2IO FAUNA HAWAIIENSIS 



(52) ProterJiimis obsciirus Sharp. 



Proterhimis obsairus Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. London, 1878, p. 18. 



This species was described on a single example of the female, but subsequently in 

 Trans. Dublin Soc. Vol. iii, 1885, was referred in the systematic Catalogue (p. 250) to 

 P. simplex as a variety. I believe it to be distinct from that species, but both varying 

 greatly, it becomes impossible to form an adequate description that will apply to all the 

 individuals of each. Certainly in what I consider to be well-developed examples of the 

 two the species are readily distinguished. 



In its well-developed and typical form the ^ of P. obscitrus is shorter and wider 

 than the female, and generally rather darker in colour. The antennae are moderately 

 long, but the intermediate joints are not very slender, and the first of the three club 

 joints is not very different to the following. The basal joint is short and very stout. 

 Eyes but little prominent. Thorax wide and very strongly rounded at the sides, with 

 the squamosity forming dense lateral patches, but sparser on the dorsum. There is an 

 evident anterior impression, but the curved erect setae at the sides are altogether 

 absent, or very indistinct. The elytra vary in colour from nearly entirely black, to a 

 dull red with dark markings, and are rather scantily squamose, and bear, especially 

 posteriorly, some short, pale, erect, but inconspicuous setae. The humeral angles are 

 not acute, nor very distinct, and are sometimes quite effaced. All the femora are 

 strongly incrassate and clavate, and the lobes of the front tarsi are moderately large. 



The female is generally more slender, the thorax less wide, the elytra longer, and 

 their colour less dark, and the squamous covering more regular. 



In the Waianae mountains there is found what appears to be a dwarf form of the 

 above species, the smallest examples of which are very minute, and most of the structural 

 characters are accordingly modified. 



Hab. Oahu. Koolau range (1500 — 3000 ft.); small van in the Waianae moun- 

 tains at similar elevations. 



(53) Proterhiims oscillans Sharp. 



Proterhimis oscillans Sharp, Tr. Ent. Soc. London, 1878, p. 18. 



As I understand it, this is not a very variable species, and I have examined 

 numerous examples that agree well enough with the types. As a rule the species is 

 constant in colour and may be recognised easily by this. Small examples have the 

 tarsal lobes diminished in size, and in some the humeral angles of the elytra are less 

 indistinct than in others, and the elytra do not always become distinctly narrowed 

 towards the base. The rostrum of the $ is normally very decidedly narrowed from the 

 apex to the base. Length from r5 to 275 mm. 



Hab. Oahu. Both mountain ranges. Not rare from 1500 — 3000 ft. 



