348 PHTTOPHAGA. 



am in possession of most of the types described by Von Harold, I can only refer 

 approximately the many species now before me from Central America, pointing out 

 their variation (if any) from those species to which they are most nearly allied. The 

 present insect may be known by the finely punctured thorax, its black antennae (with 

 the exception of the basal joints), and the similarly coloured legs; I cannot find any 

 difference from the Colombian form, the type of which I have before me, except that 

 the punctuation of the thorax which in most specimens is extremely fine is in others a 

 little more distinct. 



5. Epitrix fiiscata? 



Crepidodera fuscata, Jacq.-DuvaL, in La Sagra's Hist. Phys. Cuba, vii. p. 130 \ 

 Hal. Guatemala, Zapote (Champion). — Cuba K 



The synonymy of this species and several others is not at all clear, and without 

 comparison of the different types almost impossible to settle. The numerous specimens 

 obtained by Mr. Champion agree so well with the descriptions given by the above 

 author, and also by Suffrian in Wiegm. Archiv, 1868, that it would be useless to 

 establish another species merely because the locality differs, especially as Von Harold 

 has described another closely allied species (E. hirtula) of whose specific distinction he 

 is doubtful. The Zapote specimens have the thorax rather closely covered with deep 

 punctures (when seen under a strong lens), and the basilar groove well marked, 

 sinuate, and the space below it marked also with a few fine punctures ; the elytra are 

 strongly punctate-striate, and the interstices covered with whitish pubescence ; the 

 antennae and legs are fulvous, the posterior femora piceous. All this agrees exactly 

 with the description of the author, but the possibility of the present insect being, in 

 spite of it, specifically distinct, is not excluded. E. jmbescens, Koch, is also considered 

 identical with the present species by Illiger (Magaz. vi. p. 112), although the latter is 

 found in Europe (including England), and, according to Illiger, also in North America. 

 But this most certainly requires corroboration, and Crotch in his descriptions of North- 

 American Phytophaga makes no mention of E.pubescens; since a great number of very 

 closely allied forms of Epitrix seem to exist in many parts of the Old and New World 

 it would be rash to jump to conclusions without careful study and sufficient material. 



6. Epitrix clypeata. 



Minute, ovate, black ; antennae, tibiae, and tarsi testaceous ; clypeus and labrum fulvous ; thorax minutely- 

 punctured, with a finely impressed straight transverse groove ; elytra finely punctate-striate. 

 Length \ line. 



Hab. Beitish Honduras, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; Guatemala, Lanquin (Champion). 

 I am not acquainted with any other broad ovate species of this small size. E.pygmoea, 



