94 COLEOPTERA 



broader than the thorax, slightly rounded laterally, tri-sinuate at the 

 extremity ; they are closely and distinctly punctured near the base, 

 where they are somewhat rufescent, their sculpture much less obvious 

 behind ; they are covered with yellow hairs. Abdomen elongate, seg- 

 ments two to five much depressed and rather coarsely punctured at the 

 base, the fifth less so than the others and blackish ; these segments are 

 testaceous-red but paler towards the extremity, the two apical are red- 

 dish ; it is pubescent, but more glossy than the other parts of the body. 



Length, 2\ lines ; breadth, quite \. 



I found one of my two specimens at Auckland, the other near Whan- 

 garei Harbour. 



172. D. optabilis, n.s. Antennce quite red, moderately incras- 

 sated towards the extremity, joints four to eleven consequently less 

 transverse than in D. flavescens ; third joint slightly longer than second, 

 the eleventh not longer than the ninth and tenth. 



Head rather broad and rounded ; the inter-antennal space smooth, 

 the rest of its surface coarsely and closely punctured, dull reddish, the 

 middle part a little infuscate ; mandibles shining, acute, and black at 

 the extremity. Prothorax longer than broad, rounded in front of the 

 middle, somewhat sinuously narrowed posteriorly, with distinct hind 

 angles ; there is a slight triangular basal depression, the surface is as 

 closely but not so coarsely punctured as the head, yellowish brown in 

 colour and rather dull. Elytra, except a large blackish spot near each 

 posterior angle, yellowish, their punctation not quite so apparent 

 behind as in front ; the sinuation near each hind angle is much deeper 

 than that at the suture, they are slightly narrowed towards the base, as 

 long as but much broader than the thorax, and covered with yellow hairs. 

 Abdomen glossy, reddish-testaceous, paler behind, segments two to five 

 depressed and punctate at the base, the fourth scarcely punctate 

 behind ; it is pubescent. The legs are of a shining, pale-yellow colour. 



The duller head and thorax, black elytral apices, and longer antennje 

 distinguish this species from D. flavescetis. 



Length, 2\ lines ; breadth, quite i. 



I found one individual only near Whangarei Harbour. 



173. D. aerarius, n.s. Antenna, red, intermediate in length 

 between those of D. flavescens and D. optabilis. Head closely but not 

 coarsely punctured, bronzed reddish-brown. Prothor-ax with a distinct 

 triangular basal fovea having a more or less evident line proceeding 

 from it, and terminating in an elongate frontal depression ; its puncta- 

 tion is rather finer than that of the head, and its usual colour is bronzy- 

 brown. Elytra yellowish-red, punctate, densely clothed with yellow 

 hairs. Abdomen bronzed, reddish-brown ; segments two to five depressed 

 and punctate at the base ; the remainder of the surface more or less 

 punctate, and rather densely clothed with yellow hairs. Z<?^^.f reddish ; 

 tarsi yellow. 



Like the two preceding species, but differing from both in the colour 

 and sculpture of the head and thorax, and in the body generally being 

 darker in colour. 



