HIMATIDIUM. 127 
A very variable insect as regards the maculation of the elytra, and, to some extent, 
in the intensity of the punctuation of the prothorax. The different forms may be 
particularized thus :— 
a. The elytra with numerous black markings on the dorsum—a small spot close to the suture 
below the scutellum (sometimes confluent with the one on the opposite elytron), two spots 
or oblique streaks (of variable size) on the disc close to the base, a rounded lateral patch 
before the middle, and a broad post-median fascia, the latter with an angular projection 
near the middle of the disc in front, and often confluent externally with the lateral spot, 
—and a more or less distinct ante-apical pale yellow fascia ; the black markings in some 
specimens largely extended, forming on the outer part of the dorsum a broad longitudinal 
stripe from the post-median fascia forwards, and enclosing two yellow spots. (Fig. 2.)— 
Hab. Panama, Bugaba. Many examples. 
8. The black markings much reduced in extent, consisting of five oblong or oblique spots on 
each elytron, and a common oblong sutural patch a little beyond the middle. (Fig. 3.)— 
Hab. Panama, Bugaba. One example. 
y. The elytra with a small or indistinct black spot near the suture below the scutellum and an 
. oblong larger one between the sixth) and ninth rows of punctures at about one-third 
from the base. [H. impurum, Boh., including his var. a. (Fig. 4.)]|—Hab. Mexico; 
Guatremata; Nicaracua; Brazit. Five examples seen. 
5. The elytraimmaculate ; the prothorax almost impunctate at the sides and anteriorly. (H. fovei- 
colle, Boh.)—Hab. Guatremata. One example. 
In some of the specimens of the form 6 the scattered punctures on the prothorax 
are coarser and more numerous, extending nearer to the anterior angles. The antenne 
are. sometimes entirely testaceous. The prothorax is deeply transversely excavate on 
either side of the disc behind; and it is strongly plicate near the base, from the median 
lobe to the lateral margin, the base of the elytra overlapping that of the prothorax, a 
character not mentioned by Boheman. Boheman? gives “ Mexico (Sal/é)” as the 
locality for H. impurum, var. a: Sallé’s specimen, marked ‘type,’ is labelled “San 
Juan, Nicaragua.” In the form 8 the dark post-median fascia is represented by a 
distinctly visible brownish stain. The form a was found in plenty by myself in the 
forest region of the “ tierra caliente” of Chiriqui, upon the broad leaves of Heliconiie. 
2. Himatidium thoracicum. 
Imatidium thoracicum, Fabr. Syst. Eleuth. i. p. 3467. 
Himatidium thoracicum, Boh. Monogr. Cassid. i. p. 707, and iv. p. 81°; Cat. Col. Ins. Brit. Mus. 
ix. p. 138°; Wag. Mittheil. Miinch. ent. Ver. i. p. 51°. 
Cassida albicollis, Oliv. Ent. vi. no. 97, p. 974, t. 6. fig. 105°. 
Imatidium albicolle, Latr. in Humb. et Bonpl. Obs. Zool. i. p. 143”. 
Hab. Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—CotomsBia??4, Muzo®, Rio Magdalena®; 
Guiana, Cayenne?34; Ecuapor; Amazons, Pardé 4; Braziu 234, 
rr 2 
