220 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Lepidocyrtus americamis, n. sp. 



Length, i 5 ram.; with s]:»ring unfolded above 2 mm.; head bent 

 strongly downward, as in Z. curvijollis, Lubbock ; antennae 4-jointed, 

 more than one-half length of body ; basal joint not much more than one- 

 half length of others, which are subequal ; abdomen with four segments, 

 the third of which equals one-third length of body ; legs tapering, with 

 minute terminal tarsal joint ; armed at apex with large spur, notched at 

 tip and below, which is a strong simple spur or spine ; spring more than 

 half length of body, jointed at centre, the apical portion bifurcated ; 

 densely clothed with long fine hairs ; terminal rays very finely and 

 regularly comb-notched on lower or posterior edge and somewhat curved 

 downward at tip, with three or four short, rather distinct, teeth at extreme 

 tip ; catch a strong groove or sheath extending one-third length of venter 

 of abdomen and grasping spring strongly up to middle joint ; body 

 clothed with flat striate scales, and dorsally with scattering heavy, almost 

 clubbed, hairs ; the anterior margin of pronotum is ornamented with very 

 dense tuft or fringe of strong hairs ; hairs of antennas and legs for the 

 most part fine and long. Colour silvery gray, marked with violet-purple, 

 lighter on antenna3 and legs and very dark on body markings ; eyes 

 black; antennae, except base of lower joints, femora and tibiae, with spot 

 connecting antenna?, light purple ; anterior and lateral margins of thorax, 

 spots along side of body, hind margin of second, third and fourth abdom- 

 inal segments, lateral spot on middle of third segment, dark purple, 

 sometimes appearing almost black. 



One-third and one-half grown specimens do not differ from adult 

 notably, except in size and very slightly in coloration. The illustration 

 which is presented herewith is sufficiently elucidated in the accompanying 

 explanation. Li the figure the head is bent up more than in its normal 

 position in state of rest. The mouthparts are very difficult to work out. 

 The labrum is simple. The right and left mandibles differ notably in the 

 character of the teeth on their inner edges. The maxillae and labium are 

 of similar structure, consisting of large basal lobes, apically covered with 

 long and rather dense brushes of hairs. The food of the insect, from the 

 appearance of the alimentary canal, consists of particles of dust, possibly 

 taken by the insect in its feeding on the moist vegetable moulds of decay 

 which may be assumed to be its normal food, in the absence of any other 

 evident matei'ial on which it could subsist. 



