252 PHTTOPHAGA. 



Two forms of this species seem to occur. In the typical one the spots of the elytra 

 are dark .neons, and separated as Stal describes them ; in two other spec.mens before me 

 these spots are nnited in the form of a broad transverse band of a dark chestnut-brown 

 colour, which is also the ground-colour of the insect. This variety was not known to 

 Stal The shape of these bands and the dentation of their margins correspond so 

 exactly with those of the spots in the type that I must consider these specimens 

 varieties of the latter, especially as in one of them the elytral bands show a much more 

 intermediate degree between the two forms. The variety agrees in all other respects 

 with the normal-coloured specimens. 



26. Doryphora decens. 



Doryphora decens, Stal, Diagn. 1859, p. 307; Monogr. Chrys. Amer. p. 87 K 



Hab. Panama (Boucard), Bugaba (Champion) ; Colombia 1 (coll. Jacoby). 



This insect occurs in several varieties : in one the elytra are pale fulvous without any 



spots; in another each elytron has five large black spots (2, 2, 1) placed transversely. 



The unspotted form was the only one known to Stfil. All together the insect varies in 



the following way : — 



a. Black or blackish blue below as well as the head and thorax, the former with a 



triangular spot, the latter with sides narrowly fulvous ; elytra pale brick-red. 

 (Typical form.) 



b. Thorax entirely blackish, without fulvous margin. 



c. Below (with the exception of sides of the breast and the first four abdominal 



segments) and the legs testaceous ; head and thorax of the same colour, the 

 latter with two transverse black spots ; elytra fulvous, two large spots at the 

 base, two below the middle, and one near the apex black. 



d. Thorax as in the type ; elytra as in var. c. 



All these forms scarcely differ in regard to their punctuation, which is very fine, 

 and arranged in irregular double rows on the elytra, the lateral margins of which are 

 impunctate. The antennae have their apical joints very short and transverse ; and the 

 mesosternal process is also very short. 



27. Doryphora chontalensis. (Tab. XV. fig. 17.) 



Dark fulvous ; thorax remotely punctured ; elytra testaceous, regularly punctate-striate, the sutural and lateral 

 margins, two spots before, two behind the middle, and another spot near the apex of each elytron dark 

 fulvous. 



Var. Thorax and elytral spots greenish black. 



Length 3|-4 lines. 



Head distinctly broader than long, with a few fine punctures; labrum testaceous; antennae light fulvous, the 

 terminal joints slightly and gradually thickened, longer than broad. Thorax narrowly transverse, the sides 

 more or less rounded, surface distantly and rather finely punctured, fulvous, shining ; scutellum of the 

 same colour. Elytra very regularly and rather strongly punctate-striate, flavous or testaceous, the sutural 

 and lateral margins narrowly fulvous, two elongate large spots, connected with each other and touching 



