104 NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, 



the rest. The prothorax is usually darker than the elytra, but 

 its base and sides are frequently diluted with red. From some 

 directions each side of the prothorax at the base usuallj-- appears 

 to have a patch of silvery pubescence. Even when the elytra 

 are intentionally abraded, their seriate punctures are seen to be 

 rather small and at most only about one-third the width of the inter- 

 stices, whilst with the clothing present they appear much smaller; 

 in fact, on many specimens they cannot even be traced. Seen 

 from in front or behind the base of the elytra appears to be 

 serrated with a rather deep notch at the position of the scutellum. 

 In both sexes the head is occasionally feebly longitudinally ridged 

 in front, but this ridge is never distinct. In the male the 

 excavated portion is horseshoe-shaped and has longer clothing 

 than elsewhere. 



This species attacks various species of Ficus, both wild and 

 cultivated; the terminal shoots are drilled so as to be destroyed, 

 but the bark and wood, especiall}'^ of the Port Jackson Fig, are 

 also attacked. It is probably the species mentioned by Mr. 

 Tryon* as attacking the terminal shoots of fig, and as being pro- 

 bably allied to Phlceotribus. Mr. Froggattf has figured and 

 described it as Hylesinus j^orcatus, Clip. It cannot, however, be 

 that species, which is described as being much smaller (2i mm.) 

 with the prothorax almost tw^ice as wide as long and granulate at 

 the sides (not in front as in //. fici), but in particular by the elytra 

 being deeply crenate-striate, with the strise and interstices sub- 

 equal in width. 



Platypus omnivorus, n.sp. 



(J. Cylindrical, shining. Reddish-brown, apical third of elytra 

 and the abdomen darker, rest of under surface and the appendages 

 paler. Apical portion of elytra with short, dense, setose, seriate 

 pubescence; head, front margins of prothorax, under surface and 

 legs rather sparsely pubescent. 



* Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Queensland, Vol. i., 1894. 

 t Agiic. Gaz. N.S. Wales, Vol. x., p. 2(58, and plate facing p. 268. 



