PODAGRTOA. 



273 



Genus PODAGRIC A, Foudras. 



Podayrica, Foudras, Hist. Nat. Col. France, Altisides, 1860, p. 337. 

 Nisoira, Baly, Ann. & Mag-. Nat. Hist. (3) xiv. 1864, p. 437 ; Weise, 

 Naturg. Ins. Deutschl. vi, 1893, p. 681. 



Genotype, Altica fuscipes, Fabr. (Europe). 



The insects of this genus are small and ovate. Their general 

 colour-scheme is that the head, part of the anteunae, the pronotum, 

 and legs are brown or red-brown and the elytra metallic blue. 

 Head broad, with vertex convex, the latter bounded in front by 

 two oblique impressed lines. Antennae comparatively short, 

 passing to a certain distance beyond the base of the pronotum, 

 situated rather far apart ; interantennal spare uneven ; each 

 antenna thickens towards the apex, the thickened apical segments 

 being more bristly than the basal segments. Prothorax broader 

 than long, its surface being more or less convex ; sides rounded, 

 sometimes narrowly margined, anterior angles more or less 

 expanded, the basal margin somewhat sinuate ; nearer the lateral 

 margin there is on either side a short impressed line perpendicular 

 to the base, and sometimes a similar line situated nearly opposite, 

 perpendicular to the front margin. Scutellum triangular, with 

 apex rounded. Elytra very slightly broader at base than 

 prothorax, punctate-striate, the >triae being irregular, some- 

 times more so and sometimes less. Underside: anterior coxal 

 cavities closed behind ; abdominal sternites generally punctate 

 and covered with fine hairs ; posterior femora thickened but not 

 considerably, and this is in harmony with the insect's feeble 

 power of jumping; tibiae almost as long as the femora, received 

 into a channel in rhe femora when in repose. 



The first segment of the tarsi in the male is larger than the 

 corresponding segment in the female. Some of the species are 

 apterous. 



Range. This genus has a wide distribution in Europe, America, 

 Africa, and Asia. 



Key to the Species. 



1. Insect brown above 2. 



Insect not brown above 4. 



2. Entire insect, including appendages, 



brown. . , P. ceylonensis, Jac, p. 274. 



Entire insect not brown ; some of the 

 appendages at least are partly black . 3. 



3. Breast and abdominal sternites (except 



the apex of the last) black P. cardotii, Jac, p. 27o. 



Breast and abdominal sternites brown . P. badia, Harold, p. 275. 



4. Upper side bluish, in some cases diluted 



with brown ; scutellum black ; 

 pronotum and elytra usually con- 



colorous ; underside brown P. semiccerulea, Jac, p. 276. 



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