NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 235 



Occurs in Michigan and Louisiana (Schvvarz), in Georgia (Mor- 

 rison), Kansas (cabinet LeConte). 



TRIC"HAL,TICA Harold. 



Head inserted as far as the eyes, these oval, entire and coarsely 

 granulated. Front obtusely carinate, the tubercles distinct, separated 

 by a line and limited above by a moderately deep transverse groove. 

 Antennae slender, very slightly thicker externally, joints 1-4-5-11 

 longer than the others, which are equal. Labrum transverse, arcu- 

 ate in front. jNIaxillary palpi rather short, the last joint elongate, 

 conical, longer than the ))receding, which is as broad at apex as long. 

 Thorax broader than long, the base regularly arcuate, a deep ante- 

 basal groove which turns backward toward the base at its ends. 

 Elytra a little wider at ba.se than the thorax, the sculpture consisting 

 of coarse punctures arranged in ten very regular striae and (m short 

 scutellar stria. Presternum separating the coxae, the cavities rather 

 widely open behind. Mesosternum oblique. Ventral segments 1-4 

 gradually shorter, the fifth longer than fourth. Legs moderate. 

 Posterior tibiae not sulcate, with a single, small terminal spur. Claws 

 appendiculate. 



This genus was erected by Baron Harold for some Columbian 

 species, to which he added our Crepidodera scabricula Cr. In his 

 description he compares it with Diphaulaca and Plectrotetra, the 

 latter rather unnecessarily. The only representative of the former 

 genus known to me is nitida, which, unfortunately, seems to be one 

 of the irregular members. From what can be gathered from de- 

 scriptions the ditferences between Trichaltica and Diphaulaca consist 

 in the presence of erect hairs on the elytra of the former (very in- 

 distinct in our species) and the oval, convex elytra of the latter. In 

 our fauna the only allied genus, in tribal relationship, is Lactica 

 where the elytra are scarcely at all punctate and confusedly. 



T. scabricula Crotch. --Oblong, nearly parallel, moderately convex, red- 

 dish yellow, elytra blue. Autennse a little longer than half the body, piceous or 

 brown. Head impunctate. Thorax more than one -half wider than long, not 

 narrowed in front, sides regularly arcuate, hind angles distincr, base arcuate, 

 disc convex, shining, a few scattered, coarse punctures. Elytra wider at base 

 than the thorax, humeri obtuse, umbone .scarcely distinct, di!=c slightly flattened 

 at middle and with ten striae of coarse, deep and closely placed punctures, a 

 short scutellar row, intervals narrower than the strisp and witli distantly placed, 

 short, semi-erect hairs. Body beneath and legs reildish yellow ; abdomen sparsely 

 punctate. Length .10--. 14 inch. ; 2.5 — 3.5 mm. 



