DIAPERINI NORTH OF MEXICO — TRIPLEHORN 373 



The well known European species, D. holeti Linnaeus, itself quite 

 variable in coloration, is almost identical to D. rufipes in its elytral 

 pattern; however, the male genitalia suggest a closer relationship to 

 D. maculata. The best morphological character that separates D. 

 holeti from D. rufipes, and one which has hitherto been overlooked, is 

 the remarkable form of the prosternal process of the former species. 

 Anteriorly, this structure forms a sharp spine in front of the coxae 

 and curves posteriorly between them where the apex is slightly pro- 

 duced, acute, and secondarily reflected. In D. rufipes and, in fact, in 

 all North American species, this structure is simply and evenly convex 

 between the coxae, with its apex deflexed and concealed. 



The type was collected under cottonwood bark. Other ecologi- 

 cal data accompanjnng specimens were: Tucson, Ariz. (UAriz) 

 "bracket fungus on elderberry"; Blythe, Cahf. (UCal) "at light"; 

 Blythe, Calif. (Ulda) "under bark of Populus sp."; El Centro, Calif. 

 (CAS) "Ex Polyporus"; Albuquerque, N. Mex. (CAS) "on 

 Sporophores." 



Type.— ANSP 3989; type locaHty [Camp Grant], Ariz. 



Specimens examined. — From the following localities, 94: 



United States: Arizona (Arivaipa, Fort Yuma, Oak Creek Canyon, Oracle, 

 Patagonia, Phoenix, Sierra Ancha Mts., Tucson, Washington Mts. near Nogales). 

 California (Blythe, El Centro, Needles). New Mexico (Albuquerque). 



Mexico: Baja California (Cape San Lucas, La Chuparosa, San Jose del Cabo). 



Diaperis nigronotata Pic 



Plate 1 (Fig. 4) 



Diaperis rufipes var. nigronotata Pic, 1926, p. 22. 

 Diaperis rufipes var. bicoloriceps Pic, 1926, p. 22. 



Description. — Broadly oval, strongly convex, reddish orange and 

 black, shining. Similar to D. rufipes, differmg from it mainly in 

 the pattern of black markings on elytra, which are as follows: a 

 sutural stripe, uniform in width, ending abruptly in a large blotch 

 embracing both elytra on basal fourth; a small oval spot on each 

 elytron and, in line with it, a large, irregular, marginal spot; a large 

 irregular band on apical half of each elytron continuous across elytra 

 (pi. 1, fig. 4). Front femora always entirely red, except for extreme 

 distal portion which is dark brown; middle and hindfemora and all 

 tibiae dark brown; basal tarsal segments and claws reddish, apical 

 segment brown or black. Male aedeagus indistinguishable from that 

 of D. rufipes. Measurements: length 5.1-6.4 mm.; width 3.2- 

 3.9 mm. 



Remarks. — The constant and distinctive elytral color pattern of 

 this species is alone sufficiently diagnostic to separate it from any 

 other known species of Diaperis in the world. The sculpture of the 



