OCR Text |
Show 1897.] PHYTOPHAGOUS COLEOPTERA OF AFRICA. 557 metatarsus of the posterior legs very elongate, the second joint but little shorter, third joint very small, claws appendiculate; the prosternum narrowly elongate, the anterior cavities open ; the first abdominal segment very long. The genus here proposed is one of the most remarkable amongst the wdiole tribe of Haltlclnce, no similar structural peculiarity in regard to the tibias having ever come under m y observation: this consists of an elongate appendage at the end of the tibias of almost the length of the tibias themselves, and furnished along the lower margin with a row of teeth; whether this extra joint is movable or not I a m not able to say, but it evidently assists the insect, which seems possessed of great saltatorial power, to judge by the enormously developed posterior femora, in getting a firm hold on the plants which it may frequent. The general appearance of this small species is not unlike that of a Longltarsus ; punctate-striate elytra and the tibial process will, however, at once separate the genus. The long serrate process at the apex of the posterior tibiae is, like the rest of the legs, of fulvous colour, and the teeth at its lower edge are strongly marked and regularly placed. SEBRAPHULA ^ENEA, n. sp. (Plate XXXIV. fig. 7.) Below black, above dark aeneous ; antennae and legs partly fulvous ; thorax closely and finely punctured and minutely granulate ; elytra finely punctate-striate. Length 1 line. Head finely granulate, with a few punctures at the vertex, the frontal elevations strongly raised, trigonate, obscure fulvous; clypeus triangularly swollen; palpi pointed; antennas extending beyond the middle of the elytra, fulvous, the terminal three or four joints fuscous, basal joint long and slender, second and third short, equal, the following joints slightly longer and gradually thickened, apical joint more elongate ; thorax subquadrate, slightly broader than long, not narrowed in front or at the base, the sides very little rounded at the middle, anterior angles obsolete, posterior ones distinct, the surface very finely, rather closely punctured and minutely granulate, greenish or brownish aeneous; scutellum triangular, rather broad ; elytra ovate, gradually widened towards the middle, finely punctate-striate, the interstices smooth and flat: underside black; legs robust, fulvous. Hab. Mashonaland (67. Marshall). British Museum Coll. and my own. SPH^IRODERMA PEMORATUM, n. sp. Metallic dark blue, the head, basal joints of the antennas, the thorax, and the anterior four legs fulvous; elytra semi-geminate, punctate-striate. Length 1 line. Head impunctate, fulvous, frontal tubercles small, carina distinct, rather broad; antennae extending beyond the base of the thorax, PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1897, No. XXXVII. 37 |