837 



Lemidia militaris Schenk. (fig. 22). 



The legs of this species vary considerably in colour, and the red 

 parts of the elytra vary considerably in size. 



Hab. ; N. S. Wales : Sydney; Victoria : BuUarook, Western 

 District. 



Liemidia subaenea Gorh. 

 Var. FiLiFORMis Gorh. 



There are before me 79 spécimens, scarcely any two of which 

 agrée in ail détails, and ail of which I refer to this species, which is 

 probably the most widely distributed and variable of ail the species 

 of Lemidia. About the only features in which they ail agrée, are 

 the pale front portion of the head, and pale (except the tip of the 

 last joint) antennse. Neiiman described the antennse of his conforta 

 as (( basi testacese, apice fuscescentes »; this being the only 

 character which is at variance with some of the forms oî suhœnea. 

 It seems quite possible, however, that coyiferta may hâve been 

 described from one of its forms, in which case, as the older name, 

 it would take precedence over suhœ7iea. 



The comparative width of the prothorax and rotundity of its 

 sides are subject to slight variation. The punctures on the elytra 

 vary from fine to rather coarse. Each elytron is usually supplied 

 with two rows (there are traces of a third and even sometimes of a 

 fourth) of subtubercular élévations or cicatrised spots, from each of 

 which a long seta arises ; the setse being often perfectly erect, but 

 often sloping. In some lights they appear to rise from punctures, 

 and in fact the spots usually appear as if covering a larger puncture 

 than usual, the punctures being planily visible from behind ; 

 sometimes the spots entirely disappear, but the punctures and their 

 setse remain. The upper surface varies from a bright coppery green, 

 to a purplish bronze, and wholly or in part. The extent of blackering 

 or infuscation of the legs is very variable. The size ranges from 

 4 to 8 1/2 mill. 



The following forms (there are others as well) are before me. 



1. Maie ofa coppery bronze. Each elytron with two distinct rows 

 (and traces of others) of subtubercules, from each of which a dark 

 seta arises. Punctures dense but not very coarse on elytra. Legs 

 entirely pale except for a slight infuscation of parts of tarsi (7 mill.). 

 Female with the prothorax and elytra more bronzy (8 mill.). 



Of this form I bave a pair which were taken m copula. It is per- 

 hapsthe most typical one of the species, and probably the one Gor- 

 ham had before him; at any rate it is the only one from Tasmania 



