496 COLYDIIDA. 
DISCOLOMA. 
Discoloma, Erichson, Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. iti. p. 292 (1845); Horn, Proc. Am. Phil. Soe. xvii. 
p. 556. 
This peculiar genus includes four or five South-American species, and Reitter has 
recently added another from Guinea. 
The structure of the metasternum and base of abdomen is very peculiar in this genus. 
Horn called attention to the fact that the hind coxe are widely separated from the 
epimera, and he supposed that the two parts did not articulate. On dissecting off the 
abdomen it is, however, seen that the superficial appearance is completely deceptive ; 
the posterior cox are really large, and the posterior part of the middle of the meta- 
sternum is turned upwards at right angles, and is in this manner concealed ; the apical 
angle of the epimeron is curved upwards and inwards, and thus the normal articulation 
with the outer portion of the coxa occurs, though quite concealed from observation 
made without the aid of dissection. 
1. Discoloma vestitum. 
Discoloma vestita, Pascoe, Journ. Ent. i. p. 99°. 
Hab. Merxico!, Cordova (Sallé), Jalapa, San Juan Bautista (Hoge), Motzorongo 
(Flohr), Yucatan (Sallé); Brirish Honpuras, Belize (Blancaneaux); GuatEMaa, San 
Juan, Tamahu, Senahu, and Cahabon in Vera Paz, Capetillo, Cerro Zunil (Champion) ; 
Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson). 
This is apparently a common insect in parts of our region, and varies but little. It 
is extremely close to a South-Brazilian insect, but this latter has a shorter, rather more 
scanty pubescence. 
2. Discoloma cassideum. 
Thireosoma cassideum, Reitter, Verh. Ver. Briinn, xii. p. 8°. 
Discoloma cassideum, Reitter, Deutsche ent. Zeit. xxi. p. 176 (1877) *. 
Hab. Mexico! 2. 
When Herr Reitter originally described in a very few words! this supposed new 
species, he was not aware that these insects had been previously studied by Erichson 
and Pascoe; and it appears probable, therefore, that his 7. casstdeum is the common 
Mexican Discoloma, which, indeed, is the only one of the genus known to me as 
occurring there. Since, however, the Austrian savant has returned to the consideration 
of the genus, and in a brief—and I must add unsatisfactory—table has given 
Discoloma vestitum and D. cassideum as distinct species, I follow him till a comparison 
of his type shall have settled the point. 
