides. The Mexican specimens differ in their smaller and more parallel

size and the less rugosely punctate elytra; but the differences do not seem sufficient to

be considered specific, as in other respects they agree with the Guatemalan insects.

15. Plectrotetra hirsuta.

Q. Fulvous; antenne slender, third and following joints equal; elytra obscure metallic green, subopaque,

closely and finely pubescent, geminate punctate-striate, the extreme apex slightly excavated.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The two female specimens obtained by Mr. Champion are easily distinguished by the

fine and close greyish pubescence which covers principally the distal two thirds of the

elytra, and gives to the latter an opaque appearance; the base is not raised, and more

shining than the rest of the surface; near the sutural margin the interstices are slightly

convex; the extreme apex is, however, devoid of any costee, and has only a few punctures,

* The tarsi are as usually much dilated, and the intermediate tibie are armed with a long spine.

PLECTROTETRA.—PHRYNOCEPHA. 291

while the space close to the suture at the same place is somewhat hollowed out, the

sutural margin at the same time being distinctly raised. In other respects the species

has nothing to distinguish it from many others of its allies.

For the easier determination of the species described here, the following diagnosis

may be useful :—

1. Antenne with the third joint distinctly longer than the fourth.

3. Elytra with four double rows of punctures ; 9 , elytra longitudinally costate . elarki.

»» Hlytra simply and strongly punctate-striate, interspaces costate at the apex

and sides . . . . .. . . ~ oe ee « e dohrni.

» Thorax longer, elytra extremely finely punctate- striate ~ + + . « . . Submetaliica.

», Elytra very closely and finely geminate punctate-striate . . . . . . prowima.

» Elytra finely and regularly punctate-striate, interstices not costate . . . sallei.

» Elytra closely punctate-striate, underside and legs black . . . . . . nigripes.

2. Antenne with the third joint as long as or scarcely longer than the fourth.

», Intermediate femora with a long projecting appendix . . . . . . . monstrosa.

», Hlytra with the base much raised, closely geminate punctate-striate . . . basalis.

», Elytra with four double rows of fine punctures, size 2 lines . . . . . guatemalensis.

»» Elytra closely and simply punctate-striate . . . soe 6 «2. Chiriquensis.

» LHlytra with four double rows of punctures, the sides costate ~ . . 2. flohri.

» Hlytra with the interstices transversely wrinkled . . . . . . . . . rugosa.

» Antenne scarcely thickened at the base; elytra geminate punctate at the

disk, irregularly at the sides . . . 2. ew. 1 ee we . tmaqualis.

9. Elytra covered with fine pubescence . . . . .. .. =. =. © . « hirsuta.

3. Elytra semifulvous, geminate punctate, size 3 lines . . . . . . . . regularis.

PHRYNOCEPHA.

Phrynocepha, Baly, Journ. of Entom. i. p. 201 (1861).

Romatocera, Dejean, Cat. 3rd ed. p. 413.

The rather large size and robust general appearance of the Central-American species

upon which this genus was founded makes the latter comparatively easy to distinguish.

The antenne are extremely robust and tapering towards the apex in the male, the

thoracic impression is rather obsolete, and the tibize are very deeply channelled at their

outer side. Another species has been described from Paraguay.

1. Phrynocepha pulchella. (Tab. XVII. fig. 24.)

Phrynocepha pulchella, Baly, Journ. of Entom. i. p. 201, t. 9. fig. 8°.

Romalocera forticornis, Dejean, Cat. 3rd ed. p. 413’.

292 PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Mexico 12, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge, Sallé); GuateMaa (coll.

Sallé}.

Only two specimens from the last-named locality are contained in the Sallé collection ;

Mr. Champion did not met with this insect.

2. Phrynocepha deyrollei.

Phrynocepha deyrollei, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1876, iii. p. 444°.

Hab. Mexico}, Guanajuato, Yolotepec, Capulalpam, La Parada, Oaxaca, Puebla

(coll. Sallé); GuaTEMALA (coll. Jacoby).

The smaller size (less than half), black underside, and more finely punctured elytra

distinguish this species from P. pulchella. The typical description was drawn from a

single male specimen contained in the collection of Mr. Baly. The female insect, of

which many specimens, together with the other sex, are contained in the collection of

M. Sallé, shows the same proportionate differences as in the case of P. pulchella, and

some of these specimens have the elytra obsoletely costate throughout; others again

are more bluish in colour and not so opaque as in the type, but there are scarcely any

other differences to be found to justify their separation.

3. Phrynocepha elongata. (Tab. XVIII. figg. 1, 2.)

d. Elongate, blackish blue below; four first joints of antenne, head, thorax, and legs fulvous; elytra dark

blue, opaque, impunctate ; tarsi dilated.

@. Larger and broader, tarsi more elongate ; antennsz more robust.

Length 3-33 lines.

Head deeply rugose-punctate, with a triangular, medially depressed ridge at the vertex; frontal tubercles

strongly raised, elongate; antenne half the length of the body, not thickened at the base, the third and

fourth joints of equal length; four lower joints, and the base of the fifth, fulvous, the rest black ; thorax

narrowed in front, the sides much rounded at the middle, surface very finely and rather closely punctured,

middle of the disk obsoletely longitudinally raised, the sides and the base with some very obsolete depres-

sions; scutellum black; elytra parallel, elongate, opaque, entirely impunctate, of a dark bluish colour ;

tarsi very broadly dilated.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hége).

Although in its general appearance this species does not much resemble the preceding

two, I have no doubt about its proper place in this genus; it differs, however, in the

shape of the antenne, which are not widened at the base, but of equal thickness, and

in the less dilated tibiee ; in other respects, the elongate head, small eyes, and shape of

the thorax are identical with those of its allies. P. elongata may at once be separated

by the equal third and fourth joints of the antenne, their colour, and by the elongate

shape of the insect. In the female the joints of the antenne are much more robust

and shortened, and the tarsi more elongate, but there is no other difference of any

importance to be seen. The basal thoracic groove in this insect is almost absent, or

only very indistinctly indicated, in which it differs therefore from P. pulchella.

PHRYNOCEPHA. 293

4. Phrynocepha levicollis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 3.)

Breast and abdomen black ; head, thorax, and legs fulvous; apical joints of antenne black; thorax impunctate ;

elytra dark greenish, extremely finely punctured and granulose.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Guatemaia, San Gerdénimo 3000 feet (Champion).

Rather smaller than P. deyrollei, and at once distinguished by the more convex,

somewhat longer, and entirely impunctate thorax; the third joint of the antenne is

proportionately longer than in the allied species, and the last four joints only are black.

The single specimen before me is a male, which has the tarsi dilated as usual and of

piceous colour.

5. Phrynocepha capitata.

Oblong-ovate, bluish black below; three basal joints of the antennae, head, thorax, and legs fulvous; tarsi

piceous ; elytra bluish green, opaque, granulose, each elytron with a short lateral costa.

Length 3 lines.

Head nearly twice as long as broad, with a few fine punctures in front of the eyes; antenne closely approached,

the space between very narrow and occupied by the acutely raised carina; antennz half the length of the

body, three lower joints fulvous, the rest black; third joint nearly three times as long as the second;

thorax narrowed in front, extremely finely rugose-punctate, the basilar groove obsolete but distinctly

visible ; elytra widened towards the middle, opaque, not visibly punctured, with a narrow costa from the

shoulder to before the middle, where it becomes obsolete.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (coll. Sallé).

The elongate head and the elytral costa well separate the present species from its

allies; in other respects it also differs in the less dilated tibie; it has nevertheless the

general shape and structural characters of the present genus. ‘Two specimens before

me agree in every respect.

6. Phrynocepha intermedia.

Below black; antenne, head, thorax, and legs fulvous; elytra greenish eneous, opaque, finely granulate and

impunctate.

Length 2 lines.

Head rugose-punctate, the vertex with a triangular raised smooth space; antenne more than half the length

of the body ( ¢), shorter in the female, entirely fulvous, the third joint one half longer than the second ;

thorax transverse, scarcely narrower in front than at the base, surface extremely finely punctured,

opaque, the base with a very obsolete transverse depression not extending to the margin; elytra narrow,

parallel, of a greenish opaque colour, very minutely granulate and impunctate ; posterior femora strongly

incrassate ; tibise scarcely dilated and feebly channelled.

Hab. Mexico, North Sonora (Morrison).

In comparing this species with P. elongata the following differences are to be found:

the present insect is smaller, the colour of the elytra in all the specimens being a dark

silky green; the thorax is much more transverse and less narrowed in front, also mcre

minutely punctured, and the tarsi in the male insect only slightly dilated. Neither the

present species nor P. elongata have the typical appearance of P. pulchella; but

294 PHYTOPHAGA.

although the generic characters are less strongly developed, they are present, an

justify the place of these species in Phrynocepha.

HALTICA.

Altica, Geoffroy, Hist. Nat. Ins. 1. 1762, p. 244.

Graptodera, Chevrolat, Dej. Cat. 2nd edit. (1834).

In trying to determine the Central-American species belonging to this genus the

greatest difficulties are encountered, which are almost impossible to overcome. Nearly

a hundred similarly coloured species have been already described from all parts of

the world resembling each other to a greater or less degree; many of these have

only been diagnosed, making it impossible to determine the species with certainty ;

others not belonging to the genus have been sometimes included, the genus Haltica -

having been often used as a kind of receptacle for doubtful species, in the same way

as the genus Galeruca amongst the subfamily Galerucine. Von Harold in trying

to name some Colombian species of Haltica has found the same difficulties (Stettin.

ent. Zeit. 1875). It is my opinion that without every type, European or exotic, for

comparison, no certainty as regards the species can be arrived at, as, for example, I

have before me species which I am unable to distinguish from H. oleracea or H. corylt

of Europe. Under these circumstances I have refrained from naming amongst the

Central-American species several smaller forms of which I can form no satisfactory

opinion for the present. Some of the larger species I have attempted to determine,

in one or two instances not entirely without doubt.

The genus, as remarked above, is represented, as it seems, over the greater part of the

world, not more than about six species having up till now been described from Central

America. The greater part of the species are of a uniform metallic blue or green, and

extremely closely allied. Chapuis errs when he describes the tibize as not channelled ;

they are, especially the intermediate ones, in many species provided with a distinct

longitudinal and deep groove. —

1. Haltica patruelis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 11.)

Haltica patruelis, Harold, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1875, p. 63.

Graptodera patruels, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 282.

Hab. Mexico, Huatusco, Capulalpam, Peras, La Parada, Guanajuato, Puebla (coll.

Sallé), Las Vigas (Hoge).

This is a species not very difficult to recognize on account of the following characters:

—the entire upper surface is of a uniform very dark violaceous and opaque colour,

caused by the extremely fine and scarcely visible punctuation. The elytra are also

without any longitudinal cost. It is only in some specimens that the head and

thorax are slightly more shining than the elytra, and that the latter as well as the

HALTICA. 295

former are a little more distinctly punctured. Amongst twenty-five specimens from the

above localities a single one from the collection of Sturm, and labelled by this author

with the name G. patruelis, guarantees the identification of this insect, with which the

description of von Harold agrees in the main point.

2. Haltica jamaicensis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 15.)

Galleruca jamaicensis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 1. 2. p. 16 (1792)'.

Galleruca plebeja, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 626, tab. 2. £. 27 (1808)*. ,

Graptodera tarsata, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 281°.

Galleruca bassie, Fabr. Ent. Syst. iv. Ind. Alph. 1796, p. 694; Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 484°.

Hab. Costa Rica (van Patten), Volcan de Irazu, river Sucio (Rogers); Panama,

Bugaba (Champion).—West Inpian Istanps 1 23 45,

Although the description given by von Harold of this species does not quite agree

with the very numerous specimens before me, and obtained at the localities mentioned

above, the differences are not such as to induce me to venture upon the erection of

another species in this most difficult genus. The following is I think, however, neces-

sary to point out:—More than thirty specimens from Costa Rica are of a metallic

coppery, not violaceous colour; these are all females, and have an acutely raised longi-

tudinal costa extending from the shoulder to below the middle of the elytra; others,

equally numerous, are of a fine violaceous or bluish colour; in these, the males, the

elytral costa is only indicated. In none of von Harold’s descriptions are the sexes

indicated, which seems to me a most necessary point, as the absence or presence of

elytral costs are one of the guides in the determination of the species, or have at least

been used as such. In other respects the Costa-Rica specimens agree very’ nearly with

von Harold’s description, and with some specimens from St. Domingo contained and

named in the collection of Mr. Baly. It seems that von Harold had only male specimens

. for his description, as he makes no mention of the acute and strongly raised costa in

the female. All doubt is, therefore, not excluded as to the real identity of the Costa-

Rica specimens with Fabricius’s species, which has not been hitherto recorded from

Central America. In the species under consideration the thorax has the space behind

the transverse groove more or less closely and finely, sometimes even indistinctly,

punctured ; the same is the case with the elytra.

8. Haltica amethystina. (Tab. XVII. fig. 12.)

Altica amethystina, Olivier, Ent. vi. p. 687, tab. 2. fig. 31‘; Harold, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1875, p. 677.

Hab. Mzxico, Tuxtla, Chapas (Sal/é); British Honpuras, river Sarstoon (Blan-

caneaux); GuaTEMALA? (Sallé), Duefias, Capetillo, Zapote, San Gerdnimo, Purula,

Senahu, Cerro. Zunil (Champion); Panama, San Feliz (Champion).—Cotomsia 2 ;

- VENEZUELA 2; San DoMINGo.

296. PHYTOPHAGA.

The specific value of this species in regard to H. jamaicensis is not well established

(see v. Harold, Stett. Zeit. J. ¢.). As the colour of all my numerous specimens agrees

with that given by Olivier, and the locality also with the one mentioned by Harold, I

have referred these specimens to H. amethystina. The space below the thoracic groove

is extremely finely, sometimes indistinctly, punctured, in which respect the insect agrees

also with the description given by von Harold. The figured specimen is from Guatemala

from the Sallé collection.

4. Haltica bimarginata.

Altica bimarginata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. iv. 1824, p. 85°.

Haltica ambiens, Leconte, Col. of Kansas, 1859, p. 257.

Graptodera carinata, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 282 *.

Graptodera plicipennis, Mannerh. Bull. Mosc. 1843, ii. p. 810%.

Haltica prasina, Lec. Rep. Surv. Pacif. 1857, p. 67°.

Hab. Norra America! 2?45,—Mextco (coll. Sallé, Jacoby, Baly), Jalapa (Hoge) ;

Guatema.a (coll. Jacoby).

Although I have no North-American specimens to compare, and the locality of this

species has up till now been recorded as North-American, the Central-American

specimens before me agree well enough with the descriptions of the above authors to

identify them. A well-marked characteristic which both males and females possess is

the strongly developed lateral costa of the elytra, which curves round towards the suture

near the apex. The species is much smaller than H. complicata.

5. Haltica mexicana. (Tab. XVII. fig. 13.)

Convex, narrowed behind; dark violaceous blue, shining ; thorax impunctate; elytra with strong basal

elevation, nearly impunctate. ;

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles very distinct and well limited; carina short and rather flattened ; antenne

slender, more than half the length of the body, bluish black, closely and finely pubescent, the basal joint

more metallic blue, the fourth joint very slightly longer than the third ; thorax very nearly square-shaped,

scarcely broader than long, the lateral margin rounded in front, nearly straight at the base, the basal

sulcation very distinct, sinuate, and of usual shape, the space in front and behind it impunctate or scarcely

visibly punctured ; elytra convex, narrowed, and pointed towards the apex, the latter, however, rounded

and not produced, the base strongly raised and depressed below this elevation, the shoulders prominent ;

legs covered with thin greyish pubescence, the first joint of the tarsi very elongate.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sal/é).

Of this species six specimens are before me. From those in which the elytra are

entirely devoid of coste the present species differs in its convex and posteriorly narrowed

shape, and in the almost total absence of any punctuation on the upper surface. In

some specimens, which may be of the female sex, there is an extremely fine punctuation

visible when seen under a strong lens, but in all others the elytra are impunctate.

Another structural character may be found in the elongate and slender first joint of

the tarsi.

HALTICA. 297

6. Haltica rugicollis.

Ovate, subdepressed ; dark violaceous, opaque; antenne long, black; thorax rugose-punctate; elytra impunc-

tate, obsoletely longitudinally costate.

Length 14 line.

Head rugosely punctate above the eyes; frontal tubercles small and oblong; carina absent or only indicated by

a small tubercle; clypeus triangular, very flat and finely rugose; antenne slender, two thirds the length

of the body, the fourth joint one half longer than the third; thorax transverse, the sides moderately

rounded, basilar groove very indistinct; surface closely rugose and punctured; scutellum impunctate ;

elytra slightly widened posteriorly, entirely impunctate and of an opaque dark violaceous, the entire

surface obsoletely but still distinctly costate, the interstices extremely finely granulate; underside and

legs more shining, the latter clothed with yellowish pubescence.

Hab. Mexico, Yolos, Totosinapan (coll. Saldé).

It will not be very difficult to distinguish this species by its entirely opaque colour

and the rugose head and thorax, as well as by the obsolete coste on the elytra, and its

generally small size. A single specimen from Yolos has the thorax less rugose and

slightly more shining, but differs in no other respect whatever. Except in the usual

dilatation of the tarsi in the male the sexes are not otherwise distinguished.

7. Haltica forreri.

Below black; carina acute; thorax black with a few fine punctures, the lateral groove abbreviated; elytra

dark violaceous blue, finely punctate-striate, the apex impunctate.

Length 12 line.

Head impunctate at the vertex, transversely grooved between the eyes; the latter large; frontal tubercles

large and broad, occupying nearly the entire space between the eyes, limited behind by the transverse

groove and a row of punctures; carina acutely raised, rather long and somewhat curved; antenne half

the length of the body, black, third joint nearly twice as long as the second, fourth slightly longer than

the third; thorax not much broader than long, the sides narrowed near the base and apex, the middle

rounded ; basilar groove deep, rather distantly placed from the posterior and not extending to the lateral

margin; surface with a few scarcely visible punctures near the anterior angles and below the basal

sulcation; scutellum triangular, black; elytra parallel, very dark blue, finely, closely, and rather regularly

punctate-striate, the punctuation invisible near the apex; underside and legs black, covered with fine

greyish pubescence ; posterior first tarsal joint as long as the two following together.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas (Forrer).

8. Haltica guatemalensis.

Elongate, parallel; obscure greenish cupreous, subopaque; thorax extremely finely punctured; elytra very

minutely granulate, disk obsoletely punctured, sides with two distinct coste.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head rugosely punctate between the eyes, the vertex impunctate ; frontal tubercles strongly raised, semi-

quadrate, the carina short but acute; antennae more than half the length of the body, bluish black, the

terminal joints black, the fourth joint slightly longer than the third; thorax slightly broader than long,

the sides but little rounded at the middle, basal groove deep and not extending quite to the sides, surface

with an obsolete oblique depression at each side below the anterior margin, covered, as well as the space

behind the thoracic groove, with minute punctures ; elytra elongate and parallel, of a subopaque light

greenish or brownish cupreous colour, the entire surface minutely granulate, the sides with two distinct

and well-marked longitudinal costs, which do not join at their ends, and are preceded by one or two

other but very indistinctly marked coste, more strongly visible in the female than in the male insect, the

apex of each elytron broadly rounded.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, April 1884. 9 q

298 -PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Guatemata, Quiche Mountains (Champion).

From the species described possessing elytral coste, the present one is separated by

its smaller, elongate, and parallel shape, the cupreous colour, and finely granulate

upper surface, as well as by the fine and rather even punctuation of the thorax. Ten

specimens were obtained by beating a species of Alnus.

9. Haltica brevis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 19.)

Haltica brevis, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, 1875, xiv. p. 25°.

Had. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—CotomBia *..

The two specimens obtained at Panama agree so perfectly with von Harold’s descrip-

tion that I must refer them to the above species. The short, convex, subrotundate

shape prevents the insect from being confounded with most of the allied species, the

nearest of which seems to be H. facialis, Baly, which differs, however, from the present

in the scarcely visibly punctured elytra and the much less transverse thorax. The

Panama specimens are a little smaller than the size given by its describer, but agree in

all other respects. :

10. Haltica flavicollis.

Elongate, parallel; below black; head, thorax, basal joints of antenne, and the legs flavous; elytra dark

violaceous, closely punctured.

Length 24-22 lines.

Head impunctate and rather swollen; frontal tubercles strongly raised and triangular; carina extremely short ;

antenne more than half the length of the body, all the joints, with the exception of the second one,

elongate, the third and fourth of equal length, the two basal joints flavous, the rest fuscous, pubescent ;

thorax transversely convex, the sides distinctly narrowed at the base and widened at the middle, anterior

angles tuberculiform ; the basal groove deep and continuing upwards at the sides, the space anteriorly

and posteriorly of this groove impunctate and much swollen; scutellum flavous ; elytra parallel, violaceous

plue, rather finely but very closely punctured, with a few shallow and indistinct longitudinal depressions

near the sides; space below the base not depressed ; elytral epipleuree broad, continuing to the apex, their

surface transversely wrinkled; legs flavous, the posterior femora strongly incrassate, the tibiee simple ;

last abdominal segment of the male with a very deep longitudinal excavation of flavous colour, that of the

female simple.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Jacoby), Cuernavaca (Sallé).

In several respects this species differs from others of the genus; the coloration,

simple tibia, and more strongly incrassate posterior femora are not generally found in

Haltica. The deep longitudinal excavation to be seen in the last abdominal segment

in one of the specimens, which I consider the male, is another peculiarity. The species

has nevertheless the general “habit” of a true Haltica, and the thoracic groove is also

exactly similar to those of the allied species. 1 only know of two specimens, the one

contained in my own, the other in the collection of M. Salle.

HALTICA. . 299

11. Haltica parvula. (Tab. XVII. fig. 16.)

Ovate, convex; below black; first four joints of the antenns, head, thorax, and four anterior femora fulvous ;

elytra blackish blue, very finely semipunctate-striate.

Var. Legs entirely black.

Length 13 line.

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles in shape of a transverse oblique ridge; carina short and acutely raised ;

antenne quite half the length of the body, black, the four basal joints fulvous; first joint rather slender

and curved, second and third joints of equal length, the terminal joints more elongate and slightly thick-

ened, thorax only slightly broader than long, rather strongly convex, the sides nearly straight, deflexed

anteriorly, the angles not produced ; surface in front and behind the basilar sulcation entirely impunctate,

the latter deep, slightly curved and limited at the sides by a very short longitudinal fovea or groove,

beyond which the sulcation is extending upwards near the lateral margin ; scutellum black ; elytra convex,

without any basal depression, extremely finely and closely punctured, the punctuation arranged indistinctly

in lines, the extreme apex nearly impunctate; underside and legs, with the exception of the four anterior

femora, black.

Hab. Guaremata, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chirigui

(Champion).

This is evidently another of those small species deviating from Haltica somewhat by

the shape of the thoracic groove, of which several others, similarly structured, have

been described by von Harold in his ‘Coleopterologische Hefte.’ H. parvula seems

very Closely allied to H. leviuscula, Har.; but as all the specimens, to the number of

ten, differ in the colour of the legs, which von Harold describes as red (with the

exception of the posterior femora), and in the shape of the frontal tubercles, as well

as in the want of an elytral elevation at the base, I must consider this species a

different one.

12. Haltica minuta. (Tab. XVII. fig. 17.)

Oblong, convex; antenne, underside, and legs black; above bluish green; thorax long; elytra without basal

elevation, distinctly punctured.

Length 1 line. ce

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles in shape of two transversely oblique narrow ridges; carina acutely raised,

widened in front; clypeus bounded above by an oblique very deep and somewhat sinuate groove ; antenns

half the length of the body, the first joint slender, elongate, second scarcely shorter than the third and

following joints; thorax nearly as long as broad, surface very convex and swollen, the lateral margin

nearly straight and only slightly rounded near the anterior angles; basilar groove deeply impressed,

limited at each side by a small but distinct fovea and continued beyond the latter upwards; space below

the groove, like the rest of the surface, entirely impunctate ; elytra without any trace of a basal depression,

more or less distinctly and closely punctured, the punctuation arranged in rather regular lines.

Hab. Mzxico, Jalapa (Hoge); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This is one of the smallest species with which I am acquainted, and seems to form

one of the group described by von Harold, in which the thoracic groove has a longi-

tudinal fovea at each side, beyond which the former is continued. The present species

seems closely allied to H. innuba, Har., but is smaller, and further distinguished by the

deep groove at each side above the clypeus, and by the entire want of a basilar elytral

elevation. A single specimen from the same locality differs from the description given

2q 2

300 PHYTOPHAGA.

above in the fine punctuation of the elytra: but as I am unable to find any other

differences, I prefer to consider it as a variety rather than another species.

13. Haltica limitata.

Oblong, dark violaceous; antennez black; thorax transverse, impunctate, basilar groove abbreviated at each

side; elytra very finely and closely punctured.

Length 2 lines. ,

Head distinctly punctured round the inner margin of the eyes; frontal tubercles very flat but broad, limited

behind by a very narrow transverse ridge; carina acutely raised; labrum and palpi black; antenne half

the length of the body, rather robust, the third joint one half longer than the second; thorax about twice

as broad as long, the lateral margins scarcely rounded ; basilar groove straight, abbreviated at each side

and not continued upwards; surface in front and behind the sulcation impunctate; elytra convex, sub-

parallel, of a fine metallic reddish violaceous, exceedingly minutely punctured, the extreme apex impunc-

tate; femora and underside more obscure violaceous.

Hab. Guatemata (coll. Sallé).

Only a single, apparently female, specimen is contained in the Sallé collection; from

all other species the interrupted basilar groove of the thorax and the fine violaceous

colour well separate the present insect.

14. Haltica complicata, (Tab. XVII. fig. 10.)

Haltica complicata, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 119°.

Hab. Muxtco 1, Cordova, Toxpam (Sallé).

Von Harold has given but a diagnosis of this species, with which the specimens from

M. Sallé’s collection and named H. complicata agree. The species is of a rather opaque

greenish blue, and principally distinguished by the two longitudinal costee which unite

near the apex of the elytra, the space between them being much depressed, and having

in some specimens a third more or less distinct rib; the same depression is also visible

between the first costa and the suture. Both males and females have the same elytral

structure.

15. Haltica sallei.

Haitica sailei, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p.119’.

Hab. Mexico}.

It is impossible to recognize with certainty a species of this difficult genus of which

a short diagnosis only is given. Von Harold says that the insect much resembles a

species of Diphaulaca; but the author does not mention the shape of the thoracic

groove, whether it is limited at the sides, as is the case in Diphaulaca. Possibly the

species is identical with Diphaulaca nitida, Jac., which, in my opinion, is a true

Diphaulaca.

HALTICA.—SYPHREA. 301

16. Haltica obliterata.

Haltica obliterata, Leconte, Coleopt. of Kansas, 1859, p. 261.

Hab. Norta America !.—Mexico, North Sonora (Morrison).

The specimens received from Mexico agree well enough with the description of

Leconte to be considered referable to the present species. Their colour is a dull

opaque dark, almost blackish, blue, in which respect they differ from most other species

under consideration here; the frontal tubercles are distinct and of subquadrate shape,

the carina elongate and narrow; the antenne are nearly half the length of the body,

black, the third joint distinctly shorter than the fourth, the terminal joints having a

greyish appearance on account of the fine but close pubescence covering them; the

thorax is rather long, not much more than half as broad as long, the basilar sulcation

being nearly obliterated; the entire surface is extremely finely and closely punctured ;

the same may be said of the elytra, but their punctuation is a little more distinct than

that of the thorax, and no traces of any coste are visible. ‘The sexes do not show any

perceptible difference in any way.

The species is tolerably easy of recognition on account of the general colour, fine

punctuation, and the nearly absent thoracic groove. The size varies, however, from

two to three lines.

17. Haltica torquata.

Haltica torquata, Leconte, Journ. Ac. Phil. iv. 1858, p. 27; Coleopt. of Kansas, 1859, p. 26°.

Hab. Norra America }.—MeExico, North Sonora (Morrison).

A specimen from North America contained in my collection agrees entirely with

those before me from Mexico, which I refer to the present insect on account of the

coloration. In all the specimens the thorax is of a reddish cupreous, margined (espe-

cially at the base) with a more brassy hue; the elytra vary from green to obscure

cupreous, and have the lateral margin generally purplish; thorax and elytra are

extremely finely and closely punctured; the antenne, of which the third and fourth

joints are of equal length, have their basal joints of a metallic eneous colour, the

terminal ones black. The size of the insect is two to two and a half lines.

SYPHREA.

Syphrea, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1876, p. 447.

Syphrea was founded on a single species from Guatemala, having the general

characters to be found in Haltica, but differing in its robust and very convex general

shape, and especially that of the thorax.

302 PHYTOPHAGA..

1. Syphrea pretiosa. (Tab. XVII. fig. 23.)

Syphrea pretiosa, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1876, p. 447°.

Hab. Guaremata! ‘soll. Sailé), Cerro Zunil, Panajachel 4.000 to 5000 feet (Champion) ;

Costa Rica (van Patten).

There are some differences to be found between the specimens obtained by Mr.

Champion and the type, which is figured. The former are of less dilated shape, smaller,

the thorax is more transverse, and the first three joints of the antenne are more or less

stained with rufous. All this would perhaps be sufficient for these insects to be looked

upon as representing another species ; but as T can see intermediate degrees amongst

them, I think it better to consider the species a rather variable one.

CACOSCELIS.

Cacoscelis, Chevrolat, in d’Orbig, Dict. univ. Hist. Nat. ili, 1843, p.18; Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii.

p. 406.

This genus contains species of large size and generally metallic coloration, having a

rather flattened appearance. The eyes are small, and the thorax has a generally

obsolete transverse groove. The genus is extremely closely allied to Disonycha, from

which it can scarcely be otherwise separated than by its larger size, as it agrees even

with that genus in the oblique posterior angles of the thorax. The emargination of

the hinder tibie is only sometimes present, but often absent. A few Central-A merican

species only are known, the others are exclusively from the more southern parts of

. America. "

1. Cacoscelis compta. (Tab. XVII. fig. 18.)

Cacocelis compta, Erichs. Wiegm. Arch. 1847, i. p. 174".

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Belt, Janson, coll. Sallé, Jacoby) —Pxrv '.

Although the Nicaraguan specimens before me differ from the Peruvian forms in the

entirely fulvous head and the want of the transverse black spot at the thorax, T do not

think I err in considering these insects but varieties of Erichson’s species. With

C. marginata, Fabr., they cannot be confounded on account of the flavous elytral suture, |

which I have never seen in any of the last-named species, while it is constant in all the

Nicaraguan specimens. These latter have also at the sides of the thorax a very small

black spot; this and the fulvous vertex of the head is the only difference which I can

find between this variety and C. compta. The size of the insect is as variable (from 4

to 7 lines) as in the several allied species, but the colour of the elytra is dark violaceous

blue. In this and the above other particulars the dozen specimens before me show no

variation; should more material in future show the same constancy, the present form

might perhaps then be considered as distinct from C. compta. |

CACOSCELIS. 303

2. Cacoscelis sallei. (Tab. XVII. fig. 14.)

Below, the head and thorax flavous; antenns, apex of femora, tibie and tarsi black; elytra metallic. blue,

rugose-punctate.

Length 34—4 lines.

Head nearly as broad as long, transversely grooved between the eyes; frontal tubercles very small and but

little raised ; clypeus much swollen, triangular and narrow; surface of the labrum, apex of jaws, and the

palpi black; antenne robust, about half the length of the body, the third and fourth joints equal, double

the length of the second, the terminal joints thinner; thorax transversely quadrate, the sides very little

rounded ; angles distinct but not produced, surface entirely impunctate, with a shallow transverse groove

near the posterior margin, which entirely disappears near the sides; scutellum flavous, broader than long ;

elytra slightly widened below the middle, narrowed at the apex, metallic blue or bluish green, very closely

and distinctly punctured, the interstices slightly transversely rugose; their epipleure: very broad, extending

nearly to the apex and strongly rugose-punctate; base of the femora flavous, the posterior strongly

incrassate; claws appendiculate ; coxal cavities open.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Hoge, Sallé).

I have provisionally placed the present species in Cacoscelis on account of the trans-

versely grooved thorax and the rugosely punctured elytra. In other respects, however,

there are many differences to be found which would justify the erection of another

genus. The thorax is of a more square shape, and the posterior margin is not oblique

at the sides, and the elytral epipleure are extremely broad and rugosely wrinkled or

punctured; the scutellum is, however, as broad as in Cacoscelis: the tibie show no

emargination at their apices. In the specimens which I consider the female sex, the

antenne are much less robust and more filiform.

3. Cacoscelis quinquelineata. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 5.)

Altica quinquelineata, Latr. Voy. Humb. i. 1811, p. 282, t. 23. fig. 10°; Hoffmansg. Zool. Mag. i.

2, 1818, p. 91.

Hab. Mexico, Yuquila, Tehuantepec, Vera Cruz (Sal/é), Cerro de Plumas (Hége) ;

British Honpuras, Belize, river Hondo (Blancaneaur); GuateMaLa, Duefias, an

Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).—Sovurn AMERICA.

The description given by Latreille agrees perfectly well with the specimens obtained

in Central America. ‘The size of the insect varies greatly, but not the coloration.

4, Cacoscelis flava. (Tab. XVIII fig. 4.)

Cacoscelis flava, Clark, Journ. of Entom. ii. 1865, p. 407°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

The single specimen obtained by Herr Hoge agrees in all essential points with the

short diagnosis given by Clark, to which I may add that the antenne. are about half

the length of the body, the fourth joint being longer than the third; the sides of the

thorax are straight, and the posterior angles distinctly oblique; the elytra can scarcely

be called reticulate, but are closely covered with little punctures, the interstices being

804 . PHYTOPHAGA.

very finely rugose. The specimen before me is 42 lines in length (which is a line less

than Clark gives), and the disk of the thorax as well as the legs are obscure fulvous, the

rest flavous.

5. Cacoscelis bicolorata.

Cacoscelis bicolorata, Clark, Journ. of Entom. ii. 1865, p. 408’.

Hab. Mexico}.

6. Cacoscelis scriptipennis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 6.)

Elongate, parallel, pale fulvous below; antenne black, three basal joints fulvous, above testaceous; thorax

with five piceous spots; elytra finely punctured, testaceous, the sutural and lateral margin, an oblique

stripe from the base to the suture connected with two square-shaped marks at the middle, as well as a

round mark ati the apex, black.

Length 3-4 lines.

Head strongly punctured at the vertex and between the eyes, testaceous, a short stripe at the base black ;

frontal tubercles indistinct ; carina short and thick; antenne rather short, less than half the length of

the body, third and fourth joints equal, the three basal joints fulvous, the rest black ; thorax transverse,

the sides rounded, the posterior angles oblique; surface remotely, but distinctly, punctured, with a small

fovea at each side near the base, the basilar sulcation entirely absent ; disk with four transversely placed

and generally connected piceous spots, and a fifth intermediate and more elongate one ; scutellum obscure

fulyous, margined with piceous; elytra narrowly elongate, parallel, closely and finely punctured, testa-

ceous ; a transverse narrow band below the middle, an oblique central stripe from the middle of the base

to the suture, connected with the posterior band and the lateral margin by a median longitudinal line and

a transverse shorter one, a spot at the shoulder, and a rounded stripe near the apex extending from the

suture upwards and sideways black; abdominal segments stained with piceous. Legs fulvous; tibie

and tarsi sometimes piceous.

Hab. Guatemaua, Zapote (Champion).

This curiously marked species, of which the figure will give a better idea than the

description, has the appearance and general characters of a true Cacoscelis, although

the thoracic depression is absent and the tibiee show no emargination (a character often

wanting also in other species of this genus). The testaceous colour of the elytra is

divided by the black markings into elongate spaces of different size and shape. Four

specimens were obtained.

DISONYCHA. ,

Disonycha, Chevrolat in d’Orbign. Dict. univ. Hist. Nat. v. 1844, p. 80; Clark, Journ. of Ent.

i. p. 401.

In Disonycha the transverse groove of the thorax is, in the majority of species, so

indistinct as almost rightly to be considered wanting; indications of it are, how-

ever, generally visible at the sides, and in some instances the entire groove is more

distinctly marked. The principal character of the genus may be found in the obliquely

cut posterior angles of the thorax and the shape of the carina between the antenne,

which widens considerably anteriorly, being connected with the clypeus, as is also the

DISONYCHA. 305

case in Lactica. Clark says that the claws are simple, which is not the case, as they are

decidedly appendiculate. Almost the same difficulties are experienced in the separation

of the species as in Haltica, their coloration being, for the most part, very similar, and

consisting of a testaceous ground-colour striped with black. There are, however,

species with metallic blue and green elytra, and others with transverse black markings ;

these two latter forms I have considered first in the present monograph.

1. Disonycha collata.

Crioceris collata, Fabr. Syst. El. i. p. 463°; Suffr. Wiegm. Arch. 1868, p. 180’.

Altica collata, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 702, t. 4. fig. 61°; Illig. Mag. vi. p. 126°.

Hab. Nortn America! 4,—Mexico, Monclova, Saltillo in Codahuila (Dr. Palmer),

Ciudad in Durango (Forrer), Jalapa (Hége), Cordova, Cosomatepec, Oaxaca, Yolos,

Puebla, Guanajuato, Capulalpam (Sallé); Guaremaa (coll. Sallé, Jacoby), near the

city, Purula, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion); Costa Rica (Van Patten).

This is evidently a widely distributed and not uncommon, as well as variable, species

The descriptions of Fabricius and Olivier give the elytra as “levis.” Von Harold says

(Coleopt. Hefte) that the specimens from North America are distinctly punctured. The

many specimens before me from the above localities show great variation in this respect,

from nearly impunctate to distinctly punctured elytra. The colour of the legs seems

equally variable; and, although Fabricius gives the femora as yellow, I] have many

specimens for comparison which have only the base of the femora flavous, the rest black

(in which they agree with the description of D. collaris); some have the legs entirely

black. In all, however, the lower part of the head is flavous, the vertex being metallic

greenish, which is the colour of the true D. collata. In spite of this diversity I look

upon all these specimens as representing but varieties of one species.

2. Disonycha nigripes. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 7.)

Below testaceous; antenne and legs black or piceous; head and thorax flavous, obscurely marked with

piceous ; elytra impunctate, violaceous blue.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Tolé

(Champion). | a

- Larger than D. collata, and distinguished by the following differences :—The head is

entirely flavous without the coarse punctuation, with a small but deep fovea in front of

each eye; the frontal tubercles are entirely absent; the carina is strongly raised, and

widened into the clypeus; the antenne are rather long, quite half the length of the

body, the fourth joint being much longer than the third; the sides of the thorax are

nearly straight, thickened at the anterior angles, the surface without any distinct basal

depression or transverse groove, but the posterior angles are, as usual, obliquely shaped ;

BIOL. CENRT.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1884. 2r

806 PHYTOPHAGA.

the elytra are metallic violaceous without any trace of punctuation. Two specimens

from David have the antenne fulvous, but differ in no other way. Lastly, the legs in

twenty specimens are black or piceous ; this latter character in connexion with the

differently sculptured head will also separate the present insect from D. eximia and

D. steinheili, Harold.

3. Disonycha melanocephala. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 10.)

Flavous below; head black; thorax and legs flavous; tarsi black; elytra violaceous or black, impunctate.

Length 24 lines.

Head rather flat, impunctate at the vertex, with a row of deep punctures round the inner margin of the eyes ;

carina very strongly raised and thickened; antenne half the length of the body, black, the three basal

joints testaceous below, fourth joint a little longer than the third; thorax transverse, of equal width, the

sides nearly straight, anterior angles thickened; surface entirely impunctate, flavous; scutellum black,

distinctly broader than long; elytra impunctate, shining, black or dark violaceous. Underside and legs

uniformly flavous ; extreme apex of the tibiw and the tarsi black.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Vera Cruz (coll. Sallé).

The head in this species is of a shining jet-black colour ; this in connexion with. the

flavous underside and legs will help to separate the insect from D. collaris, Fabr., and

several other allied species. The impunctate elytra will distinguish it from D. melli-

collis, Say.

4, Disonycha nigripennis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 9.) |

Elongate, subparallel, flavous ; legs ferrugineous ; antennz (the three basal joints excepted), parts of the

breast, apex of tibie and the tarsi black ; elytra finely transversely wrinkled, black, shining.

Length 23-3 lines.

Vertex of the head more or less piceous, the middle with a fine longitudinal groove ; near the inner margin of

the eyes a few deep punctures are placed ; frontal tubercles very obsolete and transverse ; carina thickened

and distinct; labrum fulvous; antenne rather robust, the first three basal joints testaceous, more or less

stained with piceous above, the rest black; fourth joint distinctly longer than the third; thorax flavous,

impunctate, the basilar sulcation only indicated at the sides by an obsolete fovea ; scutellum black; elytra

finely transversely wrinkled, shining, black.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas 2000 feet (Forrer).

The elongate shape, black and finely rugose elytra separate this species, which is

allied to D. collaris, but differs in the colour of the head and the sculpture of the

elytra.

5. Disonycha mexicana. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 8.)

Ovate, slightly widened behind, flavous or ferruginous; antenne fuscous or piceous, the first three joints

flavous below; elytra violaceous or blue, entirely impunctate ; apex of the tibie and the tarsi piceous

or black.

Length 2-23 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Cosamaloapam (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége); GuaTemaLa, Panima,

El Reposo (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

DISONYCHA. | 307

The head in this species is of the same colour and sculpture as in D. nigripes; the

carina is, however, wider, not so acutely raised, and still more dilated at the clypeus ;

the antenne have the fourth joint much longer than the third; and the legs and

underside are entirely flavous, with the exception of the apex of the tibie and the

tarsi, which (as is usual) are black. The insect is also closely allied to D. eximia, but

the antenne are quite different and much more slender, and the colour of the elytra is

also totally different. It is of course possible that the present species is but a variety

of D. nigripes; but as the ten specimens under examination all agree in the above

particulars, I must consider them to represent another species. Two specimens from

Nicaragua agree in all essential characters with the type, except in the more or less

black vertex of the head; the impunctate elytra, however, prevent my looking upon

these specimens as varieties of D. collata.

6. Disonycha subenea. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 13.)

Testaceous; antenne black, the three basal joints: testaceous below; disk of the elytra brownish or greenish

seneous, closely subrugose-punctate.

Length 34-4 lines.

Head impunctate, the vertex sometimes obscure piceous; frontal tubercles flattened, transverse; carina swollen

and much widened in front; antenne shorter than half the length of the body, slender, not thickened at

_ the terminal joints, fourth joint distinctly longer than the third; thorax narréwed in front, sides with a

flattened margin, which is rather broad in front of the anterior angles ; surface impunctate, the basilar groove

scarcely visible; scutellum black; elytra rather flattened, closely and somewhat rugosely punctured,

seneous, the lateral margin broadly testaceous. Underside and legs testaceous; the apex of the posterior

femora, that of all the tibize and the tarsi piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége), Juquila (Boucard, coll. Sallé).

At first sight the species here described resembles D. discoidea, Faby. ; it is, however,

larger, the colour of the disk of the elytra is bronze, not black, and the punctuation

much stronger. The same differences as well as the testaceous colour of the elytral

epipleura separate the species from D. dorsata. In one or two specimens there 1s Just

an indication of a narrow lateral elytral stripe.

7. Disonycha apicalis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 16.)

Testaceous; breast black; four terminal joints of antenne fuscous; head and elytra greenish black, the latter

closely punctured, their apex testaceous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, with a distinct longitudinal groove between the eyes, and a fovea in front of their inner

margin; frontal tubercles very broad, but flat; carina acutely raised ; antennex half the length of the body,

testaceous, the last four joints fuscous, the first three basal ones spotted obscurely with piceous above ; fourth

joint longer than the third; thorax of equal width, the basilar groove scarcely visible ; sides narrowly

margined, slightly rounded, posterior angles oblique; surface entirely impunctate, testaceous ; scutellum

of the same colour; elytra metallic greenish black, finely and closely punctured, the apex of each elytron

testaceous, forming a trianguiar-shaped spot; legs and abdomen testaceous; tarsi spotted or edged with

piceous, which colour is also indicated at the middle of the abdominal segments.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sal/lé).

Of this very distinctly marked species, a single specimen only is before me.

2r2

308, _ -PHYTOPHAGA.

8. Disonycha dorsata, (Tab. XVIII. fig. 11.)

Disonycha dorsata, Harold, Deutsche ent. Zeitsch. xxiv. 1880, p. 220°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Jalapa, Cordova (Hége), Tuxtla, Playa Vicente, Cosamaloapam (coll.

Sallé); Brirish Honpuras, river Hondo (Blancaneaux); GUATEMALA, Paraiso, La Tinta,

Teleman (Champion).

Allied to D. discoidea in regard to coloration; the elytra may be described as black,

with a narrow, but very regularly shaped, yellow submarginal band, which extends from

the base to the sutural margin at the apex; constant in this species seems to be the

black elytral epipleuree, and a more or less distinct, small, central thoracic piceous spot

or line.

In the specimen obtained by Mr. Champion at Paraiso, the apex of the femora as

well as that of the tibie are black, and the vertex of the head has a small spot of the

same colour; several other specimens obtained in Vera Paz differ again in the colour

of the lateral elytral margin as well as in that of their epipleure, being dark fulvous

instead of black ; in other respects, however, I cannot find any difference of importance.

9. Disonycha sallei. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 12.)

Head, breast, and middle of abdomen black; basal joints of antenne, thorax, and legs flavous ; elytra closely

punctured, black, a submarginal band, widened at the apex, flavous.

Length 3 lines.

Head black, with a few deep punctures round the eyes, transversely grooved between the latter, the frontal

tubercles distinct; carina strongly raised; labrum margined with testaceous; antenns with the fourth

joint much longer than the third, flavous, the four terminal joints fuscous; lateral margin of the thorax

rounded, and widened below the middle ; posterior margin distinctly produced at the middle, obliquely cut

at the angles; elytra closely and distinetly punctured; the disk and the epipleure as well as the lateral

margin black ; this colour is abbreviated at some distanee from the apex, the latter anda narrow band near

the margin, commencing at the shoulder, flavous ; legs, tarsi, and sides of the abdomen flavous.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé, Hoge).

This is a very distinct species on account of the flavous antenne, the black head, and

similarly coloured elytra, interrupted by the flavous band; this latter the species has in

common with D. dorsata and several others, but in the present the black margin as

well as the disk of the elytra is abbreviated before the apex. I find the species in the

collection of Mr. Baly under the above name as described by this author, but I am

unable to find any published description.

10. Disonycha pallidicornis. (Tab. XVITI. fig. 17.)

Below obscure piceous; antenne and legs flavous ; head and thorax fulvous; elytra black, a transverse narrow

basal band, another at the middle, and a third near the apex yellow ; posterior femora piceous.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, with a more or less distinctly longitudinal depression at the vertex; frontal tubercles

extremely obsolete; carina swollen and widened in front; palpi rather robust; antennz more than half

the length of the body, pale flavous, the two basal joints sometimes fulvous, fourth joint longer than the

third; thorax about twice as broad as long, the basal sulcation distinct, and preceded at the sides by

DISONYCHA. 309

another more or less distinct depression; sides nearly straight, the anterior and posterior angles very

obliquely shaped; disk entirely impunctate, dark fulvous, shining; scutellum black ; elytra scarcely

visibly punctured, black, with three narrow and very regular bright yellow transverse bands, of which

one occupies the space immediately below the base, the second at or directly below the middle, and the

third at a little distance from the apex ; all these bands extend to the sutural and lateral margin ; under-

side and the posterior femora black or piceous; legs flavous; apex of the last abdominal segment fulvous.

Hab, Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

” This elegantly marked species, of which a dozen specimens were obtained, has the

colour of D. erichsont, Jac., as regards the elytra, but differs in the fulvous head and

thorax, as well as in the colour of the legs and antenne. The posterior femora are

sometimes fulvous.

11. Disonycha trifasciata. (Tab. XVIII. figg. 14, 15.)

Disonycha trifasciata, Clark, Journ. of Entom. ii. 1865, p. 401.

Hab. Guaremata, Zapote, San Isidro, Teleman (Champion); Nicaracua, Chon-

tales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba, David (Champton).—

VENEZUELA}.

This pretty little species seems to be rather widely distributed in Central America,

although not hitherto recorded from that locality. It is easily recognized by the black

elytra, interrupted by three flavous bands, which do not quite extend to the sutural or

lateral margin. The spots of the thorax are frequently absent, and the legs in all the

specimens before me are entirely black, or with rufous base of the femora. A single

variety from San Isidro, which is also figured here, has two small spots on each elytron

instead of the black transverse bands.

12. Disonycha nigrita.

Below fulvous; knees, tibie, tarsi, and apex of the posterior femora black ; head and thorax fulvous, the latter

with a central rhomboidal black spot; elytra black, entirely impunctate.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a black spot at the base, impunctate, with the exception of a single puncture in front of each eye;

antenne rather slender, nearly half the length of the body, the intermediate Joints somewhat incrassate,

black, the three basal joints fulvous below, fourth joint slightly longer than the third; thorax about one

half broader than long, the posterior margin sinuate, the sides nearly straight, anterior angles oblique and

somewhat thickened, disk impunctate, with a central diamond-shaped black spot; scutellum and elytra

black, entirely impunctate and shining.

Hab. Guaremata, Pantaleon 1700 feet (Champion).

Separated by the black and entirely impunctate elytra, and evidently allied to

D. dorsata, Har. A single specimen was obtained.

13. Disonycha dimidiata. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 21.)

Head, breast, tibie, tarsi, and basal joints of the antenne black; thorax pale fulvons; elytra impunctate

basal half black, posterior half testaceous.

Length 3 lines.

310 PHYTOPHAGA.

Head black, entirely impunctate, with a small fovea in front of the eyes; frontal tubercles absent; carina

narrow, acutely raised ; antenne more than half the length of the body, black, the three terminal joints

obscure fulvous, fourth joint slightly longer than the third; thorax about twice as broad as long, the

sides moderately rounded; anterior angles obliquely thickened, basal groove very obsolete but visible ;

scutellum black; elytra very slightly widened below the middle, rather strongly convex, impunctate,

black, the posterior portion from slightly below the middle testaceous ; femora and abdomen pale fulvous;

tibia, tarsi, and the breast black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Two specimens of this well-marked species were captured.

14. Disonycha austriaca. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 18.)

CEdionychis austriaca, Schaufuss, Nung. Otiosus, ii. 1874, p. 308°.

Disonycha austriaca, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 28.

Hab. Guatemata, Panima, Chacoj (Champion); Panama, David, Bugaba (Champion).

—Cotompia!?; Prrv (coll. Jacoby).

The only difference to be noted in the Panama specimens is the black instead of the

flavous underside to be found in the South-American forms; the spots of the elytra at

their posterior half are also connected in all the Central-American specimens, as is

sometimes the case in the Southern insects. In other respects I cannot find sufficient

differences to justify their separation. The species, as already noted by Von Harold, is

a true Disonycha, and has nothing to do with the genus Gidzonychis.

15. Disonycha sexmaculata., (Tab. XVIII. fig. 19.)

Ovate-oblong, below piceous; sides of the abdomen, legs, antennw, and thorax flavous; head black; elytra

impunctate, black; a spot at the base, a transverse band at the middle, and another at the apex

yellow.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (coll. Sallé).

Closely allied to D. austriaca, from which it differs principally by the pale flavous

colour of the antenne and legs; the former have the first two joints stained with piceous

above, and their third and fourth joints are of nearly equal length. Three specimens

before me agree with each other in every respect.

16. Disonycha cordovana. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 20.)

Oblong-ovate, convex; head, thorax, and femora obscure fulvous; tibia and breast black; elytra closely

punctured, testaceous, the sutural and lateral margin, a spot at the base and apex, and a transverse band

before and below the middle black; abdomen testaceous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, with a single fovea in front of the eyes; frontal tubercles absent ; carina very narrow but

distinct ; palpi black; thorax nearly three times as broad as long; posterior margin convex; lateral

margin nearly straight; anterior angles obtusely thickened and oblique, posterior ones obliquely sinuate ;

basal sulcation very obsolete, and indicated only by a small central fovea; upper surface entirely impunc-

DISONYCHA. 311

tate ; scutellum black; elytra widened towards the middle, rather strongly convex and closely punctured,

testaceous, the lateral and sutural margin narrowly black; a spot of the same colour is placed at the

middle of the base and another larger one at the extreme apex ; of the two bands, the first extends across

the disk before the middle, and is widened at the suture, the other (of broader shape, and with its anterior

margin angulate near the suture) is placed directly below the middle; posterior femora strongly incrassate ;

posterior first tarsal joint nearly as long as the three following joints united.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

Of a more convex and robust shape than is generally the case in this genus, and

rather easily distinguished by its coloration. Three specimens are before me.

17. Disonycha glabrata.

Crioceris glabrata, Fabr. Spec. Ins. i. 1781, p. 156°.

Galleruca glabrata, Fabr. Ent. Syst. i. 2, p. 25 (1792) *; Syst. El. i. p. 494 (1801) *.

Altica glabrata, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 685, t. u. fig. 28%.

Disonycha glabrata, Har. Coleopt. Hefte, xv. p. 4°.

Altica alternata, Latr. Voy. Humb. ii. 1883, p. 39, t. 23. fig. 12°.

Crioceris tomentosa, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 122’.

Hab. Norta America !?234,—Mextco, Jalapa, Oaxaca, Cordova (Hoge), Vera Cruz,

Cuernavaca, Cordova, Yolos, Tuxtla, Istopan, San Andres (coll. Sallé), Ventanas (Forrer) ;

British _Honpuras, river Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuatemaLa, Zapote, San Gerdénimo, Las

Mercedes, Teleman (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van

Patten), Cache (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, Taboga Island

(Champion).—CotomBia ® 6 (coll. Jacoby); Prru (coll. Jacoby); Jamatca’.

This abundant and widely distributed species is one of those forms which, on account

of the similarity of its pattern, which it has in common with many allied species, is

not always easy to separate. Its principal distinguishing character is to be found in

the broad central dark band, which is quite as broad as or broader than the yellow

- portion, and in the impunctate elytra. Von Harold, in describing an allied species

(D. prolixa), says that in D. glabrata the third and fourth joints of the antenne are equal

in length; but in all the very numerous specimens from the localities quoted above, and

which I must of necessity refer to D. glabrata on account of their similarity to specimens

from Peru, Bogota, &c., contained in my collection, I find that the third joint is _

distinctly shorter than the fourth. I may further remark that the legs in all my

specimens are fulvous, and the elytral epipleure black.

18. Disonycha alternata.

Haltica alternata, Mliger, Mag. fiir Ins. vi. 1807, p. 144 4

Var. fumata, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. ix. 1858, p. 86°.

Disonycha plurigata, Lec. Journ. Ac. Phil. iv. 1858, p. 27; Coleopt. of Kansas, 1859, p. 25’.

Disonycha pura, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. ix. 1858, p. 86 -

Disonycha 5-vittata, Say, Journ. Ac. Phil. iv. 1, 1824, p. 85 i

312 PHYTOPHAGA.

Had. Nortu Amentca }2845,—-Mexico, Oaxaca, Vera Cruz, Sinaloa, Orizaba, Juquila

(coll. Sallé), Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hoge), Ventanas (Forrer); British Honpuras, river

Sarstoon (Blancancaua); GuaTeMaLa, Dueias, Capetillo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chon-

tales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

Although this species has been described as inhabiting North America by the above-

named authors, I must refer the numerous specimens from Central America which are

before me to Illiger’s species, whose description agrees in all essential points. This

author says, however, that the underside is reddish yellow, while all the specimens

which I have for examination have the sides of the metasternum more or less black ;

the two thoracic spots which Illiger mentions are absent in most specimens, but

present in some. So many similarly coloured species from all parts of the South-

American continent are contained in collections, in most cases mixed together and

unnamed, that an examination of Illiger’s type and those of the other authors is abso-

lutely necessary to form a conclusive opinion as to their specific value. Whether

the above names are really but synonyms of Illiger’s species, as given in Gemminger’s

catalogue, remains yet to be seen. The principal character of distinction in the

present species seems to be the narrow lateral elytral margin, which is of the

testaceous ground-colour and accompanied by a narrow black stripe, which in all

the specimens from Central America is of half the width only of the stripes, which

are placed on the disk and the sutural margin. The antenne are very nearly two

thirds the length of the body, and the fourth joint is nearly double the length of

the third.

19. Disonycha guatemalensis.

Below entirely fulvous, shining ; antenne short, black, the basal joint fulvous; thorax and elytra testaceous or

fulvous, the latter impunctate; a sutural and discoidal stripe, as well as a very narrow lateral one

near the margin, black.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Guatema.a, San Gerénimo, Zapote, Duefias (Champion).

It is impossible to consider this species only a variety of the preceding, on account of

its short antenne, which in the five specimens obtained scarcely extend to the length

of the first third of the elytra; their joints also are very short, and gradually but

slightly thickened towards the apex; while, on the contrary, the same parts in

D. alternata are slender and elongate in both sexes. Other distinctive characters of

the present insect are to be found in its smaller size and the colour of the under-

side (which agrees with the description of Illiger’s species), the latter being

only very sparingly covered with hairs. The legs are entirely fulvous, without any

black stripes.

DISONYCHA. 313

20. Disonycha recticollis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 25.)

Below piceous ; femora and apex of the abdomen fulvous; base of the head, antenna, and tarsi black; above

testaceous ; thorax impunctate; elytra extremely minutely punctured; a narrow sutural and lateral

stripe, and another wider one at the disk, black.

Q. The black discoidal elytral stripe raised in shape of an acute ridge.

Length 24-3 lines.

Head smooth, impunctate at the middle, the sides near the eyes with a few punctures; antenne two thirds

the length of the body, the first joint more or less fulvous below, the rest black, fourth joint distinctly

longer than the third; thorax transversely subquadrate, not narrowed in front, the sides rounded, the

posterior and anterior margin straight; all the angles obsolete ; scutellum black; elytra extremely finely

punctured when seen with a strong lens, testaceous, their outer margin and that of their epipleure of the

same colour; underside black or piceous, the last one or two abdominal segments fulvous; tibie and

tarsi black.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (coll. Sallé); Guatemata (coll. Jacoby, Sallé), Tactic

(Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belé); Costa Rica (Van Patten).

Numerous specimens of this species were obtained in Costa Rica. I have no doubt

of its specific distinction from D. alternata and allied forms. In these latter the

‘thorax is always wider at the base than at the apex; here, on the contrary, the

shape is transversely subquadrate, by which the male insect may be alone separated ;

in the female the intermediate black elytral stripe (which in both sexes is always

distinctly wider than the two others) is longitudinally deeply depressed at the sides, the

stripe itself forming an acutely raised ridge, abbreviated as usual at the apex; the

colour of the underside is also constantly black, with the exception of the last two

abdominal segments in both sexes. Whether this species may be but a variety of D.

bicarinata, Boh., to which it is evidently closely allied, 1 am unable to say; but as

the latter insect is described from Brazil and with the thorax spotted with black, of

which no trace is visible in the many specimens before me, I have thought it best to

consider it as distinct from Boheman’s species. I may further add that even in the male

insect traces of the elytral longitudinal costa may be seen.

21. Disonycha panamensis. (Tab. XIX. fig. 1.)

Below and the legs fulvous; thorax impunctate, marginate at the sides; elytra minutely punctured and rugose,

testaceous, a broad longitudinal stripe at the middle black, a sutural and lateral stripe fulvous or piceous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles indistinct and divided in front by a distinct fovea; another small

fovea is placed at the vertex; antenne long, slender, the first two or three joints fulvous, the rest black ;

fourth joint longer than the third ; thorax fulvous, not narrowed in front, of equal width, the sides much

rounded and with a distinct margin, the basilar sulcation indicated at the sides only by a small impressed

fovea; elytra very finely rugose and punctured, a sutural and submarginal narrow stripe obscure piceous,

a discoidal broader band, abbreviated before the apex, black; this band is as broad as the intervening

yellow portion ; legs and underside fulvous, pubescent ; the abdomen and tarsi often fuscous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The thorax in this species is of quite a different shape from what is usually the case,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1884. Qs

314 PHYTOPHAGA.

and resembles that of D. recticollis; but the sides in the present species are much more

~ rounded, and provided with a distinct and rather broad margin. In all the specimens

before me, to the number of twenty-four, the sutural and submarginal band is of a

fulvous or piceous, not black colour, and often even quite absent or scarcely visible.

But the shape of the thorax is the principal distinguishing feature of this species.

92. Disonycha militaris. (Tab. XIX. fig. 5.)

Fulvous ; antenne (the first two joints excepted), tibie, and tarsi black ; elytra testaceous, a very thin sutural,

discoidal, and sublateral stripe black.

_ Var. a. The sublateral elytral stripe absent.

Var. b. Sides of the elytra and the underside rufous, rest as in var. a.

Length 3-33 lines.

Hab. Mexico (Museum Stuttgart); GUATEMALA, Zapote, San Gerdénimo, Chaco}j

(Champion); Panama, David (Champion).

The black elytral stripes in this species are extremely thin, the lateral one being

sometimes absent; on account of these narrow bands the species cannot be mistaken

for any other; the antenne are robust and rather short, the fourth joint is scarcely

longer than the third; in the pretty variety the lateral margin of the elytra and the

whole underside is stained with rufous. The head in all the specimens has a deep,

but small fovea in front of the eyes; the thorax is but little narrowed in front, impunc-

tate and without spots; the posterior angles are more obliquely cut than is usually the

case, and the elytra are scarcely punctured.

23. Disonycha figurata. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 24.)

Entirely testaceous or flavous ; antenne black, the first three joints testaceous below ; thorax with two small

spots; elytra minutely punctured, the elytral bands very obsolete.

Var. a. Thorax and elytra entirely testaceous.

Var. 0. Femora fulvous, tibiee and tarsi black.

Length 3-33 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas (Forrer), Cerro de Plumas, Oaxaca (Hége), Juquila, Cordova,

Playa Vicente, Tuxtla, Capulalpam, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé) ; GuatEmaza, Capetillo,

Duefias, Chacoj (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

I have not much doubt that this insect is but a pale or, may be, immature form of

D. alternata or an allied species; as there are, however, so many specimens of the same

coloration before me, I have thought it best for the sake of completeness to give this

form another name. Intermediate degrees are not wanting in which the evanescent

elytral bands of most specimens are better visible ; the shape too and the punctuation

of the elytra are equally variable ; the thorax in most specimens has two small spots

at the middle of the disk ; in others these are wanting; the elytra are very finely or

scarcely visibly punctured. In all other respects the species cannot be distinguished

from D. alternata or some of its varieties. |

DISONYCHA. 315

24. Disonycha hogei. (Tab. XIX. fig. 2.)

Testaceous ; antenne, a central thoracic spot, and the scutellum black ; elytra impunctate, testaceous, more or

less stained with fulvous at the sides ; tarsi fuscous.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

In comparing D. héget with D. figurata, the following differences are to be noted:

the thorax in the former is narrower and more transverse, the anterior margin more

concave and the angles more distinctly produced outwards and obliquely shaped ;

instead of the two small central spots, a single short narrow line is placed in the middle

of the disk (as in D. glabrata); the scutellum is black (in all specimens of D jfigurata

it is testaceous); lastly, the entire underside and legs are testaceous, the tarsi only

being piceous or fuscous; the sides of the elytra and the thorax in one specimen

are suffused with rufous.

This species is certainly distinct from the preceding, but may be only a pale variety

of D. glabrata ; no trace of any longitudinal black bands on the elytra is visible, but

the ground-colour of the latter is closely covered with minute piceous spots when seen

under a lens; these again are interrupted by two or three longitudinal pale stripes,

more or less distinctly visible. A few specimens from Ventanas differ from the others

in their much paler colour and in having the two small thoracic spots wider apart as is

the case in D. caroliniana.

25. Disonycha antennata. (Tab. XIX. fig. 4.)

Flavous or testaceous, shining ; antenne (the basal joint excepted) black, robust and short; thorax and elytra

impunctate; tibis and tarsi piceous or black.

Length 3-33 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas (Forrer), Cordova, Vera Cruz, Panistlahuaca (coll. Sallé),

Jalapa (Hége). |

I am obliged to separate this species from the two preceding ones on account of its

more elongate and parallel shape and its robust and shorter antenne; the latter

have the third and fourth joints of very nearly equal length and are much thicker than

those of D. figurata ; the upper and under side of the insect is entirely flavous and very

shining, and the thorax and elytra are without any trace of darker markings. The

species resembles Cacoscelis flava, but the different shape of the thorax, of the antenne,

and the impunctate elytra will prevent its being mistaken for that insect. Three speci-

mens from Jalapa differ from the others in having the entire upperside stained with

light red, but in all other respects they are identical. The unspotted thorax, more

elongate shape, want of any elytral design in connexion with the much more robust

and shorter antenne, will help to separate the present species from D. figurata.

282

316 PHYTOPHAGA.

26. Disonycha crenicollis. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 22.)

Disonycha crenicollis, Say, Bost. Journ. 1835, i, p. 200°.

Hab. Mexico}, North Sonora (Morrison), Puebla (coll. Sallé).

The description given by Say applies accurately to the specimens obtained at the

above locality, and which I must refer therefore to the present species; the antenne

have the fourth joint distinctly longer than the third and are black, with the exception

of the first or following two basal joints, which are more or less fulvous; the thorax is

generally five-spotted and of a narrow transverse shape; of the spots, the two middle

ones are always small and black, the lateral ones large and piceous or fulvous; the

outer edge of the elytra as well as their epipleure are testaccous, and the longitudinal

band at the disk of the elytra is narrower as a rule than the yellow portion; the under-

side has the lower part of the metasternum and its sides, as well as the apical margins

of the abdominal segments, and the tibize and tarsi black and closely pubescent ; apex of

the posterior and the upper edge of the anterior femora black. The punctuation of

the elytra is extremely fine.

To distinguish this species from the many closely allied forms, the five-spotted thorax

and the colour of the underside will be found the most important characters ; without,

however, having the type to compare, all doubts as to the proper identification either of

this or the other similarly coloured species cannot be set at rest.

27. Disonycha capitata.

Below flavous; femora fulvous; base of the head, antennse, and tarsi black ; head rugose-punctate ; thorax

with two black spots; elytra testaceous, with a narrow sutural, discoidal, and lateral black stripe,

impunctate.

Length 3-33 lines.

Hab. Mexico, North Sonora (Morrison), Tuxtla, Cosamaloapam (coll. Sallé);

GuatemaLa, Zapote, Panzos (Champion).

'The differences to be found in this species by which it may be separated from similarly

coloured ones are as follows :—the head between the eyes is closely rugose-punctate

(in which this species differs from any other known to me), the frontal tubercles are

more distinctly raised than is generally the case; the sides of the thorax on the disk

are more or less distinctly raised in the shape of tubercles, these latter being frequently of

an obscure piceous colour; the longitudinal black bands of the elytra are very narrow,

the intermediate one is sinuate or slightly curved inwards at the middle, while the

band near the lateral margin is often very indistinctly marked; the legs are without

black markings, only the extreme apex of the tibia and the tarsi are of that colour ;

the antenne are proportionately long and slender, and the fourth joint is longer than

the third ; the elytral epipleure are entirely flavous.

It is possible that this species is identical with one of those described by Leconte ;

but as this author makes no mention of the rugosely punctured head, and as, moreover,

DISONYCHA. | 317

the many similarly coloured species of this genus can only be separated by finely

marked but good (if constant) characters, I must consider the present species as un-

described. From Zapote only a single specimen was obtained, which scarcely differs

from the Mexican forms. On account of the uneven almost subtuberculate surface of

the thorax, the species ought certainly to be separated from D. alternata.

28. Disonycha brunneofasciata.

Testaceous below ; antenne black, the first joint fulvous ; thorax spotted with fulvous ; elytra scarcely visibly

punctured, testaceous, a broad sutural and discoidal as well as a narrow lateral band dark fulvous,

margined with fuscous. ,

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Britisn Honpuras, river Hondo (Blancaneauc).

‘In the elytral pattern and general shape, this species resembles D. glabrata ; from

this and all other species the colour of the elytral bands at once distinguishes it. These

bands themselves are broad, often broader than the intervening lighter portion, with the

exception of the lateral band, which is extremely narrow; their colour is a dark fulvous

often margined with piceous ; the antenne have the third and fourth joints of equal

length ; the thorax has generally a triangular-shaped central and two lateral fulvous

spots; the apex of the tibie and the tarsi are piceous. The ten specimens obtained

do not differ in any way, and must therefore be considered specifically distinct.

29. Disonycha brevilineata. (Tab. XVIII. fig. 23.)

Ovate, testaceous ; antenne and tarsi black; elytra distinctly and closely punctured, a thin longitudinal stripe

at the disk from base to apex, another at the lateral margins, and a very short stripe near the apex |

black.

Length 23 lines.

Head with a few punctures between the eyes ; antenne scarcely half the length of the body; the first three

joints testaceous below ; fourth joint much longer than the preceding ; thorax more than twice as broad as

long, widened at the middle, the anterior margin straight, the posterior one nearly semicircular, posterior

angles oblique; surface impunctate, basilar sulcation absent; scutellum black ; elytra finely, closely, and

distinctly punctured, testaceous, as well as their epipleurs ; each elytron with a narrow black stripe from

the middle of the base to a little distance from the apex, and another parallel and close to the lateral

margin ; between these two lines a short stripe is placed near the apex, and terminates at the same distance

as the other stripes; entire underside and legs testaceous ; tarsi black.

Hab. Mexico, Capulalpam (coll. Salié).

The single specimen before me is easy to recognize on account of the elytral markings.

30. Disonycha abbreviata. (Tab. XIX. fig. 3.)

Disonycha abbreviata, Melsh. Proc. Ac. Phil. iii. p. 163.

Hab. Nortu America.—Mexico, Tehuantepec (coll. Sallé).—Guatema.a (coll. Sallé).

The Mexican and Guatemalan specimens before me show no perceptible difference

from others contained in my collection from North America, which agree perfectly with

318 PHYTOPHAGA.

Melsheimer’s description. The species is comparatively easy to recognize by the absence

of the submarginal black elytral stripe. I cannot however, quite understand what

Melsheimer meant in describing the elytra as “ much, finely, and profoundly punctured.”

The elytra in my specimens are nearly impunctate or in others very finely punctured.

CAEPORIS.

Ceporis, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 398; Dejean. Cat. 3 ed. p. 411.

The only Central-American species described by Clark seems to want the principal

character which distinguishes the other species of this genus, that is, the spine at the

end of the tibia, which in nearly all Halticine is confined to the posterior tibia only,

while in Ceporis it is common to all. The three known other species have been found

in South America.

1. Ceporis subcostata. (Tab. XIX. fig. 10.)

Ceporis subcostata, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 399°.

Hab. Mexico}.

As already remarked above, this species lacks the spine at the anterior tibiee, as proved

to me by the specimens contained in my collection, and ought perhaps to be placed in

Disonycha, with which it agrees in all essential points. The thorax has several rather

deep depressions at the sides and at the disk, and has three small piceous spots in one

of my specimens, but not the markings as described by Clark. The author, although

giving the name of subcostata, makes no mention of any coste of which distinct traces

are to be seen at the elytra, the latter having an opaque and finely rugose appearance.

PELONIA.

Pelonia, Clark, Journ. of Ent. i. p. 399.

The species constituting this genus are insects of graceful shapes and, for the most

part, delicate colours, which are generally opaque instead of metallic. The antenne are

slender and filiform, and the claws simple. The elytra havea peculiar opaque and dull

appearance, with a finely granulate surface. The insects seem to be rare in collections,

and none have been previously recorded from Central America, from which country I

have four species now before me.

1. Pelonia elegantula. (Tab. XVII. fig. 25; Tab. XIX. fig. 7.)

Pelonia elegantula, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1879, p. 240°.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla; Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).—Prrv }.

A good number of this species have been obtained at Panama; they all differ rather

in colour and size from the only type specimen, contained in Mr. Baly’s collection,

and it is therefore quite possible that they represent another, but very closely allied

PELONIA. | 319

species. The difference in the Central-American insects consists in the much more

narrow fulvous sutural and lateral margin, and in the colour of the tibie, which in

nearly, but not all cases, is fulvous instead of black; the elytral punctuation is also

somewhat more remote than in the type. I have, however, specimens before me which

approach the latter more closely in colour, and I believe therefore that the species is a

rather variable one.

Some specimens from the same locality have entirely metallic blue elytra, and are

larger than most of the others; but as they do not differ in any other way, I prefer to

look upon them as varieties. The figured specimens are from Chiriqui.

2. Pelonia clarki. (Tab. XIX. fig. 9.)

Below flavous; above obscure testaceous, opaque; sides of the thorax and two longitudinal bands, connected

before and behind the middle of the elytra, obscure fuscous.

Length 13 line.

Head with a distinct longitudinal ridge at the vertex; the frontal tubercles strongly raised; antenne: half the

length of the body, moderately robust, dark fulvous, fourth joint distinctly longer than the third; thorax

narrowly transverse, all its sides straight, surface slightly excavated at each side, the excavation limited

laterally by a short ridge, disk finely punctured, pale testaceous, a longitudinal band at each side from

base to apex fuscous; elytra very finely granulate-punctate, of the same colour as the thorax, each elytron

with a subsutural and sublateral fuscous band, which join each other at the middle and near the apex.

Hab. Guatemata, Teleman (Champion).

This little species seems closely allied to P. rufo-testacea, Clark, from which it differs

in its elytral pattern and pale general colour as well as smaller size. The two speci-

mens before me do not quite agree, however, in the elytral design, which in one of

them has the lateral band extending to the apex, while in the other it is abbreviated ;

‘the subsutural band is narrowed in two or three places, of which the figure will give a

better idea. The species is altogether of a very dull opaque appearance. .

3. Pelonia balyi. (Tab. XIX. fig. 8.)

Below flavous; antennee, knees, tibiee, and tarsi black; head and thorax rufous; elytra obscure dark fuscous,

opaque, the sutural and lateral margin flavous.

Length 1 line.

Head with a short central ridge at the vertex ; clypeus acutely raised; antenne black, the fourth joint the

longest and much longer than the third joint; thorax transversely subquadrate, the sides straight, surface

finely granulate, opaque, with an oblique raised ridge at each side extending from the posterior angle to

some distance below the anterior margin; scutellum flavous ; elytra opaque, finely granulate, covered with

numerous smooth punctures upon the darker portion, the latter of a purplish fuscous colour, the lateral

and sutural margin very narrowly flavous ; underside and femora of the same colour, the knees, tarsi,’ aud

tibia black. .

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This species somewhat resembles in colour P. vittata, Clark, from which it differs in

the narrow flavous lateral margin of the elytra and in the much broader darker portion

of the latter. A single specimen only was obtained.

320 PHYTOPHAGA.

4. Pelonia seminigra. (Tab. XIX. fig. 6.)

Below black, shining; base of the femora flavous; above obscure fulvous; antenne, sides of the thorax,

obscure fuscous ; elytra finely punctured, opaque fulvous, two longitudinal bands of each elytron obscure

fuscous.

Length 12 line.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

At once distinguished from the preceding species by the shining black underside and

the scutellum ; the antenne are rather more than half the length of the body and have

the first joint flavous; the head and thorax have the same shape and sculpture as P. clarki,

but there is another, although obscure, central fuscous band in addition to those at the

sides of the thorax. The elytral bands are so obsolete as to be almost invisible in the

one specimen before me, and it is very probable that the species varies in regard to the

elytral and other markings. It is a larger insect than P. clarki, and the ground-colour

is a darker fulvous. |

APHANOCERA.

Body elongate; eyes small, entire; palpi robust, the third and fourth joints subequal, the last conical;

antenne filiform, the first joint robust, the second half the length, third and following joints subequal.

Thorax nearly square-shaped, the angles not produced ; surface near the base with an indistinct transverse

groove, limited laterally by a longitudinal fovea. Scutellum trigonate; elytra elongate, their surface

punctate-striate. Posterior femora moderately incrassate; tibiee dilated at the apex, all armed with a

small spine; tarsi triangularly dilated, the first joint but slightly longer than the second; claws appen-

diculate; prosternum narrowly elongate, longitudinally sulcate; anterior coxal cavities open.

The elongate shape, which somewhat resembles the genus Cacoscelis, nearly square-

shaped thorax with its basal groove, the punctate-striate elytra, and the armed tibie, in

connexion with the open coxal cavities, will without difficulty separate the present

genus from any other belonging to the present division. The only species obtained by

Mr. Champion is of comparatively large size. |

1. Aphanocera fulveola. (Tab. XIX. fig. 11.)

Obscure fulvous, shining; antenne, tibie, and tarsi black; head and thorax impunctate; elytra closely

punctate-striate, the interstices slightly convex.

Length 4 lines.

Head transversely grooved between the eyes; frontal tubercles very distinctly raised; clypeus very narrow;

forming an indistinct transverse ridge; antenne nearly half the length of the body, black; thorax

scarcely broader than long, the sides evenly rounded with a narrow margin, anterior and posterior

margin straight; surface impunctate, shining; the basilar groove only distinct at the middle, limited at

each side by a longitudinal fovea; elytra obscure fulvous, rather darker near the base, slightly constricted

at the sides below the middle, their shoulders prominent, surface closely punctate-striate, the punctures

moderately deeply impressed and often doubled, the punctuation visible, but more finely to the apex, the

interstices very slightly convex; epipleure concave, extending to the apex; base of the femora more or

less fulvous, the rest black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Iwo specimens were obtained.

MEGASUS.—PRASONA. 321

MEGASUS.

Body oblong-ovate ; head elongate; eyes large, entire; palpi filiform, terminal joint acute; antenne as long as

the body, slender, filiform ; thorax transverse, with a laterally interrupted basilar groove; elytra irregu-

larly punctured; tibia longitudinally sulcate, the posterior ones mucronate; claws appendiculate; pro-

sternum very narrow; anterior coxal cavities open.

The species for which I am obliged to erect this genus has the general shape and

appearance of a Lactica, from which it differs, as well as from other allied genera, by

the very long and slender antenne in connexion with the thoracic groove, which is

sinuate, and not limited at the sides by a longitudinal fovea, as in Lactica and

Diphaulaca, but interrupted at some distance from the lateral margin, each end being

directed obliquely upwards.

1. Megasus bimaculatus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 12.)

Testaceous; antenns (the basal joint excepted), tibiee, and tarsi black; elytra testaceous, scarcely visibly

punctured, a round small spot at the base and a narrow transverse band, interrupted at the sides, black.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, frontal tubercles not strongly raised, the carina very swollen ( ¢ ), more flattened in the other

sex; antenne black, the first joint testaceous, slender, and curved, second one half the length of the

third, fourth and following joints very slender and elongate, and reaching to the end of the body ; eyes very

large and distinctly reticulate; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides straight, anterior angles obtuse,

posterior margin slightly rounded, surface impunctate, with a distinct transverse groove, the sides of

which are directed obliquely upwards, but do not extend to the lateral margin; scutellum trigonate ;

elytra slightly widened behind, testaceous, extremely finely and closely punctured, a small round, spot at

the base near the scutellum, and a short, narrow, transverse band at the middle, not extending to either

margin, black.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

The antenne in the female are slightly shorter than in the male; but in other

respects I cannot find any difference, with the exception of the carina, as pointed out

above.

b. Anterior coxal cavities closed.

PRASONA.

Prasona, Baly, Journ. of Entom. i. 1861, p. 300.

The genus Prasona (Mr. Baly has written the name in his collection Prasonia, and

has subsequently described another species under this name in the ‘Annals of Nat.

Hist.,’ 1878) was founded by its author on a Mexican species of rather large size and

pale-green colour. In its general appearance it resembles the genus Haltica, also in

the shape of its thoracic groove; the closed coxal cavities and differently made antenn

separate the genus Prasona sufficiently from the former. Mr. Baly described the

posterior tibie as armed with two teeth or spines, which is certainly a mistake, as only

a single spine is present, which has already been pointed out by Von Harold (Coleopt.

Hefte, xiv. p. 83). A more important structural character, however, and which has

been overlooked by the author, is the presence of a small spine at the apex of all the

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1884. of

399, PHYTOPHAGA.

tibie, which I find in the type as well as in the other Mexican specimens I have for

examination. In this character the genus agrees with Ceporis and also with Systena,

which latter genus is so closely allied to Prasona that it may perhaps rightfully be

incorporated with it. There is, however, a decided difference to be found in the

structure of the antennze in Prasona, which, at least in the male insect, are robust at

the base and tapering towards the apical joints, and the third joint is longer than the

fourth, not equal, as Von Harold says (Coleopt. Hefte, xv.). In Systena these joints are

very nearly equal in length, the third joint being sometimes slightly shorter. I think

that it is therefore désirable to retain the name of Prasona for the species which forms

the type, on account of its large size, peculiar coloration, and the structure of the

antenne, which make the insect easy of recognition.

1. Prasona viridis. (Tab. XIX. fig. 13.)

Prasona viridis, Baly, Journ. of Entom. i. 1861, p. 301°.

Hab. Mexico}, Toxpam, Cordova (coll. Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

I may add to the description of Mr. Baly that the antenne in the male insect are

much more robust than in the female, and that they are distinctly thickened at the

base and gradually tapering towards the apex. The species does not seem to be a very

common one, only three specimens having been obtained by Herr Hoge; six others are

contained in the collection of M. Sallé.

SYSTENA.

Systena, Clark, Journ. of Entom. i. 1865, p. 402.

The typical species of this genus are for the most part small and similarly coloured,

having dark elytra with one or two longitudinal pale stripes. Many other coloured

forms from Central America are, however, before me, some of which at the same time

are much larger in size. I have already dwelt upon the close affinity of this genus

and Prasona in my remarks on the latter genus, and have also pointed out the presence

of a small spine at the apices of all the tibi in both genera. The shape of Systena is

for the most part peculiar to the genus; the elytra are somewhat flattened above and

widened behind in nearly all the larger-sized species, more convex and parallel, how-

ever, in those of smaller size. The antennae seem, moreover, never to decrease towards

the apex in thickness, as in Prasona, but remain of equal size, or are thickened at the

terminal joints. The species constituting the present genus are distributed from North

to South America, as well as in some of the West-Indian islands. Up to the present

time but two species have been described from Central America.

1. Systena marginata. (Prasona marginata, Tab. XVII. fig. 21.)

Fulvous; thorax and elytra finely punctured, the latter metallic blue or green, the lateral margin and apex

narrowly fulvous.

Length 33 lines.

SYSTENA,. 323

Head extremely finely punctured, the frontal tubercles distinct and elongate; antenne rather variable in

colour, fulvous or piceous, slender, the fourth joint slightly longer than the third; thorax transversely

subquadrate, fulvous, the basilar sulcation almost obsolete or indicated at the sides only, surface finely

punctured ; scutellum fulvous; elytra slightly widened behind and rather flattened, the space behind the

base transversely depressed, entire surface extremely closely punctured, metallic dark blue or green, tho

lateral margins rufous or testaceous; entire underside and legs of the same colour.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Toxpam (coll. Sallé); GuaTemaLa, Aceytuno 5100 feet

(Salvin), Zapote, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

The colour of the elytra in this species varies, as remarked above, from blue to

green, and that of the underside from flavous to fulvous. |

2. Systena mexicana. (Prasona mexicana, Tab. XVII. fig. 20.)

Underside, legs, and antenne black; head and thorax fulvous; elytra metallic green or blue, closely

punctured.

Length 33 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Toxpam (eoll. Sallé); Guatemata, San Gerdénimo, Senahu

in Vera Paz (Champion).

It is quite possible that this species is but a variety of S. marginata, as the difference

between the two insects is one of colour only. I have, however, of both forms sufficient

specimens, and no intermediate degree, so that I am obliged to consider them distinct.

In the present insect the want of the fulvous elytral margin and the colour of the

underside will separate it from the preceding species. S. mexicana bears the name of

Cacoscelis nigriventris, Chevrol., in the collection of M. Sallé.

8. Systena oberthuri. (Tab. XIX. fig. 15.)

Systena oberthuri, Baly, Annals & Mag. of Nat. Hist. ser. 5, ii, p. 229°.

Hab. Panama, Matachin (Thieme) 1, Taboga Island (Champion).

The only specimen obtained by Mr. Champion is larger than the type in Mr. Baly’s

collection, which is figured here. The piceous markings of the elytra are much more

distinct and darker; in all other respects the specimen agrees with the type.

4, Systena variabilis. (Tab. XIX. figg. 16-21.)

Pale fulvous below; above reddish fulvous; elytra very finely and closely punctured, a transverse band at the

base, and another, slightly curved below the middle, black.

Var. a. Elytra with a small black spot at the shoulder, another below the base, and two placed transversely

below the middle.

Var. b. Elytra, legs, and underside black; thorax fulvous.

Var. c. Entirely black.

Var. d. Entirely testaceous.

Length 2-3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége), Tuxtla, Cordova, Panistlahuca, La Parada, Juquila,

Guanajuato, Cuernavaca, Toxpam (coll. Sal/é); GuaTEMALA, Aceytuno 5000 feet (Salvin),

262

324 PHYTOPHAGA.

San Gerénimo, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion); Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers); Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

More than a hundred specimens from the above localities, which, in regard to colour

and size, vary in a most extraordinary manner, have brought me to the conclusion that

they represent but one species, as I cannot find any structural character for their

separation. The colour of the upper parts, as given above, represents only those of the

more immediate contrast ; between these a great number of other varieties and interme-

diate degrees, too numerous to mention, are before me. ‘The head and thorax vary from

red to black, or spotted with either colour, and the same applies to the elytra, of which

some specimens have the latter black with a yellow margin or yellow with a black

margin, spotted or unspotted; in all the head is impunctate, the frontal tubercles

flattened and separated by a central groove, but not behind; the antenne (as variable

in colour as the other parts) are slender, and have the third and fourth joints equal;

the thorax is scarcely visibly, the elytra more distinctly and very closely punctured.

This species is generally of a semiflattened, posteriorly widened shape, but frequently

more parallel; the black specimens often have the head only fulvous, in which colour

they resemble greatly S. frontalis, Fabr.; but the finely punctured upper surface of the

present insect will separate them from the latter species. I am the more certain that

all the varieties described here represent but one species, as the greater part of them

were obtained at the same locality (Volcan de Chiriqui) and at the same elevation of

2500 to 4000 feet.

5. Systena nigroplagiata. (Tab. XIX. figg. 23, 24.)

Below black ; head, thorax, antenne, and legs fulvous; elytra minutely punctured, fulvous, a triangular spot

surrounding the scutellum, another small spot near the lateral margin, and a transverse band below the

middle black.

Var. a. Upper part of the head, a spot on the disc of the thorax, and the antenne black.

Var. 6. Testaceous above, the black markings of the elytra reduced to small spots.

Length 24-3 lines.

Hab. Muxtco, Guanajuato, Cuernavaca, Juquila (coll. Sallé), Milpas (Forrer), J alapa

(Hoge).

I separate this species on account of the different pattern of its elytra, which

have a triangular-shaped spot at the base surrounding the scutellum, and a very

small spot between the basal and postmedian band on the lateral margin; this

small spot is always present in this species, while in the variety 5 the band and other

markings are represented by small spots, placed, however, in the same way as in the

type. Of both forms I have sufficient material for comparison, but I have seen

nothing intermediate. The punctuation of this species is rather more finely impressed,

if anything, than in S. variabilis; the shape and other particulars are the-same.

SYSTENA. 325

6. Systena contigua. (Tab. XIX. fig. 25.)

Testaceous below; antenne and apices of the posterior femora stained with piceous; above testaceous ; thorax:

with a black spot on each side; elytra with a triangular spot near the scutellum, another below the

middle, and connected with a stripe at the lateral margin, black.

Var. a. Thorax unspotted.

Var. 6. Below black, the elytral spots more elongate and widened, forming sometimes a transverse band.

Length 24-3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Juquila, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); GUATEMALA,

Aceytuno (Salvin), Duefias (Champion).

Although not differing in any structural details from 8. variabilis and S. nigropla-

giata, the difference in the elytral pattern induces me to separate the present insect.

In all the specimens under my observation there is a narrow sublateral black stripe

connected with the posterior spot of the elytra, which latter assumes often the shape of

a narrow transverse band, and is situated immediately below the middle; the underside

of all the specimens, with the exception of one from Aceytuno (var. 5), is testaceous ;

the elytral lateral stripe commences at the shoulder and extends to the second spot.

The antenne ir S. contigua are also longer than in the allied species, and extend to

two thirds the length of the elytra.

7. Systena undulata. (Tab. XIX. fig. 22.)

Testaceous; thorax and elytra finely punctured, the latter with a longitudinal sublateral stripe, the suture,

a triangular spot at the base, and a transverse band below the middle black.

Var. Thorax with a black spot on each side; tibize obscure fuscous.

Length 23-3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége), Guanajuato (coll. Sallé).

In this species, which may after all be but a variety of one of the preceding, the

pattern of the elytra is again different, although allied to S. contigua; the lateral stripe,

instead of being connected with the posterior transverse band, as in that species, extends

here below the middle and nearly to the apex; the posterior band is placed further

backwards than in S. contigua, and, lastly, the sutural margin is always black. As

these markings are constant in the four specimens before me, I am inclined to consider

the species a distinct one, principally on account of the position of the elytral black

transverse band.

8. Systena apicicornis. (Tab. XX. fig. 1.) |

Flavous; breast, tibie, head, and antenne black; the last four joints of the latter flavous ; thorax fulvous,

impunctate; elytra minutely punctured, black, subopaque, a spot at the base, the apex, and a transverse

band at the middle flavous.

Length 23 lines.

Head impunctate, black, shining, transversely grooved between the eyes, the carina distinct and acutely raised ;

antenne half the length of the body, slender, the third and following joints of nearly equal length, black,

the four terminal joints fulvous; thorax transversely subquadrate, the sides rather strongly rounded; the

angles acute, the posterior ones obliquely cut, the surface pale fulvous, impunctate, the basilar groove

326 PHYTOPHAGA.

very feebly indicated ; scutellum black; elytra scarcely visibly punctured, black, opaque, a small spot of

irregular dentate shape below the base, a narrow transverse band at the middle and the apex flavous;

first posterior tarsal joint nearly as long as the three following joints united.

ffab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In several respects this species, of which but one specimen was obtained, differs from

others belonging to the genus; the transverse groove between the eyes, the distinctly

raised carina, as well as the more square-shaped thorax, are not generally found in

Systena ; however, the closed coxal cavities, the long metatarsus of the posterior legs,

and the shape of the antenne show the place of the species to be in the present genus,

as other generic characters of importance are absent.

9. Systena posticata. (Tab. XX. fig. 2.)

Below testaceous; antenne piceous, the four basal joints testaceous, stained above with piceous; head and

thorax fulvous, the latter closely punctured; elytra punctured like the thorax, fulvous, their posterior

half and a small spot near the scutellum (sometimes absent) black; apices of the femora above, the tibie

and tarsi, piceous.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sal/é).

The coloration of this species, which is different from any of the varieties of S. vari-

abilis, induces me to look upon it as the representative of another form; the antenne

have the four basal joints in both the specimens before me testaceous, the rest piceous;

the black posterior portion of the elytra extends to the sutural, but not quite to the

lateral margin, which remains of the ground-colour; the testaceous femora have all a

black spot or streak on their upper surface near the apex and are finely pubescent.

10. Systena championi. (Tab. XX. fig. 11.)

Reddish fulvous ; antenne, tibie, and a spot on the posterior femora black; thorax and elytra closely and

distinctly punctured, the former transverse.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. GuateMata, Panzos, Teleman (Champion).

In general shape this species has nothing to distinguish it from many of its allies.

I have separated it on account of the distinctly punctured thorax and the uniform

reddish fulvous colour of the upper surface. The antenne are almost entirely black,

with the exception of the underside of the basal joint ; the third and fourth joints are

of unequal length, the latter being a little longer than the preceding. The femora

have a distinct black spot near their apices. The anterior and intermediate tibie are

entirely black, the posterior tibie being fulvous at their base only. On account of

the punctured thorax and uniform colour this species cannot be mistaken for one of

the varieties of S. variabilis.

SYSTEN A. 327

11. Systena dilatipennis. (Tab. XX. fig. 12.)

Elongate, widened behind, black ; head and thorax rufous; elytra obscure testaceous, sparingly and finely

punctured,

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles distinct and divided by a rather deep groove; labrum and palpi black ;

antenne about two thirds the length of the body, entirely black, the third joint one half longer than the

second, fourth slightly longer than the preceding, the following joints more elongate; thorax scarcely

broader than long, distinctly narrowed anteriorly, the sides nearly straight and slightly sinuate or concave

in front of the anterior angles, surface entirely impunctate and dark fulvous or rufous like the head,

shining ; the transverse basilar groove rather distinct and limited at each end by a more deeply impressed

fovea ; scutellum piceous; elytra distinctly widened behind the middle, pale testaceous, the suture very

narrowly black, the dise impressed anteriorly with some irregular double rows of punctures, which dis-

appear almost entirely behind the middle; underside and legs black.

Hab, Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The shape of the thorax and its basilar groove in this species is quite different from

any of its allies; the thorax is much narrower than the elytra; the elytra are distinctly

widened behind, and much narrowed towards the base. ‘These characters, in connection

with the colour of the insect, will help to distinguish it.

12. Systena elongata ?

Galeruca elongata, Fabr. Suppl. Ent. Syst. p. 99 (1798)’.

Altica elongata, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 694, t. 3. £. 45%.

Hab. Norru America !2,.—GuaTEMALA, Duefias, Capetillo (Champion, coll. Sallé, mus.

Stuttgard).

It is not without considerable doubt that I refer the Guatemalan specimens before

me to Fabricius’s species, as the authors quoted above describe the colour as “ neous,”

while all the specimens I have for comparison are black without any metallic gloss ;

they agree, however, as far as one may judge from the short and insufficient descrip-

tions, in the main points. The species seems, however, to be a most variable one,

although from the same localities; the following description will help to recognize

the insect :—Below black ; anterior legs, base of the antenne and that of the posterior

tibie, elytral epipleuree and thorax testaceous; the thorax transverse, remotely but

distinctly punctured, the sides often piceous; elytra black, closely and more strongly

punctured, obsoletely depressed below the base, a narrow longitudinal vitta, slightly

curved at the base and abbreviated before the apex, yellowish ; this vitta is placed

slightly nearer to the suture than to the lateral margin; head with a few punc-

tures, darker than the thorax; antenne with the third and fourth joints slender and

equal.

Var. a. Smaller, almost entirely black, the elytral vitta only indicated at the base by a yellow round spot.

Var. 6. Head fulvous, thorax with the margins obscure fulvous.

Var. c. Head fulvous, rest as in var. a, elytra with an additional spot near the apex.

The last variety (c) seems almost entirely to agree with S. basalis, Jacq. Duv., and

328 PHYTOPHAGA.

also described by Suffrian in his Cuban insects ; but this species is also eneous and not

black in colour; it is, however, quite possible that the present is but a variety of the

latter insect or even of S. pectoralis, Clark. Numerous specimens from different

localities are absolutely necessary to come to a conclusive opinion in regard to these

closely allied forms.

13. Systena chloropus. (Tab. XIX. fig. 14.)

Systena chloropus, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. p. 12 (1876) °.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Cham-

pion). —CoLoMBIA },

The description of this species agrees so well with the two specimens from the

above localities that I must refer them to Von Harold’s insect ; this author remarks

that the species is a very variable one, and the specimens before me seem to represent

one of the varieties with transverse yellow bands; one of them (from Panama) is

larger than the other, the thorax dark fulvous, the head and elytral bands are black,

the latter extend to the margins, and the first two are connected at the suture and

lateral margin; the specimen from Costa Rica has a flavous thorax and olive-green

legs, and the elytral flavous bands are narrow and more regular, and do not extend to

either margin.

14. Systena ustulata. (Tab. XX. figs. 17, 18.)

Systena ustulata, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 81 (1875)".

Hab. Guaremata, Chiacam, Tamahu, San Juan in Vera Paz ( Champion) ; NIcaRaGva,

Chontales (Janson); Panama, David, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CoLomBIA !.

Of this small species I possess a typical specimen, kindly given to me by M. Oberthiir,

with which those from Panama entirely agree. The specimens obtained from Guate-

mala and Nicaragua differ in having the elytra with a narrow lateral and sutural

piceous margin, which colour does not widen at the apex as in the type ; Von Harold

says, however, that the species is very variable in colour, and as the elytra in all the

specimens agree in the very obsolete punctuation, and I cannot find any other

marks of distinction, I think I am right in referring all the insects to S. ustulata.

In this species the first joint of the posterior tarsi is longer than usual, the thorax

is also more transverse and convex, and altogether the shape is not that of a typical

Systena.

15. Systena metallica. (Tab. XX. fig. 13.) |

Black ; thorax subquadrate, closely punctured; elytra metallic green, closely and strongly punctured, the

punctures arranged in irregular rows.

Var. a. Three basal joints of the antenne fulvous.

Var. 6. Elytra cupreous.

Length 13-1? line.

SYSTENA. 329

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles narrow and transverse ; third and fourth joints of the antenne equal;

thorax subquadrate, the sides rounded and rather distinctly narrowed at the base; surface rather closely

covered with round and distinct punctures, black, the basilar sulcation very slightly indicated at the sides

only, and almost entirely obsolete in the middle; scutellum black ; elytra parallel, much wider at the

base than the thorax, the base distinctly raised, the surface more closely and rather more strongly punc-

tured than that of the thorax, and the punctuation here and there arranged in irregular double rows;

underside and legs black, the anterior femora sometimes piceous or fulvous.

Hab. Guatemata, Quezaltenango (Champion).

The shape of the thorax in this species is less transverse than usual, and the basilar

groove less clearly defined. The closed anterior coxal cavities and other structural

characters are, however, the same as in Systena. S. metallica may be known from the

other species of the genus by its metallic elytra and black punctured thorax, in

connexion with its small size. ‘Twenty-five specimens were obtained.

16. Systena viridipennis. (Tab. XX. fig. 3.)

Below black; basal joints of the antenne, thorax, and legs fulvous ; head and elytra metallic green, the

latter closely punctured.

Var, Thorax blackish green ; posterior femora black.

Length 13 line.

Head rather finely and remotely punctured, metallic green ; lower part of face testaceous; frontal tubercles

scarcely visible ; antennz more than half the length of the body, the four basal joints testaceous, the rest

fuscous, third and fourth joints equal; thorax transverse, fulvous, the basal groove rather distinct and

sinuate, surface punctured like the head, the punctures, however, rather larger; scutellum black ; elytra

metallic green, closely rugose-punctate ; legs fulvous ; underside black.

Hab. Mexico, La Parada (coll. Sallé).

Of this very distinct species two specimens are known to me; they do not differ in

structural characters, but only in regard to colour. The specimen which I have

noticed as a variety has the thorax nearly black, the anterior femora spotted with

black, and the posterior ones entirely of that colour; this species is very distinct on

account of the metallic green elytra.

17. Systena regularis. (Tab. XX. fig. 14.)

Testaceous; base of the head and two spots on the thorax obscure greenish piceous ; elytra closely punctate-

striate, testaceous, the base more or less distinctly metallic green.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles transverse, narrow; antennz with the third and fourth joints equal,

terminal joints more or less fuscous ; thorax one half broader than long, the sides rounded and widened

before the middle, the transverse sulcation moderately distinct and more plainly marked at the sides, the

surface finely punctured, testaceous, the sides with a broad longitudinal piceous spot; elytra very little

widened behind, depressed towards the somewhat raised base, the surface closely and distinctly but not

very regularly punctate-striate, the punctures distinct to the apex; at the base and surrounding the

scutellum is a more or less distinct metallic greenish spot, the rest of the surface testaceous with a slight

metallic gloss ; underside and legs testaceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Although the elytra are not confusely punctured as in all the other species of

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1884. ou

330 PHYTOPHAGA.

Systena known to me, all the other characters peculiar to the genus are present; the

punctuation of the elytra alone does not seem sufficient to me to justify placing the

insect in another genus. Clark has also described two species in which the elytra are

punctate striate. Six specimens are before me.

18. Systena coxalis. (Tab. XX. fig. 19.) |

Black ; base of the antennsx and tibie testaceous ; thorax impunctate ; elytra dark blue, nearly impunctate

and slightly wrinkled.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate, black; the frontal tubercles narrow and transverse, and limited behind by a transverse

groove ; antenne half the length of the body, the three basal joints and the base of the fourth testaceous,

the rest black; third and fourth joints equal in length; thorax one half broader than long, of equal

width, the sides rounded and narrowly margined, the basilar sulcation distinct and extending to the sides,

the surface impunctate, black, the anterior angles obtusely rounded; scutellum black ; elytra slightly

widened towards the apex, with a transverse depression near the base, the base with a few fine punctures,

the general surface somewhat uneven and transversely wrinkled ; underside and legs black ; the extreme

base of the femora and tibiz testaceous.

Hab. Guatemata, Duefias (Champion).

The thorax in this species is rather different in shape from most of the allied forms,

being even in width, finely margined, and with rounded sides. In the absence of any

other characters, however, and on account of the closed coxal cavities, I have preferred

to leave this species in Systend.

19. Systena longicornis. (Tab. XX. fig. 16.)

Below black; antenne long, their basal joints, with the head, thorax, and legs, fulvous ; elytra metallic

greenish sneous, closely punctured.

Length 1 line.

Head somewhat rugosely punctured near the eyes; frontal tubercles small but distinct; palpi fulvous ;

antenna nearly as long as the body, the four or five basal joints fulvous, the rest black, the third and

fourth joints elongate and equal in length; thorax transverse, nearly twice as broad as long, the sides

nearly straight, very slightly rounded at the middle, the basilar sulcation only indicated at the sides by a

shallow impression; scutellum broad, triangular, black ; elytra a little widened behind, transversely

depressed near the base, of a greenish brassy metallic colour, the surface closely punctured, the punctures

more distinct at the base than near the apex.

Hab. Guarema.a, Chiacam (Champion).

The shape of the thorax and the length of the antenne in this species make it

doubtful whether the present genus is the proper place for it; but rather than

augment the numerous genera of Halticine I have preferred to include the species in

Systena, on account of the closed coxal cavities and the indication of a thoracic groove.

Five specimens are before me.

20. Systena scutellaris.

Testaceous ; thorax minutely punctured ; elytra closely punctate, a narrow sutural and sublateral stripe and

a small spot near the scutellum black ; outer edge of the tibie piceous.

Length 24 lines.

SYSTENA. 331

Head entirely impunctate ; antenne slender, half the length of the body, the four basal joints testaceous, the

rest black, the fourth joint slightly longer than the third; thorax about one half broader than long, the

basilar groove obsolete, surface extremely finely punctured when seen under a strong lens; scutellum

testaceous, with a piceous spot; elytra more distinctly punctured than the thorax, pale testaceous, sub-

opaque, the suture and a sublateral very narrow stripe black ; the former slightly widened behind the

middle, and both abbreviated before the apex; between the two stripes a small spot is placed near the

scutellum ; underside and legs, with the exception of the outer side of the tibie and a small spot at the

apex of the posterior femora, testaceous.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

One specimen only was obtained.

21. Systena s-littera.

Crioceris s-littera, Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. x. p. 873 (1758)*; Fabr. Syst. El. i. p. 464 (1801) ’.

Chrysomela s-littera, Degeer, Mém. v. p. 357, t. 16. fig. 21°.

Galeruca s-littera, Fabr. Ent. Syst. 1. 2, p. 35 (1792)*.

Altica s-littera, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 701, t. 4. fig. 60 (1808)°; Illig. Mag. vi. p. 148.

Systena sinuato-vittata, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 403 (1865) °.

Systena s-littera, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 30’.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Teapa, Cordova (coll. Sallé); GuaTeMALa, near the city

(Champion) ; Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba

(Champion).—Soutn Amurica !2345, Venezuela ®, Colombia ‘.

This is apparently a common and widely distributed species, and comparatively

easily recognized by the sinuate s-shaped pale vitta of the elytra. The species has

been fully described and figured by the above-named authors, but has not hitherto

been recorded from Central America.

22. Systena discicollis. (Tab. XX. fig. 5.)

Systena discicollis, Clark, Journ. of Entom. ii. p. 403 (1865) °.

Hab. Mexico 1, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé).

Whether this species, the type of which is contained in the British Museum, is

really distinct or but a variety of the many nearly similarly-coloured allied forms, it is

impossible to say, as only a single specimen served the author for his type. An exami-

nation of the latter by myself proves the thorax to be impunctate as Clark describes it ;

but the elytra are finely punctured and not impunctate, as stated in the description.

Amongst the numerous specimens of Systena before me from Central America only one

agrees sufficiently well with the type to justify its being considered identical. I may

further add to Clark’s description that the yellow elytral stripe is perfectly straight.

23. Systena pectoralis.

Systena pectoralis, Clark, Journ. of Entom. ii. p. 403 (1865) ». }

Hab. Mexico}, Cordova, Oaxaca, Tepansacualco, Juquila (coll. Sallé); Brivisu

2u2

332 PHYTOPHAGA.

Honpvras, river Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA, near the city (Salvin, Champion),

Aceytuno (Salvin), Capetillo, El Tumbador (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

The description given by Clark of this species will apply to many nearly similarly

coloured forms from the above localities; I look upon these as varieties only, as I

might otherwise constitute a new species on nearly every specimen. It is a pity that

Clark makes no mention of the width of the elytral black stripe, which would have

acted as a better guide than the colour of the breast. I find, however, on examining

the type contained in the British Museum, that the lateral elytral band is broad and

of nearly the same width as the sutural one; in other specimens before me from

different parts of Mexico, this same band is only half as broad, and the thorax is with-

out dark markings at the sides, and the antenne are almost entirely black ; between

these and the typical specimens intermediate forms occur, so that I think the species is

a variable one, and perhaps identical with S. blanda, Melsh., or other insects described

under different names.

24. Systena brunneovittata. (Tab. XX. fig. 15.)

Obscure fulvous; sides of the thorax, a sutural and sublateral elytral band, dark brown or piceous ; elytra

finely rugose-punctate ; antenne and legs fulvous.

Length 2 lines.

Head with a few very fine punctures round the inner margin of the eyes; frontal tubercles elongate, divided

_ in the middle by a distinct groove ; fourth joint of the antenne distinctly longer than the third ; thorax

about one half broader than long, the basilar sulcation very distinctly marked, the surface impunctate ;

elytra finely rugose or wrinkled more or less distinctly in different specimens, dark fulvous, a narrow

sutural and lateral stripe dark brown or piceous ; these stripes are either abbreviated or united at the apex.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city (Champion).

That this species is really distinct from any other with which I am acquainted, is,

I think, proved by the many specimens from the above locality agreeing in every

respect with each other. The coloration of the insect is very different from all the

allied species, being a uniform obscure fulvous with darker bands ; these latter are very

narrow, and the lateral stripe is placed at some distance from the margin ; the darker

sides of the thorax are often wanting ; in others the sides of the breast and the posterior

femora are spotted with brown ; in all the specimens, however, before me, to the

number of about thirty, the antenne and legs are of the same uniform fulvous colour.

25. Systena subcostata.

Below black; head rugose-punctate, its base black; thorax obscure testaceous, closely punctured ; elytra

closely rugose-punctate, testaceous, the sutural and lateral margins black, sides with a short costa.

Length 2 lines.

Head closely rugose-punctate, the vertex black; frontal tubercles obsolete; epistoma testaceous ; labrum

piceous ; antenne half the length of the body, black, the joints nearest the head testaceous at the base,

fourth joint longer than the third; thorax transverse, about one half broader than long, the base obso-

letely transversely grooved, surface distinctly rugose-punctate ; scutellum black ; elytra punctured like

the thorax, testaceous, a sutural and lateral stripe as well as the epipleure black ; immediately below the

SYSTENA. 333

shoulder a short but distinct costa extends to beyond the middle of each elytron ; legs testaceous, the

apices of the posterior femora stained with piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam, Cordova (coll. Saldé).

It will not be difficult to recognize this species on account of the rugosely-punctured

upper surface and the elytral costa; the black band at the lateral margin widens, in

some specimens, at the middle; but is not united with the sutural band at the apex,

the latter remaining of the testaceous ground-colour ; the testaceous colour at the apex

is double the width of the black portion.

26. Systena subrugosa.

Black or piceous below ; base of the femora testaceous ; upper part of head black ; thorax rugosely punctured,

piceous, margined with testaceous ; elytra subrugose-punctate, black, a sublateral stripe testaceous.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head very finely punctured and transversely wrinkled between the eyes, when seen under a strong lens ;

vertex black, lower part of face testaceous; frontal tubercles rather strongly raised; labrum piceous ;

antenne rather more than half the length of the body, robust, obscure piceous, the three basal joints and

_the base of the following testaceous, fourth joint slightly longer than the third ; thorax subquadrate, sides

distinctly narrowed near the base, the surface rugose-punctate, the basilar groove indistinct ; scutellum

black; elytra finely rugose near the base, the punctuation indistinct towards the apex, black, each elytron

with a narrow yellow straight sublateral band from the base to the apex.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé).

The subrugose piceous thorax margined with testaceous and the narrow yellow

elytral stripe are good distinctive characters of the present species, which is further

characterized by the black and nearly smooth vertex of the head. The female is larger

than the male, the antenne are shorter, and the elytral yellow stripe is a little broader ;

the elytral epipleuree in both sexes are black. Four specimens are contained in

M. Sallé’s collection.

27. Systena thoracica. (Tab. XX. fig. 4.)

Obscure blackish «neous; anterior legs testaceous ; head and thorax strongly punctured, base of the latter

testaceous ; elytra strongly and closely punctured, each elytron with a narrow testaceous longitudinal

band, abbreviated near the apex.

Var. The elytral band indicated at the base only.

Length 2 lines. .

Head closely and strongly punctured ; frontal tubercles distinct, the space in front of them testaceous ;

antenne blackish «neous, the basal joints more or less testaceous inwardly, the fourth joint a little longer

than the third; thorax not more than one half broader than long, slightly narrowed at the base, the

basilar groove obsolete, the space behind the latter testaceous, surface strongly and rather closely punc-

tured; elytra a little less strongly punctured than the thorax, more finely towards the apex than at the

pase, with a nearly straight testaceous band, placed nearer the sutural than the lateral margins, and

extending from the base to within a little distance of the apex.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (coll. Sallé); GuateMaLa, Duenas, Zapote, San Gerdnimo

(Champion).

The strongly punctured head and thorax, as well as elytra, and the colour of the

334 PHYTOPHAGA.

basal thoracic portion are the distinguishing characters of the species before us;

immature specimens are paler, but the sculpturing is the same; the insect cannot be

mistaken for those with equally strongly-punctured thorax and elytra, on account of

the smooth not rugose interspaces, and the colour of the thorax, which is the same in

all the specimens before me. The variety noted above is from San Gerénimo ; besides

the almost entire want of the elytral pale stripe, the thorax is nearly uniformly blackish

seneous (with only an indication of the yellow base), and the punctuation in general is

less strongly impressed; I cannot, however, separate this form in any other respect,

and believe it to be a local variety.

28. Systena puncticollis.

Flavous ; last seven joints of the antenne and the tibiz fuscous; thorax fulvous, finely and closely punctured ;

elytra nearly impunctate, flavous, a sutural and sublateral narrow stripe, abbreviated at the apex, black.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles scarcely raised; antenne slender, more than half the length of the

body, the four basal joints testaceous, stained with piceous above, the rest fuscous, third and fourth joints

of equal length, slender ; thorax one half broader than long, the basilar groove feeble but distinct, the

surface closely and finely punctured throughout, fulvous; elytra broad, widened towards the middle,

flavous as well as their epipleure, finely and more distinctly punctured anteriorly near the suture, the

rest of the surface almost impunctate ; a narrow sutural black stripe, narrowed near the middle, extends

from the base to near the apex, another equally narrow band is placed immediately in front of the lateral

margin and terminates at the same distance from the apex as the sutural band; underside and femora

flavous ; tibiz above and tarsi fuscous.

Hab. Mexico, Panistlahuca (coll. Sallé).

The large size and broad shape in connexion with the closely punctured thorax will

distinguish this species ; whether the elytral stripes are always as narrow, or whether

they are variable, I am unable to say, as only one specimen is before me.

29. Systena bohemani. (Tab. XX. fig. 7.)

Entirely pale fulvous; head and thorax closely punctured; elytra finely punctured, a dorsal vitta pale

testaceous.

Length 14 line.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (coll. Sallé).

Of this species three specimens are before me; from all others noticed here they

are distinguished by their pale colour and the closely punctured head and thorax; the

antenne are rather short, the third and fourth joints are equal in length, and the

terminal ones more or less fuscous; the elytral pale vitta is narrow, very slightly curved

inwards at its middle, and placed nearer the sutural than the lateral margins; in one of

the specimens this vitta is scarcely visible. This species is certainly distinct from any

other described here, but may be identical with §. pallidula, Boh. The author makes,

however, no mention of an elytral pale band, and unless his specimen was immature I

must separate the present species.

SYSTENA. 335

30. Systena semivittata. (Tab. XX. fig. 9.)

Pale testaceous; head and thorax with a few fine punctures; elytra impunctate, the suture and an indistinct

stripe near the margin pale fulvous.

Length 2 lines.

Head finely and distantly punctured, rather darker than the rest of the surface, obscure fulvous; antennz

longer than half the body, the fourth joint a little longer than the third, all the joints, especially the two

basal ones, stained with piceous above ; thorax broader than long, the lateral margins distinctly rounded

before the middle, and from there to the base straight ; basilar groove obsolete.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé).

This seems to be a rather doubtful species, which may turn out to be a pale variety

of some other described form, or identical with 8. pallidula, Boh. The two specimens

before me agree, however, in every particular, and I thought it best to describe them,

for the sake of completeness. The punctuation of the head and thorax can only be

seen with a strong lens; the elytral sutural and submarginal stripes are very nearly

obsolete, especially the latter, and of a pale brown colour.

31. Systena salvini. (Tab. XX. fig. 8.)

Black ; base of the thorax and the four anterior legs testaceous; the disk of the thorax very finely punctured ;

elytra distinctly punctured, black, a narrow longitudinal discoidal stripe and the extreme apex fulvous.

Length 13 line.

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

This little species, of which eight specimens are before me, is of a shining black

colour, with the exception of the first joint of the antenne, which is more or less

testaceous at its base; the thorax, like that of 8. thoracica, has the basal margin also

testaceous, but the surface, unlike that species, is here scarcely visibly punctate, and

even impunctate in some specimens ; the elytra are shallowly and obsoletely depressed

near the base, somewhat rugosely and strongly punctured, and have a very narrow dark

fulvous stripe, placed nearer the sutural than the lateral margin, and abbreviated before

the apex, the latter being itself narrowly testaceous ; in some instances the elytral stripe

is almost obliterated and only indicated at the base and apex; the epipleure are black ;

the posterior femora extend quite to the end of the elytra in the male insect; the head

is impunctate and the frontal tubercles scarcely visible. As all the specimens before me

agree in the above particulars, I cannot but consider them to represent a distinct species.

39. Systena palmeri.

Below obscure testaceous, the breast black; head distinctly punctured, sides of the thorax fuscous; elytra

closely punctured, piceous, with a broad testaceous stripe near the suture, not curved at the base.

Length 2 lines.

Head with a few but very distinct punctures between the eyes, the vertex generally dark fulvous ; frontal

tubercles distinct ; third and fourth joints of the antenne equal in length, rather slender, the rest shorter,

fuscous, the joints nearest the head more or less testaceous at their base; thorax one half broader than

long, the basilar sulcation obsolete, the surface with a few fine and stronger punctures near the base ; the

sides fuscous or piceous ; elytra closely and slightly rugose-punctate.

336 PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Mexico, Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), Presidio (Forrer).

The testaceous elytral stripe in this species is broad and perfectly straight, and not

narrowed at the base; the punctures in front of the eyes are very distinct; the elytral

epipleure are obscure testaceous, and more distinctly of that colour immediately below

the shoulder; the space below the base is not depressed. As there are sixteen speci-

mens before me which all agree in the above particulars, and which I can keep perfectly

separate from all the others, I thought it best to describe the species as new, even if it

should prove identical with another. The short and insufficient descriptions of simi-

larly coloured insects of different authors, often founded on single specimens only, are

no guide to a certain determination, and nothing remains but to redescribe the species

from certain localities to enable the student to recognize them with more certainty,

even if they should prove afterwards to be identical with one or other insufficiently

described form.

33. Systena capitata. (Tab. XX. fig. 6.)

Below black; base of the femora testaceous; base of the head fulvous, finely rugose ; labrum black; thorax

testaceous ; elytra finely punctured, testaceous, the suture and a narrow longitudinal band at the middle

of each elytron, abbreviated behind, black.

Length 27 lines.

Upper part of the head fulvous, the extreme base piccous, finely transversely rugose and punctured between

the eyes; lower part of the face testaceous ; frontal tubercles moderately distinctly raised ; labrum and

palpi black; antennz obscure fulvous, the first joint and the apex of the following piceous, the last four

joints entirely dark fulvous; thorax transverse, with a few extremely minute punctures, the basilar

depression, as usual, rather obsolete ; scutellum black; elytra more distinctly punctured than the thorax,

the discoidal stripe narrow and of about half the width of the sutural one, and placed nearly between the

lateral and sutural margins; elytral epipleurx testaceous; legs of the same colour, the apices of the

femora above and those of the tibie piceous ; tarsal joints also stained with the same colour at their apices ;

underside black.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé).

This seems to be a good and distinct species, which may be at once known by the

finely wrinkled and punctured base of the head, the black labrum and underside, and

by the position of the elytral stripe, which is not placed near the lateral margin, but at

some distance from it. Two specimens agreeing in every way are contained in

M. Sallé’s collection.

34, Systena laticollis. (Tab. XX. fig. 10.)

Obscure greenish testaceous ; the sixth, seventh, and eighth joints of the antenne black; thorax transverse

and narrow ; elytra obsoletely punctate-striate, the interstices irregularly punctured, a round spot at the

base and another below the middle dark brown.

Var. Entirely pale greenish testaceous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles divided by a deep groove; eyes prominent ; antenne two thirds the

length of the body, slender, the third and following joints very elongate and each three times as long as

the second, the three basal joints dark fulvous, the base of the two following ones piceous, the sixth to the

SYSTENA, 337

eighth joints black, the rest pale testaceous ; thorax more than twice as broad as long, the sides narrowed

at the base, distinctly widened and rounded before the middle, where a kind of broad angle is formed, the

surface impunctate, obsoletely grooved near the base on either side; elytra rather flattened, very slightly

widened near the apex, with a very obsolete depression near the base, the disc finely and rather indistinctly

punctate-striate, the interstices everywhere closely punctured ; immediately below the base a rounded dark

brown spot is placed, and another of a more oblique shape is situated below the middle of each elytron ;

posterior femora moderately thickened, their tibie with a short spine; prosternum distinct.

Hab. Guatemata, Panima (Champion).

T have placed this species in Systena as it possesses all the characters of that

genus with the exception of the shape of the thorax, which is much more trans-

verse than is the case in the allied species. Prasona balyt, Harold, seems to be another

closely allied species; in the latter, as well as in S. laticollis, the elytra are furnished

with some few stiff hairs (not mentioned in my description), and the punctures are

partly arranged in strie.

35. Systena marmorata.

Fulvous ; head distinctly, thorax finely, punctured ; elytra punctate-striate, depressed below the base, the latter

and two sublateral obscure spots testaceous, a spot below the middle near the lateral margin obscure

piceous.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Although the elytra in this species are punctate-striate, there is no other difference

in structure to be found to justify its separation from the present genus; the insect

shows, however, enough characteristic peculiarities to distinguish it from any of its allies.

The head is distinctly punctured and has a well-impressed fovea between the antenne ;

the latter are slender, rather long, and of usual structure, the third and fourth joints

being equal in length ; the thorax is finely and rather closely punctured and the basilar

groove very distinct; the elytra have a well-marked depression below the base, giving

the latter a raised appearance; their punctuation is fine but distinct and placed in

regular rows; the coloration is rather peculiar, the fulvous colour being relieved by a

testaceous obscure spot at the base, a spot on the middle, and another one below the

latter close to the lateral margin; between the last two spots another obscure piceous

spot is placed. As I have only a single specimen before me I am unable to say whether

this coloration is constant ; but I am inclined to believe that the reverse is the case, as

all the markings are rather obscure.

36. Systena quadraticollis.

Blackish seneous; legs testaceous; apices of the posterior femora neous; thorax square-shaped, the basal

portion punctured ; elytra finely punctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1886. 9x

338 PHYTOPHAGA.

Like the preceding species, a single specimen only was obtained : it differs, however,

sufficiently from any others of the genus to be considered distinct ; the entire colour of

the upper and under surface is a dark bronze; the head is impunctate, the frontal

tubercles being elongate and distinct; the antenne have the third and fourth joints of

equal length, the former being obscure fulvous; the thorax is perfectly square-shaped,

obsoletely transversely depressed near the base, this portion being distinctly punctured,

the rest of the surface impunctate; the elytra are of parallel shape, regularly but

finely punctate-striate, the base shows no trace of a depression; except the apices of

the posterior femora which are dark eneous, the legs and tarsi are fulvous.

87. Systena megasceloides.

Subcylindrical, parallel; below, the head, thorax, antenne, and legs fulvous ; elytra metallic green or purplish,

punctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles placed transversely; eyes prominent; antenns half the length of the

body, third and fourth joints equal, scarcely longer than the second; thorax about one half broader than

long, the sides rounded at the middle, somewhat constricted at the base; basilar sulcation very obsolete,

minutely punctured, the rest of the surface impunctate; scutellum fulvous; elytra narrow, parallel, and

subcylindrical, distinctly depressed below the base, closely and distinctly punctate-striate, the punctures

here and there somewhat irregularly placed; metatarsus of the hind legs as long as the two following

joints together. ,

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

At first sight, this species seems to have little in common with most of its allies,

the thorax and general shape of the insect resembling very nearly a species of

Megascelis; it is, however, in my opinion very undesirable to establish a new genus on

every slight difference of shape and form, and as long as the structural characters which

are peculiar to the genus are present all species ought to be included in which the

latter are to be found. This is the case with the insect in question, which is, however,

characterized by the very obscure thoracic groove, punctate-striate elytra, and nearly

cylindrical shape; all other characters are absolutely the same as in Systena: a single

specimen has the elytra of a purplish hue.

CLAMOPHORA.

Clamophora, Chevrolat in d’Orbigny’s Dict. Univ. Hist. Nat. iii. p. 734 (1848) ; Clark, Journ. of

Entom. i. p. 883 (1865).

The species which are included in this genus are generally of rather large size, and

may be known principally by the transverse thorax, the sides of which are rounded to

a much greater extent than is usually the case in the allied genera. All the species

described till now are South American ; the few from Central America now before me

show some structural differences, which may perhaps hereafter be thought of sufficient

importance to constitute a new genus, thus—the posterior margin of the thorax is perfectly

CLAMOPHORA. 339

straight (not oblique at the sides), the prosternum is less abruptly deflexed posteriorly,

and the general size of the insects is much smaller. But these differences are more of

degree than of structure, and I prefer to place the species in Clamophora rather than

create a new genus for them.

1. Clamophora nigritarsis. (Tab. XX. fig. 21.)

dg. Entirely fulvous; antenne (the first joint excepted) and tarsi black; head and thorax impunctate ; elytra

finely semipunctate-striate.

@. The thorax less transverse, the sides of the elytra costate.

Length 2 lines.

Head rather flattened, impunctate, with a short but deep groove immediately above the eyes, the frontal tubercles

but slightly raised and continued in front to the clypeus, the carina absent; labrum and palpi piceous ;

antenne nearly two thirds of the length of the body, black, the first joint fulvous, the third to the apical

joint of nearly equal length ; thorax of equal width, the sides strongly rounded and extending beyond the

base of the elytra, all the angles obtuse and not produced, the basilar groove deeply impressed but narrow

and well bounded at the sides by a longitudinal groove, this latter placed at but a short distance from the

scutellum ; nearer the sides another obsolete short depression may be seen when the insect is viewed in

certain lights ; the surface of the thorax impunctate; elytra very slightly convex, elongate, and narrowed

near the apex, finely and closely punctured, the punctuation arranged in indistinct rows, the interstices

very obsoletely raised in longitudinal coste near the sides ; tibie piceous; tarsi black, the anterior ones

dilated in the male.

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

In the female, of which two specimens are before me, the thorax is much less

transverse than in the male, and the elytral interstices are more or less longitudinally

costate (in one specimen at the sides only). One male and two female specimens were

obtained.

2. Clamophora salvini.

Oblong ovate, below black; above bluish black; head and thorax impunctate; elytra finely and closely

punctured, the punctures arranged here and there in irregular double rows.

Length 14 line.

Head with a deep transverse groove extending to the eyes, the space behind this groove bounded at the middle

by another obsolete depression, the frontal tubercles broad and of somewhat rounded shape; the carina

also broadly trigonate, the clypeus divided in the middle by a strongly raised ridge, and the sides distinctly

excavated; labrum and palpi piceous; antenne more than half the length of the body, of the same pro-

portionate construction as in the preceding species, the two basal joints sometimes fulvous ; thorax of the

same shape as C. nigritarsis, but rather less transverse proportionately, the surface impunctate, the basilar

sulcation deeply impressed and bounded by an equally well-marked longitudinal lateral groove ; elytra with

very obsoletely raised interstices near the sides, finely punctured, the punctures more or less arranged in

double rows.

Hab. Guaremata, near the city 5000 feet (Salvin)

This species, of which three specimens were obtained by Mr. Salvin, is easily known

by the peculiar formation of the clypeus, and the extra fine groove surrounding a small

space behind the frontal tubercles.

2X2

340 PHYTOPHAGA.

SANGARIA.

Sangaria, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 13.

A species from Bogota served Von Harold for the erection of this genus, the principal

characters of which consist in the long posterior femora, which project beyond the apex

of the elytra, the thoracic groove closely approached to the basal margin, the short

second and third joints of the antenne, the punctate-striate elytra, and the closed

anterior coxal cavities. All these characters apply perfectly to a species obtained

abundantly by Mr. Champion, which I must therefore refer to Von Harold’s genus and

species.

1. Sangaria haagi. (Tab. XX. fig. 20.)

Sangaria haagi, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 14.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemata, Capetillo, Zapote, Sinanja, Las Mercedes

(Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, Caldera (Champion).

I have little doubt that the numerous specimens before me are identical with Von

Harold’s species, although there are some differences which would perhaps justify me

in considering it as specifically distinct. I give here a renewed description of the

species :—

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles distinct and divided by a longitudinal groove; antenne two thirds the

length of the body, the third joint slightly longer than the second, the fourth joint as long as the

two preceding ones together; thorax quadrate, scarcely broader than long, fulvous, the angles produced

into a short tooth, the posterior ones sharply and obliquely cut, the posterior groove deep and its sides

somewhat oblique and closely approached to the basal margin ; elytra with the base distinctly raised, each

elytron with about ten rows of closely approached and distinct punctures distinct to the apex, those at the

sides somewhat transversely shaped and slightly rugose ; prosternum narrow; first joint of the posterior

tarsi as long as the three following ones united; anterior tarsi in the male dilated ; tibiae widened towards

the apex and slightly channelled longitudinally, their apices as well as the tarsi black; femora as long as

or longer than the elytra.

Von Harold gives the length of the antenne as of that of the body; in none of the

numerous specimens before me do they attain this length. ‘The punctuation of the

elytra is distinct to the apex, which is not the case according to the description of Von

Harold. The tarsi and the apices of the tibiae are black in most of the Central-

American specimens, but in some they are reddish. ‘The insect seems to be subject to

great variation in size and colour, and even the sculpture of the elytra differs considerably.

I have undoubted females from one locality before me which have the elytra either

costate at the sides (from the shoulder to the middle) or smooth, and with the fourth

joint of the antennz double as long as in other specimens; yet I cannot find any other

characters for separating these different forms; sometimes the antenne have the three

basal joints fulvous, sometimes they are entirely of that colour or black, and the same

is the case with the underside. A well-marked character of the present genus is the

. PSEUDOEPITRIX. 341

acute obliquely cut posterior margin of the thorax at the angles, which is much more

decided and marked than in the genus Disonycha. Numerous specimens were obtained

in Chiriqui, a single one only from Mexico, and a few from Guatemala, thus proving the

rather wide distribution of the species.

PSEUDOEPITRIX.

Body narrowly elongate, parallel; antenne filiform, the third joint slightly longer than the second, terminal

joints slightly thickened ; thorax quadrate, the sides straight, the surface obsoletely and transversely

grooved near the base; elytra punctate-striate ; posterior femora moderately thickened ; tibie simple, the

posterior ones with a minute spine ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the two following joints

united ; prosternum very narrow; anterior coxal cavities closed ; claws appendiculate.

The general appearance of the little species for which I propose the present genus is

not unlike that of a small Donacia or Lema, on account of the square-shaped thorax,

the sides of which are perfectly straight or even a little concave: the same shaped

thorax is to be found in Sangaria, Harold. In this genus the posterior margin of the

thorax is oblique at the sides, and the metatarsus of the hind tibie is as long as the

three following joints united. In the present genus the thoracic groove is obsolete,

and not limited laterally by another longitudinal groove. With Crepidodera the

present genus cannot be confounded, as in that genus the thorax is always more

transverse and the sides rounded, the surface also more convex and very little wider at

the base than the elytra; the same remark applies to the genus Epitria.

1. Pseudoepitrix hirtipennis. (Tab. XX. fig. 22.)

Pale testaceous; apical joints of the antenne, the breast, and part of the abdomen piceous; thorax rugose-

punctate; elytra punctate-striate, with rows of single hairs, the suture and a small spot near the base

obscure fuscous.

Length 1 line.

Head with an obsolete depression round the inner margin of the eyes, impunctate, the vertex with an obscure

piceous spot, the frontal tubercles short but distinct; antenne more than two thirds the length of the

body, the lower joints testaceous and stained with piceous above, the others black ; thorax very little

broader than long, the sides straight or slightly concave, the basal sulcation obsolete and indistinct at the

sides, anotker still more obscure depression is placed close to the anterior margin, the surface closely and

somewhat rugose-punctate ; elytra distinctly wider at the base than the thorax, with regular rows of

closely approached and distinct punctures, which are more finely impressed near the apex; the interstices

between the punctures are beset with rows of single whitish hairs; the suture is narrowly fuscous, and a

small obscure spot of the same colour is placed immediately behind the base ; legs and the last two or

three abdominal segments entirely pale testaceous; rest of the underside and the claws piceous or black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The general colour of the upper surface of this species is a pale testaceous, the thorax

being sometimes almost whitish ; in some specimens there is another very obscure spot

placed below the middle of each elytron; the posterior femora are moderately incrassate.

P. hirtipennis seems not to be uncommon in Chiriqui, to judge by the numbers obtained.

342 PHYTOPHAGA.

2. Pseudoepitrix vittatipennis. (Tab. XX. fig. 23.)

Black; head and thorax pale fulvous; the latter punctured at the base only; elytra punctate-striate, a longi-

tudinal stripe from base to apex on the disc of each elytron flavous.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate, obsoletely grooved round the inner margin of the eyes; labrum and palpi black; antenne

nearly as long as the body, black, the third and fourth joints equal in length; thorax slightly wider than

long, narrowed at the base, the surface impunctate, except within the transverse basal groove, which is

distinctly punctured, and extends across to the lateral margin; elytra rather finely and regularly punctate-

striate towards the suture, more strongly near the lateral margin, the apex nearly impunctate ; between

the shoulder and the suture is a narrow but regular longitudinal yellow stripe, which extends from the base

to a little distance from the apex, where it curves round towards the suture ; this band occupies the space

of the third interstice; entire underside and legs black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species has still more the appearance of a small Lema, owing to the constriction

of the thorax at the base and the square-shaped base of the elytra; the latter are

without hairs; the thoracic groove is perhaps rather more distinct than in the preceding

species, but the eyes are accompanied by a similar groove. Half a dozen specimens were

captured.

CREPIDODERA.

Crepidodera, Chevrolat in d’Orbigny, Dict. Univ. Hist. Nat. iv. p. 334 (1844).

At present this genus is not particularly well defined ; it contains species which,

probably, will eventually have to be placed in separate genera for the sake of a more

clearly defined characteristic of Crepidodera proper, if such is possible ; but here, as

well as in other genera, we find intermediate and doubtful structural characters. In

the genus under consideration, those species of Halticine are placed which, in

connexion with closed anterior coxal cavities, have a thoracic transverse basilar groove,

generally, but not always, limited at the sides by a perpendicular depression, and

punctate-striate elytra. Although the genus seems to be represented in nearly all

parts of the world, no species have up to the present been described from Central

America ; but few specimens, of four or five species, are before me.

1. Crepidodera chiriquensis. (Tab. XX. fig. 25.)

Fulvous; antenne and legs black ; head and thorax impunctate ; elytra finely punctate-striate.

Length 13 line.

Head obliquely grooved between the eyes; frontal tubercles strongly raised, oblique ; lower part of the face

and the labrum testaceous; apices of the mandibles black ; palpi very slender, testaceous ; antenne half

the length of the body, black, apex of each joint furnished with a few stiff hairs, third and fourth joints

equal; thorax transverse, anterior margin straight, posterior margin slightly rounded at the middle, the

sides rather evenly rounded, straight at the base, anterior angles obtuse, furnished with a single hair,

basilar groove deeply impressed and bounded at the sides by an equally well-marked longitudinal groove,

surface entirely impunctate; elytra slightly widened towards the apex, rather distinctly transversely

depressed below the base, surface regularly punctate-striate, the apex nearly impunctate ; underside and

the base of the femora fulvous; legs and apices of the femora black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

CREPIDODERA. 348

The colour of the legs and antenne separates this from those in other respects

similarly coloured species, notably C. brasiliensis, Baly, which latter has the legs and

basal joints of the antenne fulvous; the thorax in that species is also more transverse,

and the frontal tubercles are nearly absent. A single specimen, amongst seventeen

others, has the legs fulvous as well as the first joint of the antenne. In other respects

it is entirely similar.

2. Crepidodera semihirsuta.

Below black; head, antennw, thorax, and legs fulvous; elytra metallic greenish blue, strongly punctate-

striate.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles distinct, rather broad, limited behind by an oblique groove ; antenne half

the length of the body, the terminal joints thickened, the second joint nearly as long and as thick as the

basal one, third and fourth joints equal; thorax transverse, the sides nearly straight, slightly rounded

before the middle, basilar groove deep, slightly sinuate, and extending nearly to, and well defined at, the

sides, surface smooth and impunctate ; elytra subcylindrical, metallic greenish blue, strongly punctate-

striate, the interstices sparsely furnished with single fulvous hairs, shoulders prominent.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo (Champion).

Although the coloration of C. semihirsuta is not unfrequently found in others

belonging to the present genus, I am unable to refer it to any of the described species

on account of the small size and the sparse but distinct pubescence of its elytra. With

the genus Epitrix this species has the pubescence in common although to a less extent ;

but the thorax is that of a true Crepidodera, the posterior margin being but slightly

advanced in the middle, and the anterior angles not oblique as in the allied genus.

8. Orepidodera guatemalensis.

Below black; legs and antenna fulyous; above brownish sneous; thorax coarsely punctured ; elytra strongly

punctate-striate.

Length 2-1 line.

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles forming oblique narrow ridges; antennz robust, half the length of the

body, fulvous, third and fourth joints equal ; thorax transversely subquadrate ; basilar sulcation deep and

bounded by an equally deep rectangular lateral groove, surface strongly and rather closely punctured ;

elytra slightly depressed below the base, strongly, closely, and regularly punctate-striate ; metatarsus as

long as the two following joints together ; legs fulvous.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo, Duenas (Champion).

This small species well represents the typical form of Crepidodera, with which it

agrees in all structural characters ; in colour it may be compared to C. elegantula,

Baly, or even to the European C. helxines ; from these and other species it is princi-

pally distinguished by the coarsely punctured thorax in connexion with its small size.

4, Crepidodera pallipes.

Below black ; above metallic greenish seneous ; antenne and legs testaceous ; thorax impunctate, the transverse

groove indistinct in the middle; elytra with the base strongly raised, distinctly punctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

344 PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Guatemana, Aceytuno, Totonicapam 10,500 feet (Champion).

The nearest allied species to the present one seems to be C. rugata, Har., from which

it differs in the pale testaceous colour of the antenne and legs, in the less deeply

impressed thoracic groove, and in the punctuation of the elytra, which in C. pallipes is

much finer, the interstices being flat and not convex; the base of the elytra is still

more swollen than in the allied species. In the specimen from Aceytuno the posterior

femora are stained with piceous; but I am not able to find any other difference.

5. Crepidodera (?) obliterata.

Testaceous or obscure fulvous; intermediate joints of the antenne black; thorax convex, the transverse groove

scarcely visible, impunctate ; elytra finely punctate-striate, depressed below the base.

Length 1-14 line.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu, San Juan in Vera Paz, Panima (Champion); Panama,

Bugaba (Champion).

It would perhaps have been justifiable to establish another genus for this insect,

which has nearly lost the characters peculiar to Crepidodera, and is without doubt an

intermediate form. The head shows no trace of punctuation, and the frontal tubercles

are distinct and not transverse; the antenne are rather slender, more than half the

length of the body, the third and fourth joints of equal length, and the sixth to the

tenth joints generally black (in some specimens only the eighth to the tenth are black) ;

a single specimen from Bugaba (probably a male) has the last four joints slightly

triangularly dilated, the antenne being altogether more robust; the thorax is about

one half broader than long, the sides being strongly rounded; in some specimens the

basilar groove is only just visible with a strong lens, while in others it may almost be

called absent, sometimes it is only indicated by a transverse row of small punctures ;

the elytra show a distinct transverse basal depression and are of parallel shape; their

surface is finely punctate-striate, but the punctuation is nearly invisible at the apex;

the other characters are as in Crepidodera. ‘The ten specimens before me show no

perceptible variation of importance.

MESODERA.

Body oblong-ovate ; head grooved between the antenne ; frontal tubercles strongly developed ; eyes entire;

antenn robust, long, tapering towards the apex; thorax transversely subquadrate, the sides slightly

rounded towards the middle; basilar sulcation deep and extending a short distance up the sides, the

lateral grooves indistinct ; elytra finely punctate-striate ; posterior femora strongly incrassate, their tibie

simple, armed at the apex with an exceedingly minute tooth; first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as

the two following joints united; claws appendiculate ; prosternum very distinct, longitudinally channelled,

closing the anterior coxal cavities.

The insect for which I propose the present genus, is undoubtedly allied to Crepidodera ;

the latter genus contains, however, amongst its exotic members many species which I

MESODERA.—EPITRIX. 345

think ought to be separated for the sake of a better definition of the genus. In

Mesodera the frontal tubercles are very greatly developed in both sexes, of a trigonate

shape, and divided, as well as limited behind, by a deep groove; the antenna are very

robust in the male, thickened at the base, but gradually attenuated towards the terminal

joints, the third joint being double the length of the second ; each joint is also covered

with distinct hairs which form an outside fringe; the basilar thoracic groove is not

distinctly bounded by a lateral impression, but extends a short distance upwards; the

tibize may almost be called unarmed, as, with a strong lens, I am only just able to dis-

cover a very minute spine at the apex of the posterior pair in one specimen, in others I

am not able to see it. The species has only been obtained in one locality.

1. Mesodera fulvicollis. (Tab. XX. fig. 24.)

Underside, antennz (the first joint excepted), and legs black; head and thorax fulvous, impunctate ; elytra

violaceous blue, finely and regularly punctate-striate.

Length 13 line.

Head deeply grooved transversely between the antenne ; frontal tubercles trigonate, very broad and strongly

raised ; labrum testaceous ; apical joint of the palpi acute, piceous ; antenne nearly as long as the body

in the male, shorter in the female, all the basal joints very robust and thickened, the third nearly double

as long as the second, the following of nearly equal length, basal joint fulvous, the rest black, pubescent

at the sides; thorax scarcely more than one half broader than long, moderately convex, the sides slightly

rounded to below the middle, a little constricted at the base, the angles distinct but not produced, basilar

suleation deep, gradually approaching the posterior angles, but extending slightly upwards at the sides,

surface entirely impunctate; scutellum semiovate, its apex broadly rounded, black; elytra broader than

the thorax, with a very shallow and rather indistinct transverse depression below the base, dark blue,

shining, each elytron with ten rows of very fine, regularly and closely placed punctures, distinct to the

apex; legs rather robust, the tibia widened towards their apices; anterior femora and their cox often

fulvous, sometimes black.

Hab. Guatemaa, Cubilguitz (Champion).

The elytra have the punctures so closely placed as to have an appearance of strie

rather than punctures; the interspaces are not raised.

EPITRIX.

Epitriz, Foudras, Hist. Natur. Col. Altises, p. 308 (1860).

Epitrix, although very closely allied to Crepidodera, offers in most instances sufficient

structural differences to justify its separation, although cases are also here not wanting

in which the true place of certain species is difficult to determine, and merely a matter

of opinion.

Typical forms of Epitrix have an oval-shaped body, generally covered with pubescence,

a medially produced posterior thoracic margin, and obliquely shaped or cut anterior

angles of the thorax. The genus seems better represented in Central America than

Crepidodera, judging by the specimens obtained ; but no species from our country have

up to the present been described, nearly all the known New-World forms having been

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1885. ) y

346 PHYTOPHAGA.

obtained in North or South America. Species of Hpitrix are also found in Europe,

including England. They appear to affect principally plants of the orders Solanacee: and

Cucurbitacee, and are sometimes to be met with in vast profusion, and in North America

one species at least apparently doing a good deal of mischief.

1. Epitrix violacea. (Tab. XXI. fig. 1.)

Below and the legs black ; three basal joints of the antenne obscure fulvous; above metallic violaceous blue,

. thorax finely punctured ; elytra strongly punctate-striate.

Length 13 line.

Head impunctate, except round the inner margin of the eyes, where a few deep punctures are placed; antenney

nearly two thirds the length of the body, the three lower joints fulvous beneath, the rest black, second

and third joints of very nearly equal length; thorax twice as broad as long, the posterior margin of the

usual shape as well as the anterior angles, basilar sulcation distinct at the sides only and very obsolete

near the middle, surface (when seen under a strong glass) very finely punctured; elytra convex and

nearly parallel, slightly depressed below the base, strongly and regularly punctate-striate, the punctuation

scarcely finer at the apex than at the base, interstices flat and without hairs; underside and legs black ;

prosternum broad, square-shaped, strongly punctured.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

One or two similarly coloured species have been described by Mr. Baly; of these the

present insect seems nearly to agree with EH. cyanella, of which I have the type for

comparison. The insect described here is larger (Mr. Baly gives the size of the species

in question as 1 line; I find it to be, however, scarcely one line in length), the thoracic

basilar groove almost obsolete in the middle (in E. cyanella it is very distinct), the

elytra without pubescence; in both the specimens obtained the underside and legs are

black.

Ei. segregata, Baly, has a longer thorax and the basilar groove more deeply

impressed.

2. Epitrix puncticollis.

Black below ; four basal joints of the antenns fulvous ; thorax finely but distinctly punctured, metallic green

or bluish ; elytra of the same colour, strongly punctate-striate.

Length 1-1} line.

Hab. Guatemata, Aceytuno, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).

From £. violacea the present species differs in the much more distinctly punctured

thorax, the four light fulvous basal joints of the antenna, and the metallic bright green

colour of its upper surface ; the thoracic groove also is much more distinct. As these

differences are constant in the ten specimens before me, I have no doubt about the

specific distinction of the species. The elytra are also devoid of hairs as in the

allied species; in all the specimens obtained the fulvous joints of the antenne are

brightly coloured and not stained with piceous, and the fourth joint slightly shorter

than the third.

EPITRIX. 347

3. Epitrix thoracica, (Tab. XXI. fig. 2.)

Ovate, narrowed at the apex; piceous below; above dark sneous; basal oints of the antenne, and the

anterior legs, fulvous; thorax finely rugose-punctate; elytra strongly punctate-striate, the interstices

costate at the sides.

Length 2 line.

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles oblique, indistinct, bounded behind by a narrow impressed line ; antenne

. gradually but distinctly thickened at the terminal joints, all of them, with the exception of the first, of

nearly equal length, black, the four basal joints fulvous; thorax transversely subquadrate, proportionately

long, the posterior margin very slightly rounded and scarcely produced at the middle, the sides very slightly

widened towards the apex, anterior angles oblique, basilar groove straight, not very deeply impressed, its

lateral depression also rather obsolete and placed close to the posterior angles, surface either finely or more

strongly rugose-punctate; elytra ovate, scarcely wider at the base than the thorax, widened at the middle

and narrowed near the apex, the latter rather pointed, surface regularly, closely, and strongly punctate-

striate, the punctuation much more finely impressed towards the apex, the interstices, especially near the

sides, longitudinally costate ; posterior legs more or less stained with piceous, anterior legs fulvous.

Hab. GuaremaLa, Quiche Mountains, Totonicapam (Champion).

In this species a good many of the typical characters of the genus are wanting, or at

least modified ; the thorax does not show the usual shape of the posterior margin, the

anterior angles are less acutely oblique, and the pubescence of the elytra is entirely

absent ; this latter want the species has, however, in common with several others, and

as, moreover, the insect does not represent a typical form of Crepidodera, I have placed

it in the present genus. It cannot be mistaken for any of the allied species (described

for the most part by Von Harold) on account of the peculiar long thorax, the

punctuation of which seems, however, subject to great variation, as | have specimens

before me differing in no other respect whatever, which have a very finely punctured

thorax, and others in which the same part is nearly rugose-punctate throughout; the

former case, however, is that of a single specimen only. Another distinctive character

of the species is the elytral costes, which are well marked at the sides, and the absence

of any pubescence. Taking it altogether the insect seems to represent a form between

Crepidodera and the present genus.

4, Epitrix atripes.

Epitrix atripes, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 39 (1875)’.

Had. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Co.ompta 1.

Many closely allied and nearly similarly coloured species, of which the present is

one, have been described, principally by Herr von Harold in the ‘ Coleopterologische

Hefte.’ It requires a long series of specimens to come to some definite conclusion about

their specific value, as I find that many species from the same localities seem subject to

considerable variation in colour as well as in sculpture. On account of this variability

it is often extremely difficult, if not impossible, to refer with certainty many forms to

one or other described species ; and although, through the kindness of M. Oberthiir, I

2y2

348 PHYTOPHAGA.

am in possession of most of the types described by Von Harold, I can only refer

approximately the many species now before me from Central America, pointing out

their variation (if any) from those species to which they are most nearly allied. The

present insect may be known by the finely punctured thorax, its black antennz (with

the exception of the basal joints), and the similarly coloured legs; I cannot find any

difference from the Colombian form, the type of which I have before me, except that

the punctuation of the thorax which in most specimens is extremely fine is in others a

little more distinct.

5. Kpitrix fuscata ?

Crepidodera fuscata, Jacq.-Duval, in La Sagra’s Hist. Phys. Cuba, vii. p. 130°.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).—Cusal.

The synonymy of this species and several others is not at all clear, and without

comparison of the different types almost impossible to settle. ‘The numerous specimens

obtained by Mr. Champion agree so well with the descriptions given by the above

author, and also by Suffrian in Wiegm. Archiv, 1868, that it would be useless to

establish another species merely because the locality differs, especially as Von Harold

has described another closely allied species (Z. hirtula) of whose specific distinction he

is doubtful. The Zapote specimens have the thorax rather closely covered with deep

punctures (when seen under a strong lens), and the basilar groove well marked,

sinuate, and the space below it marked also with a few fine punctures; the elytra are

strongly punctate-striate, and the interstices covered with whitish pubescence; the

antenne and legs are fulvous, the posterior femora piceous. All this agrees exactly

with the description of the author, but the possibility of the present insect being, in

spite of it, specifically distinct, is not excluded. E. pubescens, Koch, is also considered

identical with the present species by Illiger (Magaz. vi. p. 112), although the latter is

found in Europe (including England), and, according to Illiger, also in North America.

But this most certainly requires corroboration, and Crotch in his descriptions of North-

American Phytophaga makes no mention of E. pubescens; since a great number of very

closely allied forms of Epitrix seem to exist in many parts of the Old and New World

it would be rash to jump to conclusions without caréful study and sufficient material.

6. Epitrix clypeata.

Minute, ovate, black; antenne, tibie, and tarsi testaceous; clypeus and labrum fulvous; thorax minutely

punctured, with a finely impressed straight transverse groove ; elytra finely punctate-striate.

Length 3 line.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, Lanquin (Champion).

I am not acquainted with any other broad ovate species of this small size. EL. pygmea,

EPITRIX. 349

Har., is, although small, larger than the present species, and not black but piceous; the

thoracic groove in the insect before me is very finely impressed, in one specimen nearly

obsolete, and the punctuation extremely fine ; I cannot discover any pubescence on the

elytra, which, as well as the entire upper surface of the insect, are black and shining ;

the labrum, antenne, tibie, and tarsi are fulvous or testaceous; two specimens from

Belize have the thoracic basilar groove more marked, but I am unable to distinguish

them in any other way from the Guatemalan insects; in all of them the clypeus and

the labrum are darker or paler fulvous.

7. Epitrix cucumeris.

Haltica cucumeris, Harris, Journ. of Agricult. i. p. 103 (1851)'.

Epitriz cucumeris, Crotch, Proc. Ac. Phil. p. 72 (1878)?

Haltica pubescens, Mlig. Magaz. f. Insekt. vi. p. 58°.

Hab. Norta America ! 2 °,—Gvaremata, near the city, Duefias (Champion).

The Guatemalan insects before me agree so closely with a North-American specimen

contained in my collection, and also with the descriptions given by the above-named |

authors, that I have little doubt about their specific identity. The elytra in this species _

are rather closely covered with yellowish hairs ; the thorax is distinctly punctured ; and

the legs and antenne are more or less testaceous, the posterior femora only being darker,

and also, in some cases, the terminal joints of the antenne. L. hirtula, Har., seems

only to differ in the darker legs and antenne, and is therefore either only a variety or

an extremely closely allied species. . cucumeris is stated by Harris to be very

destructive to cucumber-vines.

8. Epitrix montana.

Black; four or five basal joints of the antenne, and the base of the tibie, fulvous; head smooth; thorax

coarsely punctured ; elytra covered with yellowish pubescence, very strongly punctate-striate, the inter-

stices obsoletely and longitudinally costate.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (coll. Sallé), Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer); Guatemata,

Quiche Mountains 7000 to 9000 feet (Champion).

J here give the description of a species which I can only compare, on account of the

coarsely punctured thorax, to H. fuscula, Crotch. The description is, however, so

unsatisfactory and short that without comparison with the type no conclusion can be

arrived at. In the insect before me the thorax is closely covered with very deep and

large punctures, the basilar groove runs parallel with the posterior margin and is deeply

impressed; the elytral punctuation consists of still larger punctures than those of the

thorax, but forms impressed striz only near the apex; the first and second joints of the

antenne are, in one specimen, black, in another the second is fulvous, the next three or

four joints are also of the latter colour, and the terminal ones again black ; the base of the

350 PHYTOPHAGA.

tibiee, as well as of the tarsi, are more or less fulvous; the elytra are without any basal

elevation or depression whatever. J. hirtula, Har., has a jimely punctured thorax ;

and E. cucumeris entirely yellow legs. |

9, Epitrix minuta.

Black, shining ; antenne and anterior tibie testaceous; thorax extremely finely punctured, its basilar groove.

straight ; elytra closely punctate-striate, sparingly pubescent, the punctuation distinct to the apex, the

interstices obsoletely costate.

Length 4-2 line.

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

I am obliged to separate this species from F. lucidula, Har., to which it is closely

allied; it differs in being smaller, and of a more broadly ovate shape; the thorax is

rather shorter and more transverse, and the elytra are differently sculptured; this

difference consists in the punctures of the latter being very closely placed so as to

‘produce almost a striz-like appearance, and moreover distinct to the apex, while the

interstices, especially near the sides, are slightly longitudinally costate; the posterior

legs are more or less stained with piceous, the anterior tibie, however, as well as the

slender antenne, are testaceous. The eight specimens obtained are all constant in these

particulars, and without doubt distinct from FE. lucidula, Har., of which I have a typical

specimen for comparison.

10. Epitrix nigroznea.

Epitriz nigroenea, Har. Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 36 (1875)’.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (coll. Sallé).—Cotomstal.

I cannot find sufficient differences between the Mexican and the Colombian insects to

justify a separation. The former are smaller, and the colour less brassy than in the

specimens from South America; in all other respects they agree with the typical

form.

11. Epitrix opacicollis.

Epitrix opacicollis, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 40 (1875)'.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).—CoLomBiAl.

Two specimens obtained by Janson agree well enough with a typical example contained

in my collection to be considered identical; the species is one of the smaller sized, and

has fulvous antenne and anterior legs; in the Chontales specimens the thorax is a little

less closely punctured ; other differences I cannot find.

12. Epitrix fuscula ?

Epitrix fuscula, Crotch, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1878, p. 727.

Hab. Norra Amertca'.—Mexico, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé).

EPITRIX. 351

A single specimen in the Sallé collection, agreeing with the short description given

by Crotch, is probably referable to this species. . fuscula is certainly the largest

species, amongst those which have black elytra, with which I am acquainted. The

thorax is very strongly and closely punctured, and might almost be called rugose-

punctate; the elytra are also very deeply and regularly punctate-striate, closely covered

with long yellowish pubescence, and their interstices are slightly longitudinally convex ;

the antenne and tibie are fulvous.

The species is of a much more broadly ovate shape than any other described here or

by Von Harold; and as Crotch also remarks that E. fuscula is broader than L. cucumeris,

it is very probable that the Mexican specimen is identical with Crotch’s species.

13. Epitrix convexa.

Ovate, subcylindrical, very convex, black ; antenne and tibie fulvous; thorax closely and strongly punctured ;

elytra with a strong basal elevation, distinctly punctate-striate, the strie visible to the apex; epistoma

rugose, subcostate.

Length 1 line.

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

Of this species only a single specimen was obtained by Mr. Champion. I am not

able to unite it with any of the other described species. The principal points of

distinction are:—The head, although impunctate, generally has a few deep punctures

close to the inner margin of the eyes, and the epistoma is deeply longitudinally rugose

or channelled; the antenne are entirely fulvous, as well as the tibie. The shape of

the insect is more robust, cylindrical, and convex than any of the preceding species ;

the elytra are without pubescence (perhaps owing to abrasion), and the base is much

more strongly raised than is generally the case. . lucidula, Har., has the straight

thoracic groove in common with the present species, but in the latter, besides the

general different shape, the elytral punctuation is distinct to the apex; in LE. lucidula

it is almost obliterated. E. puberula, Bohem., of which I have specimens named. by

Boheman for comparison, seems to be more closely allied to L. convexa than to any

other species with which I am acquainted; but the former is smaller and of different

shape, and the elytral basal elevation much less distinct; the rugose epistoma would

furnish another good character of separation.

14. Epitrix intermedia. (Tab. XXI. fig. 3.)

Black ; basal joints of the antenns, base of the tibia, and tarsi fulvous; thorax strongly and closely punctured ;

elytra without basal elevation, deeply punctate-striate to the apex, the interstices convex and pubescent.

Length 13 line.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba, Guanajuato (coll. Sallé); Guaremaua, Volcan de Agua

(Champion).

In its larger size this species resembles E. murina, Harold, from which I am obliged

352 PHYTOPHAGA.

to separate it for the following reasons :—There is no trace of an elytral basal elevation

in E. intermedia, the thorax is not finely but strongly punctured, and the elytral inter-

stices are not flat but raised. Amongst the black species the present one is the largest,

with the exception of E. fuscula, which is larger still; the thoracic groove is nearly

straight and deep, and the space behind it is as strongly punctured as the rest of

the thorax.

15. Epitrix dilaticornis, (Tab. XXI. fig. 4.)

Dark fulvous; antenne with dilated intermediate joints, the latter black; thorax finely punctured ; elytra

finely punctate-striate, the base strongly raised, covered with yellow hairs.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles in the shape of narrow, oblique ridges, bounded above by a narrow groove

round the inner margin of the eyes; antenne more than half the length of the body, the fourth to the

seventh joint gradually but strongly dilated, covered with coarse and long pubescence, the four basal and

the two terminal joints fulvous, the rest black; thorax transversely convex, the basilar groove straight

and deep, the surface finely and not very closely punctured; elytra much wider at the base than the

thorax, the basal portion strongly raised, moderately strongly punctate-striate, the interstices rather

closely covered with long yellow pubescence.

Hab. Guatumata, Chiacam, Cubilguitz (Champion); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This species, distinguished by the dilated intermediate joints of the antenne, is very

closely allied to E. apicicornis, Baly, which it resembles in colour, and of which I have

the type for comparison; the latter, however, has the head differently formed, as

there is a rather broad space in front of the eyes (called by Baly the interocular space),

which in the present species is wanting; the dilated antenne, which is another character

peculiar to E. dilaticornis, and the much more strongly raised base of the elytra will

further distinguish this species from that of Mr. Baly; in the female the antenne are

much less dilated and almost normal, but the base of the elytra is strongly raised.

Chorodecta, a genus described by Von Harold, has also dilated antenne, and seems

almost identical in every other respect with the species here described; but in

Von Harold’s genus the anterior coxal cavities are described as open and the pro-

sternum as exceedingly narrow, characters which do not apply to EL. dilaticornis.

16. Epitrix fulvifrons.

Ovate, convex, black; head obscure dark fulvous; antenne, knees, and tibia fulvous; thorax strongly punc-

tured ; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the base strongly raised.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate, inner margin of the eyes with a few deep punctures, frontal tubercles narrow and transverse,

carina acutely raised; antenne nearly as long as the body, the terminal joints distinctly thickened ;

thorax transverse, the sides not much deflexed anteriorly, sides nearly straight, basilar groove very

shallow in the middle, more distinctly marked at the sides, surface rather closely and strongly punc-

tured; elytra regularly punctate-striate to the apex, the base distinctly raised.

Hab. GuatemMaLa, Aceytuno (Champion).

The fulvous head, the long antenne, and the colour of the knees and tibie will

EPITRIX. 363

separate this species, which, as regards shape, is closely allied to H. convera. There is

only one specimen before me, and I cannot say whether the colour of the head is.

subject to variation.

17. Kpitrix subcostata. (Tab. XXI. fig. 5.)

Fulvous, pubescent; antenng and legs testaceous; thorax closely and very distinctly: punctured, the basilar:

groove straight; elytra strongly punctate-striate to the apex, the interstices costate.

Length 1 line.

Hab, Panama, Taboga Island (Champion).

There are sufficient structural differences to be found in this insect to separate it from-

its allies; the thorax has the basilar groove very nearly straight, deep, and placed at:

some distance from the posterior margin (in most of the other species this groove is

placed closer to the latter), the space between it and the margin is equally closely and-

distinctly punctured; below the base of the elytra and close to the suture a distinct

depression is seen, without, however, making the basal portion appear raised; the

interstices of the elytra, especially near the sides, are distinctly costate, and covered: with

yellowish pubescence. A single specimen only is before me.

18. Epitrix pulchella.

Testaceous; thorax scarcely visibly punctured; elytra distinctly punctate-striate, the punctures visible to. the

apex, surface closely pubescent.

Length 3 line.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa, Cordova (Sallé); Panama, David, and Caldera in Chiriqui

(Champion).

This is a small species of a pale flavous or testaceous colour, without doubt closely

allied to EH. flaveola, Harold, which seems to be of the same colour and size. The

differences which distinguish the two insects are as follows:—In EF. pulchella there

is a distinct transverse depression below the base of the elytra (a character absent

in the allied species), and the punctuation is quite distinct to the apex; the thorax

is transverse, the basilar groove deep and nearly straight, and the punctuation

is extremely fine, even when seen with a strong lens. Von Harold describes

E. flaveola as having the thorax impunctate, the pubescence very distinct, and the

yellowish-white hairs arranged in rows. The suture is very narrowly piceous in all the

specimens of . pulchella before me. The Mexican specimens are slightly larger and

more convex than those from the State of Panama; and the thorax is, in some examples,

distinctly, though finely, punctured; in one specimen, however, the punctuation is

nearly obsolete. I have thought it best, therefore, to unite these specimens, as I cannot

find other characters of distinction.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, May 1885, 22

304 PHYTOPHAGA.

19. Epitrix haroldi.

Ovate, dark fulvous; antenne and tibiee testaceous; thorax extremely finely and closely punctured; elytra

without any basilar elevation, finely punctate-striate, the punctures scarcely visible at the apex.

Length ? line.

Hab. Guavemaa, San Juan in Vera Paz, Capetillo (Champion).

There are amongst the fulvous-coloured species only three with which the present

insect may be confounded on account of the almost obsolete punctuation near the

apex of the elytra; these species are—E. pygmea, Har., E. tantula, Har., and £. pulla,

Har., all from Colombia; the first and third named of these have, according to the

description, an impunctate thorax, while E. tantula is described as having the punctu-

ation finer but distinct to the apex, and also sparingly pubescent elytra. With none of

these descriptions E. haroldi agrees, as all the six specimens before me have a very

closely and finely punctured thorax (when seen under a strong lens), and no trace of

pubescence on the elytra; the thoracic groove is deep, nearly straight, and bounded

laterally by a well-marked depression; the elytra are of a rather rounded, ovate shape,

without any trace of a basal elevation, and their punctuation is fine and regular. £.

haroldi seems most closely allied to E. tantula, but I am obliged to consider it as

distinct according to the description of Von Harold. ££. villosa, Har., also from

Colombia, is another closely allied form, but the elytra have, according to the descrip-

tion, a distinctly raised basal portion.

20. Epitrix castanea.

Dark chestnut-brown ; thorax piceous, strongly punctured; the five basal and the two terminal joints of the

antenne fulvous; elytra with the base distinctly raised, strongly punctate-striate to the apex.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Guatema.a, Senahu (Champion).

One example. It will not be very difficult to recognize E. castanea amongst the

allied fulvous-coloured species on account of the colour of the antenne; the strongly

punctured thorax, the groove of which is but obsoletely impressed in the middle (though

well defined at the sides), the space behind this being also distinctly punctured; the

elytra without pubescence, strongly punctured to the apex, and the basal portion

highly.raised ; the posterior tibie are piceous, and the femora brown.

21. Epitrix ubaquensis.

Epitrix ubaquensis, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiv. p. 41°.

Hab. Guatemaa, Volcan de Atitlan (Champion).—CoLomBia?.

- A single specimen from the above locality agrees so well with the description of

Von Harold, that I must refer it to that species, of which the principal distinguishing

feature seems to be the deep and punctured thoracic groove; the rest of the surface is

EPITRIX.—TRICHALTICA. 855

finely, but closely and distinctly, punctured; the base of the elytra is raised, and the

punctuation distinct to the apex; the general colour of the insect is fulvous; the

antenne and legs paler.

22. Epitrix subglabrata.

Ovate, convex, black, pubescent ; antenne, knees, and tibie fulvous; thorax scarcely visibly punctured; elytra

strongly punctate-striate to the apex.

Length 3 line.

Hab. Panama, Taboga Island (Champion).

The shape of this species resembles that of E. convexa and E. fulvifrons, from which

I must separate it on account of its nearly impunctate and shining thorax, the punc-

tuation being only just visible under a strong lens; the elytra are without basal eleva-

tion (a character that will further assist in separating the species), the punctuation is

strong and distinct to the apex, and the interstices are furnished with regular rows of

single yellowish hairs; the antenne, tibia, and knees are fulvous, without any darker

stains. The thorax in this species is very transverse, and as wide at the base as the

elytra; its basilar groove is deep, straight, and placed close to the posterior margin,

Two specimens are before me.

23. Epitrix parvula. (Tab. XXI. fig. 6.)

Crioceris parvula, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 468. 94’; Tllig. Mag. vi. p. 111.

Crepidodera hirtipennis, Melsh. Proc. Acad. Phil. ii. p. 165 * (1847).

Haltica hirtipennis, Suffrian, Wiegm. Arch. 1868, i. p. 209°.

Epitriz hirtipennis, Crotch, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1873, p. 72°.

Hab. Norra America! 2 8,— GuatremaLa, Duefias (Champion); Panama, Bugaba

(Champion).—CvuBa4.

A few specimens of this small species were obtained by Mr. Champion. £. parvula

may be at once known by its pale fulvous or testaceous colour, and the transverse

brownish band on the elytra. The specimens sent agree in every particular with the

description given by Melsheimer and other authors. The thoracic groove in this

species is very feebly impressed, and placed close to the posterior margin; the surface

of the thorax, however, is very distinctly and rather closely punctured, and generally

of a darker fulvous colour; the elytra having a more testaceous tint.

TRICHALTICA.

Trichaltica, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. p. 2 (1876).

The few species belonging to this genus were overlooked by me at first; conse-

quently, and on account of the open coxal cavities, the genus ought to have found its

place in the first division of this subfamily. I place it here as the insects, although the

anterior coxal cavities are not closed, have a distinct transverse thoracic groove.

222

356 PHYTOPHAGA.

Trichaltica was established by its author on some South-American species of Halti-

cine of small, parallel, and subcylindrical shape, with a very strongly and generally

distantly punctured thorax, and punctate-striate and pubescent elytra. The species seem

to be subject to great variation, and none have hitherto been recorded from Central

America. Orthaltica, Crotch, almost entirely resembles the present genus, but may

be distinguished by the closed anterior coxal cavities.

1. Trichaltica bogotana. (Tab. XXI. fig. 7.)

Trichaltica bogotana, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. p. 4 (1876) *.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—CoLomBia*.

Whether I am rightly referring the specimens obtained in the State of Panama to

Von Harold’s species I am not able to say with certainty, not having seen the type;

the description as given by the author agrees, however, in the main points. But there

are a few specimens from the same locality before me which differ only in size and

coloration, and are therefore probably varieties; in these specimens the antennz are

longer and stouter, and not entirely red, but piceous, with the exception of the first

two joints; perhaps they are the females of the species under consideration. The

thorax in all the specimens has two small but distinct teeth at the sides before the

middle (as Von Harold’s description gives it). The Colombian T. denticollis, Har.,

has the same character, and may be but a variety of the present species.

9. Trichaltica variabilis. (Tab. XXI. fig. 9.)

Below black, above metallic dark blue ; basal joints of the antenne, and the lower part of the face, red; thorax

coarsely and remotely punctured ; elytra strongly punctate-striate, covered with thin whitish pubescence.

Var. a. Head and anterior part of the thorax piceous ; legs more or less fulvous.

Var. 6b. Head and thorax black; anterior legs red.

Length 3-1 line.

Hab. Brrvisx Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); GuaTEMALA, San Juan in Vera Paz,

Cahabon, Duefias, Calderas, El Tumbador, Tamahu (Champion); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

I have separated this species, which seems to differ principally in its coloration from

those described by Von Harold, and of which 7. nigricoliis seems to be more closely

allied than the others, on account of a dozen specimens all showing the same and con-

stant difference in the blue head and thorax; the latter has only one small tooth

(not two) behind the anterior angles, and can (providing this character is a constant one)

therefore not be mistaken for 7’. denticollis or T. bogotana. In all the specimens, with the

exception of one from Cahabon, the lower part of the face and the labrum are fulvous,

the entire upper part of the insect being metallic blue; the head is impunctate, the

thorax transverse and coarsely and remotely punctured, and the elytra have a very

slight basal depression ; slight differences in the punctuation are, however, noticeable

CRIMISSA.—DIBOLIA. . 357

in most of the specimens, which show the same sculpturing as those described by Von

Harold; whether the varieties with a partially red or piceous thorax are referable

to the present or represent other species, I am unable to say; at all events none of

those before me agree quite with either of those described by the author of the genus.

Section II. Thorax without transverse groove ; tibie and claws simple.

a. Anterior coral cavities open.

This division comprises all those species of Halticinee which combine with a non-

impressed or grooved thorax, tibis which show no emargination at their apex, and

simple or not swollen claw-joints. I follow the arrangement of Von Harold in his

descriptions of South-American Halticine.

CRIMISSA.

Crimissa, Stal, Gifv. af Kong. Vet.-Akad. Foérh. 1858, p. 250.

The only species belonging to this genus is one of the largest of the Halticine, and

has hitherto not been recorded from Central America; it is a robust insect, and scarcely

typical of the present family, inasmuch as its posterior femora are scarcely more

incrassate than the others, and the general shape resembling rather that of a species of

Doryphora than one of the Halticine, and there is no doubt that the insect represents

one of those intermediate forms whose classification is subject to different opinions in

the minds of naturalists.

1. Crimissa cruralis. (Tab. XXI. fig. 8.)

Crimissa cruralis, Stal, loc. cit. p. 250°.

Strongylotarsa maculipes, Chevr. (in litt.)’*.

Hab. Panama, David (Champion).—CotomBia!; Ecuapor (coll. Jacoby); GumaNa,

Cayenne 2.

The single specimen obtained in the State of Panama scarcely differs from the

Colombian specimens contained in my collection, except to a slight degree, no doubt

attributable to local variation.

DIBOLIA.

Dibolia, Latreille, Cuvier, Régne Anim. 2nd edit. v. p. 155 (1829); Leconte & Horn, Class. Col.

N. A. p. 354.

Dibolia is a genus comparatively easy of recognition on account of the long and

generally deeply emarginate spur at the end of the hinder tibia, as well as by the

anterior prolongation of the prosternum covering to some extent the lower parts of the

mouth. Species of Dibolia are found in Europe, Australia, and in North and South

358 . PHYTOPHAGA.

America—the only one known to inhabit North America, being either identical

with, or so closely allied to, one from Mexico, that I have at present been unable to

separate the latter from its more northern representative. In general shape Dibolia

much resembles the genus Psylliodes.

1. Dibolia borealis. (Tab. XXI. fig. 10.)

Dibolia borealis, Chevr. Guér. Icon. Régne Anim. 1845, p. 807 ,

Dibolia erea, Melsh. Proc. Acad. Phil. iii. 1846, p. 167°; Crotch, Proc. Acad. Phil. 18738, p. 67°.

Dibolia ovata, Lec. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1859, p. 286*.

Hab. Nortu America 1234,—Mexico, Las Vigas (Hége), Orizaba (Sallé), Ciudad in

Durango, Ventanas (forrer).

Between the specimens obtained by Mr. Forrer and those by Herr Hoge, there is a

slight but constant difference to be seen, which I attribute at present to local influence,

although it is quite possible that the two forms are specifically distinct. All the speci-

mens from Las Vigas differ in having the elytral punctured striz much less distinct

than is the case in the specimens from other localities. The legs and tibiee are also

nearly black, the latter being fulvous in the examples from Ventanas (which agrees

with the description of Leconte and the other American authors); the elytral strie in

these specimens are very distinct, and the interstices are closely and finely punctured

(these strie are scarcely visible in some of the specimens from Las Vigas). I cannot

find, however, any other difference of importance ; the general colour of all the insects

before me varies from metallic green to blue and dark coppery or obscure neous;

sometimes the first three or four joints of the antenne are fulvous. Although I have

never seen typical specimens from North America, I have not much doubt that I refer

the species rightly to D. borealis, with the description of which the Mexican specimens

agree entirely.

9. Dibolia championi.

Below piceous ; head and thorax dark fulvous; elytra violaceous-blue, punctate-striate, the interstices

impunctate.

Length 1 line.

Flead with a few scarcely visible punctures; antenne black, the second and third joints short and equal;

thorax transverse, very finely and closely punctured, obscure fulvous like the head ; elytra rather regularly

put finely punctate-striate.

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

This species is certainly very closely allied to the preceding, but differs in the colour

of the antenne, head, and thorax, and also in having the interstices of the elytra im-

punctate. It is quite possible that the fulvous colour of the thorax is but the result

of immaturity; but as only a single specimen is before me, I cannot be sure about

this,

LUPRAA. 809

LUPR AGA. |

Body elongate, parallel; eyes extremely large ( ¢ ), entire; antenne slender, longer than the body, filiform (3),

and shorter in the female; palpi thin and slender; thorax transverse, constricted at the sides near the

base, surface without transverse depression, but with a broad fovea at the middle of the base; scutellum

broad, trigonate; elytra closely semipunctate-striate, their epipleure: narrow and continued to the apex ;

posterior femora but moderately thickened, their tibiz simple and not emarginate near the apex; the

metatarsus of the hinder legs as long as the three following joints united; claws appendiculate; posterior

tibie with a distinct spine, anterior pair unarmed; prosternum invisible between the thighs; anterior

coxal cavities open.

At first sight this curious genus has quite the appearance of a species of Galeruca,

especially of that of a Luperus, but the very distinctly incrassate posterior femora leave

no other choice but to place Luprea in the present group, where it would perhaps be

best placed in the 11th group of Chapuis, the Aphthonine, on account of the open

anterior coxal cavities and other characters agreeing with this section. The eyes in

the male insect occupy nearly the entire side of the head; the antenne in the same sex

are much longer than, but in the female about as long as, the body. The thorax has

a curious triangular depression at the base, which is joined in some specimens by an

anterior longitudinal groove.

1. Luprea longicornis.

Below black, above dark metallic blue; antenne longer than the body; head and thorax impunctate; elytra

distinctly and closely semipunctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles flattened and of subtrigonate shape; carina indistinct; second joint of the

antenne very short, the following joints elongate, slender, and of equal length, each joint furnished with

rather long hairs; thorax nearly twice as broad as long, the sides rounded before the middle, narrowed

near the apex, with a triangular more or less distinct broad depression at the middle of the base, the

posterior margin in front of this depression slightly sinuate, surface impunctate ; scutellum impunctate,

broad, its apex more or less truncate ; elytra elongate, without any basal depression, metallic blue, closely

and distinctly punctured, the punctures arranged in closely approached rows and distinct to the apex, the

interspaces slightly transversely rugose.

Hab. Guatemata (coll. Jacoby).

Of this species I possess four specimens (three males and one female) from the above

locality. As above remarked, the eyes, as well as the antenne, are much smaller in the

female; I cannot detect any other differences. Amongst the very numerous genera of

Halticine I scarcely know of a form so closely resembling in shape and structural

characters a species of Galerucine as the present ; the posterior femora are, however,

distinctly incrassate. The antenne extend either to the end of the body, or beyond it.

2. Luprea fulvicollis. (Tab. XXI. fig. 11.)

Elongate, subcylindrical; black or piceous below ; lower part of the face, and the thorax, fulvous ; antenne and

legs black, the former subdilated at the intermediate joints ; thorax impunctate; elytra obscure greenish-

geneous, finely and closely rugose-punctate.

Length 2 lines. |

Head impunctate, the vertex black, lower part fulvous ; frontal tubercles distinctly raised, slightly transverse;

carina robust and thickened ; labrum and palpi black; antenne nearly two thirds the length of the bedy,

360 PHYTOPHAGA.

the second joint very short, the third and the following joints triangularly widened and of nearly equal

length; thorax transversely subquadrate, the lateral margin rounded before the middle, anterior and

posterior margins nearly straight, all the angles moderately acute and distinct, surface entirely impunctate ;

elytra of an obscure dark greenish-zneous colour, their surface rugosely punctured throughout, their

epipleure very narrow, but continued to the apex; posterior femora moderately but distinctly incrassate,

their tibiee with a small spine; metatarsus as long as the three following joints united; claws appendicu-

late; anterior coxal cavities open.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdénimo, El Reposo (Champion); NIcaracva, Chontales

(Janson).

The elongate shape, the narrow epipleure of the elytra, and the general structural

characters of this species induce me to include it in this genus. The antenne differ,

however, in their more dilated joints and in being much shorter, which may be but the

characteristic of the female sex; the posterior femora as well as their metatarsus, how-

ever, agree with the preceding species entirely, from which the fulvous thorax will at

once distinguish L. fulvicollis; in the specimen from Nicaragua the sides of the thorax

are narrowly marked with piceous.

PTOCADICA.

Ptocadica, Von Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 25.

Von Harold has founded this genus on a species inhabiting Colombia and Peru. The

principal characters are to be found in the rounded general shape of the insect, giving

it the appearance of a species of Sphwroderma; there are, however, sufficient different

structural characters present to distinguish Ptocadica from the last-named genus ; the

antenne are of different structure, their joints being gradually elongated up to the

fourth or fifth (the terminal joints being lengthened in Sphwroderma) ; the mesosternum

instead of being represented by a narrow transverse ridge is here subquadrate, and the

structure of the tibie and legs is again different from the allied genus. Although I

have not seen a type specimen of Ptocadica, I must refer an insect obtained by

Mr. Champion to Von Harold’s genus, with which it seems to agree in every particular.

1. Ptocadica straminea.

Ptocadica straminea, Har. Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 26°.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Cotoms1a, Bogoté!; Pru’.

Two specimens are before me which differ only from the author’s description in

having testaceous anterior femora and obscure fuscous tarsi; in other points they agree

perfectly. The elytra in the Chiriqui specimens are scarcely visibly punctured.

APHTHONA.

Aphthona, Chevrolat, D’Orbigny, Dict. Univ. Hist. Nat. 1842, ii. p. 5; Leconte & Horn, Class.

Jol. N. A. p. 353. .

No less than eighty-three species are referred to this genus in. Gemminger and Von

APHTHONA. 361

Harold’s catalogue ; many of these are very closely allied and difficult of determination,

the small size of the insects generally adding to the difficulty. Although it is generally

easy to distinguish Aphthona from Longitarsus on account of the long first tarsal joint

of the latter, it is much more difficult to separate certain species from the next genus—

Phyllotreta. In general it may be said that Aphthona is of a more convex and square

shape, that the elytra cover the pygidium, and that the frontal tubercles are distinct.

Europe seems to have furnished most of the species described as yet, but the genus is

represented in nearly all parts of the world. Central America does not seem to possess

many species, and but two or three have up to the present been described from that.

country.

1. Aphthona deyrollei.

Aphthona deyrollei, Baly,; Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877, iv. p. 296°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa! (coll. Baly).

The general colour of the upper surface of this species, the type of which I have

before me, is pale fulvous, with a slight metallic greenish gloss, which it has in

common with several other Central-American forms belonging to Aphthona. In the

present species the antenne, which are Jong and slender, have three, or sometimes four,

of the intermediate joints piceous, the rest fulvous, by which, in connexion with the

very finely punctate-striate elytra, the insect may be recognized; it has not been met

with by Mr. Champion or Herr Hoge, but other very closely allied species are

before me.

2, Aphthona diversa. (Tab. XXI. fig. 20.)

Aphthona diversa, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877, iv. p. 297°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa! (coll. Baly); Guatuma.a, near the city, San Gerénimo. (Cham-

pion); Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).

In this species the elytra are metallic blue, and the vertex of the head piceous, with,

a slight metallic gloss. Mr. Baly says, in his description, that the basal margin of the

thorax is edged with black at the sides, but neither in the type, which is before me,

nor in the other specimens contained in Mr. Baly’s collection, can I discover any trace

of a black margin. Some of the Guatemalan specimens obtained by Mr. Champion,

and which I cannot separate from the type, have a slight metallic gloss on the thorax,

and the elytra of a more obscure bluish colour; other slight differences in shape are

also visible in these examples, which are a little more robust and convex than the type;

but I think these differences are but attributable to variation of locality. ‘The speci-

mens obtained in the State of Panama are more robust, the antenne longer, and

the punctuation of the elytra more finely impressed, the colour of the latter being also

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, May 1880. | 3a

362 PHYTOPHAGA.

of a more greenish eneous tint; it is quite possible that these specimens represent a

different species, but till we obtain more material I am not able to come to a definite

conclusion on this point.

3. Aphthona pilatei.

Aphthona pilatei, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877, p. 296°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa! (coll. Baly).

Only a single specimen of this species is contained in the collection of Mr. Baly, and

none have been obtained by Herr Hoge or M. Sallé. The colour of the insect above

is nearly black, with a very slight violaceous tint (in Mr. Baly’s description the colour

is given as “nigro-genea”’), and the legs and antenne pale fulvous: on account of this

coloration the insect is comparatively easy of recognition.

4, Aphthona obscuripennis. (Tab. XXI. fig. 19.)

Below black; head, antenne, thorax, and legs fulvous; thorax extremely finely punctured; elytra obscure

bluish-black, finely punctate-striate.

Length 2 line.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, El Reposo (Champion).

This species is undoubtedly closely allied to A. diversa, Baly, but differs in the fol-

lowing particulars :—the frontal tubercles are more obsolete; the antenne are entirely

fulvous, with the exception of the last joint, which is infuscate; the vertex of the head

is not eneous or blackish, as in A. diversa, but fulvous; the thorax shows some very

minute punctures (when examined under a strong lens); and the elytra are not metallic

blue or green, but nearly black, with a slight bluish tint; lastly, the entire shape of

the insect is more robust and much more convex, giving a somewhat square form to

the elytra, the punctuation of which extends nearly to the apex; the antenne have

their third and fourth joints of equal length; the first joint of the posterior tarsi is as

long as the three following joints united. |

The North-American A. picta, Say, and A. terana, Crotch, seem to be closely allied

species, but the former is described as having the elytra “sparingly and obsoletely

punctured ” (cf. Crotch, Proc. Ac. Phil. 187 8); and the latter as being “not convex

and with irregularly punctured elytral strie.”

5. Aphthona semicerulea.

Below black; head, antenne, thorax, and legs reddish-fulvous; elytra greenish- blue, regularly and distinctly

punctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles rather broad and not very strongly raised ; carina short; apices of the

mandibles and the palpi piceous; antenne fulvous, the apical joints more or less fuscous, the second joint

thickened and of nearly the same léngth as the two following joints united ; thorax about one half broader

than long, transversely subquadrate, sides slightly rounded, oblique in front of the anterior angles, surface

APHTHONA. 363

entirely impunctate; scutellum piceous ; elytra wider at the base than the thorax, subcylindrical, nearly

parallel, regularly and distinctly punctate-striate to the apex; first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as

the two following joints united.

Hab. Mexico, Ciudad in Durango (Forrer).

Of a more slender and elongate shape than A. diversa and A. obscuripennis, the elytra

more strongly punctured and of a bluer tint.

6. Aphthona championi.

Below obscure fulvous; antenne piceous; thorax and legs fulvous; elytra metallic green or blue, closely and

finely punctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate, obscure fulvous, the vertex piceous or obscure seneous ; frontal tubercles almost obsolete ;

carina rather short and broad; antenne piceous or black, the three basal joints sometimes obscure dark

fulvous, third joint scarcely longer than the second, the latter swollen; thorax transversely subquadrate,

slightly narrowed at the base, the surface rather convex and entirely impunctate; scutellum black,

triangular ; elytra obsoletely and transversely depressed below the base, the latter appearing somewhat

swollen, disc closely and finely punctate-striate, the punctures finer and less distinct at the apex; apices

of the posterior femora piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); GUATEMALA, Chacoj, and Cahabon in Vera Paz

(Champion).

. Larger and more robust than A. diversa: the base of the elytra raised and the punc-

tuation arranged in very close rows; the frontal tubercles in this species are less

distinctly marked than is generally the case—they might almost be called absent; the

punctuation of the elytra is only visible under a strong lens (a character which will help

to distinguish this species from others with very fine punctuation), and their colour is

blue or green. In the specimen from Mexico the sides of the breast, as well as the

apices of the posterior femora and their tibiee, are piceous, but I cannot find any other

differences of importance. The general shape of the species is more elongate than is

the case in many others of the genus, and at the same time rather larger and robust.

7. Aphthona semipunctata. (Tab. XX. fig. 22.)

Below piceous ; basal joints of the antenne, head, thorax, and legs fulvous; elytra obscure greenish-sneous,

extremely finely punctured.

Length # line.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles scarcely visible; carina distinct and narrow; four or five lower joints .

of the antenne pale fulvous, the rest obscure fuscous, second joint much thickened, as long as the third,

the following joint distinctly longer; thorax rather transverse, one half broader than long, subquadrate,

the sides slightly rounded, obliquely angulate in front of the anterior angles, surface impunctate, an obsolete

convex, not widened behind, very obsoletely depressed below

their surface minutely punctate-striate (only visible under a

first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the two following

depression at each side near the base; elytra

the base, of a pale greenish eneous colour,

strong lens); posterior femora darker fulvous ;

joints united.

Hab. Guatemata, Aceytuno (Champion) ; Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).

The specimens sent by Mr. Champion differ sufficiently from A. diversa and similarly.

coloured species to be looked upon as a distinct form; the frontal tubercles almost

3a2

364 PHYTOPHAGA.

obsolete, and the scarcely visible punctuation of the elytra, in connexion with their pale

metallic greenish colour and the more transversely shaped thorax, justify the separation

of A. semipunctata from its allies.

8. Aphthona pallipes. (Tab. XXI. fig. 18.)

Below piceous; basal joints of the antenns and the legs pale testaceous; above pale fulvous, with a distinct

metallic neous gloss; elytra finely punctate-striate.

Length # line.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles distinct ; carina short, but rather strongly raised ; labrum and the

apices of the mandibles piceous ; antenne slender, two thirds the length of the body, testaceous, the four or

five terminal joints fuscous, the third and fourth joints equal in length, the fifth distinctly longer; thorax

about one half broader than long, entirely impunctate, the sides slightly rounded and obliquely cut in

front of the anterior angles, forming an obsolete small tooth; elytra with a very obsolete depression

below the base, extremely finely punctate-striate, the punctures visible nearly to the apex ; legs entirely

testaceous; first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the two following joints united; claws simple.

Hab. Guaremata, near the city, Duefias, Capetillo, Panajachel, Aceytuno, El Tum

bador (Champion).

Closely allied to A. deyrollei, but differing in the colour of the antenne [which is

constant in the numerous specimens from the above localities], the paler general colour

of the upper surface, and the elytral basilar depression, of which there is no trace in

A. deyrollet.

9. Aphthona brunnea.

Below piceous; above dark brown; legs fulvous ; thorax impunctate; elytra extremely finely punctate-striate,

the apex not visibly punctured.

Length 4-# line.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city, Aceytuno (Champion).

Of this species, as well as of the next, only a single specimen is before me; the

uniform brown colour of the upper surface, and the extremely finely punctate-striate

elytra, will assist in distinguishing A. brunnea from its allies; the frontal tubercles are

very indistinct ; the antenne have the second and third joints short and of equal length,

the three basal joints are pale, the others obscure and dark fulvous; the elytra show no

impression below the base, and the punctuation can only be seen under a very strong

lens. The specimen from Aceytuno is larger, of a paler colour, and the lateral margin

of the thorax has a piceous spot; other differences I cannot find, and believe, therefore,

both insects to represent the same species.

10. Aphthona pallidipennis.

Below black; above testaceous; head and thorax fulvous, impunctate; elytra entirely impunctate, the suture

narrowly obscurely piceous.

Length 4 line.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city (Champion).

APHTHONA. 365

I do not think it probable that this species is a variety of the preceding; the thorax

is more transverse, and shows traces of a transverse depression at each side; the elytra

are without the slightest trace of punctures, even when seen under a high magnifying-

power, and, lastly, their colour is a pale testaceous; in the absence of other specimens. I

must look upon this species as distinct.

11. Aphthona maculipennis.

Ovate, convex; light brown; base of the antenne and the legs pale fulvous; head, thorax, and elytra entirely

impunctate, the latter with an obscure transverse band before and a spot below the middle testaceous.

Length 4 line.

Hab. Guatemata, Tamahu in Vera Paz, San Gerénimo (Champion).

This small species will not be difficult to recognize, on account of its coloration and

entirely impunctate upper surface; the frontal tubercles are here absent, and there is

a kind of groove, more or less distinct, near the inner margin of the eyes; the antenne

are longer than half the length of the body, and have their third and fourth joints of

equal length and little longer than the second, the four basal joints are pale fulvous,

the rest black; the sides of the thorax (which is of the usual shape) are marked with

an indistinct piceous spot; the anterior testaceous band of the elytra is slightly curved,

extending upwards along the suture to the base, while the spot at the apex is more

indistinct, and in one specimen scarcely visible; the posterior femora are rather darker

than the others. ‘Two specimens only were obtained.

12. Aphthona variabilis.

Elongate, subparallel, fulvous; vertex of the head and the elytra metallic greenish-aeneous; head and thorax

distinctly punctured; elytra closely and rather strongly punctate-striate.

Var. Head and thorax entirely obscure seneous.

Length 1-17 line.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

There is a great difference in the shape between the male and female sex of this

species, the latter being less convex and much more elongate than the male. : Other

characters to separate A. variabilis from the allied similarly coloured species may be

found in the more or less distinctly punctured head, the similarly punctured thorax,

and the closely and strongly punctured elytra; the punctuation of the latter is, espe-

cially in the female, rather irregular, and the interspaces are slightly rugose near the

base, where there is a very obsolete depression visible; the antenne have the third

joint scarcely longer than the second, and the terminal joints are often of an obscure

fuscous colour; in the variety the metallic colour of the elytra has also extended to the

head and thorax, which, however, show traces of the fulvous ground-colour shining

through ; the colour of the head and the distinct punctuation of the thorax is constant

in all the specimens before me.

366 PHYTOPHAGA.

13. Aphthona mexicana. (Tab. XXI. fig. 21.)

Below black; antenne and legs fulvous, apical joints of the former and the femora partly fuscous; above

bluish-black ; thorax impunctate; elytra regularly punctate-striate, the punctures distinct to the apex.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Muxico, Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer).

This species seems very closely allied in colour and also in sculpture to A. ubaquensis,

Harold, from Colombia, from which I am obliged to separate it on account of its smaller

size and the regularly punctate-striate elytra, on which the strie, although finer, are

visible to the apex; in all other respects the insect agrees perfectly with Von Harold’s

description: the frontal tubercles are distinct, narrow, and transverse, and the colour of

the antenne and the legs is identical; but A. whaquensis is described as having somewhat

irregularly punctured elytra and of a length of 23-3 millim. It may, however, be that

A. mexicana is not specifically distinct, but only a local variety.

14. Aphthona fulvipennis. (Tab. XXI. fig. 24.)

Fulvous; terminal joints of the antenne fuscous; thorax extremely finely punctured; elytra finely punctate-

striate.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles very distinctly raised, transverse; carina short and distinct; labrum

and palpi piceous; antennz more than half the length of the body, third and fourth joints equal, not

much longer than the second joint, which is much thickened, the six or seven terminal joints fuscous ;

thorax about one half broader than long, the sides perfectly straight, angulate in front of the anterior

angles, surface scarcely visibly punctured (even when seen under a strong lens) ; elytra convex, without

any basal depression, the disc finely and regularly punctate-striate, the punctures scarcely visible at the

sides, but distinct to the apex; first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the three following together.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

A single specimen. The uniform fulvous colour (the tibie only being paler) and

the straight sides of the thorax, seem good distinguishing characters of this species.

15. Aphthona palpalis.

Fulvous; palpi long and slender ; thorax transverse, scarcely visibly punctured ; elytra metallic green, strongly

punctate-striate.

Length 1 line. ~

Head impunctate, fulvous, with a very slight metallic gloss; frontal tubercles narrow, placed obliquely trans-

verse; carina short but distinctly raised; eyes very large; palpi thin, long, and with the terminal joint

acutely pointed; antenne fulvous, the terminal joints slightly darker, third and fourth joints equal,

distinctly longer than the second; thorax about twice as broad as long, the sides rounded, slightly

constricted near the base, the posterior angles acute but not produced, surface only visibly punctured

when seen under a strong lens, like the head with a faint metallic gloss; scutellum fulvous; elytra

nearly parallel, strongly and regularly punctate-striate, the punctures finer but distinct to the apex, the

interstices below the base indistinctly wrinkled transversely here and there; underside and legs fulvous ;

metatarsus of the hinder tibie as long as the three following joints together.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

APHTHONA. 367

The larger eyes, slender palpi, and transverse frontal tubercles in connexion with the

metallic green and strongly punctured elytra, will assist in distinguishing 4. palpalis,

16. Aphthona chiriquensis. (Tab. XXI. fig. 25.)

Below dark piceous; head (the vertex excepted), thorax, and the anterior legs fulvous; elytra metallic

greenish seneous, closely and irregularly punctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate, the vertex with a transverse anteriorly emarginate blackish band; eyes large, their inner

margin bounded by a groove; frontal tubercles narrow, slightly transverse and distinctly limited behind

by an impression; carina short and broad; terminal joint of the palpi piceous; antenne rather short and

robust, the six lower joints fulvous, the others black, second and the three following joints short and of

nearly equal length; thorax rather narrow and transverse, the sides slightly, the posterior margin more

distinctly, rounded near the angles, surface impunctate, fulvous; scutellum black; elytra slightly widened

towards the middle and without any basal depression, dark metallic greenish-zneous, very finely and

closely punctured, the punctures arranged in indistinct and rather irregular rows; posterior legs and

tarsi, the apices of the intermediate tibie, and the underside, piceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The colour of the head, the short antenne, and the closely and finely punctured

elytra will prevent this species being mistaken for any of the other allied forms described

here; the short basal joints of the antenne being peculiar also to the present insect, of

which only a single specimen is before me.

17. Aphthona robusta.

Subovate, convex, robust, fulvous; thorax transverse, impunctate; elytra metallic blue, regularly punctate-

striate.

Length 17 line. :

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles strongly raised and limited behind by a deep depression ; carina short,

acutely raised; antenne rather robust and of half the length of the body in the male, shorter and thinner

in the female, the three lower joints fulvous (sometimes piceous), the others black, the second joint

swollen and one half shorter than the third, this and the following joints of nearly equal length; thorax

rather narrowly transverse, more than twice as broad as long, the sides very little rounded, the angles

not produced, the anterior and posterior margins parallel, the surface rather convex, entirely impunctate,

fulvous; scutellum of the same colour as the thorax, triangular; elytra convex, widened behind, metallic

blue, with a slight and rather obsolete depression below the base, rather strongly and not very closely

punctate-striate ; legs fulvous, the posterior femora generally with a piceous or blackish-zneous spot at

their apices, and their metatarsus nearly as long as the three following joints together.

Hab. Panama, David, Bugaba (Champion).

The thorax in this species is much more transverse than usual; the general shape of

the insect is also more robust and convex, the elytra being at the same time widened

behind, which is especially the case in the female. I cannot find, however, sufficient

ground for separating this species from the genus Aphthona, with which it agrees in all

essential points.

18. Aphthona aterrima. (Tab. XXI. fig. 23.)

Black; base of the antenne and of the tibie obscure fulvous; thorax impunctate; elytra finely punctate-

striate.

Length 1 line.

368 _ PHYTOPHAGA.

Head rather flat, impunctate; frontal tubercles absent; carina very short; four basal joints of the antenne

testaceous, the rest black, the third and fourth joints equal in length ; thorax transverse, convex, subcylin-

drical, the sides greatly deflexed, surface entirely impunctate, black, shining; scutellum broadly ovate ;

elytra convex, slightly depressed below the base at the sides and across the disc, the latter very finely

punctate-striate, the punctures distinct nearly to the apex ; tarsi and the base of the tibie fulvous; the

first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the two following joints united.

Hab. Guatemara, Capetillo (Champion).

There is only a single specimen before me of this very distinct species, which may be

known at once by its black colour, the transverse and impunctate thorax, and the pale

base of the tibize and antenne; all other characters are those of Aphthona.

19. Aphthona brevicornis.

Ovate, convex, black below ; four lower and the apical joint of the antenne fulvous; above dark blue, shining;

thorax impunctate ; elytra regularly punctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate, with a deep transverse groove between the eyes; frontal tubercles absent; clypeus sub-

quadrate, impunctate; labrum black ; apices of the mandibles fulvous; antenne comparatively short, the

second joint much stouter and rather longer than the third joint; thorax nearly three times as broad as

long, the posterior margin moderately produced and rounded at the middle, the anterior angles obliquely

truncate, the surface entirely impunctate ; elytra convex, not dilated behind, the shoulders prominent and

bounded below by a semicircular depression, the disc distinctly and regularly punctate-striate, each elytron

with ten rows of punctures, which become nearly obsolete at the apex ; first joint of the posterior tarsi

slightly longer than the following.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The shape of this species, of which only a single specimen was obtained, is quite

distinct from any of its allies, being much more convex and robust; this character, in

connexion with the short antennz, will aid in distinguishing 4. brevicornis, which I

cannot separate by any other mark of distinction from the present genus.

PHYLLOTRETA.

Phyllotreta, Foudras, Muls. Col. France, 1860, p. 230; Leconte & Horn, Class. Col. N. A. p. 3538.

This genus, as already remarked, is closely allied to the genus Aphthona, from which,

however, it may be known by the more depressed and ovate form, the pygidium

generally not covered by the elytra, and the frontal tubercles for the most part very

small or absent. Phyllotreta contains, like Aphthona, mostly species of small size,

although some have been described which are much larger and possibly belong to

other genera. Europe furnishes also most of the species, several have been described

from North America, others from Africa and Australia, but, as far as I know, none

from the country under consideration. The genus contains many closely allied species,

some of which, under the name of Turnip-fly, have obtained great notoriety on account

of their destructive habits.

PHYLLOTRETA. 369

1. Phyllotreta guatemalensis. (Tab. XXI. fig. 14.)

Blackish-zeneous below; greenish-szneous above; second joint of the antennz obscure fulvous; thorax and

elytra very finely and closely punctured.

Var. Above bluish-green.

Length 1 line.

Head scarcely visibly punctured, the space between the eyes somewhat thickened ; carina short but distinct ;

antenne more than half the length of the body, black, the second joint more or less distinctly fulvous, the

third and fourth joints equal, the terminal joints gradually but distinctly thickened ; thorax transverse,

the sides rounded, anterior and posterior margins straight, the surface very finely and closely punctured ;

scutellum small; elytra subdepressed, punctured like the thorax, the interstices slightly transversely

rugose ; first joint of the posterior tarsi twice as long as the following one.

Hab. GuateMata, Duefias, Zapote (Champion).

Amongst the North-American species described by Crotch, P. albionica seems to be

the most closely allied to this; there are, however, two specimens of the latter insect,

from California, contained in the collection of Mr. Baly, which differ in the much more

strongly and more distantly punctured thorax. The species described here agrees much

better with a specimen, also contained in Mr. Baly’s collection, labelled “ Phyllotreta

texana, type, Crotch, formerly contained in Dr. Horn’s collection ;” but this is evidently

a mistake, as Crotch has only described an Aphthona texana, a species differing totally

from the above-mentioned specimen, which certainly is a true Phyllotreta and possibly

identical with P. guatenalensis.

How the above mistake arose it is difficult to say, as the description given by Crotch

cannot possibly apply to the specimen in the Baly collection, which differs totally in

coloration and in the long joint of the metatarsus of the posterior legs; there is

therefore no other choice left but to describe the species as new. P. lewisi, Crotch,

and P. emula, Harold, are evidently closely allied species, which seem to differ in the

colour of the antenne and other particulars.

2. Phyllotreta transversicollis.

Below black; basal joints of the antenne, and the apices of the anterior femora and their tibie, fulvous;

thorax transverse, impunctate as well as the elytra; above bluish-black.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles narrow, but slightly raised and contiguous, bounded behind by an

indistinct groove; carina very short and narrow; labrum and palpi piceous; antenne with the first six

joints fulvous, the rest black, second joint swollen and not shorter than the third; thorax narrowly

transverse, more than twice as broad as long, the sides rather rounded, the angles somewhat obtuse, but

slightly thickened ; scutellum black; elytra a little widened behind, nearly impunctate [or only extremely

finely punctured when seen under a very strong lens]; legs and underside black ; the apex of the anterior

femora, and the base of the anterior tibize and their tarsi, more or less fulvous; metatarsus of the posterior

tibiee scarcely as long as the two following joints united.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Tamahu (Champion).

Principally distinguished from P. guatemalensis by the transversely-shaped thorax

and from several closely-allied North-American and European forms by the almost

entirely impunctate upper surface, in connexion with the colour of the basal joints of

the antenne.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1885. 3b

370 PHYTOPHAGA.

3. Phyllotreta lewisi?

Orchestris lewisii, Crotch, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1878, p. 66°.

Hab. Nortu America !1.—Mextico, Yucatan (coll. Baly); Guatemata (Pilate, coll.

Baly).

There are two specimens of a Phyllotreta contained in Mr. Baly’s collection, in which

the entire upper surface is dark blue and finely punctured; the first four joints of the

antenne, and the base of the tibie as well as the tarsi, fulvous—these characters

agreeing entirely with the short and insufficient description given by Crotch of his

P. lewisii, to which I refer these insects at present. The size is one line; the head

very finely punctured; the sides of the thorax are but very slightly rounded, and the

surface shows also traces of a fine transverse groove near the base; the general shape

and other characters are those of a species of Phyllotreta.

4, Phyllotreta abdominalis. (Tab. XXI. fig. 12.)

Black; basal joints of the antenna, legs, and abdomen flavous; head, thorax, and scutellum black ; elytra

metallic blue.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate ; eyes large; frontal tubercles broad and rather distinct; antenne more than half the length

of the body, the second joint thickened and scarcely shorter than the two following joints, the four or five

lower joints flavous, the rest piceous; thorax nearly twice as broad as long, black, impunctate, the sides

rounded and narrowly margined, the posterior margin with a slight depression at the middle in front of

the scutellum, a very slight transverse depression may also be seen at the sides; elytra wider than the

thorax at the base, gradually and slightly dilated below the middle, without any basal depression, the

surface almost impunctate, and with only a few rows of extremely finely impressed punctures near the

suture (only visible under a strong lens), metallic blue; legs and abdomen flavous ; posterior femora with

a black or piceous spot at the apex; first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the three following joints

united.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Principally distinguished from its allies by the flavous legs and abdomen and the

black thorax.

5. Phyllotreta nigricollis, (Tab. XXI. fig. 15.)

Below piceous; head and thorax black, impunctate; elytra bluish-black, very finely punctate-striate.

Length 1} line.

Head impunctate; frontal tubercles very indistinct; carina rather distinctly raised; labrum piceous; antennse

more than half the length of the body, the second and third joints very short and of equal length, the

following four joints somewhat triangularly widened, the terminal one slender and elongate, the underside

of the first and the two following joints is obscure fulvous, the rest black; thorax less than twice as

broad as long, black, the sides scarcely rounded and distinctly narrowed from the base to the apex, the

angles not prominent, the anterior ones furnished with asingle hair, the surface impunctate or (seen under

a very strong lens) exceedingly finely punctured; scutellum broadly trigonate ; elytra slightly narrowed

towards the apex, the portion below the base and near the suture slightly depressed longitudinally, each

elytron with about ten rows of finely impressed punctures, the punctures placed in single and regular

lines and visible, but less distinctly, to the apex; the colour is nearly black, with a slight bluish tint;

PHYLLOTRETA. 371

posterior femora extending to the apex of the elytra, their tibie slightly longitudinally sulcate, with the

outer edge finely serrate; metatarsus as long as the three following joints united; anterior coxal

cavities open.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The antenne in P. nigricollis show a marked difference in the comparative length of

their joints from any other species of this genus known to me, the second and third joints

being very short and equal in length, while the following joints are widened and at the

same time more than three timesaslong. The species has, however, the true appearance

and all other structural characters of a Phyllotreta, although somewhat more robust in

shape than is usually the case. Herr von Harold has already remarked that if all

slightly structural deviating characters were to be looked upon as generic, one might

make a new genus on many or most species, with which remark I entirely agree; the

difficulty is, however, where to draw the line, and to which character to ascribe generic

importance; many genera, for example, have been constructed solely on a slight differ-

ence in the comparative length of the antenne, the importance of which, without the

presence of other structural differences, I fail to see.

6. Phyllotreta submetallica. (Tab. XXI. fig. 16.)

Below piceous; clypeus, anterior legs, and part of the breast fulvous; head black; thorax obscure dark

fulvous; elytra metallic green, depressed below the base, closely punctate-striate.

Length 14 line.

Head impunctate, with a small, but deep impression or fovea in front of the inner margin of the eyes; frontal

tubercles absent; carina short, but distinct; clypeus fulvous; labrum piceous; antenne slender, the

second joint short and round and thickened, the third more slender and a little longer, the following

joints nearly equal in length, black, the lower joints obscure fulvous below; thorax transverse, nearly

twice as broad as long, sides very slightly rounded, the surface entirely impunctate, dark fulvous; scutellum

black ; elytra slightly widened behind, distinctly depressed near the suture below the base, the shoulders

rather prominent and smooth, the surface closely and distinctly punctured, the punctures arranged in closely

approached rows which get more indistinct near the apex; apical portion of the posterior femora black,

the rest, together with the anterior femora, the base of their tibiew, and the upper portions of the breast,

fulvous; first joint of the posterior tarsi nearly as long as the three following joints united; pygidium

slightly protruding beyond the elytra.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion).

Whether this species is subject to variation I am unable to say, as I have only a

single specimen for comparison; that the insect ought to be placed in the present

genus is warranted by the absence of the frontal tubercles, the slightly uncovered

pygidium, and the elongate metatarsus of the posterior legs.

7. Phyllotreta mexicana, (Tab. XXI. fig. 13.)

Below black; antenne (the last four joints excepted), and the four anterior legs, testaceous; elytra metallic

blue, finely and closely punctured ; posterior femora piceous.

Length 1 line.

Head rather flattened, distinetly punctured round the inner margin of the eyes; frontal tubercles and the

carina very indistinct, the former slightly raised; lower edge of the clypeus and the labrum obscure

3b 2.

372 PHYTOPHAGA.

fulvous; antenns rather more than half the length of the body, gradually thickened, testaceous, the four

terminal joints darkened, the second joint thickened and scarcely shorter than the third, the latter

distinctly shorter than the following joint; thorax transverse, fully twice as broad as long, the sides

rounded, the anterior and posterior margins straight, the latter with a slight depression in front of the

scutellum, the surface nearly black, with a few scarcely visible punctures; scutellum black, rather

broad; elytra rather depressed, slightly, but distinctly, widened posteriorly, with an obsolete depression

below the base, their surface closely and finely punctured, the punctures arranged somewhat in close lines ;

posterior femora piceous; anterior legs entirely testaceous; pygidium not covered by the elytra.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

The thorax is in this species much more transverse than in any other of the genus

known to me; this character, and the colour of the antenne and legs, will help to

distinguish P. mexicana from its allies.

8. Phyllotreta crotchi. (Tab. XXI. fig. 17.)

Greenish-black ; head and thorax closely punctured; elytra distinctly punctured anteriorly, the apex scarcely

visibly punctured, testaceous, the lateral and sutural margins (the former widened at the middle, the latter

narrowed at the base and apex), and a small spot at the shoulder, greenish-black. ;

Length 1 line.

Hab. Muxico, Ventanas 2000 feet (forrer).

A good many nearly similarly coloured species are known from Europe and North

America, from all of which I must separate the one under consideration on account of

the very broad testaceous band (which I] have given in the description as the ground-

colour) of the elytra. The head is very finely and closely punctured, and has a very

short impressed line between the eyes; the frontal tubercles are, as usual, obsolete, but

the carina is distinctly raised; the antenne have the third and fourth joints of equal

length, and are entirely black in colour, the second joint only having a slight dark

fulvous tint (in all the other allied species known to me the basal joints are more or

less testaceous); the thorax is of a transverse shape, and closely and more strongly

punctured than the head; the punctures of the elytra are placed in very closely

approached longitudinal rows; the markings are almost identical in design with the

European P. sinuata, Redt., except that the testaceous band is much broader.

P. ramosa, Crotch, from California, differs from the present species, according to

the description, by the pale basal joints of the antenne, and by the differently shaped

elytral vitta. ‘Two specimens were obtained by Mr. Forrer.

LONGITARSUS.

Longitarsus, Latreille, Cuvier, Régne Anim. 2nd edit, 1829, p. 155; Leconte & Horn, Class. Coll.

N. A. p. 358.

Teinodactyla, Chevrolat, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 416.

Thyamis, Stephens, Illust. Brit. Ent. iv. p. 424.

Longitarsus, as its name implies, is principally distinguished from Aphthona and

Phyllotreta by the elongate first joint of the posterior tarsi. The species are very

LONGITARSUS. 373

numerous, and principally found in Europe, but nearly all other parts of the world have

contributed to their numbers; the tropics have furnished but few as yet, and even

Central America seems to possess but a small number.

1. Longitarsus subcinctus.

Longitarsus subcinctus, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 30°.

Hab. Muxico, Teapa, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil, Teleman, Senahu

(Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).—CoLomBiA}.

I have not much doubt that the rather numerous specimens from the above localities

should be referred to Von Harold’s species, since they entirely agree with the description,

and also with a specimen from Colombia contained in Mr. Baly’s collection. In most

of the specimens a transverse piceous band (as the description gives it) is visible at the

sides of the elytra, although rather before than at the middle; the sides of the thorax

are also similarly coloured in many specimens; slight variations in size and other

respects are also present amongst the insects from different localities, but not of

sufficient importance for the establishment of another species. L. subcinctus is more

or less chestnut-brown in colour, and with long and slender antenne, the fifth to the

eighth joints of which are generally piceous or black; the thorax is impunctate, and

the elytra are very finely punctured.

2. Longitarsus chontalensis.

Fulvous; four basal and the two apical joints of the antenne flavo-testaceous; thorax extremely minutely,

elytra more distinctly, punctured.

Length 3 line.

Head impunctate, with a fine oblique groove near the inner margin of the eyes; antenne two thirds the length

of the body, the second, third, and fourth joints short and equal, the basal joint stained with piceous

above.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

The single specimen before me greatly resembles at first sight L. subcinctus, with

which it agrees in the colour of the upper surface and in that of the antenne, but the

smaller size by one half of L. chontalensis, and the more distinctly and evenly punctured

elytra will help to distinguish it; the comparative length of the second and the two

following joints of the antenne [these joints being much shorter than in the allied

pecies] is another distinguishing character of the present insect.

3. Longitarsus angusticollis. |

Ovate, testaceous or obscure fulvo-piceous ; wingless; antenne as long as the body; thorax punctured poste-

riorly ; elytra without prominent shoulders, closely, distinctly, and somewhat rugosely punctate.

Length 3 line.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

874 PHYTOPHAGA.

In shape this apterous species agrees entirely with Z. oopterus, Har., from Colombia,

and with L. concinnus, Baly ; from the former the punctuation of the thorax will at once

distinguish it; other differences are also to be found in the long antenne [which are

only of half the length of the body in Von Harold’s species]. In L. angusticollis the

antenne are as long as the body, the second joint is but little shorter than the third,

the following joint the longest; the thorax is strongly narrowed near the base, its

surface covered at its posterior portion with distinct and oblong punctures, which

sometimes extend to the anterior portion as well, the spaces between the punctures

being slightly and more or less distinctly wrinkled; the elytra are convex, much

narrowed and pointed at the apex, and without a humeral callus, their punctuation

is strong and close (when seen under a high power), and the interstices are somewhat

rugose; the first joint of the posterior tarsi is of half the length of the tibie. With

L. concinnus the present species cannot be confounded, on account of the uniform

colour of the antenne and the posteriorly narrowed thorax. Ten specimens were

obtained. .

4. Longitarsus chiriquensis.

Broad, ovate, dark fulvous, impunctate; wingless; third joint of the antenne longer than the second.

Length 3 line.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Of much more broadly ovate shape than LZ. angusticollis; shorter, and the upper

parts without punctuation; the antenne two thirds the length of the body, the third

joint being distinctly longer than the second (by which character the species may be

separated from JL. oopterus, Har.), the terminal joints rather robust and of darker

colour. The thorax in L. chiriquensis is transverse [or at least not longer than broad],

and the elytra are without punctuation. Two specimens are before me.

5. Longitarsus intermedius.

Broad, ovate, fulvous; the second and third joints of the antenne equal, short, the four following ones black,

the terminal joints flavous; thorax scarcely broader than long, impunctate; elytra impunctate, widened

at the middle, without humeral callus; body wingless.

Length 3 line.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In shape L. intermedius almost exactly resembles L. chiriquensis, from which it is

principally distinguished by the structure and colour of the antenne, in which the

third joint is as short as the second. Whether the species is subject to variation I

am unable to say, as there is only a single specimen before me; it is smaller than

L. oopterus, and from that species sufficiently well distinguished by the impunctate

elytra and colour of the antenne.

LONGITARSUS. 375

6. Longitarsus nigricornis.

Obscure dark fulvous; antenne black, their second and third joints short; thorax and elytra distinctly punc-

tured, the former transverse, the latter narrowly ovate and without humeral callus.

Length line.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

The single specimen obtained at Chontales is of nearly similar shape to ZL. concinnus

and ZL. angusticollis, but differs from both in the black colour of the antenne; from

the former also by the want of frontal tubercles, and by the absence of the impressed

short groove at the sides of the latter; from L. angusticollis by the totally different

shape of the thorax, which is not narrowed posteriorly ; its punctuation and that of the

elytra is fine and visible only under a strong lens.

7. Longitarsus colombicus.

Longitarsus columbicus, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 31°.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, near the city, Aceytuno (Champion).—CoLomBiA, Bogota !.

I cannot but refer the four specimens before me to the present species, or at the

utmost to a slight variety of the same; the only difference I can find, according to the

description given by Von Harold, is in the sculpture of the thorax, which, in the

Guatemalan specimens, is finely, but distinctly, punctured, while Von Harold says that

the thorax is without distinct punctuation, but finely wrinkled longitudinally: this

difference would perhaps entitle us to look upon the Central-American specimens as

specifically distinct, especially as many species of the present genus can only be

distinguished by slight differences in structure or sculpture; but I have one specimen

from the same locality in which the thorax shows a kind of intermediate degree

between punctures and wrinkles, and, moreover, as every other structural character

(as the length of the antenne and the comparative length of the joints, as well as the

punctuation of the elytra) agrees entirely with the author’s description, I cannot but

believe these insects to be identical with L. colombicus.

8. Longitarsus bogotanus.

Longitarsus bogotanus, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 32°,

Hab. Guatema.a, Aceytuno (Champion).—CoLomsial.

I must again refer a single specimen obtained by Mr. Champion to another of Von

Harold’s species; the antenne are shorter and much more robust than in the preceding

species, and the fifth to the terminal joints are stained with piceous; the thorax is

extremely finely punctured at the posterior portion only, while the elytra are finely

and irregularly punctate; the metatarsus of the hind legs is longer than half the length

376 PHYTOPHAGA.

of the tibia. All this agrees perfectly with the description given by the author, but

without comparison with the type all doubt as to the identity of certain species is not

excluded.

9, Longitarsus buckleyi.

Longitarsus buckleyi, Baly, Trans, Ent. Soc. 1877, iv. p. 291".

Hab. Guaremana, San Geronimo (Champion).—EcuaDor 1,

The four specimens from Guatemala before me, although of smaller size than the

type which I have for comparison, do not seem to differ sufficiently to be considered

specifically distinct. The species is of a uniform shining black colour, and with the

anterior legs and the posterior tibiee obscure fulvous ; the description of Mr. Baly gives

the thorax as finely rugose when seen under a strong lens (in my opinion this is

erroneous, as I can only discover exceedingly minute punctures, so that the thorax may

almost be called impunctate); the elytra have also very minute rows of punctures, but

more distinct than those of the thorax; the second and third joints of the antenne are

of nearly equal length.

10. Longitarsus concinnus.

Longitarsus concinnus, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1877, p. 290°.

Hab. Mexico (Pilate).

The type, contained in Mr. Baly’s collection, bears a label on which the locality

“Mexico” is marked with a ?, and it is therefore possible that the species was not

originally obtainéd from that country. L. concinnus may be known from the many

similarly-coloured species by the distinct punctuation of the thorax and elytra, and by

the black colour of the sixth to the ninth joints of the antenne. I have only seen a

single specimen of this insect.

11. Longitarsus apicicornis.

Black; the three basal and the two apical joints of the antenne fulvous ; thorax impunctate ; elytra extremely

finely punctured.

Length 1 line.

Head with a short impressed line near the inner margin of the eyes; frontal tubercles broad, flattened, and

scarcely raised; carina very narrow and short; antenne as long as the body, the second and third joints

of nearly equal length, the first joint elongate, curved, thickened at the apex, and black above, the three

following as well as the two terminal joints fulvous, the intermediate ones black; thorax subquadrate,

only about one half broader than long, its surface entirely impunctate; elytra subcylindrical, convex,

without basal impression, the very minute punctuation (only visible under a very strong lens) arranged in

lines; legs entirely black ; first joint of the posterior tarsi less than half the length of the tibia.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

Two specimens were obtained. The colour of the antenne and the entirely black

upper and under surface distinguish this species.

PALZOTHONA. 377 |

PALAOTHONA.

Body oblong ; eyes entire; palpi filiform; antenne elongate, slender, the third joint distinctly longer than the:

second ; thorax transverse, the sides rounded, the posterior margin often with a small depression at the

middle ; scutellum large, triangular; elytra widened behind, depressed below the base, finely punctured,

the punctures often arranged in close rows; legs rather long and slender ; posterior tibie simple, armed at

the apex with a small spine; first joint of the posterior tarsi longer than the two following joints united ;

claws appendiculate ; anterior coxal cavities open.

The genus here proposed, although not possessing any very striking peculiarities as

regards structure, seems still sufficiently distinct to justify its separation from Aphthona

and Phyllotreta. The species included in Paleothona have a rather depressed, elongate,

and posteriorly widened appearance ; the antenne are much longer and more elongate

than in the above-named allied genera, their third joint especially being in most

instances nearly three times the length of the second; the thorax is more transverse,

the posterior margin is sinuate and has a kind of fovea at its middle, more or less

distinct; the elytra also have the base somewhat raised, this elevation being bounded

behind by a depression, and the scutellum is large and broad. These differences may

possibly prove to be of insufficient importance to justify a separation of Palewothona

from Aphthona, if intermediate forms should be discovered ; but at present I think it is

advisable to retain Palwothona for the sake of an easier determination of the numerous.

species contained in the preceding genera as far as it relates to Central-American forms.

1. Palzothona rugifrons. (Tab. XXII. fig. 6.)

Below black; head, basal joints of the antenne, thorax, and the anterior femora fulvous; head rugosely

unctate; thorax impunctate ; elytra dark blue, scarcely visibly punctured.

Length 1? line. |

- Head\not longer than broad, the vertex rugosely punctured near the eyes; frontal tubercles short but distinct ;

carina flattened and joined to the clypeus; apical joints of the palpi piceous; antenne slender, black,.

the first three joints fulvous, the others rather strongly pubescent ; thorax more than twice as broad as.

long, the sides strongly rounded before the middle; the anterior angles broadly oblique and rather

strongly constricted behind; posterior margin depressed in front of the scutellum, surface entirely

impunctate, fulvous ; scutellum black; elytra widened behind, the basal portion strongly raised, surface

covered with minute punctures (when seen under a very strong lens); underside and legs black, the latter

covered with yellowish pubescence, the anterior femora and sometimes the intermediate below, fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, J alapa (Hége).

2. Paleothona guatemalensis.

Below piceous ; head, thorax, legs, and antenne fulvous; apices of the posterior femora piceous; head and

thorax impunctate ; elytra metallic blue, finely and closely semipunctate-striate.

Var. Apical joints of the antenne and the posterior legs black.

Length 14-2 lines.

Head impunctate, with a single fovea near the inner margin of the eyes; frontal tubercles scarcely raised, but

deeply divided in front; carina short and distinctly raised; antennw two thirds the length of the body,

third joint more than twice as long as the second, fourth longer than the third; thorax not more than

twice as broad as long, the sides strongly rounded at the middle, anterior angles blunt and scarcely

oblique, the surface more convex than in P. rugifrons, impunctate, with the exception of a few punctures

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1885. 8c

3878 PHYTOPHAGA.

near the posterior margin, the latter slightly depressed in front of the black impunctate scutellum ; elytra

wider than the thorax at the base, slightly but distinctly dilated posteriorly, the basal portion raised and

pounded behind by a depression, surface very closely and rather distinctly punctate-striate, the punctuation

more strongly impressed on the anterior than on the posterior portion.

Hab. Guatemata, Calderas 6000 feet, San Gerdnimo, Zapote (Champion).

Easily separated from the preceding species by the impunctate head and distinct

carina.

3. Paleothona longicornis. (Tab. XXII. fig. 7.)

Below black ; head, thorax, legs, and basal joints of the antenne pale fulvous ; elytra closely and finely punctured,

metallic greenish-eneous.

Length 1 line.

Head irregularly punctured near the inner margin of the eyes, the interstices somewhat rugose; frontal

tubercles very short and indistinct; carina entirely absent; antenne extending nearly to the end of the

elytra, the first, third, and following joints very elongate and slender, the three or four lower joints pale

fulvous, the rest piceous or black; thorax transverse, of equal width, the anterior angles not produced,

the sides rounded at the middle, posterior margin sinuate and with an obscure depression in front of the

scutellum, surface entirely impunctate; scutellum black ; elytra with the base moderately but distinctly

raised and the shoulders prominent, of a metallic brassy-greenish colour, closely and distinctly but finely

punctured ; anterior part of the breast and the legs entirely fulvous.

Hab. Guatumata, Zapote, Las Mercedes, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

The long antenne and the colour of the legs and of the elytra readily separate this

species from P. guatemalensis.

4. Paleothona unicostata.

Black ; head, thorax, base of the antenns, and the four anterior legs fulvous ; head rugose, the middle portion

raised; thorax impunctate; elytra very closely punctured, metallic blue, the sides with a single costa

from the shoulder to the apex.

Length 14-13 line.

Head with the middle of the vertex longitudinally raised, the space near the eyes rugosely punctured; frontal

tubercles short but strongly raised ; carina indistinct ; antenne more than two thirds the length of the

body, the three or four lower joints fulvous, the rest black; thorax transverse, the posterior margin

sinuate and depressed in front of the scutellum, surface impunctate, shallowly and transversely depressed

near the base; scutellum black ; elytra with the base but slightly raised, metallic blue, more closely and

rather more distinctly punctured than in the preceding species, with a strongly raised costa extending from

the shoulder to within a little distance of the apex; posterior legs piceous or obscure dark fulvous, the

others entirely of the latter colour.

Hab. Guatema.a, Chiacam in Vera Paz (Champion).

5, Paleothona semifulva.

Fulvous ; antenne (their three basal joints excepted) and the apices of the posterior femora black; thorax

impunctate ; elytra metallic dark blue, punctate-striate.

Length 13-14 line. .

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles very indistinct; carina short and thick; antenne elongate, the third

joint more than twice as long as the second; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides moderately rounded,

the angles distinct but not produced, surface entirely impunctate ; scutellum fulvous; elytra with a very

PALEAOTHONA. 879

slight depression below the base, the latter not raised, the punctured strie more distinct anteriorly and

not very closely approached ; underside and legs fulvous, the intermediate and posterior tibie sometimes,

as well as the apices of the posterior femora, black or piceous.

Hab. Panama, David in Chiriqui (Champion).

The fulvous colour of the underside and scutellum, as well as the punctate-striate

elytra, separate P. semifulva from its allies.

6. Paleothona subrugosa.

Fulvous; antenne black, three basal joints fulvous; elytra metallic blue, closely and distinctly punctured, the

interstices somewhat rugose.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate ; frontal tubercles distinctly raised, broad and obliquely transverse; carina distinct ; apices

of the mandibles furnished with some stiff bristles; antenne with the third joint more than twice as

long as the second, but shorter than the fourth; thorax transverse, of equal width, the surface with a

few fine punctures at the sides and a short longitudinal impression at the middle of the base; scutellum

piceous ; elytra with a basilar depression, closely and distinctly punctured, the interstices slightly rugose ;

underside and legs fulvous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Larger than the preceding species, the frontal tubercles distinct and broader, the

elytra more closely and subrugosely punctured.

7. Paleothona violacea.

Below black ; above violaceous blue; head and thorax blackish, impunctate ; elytra scarcely or more distinctly

punctured, the base slightly raised.

Length 1 line.

Head with the frontal tubercles distinct; the extreme base of the antenne fulvous, the second joint obscure

fulvous, the rest black ; thorax. transverse, impunctate, the base with a distinct depression in front of the

scutellum ; elytra dark blue, the base distinctly raised and bounded behind by a transverse depression,

extremely finely punctured (only visible under a strong lens in one specimen) ; underside and legs black.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Although the two specimens from the above localities differ in the punctuation of

the elytra, which in the specimen from Cerro Zunil is very distinct, I have no doubt

about their specific identity, as I cannot find any other characters of distinction. In

the specimen from Senahu the elytra are very finely punctured and the thorax is not so

black as in the other specimen ; other differences I cannot discover.

8. Palzothona frontalis.

Below black ; lower part of the head, thorax, and the base of the femora fulvous; elytra greenish geneous,

closely and irregularly punctured.

Length 2 lines,

Head impunctate, the vertex blackish-zneous, the lower part of the face fulvous; frontal tubercles and carina

strongly raised ; eyes very large and convex ; antennz black, the two or three lower joints fulvous; thorax

about twice as broad as long, the sides rounded before the middle and with a narrow flattened margin, surface

entirely impunctate, impressed with a shallow fovea in front of the scutellum ; elytra slightly widened

3c¢2

380 PHYTOPHAGA.

d behind, the punctuation distinct, close and

behind, their base not raised and scarcely visibly depresse

fulvous, the upperside of the anterior and the

irregular, the interstices slightly wrinkled anteriorly ; legs

apices of the posterior femora piceous.

Hab. Muxtco, La Parada (Sailé). A single specimen.

CHRYSOGRAMMA.

Body oblong ; frontal tubercles absent; penultimate joint of the palpi thickened, the terminal joint acute,

conical ; antenne filiform, the third joint longer than the second; thorax transverse, without basilar

groove, the posterior margin rounded ; scutellum broad, triangular; elytra oblong, narrowed towards the

apex, surface closely and irregularly punctured ; posterior femora strongly incrassate ; the tibic feebly

channelled, the posterior ones armed with a short spur; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the

three following joints united; claws appendiculate ; anterior coxal cavities open ; prosternum narrowly

elongate; apex of the mesosternum deeply concave-emarginate.

The single species for which I propose the present genus has much the appearance

of a Disonycha, while its coloration resembles that of a species of Calligrapha of the

group Chrysomeline. It cannot, however, be mistaken for the former genus, on account

of the entire absence of a transverse thoracic groove, the more transversely shaped

thorax, the posterior margin of which is regularly rounded and not obliquely cut at its

posterior angles as is always the case in Disonycha. The deeply emarginate apex of

the mesosternum into which the base of the metasternum projects is another distin-

guishing character of the present genus, the peculiar coloration of which is of rare

occurrence among the Halticine. |

1. Chrysogramma octomaculata, (Tab. XXII. fig. 8.)

Oblong-ovate, below fulvous; head and thorax greenish-zeneous, Closely punctured ; elytra testaceous, closely

punctured, the sutural and lateral margins and eight spots on each elytron (3, 2, 2, 1) metallic green.

Length 2-3 lines.

Upper part of the head greenish-sneous, finely granulate, and impressed with a few deep punctures ; lower

part fulvous, deeply punctured each side of the clypeus ; antenne about half the length of the body, the

four lower joints and the terminal one fulvous, the others black ; thorax three times as broad as long, the

sides nearly straight, the anterior angles oblique, the surface finely granulate like the head, rather closely -

and distinctly punctured, metallic greenish-eneous, the sides narrowly fulvous; scutellum very broad,

impunctate, eneous ; elytra closely and distinctly punctured, with eight metallic greenish spots placed as

follows :—a narrow elongate one within the shoulder to which a smaller spot is generally attached,

another near the scutellum, two small round spots near the middle, two larger ones below the latter (the

inner one of which is joined to the sutural band), and a spot at the apex attached to the lateral margin ;

the femora are also more or less stained with greenish-sneous, as well as the mesosternum.

Hab. Guaremata, Capetillo (Champion).

The metallic spots of the elytra are in some specimens of a bronze colour.

b. Anterior coxal cavities closed.

ACROCYUM.

Body oblong-ovate; frontal tubercles broad and obsolete ; palpi filiform, the terminal joint elongate and

pointed ; antenne filiform, slender, the second joint short, the third and following joints elongate and

ACROCYUM. 381

nearly equal in length; thorax transverse, the posterior margin curved, the anterior angles acute and

slightly thickened, the surface without transverse groove; scutellum triangular ; elytra sparingly punc-

tured, their epipleure continued to the apex; posterior femora moderately thickened ; tibie simple, not

channelled, the posterior ones armed with a short spur ; claws appendiculate; prosternum narrow, widened

posteriorly ; the anterior coxal cavities closed ; base of the mesosternum deeply emarginate.

In its general shape and also in the form of the thorax Acrocywm agrees with

Chrysogramma, from which the closed anterior coxal cavities at once distinguish it ; the

appendiculate claws and different shape of the mesosternum separate the genus from

Blepharida.

1. Acrocyum dorsalis. (Tab. XXII. fig. 23.)

‘Obscure fulvous ; above flavous; intermediate joints of the antenne piceous; elytra with a few deep punc-

tures, a large rhomboidal spot on the disc, two small spots at the base, and another below the middle dark

fulvous.

Length 34-4 lines.

Head impunctate, with an oblique deep groove near the inner margin of the eyes; carina scarcely raised, very

broad and joined to the epistome ; antennz half the length of the body, the first four and the last two

joints flavous, the rest piceous; thorax nearly three times as broad as long, the sides slightly narrowed at

the base, the anterior angles broad and slightly produced, the disc with one or two fovese at the sides

and another at the middle near the base, the rest of the surface impunctate, flavous ; elytra widened near

the middle, with a few deep punctures arranged in double interrupted short rows at the base near the

shoulder and at the middle near the suture, a large rhomboidal fulvous spot extends across the suture at

the middle, at the sides of which a small similarly coloured spot is placed, two other spots are situated

near the extreme base; legs obscure fulvous, the tibia marked with an obscure darker spot at the

middle.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Jacoby).

Two specimens of this insect are contained in my collection. The punctuation of the

elytra in this species is very peculiar as there are only short rows of a few deep punc-

tures visible near the base and the middle, the rest of the surface being impunctate.

2. Acrocyum sallei. (lab. XXII. fig. 25.)

Testaceous ; antenne black, the basal joints testaceous ; head and thorax impunctate ; elytra punctate-striate,

two or three basal spots, three others behind the middle and one at the apex, piceous ; femora and tibie

spotted with black.

Length 24 lines. .

Head impunctate ; the frontal tubercles small, flattened, and rather widely separated ; carina absent; apical

joint of the palpi piceous, elongate and pointed; antennz two thirds the length of the body, the second

joint short, the third double the length of the second, the fourth slightly longer than the third, the four

basal joints pale fulvous, the rest black ; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides nearly straight, the

anterior angles slightly thickened and produced, the posterior margin sinuate in front of the scutellum,

the surface impunctate and with some obsolete depressions near the sides and basal margin ; scutellum

triangular, of moderate size ; elytra wider at the base than the thorax, convex, finely punctate-striate,

the punctures nearly disappearing towards the apex, two or three spots at the base, placed transversely

(three below the middle, obliquely situated, and asmall spot near the apex), piceous ; underside tes-

taceous, that of the thorax with a black spot; sides of the breast, a spot near the apices of all the femora,

and the base and apices of the tibie, black; tarsi fulvous above, the sides piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec (Sallé). ‘Two specimens.

382 PHYTOPHAGA.

3. Acrocyum maculicollis. (Tab. XXII. fig. 24.)

Piceous below; above flavous; head with one, thorax with nine, black spots; elytra finely and closely

punctured, the suture fulvous, with two greenish-black markings, the disc with seven or eight small spots

of the same colour.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, a spot on the vertex, the inner margin of the eyes, and the frontal tubercles black; the

labrum and the apical joint of the palpi piceous; antenne half the length of the body, black, the basal

joints flavous at the base, gradually increasing in length from the second to the fourth joint; thorax

scarcely more than twice as broad as long, the sides straight, the anterior angles acute but scarcely pro-

duced, the surface impunctate with a small but deep fovea on each side, flavous, with two rows of black

spots, placed transversely, the first row consisting of four, the second row of five spots which occupy the

intervening spaces between the first row ; scutellum fulvous; elytra wider at the base than the thorax,

very closely and finely punctured, the sutural and lateral margins narrowly fulvous, the former with an

irregular short transverse band before and a spot at the middle, greenish-black ; of the other spots, two are

placed at the basal margin, one below the latter at the sides, three very small ones at the middle across

the disc, two others (larger, the posterior one V-shaped near the apex), and a very small spot at the apical

angle; underside piceous, the upper part of the breast and a spot at the sides of the metasternum flavous ;

legs spotted with flavous and piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge). A single specimen.

4, Acrocyum tarsata.

Flavous; head and thorax impunctate; elytra finely and closely punctured, with regular rows of deeper punc-

tures, testaceous ; three spots at the base and three below the middle, placed transversely, piceous.

Length 3 lines.

Head without distinct frontal tubercles, impunctate ; antenne slender, two thirds the length of the body, the

third joint nearly twice the length of the second, their colour entirely dark fulvous ; thorax twice as

broad as long, rather depressed above, impunctate, the sides evenly rounded, the anterior angles slightly

produced outwards, the posterior margin somewhat sinuate, on the surface of a pale flavous colour, with a

small piceous spot at each side at the middle of the extreme lateral margin; elytra extremely closely

punctured, with single and some double rows of more strongly impressed punctures; at the extreme

base three small piceous spots are placed transversely (the one near the scutellum very obscure), three

others below the middle are larger, and the sutural one is of an elongate shape; underside and legs darker

fulvyous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi is as long as the three following joints united ; the first joint

of the anterior tarsi is greatly dilated; the base of the mesosternum emarginate; the anterior coxal

cavities closed.

Hab. Guatemata, Yzabal (Sallé).

This species, of which a single specimen only is before me, differs from the three

others described here by the elongate joint of the posterior tarsi and by the different

punctuation of the elytra. I have placed the species in this genus, as it has the other

structural characters in common with it.

NOTOZONA.

Notozona, Clark, Journ. of Entom. ii. p. 409 (Nov. 1865).

The handsome and large species which form the genus Wotozona have for the most

part been described by Clark and Mr. Baly, while the genus itself requires, in my

opinion, further investigation and better definition. I find, for example, that the palpi

in Notozona are described as robust and claviform by Chapuis, who separates on that

NOTOZONA. 383

account Blepharida from Notozona. In several of Clark’s and Mr. Baly’s species an

examination of the palpi proves them to be filiform. Another distinctive character

given by Chapuis is the punctate-striate elytra; Notozona jansoni, Baly, has, how-

ever, closely and iryegularly punctate elytra. Taking it altogether, I think that

Notozona ought to be united with Blepharida, of which we have several species, and

which I am unable to separate structurally from the present genus, as the shape of the

palpi alone does not seem to be a good constant character. If the emargination of

the posterior tibie is looked upon as a structural difference, it will not hold good

either, as a more or less distinct emargination may be seen in most species of Notozona

(XV. histrionica, for example).

1. Notozona histrionica. (Tab. XXII. fig. 9.)

Notozona histrionica, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 8 ser. ii. p. 4838 (1865) '.

Hab. Mexico }, Cordova, Orizaba, Playa Vicente (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége).

2. Notozona guatemalensis.

Notozona guatemalensis, Duvivier, Comptes rendus de la Soc. entom. de Belgique, p. ccexii (1884).

Hab. GuateMata },

Allied to WN. histrionica, but differing in the punctuation and pattern of the elytra.

3. Notozona elegans.

Notozona elegans, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 411 (Nov. 1865) '.

Hab. Mexico},

This species seems to me to be identical with W. histrionica, Baly, according to the

description of Clark.

4. Notozona semifasciata. (Tab. XXII. fig. 10.)

Fulvous; the six terminal joints of the antenne black; elytra regularly punctate-striate, black or fuscous,

two spots at the base, a transverse irregularly dentate band before the middle, and three large spots,

placed triangularly at the apex, flavous.

Var. Elytra dark fulvous, the anterior band separated into three spots.

Length 4-43 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures near the inner margin of the eyes and at the vertex; thorax nearly three

times as broad as long, the posterior margin sinuate at each side, the lateral margins rounded, the

anterior angles thickened and produced outwards, the surface rather closely and finely punctured, inter-

mixed with a few larger punctures ; scutellum black ; elytra very convex, robust, and scarcely narrowed

behind, regularly punctate-striate, each elytron with ten rows of punctures, the flavous spots and bands

are placed as follows :—a small spot at the shoulder, a larger obliquely shaped one near the scutellum, a

transverse short band below the middle near the lateral margin, a triangular spot near the suture, and a

more transversely shaped one at the extreme apex, the anterior band is deeply dentate near its middle

and extends from there to the suture in an oblique direction.

Hab. Guatemata, Yzabal (Sallé), Chacoj in the Polochic valley (Champion).

384 PHYTOPHAGA.

In the variety, the elytra have each eight flavous spots (2, 3, 2,1); these vary greatly

in size and shape and occupy sometimes nearly the entire disc, the black intervening

spaces being reduced to thin lines or otherwise to broad bands.

5. Notozona nicaraguensis.

Fulvous; seven last joints of the antennw fuscous ; elytra closely geminate punctate-striate, flavous, each.

elytron with two regular transverse bands and a triangular spot at the apex, dark fulvous.

Length 4 lines.

Head very finely punctured round the eyes, transversely grooved between the latter; antenne half the length

of the body, third and fourth joints equal, the four basal joints fulvous, shining, the rest fuscous ; thorax

transverse, of nearly equal width, fulvous, shining, the surface with a rounded fovea near the middle of

the base, finely and closely punctured; scutellum fulvous; elytra each with about ten double rows of

punctures, which are a little confused near the sutural margin, flavous, a very regular transverse band

at the base, another slightly larger one at the middle, and a spot near the apex, dark fulvous (neither of

these bands touches the outer margin or the suture) ; underside and legs fulvous.

Hab. Nicaracva (coll. Jacoby). A single specimen.

6. Notozona sparsa.

Notozona sparsa, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 411 (Nov. 1865) *.

Hab. Mexico 1.

The types of this and of the other species of Notozona described by Clark are con-

tained in the collection of the British Museum and will, I hope, be figured by Mr. C. O.

Waterhouse in the ‘ Aid to the Identification of Insects.’ On account of the filiform

palpi of the present insect it ought to be placed in Blepharida.

7. Notozona elegans. .

Notozona elegans, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 411 (Nov. 1865) *.

Hab. Mexico }.

8. Notozona rufofusca.

Notozona rufofusca, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 412 (Nov. 1865) *.

Hab. Honpuras }.

9. Notozona humilis.

Notozona humilis, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 412 (Nov. 1865) *.

Hab. Mexico}.

10. Notozona tenella.

Notozona tenella, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 412 (Nov. 1865) *.

Hab. Mexico’.

BLEPHARIDA. 385

A small species, much resembling in colour B. wnicolor, Jac., but differing in the

flat and not convex interstices of the elytra, in the less deeply impressed punctuation,

and in its comparatively shorter and more convex shape.

BLEPHARIDA.

Blepharida, Rogers, Proc. Acad. Phil. viii. 1856, p. 29.

The North-American species which served the author for the establishment of this

genus were at first thought to belong to the true Chrysomelide, amongst which they

were included by Rogers. Stal and other authors recognized the true relationship of

Blepharida with the Halticine, where it found its place near the Old World genus

Podontia, to which it is no doubt closely allied. I have already expressed my

opinion, in my remarks on the genus Notozona (p. 382), that the latter might well be

included in Blepharida, since constant structural differences seem to be absent. I have

nevertheless abstained from describing the Central-American species under one generic

name for the present, since the coloration of Llepharida seems to admit the separation

of its species for the present. The latter have, as far as is known, their elytra of a

pale flavous ground-colour, upon which more or less numerous small spots are placed,

either transversely or longitudinally, and this applies also to nearly all the species of

Podontia from the Old World. In Notozona we find either broad transverse bands

or separate but regular large spots, but not irregularly placed small spots.

1. Blepharida suturalis. (Tab. XXII. fig. 12.)

Below fulvous ; above flavous; head and thorax finely and closely punctured; elytra strongly punctate-

striate, the posterior half of the suture and a number of transverse and longitudinal spots fulvous.

Length 4 lines.

Head finely punctured at the sides; antenne pale fulvous, the third and fourth joints equal; thorax of equal

width, three times as broad as long, the sides slightly rounded, the anterior angles acute and rather pro-

duced, the surface very finely and remotely punctured, the disc with some obsolete shallow depressions ;

elytra convex and wider than the thorax, flavous, strongly and regularly punctate-striate, the striae

anteriorly curved towards the base, the lateral margin entirely as well as the latter half of the suture

reddish-fulvous ; of the similarly coloured spots, one is placed at the humeral callus, and a smaller one

directly below, the others form somewhat transverse patches and bands, of which one is placed before,

the second below the middle, and the third near the apex; these spots vary, however, to such an extent,

that only a figure can give a correct idea; underside and legs dark fulvous. ,

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo, Cubulco (Champion).

The only constant character in the pattern of the elytra in this insect seems to be

the posterior fulvous portion of the suture, which anteriorly remains of the ground-

colour.

2. Blepharida reticulata. (Tab. XXII. fig. 11.)

Oblong, obscure testaceous; thorax finely punctured; elytra flavous, strongly punctate-striate, the entire disc

occupied with irregular transversely shaped fulvous spots.

Length 4 lines.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1886. . 3d

336 PHYTOPHAGA.

Head very minutely punctured ; antenne slender, two thirds the length of the body, testaceous ; thorax trans-

versely subquadrate, the anterior angles acute and produced, the surface extremely finely punctured ; elytra

with ten rows of regular and deep punctures, the striae: more closely approached at the sides than on

the disc.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé). A single specimen.

The figure referring to the present insect gives a better idea of the design of the

elytra than a description. The species cannot be mistaken for the North-American

B. rhois, Forst., on account of its larger and more elongate shape and that of the

thorax, which is quite differently formed ; the latter in the North-American species is

not semiquadrate, but narrowed in front, and has some deeply impressed punctures

placed on its disc; the posterior margin of the thorax in B. reticulata is slightly, but

evenly, rounded, and not oblique as in B. rhois.

3. Blepharida mexicana. (Tab. XXII. fig. 16.)

Testaceous; head and thorax very finely punctured; elytra strongly punctate-striate, the sutural and lateral

margins and three longitudinal rows of interrupted spots on each elytron dark fulvous.

Length 34-4 lines.

Head extremely finely punctured; apices of the mandibles black ; frontal tubercles obsolete ; antenns two

thirds the length of the body, testaceous, the third and fourth joints equal; thorax three times as broad

as long, narrowed at the base, the sides rounded before the middle, the anterior margin straight, its angles

acute, but scarcely produced, the‘surface very finely and irregularly punctured ; scutellum fulvous ; elytra

convex, subquadrate-ovate, each elytron with ten rows of regular and distinct punctures (the first very

short), the spaces between the third, fifth, and seventh rows occupied by irregular-shaped longitudinal

dark fulvous spots, which are sometimes connected by transverse branches ; the sutural and lateral margins

are also, although narrowly, of the same colour.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége, Sallé).

The shape of the spots on the elytra in this species is very irregular and variable, but

always disposed in three longitudinal rows; a small spot at the humeral callus and

another more elongate near the scutellum seem to be constant.

4, Blepharida trifasciata. (Tab. XXII fig. 14.)

Subquadrate-ovate, convex ; thorax flavous, margined with piceous ; elytra deeply punctate-striate, flavous, a

spot at the shoulder, and three obliquely-shaped transverse broad bands not extending to the lateral

margin, fulvous. .

Length 3 lines.

Head distinctly and rather closely punctured, flavous, a central longitudinal band and the space surrounding

the eyes fulvous; antenne nearly two thirds the length of the body, fulvous ; palpi slender, filiform ; thorax

more than twice as broad as long, the sides rounded and narrowed in front, the anterior angles produced

into a short tooth, the disc closely and strongly punctured, here and there with some irregular depressions,

flavous, all the margins accompanied by a row of piceous spots, of which some are also placed at each side

obliquely and anteriorly; scutellum fulvous; elytra with ten rows of deep, but not very closely placed,

punctures, flavous, the three fulvous bands broad, of oblique shape, the first before, the second behind

the middle, and the third near the apex, the last two bands very irregularly shaped at their margins, and

interrupted by the flavous ground-colour, a fulvous spot is also placed at the shoulder, and the lateral

margin and elytral epipleure are of the same colour, as well as the underside and legs.

BLEPHARIDA. 387

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sallé).

Closely allied in shape to B. rhois, but differing in the close and distinct punctuation

of the thorax and the design of the elytra. A single specimen.

5. Blepharida marmorata. (Tab. XXII. fig. 13.)

Subquadrate-ovate, fulvous; thorax finely and closely punctured ; elytra closely semipunctate-striate, flavous,

the sutural and lateral margins, and numerous irregularly shaped spots on the disc, black.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sallé).

The thorax of this species is slightly widened at the middle, its sides are straight,

and the surface is closely and finely punctured, and has a sinuate transversely impressed

obsolete groove near the posterior margin; the elytra, instead of having regular rows

of deep punctures, are finely, closely, and not very regularly punctate-striate, and the

numerous spots on the disc are not fulvous, but black.

A single specimen.

6. Blepharida punctatissima. (Tab. XXII. fig. 17.)

Flavous ; terminal joints of the antenne black; elytra extremely closely punctured, the suture, a transverse

oblique band below the middle, and several smaller spots on the disc and apex, fulvous.

Length 4 lines,

Head impunctate; four basal joints of the antenne flavous, the rest black, the fourth joint longer than the

third; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides moderately rounded, the posterior margin sinuate, not

produced at the middle, the anterior angles blunt and slightly produced outwards, the surface obsoletely

and finely punctured, with some irregular shallow depressions; scutellum fulvous; elytra oblong, closely

covered with distinct punctures, arranged in ill-defined double and treble closely approached rows, the

sutural and lateral margins narrowly fulvous, a band of the same colour is placed obliquely across the

suture below the middle and not quite extending to the lateral margin, several other spots are also attached

to the sutural margin before and below the middle as well as near the sides and at the base.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hoge). A single specimen.

The design of the elytra is probably variable in different specimens, and may take the

form, perhaps, of several transverse bands; the close arrangement of the punctuation,

in connection with the black antenne and the size of the species, will assist in distin-

guishing B. punctatissima from its allies.

7. Blepharida godmani. (Tab. XXII. fig. 18.)

Oblong-ovate, convex, dark: fulvous; antenne flavous, the three terminal joints black ; elytra very closely

punctate-striate, fulvous, covered with numerous yellow spots, and with an irregular transverse yellow

band before the middle.

Length 34 lines. -

Head with a few punctures near the inner margin of the eyes, forming a rather distinct groove in front of the

latter; labrum flavous; fourth joint of the antenne distinctly longer than the third, the latter one half

longer than the second joint; thorax three times as broad as long, of the same shape as in B. punctatissima,

the disc with a rounded fovea at each side, and a more oblique depression near the middle, rather closely

342

388 PHYTOPHAGA.

covered with fine punctures; elytra with distinct and close single rows of punctures, spotted irregularly

with flavous, the spots forming an irregular-shaped band near the middle, at the apex the flavous colour

predominates, but is interrupted by a larger fulvous spot near the lateral margin, and several smaller

spots near the suture; elytral epipleure nearly black ; underside and legs fulvous, the tibie darker,

covered with fine whitish silky pubescence.

Hab. Mexico, Tehuantepec (Sallé). A single specimen.

The spots of the elytra vary even on each elytron, but the punctuation is not arranged

in double or treble rows as in B. punctatissima, and the shape of the present species is

also less elongate and more convex.

8. Blepharida maculicollis. (Tab. XXII. fig. 19.)

Ovate, convex, black; antenne, tibie, and tarsi obscure fulvous; thorax fulvous, with two transverse narrow

black bands; elytra closely punctate-striate, flavous, each elytron with four irregular transverse rows of

small piceous spots.

Length 3 lines.

Head rather closely and finely punctured at each side; labrum testaceous, the apices of the mandibles black ;

antenne pale fulvous, the first joint stained with piceous above, the third and fourth joints of equal length ;

thorax narrow, the sides nearly straight, the disc with two round and distinct foves on each side, and a

more obsolete transverse groove near the base, pale fulvous, with a short anterior transverse band, inter-

rupted at the middle of its posterior margin, and another larger band (the ends of which are widened)

near the base, this latter has also a small spot placed at its middle pointing to the interrupted space of

the anterior band, the disc is nearly impunctate and shining ; scutellum dark fulvous; elytra with closely

approached double rows of punctures, obscure flavous, each elytron with about twenty-two dark fulvous or

piceous spots placed in four irregular transverse rows, of these a spot is placed at the shoulder, and another

surrounds the scutellum, while a nearly black spot, placed close to the lateral margin, extends across the

elytral epipleure: ; posterior femora nearly black, the rest of the legs fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sallé). A single specimen.

9, Blepharida quatuordecimpunctata, (Tab. XXII. fig. 15.)

Fulvous; thorax finely punctured; elytra flavous, finely geminate punctate-striate, each elytron with seven

piceous spots.

Var. Larger; terminal joints of the antenne black; elytra with a single spot at the shoulder, the others

absent.

Length 4-43 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Panistlahuca (Sallé).

The punctuation of the elytra in this species agrees with B. mexicana, except that in

the latter it is somewhat stronger; the position of the spots in B. 14-punctata is as

follows:—Three spots placed longitudinally and parallel with the suture, two at the

middle of the disc between the sutural three, and two others, of which one is placed at

the shoulder, and the second opposite the central sutural spot near the lateral margin.

In the specimen which I look upon as a variety, as it agrees in all structural details,

all the spots, with the exception of the one placed at the shoulder, are absent, and the

six terminal joints of the antenne are black; in both forms the sutural and lateral

margins as well as the epipleure are narrowly fulvous. The shape and punctuation of

BLEPHARIDA.—OXYGONA. 389

the thorax is the same as in B. punctatissima; while the pattern of the elytra resembles

that of Motozona 14-maculata, Clark, but the position of the spots in that species is

quite different.

10. Blepharida unicolor. (Tab. XXII. fig. 21.)

Elongate, parallel, entirely fulvous; antenne black, the basal joints fulvous; thorax finely punctured; elytra

deeply and very regularly punctate-striate, the interstices convex near the apex.

Length 3 lines.

Head finely punctured at the sides; antenne black, the four basal joints fulvous, the fourth joint longer than

the third; thorax not more than twice as broad as long, the sides rounded and narrowed in front, the

anterior angles not produced, the surface irregularly and finely punctured; scutellum rather small; elytra

narrow and nearly parallel, of rather darker colour than the thorax, each elytron with ten closely

approached rows of deep and round punctures, the punctures more widely separate anteriorly, the

interstices near the apex and at the sides costate.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge). A single specimen.

The thorax in this species is narrowed in front and less transverse than usual, and the

elytral punctures are more closely placed than in the allied forms with regular punctate-

striate elytra, in which the interstices at the same time are not convex.

11. Blepharida flohri. (Tab. XXII. fig. 20.)

Piceous or flavous below; head and thorax dark fulvous, finely punctured; elytra flavous, closely punctate-

striate, covered with large fulvous patches and smaller spots.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Michoacan (Flohr, coll. Jacoby).

There are no structural differences to be found in this species to separate it from

several others of the genus, the nearest ally of which is perhaps B. godmant; that species

is, however, of larger size, and the punctuation is less regularly arranged; in B. flohre

the elytra have about nine or ten larger roundish fulvous spots, the intervals being

filled up with smaller ones; but the two specimens kindly sent to me by Mr. Flohr

differ in these markings, and are of very irregular shape in one ; the figure will give a

better idea of their appearance.

OXYGONA.

Oxygona, Chevrolat, in d’Orbigny’s Dict. Univ. Hist. Nat. ix. p. 368 (1847).

Ozxygonus, Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 390 (Nov. 1865).

The shape of the thorax, which is transverse, narrow, and angulate at the anterior

angles, in connection with the closed anterior coxal cavities, separates Oxygona from the

preceding genera. Most of the known species described by Clark inhabit South

America; a single one of wide distribution, and apparently not uncommon, is known

from Mexico.

890 PHYTOPHAGA.

1. Oxygona acutangula.

Platiprosopus acutangulus, Chevr. Col. Mex. Cent. i. fasc. 3, nr. 68 (Nov. 1834) *.

Oxygona acutangula, Clark, loc. cit. p. 390.

Oxygona melanocera, Erichs. Schomb. Reisen Guiana, iii. p. 578’.

Hab. Mexico}, Playa Vicente, Vera Cruz, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa, Oaxaca, Cerro de

Plumas (Hége); British Honpvras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guaremata (Sallé), San

Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).—CoLoMBIA (coll. Jacoby); Gurana?.

The numerous specimens before me from the above localities exhibit some slight

variations in size and in the colour of the antenne, which, together with the extreme

apex of the tibie and the tarsi, are generally black, but in some specimens fulvous ;

structural differences of any importance I cannot find. The species has been well

described by Clark.

2, Oxygona bifasciata.

Flavous ; elytra very finely punctured, obscure fulvous, a transverse band at the base and another below the

middle black.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a central round fovea on the vertex, impunctate; antenne two thirds the length of the body,

obscure fulvous, the basal joint stained with piceous above ; thorax three times as broad as long, the sides

narrowly margined and rounded, constricted at the base, the anterior angles acute and produced, surface

impunctate ; scutellum flavous; elytra very finely punctured, the bands broad, the anterior one occupying

one third the length of the elytra, the other the apical third portion. .

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). A single specimen.

The species here described seems allied in coloration to O. succinctus, Clark, but

differs in the impunctate head and in the different shape of the transverse posterior

elytral band, which in Clark’s species does not extend to the sides; the antenne in the

latter species are also differently coloured.

PSEUDOGONA.

Palpi filiform, their penultimate joint not thickened; thorax subquadrate, the anterior angles not produced ;

all the other characters as in Oxygona.

I am obliged to constitute this genus for the reception of two species from the State

of Panama, and to separate them from Oxygona on account of the totally different shape

of the thorax, which is only about one half broader than long, instead of being of the

narrow transverse shape as in the allied genus; the palpi also are filiform and thin, the

eyes larger, and the frontal tubercles very obsolete and narrowly transverse. Pseudogona

is also closely allied to Systena, but the entire absence of a thoracic groove and the

rather differently shaped antenne will not permit me to include these insects in that

genus. In Systena there is also generally a want of a transverse groove on the vertex,

PSEUDOGONA. | 391

the eyes as well as the frontal tubercles being small; the reverse is the case in

Pseudogona.

1. Pseudogona panamensis.

Fulvous or flavous; head, intermediate joints of the antenns, the tibiz, and breast, black; thorax fulvous,

impunctate; elytra testaceous, a transverse band at the base, another at the middle, and a third below the

latter, black.

Var. a. The two anterior bands of the elytra partly joined, including two testaceous spots.

Var. 6. Smaller and narrower, with an additional spot at the apex; antenne black.

Length 14-23 lines.

Head with a deep fovea on the vertex, black; palpi fulvous; antenna less than half the length of the body,

the third joint distinctly longer than the fourth, the four lower joints obscure fulvous, the following four

black, the three terminal ones pale testaceous; thorax not more than twice as broad as long, rather

convex, the angles but little produced, the anterior ones slightly thickened, the surface shining, fulvous,

impunctate; scutellum black; elytra very finely punctured, the punctuation arranged in close indistinct —

rows, the two anterior bands connected at the suture, and in the variety near the lateral margin as well,

so as to surround two flavous spots, the posterior band deeply concave at its posterior margin and extending

across the suture.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

Oxygona sexnotata, Clark, bears a most extraordinary resemblance to the present

species in regard to the coloration of its elytra, and can, in fact, scarcely be distinguished

in this respect ; but in Clark’s species the thorax is much more transverse and typical

of the genus, and the elytra are less distinctly punctured, the insect is also larger and

more robust, and the entire underside is flavous. I have nearly a dozen specimens

before me which agree in all the principal characters. In the variety above noticed the

bands are separated and narrower, and there is an additional spot at the extreme apex,

but intermediate degrees of coloration prove the species to be a rather variable one.

2. Pseudogona chiriquensis. (Tab. XXII. fig. 22.)

Flavous; head, the tibic, and the breast black ; thorax fulvous, impunctate; elytra obscure testaceous, opaque,

extremely finely punctured, two short longitudinal stripes at the sides of each elytron, and two others at

the sutural margin, at the base and below the middle black.

Length 2 lines. .

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles transversely oblique and obsolete; carina distinct, widened in front ;

antenne long, black, the seven lower joints black, the following two fulvous (the rest wanting) ; thorax

about one half broader than long, subquadrate, rather convex, the posterior angles acute and slightly

produced, surface shining, fulvous, impunctate ; scutellum black; elytra finely and closely punctured,

opaque, testaceous, a humeral longitudinal stripe extending nearly to the middle of the elytra, to the inner

side of which another very narrow line is attached, a stripe at the suture of equal length, and three other

shorter spots below the middle, placed in the same way, black ; underside and the femora flavous, the

breast, tibia, and tarsi black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). One specimen.

This species cannot be considered a variety of P. panamensis, on account of the absence

of the fovea on the vertex and the different pattern of the elytra, which are not shining,

but opaque.

892 PHYTOPHAGA.

Posterior tibie emarginate at the apex.

a. Anterior coral cavities open.

EUPLECTROSCELIS.

Euplectroscelis, Crotch, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1873, p. 75; Horn, Class. Col. N. A. 1883, p. 354.

? Homophyla, Harold, Deutsch. ent. Zeitschr. 1877.

In his description of this genus, Crotch has made no mention of the state of the

anterior coxal cavities, although he places the genus near Chetocnema, in which the

cavities are closed. Should this also be the case with the insect described by Crotch,

then Homophyla, Har., is certainly a distinct genus, on account of the open coxal

cavities, although the structural characters of both genera seem to be identical in every

other respect. Mr. Baly gives Homophyla as a synonym for Euplectroscelis (Trans.

Ent. Soc. 1877, p. 319), and I cannot at this moment find any other published notice

with regard to these genera. In Euplectroscelis the posterior tibie are emarginate at

their apices, the emargination itself being shaped anteriorly in a tooth, and the

posterior tibie are also broadly sulcate throughout ; these characters, as well as the

broadly ovate and convex shape of the species, and the open anterior coxal cavities,

will help to distinguish the genus. Lactica dimidiata, Thunberg, belongs to this

genus, and seems to be almost identical with Homophyla adusta, Harold. From Central

America no species has been described up till now.

1. Buplectroscelis variabilis. (Tab. XXII. figg. 1, 2.)

Dark fulvyous, the base and apex of the elytra piceous or black; thorax minutely granulate-punctate; elytra

finely and closely punctate-striate.

Var. a. Elytra black, a transverse spot at the middle of each elytron fulvous.

Var. b. Elytra fulvous, the apex only black ; thorax black.

Var. c. Thorax and elytra black.

Var. d. Thorax black, elytra fulvous, antenne with joints 7-8 piceous.

Length 1-13 line.

Head impunctate; eyes large; antenne with the second joint thickened and but little shorter than the third ;

thorax transverse, widened at the middle, the basal margin sinuate at each side, the surface extremely

finely or a little more distinctly punctured ; elytra very finely punctate-striate.

Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Hége), Orizaba, Vera Cruz (Sallé); Brivish Honpuras, Rio

Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, Chiacam, San Juan in Vera Paz, Capetillo, Duefias,

San Gerénimo, Cahabon, Cerro Zunil, Sinanja, El Tumbador (Champion); NicaRaeva,

Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, San Miguel in the Pearl

Islands (Champion).

The impossibility of separating the many coloured and shaped specimens from the

above localities into different species, on account of the want of any important struc-

tural differences, compels me to look upon these forms as varieties only of a very variable

species. The attempt at any separation of these would result in half a dozen species,

EUPLECTROSCELIS.—PSYLLIODES. 393

founded only on colour and size, and yet many intermediate degrees would still be

left; all these different forms, with a few exceptions, have been obtained at the same

localities. |

The amount of piceous or black of the elytra is extremely variable, being either

confined to the base and apex only, or to the sutural and lateral margins to a greater

or smaller degree as well; but whether all these forms really represent but one species

or are referable to several, I am unable to decide. |

2. Kuplectroscelis chontalensis.

Ovate, entirely fulvous; second and third joints of the antenne short, equal; thorax and elytra finely

punctured.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson).

The three specimens from the above locality do not seem to differ from the small

specimens of EL. variabilis, except in the rather shorter and entirely fulvous antenne

and in the very short second and third joints of the latter, which in the allied species

are always unequal in length; other differences I cannot find.

8. Euplectroscelis brevicornis. (Tab. XXII. fig. 3.)

Ovate, convex, fulvous; antenne short and robust; elytra finely punctate-striate, piceous.

Length 1} line.

Head rather elongate, with a few very fine punctures; antenne short, gradually widened towards the apical

joints, the second and third joints short and equal, the seventh and eighth obscure piceous, the rest pale

fulvous; thorax very narrowly transverse, the anterior margin straight, the posterior margin widened at

the middle, the surface closely and finely punctured, fulvous; elytra more distinctly punctate-striate,

obscure piceous.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes (Champion).

The short antenne and very transversely shaped thorax will help to distinguish this

species, of which only a single specimen was obtained.

PSYLLIODES.

Psylliodes, Latreille, Cuv. Rég. Anim. 2nd edit. v. p. 154 (1829).

Psylliodes is readily distinguished from any other genus of Halticine by the ten-

jointed antennee, in connection with the open anterior coxal cavities. The species,

amounting to more than seventy, are nearly all inhabitants of Europe, India, or

Australia; two species have been described from North America, but none from South

or Central America up till now. From the latter country two species are now before

me, and further researches will probably add to their number, but it seems that the

metropolis of Psylliodes is in the Old World.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, November 1885. 8e

394 PHYTOPHAGA.

1. Psylliodes guatemalensis.

Below piceous or blackish; head and thorax bluish-black, the latter finely and closely punctured; elytra dark

blue, punctate-striate, the interstices obsoletely punctured.

Length 12 line.

Head finely and not very closely punctured, the sides near the eyes bounded by a rather deep groove; antenne

half the length of the body, black, the first two joints obscure fulvous and of nearly equal length; thorax

scarcely twice as broad as long, the sides straight, slightly narrowed anteriorly ; anterior angles broadly

oblique, the surface finely and rather closely punctured; scutellum small, black; elytra not depressed

below the base, the punctured rows regular and much more distinct anteriorly than towards the apex,

interstices very obsoletely punctured and slightly wrinkled ; legs piceous, the base of the posterior femora

within fulvous; first joint of the posterior tarsus as long as half the tibia.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion). One specimen.

The shape of this species resembles somewhat the European P. duleamare, which it

also resembles in the colour of the elytra; the fine punctuation of the thorax and the

longer antenne, as well as other distinctions, sufficiently separate P. guatemalensis.

2. Psylliodes tristis.

Ovate, narrowed benind, below piceous, above black; antenne, the four anterior legs, and the tarsi testaceous ;

thorax very closely punctured; elytra finely punctate-striate.

Length ? line.

Head scarcely visibly punctured ; frontal tubercles and the carina absent; labrum testaceous ; antenne about

half the length of the body, entirely testaceous, the third joint smaller than the second; thorax narrowly

transverse, about three times as broad as long, posterior margin sinuate near the median lobe, the

latter produced and broadly rounded, sides slightly rounded and narrowed in front, surface extremely

closely and finely punctured, the interstices somewhat wrinkled; elytra finely and regularly punctate-

striate, the interstices impunctate; legs testaceous, the posterior femora and tibiz as well as the under-

side dark piceous.

Hab. Guatemaua, Cerro Zunil (Champion). A single specimen.

b. Anterior coxal cavities closed.

CHA TOCNEMA.

Chetocnema, Stephens, Ill. Brit. Ent. iv. p. 325 (1831).

Plectroscelis, Redtenbacher, Fauna Austr. 2nd ed. p. 946.

The species of this genus are for the most part of a metallic eneous colour, closely

allied, and difficult in many instances to separate; their geographical range extends to

all parts of the globe, Europe furnishing most of the species. A few have been

described from Central America.

1. Chetocnema mexicana.

Chetocnema mexicana, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877, p. 173°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa ! (Pilate).

An examination of the type in Mr. Baly’s collection makes me doubt the specific

distinction of this species from C. divergens, from which, according to the description of

CHATOCNEMA. 395

the author, it is separated by the thorax having the sides straighter and by its generally

broader shape; Mr. Baly has, however, placed two other specimens with the type which

I absolutely do not distinguish from C. divergens, and I believe, moreover, that this.

shape of the sides of the thorax will be found to vary in different specimens. I must

add also that the colour of C. mexicana is not “cuprea,” as given in the diagnosis, but

greenish-eneous, and the same as that of C. divergens and most of the species of the

genus.

2. Cheetocnema divergens.

Chetocnema divergens, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877, p. 301'.

Hab. Muxtco, Campeche? (coll. Baly) ; Brivis Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaus) ;

GuaTEMALA, near the city (Salvin), San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

I must refer all the specimens from the above localities to this species, with the type

of which they agree perfectly, although slight variations in colour and even shape are

not wanting; as remarked above, I do not think that the insect is specifically distinct

from C. mexicana.

3. Chetocnema gravida.

Chetocnema gravida, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877, p. 3027.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa !.

A broadly ovate species, in which the head is distinctly punctured. I cannot call the

colour of the upper surface “ cuprea,” as given in the diagnosis, as the type before me

is of a very obscure blackish-eneous colour, the thorax only showing a very slight

greenish tint.

4. Cheetocnema sallzi.

Chetocnema sallei, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877, p. 8027.

Hab. Mexico 1.

The head and thorax in this species are much more closely punctured than in

C. gravida, and the general shape is less robust and convex, the elytra having even a

subdepressed appearance. I am unable to distinguish this species from C. denticulata,

Hh.

5. Chetocnema discoidalis.

Chetocnema mexicana, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, 1879, p. 231°.

Hab. Mexico}.

On account of the name of “mexicana” having already been employed by Mr. Baly

for another species of the genus I have been obliged to rename that of Von Harold.

3e2

396 PHYTOPHAGA.

6. Chetocnema transversicollis. (Tab. XXII. fig. 4.)

Robust, subquadrate-ovate, obscure dark neous; antenne piceous, the base fulvous ; head impunctate ; thorax

closely and strongly punctured; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the interstices convex at the sides.

Length 1 line.

Head extremely finely granulate, with a few punctures round the inner margin of the eyes only, the space

between the latter with a distinct transverse groove, which extends laterally and upwards to the vertex,

where it is much deeper and separates the interocular space; epistome transversely subquadrate, impunc-

tate; labrum and jaws piceous; antennew nearly half the length of the body, the second and third joints

and the base of the fourth fulvous, the rest piceous, the third and fourth joints of equal length ; thorax very

transverse, the sides rather strongly deflexed, slightly rounded, surface closely covered with distinct punc-

tures, the interspaces granulate like the head; scutellum greenish, narrowly transverse ; elytra distinctly

narrowed at the apex, not wider at the base than the thorax, very deeply punctate-striate, the interstices

convex near the sides and apex; legs piceous; posterior femora obscure seneous, the base of their tibic

fulvous.

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

The robust appearance, transverse thorax, and impunctate head will help to distin-

guish C. transversicollis from its allies.

7. Chetocnema capitata. (Tab. XXII. fig. 5.)

Obscure seneous ; base of the antenna, tibiee, and tarsi testaceous; head and thorax very strongly punctured ;

elytra deeply punctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé); Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

The two specimens before me are of the same robust shape as C. transversicollis and

several other allied species, but may be at once distinguished by the strongly punctured

head and thorax in connection with the testaceous tibize and tarsi. The antenne are

comparatively short, and have the last four joints of a piceous colour; the thorax is a

little more closely punctured than the head, and has a narrow impunctate longitudinal

central space. I am not acquainted with a species of this genus from Central or South

America in which the head is so strongly punctured as is the case in the present insect.

C. gravida, Baly, is broader, still more robust, of a much darker and very obscure

zeneous colour, and the thorax is more closely punctured, the punctures being of a more

oblong shape, and not separated by a smooth central space, as is the case in C. capitata.

The Mexican specimen has the thorax still more closely punctured (especially near the

sides) than in the one from Guatemala; but as I cannot see any other differences of

importance, I believe it to represent the same species.

8. Chetocnema cephalotes.

Obscure zeneous ; legs piceous; antenne and the posterior tarsi fulvous; head with a transverse row of punc-

tures; thorax closely punctured; elytra strongly punctate-striate.

Length 3 line.

Head opaque, with a single row of punctures between the eyes, the rest impunctate; antenne rather long,

fulvous, the apical joint fuscous; thorax transverse, the sides straight and narrowed towards the apex,

the surface very closely punctured, the punctures somewhat confluent here and there, but almost disappearing

CHATOCNEMA. 397

near the slightly thickened lateral margin; elytra distinctly narrowed towards the apex, closely and

strongly punctate-striate, the interstices scarcely raised and very slightly wrinkled when viewed in a

certain light.

Hab. Guatemata, Duefas (Champion).

The transverse row of punctures on the head, in connection with the rather long and

fulvous antenne, constitute the principal points of distinction of this species, of which

but a single specimen was obtained.

9. Chetocnema fulvicornis.

Ovate, greenish-zencous ; antenns and the four anterior legs fulvous; thorax closely and distinctly punctured ;

elytra strongly punctate-striate.

Length ? line.

‘Head impunctate, smooth, the transverse and oblique grooves near the eyes deeply impressed; antennz more

than half the length of the body, the third and fourth joints short, equal; thorax transverse, slightly

narrowed in front, the sides very little narrowed, surface very closely but distinctly punctured; elytra

strongly punctate-striate, the interstices convex at the sides; legs fulvous or fulvo-piceous, the posterior

femora darker ; intermediate and posterior tibie emarginate near the apex.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé); Guatema.a, near the city, Panajachel, Capetillo,

Zapote, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Closely allied to C. braziliensis, Baly, but of a more broadly ovate shape and the

elytra differently punctured; the punctures in C. braziliensis are very closely approxi-

mate as well as the striz themselves; the latter in C. fulvicornis are much wider apart

and their interstices much less convex. C. confinis, Crotch, seems also closely allied,

but is described as having the thorax “lightly punctate” and the elytra “not very

deeply striate.” The Mexican specimens have the thorax a little more finely punc-

tured, but other differences I cannot find; the examples from Cerro Zunil and

Capetillo are smaller, with the thorax less transverse and its sides straighter, but I do

not believe them to be specifically distinct.

10. Cheetocnema frontalis.

Brownish-seneous; base of the antenne and the posterior tibie fulvous ; head finely punctured; thorax trans-

verse, more distinctly and closely punctured ; elytra strongly punctate-striate, the interstices convex on

the outer disc only.

Length # line.

Head opaque, finely granulate, minutely punctured ; frontal tubercles and the carina entirely absent ; clypeus

separated from the face by a fine transverse groove, which joins the usual lateral grooves near the eyes ;

antenne not extending further than the basal third of the elytra, the five lower joints fulvous, the rest

black, gradually thickened, the third and the two following joints of equal length; thorax not narrowed

in front, more than twice as broad as long, the sides nearly straight, the surface much more strongly

punctured than the head ; elytra narrowed at the apex, the punctures deep, but not very closely approached,

the interstices impunctate, flat, and only costate near the lateral margin.

Hab. Guatemata, Quiche Mountains 9000 feet (Champion).

To distinguish this species, the punctured head, the absence of the tubercles and

carina, and the rather short antenne, in connection with the transverse thorax, will help

398 PHYTOPHAGA.

to assist; the anterior legs are of a fulvo-piceous colour, the hinder tibiz alone being

fulvous.

11. Chetocnema laticollis.

Chetocnema laticollis, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1877, p. 316’.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).—? Austra !.

In no way whatever does the type in Mr. Baly’s collection differ from the specimens

obtained by Janson, and I must therefore conclude that Mr. Baly has been mistaken in

the locality of his insects. The thorax in this species is very broad and has a small

oblique groove placed on each side of the base. There is absolutely not the slightest

difference to be found between the type and the Nicaraguan specimens, but it cannot

be supposed that identical species may be found in Central America and Western

Australia.

Posterior claw-joint swollen.

a. Anterior coxal cavities open.

With this division of the Halticinee we commence a series of genera which all possess.

to a greater or less degree the peculiarity of an inflated posterior claw-joint, the

s‘ Physapodes ” of Illiger or the ‘“‘CEdionychine” of Chapuis. In the first subsection are

placed those genera in which the elytra are not punctate-striate and the anterior coxal

cavities open—the reverse being the case with the “C&dipodes,” which have, however,

the swollen claw-joint incommon. Herr von Harold, in his ‘ Coleopterologische Hefte,.’

has endeavoured to define at length and more accurately those genera which fall into the

present section, and his explanations concerning them are, in my opinion, very acceptable

to the student of this most difficult group. It is of course to be expected that instances

occur which set classification almost at defiance, on account of gradual modification of

structural characters which do not allow certain forms to be placed, without doubt, in

one or another given genus whose stability is rarely questioned by the author at the

time. For instance, many species of the ‘“ Physapodes” are known to me, described or

otherwise, which it would be rash to place in either the genus Asphera (with elongate:

posterior metatarsus) or in Hdionychis (in which the same part is generally short), these

species showing intermediate degrees not only in that but in other respects ; but in most

instances the present classification seems to be the most convenient and rational one.

Species of “ Physapodes” have not only been found throughout all parts of North,

South, and Central America, but the Old World has likewise contributed to their-

number, although up to the present time by but a very limited number of species.

ASPHARA. 399

ASPH/RA.

Asphera, Chevrolat, D’Orbigny, Dict. Hist. Nat. ii. p. 227 (1842) ; Clark, Journ. of Ent. ii. p. 879

(Nov. 1865) ; Harold, Col. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 97.

Litosonycha, Clark, loc. cit.

In Asphera, in opposition to Hdionychis, the first joint of the posterior tarsi is

proportionately elongate, at least. as long as the two following joints together, and the

claw-joint is rarely inflated to such a degree as in the allied genus. It is in this genus

principally that species are often met with in which tHe typical characters are

modified, and opinions as to the real place of the insect may well be divided. It is

therefore often equally difficult to detect in the many descriptions of authors the genus

in which, according to the present arrangement, their species should be placed, and

frequently impossible to decide without comparison of the types. In the Catalogue of

Gemminger and Yon Harold most of the described species have been as far as possible

arranged in their proper genera; but even here mistakes are not excluded, as Asphwra

cinctipennis, Chevr., proves, the proper place for which is in the genus Homopheta.

1. Asphera transversofasciata. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 7.)

Black; sides of the abdomen flavous; thorax testaceous, the anterior margin black; elytra dark violaceous,

the lateral and apical margins and a transverse narrow band across the disc, yellowish-white.

Length 3-34 lines.

Head black, shining, the vertex impunctate, the sides near the inner margin of the eyes with a few punctures,

the frontal tubercles broadly trigonate, and bounded behind by a deep transverse groove ; antenne black,

the first joint fulvous below, and shining like the following one, the rest opaque and of equal length ;

thorax with a broad flattened margin, the anterior angles strongly produced and acute, the sides rounded,

the surface more or less finely rugose, pale yellowish or whitish, the anterior margin at the middle and

sometimes also the posterior one, black; scutellum broad, black; elytra with a rather large flattened

margin, this latter, as well as a regularly shaped straight and narrow transverse band at the middle,

flavous, the rest of the surface metallic violaceous-blue, finely punctured ; abdomen more or less testaceous

or fulvous; legs black, the posterior metatarsus as long as the two following joints united, the claw-joint

very moderately swollen.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Nearly one hundred specimens of this species were obtained, amongst which I cannot

find any difference of importance. The dark violaceous colour of the elytra, and the

want of the posterior sutural pale limb, will distinguish A. ¢ransversofasciata from

A. nobilitata, Fabr. The black-coloured centre of the anterior thoracic margin is

constant in the species from the State of Panama. This character and the more or less

rugosely punctured thorax, in connection with the narrow, transverse, pale elytral band

and the black underside and legs, will help to distinguish A. ¢ransversofasciata from

other similarly coloured species, notably from A. ornata, Illig., which is described as

having a broad transverse pale elytral band and impunctate elytra, also a testaceous

abdomen.

400 PHYTOPHAGA.

2. Asphera lunata.

Galleruca lunata, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 494’.

Haltica lunata, Mig. Mag. vi. p. 97°; Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 683, t. 2. f. 24°.

Asphera inclusa, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1881, p. 57 ‘

CEdionychis longicollis, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. 1. 1874, p. 309 °,

Hab. Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion)—West Inpian IsLanps } *.—Sovura

America 2, Colombia ®, Venezuela‘ (coll. Jacoby).

Of this species a single individual, which does not differ from the South-American

specimens, was obtained in the State of Panama. I have examined the type of A. inclusa,

Baly, and find it to be identical with G. lwnata, Fabr.

8. Asphera xanthocephala.

Asphera xanthocephala, Harold, Col. Hefte, xv. p. 120 (1876) °.

Hab. Mexico 1.

4, Asphera abdominalis.

Cdionychis abdominalis, Chevr. Col. Mex. Cent. i. 1834, fase. 3°.

Cidionychis perforata, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 299°.

Hab. Mexico}, Presidio (Forrer), Oaxaca (Boucard), Guanajuato, Cordova, Cuerna

vaca, La Parada, Orizaba (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége), San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer); Brivise

Honpuras (Sallé), R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; GuaTEMALA, San Gerénimo, Capetillo,

Purula, Duefias (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica (Van

Patten), Volcan de Irazu (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CoLoMBL4? ;

VENEZUELA ((G6ring).

A. abdominalis is evidently a most abundant species throughout Central America; I

have upwards of one hundred specimens before me. Chevrolat has described the species

distinctly and at length ; I find, however, that the punctuation of the elytra is variable,

being in some specimens “coriaceous” and in others more smoothly punctured ; the

colour, too, varies from dark to lighter blue and even to almost black, and the amount

of flavous on the abdomen is equally variable; structural characters of any importance

I am not able to find. The Munich catalogue gives as a synonym A. klugit, De}.

Specimens so named, formerly in Sturm’s collection, and labelled by this author,

represent, however, a species of true Edionychis, although identical in coloration with

the present insect.

5. Asphera abbreviata.

Galleruca abbreviata, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 493°.

Haltica abbreviata, Ilig. Mag. vi. p.184; Latr. Rec. d’Obs. Zool. i. p. 187, t. 15. f. 5 (1811)*.

CEdionychis ornata, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 5, iv. p. 274 (1859) °.

ASPHARA. 401

Hab. British Honpouras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata *, Yzabal (Sallé), Chacoj,

Panima (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt); Panama, Caldera, Bugaba,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CotomBia 23; Guiana, Cayenne 1.

This handsome species may be known at once by the two transverse bright metallic

purplish bands of the elytra, the apices of which are similarly coloured. The vertex of

the head is black, the lower portion of the face, with the frontal tubercles, yellowish.

The elytral bands are subject to variation in size, and are sometimes much broader than

usual, the second band, on the contrary, being reduced to a spot in some specimens.

6. Asphzra cyanopis. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 9.)

Asphera cyanopis, Harold, Col. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 1207.

Hab. Mexico!, Cordova, Toxpam, Tuxtla, Tepansacualco, Playa Vicente (Sailé),

Jalapa (Hoge); Costa Rica (Van Patten).

The design of the pale testaceous elytra in this species consists in the typical form of a

transverse metallic violaceous basal band and a subquadrate spot of similar colour below

the middle of each elytron. In several specimens of a variety before me, the basilar band

is divided into two spots, which in a second variety are very small, as well as the

posterior one. Constant characters in A. cyanopis seem to be the black head and the

spot at the apex of the posterior femora. Some specimens from Jalapa have the elytra

of a reddish-fulvous colour. A single specimen from the collection of Sturm bears the

MS. name of A. includens. The reduction of the elytral spots in the variety to a

minimum includes the probability of the total disappearance of these spots in others;

it is therefore quite possible that A. polita, Jac., described here, which I cannot distin-

guish from A. cyanopis, except by the entirely testaceous or fulvous elytra, may be but

one of the varieties of the latter species; but having sixteen specimens of that species

before me which show no variation, I am obliged to separate them from A. cyanopis.

7. Asphera clerica.

Homopheta clerica, Erichs. in Schomb. Reise, 1848, iii. p. 578°.

Cdionychis laticolls, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1880, p. 181’.

Hab. Guatemaia, Duefias?, Capetillo (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).—Cotomsta ! ? (coll. Jacoby).

Erichson’s species was overlooked by me at the time of my publication. There is no

difference between the Central and South-American specimens. The black band of the

thorax occupies the entire disc, leaving the margins only testaceous; the same may be

said of the elytra, where the lighter portion divides the dark square-shaped spots into

the shape of a narrow cross.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, Movember 1885. 3f

402 PHYTOPHAGA.

8. Asphera semifulva. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 20.)

Piceous; antenne dark fulvous; thorax testaceous; elytra impunctate, testaceous, a broad transverse band at

the base and another equal or broader band below the middle, fulvous.

Length 3-32 lines.

Head entirely dark fulvous or piceous, impunctate in the middle, finely punctured round the eyes, the latter

not very closely approached, the space between deeply foveolate; antenne dark fulvous, the fourth joint

equal to the third in length in the male, but a little longer in the female; thorax testaceous, entirely

impunctate, the sides nearly straight and narrowly margined, and also more or less but not very distinctly

flattened, the anterior angles acutely pointed but not produced into a tooth, the posterior margin quite

straight; scutellum fulvous; elytra impunctate at the dark portions, extremely minutely punctured at

their lighter parts, both the transverse fulvous bands concave on their posterior margins, and produced at

the sutural margin, where they end in a point, none of the bands extending quite to the lateral margin ;

underside and legs entirely piceous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the two following joints

together, the claw-joint moderately swollen.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten).

The posterior band of the elytra is sometimes as broad as the anterior one, but both

are rather deeply emarginate at their posterior margin, straight at the anterior one,

which, together with the dark underside and head and the almost smooth elytra, will

help to distinguish the species. A. wagneri, Har., differs in the white frontal spot and

the testaceous underside, also in the differently shaped elytral bands.

9, Asphera marginicollis.

Greyish or greenish-testaceous; antenne (the first joint excepted) blackish; thorax impunctate, the posterior

margin black; elytra closely punctured and finely rugose.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles transverse, distinctly raised and narrow ; antenne black, the first

joint pale testaceous ; thorax transverse, the sides rounded, the anterior angles produced into a very small

tooth, the surface not visibly punctured, the entire posterior margin narrowly black; elytra very closely

punctured, the interstices everywhere finely rugose ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as or longer

than the two following joints united, the claw-joint rather strongly swollen.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Caldera in Chiriqui 1200 feet (Champion).

The length of the first joint of the posterior tarsi differs in the specimens before me,

but is in some so slender that I have placed the species in Asphera, although the shape

of the thorax and the rather strongly swollen claw might have justified its inclusion in

Gdionychis. A. marginicollis is of a peculiar greenish-testaceous colour, and may be

at oace known by the posterior black margin of the thorax. Ten specimens were

obtained.

10. Asphera nobilitata.

Galleruca nobilitata, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 492°.

Chrysomela nobilitata, Hiibn. Naturf. xxiv. 41, t. u. f. 4”.

Altica nobilitata, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 684, t. 2. f. 26°.

CGidionychis discicollis, Schauf. Nungq. Otios. ii. 1874, p. 306 *.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize, R. Hondo, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaur); GUATEMALA

ASPHAERA. 403

(Sallé), Senahu, Chacoj, Purula, Teleman, Panima (Champion); Costa Rica, Cache,

Volcan de Irazu (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).—

CotomBia*; Gurana 3, Cayenne ! 2,

A well-known and apparently common species; amongst the numerous examples

before me from the above different localities, several varieties are present, one in which

the transverse darker band of the thorax is entirely wanting, and another in which the

entire upper. surface is of a reddish hue, no doubt attributable to discoloration from

some cause or other. The elytrain normally coloured specimens are of a pale brownish

colour, with a more or less distinct violaceous tint, and interrupted by a transverse

narrow white band at the middle; the lateral margin and the posterior part of the

suture are also whitish in most specimens; in some instances, however, they remain

of the ground-colour.

11. Asphera chontalensis.

Obscure testaceous ; thorax and the posterior femora yellowish-white; tibia and tarsi obscure piceous; thorax

and elytra impunctate.

Length 33 lines.

Head impunctate, the vertex dark piceous, the clypeus testaceous; antenne obscure fulvous, all the joints.

(with the exception of the second one) of nearly equal length; thorax rather more than twice as broad as

long, the sides strongly rounded, the anterior angles produced and thickened, the surface entirely impunc-

tate, of a yellowish-white colour, and shining; scutellum obscure testaceous; elytra of the same colour,

with a rather well-marked transverse depression below the base, the latter somewhat raised, the surface

not visibly punctured ; the breast, tibia, and tarsi obscure piceous, the posterior femora pale yellowish ;

the first. joint of the posterior tarsi scarcely as long as the two following joints together, the claw-joint

but moderately swollen.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson).

There are three specimens of this species before me, which all agree in the above

particulars; the metatarsus of the posterior legs, although rather shorter than in most

species of this genus, is still longer than in @dionychis, and the not strongly swollen

claw-joint shows the place of the insect to be rather in Asphera. A. chontalensis may be

separated by the nearly white-coloured thorax and posterior femora in connection with

the impunctate upper surface.

12. Asphera polita.

Fulvous or testaceous; head, antenns, legs (the base of the femora excepted), and part of the breast, black ;

thorax impunctate; elytra extremely finely punctured.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, entirely black (with the exception of a few punctures near the inner margin of the eyes),

with the usual T-shaped grooves between the antenne ; antenne black, except the extreme base, which is

fulvous, half the length of the body, rather robust, the third and fourth joints equal in length; thorax

more than twice as broad as long, the anterior and posterior margins parallel and straight, the anterior

angles strongly produced in front of the head and thickened, the sides but slightly rounded, the surface

entirely impunctate, shining ; scutellum black; elytra of the same colour as the thorax, or somewhat

darker, their very minute punctuation visible only under a strong lens; underside paler, the base of the

3f2

404 PHYTOPHAGA.

anterior femora fulvous, this colour predominating on the posterior femora, in which the apices only are

black; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the two following joints united ; prosternum narrow,

convex. .

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sallé); Guaremata, San Gerénimo, Sinanja, Cahabon, Senahu,

Teleman, Tamahu, San Joaquin in Vera Paz ( Champion).

The colour of the head and legs in connection with the nearly impunctate upper

surface, which is constant in the sixteen specimens before me, will assist in the recog-

nition of this species amongst its unicolorous allies; the colour of the elytra in one

specimen is testaceous. A. pallida, Jac., 1s much larger and broader, and has the

underside and legs black, and the thorax of a different shape. Only a single specimen

from Mexico is before me; it differs in no way from the Guatemalan examples.

13. Asphera albida.

Cidionychis albida, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. 1874, p. 304°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—

CoLoMBIA!; VENEZUELA 1.

In the typically coloured specimens of a pale testaceous colour three narrow white

transverse bands interrupt the ground-colour; but in the variety these bands are absent,

and the entire insect is of a pale testaceous colour, in which coloration it is not always

easy to recognize the species from those similarly unicolorous. _

14. Asphera pallida. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 8.)

Asphera pallida, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 443’.

Hab. Costa Rica', Volcan de Irazu, Rio Sucio (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion). |

The upper surface of this species varies from-pale grey to light brownish or yellowish,

the head, scutellum, legs, and antenne being black, and the abdomen at the apex or at

the sides fulvous. The elytra are entirely impunctate, by which character the species

may be at once distinguished from A. balyi, Clark, and the prosternum in the male (?)

is produced posteriorly into a sort of tubercle, also known to exist in some other species

of the genus.- A single specimen, obtained in Chiriqui by Mr. Champion, differs from

the others in having a bright rufous thorax and rather longer antenne ; other differences

of importance I am unable to find.

15. Asphera nigrofasciata.

Below piceous ; head black or piceous ; thorax and elytra flavous, impunctate, the latter with a broad transverse

band at the base, and another narrower one behind the middle, black ; abdomen testaceous.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures round the inner margin of the eyes; the frontal tubercles strongly raised,

obliquely trigonate; antenne black or dark fulvous; thorax narrowed in front, the anterior angles acutely

ASPHZRA.—HOMOPHETA, 405

produced in front, the sides flattened, the surface impunctate ; scutellum black ; elytra impunctate, the base

slightly raised, the black bands not extending to the lateral margin, the posterior margin of the basal band

rather rounded ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the two following joints united, the claw-

joint very moderately swollen.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion); Costa Rica (Van Patten).—CoLomB1a,

Bogota (coll. Jacoby).

Of this species I have three specimens before me which differ in the black or fulvous

colour of the head, and in the more or less narrowed posterior band of the elytra, which

im one specimen is as broad as the basal one, while in the two others it is reduced to

half the width. I must separate the species from several closely allied forms, notably

from A. limitata, Har., and A. curialis, Erichs., by the black, not metallic green, colour

of the elytral bands and by the testaceous abdomen; this colour in one specimen is

confined to the last two segments. A. civilis, Ilig., seems also closely allied, but differs

in the colour of the underside, legs, and also of the elytral bands.

HOMOPHCETA.

Homopheta, Erichson, Wiegm. Arch. 1847, i. p. 172; Harold, Col. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 96.

_ This genus is principally characterized by the white frontal patch of the head, and by

the anteriorly, but never laterally, produced anterior angles of the thorax ; the posterior

claw-joint is but very moderately swollen. <A very limited number of species, often very

variable in coloration, are at present known; a single one up till now from Central

America.

1. Homopheta variabilis, (Tab. XXIII. fig. 2.)

Homopheta variabilis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8S. 1879, p. 440°.

Hab. Mexico! (coll. Jacoby); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Caldera 1200 feet,

Tolé (Champion).—Cotomsia!; Venuzuewa! (coll. Jacoby); Braziut

This is evidently one of the most variable species of Homopheta, and one that has

most probably been described under different names. In Mr. Baly’s collection this

species is named H. personata, Illig., which may be another of its many varieties. I

must refer here to my descriptions of these differently marked forms in the ‘ Proceedings

of the Zoological Society’ (doc. cit.). All the specimens obtained by Mr. Champion,

of which one is figured here, belong to my variety a. . It is probable that H. equatorialis,

Harold, represents one of the varieties described by myself.

2. Homopheta recticollis. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 3.)

Cidionychis recticollis, Baly, Ann. & Mag. N. H. ser. 5, 1. p. 319°.

Homopheta militaris, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1880, p. 172°.

406 PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Mexico}, Playa Vicente (Sallé); GuatemaLa, Zapote?, Capetillo, Volcan de

Atitlan, Sinanja, Panima (Champion).

The insects described under the above names are identical, as a comparison of the

types has proved to me. According to the present classification the species must be

placed in Homopheta on account of the elongate metatarsus, the little-swollen claw-

joint, and simple angles of the thorax.

3. Homopheta championi. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 4.)

Obscure testaceous or yellowish-white; antenne and legs obscure fulvous; thorax and elytra impunctate, the

latter with a spot at the base and another below the middle pale brownish.

Length 3-4 lines.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, Caldera.

1200 feet (Champion).

At first sight this species seems but to be a pale variety of H. recticollis; I have,

however, six specimens before me which show constant differences from that species.

The colour of the elytra is the same, but the spots are not black but pale brown, and

the posterior one is not placed so far back, and forms a narrow transverse band which

does not quite extend to either margin. The first joint of the posterior tarsi is shorter

than in H. recticollis ; the thorax is more transverse, but agrees in general shape with

Homopheta ; and the claw-joint is but little swollen.

4, Homopheta affinis. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 5.)

Homopheta affinis, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1880, p. 173°.

Hab. Guatemara, Duefias1, Capetillo!, Zapote, San Gerdnimo (Champion).

Closely allied to H. recticollis and H. championt, but separated by the position and

shape of the anterior elytral spot, which is placed at some distance from the base, and

oblique; this is a constant character.

5. Homopheta albofasciata. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 1.)

Homopheta albofasciata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 441.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

Many specimens: the colour of the elytra varies from metallic blue to black; the

central white band is always curved and narrowed at the suture; the reverse is the case

with the short apical band, which is narrowed near the lateral margin.

6. Homopheta zquinoctialis.

Galleruca equinoctialis, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 493; Degeer, Mém. Ins. v. p. 356, t. 16. f. 19";

Illig. Magaz. vi. n. 86°; Oliv. Encyel. iv. p. 106°.

Galleruca 4-guttata, Fabr. Spec. Ins. i. p. 182; Oliv. 1. c. p. 105.

HOMOPHETA.—CDIONYCHIS. 407

Galleruca 4-notata, Fabr. Suppl. Ent. Syst. 1798, p. 98; Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 682,

Altica fulgida, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 681, t. 2. f. 21, a, b.

Altica albicollis, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 682, t. 2. f. 22; Illig. Magaz. vi. p. 86.

CGidionychis 8-maculata, Crotch, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1873, p. 60*.

Hab. Norta America, Texas *.—Mexico, Jalapa, Oaxaca, Cordova (Hoge), Tuxtla,

Cordova, Teapa, Orizaba, Vera Cruz (Sallé); Britis Honpuras, Belize, R. Hondo,

R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuateMaLa, Yzabal (Sallé), Teleman, Chacoj, Panima,

Tamahu, San Gerdénimo, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion); Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson) ;

Costa Rica, Volean de Irazu, Cache (Rogers); Panama, David, Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui, Tolé (Champion).—CotomBia; Gutana, Cayenne !??; Perv.

This is one of the most common, widely distributed, and variable species of the

genus; on account of the variation of the elytral spots, it has been described under

several different names. To judge from the immense amount of material before me

from the above different localities, it is evident that the size of the spots and the

ground-colour of the elytra are extremely variable; a small, narrow shoulder-spot is

generally, though not always, present. Three specimens of a variety from Teapa have

' the elytral spots greatly enlarged so as to leave but very narrow dark bands between

them; the underside, with the exception of the fulvous abdomen, black ; this form

seems to be rare.

(Edionychis 8-maculata, Crotch, from Texas, is, according to the description, identical

with the present species.

7. Homopheta cinctipennis. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 6.)

(CEdionychis cinctipennis, Chevr. Col. Mex. Cent. i. 1834, fasc. 3. no. 86°.

Asphera cinctipennis, Gemm. & Har. Cat. xii. p. 3524.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla, Tuxpan (Sailé), Oaxaca, Cordova (Hége).

The white frontal patch, shape of the thorax, and the but moderately swollen claw-

joint show that this species must be placed in Homopheta. The elytra in several

specimens before me are of a yellowish-white colour, with a narrow black sutural and

lateral margin, and with or without a similarly coloured shoulder-spot ; anteriorly the

sutural black line shows generally a slight dilatation before the middle (which may

assume a cruciform-shape, according to Chevrolat); the thorax is either of a reddish-

fulvous or yellowish colour.

CGEDIONYCHIS.

Cdionychis, Latreille, Cuv. Régn. Anim. 1829, v. p. 154; Harold, Col. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 96.

The short metatarsus of the hind legs, the very strongly swollen or subglobular claw-

joint, and the flattened sides of the thorax constitute a number of characters which make

it comparatively easy to recognize the present genus. Now and then, however, forms are

met with which can only be doubtfully placed in Asphera or Hdionychis, on account of

408 _ . PHYTOPHAGA.

the above-mentioned structural peculiarities sometimes showing considerable modifica-

tion; in fact the same difficulties are encountered here in separating the genera as the

species. The species are often so extremely variable, not only in the colour and pattern of

the elytra, but also in structure, that there is no doubt many species have been described

which will eventually turn out to be nothing but varieties; but to settle this point a

great number of specimens from the same localities are necessary, and for the sexes to be

taken notice of at their place of capture, where opportunity offers. Species of Gdionychis

are not confined to the New World only, but have been obtained in India and other places

in the east. South America is, however, their metropolis, and nearly 200 species are

now known. A good monograph of the genus is much needed.

f Elytra entirely metallic blue or black, with or without a flavous margin.

(Species 1 to 17.)

1. Qdionychis reichei. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 11.)

Cidionychis reichei, Harold, Col. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 121’.

Hab. Muxtco!, Cordova, Orizaba, Oaxaca (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas, Oaxaca (Hége) ;

British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuateMata, Purula, San Gerénimo,

Zapote (Champion); Costa Rica (Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu (Rogers); Panama,

David, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

Apparently a common species, to judge from the numbers received from Mexico and

the State of Panama. The abdomen in &. reichei is entirely flavous; the elytra are

black (sometimes bluish), shining, and impunctate.

2. Gsdionychis ceracollis.

Altica ceracollis, Say, Bost. Journ. i. 1835, p. 200°; Leconte, Complete Writings of Thomas Say,

ii. p. 669.

CGidionychis luteicollis, Chev. De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 408’.

Hab. Mexico 12, Ciudad in Durango (forrer), Cordova, Tuxtla, Playa Vicente, Sante-

- comapan (Sallé), Cordova, Jalapa (Hoge); British Honpuras, R. Hondo, R. Sarstoon

(Blancaneaux); GuateMAa, Capetillo, Duefias, Zapote (Champion).

In this species the entire underside, the thorax, and the femora are pale fulvous or

testaceous, the elytra generally violaceous, sometimes dark metallic blue, and extremely

finely punctured; the tibie and tarsi as well as the vertex of the head are blackish ;

the three lower joints of the antenne are testaceous, either entirely or beneath only;

the anterior angles of the thorax are mucronate in the female, scarcely so in the male

insect. Say has referred this species to Disonycha collaris, Fabr., with which it has

nothing in common, except the colour. I refer the Guatemalan specimens obtained by

Mr. Champion to the present species, but the elytra are more evidently and closely

punctured than in those from Mexico, and the underside is sometimes piceous;.

CEDIONYCHIS. 409

it is therefore doubtful whether the following species is specifically distinct from

. ceracollis.

3. Gidionychis mexicana.

Cidionychis mexicana, Harold, Col. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 121".

Hab. Mexico !, Oaxaca, Cuernavaca, Durasnal, Peras (Sal/é).

Differing from the preceding species in having the breast black and the thoracic

angles not mucronate.

4, Gidionychis icteridera. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 12.)

Cidionychis icteridera, Harold, Col. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 122*; Chevr. De}. Cat. 3rd edit. p. 408.

Hab. Mexico 1, Etla, Durasnal, Oaxaca (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); Guaremata, Aceytuno

(Salvin).

According to Von Harold @. icteridera differs from @. mexicana in the mucronate

anterior angles of the thorax and the smooth elytra. In @. mexicana the entire

abdomen is testaceous, this colour being confined to the apex and sides only in the

allied species. I have, however, specimens before me which may be referred to either

species; the mucronate thorax does not seem to be a constant character; nor is the

punctuation of the elytra always the same, as specimens occur extremely finely punc-

tured, and others smooth, which are, however, wanting in the other characters supposed

to belong to them. I therefore much doubt the specific distinction of the two insects.

Two specimens obtained in Guatemala by Mr. Salvin have the elytra more distinctly

punctured, but agree in other respects; the specimens obtained by Herr Hoge are of a

more greenish tint, and the amount of piceous on the underside is very variable.

5. Gidionychis acutangulus. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 2.)

Fulvous; the anterior angles of the thorax strongly produced, the disc impunctate; elytra violaceous-blue,

finely punctured ; tibiz obscure piceous.

Length 4-5 lines.

Head entirely fulvous, with a few fine punctures, the frontal tubercles bounded behind by a deep groove;

antennz half the length of the body, black, the three first joints fulvous, the third and fourth joints equal in

length ; thorax about three times as broad as long, the sides strongly rounded, flattened in front of the

lateral margin, the anterior angles produced into a rather long and acute tooth, directed outwards, the

surface impunctate; scutellum black; elytra scarcely widened behind the middle, dark metallic blue, the

punctuation fine, rather close, but not confluent ; underside and legs fulvous, the tibie slightly darker.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sal/é); Guatema.a (coll. Jacoby).

This is a species of large size, and although closely allied to W@. icteridera and

@. mexicana, evidently quite distinct therefrom by the entirely fulvous head and the

very strongly dentate anterior angles of the thorax, which is especially evident in the

Guatemalan specimen. ‘The punctures of the elytra are also very fine and well

separated, the interstices being flat.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1886. 3 g

410 PHYTOPHAGA.

6. @dionychis frontalis. (Tab. XXIII. fig..14.)

Oblong, parallel, fulvous ; antenne black, short ; vertex of the head metallic green ; thorax impunctate; elytra

metallic green, extremely finely and closely punctured.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head closely and distinctly punctured near the inner margin of the eyes, metallic dark green, the frontal

tubercles and the clypeus fulvous ; antenne not extending much further than the base of the thorax, all

the joints short and subtriangular; thorax transverse, dark fulvous, the sides slightly rounded, the anterior

angles acute, but not mucronate, the surface impunctate, the sides slightly swollen before the margin; scu-

tellum black ; elytra dark green, very minutely and closely punctured ; underside fulvous, the anterior legs

sometimes piceous, the metasternum black.

Hab. GuatTEMa.a, near the city (Champion), Yzabal (Saldé).

Three specimens. This species is not difficult to recognize, on account of the short

antenne, the colour of the clypeus and tubercles in connection with the almost rugosely

punctured sides of the head, and the finely punctured elytra.

7, Gdionychis forreri.

Oblong. black ; thorax, femora, and the two last abdominal segments, fulvous; anterior angles of the thorax not

produced ; elytra green, subopaque, semirugose-punctate.

Length 33 lines.

Head entirely black, impunctate, with the exception of a few punctures near the eyes; palpi and antenne

black, the fourth joint of the latter longer than the preceding joint; thorax impunctate, fulvous, not more

than two and a half times broader than long, the sides very narrowly flattened, the anterior angles blunt

and not produced; scutellum piceous; elytra not much widened behind, closely semirugose-punctate ;

underside, the tibize and tarsi, black; the femora and the last two abdominal segments, fulvous.

flab. Mexico, Ciudad in Durango 8100 feet (forrer).

A single specimen, distinguished by the shape of the thorax in connection with the

general coloration. This species may be known from @. meaicana by the rugosely

punctured elytra and generally more elongate shape.

8. Gidionychis modesta.

Oblong-ovate, subdepressed, black; above dark blue, green, or brownish, subopaque, or moderately shining,

searcely visibly punctured.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head strongly and rugosely punctured between the eyes, without any frontal elevations, but with a short

central groove; antenne black, short, the joints rather broader than long; thorax with the sides nearly

straight, narrowly margined but not flattened, the posterior margin distinctly oblique at the sides, the

disc very minutely punctured when examined under a strong lens; scutellum broader than long, its apex

rounded ; elytra very slightly convex, scarcely visibly punctured ; underside and legs black, with a slight

metallic tint; posterior claw-joint very strongly swollen.

Hab. Mexico, Hacienda de Bleados, San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer), Pinos Altos in

Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn), Jalapa (Hége), Silao, Pucbla, La Parada, Tepansacualco

(Sallé).

It is possible that this species is but a variety of @. lugens, Leconte, from New Mexico ;

but this author speaks of pale abdominal segments, and a not sinuate posterior thoracic

margin. In (. modesta the thorax is very distinctly obliquely shaped on each side

CEDIONYCHIS. 4ll

like a species of Disonycha, and the abdominal segments are entirely black; the colour

of the upperside is very variable, and either metallic or entirely opaque ; but as I cannot

find any other differences whatever, I must conclude all these forms to represent the

same species. In Mr. Baly’s collection the same species is labelled @. arctica, Baly,

with the locality “ Arctic America,” but I cannot find any species published under this

name. (. concinna, Fabr., seems also very closely allied, but differs in the fulvous

colour of some of the abdominal segments; (. violascens, Leconte, from Fort Tejon,

is again closely allied, but is described as having closely and distinctly punctured elytra.

9. Gidionychis semipurpurea.

Bluish-black ; head and thorax greenish, the former rugosely, the latter finely, punctured ; elytra punotured

like the thorax, the disc cupreous, the lateral margin purplish.

Length 3 lines.

- Head strongly rugose, leaving only a small central space smooth and impunctate; antenne short, of the same-

shape as in @. modesta ; thorax also as in @. modesta, but the surface entirely covered with small and large

punctures ; scutellum broader than long; elytra entirely punctured like the thorax, the punctuation some-

what stronger at the sides than at the disc, the latter of a brownish-cupreous colour, the lateral margin:

bluish or purplish, this colour widening greatly towards the apex.

Hab. Mexico, Chalchicomula (Sallé). A single specimen.

G. semipurpurea so much resembles in its general shape @. modesta, that I am.

inclined to regard it as another variety of the latter; but the much more strongly

and rugosely punctured head and the very close and distinct punctuation of the upper

surface differs from the sculpturing of @. modesta, in which the elytra are scarcely

visibly punctured. |

10. Gdionychis dugesi. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 12.)

Fulvous ; base of the head, antennw, anterior legs, and the breast, black; thorax fulvous, with tive spots;

elytra green or blue, subopaque, minutely punctured, the lateral margin narrowly fulvous.

Length 3 lines,

Head rugosely punctured near the eyes, its base greenish black, a frontal patch and the clypeus flavous ;

antenne short, scarcely extending beyond the first third of the elytra, the joints rather robust and short ;

thorax narrow, the sides slightly rounded, narrowly flattened, the anterior angles thickened but scarcely

produced, the surface very minutely punctured (when seen under a strong lens), fulvous, with five black

spots (2, 3) placed transversely ; scutellum black; elytra not more strongly punctured than the thorax,

rather opaque, greenish or bluish, the extreme lateral margin and their epipleure reddish fulvous ;

posterior femora reddish fulvous, the rest of the legs and the breast black; abdomen testaceous at the

sides. +

Hab. Mexico, Silao (Sailé).

The two specimens before me do not differ from each other; @. dugest may be known

from G. flavocyanea, Crotch, and a few other similarly coloured species, by the fulvous

middle portion of the head, the five-spotted thorax, and the colour of the underside.

11. Gdionychis purulensis. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 3.)

Fulvous; head and antenne black; thorax flavous; elytra finely punctured, violaceous blue, the extreme

apices fulvous; tibiz and tarsi piceous.

Length 3-3; lines.

3¢2

412 PHYTOPHAGA.

Head impunctate, deeply transversely grooved between the antennz; antenne entirely black, the intermediate

joints slightly dilated ; thorax three times as broad as long, narrow, pale flavous, the sides rounded and

moderately flattened, the anterior angles not greatly produced but thickened, the surface entirely im-

punctate, shining ; scutellum obscure piceous; elytra rather widened and convex posteriorly, finely and

closely punctured, metallic violaceous blue, their extreme apices in the shape of a narrow triangular

flayous or fulvous spot ; underside and femora fulvous or flavous ; tibiee and tarsi nearly black.

Hab. GuateMaa, Purula (Champion).

There is scarcely any difference, except in size, between the five specimens obtained.

. purulensis differs from @. extrema, Harold, by the absence of the flavous elytral

margin.

12. Gidionychis hogei.

Fulvous ; antenne and tarsi fuscous or black ; elytra violaceous blue, the extreme apices flavous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate ; the two or three basal joints of the antenne fulvous, the rest fuscous ; thorax impunctate ;

elytra finely and closely punctured.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Oaxaca (Hége), Cordova (Hége, Sallé).

Whether this species is really distinct from G. purulensis or only a local variety I

am not able to decide, as no intermediately coloured specimens are before me; those

from the above localities, to the number of six, all differ from the allied species in the

fulvous head, thorax, and tibie, and in the similarly coloured basal joints of the

antenne. (. hégei is therefore probably specifically distinct from G. purulensis, with

which it agrees, however, in all other respects.

13. Gidionychis extrema.

Cidionychis extrema, Harold, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1880, p. 221’.

Hab. Mextico!, Tuxtla (Sal/é).

The colour of the elytra in this species varies from blue to nearly black, and the testa-

ceous apical spot is either isolated or connected with the similarly coloured narrow

lateral margin; the colour of the latter separates @. extrema from CG. hégei and @&.

purulensis. A closely allied species, but with the underside black, the @. beskii of

Clark’s Catalogue, is found in Brazil. A specimen so named by this author is con-

tained in the Baly collection from the latter locality; another one from the same

country I possess, so that the locality “ Mexico,” as given by Clark, seems erroneous.

14, Gidionychis lateralis.

Light fulvous below; thorax testaceous, with some obscure fulvous spots; elytra closely and distinctly

punctured, metallic blue or black, their extreme lateral margin and their apices fulvous.

Length 3-4 lines.

Head entirely fulvous, with a few deep punctures near the inner margin of the eyes; antenne black, the first

three joints fulvous; thorax narrowly transverse, the anterior angles produced into a blunt tooth, the

disc impunctate and obscurely stained with dark fulvous spots, assuming the shape of a Yf at the middle ;

elytra extremely closely and subrugosely punctate, the fulvous lateral margin very narrow, but widened at

(2DIONYCHIS. 413

the apex ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi very short, the elaw-joint strongly swollen ; the anterior

tarsi, together with the apices of the tibise, fuscous or black.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca, Etla (Sal/é).

The entirely fulvous head, obscurely spotted thorax, and subrugose surface of the

elytra distinguish @. lateralis from @. extrema; the flavous margin of the elytra

separates it from . héget.

15. Gidionychis antennalis. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 4.)

Ovate, obscure testaceous; the vertex greenish neous; antenne black, the first three joints testaceous, the

basal joint produced and tooth-like; elytra metallic purplish, the lateral margin flavous, the surface

closely punctured.

Length 3 lines.

Head entirely impunctate, flavous, the base greenish seneous ; antenne half the length of the body, the upper

margin of the first joint projecting into a point; thorax impunctate, testaceous, the sides broadly

flattened, the anterior angles acutely mucronate ; scutellum obscure flavous ; elytra closely and distinctly

punctured, with an obsolete transverse depression below the base, of a bright metallic purplish-violaceous

colour, the lateral margin and the apices flavous ; underside obscure testaceous, the tarsi and claws darker,

as well as (in one specimen) the abdomen.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Of shorter and more rounded shape than the other similarly coloured species, and to

be separated from them by the shape of the basal joint of the antenne.

16. (idionychis limbatipennis. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 1.)

Broadly ovate, flavous; antennex fuscous ; elytra closely punctured, metallic bluish violaceous, the lateral

margin obscure testaceous.

Length 5 lines.

Head with a few punctures placed transversely between the eyes, the frontal tubercles indistinct and bounded

behind by a shallow fovea; antenne slender, the joints elongate, of nearly equal length, with the

exception of the second, the three lower joints flavous, the rest fuscous or black ; thorax nearly three

times as broad as long, the anterior angles produced into a short blunt tooth, the sides rather broadly

flattened, the surface with a few very fine punctures; scutellum obscure flavous; elytra widened towards

the middle, very closely and distinctly punctured, of a metallic purplish-blue colour, the lateral margin

and the epipleure flavous; underside and legs flavous ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi slightly larger

than the second ; posterior claw-joint strongly swollen, piceous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

One of the largest species of the genus described here ; the testaceous colour of the

margin widens somewhat near the apices of the elytra, which have a decided purplish

tint, and assume their greatest width at the middle. Four specimens were obtained.

17. Gsdionychis gemmata.

Broadly subquadrate-ovate, testaceous ; head, antenne, and the apices of the tibie, black; elytra very minutely

punctured, metallic purplish.

Length 43-5 lines.

‘Head black, impunctate, the frontal tubercles very obsolete, the labrum testaceous ; antenne black, the first

two joints testaceous below ; thorax more than three times as broad as long, pale yellowish white, the

414 | PHYTOPHAGA.

sides strongly rounded and narrowed in front, the anterior angles tuberculate, the surface impunctate, the

posterior margin perfectly straight; scutellum black ; elytra widened towards the apex, closely and very

finely punctured, of a metallic purplish colour, with a green or violet shade ; underside and legs testa-

ceous, the extreme apices of the tibie and the tarsi blackish.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).

This species is squarer in shape than its allies; the greatest width of the elytra is

below the middle; the black head and very fine punctuation, as well as the bright

purplish colour of the elytra and the flavous thorax, separate . gemmata from the

preceding species, with which it agrees in size.

{ft Llytra for the most part with longitudinal bands or stripes. (Species 18-33.)

18. Qidionychis quadrilineata. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 13.)

Cidionychis quadrilineata, Harold, Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1881, p. 126°.

Hab. Mexico! (Salié).

Two specimens from the collection of Sturm, and labelled as above by this author,

are before me; they prove the correctness of Von Harold’s description.

19. Gédionychis virgata.

Cidionychis virgata, Harold, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1880, p. 222°; Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1881,

p. 1807.

Hab. Merxico!?, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn), Cordova, Yolos,

Panistlahuaca, Puebla, Oaxaca (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

In this species the elytral bands are very narrow and sometimes of a bluish colour,

and the lateral band is placed close to the margin; the epipleure remain testaceous at

their outer portion, but are black at the inner parts. It is impossible to say whether

all the specimens from the above localities really represent varieties of one and the

same species, varying as they do rather considerably in size, shape, and occasionally in

the width of the elytral bands. To separate them on slight differences would but have

added to the difficulties of determining the numerous closely allied forms; and as all

the Mexican specimens agree very nearly or entirely with the description of @. virgata,

Harold, I believe I am right in referring them to that species.

20. Gidionychis chevrolati. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 15.)

CEdionychis chevrolatii, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. 1. 1878, p. 322°.

Cdionychis quinque-vitiata, Jacoby, P.Z.S. 1880, p. 174.

Hab. Mexico!; British Honpuras?, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GUATEMALA

(Sallé).

The description of this species requires some correction, which I am enabled to

make, having the type before me for examination. Mr. Baly gives the length of the

(EDIONYCHIS. 415

second and third joints of the antenne as nearly equal; the latter is, however, at least

one half longer than the second joint, as is the case with nearly all the species of the

genus before me. From @. virgata the present species differs in the entirely black

head, with the exception of the frontal elevations, which are testaceous; in the nearly

black underside and entirely black legs, and in the position and shape of the marginal

black vitta of the elytra—the marginal vitta in (@. chevrolati being placed close to

the lateral margin, leaving the anterior portion of it, as well as the elytral epipleura,

testaceous, ‘and after extending round the apex uniting with the sutural band; whilst

in &. virgata the lateral black band is placed further from the lateral margin and does

not join the sutural vitta. After comparing Mr. Baly’s type with that of @. quinque-

vittata, Jac., I find that, although the latter differs in the much narrower elytral

stripes, which resemble those of @. virgata, yet it agrees so closely in all other respects

that it would not be wise to look upon it as anything else but a variety; the colour

of the underside and legs, as well as that of the head, also agree with Baly’s species.

In the species from Guatemala the legs and underside are dark fulvous, while the

other characters agree with the type.

21. (Edionychis ornata. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 16.)

CGidionychis ornata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1880, p. 174°.

Hab. Guatemaa, Capetillo ! (Champion).

This species approaches @. chevrolati in the position of the elytral bands, the outer

and sutural ones being joined at the apex; these bands, however, are very narrow and

regular, and leave no trace of a yellow elytral margin; the latter, as well as the

epipleure, are entirely of a bluish colour. (. ornata is of a very convex shape, but

varies in size; all the specimens have a small piceous spot on the vertex (the latter

being generally of a more reddish-fulvous colour), and the thorax seven or five more or

less distinct piceous small spots; the antenne have the third and fourth joints of

nearly equal length; the shape of @. ornata is quite different from that of @. guadri-

lineata, being very convex instead of flattened. |

22. Cidionychis inconstans.

Gidionychis inconstans, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. 1874, p. 297°; Harold, Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1881,

p- 150’.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).—Cotomsia ! 2.

A specimen from Panama before me does not differ from the Colombian insects in

my collection ; the size is small and the discoidal band of the elytra double the width

of the sutural one. Von Harold has given a renewed description of this species, to

which I must-here refer.

416 PHYTOPHAGA.

23, Gidionychis circumcincta ?

(Edionychis circumcincta, Crotch, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1873, p. 62°.

Hab. NortH America, Southern States 1.—Mexico, Oaxaca (Boucard, Hoge), La

Parada (Sallé).

Rather than describe the Mexican specimens before me as new I prefer to identify

them with the species of Crotch, with whose description they nearly agree. The

head is rugosely punctate throughout, black, with two more or less distinct rufous

spots on the vertex. The thorax is finely and closely punctured and has a small

blackish spot on the middle of the disc; the posterior angles are produced into a blunt

tooth. Of the elytral black bands, the one on the disc is broad; while the sutural

and lateral bands are narrow, the former extends to the apex, the lateral and central

ones are abbreviated behind; the elytra are closely and distinctly punctured, their

epipleure are of the ground-colour, and the lateral band is placed close to the lateral

margin. The underside and legs are black. Without seeing the type of @. circum-

cincta it is impossible to say whether the Mexican insects are identical with it or

not. (. patruelis, Harold, is evidently exceedingly closely allied, and might possibly

be another variety of the present species.

24, Gidionychis trilineata.

Black ; above testaceous; head rugose-punctate; thorax shining, impunctate, with a transverse black band;

elytra closely punctured, a narrow sutural, a broader submarginal, and another discoidal longitudinal band,

greenish or bluish-black.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé), Ciudad in Durango (Forrer).

I am again obliged to separate this species from the many similarly coloured allied

forms, the descriptions of which, mostly published by Von Harold, do not agree suffi-

ciently to include the present species of @dionychis. (. trilineata seems to be most

nearly allied to the North American @. petaurista, from which it differs in the entirely

black underside, legs, and head, the impunctate thorax, and by the elytral bands being

of the same length (the inner band in @. petaurista is always shorter than the lateral

one). In @. trilineata the anterior angles of the thorax are produced into a tooth, the

lateral band of the elytra is not placed so close to the lateral margin (as is the case in

. petaurista and several other species), and the elytral epipleure are entirely yellow.

The two specimens before me do not quite agree with each other in the punctuation of

the elytra, which in one is extremely close or granulate, and in the other finer and more

scattered ; the thorax in both has its sides strongly rounded anteriorly, but straight at

the base ; and the elytral bands in one specimen are more widely separated than in the

other, but their shape and position is the same. The specimen in M. Sallé’s collection

bears the label @. trilineata, Sturm, in that author’s handwriting, which name I have

retained. Unless many specimens from the same localities can be obtained for exami-

(EDIONYCHIS. 417

nation, the specific value of these most variable insects is difficult to settle, but an

accurate description of differences to be noticed in even the single individuals will

assist later for their proper classification when the amount of variation is better

understood.

25. Cidionychis infirma, (Tab. XXIII. fig. 10.)

Elongate, pale flavous; antenn (the first two joints excepted) black; head and thorax impunctate; elytra

very finely punctured, the lateral margin, a broad subsutural, and a narrow discoidal longitudinal band,

pale ferrugineous.

Length 4-44 lines.

Head with a few very fine punctures near the eyes, the latter widely separated, the rest of the surface impunc-

tate, the frontal elevations very obsolete ; antenne extending to half the length of the elytra, black, the

first two joints fulvous, the third and fourth joints of equal length; thorax not much more than twice as

broad as long, the sides rather regularly rounded, flattened, and bounded inwards by a deep groove, the

anterior angles thickened, produced in front, but without any trace of a tooth, the posterior margin some-

what rounded, the surface impunctate ; scutellum flavous ; elytra with two yellowish-brown bands, which

are abbreviated anteriorly and posteriorly, but join at their posterior ends, the first band, placed close to

the suture, is double the width of the second, which is placed at the middle of the disc, the lateral margin

is of a similar colour to, and of the same width as, the second band; the underside and legs flavous, or

the latter fulvous, the extreme apices of the tibize and the tarsi piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas, Jalapa (Hodge), Juquila (Sadlé).

Allied in shape and pattern to @. umbratica, Oliv., @. 4-vittata, Baly, and @. incon-

stans, Harold. From the two first this species is distinguished by having two (instead

of one) elytral bands, which are also differently placed and shaped ; and from @. incon-

stans by the pale colour of the head and body, the want of the sutural band, and the

finer punctuation of the elytra, as well as by the black antenne. The elytral bands in

some specimens are nearly obsolete.

26. (idionychis inconspicua.

Elongate, pale testaceous ; antenne, the scutellum, the outside of the tibie, and the tarsi, black ; head distinctly

punctured; thorax impunctate; elytra very finely punctured, testaceous, sometimes with narrow longi-

tudinal whitish stripes.

Length 4 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas, Ciudad in Durango (Forrer).

Of the same shape as the preceding species, but differing in the very distinctly punc-

tured head, the frontal elevations well raised and bounded behind by a transverse deep

groove, the black and shorter antenne, and the black scutellum, as well as by the colour

of the outer side of the tibie, which is also black. ‘The thorax has the anterior angles.

produced into a short tooth, which is not the case in @. infirma, and elytral bands are

altogether absent.

27. Gidionychis longicollis. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 20.)

Elongate, pale testaceous ; antenne (the three basal joints excepted), the outside of the tibiw, and the tarsi,

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1886. 3h

418 _ PHYTOPHAGA.

black; scutellum piceous; thorax one and a half times broader than long; elytra scarcely visibly

punctured. .

Length 4 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

The single specimen obtained is again closely allied to the two preceding species, but

differs so totally in the shape of the thorax that I am obliged to separate it ; the latter

is less than twice as broad as long, and the sides are nearly perfectly straight, while

the anterior angles are like those of @. infirma; the legs are coloured like those of

. inconspicua, from which it differs again in the totally different shape of the thorax

and the absence of anterior teeth. The species must be considered as an intermediate

form, but in the absence of other specimens a definite conclusion cannot be formed as

to its specific distinction.

28. Gidionychis sublineata. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 7.)

Testaceous ; joints 6-8 of the antenne fuscous ; elytra finely punctured, a narrow, short, and straight longitu-

dinal stripe at the middle of the base, a slightly curved band from the shoulder to near the apex, and the

suture, dark fulvous.

Length 2-3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Playa Vicente (Sallé), Jalapa (Hodge); Britis Honpuras,

Belize, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Panzos (Champion) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt, Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Closely allied to @. longicollis, but differmg in the want of the elytral posterior

discoidal band and in the straight, not oblique, short basal stripe; the longitudinal

lateral band is much further removed from the lateral margin than in @. oculata;

lastly, the antenne in the present species have the intermediate joints dark, which is

especially to be noticed in specimens from British Honduras. The name of the species is

a MS. one given to it by Chevrolat. Thirty-five specimens are before me.

29. Gidionychis oculata? (Tab. XXIV. fig. 6.)

Galleruca oculata, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 4961.

Haltica oculata, Tlig. Mag. vi. 1807, p. 100.

Haltica humeralis, var. 6, Ulig. Mag. vi. p. 101°.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, Caldera (Champion).—Sovuta AMERIca!23,

I refer provisionally the Central American specimens to the species of Fabricius and

Illiger, as they agree very nearly with a specimen kindly lent me for examination by

the Berlin Museum, and named, I believe, by Illiger himself. I have not at the present

moment this specimen before me, but a figure of it taken by myself seems to differ in

regard to the elytral markings in having an elongate ring-like brown mark placed at the

posterior half of each elytron. In the specimens from the State of Panama the design

of the elytra consists of a short oblique ferrugineous stripe at the middle of the base

CEDIONYCHIS. 419

directed inwards, a lateral and sutural narrow stripe, and an arcuate band, abbreviated

in front and behind, at the posterior portion of each elytron; all these bands are very

narrow, and if the posterior one is fancied joining the sublateral band at each end, the

ring-like shape of the type would be produced. The entire insect is of a testaceous

colour, the third and fourth joints of the antenne are of equal length, the thorax has

the anterior angles not produced and is impunctate, the elytra have a distinct flattened

margin and are finely punctured, the head is impunctate, and the eyes are closely

approached.

30. Gidionychis seriata. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 10.)

CGidionychis seriata, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. 11. 1878, p. 225°.

CGidionychis familiaris, Harold, Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1881, p. 130’.

Hab. Mexico”, Cerro de Plumas (fége), Cordova, Orizaba, Tehuantepec (Saillé);

GuateMata ! (coll. Baly, Jacoby), San Gerénimo (Champion).

Although I have not seen the type of . familiaris, the description given by Von

Harold of that species agrees so closely with the insect in Mr. Baly’s collection that

I have no doubt about their identity. In the Mexican specimens each elytron has

eight black spots, placed in two longitudinal rows (one discoidal, the other marginal) ;

in a specimen from Guatemala the spots are reduced to six, and those at the margin

are nearly joined; the head in the latter insect is black behind, testaceous in front,

while the Mexican specimens have an entirely pale fulvous head, thus showing that no

reliance can be placed on colour only asa distinctive character in the species of this genus.

31. Gddionychis wagneri.

Cidionychis wagneri, Harold, Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1881, p. 144’.

Hab. Costa Rica}.

32. (idionychis discoidea. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 11.)

Ovate, convex, fulvous; thorax testaceous, impunctate ; elytra distinctly punctured, flavous, the suture and six

elongate spots (placed longitudinally on each elytron) fulvous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate at the vertex, the space between the eyes narrow, the latter large, the lower part of the face

testaceous ; antennex entirely fulvous, the third joint distinctly shorter than the fourth ; thorax with the

anterior and posterior margins straight, the sides rounded towards the apex only, straight at the base, the

anterior angles produced into a short tooth ; scutellum dark fulvous ; elytra convex, nearly parallel, closely

punctured, the punctuation more distinct anteriorly, a sutural band, constricted at and below the middle,

two elongate short stripes at the base, two below the middle, and two small spots near the apex, fulvous ;

underside and legs fulvous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

There is only a single specimen of this species before me, and it is possible that it

may be a variety of one or other of the species described by Von Harold, although in

the pattern of the elytra it approaches @. seriata.

3h2

420 PHYTOPHAGA.

33. Cidionychis gracilis. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 14.)

Below fulvous; base of the head greenish-eneous ; antenne fuscous; thorax testaceous; elytra metallic

green, a longitudinal subsutural band and the extreme lateral margin pale testaceous, the surface nearly

impunctate.

Var. a. The lateral margin of the ground-colour.

Var. b. Elytra entirely metallic green.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head rugosely punctured near the eyes, the middle portion and the clypeus fulvous ; antenne short, black, the

three basal joints testaceous at their base; thorax narrow, somewhat depressed on the middle of the disc,

the lateral margin scarcely rounded, the anterior angles pointed, but not produced into a tooth, the posterior

margin nearly straight, the surface uneven and with a few very fine punctures, testaceous ; scutellum black ;

elytra somewhat depressed, of a silky or finely alutaceous appearance, sometimes with a few fine punctures,

light green, a narrow stripe near the suture from the base to the apex and the extreme lateral margin

pale testaceous ; underside pale or darker fulvous, the posterior part of the breast and the anterior femora

sometimes piceous ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi not longer than the second, the claw-joint strongly

inflated.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas, Presidio (Forrer); GUATEMALA, near the city, Purula

(Champion).

This variable little species may be known by the rugosely punctured space near the

eyes, the short antenne, and the alutaceous elytra, which show scarcely any punctua-

tion. Unicolorous specimens (without the elytral bands) may be separated from

E. cyanipennis, Fabr., by the much less shining elytra and the depressed disc of the

thorax, which is altogether of a different shape and narrower. (. interjectionts, Crotch,

jis described as having brownish-black elytra, and a black base to the head ; otherwise

it seems closely allied to the present species.

+++ Elytra with transverse bands or isolated spots. (Species 34-69.)

34, Gidionychis bipunctata.

Cidionychis bipunctata, Chevr. Col. Mex. 1834, fase. 3, nr. 647,

(Edionychis boucardi, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. 1876, p. 122?.

(Edionychis insularis, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1879, p. 445°.

Hab. Mexico 23, Vera Cruz}, Cordova, Playa Vicente, Toxpam, Tuxtla (Sal/é), Jalapa,

Oaxaca, Cerro de Plumas (Hége); British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneauz).

At first sight, and according to the descriptions of the authors, the three insects united

here under one name seem certainly to be specifically distinct, if coloration alone is con-

sidered; but two specimens, contained in the Sallé collection, taken “in copula,” prove

that in this case at least @. bipunctata is but the female sex of @. bowcardi, in which

the bands of the elytra are absent, and the postmedial spot is greatly reduced in size,

but whether all the females are so marked I am, of course, unable to say. There is one

specimen before me in which all the darker markings are absent, and the elytra are

entirely testaceous ; in all other instances, however, a small apical spot is generally con-

stant, by which the species, I think, may be principally recognized. The male of

CEDIONYCHIS. 421

4. bipunctata agrees in every particular with Von Harold’s diagnosis. Some varieties have

the elytra, with the exception of the small apical spot, entirely testaceous, but the black

base of the head and the black scutellum seem constant. I must now refer to this species

my @. insularis, in which the underside is ferrugineous, but the other characters the

same; Chevrolat not mentioning the small apical spot, which probably was absent in the

type, made me think my species was a distinct one. The many intermediately marked

specimens now before me prove the great variability of @. bipunctata.

35. idionychis godmani. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 23.)

Cidionychis godmani, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1880, p. 1787.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Teapa (Sallé) ; Guaremaa, Panzos, 'Teleman, Chacoj, Panima,

Zapote (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales! (Belt); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu

(Rogers); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Several similarly-coloured species to this have been described, and it is quite pos-

sible that the present one, which seems to be subject to more or less variation in colour,

is but another form of one or the other older species, of which, in many instances,

types must be compared for a certain identification. It is probable that @. plebga,

Klug, and the manuscript names of @. dispar and @. generosa, Chevr., refer to the

present insect. The large brown patches of the elytra change in some specimens

into dark bluish or black, and the transverse space dividing them varies a good deal

in width; as do the spots themselves, which, however, never touch the lateral margin.

@. honesta, Ilig., and @. humilis, Tllig., seem also to be closely allied species, but the

former is described as having the second band of the elytra extending to the lateral

margin, which is not the case in @. godmani, and the apices of the posterior femora

black, and @. humilis with having a black spot on the middle of the elytra.

36. Gidionychis illigeri, (Tab. XXIII. fig. 21.)

Flavous; base of the head and the intermediate joints of the antenna black ; thorax and elytra impunctate, the

latter with a broad transverse band at the base and a narrower one below the middle black.

Length 3 lines,

Head black, shining, impunctate, with a single puncture near each eye, the space between the latter not broader

than their diameter, with a deep transverse groove, the lower part of the face testaceous, the three lower

and the three terminal joints of the antenne testaceous ; thorax fulvous, the anterior and posterior margins

straight, the anterior angles scarcely visibly toothed, the surface impunctate ; scutellum fulvous; elytra

impunctate on the dark part, scarcely punctured on the lighter portions, the anterior band extending to

nearly their middle, and separated from the posterior one by a narrow testaceous vitta, the posterior band

situated directly below the middle and narrower than the anterior one, leaving the apex broadly testaceous,

as well as the extreme lateral margin ; the posterior femora with a small piceous spot at their apices ; the

first joint of the posterior tarsi not longer than the second.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

I have separated this species from @. honesta, Illig., and other allied forms by the

422, PHYTOPHAGA.

colour of the antenne and the shape and size of the elytral bands, as well as by the

pale colour of the underside and legs, which is the same in the two specimens

before me.

37. Cdionychis insepta ?

(Edionychis insepta, Harold, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 18777.

Hab. Panama, Chiriqui (2ibde).—Prrv!.

So many similarly coloured species to this (fulvous elytra with transverse metallic

bands) have been described, that it is impossible to say whether I am rightly referring

the single specimen obtained by Herr Ribbe to Von Harold’s species, with the description

of which it agrees in the main points. The only differences seem to be the entirely

black underside and legs in the Chiriqui specimen ; the elytra in this individual are

metallic greenish-black, the lateral margin and a narrow transverse band, slightly

widened towards the suture, fulvous, and the base of the head and the antenne

black. A specimen from Peru contained in my collection agrees in every way with

the one from Chiriqul.

38. Gidionychis fulvofasciata.

Dark fulvous; antenne (the basal joints excepted) black; thorax impunctate; elytra rather strongly and

closely punctured, greenish or bluish-black, a broad transverse band at the middle and the apex fulvous.

Length 4 lines. | .

Head with some distinct punctures near the eyes, the latter rather closely approached, the frontal tubercles.

distinct ; antennse black, the two first joints fulvous, the third and fourth joints of equal length ; thorax

three times as broad as long, the sides straight at the base, rounded near the apex, the anterior angles

produced into a distinct tooth, the surface impunctate; scutellum black; elytra nearly parallel, the

shoulders prominent and bounded within by a deep groove, the punctuation close and very distinct, the

base to nearly the middle is occupied by a transverse dark blue band which does not quite extend to the

lateral margins nor to a narrow space above the shoulders, behind the middle another similar band is.

placed, which extends to the lateral margin, but not to the apices of the elytra, which remain fulvous, the

posterior margin of the second band is concave, the anterior one irregularly dentate or sinuate ; epipleure

and the entire underside and legs dark fulvous.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt).

. insepta, Harold, seems to be a closely allied species, but is described as having

blackish legs and underside, as well as the third joint of the antenne much shorter

than the fourth, which is not the case with the present species. QW. fulvofasciata

may be further distinguished by the distinct punctuation of the elytra, the fulvous.

band of which, dividing the blue portion, is less than half the width of the dark

bands, and consequently broader than is the case with some other similarly coloured

species.

(EDIONYCHIS. 423

39. Qdionychis exquisita. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 5.)

Broadly subhemispherical, pale fulvous; antenne (the basal and apical joints excepted) fuscous ; elytra finely

punctured, flavous or testaceous, this colour divided by transverse and longitudinal metallic blue bands,

enclosing fourteen large flavous spots.

Length 42 lines,

Head with a few very fine punctures, fulvous, the space between the eyes much larger than their diameter ;

antenne not quite extending to half the length of the elytra, the fourth joint nearly double the length of

the third, the three lower and the three apical ones fulvous, the others fuscous; thorax transverse,

strongly narrowed at the middle, the sides greatly rounded and flattened, the posterior margin perfectly

straight, the anterior angles produced into a short tooth, the surface punctured like the head, fulvous ;

scutellum fulvous ; elytra very strongly rounded (like a species of Coccinella), finely but more distinctly

punctured than the thorax, the suture anteriorly and posteriorly, the lateral margin to nearly the apex,

a short longitudinal streak from the middle of the base, as well as three transverse narrow dentate

bands (placed before, below the middle, and near the apex, and connected with each other at the middle),

metallic blue ; underside and legs pale fulvous.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).

This fine species, of which two specimens are before me, is not difficult to recognize

on account of its rounded shape, large size, and peculiar markings. If the metallic-

blue of the elytra is taken for the ground-colour, each elytron may be described as

having seven large flavous spots (2, 2, 2, 1); the basal longitudinal stripe dividing the

first two spots does not quite extend to the first transverse band; the shape of these

bands will be better seen in the figure.

40. @dionychis decemguttata. (Tab. XXIII. figeg. 15, 18, 22, var.)

Galleruca decemguttata, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. 1801, p. 492°.

Altica 10-guttata, Oliv. Ent. vi. 1808, p. 680, t. 1. fig. 20”.

Haltica dipus, Mig. Mag. vi. 1807, p. 86.

Cidionychis humeralis, Schaufuss, Nunq. Otios. ii. p. 307°.

Cidionychis nicaraguensis, Jacoby, P. Z. S. 1879, p. 445+.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio (Forrer), Cerro de Plumas, Jalapa (Hége), Cuernavaca, Panist-

lahuaca, Cosamaloapam, Orizaba, Teapa, Tuxtla, Vera Cruz (Sallé); British Honpuras,

R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); GuaTEMALA, Zapote, Chacoj, Purula (Champion); Nica-

RaGguA, Chontales* (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu, Cache

(Rogers); Panama (Boucard), David, Bugaba, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).—Sovru

AMERICA! 28,

This is evidently a most variable species, of which, since the description of &. nica-

raguensis was published, many more specimens have been received from the localities

quoted above ; the comparison of these examples leaves to me no choice but to look upon

them as belonging to one and the same species. (. decemguttata seems to be a widely

distributed species, of which a normally coloured specimen is fairly well figured in

Olivier’s ‘Entomology’; the specimens figured here differ from the type in having

bands instead of spots in a more or less well-marked degree, which, if connected, give

424 PHYTOPHAGA.

the ten-spotted normal form. Some of these banded varieties approach in the

pattern of the elytra as well as in structural characters so close to an equally most

variable species (Z. scissa, Germ.), that it is quite possible that the latter and @.

decemguttata and its varieties are one and the same species; I have at all events not

been able to find satisfactory characters for their separation on account of the many

intermediate degrees in respect to coloration and even structure.

To separate these numerous forms into so many different species would only add to

the confusion and the difficulty of determination, since no line can be drawn in the

variation of the colouring and pattern. There is, however, one form, obtained at

Presidio only, which seems to differ from the specimens from any other locality; in

this variety the elytra are dark fulvous, with the usual number of pale spots, and

placed as usual; but the basal spot is not round but transverse, and projects in a short

branch to the basal margin at its middle, and the transverse band in front of the apical

spot is deeply emarginate or dentate at its posterior margin; other differences of

importance I am unable to see.

41. @dionychis duodecim-maculata. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 16.)

Cidionychis 12-maculata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1880, p. 176.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo! (Champion).

At first sight this species seems to be but another variety of . decemguttata, in

which the posterior band of the elytra has become separated into two spots; but other

and constant differences are present to assist in the recognition of the species. The

eyes in all the specimens are always more widely separated than in @. decemguttata ;

the two posterior spots on the elytra are placed in an obliquely concave direction (in

G. decemguttata the posterior band is always convex), and the elytral margins and

epipleuree are constant metallic blue. The species was only received from the above

locality, and the nine specimens before me do not show any marked variation.

42. (idionychis brunneovittata.

Brownish piceous, above testaceous; elytra with a transverse narrow band below the base, joined by a

longitudinal stripe at the shoulder and another transverse broader band below the middle, dark fulvous.

Length 4 lines.

Head impunctate, with a central fovea, the space between the eyes broader than their diameter; antenne:

fuscous, the first three joints fulvous, shining, the fourth joint longer than the third; thorax with very

strongly rounded and flattened sides, narrowed in front, the anterior angles acute but not produced into

a tooth, the surface impunctate; elytra widened at the middle, narrowed near the apex, very finely

punctured, shining, testaceous, with a narrow dark fulvous band before the middle extending very nearly

or quite to the sutural and lateral margins, a similarly coloured broader band is placed immediately below

the middle, and a longitudinal stripe extends from the base within the shoulder to the anterior band.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The design of the elytra in this species resembles @. tricruciata, Germ., with the

(EDIONYCHIS. 425

difference that the entire apical portion in @. brunneovitiata remains of the testaceous

ground-colour; the sides of the thorax are also very much more rounded and not

straight near the base, a character which will at once distinguish this species from the

allied forms. Ten specimens, agreeing with each other in every particular.

43. (Mdionychis panamensis. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 17.)

Dark brown ; head and antenne black; thorax and elytra testaceous; elytra very finely punctured, a trans-

verse band before and another below the middle, the apex, and a longitudinal stripe at the shoulder,

metallic bluish-black.

Var. The apical spot of the elytra wanting.

Length 3-4 lines.

Hab, Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

It is quite possible that this species is only a variety of the preceding, for which I

would have at once taken it, had the sixteen specimens before me not shown all the

same constant differences; the pattern of the elytra is in some examples absolutely

identical, in others there is an additional apical spot as the figure shows; but the bands

are here always metallic violaceous or bluish-black; the head, with the exception of

the parts of the mouth which are testaceous, is also black, as are the antenne, and the

latter have the fourth joint very distinctly longer than the third, and more markedly so

than in @. brunneovittata.

44, (idionychis olivacea.

Obscure greenish or greenish-testaceous ; third and fourth joints of antenne equal; elytra closely and distinctly

punctured, the base narrowly, a transverse sinuate band before, and another broader behind the middle,

obscure fulvous.

Var. a. Elytra metallic bluish, with an indistinct pale transverse central band.

Var. 6. Elytra obscure greenish-brown, the bands nearly obsolete.

Length 33-43 lines.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This is another species very closely allied to @. brunneovittata and G4. panamensis, as

well as to G. decemguttata; from the first two it may be distinguished by the much

less rounded thorax, the sides of which are straight at the base and have a distinct

anterior tooth, and the much stronger punctuation of the elytra; this latter character

and the pale greenish colour separates the species from (. decemguttata, from which it

seems further to differ by the more dentate or sinuate elytral bands, which in many

specimens are scarcely visible. I am unable to say whether the present insect is not

another variety of @. decemguttata, the only species of the genus with which, on

account of the shape of the thorax, it can be confounded; but as more than fourteen

specimens, all agreeing in the above particulars, are before me, I am obliged to

separate @. olivacea as a distinct species.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1886. 3i

426 PHYTOPHAGA,

45, (idionychis salvini. (Tab. XXIII. figg. 24, 25.)

(Edionychis salvini, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1880, p. 179’.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote1, Pantaleon (Champion); Costa Rica (coll. Jacoby).

The description of this species gives the thorax as finely but distinctly punctured ;

this is a mistake, as a closer examination proves to me; the surface may be described

as being almost impunctate (under a very strong lens some minute punctures can be

seen). I look upon one specimen figured (25) as a variety, as it was obtained at the

same locality, and I have some intermediate degrees of coloration before me; a

constant character in @. salvini seems to be the black scutellar spot, which in three

specimens is shaped as the figure 24 shows, while in others it is rounded and more

transverse; in these forms the shoulder spot is wanting, and the two posterior spots

are united; in no specimen, however, that I have seen does the basal spot extend

further than the figure represents. The legs are dark brown in one specimen only; in

the others the four anterior ones are nearly black, the base of the femora only being

fulvous.

46. Gidionychis transversalis. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 17.)

(Edionychis transversalis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 4443.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales! (Janson); Panama (Boucard), Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).

In plainly marked specimens of this species the elytra have a black square patch

enclosing two testaceous round spots at their anterior half; in a variety these spots are

enlarged, reducing the black portion to narrow transverse and longitudinal bands; in

another variety the black predominates so as to surround a single pale spot below

the base ; lastly all the black portion is reduced to two spots at the base and a short

transverse stripe at the middle; this latter variety resembles greatly . humeralis,

Fabr., but in that species there is never (as far as I have noticed) a black spot at the

middle of the basal margin of the elytra, a constant character in all the specimens of @.

transversalis and its varieties.

47, Gidionychis tenuicincta. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 22.)

Testaceous; antennz obscure fuscous; head and thorax impunctate; elytra very closely punctured, the

extreme basal margin, a narrow transverse band behind the middle, and a spot near the scutellum, black.

Length 2-3 lines.

Eyes large, the space dividing them not broader than their diameter; fourth joint of the antenne slightly

larger than the third, the five lower and one or two apical joints testaceous, the intermediate ones fuscous ;

thorax with the lateral margins nearly straight, the anterior angles not produced, the posterior margin

quite straight, the surface impunctate; elytra a little widened towards the middle, of a very slightly con-

vex shape, the transverse basal and posterior bands extremely narrow, the former extending as far as the

(2DIONYCHIS. 427

sal

shoulders, the latter not quite touching the sutural or lateral margins, the small spot placed close to but

below the scutellum.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente, Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége); British Honpuras, R.

Hondo (Blancaneaua); Guatemata, Panzos, San Gerénimo (Champion); NicaRacua,

Chontales (Belt); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

The narrow black basal margin of the elytra and the transverse band placed below

the middle will not allow @. tenuicincta to be mistaken for any other described

species.

48, Gddionychis championi. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 18.)

Pale testaceous ; the last six or seven joints of the antenne black ; head and thorax impunctate ; elytra finely

and closely punctured, two spots at the base (one at the shoulder, the other near the scutellum), and three

behind the middle (placed transversely), black.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The two specimens obtained do not differ in shape from @. tenuicincta or G. hume-

ralis, with the latter of which they have the two obliquely placed basal spots in

common, but differ in having three spots placed behind the middle, the sutural one of

which is placed a little lower than the other two, thus giving a convex shape to the

line of position; the want of the black basal margin and the extra shoulder spot

separate CE. championi from @. tenuicincta. The position and shape of the markings

of these insects seem to me a better guide for their classification than the number or

colour of the marks themselves.

49. Gidionychis inscripta. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 21.)

Subdepressed, testaceous; the base of the head and the four terminal joints of the antenne black; thorax

impunctate ; elytra very finely punctured, a transverse band at the base (enclosing four testaceous spots)

and a narrow band behind the middle, black.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

In shape and coloration this species resembles somewhat @. transversalis, Jac., but

the design of the elytral markings is different. The entire posterior part of the head

is black and impunctate; the basal band of the elytra does not extend to the lateral

margin, and is interrupted by four elongate testaceous spots regularly placed; the

posterior narrow band is placed below the middle, extends to the lateral and, in most

cases, sutural margin, and is curved or convex in shape.

50. Gidionychis hypocrita.

Pale testaceous ; antenne with the four or six last joints black ; elytra impunctate, a transverse dentate band

below the base (including three or four spots), and another deeply angulate band below the middle, obscure

fulvous.

Length 23-3 lines.

312

428 PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Guatemaa, San Gerénimo (Champion), Yzabal (Sallé); Nicaragua, Granada

(Sallé).

Very closely allied to @. inscripta, but to be separated from that species by the

entirely testaceous head and the different shape of the elytral bands, the anterior of

which is deeply angulate on each side and at the sutural margin, where it is generally

connected with the equally dentate posterior band. As there are eight specimens

before me which all differ in the same way from @. inscripta, I am. obliged to consider

them as distinct. The elytral bands are often indicated by spots only, but they retain

their angulate appearance and are always of a fulvous colour.

51. Gidionychis biarcuata. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 13.)

Cidionychis biarcuata, Chevr. Col. Mex. 1834, fasc. 3. no. 66°.

Hab. Mexico}, Cordova (Sallé); British Honpuras (Sallé); GuatemMana, San Gerd-

nimo (Champion).

The specimens labelled with the above name and contained in the Sallé collection do

not quite agree with the description given by Chrevrolat; this author describes the

head as “rougedtre” as well as the thorax; but in all the specimens before me the

former is piceous and the thorax testaceous. The markings of the elytra consist of a

black ring at the base, and a semicircular transverse narrow band below the middle, the

sutural end of which is connected with another short longitudinal streak within the

concave part; these markings vary in thickness and also in shape; the breast is black

in all the specimens I have for comparison (Chevrolat makes no mention of this), and

the fifth to the ninth joints of the antennee are fuscous, the rest testaceous.

As Chevrolat says that the insect was taken abundantly by M. Sallé, I have no doubt

about the right determination of this species; a single specimen only was obtained by

Mr. Champion.

52. Gidionychis proxima. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 19.)

Pale testaceous; intermediate joints of the antenne piceous; thorax impunctate; elytra extremely closely

punctured, a transverse band at the base and another one of a semicircular shape behind the middle,

black.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, the space between the eyes not broader than the diameter of the latter ; basal and terminal

joints of the antennez testaceous, the others piceous ; thorax transverse, at least three times as broad as

long, the sides strongly rounded and flattened; elytra scarcely widened behind, the basilar band not

extending to either margin, and obliquely shaped at its inner margin near the scutellum, and another

crescent-shaped band extending to the lateral and sutural margins, black.

Hab. GuateMaa, Panzos (Champion).

At first sight this species seems to be but a variety of (. biarcuata, Chevr. The

following differences will help to distinguish it:—the thorax in @. provima is much

C2DIONYCHIS. 429

more transverse, with the sides more rounded and flattened; the head is entirely

testaceous, and the elytral bands are of a different shape; the basilar one often

includes a small testaceous spot, and is always cut oblique or angular near the

scutellum, where it leaves a narrow space of the ground-colour; the posterior band is

pointed at each end, and extends a little distance along the sutural and lateral margins,

assuming a semicircular shape ; in @. diarcuata this corresponding band turns inwards

again from the suture, and the space enclosed is divided by another longitudinal streak.

Eleven specimens, all agreeing in the above particulars.

53. Cidionychis humeralis.

Galleruca humeralis, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 494°; Illiger, Mag. vi. p. 101?.

Galleruca sellata, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 492; Illiger, Mag. vi. p. 102°.

Cidionychis 6-punctulata, Schauf. Nunq. Otios. ii. 1874, p. 295%.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers); Panama, Volcan

_ de Chiriqui, Bugaba, Caldera (Champion).—Soutn America! 423,

There does not seem to be any important difference between the Central American

specimens and others from South America contained in my own collection; most of

those sent by Mr. Champion from Chiriqui have the usual two oblique basal spots and

a transverse narrow central black line; in others this line is only indicated by another

‘small black spot until that also is absent in some forms; in one variety there are no

spots whatever, and the entire insect is of a pale testaceous colour.

54. Gidionychis imitans.

Pale yellowish white; the last seven joints of the antenne and the breast black; elytra finely rugose and

punctured, two small spots at the base (placed obliquely), and another below the middle, black.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Whether the single specimen before me represents a species distinct from @. hume-

ralis or is only a variety Iam unable to say. The black breast and antenne, of which

the four first joints only of the latter are testaceous, the rugosely punctured elytra, the

posterior spot of which is not placed at, but below the middle, and the whitish

semiopaque colour of the insect seem to me sufficient to render it specifically distinct,

although structurally it agrees with @. humeralis.

55. Qidionychis brevicornis.

Ovate, fulvous; base of the head black; antenne submoniliform; thorax impunctate, fulvous, or testaceous ;

elytra finely but distinctly punctured, metallic blue or blackish, a transverse spot at and two others below

the middle, and one at the apex of each elytron, testaceous or fulvous.

Var. The spots united in the shape of two transverse bands.

Length 2-23 lines.

430 PHYTOPHAGA.

Head with a few distinct punctures near the eyes, black or piceous, the lower part fulvous; antennz very short,

black, the three lower joints generally fulvous and shining, the fourth joint scarcely longer than the third ;

thorax with the sides narrowly flattened, the lateral margin straight at the base, rounded towards the

apex, the anterior angles with a short tooth, the surface impunctate; scutellum black; elytra finely but

distinctly punctured, dark blue or blackish sneous, the first spot transverse, not touching the margins,

and widened towards the suture, the two posterior ones near the apex and the apical spot placed at the

extremity of the elytron; the anterior legs and the tibiee more or less dark coloured, the others and the

underside fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz, Oaxaca (Sallé), Jalapa (Hodge); GuatTEMaLa, Chiacam,

Tamahu (Champion).

This species is principally distinguished by the short antenne; the design of the

elytra is also different from any allied species, there being no spot near the scutellum ;

in the variety the elytra have two transverse sinuate bands touching the lateral margin

besides the apical spot ; it is probable that specimens occur in which the anterior band

is equally divided into two spots. The Guatemalan specimens seem to me to be

immature as the elytra are fulvous instead of blue, but the position of the spots and

the short antenne are similar.

56. Gidionychis atroguttata.

Subdepressed, pale testaceous; four terminal joints of the antenne black; thorax impunctate; elytra very

finely punctured, the basal margin, two sutural and five spots on each elytron, black.

Length 23 lines.

Head impunctate, deeply transversely grooved between the eyes, the latter large, and the space between them

not wider than their diameter; antenne slender, testaceous, the last four joints black; thorax narrowly

transverse, the sides flattened and rounded, the anterior angles not produced, the surface impunctate ;

elytra with the following black markings, a narrow transverse band at the basal margin extending to the

shoulders, a spot below the latter and one near the scutellum, a spot at the suture before and a similar

one (sometimes wanting) below the middle, a transversely shaped spot at the middle of the disc, and close

behind it another one at the lateral margin.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio, Ventanas (Forrer).

The narrow black basal band of the elytra seems to be a constant character in this

species ; in some specimens a more or less distinct costa runs from the shoulder nearly

to the apex.

G. 6-maculata, Illig., seems to be closely allied; that species, however, is without a

basal black band, and has not so many spots.

57. Gidionychis maculata. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 9.)

Cidionychis maculata, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xv. p. 124 (1875)*; Sturm, Catal. 1848, p. 280°.

Hab. Muxtco '*, Juquila, Cuernavaca (Sailé), Cordova (Hége); GuaTemaua, Capetillo

Cerro Zunil (Champion), Aceytuno (Salvin).

The description of this species by Von Harold requires some additional remarks; in

the typical form, a specimen of which, named by Sturm himself, I have before me, the

thorax has the posterior margin narrowly piceous, and the elytra have two transverse

G@DIONYCHIS. A431

black bands as well as three basal and two apical spots; in varieties from Cuernavaca

all the elytral bands are separated into spots placed transversely (3, 4, 4, 2), in others

the apical spots are wanting, as well as the thoracic band, but structural differences I

cannot see; the legs are generally fulvous and the underside piceous, but sometimes

the reverse is the case, and several intermediate degrees in regard to the pattern of the

elytra and the colour of the underside are before me, thus proving the variability of the

species. Mr. Champion obtained nearly forty specimens of the same or an extremely

closely allied species, in which the underside and legs are nearly always dark and the

thorax rather narrower and more shining, without any dark markings; but as all the

other characters seemed to be the same, I think the Guatemalan specimens may safely

be considered as identical with or as a local variety of the Mexican form.

58. (idionychis tredecim-maculata.

CGidionychis 13-maculata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1880, p.177'.

Hab. Mexico 1, Michoacan (Flohr).

This little species cannot be mistaken for any other on account of the position of the

spots, notably the one surrounding the scutellum. Two specimens from Mexico, as

well as two others kindly given to me by Mr. Flohr, are contained in my collection.

59. (idionychis signata.

Subdepressed, testaceous; intermediate joints of the antennex black; thorax impunctate; elytra extremely

finely punctured, a dentate band before, another at, and a third behind the middle, fulvous, the shoulder

with one, the lateral margin with two spots.

Var. a. Elytra with the posterior band absent; each elytron with two extra spots, one before, the other behind

the middle, the bands margined with piceous.

Var. 6. No elytral bands; each elytron with seven black spots, four placed obliquely anteriorly, a larger one

below the middle, one at the lateral margin, and another near the apex.

Length 2-24 lines.

Head impunctate, with the exception of a few very fine punctures near the eyes, the latter rather closely

approached ; antennz, with the first five or six and the two terminal joints, testaceous, the others black ;

thorax impunctate.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Cordova (Sallé); British Honpuras, R. Hondo, R. Sarstoon

(Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA, Chacoj, Chiacam, Sinanja (Champion).

I have taken the banded form of this apparently very variable species for the type:

these bands have the black spots of the varieties more or less indicated at exactly the

same places; in others spots and bands alternate till the latter entirely disappear, thus

proving the variation and identity of all these forms.

60. Qidionychis conspurcata. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 8.)

Ovate, slightly widened behind, black or piceous; head closely punctured, above testaceous ; elytra wrinkled,

more or less costate, two transverse strongly dentate bands, a spot at the shoulder and another near the

apex of each elytron, black.

Length 2-24 lines..

432 PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla, Juquila, Durasnal, Huatusco, Yolos, Peras (Sallé), Cerro de

Plumas (Hége), Michoacan (Flohr); Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).

At first sight @. conspurcata so much resembles &. maculata in the arrangement of

the pattern of the elytra, as to suggest the probability of its being a variety only of this

species; but as I have more than forty specimens for examination, all differing in the

same way, I must conclude the species to be a distinct one. The differences to be

found are the following : in @. conspurcata the head is always closely punctured on the

vertex (not smooth as in the allied species), and the entire posterior portion is black ;

the disc of the thorax is generally spotted with piceous, and has a distinct transverse

groove near the base; the elytra have always a wrinkled appearance, and are generally

furnished with longitudinal grooves and alternate coste; lastly, the anterior black

elytral band is very strongly dentate, forming a distinct V-shaped mark across the

suture; in the variety in which the bands are broken into spots, as in &@. maculata, the

rugose and costate appearance of the elytra remain the same. I retain a MS. name of

Chevrolat’s for this species.

A single specimen only was obtained at Guatemala by Mr. Champion.

61. @dionychis jansoni. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 24.)

Elongate, flattened, testaceous; head finely punctured; thorax impunctate; elytra with the suture, a trans-

verse spot at the base, another at the middle, and a third near the apex, falvous.

Length 3 lines.

Head finely punctured; the eyes large, closely approached; antenne fulvous, the intermediate joints obscure

piceous, the third and fourth joints of equal length; sides of the thorax broadly flattened, the anterior

angles not produced, without any trace of a tooth ; elytra narrowed towards the apices, the lateral margin

rather broadly flattened anteriorly, but gradually narrowed posteriorly, the surface finely punctured,

testaceous, the suture narrowly, and three transverse bands (the two anterior ones of which do not extend

to either margin), fulvous ; first joint of the posterior tarsi longer than the second, the claw-joint strongly

swollen.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, coll. Jacoby).

This species may be known by its flattened, posteriorly narrowed shape, the elytral

margin, and their design. I possess only a single specimen.

62, Cidionychis querula. (Tab. XXIII. fig. 19.)

CEdionychis querula, Harold, Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1881, p. 188°.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion), Colon (Boucard).—VENE-

ZUELA (coll. Jacoby); Braziu}.

I have not much doubt that I am rightly referring the specimens from the above

localities to Von Harold’s species, although the description makes no mention of any

structural characters except the punctuation of the elytra and their design. The

arrangements of the small elytral spots agree well with the description, with the

exception that there are two small spots visible near the apex in the Central American

specimens, while Von Harold only speaks of one. A single specimen from Colon has

GEDIONYCHIS. 433

the intermediate basal spots united in the shape of a transverse band; the same is the

case with the apical ones, which, after forming a transverse band, are joined by a short

sutural stripe to a triangular apical spot. All the specimens differ from the type in

wanting the spots on the thorax and the short lateral stripe near the apex of the elytra,

which are, however, present in the specimen from Venezuela contained in my own

collection.

63. Gadionychis hondurensis. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 25.)

Ovate, widened behind, fulvous; antenne black, the first two joints testaceous; head and thorax fulvous,

impunctate ; elytra finely punctured, reddish fulvous, the basal and lateral margins broadly black.

Var. Elytra entirely fulvous.

Length 14 line.

Head impunctate; the eyes not closely approached; antennw with the third joint scarcely longer than the

second, the following joint also rather short, the three lower, and often the apical one, testaceous ; thorax

more than twice as broad as long, the sides moderately rounded, the anterior angles short and tuberculi-

form, the surface entirely impunctate, with a rather distinct groove on each side near the base; scutellum

fulvous; elytra extremely minutely and not very closely punctured, a transverse broad band at the base,

connected with a narrower longitudinal band at the sides, not extending to the apex, black or piceous ;

the first joint of the posterior tarsi very short; claw-joint strongly swollen.

Hab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneauz).

This is one of the smallest species of the genus, the size of which, together with the

short second and third joints of the antenne, will assist in its recognition.

64. (dionychis violaceomarginata. (Tab. XXIV. fig. 23.)

Oblong, convex, fulvous; antenns and the anterior legs piceous ; vertex of the head dark blue; thorax pale

fulvous ; elytra testaceous, finely punctured, the basal and sutural, as well as the lateral margins anteriorly,

violaceous-blue.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate at the vertex, with a few punctures near the eyes, the latter widely separated, the frontal

tubercles rather broad and trigonate, the lower part of the face testaceous, the labrum and jaws piceous ;

antenne short, black, the two basal joints stained with fulvous below, the fourth joint longer than the

third; thorax narrow, more than three times as broad as long, the sides straight at the base, rounded

towards the apex, narrowly flattened, the anterior angles thickened but not produced outwards, the surface

entirely impunctate, with a shallow transverse basal groove ; scutellum black; elytra slightly narrowed

towards the apices, convex, and nearly subcylindrical, finely and closely punctured, of a paler colour than

the thorax, the basal margin enclosing the shoulders, as well as the suture and the lateral margin anteriorly,

metallic dark blue; the underside and the posterior legs reddish fulvous, the anterior ones piceous; the

first joint of the posterior tarsi very short.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hoge).

The two specimens obtained are alike in every particular; the blue colour of the

suture and lateral margin is extremely narrow, and, in the case of the latter, does not

extend further than just below the middle, while the colour of the suture extends

slightly round the apices of the elytra; the latter have their epipleure testaceous

without, piceous within.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1886. 3k

434 PHYTOPHAGA.

_ 65, Gdionychis montana. |

Flavous; antenne (the first joint excepted), the four anterior tibie, and tarsi, black; thorax impunctate; elytra

finely punctured. .

Var. Above fulvous.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, the eyes wider apart than their diameter; antennz more than half the length of the body,

black, the first two joints testaceous, the fourth joint distinctly longer than the third; thorax nearly three

times as broad as long, the sides nearly straight at the base, rounded in front, the lateral margins narrowly

flattened, the anterior angles scarcely produced, the surface with a rather deep transverse groove on each

side near the base, impunctate; elytra widened behind, the shoulder not bounded within by a groove, the

surface finely punctured, somewhat raised below the base; legs and underside flavous, the outer side of

the four anterior tibia and the tarsi piceous ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi very short ; claw-joint

strongly swollen.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

The small size, and the colour of the antenne and of the anterior tibie, which is the

same in the sixteen specimens before me, separates @. montana from @. paupera, Illig.,

. cribriceps, Schauf., @. insignita, Boh., and several other unicolorous species.

66. Gdionychis tibialis.

Ovate, testaceous; antenne, the knees, and the tibia, piceous; head and thorax impunctate; elytra finely

punctured.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles transverse ; antenne piceous, the first joint testaceous, the third and

fourth joints equal in length; thorax very transverse, the sides rounded and broadly flattened, the anterior

angles produced into a tooth, the surface impunctate, somewhat convex, the posterior margin straight;

elytra very finely punctured ; underside and legs testaceous; tibiee and tarsi piceous, the posterior tibize

testaceous at the base. |

Hab. Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers).

The small size and colour of the tibiae and antenne separates this species from its

unicolorous allies.

67. Gidionychis discolor.

Obscure fuscous or testaceous ; head closely punctured ; thorax minutely punctate; elytra finely rugose, the

interstices closely punctured, each with two obscure spots at the base and one at the middle.

Var. Elytra unspotted.

Length 3 lines.

Head rather closely and somewhat rugosely punctured; the frontal elevations distinct and rather broad, the

eyes not very closely approached ; antenne slender, the joints elongate, the third and fourth joints equal,

the three lower ones sometimes dark fulvous, the others nearly black; thorax slightly narrowed in front,

the sides rather broadly flattened, the anterior angles not produced, the surface dull and covered with some

very fine punctures (visible only under a strong lens); elytra closely and finely rugose and punctured,

with a spot at the shoulder, another one near the scutellum, and a third at the middle, obscure piceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Whether the colour of this species is always so obscure and dull as the three speci-

mens before me show, I am unable to say, but the closely punctured head and rugosely

punctured elytra are peculiar to this species, and will help in recognizing it.

CEDIONYCHIS. 435

68. Gidionychis leta.

Altica (Afdionychis) leta, Perbosc, Rev. Zool. 1839, p- 263°.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz ! (Perbosc).

69. Cédionychis sallzi.

Cidionychis salléi, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. iv. p. 274° (1859).

Hab. Mexico 1. .

I have been unable to find the type of this species in the collection of Mr. Baly (now

in the possession of the British Museum), nor have I seen a specimen answering to the

description of that author.

b. Anterior coxal cavities closed.

In treating of this division of the Halticine, which have, like those of the preceding,

the globular inflation of the posterior claw-joint in common, it is first of all necessary

to point to a constant character, in connection with that of the closed coxal cavities,

namely, the punctuation of the elytra, which is arranged in strie, a constant. occurrence,

so far as we know, amongst the “ Cidipodes,” the present division. This is a curious

and interesting fact, since no instance of a similar structure is known to occur amongst

the “ Physapodes,” in which the anterior coxal cavities are open; and although the

punctuation of the elytra is generally a character of little value in classification, in

this instance at least, in connection with the globular claw-joint, it is of importance

and perfectly sufficient for the recognition of any species of this division. It is a great

deal more difficult to place the species in genera which may be recognized by the

student without doubt or much trouble. The important monograph by Clark which

treats of these insects (Catalogue of Halticide, pt. 1, 1860) contains no less than

42 genera, which are frequently established on variable and doubtful characters, and

even his primary divisions into two tribes, one with filiform palpi, rarely quadrate, and

the other with palpi which are incrassate, rarely quadrate, does not render a deter-

mination of the genera in either tribe easy, since their characters are almost identical.

This has already been remarked by Herr von Harold (Col. Hefte, xiii. 1875), yet Clark

was the first author who contributed greatly to the knowledge of these up to that time

rare and almost unknown Halticine, he having described more than 240 species, mostly

from South America. Central America has hitherto contributed but very few species,

but, thanks to the researches of Mr. Champion, Herr Hoge, and others, the species from

that country now amount to a very considerable number. |

Most interesting and curious forms are to be met with amongst the “ CEdipodes,” the

genus Loxoprosopus, for example, having quite the appearance of a small species of

‘Longicornia,’ on account of the immense size of the antennz; in others the body,

instead of having the general oblong or elongate shape, is short, broadly ovate and

3k2

436 PHYTOPHAGA.

strongly convex, and in this case generally brightly coloured and without pubescence.

The present division is not entirely confined to the New World, but has a few repre-

sentatives in Africa and Europe; the species from these last-named countries form the

only exceptions to the striate punctuation of the elytra, the latter here being irregularly

punctured. For further particulars regarding the “ Cidipodes ” IT must refer to Clark’s

monograph, in which the figures are unfortunately uncoloured. A future monographer

of these insects will no doubt greatly reduce the number of genera established by

Clark; in the present. work remarks can only be offered on those which come under

examination, and so far as they refer to species inhabiting the regions under inves-

tigation.

ALLOCHROMA.

Allochroma, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 181 (1860).

Exartematopus, Clark, loc. cit. p. 169.

The species placed in this genus are for the most part glabrous above and brightly

coloured ; the thorax is transversely quadrate, and the posterior tibie are armed with

a double spur; the claws appendiculate. ‘Too much specific value must not be placed

on the comparative length of the joints of the antenne, which I find to differ in the same

species according to sex and locality ; they have, however, in most instances, a distinct

tendency to gradual incrassation towards the terminal joints. Two species only from

Central America were known to Clark. As will be seen I have united here Evxarte-

matopus with Allochroma ; although both Clark and Von Harold consider these distinct

I cannot come to the same conclusion, after the examination of several species. Ezar-

tematopus has, according to Clark, distinctly incrassate antenne, and, according to Von

Harold, the sixth joint greatly thickened and elongate, of which Clark says nothing.

This latter character is, however, only peculiar to the male insect, and I have several

species before me which prove this assertion. Allochroma sanguineum, Clark, the type

of which I have for examination, has exactly the same incrassate antenne, also the

same transverse thorax which is said to be peculiar to Exartematopus, but which is

found in several degrees of modification in other species of Allochroma. All the

species, with very few exceptions of either genus, are glabrous, highly coloured, and

generally of the same shape and structure, and it seems to me impossible to draw the

line at characters which seem to vary in nearly every species.

1. Allochroma sexmaculatum. (Tab. XXV. figg. 1-3.)

Allochroma sexmaculatum, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 185, t. 7. fig. 77.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); Guatemaua, San Gerénimo,

Panima, Senahu, and Sabo (Champion) ; Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama (Boucard),

Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Champion).—Braziu }.

Var. a. Elytra with two broad transverse black bands occupying nearly the entire disc, but interrupted by a

ALLOCHROMA. Syl

narrow transverse testaceous band at the middle, and another at the apices and connected with the lateral

margin. .

Var. 6. Black, the lower part of the face and the abdomen pale fulvous.

A. sexmaculatum seems subject to great variation in regard to colour and size, and

the elytral bands may almost entirely cover the surface, or the entire insect may be

black, with the exception of the face and the abdomen; these forms were not known

to Clark; this author gives the fifth and sixth joints of the antenne as being longer

than the third, but in all the specimens I have examined, including the type, I find

that these joints are of egual length; neither can the head be called impunctate, as

some fine and remotely-placed punctures are distinctly visible when seen under a strong

lens; there is also a deep central fovea above the insertion of the antenne.

2. Allochroma fasciatum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 4.)

Allochroma fasciatum, Clark, Cat. Halticidee, p. 186, t. 7. fig. 8°.

Hab. Mexico 1, Cordova, Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge) ; GuateMa.a, Zapote, La Tinta’

Purula, Senahu, Sinanja, Chacoj, and Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion); Costa Rica.

—SovutH AMERICA.

The width of the two elytral black bands in this species is subject to variation, as

is also the colour of the antennw, which may be entirely black, or black and the apical

two or three joints fulvous; the head is generally finely punctured (which Clark does

not mention), and is devoid of the more or less deep fovea by which A. sewmaculatum

may be known from this species. A specimen from Costa Rica before me has the bands

of the elytra reduced to four small spots.

3. Allochroma quatuor-pustulatum.

Allochroma quatuor-pustulatum, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 191°.

Hab. GUATEMALA 1,

I have not seen a specimen answering the description given by Clark, who compares

the species to his A. festivwm. In the diagnosis the author speaks of four elytral spots,

but in his description of the species he only mentions two.

4, Allochroma festivum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 7.)

Allochroma festivum, Clark, Cat. Halticidee, p. 192°.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).—Brazit }.

A typical specimen in the Baly collection from Brazil agrees perfectly with those from

the above locality in structural characters, but the coloration of the specimens from

Guatemala is different: these have the two elytral spots connected in the shape of a longi-

tudinal posteriorly pointed band, leaving only the margins of the fulvous ground-colour ;

438 PHYTOPHAGA.

the legs are either black or fulvous; in the type, as well as in all the other specimens

before me, there is a longitudinal costa, well marked, placed at the sides, commencing

from the shoulder and extending to below the middle, of which Clark says nothing.

5. Allochroma hogei.

Fulvous; intermediate joints of the antenne black, the sixth joint long and thickened; thorax scarcely punc-

tured; elytra fulvous, a spot at the base and a longitudinal band from the middle to the apex of each

black.

Q. Antenne simple; elytra longitudinally costate.

Length 2-23 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas, Jalapa (Hoge), Cordova (Sailé, Hoge).

It will only be necessary to point out the differences between A. hégei and A. festivum,

which at first sight seem identical: in the male of A. hégei the sixth joint of the antennee

is greatly thickened and elongate (as is the case with other species described and included

in the present genus), the thorax has only a few very fine punctures, and is more trans-

versely shaped, and the elytra are more closely and finely punctured; the female of

A. hégei differs from that of A. festivum in the closely and distinctly costate interstices

of the elytra, resembling in that respect A. godmani, which may possibly be only a

unicolorous variety of the present species, since specimens of both were obtained at the

same locality (Cordova).

6. Allochroma balyi. (Tab. XXV. fig. 5.)

Allochroma balyi, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 187°.

_Hab. Mexico (coll. Baly), Cerro de Plumas (Hoge), Juquila (Sad/é).—? Sovru

AMERICA 1.

This is a handsome species with black elytra, the latter being marked with two large

yellow spots; the head, thorax, and the underside, as well as the posterior legs, are

rufous, the anterior legs less piceous. There are several errors in the description given

by Clark of this species ; in the diagnosis the posterior femora are given as flavous, in

the description following they are called black; neither is right, the colour is fulvous or

rufous. Clark gives as the locality, “South America”; the only specimen contained in

Mr. Baly’s collection, from which the description was drawn, bears the label “‘ Mexico,”

which is no doubt the right locality, as proved by the specimens obtained by Herr

Hoge and M. Sallé.

7. Allochroma bimaculatum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 6.)

Allochroma bimaculata, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 784°.

Hab. Nicaracua!; Panama, Bugaba ( Champton).

The specimen obtained by Mr. Champion is a female, and differs from a specimen of

the other sex, contained in my collection, in the much shorter posterior femora, the

ALLOCHROMA. 439

latter in the male projecting beyond the apices of the elytra; the thorax in the male

is also less transverse, and the sixth joint of the antenne is longer and thicker than the

corresponding joint in the female ; in all other respects.the specimens agree.

8. Allochroma sexsignatum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 9.)

Allochroma sex-signatum, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 193°.

flab. British Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaur).—Braziu !.

The single specimen obtained by M. Blancaneaux agrees in every particular with the

type contained in the collection of Mr. Baly; the only difference to be noticed is the

rufous (not flavous) colour of the thorax and the generally brighter colour of the insect

from British Honduras, attributable no doubt to its comparatively recent capture.

9. Allochroma chiriquense. (Tab. XXV. fig. 10.)

Pale fulvous, glabrous; first six joints of the antenne piceous; thorax and elytra testaceous, the former

remotely punctured, the latter deeply punctate-striate, the interstices longitudinally costate, a square-

shaped spot at the base and another below the middle fulvous, margined with piceous.

\ Length 3 lines.

Head distinctly but not very closely punctured; the clypeus deflexed anteriorly ; penultimate joint of the palpi

transversely dilated, piceous; antenne slender, the third joint much longer than the fourth and the

longest, the four terminal joints fulvous and shorter than the rest, the others piceous; thorax transversely

quadrate, the sides straight at the base, rounded in front of the middle, the disc with three deep im-

pressions placed transversely near the base, the interspaces with a few punctures, the sides more closely

punctured ; elytra flattened, broadly subquadrate, regularly and deeply punctate-striate, the apices nearly

impunctate, the interstices strongly longitudinally costate, especially near the sides, where they form |

acutely raised ridges, at the base a square-shaped fulvous spot extends to nearly the middle of each

elytron, while a similar rather smaller spot is placed immediately below the middle, both are surrounded

with a piceous margin, the rest of the elytra is of a pale testaceous colour, with the exception of the

sutural and extreme lateral margins which are fulvous; underside and legs pale fulvous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

A single specimen.

10. Allochroma godmani. (Tab. XXV. figg. 12, 13.)

Ovate, rufous; head closely, the thorax very remotely, punctured ; antenne (the two basal joints excepted)

black ; elytra black, strongly punctate-striate, the interstices longitudinally costate.

dg. The sixth joint of the antenne thickened and elongate.

Var. Entirely fulvous ; antenne as in the type.

Length 23-3 lines.

3. Head closely punctured at the vertex ; the frontal tubercles in the shape of a strongly-raised transverse

ridge ; antenne half the length of the body, the two basal joints and the apical one fulvous, the rest black,

the third joint elongate, the fourth and fifth joints short, not longer than the second, the sixth much thickened

and the longest, the rest short and nearly equal in length; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides nearly

straight, slightly flattened near the lateral margin, the surface without depressions, with a few fine very

distantly placed punctures, rufous; scutellum fulvous or rufous; elytra much wider at the base than the

thorax, with a deep depression placed transversely below the base, black, very strongly punctate-striate,

the interstices, especially near the sides, costate ; posterior femora strongly incrassate, extending to the

apices of the elytra.

@. The fifth and sixth joints of the antenne widened and much longer than the following joints, but much

440 | PHYTOPHAGA.

shorter than the corresponding joints in the male; the elytra very strongly costate throughout; the

antenne shorter.

| Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Orizaba (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

The dilated and elongate sixth joint of the antenne in the male will assist in the

recognition of A. godmant ; the species seems to be subject to a good deal of variation

in colour, and I must refer the variety to the same insect, as I cannot see any structural

characters of distinction; the specimens from Cerro de Plumas are smaller, entirely

fulvous, and have the elytral interstices very strongly costate.

11. Allochroma coccineum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 14.)

Allochroma coccineum, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 184°.

Hab. Guatemata, Panima, Teleman (Champion).—Brazi }.

The differences between the Guatemalan insects and the type, which I have before

me, are too slight to consider them as specific; the sixth joint of the antenne in the

male insect shows the same thickening as that of A. godmani. Clark says nothing about

this in his description. The colour of the antenne and that of the legs is variable: in

the specimens from ‘[eleman, the first six joints of the antenne and the legs are fulvous

like the entire insect; in the specimen from Panima the antenne and the legs are

piceous ; in this last-named individual the elytra are finely punctured, and the interstices

flat, in the others the latter are distinctly convex, and the punctuation is deeper ; I

believe, however, that these differences may be taken for local variations.

12. Allochroma mexicanum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 8.)

Fulvous, glabrous ; antenns: (the two last joints excepted) black ; thorax nearly impunctate ; elytra with a few

fine punctures below the base, and a spot before the middle of each, black.

Length 3 lines. .

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles strongly developed and transversely shaped, bounded behind by a deep

transverse groove; antenne not extending further than the base of the elytra, the second and fourth joints

short and of equal length, the third longer and more slender, the intermediate joints widened, the two

terminal ones fulvous; thorax subquadrate, one half broader than long, the sides perfectly straight, the

surface almost impunctate, near the base on each side is a small shallow fovea; elytra with a distinct

depression before the middle, finely punctured within this depression only, the rest of the surface

impunctate, costate from the prominent shoulders to the first third of their length, and with a transverse

black spot placed within the depressed portion ; underside and legs entirely fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége).

Similar in coloration to A. bimaculatum, but at once distinguished by the almost

entirely impunctate upper surface, and the colour of the antenne and legs.

13. Allochroma biplagiatum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 16.)

Black, glabrous ; the lower part of the face, the antenne, the sides of the thorax, and the legs (the base of

the posterior femora excepted), testaceous ; thorax finely punctured ; elytra black, finely punctate-striate,

a round spot at the middle of each, obscure testaceous.

Length 13 line. .

ALLOCHROMA. 44]

Head with a very few fine punctures, the vertex black, the other portion testaceous, the frontal tubercles

obsolete and divided by a short longitudinal groove, the carina short but acutely raised ; penultimate joint

of the palpi incrassate; antenne half the length of the body, the sixth joint elongate and thickened, and

stained like the preceding joints with obscure piceous spots, the rest flavous; thorax transverse, all the

margins nearly straight, the surface very remotely and finely punctured, obscure testaceous, with a narrow

central black band from the base to the apex; scutellum black, punctured ; elytra with a distinct trans-

verse depression below the base, not very closely and rather finely punctate-striate, the punctuation

gradually diminishing towards the apices, black, shining, with a large round obscure testaceous spot at

the middle, the surface of which is slightly raised ; posterior femora black, their apices only, as well as

the other legs, testaceous, the inner margin of the anterior femora and tibie stained with piceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriquiy Champion).

Only a single specimen of this pretty little species was obtained.

14, Allochroma flavonotatum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 15.)

Obscure testaceous ; thorax nearly impunctate, trifoveolate ; elytra deeply punctate-striate, obscure testaceous,

each with a pale flavous spot, surrounded with black, at the middle.

Length 12 line.

Head impunctate, deeply transversely grooved; palpi moderately robust; antenne more than half the length

of the body, obscure fulvous, the joints (with the exception of the third, which is slightly longer) of nearly

equal length in the male, the apical joints much shorter in the female; thorax not more than one half

broader than long, the sides perfectly straight, a little constricted near the base, the angles acute and

furnished each with a single hair, the surface impunctate, with three rather deep fovew placed close to

the basal margin; scutellum impressed at the base; elytra slightly depressed below the base, deeply

punctate-striate, the interstices slightly convex in the female, furnished here and there with single stiff

hairs, of an obscure testaceous colour, with a transverse pale flavous spot, bounded in front and behind by

a black or piceous band of a semicrescent shape (generally connected at the suture but not at the lateral

margin), at the middle of each elytron ; underside and legs testaceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The anterior dark band of the elytra, when it is strongly marked, extends to the base,

leaving only a small space surrounding the scutellum of the ground-colour ; the margins

of both the black bands are deeply dentate.

15. Allochroma posticatum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 11.)

Glabrous, fulvous ; antennz, the base of the head, and two or three longitudinal bands on the thorax, black ;

elytra strongly punctate-striate, fulvous, a sutural and a lateral spot anteriorly, and the posterior half of

each, black.

Length 2 lines.

Head with a few punctures and a fovea at the middle of the vertex, the latter either entirely black or fulvous

with a black spot, the anterior portion, and the very strongly raised frontal tubercles, fulvous; antenne

thickened at the terminal joints, black, the five basal joints thinner, glabrous, and obscurely stained with

fulvous below; thorax transversely subquadrate, twice as broad as long, the sides perfectly straight, the

surface with a transverse depression (which extends some distance upwards at the sides) near the base,

another longitudinal more or less distinct groove may be seen close to the lateral margin, the dise with

some remotely placed punctures, fulvous at the middle, and at the extreme sides a longitudinal black

stripe extends from the base to the apex; scutellum black; elytra wider at the base than the thorax,

slightly narrowed towards the apices, depressed near the suture below the base, distinctly punctate-

striate, the punctuation diminishing posteriorly from the base to nearly the middle, with three longitudinal

marks, one at each shoulder, widened behind, and joined near its apex to a similar sutural mark (the

points of these marks are deeply dentate, forming three acute projections), and the portion from below

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1886, 3]

449 PHYTOPHAGA.

the middle to the apices entirely, black ; four anterior legs black, the others, as well as the underside,

fulvous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

In some specimens the thoracic bands are more obsolete, and may probably disappear

altogether; the species may be known by the posterior black portion of the elytra.

16. Allochroma castaneum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 17.)

Dark chestnut-brown, glabrous; the seventh and eighth joints of the antenne piceous, thickened ; thorax

transverse, remotely punctured; elytra with a basal depression, strongly punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head with a few extremely minute punctures; the frontal elevations transverse, contiguous anteriorly, but

posteriorly divided by a short groove ; clypeus deflexed in front; palpi incrassate; antenne stout, fulvous,

the sixth joint thickened and longer than the preceding or following joint; thorax transverse, subquadrate,

the sides scarcely rounded, the anterior angles oblique, the disc with a longitudinal depression on each

side, the surface very remotely punctured ; scutellum broad, impunctate; elytra ovate, deeply depressed

below the base, the punctuation near the apices remote and scarcely visible, the anterior portion strongly

punctured ; posterior tibiee armed with a double spur.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

I have only a single specimen of this species before me; it is much smaller than

A. coccineum and differs in the colour of the antenne and the legs.

17. Allochroma guatemalense.

Dark fulvous, glabrous; the intermediate joints of the antenne black; thorax with a few fine punctures;

elytra with a deep basal depression, strongly punctate-striate.

é. The sixth joint of the antenne thickened and elongate.

Q@. Antenne simple, the elytra costate at the sides.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head impunctate ; antenne half the length of the body, the five lower and the two terminal joints fulvous, the

others black, the sixth joint strongly swollen and elongate; thorax transverse, more than twice as broad

as long, the sides perfectly straight, the surface without or with a few very fine punctures; elytra with

a distinct transverse depression below the base, moderately strongly punctate-striate, the punctuation

becoming less deep towards the apices; posterior tibise armed with a double spur.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote, San Isidro (Champion).

In coloration A. guatemalense agrees with A. coccineum, from which the male of the

present species differs in the dilated sixth joint of the antenne, and the female by the

costate sides of the elytra; the species seems also to be smaller in size. The antenne

usually have the last two joints fulvous; in some examples, however, only the last is so

coloured.

18. Allochroma intermedium.

Ovate, convex, glabrous ; rufous, the six lower joints of the antenne, and the anterior legs, testaceous ; joints

seven to ten of the antenne black; thorax finely punctured; elytra closely and distinctly punctate-

striate.

Length 2 lines,

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

ALLOCHROMA. 443

Whether this insect is really distinct from A. coccineum, or represents only the other

sex seems to me doubtful ; there are three specimens from the same locality before me

which all differ in the much smaller size and less elongate, more rounded and convex

shape, resembling closely a species of the genus Sparnus or Cyrton. The antenne

(though rather shorter) are identical in structure and colour with those of A. coccineum,

and the same may be said of the thorax, but the elytra are more finely punctured and

devoid of any coste ; the colour of the legs also differs from that of A. coccineum, being

pale testaceous, like the lower part of the face and the six basal joints of the antenne.

Having no intermediate forms before me, I think it right to consider A. intermediwm

as distinct from A. coccineum.

19. Allochroma semipunctatum.

Black, glabrous ; head, thorax, the six basal joints and the apical one of the antenne, the anterior legs, and

the posterior tibis, obscure fulvous; elytra black, very finely punctured anteriorly.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles narrowly transverse, bounded behind by a deep groove; clypeus

testuceous; labrum and palpi piceous; antenn# distinctly incrassate towards the terminal joints, the

fourth and fifth joints of equal length and shorter than the third, the five lower joints fulvous, the five

following ones black, the last joint reddish fulvous ; thorax transverse, more than twice as broad as long,

the sides straight, the anterior margins not produced, the surface smooth and impunctate, glabrous ;

scutellum broad, piceous; elytra with a distinct transverse depression below the base, black, finely but

distinctly punctate-striate, the punctuation almost obsolete below the middle; femora piceous, the tibie

and tarsi fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hoge).

The single specimen of this species before me is distinguished from its allies by the

impunctate thorax, the finely punctured elytra, and the colour of the antenne.

20. Allochroma fulvoplagiatum.

Black; head and thorax fulvous; the basal and terminal joints of the antennz fulvous, the sixth joint

thickened; elytra finely punctate-striate, black, a transverse band at the middle of each, fulvous.

Length 13 line.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

This species, of which but a single specimen was obtained, seems to be most nearly

allied to A. semipunctatwm (with which it also agrees in size), and it is possible that

A. fulvoplagiatum represents but the male of that species. It differs in the colour of

the antenne (fulvous, with the exception of the seventh, eighth, and ninth joints, which

are black), and also by the elongate and thickened sixth joint ; and in the colour of the

elytra. The punctuation and the shape of the head and thorax is the same as in A. semi-

punctatum ; the elytra in the present species are, however, more deeply depressed below

the base and entirely black, and the fulvous transverse band is placed at the middle

and extends to the lateral, but not to the sutural, margin.

312

444 PHYTOPHAGA.

21. Allochroma puncticolle.

Broadly oblong-ovate, obscure testaceous, glabrous ; the sixth to the tenth joints of the antenne black; head

and thorax coarsely punctured ; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the interstices costate, the base strongly

swollen.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head irregularly and coarsely punctured at the vertex; the frontal tubercles broadly trigonate, bounded

behind by a deep groove; the penultimate joint of the palpi slightly thickened; antenne distinctly

incrassate at the terminal joints, the five basal joints fulvous, the five following ones black, the terminal

joint reddish fulvous ; thorax twice as broad as long, subquadrate, the anterior angles obliquely thickened,

the surface coarsely and deeply, as well as irregularly but not very closely, punctured; scutellum broad ;

elytra with the basal portion strongly raised, the surface longitudinally costate throughout, the interstices

deeply punctured.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula (Champion).

In the costate and deeply punctured elytra, A. puncticolle agrees with A. godmant

and A. guatemalense; I must, however, separate it on account of the very coarse

punctuation of the head and thorax, which punctuation is not to be found in any other

species of the genus known to me.

22. Allochroma frontale.

Piceous, glabrous ; lower part of the face, the thorax, legs, and antenne, testaceous ; elytra very strongly

punctate-striate, the dise dark brown, a narrow lateral longitudinal band (nearly extending to the apices)

pale testaceous.

Var. Above obscure testaceous, the extreme apices of the elytra piceous.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures at the vertex, the latter convex, piceous ; the lower part of the face testaceous ;

labrum piceous; antenne half the length of the body, robust, piceous or entirely testaceous, the sixth and

seventh joints thickened, of equal length, and longer than the preceding ones; thorax transversely

subquadrate, twice as broad as long, the sides slightly narrowed at the base, the anterior angles somewhat

thickened, and each furnished with a single very long hair, the surface not visibly punctured, slightly

depressed at the base; scutellum broader than long; elytra rather flattened, very strongly and closely

punctate-striate, the interstices strongly costate near the sides, the entire disc dark or paler brown or

fuscous, this colour bounded near the lateral margin by a narrow pale testaceous band which curves round

near the apices to the suture, leaving the extreme apex of each elytron of the ground-colour; underside

piceous, the last abdominal segments sometimes pale; posterior tibis armed with a double spur; the

claws appendiculate.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In intensity of colour many degrees of variation are to be found in this species: the

paler portions, including the elytral bands, being sometimes nearly white, and the head

in some specimens entirely testaceous. The antenne also vary in colour; in the female

they are simple, without thickened sixth and seventh joints.

23. Allochroma nigroplagiatum. (Tab. XXV. fig. 18.)

Ovate, glabrous, obseure testaceous; the breast and the apical joints of the antenne black ; thorax with three

black spots; elytra closely punctate-striate, testaceous, each with six black spots (2.2.1.1).

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, the extreme base and an obscure central spot at the vertex, black; the frontal elevations

ALLOCHROMA.—CERICHRESTUS. 445

transverse, rather flattened ; antenna» thickened at the terminal joints, the five basal joints testaceous, the

five following ones black, the apical joint fulvous, the third joint long and slender; thorax nearly three

times as broad as long, the sides straight, the surface very remotely punctured, obscure testaceous, with

two large blackish spots near the base and a smaller one near the anterior margin; elytra widened

towards the middle, strongly and rather closely punctate-striate, the interstices obsoletely, longitudinally

costate near the sides, each elytron with a black spot at the shoulders, one close to the scutellum, two

others placed obliquely a little lower down and in a line with the basal spots, a transverse larger spot at

the middle, and another near the apex ; underside testaceous, the legs a little darker ; posterior tibize

armed with a double spur; the inner margin of the elytral epipleure at the posterior portion black.

Hab. Guaremata, Zapote (Champion).

CERICHRESTUS.

Cerichrestus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 194 (1860).

Ten species, all from Tropical South America, were placed in this genus by Clark.

These agree in having the upper surface densely pubescent, the antenne often dilated

at their intermediate joints, incrassate palpi, and a double spur at the apices of the

posterior tibie. The only Central American species known to me has a rather peculiar

facies on account of the medially dilated antenn, and the peculiar colour of the

pubescence, giving it somewhat the appearance of a species of the family Lycide, of

the Malacodermata; other species of Cerichrestus approach, however, very closely to

Allochroma, from which they can only be separated with difficulty, the structural

generic characters being almost identical.

1. Cerichrestus clarki. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 3.)

Oblong, slightly widened behind, black ; sides of the thorax, and of the elytra anteriorly, fulvous; posterior

tibie and tarsi testaceous.

Var. a. Elytra fulvous, the suture and the posterior third black.

Var. b. Elytra entirely black.

Length 2-3 lines.

Head black, the vertex finely rugose ; clypeus entirely flavous; labrum black, with a transverse row of four

punctures; antenne rather robust, longer in the male than in the female, black, the intermediate joints

slightly widened and nearly equal in length; thorax not more than one half broader than long, the sides

straight, the angles acute and each furnished with a single hair, the surface opaque and scarcely visibly

punctured, the sides oceupied by a longitudinal band of bright fulvous pubescence, the middle of the dise

black and with a more or less distinct smooth central ridge; seutellum black ; elytra opaque, regularly

punctate-striate, the interstices slightly convex, the sides from the shoulder to below the middle (in the

shape of a gradually attenuated margin) clothed with fulvous pubescence like the thorax; legs black, the

underside of the anterior femora more or less testaceous, the posterior tibie entirely of that colour,

the claw-joint blackish.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Evidently very closely allied to C. balyt, Clark, from Brazil, but differing in the

colour of the head, and in that of the antenne, and in the want of a thoracic transverse

basal depression ; the narrow central thoracic ridge in C. clarki will further assist in

the recognition of the species. The varieties with either entirely or partially black

elytra prove that no great dependence can be placed on colour in these insects.

446 PHYTOPHAGA.

OMOTOTUS.

Omototus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 208 (1860).

More than twenty species of this genus, all from Tropical South America or the

Antilles, have been described by Clark. In appearance Omototus resembles many

species of Octogonotes, Allochroma, and Cerichrestus ; the posterior tibiae, however, are

distinctly armed with a single spur, and the thorax has the sides perfectly straight,

while the close and thick pubescence of the elytra distinguishes the genus from most

species of Allochroma. No species has been described from any part of Central

America till now.

1. Omototus discoidalis.

Rufous ; the terminal joints of the antennw black, dilated; head and thorax closely granulate-punctate ; elytra

sparingly pubescent, rufous, the middle of the disc piceous.

Length 2 lines,

Head scarcely longer than broad, the vertex closely granulate-punctate; the frontal tubercles small, but

strongly raised ; palpi incrassate; antenne rather short, the five terminal joints slightly thickened, short

and black, the others fulvous; thorax slightly broader than long, the sides straight, the surface obsoletely

and longitudinally depressed at the sides and at the middle, closely granulate-punctate, sparingly clothed

with yellow pubescence; elytra broad, strongly punctate-striate, clothed with longer (and at the sides

more dense) pubescence than the thorax, the base and the margins rufous, the rest of the surface piceous ;

posterior tibie armed with a single spur.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). A single specimen.

At once distinguished from any of the other species of the genus Omototus by the

coloration of the upper surface.

2. Omototus albomaculatus. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 15.)

Subquadrate, brownish fuscous, clothed with yellow pubescence; the seventh and eighth joints of the antenne

white; thorax bituberculate ; elytra deeply punctate, each with three transverse rows of white spots, the

intervals costate.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head rugose-punctate, with an obsoletely raised tubercle at the middle of the vertex ; the clypeus and labrum

smooth, obscure fulvous, shining ; palpi strongly incrassate; antenns short, the terminal joints thickened,

the six lower joints fuscous or piceous, the two following ones white, the three terminal joints fuscous; -

thorax transversely subquadrate, the sides straight, the angles not produced, the anterior ones furnished

with a single hair, the surface near the anterior margin raised in the form of two large tubercles, scarcely

visibly punctured, and sparingly clothed with golden-yellow pubescence, which is more apparent at. the

basal and lateral margins; scutellum triangular, its apex acutely pointed ; elytra much broader than the

thorax, the base distinctly raised, the surface longitudinally costate throughout, the interstices strongly

and closely punctured, clothed with thin yellowish pubescence (more marked and forming a narrow yellow

stripe along the suture) each elytron with three transverse rows of irregularly placed white pubescent

spots, of which one row is situated immediately below the basal elevation, the second below the middle,

and the third near the apex; the femora covered with yellow and white pubescence ; posterior tibise with

a single spur.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David

(Champion).

OMOTOTUS.—IDMOSYNE. 447

From all the closely allied forms contained in the genus Omototus the present species

may be separated principally by the small white elytral spots, which, although varying

in intensity, are always placed in three rows; the intermediate spots of the first row

are not situated in a line with those at the sides but higher up; and the middle spots

of the other two rows are equally displaced, generally one above and another below the

line. The general colour of the upper surface is a very dark brown, sometimes nearly

black.

IDMOSYNE.

Hydmosyne, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 172 (1860) ; Harold, Col. Hefte, xiii. p. 25 (1875).

Idmosyne, Gemm. & Harold, Cat. xii. p. 8542.

The incrassate palpi, double-spurred posterior tibie, and bifid claws are the generic

distinctive characters of Jdmosyne. I refer two species from Nicaragua and the State

of Panama to this Tropical-American genus.

1. Idmosyne clarki. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 8.)

Fulvous; anterior tibie black ; thorax fulvous, closely granulate and finely pubescent ; elytra metallic blue,

thinly clothed with whitish pubescence, finely punctate-striate.

Var. Head, antenne, and the four anterior legs black.

Length 3-34 lines.

Head rather strongly and closely punctured, black; the frontal tubercles rugosely punctured, strongly raised,

transverse; the labrum margined with testaceous, rather deeply punctate; palpi robust; antennze rather

long, filiform, the third and fourth joints nearly equal and the longest ; thorax more than twice as broad

as long, the sides subangulate before the middle, the anterior angles acute and each furnished with a single

hair, the surface with an obsolete lateral depression at each side, closely granulate-punctate, reddish

fulvous ; scutellum testaceous; elytra evidently depressed below the base, distinctly punctate-striate,

the punctuation distinct to the apices, of a light metallie blue or violaceous colour, clothed with thin

whitish pubescence, the interstices extremely finely punctured ; underside and the posterior legs fulvous,

the anterior legs black or their tibix only of that colour ; posterior tibia armed with a double spur; claws

bifid.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

As I am unable to find any difference, beyond that of coloration, between the

specimens from the above localities, I think I do not err in referring all to one

species, which may be known by the granulate and opaque surface of the head and

thorax. In J. clarki the thorax is angulate at the sides, a character supposed to be

strange to the genus Ldmosyne, but peculiar to Octogonotes; in the latter genus,

however, the claws are not bifid but appendiculate; rather than establish another

genus I have placed the present insect in [dmosyne.

2. Idmosyne panamensis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 9.)

Fulvous, pubescent ; head distinctly, the thorax extremely finely, punctured ; elytra metallic blue or green,

thinly clothed with whitish pubescence, finely punctate-striate.

448 PHYTOPHAGA,

Var. Antenne and the anterior tibie piceous.

Length 3—4 lines.

Head strongly and closely punctured, clothed with a few yellowish hairs ; the frontal tubercles scarcely raised,

but divided by a deep groove; the clypeus strongly raised in front ; the palpi robust; antenne two thirds

the length of the body in the male, shorter in the female, fulvous, the apices of the terminal joints

obscurely tinged with fuscous, the third joint longer than the first, the four terminal ones shortened ;

thorax subquadrate, twice as broad as long in the male, broader in the female, fulvous, shining, thinly

clothed with yellowish hairs, the sides nearly straight, the anterior angles acute, not oblique, the surface

obsoletely depressed near the base, very minutely punctured; scutellum fulvous; elytra with a very obso-

lete depression below the base, bright metallic blue, clothed with thin but rather long whitish pubescence,

the punctuation very distinct anteriorly, but nearly disappearing towards the apices; posterior tibie armed

with a double spur; claws bifid.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

I. panamensis is easily separated from the preceding species by the shining, not

granulate, thorax, and by the colour of the head. In the male insect the posterior

femora extend nearly to the apices of the elytra ; in the female they are shorter.

OCTOGONOTES.

Octogonotes, Drapiez, Ann. gén. Sc. phys. Brux. iii. p. 184 (1819) ; Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 158;

Chevrol. d’Orbigny, Dict. d’Hist. Nat. p. 716; Dejean, Cat. 8rd ed. p- 407.

The species placed in Octogonotes are nearly all of large size, and distinguished by the

angulate (though not eight-sided) thorax and the generally close and brightly coloured

pubescence. The claviform palpi, the double spur at the apices of the posterior tibie,

and the appendiculate claws, further distinguish this genus.

The six species described by Clark are all from Tropical South America; we have

now to record two from Central America.

1. Octogonotes rufipennis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 10.)

Below testaceous, above rufous; antenne and the anterior tibia fulvous ; head and thorax closely granulate-

punctate ; elytra distinctly punctate-striate anteriorly, clothed with thin yellowish pubescence.

Length 3 lines.

Head very strongly and closely punctured, especially near the sides; the lower part of the face testaceous ;

palpi but moderately incrassate; antenne half the length of the body, the third joint slender and the

longest, the two following joints nearly equal, the rest shorter and of equal length, pale or darker fulvous ;

thorax twice as broad as long, the sides forming a distinct angle immediately before -the middle, the

anterior angles acutely pointed, the surface with a very shallow depression at the sides near the base,

rugosely and closely punctured, like the head; scutellum testaceous ; elytra with a very obsolete depres-

sion below the base, strongly punctured anteriorly, the apices nearly impunctate, the punctuation arranged

(as usual) in rows but not in striw, the interstices near the sides slightly raised, the entire surface thinly

clothed with fulvous pubescence ; posterior tibise armed with a double spur ; claws appendiculate.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The entirely rufous colour of the upper side, in connection with the rugosely punc-

tured head and thorax, well distinguish 0. rufipennis from its allies.

OCTOGONOTES.— METRIOTES. 449

2. Octogonotes fulvomarginatus. (Tab. XXVI. figg. 4, 11, 12.)

3. Below fulvous ; head rugose-punctate, the vertex black; antenne scarcely thickened ; thorax angulate at

the sides, piceous, margined with fulvous; elytra clothed with yellow pubescence, piceous, the margins

narrowly fulvous.

@. Antenne incrassate at the terminal joints; thorax more transverse than in the male.

Var. a. Elytra fulvous, a spot at the base and another near the apices piceous.

Var. 6. Entirely fulvous, the sixth to the tenth joints of the antenne black. ( 9.)

Length 2 lines.

Head strongly rugose-punctate at the vertex, the latter with a triangular black spot ; antenne rather robust,

half the length of the body, fulvous, stained with fuscous, the third and fourth joints of equal length,

rather long, the apical joints much shorter ; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides strongly angulate at

the middle, the surface with three obsolete tubercles, depressed near the base and at the sides, rugosely

punctured, piceous, the lateral margin rather broadly fulvous, the disc thinly clothed with short yellow

pubescence ; scutellum fulvous; elytra distinctly depressed below the base, clothed with long yellow

pubescence, rather strongly punctate-striate, the disc with a longitudinal broad piceous or black band

from the base to the apices, the margins narrowly fulvous; posterior tibiee with a double spur; claws

somewhat appendiculate, the inner division rather long.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

O. fulvomarginatus is well distinguished by its coloration and the sculpture of the

thorax; in the variety a the elytral black bands are interrupted medially, so as to form

a basal and apical spot. The specimen I refer to the female differs, apart from the

coloration, in the incrassate terminal joints of the antenne and the much more trans-

versely-shaped thorax ; it agrees in all other respects with the male insect.

METRIOTES.

Metriotes, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 226 (1860).

Like Monoplatus, Metriotes is distinguished from all other genera of this section of

the Halticine by the dentate exterior margin of the posterior tibie; it differs, however,

from Monoplatus in the incrassate (not filiform) palpi and the want of the thoracic

groove.

The genus was established upon a single species (/. rodinsoni) from Rio Janeiro ;

we now add three others from Central America.

1. Metriotes nigricollis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 5.)

Black, glabrous; head and thorax impunctate; elytra metallic blue or violaceous, depressed below the base,

distinctly punctate-striate.

Length 3 lines.

Head entirely impunctate; the frontal tubercles narrowly elongate, bounded behind by a fovea, not by a

transverse groove; labrum obscure dark fulvous ; the penultimate joint of the palpi incrassate ; antenne

slender, half the length of the body, black, the fifth joint slightly longer than the two preceding ones,

which are equal; thorax twice as broad as long, black, very shining, all the margins perfectly straight,

the angles not produced and scarcely thickened, the surface with an obsolete transverse shallow depres-

sion near the base and entirely impunctate ; scutellum black ; elytra with a distinct depression below the

base, the latter slightly swollen, the surface regularly and distinctly punctate-striate, the interstices rather

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1886. 3m

450 PHYTOPHAGA.

convex near the apices; underside and legs black, glabrous; the upper margins of the posterior tibie

armed with a row of small teeth ; claws appendiculate.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

2. Metriotes flavicollis.

Pale flavous or flavous, glabrous; antenne nearly as long as the body; head and thorax impunctate ; elytra

metallic violaceous blue, strongly punctate-striate, depressed below the base.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head impunctate, the vertex with a short longitudinal central fovea; the frontal tubercles strongly developed,

elongate, not limited behind by a transverse groove; the lower part of the face concave, testaceous ;

antenn more than two thirds the length of the body, fulvous, the fifth joint slightly longer than the

two preceding ones; thorax of exactly the same shape as in M. nigricollis, the surface impunctate, trans-

versely depressed along the base, fulvous or flavous; scutellum flavous; elytra much more strongly and

more closely punctured than in M. nigricollis, especially within the basal depression, the extreme apices

nearly impunctate; underside and legs flayous; the posterior tibise armed at their upper margin with a

row of small teeth.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

3. Metriotes apicicornis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 6.)

Black or piceous below; the four last joints of the antennz fulvous, the vertex black, the lower part of the

face and the thorax flavous; elytra metallic green or blue, moderately strongly punctured.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a small fovea at the vertex, the latter entirely or partly piceous or black; the frontal tubercles

elongate, strongly raised; the space at the inner sides of the eyes with a few punctures ; the palpi black ;

antenne rather more than half the length of the body, the third and fourth joints equal, the first seven

joints black, the rest fulvous; thorax of the same shape as in M. flavicollis, the anterior angles each fur-

nished with a single long hair, the surface flavous, impunctate, depressed near the base ; scutellum flavous ;

elytra with a distinct depression below the base, the punctuation very distinct but not very strongly

impressed, the interstices flat; posterior tibia armed with a row of teeth, their apices with a

double spur.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). |

Separated from M. flavicollis by its larger size, and by the colour of the head and

antenne.

SPARNUS.

Sparnus, Clark, Cat. of Halticidee, p. 265 (1860).

The single species (8. globosus), from the Amazons, on which Sparnus was established

differs from any of the preceding or following genera by the general roundly ovate shape

of its body, in connection with the glabrous upper surface and the dilated antenne.

According to Clark, the genus Cyrton, although of similar shape, is distinguished from

Sparnus by the simple, not appendiculate claws.

I refer to this genus three species from Central America; these are all furnished with

appendiculate claws. The range of the genus is from Nicaragua to the Amazons

valley.

SPARNUS. 451

1. Sparnus chiriquensis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 23.)

Broadly ovate, dark reddish fulvous ; the six apical joints of the antenne black; the extreme lateral margin

of the elytra and the tarsi testaceous; thorax remotely punctured ; elytra deeply punctate-striate.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles divided by a deep longitudinal groove ; the palpi moderately incras-

sate; antennse less than half the length of the body, the third joint the longest, the last six joints

transverse, short and black; thorax about three times as broad as long, the sides very slightly rounded

before the middle, the posterior margin sinuate and broadly rounded and produced near the middle, the

anterior angles obliquely rounded, the surface without depressions, distantly punctured ; elytra very

convex, without a basal depression, very strongly punctate-striate, of a reddish fulvous colour (like

the rest of the body), the extreme lateral margin thickened, testaceous ; posterior tibia with a double

spur.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). A single specimen.

It seems to me that the length of the posterior femora and tibie, which served Clark

as a distinguishing character between the genus Sparnus and Cyrton, is of little, if any,

value, as the sexes frequently differ in that respect in the same species; the simple or

appendiculate claws are, however, characters which may be used with advantage.

2, Sparnus apicalis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 24.)

Subglobose, glabrous, convex, below fulvous; lower part of the face, the antenne, and tibie flavous; head

and thorax black; elytra sanguineous, their apices black ; femora black.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head with a small fovea at the middle of the vertex, the latter with a few minute punctures, black ; the lower

part of the face testaceous ; palpi incrassate ; antenne half the length of the body, the first joint thick-

ened, the third joint longer than the first, the two following ones nearly equal in length, the sixth joint

thickened, longer and of cylindrical shape, the rest short ; thorax three times as broad as long, the sides

nearly straight, the anterior angles obliquely truncate, the surface nearly impunctate, black, the basal

margin stained with rufous ; elytra without a basal depression, regularly and strongly punctate-striate,

the apices nearly impunctate, of a bright blood-red colour, the apices with a transverse, triangularly-

shaped black band; femora black, the posterior ones sometimes rufous below; posterior tibie armed

with a single strong spur; claws appendiculate.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

In one specimen, probably immature, the colour of the elytra is flavous instead of

red, but the apices are as in the typical form.

3. Sparnus flavicollis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 25.)

Broadly ovate, glabrous, flavous; head and thorax impunctate ; elytra bright red, shining, finely punctate-

striate, the interstices obsoletely costate ; legs flavous, the posterior femora red.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, transversely grooved between the eyes; the frontal tubercles scarcely indicated ; palpi

moderately thickened at the penultimate joint; antenne flavous, stout and rather short, the first joint

very stout, the third rather shorter and thinner, the fourth much shorter than the preceding, the two

following joints thicker and longer, the rest short, gradually thickened ; thorax three times as broad as

long, the sides angulate before the middle, the surface flavous, impunctate ; scutellum flavous; elytra

with a very slight depression below the base, closely punctate-striate, the interstices obsoletely and longi-

3m 2

452 PHYTOPHAGA.

tudinally costate ; legs flavous; posterior tibiee with a double spur; abdomen stained with fulvous; the

posterior femora of the same colour as the elytra ; claws appendiculate.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Bel¢). A single specimen.

The subangulate sides of the thorax are not to be found in the other species which

constitute this genus; but, as the general shape, the structure of the antenne, and

the double spur to the posterior tibie, as well as the appendiculate claws, are character-

istic of Sparnus, I have placed the present insect in that genus.

ZETETICUS.

Peribleptus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 155 (1860) (nomen preoc.).

Zeteticus, Harold, Col. Hefte, xiv. p. 213 (1875).

This genus, the original name of which was changed by Von Harold on account of

having been employed before, was established by Clark upon a Brazilian species

(Z. levigatus), which is characterized by incrassate palpi, subangulate sides of the

thorax, and bifid claws. All these structures are present in a single species obtained in

the State of Panama; I have therefore no hesitation in placing it in the present

genus.

1. Zeteticus panamensis. (Jab. XXVI. fig. 7.)

Broadly oblong-ovate, semipubescent, fulvous ; antenne black; head coarsely, the thorax finely, punctured ;

elytra metallic blue, distinctly punctate-striate, the interstices finely punctured.

Length 4 lines,

Head strongly and closely punctured ; the frontal tubercles not strongly raised, and divided by a deep longi-

tudinal groove ; the third joint of the palpi transversely incrassate, the apical one conical; antenne

filiform, black (the three apical joints are wanting), the third joint the longest ; thorax nearly three times

as broad as long, the sides very obtusely angulate before the middle, the anterior angles acute, the surface

with a rather deep transverse depression across the disc, giving prominence to the anterior portion, which

is furnished with two small and very obsolete tubercles, the disc finely and rather closely punctured,

obsoletely pubescent near the posterior angles and at the sides; scutellum fulvous, pubescent ; elytra very

obsoletely depressed below the base, distantly punctate-striate, the interstices also very finely punctured

and wrinkled, clothed with a few whitish hairs at the sides and at the apices; underside and legs

fulvous, the intermediate tibie piceous at their apices; posterior tibia armed with a single spur; claws

bifid.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). A single specimen.

MONOPLATUS.

Monoplatus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 2 (1860).

Monoplatus is perfectly well characterized and comparatively easy of recognition on

account of the transverse thoracic groove and the dentate margin of the posterior tibia;

this latter character seems to me, however, subject to variation in regard to intensity,

and is almost obsolete in some species. Monoplatus and the following genera are

_.MONOPLATUS. 453

further distinguished by the more or less filiform palpi, although in that respect

~ instances are not wanting in which intermediate degrees in the shape of these organs

make their classification, according to Clark’s monograph, very doubtful.

Amongst the eighteen species described by Clark from Tropical America none were

known to him from our region, from whence we now add two species.

1. Monoplatus fulvus.

Monoplatus fulvus, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1879, p. 254 ‘

Hab. Mextco, Ciudad in Durango (Forrer); GuatemaLa, Cerro Zunil (Champion) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Pzru, Chanchamayo ’.

I have carefully compared the type of M. fulvus (contained in the Baly collection)

with the specimens obtained at the above localities, and find our insect to be un-

doubtedly identical with that species. 2. fulvus is evidently a species subject to con-

siderable variation, some specimens being at least one half larger than others; in a

few examples the suture shows an elongate triangular piceous spot or narrow band near

the base. The single specimen from Mexico has the thorax much more closely and

evenly punctured, but I cannot find any other marks of distinction. MM. fulvws may be

known from its allies by its depressed upper surface, the want of any depressions

between the eyes, the punctured head and thorax, and the sinuate transverse groove of

the latter ; and also by the distinctly toothed posterior tibia, a character much more

plainly visible than in many other species of the genus I have examined. Some

specimens agree absolutely with the type, and intermediate degrees are not wanting.

2. Monoplatus quadraticollis.

Entirely fulvous, glabrous; head nearly impunctate; thorax subquadrate, extremely finely punctured, with

a transverse groove near the base; elytra closely and distinctly punctate-striate, the base with an obscure

greenish-zneous spot.

Length 13 line.

Head.rather broader than long; the vertex with a few extremely minute punctures; the frontal tubercles

scarcely raised; antenne rather more than half the length of the body, the second and third joints small and

of nearly equal length, the following joints elongate ; thorax subquadrate, all the margins straight, the

surface closely and extremely finely punctured, the basal groove distinct and placed close to the margin ;

elytra with the basal portion very slightly raised and of a metallic greenish «neous colour, the rest of the

surface pale fulvous, closely and distinctly punctate-striate, the punctuation diminishing, however, in

depth towards the apices; posterior femora rather elongate, extending slightly beyond the elytra.

Had. Guaremata, San Gerénimo (Champion). A single specimen.

The nearly impunctate head and the finely punctured and subquadrate thorax well

distinguish M. quadraticollis from M. fulvus, to which in its general coloration it is

closely allied. It is probable that the amount of the metallic greenish colour of the

elytra is subject to variation.

454 PHYTOPHAGA.

RHOICUS.

Roicus, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 22 (1860).

Rhoicus, Gemm. & Harold, Cat. xii. p. 3535.

This genus contains but a few species, of comparatively large size, characterized by

the filiform palpi, the rather long thorax, the sides of which are angulate before the

middle, and by the posterior tibie being armed with a single spur only. Only a single

species (2. sermaculatus), from the Amazons, was known to Clark; three others have

been since described. We now add three more from the State of Panama.

1. Rhoicus unifasciatus. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 2.)

Oblong, subdepressed, glabrous; the base of the head, the apical joints of the antennz, and the femora, testa-

ceous; thorax piceous, margined with testaceous ; elytra very finely punctate-striate, piceous, a transverse

band before the middle, and the extreme apices, testaceous.

Length 4 lines.

Head elongate, rugose-punctate at the vertex, the extreme base of the latter and the clypeus piceous, the

middle portion and the labrum testaceous; the frontal tubercles narrow and elongate, the carina very

acutely raised and long; antenne slender, scarcely half the length of the body, the two basal joints

piceous, the three or four following ones black, the rest testaceous, the third joint the longest, the fourth,

fifth, and sixth joints equal; thorax scarcely broader than long, the sides distinctly angulate before the

middle, the anterior angles slightly thickened and each furnished with a single hair, the surface trans-

versely depressed near the base, impunctate, the disc piceous, the margins testaceous; elytra extremely

finely punctured, piceous, shining, a narrow transverse slightly oblique band (placed before the middle),

and the extreme apex, testaceous; the breast, tibise, and tarsi, black, the other portions of the under-

side, together with the femora and the upper sides of the posterior tibie, testaceous; the posterior femora

with a roundish black spot at their apices on the outer side.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). A single specimen.

The claws in this as well as in the other species placed in Rhoicus are appendiculate.

Clark unfortunately describes all the claws as bifid, and speaks of an inner tooth when

each claw is divided or bifid, calling the base thickened when they are appendiculate ;

as this may give cause for confusion, it may be as well to mention it here,

2. Rhoicus octomaculatus. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 1.)

Flavous, glabrous; head, the seven lower joints of the antennae, the breast, and the tibie and tarsi, black ;

thorax impunctate; elytra black, a spot at the base, a transverse band before and another below the

middle, and the apices, flavous.

Length 33 lines.

Head much longer than broad, the vertex closely and strongly punctured ; the frontal tubercles united into an

elongate triangular elevation having at its middle a short fovea; the carina raised into an acute ridge

extending to the end of the clypeus; palpi filiform ; antenna half the length of the body, the seven lower

joints piceous, the rest flavous, the third joint the longest; thorax subquadrate, as long as broad, the

sides slightly constricted below the middle, the surface obsoletely depressed near the anterior and the

posterior margins, of a flavous colour, shining and impunctate; scutellum black; elytra exceedingly

finely punctate-striate, black, each with a small spot at the base, a narrow transverse band (not

extending to either margin) before, and a similar band below, the middle, flavous, the apex with a

triangular flavous spot; femora and abdomen flavous, the breast black; posterior tibia armed with a

single spur.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui ( Champion). A single specimen.

RHOICUS.—RHINOTMETUS. 455

3. Rhoicus rogersi.

Testaceous; antenne nearly as long as the body, fulvous; head and thorax finely and closely punctured; elytra

very finely punctate-striate, clothed with short yellow pubescence; sides of the abdomen black.

Length 24 lines. .

Head longer than broad, the vertex extremely finely punctured; the space between the eyes furnished with a

highly raised transverse ridge which limits the frontal tubercles behind ; palpi filiform; antenns more

than two thirds the length of the body, rather robust, the third and fourth joints of equal length, the fifth

joint longer; thorax distinctly longer than broad, the sides angulate before the middle, the disc extremely

finely and closely punctured, obsoletely and longitudinally depressed at the middle, the surface sparingly

clothed with yellow pubescence; elytra finely punctate-striate, densely clothed with short yellowish hairs ;

posterior tibize curved, their apices armed with a single spur; claws appendiculate.

Hab. Costa Rica, Rio Sucio (Rogers).

The single specimen before me is of smaller size than most of the other species placed

in this genus; it is easily distinguished by the uniform testaceous colour, with the

exception of the sides of the abdomen, which are black and shining.

RHINOTMETUS.

Rhinotmetus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 33 (1860).

Rhinotmetus is perhaps one of the best characterized genera in the present group, on

account of the produced or elongate head, the more elongate and anteriorly deflexed

thorax, and the bifid claws, in connection with the filiform palpi; the shape of the

thorax especially gives it a different facies. Twenty species have been described by

Clark, all from different parts of Tropical South America; five are now recorded

from Central America.

1. Rhinotmetus depressus.

Rhinotmetus depressus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 43, Front. f. 5 (1860)*.

Hab. t Mexico (coll. Jacoby).—Braztu '.

The only difference I can find between the specimens contained in my collection,

received as from Mexico, and the one in that of Mr. Baly, from Brazil, is the fulvous

colour of the thorax and legs in my specimen, instead of black as in that of Mr. Baly ;

I do not hesitate therefore to look upon it as a variety. Whether the locality ‘“‘ Mexico”

is correct I am unable to say, no other specimen from Central America having come

under my observation.

2. Rhinotmetus flavovittatus.

Dark fulvous, clothed with flavous pubescence; antenne black; head granulate-punctate; thorax thickly

clothed with bright yellow pubescence; elytra narrowed behind, fuscous, fulvous at the sides, a narrow

obsolete sutural and lateral stripe on each, pale flavous.

Length 2 lines. . .

Head strongly produced anteriorly, this portion broadly flattened ; the vertex with a smooth central longitudinal

carination, closely granulate-punctate at the sides; antenne half the length of the body, black, the fourth

456 PHYTOPHAGA.

and the following joints of equal length, rather short, the third joint slightly longer; thorax slightly

longer than broad, narrowed in front, the sides very little rounded before the middle, the surface ferrn-

ginous, thickly clothed with yellow hairs which conceal the punctuation; elytra distinctly narrowed

behind, of a dark fuscous colour at the disc, the sides obscure fulvous, the suture very narrowly clothed

with a thin pale flavous pubescence in the shape of a stripe which widens at the apices into a triangular

patch, a similar but still more obscure stripe extends obliquely from the shoulder to below the middle ;

legs fulvous ; posterior tibiee armed with a single spur; claws bifid.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). A single specimen.

This species differs from any of those described by Clark in its coloration in

connection with the size; the elytral pale stripes can only be seen when the insect

is viewed sideways, the punctuation is close and distinct, gradually diminishing

posteriorly.

3. Rhinotmetus albopilosus.

Black; antenne fulvous, the two basal and the sixth, seventh, and eighth joints, and the apical one, piceous ;

thorax granulate-punctate, with a lateral stripe of white pubescence; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the

interstices strongly costate, sparingly clothed with silvery-white hairs.

Length 1? line.

Head granulate at the vertex, with a short longitudinal tubercle between the eycs, the latter very large; the

lower part of the face obscure testaceous, glabrous, forming nearly a plane surface; palpi filiform ;

antenne nearly half the length of the body, the last six joints short and thicker than the others ;

thorax subquadrate, the sides deflexed anteriorly, the lateral margins very obsolete, somewhat rounded

and produced anteriorly, the surface entirely granulate, black, the sides clothed with silvery-white pubes-

cence in the shape of a longitudinal stripe; elytra deeply depressed below the base, black, shining, the

entire disc very strongly and longitudinally costate, the interspaces strongly punctured, sparingly clothed

with silvery pubescence which assumes the shape of a spot at the middle, more distinctly pubescent at the

sides ; femora black, sparingly pubescent; tibia piceous, the posterior pair armed with a double spur.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This species is sufficiently distinguished by its black colour, the costate elytra, and

the white pubescence. One specimen, which differs from the type in having the elytra

piceous with the sides fulvous, instead of black, is probably immature; other differences

I cannot find.

4, Rhinotmetus canescens ?

Rhinotmetus canescens, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 52 (1860)’.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo (Champion).—Braziu '.

A single specimen of a Rhinotmetus from Capetillo answers so nearly the description

of R. canescens, Clark, that I must refer it to that species. The entire insect is clothed

with yellow pubescence; the head, thorax, and legs are flavous, but the elytra are dark

fulvous, thickly clothed with yellow hair which just allows the punctuation to be seen.

The antenne are half the length of the body and dark fulvous, but what Clark means

by saying that they are “contiguous at the base” I cannot quite understand; no such

structure is known to me amongst the present section. In the specimen before me the

RHINOTMETUS.—TETRAGONOTES. 457

elytra have an elongate dark spot placed close to the suture below the middle, but

whether this is accidental or normal I am unable to say.

5. Rhinotmetus parvulus.

Black, clothed with yellow pubescence ; legs fulvous; head strongly, the thorax more finely and closely, punc-

tured; elytra finely punctate-striate, sparingly clothed with yellow hairs.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head strongly and closely punctured at the vertex, sparingly clothed with yellow hairs; the anterior portion

of the face divided by a longitudinal ridge ; antenne less than half the body in length, piceous, the lower

joints fulvous below, all the joints short and robust, the terminal ones somewhat thickened ; thorax scarcely

longer than broad, the sides slightly narrowed and deflexed anteriorly, the surface rather flattened, closely

and finely punctured, clothed with yellow pubescence which does not hide the punctuation; elytra closely

and distinctly punctate-striate anteriorly, the punctuation quite obsolete towards the apices, similarly

pubescent to the thorax; legs fulvous; posterior tibise with a single spur.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Smaller than any other described species of Rhinotmetus, with all of which the present

one agrees in the shape of the thorax and the single spur to the posterior tibie; the

black colour, yellow pubescence, and the fulvous legs, will help in the recognition of

R. parvulus.

TETRAGONOTES.

Tetragonotes, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 53 (1860).

The long and narrow shape, and also the elongate and laterally subangulate thorax,

help in distinguishing the species placed in Tetragonotes from those of most other

genera, and make it comparatively easy of recognition. Seven species from different

parts of Tropical South America have been described by Clark ; two have been described

from Guatemala by Harold, and I now add two others (one of which is described

as new) from our country.

1. Tetragonotes oculata. (Tab. XXV. figg. 21, 22.)

Tetragonotes oculata, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xii. p. 10 (1875) ’.

Hab. Guavematal; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

The description of the author agrees with the typical form, in which the elytra have

an obscure spot at the base and another below the middle; there are, however, quite

as many specimens before me in which the elytra are without spots; the thorax and

the antenne are also subject to changes in colour, being either of light or darker tint.

The species will be recognized by the opaque general colour of its upper surface, caused

by the very short and close pubescence, and the subangulate sides of the thorax. Many

specimens were obtained by Mr. Champion by beating herbage on the margins of the

coffee plantations on the slopes of the Volcan de Chiriqui, at the commencement of the

rainy season.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1886. 3u

458 | PHYTOPHAGA.

2. Tetragonotes militaris. (Tab. XXV. figg. 23, 24, 25.)

Tetragonotes militaris, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 11 (1875) ’.

Hab. Guaremata; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion).

Without having seen the type it is impossible to say whether I rightly refer the

numerous and variable specimens obtained by Mr. Champion to the above species.

Some of these agree very well with Harold’s description, except that in none can

the elytra be called pubescent as in 7. oculata; they are, on the contrary, rather

shining, and only in the light-coloured specimens is a very fine pubescence visible at

the sides. The following varieties are worth noticing :—

Var. a. Head and thorax fulvous; elytra dark bluish black.

Var. 6. Head, thorax, antenne, and the breast blackish, the rest as in var. a.

Var. c. Testaceous or fulvous, the posterior part of the elytra bluish black.

Var. d. Head and thorax blackish, the lateral margin of the latter testaceous; elytra with a transverse band

at the base and another below the middle bluish black.

Var. ¢. Elytra entirely testaceous, the thorax as in var. b.

Between these varieties intermediate degrees of coloration are not wanting, and if

the species is correctly referred to 7. militaris, Harold, it is evident that author only

knew the form with bluish elytra; the margin of the thorax in the dark-coloured

specimens seems to remain of a testaceous colour, as in the type. 7. militaris resembles

in shape and structure the preceding species; the head and thorax show a fine but

distinct punctuation, and the posterior tibiz are not so curved as in 7’ oculata, as

Harold also remarks.

Captured in plenty on the Volcan de Chiriqui by Mr. Champion, in company with

T. oculata.

3. Tetragonotes fasciaticollis.

Black; upper part of the head, the base of the femora and tibix, flavous; thorax flavous, remotely punctured,

a longitudinal band on the disc black; elytra black, very finely punctate-striate.

Length 24 lines.

Head closely punctured at the vertex, the punctures of elongate shape; the frontal tubercles strongly raised,

bounded behind by a prominent transverse ridge; the extreme base of the vertex black, the rest of the

face testaceous, the labrum piceous; palpi filiform; antenne black, the third and fourth joints of equal

length, the intermediate joints somewhat dilated (the apical ones wanting); thorax scarcely longer than

broad, subquadrate, the disc rather flattened, transversely depressed in front of the basal margin, the

_ sides obsoletely angulate before the middle, broadly flavous, the middle of the disc occupied by a longi-

tudinal black band which is greatly and rather suddenly narrowed near the anterior margin, the surface

very remotely and rather strongly punctured, covered with a few scattered hairs; elytra very finely

punctate-striate, black, opaque, sparingly clothed with short, fulvous pubescence, the lateral margin (in

one specimen) more distinctly fulvous ; legs flavous, the apices of all the femora and those of the tibiz,

black; tarsi piceous, the breast and abdomen piceous or black, the abdominal segments margined with

flavous.

Hab. Costa Rica (coll. Jacoby), Rio Sucio (Rogers).

TETRAGONOTES.—PHYSIMERUS. 459

4. Tetragonotes vittata.

Tetragonotes vittata, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 59 (1860).

Hab. Guatemata (coll. Baly); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de

Chiriqui (Champion).—Braziu, Constancia }. | :

Although some slight differences are to be found between the Nicaraguan specimens

and the description of Clark, as well as in a specimen labelled “ type” in the collection

of Mr. Baly, they are not of sufficient importance to warrant the separation of the

Central-American specimens; the thorax in the latter is strongly punctured, while the

reverse is the case in the specimen in Mr. Baly’s collection. Clark gives piceous as the

colour of the antenne, which agrees with the examples from Nicaragua ; in the indivi-

dual from Guatemala, the basal and the terminal joints are fulvous. The same author

speaks only of Brazil as the locality of the species, although he must have seen the

specimen from Guatemala if it was named by him, as the labelimplies. A single specimen,

which differs but slightly from the others, was obtained by Mr. Champion in Chiriqui.

PHYSIMERUS.

Physimerus, Clark, Cat. of Halticidz, p. 69 (1860).

More than thirty species, all from different parts of Tropical America, are at

present placed in Physimerus; the genus ranges as far north as Mexico. Physimerus is

far from satisfactorily established, as no constant structural characters for all the

species can with certainty be pointed out. I find, for example, that, although Clark

describes the posterior tibiee as being armed with a single spur, this character is not

peculiar to all the species described by him. I can detect two spurs in P. pulchellus

and P. vittatus, the types of which are before me. I am, moreover, unable to see in

all the species the row of comb-like teeth which frequently are placed below the

insertion of the posterior tarsi. Chapuis in his diagnoses of the “ Monoplatine”

separates Physimerus from other genera by the want of an elytral depression below

the base, yet Clark has described several species which possess this character in a

marked degree. Physimerus may be principally known by the filiform palpi, the

slender antennz, the appendiculate claws, and the pubescence which covers the elytra ;

the species are, for the most part, of small size. Only a single one has been recorded

up to the present time from Mexico. I may add here, to prevent further uncertainty,

that Herr von Harold, in speaking of the genus Physimerus (Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 19),

and comparing it with Hypolampsis, Clark, makes the remark that Clark gives as one

of the distinguishing characters “the posterior tibie of the last-named genus unarmed

or possessing no spur.” Herr von Harold has, however, in this respect misunderstood

Clark, who says that the margination of the tibie is unarmed; there is, on the contrary,

a distinct spur placed at the apices of the posterior tibie in Hypolampsis.

3n 2

460 PHYTOPHAGA.

1. Physimerus basalis. |

Below piceous; antenne and legs fulvous; head and thorax black, clothed with yellow pubescence; elytra

fulvous, closely punctate-striate, the interstices convex, a transverse band at the base and a spot below the

middle, black.

Length 1 line.

Head granulate, clothed with yellow pubescence; the frontal tubercles obsolete; lower part of the face, the

labrum, and the palpi, dark fulvous, shining; antennz half the length of the body, fulvous, the apical

joint darker, the third, fourth, and fifth joints of equal length, thin, the following joints thicker and

shorter; thorax square-shaped, narrowed at the base, rather distinctly transversely depressed near the

basal margin, the surface closely granulate, clothed with yellow pubescence; elytra with the basal portion

rather strongly raised, finely but closely punctate-striate, the interstices longitudinally costate, ard clothed

with rather long yellow hairs, the surface light fulvous, a transverse obscure black band (widened towards

the sutural margin) is placed across the base, and another narrow band (sometimes reduced to a spot) at

the middle; legs fulvous, the posterior femora dusky at their apices.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In the markings of the elytra P. dasalis seems to agree closely with P. rusticus,

Clark, but differs in the black colour of the head and thorax, and the entirely fulvous

antenne.

2. Physimerus obscuroplagiatus.

Obscure dark fulvous, clothed with yellow pubescence; antenne long, the seventh and eighth joints and the

terminal one piceous; elytra strongly punctate-striate, each with three or four obscure dark brown spots,

the interstices slightly costate.

Length 12-2 lines. _

Head finely rugose-punctate; the vertex of a dark brown colour, with a more or less distinctly raised central

ridge; eyes very large, the space in front of their inner margin clothed with golden-yellow pubescence ;

lower part of the face concave, shining, fulvous; palpi subfiliform,.testaceous ; antenne nearly as long as

the body, the third, fourth, and fifth joints slender, elongate, and equal, the following joints shorter and of

equal length, the five basal joints fulvous, the basal one stained with piceous, the sixth and seventh joints,

as well as the last one, entirely of that colour; thorax distinctly broader than long, transversely depressed

along the basal margin, the entire surface clothed with bright yellow pubescence which hides any punc- .

tuation; elytra with a slight basal depression, dark brown, rather strongly punctured, the interstices

longitudinally but slightly costate, clothed with the same kind of pubescence as the thorax, but leaving

bare on each elytron three or four spots, of which one is placed below the base and close to the suture, two

others at the middle, and a fourth near the apex; underside more or less piceous or dark fulvous; the

sides of the thorax piceous or fuscous ; legs fulvous, clothed with yellow pubescence.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera, Tolé (Champion).

Many examples. This species is evidently closely allied to several others contained

in the present genus, notably to P. antennarius, Harold, on account of the long antennae,

and to P. wroratus, Clark, by the markings of the elytra. I cannot, however, identify

P. obscuroplagiatus with either of the last-named or any other described species. In

P. antennarius the thorax is described as longer than broad, which is not the case in

P. obscuroplagiatus. In this last-named species the markings of the elytra (caused by

the absence of the yellow pubescence in those places) are often very obscure and of

rather irregular shape ; but in specimens in good condition the four spots (of which the

one at the middle near the suture is the largest) are plainly visible to the naked eye;

PHYSIMERUS. 461

this, in connection with the rugosely punctured vertex and its central raised line, and

the long antenne in the male, will assist in the recognition of P. obscuroplagiatus.

3. Physimerus brunneus. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 21.)

Elongate, entirely reddish brown, clothed with yellowish pubescence ; head granulate-punctate ; thorax square-

shaped, finely punctured; elytra without depression, finely punctate-striate, the interstices slightly raised.

Length 2 lines.

Head not longer than broad, closely and finely rugose-punctate ; the vertex with a central, longitudinal, smooth,

narrow ridge; the frontal tubercles very strongly raised, trigonate ; the clypeus deeply concave, testaceous ;

antennse more than half the length of the body, dark fulvous, the third and two following joints very

slender, and of nearly equal length, the rest shorter ; thorax about one half broader than long, the sides

straight and somewhat narrowed towards the base, the surface rather depressed near the base, clothed

with yellow pubescence which hides the punctuation; scutellum rather broad; elytra without basal

elevation or depression, pubescent like the thorax, distinctly and closely punctate-striate, the interstices

very slightly longitudinally raised.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui ( Champion).

The entirely dark fulvous colour, the sculpture of the head, and the want of any

elytral elevation at the base, together with the elongate shape of the insect, will help to

distinguish P. brunneus. |

4. Physimerus maculicollis.

Pale or darker fulvous, clothed with yellow pubescence; head rugose-punctate ; thorax square-shaped, stained

with black or fuscous at the sides; elytra narrowed behind, closely punctate-striate, clothed with long

yellow pubescence.

~ Length 17-2 lines.

Head closely and finely rugose-punctate, the vertex with a raised central longitudinal carination, dark fulvous ;

the frontal tubercles very obsolete, the carina distinctly raised; palpi filiform; antenne nearly half the

length of the body, all the joints (with the exception of the third) short, fulvous or fuscous ; thorax square-

shaped, or slightly longer than broad (¢?), the sides deflexed, narrowed near the base, the surface more

or less deeply depressed below the middle, the anterior portion being somewhat convex, the disc densely

clothed with pale yellow pubescence, the sides with a more or less distinct longitudinal black spot which

extends to the underside; elytra slightly flattened along the suture, scarcely depressed below the base, the

punctuation very distinct if denuded of pubescence, the latter rather long and yellow in colour.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

P. maculicollis bears some resemblance to P. brunneus, but is rather smaller and of

a narrower shape; the frontal tubercles are much more obsolete, the thorax is longer

and stained with black, and the antenne are of quite different construction.

5. Physimerus mimulus.

Physimerus mimulus, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 19 (1875)’.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Perru’.

A single specimen obtained in Chiriqui by Mr. Champion agrees so well with the

description of P. mimulus from Peru that I must refer it to that species; the thorax

462 PHYTOPHAGA.

is square-shaped, not narrowed at the base, with a shallow longitudinal groove and two

anterior obsolete elevations; this, as well as the sculpture and colour of the elytra, is

as described by Harold. |

6. Physimerus pygmeus.

Dark brown or ferruginous, clothed with ashy pubescence; thorax narrowed at the base; elytra strongly -

punctate-striate, a small spot near the base, and a larger one below the middle, denuded of hairs.

Length 1 line.

Head scarcely longer than broad, the vertex finely rugose-punctate ; eyes large, the intermediate space clothed

with whitish pubescence ; palpi filiform; antenne as long as half the body, the terminal joints slightly

thickened, the third joint longer than the fourth, fulvous, the seventh and eighth joints often darker ;

thorax very nearly square-shaped, distinctly narrowed at the base, the surface obsoletely transversely

depressed near the basal margin, densely clothed with yellowish or whitish hairs; elytra closely and

distinctly punctate-striate, all the interstices slightly longitudinally costate, the ground-colour dark

brown, clothed with ashy grey or whitish pubescence, which is absent below the base and below the

middle, forming a small and a larger brownish spot; legs fulvous.

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

_ Many examples. This very small species may be known by the thorax being distinctly

narrowed near the base; the slightly but distinctly costate interstices of the elytra

(which have the basal portion scarcely more prominent than the rest of their surface) ;

and by the two spots on each elytron, which, in specimens in good condition, may be

seen without a lens. P. mimulus, Harold, seems to be a closely allied species, but

differs in the shape of the thorax and its two small elevations, in the distinctly raised

basal portion of the elytra, and in the markings of the latter.

On herbage, in company with many other species of this group, about the margins of

newly made coffee plantations on the slope of the Volcan de Chiriqui at the beginning

of the rainy season (Champion).

7. Physimerus zapotensis.

Fulvous ; head and thorax granulate-punctate; elytra black, clothed with yellow pubescence, scarcely depressed

below the base, distinctly punctate anteriorly, the apical portions nearly impunctate.

Var. a. Elytra dark fulvous.

Var. 6. Thorax and elytra black.

Length 1 line.

Head closely and finely granulate (only visible with a strong lens), the frontal tubercles scarcely prominent,

the carina very short; palpi filiform; antenne scarcely half the length of the body in the male, shorter

in the female, entirely fulvous, all the joints short, the terminal ones gradually incrassate ; thorax scarcely

longer than broad, the sides slightly narrowed at the base, the disc with an obsolete longitudinal depression

near the anterior margin, the surface punctured like the head, and clothed with yellow pubescence; elytra

with a very slight depression below the base, the punctuation well marked anteriorly but entirely absent

below the middle, the disc sparingly pubescent like the thorax; legs entirely fulvous.

Hab. GuatTEMALA, Zapote (Champion).

This seems to be a variable little species; it may be known by the small size, the

fulvous antennee and legs, and the very obsolete elytral depression. P. obscurus, Clark,

is larger, and differs in the colour of the legs and antenne.

PHYSIMERUS. 463

8. Physimerus varicornis.

Pale fulvous, clothed with yellow pubescence, the sixth to the eighth joints of the antenne piceous; elytra

finely punctate-striate, each with some dark fulvous spots, placed transversely, the interstices slightly

convex.

3. Antenne nearly as long as the body.

Q@. Antenne much. shorter than in the male.

Length 14 line.

3. Head clothed with golden-yellow pubescence, not visibly punctured ; the labrum and the palpi testaceous ;

antennsz more than two thirds the length of the body, the first joint very stout, the third and fourth joints

equal, the sixth to the eighth joints piceous or black, the others fulvous; thorax subquadrate, one half

broader than long, the surface scarcely impressed, and clothed (like the head) with golden-yellow pubes-

cence which hides any punctuation, the disc sometimes with two obscure fulvous spots; elytra with a

shallow depression below the base, finely punctate-striate, the interstices very slightly raised, the surface

clothed with yellow pubescence, but leaving bare some more or less distinct dark fulvous spots, which

are generally placed in three transverse irregular rows; underside fulvous, sparingly clothed with

yellow hairs; posterior tibia with a single spur.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Capetillo (Champion).

P. varicornis seems to me to be closely allied to P. variegatus, Harold, which,

according to the description, differs in the slightly longer than broad thorax (the

reverse being the case in P. varicornis), in the deep punctuation of the elytra, and in

the raised eighth interstice of the latter; in the female specimens of P. varicornis the

antenne scarcely reach the base of the elytra, but other differences of importance I

cannot find. The general colour of the upper surface of the elytra is yellowish, spotted

with fulvous; the thorax, however, on account of the closer pubescence, is of a more

uniform yellowish or brownish tint ; in some specimens the spots of the elytra almost

disappear; the length of the antenne and their stout basal joint will partly assist in

the recognition of P. varicornis.

9. -Physimerus constricticollis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 20.)

3. Fuscous or black ; thorax strongly constricted at the base, the sides golden yellow ; elytra strongly punc-

tate-striate, brownish fuscous, each with a silvery-grey lateral and subsutural band,

@. Elytra without bands.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head rugosely punctate, clothed with golden-yellow pubescence near the eyes; antennz filiform, black, the

third joint the longest, the terminal joints slightly thickened and much shorter than the others; thorax

distinctly longer than broad, the sides greatly narrowed at the base, the surface finely granulate-punctate,

the sides clothed with a longitudinal band of bright golden-yellow pubescence, the middle of the disc, as

well as the sides below, fuscous ; elytra narrowly parallel, without any basal depression, rather thickly

clothed with silvery-grey pubescence, which forms a narrow longitudinal lateral and a subsutural band

"from the base to the apices, the rest of the surface is of a brownish fuscous colour, and clothed with

(besides the short pubescence) numerous long whitish hairs; legs dark fulvous or piceous, thickly clothed

with whitish pubescence ; posterior tibiee with a single spur.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

This handsome little species is well characterized by the strongly narrowed thorax

and its two bright bands of yellow pubescence. In the female the elytra are very

thinly clothed with brownish hairs, and the bands are scarcely indicated at the shoulders

464 PHYTOPHAGA.

and at the sides; the antenne are, as is usual, shorter. P. constricticollis seems to be

closely allied by the shape of its thorax and the markings of the elytra to P. pruinosus,

Clark, but differs in the want of the elytral depression and the colour of the antenne

and thorax.

10. Physimerus nigricornis.

Dark fulvous; antenne black; head and thorax fulvous, clothed with yellow pubescence ; elytra brownish

fuscous, clothed with whitish pubescence, strongly punctate-striate, the interstices longitudinally costate.

Length 1 line.

Head finely and closely punctured, clothed with bright yellow pubescence ; palpi black or piceous, the penulti-

mate joint slightly incrassate ; antenn black or piceous, the terminal joints very slightly incrassate, the

joints from the third of nearly equal length ; thorax distinctly constricted at the sides below the middle,

obsoletely depressed across the disc at the same place, the surface punctured like the head, the punctuation

however scarcely visible on account of the close bright flavous pubescence, which is especially prominent

at the sides, the middle remaining more or less distinctly of the fulvous ground-colour ; elytra without

any basal elevation or depression, of a dark brownish-fuscous colour, clothed with ashy grey or whitish

pubescence, strongly and longitudinally costate throughout, the interspaces closely and strongly punctured ;

posterior tibize with a single spur.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, David, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).

The costate elytra and entirely black antenne distinguish P. nigricornis, which

probably would have been placed by Clark in his genus Hypolampsis, a genus containing,

for the most part, very small species ; amongst these one or two have been named by

Clark H. multicostata and H. costata; but in his descriptions he makes no mention

whatever of any cost which are to be found in other species of Hypolampsis. It is

therefore doubtful to which species the present one is most closely allied without seeing

all Clark’s types, which I am unfortunately not enabled to do.

11. Physimerus rubicunda.

Testaceous below, above reddish fulvous ; head strongly and rugosely punctured ; thorax granulate-punctate ;

elytra closely punctate-striate, clothed with fulvous pubescence.

Length 1 line.

Head strongly and closely rugose at the vertex, the lower part of the face testaceous ; the penultimate joint

of the palpi slightly thickened ; the apices of the mandibles black ; antenne half the length of the body,

piceous, the two or three basal and the three apical joints obscure fulvous, the third and the three

following joints of equal length; thorax very slightly broader than long, the surface rather flattened and

without depression, closely granulate-punctate, sparingly pubescent; elytra scarcely visibly depressed

below the base, thinly clothed with fulvous pubescence, the disc closely punctate-striate, the interstices

obsoletely longitudinally costate; legs testaceous or pale fulvous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, San Feliz (Champion).

12. Physimerus labialis.

Physimerus labialis, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 74°.

Hab. Mexico 4, Orizaba (Sailé),

The specimens from Orizaba before me seem to be referable to Clark’s species, with

PHYSIMERUS.—THRASYGUS. | | 465

the description of which they agree in the main points. Clark gives, however, the

colour as tawny brown; that in the specimens before me might be called piceous, and

the colour of the head and thorax black; the lower portion of the face is testaceous or

fulvous, and smooth, and the pubescence of the entire upper surface is very scanty and .

_of a yellowish-white colour; the antenne are rather short and robust, the third joint

being the longest ; all the rest agrees with the description. |

13. Physimerus(?) nigripennis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 22.)

Piceous ; head, thorax, and the base of the femora fulvous ; elytra black, finely pubescent, distinctly punctate-

striate ; head produced ; thorax finely punctured.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head distinctly longer than broad, the vertex obsoletely punctured ; the lower part of the face concave, divided

by a narrow central ridge, shining, fulvous; palpi scarcely thickened at the penultimate joint ; antenne

filiform, black, two thirds the length of the body, the third joint slightly longer than the fourth; thorax

very slightly longer than broad, the sides perfectly straight, more or less distinctly narrowed at the base,

the surface rather flattened, transversely depressed near the base, finely rugose-punctate, thinly clothed

with pubescence, the disc in some specimens (2) with a central longitudinal ridge near the base ; scu-

tellum fulvous ; elytra black, clothed with thin whitish pubescence, rather strongly punctate-striate, the

interstices somewhat costate in the female, the base without any depression or elevation ; legs piceous or

more or less marked with fulvous ; posterior tibie with two spurs; claws appendiculate.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, David (Champion).

The produced head and the double spur:to the posterior tibie are characters strange -

to the genus Physimerus, at least amongst the typical forms; I have, however, pro-

visionally placed the present species in Phystmerus rather than establish another genus

on characters which in themselves are not always found to be constant. ‘There is,

moreover, some doubt attached to the double spur of the tibie in P. nigripennis, one

of them being very small, but the other of large size, so that it is possible to describe

the tibie as having one spur. P. nigripennis resembles in colour and size P. inornatus,

Clark, but differs in the shape of the head and in the longer thorax.

THRASYGQUS.

Thrasygeus, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 102 (1860).

Eupeges, Clark, loc. cit. p. 107.

The filiform or at least scarcely thickened maxillary palpi and the bifid claws’ are

the principal distinguishing characters of this genus. In examining a type-specimen of

Clark’s genus Eupeges, E. scabrosa, from Brazil, which that author has separated from

Thrasygeus on account of the supposed unarmed tibie, I find that the latter are pro-

vided with a long and distinct spur, at least in the species I have before me; and if

this should prove to be the case with the two others described by Clark, there is

no further’ reason to separate Eupeges from Thrasygwus, with which it agrees in all

other respects. Both genera, containing some few described species, are peculiar

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, July 1886. 30

466 PHYTOPHAGA.

to Tropical America, but not hitherto recorded from our country, from whence we now

record five species.

1. Thrasygeus salvini.

Oblong ovate, black, very finely pubescent; lower part of the face testaceous; abdomen piceous; head and

thorax finely rugose-punctate ; elytra finely punctate-striate, the interstices slightly convex.

Length 3 lines.

Head very closely and rather finely rugose-punctate, the frontal tubercles bounded behind by a deep transverse

groove; clypeus testaceous; labrum piceous, margined with testaceous, impressed with a row of deep

punctures ; palpi filiform, pale testaceous ; antenne black, the third joint the longest, the following

joints shorter and nearly equal (the two last joints wanting); thorax rather more than twice as broad as

long, the sides very obsoletely angulate before the middle, the surface depressed at the sides near the

base, finely rugosely punctured like the head, and clothed with very thin yellowish hairs; scutellum

pubescent ; elytra very thinly clothed with yellowish pubescence, finely punctate-striate, the interstices

everywhere obsoletely raised; femora at their inner sides, and the coxse, as well as the apices of the poste-

rior tibie, testaceous ; posterior tibie with a distinct spur; claws bifid.

Hab. GuaTEMALA (coll. Jacoby), Aceytuno (Salvin).

The single specimen obtained by Mr. Salvin is probably somewhat worn ; in fresh |

specimens the pubescence of the elytra and thorax is no doubt more plainly visible.

T. salvini may be separated from the species described by Clark by the uniform black

colour of the upper surface.

2. Thrasygeus tibialis.

Ovate, convex, dark fulvous; antenne and the anterior tibiae black; upper surface clothed with yellow

pubescence ; head and thorax rugosely punctured ; elytra finely punctate-striate.

Length 2-34 lines.

Head very closely and strongly punctured, the vertex convex; palpi not thickened; antenne about half the

length of the body, black, the third and the two following joints of equal length, the others shorter ;

thorax transverse, scarcely narrowed in front, the sides perfectly straight, the surface obsoletely trans-

versely depressed near the base, punctured like the head, clothed with yellow, rather long pubescence ;

elytra rather convex, very slightly depressed below the base, finely punctate-striate, thinly clothed with

yellowish hairs ; the four anterior tibie black; posterior tibiee witha double spur; claws bifid.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

T. soricinus, Harold, seems to be a closely allied species, but differs in the anteriorly

strongly narrowed thorax, the flatter general shape, and the uniform colour of the

legs.

3. Thrasygeus cordovensis. (‘Tab. XXVI. fig. 16.)

Broadly oblong ovate, subdepressed ; flavous, the base of the head black ; thorax closely and finely punctured ;

elytra clothed with thin yellow pubescence, fulvous, the base and the lateral margin fuscous, finely

punctate-striate.

Length 34 lines.

Head granulate-punctate at the vertex, the latter black; the lower part of the face, the labrum, and the filiform

palpi, flavous, shining; antenne more than half the length of the body, the third joint much longer than

the fourth, the five lower joints fulvous, the two following ones obscure piceous, the rest pale fulvous ;

THRASYG(EUS. 7 | 467

thorax transverse, the sides slightly rounded before the middle, the anterior angles oblique, the surface

with a rather deep fovea at each side, closely and finely punctured, flavous, shining, scarcely pubescent ;

scutellum fuscous ; elytra rather flattened, without any basal depression, finely and rather closely punctate-

striate, the interstices slightly convex near the suture, the entire surface clothed with very thin yellowish

pubescence, the disc dark fulvous, all the margins and the base fuscous; underside and legs flavous,

sparingly pubescent ; posterior tibie with a single spur; claws bifid.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé). A single specimen.

4. Thrasygeeus femoralis. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 17.)

Broadly oblong-ovate, fulvous below ; the base of the head, the antenne, the anterior tibia, and a spot at the

apices of the posterior femora, black; thorax flavous; elytra dark fuscous, a subsutural and a lateral

longitudinal stripe fulvous, thinly clothed with yellowish pubescence.

Length 3 lines.

Head very finely and rugosely punctured, black ; the clypeus and the filiform palpi testaceous ; antenne more

than half the length of the body, black, the first joint more or less flavous, the third joint rather longer

than the fourth ; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides straight, the surface very slightly transversely

depressed near the base, flavous, clothed with thin pubescence which obscures any punctuation ; scutellum__

fuscous; elytra without any basal depression, closely and finely punctate-striate, dark fuscous, thinly

pubescent, a stripe near the sutural margin and another near the lateral one (confluent at the apex of

each elytron) yellowish ; apices of the posterior femora, as well as the anterior tibie and tarsi, black ;

underside flavous or fulvous ; posterior tibiee with a single spur; claws bifid.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion).

The ground colour of the elytral stripes is dark fulvous, but the pubescence covering

them is yellowish, which is the prevailing tint.

5. Thrasygeus scabrosus. (Tab. XXVI. figg. 18, 19.)

Eupeges scabrosa, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 109°.

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba, Cordova, Panistlahuaca (Sallé); GuaTemaLa, Zapote (Cham-

pion).—Brazit 4.

Var. Entirely fulvous.

As already remarked, T. scabrosus was placed by Clark in the genus Hupeges on

account of the supposed unarmed posterior tibie. As the reverse is the case in the type

before me, the species must find its place in Thrasygeus, with which it further agrees

in the bifid, not appendiculate, claws. ‘The Guatemalan specimens show no difference

to any appreciable extent from the type; the base of the head in most specimens is

black or sometimes entirely fulvous, and rugose punctate ; the lower part of the face

and the thorax rufous; the thorax is closely punctured and distinctly transversely

depressed near the base; the elytra are black, clothed with very thin pubescence (in

the diagnosis of the genus Clark calls the elytra glabrous), and finely punctate-striate.

Many specimens from Guatemala are of an entirely fulvous colour, with instances of

darker shades; but, as I cannot discover any other differences of importance, and being

from the same locality, I believe these specimens to be but a pale variety of the present

species. Typical and pale forms from Mexico are also before me.

302

468 PHYTOPHAGA.

PHYLACTICUS.

Phylacticus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 110 (1860).

Most of the species of Phylacticus are of broad and robust shape, with the thorax

often glabrous, and the elytra clothed with thin hairs. The filiform palpi and antenne,

the rather long and double spur at the apices of the posterior tibie, and the vertically

placed head are also characteristic of the genus. Several species are of an olive-

green colour.

The genus is confined to Tropical America, from whence about seven species have

been described. "We now add one from the State of Panama; this is closely allied in

colour to a species (P. viridis, Perty) from Brazil, but I think distinct. The range of

Phylacticus is from Chiriqui to the Amazons valley.

1. Phylacticus major. (Tab. XXV. fig. 19.)

Testaceous below, olive-green above, clothed with pale yellow hairs; head and thorax closely punctured, the

latter with two lateral yellow stripes; elytra closely punctate-striate, the interstices slightly convex and

minutely punctured.

Q. The eighth interstice of the elytra strongly longitudinally costate.

Length 34—4 lines.

Head green, the sides below the eyes and the lower part of the face testaceous ; the vertex rugosely punctured ;

antenne half the length of the body, slender, fulvous ; thorax transversely quadrate, less transverse in

the male, the surface depressed near the base, closely punctured, olive-green, sparingly pubescent, the

sides with a longitudinal well-defined yellow stripe; scutellum obscure fulvous, smail; elytra rather

flattened, the surface strongly deflexed near the apices, deeply punctate-striate, the interstices very closely

and minutely punctured, densely clothed with yellowish-white hairs; legs flavous or fulvous, the apices of

all the femora and the outer side of the anterior tibiz green.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species seems to agree almost entirely with P. viridis, Perty, in its coloration

(unfortunately the sculpture of the head and thorax is not mentioned by either Clark

or Harold); but the Central-American insect is almost twice the size of that species ;

on this account I do not look upon it as identical with P. viridis, which, moreover, is

from Brazil. I have no doubt that P. major represents a closely allied but distinct

species.

OMAMMATUS.

Homammatus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 116 (1860).

Omammatus, Gemm. & Harold, Cat. xii. p. 3539.

Two species at present constitute this genus, which must be ranked amongst those

of doubtful systematic value ; the palpi are filiform or rather subfiliform; the antenne

in one of the species filiform and in the other incrassate. Clark in his general remarks

OMAMMATUS. — 469

on the genus calls the thorax angulate, but in the descriptions of the species he

does not mention this shape, and as the two described species seem to differ greatly

amongst themselves in regard to structural details, the generic value of Omammatus .

can only be settled when more material is obtained.

Two species from the State of Panama I have provisionally placed in this genus.

Omammatus is confined to Tropical America, the genus ranging from the Colombian

State of Panama to Brazil. |

1. Omammatus sericeus.

Dark fulvous, clothed with flavous pubescence; antenne filiform, the seventh and eighth joints fuscous; thorax

narrowed in front, nearly impunctate; elytra clothed with short and close flavous pubescence, an obscure

spot below the middle of each, fulvous.

Length 2 lines.

Head rather closely punctured immediately above the eyes, the vertex with a smooth central longitudinal line ;

the frontal tubercles elongate and very distinct, joined to the acutely raised carina which extends to the

clypeus ; antenne nearly half the length of the body, the third and the two following joints more elongate

than the rest and of equal length, the’ five terminal joints shorter and stouter; thorax a little longer than

broad, slightly cylindrical, distinctly narrowed in front, the lateral margins straight, the sides deflexed

near the anterior angles, a distinct longitudinal depression is placed at the middle of the disc near the

anterior margin, the surface extremely finely punctured and very sparingly pubescent; scutellum small,

fuscous ; elytra rather broadly ovate, strongly narrowed posteriorly, without any basal depression, rather

strongly punctate-striate, the punctuation entirely indistinct at the apices on account of the velvet-like

flavous pubescence at that part, the rest of the surface less thickly pubescent; posterior tibie with a

single spur; claws appendiculate; legs of the same colour as the body, and clothed with flavous pubes-

cence,

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The single specimen obtained seems to me to find its place in Omammatus, on

account of the shape of the thorax, the single spur at the apices of the posterior tibiz,

and the subfiliform palpi. 0. sericeus differs from O. turgidus, Clark, in the fulvous

colour of the upper surface and the different coloration of the antenne.

2. Omammatus nitidus.

Homammatus nitidus, Clark, Cat. Halticide, p. 119, t. 4. fig. 8°.

Hab. Paxama, Bugaba (Champion).—Cotomsia }.

I have only to add to the description of Clark, which agrees in every respect with

the two specimens obtained at Bugaba, that the punctuation of the elytra is scarcely or

not at all visible below the deep basilar depression ; that of the thorax extends obliquely

upwards and across the disc, but not to a very marked degree. The species, although

said by Clark to be contained in the Baly collection, is, like several others, not to be

found there, consequently I am not enabled to compare our insect with the type.

470: PHYTOPHAGA.

OMOTYPHUS.

Homotyphus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 120 (1860) ; Harold, Col. Hefte, xiii. p. 20 (1875).

Omotyphus, Gemm. & Harold, Cat. xii. p. 3539.

Omotyphus, on account of its somewhat square shape and rather robust appearance,

very closely resembles the genus Omototus, from which Clark has separated it on account

of the “filiform palpi,” and the double spur at the extremity of the posterior tibie.

That the shape of the palpi in these insects is of but slight value in their classification

is sufficiently proved by the many intermediate degrees to be found even amongst the

members of the same genus; as regards the single or double-spur to the posterior tibie

the same may be said, and to most observers it will always be doubtful whether an

insect of the present section should be described as armed with one or two spurs, at

least in most instances.. This doubt arises not from the fact that a single well-developed

spur is nearly always to be found at the middle of the cavity at the extremities of the

posterior tibis, but that, if the insect is held sideways and in certain lights, the

generally acute and pointed outer angle or apex of the tibia produces the effect of a

“second” spur; yet this cannot be properly called as such (many intermediate degrees in

regard to the length of this so-called spur are to be found), so that it will always remain

doubtful if the species is to be placed amongst the genera with a single or with a double

spur according to Clark. Omototus may, in my opinion, be safely united with Omotyphus.

The genus is well represented in Central America by ten species, seven of which are

here described as new; about six others are known from Tropical South America.

The range of Omotyphus is from Mexico to Brazil.

1. Omotyphus fuliginosus.

Homotyphus fuliginosus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 124.

Hab. Mexico}. |

This species is probably a variety of O. asper.

2. Omotyphus asper. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 13.)

Homotyphus asper, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 125°.

Homotyphus squalidus, Clark, 1. c. p. 126°.

Hab. Mexico 12, Cordova (Sallé).—Brazi }.

IT am unable to separate these two species, the types of which, contained in the

collection of Mr. Baly and named by Clark, are before me; I cannot discover any

difference whatever of any consequence. Clark says that O. sgualidus may be separated

from O. asper by the three longitudinal carinations at the base of the head, of which I

can find no trace, and there is only the possibility left to conclude that the specimen

named Q. squalidus has been so named by mistake by Clark. The description given by

Clark of O. asper does not convey a correct idea of the sculpture of the head and thorax:

OMOTYPHUS. _ 471

the former is ‘ coarsely rugose-punctate,” not granulate; the thorax is nearly as deeply

punctured, and has two raised longitudinal tubercles placed near the anterior margin,

as Clark describes in his 0. fuliginosus, which he compares to O. tuberculatus, although

he has not described any species under that name in the present genus.

8. Omotyphus tibialis.

Ovate, subdepressed, fulvous or ferruginous, clothed with yellow pubescence; thorax subquadrate, with three

longitudinal yellow bands ; elytra finely punctate-striate, marked with alternate yellow and fulvous narrow

longitudinal stripes.

do. The posterior tibie strongly curved, with an acutely raised marginal ridge.

Length 2 lines.

Head rugosely punctured, clothed with yellow pubescence; antenne half the length of the body, entirely fulvous,

the third and the two following joints of equal length, the rest shorter; thorax scarcely broader than long,

finely and closely punctured, fulvous, the golden-yellow pubescence forming a lateral and a central longi-

tudinal band ; elytra broader than the thorax, the basal portion rather strongly raised, finely punctate-

striate, the punctures placed in sinuate, not straight lines, the interstices alternately fulvous (or covered

with golden yellow pubescence, producing the effects of narrow longitudinal bands) ; posterior tibie of the

male curved and deeply longitudinally channelled, and their apices armed with a double spur, those of the

females straight; palpi filiform.

Hab. Guatemana, San Gerénimo (Champion).

When the insect is viewed sideways the pubescent yellow elytral stripes, followed by

the fulvous smooth spaces, can be seen more plainly; seen without a lens from above

the elytra appear obsoletely spotted, the spots forming two oblique transverse rows;

the male of O. tibialis is well distinguished by the curved, deeply channelled and

acutely margined posterior tibi.

4, Omotyphus maculipennis.

Black ; closely pubescent ; palpi filiform; antenne fulvous, the seventh and the eighth joints and the apical

one fuscous or black ; head with three longitudinal carinations ; thorax granulate, bituberculate; elytra

finely punctate-striate, black, spotted with ashy grey.

_Length 2 lines.

Head finely granulate, fuscous or piceous, with some golden-yellow pubescence; above the antenne with a

central and a lateral short ridge, not extending to the base ; the space between the antenne with a sharply

raised keel extending down to the clypeus; antennez half the length of the body, slender, the terminal

joints not incrassate, the third joint longer than the fourth, the basal joint piceous above, the five following

joints fulvous, the next two piceous, the ninth and tenth fulvous, the terminal joint fuscous; thorax at

‘least twice as broad as long, short, the sides straight, the surface with two slightly raised tubercles near

the anterior margin, finely granulate, the sides depressed anteriorly and near the base, thickly clothed

with brownish fuscous pubescence, the sides with a more or less distinctly marked golden yellow stripe ;

elytra with the base slightly raised, finely punctate-striate, clothed (the punctures as well) with thick

blackish pubescence and variegated with small whitish grey spots placed in three or four transverse rows

of very irregular shape, the interstices slightly convex, a well-marked depression is placed below the base,

and a much more obsolete one below the middle close to the suture; below and the legs piceous, clothed

with silvery-grey pubescence. _

Hab. Panama, Volean de Chiriqui (Champion).

In the coloration of the elytra, 0. maculipennis seems to be allied to O. crassicornis,

Harold, from Bogota, from which it evidently differs by the sculpture of the head, the

AT2 | PHYTOPHAGA.

three carinations, and the distinctly and sharply raised keel between the antenne

extending down to the clypeus. 0. fuliginosus, Clark, seems also closely allied in the

sculpture of the head, but differs in the larger size, the (broad ?, Clark) robust antenne,

-and in the different general colour. The three specimens I refer to O. maculipennis do

not vary to any marked degree; in all the elytral spots are plainly visible and distributed

over the entire disc in three or four transverse but very irregular rows ; a further dis-

tinguishing character of the species is the narrow transverse thorax, in most allied species

the square shape being the rule.

5. Omotyphus chiriquensis. |

Obscure ferruginous, clothed with yellow pubescence; the sixth to the ninth joints of the antenne black ;

thorax with three bands of yellow pubescence ; elytra finely punctate-striate, each with four golden-yellow

stripes of pubescence.

Length 2 lines.

Head finely granulate at the vertex, the latter dark brown, clothed at the sides and in front with yellow

pubescence; palpi filiform; antennz about half the length of the body, the third, fourth, and fifth joints

slender and of nearly equal length, the following ones shorter and thicker, the sixth to the ninth joints

black, the others fulvous; thorax subquadrate, the sides below nearly black, the surface thickly

~ clothed with fulvous and yellow hairs, forming two broad longitudinal bands, fulvous at the middle of the

disc, the sides being marked with yellow stripes; elytra very slightly depressed below the base, alternately

striped with fulvous and yellow pubescence (best seen when the insect is held sideways), near the sides

and the apices the pubescence is more distinctly yellow; posterior tibiee with a double spur.

- Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

This species might perhaps equally well find its place in Physimerus, agreeing as it

does with that genus in all its characters except the double spur which is supposed to

characterize Omotyphus, but which is, as already remarked, also to be found in some

species of Physimerus described by Clark. 0. chiriquensis may be known by the four

black joints of the antenne (constant in all the specimens before me), and by the two

broad fulvous bands at the middle of the disc of the thorax; this latter character is

also found in O. tibialis, which species has also nearly the same elytral pattern; the

antenne, however, in O. tzdialis are entirely fulvous and gradually thickened, while in

O. chiriquensis the sixth and following joints are suddenly incrassate. |

6. Omotyphus semifasciatus. (Tab. XXVI. fig. 14.)

Fuscous, clothed with dark yellow pubescence ; antenne long, fulvous, the seventh and eighth joints and the

apical one fuscous; thorax with two broad dark fuscous bands; elytra dark yellowish, with two transverse

oblique rows of obsolete darker spots.

Length 2 lines.

Head dark fuscous at the vertex, granulate-punctate, with three short carinations above the insertion of the

antenne ; the clypeus piceous, with a central raised ridge ; palpi slender, filiform ; antennz two thirds the

length of the body, the third to the sixth joints slender and elongate, fulvous, the following joints shorter

and stouter ; thorax nearly twice as broad as long, subquadrate, with a distinct transverse depression at

the sides and two obsolete tubercles near the anterior margin, the middle of the disc marked with two

dark fuscous very distinct longitudinal bands, the rest of the surface occupied by dark yellow pubescent

stripes ; elytra finely punctate-striate, the basal portion rather distinctly raised, thickly clothed with dark

OMOTYPHUS. 473

yellow pubescence, interrupted at and below the middle by an oblique row of longitudinal dark fulvous.or

fuscous spots, forming two oblique rows, which are wider apart at the sutural than at the lateral portion,

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

I must separate the present insect on account of the elytral pattern, which is the same

in the three specimens before me ; the colour of the pubescence is rich dark yellow, and

the two rows of spots, deviating from each other at the suture, are distinctly visible

with the naked eye ; the long antenne will also assist in distinguishing 0. semifasciatus.

7. Omotyphus bituberculatus.

Obscure fulvous or fuscous, thickly clothed with variously coloured pubescence; antenne fulvous, the seventh

and eighth joints fuscous; thorax with obsolete longitudinal stripes; elytra with a basal depression, thickly

clothed with brown and yellow pubescence, each with a subsutural longitudinal tubercle below the middle.

Length 13 line.

Head short and broad, thickly clothed with yellow and fulvous pubescence ; palpi filiform; antenne half the

length of the body in the male, shorter in the female, the third, fourth, and fifth joints, slender and

elongate, of nearly equal size, fulvous, the three apical joints also fulvous, the seventh and eighth joints

fuscous or piceous; thorax subquadrate or one half broader than long, distinctly transversely depressed

across the disc, covered entirely with either fulvous or yellowish pubescence forming alternate obsolete

stripes ; elytra rather strongly punctate-striate, the interstices slightly raised, the basal portion also raised

and limited behind by a transverse depression, near the suture below the middle is a narrow elongate

tubercle placed on the second interstice.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Tolé (Champion).

This seems to be a most variable little species in regard to coloration, scarcely two

specimens being alike; in some the elytra are nearly black, the pubescence forming

white and dark fulvous or ferruginous spots, while in others the entire apices are ferru-

ginous ; a few have the elytra clothed with golden-yellow pubescence, varied by spots

of a ferruginous colour; in all, however, the postmedian short sutural elevation is

present, a character that will principally assist in the recognition of O. bituderculatus.

8. Omotyphus scutellatus.

Below fulvous ; above clothed with greenish pubescence: the sixth to the ninth joints of the antenne black ;

scutellum fulvous; elytra finely punctate-striate, one or two spots near the suture and an oblique row of

spots below the middle, obscure fulvous.

Length 2 lines.

Head thickly clothed with yellowish-green pubescence ; the lower part of the face smooth, fulvous; antennxe

scarcely half the length of the body, the terminal joints incrassate, the five lower joints fulvous, the three

or four following joints black, the apical ones fulvous; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides straight,

the surface scarcely visibly depressed at the sides, covered entirely with greenish pubescence which hides

any punctuation ; scutellum fulvous, clothed with long hairs; elytra with the base scarcely raised or

depressed below, thickly clothed with the same coloured pubescence as the head and thorax, the pune-

tuation fine, a small dark fulvous spot is placed at the middle near the suture, and three or four similar

transversely oblique spots (longitudinal in shape) below the middle ; legs fulvous; posterior tibia with a

double spur.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The greenish colour of the pubescence and the fulvous scutellum distinguish

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1886. 3 p

474 PHYTOPHAGA.

O. scutellatus; the spots of the elytra are as usual not very well defined, though visible

to the naked eye; the head is devoid of any elevations, except those of the frontal

tubercles, and the punctuation is hidden by the thick pubescence.

9. Omotyphus varicornis.

Obscure fulvous or dark fuscous, thickly pubescent; the sixth to the eighth joints of the antenne black; head

and thorax granulate-punctate; elytra with a basal depression, finely punctate-striate, the interstices flat,

variegated with yellow or brown pubescence ; palpi filiform.

3d. Antenne slender, more than two thirds the length of the body.

Q. Antenne short, the terminal joints incrassate.

Length 13~2 lines.

Hab. Guatemata, near the city (Champion, Salvin), Zapote, Capetillo ( Champion).

Many specimens from the localities cited above prove this species to be again a very

variable one, and remarkable for the entirely differently formed antenne in the two

sexes. I have no doubt these refer to the same species, as they were obtained at the

same localities, and show no other differences whatever, although in coloration scarcely

two examples are alike. O. varicornis is principally distinguished by the granulate

head and thorax; the latter is quadrate and distinctly transversely depressed near

the base, and sometimes on its surface are seen more or less distinct longitudinal yellow

pubescent bands varied by similar dark fulvous bands; the elytra in the fulvous speci-

mens are irregularly marked with stripes of yellow pubescence, especially noticeable at

the apices, but the surface has generally a mottled appearance; some specimens are

almost black, thickly clothed with fuscous or ferruginous hairs in some places ; the

legs are generally fulvous, sometimes darker or variegated. 0. fuliginosus, Clark,

seems to be a closely allied species, but is of much larger size, and the head is described

as having three longitudinal carinations, of which in the present species no trace can be

found. 0. varicornis possesses all the characters supposed to be peculiar to Omotyphus,

and, if I am right in referring all the specimens before me to the same species, it will

be seen that no reliance can be placed on the structure of the antenne alone as a guide

for the classification of these insects.

10. Omotyphus maculicornis.

Homotyphus maculicornis, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 127°.

Hab. Mexico },

Unknown to me. There is so much similarity in Clark’s description of this and

several other species often showing a great amount of variation, that, without having

seen the types, doubts must be entertained as to the distinctness of this and other

closely allied forms, some of which have been established on single specimens..

HYLODROMUS.—CLEOPHES. 475

HYLODROMUS.

Hylodromus, Clark, Cat. of Halticide, p. 143 (1860).

Hylodromus was established on a species (H. dilaticornis, from the Amazons

having the third to the sixth joint of the antenne dilated and compressed, and a

double spur to the hinder tibie: both these characters are present in an insect

obtained in the State of Panama, a species which agrees also in most other structural

characters described by the author; in its general appearance and shape, however, our

insect agrees with Omammatus, and the elytra are entirely glabrous and without

pubescence.

1. Hylodromus basalis.

Fulvous; the seven lower joints of the antenne, the head, and thorax, piceous; the terminal joints of the

antenne, the anterior legs, and the posterior tibix, flavous; elytra with a deep basal depression, their

basal half piceous, the rest fulvous.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, glabrous; the frontal tubercles very strongly developed; the basal part of the clypeus very

convex and greatly deflexed; the labrum testaceous; the maxillary palpi strongly incrassate ; antenne

half the length of the body, the second joint short and rounded, the three following joints very robust and

thickened, the sixth joint also stout but more elongate, the four apical joints short, flavous; thorax about

twice as broad as long, the sides concave at the middle, the angles acute and thickened, the anterior ones

furnished with a single seta, the surface rather depressed across the basal portion, very remotely but rather

distinctly punctured, of a piceous or very dark fulvous colour, the angles and the extreme basal margin of

a more flavous tint; scutellum rather broad, impunctate; elytra but slightly convex, deeply transversely

depressed below the base, the latter raised and strongly punctate-striate, the punctuation finer towards the

apices, rather more than the posterior half of the elytra fulvous, the basal portion piceous, very shining

and glabrous ; posterior femora dilated at the middle into a triangular tooth, piceous, their apices, together

with the other legs, flavous; posterior tibiee strongly curved at the base, and armed with a very long

double spur.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

The triangularly dilated posterior femora, in connection with the shape of the antenna,

will help in the recognition of this species.

CLEOPHES.

Body oblong-ovate, glabrous ; maxillary palpi filiform ; antenne filiform, the terminal joints slightly thickened,

the third joint twice the length of the second; thorax transverse ; posterior tibiz serrate, armed with a

single spur.

I am unable to find a place amongst the genera of Clark’s monograph for the insect

described here, on account of the very distinct serration of the posterior tibiz in con-

nection with their single spur. Ptinomorpha, Harold, possesses these characters, but

differs in the incrassate maxillary palpi, the different structure of the antenne, and the

subquadrate thorax.

3p2

476 | PHYTOPHAGA.

1. Cleophes unifasciata. (Tab. XXV. fig. 20.)

Reddish fulvous; the three apical joints of the antennew, and the posterior femora, piceous; thorax finely

punctured ; elytra finely punctate-striate, reddish fulvous, with a narrow transverse black basal band.

Length 13 line.

Head with a few fine punctures, the eyes large, the frontal tubercles very obsolete; the anterior portion of the

face rather long, testaceous ; antennx half the length of the body, pale fulvous, the three apical joints

black, the third and fourth joints slender, elongate, and of equal length and each rather more than twice

the length of the second ; thorax more than twice as broad as long, the sides slightly rounded before the

middle, the anterior angles oblique, the surface with a very obsolete transverse depression near the base,

finely and distantly punctured ; scutellum fulvous; elytra with a distinct depression below the base,

regularly and finely punctate-striate, the punctuation scarcely finer and distinct at the apices, and with a

narrow black transverse band (extending to the margins and as far as the depression) at the base ;

posterior femora not extending to the apices of the elytra (9?) ; posterior tibie deeply longitudinally

channelled, the margins of the groove armed with a row of distinct teeth, the inner apices armed with a

single stout spur; claws appendiculate.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion). A single specimen.

Subfam. GALERUCINAA.

This subfamily, although not quite so strongly represented in genera as the “ Halti-

cine ” (which remark applies to most other parts of the world, as well as to the

country under investigation), yet forms no inconsiderable portion of the Phytophagous

Coleoptera; and it is perhaps worth noticing that we usually find amongst the

“Galerucine ” greater numbers of individuals of certain species than amongst the pre-

ceding subfamily. We find, for example, that the genus Diabrotica, whose metropolis

is the entire southern part of America, and extending to North America, is not only

exceptionally rich in species, but that some of these are represented by such numbers

of individuals, judging from the immense amount of material obtained, that they must

swarm in the localities they inhabit; the same may be said of the genera Monocesta,

Galeruca, and others. It is, however, possible that owing to the absence of saltatorial

power in the “Galerucine,” possessed to such a great degree by the closely allied

“ Halticine,” the former fall a more easy prey to the collector, and that their

superiority in point of numbers is more apparent than real. The only character of

distinction between the Halticine and Galerucine which one can point out, is

the want of the incrassation of the posterior femora in the latter. From Central

America about sixty species of Galerucine have been described; the researches of

Mr. Champion, Herr Hoge, and others have, however, now added very many new and

interesting forms.

a. Anterior coxal cavities open.

* Tibie longitudinally sulcate, unarmed ; claws bifid. ~ «+ \ >"

MONOCESTA.

Monocesta, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 264 (1865).

This genus contains, for the most part, large and handsomely marked species; it

MONOCESTA. ATT

forms part of the sixteenth group of Chapuis’s arrangement, the “‘ Ccelomerine.” From

Celomera proper, Monocesta is distinguished by the proportionate different length of

the joints of the antenne, the third and fourth joints being nearly equal ; in Celomera

the third joint is very long.

Monocesta has its headquarters in Tropical South America; one species, however,

extends to the United States. Nearly thirty species have been described.

1. Monocesta ducalis. (Tab. XXVIL fig. 1.)

Monocesta ducalis, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 265".

Hab. Mexico!, Peras, Coscomotepec, Orizaba (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége); GUATEMALA

(Sallé) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Many specimens. The description given by Clark scarcely conveys a clear idea ot

the elytral pattern of this species: the elytra are pale fulvous with a broad blue or

green transverse band at the base, and a large similarly coloured patch of variable size

below the middle; the posterior margin of the basal band is nearly straight, and

extends nearly to the middle, but never to the lateral margin, which remains of the

ground-colour ; the space dividing the band and the spot is of variable size—in one

specimen (from Nicaragua) it is extremely narrow, and nearly the entire disc blue.

Clark describes the head as punctured, which is only the case near the middle portion ;

the vertex is divided by a longitudinal groove; the third joint of the antenne is

slightly longer than the fourth; the underside and legs are of a dark metallic bluish

colour, not black as Clark says. I have examined nearly a hundred specimens of

M. duealis, and in none of them do I find the basal elytral band extend to the lateral

‘margin.

2. Monocesta jansoni. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 2.)

Broadly ovate, dilated behind, blackish-blue ; elytra opaque, fulvous, pubescent, a broad transverse band at the

base (extending to the sides) and a large round spot below the middle, dark blue.

Length 8 lines. .

Hab. Nicaracua (Sallé), Chontales (Belt, Janson).

It will be sufficient to point out the differences between VM. jansoni and M. ducalis.

In MW. jansoni the elytra are opaque instead of shining, on account of the very fine and

close fulvous pubescence; the basal transverse band extends always to the lateral

margins, and is more or less deeply dentate on its posterior edge; the posterior blue

spot is of a more regularly rounded shape, and never extends to the suture, the reverse

being the case in IM. ducalis; the underside and the legs are nearly black. M. yansont

also averages rather larger in size than M. ducalis.

There are seven specimens before me, all of which exhibit the above described

characteristic differences.

478 PHYTOPHAGA.

3. Monocesta clarki. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 6.)

Oblong-ovate, slightly widened behind; testaceous or fulvous ; antenne (the two basal joints excepted) and

abdomen black ; thorax closely punctured ; elytra opaque, black-blue or green, finely granulate.

Length 4—5 lines.

Head very finely and closely punctured; antenne about half the length of the body, the two basal joints

flavous or fulvous, the rest black, the third joint as long as, or very slightly longer than the fourth, the

four terminal joints the shortest ; thorax three times as broad as long, the sides strongly rounded and sub-

angulate at the middle, obliquely narrowed near the anterior angles, the latter obtuse, the surface deeply

and broadly depressed on either side (more obsoletely in the middle), the disc closely rugose-punctate,

fulvous or testaceous ; scutellum testaceous, its apex broadly truncate; elytra (in some specimens) slightly

widened behind, in others more parallel, very finely alutaceous or coriaceous, of a dark bluish or greenish

colour.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Sallé).

M. clarki resembles somewhat in colour J. circumcincta, Clark, from Brazil, but

differs in the totally different shape and punctuation of the thorax, and in the want of

the elytral flavous margin; the colour of the antenne and that of the legs also differ,

while the structure of the antenne prevents the species from being confounded with

Celomera atrocerulea.

4, Monocesta depressa. (Tab. XXVII. figg. 3, 4.)

Monocesta depressa, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 267°.

Monocesta nicaraguensis, Jac. P.Z.8. 1877, p. 520°.

Hab. Nicaracua 2, Chontales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten).—CoLomBia,

Rio Magdalena !, Bogota (coll. Jacoby).

In examining closely the different specimens before me, and the type of Clark,

contained in the British Museum, I can come to no other conclusion than that I.

depressa is a very variable species in regard to colour, and I have now no doubt that

M. nicaraguensis represents merely the unicolorous form of Clark’s insect. In the

latter the posterior black portion of the elytra extends upwards nearly to the base,

shading gradually into fulvous. In nearly all the specimens from Nicaragua the black

portion occupies the posterior half of the elytra only, and is well defined from the

fulvous part ; a single specimen, however, agrees with the type, thus showing that the

colour of the elytra is subject to great variation ; in the variety WZ. nicaraguensis the

elytra are entirely without black markings. The pubescence of the upper surface is

close and rather long. |

5. Monocesta pallida. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 5.)

Ovate, pale fulvous ; antenne (the first joint excepted), tibise, and tarsi black; head and thorax finely punc-

tured and pubescent ; elytra finely granulate-punctate, covered with fine pubescence.

Length 23 lines.

Head finely granulate ; antenne two thirds the length of the body, black, the first joint fulvous, the third,

fourth, and fifth joints nearly equal; thorax narrowly transverse, the sides slightly rounded below the

middle, narrowed in front, the surface obsoletely depressed at the sides, finely punctured and pubescent;

MONOCESTA. 479

elytra closely granulate-punctate, uniformly covered with short greyish pubescence; underside more

shining, the tibie and tarsi black.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, David,

Caldera (Champion).

Closely allied to WZ. atricornis, Clark, but smaller, paler in colour; the antenne

much longer and their joints proportionately more slender, the tibiee and tarsi black. In

some examples the antenne are entirely black, and the elytra have a shade of fuscous

towards their posterior portion ; in others the thorax is spotted with piceous, owing

probably to discoloration. — |

Only a single specimen was obtained in Nicaragua; many examples in the State of

Panama.

6. Monocesta cyaneo-maculata. (Tab. XXVIU. fig. 7.)

Testaceous; the apices of the tibie and the tarsi black; thorax sparingly and finely punctured; elytra closely

pubescent, a narrow transverse band at the base and a spot below the middle, as well as the suture

narrowly, blue, opaque.

Length 3 lines.

Head obsoletely and finely punctured ; antenne slender, two thirds the length of the body, the fourth joint

slightly longer than the preceding or the following joints ; thorax three times as broad as long, short, the

sides produced into an angle at the middle, the surface obsoletely depressed at each side, finely and irre-

gularly punctured, glabrous; scutellum broad, testaceous ; elytra extremely minutely punctured and

covered+with short and fine pubescence rendering the surface entirely opaque, testaceous, a deeply dentate

transverse band at the base (not quite extending to the lateral margin), an elongate spot at the sides below

the middle, and the sutural margin, light blue.

Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Sal/é).

This small species somewhat resembles M. jansont in the pattern of its elytra; the

small size, blue sutural margin, the short and transverse thorax, and the black apices

of the tibie and tarsi will help to distinguish IM. cyaneo-maculata.

7. Monocesta hopfneri.

Monocesta hopfneri, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 267 1

Ceelomera hépfneri, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 400?.

Hab. Mexico 1! 2.

Of this and the following species a single specimen is contained in the British

Museum. IU. hipfneri greatly resembles Trirrhabda (Dircema) modesta, Baly, from

Colombia, in coloration and sculpture, but the thorax is unspotted, and the general

size larger, the elytra are also more finely punctured.

8. Monocesta frontalis.

Monocesta frontalis, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 317°.

Hab. Mexico, Campeche in Yucatan '.

Distinguished by the black vertex of the head, the uniform flavo-testaceous colour,

and the similarly coloured first six joints of the antenne.

480 PHYTOPHAGA.

CCQELOMERA.

Celomera, Chevrolat, in D’Orbign. Dict. univ. Whist. nat. iv. p. 75 (1844) ; Erichson, Archiv f..

Naturg. 1847, i. p. 164; Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 318 (1865).,

The only difference of importance between Ceelomera and Monocesta seems to be the

very long third joint of the antenne, a constant character. The rather numerous species

are also generally of a more parallel form, and often have uniformly fuscous, black, or

metallic elytra.

This genus is confined to Tropical America; one species is noted by Clark as being

probably a native of our country, whence seven others are now known.

1. Colomera cayennensis.

Galeruca cajennensis, Fabr. Mant. Ins. i. p. 74° (1787) ; Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 617, t. 2. £157; Latr.

Voy. Humb. et Bonpl. i. p. 136, t. 15. f. 4° (1811) *.

Colomera cayennensis, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 320+.

Calomera peruana, Erichs. Archiv f. Naturg. 1847, 1. p. 165°.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, David, Tolé (Champion).—Co tomBIa * ;.

Gurana, Cayenne !?34; Peru *®; Braz +.

The specimens obtained by Mr. Champion agree in all particulars with those from

Brazil contained in my collection.

2. Coelomera lanio.

Galleruca lanio, Dalm. in Analect. ent. 1823, p. 75 ; Sahlb. in Thon. Arch. ii. 1, 1829, p. 26, t. 2.

f. 267.

Celomera lanio, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 820°.

Celomera leta, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 3rd ser. ii. p. 344 (1865) °.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt).—Brazit 1 2, Rio Grande °.

A single individual before me from Nicaragua seems to differ only in its very large

size (7 lines) from the Brazilian specimens contained in my collection.

8. Celomera nigricollis. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 8.)

Celomera nigricollis, Jac. P. Z.S. 1879, p. 785’.

Hab. Costa Rica, Rio Sucio, Cache, Volcan de Irazu 1 (Rogers).

The elytra are slightly metallic purple in colour, subdued by the short greyish

pubescence ; the head, antenne, and the thorax are black, the latter is scarcely visibly

punctured ; the underside and the femora are testaceous.

* Latreille also gives Xalapa and the island of St. Thomas as localities, the latter possibly in error.

CORELOMERA. 481

4, Coelomera olivieri. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 9.)

Testaceous below; antenne, tibiae, and tarsi black; head, thorax, and scutellum rufous, the head with two

large black spots on the vertex; elytra obscure purplish, covered with greyish pubescence, extremely

closely punctured and rugose.

Length 6 lines.

Hab. GuateMaLa, Purula, Sabo (Champion).

As the only difference I am able to find between this and the preceding species is

the colour of the head and thorax, it is possible that C. oliviert may be but a local

variety of C. nigricollis; there are, however, no intermediate forms before me, and I must

look at present upon C. oliviert as representing a distinct species ; from C. lanio, Sahlb.,

and C. cayennensis, Fabr., the colour of the elytra sufficiently distinguish it.

5. Celomera godmani. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 10.)

Celomera godmani, Jac. P.Z.S. 1879, p. 785 *.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales ! (Belt).

The colour of the elytra in this species is not black or bluish, but fuscous, the

extreme sutural margin being lighter ; the head and thorax have each two large black

spots, their ground-colour, as well as that of the underside and femora, is a pale

fulvous. C. godmani differs in several respects in regard to colour from C. maculicollis,

Clark, and C. dinotata, Dej. The two specimens of C. godmani before me differ in no

perceptible way from each other.

6. Celomera punctaticollis. (Tab. X XVII. fig. 11.)

Parallel, obscure testaceous; antenne, tibiw, and tarsi black; head with two black basal spots; thorax

distinctly punctured ; elytra dark fuscous or obscure purplish, minutely granulate and punctured, finely

pubescent.

Length 5-6 lines.

Head with a few very fine punctures and a longitudinal central groove, the base with two spots ; antenne with

the third joint very long, the terminal joints short ; thorax deeply transversely depressed, rather closely

_and irregularly punctured, testaceous, glabrous ; scutellum testaceous ; elytra clothed with fine and short

grey pubescence, minutely punctured and granulate.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

The only difference of importance I am able to detect between C. punctaticollis

and C. godmani and most of the allied forms consists in the very distinct punctuation

of the thorax, and in the obscure testaceous colour of the head, thorax, and under-

side. Three specimens before me agree entirely in these particulars; I am obliged

therefore to regard them as specifically distinct ; it is, however, quite possible that

C. punctaticollis is but a local variety of C. oliviert or C. godmant. |

7. Celomera atro-cerulea. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 12.)

Celomera atro-cerulea, Jac. P. Z. S. 1878, p. 152°.

Hab. Panama 1, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).—Pxrv } (coll. Jacoby).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, November 1886. 3q

482 PHYTOPHAGA.

This insect is similar in general facies to many species of the genus Monocesta, it

being broadly dilated posteriorly ; the very long third joint of the antenne, however,

sufficiently indicates the species to belong to Cwlomera. Many specimens were obtained.

8. Celomera maculicollis.

Celomera maculicollis, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. Xvi. p. 822°.

Hab. Honpuras 1.

This species seems closely allied to C. godmant, but differs in having the thoracic

spots differently placed and less in number. It is to be regretted that Clark thought

fit to use the same specific name in such closely allied genera as Celomera and

Coraia.

CORAIA.

Coraia, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 8rd ser. xvi. p. 828 (1865).

Coraia resembles in general shape many species of Celomera, from which genus it

may be separated by the nearly equal length of the third and fourth joints of the

antenne, and by the very narrow elytral epipleure. The long antenne and their

robust joints are further characteristic of Coraia, and distinguish the genus from Mono-

cesta. Only one species has been described, from Mexico.

1. Coraia maculicollis. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 13.)

Coraia maculicollis, Clark, loc. cit. p. 324°.

Celomera astuta, Chevr. De}. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 400 *.

Hab. Mexico 12, Etla, Tehuantepec (Sal/é), Almolonga, Cordova, Misantla (Hoge),

Jalapa (Morrison); British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; GuaTEMALA (Sal/é).

Clark’s description of this species does not convey a clear idea of its coloration:

amongst the numerous specimens before me, there is not one in which the elytra have

a blackish margin or shoulder as described by Clark; the elytra are generally of a

reddish-fuscous colour, with a more or less distinct metallic-greenish gloss, which is

particularly visible at the lateral margin. Clark makes no mention of this nor of the

very fine greyish pubescence which covers the elytra; the underside as well as the

femora are more or less distinctly spotted with greenish-eneous. In some specimens

from Mexico the elytra, as well as the thoracic spots, are entirely of a greenish colour.

9. Coraia clarki, (Tab. X XVII. figg. 18, 19.)

Fulvous; antenne black; the base of the head and the sides of the thorax covered with greenish-yellow hairs ;

elytra purplish or metallic green, almost glabrous, closely rugose and punctured.

Length 3-33 lines.

Head short, rather broader than long, the vertex metallic green, covered with rather long yellow hairs; the

frontal tubercles and the clypeus reddish-fulvous, shining; antenne about half the length of the body,

slightly longer in the male, rather robust, the third and fourth joints of equal length, these latter and

also the following joints somewhat triangular in shape, the basal joints often fulvous at the base, the others

CORAIA.—NESTINUS. 483

black; thorax more than twice as broad as long, the sides narrowed towards the base, fulvous, with a

more or less metallic green spot at each side and at the middle, covered with long yellowish hairs, the

surface obsoletely depressed at the sides, very sparingly and obsoletely punctured ; scutellum broadly

truncate at the apex, closely covered with thick pubescence; elytra nearly parallel, their epipleure

distinct at the base, but very obsolete and narrow below the middle, the surface closely rugose-punctate

throughout and of a purplish or metallic green colour; tibie not channelled but covered with close

pubescence at the sides; the sides of the breast, the femora, and the tarsi more or less stained with metallic

green ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the two following joints together ; claws bifid,

Hab. Mexico, Orizaba, Oaxaca, Etla (Sai/é).

The antenne in this insect are much shorter and more robust than in the more

typical species, although the proportionate length of the joints is the same; as the

shape of the thorax, general form, and the finely rugose elytra correspond exactly with

Coraia, I have thought it best not to separate the present species from that genus.

NESTINUS.

Nestinus, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 324 (1865).

There seems to me but little difference between this genus and Trirrhabda, Leconte,

except in the larger size of Nestinus; both genera agree in the comparative length of

the joints of the antenne, in the three-spotted thorax, and other particulars. The three

species described by Clark (who says that they are all from Mexico, although he only

describes one from that country) seem to have been lost, as they are not contained in

the British Museum; there is, however, one species before me which agrees perfectly

with that author’s description.

1. Nestinus bimaculatus. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 15.)

Nestinus bimaculatus, Clark, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 325°.

Hab. Mexico (coll. Jacoby), Cuernavaca, Puebla (Saldé) ; GuaTEMALA?.

This large-sized species may be at once known by the flavo-testaceous colour of the

elytra, each of which has a small round metallic blue spot placed near the apex. In one

of my specimens the antenne and the tarsi are nearly black; there is also generally a

small black spot placed at the sides of the breast ; I also refer a smaller-sized specimen

from Puebla, which does not differ from the others, except in the want of the blue

elytral spot, to the present species.

2. Nestinus auriquadrum. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 14.)

Testaceous ; antenne and tarsi fuscous; head with one, the thorax with three black spots; elytra rugose-

punctate, reddish or greenish-cupreous, their margins broadly testaceous.

Length 43-53 lines.

Head rather indistinctly punctured ; antenne nearly as long as the body, the fourth joint longer than the

third; thorax with the sides rounded before the middle, the surface transversely and shallowly depressed,

rather coarsely and irregularly punctured, with three small black spots placed transversely ; scutellum

broadly ovate, testaceous ; elytra strongly rugosely punctured, the disc marked with a broad and sub-

quadrate metallic cupreous patch, the sides of which are somewhat constricted towards the middle; the

3q2

484 PHYTOPHAGA.

underside and femora testaceous; the knees, the apices of the tibie, and the tarsi dark fuscous or

piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla, Orizaba, Cuernavaca (Sallé), Tehuacan (Hége).

Many specimens were received of this species, which, I believe, is not’ uncommon in

collections; it is apparently undescribed. WV. auriquadrum agrees in structural

characters with WV. bimaculatus, and may be recognized by the broad testaceous margins

of the elytra surrounding the bright metallic cupreous or greenish disc on all sides.

The male has the last abdominal segment concave-emarginate at the middle; in the

female the same part is simple but thickened at the sides.

3. Nestinus flavo-marginatus.

Nestinus flavomarginatus, Jac. P. Z. S. 1879, p. 789°.

Hab. Mexico ! (coll. Jacoby).

Closely allied to V. awriquadrum, but distinguished by the narrow testaceous elytral

margin, and by the reddish-purple colour of the disc of the elytra, which is not inter-

rupted by the testaceous basal margin as in the allied species, but extends quite to the

base. The scutellum in NW. flavo-marginatus is nearly black, and a narrow piceous

margin limits the metallic colour of the elytra at the shoulders; the elytra are also

rather more strongly rugose, the rugosities being more closely placed than in WV. auri-

quadrum.. There are three specimens of UV. flavo-marginatus contained in my collection ;

they are labelled Mexico, without precise locality.

4, Nestinus viridis.

Monowia viridis, Jac. P. Z.S. 1879, p. 787°*.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote (Champion).

I find, now that I have been able, through the kindness of Dr. Horn, to examine

typical species of the genus Monozia, that the insect described by me as belonging to

that genus differs totally from it and seems to me to be more properly placed in

Nestinus. The dark green colour of the upper surface will at once assist in its recogni-

tion; the fulvous antenne and similarly coloured and shining scutellum are further

characteristic of NV. viridis.

** Tibie scarcely or not at all sulcate ; claws sometimes simple (Monoxia).

TRIRRHABDA.

Trirhabda, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1865, p. 219.

Trirrhabda, Gemm. & Har. Cat. xii. p. 3575.

This genus was separated by Leconte from Galeruca, or rather Galerucella, on

account of the narrow elytral epipleure, which do not extend to the tip, and the

* The generic name of this insect is erroneously given as Monotia,

TRIRRHABDA. 485

different comparative length of the antenne, in which the third joint is nearly always

smaller than the fourth; this latter character the genus has also in common with

Nestinus, to which it is in many respects closely allied. The elytra are, in most

instances, covered with close and short pubescence; in some species, however, here

described, they are of a metallic colour, with the surface finely rugose; these species

might perhaps have been placed equally well in Nestinus.

The genus 7rirrhabda was established on species inhabiting North America; none

have been described from our country; one species, Galerucella viburni, inhabiting

Europe, is placed by Crotch in the present genus. According to Weise (Insect.

Deutschl. vi. p. 622) this cannot be the right place for G. viburni, on account of the

different general shape and the open anterior coxal cavities; the latter in Trirrhabda

ought to be closed, which is, however, not the case.

1. Trirrhabda variabilis. (Tab. XXVII. figg. 16, 17.)

Testaceous or fuscous; antenne, tibie, and tarsi black; head and thorax pale fulvous, the former with one,

the latter with three blackish spots; elytra green, blue, or violet, finely rugose and pubescent, the lateral

margin narrowly flavous.

Length 3-4 lines.

Head finely punctured and pubescent, fulvous or testaceous, the vertex with a large blackish or bluish spot;

labrum black ; antenne nearly two thirds the length of the body, black, the third joint distinctly shorter

than the fourth; thorax about three times broader than long, rather finely and closely punctured, the

disc obsoletely transversely depressed and with a large lateral and also a central black spot; scutellum

black, covered with long pubescence; elytra clothed with rather long greyish hairs, closely and very

finely rugose and punctured, of very variable colour, the lateral margin narrowly flavous, this colour

extending to the apex ; underside either flavous or blackish ; tibiee and tarsi of the latter colour.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Cuernavaca, La Parada, Puebla, Orizaba, Coscomotepec

(Sailé), San Miguelito, Hacienda de Bleados, San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer); Guats-

maLA (coll. Jacoby).

Amongst the North-American species described by Leconte, I cannot find any resem-

bling the present, on account of the colour of the elytra, e. g. green or blue with the

lateral margins narrowly flavous. TZ. luteo-cincta, from San Diego, is described as

having a broad yellow elytral margin, and the thorax remotely and largely punctured.

Since writing the above I have received, through the kindness of Dr. Horn, a speci-

men of 7. flavo-limbata, Mann., which is closely allied to, if not identical with, the present

species. The North-American specimen differs, however, in the nearly glabrous and

shining thorax, and in the colour of the underside, which is metallic greenish and

pubescent. The colour and sculpture of the elytra agree with 7’. variabilis.

2. Trirrhabda zenea.

Testaceous ; antenne black; the upper part of the head and three spots on the thorax metallic green; elytra

greenish-neous, the lateral and apical margins flavous, the surface finely wrinkled.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head metallic green at the vertex, with a few coarse punctures near the eyes; the frontal tubercles strongly

developed, testaceous, as well as the lower part of the face; antenne black, the fourth joint longer than

486 PHYTOPHAGA.

the preceding or following ones; thorax twice as broad as long, testaceous, with three large metallic

green spots placed transversely, the surface rather deeply depressed at the sides, coarsely but not very

closely punctured; scutellum blackish; elytra finely transversely wrinkled and rugose throughout,

the interstices very finely punctured, greenish or purplish-cneous, the lateral margins narrowly flavous ;

underside and legs testaceous, the tarsi slightly darker.

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec (Saillé).

Distinguished from 7’. variabilis by the wrinkled glabrous elytra, and the coarsely

punctured thorax.

3. Trirrhabda trifasciata.

Testaceous, opaque, finely pubescent ; antenne, three thoracic spots, and the tibie and tarsi, fuscous; elytra

closely pubescent, very finely punctured, the suture and a sublateral narrow band fuscous.

Length 3 lines.

Head nearly impunctate, with a fine central groove; antennz nearly as long as the body, the third joint twice

as long as the second, the fourth joint nearly double the length of the third, the three basal ones testaceous

at their apices, the rest fuscous or nearly black; thorax transverse, rather strongly constricted at the

base, the dise with two distinct depressions at the sides, finely and irregularly punctured, a spot at the

middle and one at each side, black ; scutellum fuscous ; elytra closely covered with fine grey pubescence

which nearly hides the punctuation, a sutural narrow and posteriorly attenuated stripe, as well as an

equally narrow stripe (not quite extending to the suture at the apex) near to and parallel with the lateral

margin, fuscous ; underside and femora testaceous ; tibie and tarsi nearly black.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé). A single specimen.

The narrow sutural and lateral elytral stripes, the latter being placed close to the

lateral margin, separate T. trifasciata from T. canadensis, Kirby, and allied forms.

4, Trirrhabda obscuro-vittata. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 22.)

Obscure testaceous; antenne, tibie, and tarsi fuscous ; head with one, the thorax with three black spots, very

finely rugose ; elytra opaque, pubescent, greenish or brownish-fuscous, each with three raised testaceous

narrow stripes from the base to the apex.

Length 4 lines.

Head testaceous, with a central longitudinal groove, the vertex occupied by a large fuscous spot; mandibles

and part of the labrum piceous; antenne black or fuscous, the basal joint and the base of the following

one testaceous, the fourth joint one half longer than the third; thorax three times as broad as long,

distinctly narrowed at the middle, the sides strongly rounded and forming a distinct angle before the

middle, the surface very finely rugose and with the usual three blackish marks; scutellum testaceous,

broad, its apex truncate; elytra nearly parallel, covered with short pubescence, finely coriaceous; the

first joint of the posterior tarsi in the male as long as the three following joints together, rather shorter in

the female.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaur); GuaTemMaLa, Cerro Zunil

(Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

The thorax in this species is distinctly narrowed at the middle. If the testaceous

colour of the elytra (which are scarcely visibly punctured) is looked upon as the ground-

colour, each elytron has four nearly equally wide longitudinal bands of an obscure

fuscous colour, sometimes with a greenish tint; the fuscous bands become entirely

obliterated near the apex ; of the narrow testaceous stripes, the one near the lateral

margin is generally raised in the shape of a more or less distinct costa.

TRIRRHABDA. 487

5. Trirrhabda mexicana. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 21.)

Testaceous; head with one, the thorax with three blackish spots, finely rugose ; elytra rugose-punctate, green,

finely pubescent, each with two narrow longitudinal testaceous stripes.

Var. Elytra fuscous instead of green.

Length 444 lines.

Head finely rugose, a large round spot on the vertex and the labrum piceous or fuscous ; antennee rather more

than half the length of the body, dark fuscous, the third and fourth joints slender, equal, the following

ones slightly shorter ; thorax three times as broad as long, the sides rounded at the middle, the posterior

margin sinuate near the angles, the surface with a shallow depression at the sides and another longitu-

dinal one at the middle, closely rugose-punctate, a large spot occupying nearly the entire sides, and

another central one of variable shape, fuscous; elytra slightly widened behind, more strongly rugosely

punctured than the thorax, covered with short greyish pubescence, the green portion interrupted by two

narrow longitudinal testaceous stripes, which, commencing at the middle of the base and running parallel

to each other, are joined at a little distance from the apex of each elytron; the underside and the femora

testaceous ; the knees, tibiae, and tarsi fuscous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the three

following joints together ; claws bifid.

Hab. Mexico, Panistlahuaca (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hége).

In the variety from Panistlahuaca, the green portion of the slightly metallic elytra

is replaced by a purplish-fuscous tint.

6. Trirrhabda dilatipennis.

Black ; head and thorax testaceous, the former with one, the latter with three spots ; elytra widened behind,

finely coriaceous and pubescent, fuscous, the extreme lateral and sutural margins, as well as two

longitudinal narrow stripes on each, testaceous.

Length 3% lines.

Antenne black, the third and fourth joints equal, the following ones slightly shorter ; thorax two and a half

times broader than long, very finely rugose; elytra wider than the thorax at the base, much dilated

posteriorly, thinly clothed with yellowish pubescence.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

There is only a single specimen, and that evidently a female, before me. The much

narrower thorax, the sides of which are slightly angulate at the middle, the black

antenne, scutellum, and legs, and the different shape of the elytra, will prevent

T. dilatipennis being mistaken for T. obscuro-vittata; the elytra, instead of having

three testaceous stripes on each, as in 7. obscuro-vittata, have only two in the present

insect, in which also the lateral margins are distinctly raised, though the rest of the

surface is smooth and finely coriaceous.

7. Trirrhabda (?) modesta. (Tab. X XVII. fig. 20.)

Elongate, parallel, obscure fuscous, finely pubescent ; antennsz, three spots on the closely punctured thorax,

and the tibie and tarsi black; elytra very finely rugose-punctate.

Length 4 lines.

Head finely rugose, the upper part obscure fuscous, the lower part testaceous ; the apices of the mandibles and

the palpi piceous ; antenne more than half the length of the body, black, the fourth joint longer than the

preceding and the following joints; thorax rather more than twice as broad as long, the sides rounded at

the middle, the angles tuberculiform, the surface obsoletely impressed at either side, closely rugose and

punctured, with three obscure black spots placed transversely ; elytra very closely and finely rugosely

punctured, covered with short and close greyish pubescence.

488 PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla (Sallé).

T. modesta may be separated from uniformly coloured varieties of 7. luteo-cincta, Lec.,

by the very finely rugosely punctured elytra and the short pubescence, which gives the

former an opaque and dull appearance; the thorax is more shining, very sparingly

pubescent, but much more strongly punctured and rugose.

g. Trirrhabda foveicollis, (Tab. XXVII. fig. 23.)

Reddish-fulvous, the antenne and tibie lighter; head rugose-punctate; thorax with two deep transverse

fovez, impunctate; elytra finely rugose and pubescent, dark fuscous, the lateral margin and a discoidal

stripe from the base to the apex testaceous.

Length 4 lines.

Head finely rugosely punctured at the vertex; antenne long and slender, testaceous, the basal joints slightly

darker, the third joint rather more than double the length of the second, the fourth twice as long as

the preceding joint; thorax three times as broad as long, short, the sides rather evenly rounded, the

angles not prominent but thickened, the surface shining, rufous, impunctate, with a very deep transverse

fovea at each side almost extending to the middle and occupying nearly the entire disc; elytra dilated

posteriorly, finely rugose throughout, clothed with short pubescence, the narrow discoidal pale fulvous

stripe commences at the middle of the base, and, after gradually approaching the suture, joins the

similarly coloured margins at the apex; underside dark fulvous or rufous ; legs testaceous.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente (Saldé).

T. foveicollis, of which only a single (apparently female) specimen is before me, is not

unlike 7. drevicollis, Lec., in the pattern of the elytra, but is at once distinguished from

that and the other species of the genus by the very deep depressions of the thorax in

connection with the rugosely punctured head.

GALERUCELLA.

Galerucella, Crotch, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1873, p. 55; Weise, Insect. Deutschl. vi. p. 616 (1886).

Galeruca, Leconte & Horn, Class. Col. N. Am. p. 848 (1883).

The open anterior coxal cavities, closely pubescent elytra, unarmed tibiee, and bifid

claws are the principal structural characters peculiar to Galerucella. The genus contains

at present, amongst its exotic members, a number of species which certainly belong to

several different genera, on account of the closed coxal cavities and other differences.

For several species described here it would perhaps have been as well to establish new

genera, had I been able to point out characters of sufficient importance by which they

might have been recognized. For most of the European species, Galerucella is suffi-

ciently well characterized, but many of the exotic forms partially or totally lose the

typical characters; new genera for the reception of these are, in my opinion, no

advantage, since the differences seem to be of degree only. Chapuis seems to have

overlooked characters of the present genus, and calls the anterior coxal cavities closed,

mixing up the genus Galeruca (Adimonia), in which the cavities are closed, with

Galerucella, in which they are open. This will necessitate a revision of the many

described species sooner or later by a future monographer of the genus.

GALERUCELLA. 489

1. Galerucella notulata.

Galeruca notulata, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 4891; Olivier, Ent. vi. p- 636, t. 3. f. 44°; Leconte,

Proc. Acad. Phil. p. 217 (1865) *.

Hab. Norva America 123.—Mexico, Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), near the city

of Mexico (Flohr), Tuxtla (Sallé) ; Guaremata (coll. Jacoby).

Ihave not much doubt that I am right in referring the specimens from the above

localities to Fabricius’s species. It seems to me that the only difference between G.

notulata and G. notata, Fabr., consists in the position or direction of the elytral black

stripes, the subsutural one in G. notulata uniting with the black sutural stripe below

the middle (which is the case in all the specimens before me), but not in G. notata,

where it is isolated. In some examples from Tuxtla the pubescence is rather longer

and more distinct, obscuring toa certain extent the elytral stripes, the position of which

can, however, be traced; the thoracic spots are also absent in one specimen, but present

in others with similarly strong pubescence. Neither of the figures given by Olivier of

G. notulata and G. notata quite agree with the Central-American specimens, nor with

the descriptions of Leconte; it is possible that they are varieties of one another, as

structural differences seem to be absent.

2. Galerucella alternata.

Oblong-ovate, greenish-fuscous; basal joints of the antenne and the legs obscure testaceous ; thorax deeply

transversely depressed at the sides ; elytra closely covered with yellow pubescence, each with the lateral

margin and two more or less distinct longitudinal stripes greenish.

Var. Above dark yellowish, the elytral stripes slightly darker.

Length 2-2 lines.

Head greenish, pubescent, scarcely visibly punctured, with a central longitudinal groove, the frontal tubercles

flattened ; antenne nearly two thirds the length of the body, obscure fuscous or paler, the basal joints

more testaceous, the third joint not longer than the fourth; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides

rounded, all the angles obtuse, the surface very finely rugose, scarcely pubescent, and with a deep

transverse depression on each side, extending nearly to the middle; elytra closely covered with yellow

pubescence which almost entirely obscures any punctuation, each with two more or less distinct greenish

stripes (which are joined at the ends) on the middle of the disc; in the male the last abdominal segment

is broadly emarginate in the middle and the sides are transversely impressed, in the female the same part

is nearly simple.

Hab, Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége); GuatemMata, San Gerdénimo, Las Mercedes, La Tinta,

San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, David

(Champion).

Typical examples of G. alternata may be known by the two greenish, closely

approached elytral stripes; occasionally, however, these latter are almost entirely

obsolete. The antenne are rather longer than in the allied species, and the inter-

mediate joints are somewhat thickened and robust; in the specimens from Las Mercedes

they are rather more slender. In the variety, which shows no trace of green, the

elytral stripes are just visible, being slightly darker than the yellowish-brown ground-

colour.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, December 1886. 3r

490 PHYTOPHAGA.

3. Galerucella lineatipennis.

Narrowly elongate, parallel, piceous below ; antenne black ; thorax rufous, pubescent, stained with fuscous ;

elytra closely and finely pubescent, coriaceous, greenish, each with two thin longitudinal pale lines;

femora testaceous.

Var. Elytra obscure testaceous.

Length 1? line.

Head obscure fulvous, with a central longitudinal groove, closely pubescent; labrum blackish ; antenne half

the length of the body, the third joint the longest ; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides rounded

before the middle, the posterior angles oblique, the surface with a transverse depression at the sides, and

another of a more longitudinal shape at the middle, rufous, covered with short but close pubescence, .

without visible punctuation ; scutellum nearly black ; elytra finely coriaceous, the ground-colour of each

divided from the base to near the apex by two obscure pale subparallel lines ; the apices of the tibis and

the tarsi fuscous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Distinguished from G. alternata by its narrow and parallel shape, the rufous thorax,

and the different pattern of the elytra; these latter have the paler lines dividing the

greenish ground-colour placed at equal distances, so that the darker colour consists of

three longitudinal bands of equal width; in G. alternata the greenish lines are placed

close together on the middle of the disc, dividing the ground-colour at uneven

distances.

4. Galerucella (?) transversicollis. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 1.)

Ovate, widened posteriorly, entirely dull testaceous, finely pubescent; apical joints of the antenne fuscous ;

thorax short, transversely depressed ; elytra semirugose-punctate, finely pubescent, each with two smooth

raised lines from the base to the apex.

Length 23 lines.

Head nearly impunctate, with a longitudinal central groove extending to the clypeus, the latter but slightly

thickened and rather flat and broad; antenne slender, the third joint elongate and the longest, the five

lower joints testaceous, the rest fuscous; thorax very short, three times as broad as long, the sides

strongly rounded at the middle, the posterior margin slightly sinuate at the angles, the disc with a deep

and sinuate transverse depression, the surface finely pubescent and scarcely visibly punctured ; scutellum

broad, its apex truncate; elytra finely rugosely punctured, each with two narrow longitudinal raised lines

at the middle of the disc, the sides narrowly margined ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi scarcely longer

than the second; tibia unarmed; claws bifid; anterior coxal cavities open.

Hab. Panama, Tolé (Champion).

The short and entirely transversely depressed thorax, the slender antenne, and the

short basal joint of the posterior tarsi would have perhaps justified the separation of this

species from Galerucella; in the absence of other species of similar structure I have,

however, at present abstained from the erection of another genus, as the shape of the

thorax is often found to vary considerably ; the pubescence and punctuation, as well as

the shape of the elytra, agree entirely with Galerucella. Mr. Champion describes

G. transversicollis as a very handsome insect when alive, of a pale straw-yellow, with a

longitudinal pink stripe edged with black externally on each elytron. Of this there is

now no trace to be found, but in some specimens there is a faint narrow fuscous stripe

to be seen running parallel to the lateral margin.

GALERUCELLA. 491

5. Galerucella fusco-maculata. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 2.)

Elongate, parallel, finely pubescent ; obscure pale testaceous, opaque ; thorax with three obscure fuscous spots ;

elytra very finely punctured and coriaceous, pubescent, each with three more or less distinct longitudinal,

partly interrupted, fuscous bands.

Var. Elytra almost entirely fuscous.

Length 2-23 lines.

flab. Mexico, Jalapa, Cerro de Plumas (Hége); British Honpuras, R. Hondo

(Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Zapote, San Gerénimo, Cubilguitz, Chiacam,

La Tinta, Chacoj, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson) ;

Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, San Lorenzo (Champion).

If I refer rightly the numerous specimens from the above localities to one species,

G. fusco-maculata is subject to great variation in regard to size and general colour. I

cannot find any published description agreeing with this species, although it may be

one of those described by Leconte. In the insect before me the antenne are less than

half the length of the body, fuscous or lighter; the thorax is short and transverse, with

rounded sides and oblique posterior angles, the surface depressed at the sides and

near the base, finely granulate and pubescent, with or without fuscous markings; the

elytra are more distinctly punctured than the thorax, pubescent and entirely opaque,

and may be described as pale or darker fuscous, each having three narrow whitish lines

which divide the ground-colour longitudinally, the ground-colour is often broken up

into longitudinal spots of equal width, which sometimes, as well as the lighter lines, are

very indistinct ; the legs are either testaceous or fuscous. Some specimens from British

Honduras are much narrower in shape than others from Guatemala and the State of

Panama, but, in spite of this difference and that of colour, I cannot, find sufficient marks

of distinction to separate these forms. A specimen from Cerro de Plumas is figured.

6. Galerucella marmorata. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 3.)

Obscure fuscous or fulvous below ; clypeus and legs testaceous; femora with a black spot; thorax reddish-

fulvous, with three black spots; elytra finely pubescent and punctured, fuscous, each with two or three

pale narrow longitudinal lines.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico (Saldé) ; Guaremata, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion).

Larger and more robust than G. fusco-maculata, but almost identical in coloration ;

the head is covered with thin yellowish pubescence; the antenne are black, more

robust, and the terminal joints are slightly thickened; the thorax is shaped as in

G. fusco-maculata, but of a reddish colour, with three large round black spots occupy-

ing nearly the entire disc, the surface covered with fine silky yellow hairs, the usual

depressions are present, but the punctuation is scarcely visible; the elytra are very

finely (in one specimen) or more distinctly rugosely-punctured, covered with greyish

hairs, and each marked with three broad longitudinal fuscous bands, the sutural one

being interrupted before and below the middle by an obscure fulvous spot, a similarly

3r2

492 PHYTOPHAGA.

coloured spot being visible at the apex, a longitudinal slightly raised narrow line

(evidently caused by light-coloured pubescence), commencing at the shoulder but not

extending quite to the apex, divides the other bands at some distance from the lateral

margin ; all the femora are marked with a piceous spot at the middle, and the apices of

the tibiz are more or less fuscous. In the Guatemalan specimen the antenne are

rather shorter, and the pale fulvous elytral spots are replaced by greyish pubescence ;

the darker portion of this latter is in the shape of a spot at the base; another spot at

the middle near the suture and two or three others at the apex of the elytra are plainly

visible to the naked eye, these markings agreeing entirely with the specimen from Mexico.

7. Galerucella godmani. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 4.)

Fuscous ; the first joint of the antenne and the legs testaceous ; thorax obscure testaceous, with three fuscous

spots; elytra densely pubescent, closely punctured, fuscous, each with a longitudinal narrow and a broader

testaceous line.

Length 24 lines.

Head depressed at the middle of the vertex, the latter fuscous, the lower part of the face testaceous ; clypeus

in the form of a Y-shaped, transverse, strongly raised ridge ; antenne short and stout, the intermediate

joints slightly widened, black, the two basal ones testaceous below ; thorax more than twice as broad as

long, finely pubescent and rugose, the sides very slightly rounded near the base, the posterior margin

sinuate on each side, the angles obtuse, the disc with the usual shallow lateral and central depressions,

and three rounded obscure fuscous spots; scutellum transverse; elytra much more distinctly rugosely

punctured than the thorax, closely pubescent, near the suture a narrow slightly raised pale line divides

the darker portion, and a similar, much broader, and flat testaceous stripe is placed towards the sides,

neither of these lines extending quite to the apex; the underside, the extreme apices of the tibiw, and

the tarsi are fuscous, the legs testaceous.

Hab. Guatema.a, Pantaleon (Champion). A single specimen.

This species is of a parallel and rather flattened shape, and may be known by the

two pale elytral stripes being of different width.

OPHR/EA.

Antenne with short joints, slightly thickened towards the apex. Thorax transverse, of variable shape, the

posterior angles oblique, the sides often angulate at or before the middle; the surface with a lateral

and a central depression, finely rugose and pubescent. Elytra nearly impubescent, closely and generally

finely rugose. Tibie: unarmed ; claws bifid. Anterior coxal cavities open.

It is not expedient, in my opinion, to place the following insects (with their different

general appearance, shorter antenn, and finely rugose and nearly impubescent elytra)

in the genus Galerucella, in which the upper surface is closely covered with hairs, and

the antenne are longer and more slender. Although not all the species described here

under the genus Ophrwa are of the same shape, in regard to the thorax, yet all agree

in the rugose and sometimes metallic elytra. It may be as well to mention here that

O. subcostata, O. rugosa, and O. wnea are of a more posteriorly dilated shape, resembling

in that respect a species of Galeruca (Adimonia), while the other species are more

OPHRAA. 493

parallel, with the sides of the thorax more rounded. In some instances, again, forms

occur which seem to be intermediate between this genus and Schematiza, so that their

proper place must remain at present a matter of doubt. Moreover the variation in the

shape of the antennz and thorax of several species may lead to further subdivision ;

but at present I provisionally include these in Ophrea, which may in all cases be

recognized by the nearly impubescent and rugose elytra.

a. Species of posteriorly dilated shape, the thorax transverse and angulate at

the sides.

1. Ophrea subcostata. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 5.)

Ovate, convex, somewhat dilated, black; thorax fulvous, with a black central band, its surface rugose, the

posterior angles moderately sinuate; elytra rugose-punctate, black, each with two or three obtusely raised

longitudinal costae.

Length 3-33 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Capulalpam (Sal/é); Guatemata, Purula (Champion).

There are sufficient differences to be found between this species and 0. rugosa to

justify their separation. 0. subcostata is of a more convex, posteriorly dilated shape,

and therefore less parallel; the antenne in the male are rather longer, the third and

fourth joints being much more elongate than in O. rugosa; the thorax is angulate only

below the middle (instead of having another intermediate angle) and its posterior

margin is straighter and but slightly sinuate or emarginate at the sides, besides having

a straight black band on the centre of the disc from the base to the apex; the elytra

have the same kind of longitudinal depressions as are visible in the allied species, but

the interstices preceding them are more distinctly raised and plainly visible to the

naked eye; the female has the sides of the last abdominal segment spotted with testa-

ceous, as in 0. rugosa. The single specimen from Mexico before me is rather smaller

than, though agreeing in other respects with, those from Guatemala; the latter all

show the above-mentioned differences.

2. Ophrea rugosa. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 6.)

Elongate, nearly parallel, black ; thorax rufous or flavous, coarsely rugose, the posterior angles deeply sinuate ;

elytra finely rugose, with two or three obsolete longitudinal depressions.

Length 4 lines.

Head closely rugose-punctate ; eyes small, entire; antenn not extending to half the length of the body, the

second joint short, the fourth one half longer than the third, the following joints flattened and shorter ;

thorax twice as broad as long, or somewhat broader, the lateral margins more or less distinctly angulate

immediately before and below the middle, the posterior angles deeply sinuate and obliquely shaped, the

posterior margin straight at the middle, the surface strongly and irregularly rugose, obsoletely depressed

at the sides and at the middle; scutellum broad, its apex broadly rounded; elytra much more finely

rugose than the thorax, with several obsolete, longitudinal depressions, the one near the lateral margin

more distinct and bounded inwardly by a broadly rounded ridge commencing at the shoulder but abbre-

494 PHYTOPHAGA.

viated near the apex ; the last abdominal segment of the male emarginate at the apex, that of the female

simple, a testaceous spot on each side in both sexes.

Hab. Mexico, near the City (Flohr, coll. Jacoby), Juquila (Hége) ; Costa Rica (Van |

Patten).

Differs from the preceding species in its more parallel shape, and in the want of the

thoracic black band and elytral coste.

8. Ophrwa wnea. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 7.)

Entirely brownish-seneous ; legs testaceous, the knees, the apices of the tibie and the tarsi, blackish ; the

upper surface entirely and closely rugose.

Length 33 lines.

Head closely rugose; the clypeus testaceous; thorax scarcely more than one half broader than long, the

anterior angles produced into a short tooth, the sides distinctly angulate below the middle, the disc broadly

longitudinally grooved in the centre, more obsoletely so at the sides; elytra widened below the middle,

without any raised coste, closely rugose and wrinkled, the interstices furnished with a very few short

hairs ; epipleuree broad and concave at the shoulders, extending nearly to the apex.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Hége).

The single specimen received has unfortunately lost the antenne, but as all the

characters peculiar to Ophrea are present I have placed it in this genus. The species

may at once be known amongst its allies by the uniform bronze colour and the testa-

ceous legs; the thorax is less transverse and rather longer than in O. rugosa.

b. Species of more parallel shape, the thorax rounded at the sides.

4, Ophrea metallica. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 8.)

Black below; thorax and femora obscure fulvous; elytra dark eneous, covered with very short yellow pube-

scence, strongly rugosely punctured.

Length 23 lines.

Head obscure fuscous or fulvous, the clypeus lighter; the vertex finely rugose, rather thickly clothed with

yellow pubescence; antenne short, black, the third joint slightly longer than the fourth, the following

ones scarcely shorter; thorax three times as broad as long, the anterior angles produced into a short

tooth, the sides rather strongly rounded before the middle and forming an obsolete angle, the posterior

margin slightly rounded and sinuate at the angles, the surface flattened at the sides, forming a broad

depression, another very obsolete, more longitudinal depression is placed at the middle of the disc, the

latter irregularly and closely rugose, sparingly clothed with yellow hairs; scutellum broadly ovate, pube-

scent; elytra nearly parallel, narrowly margined, with some obsolete, longitudinal, smooth, raised lines,

the entire surface strongly rugosely punctate, the punctures deeply impressed and larger on the middle of

the disc than at the sides, of a metallic brownish-eneous colour, near the extreme margin with purplish

reflections, the apices and the sides covered with thin yellowish pubescence ; epipleure broad, finely punc-

tured, and extending to the apex.

Hab. Mexico, Capulalpam (Sal/é).

This species may be separated from 0. rugosa by the elytra being metallic in colour

and deeply punctured, and the thorax differently shaped.

OPHRAA. 495

5. Ophrea melancholica. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 9.)

Narrowly elongate, black ; clypeus fulvous; thorax minutely punctured ; elytra finely rugose, black, with a

slight purplish tint at the sides, sparingly pubescent.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge).

The entirely black colour, with the exception of the fulvous lower part of the face,

and the finely rugose upper surface of all the parts, will separate O. melancholica from

any of the preceding species. The shape of the thorax agrees rather more with that

of a species of Schematiza (the sides being rounded and the anterior and posterior

margins nearly straight), but the entire absence of any dilatation of the antenne (which

are only somewhat thickened towards the terminal joints) prevents the species being

placed in that genus; the elytra are sculptured like the thorax, finely and sparingly

pubescent; the thorax is shallowly depressed at the sides and at the middle. O. melan-

cholica may also be known from any of the preceding species by its entirely black

colour.

6. Ophrea minor.

Ovate, slightly widened posteriorly, black; thorax rufous, minutely rugose and pubescent; elytra more

distinctly rugose, finely pubescent towards the sides.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Mzxxico, Capulalpam (Saddé).

This insect is almost identical in coloration with O. rugosa, and it will only be

necessary to point out the differences: O. minor is smaller in size, with the thorax

scarcely visibly punctured (in O. rugosa this part is coarsely rugose); the elytra are

also more finely rugose, and show scarcely any traces of depressious; the thorax is not

angulate at the sides and its anterior and posterior margins are nearly straight; the

legs are black, but the coxe are generally fulvous. O. metallica differs from the

present insect by the very deep and strong elytral punctuation.

7. Ophrea elongata.

Elongate, black, the margins of the thorax and the femora more or less flavous; elytra scarcely pubescent,

obscure metallic greenish or wneous, rugose throughout.

Var. Elytra and legs black ; thorax entirely fulvous.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head very finely rugose, the vertex black, the clypeus testaceous ; antenne about half the length of the body,

the third joint the longest ; thorax about twice as broad as long, the anterior angles produced into a very

small tooth, the sides more or less rounded at the middle, or obtusely angulate, the surface sculptured

like the head, covered with yellowish pubescence, flavous, with the middle of the disc more or less broadly

fuscous; scutellum obscure eneous ; elytra much more strongly rugose than the thorax, with a metallic

purplish or greenish hue, the sides clothed with short silky pubescence.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Yolotepec, Istapan (Sallé) ; GuateMaLa, Zapote, Cape-

tillo (Champion).

496 PHYTOPHAGA.

This species differs from O. minor in its more slender and narrowly elongate shape,

in the black band of the thorax, and in the longer antenne. I have also included here,

provisionally, the specimens from Capetillo, although they seem to be intermediate

between this and the preceding species: some of these are devoid of a black thoracic

band, and have black elytra and legs, besides being of smaller size, and it is therefore

possible that they represent an allied but different species.

MONOXIA.

Monoxia, Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. 1865, p. 221 ; Leconte and Horn, Class. Col. N. Am. p. 348

(1888).

Monoxia was established by Leconte on some small species, mostly testaceous in

colour and with more or less spotted elytra; it is separated from the preceding genera

by the short antennex, the joints of which (with the exception of the third) are not

elongate, but rather broader than long, and gradually dilated towards the apex; another

character, supposed by Crotch to be a sexual one, is the sometimes simple claw in

Monoxia. The different species do not seem at present to be well defined; all are

apparently subject to a good deal of variation, and necessitate long series for exami-

nation ; those hitherto described are from North America. Two or three species from

our country agree so closely with North-American forms, that I am unable to separate

them; the one described by myself from Guatemala was wrongly placed in Monozia,

the genus being known to me from description only at that time.

1. Monoxia obtusa. (Tab. XXVII. fig. 24.)

Monoxia obtusa, Lec. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1865, p. 222°.

Hab. Norra America !—Muxtco, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

I believe that I am right in referring the few specimens from Sonora before me to

Leconte’s species. The elytra in these examples are uniformly pale testaceous in

colour, and densely clothed with rather long greyish hairs, which obscure any punc-

tuation; they are devoid of black spots, though in certain lights, and with a strong

lens, some very obscure small pale spots arranged in rows may be seen. The under-

side is of a darker fuscous colour; the claws appear to be simple. In size the Sonoran

insect is larger than any of its allies known to me. A North-American specimen

kindly sent me by Dr. Horn, and doubtfully referred by him to UZ. obtusa, agrees

entirely with those from Sonora. In the Munich Catalogue MV. guitulata, Lec., is

given as a variety of Jf. obtusa on the authority of Crotch (cf. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1873,

p- 56); but as Leconte’s description gives two impressions of the elytra as a character

of distinction from Jf. obtusa, it probably refers to another species,

-MONOXIA. 497

2. Monoxia guttulata? (Tab. XXVII. fig. 25.)

Monoxia guttulata, Lec. Rep. Pac. Surv. 1857, p. 70’.

Hab. Nortn America, California }.—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

It is probable that I am rightly referring the Sonoran specimens to MM. guttulata ;

these all have longitudinal depressions on the elytra, one of the characters given by the

author as peculiar to that species. A specimen before me, supposed to be M. guttulata

and kindly sent to me by Dr. Horn, is marked like M. debilis and MW. obtusa, so that

there seems to be doubt about these species. It will be seen from the figure given

here that in the Mexican examples of what I suppose to be M. guttulata the elytra are

closely spotted with black, and the thorax also showing several black markings, besides

being very short and transverse. The underside is generally piceous, the abdomen

being sometimes paler, and the claws in those specimens which I have examined seem

to be simple. The femora and tibiz are generally each marked with a small piceous

spot.

8. Monoxia debilis ?

Monozia debilis, Lec. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1865, p. 222°.

Hab. Norta America, California !—Mexico, Tupataro (Saldé).

In the Munich Catalogue this insect is given as a variety of the preceding; whether

this is correct or not I am unable to say. The single Mexican specimen before me

agrees very nearly with the description of J. dedilis. There is no longitudinal

depression of the elytra visible as in M. guttulata, and the markings are confined to

three or four rows of single distant spots which form a short stripe only near the

suture.

4. Monoxia semifasciata.

Oblong ovate, finely pubescent, black; thorax testaceous, rugose ; elytra more finely rugose, fuscous, with

traces of longitudinal fulvous bands.

3. Claws obsoletely appendiculate ; 9, claws simple.

Length 2 lines.

Head closely rugose, fuscous; the distinctly raised frontal tubercles and the clypeus, testaceous, shining ;

antenne not extending much further than the base of the elytra, black, the third joint long, the following

one slightly widened, short, and of equal length; thorax rather more than twice as broad as long, the

sides slightly rounded, the anterior angles not prominent, the posterior ones slightly oblique, the posterior

margin a little concave-emarginate at the middle, the surface closely and irregularly rugose, more or less

distinctly depressed at the middle and at the sides, rather shining, and almost without pubescence ;

scutellum testaceous, pubescent, its apex broadly truncate; elytra rather flattened, very closely and finely

rugose, covered with greyish and distinct but not thick pubescence, obscure fuscous, each with some obscure

fulvous spots of longitudinal shape near the sutural and lateral margins; the underside and the legs black,

rather shining, the abdominal segments narrowly margined with fulvous; the apex of the last abdominal

segment in the male triangularly excavated at the middle, the sides rounded, that of the female slightly

emarginate.

Hab. GuatemaLa, Champerico (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1887. 3s

498 PHYTOPHAGA.

In the rather long series obtained of this insect the only variation at all noticeable is

the almost entirely dark fuscous colour of the elytra in some specimens. If I. semi-

fasciata is taken as an example, it will be seen that the simple or appendiculate claws

are attributable to sexual differences, and that this applies probably to those species

separated by Leconte into two sections according to this structure. This insect was

only met with on the Pacific coast at Champerico.

SCHEMATIZA.

Schematiza (Chevr.), Blanchard, Hist. des Ins. ii. p. 190 (1845); Clark, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond.

1864, p. 259.

In most instances, a species of the genus Schematiza is easily recognized by the

flattened and dilated intermediate joints of the antenne, and the general shape of the

body, which strongly resembles that of some species of ‘“ Lycide.” Certain species,

however, are now known in which the peculiar structure of the antenne, as well as

the general shape, is so modified as to create great doubt as to their proper position ;

these modified forms might equally well be placed in Galerucella, having some of the

characters of that genus and of Schematiza. Amongst the Central-American species

here described for the first time, there are some in which the shape of the thorax

is partly or entirely typical of Schematiza, while the antenne are formed as in

Galerucella. J prefer placing these doubtful forms in genera with which they seem to

have the greatest affinity, rather than make new and unsatisfactory ones for their

reception.

1. Schematiza collaris. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 15.)

Elongate, black, scarcely pubescent; clypeus testaceous; thorax light fulvous, with a central black band, finely

pubescent; elytra black, finely rugose.

Length 3-4 lines.

Head finely rugose, the vertex black, the clypeus testaceous; antenne rather robust, the third joint the longest,

the following joints of nearly equal length ; thorax more than twice as broad as long, the sides almost

evenly rounded and without angle, the posterior margin slightly sinuate at the sides, the posterior and

anterior angles acute but not produced, the surface with a more or less deep longitudinal depression at

each side (causing the basal portion to appear transversely raised), covered with rather long and close

yellowish pubescence which nearly obscures the finely rugose punctuation, in colour pale reddish-fulvous,

interrupted at the middle by a more or less black longitudinal band from the base to the apex; scutellum

broad, black, finely rugose; elytra nearly parallel (3) or slightly widened (@), black, the extreme

margin narrowly raised, the entire surface finely and closely rugose, sparingly clothed with very short,

scarcely visible pubescence; epipleure rather broad, extending to the apex; tibie unarmed; the first

joint of the posterior tarsi scarcely so long as the following two joints together ; the entire underside and

the legs rather shining, scarcely pubescent.

Hab. Mexico, Puebla, Cordova (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge); GuaremaLa, San Gerénimo,

Senahu (Champion).

The antenne in S. collaris are closely approached, and show only a slight dilatation

SCHEMATIZA. 499

of the intermediate joints, so that this species seems almost to form a link between

Galerucella and Schematiza; the thorax has, however, a lateral and central depression

and is formed as in the following species, and the elytra show the same finely rugose

and scarcely pubescent surface. The want of the apical fulvous spot to the elytra

and the larger size separates S. collaris from S. apicalis, Clark.

2. Schematiza bicolor. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 14.)

Oblong, slightly widened, subdepressed, fuscous ; clypeus testaceous ; thorax fulvous or flavous, finely pubescent ;

elytra dark fuscous, closely pubescent; antennz strongly dilated.

Length 3—4 lines.

Head finely coriaceous ; antenne fuscous, the third to the eighth joints strongly dilated and compressed, the

two terminal joints slender ; thorax reddish or yellowish, the sides strongly rounded and narrowed towards

the apex, the posterior margin perfectly straight, the surface broadly and deeply depressed at the sides,

finely pubescent, the pubescence obscuring any punctuation ; scutellum broad, its apex broadly rounded ;

elytra slightly widened posteriorly, the apices broadly rounded, dark fuscous, finely coriaceous, and closely

pubescent ; underside and legs more shining, nearly black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

The strongly dilated antenne, the slightly widened general shape, and the uniformly

coloured elytra (which are destitute of any costz) will distinguish S. bicolor from any

of the species described by Clark.

3. Schematiza chontalensis. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 17.)

Depressed, widened behind, fuscous; antenne strongly dilated; thorax fulvous; elytra finely pubescent, the

lateral margin narrowly testaceous.

Length 3 lines.

Head very finely rugose, fuscous, the clypeus testaceous; antenne piceous or black, triangularly dilated and

flattened from the third joint, the three apical joints slender; thorax more than twice as broad as long,

the sides rounded, the anterior and posterior margins straight, the surface deeply impressed at the sides,

the latter testaceous, the middle of the dise more or less stained with fulvous or rufous, very finely punc-

tured and pubescent; elytra dilated posteriorly, closely pubescent and very finely rugosely punctured, the

base and the lateral margin very narrowly testaceous; underside and legs piceous, more or less stained

with testaccous.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

This species resembles S. dicolor in general shape, but differs in the pale basal and

lateral margins of the elytra. | |

4, Schematiza lateralis. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 16.)

Obscure fuscous; antenne black; thorax obscure fulvous, the disc black; elytra closely rugose, each with a

narrow testaceous stripe near the lateral margin, and a fulvous spot at the apex.

Length 2-3 lines.

Head finely rugose, fuscous, the clypeus and the labrum testaceous ; antenne not extending to half the length

of the elytra, black, the third joint the longest ; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides rounded, the

anterior and posterior margins straight, the surface with an irregular depression at the sides, the punc-

tuation obscured by the close pubescence, the latter of a silvery-grey colour at the sides and more or less

reddish-fulvous towards the middle, the disc being occupied by a longitudinal black or fuscous band ;

382

500 PHYTOPHAGA.

elytra narrow and parallel, more distinctly punctured than the thorax, clothed with short and fine pubes-

cence, a triangular testaceous or fulvous spot at the extreme apex of each, the sides with a narrow longi-

tudinal pale stripe, the latter forming a distinct acute ridge owing to the perpendicularly deflexed lateral

margin; legs and the abdomen more or less testaceous, the rest of the underside fuscous.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sallé) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).

The antenne in this species are scarcely, if at all, dilated in the middle; S. lateralis

agrees in this respect, as well as in general shape and colour, with S. apicipennis, Clark,

but may be readily recognized by the pale lateral stripe to the elytra, the deflexed sides

of which are invisible when the insect is viewed from above. Many specimens were

obtained.

5. Schematiza sallei. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 10.)

Narrowly parallel, fuscous ; lower part of the face and the femora testaceous ; thorax obscure rufous, the sides

marked with black; elytra finely pubescent, fuscous, a spot at the apex of each fulvous.

Length 3 lines.

Head finely rugose, the vertex black or fuscous, the lower part testaceous; antenne slender, half the length of

the body, black, the third joint elongate and much longer than the following ones ; thorax transverse, the

sides rather rounded, the anterior and posterior margins straight, the posterior angles somewhat oblique,

the surface finely pubescent (obscuring the punctuation), more or less rufous, with a piceous more or less

distinct longitudinal band at each side, the sides themselves and the middle of the disc often yellowish ;

scutellum fuscous, broad, its apex truncate; elytra parallel, their apices produced into a small tooth, the

surface finely rugose and pubescent and of a uniform dark fuscous colour, the apex of each with a round

yellowish spot (tinged with rufous) generally not quite extending to the suture.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Capulalpam, Playa Vicente, Toxpam (Sal/é), Oaxaca (Hége) ;

GvuatemaLa, Senahu, Teleman, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

This insect closely resembles S. apicalis, Clark, but on comparing the type of

the latter in the British Museum with the present insect, I find several distinctive

characters :—in S. sall@i the antenne are much longer; the apices of the elytra are

produced into a point and not rounded; and the thorax apparently never has a central

dark spot or band, the latter being placed (when present) at the sides.

6. Schematiza apicalis.

Schematiza apicalis, Clark, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1864, p. 268°.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CoLomB1a!; Peru (coll. Jacoby).

The differences, if any, between the specimens obtained by Mr. Champion and the

type of Clark (which I have examined) are too slight to regard them as anything else

but local. In S. apicalis the apices of the elytra are rounded, and the thorax, instead

of having lateral piceous spots, has a central more or less distinct band; the general

colour and the apical elytral spots agree with the preceding species, but the spots are

less distinct, and extend in all the specimens to the suture. In one or two examples of

what is doubtless a variety, traces of longitudinal raised lines on the elytra are visible,

and the thorax has three piceous marks.

SCHEMATIZA. 501

7. Schematiza clarki. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 11.)

Black, opaque; antenne dilated in the middle; thorax flavous at the sides; elytra flattened and widened

posteriorly, the sides to the middle narrowly flavous.

Var. Elytra obscure fulvous.

Length 2-22 lines.

Head black at the vertex, very finely rugose; clypeus testaceous; antenne black, the third to the eighth

joints dilated, the third joint the longest; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides straight, narrowed

towards the apex, the posterior margin sinuate at each side, the surface scarcely visibly rugose and finely

pubescent, the dise broadly black or dark fuscous, the sides narrowly flavous ; elytra widened posteriorly,

sculptured like the thorax and of the same colour, with a narrow flavous band (indented in the middle by

a projecting point of the ground-colour), which commences at the shoulders and narrowing gradually

becomes obsolete below the middle, the apices rounded ; underside and legs black.

Hab. Panama, David in Chiriqui (Champion).

S. clarki differs from 8. antennalis, Clark, in the elytra being more dilated in shape

‘and wanting the posterior flavous spot, and in the entirely black legs.

8. Schematiza thoracica. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 12.)

Dark fuscous, widened posteriorly ; thorax flavous, with two black bands; elytra finely costate, fuscous, the

sides at the shoulders narrowly or broadly flavous.

Var. a. The base of the head and the thorax fulvous, the latter with two black spots at the base.

Var. b. Elytra entirely flavous.

Length 2-24 lines.

Head fuscous, with some more or less distinct small flavous spots at the sides; clypeus flavous ; labrum piceous ;

antenne dilated from the third to the seventh joints, the third joint scarcely (if at all) longer than the

rest; thorax twice as broad as long, all the margins nearly straight, the surface longitudinally depressed

at the sides, flavous, finely pubescent, the disc with two narrow or broader longitudinal black bands;

scutellum dark fuscous ; elytra widened posteriorly, each with three very narrow longitudinal coste placed

at equal distances but not extending to the apex, the surface minutely rugose and finely pubescent, the

shoulders occupied by a flavous band of variable width which gradually narrows towards the suture and

there becomes obsolete, the apices rounded and but slightly angular.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Toxpam (Sadlé); GuaTemaLa, San Juan in Vera Paz (Cham-

pion); Panama, Pefia Blanca (Champion).

S. thoracica differs from the species with costate elytra described by Clark in the

elytra being different in colour and each having three coste, and the thorax having two

black bands; in some specimens the flavous portion of the elytra extends nearly to the

suture anteriorly, in others the shoulders only are narrowly marked with flavous. The

antennee differ in structure from those of S. clarki. The varieties do not differ except

in colour.

9, Schematiza suturalis, (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 13.)

Elongate, slightly widened behind, black; the thorax narrowly fulvous at the sides ; elytra very finely punc-

tured, each with three raised longitudinal lines, pale fulvous, the suture narrowly and the apical margins

black.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head black, the clypeus flavous; antenne with the third to the seventh joints broadly dilated, the four terminal

joints more elongate ; thorax one half broader than long, all the margins nearly straight, the sides narrowly

502 PHYTOPHAGA.

fulvous, the middle of the disc with a regular broad black band; elytra rounded at the apices, each with

three narrow raised lines (not extending to the base or apex) on the middle of the disc, the sutural and

apical margins narrowly black, the rest fulvous; underside and the legs black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). A single specimen.

The thorax in S. suturalis is shorter than in the other species of the genus described

here ; this character, in connection with the very elongate general shape and the different

coloration, will assist in the recognition of the present insect.

DIABROTICA.

Diabrotica, Chevrolat, D’Orbign. Dict. univ. Hist. nat. iv. p. 717 (1848).

Amongst the entire subfamily of Galerucine no genus contains so many species as

Diabrotica; at least two hundred have already been described, and the undescribed

forms contained in collections must also be counted by hundreds. Here, perhaps, more

than in any other genus of Phytophaga, may be found species which require long series

of specimens to settle their specific value; sometimes their characters of distinction

are very minute, and it must, in many cases, remain a question of opinion whether

certain forms must be looked upon as varieties of one and the same insect or as true

species, There are plenty of instances in which certain species cannot be satisfactorily

separated until their localities are considered in connection with some slight mark of

distinction, requiring often a good many specimens to come to any conclusion at all,

and even then it is justifiable to doubt the propriety of describing such closely allied

forms as distinct and not rather as local varieties. If this latter plan were, however,

adopted, the same difficulties as to where to draw the line would be encountered ;

nothing remains but to draw attention to those differences, even if slight, between the

many species at present considered distinct. The entire New World is the true home

of Diabrotica, the species abounding in the tropics, but diminishing gradually in point

of numbers towards the more northern and southern parts. In Central America many

species may be said to swarm in certain localities; they are especially abundant

(according to Mr. Champion) at the commencement of the rainy season, and are found

upon the fresh growth in new forest-clearings, and on the margins of the coffee and

sugar-cane plantations, upon the leaves of the growing maize, &c. I have arranged our

species according to the length of the joints of the antenne and partly by the coloration

of the elytra.

Section 1. Antenne with the second and third Joints short, the third often longer than

the second.

a. Elytra black or brown, with large fulvous or greenish spots.

1. Diabrotica regalis. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 18.)

Diabrotica regalis, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. iv. p- 270 (1859)*; Journ. Linn. Soc.,

Zool. xix. p. 218 (1885) ?,

DIABROTICA. 503

Hab. Guatemata (coll. Baly); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion).—

CotomBia ! 2, Muzo 2; Gutana, Cayenne ?.

This is one of the largest species of Diabrotica ; it is rather variable in coloration, the

large elytral spots being as frequently of a pale green as of a fulvous colour, while the

narrow spaces dividing the spots vary from black to fulvous; in certain varieties the

anterior spots disappear altogether. D. regalis has not been received by us from

Guatemala, but two specimens in the collection of Mr. Baly are so labelled.

2. Diabrotica morosa. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 19.)

Diabrotica fraterna, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. iii. p. 79 (1879) *.

Hab. Guatremata! (coll. Baly); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera,

David, Tolé, San Feliz, Los Remedios (Champion). |

The name D. fraterna having already been used by Mr. Baly for another species of

the same genus (cf. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. iv. p. 272), I am obliged to change

it. The female of D. morosa is very much larger than the male, nearly approaching

the preceding species in size, and is of a posteriorly dilated shape. There are no

varieties of importance before me; in the male the antenne are but slightly shorter

than the body. D. alboplagiata, Jac., is exceedingly closely allied to this ; it is probably

only a variety of the present species, but differs in the femora being entirely flavous in

colour.

3. Diabrotica panamensis.

Fulvous ; head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, the breast, the tibie and tarsi, black ; elytra obsoletely

punctured, black, each with three yellowish rounded spots placed one below the other.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, with a distinct fovea, entirely black; antenn#® more than half the length of the body, the

third joint one half longer than the second, the basal joint fulvous, the two following ones fulvous beneath

only, the intermediate joints fuscous or black, the three apical ones flavous, the extreme apex of the terminal

joint black; thorax subquadrate, with two shallow fovez below the middle, the disc impunctate, flavous,

shining ; scutellum black; elytra slightly dilated posteriorly, finely and irregularly punctured, black, each

with a round spot below the base, a larger one immediately below the middle, and a small one at the

extreme apex, yellowish-white.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The number and position of the elytral spots separates D. panamensis from the

preceding species. It is also allied to D. deyrollei, Baly, but differs in the shape of the

spots and in the colour of the legs.

4. Diabrotica pygidialis. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 1, 3.)

Fulvous; head and the intermediate joints of the antenne piceous; thorax bifoveolate ; elytra distinctly

punctured, black or piceous, a transverse spot before, another below the middle, and the apices, flavous.

¢. Antenne slightly longer than the body, the second and third joints very short.

Q. Antenne shorter than the body, the third joint one half longer than the second.

Length 2 lines.

504 PHYTOPHAGA,

Head impunctate ; antenne piceous, the three apical joints yellowish-white, the apex of the terminal one

piceous ; thorax impunctate, with two distinct fovex ; scutellum flavous ; elytra somewhat rugosely punc-

tured, the flavous bands transverse and not quite extending to either margin ; pygidium black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Separated from D. morosa and other species of this section by the long antenne,

which extend beyond the apices of the elytra in the male, the entirely flavous under-

side, the black pygidium, and the transversely shaped elytral spots or bands.

5. Diabrotica fenestralis. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 20.)

Diabrotica fenestralis, Jacoby, P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 791°.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales ! (Belt); Costa Rica!, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

A comparison of this insect with D. morosa seems to leave but little doubt that it

must be looked upon as a variety of the latter in which the elytral black bands sur-

rounding the flavous spots are reduced in width or interrupted, the shape and position

of the bands being exactly similar. As I have three specimens, however, before me

agreeing with each other, and the localities of D. fenestralis are also different (though

from an intermediate region and apparently connecting) from those in which D. morosa

was obtained, it is perhaps better to retain the two insects as distinct for the present.

6. Diabrotica elegantula. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 21.)

Diabrotica elegantula, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xix. p. 218 (1885) *.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Tolé, San Lorenzo, San Feliz

(Champion).—CotomBia, R. Magdalena, Muzo, San Carlos }.

This seems to be rather a variable species. Amongst the large number of specimens

before me, there are only a few which agree very nearly with Mr. Baly’s type; the

others have the narrow transverse median band of the elytra replaced by a broad round

flavous spot, though the other characters are as in the typical form; one of these latter

is figured here. I may add that, in all the specimens before me, the third joint

of the antenne is nearly twice as long as the second; Mr. Baly gives the size as

“slightly longer.”

7. Diabrotica gratiosa. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 22.)

Diabrotica gratiosa, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xix. p. 215 (1885) *.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé1); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba ( Champion).

—Cotomaia !, San Carlos 1.

At first sight D. gratiosa seems but to represent a variety of D. elegantula; several

constant differences seem, however, to pronounce the insect a distinct one. In D.

gratiosa the metallic green portion of the elytra is not connected at the sides as in

D. elegantula, where it forms a straight line, and the anterior band which includes the

DIABROTICA. 505

round flavous spot is always indented or emarginate below the shoulder; the antenne

have the second and third joints nearly equal in length, thus differing from JD. ele-

gantula, the latter having the third joint distinctly longer than the second. The

present insect greatly resembles certain forms of D. adelpha, Harold, but may be

separated from that species by the nearly straight (not curved) posterior elytral band,

this latter in D. adelpha assuming a semilunate shape. The specimens from Cordova

agree with those from the State of Panama, except in the want of the thoracic fovee,

and in the rather narrower band of the elytra; it is therefore possible that the Mexican

insect represents a closely allied but distinct species.

8. Diabrotica duvivieri.

Diabrotica duvivieri, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 445°.

Var. a. Elytra yellow, narrowly margined with black.

Var. b. Thorax yellow, the elytra as in var. a, the legs black.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa 1, Playa Vicente (Saldé).

Mr. Baly’s description of this species was drawn from a single specimen from Teapa,

and I have not much doubt that the examples before me from Playa Vicente should

be referred to the same insect; only one of the latter, however, agrees perfectly

with the author’s description, the others having an extra small yellow spot near the

lateral margin of the elytra at the base. The varieties do not differ except in colour;

in several specimens, as in the type, there is an indication of the flavous elytral spots,

caused by the shape of the black margins, which seem only inclined to unite at those

places where they are joined in the typical forms, thus indicating the elytral pattern of the

latter. This variety cannot be mistaken for D. limbella, Baly, which is similarly coloured,

on account of the foveolate thorax, the latter in D. limbella being without impressions.

9. Diabrotica tessellata. (Tab. X XIX. figg. 3, 4.)

Flavous, the head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, the breast, tibiee, and tarsi black; thorax without

fove ; elytra closely and finely punctured, the suture anteriorly, a spot at the shoulder, and two narrow

transverse bands at and below the middle, black.

Var. The anterior portion of the elytra entirely black.

Length 25—4 lines.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Champion).

D. tessellata may possibly be a variety of D. morosa; but as the eight specimens

before me all differ from that species in the same way, I must regard D. tessellata as

specifically distinct. The antenne are identical in coloration with those of D. morosa,

having the two penultimate joints flavous and the terminal one black. ‘The elytra have

the extreme lateral margins and the apices broadly flavous in all the specimens; but the

transverse bands vary in width and the middle one is sometimes connected at the sides

with the spots on the basal margin: the figures will, however, give a better idea of their

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1887. 3t

506 PHYTOPHAGA.

pattern than the description. In a single small specimen, probably a male, the suture

is entirely black to the apex, the pattern of the elytra therefore closely resembling that

of D. morosa, from which, however, the flavous femora will distinguish it. The thorax

is without impressions; and the antenne in the male are distinctly longer than in any

of the preceding species, extending nearly to the apex of the elytra.

b. Elytra flavous, with transverse black or blue bands.

10. Diabrotica paradoxa. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 13.)

Fulvous, the head, tibie, tarsi, and breast black; thorax with two small impressions; elytra testaceous, a

narrow transverse band at the base, another at the middle, and a large subquadrate or oval spot on each

near the apex, black.

Length 3 lines.

Head, labrum, and palpi black, the space between the antenne rather deeply foveolate; antenne half the

length of the body, the second and third joints short and equal, the basal joints more or less fulvous, the

following joints piceous or black, the last three testaceous, with the apex of the terminal joint fuscous ;

thorax subquadrate (shaped as in D. tessellata), impunctate, the surface impressed on each side with a

small (more or less distinct) fovea; scutellum fulvous or piceous; elytra very finely punctured, with a

more or less distinct longitudinal depression below the shoulders, the two anterior black bands rather

closely placed, the posterior margin of the basal band irregularly notched and sometimes confluent at the

sides with the second band, the space between these bands and the large apical spot broader than that

between the two anterior bands; femora and abdomen fulvous, the tibie and tarsi black.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaur); GuateMata, Teleman, Chacoj,

and Panima in Vera Paz (Champion), Yzabal (Sal/é).

The two bands of the elytra in this species are of rather regular shape and very

slightly curved, but neither they nor the large apical spot extend quite to the lateral

or posterior margins; the black (not blue) colour of these markings, in connection with

the black tibie, will separate D. paradoxa from any of the preceding species and their

varieties. An example from Chacoj is figured.

11. Diabrotica albo-signata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 14.)

Diabrotica albosignata, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 453 *.

Hab. Guatemata!, Cubilguitz, Coban, San Joaquin, Purula, Sinanja, Chacoj (Cham-

pion); Nicaragua, Granada (Sal/é).

D. albo-signata is separated from D. paradora by the equally divided elytral

black bands, and by the black apices of the elytra forming a small triangular spot: in

none of the specimens I have for examination does the posterior or last elytral

black band assume the shape of an oval or square spot, but the two anterior bands are

sometimes (as is occasionally the case in D. paradoxa) more or less connected, and the

legs are occasionally entirely black; in other respects there is no difference in the two

insects. As both were obtained partly in the same localities, it is doubtful whether

they represent distinct forms or varieties of one only. The Nicaraguan example is

figured.

DIABROTICA. 507

12. Diabrotica championi.

Flavous, the head and breast black; thorax without impressions; elytra closely punctured, with three trans-

verse black bands, the third band slightly concave on its posterior margin.

Length 8 lines. ,

Head impunctate, with a fovea between the eyes; antennae two thirds the length of the body, fulvous, the

third joint one half longer than the second; thorax one half broader than long, flavous, without

fovese ; scutellum black; elytra closely punctured, with a narrow transverse black band at the base and

another immediately in front of the middle, and a third behind the middle, the latter slightly curved ;

legs fulvous or flavous.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Cham-

pion).

Closely allied to D. paradoxa and D. albo-signata, but differing in the non-impressed

thorax, the entirely fulvous antenne and legs, and in the shape of the posterior band

of the elytra (this band has its posterior margin concave, not rounded); the bands of the

elytra extend to the sutural (but not to the lateral) margin and have a very slight viola-

ceous tint, and the flavous space between the two anterior bands is slightly narrower than

the space dividing the second and third bands, the third band being wider than the two

others. In one specimen from Chiriqui the basal band is on each side divided into

two subquadrate spots, the inner one of which is connected at the suture with the second

band, so as to include a L-shaped flavous space; the single specimen from Nicaragua

agrees with the others.

13. Diabrotica viridi-fasciata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 15.)

Fulvous, the head and the breast black; thorax obsoletely tri-foveolate; elytra testaceous, with three trans-

verse, slightly curved, metallic blue bands placed at equal distances one from another.

Length 2? lines. .

Head impunctate; antenne slender, flavous, the eighth joint slightly darker, the third joint one half longer

than the second; thorax quadrate, impunctate, shining, with a small basal and two longitudinal depres-

sions; elytra finely punctured, with a longitudinal depression below the shoulders.

Hab. Cosra Rica, Cache (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In this species the three elytral bands, of which the one at the base is rather

narrower than the others, do not extend to the extreme lateral margin, but are more or

less connected at the suture; the apices of the elytra being broadly flavous. WD. viridi-

fasciata differs from the two preceding species by the impressed thorax, and by the

bands of the elytra being metallic blue in colour and separated by spaces of equal

width. A specimen from Cache is figured.

14. Diabrotica signifera. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 3.)

Flavous, the head, the intermediate and apical joints of the antenne, the tibie, tarsi, and breast black; thorax

with two obsolete depressions; elytra finely punctured, with three narrow transverse black bands, the

first band deeply indented.

Length 2 lines. ;

Head impunctate; antennz as long as the body, the second and third joints very minute, the sixth to the

eighth and the apical one black; thorax flayvous, impunctate, the disc obsoletely flattened ; elytra very

finely punctured, the first band consisting of two subtriangular spots which are united at the middle, the

second and third bands not quite extending to either margin, the posterior edge of the terminal fascia

rather strongly concave. .

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaus) ; GUATEMALA, San

Gerénimo, Tocoy, El Jicaro (Champion); Nicaracua, Granada (Sallé), Chontales

(Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Caldera, Tolé (Champion).

D. signifera, although closely allied to D. albo-signata and D. paradoxa, differs in

the extremely short second and third joints of the antenna, these joints being monili-

form in shape in the male; and in the differently shaped elytral bands, the basal one

being often interrupted by a flavous triangular spot of variable size at the middle,

this spot dividing the band itself into two black triangular markings which only

touch in the centre; in one or two examples the anterior band is replaced by

isolated spots, and in some others from British Honduras the black bands are greatly

widened, thus reducing the pale intervals of the ground-colour to very narrow spaces.

The pygidium in all the specimens is black. D. aldo-signata differs further by the

black apices of the elytra and larger general size. Many specimens.

15. Diabrotica dorso-vittata.

Testaceous, the antenne (the basal joint excepted), tibie, and tarsi black; thorax with a discoidal depression ;

elytra minutely punctured, with a transverse band before and another below the middle, and the extreme

apices, black.

Length 2 lines.

Head testaceous or fulvous, the frontal tubercles very obsolete; antenne two thirds the length of the body,

black, the basal joint sometimes fulvous, the second and third joints equal and together shorter than

the fourth joint; thorax one half broader than long, entirely impunctate, the disc shallowly depressed ;

elytra parallel, very minutely punctured, each with two transverse black bands (the first a little below the

base, nearly straight, the second some distance below the middle, rather broader, and slightly curved

at its posterior margin), the extreme apices also black.

Hab. Guatemaa, Panzos, Teleman, Chacoj, and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

D. dorso-vittata may be at once known amongst its allies by the elytra having only

two (instead of three) bands, and also by the position of these latter; as well as by the

uniform colour of the head, thorax, and underside, the breast not being black in this

insect. In some specimens the anterior elytral band is much broader, extending

upwards towards the base and connected at the sides with the second band; other

differences I am not able to find.

16. Diabrotica bipartita.

Fulvous, the head black; thorax bifoveolate; elytra with the anterior half and a broad band below the

middle black.

Length 2 lines.

Head black, impunctate ; antenne nearly as long as the body, the second and third joints very small, the fourth

longer than the preceding three together, the three or four intermediate joints and the apical one black,

the others pale flavous; thorax one half broader than long, the disc with two fover, impunctate; elytra

‘DIABROTICA. 509

closely punctured, slightly rugose, the anterior portion to the middle, and a broad transverse band beyond,

black (the black anterior portion divided from the transverse band by a narrow straight yellowish-white

band), a round white spot close to (but not quite reaching) the apex of each, the apex itself black ;

underside and femora fulvous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The elytra in this species might be equally well described as black, with a narrow

central whitish band and similarly coloured apices. Two specimens only were

obtained.

17. Diabrotica regularis. |

Testaceous, the apical joints of the antenne and the femora pale greenish-testaceous, the head black; thorax

obsoletely depressed; elytra rather strongly punctured, testaceous, a broad transverse band at the base

and a narrow one below the middle, black.

Length 2—23 lines.

Head impunctate, the vertex foveolate; palpi fulvous; antenne half the length of the body, fulvous, the

three terminal joints very pale yellowish-green, the second and third joints short, equal; thorax one half

broader than long, impunctate, flavous, the disc with two obsolete depressions; scutellum black ; elytra

slightly widened posteriorly, longitudinally grooved on each side, closely and very distinctly punctured,

with a transverse black band (not quite touching the lateral margins, and with its posterior edge very

uneven or dentate) extending from the base nearly to the middle, and another narrower black band

placed at a little distance below the middle; the breast black, the abdomen and femora pale greenish, the

tibiz fulvous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

D. regularis differs from D. bipartita in the colour of the antenne and legs, the more

irregular shape of the elytral bands, the fulvous apices of the elytra, and in the less

parallel and more widened general shape.

18. Diabrotica rogersi. (Tab. XXVIII. figg. 24, 25.)

Testaceous, the head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, the breast, and the tibiee and tarsi black; thorax

fulvous, bifoveolate; elytra fulvous, the apices lighter, a broad transverse band at the base and a narrow

curved transverse mark below the middle, dark metallic blue.

Var. Elytra metallic blue, a spot below the middle and the apices fulvous.

Length 4 lines.

Head with a distinct fovea between the eyes; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the third joint one

half longer than the second, the three lower joints fulvous, the following five black, the others pale

testaceous, the extreme apex of the terminal joint fuscous; thorax dark fulvous, with two more or less

distinct fovere ; scutellum piceous; elytra extremely finely and not very closely punctured.

Hab. Costa Rica, Rio Sucio (Rogers).

D. rogersi differs from both D. elegantula and D. gratiosa in its larger size, and in

the much more finely punctured elytra; the markings of the latter also being different

—-the broad dark blue anterior band extending nearly to the middle but without

touching the lateral margins, the sides of this band not notched but forming a perfectly

straight line; the space between the anterior and posterior blue marks of a darker

fulvous than the apices, the latter being pale testaceous; and the second narrow trans-

510 PHYTOPHAGA.

verse band is slightly curved and does not extend to either margin. The four specimens,

with the exception of the variety in which the two bands are joined at the sides and

are rather broader than in the type, agreeing with each other in the above particulars,

I am obliged to treat them as specifically distinct.

19. Diabrotica godmani.

Fulvous, the head and breast black; elytra finely punctured, a broad transverse band at the base, and a

narrower slightly curved one below the middle, metallic blue.

d. Thorax with two or three obsolete depressions, the antenna two thirds the length of the body.

Q. Thorax without depressions, the elytra more widened behind, the antenne shorter.

Length 23-33 lines,

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Tolé (Champion).

After a careful examination of nearly one hundred specimens I can only come to the

conclusion that D. godmani represents a distinct species, although it is undoubtedly

very closely allied to D. pulchella, Jacq.-Duv., and D. lucifera, Erichs. In the Panama

insect the antenne are entirely fulvous; in the two last-named species the intermediate

and apical joints are dark, and the posterior spot of the elytra is broad and oval and

also placed further back than in D. godmani (the corresponding band in our insect

being always slightly curved, and its posterior margin concave); in general shape also

D. godmani is more elongate and parallel, at least in the male. The specimens I look

upon as the female of the same species agree perfectly with the others in the markings

of the elytra, but differ in the thorax being without impressions, the antenne shorter,

and the elytra more widened behind. The foveolate or non-foveolate thorax is generally

considered to indicate different species, and which in most cases no doubt holds good,

but I think it cannot always be relied upon unless taken in connection with other

marks of distinction. I may further add that D. lucifera, if I rightly refer specimens

from Peru contained in my collection to Erichson’s species, has much more strongly

punctured elytra and black tibie. D. inwgualis and D. haroldi, Baly, have the tibie

and tarsi also black.

20. Diabrotica pulchella. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 11.)

Phyllobrotica pulchella, Jacq.-Duv., in Sagra’s Hist. fisica, polit. y nat. de Cuba, vii. p. 127, t. 11.

fig. 8; Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 406”.

Diabrotica pulchella, Suffr. Archiv fiir Naturg. 1867, i. p. 808 *.

Hab. Mexico, Minas Viejas (Dr. Palmer), Cosamaloapam, Teapa, Tuxtla, Cordova

(Sallé), Jalapa, San Juan Bautista, Oaxaca (Hoge); British Honpvuras, R. Sarstoon,

R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemaua, Teleman (Champion); Nicaragua (Sallé), Chon-

tales (Janson, Belt).—Cusa 128 (coll. Jacoby).

D. pulchella has been well described by Jacquelin-Duval and Suffrian ; the Central-

American specimens before me show no important difference from those from Cuba.

The species may be known by the elytra having a large transverse blue band at. the

DIABROTICA. 511

base and a similarly-coloured round or oval spot behind the middle; many specimens

have a small yellow spot placed in the middle of the basal band; and some vary in such

a way that one might feel inclined to regard D. pulchella as a variety of D. biannularis

in which the rings of the elytra have been filled up. This insect is not uncommon at

Chontales. We figure a specimen from Cordova. |

ce. Klytra flavous, with fulvous bands and spots.

21. Diabrotica octo-plagiata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 17.)

Flavous, the breast obscure piceous; thorax bifoveolate; elytra closely punctured, flavous, two spots at the

base, a transverse band at the middle, and another deeply sinuate one near the apex, dark fulvous.

Length 22 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles strongly raised; labrum piceous; palpi flavous; antenne two thirds

the length of the body in the male, shorter in the female, flavous, the third joint scarcely longer than the

second, the fourth not or scarcely longer than the fifth joint; thorax subquadrate, flavous, the disc with

two deep depressions, impunctate; elytra longitudinally grooved on each side below the shoulders (more

distinctly so in the male than in the female), with a longitudinal spot at the shoulder, another near the

scutellum, a perfectly straight transverse band at the middle, and a similar band (deeply sinuate on its

posterior margin) near the apex of each, dark fulvous; legs flavous.

Hab. Guatemata (Sallé); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

In this insect neither the spots nor the bands touch the margins of the elytra; the

female is of more convex shape and rather larger than the male, and has the punc-

tuation of the elytra not so distinct. I have seen but two specimens of this species,

which is very distinct by the colour of the bands and the pattern of the elytra. The

Guatemalan example is figured.

d. Elytra flavous, with black or blue more or less ring-shaped anterior and posterior

markings.

22. Diabrotica adelpha. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 8.)

- Diabrotica adelpha, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 92 (1875) *.

Hab. Guatemata }, near the city, Capetillo, Duefias, Zapote, Cerro Zunil (Champion),

Yzabal (Sallé) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten), Irazu, Rio

Sucio, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers) ; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This and several of the following species are extremely closely allied, their characters

of distinction being slight and variable. D. adelpha may be separated by the smooth,

not foveolate, thorax; and by the anterior ring-shaped elytral mark, the posterior

margin of which is produced laterally into a short band, which, however, does not

extend to the lateral margin: this pattern resembles exactly that of D. gratiosa, but in

that species the posterior mark of the elytra is not ring-shaped, but nearly straight or

very slightly curved. Von Harold speaks of a variety in which the rings of the elytra

512 PHYTOPHAGA.

are not closed ; it is, therefore, probable that he had several species before him which

he regarded as varieties only. The colour of the legs in all the specimens before me is

flavous. In regard to the anterior marks of the elytra, the species seems to be subject

to great variation. I am not able to satisfactorily separate the numerous specimens

from Chiriqui, some of which agree with the type, while others have the anterior

ring or.the subquadrate mark broken up into spots; these forms seem at first sight

to represent distinct species, but the many intermediate degrees where the black

marks are partly connected leave no choice but to treat all as belonging to one

variable insect. A specimen from Yzabal is figured.

23. Diabrotica tibialis. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 9.)

Flavous, the head, breast, and tibie black; thorax without fovere, dark rufous ; elytra very closely and distinctly

punctured, a ring-shaped mark at the base connected with a short transverse band, and another slightly

curved posterior band, piceous or black.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Colima city, Jalapa (Hoge), Presidio (forrer).

The fourteen specimens before me all showing the same marks of distinction, I am

obliged to separate them from D. adelpha. to which the present species is closely

allied ; the differences are as follows:—In JD. tibialis the thorax is constantly dark

reddish-fulvous (not flavous); the anterior ring-shaped mark on the elytra is similar

to that of D. adelpha, but the posterior band represents a straight line near the

suture, which it touches, and the outer end of this band is only slightly curved

(never assuming a semilunate shape as in D. wdelpha) ; and, lastly, the tibie are black.

‘The antenne are of the same structure and colour as in D. adelpha. A single specimen

from Presidio is only half the size, but differs in no other way from the Jalapa

specimens.

24. Diabrotica brunneo-signata.

Testaceous, the head fulvous, the breast and tibize obscure piceous ; thorax with two small depressions ; elytra.

With a transverse band at the base and another at the middle, and an angular spot (widened at the sides)

near the apex, fulvous.

Length 2 lines.

Head reddish-fulvous at the vertex, nearly black at the lower portion; antenne two thirds the length of the

body, the third joint very short and not longer than the second and of triangular shape, the fourth slightly

curved, the following joints rather elongate and robust, obscure piceous, the three basal] joints testaceous ;

thorax one half broader than long, the surface rather convex, impunctate, with a very small fovea on each

- side, pale fulvous; scutellum fulvous; elytra finely punctured, testaceous, with three transverse fulvous

bands (the basal one narrow, the other two triangularly widened at the sides but not quite extending to

the lateral margin), the anterior portion of the suture also narrowly fulvous,

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion),

A single specimen. This species strongly resembles D. tibialis in the pattern of the

elytra; it differs from that insect, however, in being only about half the size ; in the

DIABROTICA. 613

very short and triangular-shaped third joint of the antenne; in the differently

shaped elytral bands, these bands being greatly constricted near the suture but strongly

widened at the sides; and in the angular third band not quite extending to the

suture.

25. Diabrotica circulata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 5.)

Diabrotica circulata, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 91 (1875) °.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sallé); Guatemata', Pantaleon, Zapote, Duefias, Capetillo,

San Gerdénimo, Purula, San Joaquin, Chaco} (Champion)—CotomBta (coll. Baly).

This species seems to be so extremely variable in the markings of the elytra that I

find it quite impossible to fix any limit or come to any certain conclusion regarding it.

Von Harold has given only short diagnoses of D. biannularis and D. circulata; the last-

named he separates by the bifoveolate thorax, the more oblong shape of the bluish

elytral rings, and the more strongly punctured elytral surface. All these characters

seem to lose their value amongst the large amount of material now before me, in which

specimens from one and the same locality vary in having either an obscurely depressed,

bifoveolate, or trifoveolate thorax, and the antenne unicolorous fulvous, or with the

intermediate joints darkened ; and in regard to the elytral ring-shaped markings, the

same amount of variation may be seen, the rings being either narrow or broad, open or

closed, and it would be easy to make half a dozen new species (?) on these variable

characters. I will, however, refer at present the Guatemalan specimens with thick and

strongly-marked blue rings, of which the posterior one is rather angular and open, to

D. circulata. We figure an example of this kind from Pantaleon.

26. Diabrotica biannularis. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 7.)

Diabrotica biannularis, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 91 (1875)*; Klug, Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 404”.

Diabrotica oculata, Sturm, in litt.

Hab. Mexico1?, Vera Cruz, Toxpam, Cordova, Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa, Tapachula

in Chiapas (Hége); British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaus) ; Honpuras

(Sallé).

D. biannularis resembles greatly in the elytral pattern certain forms of D. nummu-

lJaris, but differs in the flavous or pale fulvous thorax, this latter being less convex, and

having three more or less distinct fovee. The antenne have the intermediate joints,

and often the apical one also, fuscous, and are altogether more slender and elongate.

The colour of the head seems, however, subject to variation, and the ring-shaped

marks of the elytra are as often closed as open. An example from Vera Cruz is

figured.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt, Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1887. 3u

514 PHYTOPHAGA.

27. Diabrotica nummularis, (Tab. XXIX. fig. 6.)

Diabrotica nummularis, Harold, Mittheil. Miinch. ent. Ver. p. 110 (1877) °.

Hab. Mexico}, Ventanas, Milpas (Forrer), Juquila, Yolotepec, Cuernavaca, Cordova,

Vera Cruz (Sallé), Jalapa, Chilpancingo, Colima city, Acapulco, Tapachula (Hoge) ;

Costa Rica (Van Patten), Cache (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).

It is not easy to come to a definite opinion in regard to this species and several

of its closely-allied congeners; and after a great deal of careful examination I can only

form the conclusion that at least two forms of D. nummularis must be distinguished,

if indeed all the specimens before me are to be referred to that species. In the typical

form the antenne and legs are entirely fulvous, the head is black, and the elytra have

a broad metallic blue ring at the base and an equally broad semilunate band below the

middle; in the second form the elytral markings (although similar in shape) are much

thinner and the head is either entirely or partially fulvous, but specimens with a black

head also occur. In all, the thorax is of a reddish-fulvous colour, rather convex, and

with two small fover. It is impossible to separate the two forms on account of the

many intermediate degrees of colour and elytral pattern; but the constant characters

peculiar to D. nummularis seem to be the entirely fulvous antenne and legs, in con-

nection with the reddish, convex, and finely bifoveolate thorax. Some examples

exactly resemble in the closed elytral rings D. biannularis; but as the colour of the

antenne and the shape of the thorax agree with D. nwmmularis I look upon them as

varieties of that species. The specimen figured, from Ventanas, belongs to the form

with thin elytral pattern.

28. Diabrotica delineata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 10.)

Pale testaceous, the breast and the sixth, seventh, and eighth joints of the antenne black ; thorax bifoveolate ;

elytra closely and distinctly punctured, a thin ring-shaped mark at the base and another half-ring below

the middle, violaceous-blue.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova, Tuxtla (Saldé), Jalapa (Hoge) ; British Honpuras, R. Hondo

(Blancaneaux); Guaremaua, Volcan de Atitlan ( Champion).

I separate D. delineata from D. biannularis on account of the flavous head, the

colour of the antenne (in which the sixth to the eighth joints only are black), and the

generally paler colour. The elytra are more opaque, closely punctured, and with traces

of longitudinal depressions; the ring-shaped marks are very thin, the posterior one being

open behind and forming an angulate half-crescent. As these differences are constant

in the nine specimens before me I must look upon them as of specific value. We

figure an example from Cordova.

DIABROTICA. 515

29. Diabrotica chontalensis. |

Fulvous, the head and breast black ; the second and third joints of the antenne very short, equal ; thorax sub-

quadrate, impunctate, without fovee ; elytra finely punctured, a ring-shaped mark at the base, and a semi-

lunate one below the middle, metallic blue.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Nicaraava, Chontales (Janson).

I am obliged ‘to separate this insect, of which only a single example was obtained,

from the many closely-allied forms with similar elytral pattern ; from all of which it

differs in the very short second and third joints of the antenne, these joints being of

exactly the same length, the reverse being the case in the allied species. The

antenne are entirely dark fulvous (the basal joints somewhat lighter) and are nearly as

long as the body. The elytral markings are similar to those of D. circulata, but the

thorax has no foveee and is nearly quadrate in shape; the punctuation of the elytra is

arranged in closely approached irregular lines.

e. Hlytra partly (the thorax entirely) green.

30. Diabrotica viridicollis. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 2, var.; Tab. XXX. fig. 9.)

Pale greenish, the head, the antenne partly, and the tibie and tarsi obscure fulvous; thorax green, scarcely

foveolate ; elytra fulvous, the sides dark green, the suture and a lateral stripe anteriorly, and a transverse

band near and another below the middle, piceous.

Length 3-4 lines.

Head dark fulvous or obscure piceous, foveolate between the eyes; antennz two thirds the length of the body,

of variable colour, the second joint very short, the third one half longer, the basal joint generally pale green,

the following joints obscure fulvous or fuscous, the two or three apical ones flavous; thorax subquadrate,

dark green, shining, without impressions or with a minute fovea on each side, the surface impunctate ;

scutellum black ; elytra closely punctured, with a longitudinal depression below the shoulder, pale fulvous,

the sides with a narrow longitudinal green band extending to the apical margins, this colour being bounded

anteriorly by a piceous stripe extending to the anterior transverse band which it joins, the basal and

sutural margins also piceous in colour, a similarly-coloured band below the middle, extending as far as

the lateral green band ; femora and the abdomen green, the breast obscure piceous.

Hab. Muxico, Oaxaca (Sallé), Tapachula in Chiapas (Hége); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson, Belt); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

In some examples the elytra are more shining, and have the markings similar to

those of D. biannularis and D. adelpha, and the abdomen flavous instead of green; I

believe these specimens, however, to be only a variety, as all other characters are

present. D. viridicollis may be known from its allies by the colour of the thorax and

elytra. From D. sex-maculata it differs in the colour of the antenne ; and in the shape

of the flavous spots of the elytra, these spots being rounder and divided by black bands,

and the lateral margins only of a green colour; the terminal spots occupy the entire

apices of the elytra. We figure two examples: one from Chontales (Tab. XXX. fig. 9)

and another, a variety, from Bugaba (Tab. X XIX. fig. 2). |

3u2

516 PHYTOPHAGA.

f. Elytra black or blue, with flavous markings of variable shape.

31. Diabrotica militaris. (Tab. XXVIII. fig. 23.)

Fulvous, the head, the lower joints of the antenne, and the breast black; thorax deeply impressed ; elytra

finely punctured, metallic blue, with two small basal spots, a narrow transverse central band, and the

apices flavous.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a deep fovea between the antenne, black; antennz two thirds the length of the body, the third

joint longer than the second but much shorter than the fourth, the first joint more or less fulvous, the

seven following joints black or piceous, the rest flavous, the extreme apex of the terminal joint piceous ;

thorax subquadrate, impunctate, the disc strongly depressed and with two more or less distinct fovee ;

scutellum piceous ; elytra scarcely widened behind, finely and closely punctured, with an obsolete longi-

tudinal sulcation below the shoulder, dark metallic blue, the extreme lateral margins, a narrow straight

band across the middle, and the apices as well as a small spot below the base of each, flavous; the breast

black, the abdomen and the legs entirely fulvous or flavous.

Hab, Guatemaua, Panima, Chacoj and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion).

The flavous apex of each elytron may be described as of the shape of a more or less

quadrate spot interrupting the metallic blue colour. The Panima example is figured.

82. Diabrotica quadricollis. (Tab. XXX. fig. 20.)

Fulvous, the head, breast, tibie, and tarsi black; thorax quadrate, without fovee ; elytra black, a small spot

below the base, a transverse spot in the centre, the suture in the middle, and a subquadrate space at the

apices flavous.

Length 32 lines.

Head black, with a deep fovea on the vertex, the carina very acute and distinct; antenne more than two

thirds the length of the body, the second and third joints very small, the three lower joints flavous, the five

following ones black, the ninth and tenth joints flavous, the terminal one black; thorax perfectly quadrate,

fulvous, with a slight bluish tint, the surface not visibly punctured, without depressions, and rather flat ;

scutellum black ; elytra finely and closely punctured, with a longitudinal depression at the sides, black, a

subquadrate space at the apices, a small spot below the base, a transverse spot in the centre, a lozenge-

shaped spot in the middle of the suture, and the extreme lateral margins, flavous.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz 1000 feet (Champion).

I cannot refer the single specimen obtained to a variety of any of the preceding

Species, on account of the quadrate thorax in connection with the black colour of the

elytra; the spots on the latter are placed somewhat as in D. militaris, in which,

however, the elytra are of a blue colour and the flavous markings at the apices

differently shaped.

33. Diabrotica tripunctata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 24.)

_ Crioceris tripunctata, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 4517.

Galeruca tripunctata, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 652, t. 4. f. 662.

Hab. Nicaraava, Chontales (Janson).—Sourn America}, Cayenne 2.

The only difference I am able to find between the published descriptions of this

species and specimens obtained in Nicaragua is the colour of the elytra: in our insect

DIABROTICA. 517

it is piceous or dark fulvous, while Olivier gives it as black. Some specimens agree

perfectly with the figure in Olivier’s work; but there are examples before me in which

the elytra have the anterior portion piceous, this colour surrounding a yellow spot at

the base, and a narrow transverse band below the middle dark flavous. This variety

greatly resembles D. adelpha and several other allied species; between this form,

however, and normally coloured specimens several intermediate stages are before me,

thus proving the species to be, like so many of its congeners, a very variable one. Our

figure differs from that given by Olivier? in having larger flavous spots on the elytra;

but the name ¢tripunctata is misleading, as there are only two spots on each elytron,

and these spots can scarcely be said to resemble small punctures.

Diabrotica flaviventris. (Tab. X XIX. fig. 20.)

Head and breast black, the basal and apical joints of the antenne flavous ; thorax piceous, without fovee ;

elytra closely punctured, fulvous, the anterior half and a transverse band below the middle piceous ; tibiee

and abdomen flavous.

Var, Elytra almost entirely piceous, the apices more or less fulvous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate ; the second and third joints of the antenne very short, equal in length, the three lower joints

flavous, the five following ones more or less fuscous, the ninth and tenth joints flavous, the apical one

fuscous; thorax dark fulvous or piceous, rather convex, the disc without depressions and with a few fine

punctures ; elytra with a distinct margin, slightly widened behind, closely and distinctly punctured.

Hab. Mexico, Cosamaloapam, Tlacotalpam (Sallé), Vera Cruz, San Juan Bautista

Acapulco, Tapachula (Hége); Guaremata, Panzos, Teleman, Chaco} (Champion).

The description is drawn from a single well-marked specimen, in which the elytra

have the anterior half nearly black, the rest dark fulvous, with a transverse curved

black band below the middle extending to the suture but not to the lateral margin ;

in all the other specimens the fulvous portion is almost entirely invisible, or only

slightly indicated, owing probably to discoloration after death. The femora and the

abdomen are flavous, the tibiee and tarsi black. The specimen figured is of a more

fulvous hue than the others, and was at first supposed by me to represent a distinct

species. The specimen from Tlacotalpam is figured.

35. Diabrotica fulvo-signata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 12.)

Diabrotica fulvo-signata, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. ii. p. 77 (1879) *.

Hab. Guaremata 1; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

An example from Bugaba is figured.

36. Diabrotica tricolor. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 16.)

Ovate, slightly widened posteriorly; black, the antenne obscure fulvous ; thorax without fovees; elytra

minutely punctured, the base black, the middle fulvous, the apices flavous; abdomen flavous,

Length 2 lines.

518 PHYTOPHAGA.

Head impunctate, with the usual fovea; antenne scarcely more than half the length of the body, fulvous, the

basal joint generally black, the third joint about one half longer than the second, the latter very short;

thorax subquadrate, the sides nearly straight, the surface impunctate, black, shining; scutellum black ;

elytra more or less transversely depressed below the base, very minutely punctured, the first third of their

length occupied by a transverse black band, the space below the latter to a little distance from the apex

dark fulvous, the apices themselves bright flavous ; legs and the underside black ; abdomen flavous.

Hab. GUATEMALA, Paso Antonio 250 feet (Champion).

This is a curiously-coloured insect not difficult to recognize. In some examples the

dark basal portion of the elytra assumes a more piceous tint; others have a distinct

more or less broad band placed below the base; the basilar portion is somewhat raised

in all the specimens.

g. Elytra flavous, with small black spots.

37. Diabrotica duodecim-notata, (Tab. XXX. fig. 5.)

Diabrotica duodecim-notata, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 91 (1875)".

Diabrotica disjuncta, Chevr. Dej. Cat. 3rd ed. p. 405”.

Galeruca sexmaculata, Sturm, in litt.

Diabrotica 12-signata, Sturm, in litt.

Hab. Mexico 1, San Pedro, Saltillo, Parras in Coahuila, San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer),

Paso del Norte, Chihuahua city, Saltillo, Villa Lerdo in Durango, Durango city, Tula,

Trapuato, San Isidro, Jalapa (Hoge); Orizaba, Cordova, Oaxaca, Guanajuato, Puebla,

Coscomatepec (Saldé).

Of the six small black spots or short streaks on each elytron, the one placed near the

scutellum is, in all the specimens I have examined, obliquely directed outward—thus

forming, with the corresponding spot on the opposite side, a A-shaped mark. The

antenne have the first two or three joints rather pale, the rest black; the legs (the

bases of the femora excepted) and the underside are more or less black, the abdominal

segments, however, being usually margined with testaceous.

I have only seen this species from Mexico, and chiefly from the more northern parts

of that country, some of our specimens being from the United States frontier. Several]

other closely-allied forms are known from different parts of South America. We figure

a specimen from Orizaba.

38. Diabrotica spilota. (Tab. XXX. fig. 6.)

Diabrotica spilota, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xix. p. 216 (1886) ?.

Hab. Mexico!; Panama (Boucard), Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Pefia Blanca (Cham-

pton).—CoLoMBIA },

A specimen kindly given to me by Mr. Baly differs from all others obtained by Mr.

Champion in the piceous-coloured disc of the thorax, and in having a narrow transverse

DIABROTICA. 519

fulvous-coloured stripe on the elytra between the second and third rows of spots, and the

apices also fulvous. These marks are spoken of by Mr. Baly as being sometimes

absent, and as I am unable to find any distinct characters of importance in the Panama

specimens, I refer them to the present species; there are, however, varieties before me

in which the spots of the elytra are either transversely or longitudinally connected.

Mr. Baly ! gives Mexico as a locality for D. spilota; I have never seen a specimen from

that country. Other closely-allied forms are found both in North and in South America.

D. spilota may be known principally by the non-foveolate thorax, in connection with

the fulvous legs and antenne; some specimens, however, before me show that this

colour is not always constant; and others have two small fovere visible on the thorax

_D. centralis, Jac., is extremely closely allied to this insect, but differs in the deeply

foveolate thorax, and in having an extra spot at the apices of the elytra.

A Bugaba specimen is figured.

39. Diabrotica duplicata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 7.)

Head and breast black, the antennz, thorax, and legs fulvous; thorax distinctly trifoveolate, impunctate ;

elytra flavous, each with five black spots (1.2.2), the apices obscure fulvous.

Length 24-3 lines.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Champion).

D. duplicata differs sufficiently from D. spilota to justify its separation therefrom.

The thorax is much more broadly and distinctly foveolate, sometimes with a small

additional fovea at the base; the subquadrate spot surrounding the scutellum in

D. spilota is here wanting, the elytral suture being at this part extremely narrowly

margined with black on its inner edge ; the spot at the shoulders is almost always

indented on its inner side; the other elytral spots are nearly round (not transverse or

elongate), and black instead of blue; and, lastly, the apices of the elytra are stained

with pale yellowish-fulvous. The general shape also of the insect is more elongate

and much less convex.

There are more than a dozen specimens before me which agree entirely in the

above particulars. The elytral spots are placed as in D. spilota.

h. Elytra testaceous, with black or blue short basal stripes and small

posterior spots.

40. Diabrotica apicicornis. (Tab. XXX. fig. 1.)

Pale fulvous, the terminal and the intermediate joints of the antennz, the breast, tibie, and tarsi black

thorax bifoveolate; elytra testaceous, very closely punctured, a short stripe at the shoulders and another

at the suture, and two spots below the middle, black.

Var. The elytra with only one posterior spot; this spot sometimes obsolete.

Length 3-33 lines.

Head fulvous, with a small fovea between the antenna ; the latter two thirds the length of the body, the third

joint one half longer than the second, the fourth to the eighth joints and the apex of the terminal one

520 PHYTOPHAGA.

black ; thorax impunctate, with two deep depressions ; scutellum fulvous; elytra widened posteriorly,

extremely closely and finely punctured, testaceous, with a short and narrow stripe at the shoulders,

another of similar length (but pointed) at the base surrounding the scutellum and occupying the sutural

margin, and two very small obliquely-placed spots on each below the middle, black.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This and several of the following species are very closely allied, and seem to be

separable only by slight, though evidently constant, differences. D. dysoni, Baly, differs

in having the head black.

41. Diabrotica fulvicornis. (Tab. XXX. fig. 2.)

Head and the breast black, the antenne and thorax fulvous; thorax obsoletely trifoveolate; elytra testaceous,

very closely punctured, an elongate spot at the shoulder, a smaller one surrounding the scutellum, and a

still smaller one near the middle as well as two elongate spots beyond, black.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, black, the frontal tubercles distinctly raised; antenns two thirds the length of the body,

entirely fulvous, the second and third joints very short, equal, the fourth slightly longer than the fifth

joint; thorax about one half broader than long, the sides slightly constricted at the base, rounded in front,

the surface with some fine punctures, more or less distinctly bifoveolate on the middle of the disc, and with

another smaller fovea near the base; scutellum fulvous; elytra very closely and finely punctured, the

sides with a longitudinal sulcation extending from a little below the shoulders to the middle, a small

triangular spot at the base surrounding the scutellum, a more elongate one at the shoulders, a very minute

spot between these but lower down and near the middle, and two others of elongate shape below the

middle (the outer one slightly lower and in a line with the humeral spot, the inner one below the small

spot near the middle), black ; abdomen and the legs fulvous, the breast black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The short second and third joints of the antenne, the shape of the scutellar spot

(this spot scarcely extending below the scutellum), the finely-punctured thorax, and

the generally shorter and somewhat dilated shape separate D. fulvicornis from several

similarly-marked species.

42, Diabrotica palpalis.

Fulvous, the head and breast black ; antenne fulvous; thorax obsoletely depressed ; elytra minutely punctured,

testaceous, a spot at the shoulders, another one near the middle, two below the middle, and the suture

anteriorly, dark blue.

go. Antenne with short and robust joints; palpi strongly incrassate.

@. Antenne and palpi of normal structure.

Length 33—4 lines,

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

There will be no difficulty in separating the male of D. palpalis from the same sex

of D. fulvicornis and other similarly-coloured species, on account of the strongly dilated

palpi and the peculiar structure of the antenne; these latter organs having the joints

stout and proportionately short, the base of each joint being, on the contrary, very thin,

and the second and third joints short, equal, and stout. The specimens which I look

DIABROTICA. 521

upon as the female of the same species do not differ in the pattern of the elytra, but

have simple and more elongate palpi and antenne.

From D. fulvicornis the present insect may be known by its larger and more elon-

gate shape; and by the elytra having a narrow sutural anterior line (instead of a

triangularly shaped spot), and a small (not elongate) spot at the shoulders, and the

posterior spots not elongate (as in D. fulvicornis), but rounded.

43. Diabrotica semicirculata.

Fulvous, the breast black; thorax depressed on the disc; elytra finely and moderately closely punctured, a

humeral and a sutural narrow stripe at the base, a spot below the base, and two spots (diverging

posteriorly) below the middle, blue.

Length 2-23 lines.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Caldera, Tolé (Champion).

This insect must also be separated from D. fulvicornis, D. palpalis, and others with

nearly similar elytral pattern. D. semicirculata is smaller than any of the allied forms,

and differs in having the head and antenne fulvous; the antenne have the third joint

one half longer than the second. The blue stripe at the shoulders of the elytra is

narrow and elongate and as long as the sutural one; and the two posterior spots,

although separated, would, if connected, form a semicircular band, the inner one being

transversely and the outer one longitudinally directed. D. apicicornis has the antenne

differently coloured, the elytra without a spot near the base, and the tibie black.

D. brevilineata differs in the same way, and also in the different position of the posterior

spots, these spots not diverging but running parallel to each other. In D. semicirculata

the antenne are shorter than in any of the allied species.

44. Diabrotica brevilineata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 3.)

Testaceous, the intermediate joints of the antenne and the breast black; thorax obsoletely punctured, with

two depressions; elytra very closely punctured, a narrow streak at the shoulder, the suture anteriorly,

and two small transversely placed spots below the middle, black.

Length 3-34 lines.

Hab. PANAMA, Bugaba (Champion).

D. brevilineata differs from D. apicicornis in having the apical joints of the antenne

and the tibie entirely fulvous; the thorax punctured; and the elytra with extremely

thin black streaks, the streaks resembling those of D. fulvicornis, but of more elongate

shape, and in this respect approaching D. apicicornis. From D. semicirculata the

present insect differs in having the intermediate joints of the antenne black, and the

elytra without a spot before the middle.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, June 1887. 3x

5292 PHYTOPHAGA.

45,. Diabrotica nigro-signata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 10.)

Flavous, the antennz and tibie black; thorax bifoveolate; elytra scarcely visibly punctured, testaceous, a

spot at the base, a short longitudinal stripe at the shoulders, and a triangular spot near the apex of

each, black.

Length 2 lines. .

Head impunetate, fulvous, the lower part flavous; the frontal tubercles indistinct, narrowly transverse ;

antenne nearly as Jong as the body, entirely black, the second and third joints short, equal, the fourth

joint very long; thorax subquadrate, narrowed at the base, the surface with two broad and rather deep

depressions and an obsolete groove near the anterior margin, the dise shining, fulvous, impunctate ;

scutellum flavous ; elytra rather flattened and parallel, only very finely punctured near the suture, with

an elongate spot near the scutellum, a longer stripe (pointed at its upper end) extending from the

shoulders nearly to the middle, and a subtriangular spot near the apex of each, black, the markings

smooth ; the underside and legs flavous, the tibiee and tarsi black.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerdénimo, San Isidro (Champion).

D. nigro-signata differs entirely from any of the preceding species by the elytra being

scarcely visibly punctured and by the markings being differently placed.

An example from San Gerdnimo is figured.

46. Diabrotica trifurcata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 4.)

Head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, the breast, tibie, and tarsi, black; thorax rufous, with three

depressions ; elytra testaceous, a transverse band at the base split into three branches, and an undivided

one near the apex, violaceous-blue.

Var. Legs entirely fulvous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, bluish-black ; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the third joint nearly twice the

length of the second, the three or four basal and the three apical joints fulvous, the others black ; thorax

slightly broader than‘ long, reddish-fulvous, shining, the disc with an obscure basal and two deep lateral

depressions, the surface impunctate ; elytra closely punctured, the interstices somewhat rugose, with the

blue basal band placed across the basal margin and divided into three branches (of which the lateral are

the longest and placed at the shoulders, the intermediate one occupying the sutural margin anteriorly),

and the transverse narrow band below the middle slightly curved and narrower towards the suture.

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers) ;

Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The principal distinguishing characters of this species are the subapical transverse

blue band of the elytra and the reddish-fulvous thorax ; and, also, the connection at the

base of the three anterior elytral stripes, these stripes being pointed and in some

specimens showing inclinations of again uniting at their lower ends—thus indicating a

similar pattern to that found in D. adelpha and allied species. There are several

forms before me which show slight differences in the thickness of the elytral stripes

and also in the colour of the legs; but I am unable to say with certainty whether these

must be looked upon as varieties or not.

We figure a specimen from the Volcan de Chiriqui.

DIABROTICA. 5238

47. Diabrotica semiflava.

Flavous, the head and breast black, the antenne fulvous; thorax bi-impressed ; elytra flavous, the sutural and

lateral margins green, with three longitudinal spots at the base, and two transversely-shaped spots below .

the middle, black,

Length 2 lines. .

Head impunctate, black ; antenne fulvous, the first joint green, the second and third joints short, the third

joint one half longer than the second; thorax pale testaceous, narrowly margined with green, the disc

depressed on each side; scutellum black; elytra very closely punctured, the interstices somewhat rugose,

the disc flavous, the margins pale green, with three short streaks at the base (the middle one the narrowest

and situated at the sutural margin, the others at the shoulders), and a short transverse spot or band (not

extending to either margin) below the middle, black ; femora pale green, the tibia and tarsi fulvous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

48, Diabrotica cyaneo-maculata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 8.)

Testaceous, the head and the breast black; thorax bifoveolate, distantly punctured ; elytra closely punctured,

with a spot at the shoulder, the suture, and another spot below the middle, metallic blue.

Length 2-2} lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles well developed; antenne entirely fulvous, the third joint one half

. longer than the second; thorax one half broader than long, pale flavous, the surface with some fine and

remotely placed punctures, bifoveolate ; scutellum black; elytra distinctly and very closely punctured.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu, Cache (Rogers).

The anterior elytral spot is of elongate, the posterior one of rounded, shape, these

spots being placed in a line near the sides of each elytron. D. cyaneo-maculata may

be known principally amongst its allies by the sutural margin being entirely bluish,

which colour gradually widens out towards the base. The four specimens before me

show no particular variation, except in size.

The Irazu specimen is figured.

i. Elytra testaceous, with longitudinal black stripes and small spots, the latter

sometimes absent. -

49. Diabrotica nigro-lineata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 16.)

Diabrotica nigrolineata, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 149°.

Diabrotica oberthiiri, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 452’.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata!?, Aceytuno (Salvin), Capetillo,

Cerro Zunil, San Gerénimo, Purula (Champion). | | |

A comparison of the insect described under the above name by Mr. Baly with the

type of D. nigro-lineata in my own collection has proved to me their identity. ‘There

are specimens of several closely allied species before me, of which the present one may

be known by the black head and the submarginal black line of the elytra; this line

in nearly every individual curves round near the apex and extends to the suture.

A specimen from Cerro Zunil is figured.

3x2

524 PHYTOPHAGA.

50. Diabrotica curvilineata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 15.)

Testaceous, the labrum, breast, and tibie black; thorax with a deep depression; elytra testaceous, with the

suture anteriorly, a narrow submarginal stripe (abbreviated near the apex), and two small spots (one near,

the other below the middle), black.

Var. The elytral spots connected and forming a discoidal narrow line.

Length 23-3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente, Cordova, Tuxtla (Sai/é); British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon

(Blancaneauz); GuaTEMALA, Pantaleon, Zapote, Mirandilla, San Gerdénimo, Chacoj,

Teleman (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Closely allied, and almost similar in the elytral pattern, to D. nigro-lineata ; but

differing in the head being fulvous, and the elytra having narrower black lines (of which

the lateral one is more or less interrupted near the apex), and two small spots placed

one below the other on the disc of each. In the variety in which these spots are

represented or connected bya black line, as in the preceding species, this line is shorter

and does not extend so far upwards. In D. curvilineata the basal margin of the elytra

constantly remains of the ground-colour; in the allied species it is black. The

antenne have the intermediate joints, and the apex of the terminal one, more or less

infuscate. Having no intermediate forms between this insect and D. nigro-lineata

before me, I am obliged to treat them as distinct species.

51. Diabrotica unistriata.

Testaceous, the head, breast, tibie, and tarsi black ; thorax fulvous, the disc foveolate: elytra very minutely

punctured, testaceous, with a narrow longitudinal stripe near the lateral margin, black.

Length 3 lines.

Head black; antenne stout, the three basal joints testaceous, the five following ones piceous, the others

flavous, the third joint one half longer than the second; thorax slightly broader than long, the sides

nearly straight, the surface impunctate, with three obsolete fovee on the disc; elytra scarcely visibly

punctured, testaceous, each with a narrow longitudinal black stripe placed close to the lateral margin

but not extending to the apex; abdomen and femora flavous, the tibise and tarsi black.

Hab. Costa Rica (coll. Jacoby).

A single specimen.

52. Diabrotica unilineata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 14.)

Testaceous, the antenne, the upper margin of the femora, the tibize, and tarsi black ; head and thorax fulvous

the latter bifoveolate and with four black spots; elytra with the suture narrowly, and a submarginal

stripe, black.

Var. Thorax without spots.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures on the vertex, the latter with a deep fovea; labrum fulvous; antenne black

the last two joints stained with fulvous at their base, the third joint nearly twice the length of the

second; thorax quite one half broader than long, the surface rather convex, finely and rather closely

punctured, with two small but deep fovese and four small black spots placed transversely across the disc

before the middle; scutellum black ; elytra very closely, distinctly, and somewhat rugosely punctured

the suture narrowly throughout its entire length, and a slightly curved and inwardly directed stripe

commencing at the shoulders and extending nearly to the apex, black ; beneath testaceous: the femora

marked with a black line on their upper edge, the tibie and tarsi entirely black.

DIABROTICA. 520

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Yolos, Juquila (Sallé), Jalapa, Chilpancingo (Hoge).

A very distinct species, apparently allied to D. interrupta, Baly, from which it differs

in the colour of the antenne, underside, and legs, and in the spotted and punctured

thorax. In general shape D. unilineata is somewhat flattened and widened posteriorly.

53. Diabrotica trilineata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 13.)

Flavous, the upper part of the head, the intermediate joints of the antennw, the breast, the upper edge of the

femora, and the tibie black; thorax bifoveolate ; elytra closely punctured, the suture and a submarginal

stripe black.

Length 3 lines.

The lower part of the face flavous, the vertex black; antenne piceous, the lower edge of the basal joints

flavous, the terminal joints obscure fulvous, the third joint nearly twice the length of the second; thorax

about one half broader than long, the disc finely punctured and with two deep impressions; scutellum

black; elytra rather convex and parallel, closely and distinctly punctured, the sutural and submarginal

stripes broader than in D. unilineata ; the sides of the breast black ; the legs flavous beneath, black above,

the tarsi black.

Hab. GuatEMALA, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).

D. trilineata is larger, and more convex and parallel, than D. unilineata. The head

black at the base; the antenne and the underside and legs differently coloured; and

the elytral stripes are broader, but otherwise similar in shape and position. D. inter-

rupta, Baly, seems closely allied ; but is described as having the second and third joints

of the antenne short and equal, and the last abdominal segment black. |

j. Elytra testaceous, narrowly margined with black.

54. Diabrotica hogei. (Tab. XXX. fig. 12, var.)

Head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, the breast, tibie, and tarsi, black ; thorax bifoveolate, black, the

sides and a central band flavous; elytra finely punctured, testaceous, narrowly margined with black.

Var. Thorax entirely testaceous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles very obsolete and divided by a deep groove, the carina acutely raised ;

antenne about half the length of the body, the third joint one half longer than the second, the three lower

joints fulvous *, the five following black, the ninth and tenth joints testaceous, the apex of the terminal

one black ; thorax subquadrate in the male, slightly broader in the female, the surface not visibly punc-

tured, but with a small more or less distinct fovea on each side, in colour piceous or black, with the

lateral margins narrowly and a longitudinal central band flavous; scutellum black; elytra nearly parallel,

very finely and moderately closely punctured, flavous or testaceous, with all the margins narrowly, and the

apices a little more broadly, black ; breast black, the abdomen and the femora testaceous.

Tab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

I do not think I err in treating the specimens described above with a uniformly-

coloured testaceous thorax as varieties of D. hégei, as they agree closely with the typical

form ; they have, however, the elytra more narrowly margined with black.

* In one specimen the basal joint is whitish and the two following joints stained with piceous.

526 . PHYTOPHAGA.

° k. Elytra entirely pale flavous or greenish.

55. Diabrotica obscura.

Ovate, widened behind ; obscure greenish-flavous, the head, antenne (the basal joints excepted), breast, tibiz,

and tarsi black; thorax bifoveolate ; elytra scarcely visibly punctured ; abdomen flavous.

Var. a. The underside and legs black, the base of the femora flavous.

Var. b. Beneath pale flavous, above greenish.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head impunctate, black ; antenne extending to about half the length of the elytra, fuscous or black, the

three basal joints flavous, the third one half longer than the second (but much shorter than the fourth)

joint; thorax about one half broader than long, the dise impunctate, with a small fovea on each side;

elytra rather flattened and widened posteriorly, very closely and finely punctured.

Hab. Mexico, Etla, La Parada, Yolos, Totosinapan (Sallé), Oaxaca (Boucard).

D. obscura may be recognized by the rather ovate and flattened shape and the

uniform pale flavous or greenish upper surface. IfI refer rightly all the specimens to

one species, the underside and legs vary in coloration: in the specimens with the

underside dark the bases of the femora are always more or less flavous; in those with

pale breast and abdomen the legs are greenish. D. melanopa, Erichs., differs in the

non-foveolate thorax and the more strongly punctured elytra.

56. Diabrotica olivieri.

Flavous, the head, the intermediate joints of the antenn, the tibie; and tarsi black; thorax depressed on the

disc ; elytra finely and very closely punctured.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, with the usual fovea, black ; antenne: with the three lower and the three apical joints pale

testaceous, the intermediate joints and the apex of the terminal one dark, the third but slightly longer

than the short second joint; thorax slightly broader than long, not visibly punctured, the surface flat-

tened, with a more or less deep fovea on each side; elytra closely punctured.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Britiso Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneauz) ;

Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

I cannot refer this insect to any described species, on account of the unicolorous

upper- and under-sides and the black head, tibiae, and intermediate joints of the

antenne. In the single Mexican specimen the thorax is of a more fulvous colour and

its disc is more deeply foveolate ; in the one from British Honduras the apices of the

elytra have an obscure piceous spot. Other differences I am unable to find.

1, Elytra green, with flavous or fulvous markings.

57. Diabrotica porracea. (Tab. XXIX. figg. 17, 18.)

Diabrotica porracez, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 93 (1875)'; Dej. Cat. 8rd ed. p. 4047.

Diabrotica costatipennis, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 996 *.

Hab. Mexico!?, Monclova in Coahuila, Ciudad in Durango, Ventanas (Forrer),

DIABROTICA. 527

Hacienda de Bleados, San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer), Colima city, Irapuato, Tacambaro,

Matamoros Izucar, Jalapa, Tapachula (Hége), Cordova, Oaxaca, Puebla, Cuernavaca,

Guanajuato (Sallé); Brrrish Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA (Sallé),

near the city (Salvin), Cerro Zunil, Panajachel, Volcan de Agua, Capetillo, Duenas

Santa Rosa, San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaraeva, Chontales (Janson); Costs Rica 3

(Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu, Rio Sucio, Cache (Rogers) ; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).

D. porracea seems to be one of the commonest and most widely distributed species

of the genus in Central America; it is also a very variable one. The absence of

intermediately marked specimens induced me to describe D. costatipennis as a distinct

species: our additional material, however, proves D. costatipennis to be a pale

unicolorous flavous variety of D. porracea. In the typical form the elytra are green,

and have a broad longitudinal band of flavous throughout their entire length; this

band is often interrupted in the middle (thus forming two elongate spots), and

frequently disappears altogether (D. costatipennis). In all the forms, however, there

are three or four feeble, closely placed, subcarinate coste on each elytron; and a more

distinct and straight costa commencing at the shoulder and extending nearly to the

apex. The legs and antenne are sometimes nearly black; in the normal forms the

legs are green and the tibie fulvous.

We figure a typical specimen (Tab. XXIX. fig. 17) from Cordova, and a variety

(Tab. XXIX. fig. 18) from Santa Rosa.

58, Diabrotica sex-maculata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 16.)

Diabrotica sexmaculata, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. iii. p. 81 (1878) *.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Yolotepec (Sallé), Jalapa, Cordova, Zacualtipan (Hoge) ;

GuatemaLa', Tamahu, Chiacam (Champion). |

In this species the disc of each elytron is occupied by three large patches of pale

fulvous (the intermediate one being of the shape of a slightly curved transverse band)

separated by narrow bands of green. The head in all the specimens before me is

green, the labrum fulvous.

59. Diabrotica variegata. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 2.)

Flavous, the head, breast, tibie, and tarsi black; thorax dark fulvous, without fover; elytra green, the

shoulders and the suture anteriorly, a transverse band near the middle (connected with the basal markings),

and a curved transverse band below the middle, piceous. e

Length 2 lines. |

Head black, impunctate ; antenne nearly as long as the body, the second and third joints very short, the three

pasal joints green, the following joints fuscous, the apical ones obscure fulvons ; thorax dark fulvous, sub-

quadrate, without any depressions or punctures ; scutellum piceous; elytra finely and closely punctured,

pale green, with a ring-shaped basal mark connected posteriorly with a transverse band (not extending to

the lateral margin), and another transverse dentate band before the apices, piceous; abdomen pale flavous ;

femora green, the tibie, tarsi, and breast black.

528 PHYTOPHAGA.

_ Hab. Muxtico, Presidio (Forrer).

The design of the elytra in this species greatly resembles that of D. adelpha and

D. tibialis, except that the transverse bands in D. variegata are of more angular or

dentate shape; the green colour of the elytra will further assist in the recognition of

the species.

60. Diabrotica selecta. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 21, var.)

Piceous, the first joint of the antenne green; thorax green, bifoveolate ; elytra minutely punctured, green, each

with an elongate oblique spot at the base, a short transverse band below the middle, and the apex, flavous ;

femora green ; abdomen flavous.

Var. Head flavous; elytra green, with a small spot at the shoulder, and a narrow obsolete band below the

middle, flavous,

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Guarema.a, Cerro Zunil, Panajachel, Volcan de Agua (Champion).

D. selecta differs from D. ser-maculata principally in the shape and position of the

fulvous spots on the elytra: the basal spot is of a narrow elongate shape and extends

in an oblique direction nearly to the middle; the second one does not extend to either

margin, and is followed by a large ovate spot occupying the entire apex. In the variety

the head is nearly flavous, and the elytra are entirely green and have the basal and

postmedian spots only indicated ; in other respects this form does not differ from the

type. The antenne have the second and third joints very short and equal; the basal

joint is green, the others piceous or dark fulvous. The thorax is shining, and has

two deep fovez. In the female the elytra show traces of longitudinal coste.

61. Diabrotica fusco-maculata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 25, var.)

Diabrotica fuscomaculata, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 994".

Diabrotica ornatula, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xix. p. 2247,

Var. a. Diabrotica inconstans, Baly, 1. c. p. 224°.

Var. b. Elytra pale fulvous or greenish, with a reddish-fulvous transverse band at the base.

Var. c. Entirely of a whitish-testaceous colour.

Hab. Muxtco?*, Monclova in Coahuila, San Luis Potosi (Dr. Palmer), Cordova,

Jalapa, Playa Vicente, Tapachula (Hége), Oaxaca, Orizaba, Puebla, La Parada, Cordova,

Toxpam (Sallé); Brrrisa Honpuras, Belize, R. Hondo (Blancaneaur); Guatema.a },

near the city, Duefias (Salvin), Quezaltenango, Totonicapam, Cerro Zunil, Aceytuno,

San Gerénimo, San Joaquin, Cahabon, Chacoj (Champion); Nicaragua’, Chontales

(Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Cham-

pion).—CotombiA 7°, Bogota; Amazons ?°; Cunt (coll. Jacoby).

This is such a variable insect that it has been described under three different names;

but the very large amount of material before me enables me to say without doubt that

the above forms merely represent varieties of D. fusco-maculata. In the type the elytra

are of a bright green, with three piceous or reddish-fulvous spots or bands; these spots

DIABROTICA. 529

or bands either become gradually obsolete or disappear altogether ; and the two pale

flavous spots surrounding the darker bands (D. ornatula, Baly) also gradually disappear

till the entire insect is of a pale testaceous colour; specimens of this latter form have

been obtained at Playa Vicente only. All possible intermediate degrees are before me,

while the sculpture of the elytra and other structural differences. remain the same.

D. fusco-maculata cannot, I believe, be a variety of D. porracea, the latter never having

a transverse fulvous band across the base of the elytra, and is, moreover, about double

the size of the present insect. Discoloration after death seems to be the principal

cause of the change of colour from green to pale flavous.

This species is apparently abundant throughout Central America. A variety from

Cerro Zunil is figured.

62. Diabrotica scutellata.

Piceous ; thorax pale green, bifoveolate; elytra finely rugose and costate, green, the sides anteriorly and a

spot near the apex flavous, the scutellum surrounded by a triangular piceous spot.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé); Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Senahu, San Juan in

Vera Paz (Champion).

At first sight D. scutellata seems only to be one of the many varieties of D. fusco-

maculata, with which it agrees in having the thorax and the elytra similarly sculp-

tured. The head, however, is piceous or black; and the piceous spot surrounding

the scutellum and pointed at the suture behind is never present in any of the

numerous specimens I have examined of D. fusco-maculata; in this latter the dark.

basal band is, on the contrary, narrowed near the sutural margin.

63. Diabrotica rufo-maculata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 22.)

Green, the head and breast rufous, the antenne (the first joint excepted) and tibise obscure fulvous ; thorax”

deeply bifoveolate ; elytra finely punctured and obsoletely grooved, green, the base and a spot before and.

a transverse band below the middle rufous, the apex flavous.

Length 3 lines.

Head not longer than broad, the vertex impunctate, the carina acutely raised, the labrum testaceous ; antennsz-

not much shorter than the body, the first joint green, the second and third joints very short and equal ;

thorax subquadrate, the disc with two deep depressions, impunctate ; scutellum fulvous ; elytra obsoletely-

longitudinally grooved, very finely punctured, green, a transverse band at the base not quite extending to

the lateral margin, a spot near the suture before the middle, and a narrow slightly curved transverse

band below the middle, rufous, the apex pale flavous; the breast fulvous, the abdomen testaceous, the-

femora green.

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec (Sallé).

A single specimen, differing from the allied green-coloured species in the markings.

of the elytra.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1887. 3 y

530 PHYTOPHAGA.

64. Diabrotica balteata. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 23.)

Diabrotica balteata, Lec. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1865, p. 213°.

Diabrotica sallei, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xix. p. 227.

Hab. Norra America 4.—Mexico, Minas Viejas, Monclova in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer),

Presidio, Ventanas, Mazatlan (Forrer), Guanajuato, Cordova, Oaxaca, Vera Cruz,

Tuxtla, Orizaba, Puebla (Sallé), Jalapa, Huetamo, Sayula, Chilpancingo, Acapulco,

Tapachula (Hége); British Honpvuras, R. Sarstoon, R. Hondo (Blancaneauxr) ; GuatE-

MALA (coll. Baly*), near the city (Salvin, Champion), Capetillo, Duefias, Zapote, Volcan

de Atitlan, Purula (Champion); Honpuras (Sallé); Wicaracua, San Juan, Granada

(Sallé), Chontales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu, Cache

(Rogers).—CoLoMBIA 2.

Leconte’s short description can only apply to the present insect. D. balteata is a

- widely distributed and common species in our region; D. salle@i, Baly, is identical

with it. I have more than two hundred examples before me: these prove that the

colour of the insect is subject to great variation, no doubt attributable to immaturity or

to discoloration after death ; the green bands of the elytra in such specimens frequently

becoming more or less indistinct or disappearing altogether. In the typical form the

elytra are flavous, with three narrow bright green transverse bands, the basal band

dividing the flavous portion into two spots.

An example from Oaxaca is figured.

65. Diabrotica tortuosa. (Tab. XXX. fig. 18.)

Dark fulvous or piceous ; thorax green, bifoveolate; elytra flavous, finely and closely punctured, each with a

narrow transverse band before and another at the middle, and a ring-shaped mark near the apex, green ;

abdomen greenish.

Length 3 lines,

Head reddish-fulvous, shining, impunctate ; the frontal tubercles indistinct, the carina acutely raised; antenne

reddish-piceous, the first joint green, the second and third joints short, the latter one half longer than the

second; thorax about one half broader than long, green, shining, the surface impunctate, with two deep

fover ; scutellum obscure fulvous ; elytra very closely and finely punctured, with some obsolete longitu-

dinal coste, flavous, a transverse narrow band (obliquely directed from the suture to the lateral margin )

before the middle, another similar (but straight) band at the middle, and a ring-shaped mark near the

apex of each, green ; breast obscure piceous, the abdomen and the femora green, the tibie dark fulvous.

Hab. Muxtco, Las Peras (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége).

The two specimens before me show no difference whatever in the elytral markings ;

these markings differ from those of all the allied species in this section, with the

exception of those of D. rufo-maculata. This latter closely approaches D. tortuosa,

although the spots are red instead of flavous (if the green portion is taken for

the ground-colour); it is quite possible, however, that D. tortuosa represents but a

variety of D. rufo-maculata.

DIABROTICA. 531

m. Elytra entirely green or flavous.

66. Diabrotica dissimilis. (Tab. XXIX. fig. 19.)

Diabrotica tenella, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 8rd ser. ii. p. 348 (1865) (nec Lec.) *.

Var. a. Elytra flavous, narrowly margined with green.

Var. 6, Entirely flavous, the four apical joints of the antenne fuscous.

Hab. Mexico 1, Toxpam, Oaxaca, Playa Vicente, Capulalpam (Sallé), Cordova, Jalapa

(Hége); Guaremata, Paraiso, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil, Zapote (Champion), Duefas

(Salvin); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt); Panama, Caldera in Chiriqui, Tolé, San Feliz

(Champion), near the city (Boucard).

I have examined the type of this insect, and find that many of our specimens agree

with it in having the upper surface uniformly green. The above-mentioned varieties

only differ in colour. These latter have three or four of the apical joints of the antenne

fuscous, and the elytral punctuation, as well as everything else, agreeing with the type.

Some examples also are intermediate in colour between green and fulvous or flavous.

The name tenella having already been used by Leconte for another species of the

genus, I am obliged to change it.

67. Diabrotica impressipennis. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 17.)

Head and the intermediate joints of the antenne dark fulvous; thorax green, deeply bifoveolate ; elytra with

a deep impression before and another below the middle, bright green, very shining; femora green ;

beneath (including the abdomen) flavous or fulvous.

Var. Thorax rufo-piceous, the elytra and legs obscure flavous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, the frontal tubercles distinct; antennse with the first joint green, the sixth, seventh, and

eighth joints obscure piceous, the terminal one fuscous, the second and third joints very short and nearly

equal; thorax subquadrate, impunctate, deeply bifoveolate ; scutellum piceous ; elytra very finely and

closely punctured, transversely depressed before and below the middle, the intervening space at the sides

with a semilunate depression. .

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Although the two specimens obtained differ totally in coloration, they agree entirely

in the elytral sculpture and other particulars. The elytra have, in addition to the

above-described depressions, some obscure and very short coste on the anterior portion,

and are also very shining in appearance. By this latter character alone the species

may be at once separated from unicolorous specimens of D. dissimilis.

n. Elytra green, with piceous markings.

68. Diabrotica piceo-notata. (Tab. XX XI. fig. 1.)

Fulvo-piceous, the antenne (the apical joint excepted) flavous ; thorax green, with piceous markings, without

foves ; elytra closely punctured, dark green, obsoletely spotted with piceous at the base and also on the:

disc; tibise and tarsi pale green.

Length 4 lines.

| 3y2

532 PHYTOPHAGA.

Head longer than broad; frontal tubercles strongly raised ; vertex impunctate, foveolate; eyes very large;

carina distinct; clypeus transversely thickened; labrum black; antenne two thirds the length of the

body, flavous, the seventh and eighth joints slightly, the terminal one distinctly, marked with fuscous,

the second and third joints very short, nearly equal; thorax subquadrate, the sides nearly straight, the

surface without fovex, rather convex, with a few minute and scattered punctures, dark green, with an

obsolete longitudinal lateral and a central piceous band; scutellum piceous; elytra convex, widened

posteriorly, with a short longitudinal sulcation below the shoulder, dark green, a spot at the middle of

the base, a longitudinal stripe from the shoulder to the middle connected posteriorly with an obscure

transverse band, and a spot below the middle, piceous; femora and the claws piceous, the tibize and tarsi

pale green.

Hab. PanaMa, Bugaba (Champion). A single specimen.

The piceous spots of the elytra are probably subject to variation, or may disappear

altogether. The large size and non-foveolate thorax, as well as the fine punctuation of

the elytra, will separate D. piceo-notata from any of the green-coloured species.

Section 2. Antenne with the third joint distinctly longer (often much longer)

than the second.

In this section I include all those species which have a distinctly longer, sometimes

very much longer, third joint to the antenne, this joint here being at least twice the

length of the second. The division of the genus into two sections is rather an arbi-

trary one, but it is adopted for the convenience of determining the very numerous

species; and it is necessary to observe that cases occur in which the intermediate

length of the joint in question leaves it often doubtful in which section to look for the

species: this could not be avoided, and is, as a rule, rare. In addition to the numerous

species included in this section of Diabrotica, there are many others with the antenne

thus formed which closely resemble similarly-coloured species of this genus, but yet will

be found to possess appendiculate (not bifid) claws, and generally in connection with

a deep thoracic transverse groove (instead of two foves) ; these I have been obliged

to separate from Diabrotica, and an examination of the claws will in all cases be

necessary to determine the true position of any species. Two species, D. tripunctata

and D. foveipennis, described by me, really belong to Malacosoma, and are here

referred to that genus. In regard to colour, it seems that in Diabrotica, as well as in

other genera, a number of very closely-allied species exist which can only be separated

by attaching importance to small but evidently constant differences; and such differ-

ences, if not observed or regarded as specific, would gradually link together a great

number of forms which in the end would diverge into species totally distinct from a

given type.

DIABROTICA. 533

a. Elytra dark-coloured, with longitudinal testaceous vitte ; the interspaces

generally costate.

69. Diabrotica corusca.

Diabrotica corusca, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 92 (1875) *; Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool.

X1x. p. 230°.

Diabrotica alternans, Sturm, in litt.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio (Forrer), Teapa, La Parada, Oaxaca? (Sallé), Jalapa, Cordova,

Chilpancingo, Colima city, Acapulco (Hége); British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blan-

caneaux); GUATEMALA (Sallé), El Reposo, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil, Rio Maria Linda,

Capetillo, San Gerénimo, Teleman, Chacoj (Champion); Honpuras (Sallé); Nicaracva,

Chontales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten), Cache (Rogers) ; Panama, Bugaba,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CoLomBia! 2.

The typical form of D. corusca may be known by the two metallic blue stripes

(sutural and sublateral) of the elytra, these stripes being separated by a subsutural

flavous longitudinal band occupying two coste which are wider than those placed on

the rest of the surface. In respect of colour and size the insect varies greatly, many

specimens obtained in Chiriqui having the elytral stripes of a pale fuscous colour, and

the head varying from black to fuscous or obscure fulvous ; intermediate degrees in

shade of colour are also before me, but structural differences of importance I cannot —

detect. According to Mr. Champion this and several closely allied species principally

affect Cucurbitaceous plants, both wild and cultivated. .

70. Diabrotica fairmairei.

Diabrotica fairmairet, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 447°.

Hab. Mexico}, Juquila, Cordova, Orizaba (Sallé), Mexico city, Jalapa, Cordova, Chil-

pancingo (Hoge); Brivish Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); Guatemara (Sallé),

near the city (Salvin), Cerro Zunil, Panajachel, Zapote, Capetillo, Duefas, San Gerénimo,

Purula, Sabo, San Juan in Vera Paz, Cahabon (Champion); Nicaraaua, Chontales

(Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten), Irazu, Cache (Rogers).

D. fairmairei has been separated by Mr. Baly from D. corusca and D. innuba on

account of the third elytral costa being the widest, while in the two last-named species

the second and third cost are wide and equal; I may add to this that in D. fairmairei

it is the third costa which is flavous in colour, the others, with the exception of the

lateral margin, being either fuscous, violaceous, or bluish. Ido not think that much

reliance can be placed on the colour of the head; it is, however, usually dark or

reddish-fulvous with a more or less violaceous hue, but in many specimens much

darker and nearly black. OD. fairmairei does not seem to extend further south

than Costa Rica, but is replaced by several closely allied forms in the State of

534 PHYTOPHAGA.

Panama. Mr. Baly! says nothing about the elytra having the apices produced into a

small tooth as in D. corusca, this character being constant in more than fifty specimens

before me. In a few, however, obtained with the normal form at Cerro Zunil the

elytra are rounded at the apices and of a more shining metallic colour; but, in the

absence of other marks of distinction, I have thought it best not to separate these

examples from the present insect. Another closely-allied form, D. consimilis, has been

described by Mr. Baly; this differs in the narrower third elytral costa.

I should refer many specimens from Guatemala to this last-named insect had I

not numerous examples before me which, on account of the intermediate width

of the costa in question, prove that not too much dependence can be placed on this

character by itself.

71. Diabrotica consimilis.

Diabrotica consimilis, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 4497.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Quezaltenango, Volcan de Agua (Champion).—Ecuapor 1; Peru}.

I must refer the ten specimens obtained by Mr. Champion in Guatemala to this

species, with the description of which they entirely agree. In D. consimilis the elytra

are entirely black, with the exception of the margins and the flavous vitta, this latter

being confined to a single costa which is not broader than the others; the antenne

have the three basal joints flavous below (the description gives the colour as piceous) ;

and the legs are black, the femora broadly flavous at the base.

72. Diabrotica longicollis.

Black ; thorax flavous, with two impressions, scarcely broader than long; elytra piceous, with a subsutural

broad vitta and the lateral margin flavous, the interstices strongly punctured and longitudinally costate,

sparingly covered with white pubescence.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head black, impunctate; antenns somewhat thickened towards the apex, the lower three and sometimes

the apical two joints fulvous, the rest black, the third joint rather more than twice the length of the

second; thorax subquadrate, narrowed towards the base, the surface impunctate, with two distinct

fovee near the base; elytra strongly and closely punctured, the punctures forming single rows and

interrupted at the dark portion by narrow longitudinal coste, the flavous subsutural costa much broader

and smooth, and connected at the apex with the similarly coloured lateral margin.

Hab. Guatema.a, Volcan de Atitlan, Zapote (Champion).

The comparatively long thorax, in connection with the sculpture and pubescence

(sometimes abraded) of the elytra, will help to separate D. longicollis from its several

allies; the deep elytral punctuation arranged in single rows is another character of

distinction.

73 Diabrotica theimei.

Diabrotica theimei, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soce., Zool. xix. p. 281’.

Hab. Mexico 1, Presidio (Forrer), Cordova, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Jalapa, Matamoros

DIABROTICA. 535

Izucar, Cerro de Plumas, Acapulco (Hoge); British Honpvuras, R. Hondo (Blan-

caneaux); GuatemaLa, El Tumbador, Zapote, San Gerdénimo, Purula, Tamahu, Chacoj,

Cubilguitz, Chiacam (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van

Patten), Trazu (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera (Champion).—

Cotompra!; Gurana, Cayenne!; Ecuapor!; Brazit, Bahia’; West Inpian IsLanps?.

A comparison of specimens of D. theimei, kindly given to me by Mr. Baly, with the

Central-American insect proves the identity of the latter with this species. The broad

raised yellow costa (this costa alone being broader than the others) principally sepa-

rates D. theimei from D. kirschi; but the head is as frequently black as testaceous, and

its colour cannot be used as a distinctive character. In most specimens the antenne

have the eighth and ninth joints, as well as the three or five basal ones, pale. A certain

number of examples show the following differences from the type: the flavous subsutural

elytral vitta broader and narrowly costate at its outer edge only, and the sides of the

elytra either entirely without coste and strongly punctured only, or furnished with

curved (not straight) coste; between this and the typical form some intermediate

degrees of sculpturing occur, although it is possible that these specimens may represent

another closely allied species.

74, Diabrotica obscuro-fasciata.

Pale testaceous; thorax deeply bifoveolate; elytra each with eight narrow longitudinal coste, the first, fifth,

and seventh of these obscure fuscous.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, the vertex sometimes with an obscure fuscous spot; antenne about two thirds the length of

1 the body, pale testaceous, the third joint twice the length of the second; thorax subquadrate, one half

broader than long, the surface impunctate but with two deep fover; elytra with single rows of deep punc-

tures between the coste, the latter of equal width and placed at regular intervals, the first or subsutural

and the fifth and seventh fuscous, the two latter abbreviated before the apex.

Hab. Mexico, Yolos, La Parada (Sal/é).

It will not be difficult to separate D. obscuro-fasciata from D. fairmairei and the

allied species, on account of the colour and equal width of the coste. This insect

is entirely pale testaceous, with the exception of the three darker coste on each

elytron.

75. Diabrotica vittata. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 5.)

Crioceris vittata, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 122 (1775) °.

Galeruca vittata, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 633, t. 8. fig. 38°.

Diabrotica vittata, Lec. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1865, p. 213°.

Hab. Norva America !23.—Maexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison), San Luis Potosi,

Monclova in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), Cordova, Vera Cruz, Yolos, Guanajuato, La Parada

(Sallé), Aguas Calientes city, Villa Lerdo in Durango, Irapuato, Matamoros Izucar,

Chilpancingo, J alapa, Acapulco (Hoge); GuaTeMaLa, near the city, Capetillo, Dueiias,

536 PHYTOPHAGA.

San Gerénimo (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten),

Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

I am not quite certain whether I rightly refer the specimens from the above localities

to this insect, the description of Fabricius being too short to recognize with certainty

a species so closely allied to several others. It is very likely that D. trivittata,

Mannerh., is a variety of D. vittata, in which (according to Leconte) the thoracic

depressions are not confluent and the legs differently coloured ; specimens marked in

this way, and intermediately, are before me, and D. vittata is probably subject to a

good deal of variation. In the Central-American specimens the subsutural flavous vitta

of the elytra extends to three costa, these coste being broader than the others (Mr. Baly,

in speaking of D. vittata, cf. Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xix. p. 231, says that the second

and third elytral coste are broader and equal); the legs black, with the base of the

femora flavous ; the head entirely black; and the antenne have the basal joint gene-

rally testaceous.

An example from the Volcan de Irazu is figured.

76. Diabrotica porosa. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 9.)

Black ; thorax testaceous, obsoletely impressed ; elytra deeply subfoveolate-punctate, the interstices costate,

piceous, each with a narrow flavous subsutural and lateral vitta joined at the apex ; legs piceous, the base

of the femora and the posterior tibi flavous.

Length 13-2 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hége); Guatumata, Pantaleon (Champion); Panama, Bugaba,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Amongst the small species of this section having flavous elytral vitte, D. porosa may

be recognized by the deep punctures of the elytra, these punctures being arranged in

single rows at the sides, while those near the suture are smaller and irregularly

geminate. ‘The subsutural flavous costa is broader than the other costz and separated

by a row of punctures, and the interstices between the large lateral punctures are

slightly longitudinally raised. The antenne are generally fuscous towards the apex,

the other joints being entirely flavous; sometimes, however, the intermediate joints

are darkened.

Only a single specimen was obtained at Jalapa; this differs from the others in

having the flavous elytral vitta rather broader towards the base, where another short

flavous band is attached to it on its inner side, the latter not quite extending to the

middle. We figure a specimen from the Volcan de Chiriqui.

77. Diabrotica difformis. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 9.)

Flavous, the upper part of the head black, the intermediate and apical joints of the antenne piceous ; thorax

bifoveolate ; elytra black, finely costate, a triangular spot at the apices and the lateral margin flavyous,

DIABROTICA. 537

¢. The fifth, sixth, and seventh joints of the antennz widened and produced into a hooked point, the eighth

joint thickened ; elytra excavate near the apices.

Length 2 lines.

Head black, the frontal tubercles and the entire lower portion flavous; clypeus flattened, with a short rather

indistinct central ridge ; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the three lower joints and the eighth

joint also flavous, the other joints piceous, the third joint twice as long as the second ; thorax transverse,

flavous, the surface impunctate, with a rather deep transverse, medially interrupted, depression ; scutellum

piceous ; elytra black, each with about six more or less distinct longitudinal coste, the interspaces trans-

versely reticulate and impressed with double rows of punctures, a triangular space at the apices flavous in

colour, excavate, and produced outwardly into a tubercle, the inner angle of this excavation being black,

the lateral margin flavous; underside and legs flavous.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion).

Only a single male specimen was obtained ; the female doubtless has, like several

other allied forms, simple antenne and elytra. D. difformis agrees almost entirely in

coloration and sculpture with D. longitarsis, but differs in the flavous face, the struc-

ture and colour of the antenne, and the colour of the elytra. D. curtisi, Baly, and

D. coryphea, Baly, have simple antenne in both sexes.

78. Diabrotica flavo-vittata.

Diabrotica flavo-vittata, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 446°.

Hab. Mexico, Yucatan }.

79. Diabrotica cornuta. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 8.)

Diabrotica cornuta, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 448°.

Hab. Muxtco 1, Vera Cruz (coll. Baly), Cordova, Tuxtla (Sallé), Acapulco (Hége) ;

GUATEMALA 1.—Perru!.

In one specimen before me the labrum is black; and in another the sixth and seventh

joints of the antenne only are black. D. cornuta may be recognized by the black

thorax, and the male by the curious protuberances of the clypeus.

A specimen from Cordova is figured.

80. Diabrotica setosa. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 19.)

Diabrotica setosa, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 454°.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa!; Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

A single specimen only was obtained by Mr. Champion in Guatemala; this agrees

entirely with the author’s description, though the hairs are only just visible on the

elytra. In the Guatemalan specimen the antenne are black, with the three basal

joints testaceous below, and the sixth and seventh joints flavous.

The Mexican locality, Teapa, requires confirmation.

BIOL. CENTE.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1887. | 32

538 PHYTOPHAGA.

81. Diabrotica medio-vittata.

Diabrotica mediovittata, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xix. p. 237’.

Hab. Honvuras (Sallé); Ntcaraeua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan

de Chiriqui (Champion).—EasteRN CoLoMBIA 1.

The type of D. medio-vittata, kindly lent to me by its describer, agrees in all respects

with specimens from Nicaragua and also with others from the State of Panama. There

are, however, other examples before me undoubtedly belonging to D. medio-vitiata

which differ in the sculpture of the elytra, a character perhaps peculiar to the female

sex; in these specimens each elytron has about six thin, raised, slightly curved coste

which disappear entirely before the apex. In the normal form the elytra are simply

punctured, but more strongly so towards the sides; both forms were obtained at the

same time and place and differ in no other way. D. medio-vittata has black elytra, a

narrow flavous outer margin, interrupted behind, and a discoidal subsutural vitta which

does not extend to the apex but is slightly curved in shape and widened at its posterior

portion. The antennz are black, with the two penultimate joints obscure flavous; and

the femora generally have a piceous stripe on their upper edge. D. similata, Baly,

seems to me to be identical with D. medio-vittata, according to the description, and to

represent the form in which the elytra are costate; the variety of the former with less

distinctly costate elytra noticed by Mr. Baly showing the intermediate stage.

82. Diabrotica horni.

Ovate, dilated posteriorly, black; antenne long and slender, black, the apical three joints obscure flavous ;

thorax fulvous or flavous, deeply bifoveolate; elytra with a subsutural and lateral flavous vitta, strongly

punctured at the sides, more finely on the disc; femora flavous at the base.

dg. Lower part of the face flavous; antenne as long as the body.

@. Head entirely black; antenne shorter.

Var, Antenne, the intermediate joints excepted, and legs fulvous.

Length 13-2 lines,

Hab. Mexico, Playa Vicente, Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa, Teapa, Tapachula (Hoge) ;

British Honpvras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guaremata, El Tumbador, El Reposo,

Cerro Zunil, Zapote (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson).

Closely allied in shape and coloration to D. separata, Baly, but differing in the much

longer and thinner antenne, these organs in the male extending to the end of the elytra.

D. horni may, however, be principally separated from its allies by the elytra having no

cost, and consequently the flavous subsutural band, although as broad as in D. sepa-

rata, is not raised and smooth but flattened like the rest of the disc and punctured ;

the lateral portion of the elytra is coarsely punctured, the interstices being somewhat

rugose with traces of narrow longitudinal cost. In several specimens the sixth, seventh,

and eighth joints of the antenne are black, the other joints and the legs fulvous; other

differences I am not able to find ; I therefore treat these as a variety of D. horni.

DIABROTICA.. 539

b. Elytra light-coloured, with longitudinal black or blue stripes.

83. Diabrotica cava. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 7.)

Galleruca cava, Say, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist. i. 18385, p. 198°; Complete Writings, i. p. 668.

Var. Head partially or entirely black; thorax with or without two small black spots.

Hab. Mzxtco!, Monclova and Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), Yolos, Etla, Tuxtla,

Cordova, Toxpam, Oaxaca, Guanajuato (Sallé), Durango city, San Juan del Rio, Villa

Lerdo, Cordova, Jalapa (Hége); Guatemata, Quezaltenango, Duefias, Capetillo, San

Gerénimo (Champion); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

Say’s description! of D. cava is sufficient for the recognition of the species; the

author, however, makes no mention of a shorter or longer black stripe on the upper

edge of the femora and on the outer side of the tibie and tarsi, a character constant

in all the specimens before me. The head and thorax are of a reddish-fulvous colour

in the typical form; the thorax is closely punctured and has two deep fovee, one on

each side; the elytra are strongly and closely punctured, with a sutural and a lateral

blue stripe, the latter not extending to the apex. The specimens from Saltillo and

Guatemala have an entirely or partly black head and two thoracic spots, and seem, at

first sight, to represent another species; I am unable, however, to look upon them as

such, as so many intermediate degrees of colour and marking are before me. Examples

were also obtained having the vertex only black, the lower part of the face being

testaceous; some of these forms have the thoracic spots, in others they are absent.

The punctuation of the thorax, as well as the depth of the fovee, is equally variable.

An example from Cordova is figured. 7

84. Diabrotica vicina.

Black, the lower part of the face flavous; thorax closely and distinctly punctured, bifoveolate, with two small

black spots (sometimes absent); elytra closely and distinctly punctured, flavous, a narrow sutural and a

broader lateral stripe, black ; legs flavous, striped with black, the posterior pair black.

Length 2-3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Saltillo in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer), Ventanas (Forrer), La Parada,

Guanajuato (Sallé), Salazar (Hége).

D. vicina differs from D. cava in the elytra being much more finely punctured, and

with black (instead of blue) bands; in the typical form of D. cava the thorax is much

more coarsely punctured. In spite of these differences, which I look upon at present —

as specific, I have grave doubts about their value as such. The characters, however, I

have pointed out as distinguishing D. vicina from D. cava are constant in six specimens

before me.

85.. Diabrotica decorata. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 6.)

Oblong, dilated posteriorly, black, above testaceous, the vertex with two, the thorax with four, black spots ;

322

540 PHYTOPHAGA.

elytra closely and distinctly punctured, the suture and a broad longitudinal band on the dise of each,

black.

Length 24-3 lines.

Head impunctate, flavous, the vertex with two black spots; labrum more or less black; antenne black, the

basal joint fulvous below, the third joint twice as long as the second ; thorax twice as broad as long, the

dise finely and closely punctured, with an obsolete fovea on each side, testaceous or flavous, with four

small black spots placed transversely across the disc; scutellum black ; elytra widened posteriorly, some-

what rugosely and closely punctured, the suture narrowly black, the entire middle portion of the disc

occupied by a longitudinal black band not extending to the apex and gradually widened from the base to

the posterior portion ; femora flavous, the two anterior pairs with a black line above, the tibiee and tarsi

black.

Hab. Mzxico, Juquila, La Parada, Yolos, Coscomatepec (Sallé), Cordova (Hége).

Easily distinguished from D. separata, Baly, by the colour of the head, the spotted

thorax, and the entirely different sculpture of the elytra. A specimen from Cordova

is figured.

86. Diabrotica granulata. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 4.)

Piceous ; thorax flavous, impunctate, bifoveolate; elytra minutely and subremotely punctured, without coste,

yellowish-white, a narrow sutural and a broad discoidal longitudinal vitta, black; legs flavous, marked

with black.

Length 2 lines.

Head black, with a few fine punctures on the vertex, the latter deeply foveolate ; clypeus entirely or partly

flavous, with a distinct central ridge; antenne black, the three basal joints flavous below, the third joint

scarcely twice the length of the second; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides nearly straight at the

base and slightly rounded and narrowed in front, the disc impunctate, with an oblique fovea on each side;

scutellum black; elytra rather broad and flattened, very finely and not very closely punctured, the inter-

stices very minutely granulate, the suture narrowly black throughout its entire length, the lateral vitta

twice as wide as the sutural one and not quite extending to the apex; legs flavous, the anterior femora

with a black line above, the knees, the outer side of the tibiae, and the tarsi, black.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Guanajuato (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); Guatemata, Capetillo

(Champion).

In general shape and in the elytral pattern this species resembles D. decorata, from

which the fine punctuation of the elytra and their minutely granulate surface, as well

as the absence of the thoracic spots, separate it. A similar difference in the punctu-

ation of the elytra and the shape of the thorax distinguishes D. granulata from

D. maculicollis, with which it agrees in the broad discoidal elytral vittee. The flavous

colour of the lower part of the face varies greatly in extent and is sometimes restricted

to a small spot at the base of the antenne. We figure an example from Guanajuato.

87. Diabrotica maculicollis.

Oblong ovate, widened behind, black; head and thorax fulvous, the dise of the latter deeply bifoveolate, and

with four black spots; elytra closely semirugose-punctate, a sutural band, narrowed posteriorly, and a

longitudinal discoidal vitta, narrowed at the base, black.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

DIABROTICA. 541

Closely allied to D. decorata, but differing as follows :—the head is without black

spots; the thorax has only a few fine punctures, and is very deeply bifoveolate, and the

black spots are much larger (though placed as in D. decorata); and the black sutural

band of the elytra is gradually narrowed from the base to the apex.

88. Diabrotica cerea.

Black, the seventh and eighth joints of the antenne pale; thorax flavous, bifoveolate; elytra very finely and

rather closely punctured, flavous, each with a narrow sutural and a broad discoidal black vitta; legs pale

flavous.

Length 14-2 lines.

Hab. Guaremata, Coatepeque, San Isidro, Zapote (Champion).

Amongst the small-banded species of this section D. cerea may be known by the

colour of the antenns, the three basal and the seventh and eighth joints being pale

testaceous, the same colour prevailing on the legs. The elytra are without costa, and

resemble those of D. granulata in their punctuation and in the width of the black

bands; but in the last-named species the antenne are without pale joints and the legs

are strongly marked with black, while the general size is larger and broader; in

D. cerea the entire head is black and the frontal tubercles are distinct. D. medio-vittata

differs in the colour of the antenne and legs, and in the abbreviated pale flavous

subsutural vitta. The seven specimens before me show no differences of importance.

89. Diabrotica nymphea.

Narrowly elongate, testaceous; antenne, tibie, and tarsi, black; thorax fulvous, with two black bands;

elytra finely punctured, testaceous, each with a broad longitudinal black band not quite extending to

the apex.

Length 2 lines. —

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles transverse, narrow; antenne long and slender, obscure fuscous, the

basal joint more or less testaceous, the third joint very long ; thorax slightly broader than long, bifoveolate,

falvous, with a longitudinal black band on each side; elytra with the shoulders acute and ridge-like,

finely punctured, the black band occupying nearly the entire disc (slightly widened at the base, leaving

the sutural and lateral margins testaceous) but not quite extending to the apex; legs black, the femora

testaceous at the base.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Boquete, Caldera (Champion).

The long and slender antennz (these organs being very nearly as long as the body),

the two black bands on the thorax, the shining upper surface, and the broad elytral

black bands are the chief characters of D. nymphea.

90. Diabrotica sex-lineata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 11.)

Broadly ovate, piceous; head and thorax fulvous, the latter bifoveolate and strongly punctured ; elytra rugose-

punctate, flavous, the suture, and three narrow longitudinal stripes on each, black ; femora flavous.

Length 3 lines.

Head deeply foveolate, impunctate, the frontal tubercles small and rounded; antenne more than half the

length of the body, the third joint rather more than twice the length of the second, the three basal and

542 PHYTOPHAGA.

the three apical joints obscure fulvous, the rest fuscous; thorax twice as broad as long, strongly punc-

tured, bifoveolate; scutellum black; elytra more strongly punctured than the thorax, each with three

longitudinal black stripes (the outer one near the lateral margin the longest, the others placed at equal

distances and gradually shortened), between which indications of other short stripes are here and there

visible, the suture also narrowly margined with black, the interstices rugose; underside piceous; femora

flavous, the anterior pair marked with a black streak above, the tibie and tarsi black. .

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Saldé).

A single specimen. The rugosely and strongly punctured elytra separate this very

distinct species from any of the preceding.

91. Diabrotica dejeani.

Black, the head and thorax fulvous, the latter obsoletely depressed; elytra testaceous, remotely punctured, the

anterior half of the sutural margin, and a longitudinal posteriorly greatly dilated band on the disc of each,

black; femora testaceous.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head fulvous, the labrum piceous; antenne nearly as long as the body, black, the basal joint fulvous below,

the third joint twice the length of the second and shorter than the fourth joint; thorax nearly twice as

broad as long, impunctate, the disc with a more or less distinct oblique depression on each side ; scutellum

fulvous or black; elytra remotely but distinctly punctured, the sides below the shoulder with an obsolete

slightly curved costa, the sutural black stripe, extending to the middle, where it is sharply pointed, the

discoidal stripe occupying nearly the entire disc (being surrounded by a narrow testaceous margin of the

ground-colour), the apical angles each with a minute black spot.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Separated from the allied species with longitudinal black elytral bands by the fulvous

head and the longer and more slender antenne, and by the sutural stripe of the elytra

only extending to the middle.

c. Elytra black, with flavous spots or transverse bands.

92. Diabrotica lepida.

Galleruca lepida, Say, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist. i. p. 198 (1885)*; Complete Writings, i. p. 667.

Cerotoma quadripustulata, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 3rd ser. li. p. 477°.

Diabrotica signata, Sturm, Cat. p. 279 (1848) °.

Hab. Mexico! 23, Toxpam, Vera Cruz, Cordova, Orizaba, Puebla, Oaxaca, Teapa

(Sallé), Jalapa (Hége); Brivist Honpuras, R. Sarstoon, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux) ;

Guatemaa 2, Yzabal (Sailé), Senahu, Teleman, Tamahu, Panima, and Purula in Vera

Paz (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers).

This insect, on account of the open coxal cavities, must find its place in Diabrotica ;

it is very variable in size, and may be known by the elytra being black, with a trans-

verse flavous central band and similarly-coloured apical spot; the head and thorax are

rufous; the antenne and legs flavous, the apical joints of the former fuscous; and the

male has the deep frontal excavation of the head peculiar to several other species of

the genus Diabrotica. |

DIABROTICA. 543

All the known localities for D. lepida are upon the Atlantic slope; it is apparently

quite a common insect in Mexico and Guatemala.

93. Diabrotica variabilis.

Ovate, convex, dilated posteriorly, black; antenns (the apical joints excepted) and legs flavous ; head and.

thorax rufous, the latter bifoveolate ; elytra greenish- or bluish-black, a deeply dentate spot at the base, a

narrow transverse band at the middle, and an oblique band near the apex, fulvous or reddish-fulvous.

Var. a. The fulvous portion of the elytra predominating, the darker colour reduced to spots.

Var. 6. Elytra black, the extreme lateral margins fulvous.

Var. c. Elytra testaceous, with a small scutellar dark spot.

6. The space between the eyes deeply excavate.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head rufous, shining, deeply excavated in the male; antenne flavous, the apical four joints more or less stained

with fuscous, the first jot (in the male) very long, the second one extremely short, the third and fourth

joints nearly equal, the following joints gradually diminishing in length; thorax twice as broad as long,

shining, impunctate, with a more or less deep transverse depression on each side ; scutellum black; elytra

widened posteriorly, rather strongly punctured, the punctuation arranged in closely approached lines, of a

greenish-black colour, the extreme lateral margins, the epipleure, a deeply dentate triangular spot at the

base extending to the shoulders and there joining the lateral margin, a narrow band extending completely

across the middle, and an oblique shorter band near the apex of each, fulvous; legs flavous.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Tapachula (Hége), Juquila (Sal/é); GuaTEMALA, El Reposo,

San Isidro, Volcan de Atitlan, Pantaleon, Zapote, San Geronimo, La Tinta, Chaco},

Teleman, Cahabon, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaracua, Granada, San

Juan (Sallé), Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan

de Chiriqui, David, Tolé (Champion). —

D. variabilis is closely allied in general shape and colour to D. lata, Fabr., D. stevens,

Baly, D. beata, Baly, and several other species; but may be known by the posterior

fulvous oblique band of the elytra, this band being absent in the allied forms. ‘The

Mexican specimens nearly all differ from the numerous examples obtained in the

State of Panama in having the elytra fulvous, with a deeply dentate basal band (some-

times divided into two spots), and a large transverse spot below the middle, as well as

the apex, greenish-black ; if the dark portion or bands predominate, the coloration is

that of the type in which the fulvous colour assumes the shape of bands; between this

form and the varieties several intermediate degrees are before me. The open coxal

cavities prove this species to belong to Diabrotica. D. clypeata, Baly, is another allied

insect, in which the male has the head excavated.

94. Diabrotica ventricosa. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 25.)

Diabrotica ventricosa, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 148°.

Ovate, dilated, black; antenne and legs flavous; head and thorax rufous, the latter obsoletely bifoveolate ;

elytra obsoletely costate, black, two spots at the base, a transverse band at the middle, and the apical

margin, flavous.

gd. Head deeply excavate in the middle.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Panama}, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

544 PHYTOPHAGA.

D. beata, Baly, exactly resembles this species in coloration and shape and also very

nearly in the sculpture of the elytra; but in D. beata the male is devoid of the frontal

excavation, and the second joint of the antenne is described as “compressed.” In the

male of D. ventricosa the basal joint of the antenne is elongate but widened towards

‘the apex ; the second joint is short, but not globose or thickened; and the third joint

is twice the length of the preceding one, and much shorter than the fourth. The

elytra are more deeply sulcate and costate than in D. beata, and have the flavous bands

somewhat thickened or raised; of the two basal spots the outer one is small, but the

spot near the scutellum is nearly round and large; the narrow flavous apical margin

does not extend upwards from the apex, and in this respect, as in all others regarding

the coloration, D. ventricosa agrees entirely with D. beata.

Found in abundance at Bugaba.

95. Diabrotica bifasciata. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 23.)

Ovate, widened posteriorly, black, the head, antennew, thorax, and legs, pale fulvous; thorax obsoletely bifo-

veolate; elytra closely punctured, black, a transverse band at the middle and another near the apex,

flavous.

do. Head deeply excavated in front; the first joint of the antennee slightly dilated at the apex, the third

joint curved.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, deeply excavated in front; antenne two thirds the length of the body, flavous or testaceous,

the eighth and ninth joints slightly darker, the third joint four times as long as the second and curved at

the base, the fourth and following joints gradually shorter; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides

narrowed near the base, the surface with an obscure fovea on each side, impunctate; scutellum black ;

elytra rather convex, widened posteriorly, closely and distinctly punctured, black, a transverse band at

the middle (of half the width of the black portion), and another band near the apex (neither band

extending to the extreme lateral margin), flavous.

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

D. bifasciata is larger than D. lepida; the elytral bands are straight and more

regular, and wider; the thorax is less distinctly impressed; and the antenne are

differently formed. The female has no frontal excavation, and the antenne in this

sex have simple joints.

Found in abundance on the slope of the Volcan de Chiriqui, more rarely at Bugaba.

96. Diabrotica funesta.

Black, the apical four joints of the antenne, the thorax, the anterior femora, and the posterior legs, testaceous ;

elytra black, scarcely punctured, a transverse band at the middle, and the apices, yellowish-white.

Length 3 lines. .

Head black, impunctate, the clypeus with a strongly raised central ridge; antenne two thirds the length of

| the body, the third joint more than twice the length of the second and as long as the fourth, the apical

four joints pale testaceous, the extreme apex of the terminal one black; thorax rather more than one

half broader than long, yellowish-white, shining, impunctate, the disc obsoletely transversely depressed ;

scutellum black; elytra with some very fine double rows of punctures, obsoletely sulcate and costate, a

narrow whitish transverse band not quite touching either margin on the middle of each, the apex

occupied by a triangular transverse band of the same colour; underside black; the anterior legs black,

DIABROTICA. 545

their femora sometimes testaceous below ; the intermediate legs testaceous, their tibie black ; the posterior

legs entirely yellowish-white, their tarsi sometimes black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In this somewhat parallel-shaped insect the central transverse band of the elytra is

very regular and straight, and the apex of each elytron is of the same colour as the

band. The obsolete sulcation of the elytra and their semi-geminate punctuation are

further peculiar to D. funesta.

97. Diabrotica nigrina.

Black, the apical joints of the antenne flavous; thorax testaceous, very obsoletely depressed ; elytra black,

distinctly punctured, a transverse band at the middle and the apices, flavous.

Length 23 lines. .

Head impunctate, the clypeus with a narrow distinctly raised central ridge; antenne two thirds the length of

the body, black, the apical three joints flavous, the extreme apex of the terminal one black, the third

joint twice the length of the second; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides nearly straight, the surface

impunctate, with a scarcely visible depression at the sides; elytra finely and not very closely punctured,

with an obsolete depression below the scutellum and another near the sides, the transverse flavous central

band very narrow and extending completely across and slightly widened at the lateral margins, the apices

also narrowly flavous; underside and legs black.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Shorter, and more convex and dilated, than D. funesta ; the elytra closely and more

distinctly punctured, and without sulci; the legs entirely black.

98. Diabrotica bisignata.

Black, the apical joints of the antenne, the thorax, abdomen, and femora flavous; thorax bifoveolate ; elytra

black, minutely punctured, a transverse band at the middle, and an oblique band at the apex of each,

flavous.

Length 14-2 lines.

Head black, the clypeus with a distinctly raised central ridge; antenne two thirds the length of the body,

black, the third joint twice as long as the second, the basal joints obscurely stained with fulvous, the apical

three flavous, the extreme apex of the terminal joint black; thorax twice as broad as long, flavous,

the disc impunctate, with a distinct transverse depression not extending to the sides; scutellum black ;

elytra rather widened towards the middle, finely punctured (the punctuation a little more distinct at the

sides, where it is arranged in nearly regular and slightly curved lines), the transverse flavous band at the

middle widening a little inwardly and not extending to the suture but reaching the lateral margins, the

latter also flavous nearly to the base, the apical band oblique in shape (but otherwise exactly resembling

the central one); femora and abdomen flavous or fulvous, the tibie and tarsi black.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

Many specimens.

99. Diabrotica dohrni.

Black, the apical joints of the antenne, the thorax, and abdomen testaceous ; elytra black, sparingly punc-

tured, a large transverse spot at the middle, and another spot of more rounded shape near the apex of

each, flavous.

Length 24 lines.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1887. 44,

546 PHYTOPHAGA.

Closely allied to, but larger than, D. bisignata and possibly only a variety or the

female sex of that insect; it differs as follow :—the thorax is less distinctly impressed ;

the spots of the elytra do not extend to either margin, and the posterior one is of more

rounded shape; and the legs are black, with the exception of the base of the posterior

femora, this part being flavous. In all other respects the present insect agrees with the

preceding.

100. Diabrotica subsignata. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 10.)

Black; thorax and abdomen flavous, the former without depressions ; the apical three joints of the antenne

testaceous ; elytra finely punctured, two spots at the base, a transverse band at the middle, and the apex

of each, yellowish.

Length 24 lines.

Head black; the clypeus with a strongly raised central ridge; antenne rather more than half the length of

the body, the third joint three times as long as the second, the three lower joints testaceous, the basal one

stained with piceous above, the following five joints black, the rest flavous, the extreme apex of the

terminal joint black ; thorax one half broader than long, dark flavous, the surface rather convex, impunc-

tate and without depressions; elytra finely and closely punctured, black, a small spot below the shoulder,

a larger oval one near the scutellum, a transverse band at the middle, and an irregular-shaped spot at the

apex, pale yellowish; the breast and legs black, the extreme base of the femora fulvous, the abdomen

flavous.

Hab. Panama, David in Chiriqui (Champion). A single specimen.

D. subsignata resembles D. morosa, Jac., in the design of the elytra, but differs in

the structure of the antenne, and in the smooth, convex thorax. The black bands of

the elytra which divide and surround the flavous spots are narrow; the posterior band

is widened laterally, and extends along the sides nearly to the apical black spot.

101. Diabrotica cinctella.

Diabrotica cinctella, Harold, Mittheil. Minch. ent. Ver. 1877, p. 110°.

Var. Diabrotica puella, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xix. p. 238”.

Var. Thorax with a black central longitudinal band or spot.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David,

La Caldera, San Feliz, Pefia Blanca (Champion).—Co.omsia ! 2.

I can only look upon D. puella as a variety of D. cinctella, although it perhaps

represents the normal form; I have before me a great number of specimens of both

forms from numerous localities which show no other marks of distinction but that of

colour. In Von Harold’s species the elytra are simply blackish, with a narrow lateral

and apical flavous margin; in the variety there is a discoidal flavous spot on the middle

of each elytron and also an oblique short band near the apex. The elytra are either

finely or rather strongly punctured on the disc, the more or less distinct lateral longi-

tudinal groove very strongly so; and the thorax is either entirely flavous, or has a more

or less distinct central black spot. Both forms agree entirely in structural details. I

have been enabled through the kindness of Mr. Baly to examine the type of D. puella;

DIABROTICA. 5AT

it agrees in every way with the specimens from Nicaragua and the State of Panama.

D. cincteila varies in size from 1 to 1 line.

102. Diabrotica hirta. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 16.)

Testaceous, the head black, the antenne, tibie, and tarsi, fuscous; thorax quadrate, bifoveolate; elytra black,.

closely punctured, sparingly clothed with whitish hairs, the lateral and apical margins, and a spot at the

middle of each, testaceous.

Length 24 lines.

Head impunctate, with a central fovea, the frontal tubercles nearly obsolete; clypeus with a distinct central

ridge; labrum black, impressed with four punctures; antennz more than half the length of the body, the

basal joint testaceous, the following seven joints fuscous or piceous, the terminal three joints obscure

fulvous; thorax quadrate, not broader than long, testaceous, the sides nearly straight, the surface very

minutely punctured, with two small fovee; scutellum piceous; elytra rather flattened and parallel, very

closely and finely punctured, with rather long and scattered stiff pubescence, the disc black and with a

central small transverse pale yellowish spot, the lateral margins narrowly, and the apices more broadly,

flavous; underside and femora testaceous, the breast obscure piceous.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

A single specimen, resembling in its coloration D. cinctella, but larger and with the

elytra distinctly pubescent; the third joint of the antenne is more than twice the

length of the second.

d. Elytra metallic or black, the lateral margins and a transverse central

band flavous.

103. Diabrotica cruciata. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 2.)

Black, the apical joints of the antenne, and the thorax testaceous; thorax transversely depressed; elytra.

testaceous, finely punctured, an elongate subquadrate band extending to the middle, and a transverse

patch below the middle, dark metallic blue; legs testaceous.

Length 34-4} lines.

Of elongate, parallel shape; the head impunctate, black; the antenne rather more than half the length of the

body, the third joint twice as long as the second, the four lower joints more or less stained with fulvous,.

the four or five following ones piceous, the apical joints testaceous ; thorax rather more than twice as

broad as long, the sides distinctly constricted at the base, the surface impunctate, flavous or testaceous,

with a rather deep depression extending nearly across the entire disc; scutellum flavous or piceous;

elytra very closely and finely punctured, the dark bluish portion interrupted below the middle by a trans-

verse flavous band and by the very narrow flavous sutural and slightly broader lateral margins (the

flavous pattern in the shape of a reversed cross).

Hab. Guatemata, San Isidro, Zapote, Teleman (Champion); Satvapor (mus.

Stuttgart). |

Allied to D. adonis, Baly, and several other species in regard to the elytral pattern ;

but differing in the darker portion being interrupted on all sides, forming an elongate

subquadrate band anteriorly and a large oval spot below the middle.

A specimen from San Isidro is figured.

4a2

548 PHYTOPHAGA.

104. Diabrotica adonis. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 21.)

Diabrotica adonis, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. iv. p. 272 (1859) *.

Var. Diabrotica zonata, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. 1875, p. 91.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Co.omsia2; VENEZUELA !;

Amazons (coll. Jacoby).

Found in abundance by Mr. Champion in Chiriqui. Central-American specimens

differ from the typical form in having entirely yellow legs and tarsi, and the elytra

either metallic purplish or green in colour, interrupted by a transverse narrow central

flavous band and the similarly coloured lateral margin. I scarcely think the Panama

insect differs sufficiently to be treated as distinct.

105. Diabrotica festiva.

Black, joints 6-8 of the antenne testaceous; thorax transverse, obsoletely transversely grooved, testaceous ;

elytra bluish-black, scarcely punctured, the lateral and apical margins, and a narrow transverse band in

the middle, testaceous.

Length 24-3 lines.

Head impunctate, black, the frontal tubercles but little raised, the space between the antenne scarcely

carinate; antenne nearly as long as the body, the five lower joints obscure fuscous partly stained with

testaceous, the following three joints pale testaceous, the rest fuscous or black, the third joint more than

twice the length of the second; thorax rather more than twice as broad as long, the sides straight at the

base, slightly rounded and widened in front, the anterior angles tuberculiform and each with a single seta,

the surface impunctate, with a distinct but not deep transverse depression on each side; scutellum black ;

elytra distinctly punctured on the paler portion only, with an obsolete costa below the shoulder, very dark

bluish-black, this colour interrupted at the middle by a narrow transverse testaceous band which joins

the similarly-coloured lateral margin ; legs fulvous, the tarsi obscure fuscous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Much smaller than D. adonis or D. pulchella, Baly, and more finely punctured; the

underside in one specimen is obscure testaceous.

106. Diabrotica nicaraguensis.

Below piceous; head black; thorax flavous, transverse, deeply sulcate; elytra nearly impunctate, flayous, a

broad band extending to the middle, and another band below the middle, black ; femora flavous.

Length 4 lines.

Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Belt).

D. nicaraguensis resembles in the pattern of the elytra D. adonis, Baly, D. peruana,

Jac., and D. cruciata; but may be known by the black, not metallic, bands of the

elytra, and the smooth impunctate elytral surface. The head is longer than broad; the

palpi are flavous; the antenne are black (the last three joints are wanting), and have

the third joint twice as long as the second ; the thorax is deeply transversely depressed

and impunctate; and the elytral bands extend to the sutural (but not to the lateral or

apical) margins, and are divided in the middle by a narrow transverse flavous band.

DIABROTICA. 549

e. Elytra testaceous, fulvous, or red, with darker (sometimes blue) transverse

bands or spots.

107. Diabrotica nigro-fasciata. (Tab. XXXI. figg. 24; 20, var.)

Cerotoma nigrofasciata, Jac. P. Z. S. 1878, p. 996°.

g. Lower part of the face very deeply excavated; the fifth joint of the antenne: strongly emarginate or

concave at its upper margin.

Var. Lower part of the head flavous; elytra reddish-fulvous, the black transverse bands reduced to spots or

entirely absent.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Teapa, Jalapa, Acapulco, Tapachula (Hoge), Juquila, Toxpam,

Vera Cruz (Sallé); British Honpuras, R. Sarstoon, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux) ; GUATE-

MALA 1 (Sallé), Aceytuno (Salvin), Capetillo, Zapote, Volcan de Atitlan, El Tumbador,

Cerro Zunil, Sabo, Lanquin (Champion); Nicaragua, Granada (Sallé); Costa Rica +

(Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Champion).

An abundant species in our region. The anterior coxal cavities prove, on a closer

inspection, to be really open, and the insect must therefore find its place in Diabrotica.

‘The male, like several of the allied species, has a deep frontal excavation and abnormal

antenne ; in the female the front is not excavate, and somewhat rugose. The three

transverse black elytral bands differ in width, and are sometimes only indicated or

altogether absent; the elytra are thus in this latter form (principally from Mexico)

entirely fulvous. The elytra are very strongly punctured and almost rugose, and in the

female show traces of longitudinal raised ridges. The elytral sculpture is a distin-

guishing character of D. nigro-fasciata.

We figure a typical specimen from Toxpam, and a variety from Juquila.

108. Diabrotica connexa. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 20.)

Diabrotica connexa, Lec. Proc. Acad. Phil. 1865, p. 212°.

Hab. Norvn America, Texas .—Mexico, Tuxtla (Saidé).

Two specimens in the collection of M. Sallé are named as above ; they agree perfectly

with the description of D. connexa. The elytral design is not unlike that of D. adelpha

and several allied species. The elytra (as well as the thorax) are flavous, and have the

anterior portion occupied by a transverse fulvous band, this band being emarginate at

the sides and including a small flavous spot near the base; below the middle are two

small fulvous spots placed transversely. The long third joint of the antenne places

D. connexa in the present division.

109. Diabrotica rufo-fasciata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 21.) |

Oblong ovate, dilated posteriorly, flavous, the apical joints of the antenn fuscous, the head rufous; thorax

transversely grooved, impunctate ; elytra closely punctured, flavous, a broad transverse band at the base,

and another below the middle, rufous.

Length 3-4 lines.

550 | PHYTOPHAGA.

Head with a few fine punctures on the vertex, the sides of the clypeus more strongly punctured, rufous ;

labrum flavous; antenne flavous, the three or four apical joints obscure fuscous, the third joint twice the

length of the second; thorax one half broader than long, flavous, the dise with a transverse depression (in

the shape of a curved groove), impunctate ; scutellum piceous; elytra strongly dilated posteriorly, rather

convex, very closely punctured, the anterior rufous band extending nearly to the middle, the posterior

band of equal width (both bands interrupted at the extreme lateral margin) ; breast piceous, the abdomen

and legs flavous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

In the specimen figured the thorax is slightly stained with greenish. The broad

rufous elytral bands principally distinguish D. rufo-fasciata.

110. Diabrotica dorso-plagiata. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 24, var.)

Flavous, the tibie and tarsi piceous; thorax very finely punctured, without depressions; elytra very closely

punctured, more or less obsoletely longitudinally sulcate, the suture, the base narrowly, a narrow trans-

verse band before the middle, and a second band beyond the middle (the bands connected at the sides

with a lateral stripe starting from the base), dark fulvous.

Var. The lateral elytral stripe extending to the suture near the apex; the tibie flavous.

Length 3-34 lines.

Antenne: more than half the length of the body in the male, the apical joints sometimes fuscous, the third joint

twice the length of the second ; thorax subquadrate, slightly narrowed near the base, the surface without

depressions, very finely and closely punctured; elytra extremely closely punctured, with some obsolete

longitudinal sulcations, the sides below the shoulder marked by a more or less distinct short costa, the

surface of each divided into three large flavous spaces by the narrow transverse dark fulvous bands, the

fulvous lateral stripe extending from the base to the second transverse band, the apices remaining of the

ground-colour.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil, Panajachel (Champion); Costa Rica,

Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

In the variety (a single specimen from Costa Rica) the three testaceous spaces of the

elytra are closed at the sides by the lateral longitudinal stripe curving round to the

sutural margin near the apex; in the Guatemalan examples the corresponding lateral

stripe ends at the second transverse band. In all the specimens the two elytral bands

are slightly oblique. The subquadrate and finely punctured thorax is another character

peculiar to D. dorso-plagiata. |

An example of the variety from Irazu is figured.

111. Diabrotica levicollis. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 4, var.)

Broadly ovate, subdepressed, black, the head rufous; thorax rufous, with two black spots, trifoveolate ;

elytra fulvous, finely rugose, each with two spots at the base, two near the apex, and a transverse band

at the middle, black; legs testaceous.

Var. The elytral spots more or less confluent.

Length 33-4 lines.

Head impunctate, rufous or fulvous; antenne obscure fulvous, the basal joints sometimes stained with piceous,

the third joint more than twice the length of the second; thorax one half broader than long, rather

flattened, with three fovee and a central longitudinal groove (the groove sometimes obsolete), the disc

impunctate, a black spot on each side above the lateral fovee; scutellum black; elytra broad, subde-

pressed, widened posteriorly, finely rugose throughout, each with two elongate spots (placed transversely)

DIABROTICA. 551

at the base, two similarly-shaped spots near the apex, and a transverse band at the middle (neither of

these marks touching the sutural or the lateral margins), black; legs testaceous.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Orizaba (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége).

This species is of a very broad, flattened shape, and the abdomen in the female is

greatly inflated; all the structural characters peculiar to the genus are present. In

the variety the anterior black elytral spots are confluent with the band, leaving only a

small fulvous spot between them.

We figure a specimen of the variety from Jalapa.

112. Diabrotica suffriani. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 3.)

Black ; thorax fulvous, without depressions ; elytra testaceous, a transverse band at the base, another at and

a third below the middle, as well as the apex of each, black ; femora fulvous.

Length 3 lines.

Head without punctures, the clypeus with a distinctly raised central ridge; antenne black, half the length of

the body, the basal joint sometimes testaceous at the apex, the third joint twice the length of the second ;

thorax but slightly broader than long, fulvous or flavous, entirely impunctate, and without depressions ;

scutellum black; elytra scarcely visibly punctured (even under a strong lens), testaceous, a narrow trans-

verse band at the base extending downwards a little distance along the suture, a transversely subquadrate

band at the middle, a similar band of less regular shape near the apex, and the apex itself, black ;

underside black; femora fulvous, the knees, tibie, and tarsi black.

Hab. Mexico, San Isidro (Hége).

In the elytral pattern and colour this insect resembles D. albo-signata of the first

section; but differs in the want of thoracic depressions, the longer third joint of the

antenne, and the entirely black under surface. The elytral bands do not extend quite

to the lateral or sutural margins, with the exception of the one at the base, which is

common to both elytra, but also abbreviated at the sides; the third band is of a dentate

shape as if composed of two spots joined together.

113. Diabrotica figurata. (Tab. XXXII. figg. 14; 15, var. 4.)

Subdepressed, slightly widened, black, the antenne fulvous; thorax testaceous, bifoveolate; elytra finely and

sparingly punctured, testaceous, each with a spot at the base, another at the middle, and a third near the

apex, black; legs testaceous.

Var. a. The elytral spots more or less connected laterally; the abdomen testaceous.

Var. 6. The elytra black, the sutural and lateral margins narrowly testaceous.

Length 2-24 lines.

Head black; antennte fulvous, the basal joint piceous, the third joint twice as long as the second, the other

joints rather short and robust in the female, more elongate in the male; thorax twice as broad as long,

the sides nearly straight, the surface impunctate, with a small fovea on each side, fulvous or testaceous ;

scutellum black; elytra rather flattened, remotely and indistinctly punctured, testaceous, with variable

black markings—sometimes with a spot at the base, another at the middle, and a third near the apex,

sometimes with an elongate stripe at the sides from the base to the middle, the stripe deeply hollowed or

emarginate on its inner side, and a transverse spot near the apex, and sometimes black, with the margins

narrowly testaceous; legs testaceous.

Hab. Guaremata, San Isidro, Pantaleon, Volcan de Atitlan, Zapote (Champion).

None of the elytral black bands extend to the sutural or lateral margins; in some

552 PHYTOPHAGA.

specimens the bands are more or less connected and occupy nearly the entire disc, in

others they are only indicated by small spots.

We figure a typical example from the Volcan de Atitlan, and the var. 6 from San

Isidro.

114. Diabrotica hirsuta.

Piceous, the head black; thorax obscure piceous, obsoletely bifoveolate; elytra flavous, closely pubescent, the

suture, a lateral spot at the middle, and a transverse band near the apex, black.

Length 13 line.

Head not longer than broad, black, the frontal tubercles distinct, the vertex with a few minute punctures ;

antennee two thirds the length of the body, the third joint twice the length of the second, the four lower

and the three apical joints obscure testaceous, the intermediate ones nearly black; thorax subquadrate,

constricted near the base, the surface impunctate, with a small fovea on each side, of a pale piceous

colour; scutellum black; elytra closely punctured, the punctuation arranged in nearly regular rows

(more distinct below the shoulders) and consisting of small and larger impressions, the disc closely

covered with whitish pubescence, an elongate spot at the sides extending from below the shoulders to the

middle, a narrow transverse band extending across the suture near the apex, and the suture narrowly,

black; the base of the femora yellowish-white, the rest of the underside and the legs piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Colima city (Hoge).

A single specimen.

115. Diabrotica depressa.

Broadly ovate, depressed, testaceous, the antennz stained with piceous above; thorax transverse, obsoletely

pifoveolate ; elytra irregularly punctured, testaceous, with a transverse band at and another below the

middle (connected at the suture), and a small spot at the base, black.

Var, Elytra almost entirely black, the base and the sides with testaceous spots.

Length 24—3} lines.

Head with a more or less distinct fovea on the vertex, the latter impunctate, sometimes stained with piceous

at the base; the frontal tubercles elongate, nearly contiguous, and joined to the clypeus; antenne but

little shorter than the body, the apex of each joint testaceous, the first joint entirely of that colour, the

others piceous above, the third joint twice the length of the second but distinctly shorter than the fourth ;

thorax strongly transverse, more than twice as broad as long, the margins nearly straight, the surface

flattened, impunctate, and with a small obsolete fovea on each side; scutellum broad, testaceous; elytra

flattened, finely punctured anteriorly, the posterior portion nearly impunctate, the black pattern of

variable shape (somewhat resembling the letter «), the apical and basal portions testaceous, the latter

with one or two small black spots; the underside and femora testaceous, the tibiee and tarsi more or less

piceous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi longer than the following two joints together.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

This is a species of a peculiarly broad and flattened appearance, possessing, however,

all the structural characters of Diabrotica. 'The thorax is broader than in most of the

allied forms, being nearly as wide at the base as the elytra. The elytral markings are

somewhat in the form of the letter 7, and of variable thickness, the anterior hook

being sometimes connected with another black stripe extending upwards to the

shoulders, the small black spot at the base in some specimens nearly obsolete, in others

well-marked ; in the variety the black colour predominates to such an extent as only

DIABROTICA. 553

to indicate by testaceous spots those places where in the normal form the ground-

colour interrupts the black portion.

116. Diabrotica allardi.

Testaceous, the head black; thorax transverse, without depressions; elytra testaceous, finely punctured, a

broad transverse band at the base, a much narrower band below the middle, and a still smaller one near

the apex, black.

Length 22 lines.

Head impunctate, black, the frontal tubercles very narrow ; the clypeus perfectly straight in front, and with a

central ridge; labrum flavous; antenne nearly as long as the body, fuscous, the sixth, seventh, and

eighth joints whitish, the third joint three times as long as the second; thorax transverse, the sides nearly

straight, the anterior angles obliquely shaped and somewhat produced outwardly, the surface impunctate,

without fovew, but with a short oblique groove near the posterior angles; scutellum testaceous; elytra

finely and closely punctured, with traces of longitudinal grooves, a broad transverse band at the base

extending to the first third of their length, a narrower band below the middle and a still narrower one

near the apex, black; underside testaceous, the tibise and tarsi fuscous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Pefia Blanca (Champion).

D. ailardi possesses all the structural characters of the genus; but is distinguished

from most of the species yet referred to it by its rather transversely-shaped thorax.

The first elytral band is narrower at the suture than at the sides, and does not quite

extend to the basal margin, where a narrow stripe of the ground-colour remains, and

its posterior margin is obliquely cut; the second band is of half the width of the first,

and is slightly rounded and narrowed at the suture; and the third band is placed near

the apex, and is very narrow and slightly curved downwards at the outer ends; neither

of the bands extend quite to the lateral margin.

117. Diabrotica sex-plagiata., (Tab. XXXI. figg. 14; 15, var.)

Diabrotica sexplagiata, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 151%.

Var. Thorax without longitudinal lateral stripes; elytra yellowish-white, margined with black.

Hab. Mexico, Teapa, Tuxtla (Sallé), Jalapa, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hoge); Brivisu

Honpuras, R. Hondo, Belize (Blancaneauz); Guatemata, Zapote, San Geronimo,

Chacoj (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama', Bugaba, Volcan de

Chiriqui, David (Champion).—Cotompia (coll. Baly).

In the type the whitish colour of the elytra is divided by narrow transverse black

bands into six spots or patches (three on each) ; these spots or patches become more or

less confluent in the varieties till the dividing dark transverse bands disappear altogether,

and produce a uniformly coloured form in which the elytra are simply margined with

black; the elytra themselves are closely rugose-punctate. The four anterior femora

are generally striped with black above, and the apex of the posterior femora, and the

posterior tibie entirely, of that colour. The locality “Peru ” given by me! refers to a

closely allied but distinct species, as I found upon a closer examination. Many examples.

We figure a typical specimen from Belize, and a variety from ‘Tapachula.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, October 1887. 4b

554 PHYTOPHAGA.

118. Diabrotica tetraspilota.

Diabrotica tetraspilota, Baiy, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 3rd ser. ii, p. 351°.

Hab. Mexico}, Misantla, Cerro de Plumas, Jalapa (Hége), Oaxaca, Cordova, Sante-

comapan (Sailé); British Honpuras, R. Hondo, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaus) ; Guatu-

MALA, Tamahu, Chacoj, Teleman, Panima in Vera Paz (Champion); NicaRaava,

Chontales (Janson) ; Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

The fifty specimens of this large and easily recognizable species before me only differ

amongst themselves in the ground-colour of the elytra being either reddish-fulvous or

testaceous; each elytron being furnished with two large black spots. 1 am, however,

unable to detect any transverse sulcation below the base of which Mr. Baly speaks in

his diagnosis. The black colour of the terminal four joints of the antennz seems to

be a constant character.

119. Diabrotica irregularis. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 21.)

Fulvous, the head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, and the breast black; thorax without depressions ;

elytra finely and closely punctured, a transverse band at the base, another at and a third below the

middle, partly connected, as well as a lateral longitudinal stripe, black.

Length 3-3} lines.

Head black ; clypeus with a strongly raised, rather broad, central ridge; antenne with the basal joint fulvous,

the following seven joints obscure fuscous or piceous, the others fulvous, the extreme apex of the terminal

joint fuscous; thorax scarcely one half broader than long, somewhat convex, the surface entirely impunc-

tate, without depressions; scutellum black; elytra with a narrow transverse black band (widened at the

sides) at the base, and a smaller black band at and another below the middle, the two latter joined in the

centre of the disc by a narrow stripe and at the sides connected with a longitudinal black stripe which

commences at the second band and is abbreviated at a little distance before the apex; abdomen and legs

fulvous, the tibice and tarsi black.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula (Champion).

In two specimens the elytral pattern is precisely similar, except that the markings in

one instead of being black are fulvo-piceous; but it is probable that this insect is

subject to variation in the shape of the elytral bands.

120. Diabrotica bohemani. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 13.)

Black, the apical joints of the antenne white; thorax testaceous, obsoletely bi-impressed ; elytra subremotely

punctured, testaceous, a narrow transverse band at the base, the lateral and apical margins, and a trans-

verse spot below the middle, black.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Panama (Boucard).

Whether the single specimen before me represents the normally-coloured form of

the present species or only a variety I am unable to say; but it is very probable that

the design of the elytra is subject to variation. The antenne have the third joint

twice as long as the second; the apical four joints are yellowish-white, the apex of the

terminal one black. The thorax is one half broader than long, and has two obsolete

DIABROTICA. 555

depressions. The elytra have a longitudinal depression below the shoulders, and are

rather distantly and strongly punctured; the transverse band at the basal margin has

three short black longitudinal stripes attached to it (one at the shoulder, another at the

suture, and a third between the others); the black marginal stripe is widened below the

middle into a triangular spot, which nearly joins the smaller spot on the disc; and the

black colour also extends rather broadly inwards at the apex. The abdomen is

testaceous, the rest of the underside and legs black.

121. Diabrotica inclusa.

Flavous, the head and the breast black; the third joint of the antennz elongate; thorax without impressions,

impunctate ; elytra extremely closely punctured, flavous, a transverse band at the base enclosing a small

flavous spot, and another curved band near the apex, dark blue.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, J alapa (Hoge).

The only species with which D. inclusa can be satisfactorily compared is D. pulchella

of the first section; in D. inclusa the second joint of the antenne (instead of being

short as in D. pulchella) is nearly three times as long as the second, and the antennz

themselves are entirely flavous or fulvous. The thorax is about one half broader than

long, rather constricted at the base: the surface somewhat convex, and entirely without

depressions or punctures. The blue basal band of the elytra does not quite reach

the lateral margin and encloses a small flavous spot (probably this spot is sometimes

absent); the posterior band is narrower, slightly curved and pointed at its outer end,

and does not extend to either the sutural or lateral margins. The palpi are flavous.

122. Diabrotica bicolor. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 6.)

Black, the apical four joints of the antennz white; thorax flavous, obsoletely bi-impressed; elytra finely

punctured, the anterior half black, the posterior half yellowish-white.

Length 4 lines.

Head black; antenne slender, the third joint nearly three times as long as the second, the terminal four

joints almost white, the apex of the apical one black; thorax twice as broad as long, bright yellow,

obsoletely impressed on either side, impunctate; scutellum black ; elytra very finely punctured, with

some traces of longitudinal raised lines, the anterior half deep black, this colour divided from the white

posterior portion by a straight line; underside and legs black, the coxze flavous.

Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Belt).

The curious coloration of D. bicolor, of which only a single specimen was obtained,

distinguishes it at first sight from any other species of the genus.

123. Diabrotica interrupto-fasciata. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 13.)

Diabrotica interrupto-fasciata, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. iii. p. 75 (1879).

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca !, La Parada (Sallé).

The elytra are of a reddish-fulvous colour, finely rugose, and have three narrow

556 PHYTOPHAGA.

transverse black bands; the thorax is testaceons, with two small black spots. An

example from La Parada is figured.

124. Diabrotica jansoni. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 20.)

Diabrotica jansoni, Jac. P. Z. S. 1878, p. 9947.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson 1, Belt).

This species probably ought to find its place in some other genus, as, on further

examination, the tibize prove to be without spines. The insect is of large and robust

shape; the elytra are fulvous, with the posterior portion dark blue, this colour

sometimes not extending quite to the apex.

f. Elytra testaceous, with small black spots.

125. Diabrotica femorata. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 8.)

Black ; thorax fulvous, without depressions; elytra finely punctured, fulvous, the suture below the base, and

six spots (2.2. 2)on each, black; abdomen and the base of all the femora fulvous.

Length 3 lines.

Head black, impunctate; antenne nearly as long as the body, black, the three basal joints fulvous below, the

third joint more than twice the length of the second; thorax subquadrate, scarcely broader than long,

narrowly margined at the sides, the latter slightly rounded at the middle, the surface smooth, impunctate,

and without depressions, bright fulvous; scutellum black; elytra finely and not very closely punctured,

rather convex and a little widened posteriorly, slightly stained with reddish-fulvous, darker than the

thorax, the anterior third of the sutural margin, a subquadrate spot at the shoulder, a small spot near the

scutellum, two spots at the middle, placed transversely, and two others below the middle, black..

Hab. Mexico, Las Peras (Sallé). A single specimen.

126. Diabrotica v-nigrum. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 18.)

Pale flavous, the head black, the antenne fulvous; thorax without depressions; seutellum black; elytra very

strongly and closely punctured, the suture narrowly, a A-shaped mark at the shoulder, and a somewhat

similar mark below the middle, black.

Length 3 lines. ;

Head black, the labrum piceous, the mandibles obscure testaceous; antenne fulvous, the third joint twice as

long as the second, but distinctly shorter than the fourth; thorax twice as broad as long, pale flavous,

impunctate, and without depressions; scutellum black; elytra very strongly punctured throughout, pale

testaceous, the suture narrowly, a short stripe connected with a transverse spot near the shoulder, and

another somewhat similar mark below the middle, black ; under surface and the legs flavous.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (410ge).

A single s specimen. D. v-nigrum will be known amongst its allies by the strong punc-

tuation, and the rather peculiar markings, of the elytra.

127. Diabrotica septem-punctata. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 23.)

Greenish-testaceous, the scutellum and the breast black; thorax with two foves, rugosely punctured ; ely tra

closely rugose-punctate, each with seven small black spots (1.1.2.3).

Length 3-33 lines,

Head with a deep fovea, the vertex with a few fine punctures; antenne half the length of the body, entirely

DIABROTICA. 507

pale fulvous, the third joint twice the length of the second; thorax about one half broader than long,

closely and strongly rugose and punctured, with two deep fovese on the disc, and an obsolete depression

near the anterior and posterior margins; scutellum black; elytra rather convex and broadly ovate,

sculptured like the thorax, each with a small spot at the shoulder, another near the scutellum, two about

midway near the lateral margin (placed transversely), and three below the middle (two of which are

situated near the suture and placed transversely, and the third a little lower down near the lateral margin),

black ; legs testaceous, the breast black.

Hab. Mexico, Las Peras (Saldé).

The rugose upper surface of the thorax and elytra and the position of the elytral

spots will readily distinguish this species.

128. Diabrotica mexicana. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 22.)

Diabrotica mexicana, Harold, Coleopt. Hefte, xiii. p. 91 (1875) ’.

Diabrotica bisseptem-punctata, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 279 am

Hab. Mextco 12, Cuernavaca, Orizaba, Tlatingo (Sallé), Cordova (Hége); GUATEMALA,

Sabo, Cerro Zunil, Volcan de Atitlan, Duefias ( Champion); Costa Rica (Van Patten).

The thorax of D. mexicana should be described as having three, not two, fovee, as

stated in the diagnosis!; the third fovea being placed between the larger discoidal

depressions, but nearer to the base. The elytra are rugosely punctured, slightly

shining, and each with seven (sometimes only six) small black spots (2 . 3 . 2).

The thorax has always two spots placed in front of the fovee. A specimen from

Orizaba is figured.

129, Diabrotica multipunctata.

Diabrotica multipunctata, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 149°.

Hab. Mexico !, Tepansacualco, Puebla, Guanajuato (Sadlé), San Juan del Rio, Tupa-

taro (Hége), Michoacan (Lohr).

In the elytral pattern this insect exactly resembles D. mexicana ; the elytra, however,

are less distinctly punctured and more shining, and have their sutural and lateral

margins rufous; and an extra dark fulvous spot is generally placed near the lateral

margin between the rows of spots. The thorax is of a darker fulvous tint than in

D. mexicana; and the tibie and tarsi, as well as the upper edge of the femora,

are black. |

130. Diabrotica quinque-punctata.

Testaceous; thorax deeply transversely foveolate ; scutellum black; elytra finely rugose-punctate, each with

five black spots (1 . 2. 2).

Length 24-3 lines.

Heal impunctate ; antennz more than half the length of the body, the third joint more than twice the length of

the second; thorax one half broader than long, with a deep transverse depression on each side confluent at

the middle, impunctate ; scutellum black ; elytra finely rugose, with asmall spot at the shoulder, two similar

558 PHYTOPHAGA.

spots placed transversely below the base, and two others below the middle, black; the first joint of the

posterior tarsi as long as the following three joints united; claws bifid, the inner division rather short.

Hab. Guatemata, Capetillo, Duefias (Champion).

131. Diabrotica sexpunctata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 19.)

Diabrotica sexpunctata, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 148°. .

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten), Rio Sucio, Cache, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers) ; Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). | |

This species may be recognized by its large size; and by the elytra being reddish-

fulvous in colour, and each with three small black spots; the antenne and legs are

flavous, and the underside black. In the original description! D. seapunctata was

compared with D. tripunctata, Oliv., by mistake; it should have been with Aulacophora

tripunctata, an insect somewhat resembling D. sexpunctata in coloration.

132. Diabrotica octo-signata. (Tab. XXX. fig. 23, var.)

Diabrotica octosignata, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. iii. p. 76 (1879°).

Var. Elytra with the suture, two spots at the base, and a transverse band below the middle, black.

Hab. Muxtco, Oaxaca}, Cordova, Juquila, Guanajuato (Sallé); Guaremaa (Sailé),

Duenas, Cerro Zunil, Panima, Sinanja (Champion).

Although at first sight the variety seems to represent another species, I am unable to

find sufficient differences to treat it as such. In the type, the elytra are fulvous, with

four small black spots placed transversely before and below the middle on each. In

the variety these spots are larger, sometimes connected and with the posterior ones

united into a more or less broad transverse band, the position of these spots and of the

band being as in the type, and the suture from below the base to the apex also

narrowly black; a specimen marked in this way, but otherwise agreeing with the

typical form, is also before me, thus proving the variability of the species. ‘The thorax

and the clytra in the variety are rather more strongly punctured; but other differences

seem to be absent.

A specimen in the Sallé collection is labelled D. 8-punctata, Sturm. We figure a

specimen of the variety from Cerro Zunil.

g. Elytra fulvous or testaceous.

133. Diabrotica subimpressa.

Ovate, dilated, black; thorax fulvous, deeply bifoveolate ; scutellum piceous; elytra flavous, finely punctured,

transversely impressed at and below the middle, each with an elongate elevation near the apex; legs

flavous,

Length 44 lines,

Head longer than broad, black, the vertex with a deep triangular depression, the clypeus with a central ridge ;

palpi flavous; antenne fulvous (the terminal five joints wanting), the third joint more than twice the

DIABROTICA. 509

length of the second; thorax twice as broad as long, reddish-fulvous, the surface with two deep impressions

anda few fine punctures ; elytra convex and dilated posteriorly, pale flavous, with a short transverse depres-

sion before and another immediately below the middle, each with an elongate elevation near the suture

placed at a little distance from the apex, the entire dise covered with small piceous punctures; underside

black, the legs flavous.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

In one specimen there is an elongate piceous spot placed at the side of the elytral

elevation; the female is probably devoid of the latter. When seen with the naked eye

the elytra seem to be furnished with a narrow transverse raised band, on account of

the depression in front and below the middle.

134. Diabrotica sobrina.

Ovate, dilated posteriorly, black, the head and the apical four joints of the antenne fulvous; thorax transverse,

bifoveolate, fulvous; elytra rather remotely punctured, fulvous, the apical margin black.

Length 34-4 lines.

Head impunctate, rather broad, the labrum, mandibles, and palpi black; antenne not more than half the

length of the body, the third joint twice the length of the second and equal to the fourth joint, the apical

four joints fulvous, the others black, covered with yellow pubescence; thorax twice as broad as long, the

surface nearly impunctate, with a small fovea on each side and a very indistinct one near the base; elytra

strongly dilated posteriorly, broad, finely but not closely punctured, uniformly fulvous, shining, the

extreme apical margin black; underside and legs black.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

135. Diabrotica dilatata.

Broadly ovate, dilated, black; thorax transverse, obsoletely depressed on each side ; elytra widened posteriorly,

fulvous or testaceous, finely and closely punctured.

Length 23 lines.

Head impunctate; the frontal elevations broadly trigonate, distinctly raised; clypeus with a distinct central

ridge; antenne about two thirds the length of the body, black, the intermediate joints slightly widened

in the male, the third joint twice the length of the second but shorter than the fourth joint; thorax more

than twice as broad as long, the sides very little rounded, the anterior angles somewhat thickened, the

surface obsoletely depressed on each side and across the disc, impunctate ; scutellum black; elytra convex

and widened posteriorly, flavous or fulvous, their epipleure rather broad anteriorly ; underside and the

legs black ; the posterior tibie with a very small spine ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the

following three joints together ; claws fulvous, bifid.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Teapa, Jalapa (Hége), Toxpam, Tuxtla (Sailé); GuaTEMALA,

Purula, Sabo, Senahu, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Costa Rica, Cache, Volcan

de Irazu (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Pena Blanca ( Champion).

The short, posteriorly dilated shape, the transverse thorax, and the slightly dilated

antenne in the male, scarcely agree with Diabrotica ; nevertheless D. dilatata possesses

all the essential characters of that genus, and may be recognized by its shape and

coloration. Many specimens were obtained in Guatemala, two only in the State of

Panama.

560 PHYTOPHAGA.

136. Diabrotica uniformis.

Broadly ovate, dilated, black; thorax transverse, obsoletely depressed, flavous; elytra finely punctured,

testaceous or flavous.

Length 2 lines,

Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).

It will not be necessary to give a detailed description of D. uniformis, as it agrees in

everything, except as regards coloration, with D. dilatata. In shape it exactly resembles

the last-named species; and the thorax also agrees in every particular, but is flavous

instead of black. The large number of specimens (upwards of fifty) before me agreeing

perfectly with one another, Iam obliged to treat D. wniformis as a distinct species.

With one exception, all the examples were obtained in the State of Panama; the

insect, therefore, is of more southern distribution than D. dilatata. In some individuals

the antenne and legs are more or less stained with piceous or testaceous. D. wniformis

is on the average smaller and less convex and dilated than the preceding species.

137. Diabrotica corallina. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 17.)

Black ; thorax narrowly margined with fulvous, bifoveolate; elytra reddish-fulvous, closely punctured, and

obsoletely rugose.

Length 22 lines.

Head black ; antenne black, fulvous at the base, the third joint twice the length of the second, the fourth joint

longer than the fifth; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides straight, narrowly margined with fulvous,

the dise black, shining, with a few punctures, and a deep fovea on each side; scutellum black ; elytra

slightly widened towards the middle, narrowly margined, dark reddish-fulvous, closely punctured, the

interstices slightly rugose on the anterior purtion and nearly smooth towards the apex; underside and

legs black.

Hab. Mexico, Chiapas (Sallé). A single specimen.

Narrower and more parallel than the preceding species; the thorax black, narrowly

margined with testaceous, and the elytra reddish in colour and closely punctured.

138. Diabrotica luteola.

Ovate, convex, widened posteriorly, black; head, antenne (the apical joints excepted), femora, and thorax, pale

fulvous; thorax without depressions; elytra fulvous, distinctly and subremotely punctured.

Length 34 lines.

Head impunctate, entirely fulvous ; antenne scarcely half the length of the body, the apical three joints obscure

fuscous, the rest fulvous, the third joint twice the length of the second; thorax nearly twice as broad as

long, narrowed near the base, the surface impunctate, without depressions ; ; scutellum fulvous; elytra

rather stron3ly widened posteriorly, the apical portion deflexed, the sides narrowly margined, the surface

not very closely but distinctly punctured ; underside and the tibie and tarsi black, the femora fulvous.

Hab, Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Only a single specimen, evidently a female, was obtained. D. luteola differs from

D. sobrina in the colour of the antenne and legs, and in the want of the thoracic

impressions and the dark apical margin to the elytra.

DIABROTICA. 561

h. Elytra testaceous, with longitudinal black or blue stripes or posterior spots.

139. Diabrotica novem-maculata.

Diabrotica novem-maculata, Jac. P. Z. S. 1878, p. 995".

Hab. Costa Rica1, Volcan de Irazu, Rio Sucio (Rogers) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui

(Champion).

In the elytral design and general coloration D. novem-maculata closely resembles

several species of the first section with short third joint to the antenna, notably

D. fulvicornis and D. hybrida. 1n D. novem-maculata the corresponding antennal joint

is, however, nearly twice the length of the second; the elytral spots are thicker, the

anterior sutural streak forming an elongate pointed triangle, and the outer spot below

the middle, as well as the one placed at the shoulder, is elongate and of equal length.

140. Diabrotica lateritia. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 12.)

Flavous, the head, breast, and tibie black ; thorax without depressions ; elytra closely punctured, flavous, the

suture, a discoidal and a lateral longitudinal stripe, and a spot at the shoulder, black,

Length 3 lines.

Head entirely black; the frontal tubercles very distinct ; the vertex with a longitudinal groove; antenne

piceous, the basal three and the apical three joints fulvous ; thorax subquadrate, slightly broader than

long, the surface rather convex, without any traces of depressions, impunctate, flavous; scutellum black ;

elytra rather convex, very closely and distinctly punctured, a large subquadrate spot at the shoulder

connected with the similarly-coloured narrow basal margin, a narrow lateral stripe from the middle to the

apex, a shorter discoidal stripe, and the suture very narrowly, black.

Hab. Gvatemaa, Purula (Champion). A single specimen.

The short black stripe on the disc of each elytron commences in a line with the

lateral stripe, but is only about half the length of the latter; the third joint of the

antenne is nearly three times as long as the second.

i. Elytra metallic, unicolorous or margined with flavous.

141. Diabrotica flavifrons. (Tab. XXXII. fig, 22.)

Black, the clypeus and the base of the femora flavous; thorax finely punctured, with two depressions ; elytra

metallic blue or purplish, closely punctured, the interstices obsoletely rugose.

Length 2 lines.

Of narrow elongate shape; the head bluish-black, opaque, with a narrow lightly-impressed central groove; the

frontal tubercles and the clypeus flavous, the labrum black; antennz slender, black, the third joint nearly

three times as long as the second; thorax about one half broader than long, opaque, the surface finely and

obsoletely punctured, black, with two closely approached depressions on the middle of the disc; scutellum

black ; elytra purplish-blue, finely and closely punctured, the interstices here and there obsoletely rugose ;

legs slender, the femora flavous at the base, the knees, tibiee, and tarsi black.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé). A single specimen.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, November 1887. 4¢

562 PHYTOPHAGA.

142. Diabrotica letabilis.

Diabrotica letabilis, Baly, Journ. Linn. Soc., Zool. xix. p. 257 y,

Testaceous, the apical joints of the antenne and the abdomen black ; vertex of the head greenish-eneous ;

thorax bi-impressed, the sides with a black band; elytra metallic green, finely punctured, the sides with

two coste.

Length 1-14 line.

Head impunctate, the vertex metallic green ; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, trigonate, testaceous like

the lower part of the face; labrum piceous; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the basal joints

more or less testaceous beneath, the others black, the third joint twice the length of the second ; thorax

transverse, distinctly narrowed at the base, the surface with two deep depressions, impunctate, the sides

with a narrow longitudinal black or piceous band ; scutellum broad, black ; elytra metallic green, minutely

granulate (when seen under a strong lens), finely but distinctly punctured towards the suture and much

more deeply and strongly so at the sides, a slightly curved costa extending along the sides from the

shoulder to below the middle, preceded within by a more indistinct one, the interspaces finely transversely

rugose; legs testaceous, the abdomen black.

Hab. Guavemaa, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

—CoLoMBIA !.

I have given a fresh description of D. ltabilis, as there are several closely allied

species before me which are not easy to separate. The description given by the author!

in regard to the shape of the thorax, ‘more than half again as long as broad,’ should

read the reverse.

143. Diabrotica mystica.

Black, the base of the antenne and the legs testaceous, the vertex metallic green, the lower part of the head

and the thorax testaceous ; thorax with two depressions ; elytra metallic green, the base swollen, the disc

minutely punctured, the sides with two short coste, the disc with some stiff hairs.

Length 14 line.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Tuxtla (Sal/é); Guaremaa, Sinanja, Chiacam, Cubilguitz

(Champion).

Closely allied to D. letabilis, but differing in the following particulars :—The thorax

is devoid of the lateral piceous bands, and the elytra are more distinctly raised at the

base, the punctuation is finer (especially between the coste) and much more scattered,

and the interspaces are not transversely wrinkled. As all the specimens before me

agree with each other in the above particulars, I have no doubt they represent a distinct

species.

144. Diabrotica semiczrulea.

Fulvous, the base of the head, the antenne, tibie, tarsi, and abdomen piceous or black ; thorax with two deep

depressions ; elytra dark blue, finely punctured, the sides with two curved coste, the disc with some stiff

hairs.

Length 1-14 line.

Hab. Guatemata, Paraiso, San Isidro, Zapote (Champion).

. This insect is closely allied to D. mystica and D. letabilis. From the former it differs

DIABROTICA. 563

in the want of the black thoracic bands, and in the elytra being dark blue (not bright

metallic green) in colour; from the latter it is separated by the colour, by the flat (not

raised) basal portion of the elytra, and by the interspaces of the latter not being

transversely wrinkled. ‘The base of the head in all the specimens is piceous, not

metallic green. The localities for D. semicwrulea are all upon the Pacific, those for

D. mystica upon the Atlantic, slope ; D. letabilis is more widely distributed.

145. Diabrotica satellitia.

Black ; thorax testaceous, transversely impressed ; elytra dark blue, finely punctured on the disc, more strongly

so at the sides, the latter with a single straight costa from the shoulder to the middle, the basal portion

flat.

Var. Thorax entirely black; femora testaceous at the base.

Length 14-2 lines.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species resembles D. semicerulea in coloration; but the head and antenne are

entirely black, the elytra have but a single straight (not curved) costa on each side, and

the legs are black. ‘These differences will be sufficient to distinguish D. satellitia from

the three preceding species, from all of which it differs in its larger size and in the

entirely black head and antenne. Most of the specimens belong to the variety with

an entirely black thorax, only two having the latter of a testaceous colour; as in the

allied species, the surface of the thorax has two deep transverse depressions and is

impunctate. The straight lateral costa of the elytra further separates the present

insect from its congeners.

146. Diabrotica nitidula.

Ovate, widened posteriorly, black; thorax impunctate, with transverse depressions ; elytra metallic blue, the

. base slightly convex, the disc finely semipunctate-striate. .

Var. The head and thorax fulvous.

Length 14 line.

Head longer than broad, impunctate, the vertex minutely granulate; antennz more than half the length of the

body, rather robust, the third joint twice as long as the second ; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides

nearly straight, the surface extremely finely granulate, without punctures, transversely and rather strongly

depressed on each side; scutellum black; elytra distinctly widened posteriorly, the base swollen and

pounded by a distinct depression below, the punctuation fine and not very closely but rather regularly

arranged in lines; the underside and legs black ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following

three joints together.

Hab. Guatemata, Purula, Senahu (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Cham-

pion). —

Amongst the small species with metallic blue elytra D. nitidula may be known by the

ovate and dilated general shape, and the raised basal portion of the elytra and their

semipunctate-striate punctuation; the thorax is strongly transverse and distinctly trans-

versely depressed. The variety was collected with the type at Purula; it does not

differ in any way, except in the colour of the head and thorax. a

4¢2 .

564 PHYTOPHAGA.

147. Diabrotica opacicollis.

Black, the lower part of the head, thorax, and femora flavous; thorax finely punctured, with two impressions ;

elytra metallic green, very closely and distinctly punctured.

Var. Thorax blackish ; elytra dark violet-blue.

Length 2-24 lines.

Head seneous or greenish-black at the vertex, the lower part flavous ; labrum black ; antennz black, the third

joint twice as long as the second ; thorax one half broader than Jong, the surface opaque, finely punctured,

and impressed with two broad fovex ; scutellum piceous ; elytra metallic green, very distinctly and closely

punctured; underside of the thorax, the breast, and the femora, flavous; abdomen, tibie, and tarsi, black.

Hab. Mexico, Toxpam, Cordova (Sal/é).

The punctured and opaque thorax and the very closely and rather strongly punctured

elytra separate this species from D. letabilis ; the variety does not differ in any way,

except in colour.

148. Diabrotica lineato-punctata.

Head, the intermediate joints of the antenna, and the breast, black ; thorax transverse, flavous, bifoveolate ;

elytra metallic blue, strongly semipunctate-striate ; legs flavous.

Var. Antenne with the basal joints black; underside entirely flavous.

Length 23 lines.

Head impunctate, with a deep longitudinal fovea between the eyes; palpi flavous; antenne black, the three

basal and the three apical joints flavous, the third joint twice as long as the second; thorax more than

twice as broad as long, flavous, impunctate, deeply bifoveolate ; scutellum black ; elytra rather broadly

ovate, slightly dilated posteriorly, the base somewhat swollen, the punctuation strong and arranged in:

rather regular closely approached rows, but becoming finer and more irregular towards the apex ; legs and

abdomen flavous, the breast black.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sallé); Guatemaua, Zapote (Champion). Three specimens.

Of rather convex and posteriorly dilated shape, and principally distinguished by the

punctuation of the elytra being arranged in nearly regular rows. The variety was col-

lected at Tuxtla.

149. Diabrotica distinguenda, (Tab. XXXII. fig. 5.)

Ovate, subdepressed, flavous, the antennx piceous, the head rufous; thorax rufous, margined with flavous,

deeply bifoveolate; elytra dark greenish, rugosely punctured, the latera] and apical margins flavous.

Length 3 lines.

Head not longer than broad, with the usual fovea on the vertex, impunctate, rufous; antenne piceous, the

basal joint fulvous, the third joint more than twice the length of the second; thorax transverse, more

than twice as broad as long, the anterior angles slightly produced and thickened, the posterior angles

somewhat distinctly pointed outwards, the disc impunctate, rufous, foveolate on each side, the anterior and

posterior margins narrowly flavous; scutellum black; elytra rather flattened, closely rugose-punctate,

greenish-black, margined at the sides and apices with flavous ; tibie and tarsi and the upper edge of the

femora black, the femora beneath and the underside flavous.

Hab. Mexico (Sallé). A single specimen.

The colour of the thorax in connection with the rugosely-punctured elytra separates

D. distinqguenda from the preceding species.

DIABROTICA. 565

150. Diabrotica subzenea.

Flavous, the head seneous at the vertex; thorax finely granulate, depressed at the sides, the dise spotted with

eneous ; elytra bronze-coloured, closely punctured, and obsoletely rugose.

Var. Elytra testaceous, each with a longitudinal eneous discoidal band.

Length 14-2 lines. .

Head finely granulate, with a few fine punctures, greenish-gneous at the vertex, testaceous at the lower portion ;

antenne nearly as long as the body, obscure fulvous or fuscous, the basal joints more or less testaceous,

the third joint more than twice the length of the second; thorax one half broader than long in the male,

twice as broad in the female, the sides with a more or less distinct fovea, the surface finely granulate and

punctured (more distinctly so in the female), testaceous, with a longitudinal central brownish or greenish-

seneous band not quite extending to either margin ; scutellum black; elytra slightly widened posteriorly,

entirely bronze-coloured, closely punctured, the surface with some obscure and irregular depressions and

here and there transversely wrinkled; legs and the underside testaceous.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Cham-

pion).

D. subenea differs from D. mystica and D. semicerulea principally in the thorax being

finely granulate and with a central longitudinal band. Costa Rican specimens only differ

from those from Chiriqui in the colour of the elytra; in the former the elytra may be

described as greenish-eneous, margined with testaceous.

151. Diabrotica smaragdina. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 1.)

Black, the antenne (the intermediate joints excepted), thorax, and legs flavous ; elytra bright metallic green,

with several deep impressions, the lateral and apical margins and the shoulders flavous.

Length 2—24 lines.

Head black, impunctate; antenne long and slender, flavous, joints 6-8 black, the third joint twice as long as

the second ; thorax narrowly transverse, more than twice as broad as long, the disc deeply transversely

depressed; scutellum black; elytra with a deep depression below the base and another (divided by a short

longitudinal costa) behind the middle, the disc finely and irregularly punctured, the apices impunctate,

the surface of a bright emerald-green colour and very shining, the lateral margins narrowly and the apices

more broadly flavous, the flavous colour interrupted towards the base by a short green streak extending

upwards from the sides; underside black, the legs flavous. .

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

D. smaragdina may be known by the bright metallic green colour of the elytra, and

by the deep depressions on the latter being distinctly visible to the naked eye; it is a

species of narrow and parallel shape.

152. Diabrotica gemmula, (Tab. XXXII. fig. 7.)

Ovate, convex, strongly dilated, metallic green ; head and thorax fulvous, the latter bi-impressed ; elytra closely

punctured, with two impressions, metallic green ; antennz and legs flavous.

Length 4} lines. .

Head impunctate ; antenne more than half the length of the body, entirely flavous, the third joint twice the

length of the second ; thorax about one half broader than long, impunctate, reddish-fulvous, the disc with

a transverse depression on each side, the sides straight at the base, rounded in front; scutellum fulvous ;

elytra strongly dilated and convex, greatly deflexed at the posterior portion, with a depression below the

base and another at the sides below the shoulders, very closely and distinctly punctured, dark metallic

green; underside dark metallic green, the legs flavous.

566 . PHYTOPHAGA.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten).

A species of very robust and dilated shape; the specimens before me are evidently

all females.

153. Diabrotica semipurpurea.

Ovate, slightly widened, black ; head and thorax testaceous, the latter deeply transversely grooved ; elytra

_ purplish-blue, finely punctured ; legs fulvous or piceous.

Length 2 lines. .

Head rather deeply foveolate at the vertex, impunctate, fulvous ; the frontal tubercles small but distinct ;

antenne black, two thirds the length of the body, the third joint twice the length of the second; thorax

transverse, rather more than twice as broad as long, the disc with a deep transverse groove (slightly inter-

rupted in the middle) on each side; scutellum fulvous or piceous; elytra slightly widened posteriorly,

finely and rather closely punctured, metallic purplish-blue ; breast and abdomen black, the legs fulvous or

piceous.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Zapote (Champion).

Severalexamples. The peculiar tint of the elytra can only be compared to the bloom

on afresh plum or blue grape, and as it is present in all the specimens I have no doubt

that this colour is the normal one.

154. Diabrotica nigriceps. (Tab. XXXII. fig 18.)

Diabrotica nigriceps, Baly, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 5th ser. ii. p. 75 (1879)".

Hab. ?1GuateMaLA!; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Caldera, Tolé

(Champion). |

This handsome species is of a reddish-purple colour (with the exception of the

extreme apices of the elytra, which are flavous) when fresh; it is also distinguished by

the transverse depressions of the elytra, one of these depressions being placed below

the base, the other below the middle, and the latter bounded laterally by a strongly

developed and curved elevated ridge which extends upwards to the humeral callus. A

very large number of specimens were obtained by Mr. Champion in various parts of the

State of Panama; the insect is found in the virgin forest. This is one of several species

described by Mr. Baly of which the locality seems very doubtful; we have not found

D. nigriceps in any of the very large collections sent to us from Guatemala. An example

from the Volcan de Chiriqui is figured.

j. Elytra flavous, with longitudinal metallic bands.

155. Diabrotica marginella. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 12.)

Diabrotica marginella, Jac. P.Z.8. 1879, p. 789°.

Hab, Costa Rica (Van Patten), Volcan de Irazu, Rio Sucio (Rogers); Panama,

Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

DIABROTICA. 567

The metallic green bands of the elytra occupy in some specimens almost the entire

disc, leaving only the sutural and lateral margins together with the apices whitish-

testaceous; the two black thoracic spots are constant in the numerous specimens

before me.

A common insect on the slope of the Volcan de Chiriqui, and found chiefly on the

margins of the forest at an elevation of about 3000 feet ; a Chiriqui specimen is figured.

k. Elytra green, the apices sometimes flavous.

156. Diabrotica curtisi. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 10.)

Diabrotica curtisii, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 449°.

Hab. Mexico!, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge).

In the males before me the head is only black at the vertex, the entire lower portion

being flavous; in the female it is entirely black. The female is devoid of the subapical

elytral tubercle and excavation.

157. Diabrotica longitarsis. (Tab. XX XI. fig. 11.)

Flavous, the head black; thorex trifoveolate, flavous; elytra rugose, black, each with seven or eight longi-

tudinal coste.

Var. Elytra with the lateral margin narrowly flavous.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head impunctate, deeply foveolate between the antenne, very shining, black ; clypeus with a distinct central

ridge, its lower portion opaque and rugose; antenne flavous, the sixth, seventh, and eighth joints, and

also the apical one, more or less fuscous, the third joint twice the length of the second, the terminal joints

thickened and much stouter in the male than in the female; thorax very short and transverse, more than

twice as broad as long, the sides rather strongly narrowed at the base, the disc impunctate, flavous, very

shining, with a small basal and two larger central fovex ; scutellum black ; elytra closely rugose, each

with seven or eight narrow longitudinal costes commencing at the base but not quite extending to the apex,

the male with a longitudinal subsutural tubercle near the apex; underside and legs flavous; the first joint

of the posterior tarsi longer than the following three joints together.

Hab. Guatemaua, San Isidro, Zapote, Cahabon (Champion).

Closely allied to the preceding species, and also to D. coryphea, Baly, and D. viridt-

pennis, Jac. From D. curtisi it is separated by the elytra being black and differently

sculptured in the male; from D. coryphea by the entirely flavous colour of the under-

surface and the much longer first joint of the posterior tarsi, and also by the tubercle

near the apex of the elytra in the male. D. viridipennis has green elytra and the first

joint of the posterior tarsi shorter. D. flavo-limbata, Hrichs. (=D. balyi, Jac.), may be

known from D. longitarsis by the black thorax and the less numerous elytral coste.

The single specimen of the variety before me only differs from the type in having the

elytral margin flavous, An example from San Isidro is figured.

568 PHYTOPHAGA.

l. Elytra fulvous or testaceous, with lateral or apical piceous markings.

158. Diabrotica fusco-marginata. (Tab. XXXI. fig. 19.)

Diabrotica fusco-marginata, Jac. P. Z.8. 1878, p. 149°.

Hab. Costa Rica}, Rio Sucio, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

Easily known by the thorax being piceous, margined with testaceous, and the elytra

dark fulvous, with a lateral longitudinal piceous stripe.

159. Diabrotica waterhousei. (Tab. XXX. fig. 24.)

Diabrotica waterhousei, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 993°.

Hab. Costa Rica, Cache ! (Rogers).

The elytra are testaceous, with a distinct narrow black basal margin and a broader

piceous band (sometimes indistinct) at the apex. In general shape and colour this

insect greatly resembles certain varieties of Cerotema denticornis, Oliv., from which the

open anterior coxal cavities distinguish it.

160. Diabrotica maculata. (Tab. XXXII. fig. 11.)

Head and the breast black ; thorax rufous, trifoveolate, finely punctured ; elytra fulvous, a broad lateral stripe,

the suture (widened at and beyond the middle), and a spot below the centre of each, black; abdomen and

the femora fulvous.

Length 4 lines.

Head black, impunctate ; palpi flavous; antenne black, the basal joint piceous, the ninth joint flavous (the rest

broken off), the third joint twice as long as the second; thorax twice as broad as long, dark reddish,

shining, the dise remotely and finely punctured and with three small fovee placed triangularly ; scutellum

rufous ; elytra widened towards the middle, strongly but not very closely punctured, flavous, opaque, the

suture narrowly black, the black widening below the base into an oblique spot extending upwards and

below the middle into a lozenge-shaped mark, a broad black band of irregular shape extending from the

shoulder to beyond the middle, and a small spot below the middle between this band and the suture; tibiz

and tarsi piceous.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten). A single specimen.

The following species belonging to Sect. 2 have been accidentally omitted :—

161. Diabrotica nigropicta.

Testaceous, the antenne, tibie, and tarsi black; thorax deeply bifoveolate; elytra strongly semipunctate-

striate, the sides with two coste, a spot at the shoulder, another below the middle, and a sutural spot

below the base, black.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, the extreme base black, the rest pale fulvous ; antenne two thirds the length of the body,

black, the basal and the apical two joints fulvous below, the third joint twice as long as the second ;

thorax twice as broad as long, impunctate, the disc with two deep oblique depressions; scutellum black ;

elytra flavous, the sides with two slightly curved coste from the shoulder to the middle, the rest of the

DIABROTICA.—MICROBROTICA. 569

surface distinctly and semiregularly punctured, each with a black spot at the shoulder, a slightly larger

one below the middle, and another spot common to both placed at the suture below the scutellum ; under-

side and legs testaceous, the tibise and tarsi black.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

A single example. D. nigropicta should follow D. figurata in the arrangement here

adopted ; it is distinguished from its allies by the five elytral spots and their position.

162. Diabrotica complicata.

Ovate, subdepressed, black below ; head and antenna obscure piceous ; thorax testaceous, bi-impressed ; elytra

very finely punctured, testaceous, a broad longitudinal band of irregular shape from the base to the middle,

and a broad transverse band near the apex, black; legs fulvous, spotted with black.

Var. The anterior band of the elytra reduced to a spot.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head black at the vertex, the sides of the clypeus more or less testaceous ; antennw half the length of the

body, obscure fulvous or pale piceous, the third joint twice as long as the second ; thorax transverse, —

impunctate, the disc with two fovee; scutellum piceous, its apex broadly rounded; elytra depressed,

rather widened posteriorly, very minutely and not closely punctured, the posterior portion nearly impunc-

tate, testaceous, with a broad longitudinal black band (narrowed at its middle and irregularly shaped)

extending from the base to the middle of the dise and followed at a short distance by a broader and more

regular transverse band not quite extending to the lateral margin ; the femora have a piceous spot at the

middle, and the tibiw a spot at the base, the latter also being stained with piceous to a greater extent

near their apex.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (Hoge).

Allied to D. figurata and D. dorso-signata, but differing in the pattern of the elytra

and other particulars; the anterior elytral spot is very variable in shape and size and

occupies in some specimens the greater part of the disc.

163. Diabrotica apicalis.

Diabrotica apicalis, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 444’.

Hab. GUATEMALA }.

164. Diabrotica nigrocincta.

Diabrotica nigrocincta, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 451 1,

Hab. Mexico, Teapa (Pilate *).

In speaking of the antenne, Mr. Baly describes the second joint as “ more than half

the length of the third”: this is evidently a mistake and should be reversed, as the third

joint is never shorter than the second in Diabrotica.

MICROBROTICA.

Body oblong; antenne slender, filiform, the first joint elongate and the longest, the second not very short;

thorax not broader than long, strongly narrowed at the base; elytral epipleure continued below the

middle; tibie unarmed ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints together ;

claws bifid; the anterior coxal cavities open.

Nicrobrotica is principally distinguished from Diabrotica, which it resembles in

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, December 1887. 4d

570 PHYTOPHAGA.

general shape, by the unusually long basal joint of the antenne, and the long and

strongly narrowed thorax; moreover, the tibie do not appear to be armed with a

spine at the apex as in Diabrotica. Although there is only a single specimen before

me, the characters pointed out are so different from those of the other known forms

inhabiting our region that I have no hesitation in establishing a genus for its

reception.

1. Microbrotica subglabrata. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 25.)

Testaceous, the antenne (the first joint excepted), the intermediate and posterior tibie and tarsi black ;

thorax impunctate; elytra scarcely visibly punctured, the sides obsoletely costate below the shoulders.

Length 14 line.

Head rather broader than long, impunctate; the eyes prominent and rounded; the frontal tubercles distinct,

trigonate; the clypeus broad, triangular, its apex extending upwards between the antenna, its anterior

margin slightly concave; antenne as long as the body, the basal joint testaceous, its apex black, the third

joint one half longer than the second, the apical two joints obscure fulvous, the rest black; thorax long;

the sides greatly narrowed at the base, the anterior and posterior margins straight, the surface with two

shallow discoidal depressions (visible only in certain lights), rather strongly deflexed at the sides, entirely

impunetate; scutellum triangular; elytra with a few minute punctures (only visible under a strong lens),

testaceous and shining like the rest of the surface, the sides from the shoulders to below the middle with

a single ridge; the underside and legs testaceous, the anterior tibie with a piceous upper edge, the other

tibiee black.

Hab. Panama, David in Chiriqui (Champion).

A single specimen.

PHAESTUS.

Elongate; head broad, not constricted behind; eyes small; antenne filiform, the terminal joints thin, the

third joint about three times longer than the second; thorax transverse, the sides straight, the surface

transversely sulcate; elytra very finely rugose, their epipleuree almost obsolete; tibia unarmed; the first

joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints together; claws bifid; anterior coxal

cavities open.

The curious insect for which I propose this new genus is distinguished by the head

beingbroad and not constricted posteriorly, the thorax transversely sulcate, and the elytral

epipleure almost obsolete; it somewhat resembles in general appearance the genus

Dircema. ‘The epipleuree of the elytra are entirely absent from the basal portion, and

extremely narrow from the middle downwards. The distinctly bifid claws separate

Phestus from Phyllobrotica. In the slightly sulcate tibia and general appearance

the genus approaches Calomera; for the present, however, I preter to place it near

Microbrotica.

1. Phestus chiriquensis. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 1.)

Testaceous, the antenne and the legs black; thorax impunctate; elytra bluish-black, very finely rugose

throughout.

Length 3-33 lines.

Head with a fine central longitudinal groove, the vertex swollen; the frontal tubercles trigonate and distinct ;

clypeus narrowly transverse, swollen; labrum and palpi piceous; antennz two thirds the length of the

PHAESTUS.—NEOBROTICA. 571

body, tapering towards the apex, the third and following joints nearly equal in length; thorax about two

and a half times broader than long, the sides straight, the angles obtuse, the disc transversely depressed

at the middle, shining, testaceous, not visibly punctured; scutellum broad, nearly subquadrate, its apex

broadly truncate; elytra very dark bluish-black, opaque, extremely finely rugose.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

*** Tibie mucronate; claws bifid.

TRIARIUS.

Body elongate; antenne filiform, the second and third joints short and nearly equal; thorax transversely

subquadrate, without depression; elytra irregularly punctured, their epipleure very narrow and visible

at the base only; tibia armed with a spine; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following

two joints together ; claws bifid, the inner division rather short ; anterior coxal cavities open.

The almost invisible elytral epipleure place Zriarius near Phyllobrotica and Phyl-

lechthrus, from both of which the armed tibie and bifid claws separate it. The spine at

the apex of the posterior tibiee is long and very distinct.

I place a single species from Northern Mexico in this genus.

1. Triarius mexicanus.

Testaceous, the head, the basal three joints of the antenney, the thorax, and legs fulvous ; elytra scarcely visibly

punctured, testaceous; breast black.

Length 2-3 lines.

Head not visibly punctured; the frontal tubercles transversely trigonate; clypeus narrowly transverse ;

antenne black, the first three joints fulvous, the third joint scarcely longer than the second; thorax

transverse, about one half broader than long, narrowed towards the base, the sides nearly straight,

the surface not visibly punctured; scutellum black or piceous; elytra extremely finely and closely

punctured, the rest of the surface (when seen under a very strong lens) very finely eranulate and slightly

rugose; legs robust; all the tibie armed with a spine, the spine long and very distinct on the posterior

pair; the last abdominal segment in the male truncate in the middle, deeply sinuate at the sides.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

*k** Tibice mucronate; claws appendiculate.

NEOBROTICA.

Body elongate; antenne filiform, the third joint generally long and slender ; thorax subquadrate, more or less

deeply transversely sulcate, the sulcation not extending to the sides; legs slender; tibie mucronate; the

first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following three joints together; claws appendiculate; the

anterior coxal cavities open. |

Neobrotica has entirely the appearance, and in many instances the elytral pattern, of

Diabrotica. It might be easily mistaken for that genus, unless the claws are examined,

these being appendiculate in Meobrotica (instead of bifid as in Diabrotica); with this

character a deeply sulcate thorax is generally combined. Several species described

here offer a striking instance of so-called “mimicry” in regard to the colour and

markings of the elytra (and indeed of the antenne also), and in this respect agree in

every particular with some forms of Diabrotica. As I have in several cases both sexes

4d2

572 PHYTOPHAGA.

before me, there can be no question of sexual differences in regard to the structure of

the claws, &c. The genus will no doubt include some species at present referred to

Diabrotica and Cerotoma.

1. Neobrotica variabilis.

Flavous, the head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, and the breast black; elytra very closely punctured,

a subquadrate mark at the base, and a slightly curved transverse band below the middle black.

Var. The basal mark of the elytra separated into spots, the tibie and tarsi flavous.

Length 3 lines.

Head black, impunctate; the clypeus with an acute central ridge; antenne half the length of the body, the

basal four and the terminal joints flavous, the other joints black or fuscous, the extreme apex of the last

joint black ; thorax one half broader than long, flavous, impunctate, deeply transversely sulcate ; scutellum

piceous or black ; elytra extremely closely and distinctly punctured, a subquadrate mark at the base (the

interior of which remains of the ground-colour) extending to near the middle, and a narrow transverse

band (in one specimen semilunate in shape) below the middle, black.

Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (fége).

N. variabilis resembles some species of Diabrotica (D. adelpha, D. annularis, &c.).

In one specimen the posterior band of the elytra is thicker and of a semilunate shape,

in the other it is more transverse ; the first named has the anterior portion of the basal

mark broken up into three spots (two humeral and one scutellar), and its posterior

portion into four transversely placed spots (two on each elytron); other differences I

cannot find.

2. Neobrotica ornata.

Flavous, the head and the breast black ; thorax impunctate, deeply transversely sulcate; elytra finely punctured,

a ring-shaped mark at the base, and another near the apex of each, dark blue.

Var. The elytral markings connected at the sides; the tibie and tarsi fuscous.

Length 2-3 lines.

Head entirely black, or with the lower portion obscure fulvous; antenne flavous, the intermediate joints

slightly darker, the third joint twice (in one specimen nearly three times) as long as the second; thorax

deeply transversely sulcate, impunctate, flavous; elytra finely but not very closely punctured, with slight

traces of longitudinal sulcations, each with a blue ring at the base, and another near the apex; legs and

the underside flavous, the breast black; the anterior tibie and the first joint of the anterior tarsi dilated

in the male.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Teapa (Sallé), Cordova, Tapachula in Chiapas (Hége).

N. ornata exactly resembles in the general colour and pattern of the elytra

Diabrotica biannularis and several allied species, from which the deep sinuate groove

of the thorax and the appendiculate claws distinguish it. The head is generally

piceous or black, but sometimes the vertex is of that colour only; the antenne in

some specimens have the intermediate joints darkened, in others they are entirely

flavous. The elytra are very finely granulate (when seen under a strong lens), and the

second ring-shaped mark is sometimes open behind. Ina single example from Teapa

the elytral blue rings are connected at the sides by a longitudinal stripe, and the tibie

are piceous as well as the intermediate joints of the antenne; but as I am unable to

NEOBROTICA. 573

detect any other mark of distinction, I treat this specimen as a variety of the present

species. WV. ornata seems to vary in one or more respects in series of specimens obtained

at the same localities. The dilated anterior tibicz and tarsi in the male insect is another

distinctive character of this species.

3. Neobrotica punctatissima.

Flavous, the base of the head black, the lower part of the head, the antenne, and the thorax fulvous, the latter

bifoveolate ;- elytra closely and strongly punctured, a ring-shaped mark at the base, and another below the

middle, open behind, dark blue.

Length 2~3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco (Hége).

In this species the thorax, instead of having a deep transversé groove as usual in

Neobrotica, has two deep round fovee at the sides, these foveee, when seen in certain

lights, assuming an oblique shape. NV. punctatissima resembles in general coloration

and elytral pattern WV. ornata, but differs in the thoracic impressions and the very

closely and deeply punctured elytra; the blue ring at the base of the latter is larger

than in J. ornata, and its posterior edge is straight; and the blue mark below the

middle is lunate in shape, and open behind.

4, Neobrotica imitans.

Fulvous, the head and breast black; thorax deeply suleate ; elytra very closely and distinctly punctured,

fulvous, two elongate spots at the base, two others below the middle, and the suture below the seutellum,

black.

Length 23-3 lines.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten).

N. imitans almost exactly resembles Diabrotica 9-maculata, Jac., and several other

closely allied species, in the pattern of the elytra. The elytra may almost be described

as “rugosely punctured;” of the spots or short stripes, the longest is placed at the

shoulder ; the other stripes are— a short one near the suture below the base, another

below the scutellum at the sutural margin, and two others near the apex, of which the

slightly curved outer one is the longest. The thorax is transverse, with the usual

deep sulcation.

5. Neobrotica czeruleo-lineata.

Testaceous; thorax deeply transversely grooved; elytra closely punctured, obsoletely longitudinally sulcate, a

longitudinal stripe at the shoulder, another near the apex, two small spots on the disc, and the suture

- anteriorly, metallic blue.

Var. The intermediate joints of the antenne, the vertex, the breast, and the tibia more or less piceous.

Length 3-34 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Tepansacualco (Sallé), Teapa, Tapachula (Hoge); GUATEMALA, San

Isidro (Champion).

N. ceruleo-lineata resembles Diabrotica fulvicornis, Jac., and several other closely

574 PHYTOPHAGA.

allied species. The head generally has the vertex, as well as the labrum, piceous; the

antenne have the third and fourth joints of equal length; and the thorax is impunc-

tate. The elytra are closely and finely punctured, and have traces of longitudinal

‘sulcations; the blue spots and lines vary slightly, and the short sutural anterior stripe

is sometimes only indicated, while the line at the shoulder is, in one instance, broken

up into two spots; the two subsutural spots are placed in a line before and below the

middle. From NV. imitans the present insect is distinguished by the finely punctured

(not semi-rugose) elytra; the markings are more slender, the outer ones being still

more elongate and of a lighter blue colour; the interstices between the punctures are

obsoletely sulcate, which is not the case in NV. imitans.

6. Neobrotica linigera.

Pale fulvous or testaceous, the head and breast black ; thorax bifoveolate; elytra closely punctured, testaceous,

a short curved stripe at the shoulder, another near the suture at the base, and two short narrow streaks,

placed transversely below the middle, bluish-black. .

Length 3-4 lines.

Head impunctate, black; antennex fulvous, the third joint nearly three times the length of the second and as

long as the fourth joint; thorax one half broader than long, impunctate, with a deep fovea on each side ;

elytra finely and closely punctured, the punctuation arranged somewhat in lines, the two longitudinal

stripes at the base abbreviated before the middle, of curved shape, and forming the sides of a ring which

is open above and below, the spots below the middle shorter (but as slender as the others), the outer one

placed slightly lower than the spot near the suture.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species also is closely allied to NV. cwruleo-lineata and N. imitans, but differing

from both in the absence of the sutural anterior stripe and in the shape of the elytral

markings, of which those placed anteriorly are curved and inclined to each other,

although open at both ends; the spots placed below the middle are, on the contrary,

nearly straight ; the punctures of the elytra are arranged in close and semiregular lines.

Ten specimens.

7. Neobrotica semicostata. (Tab. X XXIII. fig. 15.)

Testaceous; head and thorax impunctate; elytra strongly and closely semipunctate-striate, the interstices

longitudinally costate, the disc obscure greenish.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Panistlahuaca (Sallé).

The single specimen contained in the Sallé collection is of a uniformly pale testaceous

colour, the disc of the elytra alone being slightly stained with greenish. In this species

the elytra are finely and closely costate throughout, the punctuation of the interspaces

being strong, deep, and simple, frequently geminate. Except in the elytral sculpture,

N. semicostata does not differ from its allies.

NEOBROTICA. 55

8. Neobrotica oberthuri.

Diabrotica oberthiiri, Baly, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1886, p. 452’.

Hab. Guatemata}, Capetillo (Champion); Costa Rica (coll. Jacoby).

N. oberthiiri so closely resembles Diabrotica nigro-lineata, Jac., in the elytral pattern

and general coloration that I at first mistook it for, and indeed (ante, p. 523) quoted it

as a synonym of, that species. I have since discovered, accidentally, and in this I am

confirmed by Mr. Baly, that D. oberthiiri must be placed in Neobrotica, on account of

the different structure of the antenne (in which the third and fourth joints are equal),

the deep transverse groove of the thorax, and the appendiculate claws. The discoidal

subsutural stripe on each elytron is sometimes interrupted in the middle.

9. Neobrotica pallescens.

Ovate, dilated, pale fulvous or testaceous, the head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, and the tibie and

tarsi black ; thorax transversely grooved; elytra finely punctured, with traces of longitudinal coste.

Length 2} lines.

Head entirely black; antenne half the length of the body, the first two and the last three joints testaceous,

the apex of the terminal joint black, the third joint more than double the length of the second ; thorax

twice as broad as long, the disc with a deep transverse depression not extending to the sides, impunctate,

of a more reddish tint than the elytra; elytra widened posteriorly, closely punctured, the interstices

obsoletely longitudinally costate and slightly transversely wrinkled; tibie and tarsi black.

Hab. Brirish Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneauz).

The entire absence of any elytral markings together with the colour of the antenne

and tibie distinguish WV. pallescens. |

10. Neobrotica czruleo-fasciata.

Elongate, subparallel, pale fulvous, the head and breast black; thorax deeply transversely grooved; elytra

finely punctured, a transverse band at the base, and a narrower spot or band below the middle metallic

blue.

9?, Elytra with narrow longitudinal coste.

Length 24-33 lines.

Head impunctate, black; eyes large; antenne pale fulvous, the intermediate joints slightly darker, the third

joint double the length of the second; thorax one half broader than long, impunctate, the disc with a deep

transverse depression not extending to the sides; scutellum black; elytra very closely punctured, fulvous,

the basal transverse band of regular shape and occupying the first third of the entire length, the second

band slightly curved (not quite touching the sutural or lateral margins and placed below the middle), both

of a dark blue or greenish colour.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera, Tolé (Champion).

N. ceruleo-fasciata closely resembles Diabrotica godmant in the colour and pattern

of the elytra, but differs greatly in the long third joint of the antenne and the deep

transverse thoracic groove. I am, however, unable to say with certainty whether all

the specimens before me must be regarded as one and the same species, as in some

examples the posterior elytral band is represented by a large oval spot (as seen in

Diabrotica pulchella); in another specimen the band at the base of the elytra includes

576 ' PHYTOPHAGA.

a small flavous spot. In the individual which I doubtfully treat as the female (but

which may possibly represent another species) the elytra have a number of closely

approached narrow longitudinal coste, while the head differs in the smaller and more

widely separated eyes, the lower portion of the latter being also much broader and

more produced than in the male insect. In all these forms the antenne and thorax

are of similar structure, and it therefore seems better to treat them as representing one

and the same species.

11. Neobrotica vittatipennis. (Tab. XX XIII. fig. 13.)

Black, the head, antenna, thorax, and legs flavous; elytra semirugose-punctate, flavous, a subsutural vitta,

divided anteriorly, a lateral broader longitudinal band near the margin, and a subapical small sutural spot,

black; the femora with a black streak above.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, without distinct frontal tubercles, the vertex with a central groove; antenne scarcely half .

the length of the body, the second joint small, the third and following joints slender and elongate; thorax

two and a half times broader than long, impunctate, the disc with a deep transverse groove; elytra

rugosely punctured, the punctuation near the suture somewhat arranged in rows; legs elongate, the meta-

tarsus of the posterior tibie as long as the following three joints together; claws appendiculate.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (Sallé).

A single specimen. This species may be recognized by the subsutural black band

of the elytra being interrupted anteriorly; the subsutural band, as well as the sub-

lateral one, which is gradually widened posteriorly, does not extend to the base nor to

the apex of the elytra. The legs are rather slender and elongate.

12. Neobrotica inconspicua.

Pale testaceous, the lower joints of the antenne, the tibia, and the breast piceous; thorax deeply grooved,

impunctate; elytra closely and distinctly punctured, with traces of longitudinal coste.

Length 4 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Hage).

A rather large species, distinguished by its uniform pale testaceous colour, and the

closely punctured and obsoletely costate elytra. ‘The five lower joints of the antenne

are piceous; the other joints are broken off. WV. inconspicua cannot be mistaken for

NV. semicostata, the latter having deeply and rugosely punctured elytra with very closely

costate interspaces. In the present insect the elytra have very faint indications of two

transverse bands, one before and another below the middle; but whether this is acci-

dental or indicative of bands in more plainly marked specimens I am unable to say, as

only one example is before me.

13. Neobrotica quadriplagiata.

Fulvous, the base of the head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, and the tibie and tarsi black; thorax

deeply grooved, impunctate ; elytra very distinctly but not very closely punctured, the interstices subrugose,

NEOBROTICA. O77

the surface violaceous-black, a round spot at the base, and another at the apex connected with the lateral

margin, flavous.

Length 2 lines,

Hab. Guatemaua, San Gerénimo (Champion).

The antenne have the first four and the last three joints fulvous; the apical spots on

the elytra are connected with the narrow flavous lateral margin at the apex, but sepa-

rated at the sides by the narrowly protruding point of the ground-colour ; the breast is

black at the sides only. <A single specimen.

14. Neobrotica hondurensis. (Tab. XXX. fig. 22.)

Fulvous, the head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, and the tibie and tarsi black; thorax deeply trans-

versely grooved; elytra testaceous, a narrow transverse band at the base, a broader one at the middle,

and a semicircular mark at the apex of each, bluish-black.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head black, impunctate; antennz black, the basal two and the apical three joints fulvous, the third joint

double the length of the second; thorax nearly twice as broad as long, the disc with a deep sinuate trans-

verse groove, impunctate; scutellum flavous; elytra closely punctured, with some very obsolete longi-

tudinal depressions at the sides, testaceous, a narrow transverse band at the base, strongly dentate at its

posterior margin, another but broader band at the middle, and a ring-shaped mark near the apex, open

behind, bluish-black ; tibie and tarsi black.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneaux); Guatemata, Cubilguitz (Cham-

pion).

The three examples before me differ somewhat in regard to the elytral markings,

these being of a bluish colour in one and black in another specimen; in the latter the

second transverse band is narrower, the punctuation of the elytra is a little stronger,

and the breast is black; in the third specimen (from Guatemala) the posterior dark

elytral band is almost entire and only slightly notched at the apex, indicating the ring-

shaped mark of the typical form. |

15. Neobrotica simulans.

Pale fulvous, the head and breast piceous; thorax impunctate; elytra finely and closely semipunctate-striate,

a narrow transverse band at the base, a broader one at the middle, and a ring-shaped mark near the apex

of each, dark blue.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Guatemata, Chacoj in Vera Paz (Champion).

N. simulans, of which I have only a single specimen for examination, is almost

identical in the design of its elytra with the preceding species, but differs from it as

follows: the margins of the elytral bands are more regular, not dentate; the second

band, which is separated from the first by a very narrow space, is narrowed and rounded

at the suture (in WV. hondurensis the corresponding band is narrowed at the sides); the

ring-shaped marks near the apex are closed and meet at the suture; and the legs are

entirely fulvous. The elytra show traces of longitudinal depressions; the intermediate

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, December 1887. 4e

578 PHYTOPHAGA.

joints of the antenne are obscure piceous, the other joints fulvous. In other respects

the species agrees with NV. hondurensis.

16. Neobrotica sex-maculata.

Testaceous, the intermediate joints of the antenne piceous; thorax transverse, deeply sulcate; elytra strongly

costate, the interstices deeply punctured, two spots at the base, two at, and two others below the middle,

dark violaceous.

Length 3 lines. :

Head testaceous, impunctate; antenne piceous, the basal two joints beneath and the ninth joint testaceous (the

apical ones wanting); thorax twice as broad as long, impunctate, with the usual deep sulcation ; elytra

each with about ten longitudinal costs, the interstices deeply, often geminate, punctate, a spot at the

shoulder, a smaller one near the scutellum, two spots near the middle, and two others, transversely and

somewhat obliquely placed, dark violaceous; the underside and the femora testaceous, the tibie and

tarsi piceous.

Hab. Mexico, Tlatingo (Sallé). A single specimen.

17. Neobrotica denticornis. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 11, ¢.)

Testaceous, the antenna, tibie, and tarsi obscure piceous; thorax transverse, deeply sulcate; elytra geminate-

punctate-striate, the interstices narrowly longitudinally costate, a transverse band at the base, another one

at the middle, and a semilunate mark at the apex of each, dark violaceous.

3. The third and fourth joints of the antennez swollen, deeply emarginate on their upper edge.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. GuaTEMALA, Cubilguitz, Paso Antonio (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales

(Janson).

Smaller than UW. sex-maculata; the coste of the elytra less distinctly raised ; the spots

replaced by broad and deeply coloured bands—in one specimen they extend to the

suture (which is likewise dark violaceous), and in another the band at the base is sepa-

rated into two spots. The antenne in the female are simple; in the male they are

formed as in certain species of Cerotoma.

An example from Chontales is figured.

18. Neobrotica cavifrons. (Tab. XXXTII. fig. 12, ¢.)

Black, the head, thorax, and legs fulvous; elytra irregularly punctured, black, each with an angular narrow

stripe from the base to the sides (touching the suture about the middle), a short oblique stripe near the

apex, and the lateral margin flavous.

$. Head with a deep frontal excavation; antenne with the third joint swollen, the fourth joint transverse,

both with their inner apical angles acutely produced.

Length 23 lines.

3. Head fulvous, impunctate, deeply excavated below the antenne, the excavation furnished with a small

tubercle within and its anterior edge in the shape of a strongly raised ridge; antennz (male) fulvous, stained

with piceous, the second joint very small, the third strongly swollen at the base, its inner apical angle

produced into a sharp point, the fourth joint shorter, transversely produced within, the following joints

rather short and nearly equal; thorax almost twice as broad as long, the sides nearly straight, the posterior

angles produced into a small tooth, the disc with a rather shallow transverse sulcation not extending to

the sides, the surface fulvous, impunctate; scutellum black; elytra finely and irregularly punctured, the

interspaces somewhat rugose, the lateral margin narrowly flavous, a similarly coloured slightly oblique

NEOBROTICA. 579

stripe extending from the middle of the base to the suture at the middle and from there at nearly right

angles to the lateral margin, and another small obliquely curved stripe near the apex of each, the latter

extending from the suture to the apical angle, and forming (with the corresponding stripe on the other

elytron) a ring-shaped mark; underside, tibie, and tarsi black, the femora fulvous, with a small blackish

spot; claws appendiculate; the anterior coxal cavities open.

Hab. Mexico, La Parada (Sal/é).

I have only seen a single male specimen of this curiously-marked insect, which

resembles in several respects certain species of the genus Cerotoma.

19. Neobrotica modesta.

Testaceous, the head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, and the tibie and tarsi black; thorax impunctate,

pale fulvous; elytra finely punctured and obsoletely costate, a spot at the shoulder (sometimes absent)

black; breast piceous.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head not visibly punctured; the frontal tubercles indistinct, bounded behind by a deep fovea; antenne with

the basal two and the apical three joints testaceous or flavous, the rest black, the third joint scarcely

shorter than the fourth; thorax one half broader than long, the disc impunctate, with a deep transverse

sulcation not extending to the sides; scutellum testaceous; elytra closely and irregularly punctured, the

interstices obsoletely longitudinally costate, more distinctly so at the sides than on the disc, the shoulders

with a black spot.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sallé).

Two specimens; one of these is smaller than the other, and has the humeral spot

obsolete, and the breast scarcely darker than the rest of the under surface.

20. Neobrotica undecim-maculata.

Testaceous, the head, the intermediate joints of the antenne, the tibie, tarsi, and breast black; elytra finely

punctured, and obsoletely longitudinally sulcate, three spots at the base, four at and four others below the

middle, placed transversely, black.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Mzxico, Jalapa (Hége).

N. undecim-maculata agrees with Diabrotica spilota, Baly, in the colour and markings

of the elytra, but is separated from that species by the generic characters. ‘The

antenne have the third joint slightly shorter than the fourth; the thorax is impunc-

tate, and of the usual shape and sculpture; of the three basal spots on the elytra the

central one surrounds the scutellum, the other spots being placed transversely in pairs

near and below the middle.

‘gs ‘

21. Neobrotica melanocephala. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 14.)

Head, the intermediate joints of the antenna, the tibie, tarsi, and breast black; thorax fulvous, deeply sulcate ;

elytra finely geminate-punctate, fulvous, the basal and sutural margins anteriorly, and a narrow lateral

stripe from the base to the apex, black ; abdomen testaceous.

Length 3 lines.

Head entirely black, with a deep fovea between the eyes; antenne nearly two thirds the length of the body,

the basal two and the apical three joints fulvous, the rest black, the third joint as long as the fourth ;

4e2

580 PHYTOPHAGA.

- thorax twice as broad as long, pale fulvous, shining, impunctate, with a deep transverse suleation ;

scutellum testaceous; elytra obsoletely longitudinally costate, the interstices finely geminate-punctate, a

narrow sublateral stripe (indented at and more deeply so below the middle) extending nearly to the

suture, the latter anteriorly, the basal margin narrowly, and a small triangular sutural mark near the apex,

black ; the underside, with the exception of the breast, and the femora fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Salié).

A single specimen; this, on account of the irregular markings of the elytra, is

probably not a well-marked representative of the species.

PYESIA.

Pyesia, Clark, Ann. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. xvi. p. 260 (1865).

This genus has hitherto contained only a single species of large size, distinguished

by the transversely shaped and subangulate thorax, the mucronate posterior tibie, and

the appendiculate claws, all of which characters are present in a single specimen

obtained by Herr Hége in Mexico. The typical species, P. laticornis, Germ., is from

Brazil.

1. Pyesia mexicana.

Broadly oblong-ovate, subdepressed, greenish-black ; antennz black ; thorax fulvous, with five greenish spots ;

elytra dark metallic-greenish, finely rugose-punctate.

Length 4 lines. -

Head smooth, metallic-greenish ; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, broad; the clypeus broadly trigonate,

its apex broad, black; the labrum and palpi black; antenne nearly as long as the body, robust, the

second joint short, the third one half longer, the fourth the longest, the following joints gradually shorter ;

thorax nearly three times as broad as long, the sides strongly rounded and subangulate at the middle, the

base and apex greatly narrowed, the anterior angles acute and slightly produced, the disc with a central

longitudinal groove, the surface depressed near the anterior angles, finely and somewhat rugosely punc-

tured, fulvous, with four greenish-szneous spots placed transversely and semicircularly across the disc,

and another small spot near the middle of the base; scutellum broadly trigonate, black, impunctate ;

elytra depressed, dark greenish, very closely and finely rugose-punctate throughout, their epipleure

continued below the middle; legs rather robust, the tibice compressed, their outer edge acute but not

sulcate; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints together; claws appendi-

culate ; the anterior coxal cavities open; the entire under surface covered with fine pale pubescence.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Hége). <A single example.

= KORE Chen ie

MALACOSOMA.

Malacosoma\ Chevrolat in d’Orbigny’s Dict. Univ. vii. p. 605 (1846); Weise, Archiv fiir Naturg.

1886, ii. p. 581.

Malacosoma is a genus tolerably rich in species, having in common mucronate tibie

and a convex prosternum, the latter being just visible between the coxe. A single

species from Mexico, distinguished by remarkably short antennz, possesses, however,

the other characters of Malacosoma, and I accordingly place it in this genus.

MALACOSOMA. 581

1. Malacosoma olivacea.

Crioceris olivacea, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 4517.

Galeruca olivacea, Oliv. Entom. vi. p. 651, t. 4. £. 647.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco (Hége); GuatEMaLa, Teleman, Chacoj, Pantaleon (Champion);

Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Caldera

(Champion).—Gutana?; Brazit, Bahia!; Psrv (coll. Jacoby).

Apparently acommon species in Tropical America, and contained in most collections.

Olivier’s figure gives a correct idea of the elytral pattern; varieties have not come

under my observation. From Mexico we have only received a single specimen.

2. Malacosoma encaustica.

Galeruca encaustica, Germ. Ins. Spec. Nov. p. 598 (1824)*.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Oaxaca, Jalapa (Hége); GUATEMALA,

Senahu, Panzos, Sabo, Purula, San Gerdénimo, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil, Las Mercedes

(Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama,

Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—Braziu, Bahia!; Amazons (coll. Jacoby).

Germar’s description of this rather common species is sufficient for its recognition ;

normally-coloured individuals are testaceous, with two longitudinal ferruginous stripes

on each elytron, these stripes being joined before the apex; in many examples the

stripes are obsolete or entirely indistinct. Mexican specimens are often of an entirely

dark fulvous colour, owing probably to discoloration after death. The species varies

in size from 3-54 lines.

3. Malacosoma levicollis.

Testaceous; second and third joints of the antenne short; thorax impunctate; elytra closely punctured, each

with two ferruginous longitudinal stripes.

Length 44 lines.

Hab. Nicaragua, Granada (Sallé); Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu, Rio Sucio (Rogers).

At first sight I, levicollis seems to agree perfectly with I. encaustica, agreeing as

it does entirely in the general colour and the pattern of the elytra; the structure of

the antenne, however, at once shows its specific distinction, the second and third joints

being short and equal, which is not the case in the allied species, these latter

having the third joint double the length of the second. The thorax in MM. levicollis is

much less transverse and entirely impunctate; the elytra at the base are twice as wide

as the thorax. Seven specimens, all agreeing in the above particulars.

4, Malacosoma obsoleta.

Crioceris obsoleta, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 450°.

Hab. Muxico, Cordova, Toxpam (Sal/é); Guatemata, Las Mercedes, San Isidro,

582 PHYTOPHAGA.

Senahu (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt); Costa Rica (Van Patten),

Volcan de Irazu (Rogers); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Champion).—

Guiana, Cayenne!; Peru (coll. Jacoby).

Although Fabricius has described a form or variety of this species in which the

elytra have each only three spots, and of which I possess a specimen thus marked from

Peru, all the others before me from the above localities have five fuscous spots on each

elytron—of these, one is placed at the shoulders, two (of elongate shape) near the suture

(one near the scutellum, the other below the middle), one (transverse in shape) near the

lateral margin at the middle, and one near the outer margin close to the apex. When

the posterior spots are absent the typical form as described by Fabricius is produced ;

specimens occur in which one or more of the spots are confluent. The thorax and

elytra are very closely and finely rugose-punctate. MV. odsoleta is evidently a rather

common and very widely distributed species in Tropical America.

5. Malacosoma brevicornis.

Fulvous, the antennz, knees, and tarsi black; head and thorax impunctate; elytra closely and distinctly

punctured.

Length 3 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures; the frontal tubercles very strongly raised, transversely oblique; labrum and

the palpi piceous ; antenne short, black, the first joint fulvous, the second and third joints short, subcylin-

drical, the following joints, transversely trigonate, gradually widened ; thorax about one half broader than

long, the margins rounded, the surface rather convex and not visibly punctured; elytra very closely

and rather distinctly punctured, the interstices somewhat wrinkled; legs robust, fulvous, the knees and

the tarsi black ; the prosternum convex between the anterior coxe.

Hab. Mexico, Monclova in Coahuila (Dr. Palmer). <A single specimen.

The antenne are very short, and do not extend beyond the base of the thorax: this

is the only important character in which M. brevicornis differs from the other species of

Malacosoma. In its general shape and colour MW. brevicornis greatly resembles the

European MM. lusttanica.

MALACORHINUS.

Body elongate or oblong; palpi rather robust; antenne filiform (sometimes serrate in the male), the third

joint distinctly longer than the second; thorax subquadrate, always constricted near the base; elytra

generally widened towards the centre, often with a median lateral fovea in the male, their epipleurx broad

at the base and extending below the middle; tibiz mucronate; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long

as the following three joints together ; claws appendiculate; the anterior coxal cavities open; prosternum

not visible between the anterior coxe.

Type Malacorhinus foveipennis, Jac. |

This genus seems to be rather numerously represented in Mexico and Guatemala.

It has the general appearance of, and was indeed at first mistaken by me for, Malacosoma ;

the invisible prosternum, however, forbids the identification of the rather numerous

species with that genus. The posteriorly narrowed and subquadrate thorax and the

MALACORHINUS. 583

peculiar deep fovea on the lateral margin of the elytra in the males of several of

the species are characters not to be met with in the other genera inhabiting our

region.

1. Malacorhinus foveipennis.

Diabrotica foveipennis, Jac. P. Z.8. 1879, p. 790°.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla (Sallé), Cerro de Plumas (Hége); GuaTemata, Duefias!, San

Gerénimo, Sinanja, Teleman, Panzos (Champion); Nicaraaua, Chontales (Janson) ;

Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Caldera (Champion).

The small spine at the apex of all the tibisze and the appendiculate claws place this

species much more appropriately in Malacorhinus than in Diabrotica. The elytra in

the male have a deep median fovea placed near the lateral margin, and within this

fovea a tubercle. Two examples from Mexico have the thorax rufous, and the bands

and spots of the elytra of the same colour, the markings of the latter being brighter

than in the specimens from the other localities. The elytral bands in some examples

are only indicated by spots, and in others are more or less connected.

2. Malacorhinus tripunctatus. (Malacosoma tripunctata, Tab. XXX. fig. 25.)

Diabrotica tripunctata, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 790°. .

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato, Juquila (Sallé); Guatematsa, Duefias1, Capetillo!

(Champion). :

Like the preceding species, D. tripunctata is better placed in the present genus; in

the male the elytra have a similar fovea near the lateral margin.

3. Malacorhinus irregularis. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 16, ¢.)

Reddish-fulvous, the antenne and legs black ; thorax impunctate ; elytra finely and closely punctured, with a

spot at the shoulder, a triangular patch round the scutellum, a transverse spot at the sides, and an oblique

transverse band on each below the middle, black.

g. Elytra with an elongate lateral fovea below the shoulders.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, transverse ; clypeus narrow, transverse, its middle

extending upwards in the shape of a narrow raised ridge; antenne half the length of the body, black,

the first joint fulvous, the third joint one half longer than the second; thorax rather convex, subquadrate,

the sides rounded in front and narrowed near the base, the angles not produced, the surface impunctate,

reddish-fulvous; elytra somewhat widened towards the middle, very finely and closely punctured, with a

lozenge-shaped transverse band at the base, widened at the suture and connected laterally with a spot at

the shoulder, a transverse spot below the latter, and a strongly oblique transverse band placed some distance

before the apex of each, black ; all the tibie with a small spine; anterior coxal cavities open.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco (Hége), Vera Cruz, Tuxtla (Sad/é).

An example from Acapulco is figured.

584 PHYTOPHAGA.

4. Malacorhinus antennatus. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 19, ¢.)

Testaceous, the apical joints of the antenne, the tibis, and tarsi black ; thorax impunctate ; elytra very finely

punctured, with a spot at the shoulder, another near the scutellum, and two, placed transversely, at the

middle of each, black.

¢. The third, fourth, and fifth joints of the antennz strongly triangularly dilated, the sixth joint pear-shaped.

Length 23-3 lines.

é. Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles trigonate, strongly raised; antenne half the length of the body,

the lower five joints obscure piceous or dark fulvous, the others black, the second joint short, the third and

following two joints triangularly flattened, the inner apical angles of each joint produced into a point, the

sixth joint pear-shaped, its base broad and emarginate, the terminal five joints slender and thin; thorax

subquadrate, scarcely broader than long, the sides narrowed at the base, the surface impunctate, with an

obsolete depression near the anterior angles ; scutellum piceous; elytra very closely and finely punctured,

testaceous, the apices often fulvous, each with four small black spots—two at the base and two at the

middle; the last ventral segment emarginate in the middle, the emargination preceded by a deep oblong

fovea.

Hab. Guatemata, Las Mercedes, Zapote, Mirandilla, Chiacam, Cubilguitz, Purula,

Senahu, Sinanja, Chacoj (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson) ; Panama, Bugaba,

Volcan de Chiriqui, San Feliz (Champion).

The antenne in the female are simple and filiform, and with the third joint one half

the length of the fourth.

5. Malacorhinus decem-punctatus. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 18.)

Testaceous or fulvous, the antenne, tibie, and tarsi black; thorax very finely punctured; elytra each with

five black spots, 2. 1. 2.

g. Elytra with a deep longitudinal excavation at the lateral margin.

Length 2-3 lines.

Head impunctate ; antenne two thirds the length of the body, black, the first joint more or less testaceous or

fulvous, filiform, the third joint one half longer than the second; thorax slightly broader than long,

distinctly narrowed at the base, the sides rather strongly deflexed in front and rounded before the middle,

the surface very minutely and rather closely punctured ; elytra more distinctly and more closely punctured

than the thorax, slightly widened towards the middle, testaceous or fulvous, with a spot at the shoulder,

another near the scutellum, one near the lateral margin at the middle, and two others (sometimes con-

nected) below the latter, placed obliquely transverse, black.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas (Forrer), Toxpam, Cordova, Vera Cruz (Sal/é), La Noria in

Sinaloa, Jalapa (Hoge); Brirish Honpuras, R. Hondo (Llancaneaur); GuatEMata,

Mirandilla, Zapote, Capetillo, San Gerénimo, Teleman (Champion); Nicaragua, Chon-

tales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

The thorax in this species is very distinctly narrowed at the base, and its surface is

extremely finely punctured; the elytral spots are often more or less confluent, and the

two posterior ones occasionally form a narrow transverse irregular band. The fovea at

the sides of the elytra in the male is of large and elongate shape, and has a pointed

tubercle placed on the middle of its outer margin ; sometimes one or two other tubercles

are seen protruding from the upper margin.

A specimen from La Noria is figured.

MALACORHINUS. 585

6. Malacorhinus sericeus.

Ovate, convex, testaceous; thorax rufous or testaceous, impunctate, with a silky gloss; elytra very minutely

punctured, each with two spots at the base, two below the middle, and one at the sides, black; tibie and

tarsi fuscous.

dé. Elytra with a small oblong fovea at the sides.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Guatemaa, Chiacam, Senahu (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).

At first sight MU. sericeus seems to be scarcely separable from I. decem-punctatus,

which it resembles exactly in the number and position of the elytral spots. It differs,

however, as follows :—the thorax is not nearly so constricted at the base, and its surface

is entirely impunctate and silky in appearance ; the two posterior spots on the elytra are

placed immediately behind the middle, and not so far back as in I. decem-punctatus ;

and, lastly, the elytral fovea of the male is small and has no tubercle within. Specimens

from Chontales are redder in tint, and are more convex in shape and more widened at

the middle, than those from Guatemala. The first two joints of the antenne are

generally testaceous, the other joints fuscous.

7. Malacorhinus biplagiatus. (Tab. XX XIII. fig. 20, 3.)

Black, above reddish-fulvous; head and thorax impunctate ; elytra very finely punctured, each with a round

spot near the scutellum, and a transverse one below the middle, black.

d. Elytra widened towards the middle, each with one or two tubercles near the lateral margin, the tubercles

followed by a narrow elongate fovea.

Var. Elytra with the black spots enlarged and connected, leaving a central spot and the apices fulvous.

Length 2-23 lines. .

Head with the frontal tubercles and the clypeus narrowly transverse and distinctly raised ; antenne black (the

basal joint often fulvous), the third joint slightly shorter than the fourth ; thorax subquadrate, distinctly

narrowed at the base, the surface (when seen under a very strong lens) very finely punctured ; scutellum

fulvous; elytra scarcely more distinctly punctured than the thorax, each with a round spot near the

scutellum, and a more transversely-shaped one below the middle, black ; underside and legs black.

Hab. Mexico, Ventanas (Hége), Capulalpam, Yolotepec, Cordova, Juquila, Yolos,

Oaxaca (Sallé); Britiss Honpvras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuatEMALA, Capetillo,

Zapote (Champion).

The male of M. biplagiatus is of a more widened shape towards the middle than the

female, and may be known by the conical tubercle placed at the centre of (and a little

within) the lateral margin of the elytra; this tubercle is often preceded by a shallow

fovea and followed by a deeper one; in front of the latter the lateral margin seems

doubled, enclosing a narrow and elongate depression. In an example from Yolotepec,

which I refer to the same species, the disc of the elytra is black, enclosing a subquadrate

fulvous spot at the middle, and the lateral margins and the apices are fulvous. Another

specimen (a male) from Yolotepec differs from the type in having a narrow transverse

band at the base of the elytra, this band being connected at the sides with a broad band

placed below the middle; in this example the elytra have two tubercles placed near

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1888. 4f |

586 PHYTOPHAGA.

the lateral margin with an elongate fovea between them, and the antenne are more

robust. In a third specimen from Capulalpam (a female) the elytral spots are larger,

and the extreme apices are also black; and the first three joints of the antenne are

fulvous. Whether all these forms must be referred to varieties only, or represent other

species, I am not able to say, as long series of specimens from the different localities are

’ required to settle this point. We figure an example from Capetillo.

8. Malacorhinus basalis.

Fulvous, the antenne and legs black; thorax very minutely punctured ; elytra closely and finely punctured,

each with a transverse spot at the base and another below the middle, bluish-black.

g. The first joint of the antennz strongly dilated at the apex, fulvous.

Var. The posterior elytral spot wanting or only indicated; femora sometimes fulvous.

Length 13 line.

Hab. Muxico, Santecomapan, Toxpam (Sad/é); GuaTemana, Zapote, San Gerdnimo,

El Jicaro, Tamahu, Panima (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera

(Champion).

M. basalis differs from MV. biplagiatus in being smaller, and in having the underside

fulvous instead of black; the elytral spots are narrowly transverse and have a bluish

gloss, and the surface is more distinctly though finely punctured. The male has the

joints of the antenne shorter and more robust, the first joint club-shaped and distinctly

thickened; and the head furnished with a deep fovea, the clypeus being raised and

somewhat curved upwards. The female has sometimes two obsolete depressions on the

thorax, the thorax itself being more transversely shaped than in the male. ‘There is no

elytral fovea visible in any of the specimens before me; and nearly all those from

Chiriqui are devoid of the posterior elytral spot.

9, Malacorhinus sex-punctatus. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 21, ¢.)

Testaceous, the antenne and tibie black, above reddish-fulvous ; thorax impunctate; elytra closely and finely

punctured, with a spot at the shoulder, another larger one near the scutellum, and a sublateral spot before

the middle, black.

é. Elytra with an oblong depression near the lateral margin, the latter slightly thickened and produced in

front of the depression.

Length 2-2} lines.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Of the same colour and size as VW. diplagiatus; but differs in the elytra being more

closely and distinctly punctured, and in the position and shape of the spots (these being

placed in a triangle at the base); and also in the position and sculpture of the fovea in

the male, it being placed before (not at) the middle, and also being shallower and

without tubercles. In the only male specimen before me there is a small extra black

spot placed at the middle of each elytron near the suture. ‘The antenne are slender,

and the third joint is distinctly shorter than the fourth.

MALACORHINUS. 587

10. Malacorhinus guatemalensis.

Black, above testaceous ; thorax nearly impunctate ; elytra closely punctured, the interspaces slightly rugose,

an elongate spot near the scutellum and another one below the middle, black.

Var. The two elytral spots joined into a longitudinal stripe.

Length 14 line.

Head with a few fine punctures ; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, trigonate; the palpi piceous; antennee

slender, black, the third joint slightly shorter than the fourth ; thorax about one half broader than long,

narrowed at the base, the surface with a few fine punctures ; elytra testaceous or pale flavous, more

distinctly punctured than the thorax, the interspaces somewhat rugose.

Hab. Guatemaua, near the city (Salvin), Capetillo, Purula ( Champion).

Smaller than WV. diplagiatus, and of a paler colour above ; the elytral spots of elongate

(not transverse) shape and the surface finely wrinkled. There seems to be no appreciable

difference between the two sexes.

11. Malacorhinus apicalis.

Testaccous or pale fulvous, the antenns, knees, tibie, and tarsi black; thorax scarcely visibly, the elytra very

finely, punctured, each elytron with a subquadrate spot at the shoulder, a transverse one below the middle,

and the extreme apex, black.

Var. The elytral spots larger and connected at the sides, and the apical spot placed at the suture.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Guatemata, Zapote, Pantaleon, Mirandilla (Champion).

It is somewhat doubtful whether VW. apicalis represents a distinct species or is only a

variety of M. biplagiatus; it differs from the latter in having a pale under surface (the

breast and part of the abdomen is slightly stained with piceous), testaceous (not black)

femora, and in the black apices of the elytra; the thorax is also much less constricted

at the base. There are four specimens before me agreeing in the above particulars. I

am unable to say whether there is any difference between the sexes in regard to the

structure of the elytra or the antenne ; the examples are possibly all females.

12. Malacorhinus fulvicornis.

Reddish-fulvous ; antenne slender, fulvous ; tibie and tarsi black ; thorax minutely punctured ; elytra more

distinctly and closely punctured, a narrow transverse band at the base, and a still narrower stripe below the

middle, black. ,

Length 23-3 lines.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The antenne in the present insect are entirely fulvous and more than half the length

of the body, the joints being elongate and slender ; the third joint is one half shorter

than the fourth. The second transverse stripe of the elytra is very narrow and

straight, and is placed immediately below the middle, but does not quite extend to

either margin. The underside and the femora are reddish-fulvous.

Two specimens only.

4f2

588. PHYTOPHAGA.

13. Malacorhinus godmani.

Black, the head and thorax fulvous; elytra extremely finely punctured, reddish-fulvous, a subquadrate spot at

the base, and a more transversely-shaped and smaller spot below the middle, black.

¢g. Antenne robust, the third joint strongly curved and with its apex produced ; elytra with an. oblong

depression at the sides.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. GuaTEmaLa, Chiacam (Champion).

The single male specimen obtained is similarly coloured to several of the preceding

species, but differs in the structure of the antenne from any of its congeners. These

organs have the joints (with the exception of the elongate first and the short second

one) robust, somewhat widened and triangularly shaped, and the third joint (which is

longer than the fourth) is strongly curved at its inner margin; the three basal joints

are fulvous, the others black. The thorax is rather more transversely shaped than in

many of the allied species; and the elytra have their basal spot broad and extending to

the suture but not to the lateral margin, and the posterior spot placed directly below

the lateral depression.

14. Malacorhinus semifasciatus.

Testaceous, the antenne, tibie, and tarsi black; head and thorax fulvous; elytra testaceous, their apices

fulvous, a spot at the shoulder, another near the scutellum, a transverse band at the middle, and another

band below the latter, black.

é. Elytra with a fovea at the middle of the sutural margin.

Var. The bands and spots of the elytra more or less connected at the suture.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate ; the frontal tubercles strongly developed; antennz nearly as long as the body in the male,

shorter in the female, the third joint one half longer than the second but one half shorter than the fourth

joint ; thorax subquadrate, slightly narrowed at the base, the surface with some extremely fine punctures ;

elytra scarcely more distinctly punctured.

Hab. Guatemata, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion).

In well-marked specimens the two narrow transverse black bands of the elytra are

very distinct, and either connected with the scutellar spot or with each other; in others

the posterior band is often nearly obsolete or entirely absent; the disc of the elytra is

generally testaceous, and the apices more or less fulvous. In the male insect the

antenne are furnished with rather robust and somewhat triangularly dilated joints ;

the elytral foveee, which in the allied species are generally placed at the lateral margin,

are here transferred to the suture. Many specimens.

15. Malacorhinus tricolor.

Testaceous, the antenne, tibie, and tarsi black, the head and thorax rufous ; elytra scarcely visibly punctured,

testaceous, each with three transverse rufous bands, the first two margined with black.

g- Antenne with the terminal joints strongly serrate.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles transverse, narrow ; clypeus distinctly swollen, narrowly transverse ;

MALACORHINUS. — 589

antenne half the length of the body, black, the fourth joint one half longer than the third, the terminal

five joints strongly transversely dilated and acutely dentate at the apex; thorax about one half broader

than long, distinctly narrowed at the base, the surface with a few scarcely visible punctures, rufous,

shining ; elytra nearly impunctate, testaceous, a broad transverse band below the middle, the apices, and

the extreme lateral margin, rufous, a transverse band at the base and the anterior edge of the central

band, black, the shoulders rufous ; tibise black, armed with a small spine.

Hab. Britisn Honpvuras, Belize (Blancaneauz).

This handsomely-marked species will be easily recognized by its coloration and the

structure of the antenne in the male; the elytral bands, with the exception of the

basal one, extend to the sutural and lateral margins.

16. Malacorhinus scutellatus.

Narrowly elongate, fulvous; the head, antenne, scutellum, and the breast and legs, black ; thorax impunctate ;

elytra finely rugose and closely punctured.

Length 24 lines.

Head broad, black, impunctate, impressed with an oblong fovea between the eyes; the anterior edge of the

clypeus and the sides of the labrum testaceous; antenne half the length of the body, black, the first joint

fulvous at the apex, the third joint one half longer than the second; thorax twice as broad as long; the

sides strongly narrowed at the base, nearly straight, the surface somewhat convex, impunctate, flavous ;

scutellum black; elytra closely punctured, the interstices slightly rugose ; the breast and the legs black ;

the tibiee mucronate ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints together ;

claws appendiculate.

Hab. Muxtco, Ciudad in Durango (Forrer).

A single specimen.

17. Malacorhinus dilaticornis. (Tab. XX XIII. fig. 22, 3.)

Black, the lower part of the head, the basal joints of the antenne, the thorax, and the four anterior legs fulvous ;

elytra minutely punctured, black, a transverse band (or spot) before, and another band below the middle,

fulvous.

Length 3 lines.

Head with some fine punctures on the vertex, the latter black ; the lower portion fulvous; the frontal

tubercles very broad, subquadrate ; antennz more than half the length of the body, the six lower joints

fulvous, the rest black, the basal joint strongly swollen at the apex, the second joint very small, the third

joint greatly enlarged and dilated and with its lower surface concave, the fourth joint narrow at the base

and transversely widened at the apex, the remaining joints filiform and nearly equal in length ; thorax

subquadrate, slightly constricted at, the base, fulvous, an elongate spot on each side, and another at the

middle, near the base, black, the disc impunctate, with an obsolete depression on each side; scutellum

black ; elytra very finely and closely punctured, narrowly elongate, black, a transverse band before the

middle and another slightly oblique one near the apex of each, fulvous ; the four anterior legs fulvous, the

femora and the tibie with a black streak at their upper margin ; the first joint of the anterior tarsi greatly

enlarged, that of the intermediate legs less strongly widened.

Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca (Sailé), Tonila in Colima (Hége).

In the female the antenne and the tarsi are simple and the posterior femora much

shorter.

A male example from Cuernavaca is figured.

590 PHYTOPHAGA.

18. Malacorhinus reticulatus. (Tab. XX XIII. fig. 17, ¢ .)

Testaceous, the antenne (the basal and apical joints excepted), the tibie, and tarsi black; thorax fulvous, very

minutely punctured ; elytra very finely punctured, testaceous, the apical portion fulvous, the anterior part

divided by narrow black bands, the bands surrounding a central sutural, a small basal, and two lateral

testaceous spaces.

dg. The elytra with a deep fovea at the middle of the lateral margin.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Sallé).

M. reticulatus is at once distinguished amongst its allies by the curious pattern

of the elytra, the black portion of which resembles a network enclosing semiregular

patches of the ground-colour ; of these patches three smaller ones at the sides and base

respectively surround a larger sutural space at the middle of the disc. The antenne

have the first joint fulvous and the terminal three joints paler; the third joint is twice

the length of the second. A single specimen.

19. Malacorhinus (?) centro-maculatus.

Testaceous or fulvous, the antenne, tibie, and tarsi black ; thorax and elytra opaque, the latter finely punc-

tured, each elytron with a small central black spot.

Var. Elytra without black spots.

Length 3 lines,

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles distinct at the middle only, but contiguous with the sides; antenne

nearly as long as the body, black, the apical three joints sometimes obscure fulvous, the second and third

joints small and nearly equal in length; thorax nearly twice as broad as long, subquadrate, the sides

narrowly margined and rather deflexed, the surface somewhat flattened, not visibly punctured ; scutellum

broadly trigonate ; elytra opaque (like the rest of the upper surface), very finely and rather closely punc-

tured, each with a small black spot placed at the middle of the disc; below and the femora fulvous, a

streak at the upper edge of the anterior femora, and the tibie and tarsi, black ; tibise with a small spine ;

the first joint of the posterior tarsi longer than the following three joints together; claws appendiculate.

Hab. Mexico, Tepanistlahuaca (Sallé); GuatEma.a, Capetillo (Champion).

This species is provisionally placed in Malacorhinus; it differs from the other

members of the genus in the more transversely shaped and not posteriorly constricted

thorax, and in the longer metatarsus of the posterior legs.

LUPERODES.

Luperodes, Motschulsky, Etud. ent. vii. p. 102 (1858).

About twenty species of this genus have been described, all, with two exceptions,

inhabitants of the eastern portions of the globe. Luperodes is closely allied to Mono-

lepta and Luperus; from the latter it is separated by the first joint of the posterior

tarsi being much longer, the body more ovate and convex, and the thorax generally

with its posterior margin more or less rounded and the surface obsoletely trauns-

versely depressed. One American species, L. kirschi, Har., has been described; this,

however, seems to agree better with Luperus, to judge from a specimen in my

possession. We have nevertheless received a good many species from our country

LUPERODES. 591

which do not seem to differ to any marked degree from the Old-World forms ; twelve

are here described. |

1. Luperodes apicalis.

Oblong ovate, slightly widened posteriorly, fulvous; antenne, tibia, and tarsi black; thorax with two obsolete

depressions ; elytra very finely and closely punctured, fulvous, the apical portion black.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles distinct; the clypeus not separated from the face; palpi piceous ;

antennz nearly as long as the body, the second joint short, the third one half longer, black, the basal joint

fulvous beneath; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides straight, the posterior margin rounded, the

surface very finely punctured, with an obsolete transverse depression on each side; elytra slightly widened

towards the apex, the latter black, the basal two thirds fulvous, punctured like the thorax ; the underside

and the femora fulvous, paler than above, the knees, tibie, and tarsi black; the first joint of the posterior

tarsi as long as half the tibia.

Hab. Guatema.a, Sinanja in Vera Paz (Champion).

2. Luperodes melanocephalus.

Broadly ovate, testaceous; the intermediate joints of the antenns, the head, and the breast black; thorax

impunctate ; elytra very minutely punctured, each with two spots at the base and two below the middle,

black.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, black; palpi robust; antenne two thirds the length of the body, testaceous, the sixth and

seventh joints and the apex of the terminal one, black, the third joint twice the length of the second, the

other joints elongate, equal; thorax more than twice as broad as long, the sides nearly straight, slightly

narrowed towards the apex, the anterior angles obliquely rounded, thickened, the posterior margin rounded,

slightly sinuate in the middle, the surface impunctate, very obsoletely depressed at the sides; scutellum

triangular, testaceous; elytra closely and finely punctured, obsoletely depressed near the middle, with an

elongate spot at the shoulder, a rounded one near the scutellum, and two others placed transversely below

the middle, black; legs testaceous, the posterior tibie with a long spine; the first joint of the posterior

tarsi much longer than the following three joints united.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

_ There is only a single specimen before me of this comparatively large species ; in the

elytral pattern it somewhat resembles certain forms of Diabrotica.

3. Luperodes biannularis.

Ovate, convex, testaceous; the vertex of the head, the antenne, and the tibie and tarsi black; thorax

narrowly transverse; elytra finely punctured, each with a broad transverse band at the apex and a ring-

shaped mark at the base, black.

g. Antenne longer than the body; the third joint extremely small, shorter than the second joint.

Length 14 line.

¢. Head impunctate at the vertex, the latter black; clypeus not separated from the face, forming a single

piece with the latter; eyes very large; antenne longer than the body, black, the second joint small,

moniliform, the third only half the length of the preceding, the fourth joint extremely long, longer than

the fifth; thorax transverse and short, more than twice as broad as long, the sides and the posterior

margin rounded, the surface very finely and irregularly punctured, testaceous; scutellum black; elytra

finely and closely punctured, the interspaces very finely semi-rugose; the underside and the femora

testaceous, the tibie and tarsi blackish; the first joint of the posterior tarsi half the length of the tibia.

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

Many specimens.

592 PHYTOPHAGA.

4, Luperodes apicicornis.

Ovate, convex, testaceous, the antenne (the apical joint excepted) and the tibie black ; thorax finely punctured,

the sides with a black band; elytra scarcely visibly punctured, with the base, a narrow transverse band

before the middle, and the apical margins, black.

Var. The thorax and elytra testaceous, the apices of the latter obscurely piceous.

Length 12 line.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles very indistinct ; antenne as long as the body, the third joint one half

longer than the second, the three or four basal joints more or less testaceous beneath, the apical joint

entirely of that colour, the rest black; thorax transverse, the basal margin rounded, the surface very

minutely punctured, with a very obsolete transverse depression on each side, the sides with a narrow

longitudinal black band; elytra convex, scarcely more distinctly punctured than the thorax, testaceous or

fulvous, with the base, a narrow transverse band before the middle (connected with the basal mark at the

sutural and lateral margins), and the apices at the sides, black; the first joint of the posterior tarsi half

the length of the tibia.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

Separated from ZL. biannularis by the differently-coloured antenne, the black sides

of the thorax, and the similarly-coloured elytral apices. The third joint of the antenne

is also longer than in the allied species. The few specimens which I refer to the

variety differ in the absence of the black thoracic and elytral markings, the apices of

the elytra only being stained with piceous; they agree with the type in the colour and

structure of the antenne.

5. Luperodes dimidiaticornis.

Testaceous, the intermediate and the apical two joints of the antenne black; thorax finely punctured, the sides

with a black band; elytra closely punctured, a transverse band at the base, another below the middle,

and a third near the apex, connected at the sides and at the suture, black.

Var, The apical band of the elytra absent, the other bands almost obsolete.

Length 13 line.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This species seems to be very variable in the markings of the elytra: in one example

only are they plainly visible ; in all the others the elytral bands are either nearly obsolete

or incomplete. ‘The band at the base generally leaves a small spot near the scutellum

and another at the shoulder of the ground-colour and extends in a point downwards

along the suture, this band being connected at the sides with a broader stripe extending

to the posterior bands; the latter are, in most specimens, only faintly indicated.

L. dimidiaticornis is of the same shape and size as the two preceding species, from

which it is principally distinguished by the colour and structure of the antenne—the

sixth and seventh and the apical two joints being black and the second and third joints

small and equal; these organs are also shorter than in the allied forms.

6. Luperodes nigricornis,

Pale fulvous, the antennx and the posterior tibie black; elytra black, closely punctured, a transverse band at

the middle, widened at the suture, fulvous.

LUPERODES. 593

3. Antenne longer than the body, the third joint very minute.

Length 14-2 lines.

Hab. Guatemata, Senahu, Sinanja (Champion).

L. nigricornis is larger and of more flattened shape than L. dimidiaticornis, from

which it differs in the finely punctured vertex in connection with the entirely black

antenne; the fulvous band at the middle of the elytra is widened at the suture and

does not extend to the lateral margins. The antenne in the male insect extend beyond.

the apex of the elytra; the third joint is smaller than the second, and the following

three joints are somewhat thickened and elongate. These characters will assist in the

recognition of L. nigricornis.

7. Luperodes fulvo-fasciatus.

Fulvous, the antenne, knees, tibia, and tarsi black ; thorax finely punctured, obsoletely depressed at the sides ;

elytra black, extremely finely punctured, a transverse band of regular shape at the middle, fulvous.

Length 2 lines. .

Hab. Mexico, Cordova (Salté).

This insect resembles L. nigricornis in coloration, but is twice the size. The fulvous

elytral band of L. fulvo-fasciatus is broader than in that species, of very regular shape,

and extends quite to the lateral margins and very narrowly upwards along the suture

to the base; the antenne extend to two thirds of the length of the body and have their

third joint twice as long as the second. |

A single specimen.

8. Luperodes humeralis.

Ovate, widened posteriorly, fulvous; antenne and legs black; thorax impunctate; elytra very finely and

closely punctured, fulvous, a spot at the shoulder, and the lateral margin anteriorly, black.

Length 2 lines.

Head fulvous, impunctate ; the clypeus not separated from the face; labrum piceous; antenne: nearly as long

as the body, black, the third joint one half longer than the second ; thorax twice as broad as long, the

sides straight, the posterior margin rounded, the surface not visibly punctured, with a very obsolete

transverse depression on each side; scutellum flavous ; elytra finely and ‘closely punctured, fulvous, the

shoulders with a black spot, ‘the lateral margins and the epipleures at the base black; legs black; the

first joint of the posterior tarsi much lenger than the following three joints united.

Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo, Panajachel (Champion).

The black antenne and legs and the humeral spot of the elytra (which extends

downwards along the lateral margin for a short distance) separate L. humeralis from

any of its congeners.

9. Luperodes sallzi.

Fulvous, the antenne, tibie, and tarsi black; thorax and elytra very finely punctured, the latter with a spot

at the shoulder, another near the scutellum, the apical margin, and a subsutural spot near the apex

black.

Length 2 lines.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, January 1888. 4¢

594 PHYTOPHAGA.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles nearly obsolete; antennw about two thirds the length of the body,

black, the second and third joints small, the latter slightly longer than the second, the fourth and following

joints very elongate; thorax twice as broad as long, the lateral and the posterior margins slightly rounded,

the surface finely punctured, obsoletely depressed on each side; elytra not more strongly punctured than

the thorax, with two spots at the base (the inner one near the scutellum, the outer one on the shoulder),

a spot, of more elongate shape, near the suture below the middle, the lateral margins posteriorly, and the

apical margins also, black; posterior femora at the apex, and all the tibie and tarsi, black; the underside

fulvous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi half the length of the tibia, -

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec, Juquila (Saldé).

10. Luperodes impressicollis. .

Black, the head, the three basal joints of the antennm, the thorax, and legs fulvous; head and thorax finely

punctured, the latter impressed; elytra dark blue, very finely punctured.

Length 2 lines.

Head finely and rather closely punctured at the vertex; the frontal tubercles transverse, bounded posteriorly

by a deep transverse groove; clypeus with a distinct central ridge; antenne about half the length of the

body, the joints rather short and robust, the three lower joints fulvous, the others black, the third joint

very little longer than the second; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides slightly rounded at the middle,

the posterior margin somewhat sinuate, the disc finely and closely punctured, with two more or less deep

depressions which sometimes nearly unite; scutellum black; elytra very closely and finely punctured,

dark metallic blue; underside black, clothed with yellow pubescence; legs fulvous, all the tibia armed

with a spine; the first joint of the posterior tarsi rather longer than the following joints together; claws

appendiculate ; the anterior coxal cavities open.

Hab. Mexico, San Andres Chalchicomula, Jacale (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hége).

11. Luperodes minutus.

Testaceous, the sixth and seventh and the apical three joints of the antenne, black; thorax finely punctured,

with the sides black; elytra closely punctured, an oblique longitudinal streak from the middle of the base

to the suture, a transverse band below the middle, and the sides, piceous.

Var. The elytral markings nearly obsolete.

Length 1 line.

Head impunctate; antennz as long as the body, the second and third joints very small, equal; thorax twice as

broad as long, finely punctured, with a more or less distinct lateral depression, the lateral margins black

or piceous; elytra very finely and rather closely punctured, very obsoletely depressed below the base,

testaceous, with a short piceous streak commencing at the middle of the base, this streak being connected

with an oblique and pointed stripe extending from the base to the suture (forming a V-shaped mark with

the corresponding stripe on the other elytron), and a broader and irregular transverse piceous band below

the middle, the latter connected with the similarly-coloured sides; the underside and legs testaceous; the

first joint of the posterior tarsi half the length of the tibia.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, David (Champion).

This is the smallest of our species. In the elytral markings Z. minutus resembles

L. biannularis and L. apicicornis, but differs in the colour of the antenne; the V-shaped

anterior markings of the elytra are directed obliquely downwards along the suture, and

the posterior band does not occupy the apices: these differences, together with the

small size, will help to distinguish Z. minutus from its allies.

LUPERODES.—LUPERUS. 595

12. Luperodes (?) metallicus.

Black, the basal joints of the antenne and the tibie flavous ; thorax distinctly punctured, obsoletely depressed ;

elytra metallic blue, semipunctate-striate.

Length 1 line.

Head bluish-black, impunctate, deeply transversely grooved between the eyes, the latter very large and occu-

pying the entire side of the head; frontal tubercles very distinct, elongate; labrum and the palpi obscure

fulvous; antenne long and slender, black, the three basal joints flavous, the second and third very short

and equal; thorax scarcely twice as broad as long, all the margins nearly straight, the surface obsoletely

transversely depressed across the disc, rather strongly and closely punctured, black; scutellum black ;

elytra metallic greenish-blue, rather strongly punctured, the punctuation arranged in almost regular rows ;

tibiee and tarsi flavous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi much longer than the following three joints

together.

Hab. Guatemata (coll. Jacoby).

A single example. This small species apparently possesses all the characters of

Luperodes, although I am not sure of the state of the anterior coxal cavities; the eyes

are exceptionally large. The metallic colour of the elytra further separates L. metal-

licus from any other species of the genus. |

LUPERUS.

Luperus, Geoffroy, Hist. Ins. i. p. 230 (1762) ; Weise, Archiv fiir Naturg. part 2, p. 589 (1886) ;

Joannis, L’Abeille, iii. p. 115 (1866).

Calomicrus, Stephens, Ilustr. Brit. Ent. iv. p. 293 (1831).

The great number of species of Luperus, very many of which have been included in

it for want of a better place, make it no easy matter to define the genus properly ;

many of the characters supposed to be peculiar to it are of a rather more negative than

positive nature, thus—the antenne vary in regard to the length of the joints (which is

also the case in many other genera), and the shape of the thorax and the length of the

posterior metatarsus is equally variable. It may, however, be taken as a rule that the

general shape of the body of Luperus is elongate, of delicate structure, and the legs are

feeble and slender; the posterior tibiee are armed with a spine (often difficult to detect),

and the claws are appendiculate.. The numerous species seem to be distributed over

the greater part of the world; many are known from Europe and North America, but

none have up to the present time been made known-from our country. The species

seem subject to a good deal of variation, which makes their determination often a

difficult task.

1. Luperus morrisoni.

Black, the first five joints of the antennew, and the anterior tibice fulvous; above metallic green or bluish ;

thorax extremely finely punctured ; elytra more distinctly and very closely punctate. -

Length 2 lines.

Head rather broader than long, impunctate; the frontal tubercles narrowly transverse, bounded behind by a

deep groove; elypeus with a strongly raised central ridge; labrum and palpi piceous; antenne two thirds

the length of the body, the joints rather robust, the third joint scarcely longer than the second, the fourth

4¢2

596 PHYTOPHAGA.

the longest, the five or six lower joints fulvous, the rest black; thorax about one half broader than long, .

the sides slightly rounded before the middle, nearly straight at the base, the angles distinct but not

prominent, the surface very minutely punctured, with (when seen in a certain light) two or three small

nearly obsolete depressions near the base; scutellum black; elytra closely covered with fine punctures

which are somewhat arranged in rows; legs black, the extreme base of the four posterior tibie, and the

anterior tibie entirely, fulvous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints

together.

Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison).

L. morrisoni differs from L. cyanellus, Lec., in the colour of the antenne and legs,

and in the more strongly punctured elytra. JZ. meraca, Say, is larger, and has the

antenne and legs flavous, and the elytra with traces of longitudinal sulcations;

L. longulus, Lec., is of more elongate shape, with the legs black, the general colour

dark bluish-black (not metallic blue or green), and the thorax entirely impunctate.

Iam much indebted to Dr. Horn for specimens of these North-American species,

with which I have been enabled to compare the present insect.

2. Luperus lecontii.

Luperus rufipes, Lec. Col. of Kansas and New Mexico, p. 27 (1859) *;. Proc. Ac. Phil. 1865, p. 209?

(nec Scopolli). |

Luperus lecontii, Crotch, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1873, p. 54.

Hab. Norra America, New Mexico } #.—Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison)..

I refer two specimens from Northern Sonora to L. lecontii; this species is compared

by Leconte with ZL. meraca, Say, with which it closely agrees, but differs in the less

acute and dentiform angles of the thorax and in the entirely fulvous legs. 1 must,

however, add that the Sonoran specimens though exhibiting these differences have the

thorax black and impunctate; the elytra metallic green, and exceedingly finely and not

closely punctured, and with traces (in one specimen) of slight longitudinal coste ; and

the legs and antenne fulvous, each joint of the latter being slightly stained with

fuscous at the apex.

8. Luperus rugosus.

Black, above dark bluish- or greenish-blaek ; head, thorax, and elytra. closely. rugose-punctate.

Length 14-2 lines.

Head strongly rugose at the vertex; the frontal tubercles and carina distinct, the latter short; antenne two

thirds the length of the body in the male, shorter in the female, black, the third joint about one half

longer than the second; thorax about one half broader than long, the sides perfectly straight, the posterior

margin slightly rounded, the surface unevenly rugose and punctured, the middle of the disc sometimes

with some smooth round spaces and a short ridge near the base; scutellum black, smooth; elytra strongly

and closely punctured, the interstices wrinkled throughout, the epipleure continued below the middle; the

underside and the legs black, finely pubescent; the tibia mucronate, the posterior pair with a long spine;

the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following three joints united; claws appendiculate; the

anterior coxal cavities incomplete.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio, Ventanas, Ciudad in Durango (Forrer).

LUPERUS. 597

The straight sides of the thorax and the rugosely punctured upper surface will help

to distinguish LZ. rugosus from its congeners.

4. Luperus parvulus.

Black, above metallic blue; thorax with a few fine punctures; elytra more distinctly punctured, the punctua-

tion arranged in semiregular rows.

Length 13 line.

Head not visibly punctured; the frontal tubercles obsoletely raised, but broad; the carina also broad and

short; labrum piceous; antenne rather more than half the length of the body, the terminal joints

distinetly thickened, black, the basal joints stained with fulvous below, the third joint not longer than the

second; thorax subquadrate, distinctly narrowed at the base, only visibly punctured near the posterior

angles; scutellum black; elytra slightly depressed below the scutellum, rather convex and subcylindrical,

more distinctly punctured anteriorly than below the middle, the punctures semiregularly arranged, the

apices broadly rounded ; legs black, the femora rather robust; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long

as the following two joints united.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Sallé).

L. parvulus is distinguished by its small size, the uniform metallic blue colour of the

upper surface, and the distinetly thickened antenne ; also by the elytra being semi-

regularly punctured, the punctuation almost obsolete at the apex.

5. Luperus subcostatus.

Black or piceous, the head (the vertex excepted), thorax, and femora fulvous; elytra metallic green, finely

punctured, the interstices more or less distinctly longitudinally costate.

Var. Head entirely fulvous.

Length 2 lines.

Head smooth, impunctate, the vertex greenish-piceous, the lower part flavous; the frontal tubercles strongly

developed, flavous; the anterior edge of the clypeus straight; palpi slender, filiform, the third joint

piceous; antenne scarcely half the length of the body, black, the three lower joints partly or entirely

fulvous, the third joint twice as long as the second, the fourth and following joints closely pubescent ;

thorax about one half broader than long, the sides strongly rounded before the middle, constricted near

the base, the anterior angles obliquely rounded, somewhat produced outwards, and each furnished with a

single hair, the surface entirely impunctate, fulvous, shining; scutellum black; elytra very finely semi-

punctate-striate, the rows of punctures often doubled and towards the apex quite indistinct, the interstices

longitudinally costate on the disc, the punctuation closer and more irregular at the sides ; the breast and

abdomen piceous ; the apices of the tibiee and the tarsi obscure fuscous ; the posterior tibize with a small

spine; the first joint of the posterior tarsi not longer than the following two joints together; claws

appendiculate ; anterior coxal cavities open.

Hab. Mexico, Iguala in Guerrero (Hoge).

Of this species there are but two specimens before me. One (the variety), apparently

a female, differs from the other in the following manner :—the head and the antennz

are almost entirely fulvous, the antenne are shorter, the thorax is scarcely so transverse,

the elytra are more distinctly costate, and the first joint of the posterior tarsi is scarcely

so long as the following two joints together; all other characters agree entirely.

L. subcostatus may be known by the costate elytra; the shoulders are also rather

prominent and angular. Isomewhat doubtfully include it in the genus Luperus.

598 PHYTOPHAGA.

6. Luperus subglabratus.

Black, the head (the vertex excepted), antenne, thorax, and legs fulvous; thorax subquadrate, impunctate ;

elytra metallic blue, scarcely visibly punctured.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head more or less metallic eneous or greenish at the vertex, impunctate, the lower part fulvous; the frontal

tubercles distinct, broad and rather elongate; clypeus. narrowly transverse, its apex not much prolonged

upwards; mandibles piceous at the apex; antenne rather stout, fulvous, the third joint scarcely twice

the length of the second; thorax about one half broader than long, the sides nearly straight, scarcely

rounded or widened in front, the posterior margin slightly sinuate, the surface rather flattened, entirely

impunctate, fulvous ; scutellum piceous ; elytra dark violaceous-blue, only visibly punctured when examined

under a strong lens; legs fulvous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints

united.

Hab. Mexico, Acapulco in Guerrero (Hoge).

L. subglabratus is separated from other similarly-coloured species by the shape of the

thorax and by its straight sides and impunctate surface, and also by the nearly glabrous

elytra; the head is in all the specimens more or less metallic green at the vertex. A

single specimen, also obtained at Acapulco, is a little larger and has the elytra rather

more distinctly punctured; it is probably a female of the same species.

7. Luperus punctellus.

Black, the three basal joints of the antenne and the thorax fulvous; elytra opaque, black, finely punctured,

the base and the sides with some longitudinal grooves.

Length 22 lines,

Head rather elongate, the vertex black, shining; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, trigonate; the clypeus

with a distinct central ridge, its anterior margin straight ; labrum broad, black; the apices of the mandibles

fulvous; antenne black (the terminal three joints wanting), the basal joints below, and the following two

joints entirely, fulvous, the third joint one half longer than the second ; thorax subquadrate, one half

broader than long, the sides a little rounded, constricted near the extreme base, the angles slightly

oblique, the posterior ones somewhat produced outwards, the surface impunctate, with a very small fovea on

each side, fulvous, shining; elytra rather depressed, each with two short longitudinal depressions (divided

by a short longitudinal ridge) placed immediately below the base and a longer depression below the

shoulder, the latter gradually increasing in depth and ending below the middle, the punctuation arranged

in close irregular lines and consisting of distinct and smaller impressions; the underside and the legs

black; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following three joints together; claws

appendiculate.

Hab. Mexico, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn).

A single specimen, probably a female.

8. Luperus albomarginatus.

Testaceous, the base of the head, the antenna, the tibie, and tarsi black; thorax fulvous; elytra black, finely

punctured, the sutural and the lateral margins, narrowly, yellowish-white; breast piceous,

Length 2 lines. .

Head flavous, the vertex piceous; the frontal tubercles distinct, but not very strongly raised; the clypeus

broadly triangular; the labrum piceous; the palpi rather robust, piceous; antennez two thirds the length

of the body, black, the third joint twice as long as the second; thorax scarcely broader than long, the

sides nearly straight, the surface impunctate, with two shallow impressions on the middle of the disc;

scutellum black ; elytra finely and distinctly but not very closely punctured, black, narrowly margined

LUPERUS. 599

(except at the base) with yellowish-white ; femora flavous, the knees and the tibis and tarsi black ; the first

joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following three joints together ; the posterior tibiee mucronate ;

claws appendiculate.

Hab. Guatemaa, Zapote (Champion).

The single specimen obtained differs from any of its allies by the colour of the elytra.

9. Luperus dissimilis.

Obscure eneous, the lower joints of the antenne and the legs more or less fulvous; thorax bifoveolate ; elytra

extremely closely and finely punctured, slightly rugose.

Var. Thorax flavous.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head impunctate, metallic greenish or sneous; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, divided anteriorly by the

blunt apex of the clypeus; antenne half the length of the body, obscure fulvous, each joint stained with

fuscous at the apex, the third joint twice as long as the second; thorax scarcely broader than long, the

sides rounded before the middle, constricted at the base, the surface somewhat convex, with a few fine

punctures, and a round fovea on each side; elytra with a very shallow sutural depression below the base,

obscure seneous, the shoulders somewhat prominent and angular, the surface extremely closely and finely

punctured, the interstices slightly rugose; legs flavous, the femora more or less stained with piceous; the

first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints together ; claws appendiculate; pro-

sternum very narrow, but distinct; the anterior coxal cavities open.

Hab. Mexico, Chihuahua city, Jalapa, Morelia in Michoacan, Mexico city (Hége),

Guanajuato (Sallé).

Many examples. JL. dissimilis seems very closely allied to L. torquatus, Lec., of which

Dr. Horn has kindly sent me some specimens for examination, but differs in the elytral

sculpture, the punctuation being closer and more irregular and consisting of small and

still smaller impressions; in Z. torqguatus the punctures are finer and more scattered,

and the interspaces are very minutely granulate. Most of the specimens of L. dissimilis

are entirely bronze-coloured ; in some examples the thorax is flavous, and intermediate

degrees are also not wanting. Two specimens from Morelia are more convex and

widened posteriorly and apparently more strongly punctured, though not differing in

other respects. |

10. Luperus modestus.

Obscure testaceous, the antenne and legs piceous; thorax and elytra very finely punctured.

Length 14-2 lines.

Head not visibly punctured; the frontal tubercles strongly marked, transverse; eyes large and prominent ;

palpi piceous, the penultimate joint strongly incrassate; antennze two thirds the length of the body,

piceous, the basal joints sometimes more or less fulvous, the third joint twice as long as the second but

slightly shorter than the fourth joint; thorax about one half broader than long, the sides very slightly

rounded, the anterior angles not prominent and each furnished with a single long hair, the surface

extremely finely and irregularly punctured ; elytra rather more distinctly punctured than the thorax, the

punctuation somewhat arranged in closely approached rows, the epipleuree extending bélow the middle;

tibiee piceous, the posterior pair armed with a small spine; the first joint of the posterior tarsi rather

longer than the following two joints together; claws appendiculate ; anterior coxal cavities open.

Hab. Panama, Boquete in Chiriqui 3500 feet (Champion).

600 PHYTOPHAGA.

Of a uniformly dull testaceous colour, the upper surface shining; the pygidium in

the female insect extending beyond the apex of the elytra. Many specimens.

11. Luperus flavo-femoratus.

Flavous, the antennz obscure fuscous, the knees, tibie, and tarsi black, the upper surface pale yellowish-brown,

shining; thorax impunctate; elytra finely punctured.

Length 2-23 lines.

Head impunctate ; the frontal tubercles distinct; eyes large; antennse more than half the length of the body,

fulvous, the intermediate joints more or less fuscous, the third joint more than twice the length of the

second; thorax subquadrate, about one half broader than long, the sides narrowed at the base, slightly

rounded in front, the disc impunctate, flavous; elytra slightly darker than the thorax (of a browner tint)

and very shining, very finely and closely punctured; underside flavous; the knees and the tibie black,

covered with yellow pubescence, the tarsi obscure fuscous or fulvous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi

as long as the following three joints together; all the tibis mucronate; claws appendiculate.

- Hab. Guatemata, Volcan de Atitlan 2500 to 3500 feet (Champion).

The present insect, although rather larger and of more robust appearance than is

generally the case in Luperus, has all the structural characters of the genus.

ORCETES.

Head broad; the penultimate joint of the palpi incrassate; antenne filiform, deformed in the male, the second

and third joints short; thorax transversely subquadrate, the surface deeply depressed ; elytra irregularly

punctured, their epipleure ‘obsolete below the middle; the posterior tibize with a short spine; the inter-

mediate tibie notched near the apex in the male; the first joint of the posterior tarsi rather longer than

the following three joints united; claws appendiculate; the anterior coxal cavities open.

_ This new genus, which should be placed near Luperus, is separated from any of the

genera composing this section by the broad head and the depressed thorax, and by the

elytral epipleure being obsolete below the middle; the male insect is further distin-

guished by the structure of the antenne, and by the intermediate tibie being notched

near the apex. |

I include in it a single species from Nicaragua and Panama.

1. Oreetes flavicollis. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 4, ¢.)

Flavous, the antenne (the basal four joints in the male, the basal two in the female, excepted) black; elytra

finely punctured, irregularly depressed, dark violaceous-blue, the lateral margins anteriorly flavous.

¢é. Antenne with the third joint transverse, the fourth joint flattened and widened; thorax with a conical

_ tubercle in the middle; the intermediate tibia notched at the apex.

Length 2 lines.

3. Head broader than long, impunctate; the vertex swollen, divided by a central groove; the clypeus broad

and flattened, separated from the sides of the face by a flattened space; antenne nearly as long as the

body, the first joint incrassate, the second joint very short, the third transverse, flattened, its inner apical

angle produced into a tooth, the fourth securiform, flattened, the following joints elongate, pubescent ;

thorax twice as broad as long, the sides narrowed towards the base, the anterior margin slightly produced

in the middle, the surface deeply depressed, with a tubercle at the centre of the depression (the tubercle

impressed in the middle), the disc impunctate; scutellum triangular, flavous; elytra dark metallic viola-

ceous, finely punctured, with some shallow irregular depressions, the lateral margin from the base to the

ORGTES.~—-METACYCLA. 601

middle narrowly flavous; underside and the legs flavous; the intermediate tibie with a small notch near

the apex.

Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba, David (Champion).

The female differs from the male in the simple, not deformed, antenne, these organs

having the basal two joints only flavous; the third joint is slightly longer than the

second, and the first joint is less thickened than is the case in the male insect; and the

thorax is simply transversely sulcate on the disc and devoid of the tubercle. In all the

specimens before me the thoracic tubercle of the male has at its extremity a small]

round impression. An example from Bugaba is figured,

METACYCLA.

Metacycla, Baly, Journ. Entom. i. p. 206 (1861).

Gastrogyna, Leconte, Proc. Ac. Phil. 1865, p. 210.

The female of Metacycla differs from the male in the abdomen being enormously

developed and only partially covered by the elytra. The genus has hitherto contained

three species only—one from California, one from Mexico, and one from Guatemala ;

two others are now added.

1. Metacycla sallei.

Metacycla sallé, Baly, Journ. Entom. i. p. 206°.

Hab. Muxico 1, Oaxaca (Hége), Tehuantepec, Juquila, Chabao (Sallé).—? Perv (coll.

Jacoby).

Closely allied to M. marginata, but differing in the black thorax, and in the want of

a fulvous elytral margin and similarly-coloured spots on the abdomen of the female; in

this sex the abdominal segments are more or less margined with fulvous, but not

spotted. ‘Two specimens contained in my own collection, and labelled “ Peru,” do not

seem to differ from the Mexican examples.

Pad

2. Metacycla marginata. (Tab. XXXIV. figg. 1, 2.)

Metacycla marginata, Chap. Gen. Col. xi. p. 218, note 1 (1875)’.

Hab. Guatemata 1, Duefias (Champion).

3. Metacycla ceruleipennis. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 3.)

Black; thorax flavous, impunctate; elytra dark metallic blue, finely and closely punctured.

g. Abdomen greatly inflated, the lateral margins fulvous.

Length 24-3 lines. .

Hab. Mexico, Chabao, Juquila, Panistlahuaca (Sallé), Jalapa (Hége).

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1888. 4h

I am compelled to separate this insect from M. sallei and M. marginata on account

of the following differences:—the thorax is fulvous (instead of black as in M. sallei),

and the elytra are rather more finely punctured and of a bluish-plumbeous tint.

More than a dozen specimens before me agree in these differences and show no inter-

mediate stages. In UW. marginata the elytra are rugose-punctate and margined with

ferruginous. Iam, however, unable to separate satisfactorily the female of the present

insect (a single specimen only of this sex is before me) from that of MZ. salle; it seems

to differ only in the flavous thorax.

4, Metacycla robusta. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 4.)

Ovate, strongly dilated posteriorly, fulvous ; antenne black, the basal (and sometimes the apical) joints fulvous ;

thorax strongly transverse; elytra black, finely and closely punctured, depressed below the base.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

I have placed this species in Metacycla because it possesses all the characters peculiar

to that genus; the thorax, however, is much more transverse in shape, and the elytra

are remarkably widened and convex. In one specimen (from Bugaba) the first four

and the last two joints of the antenne are fulvous, in the other example the basal joint

only is of that colour. The thorax is at least three times broader than long and

impunctate, the sides are slightly, and the posterior margin distinctly, rounded; the

elytra are very shining, black, closely punctured, and have a depression below the base,

and their epipleure are continued below the middle; the posterior tibie are armed

with a small spine; the first joint of the posterior tarsi is as long as the following two

joints together; and the prosternum is very narrow, but distinct between the coxe.

In one specimen (probably the male) the last abdominal segment is sinuate at its outer

margin, in the other it is simple; both examples have the same robust and dilated

appearance.

PLATYMORPHA.

Body elongate ; antennee longer than the body, the second and third joints extremely short, the other joints

elongate-triangular ; thorax subquadrate, the disc depressed; elytral epipleure continued below the

middle; the posterior tibia mucronate; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following three

joints together ; claws appendiculate; the anterior coxal cavities open. Anterior tibie and the first joint

of the anterior tarsi strongly dilated in the typical species in the male.

Type Platymorpha variegata.

In general appearance Platymorpha agrees with Chthoneis; the third joint of the

antenne, however, is extremely small, and the posterior tibie are armed with a spine

The last-named character proves the affinity of Platymorpha with Luperus and its allies.

I probably have only male specimens of P. variegata before me; these are at once

PLATYMORPHA.—PTELEON. 603

distinguished by the curious dilatation of the anterior tibie and of the first joint of the

anterior tarsi,

The two species I refer to this genus inhabit Mexico or Guatemala.

1. Platymorpha variegata, (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 5.)

Fulvous ; antenne, the femora above, and the tibia, black; elytra scarcely visibly punctured, black, the extreme

lateral margins and the apices fulvous.

Var. Elytra fulvous, each with two small black spots.

3. Antenne with the joints widened, the anterior tibice much widened and flattened at the apex, and the first

joint of the anterior tarsi strongly dilated.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate, reddish-fulvous, the frontal tubercles indistinct; antennee longer than the body, black, the

second and third joints extremely short, the following joints elongate, the eighth joint triangularly widened ;

thorax twice as broad as long, its surface subdepressed, microscopically punctured, reddish-fulvous ;

scutellum fulvous; elytra scarcely more distinctly punctured than the thorax, black, the extreme basal

and lateral margins and the apices fulvous ; femora fulvous, their upper edge marked with black.

Hab. Mexico, Yolotepec (Sallé); GUATEMALA, Capetillo (Champion).

Of the variety there are two specimens before me; these only differ from the typical

form in the elytra being pale fulvous in colour, with a small black spot placed at the

shoulder and a more transversely-shaped one at the middle.

2. Platymorpha smaragdipennis. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 6.)

Chthoneis smaragdipennis, Jac. P. Z. S. 1879, p. 786".

Hab. Guatemaa, Panajachel, Capetillo1, San Geronimo (Champion).

A careful examination of additional examples of this species has proved to me that

the posterior tibia are armed with a small spine; the insect in consequence is wrongly

placed in Chthoneis. The second and third joints of the antenne are very small, and

the thorax is deeply depressed on the disc and to a less extent near the anterior margin.

The male differs from that of P. variegata in having simple anterior tibie and tarsi;

+t has the antenna, however, as long as in that species. The colour of the elytra is

bright metallic green and their surface is rugosely punctured throughout.

PTELEON.

Elongate; antennew with short subtriangular joints; thorax transversely subquadrate; scutellum broad, its

apex broadly rounded; elytra irregularly punctured, their epipleure continued below the middle; legs

robust; all the tibie armed with a spine; the first joint of the posterior tarsi scarcely longer than the

second joint; claws appendiculate ; the anterior coxal cavities open.

Type Pteleon semiceruleus.

The spine at the apex of the tibie and the short subtriangular joints of the antenne

are the chief characters by which Péeleon is separated from Metacycla ; the first joint of

the posterior tarsi is also shorter than is the case in Metacycla.

4h2

604 PHYTOPHAGA.

1. Pteleon semiceruleus. (Tab. XXXIV. figg. 7, 8.)

Black; thorax scarcely visibly punctured; elytra dark blue, closely punctured, the interstices minutely

granulate and semirugose.

Var. Thorax fulvous.

Length 2-23 lines.

¢. Head broader than long; the eyes very prominent; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, transversely

oblique; clypeus narrowly transverse; labrum piceous; antenne black, scarcely half the length of the

body, the third joint one half longer than the second, each of the following joints nearly equal in length

to the third; thorax nearly twice as broad as long, the sides rounded before the middle, narrowed near

the base, the anterior and posterior margins straight, the surface with a few fine scattered punctures, and

a small but deep round fovea on each side; elytra parallel, the shoulders somewhat prominent, closely

punctured, the interstices minutely granulate.

Hab. Mexico, Tacambaro in Michoacan, Matamoros Izucar in Puebla (Ade).

The female is larger and very much broader than the male, and is somewhat flattened

above; the thorax is without fovee; and the elytra are more closely and finely rugose.

The elytra are sometimes of a greenish or very dark purplish colour.

All our female examples but one belong to the variety.

KREKK Tihige unarmed.

CNEORANE.

Cneorane, Baly, Ent. Monthly Mag. ii. p. 97 (1865).

No species from the New World has hitherto been ascribed to this genus; two,

however, received from our region, agree closely in every particular with the characters

attributed to Cneorane by the author, and I accordingly include them in it.

The few described species of Cneorane are from India, Japan, and the Cape of Good

Hope; the two now added are both from Mexico.

1. Cneorane nigricornis. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 9.)

Black, the head, thorax, and femora fulvous ; elytra dark violaceous, very finely and closely punctured.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate; eyes large; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, transversely trigonate; the anterior edge

of the clypeus straight ; palpi slender, piceous; antenne black, the third joint twice as long as the second

put shorter than the fourth; thorax subquadrate, the sides straight at the base, very little rounded in

front, the angles simple, not produced, the surface rather flattened near the base, more convex anteriorly,

and without punctures ; scutellum black; elytra parallel, dark metallic violaceous, very finely and closely

punctured, the interstices slightly rugose, the epipleure continued nearly to the apex; femora fulvous ;

tibie and tarsi black, the former unarmed ; claws appendiculate; anterior coxal cavities open.

Hab. Mexico, Durango (Hége). One specimen.

C. nigricornis bears a remarkable resemblance to C. elegans, Baly, from Japan, with

which it agrees in size and coloration; the thorax is, however, less transverse, and the

elytra are more finely punctured ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi is as long as the

following two joints together.

CNEORANE.—METACORYNA. 605

9. Cneorane mexicana. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 10.)

Fulvous; antennz (the basal joints excepted), and the tibie at the apex, black; thorax subquadrate, finely

punctured ; elytra closely semirugose-punctate,

Length 34 lines.

Head without punctures; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, trigonate ; labrum piceous; anteune robust,

black, the basal or the first two joints fulvous, the third joint one half shorter than the fourth ; thorax

subquadrate, rather broader than long, the sides slightly rounded before the middle and somewhat narrowed

towards the base, the surface rather convex, distantly and finely punctured; scutellum broad, fulvous ;

elytra of the same reddish-fulvous colour as the thorax (in some specimens with a slight purplish reflection ),

closely punctured, the interspaces towards the sides finely rugose, the epipleure extending nearly to the

apex; legs robust; the femora fulvous ; the tibie unarmed, piceous towards the apex ; the first joint of

the posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints together; claws appendiculate ; the anterior coxal

cavities open.

Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas, Oaxaca (Hége).

METACORYNA.

Body oblong ; eyes moderate ; palpi filiform ; antennee with the intermediate joints transverse, the eighth (or

ninth) joint enormously developed and pear-shaped; thorax transversely subquadrate, the angles not

produced; elytra convex, irregularly punctured, their epipleure continued below the middle; legs

slender ; tibiee simple, unarmed; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints

together; claws appendiculate; the anterior coxal cavities open.

Type Metacoryna fulvicoliis.

The structural characters, including the curious development of some of the joints

of the antenne, of Metacoryna agree with those of the tenth group of Chapuis’s arrange-

ment, the “Cerophysine.” In the typical form of Metacoryna the size of the eighth

antennal joint is proportionately enormous, but in one of the other species it is less

developed ; and although all the specimens I have for examination agree with each

other in this respect, 1 am unable to say whether this structure is peculiar to the male

insect only. |

I include three species from Mexico or Guatemala in this genus.

1. Metacoryna fulvicollis. (Tab. XX XIII. fig. 3, ¢.)

Black ; head and thorax fulvous, impunctate ; elytra dark blue, submetallic, extremely finely punctured.

Length 3 lines.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles broadly transverse; labrum and palpi piceous; antenne black, the

three basal joints testaceous below, the fifth, sixth, and seventh joints transverse, the eighth joint pear-

shaped, enormously dilated and swollen, and deeply foveolate beneath, the ninth joint transversely sub-

quadrate, thickened, the apical joints small and of normal shape; thorax twice as broad as long, the

sides rounded before the middle, the angles distinct but not produced, the surface very obsoletely flautened

near the base, not visibly punctured, fulvous, opaque; scutellum triangular, black; elytra very finely and

closely punctured, dark blue, submetallic; underside and legs black.

Hab. Mexico, Tupataro (Sadlé), Acapulco (Hoge). -

‘The specimen from Tupataro is figured.

606 . PHYTOPHAGA.

2. Metacoryna fulvipes. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 11.)

Black; the head, the basal joints of the antenne, the thorax, and legs fulvous ; elytra dark metallic blue,

closely punctured.

¢. Antenne with the eighth and ninth joints strongly swollen,

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Mexico, Guanajuato (Salié).

Much smaller than MV. fulvicollis; the five or six basal joints of the antenne fulvous

and much less transverse, the swollen joints proportionately smaller; the elytra rather

more strongly punctured and slightly rugose; the legs fulvous.

8. Metacoryna guatemalensis.

Black, the head, thorax, and legs testaceous; the ninth joint of the antenne greatly swollen and widened,

pear-shaped ; elytra greenish-eeneous.

Length 2 lines.

The vertex of the head piceous, impunctate, the lower portion fulvous; the frontal tubercles very distinct,

broadly trigonate ; labrum piceous ; antenne black, the two lower joints testaceous beneath, the second and

third joints nearly equal, the following joints more or less triangularly widened, the ninth joint greatly

swollen and enlarged, its upper surface deeply channelled, the terminal joint elongate and pointed; thorax

about twice broader than long, the sides rounded at the middle, the posterior angles distinct, somewhat

obliquely shaped at the sides, the surface impunctate, shining, testaceous; elytra extremely finely and

sparingly punctured, the punctures placed in indistinct rows which are a little more plainly marked near

the suture, the apices almost impunctate.

Hab. Guatemata, Calderas 6000 feet (Champion).

In UM. guatemalensis the ninth antennal joint only is strongly enlarged: this is the

only structural difference I can find between this and the preceding species, and it is

not sufficient to justify its separation from the genus.

SCELIDA.

Scelida, Chapuis, Gen. Col. xi. p. 184 (1875),

Only a single species from Guatemala was known to the author of this genus; we

are now acquainted with seven others. Scelida contains species of comparatively large

size, nearly all of which are of metallic colour. The genus is characterized by the

nearly subquadrate thorax, the unarmed tibiz, and the open anterior coxal cavities, as

well as by the narrow elytral epipleuree which extend nearly to the apex. So far as at

present known Scelida is confined to Central America, where it ranges from Mexico to

the State of Panama.

1. Scelida viridis. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 12.)

Scelida viridis, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 787°.

Hab. Mexico! (coll. Jacoby).

This species, of which a male and a female specimen are contained in my collection,

SCELIDA. 607

is of a more slender shape than usual, and has the thorax proportionately narrower.

The elytra are green or blue, finely rugose, with traces of narrowly raised longitudinal

lines in the male. The metallic green under surface covered with yellowish pubescence

is a character which at once separates S. viridis from any of its allies except S. bella.

9. Scelida (2) antennata. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 13.)

Piceous below ; the lower part of the head and the thorax fulvous; antenne with the apical joints widened ;

elytra metallic green, rugosely punctured.

Length 3 lines.

Head elongate, distinctly longer than broad, the upper portion greenish-piceous, this colour surrounding a

fulvous spot, the lower part of the face flavous ; antenne black, the three basal joints testaceous below,

pubescent, the third joint one half longer than the second, the fifth to the tenth joints slightly curved and

widened in the middle; thorax subquadrate, one half broader than long, the surface finely punctured,

bright flavous, shining; elytra elongate, parallel, bright metallic green, very closely punctured and trans-

versely rugose ; underside piceous, with a slight purplish gloss, clothed with whitish pubescence; the coxe

fulvous, the anterior pair black at the base; the posterior femora rather stout; the first joint of the

posterior tarsi as long as the following two joints together.

Hab. Mexico, Juquila (fHdége).

A single specimen. 8. antennata differs from any of its allies in the shape of the

joints of the antenne and in the rather thickened posterior femora; the latter, however,

are not so stout as they are in the Halticine. This species should probably be placed

in another genus.

3. Scelida glabrata. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 14.)

Flavous, the terminal four joints of the antenne fuscous ; head and thorax impunctate; elytra metallic green,

entirely impunctate.

Length 44 lines. .

Hab. Mexico, Capulalpam (Sailé).

The entirely impunctate upper surface of this species, of which a single specimen

only is before me, distinguishes it at once from any of its allies; in structural details it

does not differ.

4. Scelida rugosa, (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 8.)

Reddish-fulvous, the terminal joints of the antenne and the tarsi fuscous; thorax sparingly punctured, sub-

quadrate ; elytra dark metallic green, coarsely rugose and wrinkled.

Length 4 lines.

Head impunctate; labrum testaceous; palpi piceous ; antenne half the length of the body, the five lower

joints testaceous, the rest fuscous, the fourth joint slightly longer than the preceding and the following

joints ; thorax slightly broader than long, the sides nearly straight, very slightly narrowed towards the

base, the surface flat, with two obsolete foves at the sides, and furnished with a few fine punctures ;

scutellum fulvous; elytra parallel, subcylindrical, the entire surface strongly rugose and transversely or

longitudinally wrinkled, the interstices impunctate underside and femora fulvous, the knees and the

tibize testaceous, ‘the tarsi fuscous.

Hab. Mexico, San Miguel del Rio (Sallé).

608 PHYTOPHAGA.

Of this interesting species there is also but a single specimen contained in the Sallé

collection. The rugose sculpture of the elytra of S. rugosa is a rare exception amongst

the Galerucine, and entirely in opposition to the smooth and impunctate surface of the

preceding species.

5. Scelida elegans. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 15.)

Scelida elegans, Chap. Gen. Col. xi. p. 184, note 1°.

Hab. Guaremata }, near the city (Salvin).

S. elegans served Chapuis for the establishment of the genus, and may be known

from its allies by the flavous colour of the head, thorax, underside, and legs, the bluish

elytra, and their exceedingly close and distinct punctuation. The specimen in my

collection measures 5 lines. Mr. Champion does not appear to have met with this or

the following species.

6. Scelida balyi.

Scelida balyi, Jac. P. Z.S. 1878, p. 993".

Hab. Guatemata, Aceytuno (Salvin).

The locality of this species was, through an oversight, not given by me at the time

of publication!. Only a single specimen was obtained by Mr. Salvin. S. dalyi differs

greatly from any of the preceding forms by the black vertex of the head and the

similarly coloured spots on the coxe; and also by the shape of the mesosternum, the

sides of which are conically raised and produced into a point.

7. Scelida bella. (Tab. XX XIII. fig. 9.)

Metallic green, the head, antenna, thorax, and legs flavous; elytra metallic cupreous, finely rugosely-punctate.

Length 4 lines. .

Head impunctate; antenne more than half the length of the body, flavous, the fourth joint slightly longer

than the third; thorax quadrate, narrowed towards the base, the surface flat, with two obsolete fovex,

entirely impunctate ; scutellum broader than long; elytra closely and finely rugose and punctured, of a

metallic reddish-cupreous colour; underside metallic green, covered with yellow pubescence, the anterior

portion of the breast and the legs flavous; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the following two

joints together.

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

S. bella agrees with S. viridis in the colour and clothing of the under surface ; but

differs in the colour of the: elytra, the shape of the thorax, and the less elongate first

joint of the posterior tarsi.

8. Scelida metallica. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 10.)

Metallic blue or green, the basal joints of the antenne, the head, thorax, and legs fulvous; elytra scarcely

visibly punctured, the basal portion raised.

Length 3-4 lines.

Head impunctate; antennee slender, the apical joints fuscous, the five basal joints fulvous, the third joint one

half smaller than the fourth; thorax subquadrate, one half broader than long, the sides straight,

SCELIDA.—-SCELIDOPSIS. 609

converging in front, the surface obsoletely depressed, impunctate ; scutellum fulvous or piceous; elytra

with the basal portion raised, very bright metallic blue or greenish, with a few extremely fine punctures ;

underside metallic blue, the sides of the breast pubescent ; legs fulvous ; the first joint of the posterior

tarsi as long as the following three joints together.

Hab. Mexico, Tuxtla, Cordova, Vera Cruz (Sallé), Oaxaca (Hoge).

Easily separated from any other species of Scelida by the metallic under surface, and

by the sculpture and polish and beautiful blue colour of the elytra.

We figure a specimen from Oaxaca.

SCELIDOPSIS.

Body elongate ; antenne filiform, the third. joint much longer than the second; thorax subquadrate, longi-

tudinally and transversely depressed ; elytra opaque, their epipleure broad and extending to the apex ;

legs slender, unarmed ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi longer than the following three joints together ;

claws appendiculate; the anterior coxal cavities open.

Type Scelidopsis rufo-femorata.

Scelidopsis is evidently closely allied to the genus Scelida, on account of the unarmed

tibie, the long posterior metatarsus, and the open anterior coxal cavities; there is,

however, a great difference in the shape and structure of the thorax, the latter in

Scelidopsis being more quadrate and not constricted at the base. The surface of the

thorax is (at least in one sex) deeply marked with longitudinal and transverse depres-

sions, calling to mind the Eastern genus Sastra; and the elytral epipleuree are much

broader and more concave than in Scelida, in which they are very narrow. ‘The opaque

and impunctate elytra seems to be another character of Scelidopsis. |

I include three species in this genus, all from Central America.

1. Scelidopsis rufo-femorata.

Rufous, the antenne, knees, tibiw, and tarsi black; thorax impunctate; elytra opaque, impunctate, dark

purplish.

Length 23 lines.

Head impunctate, rufous ; the frontal tubercles strongly raised; antenne more than half the length of the

body, black, the third and fourth joints slender, nearly equal; thorax subquadrate, the sides nearly

straight, scarcely narrowed at the base, the surface shining, impunctate, with two rounded foves near

the anterior margin and a deep transverse sulcation near the base, the sulcation limited at the sides by a

deep oblique groove which extends nearly halfway up each side of the disc; scutellum fulvous; elytra

entirely opaque, without any punctuation (extremely finely granulate when seen under a strong lens), of a

purplish or bluish-violaceous tint; underside and the femora (with the exception of the apex of the latter)

rufous or fulvous. .

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Toxpam (Sa//é).

2. Scelidopsis subcostata. (Tab. XX XIII. fig. 2.)

Black, the head, antenne, and thorax rufous ; elytra opaque, impunctate, dark bluish, with a short costa at

the sides.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1888. 4j

610 PHYTOPHAGA.

The only specimen obtained by Mr. Champion differs in the following way from

S. rufo-femorata: the underside and the legs are black, the antenne are entirely

rufous, and the elytra have the shoulders acutely raised in the shape of a short costa

which terminates before the middle; all the rest agrees with S. rufo-femorata.

3. Scelidopsis guatemalensis. |

Black, the head, thorax, and scutellum rufous; elytra dark bluish, opaque, impunctate.

9(?). The thorax without discoidal depressions.

Length 3 lines.

Hab. Guatema.a, Sinanja in Vera Paz (Champion).

Two examples. 8S. guatemalensis differs from S. rufo-femorata in the black under-

side and similarly-coloured legs (the base of the anterior femora in one specimen,

however, is rufous); and from S. sudcostata in the colour of the antenne, and in the

want of the elytral costa. Whether the specimen without thoracic depressions repre-

sents another species or the female sex of 8. guatemalensis 1am unable to say. Both

examples were obtained at the same locality, and, except in the sculpture of the thorax,

agree perfectly with each other.

The typical specimen has the depressions on the thorax as in the two preceding

species.

CHTHONEIS.

Chthoneis, Baly, Ent. Monthly Mag. i. p. 185 (1864).

Chthoneis possesses most of the structural characters of Scelida, but may generally

be distinguished from that genus by the short. second and third joints of the antenne

and the more transversely shaped thorax; one species is further distinguished by the

dilated intermediate joints of the antenne in the male insect.

The few species known are from Central or South America; one only was known

to the author of the genus.

The insect described by me under the name of Chthoneis smaragdipennis (P. Z. S.

1879, p. 786) is here referred to another genus.

1. Chthoneis jansoni.

Chthoneis jansoni, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 786".

Var. Head black; the basal as well as the apical joints of the antenne flavous.

Hab. Mexico, Cordova, Toxpam, Cosamaloapam (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); Nicaragua,

Chontales (Janson 1, Belt); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David (Champion).

Since the description of this species was published, a great many more specimens

have been received ; amongst these are some which have the head black. The antenne

in the male insect are considerably longer than, in the female only as long as, the body ;

CHTHONEIS,.—MIRACES. 611

the elytra vary in colour from dark blue to violet and green, and are finely rugosely

punctured.

C. jansoni has been found in abundance by Mr. Champion in the vicinity of the coffee-

plantations on the slope of the Volcan de Chiriqui, at an elevation of 3000 feet.

2. Chthoneis dilaticornis. (Tab. XX XIII. fig. 24, 3.)

Black; thorax flavous, impunctate; elytra dark violaceous, closely semirugose-punctate.

g. Antenne as long as the body, the intermediate joints dilated, the fifth and sixth joints deformed.

Length 3 lines.

3. Narrowly elongate ; the head black, shining, impunctate ; the frontal tubercles distinct, trigonate ; antenne

black, the second and third joints very short and equal, the fifth and sixth joints elongate, hollowed at the

middle, the former thickened at the base and the latter at the apex, the following joints irregularly

flattened, the apical one terminating in an acute hook-like point ; thorax narrowly transverse, the sides

but little rounded, the surface impunctate, flavous, shining; elytra dark violaceous, closely punctured and

semi-rugose ; legs black.

Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

The female has shorter and simple antenne.

MIRACES.

Oblong ovate; antennz subfiliform, the apical joints gradually thickened; thorax transverse, the disc trans-

versely grooved, the sides and the posterior margin rounded ; elytral epipleurw broad at the base, obsolete

below the middle; legs rather robust; the tibie unarmed; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as

the following two joints together ; claws appendiculate; the anterior coxal cavities open.

I propose the present genus for the reception of a small insect, which is principally

distinguished from the allied forms by the distinct transverse groove (extending across

the middle of the disc) of the thorax in connection with the unarmed tibie and rather

stout antenne. ‘The single species I refer to it inhabits Guatemala and British

Honduras.

1. Miraces eneipennis. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 16.)

Piceous below; the head, antenne, thorax, and legs fulvous; thorax impunctate ; elytra dark metallic greenish

or purplish, very finely punctured and granulate.

Length 1-17 line. .

Head obscure geneous or piceous at the vertex, fulvous at the lower portion, the latter rather swollen and

impunctate; eyes large; the frontal tubercles trigonate ; the clypeus in the shape of a narrow transverse

ridge; antenne scarcely half the length of the body, fulvous, all the joints of nearly the same length, the

third joint scarcely longer than the second, the terminal joints gradually and slightly thickened; thorax

nearly three times broader than long, the sides rounded and slightly widened at the middle, the anterior

margin concave, and parallel with the posterior margin, the surface with a very distinct transverse groove

at the middle of the disc, the groove extending nearly to the sides, impunctate, fulvous; scutellum

piceous or black; elytra metallic green or eneous, slightly widened posteriorly, with an almost obsolete

transverse depression below the base, very minutely granulate and finely punctured; legs fulvous; under-

side piceous or obscure fulvous.

Hab. British Honpuras, R. Hondo (Blancaneauz) ; GUATEMALA, Capetillo, San

Gerénimo (Champion).

412

612 PHYTOPHAGA.

The specimens from Guatemala are larger than those from British Honduras, and

one of them has the elytra stained with purplish reflections.

HECATAUS.

Oblong ovate ; antenne short, the second and third joints small, the following joints subtriangular and gradually

widened ; thorax subquadrate, the angles slightly prominent, the surface without depressions; elytra

irregularly punctured, their epipleursee very broad at the base and continued below the middle; tibie

unarmed ; the first joint of the posterior tarsi nearly as long as the following three joints together ; claws

appendiculate; the anterior coxal cavities open.

The short antenne with subiriangularly widened joints in connection with the

unarmed tibie do not permit the placing of the small insect for which I propose the

present genus in any other yet described. The single species I include in it is from

the State of Panama.

1. Hecatzus nigricollis. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 23.)

Black ; head impunctate; thorax scarcely visibly punctured; elytra fulvous, a spot surrounding the scutellum

and the posterior half black.

Var. Entirely black.

Length 14 line.

Head impunctate; the frontal tubercles distinct, trigonate; the clypeus with a strongly raised central ridge ;

antenne less than half the length of the body, black, pubescent ; thorax about one half broader than long,

deflexed near the anterior angles, the latter slightly thickened, the lateral and the posterior margins

moderately rounded, the surface with a few exceedingly fine punctures at the sides; scutellum black, its

apex rounded; elytra a little more strongly punctured than the thorax, the anterior portion to below the

middle fulvous, a small spot surrounding the scutellum and the rest of the surface black; underside and

the legs black.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The variety is of an entirely black colour.

ELYCES.

Oblong; clypeus not separated from the face; antenne slender, much longer than the body, the third joint

longer than the second but much shorter than the fourth; thorax transverse, the angles not produced ;

elytra irregularly punctured, their epipleuree continued to the apex; tibiee simple, unarmed ; the first joint

of the posterior tarsi as long as the following three joints together; claws appendiculate; anterior coxal

cavities open.

The very long and slender antenne, the head with the lower part formed of a single

piece, the transverse thorax, and the unarmed tibie separate Elyces from any of the

numerous genera of Galerucine. This genus is perhaps best placed near Chthoneis

and Scelida, in Chapuis’s twelfth group.

Four species from Central America are here referred to it.

ELYCES. 613

1. Elyces nigro-maculatus. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 5, 2 .)

Testaceous, the head at the base, the antenne, and tibie black; thorax finely punctured ; elytra closely and

strongly punctate, a spot at the shoulder, another surrounding the scutellum, and a transverse band below

the middle, black.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head impunctate, black at the vertex; the lower portion of the face testaceous, forming a plane surface, and

impressed with some rather deep punctures; labrum prominent, piceous; palpi with the penultimate

joint strongly swollen, piceous ; antenne very long, extending far beyond the elytra, black; thorax more

than twice broader than long, the lateral margins very slightly rounded, the surface with a few fine

punctures; scutellum testaceous ; elytra very closely and distinctly punctured, the spot at the shoulder

elongate, the one surrounding the scutellum pointed at the suture, both often connected in the shape of a

band, the posterior band wider at the sides than near the suture, and of variable thickness.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, David, Caldera, Tole (Champion).

The spots of the elytra are subject to a good deal of variation as regards shape and

size; but there is generally a small space at the base of the ground-colour. In a

single specimen the spots form two transverse bands which surround a central trans-

verse testaceous spot, and the apices of the elytra remain testaceous; in this specimen

the head is entirely black. An example from David is figured.

9, Elyces quadri-maculatus. (Tab. XXXIII. fig. 6, ¢ .)

Testaceous, the apical joints of the antenne, the tibie, and tarsi fuscous ; thorax sparingly and finely punc-

tured; elytra closely and more strongly punctured, a spot at the shoulder, another near the scutellum,

and two spots below the middle, placed transversely, black.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head entirely testaceous, impunctate; the frontal tubercles well developed ; the lower portion of the face with

a slightly raised central ridge; antenne much longer than the body, very thin and slender, fuscous, the

three or four lower joints testaceous, the third joint double the length of the second; thorax transverse,

the sides slightly rounded at the middle, the surface finely and sparingly punctured ; elytra closely covered

with small and slightly larger punctures, the interspaces somewhat rugose, each with a small spot at the

shoulder, another one below the base near the scutellum, and two small spots immediately below the

middle, placed transversely, black.

- Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

E. quadri-maculatus differs from the preceding species in the entirely testaceous head,

the colour of the antenne, and the spots of the elytra. The posterior spots on the

latter are placed more forward than the corresponding band in #. nigro-maculatus. In

one or two specimens the spots are larger and connected, forming bands; but the

testaceous head and the other details pointed out above will separate these forms from

E. nigro-maculatus.

3. Elyces obscuro-vittatus.

Testaceous, the antenn» fuscous; thorax transverse, short, the dise with five almost obsolete spots, finely punc-

tured; elytra more distinctly punctured, each with an obsolete longitudinal subsutural and sublateral

band.

Length 14—-2 lines.

Head impunctate, the vertex obscure fuscous, the lower part testaceous ; the frontal tubercles distinctly raised,

trigonate; the lower portion of the face flattened, forming a single piece with the clypeus; the labrum

614 PHYTOPHAGA.

piceous; antenne slender, fuscous, longer than the body; thorax narrowly transverse, the sides nearly

straight, the surface remotely and sparingly punctured, with some almost obsolete fuscous spots, of which.

two are placed near the middie, and three, transversely, near the base; scutellum piceous; elytra narrowly

elongate, more distinctly and closely punctured than the thorax, with two almost obsolete narrow longi-

tudinal bands extending from the base to the apex, one placed near the sutural and the other near the

lateral margin ; the underside and legs obscure, lighter or darker, testaceous.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

In one specimen the elytral bands are scarcely visible. The thorax is narrower and

shorter, and its sides straighter than in E. qguadri-maculatus. The terminal joints of the

antenne in all the specimens are unfortunately broken off, but even the remaining

nine joints extend beyond the apex of the elytra. In its general structure E. obscuro-

vittatus agrees well with E. quadri-maculatus.

4, Elyces nigripennis.

Black ; head and thorax fulvous, impunctate; elytra black, finely and rather remotely punctured.

Length 14 line.

Head with a few fine punctures at the vertex, fulvous; the frontal tubercles rather strongly swollen; the

clypeus broad and searcely thickened; the palpi black, their penultimate joint strongly thickened ;

antenne black, two thirds the length of the body, the third joint twice as long as the second, the fourth

joint the longest; thorax scarcely broader than long, the sides straight, slightly narrowed at the base,

the surface rather convex, rather strongly deflexed at the sides, the dise impunctate, fulvous or flavous ;

scutellum black, rather broad, and obtusely rounded at the apex; elytra a little widened posteriorly, the

shoulders but little prominent, the punctuation not very closely arranged.

Hab. Guatemaua, Las Mercedes, Cerro Zunil, Sabo in Vera Paz (Champion).

The specimen from Sabo differs from the others in having the palpi and the scutellum

fulvous; and the elytra more finely punctured. . nigripennis is separated from the

other species of the genus by the less transverse thorax and the shorter antenne, but

not by any other structural details.

MASURIUS.

Body elongate, subparallel; head broad; clypeus well defined; antenne long, filiform, pubescent, the third

joint more than twice the length of the second; thorax transverse; elytra irregularly punctured, their

epipleure: continued to the apex; tibie unarmed; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as the

following three joints together; claws appendiculate; anterior coxal cavities open.

In general appearance this genus resembles Elyces; the antenne are, however,

generally shorter and more robust; the head is differently shaped, and has a distinct

clypeus; and the thorax is more transverse. Masurius also greatly resembles Chthoneis,

but cannot be identified therewith on account of the longer third joint and the non-

dilated intermediate joints of the antenne; the thorax is also more transverse than in

the typical species of that genus. Masurius does not possess well-defined characters,

being somewhat intermediate between Hlyces and Chthoneis; nevertheless it would not

“be advantageous to place the species included in it in either of these genera.

The four species referred to it are all from Central America.

MASURIUS. 615

1. Masurius violaceipennis.

Testaceous; the basal and the apical joints of the antenne fulvous, the other joints black; thorax sparingly

punctured, bifoveolate ; elytra dark violaceous, finely and closely punctate.

Length 2 lines.

Head broader than long, impunctate; the eyes very prominent; the frontal tubercles very distinct, subquadrate,

divided by the apex of the transversely-shaped clypeus; antennz two thirds the length of the body, black,

the first and the last joint fulvous, the third joint scarcely double the length of the second; thorax trans-

verse, three times broader than long, the sides slightly rounded, the angles rather acute and slightly

produced, the surface with a few fine punctures, and a round fovea on each side; scutellum testaceous ;

elytra very closely punctured, dark metallic violaceous, the shoulders bounded within by an elongate

depression; the underside and the legs testaceous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).

M. violaceipennis differs from M. flavipes in the entirely testaceous head, and in the

colour of the antenne, elytra, and underside; it is also larger and broader, and the

thorax is bifoveolate.

2. Masurius flavicollis.

Piceous, the lower part of the face, the thorax, and the femora flavous, the base of the head black ; elytra

black, with a slight violaceous tint, closely punctured, and transversely rugose. .

Var. Head flavous.

Length 2 lines.

Head impunctate, black; the frontal tubercles distinctly raised, trigonate, flavous; clypeus flavous; labrum

and palpi piceous; antenna as long as the body in the male, shorter in the female, black, pubescent, the

third joint shorter than the fourth ; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides but little rounded, and

slightly narrowed at the base, the angles not prominent, the surface covered with fine scattered punctures,

flavous, shining ; scutellum black ; elytra violaceous-black, closely and distinctly punctured, the interspaces

transversely rugose ; legs pubescent, the femora flavous, the knees, tibia, and tarsi more or less piceous.

Hab. Guaremaza, Zapote, Mirandilla, Sinanja (Champion).

3, Masurius bifasciatus. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 17.)

Testaceous, the base of the head, the intermediate joints of the antenna», the breast, and the tibia and tarsi

black ; thorax strongly transverse, scarcely visibly punctured ; elytra finely punctured, subopaque, a broad

transverse band at the base, another below the middle, and the sutural and apical margins, black.

Length 24-3 lines. .

Head with a few very fine punctures, the vertex black, shining; the frontal tubercles transverse ; the lower

edge of the clypeus strongly concave-emarginate ; palpi robust, piceous; antenns two thirds the length

of the body (@), the three lower and the eighth to the tenth joints flavous, the others black, the third

joint more than twice the length of the second ; thorax nearly three times broader than long, the sides

slightly rounded before the middle, the angles rather prominent, the surface with an oblique narrow

depression near the posterior angles, extremely finely granulate and punctured ; scutellum testaceous ;

elytra very finely and closely punctured, the basal transverse band not extending to. the basal margin, its

edges sinuate, and its sides broader than the inner portion, the second band of the same shape, and

extending to either margin, the latter thence narrowly black to the apex; the breast and the last abdo-

minal segment black; the latter in the male with a short triangular fovea at the middle of the posterior

margin. .

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, David, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion).

Iam unable to say anything about the antenne of the male, as in the two specimens »

of that sex before me these organs are unfortunately wanting. In the transverse

616 PHYTOPHAGA.

thorax, unarmed tibie, &c., this species approaches Elyces. The elytra have often two

spots instead of the band at the base, and their lateral margin is black only from the

posterior band to the apex.

b. Anterior coxal cavities closed.

Tibie mucronate:

| CEROTOMA.

Cerotoma, Chevrolat in d’Orbigny’s Dict. univ. Hist. Nat. iii. p. 342 (1843); Erichson, Archiv fir

Naturg. 1847, i. p. 169; Leconte, Proc. Acad. Phil. xvii. p. 205 (1865); Suffrian, Archiv fir

Naturg. 1867, 1. p. 317.

Andrector, Horn, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc. iv. p. 152 (1872) ; Class. Col. N. Amer. p. 348 (1883).

Cerotoma at first sight closely resembles certain species of Diabrotica; the closed

anterior coxal cavities and the appendiculate (not bifid) claws will, however, at once

distinguish it from that genus. The males of nearly all the known species are further

distinguished by the abnormal shape of the third joint of the antenne; this joint is

always the longest in both sexes. Cerotoma is confined entirely to the New World, but

the species are not very numerous; several with open coxal cavities have been included

in it by various authors, these species, however, cannot be retained in the genus; on

the other hand, Cerotoma has been enlarged by a few species which have been erroneously

referred to Diabrotica.

Four species inhabit our region, one of which appears to be very widely distributed

in Tropical America.

1. Cerotoma ruficornis. |

Galeruca ruficornis, Oliv. Encycl. Méthod. vi. p. 200 (1791)’.

Cerotoma ruficornis, Weise, Archiv fir Naturg. 1885, 1. p. 157, t. 8. f. 6”.

Galeruca denticornis, Oliv. Ent. vi. p. 659, t. 5. f£.-78°.

Crioceris denticornis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. i. 2, p. 24 (1792); Syst. Hleuth. i. p. 457 *.

Cerotoma denticornis, Jacq.-Duval in Sagra’s Hist. fisica polit. y nat. de Cuba, vii. Ins. p. 126, t. 2.

f. 8°; Suffrian, Archiv fiir Naturg. 1867, i. p. 317°.

Cerotoma atro-fasciata, Jac. P. Z. 8. 1879, p. 792".

Hab. Mexico, Presidio, Ventanas (Forrer), Lagos in Aguas Calientes, Colima city,

Zapotlan, Cuernavaca, Jalapa, Chilpancingo, Acapulco (Hége), Vera Cruz, Orizaba,

Guanajuato, Oaxaca, San Andres Tuxtla (Sallé); British Honpuras, Belize (Blan-

caneaur); GUATEMALA (Salvin’, Sallé), Rio Naranjo, Capetillo, Duefias, San Gerénimo,

Fl Jicaro, San Joaquin, Sinanja, Chacoj, Cahabon (Champion); Satvapor, La Union

(Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson).— VENEZUELA? 4; ANTILLES, Cuba ® §, Porto

Rico 2, Guadaloupe 1.

An abundant insect in our region, though apparently not yet received from the State

CEROTOMA. 617

of Panama, where it appears to be replaced by the very closely allied C. salvint. The

numerous authors quoted above were evidently not acquainted with the many colour-

varieties of this species; the black transverse bands of the elytra are sometimes partially

or wholly absent, the elytra being in such cases entirely fulvous or yellow, with the

exception of the narrow black basal margin ; an opposite extreme of coloration, however,

occurs in which the elytra are entirely black, with the exception of the narrow fulvous

lateral margin; between these two forms all kinds of intermediate degrees are to be

found, but in nearly every instance the small black sutural spot placed near the apex

of each elytron is present. The colour of the legs is equally variable. The male of

C. ruficornis is distinguished by the dilated and deformed third joint of the antenne.

The variety from Porto Rico, figured by Weise, is also found in Mexico. C. atro-

fasciata, Jac.’, is only one of the numerous varieties with nearly unicolorous elytra.

9. Cerotoma salvini. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 18.)

Cerotoma salvinii, Baly, Trans, Ent. Soc. Lond. 1866, p. 478°.

Hab. Panama (Salvin1, Boucard), Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera, Tolé

(Champion). |

C. salvini, an insect only known as yet from the State of Panama, might easily be

mistaken for C. ruficornis, to some of the varieties of which it closely approaches in the

pattern of the elytra. ‘The structure of the head of the male of C. salvini is, however,

different from that of C. ruficornis: in the latter the clypeus is shaped like a transverse

ridge, and has three projecting points (one on each side and one in the middle); in the

former this ridge is absent, and at each side of the clypeus a strong spine, curved

upwards, is placed—by this character the male may be at once separated from that of

the allied species. I know, however, no character by which to distinguish the female

of C. salvini, unless the pattern of the elytra (that is of the typical form) is taken as

such: typical examples may be described as having black elytra, with a rounded spot

at the base, a narrow transverse band at the middle, and a short oblique band near the

apex, as well as the extreme lateral margins of each, flavous. The legs seem always to

be entirely flavous; in 0. ruficornis the posterior femora are usually black at the apex.

The antennex in C, salvini do not differ in structure from those of C. ruficornis.

8. Cerotoma. dilatipes. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 19.)

Flavous, the breast black, the tibise obscure fuscous; thorax impunctate ; elytra very closely punctured, each

with a narrow transverse band before the middle, connected by a stripe with the shoulder, a A-shaped.

band below the middle, and a small spot at the apex, black.

¢. The anterior tibia and the first joint of the anterior tarsi strongly dilated.

Var. Head black, the thorax reddish-fulvous.

Length 23-3 lines.

Head black at the extreme vertex, impunctate, the lower part of the face and the clypeus forming a nearly:

flat surface ; antenne slender, flavous, the third joint as long as the first and second joints together ; thorax

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1888. — 4k

618 PHYTOPHAGA.

scarcely broader than long, subquadrate, the surface impunctate ; elytra very closely and distinctly punc-

tured, flavous, with the suture anteriorly, a stripe from the shoulder to the anterior transverse band, the

latter itself, a A-shaped band below the middle, and one or two small spots (one near the lateral, the other

at the sutural margin), black; the apex of the posterior femora, the outer edge of the tibiw, and the tarsi

more or less distinctly, fuscous; the underside flavous.

Hab. Mexico, Presidio (Forrer), Colima city, Cuernavaca (Hége).

The pattern of the elytra of C. dilatipes is again very similar to that of C. ruficornis,

except that the black posterior band seems to be composed of two oblique spots joined

together. In the male the anterior tibie are curved and strongly dilated towards the

apex, and the first joint of the anterior tarsi forms a broad and flattened surface, the

following joints being of normal size; in the female there is no dilatation of these

parts, and this sex can only be separated from that of C. ruficornis by the shape of the

black posterior band of the elytra. A single female specimen, from Colima city, agrees

in the pattern of the elytra, but has a black head and a red thorax; in the absence of

additional material I look upon this form as a variety of C. dilatipes. In another

example (also a female), from Cuernavaca, the black markings of the elytra are almost

confluent. For the better recognition of C. dilatipes I may add that (if present) the

short anterior stripe which extends from the basal margin to the anterior transverse

band of the elytra is always narrower than in C. rujicornis, and distinctly concave on its

outer margin, while it is straight in the last-named species.

4, Cerotoma rogersi. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 20.)

Black, the antenne and legs flavous; thorax rufous; elytra finely punctured, black, each with a spot at the

base, another at the apex, a transverse band at the middle, and the lateral margins, flavous.

3. Antenne with the third joint strongly widened, its apex deeply concave; lower part of the face flavous.

@. Antennw simple; the head entirely black.

Length 23 lines.

Hab. Costa Rica, Cache (Rogers).

This insect is again closely allied to C. salvini and C. rujficornis, especially to the

former in regard to coloration, but differing in the sculpture of the head of the male.

From C. ruficornis, which it resembles in the last-named character, the present species

is, however, known by the bright red colour of the thorax and the much less strongly

and closely punctured elytra; the latter are differently marked, being black, with two

spots and a transverse central band yellow. ‘Lhe transverse band is broader than in

C. salvini, and does not quite extend to the sutural, and rarely to the lateral, margin ;

the apical spot is rounded, and not in the shape of a short oblique stripe. ‘The clypeus

of the male is devoid of the two curved spines which are to be seen in C. salvini, and

the lower part of the face is bright flavous; while in the female the head is entirely

black. ‘The legs are never marked with black as in C. rujicornis.

MONOLEPTA. 619

MONOLEPTA.

Monolepta, Erichson, Archiv fiir Naturg. 1843, 1. p. 265.

Numerous species, all inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere, are known of this genus,

whose close affinity with Luperodes in almost every structural detail is undeniable. The

third joint of the antennz, however, is generally, but not always, shorter than in

Luperodes, and the anterior coxal cavities are closed; the latter character at present

forms the basis of the classification of the Galerucinz, although it is now known that it

may possibly be a guide of very doubtful value. At all events, the numerous species

from Central America which are here described under the above generic name have

all the characters of Monolepta, and had to be separated from Luperodes on account

of the closed coxal cavities. No species has hitherto been described from the New

World.

1. Monolepta irazuensis. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 21.)

Testaceous, a spot on the vertex, the apex of each joint of the antenne, nine spots on the thorax, and the

centre of the breast black; elytra very closely punctured, two spots at the sides, and a short streak

below the middle, black. ‘

Length 3 lines.

Head not visibly punctured, testaceous, the vertex with a black triangular spot; antennz testaceous, each

joint spotted with black at the apex, the second joint small, the third joint one half longer than the

second; thorax more than twice as broad as long, the surface feebly impressed at the sides, very finely

punctured, and slightly wrinkled, with a large spot at the posterior angles, two spots at the middle, two

smaller spots at the sides, and an elongate one at the centre of the base, black; scutellum black; elytra

parallel, subcylindrical, very finely and closely punctured, the interspaces slightly wrinkled, with a spot

at the middle, near the lateral margin, another in the same position near the apex, and a short streak

near the suture below the middle, black; the breast at the middle, and a spot at the side of each ventral

segment, black, the rest of the underside and the legs testaceous.

Hab. Costa Rica, Volcan de Irazu (Rogers).

One specimen.

2. Monolepta unipunctata.

Testaceous; antennz black, the base of each joint testaceous ; thorax finely punctured, with nine small black

spots; scutellum black; elytra closely and distinctly punctured, testaceous, each with a small black spot

near the lateral margin.

Length 3 lines.

Head narrow, impunctate; the vertex with a small piceous spot; eyes very large; antenne more than half

the length of the body, testaceous, the apex of each of the joints black, the third joint one half longer than

the second; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides nearly straight, the posterior margin strongly rounded

and produced in the middle, the surface closely punctured and slightly wrinkled, with an almost obsolete

depression at each side, and nine small plack spots—six placed transversely before and three below the

middle of the disc; scutellum black; elytra rather convex, narrowed towards the apex, closely covered

with larger and smaller punctures, testaceous, each with a small black spot placed at the middle and close

to the lateral margin; below and the legs testaceous, the breast margined at the sides and posteriorly

with black.

Hab. Guatemaa, Panajachel (Champion).

4k2

620 PHYTOPHAGA.

M. impunctata is probably a variety of WM. irazuensis, with smaller thoracic spots,

different elytral pattern, and unicolorous underside; in all other respects the two

insects agree with each other.

A single specimen, captured on the margin of the lake of Atitlan.

3. Monolepta bipunctata.

Testaceous, the intermediate joints of the antenne fuscous ; thorax finely rugose-punctate, obsoletely spotted ;

elytra closely and finely punctured, a spot at the middle, near the lateral margin, and another near the

apex of each, black.

Length 2 lines.

Head rather elongate, with a few fine punctures on the vertex; eyes very large; antenne half the length of

the body, the three lower and the two apical joints fulvous, the rest black, the third joint scarcely longer

than the second; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides slightly rounded, the surface finely rugose-

punctate, with some very obscure piceous markings; scutellum black; elytra closely and finely punctured,

the interstices still more finely so, with a spot at the middle of the sides, and a similar but larger spot

near the apex of each, black.

Hab. Guatemata, Sinanja, Cerro Zunil (Champion).

Two examples. In the specimen from Sinanja the anterior elytral spot is the largest

and of transverse shape, but in other respects it agrees with the one from Cerro Zunil.

4. Monolepta elongata,

Elongate, testaceous ; antenns (the basal three joirits excepted) black; thorax minutely punctured, the lateral

margins black; elytra extremely closely punctured, narrowly margined with black.

Length 2 lines. .

Head extremely minutely punctured, the vertex with a small black spot; palpi piceous; antennee more than

half the length of the body, the three lower joints testaceous, obscurely stained with piceous, the third

joint one half longer than the second; thorax twice as broad as long, all the margins slightly rounded, the

sides narrowly black, the surface very finely punctured, with an almost obsolete depression at the sides;

scutellum black; elytra narrowly elongate, rather more distinctly punctured than the thorax, the inter-

stices very finely wrinkled, the margins very narrowly black; epipleure continued below the middle, the

inner margin black; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as half the tibie.

Hab. Mexico, Guadalajara in Jalisco, Matamoros Izucar in Puebla (Hége), Orizaba

Sallé).

Of a more elongate and parallel shape and also larger than IM. subrugosa and

M. imitans.

5. Monolepta chiriquensis.

Black, the antennz and legs flavous; head and thorax finely granulate and punctured; thorax obsoletely trans-

versely depressed ; elytra closely and rather strongly punctured.

Var, Elytra testaceous.

Length 14 line.

Head with a few fine punctures, minutely granulate ; the frontal tubercles distinct ; labrum obscure testaceous ;

antenne two thirds the length of the body, flavous, the terminal joints obscure fuscous, the third joint not

longer but more slender than the second, the fourth joint twice as long as the second; thorax transverse,

nearly three times as broad as long, the sides slightly rounded, the disc with a transverse more or less

distinct depression, the surface a little more closely but not more strongly punctured than the head ; elytra

MONOLEPTA. 621

slightly widened behind, closely and strongly punctured, the interstices slightly rugose; the- first joint’ of

the posterior tarsi much longer than the following three joints together.

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

It is possible that the specimens with testaceous elytra are immature. Many speci-

mens were obtained of both forms.

6. Monolepta subrugosa.

Testaceous, the apical joints of the antenne fuscous ; thorax with two depressions, closely punctured, the sides

plack; elytra closely semirugose-punctate, testaceous, the sutural and lateral margins narrowly black.

Length 14 line.

Head without punctures, the vertex often with a black spot; the frontal tubercles distinct, divided by the apex

of a raised central ridge which extends to the clypeus; antenne two thirds the length of the body, the

six or seven lower joints testaceous, the rest black, the second and third joints short, equal, the fourth

joint shorter than the fifth ; thorax transverse, the sides straight, the posterior margin rounded, the surface

closely and finely punctured and somewhat rugose, the lateral margin with a narrow black band, the disc

with a small transverse depression on each side; elytra a little less closely but as finely punctured as the

thorax, the interspaces irregularly wrinkled, the suture and the lateral margins very narrowly black.

Hab. Guatumata, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

This insect resembles unicolorous specimens of Luperodes apicicornis, but differs in

the short third joint of the antenne, the colour of the thorax and elytra, and the

sculpture of the latter, as well as by the closed anterior coxal cavities.

7. Monolepta imitans. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 22.)

Testaceous ; antenne piceous, the base of each of the joints pale; thorax with the lateral margins and a streak

at the middle, piceous; elytra semirugose-punctate, testaceous, the sutural and lateral margins extremely

narrowly piceous.

Length 14 line.

Head minutely granulose and finely but distinctly punctured, the vertex often with a more or less piceous spot ;

the clypeus with a distinct raised central ridge extending upwards between the frontal tubercles ; antennee

two thirds the length of the body, piceous or black, all the joints pale testaceous at the base, the second

and third short and equal; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides slightly but evenly rounded, the surface

with an obsolete transverse depression, sculptured and punctured like the head, the extreme lateral margins

and a narrow central longitudinal streak, piceous; scutellum piceous; elytra subcylindrical, closely and

scarcely more distinctly punctured than the thorax, the interspaces very finely wrinkled, the extreme

sutural and lateral margins piceous; underside and the legs testaceous.

Hab. Mexico, near the city (Hége); Guatemata, near the city, Capetillo, San

Gerénimo (Champion).

M. imitans greatly resembles MV. subrugosa, but differs in having the joints of the

antenne shorter and more robust (in M. subrugosa they are slender and elongate), in

the distinctly punctured head, the central mark of the thorax, and in the piceous

margin of the elytra; in I. subrugosa the sides of the elytra are more broadly and

more distinctly piceous, but this colour does not extend beyond the middle. The elytra

in the present species, of which many specimens were obtained, are also more finely

punctured than in I. subrugosa. | |

622 PHYTOPHAGA.

8. Monolepta panamensis. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 23.)

Pale fulvous; thorax minutely punctured, the sides piceous; elytra convex, finely and closely punctured, the

suture, a transverse band before and another below the middle, black.

Length 2 lines.

Head with a few fine punctures at the vertex; the eyes very large and prominent ; the frontal tubercles trigo-

nate, distinctly raised ; antenne fulvous, rather more than half the length of the body, the third joint

about one half longer than the second; thorax transverse, slightly narrowed in front, the posterior margin

rounded, the surface very finely and closely punctured, with an obsolete transverse depression on each

side, the sides with a more or less distinct piceous longitudinal band; scutellum black; elytra more

distinctly punctured than the thorax, with a narrow transverse black band before and a similar one below

the middle, the suture anteriorly and the basal margin also narrowly black; legs fulvous ; the first joint

of the posterior tarsi as long as half the tibie.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

The thorax is sometimes devoid of the piceous lateral bands. M. panamensis cannot

be mistaken for Luperodes dimidiaticornis, the latter being smaller and less robust, and

differing also in the colour of the antennz, in the first transverse band of the elytra

being placed nearer the base, and’ in the anterior coxal cavities being open.

9. Monolepta fulvo-maculata.

Black, the basal joints of the antenne and the legs fulvous ; thorax testaceous; elytra extremely finely punc-

tured, black, an elongate spot at the shoulder and another near the apex of each, testaceous.

Length 13-2 lines.

Head finely punctured and minutely granulate, the vertex black, the clypeus fulvous; labrum and palpi

piceous; antenne more than half the length of the body, fuscous, the three lower joints and also the

apical one fulvous, the third joint one half longer than the second; thorax twice as broad as long, the

posterior margin slightly rounded, the surface scarcely visibly and very closely punctured, obsoletely

transversely depressed; scutellum black; elytra scarcely more distinctly punctured than the thorax, each

with an elongate testaceous spot at the shoulder and a narrower one near the apex, the latter extending

nearly to the suture; legs fulvous.

Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca (Sallé).

The coloration of this species is quite distinct from that of any of the allied forms.

10. Monolepta triplagiata.

Fulvous ; antenne, the apices of the femora, the tibie and tarsi, black; thorax and elytra reddish-fulvous, the

former finely punctured, the latter with two black spots at the base and a transverse band at the middle.

Length 13 line.

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

The third joint of the antenne is but slightly longer though much more slender than

the second; the thorax and the elytra are very closely and finely punctured ; the two

black spots on the latter are transversely placed immediately below the base, and the

central band is very narrow and does not quite reach the sutural nor the lateral margin.

The reddish colour of the upper surface and the elytral pattern separate this species

from its allies. A single specimen only was obtained.

MONOLEPTA. 623

11. Monolepta violacea.

Black; the basal three joints of the antenns, the head, thorax, and the anterior legs, fulvous; elytra dark

violaceous-blue, scarcely visibly punctured.

Length 2—23 lines.

Head impunctate ; the frontal tubercles distinct, trigonate ; the clypeus with an acute central ridge; antenne

two thirds the length of the body, black, the three lower joints, and often the base of the fourth joint,

fulvous or flavous, the third joint about one half longer than the second ; thorax scarcely twice as broad

as long, the sides and the posterior margin rounded, the surface with two more or less distinct depressions,

not visibly punctured; scutellum black; elytra extremely finely punctured, the interstices extremely

minutely granulate; the anterior legs and the intermediate femora fulvous, the rest of the legs and the

underside black. |

Hab. Muxico, Durango city, Ventanas, Ciudad in Durango (Hége).

The elytra in some specimens are nearly black, but in the majority are dark bluish

or violaceous, and their punctuation can only be seen under a strong lens; the epipleure

are continued below the middle. The metatarsus of the posterior legs is nearly half

the length of the tibie; the latter are armed with a distinct spine.

12. Monolepta ce#ruleipennis.

Black; thorax fulvous, minutely punctured; elytra dark blue, distinctly and closely punctured.

Length 2 lines.

Head bluish-black, finely punctured at the vertex; antenne black, the third joint twice as long as the second

(the apical three joints are broken off); thorax transverse, the sides feebly, the posterior margin distinctly,

rounded, the surface very finely punctured, with an almost obsolete depression on each side; elytra rather

convex, dark blue, closely and distinctly punctured, the interstices slightly rugose.

Hab. Muxtco, Pinos Altos in Chihuahua (Buchan-Hepburn).

W. ceruleipennis differs from M. violacea in the entirely black head, antenne, and

legs, and in the much more distinctly punctured elytra.

13. Monolepta velutina. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 24.)

Oblong ovate, subdepressed, black, the basal joints of the antenna, the thorax, and the tibiz fulvous; elytra

obscure bluish-black, opaque, impunctate.

Length 2 lines.

Head rather narrowly elongate, impunctate, opaque, the vertex finely granulate ; the clypeus with a strongly

raised, acute, central ridge; palpi piceous; antenne half the length of the body, black, the basal three

joints fulvous, the third joint twice as long as the second; thorax about one half broader than long, the

sides and the posterior margin rounded, the surface obsoletely depressed on each side, flavous, opaque,

finely granulate and impunctate ; elytra rather flattened, very dark bluish-black, extremely finely granulate

and opaque; femora piceous at the base, their apices and the tibie fulvyous, the tarsi obscure fuscous.

Hab. Mexico, Yolos (Sallé).

This species is distinguished by its entirely opaque and impunctate upper surface.

14. Monolepta abdominalis. |

Black, the basal joints of the antenna, the thorax, legs, and abdomen fulvous ; elytra dark blue, closely and

distinctly punctured.

Length 2 lines.

624 PHYTOPHAGA.

Of rather elongate and narrow shape; the head bluish-black at the vertex, very finely and rather remotely

punctured; the frontal tubercles strongly raised, broadly trigonate, and nearly contiguous, scarcely divided

by the apex of the clypeus; the labrum, palpi, and mandibles fulvous; antenne half the length of the

body, the six or seven lower joints fulvous, the others fuscous and each stained with fulvous at the base,

the third joint slightly longer and rather more slender than the second, the apical joints somewhat

thickened; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides slightly rounded at the middle only, the surface

minutely punctured, fulvous, with a broad but shallow depression on each side; scutellum black; elytra

dark metallic blue, very closely and distinctly punctured, the punctuation here and there arranged in

closely approached rows of larger and smaller impressions, the shoulders rounded; the breast and the

apex of the last ventral segment black, the rest of the underside and the legs fulvous ; the posterior

tibiae with the usual spine; the first joint of the posterior tarsi longer than the following three joints

together.

Hab. Mexico, Ciudad in Durango (Hége). A single specimen.

15. Monolepta brunnea.

Testaceous; head piceous; antenne fulvous, the sixth to the eighth joints black; thorax obsoletely impressed,

obscure piceous ; elytra chestnut-brown, finely punctured, the base distinctly raised.

Length 1 line.

Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

M. brunneca is separated from the other small species of the genus by the elytra being

distinctly raised at the base and dark brown in colour, in connection with the colour

of the antennz and that of the head and thorax. The second and third joints of the

antenne are short and equal; the thorax is more or less stained with piceous; and

the elytra, which are finely and closely punctured, have a transverse depression below

the raised basal portion, the depression being slightly darker than the rest of the

surface.

16. Monolepta championi.

Reddish-fulvous; antenne pale fulvous, the sixth, seventh, and the apical two joints black; thorax minutely

punctured; elytra punctured like the thorax, reddish-fulvous, the base more or less piceous; legs

testaceous.

Length 14 line.

Head not visibly punctured, deeply transversely grooved between the eyes, the latter very large; clypeus

somewhat strongly raised in the middle; palpi piceous; antenne half the length of the body, the third

joint scarcely longer than the second; thorax more than twice as broad as long, minutely granulate and

punctured ; elytra convex, punctured like the thorax; the first joint of the posterior tarsi as long as half

the tibiee.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).

‘T'wo specimens. 2. championi agrees in general shape and colour with M. brunnea

and I. triplagiata; but’ differs from the first in the elytra not being raised at the base,

and from both in the colour of the antenne and in the unicolorous elytra.

17. Monolepta hondurensis.

Testaceous, the antenne and tibie more or less fuscous; head and thorax minutely granulate and punctured,

MONOLEPTA. 625

the lateral margin of the latter piceous; elytra closely and finely punctured, the interstices still more

finely punctate and slightly wrinkled, the extreme lateral margin piceous.

Length 2 lines.

Hab. Honpvras (Sallé).

This insect is closely allied to MU. imitans and M. subrugosa, but it seems to differ

from both in several particulars. MM. hondurensis is larger and of more elongate

shape; the head is finely granulate and punctured (when seen under a strong lens) ;

the clypeus has a very distinct central raised ridge, extending upwards between the

antenne (in M. subrugosa the clypeus is much more flattened and almost united with

the frontal tubercles) ; the antennz extend to about half the length of the body, the

first three joints are testaceous and the rest fuscous; the thorax is more transverse

than in the two allied species, and exceedingly finely punctured (the disc has the usual

transverse shallow groove); and the punctuation of the elytra consists of small and still

smaller punctures crowded together. Three specimens, agreeing entirely in the above

particulars.

18. Monolepta bipartita. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 25.)

Obscure fulvous; antenne black, the basal and the apical two joints fulvous; thorax extremely finely punc-

tured; elytra scarcely visibly punctate, black, this colour divided by a narrow transverse fulvous band.

Length 1-14 line.

Head not visibly punctured; the frontal tubercles but slightly raised and nearly contiguous; the clypeus

flattened, without any central ridge; palpi piceous; antenne as long as the body in the male, shorter in

the female, the three lower joints testaceous, the apical two joints fulvous, the apex of the terminal one

fuscous, the third joint in the male extremely small, smaller than the second, in the female larger; thorax

more than twice as broad as long, of usual shape, depressed on each side of the disc, the latter with some

fine irregularly distributed punctures, flavous or fulvous ; scutellum black; elytra convex, subcylindrical,

very finely and closely punctured, black, the fulvous median band narrow, slightly widened at its middle,

and nearly extending to the sides; below and the legs testaceous, the tibie more or less fuscous.

Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui, David, Caldera (Champion).

This small species much resembles in coloration Luperodes dimidiaticornis; but may

be known, apart from its different generic characters, by the colour of the antenn#,

these organs always having the apical two joints fulvous. Many specimens.

BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, February 1888. 4]