PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



issued |^^rvA= \l„^l h '^e 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 



U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Vol. 85 Washington: 1937 No. 3028 



SYNOPSIS OF THE BEETLES OF THE CHILEAN GENUS 

 PHYTHOLAEMA ( SCARAB AEIDAE: MELOLONTHINAE) 



By Lawrence W. Satlor 



The described species of the peculiar genus Phytholaema, which 

 have more the general f acies of rutelinids than of melolonthids, are 

 known only from Chilean regions. The literature is somewhat scat- 

 tered and much of it is entirely inaccessible to the average student; 

 thus it is felt that the present synopsis will be of use. The genitalia 

 have not been figured before, and as they possess good specific differ- 

 ences they are made use of herein. 



Of the published data, probably the most complete is that of 

 Germain, in which he discusses the relationships of the three species 

 and also figures the mouth parts and antennae of P. mutahilis. The 

 characters of the mouth parts are not used in the scarabs quite so 

 generally as was formerly the custom, because it has been found that 

 they are not entirely without variation, and though they often show 

 good tribal, generic, or specific characters, such is not invariably the 

 case. 



Arrow in 1903 published notes on the relationships of this genus 

 and Modialis Fairmaire and Germain, both from Chile, with two 

 genera from Australia and New Zealand ; these all have a superficial 

 rutelinid appearance in the prominent front coxae, in the distinct 

 and emarginate labrum, and in the ligula fused with the mentum. 



The genus is of some economic importance, and P. herrmanni^ at 

 least, may at times do considerable damage to agricultural crops. 



18366—37 5 



