258 INSECTS ABROAD. 



signifies "spear-bearing." It is given to the insects because the 

 mesosternum, i.e. the central portion of the lower side of the thorax, 

 is lengthened into a projecting spike of a spear-like form. The 

 reader may perhaps remember that in the Dyticus a somewhat 

 similar spike, only fork-headed, projects from the metasternum, 

 or third portion of the thorax. 



The beautiful species which is here shown is a native of 

 Brazil. Its ground colour is yellow, and across the elytra are 

 drawn five rows of squared black or chestnut spots. The thorax, 

 as is the case with nearly all the species, is plain, dark chestnut. 



Some of the species are worthy of 

 notice for the way in which they are 

 coloured. Doryphora duodccim- guttata, 

 which is found in Para, is shining green, 

 thickly punctated, and having six round 

 yellow spots on each of the elytra. Dory- 

 phora testi'do, of Bolivia, has five similar 

 marks and blue surface, the lowest being 

 heart-shaped. Doryphora pura is pale 

 Pio. 124. -Doryphora te8seii»ta. green. Doryphora ameo-guttata is green, 

 iTeiiow, with black marks.) an( j } ias a T-shaped mark upon the 



elytra, and a spot of the same colour on 

 each shoulder. Dorypliora impcrialis, another Brazilian insect, 

 is yellow, variegated with green or black spots. 



Perhaps the most beautiful of them all is the largest of the 

 whole genus, and so called Doryphora princeps. The colours of 

 this fine insect are so varied that it is not easily described. The 

 head is yellow, with a deep-blue circular spot on either side. 

 The edges of the thorax are yellow, each having a similar blue 

 spot. On the middle of the thorax is a yellow mark much resem- 

 bling the ace of spades, and the rest of the thorax is deep shining 

 blue, thickly punctated. On each of the upper inner angles of 

 the elytra there is a large rounded yellow spot, a similar spot is at 

 their tip, a yellow band is drawn across the middle, and the rest 

 of the elytra is deep blue, crossed with many zigzag black lines. 



The beautiful insect which is represented in the illustration 

 looks very tame in the plain black and white with which its 

 shape, but not its splendid colour, is shown. In common with 

 most of its genus, it is a native of Brazil. 



