MORGAX HEBARD 299 



A NEW GENUS AND SPECIES OF ROACH FROM THE 

 UNITED STATES AND TROPICAL NORTH AMERICA 



(ORTHOPTERA; BLATTIDAE; PANCHLORINAE) 



BY MORGAN HEBARD 



For some time in our studies, small series of an apparently 

 immature Panchlorid have puzzled us, due to the fact that no- 

 where in the literature have we been aljle to place the species. 

 Recently additional series from Panama have, on comparison, 

 proved to represent the same species, and further study convinces 

 us that the insect is undescribed. 



At first it appeared that all of the material was immature, but 

 after much examination and comparison we have finally reached 

 the conclusion that we here have a species which, at least in the 

 female sex,^ retains in full the immature form, lacking the organs 

 of flight, but with mesonotum and metanotum laterad produced 

 caudad as is usual for winged Blattids in the instar preceding 

 maturity. 



The insect is clearly nearest Pycnoscelus surinamensis (Lin- 

 naeus). Examination of the extensive series of that species at 

 hand leads us to believe that it is probable that many females 

 retain to the end the immature form, only a certain number 

 attaining a normal adult form with differently shaped pronotum 

 and fully developed organs of flight. 



When compared with large females of that species lacking 

 organs of flight, similar females of the present insect are found 

 to differ in being slightly more slender, with roughened surface 

 of caudal portion of abdomen less contrastingly and sharply 

 differentiated from the remaining polished dorsal surface, in the 

 disto-dorsal segments of abdomen having the caudal margins 

 more decidedly beaded and latero-caudal angles briefl but 

 sharply acute-angulate produced, and in having more slender 

 limbs, with armament of the same signally different and tarsal 

 claws more elongate and slender. In general appearance the 

 similarity is so close that confusion in determination might 

 easily occur, were such based merely on a hurried examination. 



' No adult males are at hand. 



TRANfS. AM. ENT. SOC, XLV. 



