77 



Perperus litoralis, n. sp. 



Black ; antennae, tibiae, tarsi, and base of femora more or 

 less red. Densely clothed with dark-brown scales more or 

 less feebly variegated on upper-surface ; with numerous 

 setae scattered about. Lower-surface with whitish scales, 

 more or less setose in character. 



Head with dense, normally-concealed punctures. Ros- 

 trum stout, shorter than front tibiae ; median carina acute 

 and quite distinct through normal clothing. Antennae rather 

 short and stout; first joint of funicle distinctly longer than 

 second, and second than third, the others feebly transverse. 

 Prothorax moderately transverse, sides evenly rounded, apex 

 lightly but distinctly incurved to middle; with very dense 

 and rather small partially-concealed punctures; without 

 granules. Scutellum small but distinct. Elytra, subovate, 

 greatest width about once and one-half that of prothorax ;. 

 with rows of comparatively small punctures in feeble striae; 

 interstices feebly convex, not alternately raised. Second 

 segment of abdomen slightly shorter than first, but distinctly 

 longer than third and fourth combined. Front tibiae not 

 denticulate below, but with a few stout setae or short spines. 

 Length, 5-6 J mm. 



Rab . — Tasmania: Ulverstone, Hobart (A. M. Lea). 



The female differs from the male in being larger, with 

 elytra wider and punctures smaller and shorter legs. 



In general appearance remarkably close to malevotens, 

 but front tibiae with several stout spines, instead of short 

 teeth ; the rostrum also is decidedly shorter and stouter. The 

 Hobart specimens were obtained whilst searching for blind 

 beetles at the roots of plants close to a sandy beach. The 

 Ulverstone specimens were probably also taken close to a sea- 

 beach. 



The apical segment of abdomen and the apical portion 

 of the elytral margins are sometimes diluted with red. On 

 most specimens before me the clothing of the upper-surface 

 is of a dark chocolate-brown, but on two others it is more 

 or less grey. There is generally a feeble whitish spot close 

 to each eye and another in the middle of the base of each 

 elytron. The sides of the elytra are sometimes feebly spotted 

 and there is generally a whitish stripe on each side of the 

 prothorax, with sometimes a small spot in juxtaposition to 

 the one on each elytron. The elytral setae are more or less 

 erect and many of them are white, but most of them are 

 similar in colour to the scales. Each femur has generally a 

 whitish ring, with sometimes a rather less distinct additional 



