36 Journal New York Entomological Society. l v °>- xvi. 



tions in size, punctuation and development of the elytral spot which 

 have caused the following varieties to be described : 



Var. plagiatum. 



Larger (6 mm. or over) ; surface shining ; elytral spot $ small, not attaining the 

 base, O vei 7 l ar g e > almost basal. Abundant to the south of our territory and occa- 

 sionally to be found within our limits. 



Var. texanum Lee. 



Smaller and less shining, elytral spot as in the preceding. 

 The usual form in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. 



Var. alutaceum Casey. 



Smaller (about 6 mm.), surface alutaceous ; elytral spot almost alike in both 

 sexes, small, not attaining the base. 



Occasional specimens that comply with the author's description can be selected 

 from any part of our territory. 



Var. pleurale Lee. 



Smaller (about 6 mm.), surface shining ; elytral spot similar in both sexes, large 

 and almost basal. 



The usual form in southern California. 



Chilocorus Leach. 



Tibiae obtusely dentate externally near the base ; pronotum pubes- 

 cent towards the sides ; abdomen and epipleurae concave for the 

 femora ; claws toothed. Our species are all black above with one red 

 spot on each elytron. The males can be distinguished only by the 

 minute additional sixth abdominal segment. 



Synopsis of Species. 

 Sterna in great part red, abdomen red. 



Larger, elytral spot n ubilous tumidus. 



Smaller, elytral spot large, sharply defined,.. cacti. 



Sterna black, abdomen red. 



Elytral spot in front of middle, punctuation closer and deeper bivulnerus. 



Elytral spot at the middle ; punctuation more shallow and distant, surface more 

 shining situi/is. 



The species described as fraternus Lee. and orbus Casey are 

 included with bivulnerus, and confusor Casey is included with cacti. 



The ventral plate in Chilocorus reaches the posterior edge of the 

 first ventral segment and overlaps slightly the second ventral segment. 

 The fifth ventral is not emarginate in the c? as in Axion but simply 

 outlined as in the 9. I have not been able to find any sexual char- 

 acters in the color of the legs or head and the males can be separated 

 only by the additional ventral segment. 



