252 



with two so close together that they appear as one). Length, 

 2 mm. 



Hab. — Queensland: Cairns district (F. P. Dodd). Type 

 (unique), I. 6001. 



Close to the preceding species, and with a similar 

 pygidium, but smaller, elytral markings much more con- 

 spicuous, legs paler, and ridges of the hind ones more 

 distinct. At first glance it appears very close to Mordella 

 distincta, but the hind legs have the conspicuous ridges of a 

 Mordellistena. The pubescence on the head and pronotum 

 is greyish, on the elytra it is darker, except on the humeral 

 vittae, and for a conspicuous postmedian fascia. A single 

 specimen was found adhering to a sticky seed of Pisonia 

 Brunoniana. The seed was soaked in turpentine, and the 

 specimen came off in perfect condition. 



Mordellistena fuscula, n. sp. 



Piceous-brown ; muzzle, antennae, and legs (parts of hind 

 pair excepted) paler. 



Thin and subparallel. Scutellum small and semicircular. 

 Pygidium long and acute. Antennae long and thin. Hind 

 tibiae with spurs long and subequal, with three oblique black 

 ridges, the subapical one very short, basal joint of hind tarsi 

 with three ridges, the two following joints each with one. 

 Length, 2J-3 mm. 



Hab. — Lord Howe Island. Two specimens beaten from 

 leaves (A. M. Lea). Type, I. 5902. 



In genera] appearance like small and narrow specimens 

 of fusca. A second specimen is smaller than the type and 

 considerably paler, being (except for black parts of the hind 

 legs) almost uniformly testaceous, or of a dingy flavous. In 

 certain lights the elytral pubescence appears to form a con- 

 spicuous V, the V moving upwards from tip to base of 

 elytra as the point of view is altered; on the pronotum a U 

 similarly alters its position ; the pubescence, however, is 

 practically uniform throughout. 



Mordellistena pulcherrima, n. sp. 



Flavous; elytra slightly infuscated about scutellum, with 

 an infuscate median fascia (darker on the sides than about 

 the suture) and the apex tipped with black, mesosternum 

 lightly infuscated. Pubescence golden, except on the dark 

 parts. 



Thin and subparallel-sided. Scutellum minute. Pygidium 

 acute, but (for the genus) rather short. Antennae long and 

 thin. Hind tibiae with three conspicuous black ridges, two 

 long and one short. Length, 2| mm. 



