1918] Phlepsids of Mexico and Central America 



387 



Phlepsius {Texananus) ovatus V. D. (Fig. 10a, b and c). 



This is the smallest species of the group in Mexico and its 

 small size, oval shape, and pale commisural line will at once 

 distinguish it. 



It ranges from Oregon and Colorado south to southern Mex- 

 ico. Specimens are at hand from Cuernavaca, Morelos (H. 

 H. S.); Jalapa, Vera Cruz, June; Aumlema, 535 ft., (Barrett); 

 arid Ti Juana, August, (Ball). 



Subgenus Dixianus nov. 

 Resembling Phlepsius but with the head about equaling the prono- 

 tum in width; the lateral margin of pronotum very short, sub-obsolete 

 scarcely carinate; vertex fiat or sub-conical, rather narrow, the width 

 of head made up by the long diameter of eye which is nearly as great as 

 the width of vertex; front long, convex margin, forming a regular curve 

 to ocelli which are large and touch the eye; eyes wider than genae; 

 clypeus long, narrow, and very slightly constricted. Elytra long and 

 narrow, venation obscured by the pattern, the central apical cell long 

 and narrow, slightly curved, the outer anteapical broad at base, often 

 acuminate with several supernumerary cells at apex, the costal margin 

 often broadly light with four black spots; usuahy an angulate euttetix- 

 like pattern on the disc. 



Type of the subgenus Phlepsius (Texananus) utahnus Ball. 

 This is a very distinct little group, intermediate in character, 

 between Eutettix and Phlepsius proper, and it will probably 

 receive generic rank later. Its members can be ' recognized at 

 once by the sub-obsolete lateral margin of the pronotum, the 

 unusual width of the eyes, the costal spots, and the pattern of 

 the elytra. P. costomaculatus is the most common Mexican 

 form and has been figured but utahnus is more representative 

 of the group, which includes a number of species from the 

 southwestern United States, such as pulchripennis Bak., 

 loculatus Ball, stellaris Ball, and floridanus Ball. 



Key to the Species of Dixianus. 



a Vertex short, convex, almost parallel margined; elytra pale, costal spots 

 \nj-„Q costomaculalus V. U. 



aa. Vertex definitely angulate,' fiat; elytra with a heavy pattern and small costal 

 spots "'«^'««^ ^^^^ 



