r 
PHYRDENUS.—METADUPUS. 505 
are from Costa Rica. It is extremely like P. muriceus, but has the four dorsal 
tubercles on the prothorax more approximate (the longitudinal median groove thus 
being narrower), and the first ventral segment is very coarsely punctate. In fresh 
examples the elytra are densely clothed with cinereous or brownish-white scales, with 
some darker markings at the base. The punctuation of the first ventral segment 
1s very coarse, and closer in some specimens than in others. A Costa Rican example 
is figured. 
4. Phyrdenus tincticollis, sp.n. (Tab. XXIV. figg. 30, 30a.) 
Ovate, convex, black, the elytra more or less mottled with ferruginous, the antenne and tarsi of the same 
colour; densely clothed with brownish-white or cinereous scales, which become more or less fulvous on 
the head and prothorax, intermixed with a long, erect, abundant setosity, the elytra each with a small, 
sharply-defined, fuscous or blackish spot near the suture towards the tip. Head and rostrum densely, 
rugulosely punctate, the latter carinate towards the tip, the head deeply transversely impressed in front. 
Prothorax small, transverse, abruptly narrowed and constricted anteriorly, the sides parallel behind ; 
opaque, densely, finely punctate, binodose in front, apparently canaliculate down the middle (this 
appearance being due to the arrangement of the scales). Elytra coarsely seriate-punctate, shining, the 
interstices 3, 5, and 7 slightly raised. Beneath very densely, finely, confluently punctate, the punctuation 
of the first ventral segment a little coarser than that of the following segments, the second shorter than 
the third and fourth united. Femora unarmed. 
Length 34-44, breadth 2-23 millim. 
Hab. Mexico, Teapa (//. H. Smith); British Honpuras, Rio Hondo, Belize 
(Blancaneaux) ; GuatemaLa, Panzos (Conradt) ; Nicaracua, Chontales (Janson). 
Sent us in numbers from British Honduras. The abundant setosity, the feebly 
raised alternate elytral interstices, the almost level disc of the prothorax (except at 
the apex), the rather fine punctuation of the first ventral segment, and the two blackish 
spots towards the apex of the elytra, sufficiently distinguish P. tincticollis. ‘The 
species probably extends into South America. 
METADUPUS. 
Metadupus, Schéuherr, Gen. Cure. iv. p. 166 (1837) ; Lacordaire, Gen. Col. vii. p. 101. 
This genus includes a single very variable species, peculiar, so far as at present 
known, to Tropical America. Lacordaire placed Metadupus in the “'Tylodides” on 
account of the narrow metathoracic episterna; but as the insect is winged, and has a 
rather large scutellum and long tarsal claws, it is better placed in Division II. The 
mesosternum is horseshoe-shaped : in many of the Mexican and Guatemalan specimens 
it is so feebly excavate that the rostral canal might almost be described as open 
behind, whereas in those from Nicaragua and Panama the excavation is deep and the 
walls very prominent. The antenne are inserted near the tip of the rostrum in the 
male; the second joint of the funiculus is longer than the first. 
BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 4, June 1908. 3 TT 
