372 CATALOGUE OF 



It somewhat resembles R. virescens, from which it may be dis- 

 tinguished by iis longer body, by its shorter head, and by the iransveise 

 ridge of the thorax. 



a. Moreton Bay. From Mr. Diggles' collection. 



85. Rhaphioaster venustdlits. 



Pallide luteiis, ellipticus, nigricante punclalus ; caput postice fuscum ; 

 antenna apice vigricanles, corporis dimidio breviores ; thorax fascia 

 glabra abbreviata maculam fuscam includenle ; scutellum sordide 

 luteum, viltis duabus obliquis vitlaque posteriore Jluvi.<! ; spina ven- 

 trails eoxas posticus superans ; alee antic<e striga maculaque fuscis. 



Pale luteous, ellipiical, with minute blackish punctures, a little paler 

 beneath. Head brown along ihe middle part of the hind border ; middle 

 lobe extendins; a little bevond the lateral lobes. Rostrum black towards 

 tlie tip, extending to the hind coxae. Antennae much less than half the 

 length of the body; first joint not extending to the front of the head; 

 second much longer than the third ; fourth blackish at the tip, a little 

 longer than the second ; fifth blackish, except at the base, nearly as long 

 as the fourth. Thorax with a very slight transverse impression, in front of 

 which there is an abbreviated smooth band, the latter containing a browu 

 spot; hind angles much rounded, not prominent. Scutellum dingy luteous, 

 with two oblique yellow stripes, which join a posterior middle yellow stripe. 

 Ventral spine extending beyond the hind coxae. Legs short, stout. Fore 

 wings with a brown streak and a brown spot joining the outer border of the 

 corium, the spot on the hind angle; membrane pale cinereous. Length of 

 the body 2^ lines. 



Like R. strachioides in structure. 

 Queensland. In the National Museum at Melbourne. 



86. Rhaphioaster obliqocs. 



Hufescente-fulvus, oimtus, dense punctalus ; caput latiuscvliim ; antenna; 

 corporis dimidio non longivres, apices versus nigricantes ; thorax 

 marginibus anlicis albidis, spinis duabus crnsis subascendentibvs 

 apice rotundatis ; scutellum maculis duabvs busalibus apiceqve pal- 

 lide Jiavesceutibus ; pectus rvfo plagiatum ; venter rittis quatuor fi-r- 

 rugineis indeterniinatis, spina crassa coxus anticas allingtute ; alee 

 anlica striga albida obliqua, membrana cinerea. 



Reddish tawny, oval, thickly punctured, testaceous beneath. Head 

 rather broad ; lobes of equal length. Rostium extending nearly to the 

 hind coxae; tip black. Antennae about half the length of the body; first 

 joint extending very much beyond the head ; second shorter than the first, 

 as long as the third ; fourth and fifth blackish, a little shorter than the 

 third. Thorax with a dingy whitish stripe along each side in front ; hind 

 angles forming two very stout slightly ascending directly diverging spines, 

 whose tips are rounded. Scutellum with an irregular pale yellowish spot 

 on each side at the base; tip pale yellowish. Pectus with some red patches 

 on each side. Abdomen beneath with four incomplete ferruginous stripes; 

 basal spine ihiek, extending to the fore coxie. Legs rather stout. Fore 



