NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 233 



nearly half to base, terminated by a small curved spur. Tarsi more 

 than half the length of the tibise, the claws appendiculate. 



As represented in our fauna Lactica is certainly very closely re- 

 lated to Haltica, but readily known by the deep basal impression 

 rectangularly recurved afc either end. 



Two species are known, separable as follows : 



Entirely lemon-yellow, tibife and tarsi black tibialis. 



Head and thorax yellow, elytra deep violet blue Iris. 



li. tibialis Oliv. — Oblong oval, moderately convex, entirely pale yellow, 

 surface shining. Antennse piceoiis, two basal joints yellow. Head very sparsely 

 punctulate. Thorax nearly twice as wide at base as long, distinctly narrowed 

 in front, sides arcuate, margin narrowly explanate, front angles very obliquely 

 truncate, disc convex, sparsely, finely punctate. Elytra scarcely wider at base 

 than the thorax, humeri rounded, umbone not prominent, disc moderately con- 

 vex, not gibbous near the base, punctuation fine, indistinct and moderately close. 

 Body beneath entirely yellow ; abdomen moderately closely punctate and sparsely 

 pubescent. Femora yellow, except Ihe upper side of knees, tibife and tarsi pice- 

 ous. Length .14— .16 inch ; 3.5—4.5 mm. 



The last ventral of male is broadly eraarginate at middle, the first 

 joint of anterior tarsus broader than in the female. 



This species is often mistaken for Haltica riifa, but independently 

 of the deep basal impression, the form is more elongate and the color 

 always paler. 



Occurs from North Carolina to Florida and Louisiana. 



li. Iris Oliv. — Oval, slightly oblong, moderately convex, shining, head and 

 thorax yellow, elytra deep violet blue. Antennse piceous, three basal joints 

 pale. Head sparsely, finely punctate, a large foveate puncture near each eye. 

 Thorax twice as wide at base as at apex, narrower in front, sides arcuate, margin 

 very narrow, front angles not obliquely truncate, disc convex, not visibly punc- 

 tate. Elytra not wider at base than the thorax, humeri rounded, umbone mod- 

 erately prominent, limited within by a slight depression, disc convex, very 

 slightly gibbous at base, color deep violet-blue, surface shining, scarcely visibly 

 punctate. Prothorax beneath, front and middle legs pale yellow; metasternum, 

 abdomen and hind legs piceous. Abdomen moderately closely punctate on the 

 intermediate segments, sparsely pubescent. Length .14 -.16 inch. ; 3.5—4 mm. 



Males have not been observed. 



The contrast in color between the front of body and the elvtra 

 make this one of our prettiest Halticides. It seems rather rare. 

 Occurs in Maryland (Lugger) and Georgia. 



DIPHAIILACA Clark. 



Head inserted in the thorax as far as the eyes, the front obtusely 

 carinate and with distinct tubercles, clypeus slightly emarginate, 



TEANS. AM. ENT. SOC. XVI. (30) JUNE, 1889. 



