428 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 117 



two as follows: the pronotiim in P. wandae is always indistinctly 

 punctulate due to a velvety pile which usually covers the entire 

 dorsum (even when this pile is removed, the punctures are seen to 

 be quite small and inconspicuous); the ventral punctures are rela- 

 tively much finer and more sparse than in rvficorne; in cases of doubt, 

 the male genitalia have proved to be sufficiently diagnostic. Ac- 

 cording to all available records, there is no overlap between the 

 ranges of the two species. Within its range, P. wandae is most likely 

 to be confused with P. nigratum (Motschoulsky), which is more 

 elongate in form and has the basal three or four and the apical an- 

 tennal segments paler than the remaining segments. Here, too, 

 the genitalia have proved to be the most reliable character to utilize 

 in cases of doubt. 



In Central and South America there is a bewildering array of 

 species which may, at best, be characterized as large, rotund and 

 velvety-black. To further complicate the situation, there is an equally 

 bewildering list of names, most of which were proposed by Chevi'olat, 

 and none of which are detailed enough to enable one to associate 

 names with insects. Champion (1886) utilized with reservations 

 a number of these Chevrolat names but obviously was not at all 

 certain that he was applying them correctly. He was able to ex- 

 amine specimens of P. rotundatiim Chevi'olat, named by Chevrolat 

 himself, and apparently had a clear concept of at least that species. 

 Three of Champion's specimens of P. rotundatum have been studied 

 critically and were found to be quite distinct from, although evidently 

 quite closely related to P. luandae. 



It is regrettable that yet another name must be added to the 

 already unwieldy list of those species of Platydema belonging to 

 this complex. Repeated attempts to associate the present species 

 with any of the available names were unsuccessful. Until further 

 Central American material is accumulated, the Chevrolat t)^pes are 

 examined, and the validity of his names is determined, any conclu- 

 sions would be highly inferential and speculative. 



J. N. Knull (1960, in litt.) reports that the adults of this species 

 are nocturnal. He observed them in numbers on shelf fungi which 

 grew from bases of oak stumps and dead trees, 3 mUes west of Portal, 

 Arizona, in the Chiricahua Mountains. Professor Knull was able 

 to obtain the large portion of the type series mentioned below by 

 placing fungi at the bases of dead trees and periodically collecting 

 the beetles from beneath them. He also states that they are attracted 

 to fight. 



I take great pleasure in naming this interesting beetle in honor of 

 my wife, Wanda Elaine Triplehorn. 



