JSTONARTHilA. 



117 



niedian band; in several specimens there is only a round sutural 

 patch in the apical area and the edges of the elytra at the apex, 

 ;and for a short distance forwards along the sides, are stained 

 black. In some examples the elytra are almost entirely black, but 

 exhibit obscure, dark red, transverse bands ; this condition is 

 probably transitional between the banded and the unicolorous 

 black phases. The legs, except the apices of the femora, are 

 frequently yellow- brown, while the rest of the under surface is 

 black ; sometimes the legs are entirely black ; in many cases the 

 hind tibiae are smoky, but the teeth on their outer edge are 

 always darker. Any combination of the black markings described 

 above is possible. The size of the insects also varies to some 

 •extent. Since in some individuals the scutellum is black, while 



Fig. 41. — Nonartkra variabilis, Baly. 



the rest of the upper surface is entirely red-brown, Jacoby called 

 this form a new species (Enneamera scutellata), but I consider it a 

 variety of N. variabilis, though perhaps a more definite and stable 

 variety than some of the others which occur. In proposing the 

 species albofasciata, Duvivier writes that this form looks slightly 

 more elongate and larger and that he considers it to be a distinct 

 species, but he ends his short description by expressing the doubt 

 that the insect may after all be only a variety of N. variabilis. 

 Duvivier also attempted to classify the varieties, but I think that, 

 while it is possible to catalogue all the different combinations of 

 yellow and black markings found in this insect, no useful purpose 

 is served by doing so. In making the above remarks I have before 

 -me about 120 examples, which show the high degree of variability 

 of this species. 



