PROTHEMA. 



235 



Genus PROTHEMA. 



Prothema, Pascoe, Trans. Ent. >Soc. (2j iv; p. 43 (1855) ; Lacord. 



Gen. Coleopt. viii, p. 526 (18G9). 

 Sigeum, Pascoe, P. Z. S. ISGti, p. 523. 



Type, P. signata, Pasc, a species from JVorth China. 



Range. Bhutan, Assam, North China, Malay Peninsula and 

 Philippine Islands, 



Closely allied to Homalomelas, "White, from which it differs 

 chiefly by the structure of the elytra. These have narrower and 

 less distinct epipleures, and the sides extend downwards near the 

 base only to a slightly greater extent than in the rest of their 

 length, so that the lateral jnargins are but feebly sinuate and 

 nearly straight. The prothorax is relatively shorter and broader 

 than in Ilomalomelcoi, and is not wrinkled or granulated above. 

 The one species included in the Indian fauna is in form, colour 

 and markings somewhat suggestive of a Clytid. 



265. Prothema aurata, sp. u. 



$ . Black, densely covered above with silky pubescence of a 

 somewhat golden yellow colour, and marked with some densely 

 punctured glabrous black bands ; the body beneath covered with 

 pubescence, which is yellowish towards the sides, ashy-grey in 

 the middle. Antennae of the $ slightly longer than the body, 

 with the proximal three or four joints black, the rest brown, all 

 faintly covered with pale grey pubescence ; 

 joints sixth to tenth rather sharply angu- 

 lated anteriorly at the apex. Protliorax 

 not longer than broad, gradually narrowed 

 anteriorly, slightly constricted at tlie base ; 

 the disc with two black bands that run 

 forward from the base and slightly con- 

 verge anteriorly, but do not reach quite to 

 the front margin ; the sides each with one 

 black band that extends from the base to 

 a little beyond the middle. Elytra with 

 the sutural and lateral margins black, 

 marked each with a black baud that runs 

 backwards from the shoulder and ends in 

 a transverse black bar placed just behind 

 the middle, and a black band or spot that 

 extends obliquely from the middle of the 

 disc to the outer margin and is placed about 

 midway between the apex and the submedian transverse bar ; 

 apex of each elytron truncate, with a small tooth at the outer 

 angle. Legs black, faintly clothed with ashy-grey pubescence, 

 the tarsi more or less brown. 

 Length 12; breadth 3 mm. 

 Hah. Assam : Patkai Mts. {Dohertg). 



Fig. 88. 



Frothema aurata, 



Gahan. x f. 



