294 PHYTOPHAGA. 



although the generic characters are less strongly developed, they are present, an 

 justify the place of these species in Phrynocepha. 



HALTICA. 



Altica, Geoffrey, Hist. Nat. Ins. i. 1762, p. 244. 

 Graptodera, Chevrolat, Dej. Cat. 2nd edit. (1834). 



In trying to determine the Central-American species belonging to this genus the 

 greatest difficulties are encountered, which are almost impossible to overcome. Nearly 

 a hundred similarly coloured species have been already described from all parts of 

 the world resembling each other to a greater or less degree ; many of these have 

 only been diagnosed, making it impossible to determine the species with certainty ; 

 others not belonging to the genus have been sometimes included, the genus Haltica 

 having been often used as a kind of receptacle for doubtful species, in the same way 

 as the genus Galeruca amongst the subfamily Galerucinsa. Yon Harold in trying 

 to name some Colombian species of Haltica has found the same difficulties (Stettin. 

 ent. Zeit. 1875). It is my opinion that without every type, European or exotic, for 

 comparison, no certainty as regards the species can be arrived at, as, for example, I 

 have before me species which I am unable to distinguish from H. oleracea or H. coryli 

 of Europe. Under these circumstances I have refrained from naming amongst the 

 Central- American species several smaller forms of which I can form no satisfactory 

 opinion for the present. Some of the larger species I have attempted to determine^ 

 in one or two instances not entirely without doubt. 



The genus, as remarked above, is represented, as it seems, over the greater part of the 

 world, not more than about six species having up till now been described from Central 

 America. The greater part of the species are of a uniform metallic blue or green, and 

 extremely closely allied. Chapuis errs when he describes the tibiae as not channelled ; 

 they are, especially the intermediate ones, in many species provided with a distinct 

 longitudinal and deep groove. 



1. Haltica patruelis. (Tab. XVII. fig. 11.) 



Haltica patruelis, Harold, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1875, p. 63. 

 Graptodera patruelis, Sturm, Cat. 1843, p. 282. 



Hah. Mexico, Huatusco, Capulalpam, Peras, La Parada, Guanajuato, Puebla {coll. 

 Salle), Las Vigas (Hoge). 



This is a species not very difficult to recognize on account of the following characters : 

 — the entire upper surface is of a uniform very dark violaceous and opaque colour, 

 caused by the extremely fine and scarcely visible punctuation. The elytra are also 

 without any longitudinal costse. It is only in some specimens that the head and 

 thorax are slightly more shining than the elytra, and that the latter as well as the 



