CRYPTOCEPHALUS IN AMERICA NORTH OF MEXICO 



13 



subspecies described by Schaeffer (except paratypes of snovn in 

 Kansas University) are now in the U.S. National Museum; some of 

 these were clearly designated on labels by Schaeffer as types, but some 

 were not; others have been designated (apparently by Barber) as 

 cotypes and, it would appear, occasionally in error. This situation is 

 complicated by the incomplete type data appearing in Schaeffer's 

 original descriptions; rarely is the number of specimens given from 

 which the species was described, and generally only a portion of the 

 label data was published. In some cases, the label data as it appeared 

 in print was altered from its original form or miscopied, and in some 

 cases, even, more data were given than now appear on the labels. 



In general, the type designations adopted by Barber have been 

 retained; changes have been made in these only when there was no 

 doubt in my mind that an error had been made and that a change was 

 warranted. I have selected lectotypes for those species for which a type 

 has not previously been designated. 



Taxonomic characters — The system of terminology employed 

 here in naming and numbering the elytral striae and intervals requires 

 explanation. All North American species possess a short series of 

 punctures in the scutellar region that are called the scutellar stria 

 (fig. 1); this does not extend beyond the middle of the elytra. The 

 numbering of the striae begins with the next row of punctures (the 

 first row of the apical half of the elytron) and continues to the side 

 before the lateral margin. The regular series of punctures at the lateral 

 margin is termed the marginal stria; this normally extends from the 

 base to the apex of the elytra. The scutellar and marginal striae are 

 referred to only by their names. Thus the inner and outer rows of 

 punctures referred to in the key are the first and last rows of numbered 

 striae. 



Counting of the rows of striae on an elytron should start immediately 

 behind the middle of the elytron; this will automatically exclude the 



'scutellan 

 Mst— 



2nci- 



3rd---r- 



STRIAE ^ffi ^^_ 



6th .Vl 



7th !i^K 



marginal—'^ 



scutellar\ 

 _1st 

 2nd 



:-_•^^^ 3rd 



-Xii^S 4th 



[JA\;\>_ 5th 



.J:_"-Vl"A 6th 



■"■■.■'\y___7th 



VlNTERVALS 



11 1: — i-^c. _'m a r g I n a ly 



Figure l.—Cryptocephalus cerinus cerinus B. E. White showing terminology used lor 



elytral striae and intervals. 



313-144—68 2 



