LOPHOPGUM. 159 
LOPHOPCEUM. 
Lophopewm, Bates, Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3, xii. p. 275 (1863). 
The typical species of this genus resemble the Leéopi and the shorter species of 
Alcidion, having similar capilliform, slender antenne, and oblong or subtrigonal, mode- 
rately convex form of body, free from inequalities and fasciculated sete: from both 
they are distinguished by the acute median lateral tubercles of the thorax. The elytra 
have short centro-basal elevations or ridges, sometimes surmounted by a pencil of hairs ; 
and the epipleuree, although vertical towards the base, have not carinate edges. The 
antennal scape is as long as, or longer than, the third joint, and is very slightly flexuous 
beneath ; the pro- and mesosterna are moderately narrow; and the hind tarsi have a 
short basal joint, as in Alcidion. Unfortunately it is impossible to fix definite limits 
between these normal species and others, such as L. barbiscapum and L. cultriferum, 
which depart widely from the types in facies and in many structural details. The 
species just mentioned are of much larger size and more robust form, with antennal 
scape strongly flexuous beneath and elytra more or less roughened with tubercles or 
hispid with fasciculated tufts of hair—L. cultriferum agreeing with the typical species in 
the capilliform and nearly naked antenne, whilst L. barbiscapum differs by the stouter 
filiform shape of these organs, which are rather densely ciliated beneath. These differ- 
ences might justify generic separation ; but intermediate species, such as L. scopiferum 
(having the facies and robust antenne of L. barbiscapum, but with unciliated antennal 
joints and smooth elytra) and L. saronotum, completely bridge over the interval. 
L. acutispine is the only known species which has distinct lateral carine. 
About a dozen species of Lophopaum are known, all Tropical-American. 
1. Lophopeum saronotum. (Tab. XII. fig. 12.) 
Lophopeum saronoto (errore typogr.), Trans. Ent. Soc. 1872, p. 215°. 
Hab. Nicaraeua, Chontales (Bel¢ +). 
2. Lophopeum scopiferum. 
Lophopeum scopiferum, Bates, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1872, p..2151. 
Hab, Mexico, Chinantla (Sadlé) ; Guaremaa, Panzos (Champion) ; Britis Honpuras, 
Belize (Blancaneauxz) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt). 
The thin, pale, flexuous or zigzag transverse line which crosses the elytra a little after 
the middle is lighter coloured, better defined, and more continuous in the Guatemala 
and Belize examples than it is in those from Chontales and Mexico. 
8. Lophopeum barbiscapum. (Tab. XII. fig. 11.) 
Lophopaum barbiscapum, Bates, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1872, p. 214}. 
Hab. Guatemata, San Gerénimo (Champion) ; Nicaraaua, Chontales (Belt1, Janson). 
