HETEROMERA, MALACODERMATA, ETC. 



101 



M. quadraticollis is very similar in sculpture to Plateros robustus, Klne., of 

 Malacca, but in the latter species the 3rd antennal joint is much shorter than the 

 4th, and the thorax lacks the anterior median carina. 



Samoaneros, gen. nov. 



Very similar in facies to Melaneros Fairm., having the body usually black 

 or blackish piceous and elytra dark violet blue, but differing in having the 

 upper side glabrous or almost so, while the under side, legs, and antennae are 

 clothed with a fine, depressed, fulvous pubescence. The head is more com- 

 pletely concealed from above beneath the prothorax, and the 3rd joint of the 

 antennae is only about half as long as the 4th. The elytra are usually much 

 more strongly costate, the suture, 3rd, oth, and 7th interstices being strongly 

 raised, the intermediate interstices usually irregular and ill-defined. The 

 thorax has a strong median carina on the anterior half which divides posteriorly 

 to enclose a deep, broad sulcus communicating behind with the transverse 

 basal sulcus. In Melaneros, the anterior costa is relatively feeble and dis- 

 appears posteriorly, while the median posterior sulcus.is narrow, without raised 

 borders, and closed behind. 



From Plateros Bourg. the new genus differs owing to the upper surface being 

 glabrous, and the elytra strongly costate. 



Genotype, Melaneros acuticollis Fairm. 



50. Samoaneros acuticollis Fairmaire (Text-fig. 11). 

 Loc. cit. {Melaneros). 



Upolu : Malololelei, ii., iv., vi., vii.1924, 18 examples ; Aleipata, 

 Lalomanu, x.1924 ; Tuaefu, 16.ix.1923, 2 examples (Swezey and Wilder) ; 

 Afiamalo, ll.vii.1925, 2 examples (Wilder). 



Savaii : Safune, from lowlands to the rain forest, 2000-4000 ft., 23 

 examples ; Salailua, 3 examples, all v. 1924 (Bryan). 



Tutuila : Leone Road, 24.iii.1926, 1 example (Judd) ; Fagasa, 9.ix.l923, 

 2 examples ; and Pago Pago, 18.ix.1923, 1 example (Swezey and Wilder). 



Manua : Tau, 20, 21.ii.1926, 6 examples (Judd) ; Ofu, 27.ii.1926, 2 

 examples (Judd). 



