350 NITIDULIDA. 
AATHINA. 
Aithina, Erichson, in Germar’s Zeitschr. iv. p. 306 (1848); Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. 1, p. 83. 
Originally established for a single representative from Madagascar, this genus now 
comprises about ten species from very different parts of the world. It has not been 
found in North America, but as it is more numerous in species in Japan and in 
Mexico than it is elsewhere, it can scarcely be entirely absent from the southern parts 
of the United States. The species appear to be only occasionally met with, but when 
found many individuals may be procured. | 
All the species of Hthina possess a curious structure in the form of a number of 
fovea-like depressions placed behind the suture at the extreme base of the pygidium ; 
these fovez in the normal condition are just concealed by the extremities of the 
wing-cases. 
1. Aithina villosa. 
Aithina villosa, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Brinn, xii. 1, p. 84°. 
Hab. Mexico! (Mus. Vindob.), Mirador, Durango city, Jalapa (Hdge), Guanajuato, 
Puebla (Sallé); Brisa Honpuras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuatEMALa, Capetillo 
(Champion). 
This insect is extremely variable in size and in the colour of the surface; the length 
varies from 44 to 74 millim., and the colour from black to dark red; the extent of the 
dark maculation on the disc of the thorax is also very variable, and may be almost 
entirely absent, or may extend all across the thorax. In all its variations A. villosa 
may, however, be recognized by there being a band of pale pubescence all across the 
extreme base of the elytra, the pubescence elsewhere on the wing-cases being con- 
colorous with the surface, black when the elytra are black, red when they are of 
that tint. | 
We have received a large series of this species. According to Mr. Champion it is 
found in rotten oranges and other fruits. 
2. Hithina concolor, sp. n. (Tab. XI. fig. 6.) 
Oblongo-ovalis, convexa, nigra, dense punctata, superne pube depressa pallescente ubique vestita; antennis. 
rufis, clava nigricante. 
Long. 5-7 millim. 
Hab. British Honpvras, R. Sarstoon (Blancaneaux); GuatTEMALA, Capetillo, Sabo 
(Champion). 
This species is distinguished from . villosa by the uniform pallid pubescence with 
which the upper surface is clothed. In other respects the two are very similar. We 
have received a good series of 4. concolor, and it appears to be not quite so variable 
in colour and size as 44. villosa is. 
