DIAPERINI NORTH OF MEXICO — TRIPLEHORN 417 



them (pi. 5, figs. 47, 48). Measurements: length 3.3-4.4 mm.; 

 width 2.0-2.5 mm. 



Remarks. — The faMy consistant coloration of this species com- 

 bined with the glossy lustre of the entire dorsum, the very large, 

 well-separated punctures of the metasternum and fu"st four abdom- 

 inal sternites and the absence of scutellar striae are sufficient to 

 distinguish this species from any other North American member of 

 the genus. 



Because of its glossy lustre, it bears a superficial resemblance to 

 P. micans, from which it may be separated by the normally placed 

 outermost elytral striae, the minutely and indistinctly punctured 

 elytral intervals, and the much finer and sparser punctures of the head. 



Despite the difference in dorsal surface lustre, its nearest sympatric 

 relative appears to be P. ruficorne, as indicated by the male genitalia. 

 Otherwise, the two are quite similar in overall appearance. 



Even in the small series available for study, there is a rather ^dde 

 range of color variation, and since this character is given considerable 

 taxonomic weight, it seems in order to describe it in greater detail. 

 The above description of reddish head, pronotum, scutellum, and 

 elytral margins applies to the majority of specimens, however, the 

 specimens at hand range from one which is almost completely black 

 to several which are almost uniformly reddish brown. In all of 

 them, the previously mentioned parts are invariably lighter than the 

 disc of the elytra. Several specimens were examined in which the 

 black of the elytra extended well onto the pronotum, obliterating 

 the red except at the margins and apex, the scutellum remaining 

 red as usual. At the other extreme were three specimens in v/hich 

 the elytral base was as red as the scutellum and a narrow band of 

 the same color extended a slight distance down the elytral suture. 

 It is quite probable that specimens will be encountered which exhibit 

 even greater deviation from the normal coloration, in which case there 

 are several other equally useful characters which will adequately 

 distinguish this species from its congeners. 



Types. — Platydema rujicoUis Laporte and Brulle: not seen; type 

 locality, "Philadelphie." Neomida sanguinicollis Melsheimer: repre- 

 sented in Melsheimer collection (MCZ) by one specimen without data 

 or accession number; type locality, Pennsylvania. A very typical 

 specimen of P. ruficolle. 



Specimens examined. — From the following localities, 29: 



United States: Arkansas (Benton ville, Hope). Florida (Pensacola). Georgia 

 (Dunwoody). Illinois. Indiana (Lake Co., Posey Co., Putnam Co.). Iowa 

 (Burlington). Mississippi (Lucedale, Ocean Springs). New Jersey (Lakehurst). 

 Oklahoma (Ardmore). South Carolina (Florence). Texas (College Station, 

 Dallas, 10 miles east of Shelby ville). Virginia (Cape Henry, Fredericksburg). 



