LAMPROSPHtEKTJS.— nod a. 113 



In coloration this species almost entirely resembles L. hebe, Baly ; it is, however, 

 larger, the thorax is of a different shape, and the elytral punctuation is much stronger in 

 the present insect. It seems, moreover, to be subject to great variation, not only in 

 regard to its colour, but also its shape. I have before me more than a dozen specimens 

 from the above localities ; and although without doubt all belong to the same species, 

 scarcely two are exactly alike, some having the shape peculiar to the present genus, while 

 others are much more slender, greatly narrowed behind, in which respect they almost 

 resemble a small species of the genus Chalcophana. The thorax is also rather differently 

 shaped than is generally the case with the genus before us ; and the first joint of the 

 anterior tarsi in the males is greatly dilated. The insect is either entirely fulvous, or 

 the head, thorax, and elytral spot are of a metallic green, being, however, in one instance 

 black, as well as the femora and tibiae. I do not see sufficient reason, in spite of the 

 rather different aspect of the insect, to separate it from the genus Lamprosphwrus, as all 

 the general characters peculiar to it are present. 



2. Lamprosphaerus minutus. 



Ovate, short, black below; labrum, antennae, and legs fulvous; above metallic green; thorax finely, elytra 

 more strongly punctate- striate. 



Var. Dark violaceous above. 



Length 1 line. 



Head with a more or less distinct longitudinal sulcation, rather closely and coarsely punctured towards the 

 clypeus, vertex finely punctate ; antenna* of about half the length of the body, light fulvous ; thorax about 

 three times as broad as long, its sides evenly rounded, the posterior margin slightly produced at the 

 middle, upper surface rather closely and finely punctured ; scutellum impunctate; elytra rather regularly 

 and closely punctate-striate, the punctures strongly impressed near the base, but diminishing in size 

 towards the apex. 



Hob. Guatemala, Zapote, San Geronimo, Purula, Senahu, San Juan (Champion). 

 The very small size, and the colour of the antennae and legs, will distinguish this 

 species from all others. 



NODA. ~ N v y v 



Noda, Chapuis, Gen. Col. x. p. 240 (1874). 



The species composing this genus are mostly of small size, their antennae having their 

 terminal joints thickened as in the genus Chrysodina, but of a more elongate, not trans- 

 verse shape. The semicircular scutellum is the principal distinguishing character of 

 the present genus, according to Chapuis; but this is not always to be depended on, as 

 some species show great variation in this respect, as well as in many others ; in fact, all 

 the species seem subject to great variation in colour and even in sculpture, making their 

 determination a very difficult task. Numerous specimens are generally required in order 

 to arrive at a conclusion as regards many species ; and it is particularly necessary to 

 determine the sexes. This is usually not difficult, on account of the dilatation of the 



biol. cent.-amek., Coleopt., Vol. VI. Pt. 1, August 1881. q 



