LAMPROSOMA. 281 



Elytra gradually narrowed posteriorly, the apex rounded, cover- 

 ing abdomen entirely ; epipleurae angularly produced below base, 

 suddenly narrowed posteriorly, often provided with three foveae. 

 Prosternum generally subquadrate and flat but variable; inner 

 margin of the side-pieces of breast raised, forming a groove at 

 sides of prosternum for the reception of the antenna ; meta- 

 sternum produced as far as prosternum, hollowed at sides for 

 reception of femora. Legs short, not protruding beyond elytra ; 

 tibiae carinate ; femora with sulci into which the tibiae can be 

 placed ; tarsi short and broad, the third joint deeply divided or 

 bilobed ; claws appendiculate. 



The forms in this subfamily are as a rule short and convex, 

 often of brilliant metallic coloration. In India they are repre- 

 sented by species of more sombre aspect, but in tropical South 

 America, where they swarm, they mostly assume rich metallic 

 colours. The short carinate legs which fit into abdominal grooves 

 and the very short antennae are good distinguishing marks of 

 these insects. 



Genus LAMPROSOMA. 



Lamprosoma, Kirby, Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond. xii, 1818, p. 445. 

 Oomorphus, Curtis, Brit. Ent. viii, 1831, p. 347. 



Type, L. bicolor, Kirby, from South America. 

 Range. Europe; S. America; India; Japan. 

 Characters those of the subfamily. The Indian species are of 

 small size and mostly of dark metallic-blue or purplish colour. 



483. Lamprosoma assamensis, S p. n. 



Black, ovate, narrowed posteriorly. Head, seen under a strong 

 lens, extremely minutely punctured ; antennae extending to base 



Fig. 110. Laiiiprosoma assamensis. 



of thorax, basal joint fulvous beneath, all following joints 

 gradually widened, subtriangular, furnished with single stiff hairs. 

 Thorax strongly transverse, narrowed at sides, latter straight, 

 posterior margin oblique, medial lobe slightly prominent and 

 pointed ; surface extremely minutely and closely punctured. 

 Scutellum small, triangular. Elytra slightly wider at the shoulders 



