814 FAjMILY XL. LAIMPYRID.^. 



IV. Plateros Bourg. 187!). (Gr., "broad + Eros.") 



In this genus the sides of thorax are strongly reflexed; the disk 

 without the transverse ridge seen in Eros, and consequently with- 

 out cells. The elytra have nine narrow and usually equal slightly 

 elevated lines, separated by rows of irine quadrate cells. Sometimes 

 the alternate lines are a little stronger, so that the elytra become 

 feebly 4-costate. The species are very difficult to separate. Eight 

 are known from the United States, five of which have been taken in 

 Indiana. 



KEY TO INDIANA SPECIES OF PLATEROS. 



a. Antenupe broad, not strongly serrate. 



b. Elytra with alternate lines distinctly more elevated, the intermediate 

 ones very feeble. 1545. itODESTUs. 



bh. Elytra with all the lines equal or nearly so. 



c. Thorax with a small notch at middle of base, the discal black spot 



with a pale margin on all sides. 1546. sollicitus. 



cc. Thorax not notched at base, the discal spot reaching the base and 



usually the apex. 



d. Median impressed line of thorax distinct, reaching from base to 



middle. 1547. canaliculatus. 



(Id. Median impressed line of thorax obsolete, represented only by 



a small roundish impression in front of scutellum ; antennte 



shorter ; form more narrow. 1548. floralis. 



aa. Antennse strongly serrate; thorax with a median impressed line on 



basal third. 1549. lictor. 



1545 (4794). Plateros modestus Say, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., I, 1835, 153; 



ibid. II, 631. 

 Elongate-oblong, subdepressed. Black, sides and apical margin of tho- 

 rax reddish-yellow. Third joint of antennae one-half the length of fourth, 

 the second much smaller. Thorax with sides strongly elevated, apex 

 rounded, hind angles somewhat prolonged. Elytra as mentioned in key, 

 the more elevated lines with two rows of cells in intervals, these rows 

 separated by the finer lines. Length 6-7.5 mm. 



Crawford County; rare. June 8. A broader species than those 

 which follow. 



1546 (4796). Plateros sollioitis Lee. Journ. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci.. 2d 



Ed., I, 1847, 83. 

 Elongate, subdepressed, narrower than canaliculatus. Dull black ; tho- 

 rax reddish-yellow, with a large square, central, shining black spot. Tho- 

 rax with sides strongly reflexed, the median impressed line extending from 

 base to beyond middle, deepest on middle third. Elytra with well marked 

 equal intervals and strongly cross-barred interspaces. Antennte of male 

 long, the fourth .ioint twice as long as third, fifth twice as long as wide, 

 outer ones narrower, with angles acute. Antennae of female shorter, sev- 

 enth joint twice as long as wide. Length 6-7.5 mm. 



Stai'k'c County; scarce. July 27. The thorax is narrowei*, with 



