198 
Psyche 
[September 
times as wide as the abdominal spiracles and with a less prominent 
spout. Legs (Fig. 5) : proximal one-third of tibio-tarsus without 
setae, distal two-thirds with six to ten setae; pretarsus without setae, 
consisting of a soft basal portion and a long tapering claw, empodial 
lobe extending to basal fourth of the claw. 
The nature and degree of variation is similar to that noted by 
Manton (1945) and Hall and Howe (1953), primarily differences 
in the numbers of setae and asymetry of certain parts. This variation 
was particularly noticeable in the mouthparts. Although the numbers 
of setae within groups or clusters vary between individuals, and 
from side to side on the same specimen, the placement of these 
groups appears to be invariable and probably is species’ specific. 
Although adults of two species were reared from the scats, the 
larvae are believed to be those of Ptinus latefasciatus because ( 1 ) 
this was the most numerous adult reared, eleven of this species to 
three of P. costaricensis J (2) pupae collected are P. latefasciatus by 
total length measurements (2. 8-3. 2 mm.) and (3) of the large size 
of the mature larva. 
The larva of Ptinus latefasciatus can be distinguished from its 
North American congener, P. calif ornicus (Boving, 1956), by nu- 
merous characters, some of which are listed in the following table. 
Ptinus calif ornicus 
cardo with three setae 
epipharynx with 1-3 setae 
in diverging rows 
spiracle without spout 
tibia with 16 setae 
pretarsus with setae 
Ptinus latefasciatus 
cardo with one setae 
epipharynx with 4-6 setae 
in diverging rows 
spiracle with spout 
tibia with less than 10 setae 
pretarsus without setae 
By the last mentioned character P. latefasciatus can be distinguished 
from P. calif ornicus and all the species in Hall and Howe’s larval key. 
Distribution : Central America ( Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica 
and Panama) and South America (Colombia, British Guiana and 
Brazil). 
Material examined: costa rica: Guanacaste Prov., Taboga, 
6 mi. S., 6 mi. W. Canas, io° 19' N., 85° 09' W., Feb. 15, 1967, 
collected from coati scats, 6 larvae. Same locality, Feb. 17, 1967, 
reared from coati scats, 11 adults. Same locality, Feb. 17, 1967. 
sweeping river-bottom forest, 4 adults. Colombia: Rio Frio, Mgd., 
2 specimens; Sta. Marta, Mgd., 1 specimen; Aracataca, Mgd., 5 
specimens; Sevilla, Mgd., 1 specimen; Darlington collector [MCZ]. 
