Vol. xxvii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 205 
added another evident synonym, rufescens, to the present list, 
giving for the basis of that name only such characters as slight 
differences in the shape of the ocular margins and shape of 
the pronotum to separate it from cubensis, features attributable 
wholly to individual variation within the species. 
We find Walker’s subspurcata to be based primarily on 
material of the present species, though the Brazilian specimen 
included probably represents a different form. This name was 
placed by Kirby under cubensis in 1904. 
The present insect is the smallest of the North American 
species of Blaberus and is a rather robust species. Decided 
variation is found in the pronotal form, while the extremes of 
intensive and recessive coloration are very dissimilar in gen- 
eral appearance. 
The following features are of interest: 
Head with interspace between eyes in males from one-half to three- 
quarters the interocellar width (normally three-quarters), in females 
over one-half to (normally) four-fifths the interocellar width. Head 
shining blackish, ocelli and soft portions of clypeus buff. Ocelli with 
flattened surface slanting laterad, the inner margin hardly raised above 
the very weakly concave surface of the space between the ocelli in 
males, not at all raised above the deplanate surface of this space in 
the females. Tegmina very ample but short, reaching well beyond the 
abdomen in males, very slightly beyond the apex of the supra-anal 
plate in females; margins distad broadly rounding to distinct but not 
sharply rounded apex, which in position is slightly nearer the costal 
margin. Dorsal surface of abdomen much as in B. giganteus but with 
apex of latero-caudal productions of sixth segment much _ shorter 
and blunt. Cerci shorter, less tapering and with apex more blunt than 
in giganteus, with about fifteen short joints. Limbs shorter but arma- 
ment of the same as in giganteus. 
The extremes in the series from Trinidad are given above. Decided 
pronotal variation is shown in the material before us, frequently the 
Measurements (in millimeters). 
Length Length Width Length Width Length in 
of of of 
oe of of width of 
body pronotum pronotum tegmen tegmen  pronotum 
Puerto Plata, San Domingo 42.1 II.9 16.8 40.2 16.3 X 1.41 
Porto Rico 36 4 11.7 16.7 40.7 16.0 X 1.43— 
St. Joseph, Trinidad 44.9 12.8 17.9 43.2 16.6 XereA 
St. Joseph, Trinidad 36.8 11.6 16.7 40.1 16.4 X 1.44— 
Panama 9 40.9 12.3 18.6 43.0 18.0 X 1.51 
Puerto Plata. San Domingo 49.4 13.8 19.7 41.4 19.0 X 1.43 
St. Joseph, Trinidad 51.0 13.6 19 6 40.8 17.8 X 1.44 
St. Joseph, Trinidad 44.0 207) 18.8 40.6 17.0 X 1.48 
Caicara, Venezuela 43.8 12.8 18.0 38.4 15.3 X 1.41 
Panama 45.1 12.4 18.3 41.8 17.0 X 1.47 
