874 THYTOPHAGA. [Sph((yudf rUM. 



tarsi is more strongly dilated; the average size is a littlo smaller; the; 

 punctuation of the thorax is, as a rule, stronger, but this character can- 

 not be depended upon, as it is very variable in specimens belonging to 

 the same species ; the femora are rather stouter than in S. tcstacea, and 

 the tibue are almost straight. L. 2|-3 mm. 



Ou thistles, Centaurea nigra (Knapweed), &c. ; less common than the preceding, 

 but very widely distributed throughout the greater part of the kingdom, especially 

 near or uot far from the const ; both the species appear to be less common far inland. 



APTEROPEDA, Redtenbacher. 



The species belonging to this genus may be at once known by their 

 subglobose, almost hemispherical form, and dark and more or less 

 metallic colour ; the mouth parts are free and not covered by the 

 prosternxim, and the elytra are punctured in rows ; the legs are moderately 

 long, and the posterior tibiae are deeply channelled above, and more or 

 less distinctly dentate or pectinate externally towards apex, and are 

 furnished with a strong spur at apex ; only five species appear to have 

 been described, of which four are found in Europe, and the h'fth in Asia ; 

 three occur in Britain; they are very closely allied, and are somewhat 

 hard to distinguish. 



I. Interstices of elytra very finely, but distinctly punc- 

 tured ; upper surface usually bright bronze, strongly 



metallic A. OBBICULATA, Marsh. 



(graminis, Koch.) 



II. Interstices of elytra scarcely punctured j upper sur- 

 face scarcely, or not strongly, metallic. 



i. Thorax finely but thickly and distinctly punctured ; 



colour pitchy black, with a slight metallic reflection A. GLOBOSA, 111. 

 ii. Thorax very finely punctured, almost smooth ; colour 



bluish-black A. SPLENDIDA, All. 



A. orbiculata, Marsh, (graminii*, Koch ; ciliata, 01.). Ovate- 

 hemispherical, gibbose, of a bright bronze or greenish-bronze metallic 

 colour, rarely bluish, under-side nigro-seneous; head distinctly punctured, 

 antennae rather short and stout, ferruginous, often infuscate towards 

 apex; thorax twice as broad as long, narrowed in front, not margined at 

 base, covered with fine and rather closely set punctures ; elytra with 

 distinct and regular rows of rather fine punctures, interstices broad and 

 even, very finely, but plainly, punctured; legs ferruginous, posterior 

 iemora dark metallic, anterior and intermediate femora more or less 

 infuscate. L. 2|-3 mm. 



Ou grass and low plants ; often found in moss ; common and generally distributed 

 throughout England; Scotland, Sol way and Clyde districts ; Ireland, Portmarnock 

 and Armagh, and probably common. 



A. g-lobosa, 111. (globug, Diift. ; majuscula, Foudr.). Closely allied 

 to the preceding in form and general appearance, but rather larger, and 

 of a dark nigru-ameous colour, scarcely metallic; the interstices of the 



