OCR Text |
Show 1897.] PHYTOPHAGOUS COLEOPTERA OP AFRICA. 541 broader than long ; elytra ovate, convex, strongly punctate-striate, the punctures closely placed, distinct to the apex, the interstices at the latter place and at the sides convex, in the female with an acutely raised costa from the shoulder to the apex; legs fulvous: underside black, very finely punctured; prosternum longer than broad, slightly narrowed at the middle, finely punctured; claws bifid. Hah. Madagascar, Diego-Suarez. Coll. Alluaud and m y own. This small species might perhaps equally well be placed in Ivonglus, which genus scarcely differs from Rhembastus, but m a y be known by the colour of the antennae in both sexes and by the acute lateral costa of the elytra in the female. MENIUS MADAGASCARIENSIS, n. Sp. Fulvous, the sixth and seventh joints of the antennae black ; thorax strongly but subremotely punctured; elytra deeply punctate-striate, the base, suture, and a semicircular band below the middle obscure aeneous ; femora unarmed. Var. Elytra without darker markings. Length 1 line. Head with a few minute punctures, fulvous with a very slight metallic gloss, the eyes surrounded by a deep sulcus; antennae extending to the middle of the elytra, fulvous, the sixth and seventh joints black, the basal joint very short and thick, the second scarcely shorter or thinner, as long as the third one, the others gradually thickened ; thorax about one-half broader than long, narrowed in front, the sides straight, the surface strongly but not closely punctured ; elytra wider at the base than the thorax, deeply punctate-striate, rather elongate, subcylindrical, the interstices also sparingly punctured, the punctured striae distinct to the apex, the basal portion, the suture, and a curved band below the middle of each elytron obscure brownish aeneous : underside and legs fulvous; femora unarmed, claws bifid. This is another of the few species of the genus in which the femora are unarmed; the sulcus surrounding the eyes reveals, however, the proper place of the insect to be in Menlus. The markings of the elytra are very obscure and in the varieties entirely obliterated : only in one specimen amongst the four contained in m y collection are they at all distinct; the band at the base joins the sutural one, and the posterior mark is likewise connected with the lateral margin. The specimens were sent to m e by Mr. Sikora. MENIUS FULYICORNIS, n. sp. Ovately rounded, convex; blackish below, above dark metallic green or blue; the antennae, palpi, the apex of the tibiae, and the tarsi flavous or fulvous ; thorax remotely punctured; elytra deeply striate-punctate, the interstices at the sides very strongly costate; femora with a tooth. PROC, ZOOL. Soc-1897, No. XXXVI, 36 |