438 CAPSINA. 



are slightly deflected ; disk flattish convex between the claval 

 suture and the 1st nerve, between the latter and the anterior 

 margin convex ; Cuneus long, triangular. Sternum : Prosternum ; 

 xyphus triangular, sides keeled ; Mesosternum long, elevated pos- 

 teriorly ; sides flattish, convex above, with a central channel extend- 

 ing from the middle to, and gradually widening as it approaches, 

 the posterior margin ; the latter concave, rounded towards, and at 

 the centre, which is indented ; Metasternum ; centre obtuse-angled, 

 convex. Lecjs somewhat long, slender ; tarsi slender ; 3rd pair, 

 joints of almost equal length. 



Species 1. — Heterotoma merioptera. 



CiMEx MERioPTERUs, Scop. E. C. 382 (1763); Rossi, F. E. 1314 



(1790). 

 Lyg^us spissicornis, Panz. F. G. 2, 16 (1793). 

 Heterotoma merioptera, Burm. Haudb. ii, 276, ] (1835) ; Am. et Sen:. 



Hem. 283, 1 (1813) ; Fieb. Europ. Hem. 



290 (1861). 



Olive or reddish-brown, clothed with fine, depressed, white hairs. 



Head. — Antennce black, 1st and 2nd joints thickly clothed with 

 black hairs ; 3rd at the base broadly, 4th narrowly, yellowish- white. 

 Sostrum yellowish, tip black. 



Thorax. — Pronotiim finely wrinkled transversely, deflected to the 

 head. Elytra : Clavus ; inner margin nari'owly black ; Corium ; 

 anterior margin blackish, ciliate ; disk along the 1st nerve generally 

 reddish or reddish-brown ; Cuneus reddish or reddish-brown, anterior 

 margin blackish ; Membrane blackish ; below the apex of the cuneus 

 a somewhat triangular white spot, immediately followed by a black 

 triangular patch, extending to the apex of the anterior margin, 

 where it is darkest ; cell-nerves red-brown, narrowly margined with 

 brown. Sternum pitchy black. Legs ; co.vce and fulcra yellowish- 

 white ; thighs yellowish or greenish- white ; tihirB yellowish-white j 

 tarsi yellowish, 3rd joint and claws brown. Abdomen black. 



Length, 2^— 2^ lines. 



Very common on nettles and other plants in hedges, in July and 

 August. It has occurred at Elthain, Bexley, Darenth, Mickleham, 

 and other places in the London district. 



