COLEOPTERA 663 



(11) Proterhinus facilis, sp. nov. 



Niero-fuscus, thorace minus dense aureo-squamoso, antennarum articulis basalibus 

 rufis. Oculi parvi ; pedes graciles ; pronotum antice tantum impressum. Elytra 

 perparce squamosa, sed setis erectis albidis conspicue vestita, fortiter elongata, angulis 

 humeralibus distinctis, fere rectis, vel leviter productis. Long. ,? circiter 2 mm. 



A very obscure species chiefly remarkable for its narrow form and the elongate 

 elytra, which are nearly devoid of squamosity, but bear conspicuous white erect setae. 

 The base of the elytra and sometimes some spots behind are obscure reddish in colour. 

 The antennae are of moderate length, the club three-jointed, but its first joint is much 

 less stout than the second. The legs are more slender than is usual in the genus. 



Hab. Oahu, in both ranges, apparently rare. 



Proterhinus dispar Sharp. 



P. dispar Sharp, huj. op. 11., p. 243. 



Attached to JVikstroeiiiia foctida and distributed all over the Koolau range of Oahu. 



Protcrhiiuts obsciiriis Sharp. 



P. obsctirus Sharp, huj. op. 11., p. 210. 



There is some doubt as to the identity of the type of this species with the examples, 

 which I originally referred to it. It was described originally on a single female. As I 

 understand it, after paying very special attention to the matter in the field, P. obscurus 

 is a very variable species. The commonest form is a dark insect, the antennae being 

 often entirely black or very dark red and the legs of the same colour or the basal joints 

 of the former may be red, more frequently in the female. The elytra are usually 

 obscurely red at the base and generally with other red markings posteriorly. These 

 spots bear grey or golden squamosity. This form is extremely abundant on the 

 ' Olomea ' trees in the mountains round Honolulu and may be known as var. pcr- 

 obsatrits. 



Specimens collected from the ' Kalia ' {Eiaeocarpiis) are altogether more rufescent 

 and the legs are red, but I think they are the same species as the above, as intermediate 

 forms occur. They may be known as var. elacocarpi. 



At higher elevations and on another tree, which in the absence of my notes I 

 cannot at present name, the insect becomes entirely or almost entirely red and is clothed 

 all over with golden squamosity in fresh examples. The antennae are usually red on 

 the basal joints only, or may be piceous throughout. The squamous clothing of the 

 elytra is sometimes grey. This form may be known as var. chryscis. 



Hab. Oahu ; very abundant in the mountains round Honolulu, and widely dis- 

 tributed. 



85-2 



