MONOLEPTA. 619 



MONOLEPTA. 



Monolepta, Erichson, Archiv fiir Naturg. 1843, i. p. 265. 



Numerous species, all inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere, are known of this genus, 

 whose close affinity with Luperodes in almost every structural detail is undeniable. The 

 third joint of the antennse, however, is generally, but not always, shorter than in 

 Luperodes, and the anterior coxal cavities are closed ; the latter character at present 

 forms the basis of the classification of the Galerucinae, although it is now known that it 

 may possibly be a guide of very doubtful value. At all events, the numerous species 

 from Central America which are here described under the above generic name have 

 all the characters of Monolepta, and had to be separated from Luperodes on account 

 of the closed coxal cavities. No species has hitherto been described from the New- 

 World. 



1. Monolepta irazuensis. (Tab. XXXIV. fig. 21.) 



Testaceous, a spot on the vertex, the apex of each joint of the antennse, nine spots on the thorax and the 

 centre of the breast black; elytra very closely punctured, two spots at the sides, and a short streak 

 below the middle, black. 



HTad^not^bly punctured, testaceous, the vertex with a black triangular spot ; antennae testaceous, each 

 joint spotted with black at the apex, the second joint small, the third joint one half longer than the 

 second thorax more than twice as broad as long, the surface feebly impressed at the sides, very finely 

 punctured, and slightly wrinkled, with a large spot at the posterior angles, two spots at the middle two 

 smaller spots at the sides, and an elongate one at the centre of the base, black; scutellum black; elytra 

 parallel, subcylindrical, very finely and closely punctured, the interspaces slightly wrinkled, with a spot 

 at the middle, near the lateral margin, another in the same position near the apex, and a short streak 

 near the suture below the middle, black; the breast at the middle, and a spot at the side of each ventral 

 segment, black, the rest of the underside and the legs testaceous. 



Hab. Costa Eica, Volcan de Irazu (Sogers). 

 One specimen. 



2. Monolepta unipunctata. 



Testaceous ; antenna black, the base of each joint testaceous ; thorax finely punctured, with nine small black 

 spots; scutellum black; elytra closely and distinctly punctured, testaceous, each with a small black spot 

 near the lateral margin. 



He^dna^wTimpunctate; the vertex with a small piceous spot; eyes very large ; antennaa more than half 

 the length of the body, testaceous, the apex of each of the joints black, the third joint one half longer than 

 the second ; thorax twice as broad as long, the sides nearly straight, the posterior margin strongly rounded 

 and produced in the middle, the surface closely punctured and slightly wrinkled with an almost obsolete 

 depression at each side, and nine small black spots-six placed transversely before and three below the 

 middle of the disc; scutellum black ; elytra rather convex, narrowed towards the apex, closely covered 

 with larger and smaller punctures, testaceous, each with a small black spot placed at the middle and close 

 to the lateral margin; below and the legs testaceous, the breast margined at the sides and posteriorly 

 with black. 



Edb. Guatemala, Panajachel (Champion). 



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