CALLIGEAPHA. 195 



CALLIGEAPHA. 



Calligrapha, Erichson, Archiv f. Naturg. 1847, i. p. 158. 

 Calligraphy Stal, OfV. af K. Vet.-Akad. Forh. I860, p. 460. 

 Chrysomela, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. 1862 ; Olivier, Entom. v. p. 532. 



Calligrapha was founded by Erichson on a species from Peru, C. matronalis. 

 Chapuis, in his 'Genera des Coleopteres,' has dwelt at length upon the characters 

 of this interesting genus, which offers almost all the structural peculiarities of our 

 European genus Chrysomela. In comparing the two genera, a small number of not 

 ■very important differences may be pointed out, such as the raised prosternum in 

 Calligrapha (this part being generally flat and grooved in Chrysomela), and the some- 

 what longer third joint of the antennae in the former genus. It is, however, when 

 we look to the sculpturing of the elytra that the difference is at once striking and 

 interesting. We find there that pattern and punctuation seem to be dependent on 

 each other (a circumstance almost without parallel amongst the Coleoptera) in such a 

 way that all the spots or darker markings are limited by impressed punctures, beyond 

 which the former do not extend. 



The elytra when examined from their inner side show the same sculpturing as above, 

 but look as if they were lined with a fine skin, which gives a more obsolete appear- 

 ance to the punctures ; these latter, together with the dark spots of the upperside, can 

 be scraped off with a sharp instrument, proving the punctuation to be of little depth ; 

 those of the inner side, however, remain when the former are removed, and are therefore 

 independent punctures. A close investigation of these sculpturings in the genus 

 Calligra'pha in different stages of development would perhaps throw some light on the 

 connexion of spots and punctures in these insects. 



Chapuis's remarks on the differences in the shape of the jaws between Calligrapha 

 and Chrysomela seem to be very noteworthy, these organs being very robust, thickened, 

 and forming an almost square-shaped mass in the former. The metallic golden appear- 

 ance of most species of Calligrapha when in a living state has already been drwan 

 attention to by other authors. We find the same character in many species of the 

 Australian genus Paropsis and amongst the Cassididee. The present genus is principally 

 found in Central America ; a few species are known from more southern parts. Shape 

 and sculpturing offer but little guidance in the determination of these insects, being 

 very variable ; but the elytral designs seem to be more constant, and form almost the 

 sole clue to the separation of the numerous species. 



1. Calligrapha aeneopicta. (Tab. X. fig. 12.) 



Calligrapha ameopicta, Stal, Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 273 \ 

 Calligrapha suturalis, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 288 2 . 



Eab. Mexico 1 2 , Cordova, Toxpam, Orizaba, Jalapa (SallS, Edge). 



2c2 



