646 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY, 



relationship is to the genei'a Iforiomor^yha and Melasodera ; (de 

 Castelnau's genus Celanida is synonymous with Melasodera). I 

 am inclined to suggest a new subfamily Moriomorj)hini to include 

 the three genera. The short incrassate moniliform antennae, and 

 the mandibles with a setigerous puncture in the scrobe are charac- 

 teristic features of all three genera. 



Laccocenus ambiguus, n.sp. 



Black, shining ; legs and parts of mouth piceous. Head smooth, 

 elongate ; a longitudinal ridge on each side, extending from outer 

 angles of clypeus to base of eyes, preocular ridges rounded inwards 

 in front to meet these facial ridges at base of clypeus ; a transverse 

 impression across the head behind the eyes; eyes prominent, 

 inclosed behind ; anterior supra-orbital puncture conspicuous, 

 placed between the ridges level with the front of the eyes. Pro- 

 thorax smooth, slightly broader than long, (l^ x If mm.), widest 

 about anterior third, not much nan-owed at base, truncate in 

 front and behind ; sides rounded in front, sinuate behind and 

 meeting the base at right angles ; anterior angles round, not 

 advanced ; lateral border strongly reflexed ; lateral channel with 

 long setse, except on straightened part behind ; median line dis- 

 tinctly impressed on disc, not reaching either margin ; a short deep 

 longitudinal impression on each side at the base, a narrow ridge 

 separating this impression from the lateral channel. Elytra oval 

 (3| X 2 mm.), convex, parallel on sides, truncate at base, rounded 

 at apex, striate on disc ; sides smooth ; 4 striae formed by closely 

 placed strong punctures on the sutural half of each elyti'on, these 

 striae not reaching the base or apex ; lateral border strong, 

 reaching peduncle in front, not reaching to tip of elytra; a few- 

 umbilical punctures along the margin, these interrupted in the 

 middle ; two small punctures at base of each elytron. Ventral 

 segments glabrous, strongly divided, a transverse row of punctures 

 at base of each segment. 



Length 6|, breadth 3| mm. 



Hah. — Dunoon, Richmond River (R. Helms). 



