LEXIPHANES NORTH OF MEXICO — BALSBAUGH 



661 



Diagnostic description: Frons red, dorsum when visible usually 

 black, with punctules; several distinct setae on clypeus; antennae 

 subequal to length of head and pronotum combined, basal segments 

 tawny becoming darker distally, segments six through eleven broader, 

 flattened, and more setose. Pronotum yellowish red with black discal 

 spots; punctation fine and generally scattered over entire pronotum, 

 the punctures not as broad as elytral punctures. Prosternum yellowish 

 red, rugulose; pronotal epipleura smooth. Elytra black with trans- 

 verse yellowish-red fascia; deeply impressed marginal and submarginal 



Figure 1. — Geographic distribution of Lexifhanes guerini (Perbosc). S = state locality. 



striae, other striae becoming effaced medially and posteriorly, their 

 punctation on the fascia showing small, dark, "water soaked" spots. 

 Venter black, at times iridescent green or deep purple, with distinct 

 punctures. Legs dark with lighter variations in the forelegs. 



Variation: The observed size range in millimeters is 2.08 long by 1.50 

 wide to 3.00 long by 2.08 wdde. The average size is 2.48 long by 1.75 

 wide. A variational effect, which appears to be clinal in nature, runs 

 in a general north-south direction. Those specimens collected in the 

 northernmost range of the species have the two pronotal discoidal 

 spots smaller or absent, while collections farther south show these 

 spots progressively enlarging, finally meeting or completely fusing into 



