PLATYDEMA. 199 
suture and outwardly to the lateral margins; the apical spots large, and forming a 
broad apical patch angulated on its anterior edge. 
A single example from the Polochic valley in Guatemala differs from the type in 
having the elytra red to the base, the spots forming the second band united into 
one large spot (not reaching the suture or lateral margins), and the thorax with a 
distinct transverse red band about the middle, not reaching the lateral margins. The 
two individuals from Bugaba resemble the above mentioned variety from Chontales in 
the markings of the elytra (in one, however, the second band does not reach the 
sutural stripe), but are considerably smaller in size than any of the other examples 
before me. | 
Evidently a variable species as regards the coloration of the thorax and elytra and 
size (7-9 millim.). Examples from our country agree very well with others collected 
by Mr. H. W. Bates on the Amazons. 
We figure two specimens from Chontales. 
36. Platydema nigromaculatum. (Tab. IX. figg. 1, 2.) 
Black, short, broad ovate, convex, dull. Head distinctly and rather closely punctured, the labrum and eyes 
sometimes reddish; prothorax reddish testaceous, the anterior margin with a triangular black mark on 
each side (connected by a narrow marginal line) just behind the eyes, the disc with a long subtriangular 
black mark on each side, extending from the base to beyond the middle, and connected posteriorly by 
a broadish basal band, the black basal band not reaching the lateral margins and often narrowly produced 
in the middle anteriorly ; scutellum black; elytra regularly and somewhat deeply punctate-striate, the in- 
terstices (if viewed laterally) appearing feebly convex, and with indications (especially towards the apex) of 
transverse darker markings, reddish testaceous, with numerous black markings arranged thus :—a narrow 
 subtriangular mark at the base on each side (forming a continuation of the marks on the base of the 
prothorax), two rounded marks (placed transversely) on each side before the middle, a large broad zigzag 
pand a little behind the middle (not reaching the lateral margins, but usually connected at the suture), 
and an elongate mark on each side before the apex, the suture also narrowly black nearly to the-apex ; 
antenne and legs black, the knees sometimes narrowly reddish ; beneath sparingly and finely punctured, 
black, the flanks of the prothorax and the epipleure testaceous ; mesosternum with a very prominent 
V-shaped elevation, the prosternum strongly produced. 
Length 6-64 millim., breadth 33-43 millim. — 
Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). 
Var. The black spots on the anterior margin of the prothorax obsolete, the others reduced to longitudinal 
streaks not connected along the base; the zigzag band on the elytra reduced to a large-angular spot, or 
to two longitudinal streaks, distant from the suture, the suture itself not margined with black. 
Hab. NicaRaGua, Chontales (Belt, Janson). 
Numerous examples of the type, five of the variety. Allied to P. ornatum, Chevr., 
but comparatively broader and shorter; the elytra less attenuate posteriorly, and 
somewhat differently marked, the lateral margins not black, the suture more narrowly 
margined with black; the femora and abdomen wholly black. | oe 
We figure two examples: one (fig. 1) a typical individual from the Volcan de Chiriqui, 
the other (fig. 2) the variety from Chontales. 
