INSECTA MADERENSIA. 465 



Genus 154. SCYMNUS. (Tab. X. fig. 2 et 3.) 



Kugelaun, in Sclineid. Mag. 515 (1794). 



Corpus parvum, fere ut in Coccinell^, sed minus et pilosum, prothorax et elytra basi latitudine 

 Eequales. Antennce (X. 3 a) brevissimfe clavatnej articulis primo et seeundo robustis arete 

 connatis, ad suturam (segre observandam) latitudine aqualibus (illo longiore subflexuoso), 

 tertio ad septimum gracilibus latitudine vix crescentibus (tertio elongate, quarto ad septimum 

 brevibus longitudine sequalibus), reliquis clavam magnam elongatam leviter abruptam qiiadri- 

 articulatam cfficientibus (ultimo paulo angustiore, brevi, ad apieem sub-oblique truncato). 

 Labrum (X. 3 b), mandibula (X. 3 c), maxilla (X. 3 i), mentum (X. 3 e), ligula et pedes (X. 3/) 

 fere ut in Coccinella. Palpi maxillares clavati, articulo primo parvo, seeundo et tertio majoribus 

 crassioribus, ultimo magno subsecuriformi : lahiales filiformes, articulo primo parvo, seeundo et 

 ultimo subaequalibus (boc subovato apice leviter acuminato). 



Scymnus recedes from Coccinella in the smaller size and somewhat more hemi- 

 spherical form of the insects which compose it (the prothorax being generally a little 

 broader behind than is the case in that group), and by their more or less pithes- 

 cent stu'faces. In obscurer details also it offers certaiii distinctive modifications, — 

 especially in the structm-e of its greatly abbreviated antennse, in which the first 

 two articulations are so closely connected together, and are of such precisely 

 similar width at their point of junction, that they have all the appearance of a 

 single joint ; nor indeed is their line of separation easily perceived without the aid 

 of a powerful glass. The third moreover (which ia Coccinella is equal to the 

 following one) is much longer than any of the succeeding (subequal) foiu" ; and the 

 club is comparatively large and abrupt, with its terminal joint narrower, and less 

 suddenly truncated at the apex. The antennae are stated by Mulsant to be com- 

 posed of ten articulations only, but in the two Madeiran species wliich I have 

 dissected (namely the S. DiirantcB and Limniclioides) there are most certaiolv 

 eleven. As regards its oral organs, Scymnus is motilded on much the same type 

 as Coccinella ; nevertheless the ultunate joint both of its maxillary and labial palpi 

 is slightly different, — the former not being quite so much dilated as in that genvis, 

 and the latter rather more so (since it is less cylindrical, and not quite so narrow). 

 The Scymni are not, usually, so brightly coloured as the Coccinellce, many of them 

 being almost, or even entnely, black. Some however are prettUy marked with red 

 or yellow patches and stripes, —as is proved by four out of the six representatives 

 described below. 



§ I. Corpus fere liemisplicsricmn ; alis amplis. (Habitant super foliis plantarum, prEesertim in ciiltis.) 



357. Scymnus Durantse, WoU. 



S. niger, elytro singulo maculis duabus plus minusve distinctis (priore magna obliqua) rufescentibus 

 ornato, capite, antennis, tibiis tarsisque rufo-ferrugineis. 

 Mas, protborace dilutiore plus minusve, pedibusque fere omniuo, rufo-ferrugineis. 



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