78 EBOTYLIOE. 



TRIPLAX. 



Triplax, Herbst, Natursyst. Insekten, Kafer, v. p. 146 (1793) ; Paykull, Fauna Suec. iii. p. 346 

 (1800) ; Lacordaire, Monogr. Erotyl. p. 202 (pars) (1842) j Bedel, I/Abeille, v. p. 19 (1868) ; 

 Crotch, Cist. Ent. i. p. 463 (pars) (1876). 

 Triplax is a Palsearctic and Nearctic genus containing between twenty and thirty 

 species which are almost evenly distributed in the Old and New Worlds. The genus 

 is distinguished by the rather elongate form, trigonal men turn, widely expanded apical 

 joint of the maxillary palpus, and by the colour — usually yellow, with black elytra 

 unrelieved by pattern. In certain species the body beneath is black, and a few have « 

 the colour of the elytra divided. To include in it, as Lacordaire has done (and Crotch 

 follows him), the four Madagascar species is to nullify all the conclusions to be drawn 

 from distribution, for these species differ in almost every particular by which Triplax is 

 generically distinct. The Indian and the Japanese representives are quite typical. , 



1. Triplax hogei. 



Oblongo-ovata, sat lata, pallide luteo-flava, elytris et soutello ex parte nigris, antennarum clava fusca, capite et 

 prothorace corporeque subtus crebre sat fortiter punctatis. Long. 4| millim. 



Hob. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (H'dge). 



This insect comes nearest to the form of T. thoracica with the scutellum yellow, 

 and which is itself very close to, but not identical with, T. scutellaris, Charpentier. 

 It is, however, smaller and shorter, the punctuation of the head and thorax is closer, 

 and the interstices of the elytra are smooth. This species and the one described by 

 Crotch as T. thoracica appear to be distinct from T. melanoptera, Lee, the few 

 specimens of which I have seen having the scutellum entirely black and the elytra 

 quite distinctly though very sparsely punctate between the striae. 



About a dozen specimens. 



2. Triplax championi. (Tab. IV. fig. 18.) 



Breviter oblongo-ovata, flava, elytris, metasterno coxisque posticia nigris, antennarum clava fusca. Long. 

 4 millim. 



Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (Edge) ; Guatemala, San Geronimo (Champion). 



Eather smaller than T. flavicollis, Lac. ; the head and thorax closely and minutely 

 punctured. Antennae clear red, excepting the three club-joints and the eighth joint; 

 the latter is sometimes partially fuscous. Elytra with the striae closely punctured, the 

 interstices a little convex and smooth. Scutellum black. Underside red, with the 

 exception of the metasternum alone (the coxae and mesosternum being red), rather 

 coarsely punctured ; the abdomen smooth but slightly pilose ; the sides of the meta- 

 sternum with large coarse punctures, less close than those of the episterna. 



