384 ox THE INSECTS FROM NEW BRITAIN. 



from the front part of the ba}' formed by their prominence ; base with a short carina 

 projecting angularly at the shoulder : their surface marked with iiTegular and variable 

 white spots, the largest of which are combined to form two transverse bands, very much 

 indented, the anterior band is directly transverse, the posterior one strongly angulate, 

 projecting forwai'ds at the suture ; behind these two bands some irregular white spots : 

 the sculpture variable, there being some subseriate punctures, and the interstices being 

 more or less longitudinally raised : the punctures at the basal parts of the sides are very 

 numerous and coarse : tips truncate, each \vith a broad short spine externally. Under- 

 surface, irregularly variegate with white. 



The three individuals of this species are probably two of them female, one male ; if 

 so there is very little difference between the sexes. 



Thomson and Pascoe established several genera for the allies of Arrhenotus which 

 were subsequently treated by Lacordaire as mere sections. A. luilleyi does not enter 

 satisfactorily into any of these sections. In coloration and general appearance it some- 

 what resembles Elais exarata Pascoe. (Trans, ent. Soc. London (3) III., PI. XIX. 

 Fig. 7.) 



Tmesisternus yorkensis. 



SpJnngnotus yorkensis Fairmaire, Xaturaliste, 1881, p. 359: Ann. Soc. ent. Belgique, 

 XXVII., 1883, p. 47. 



I refer a series of examples to this species notwithstanding the fact that they 

 belong to the genus Tmesisternus, not Sphingnotus, and that they present some differ- 

 ences from Fairmaii-e's description. The punctures of the el}-tra are not serially disposed ; 

 the apical markings of the elj^ra and those on the abdominal segments are variable. 

 The series procured by Dr Willey consists of 20 males and 12 females. The size varies 

 fr-om a length of 19 to one of 27 mm., and this variation occurs equally in the two 

 sexes. The peculiar swelling of the middle tibiae of the male also varies greatly, as 

 does the sculpture on the anterior aspect of the swollen part. The males and females 

 are very much alike, but can be invariably distinguished by the last ventral plate. 

 This is longer in the female and is more or less longitudinally impressed along the 

 middle, the impression behind becomes much broader. The male has no trace of this 

 impression, and has more abundant dark hair on the apical part of the segment. In 

 both sexes the hind angle of this plate projects back as a short spine, longer in the 

 female than in the male. 



Fairmaire's specimens were from Duke of York island. Not suspecting at first 

 that Dr Willey's specimens belong to Fairmaire's species, I had proposed to give them 

 the name of Tmesisternus tardus. Dr Jordan has described an allied form from New 

 Guinea under the name of T. dohertyi, Nov. Zool. I. p. 500, and remarks that it is 

 near T. yorkensis Fairm. ; it was this remark that led me to the above identification, 

 which I believe will prove to be correct. 



Diochares basigranatus Fairin. (t.c. p. 51). I think Fairmaire is correct in con- 

 .sidering this distinct from D. fimbriatus. Dr Willey obtained two specimens of D. 

 basigranutus. Fairmaire records (I.e.) D. fimbriatus from Duke of York island. 



