262 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [PaRT II 



Neoblattella puerilis (Rehn) 



1915. CeratinoTptera -puerilis Rehn, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., 1915, p. 

 273, fig. I. [cf; Misiones, Argentina.] 



The type of this species now before us, shows that it agrees in 

 all valid generic features with the genus Neoblattella. Species of 

 that genus, however, showing decidedly reduced tegmina, were 

 previously unrecognized. 



The insect is clearly of more recent common ancestry with the 

 genotype, N. adsyer si colli s (Stal), than many of the species which 

 we believe to be properly referable to Neoblattella and it would 

 appear advisable to assign it to the Adspersicollis Group, though 

 additional evidence may show it and the species described below 

 to belong to a distinct, though closely related, group. 



The broad form; arrangement of dark punctae on face and disk 

 of pronotum; simple, straight, elongate similar styles; large pulvilli, 

 and decided serration of the flange of the tarsal claws, are all features 

 shared by adspersicollis. 



The smaller spines of the ventro-cephalic margin of the cephalic 

 femora are irregularly interspersed with a few (3 and 4) chaetiform 

 spines, showing some slight divergence from the condition usually 

 shown by the species of the genus. 



Neoblattella tapenagae new species. Plate X, flguie 8. 



Close relationship to A^. puerilis (Rehn) is shown. Compared 

 with the male type of that species, females are readily distinguish- 

 able by the richer coloration and distinctive markings of head, 

 pronotum and tegmina, the type "B" armament of the ventro- 

 cephalic margins of the cephalic femora and even larger pulvilli. 



This is the first case in our studies of the Blattellae where, in the 

 same genus, the armament of the ventro-cephalic margin of the 

 cephalic femora is found to be of type "A" in most species, but as 

 clearly of type "B" in one case. Transitional stages are shown in 

 N. puerilis (Rehn) and A", janeirae, described on page 226. This 

 difference, we feel we can safely state, may be used as a criterion 

 for generic separation in most genera of the Blattellae, but the 

 characterization of Neoblattella, much the largest genus of the group, 

 must be changed to include both types. 



Type: 9 ; Colonia Florencia, Rio Tapenaga, Chaco, Argentina. 

 [Paris Museum.] 



Size large, form very broad for the genus. Interocular space wide, 

 slightly narrower than that between antennal sockets. Ocellar 

 spots moderately large, distinct, these areas rounding bi'oadly into 



