12 

 Tanner (1927), and Boyle (1956) . Some characters and terms 



need further explanation, as follows. 



Eye Facets 



Eye facet size, coarse vs. fine, is used to separate 

 many genera in the Triplacinae. This character is based on 

 the relative size and distinctiveness of the eye facets in 

 relation to the head. Coarse facets (Fig. la) are larger 

 and more prominent, often bulging from the surface. Fine 

 facets (Fig. lb) are smaller and less prominent, with a 

 smoother eye surface. There are many species that are 

 intermediate in facet development, making this character 

 difficult to interpret. 

 Punctation 



The puncture size is compared with the eye facet: 

 facet diameter to puncture diameter. Most Ischyrus species 

 have coarse punctation where the punctures are as large or 

 larger in diameter than a facet. 



Punctures can be normal, impressed, or foveate. A 

 normal puncture appears like a simple pinprick. Impressed 

 punctures are deep punctures, usually with a rounded edge 

 and bottom. Foveate punctures are large, shallow, flat- 

 bottomed punctures, usually with a distinct edge. 

 Surface 



The body is generally covered with a hexagonal micro- 

 sculpturing. Variations in the strength of this 

 microreticulation change the surface from shiny to dull and 

 are visible to the naked eye. 



