OCR Text |
Show 1899.] PHYTOPHAGOUS COLEOPTERA OF AFRICA. 353 finely punctured ; elytra regularly punctate-striate, the interstices very sparingly punctured. Length 4 millim. Of broadly ovate shape ; the head broad, very sparingly and finely punctured, with an oblique groove in front of the eyes, the latter very large ; clypeus bread and thickened ; antennas not extending to the middle of the elytra, fulvous, the second joint slightly shorter than the third but thicker, terminal joints elongate ; thorax transverse, nearly three times broader than long, the sides nearly straight, the anterior angles obliquely truncate Avith a small notch at each side, the posterior margin with a perpendicular short groove at each side, the surface closely and finely punctured throughout; elytra wider at the base than the thorax, Avidened toAvards the middle, the disc rather regularly and distinctly punctate-striate, the strias widely placed, the interstices with a few fine punctures here and there, elytral epipleuras very broad ; legs short and robust, prosternum longer than broad ; anterior coxal cavities closed. Hab. Cameroons. From other similarly coloured species the present insect is distinguished by the broadly ovate shape and the punctate-striate elytra. I received two specimens from Dr. Kraatz of Berlin. NlSOTRA COSTATIPENNIS, sp. U. Pale fulvous ; the thorax finely and closely punctured, AAith deep basal perpendicular grooves ; elytra strongly punctate-striate, the interstices longitudinally costate and finely punctured. Length 4 millim. Nearly parallel in shape ; the head impunctate, obliquely grooved between the eyes ; the clypeus broad, widely separating the antennas at the base, labrum fulvous ; antennas nearly extending to the middle of the elytra, fulvous, the third and fourth joints equal; thorax strongly transverse, tbe sides slightly rounded before the middle, the anterior angles obliquely truncate, the basal margin AAith a deep and long perpendicular groove at each side, nearly extending to the middle, the surface finely and closely punctured ; elytra strongly punctate-striate, the punctures closely placed, the interstices convex and finely punctured ; underside and legs coloured like the upper surface. Hab. Cameroons. Although I have received only a single, apparently female, specimen from Dr. Kraatz, I think the species varies sufficiently from any of its allies to be of certain recognition ; the thoracic basal grooves are more than usually large and deep, and the elytral interstices differ from those of every other species in being longitudinally costate, peculiar perhaps to the female only. NlSOTRA UNIFASCIATA, Sp. n. Fulvous, the terminal joints of the antennas fuscous; thorax |