| OCR Text |
Show 1882.] SPECIES OF PHYTOPHAGOUS COLEOPTERA. 51 emarginate at their inner margin. Antennae rather long, extending to the base of the thorax, the seventh to the apical joints dentate but not very transversely shaped. Thorax more than three times as broad as long, greatly deflexed at the sides, the posterior margin rather regularly rounded at the sides, and the median lobe obsolete and not produced; upper surface extremely finely punctured on the disk, very finely longitudinally strigose at the sides. Scutellum triangular, black. Elytra regularly but very moderately convex, the lateral lobes slightly produced aud rounded; surface much more strongly punctured than the head, the punctuation close and irregularly arranged; black, an elongate sutural spot surrounding the scutellum, and the lateral margins from the base to the apex, aureous or cupreous. Prosternum convex anteriorly, subtriangular, much narrowed behind. Claws simple. Two specimens of this interesting species were kindly given to me by Mr. Thorey, of Altona. I have included it for the present in the genus Lychnophaes, of which no species has been known inhabiting Africa. The general shape of the insect, scarcely emargmate eyes, and slender antennae would no doubt justify the erection of a special genus; but as these differences seem to me to be those of degree rather than generic, I have thought it best to abstain from the creation of a new genus. The insects were collected by Drege. NEOCHLAMYS, gen. nov. Ovate, rotundate, very convex. Head invisible from above. Eyes submarginate. Palpi short, robust, terminal joint conical. Antennae short; fourth and fifth joints elongate, of equal length ; the rest gradually transverse, subserrate. Thorax transverse, "narrow, its, sides rounded. Scutellum rather large/flat, triangular, Elytra distinctly lobed at the sides, very convex, irregularly punctured and strigose. Prosternum compressed, narrowed behind. Cavities for the reception of the antenna? and legs present. Claws simple. Type, Neochlamys strigicollis. The genus described here is, without doubt, closely allied to Sphcsrocharis, but well distinguished by the shape of the antennae and the simple claws. The eyes in the present genus may almost be called entire, the inner margin of the head scarcely advancing opposite the insertion of the antenna?, and the pygidium scarcely protruding beyond the elytra, in one instance being even totally covered by them. I am unfortunately not sure about the locality of this species, but believe it to be from Brazil. 3. NEOCHLAMYS STRIGICOLLIS, sp. nov. Broadly ovate, rotundate, very convex, bronze-coloured, shining, Antennae, palpi, and tarsi fulvous; head and thorax closely longitudinally strigose; elytra closely and irregularly punctured, the apex and sides strigose. Length 2 | to 3 lines. Hab. Brazil? 4* |
