NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA. 195 



spot each siicle of scutellum, an oblique band extends from nmbone toward the 

 suture and at middle of elytra bends abruptly outward toward the margin, a 

 transvei'se fascia at apical third tridentate on front and posterior borders, ex- 

 tending narrowly along the suture in front. Epipleurai pale, broad. Body be- 

 neath piceous. Abdomen brown, paler at apex, finely alutaceous, sparsely punc- 

 tate. Legs entirely pale. Length .18— .20 inch. ; 4.5 — 5 mm. PI. V, figs. 17 — 20. 



The above description of elytral markings is such as mil be found 

 in Ihe majority of specimens. There is, however, very great varia- 

 tion in the extent of the black markings by increase or decrease of 

 the style described. 



A specimen in my cabinet from North Carolina has the elytra 

 nearly as in quercata, except that there is a small oblique pale spot 

 on each side slightly in front of middle and nearer the suture. 



A specimen from Texas has much smoother elytra and with the 

 black reduced to spots placed as follows : one on umbone, a second 

 posterior and more internal, third at middle and larger, a fourth 

 smaller, between this and apex, near the margin are small spots, one 

 between the first two, a second opposite the large spot. With more 

 specimens to prove its constancy this latter may be found specifically 

 distinct. Unless there are some well defined structural characters 

 it is far better to allow doubtful uniques to remain unnamed, espe- 

 cially in Chrysomelidae. 



Occurs from the Middle States to Kansas, Georgia and Texas. 



Group v.— ASPICEL.^. 



Antennae 10-jointed. Prothorax transverse, without discal im- 

 pressions at base. Anterior coxal cavities open behind. Mesoster- 

 num distinct. Tibi?e (especially the posterior) broadly grooved on 

 their outer edge for nearly their entire length, the groove limited 

 each side by a ridge. Last joint of posterior tarsi not globoso-in- 

 fiated, although at times thickened. 



This group occupies nearly an intermediate position between the 

 G^dionyches and Disonychse, diflfering from the former in the absence 

 of the inflated joint and from the second by the broadly grooved 

 ■ tibiae. 



Two genera are known in our fauna: 



AntennsB filiform ; last joint of hind tarsus gradually thicker toward apex ; pos- 

 terior tibife sinuate on the outer edge near the apex Hoinophoeta. 



AntennsE flattened, broader at middle, slender at tip; last joint of hind taj-sus 

 slender; tibife not sinuate Pliy<Iailis. 



,„v.>^ 



