86 FLEA BEETLE. 



the front and vertex moderately convex ; the antennae 

 are nearly half as long as the body, with the first five 

 or six joints pale fulvous, the other joints are fulvous at 

 the base and piceous or black at the apex ; in some 

 specimens the three terminal joints are entirely black. 

 The thorax is more than twice as broad at the base as 

 long, with the sides rounded and converging from the 

 base to the apex ; the anterior angles are slightly pro- 

 duced, and the surface is distinctly but not very closely 

 punctured. The scutellum is triangular and smooth. 

 The elytra are broader than the thorax at the base, and 

 slightly attenuated towards the apex ; they are rather 

 strongly punctured ; some of the punctures are closely 

 arranged in more or less regular rows on the disk and 

 sides, but in the interstices and at the apex they are 

 more remote and confused. The legs are sometimes 

 entirely black or piceous, but the tibiae and tarsi are 

 usually fulvous ; the posterior legs have very large 

 femora, and the tibiae are channelled above with the 

 edges of the groove serrate. The length of the body is 

 2 3 millm. 



The genus Dibolia does not occur in Britain ; it is 

 allied to Psylliodes, but differs in having eleven-jointed 

 antennae, whereas in the latter genus these organs con- 

 sist of ten joints only. The presence of a bifid spine 

 at the apex of the posterior tibiae is the principal 

 character by which Dibolia is distinguished from all the 

 other genera of Haltiddce. In size, colour, and general 

 aspect this species very much resembles Psylliodes 

 chalcomera, Illig. 0. E. J. 



This small " Flea Beetle " has been kindly identified 

 by Dr. Baly, the well-known authority on this group of 

 Coleoptera, from specimens sent by Miss Glanville, who 

 states that it destroys peas and beans at Grahamstown. 



Of this and the preceding species (Iphidea capensis) 

 Mr. Bairstow writes that about three years previously 

 to the date of writing that is, about 1883 he saw them 

 in millions right away through British Caffraria, and of 



