Aitstralian and Tasmanian Mordellidse. 5 



Hob. W. A. : Vasse. 



The markings are very different to those of any other 

 species with which I am acquainted, although the insect 

 approaches some of the varieties of M. hclla. 



MORDELLA OBSOLETA, R. sp. (Plate I, fig. 20.) 



Black ; anterior legs, posterior spurs, muzzle and basal .joints of 

 antenna; reddish -testaceous. Pubescence purplish-black, on pro- 

 thorax and head indistinctly variegated with white ; each elytron 

 with an angular white median fascia : extending obliquely upwards 

 from suture, then almost at a right angle downwards and then again 

 upwards to suture ; near apex a white spot always laigest near suture 

 and frequently semilunar in shape. Under surface with silvery, 

 variegated with black pubescence. 



Aculeus moderately long, stout at base but strongly lessened from 

 about middle, apex thin but truncate. Posterior spurs not quite 

 equal in length, the longest fully half the length of first tarsal joint. 



Length 4-4| m.m. 



Hah. N. S. W. : Sydney. 



In the five specimens under examination the elytra are 

 entirely without basal markings, nor are any of the mark- 

 ings variable. The species approaches rather closely to 

 some of the varieties of M. hella, but the spurs are very 

 decidedly red. 



MOKDELLA SIMILLIMA, n. sp. (Plate II, fig. 32.) 



Black ; anterior femora, posterior spurs and basal joints of antennse 

 reddish-testaceous. Head and prothorax with grey, golden-grey or 

 golden pubescence ; the prothorax with a median and two lateral 

 dark vittte, which, however, are sometimes feeble or not at all trace- 

 able ; elytra with purplish-black pubescence, variegated with similar 

 pubescence as on prothorax, and which is distributed on each as 

 follows : along suture almost to apex, at base and on shoulder, 

 between shoulder and suture a stripe (often conjoined with humeral 

 pubescence and seldom distinctly separated from it), an angular 

 median fascia which extends obliquely upwards from suture, then 

 downwards and then upwards for a variable distance but never to 

 margin, the third portion being sometimes entirely absent, a large 

 subapical spot of variable size and shape but always concave inter- 

 nally and convex outwardly. Under surface with silvery or golden 

 grey, variegated with Ijlack pubescence. 



