Feb., 1U17J North American Species of Merragata 103 



The known species of Merragata White {Lipogomphus Berg) 

 may be differentiated by the following synopsis, the characters 

 of the Mexican, Central American and South American species 

 being based on the keys of Champion ("Biologia Centrali- 

 Americana," Vol. II, page 121) and Bueno ("Canadian Ento- 

 mologist," Vol. XLIV, page 32): 



1. Apex of scutellum bifid, antennal segments two to four subequal, the 



basal segment shortest and stoutest M. lacunifera Berg. 



Apex of scutellum blunt, not bifid 2. 



2. Head with either a faint or a distinct median, longitudinal groove. .3. 

 Head with two longitudinal grooves converging anteriorly and with 



a median ridge between these grooves 5. 



3. Antennae short, less than twice the length of the head; segments 



from one to three subequal, the fourth rather stout and fusiform. 



M. hehroides White. 



Antennae longer; third segment slender and very much longer than 



the second; fourth segment slender and subfusifonii 4. 



4. Pronotum moderately constricted at the sides.. .M. hrevis Champion. 

 Pronotum deeply constricted at the sides. . M. leucostricta Champion. 



5. Pronotum moderately constricted at the sides, the disc with a broad, 



deep, longitudinal furrow; color blackish, the hemelytra white 



with distinct dusky patches M. foveata spec. nov. 



Pronotum more abruptly constricted, the disc with a shallower 

 groove; color reddish-brown or dark reddish-brown, the dusky 

 patches of the hemelytra evanescent M. hrunnea spec. nov. 



Merragata foveata spec. nov. (Fig. la). 



Very like M. hehroides Champion in size, color, and antennal 

 characters, but readily separated from it and the other Mexican 

 and Central American species by having the head bisulcate 

 longitudinally and with a distinct median ridge between these 

 furrows. From its only Nearctic congener, M. brunnea n. sp., 

 it is easily recognizable by the less abruptly constricted sides of 

 the pronotum, the larger size, the angular nervure on the inner 

 margin of the corium, and blackish color. 



Moderately large and robust. Head long, hairy, strongly deflected, 

 with two distinct, longitudinal furrows (the furrows converging 

 anteriorly) and a distinct median ridge between these furrows, the sides 

 very strongly depressed above the eyes, and a longitudinal furrow just 

 beneath the eyes and antennae. Eyes prominent, the facets few and 

 large. Antenniferous tubercles large, prominent. Antennae very short, 

 a little longer than the head; first, second, and third segments sub-equal, 

 the fourth stoutest, longest, and fusiform. Bucculae large, with a long- 

 itudinal furrow on each side at the base. Pronotum nigulose, very 



