-576 



COLEOPTERA. 



Br 

 C. 0. WATEEHOUSE, 



De. CoppiNffEE obtained at Eagle Island, in the Amirante group, 

 some Curculionidaa belonging to the genus Cratopus. The species 

 of this genus are found in the island of Johanna, in Bourbon, Mau- 

 ritius, and Rodriguez. Species have also been described from India 

 and the Cape of Good Hope, which appear to belong to the genus. 

 I have not yet seen any species from Madagascar. 



As the species from Eagle Island appears to be undescribed, I 

 propose to call it Oratojpus adspersus. 



Cratopns adspersus. 



Oblongo-ovatus, nigro-piceus, pube brevissima grisea vestitus, gut- 

 tulis minutis ouprascentibua irregularibus adspersus ; thoraoe 

 antice fortiter, postice paulo angustato, lateribus rotundatis ; 

 scutello pube pallida dense vestito ; elytris ad apicem modice 

 acuminatis, punctato-striatis, interstitiis fere planis ; femo- 

 ribus anticis siibtus ante apicem dente minuto inatructis. 

 Long. 4^ lin., lat. 2 lin. 



Head finely granulose, with a very slight fovea between the eyes. 

 The eyes not very prominent, nearly round, only very slightly oval. 

 Antennte pitchy, not very long, moderately stout ; the first joint of 

 the funiculus about three times as long as broad ; the second joint 

 twice as long as broad ; the following joints only a trifle longer than 

 broad. Thorax convex, finely granulose, mtich narrowed in front, 

 distinctly narrowed at the base, the sides much rounded; the 

 pubescence very fine and sparse, but closer at the posterior angles, 

 where it forms a pale spot. ScuteUum oblong, pale sandy white. 

 Elytra distinctly broader than the thorax, rather ample, gradually 

 (but not much) widened posteriorly for two thirds their length, not 

 quite four times as long as the thorax, obliquely acuminate at tlie 

 apex ; the apical margins finely serrate. The striae are very distinct, 

 the intervals fiat and finely granulose ; the pubescence is fine (uot 

 sufficient to cover entirely the under colour of the surface), but there 

 is an admixture of less fine slightly coppery pubescence, which gives 

 the elytra a speckled appearance. 



Hab. Eagle Island, Amirante Islands. 



This species resembles 0. alhoscuteUatus, Bohem., in general form, 

 but is a much shorter insect, and has the thorax more narrowed at 

 the base, &c. 



The only other Coleopterous Insects found in Eagle Island were 

 Dermestes felinus, Fabr., and Opatrum micans, Germar, both common 

 and widely distributed species. 



