179 



my identification of that insect is correct) consists in the 

 fine, adpressed, scale-like, white hairs in the elytral striae 

 running in double rows; but this would probably be notice- 

 •able only in a very fresh specimen. 



S. Icetus, Blanch. It is not unlikely, as Burmeister says, 

 that his metrosideri is identical with this species, in which 

 case Blanchard's name has priority; but the colouring is so 

 entirely different, and there are so many other small dis- 

 crepancies between the descriptions, that it would not be 

 wise to drop either name without further evidence. It is 

 much to be desired that the types be compared. Blanchard 

 says that the pronotum of Icetus is "dense punctatus," while 

 the prothoracic puncturation of metrosideri is only mentioned 

 as being much more sparse than that of the clypeus. In the 

 species regarded by me as the latter, the pronotum certainly 

 ought not to be called "closely" punctulate. Also "abdomine 

 <albido-piloso" seems inconsistent with identity with metrosideri , 

 of which its author expressly notes that the abdomen is devoid 

 of erect hairs — having only short, adpressed, scale-like hairs — 

 which is the case in the species that I believe to be metrosideri. 

 Pending further evidence I therefore retain both names, and 

 in tabulating Icetus fall back for a distinction on the state- 

 ment that its legs are green, which — if it is a good species — 

 is not unlikely to be a valid character, as among all the many 

 -examples of Stethaspis before me there is not one with green 



S. piliger, Blanch. This is a readily identifiable species, 

 and needs no special remarks. 



S. nigrescens, Blanch., is also readily identifiable. 



The following table will show characters distinctive of 

 the known Australian Stethaspides, including a new species, 

 the description of which follows the table : — 



A. Legs not green. 



B. Flabellum of antennae of male not, 

 or scarcely, longer than the pre- 

 ceding joints together (colour not 

 black). 

 C. Erect hairs of pronotum at most 

 very few and far between. 

 D. Ventral segments bearing long 



erect hairs Eucalypti, Boisd. 



DD. Ventral segments devoid of 



long erect hairs metrosideri, Burm. 



CC, Pronotum with dense erect 

 pilosity. 

 D. Punctures of the inner 3 strife 

 of the elytra equal (colour 

 brown) ...... monticola, Blackb. 



