5 Sie 3 THOMAS LINCOLY CASEY LIBRARY af ¢ af BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA. INSECTA. COLEOPTERA. Vot. IV. Parr 4. RHY NCHOPHORA. CURCULIONID 4. CURCULIONIN& (part.). BY G. C. CHAMPION, F.Z.S. “AT HSONT <\N HSON; 4a Jan g 1970 )) a LIBRARIES 1902-1906. 4 ie ibs) Tae eee BS tai a? INTRODUCTION . ... Errata ET ConRIGENDA Subfam. Curcun1onina& Group Sitonina . . Hyperina. . Hylobiina . Anchonina . Cleonina. . Sternechina . Pissodina. Listroderina. Ceratopina . Erirrhina =. Anthonomina Tychiina . Prionomerina . . CONTENTS. 7,715 66, 719 9 11 12 12 14. 8,719 3, 720 119 120 3, 720 7,721 7,722 203 212 Subfam. CurcuLiontn#, continued. Group Otidocephalina . Piares. Erodiscina Hoplorrhinina Balaninina . Lemosaccina Menemachina Camarotina . Cholina . . « « Cryptorrhynchina : Sect. Ithyporides we 2 » Cryptorrhynchides > Trichodocerides » Sophrorrhinides . Page 230, 723 271, 277 279 280 289 289 290, 724 314, 727 459 463, 729 713 INTRODUCTION. In this Volume twenty-two groups of Rhynchophora, all belonging to the Subfamily Curculionine, the Sitonina to the Cryptorrhynchina inclusive, are dealt with. The classification adopted is mainly that of Lacordaire, modified to some extent to conform with the system followed by Leconte and Horn, who were the first to detect the real structural differences between the Otiorrhynchine and the Curculionine proper. The ‘ Munich Catalogue’ gives but little idea of the vast number of Rhynchophora, especially as regards the group Cryptorrhynchina, inhabiting Tropical America, and it will already be seen that they are probably more than twice as numerous in species as the Phytophaga in this region. Gemminger and Harold (1871-6) give, for the whole world, Rhynchophora [Curculionide, Anthribide, Brenthide, and Scolytide | 11,591 species, and for the Phytophaga [Chrysomelide, Hispide, and Cassidide] 10,196 species. In this Volume alone, one of four or five that will be required, no fewer than 1365 species are enumerated ; whereas the total number of Central-American Phytophaga (inclusive of Hispide and Cassidide) as given in this work (1892-4) is 2619. In Schénherr’s ‘Genera et Species Curculionidum,’ concluded in 1845, scarcely any species are recorded from Central America proper, 7. ¢. from between Mexico and the South-American mainland, and it is therefore not surprising that a very large proportion of the species enumerated are new. A few of those described, however, will no doubt prove to be synonymous with South-American forms when the types can be compared. The identification of closely allied obscure species from description alone, from specimens from such distant localities as Mexico and Brazil respectively, is obviously so uncertain that it is preferable to describe such forms as new, notwithstanding the risk of adding to the synonymy. The genera of the group Cryptorrhynchina still remain in inextricable confusion, and little more has been done vil INTRODUCTION. here than to follow Chevrolat, Pascoe, and Faust in placing a certain number of the more striking forms under separate generic names. The completion of such a task is beyond the scope of the present work, and it can only be attempted when the whole of the American Rhynchophorous fauna is studied. Amongst the various groups enumerated, it may be noted that only one of those at all numerous in species, the Anthonomina, is about equally well represented in the United States of North America. The Hyperina, Cleonina (Lizus excepted), Pissodina, Erirrhina, Tychiina, and Balaninina are mostly Holarctic, the species becoming fewer in number within the tropics, such well-known genera as Cleonus and Pissodes not extending south of Mexico. On the other hand, the groups Cryptorrhynchina, Hylobiina, Cholina, &c., the members of which mostly attack trees in their various stages of decay, are extremely numerous, both in species and individuals, throughout the warmer regions of America. The Sitonina have doubtless been introduced into Mexico from Europe. The food-plants and habits of scarcely any of the Central-American Curculionine have been observed, unfortunately, though it may be stated in a general way that a very large proportion of the specimens belonging to the groups Hylobiina, Anchonina, Otidocephalina, Erodiscina, Lamosaccina, Cholina, and Cryptorrhynchina obtained by the present writer were beaten from the withered leaves or branches of fallen deciduous trees in forest-clearings. One species, however, Anthonomus grandis, the ‘* Mexican Cotton-boll Weevil,” has now become notorious as a destructive insect wherever cotton is cultivated. We are indebted to the authorities of the Berlin Museum for the loan of their Mexican and Central-American Otidovephalina; to Dr. Chr. Aurivillius and Dr. Yngve Sjostedt, of the Stockholm Museum, for communicating a number of types described in Schonherr’s work, as well as some others contained in the Chevrolat collection ; . and to Dr. K. M. Heller, of the Dresden Museum, for the loan of many Cryptorrhynchids described by Faust. Prof. G. Biolley, of San José, Costa Rica, has from time to time forwarded various Costa Rican forms, thus helping us to give a better account of the fauna of that country than we have been able to do with the other families of beetles already treated. Mr. H. F. Wickham, of Iowa City, too, has again been kind enough to supply specimens of many North-American species, invaluable for comparison with Mexican insects. INTRODUCTION. Vii Of the thirty-five plates issued, all of which have been drawn and lithographed by Mr. FE. Wilson, of Cambridge, nineteen (Plates X. and XVIII.—XXXV. inclusive) are coloured and one (Plate XII.) partially coloured. The complete classified list of the species figured, as given in the other Volumes of Coleoptera already finished, has been omitted as unnecessary, the supplement to the present Volume being very short. G.C. C. April 1906. ERRATA ET CORRIGENDA. Page Line 7 25 for must far outnumber read perhaps outnumbers. ll 33. for sticticopterus read stictopterus. 15 12 for side-pieces of the metasternum rufous read metasternum, the side- pieces excepted, rufous. 68 25 for A. read O. 93 3 for D. verrucosus read D. verruciger. 236-315, various places, for Rosensk. read Rosensch. 300 30 for mesonotum read mesosternum. 304 23 for broader and shorter read broader. 306 45 for in litt. read Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1876, p. xxx. 335 34 for Rhyssematus read Ryssematus. 482 10 for rudus read rudis. 501 17 for O. read M. 507 14 for Bull. Soc. Ent. Belg. xx. p. 104 (1878) read Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xx. p. 104 (1877). 527 88 for Analis read Analcis. 59L 39 before Piszeus varicus insert 1. 653 8 for apicalis read apicatus. BIOLOGIA CENTRALI-AMERICANA. ZOOLOGIA. Class INSECTA. Order COLEOPTERA. Tribe RHYNCHOPHORA. Fam. CURCULIONIDAS (continued) *. Subfam. CURCULIONINA F. This subfamily, as here understood, is equivalent to the family Curculionide of Leconte and Horn, and it therefore excludes all the forms with a mandibular scar (Otiorrhynchide). Group SITONINA. Sitonide, Leconte & Horn ; Sitonini, Bedel. SITONES. Sitones, Germar, Ins. Spec. Nov. p. 414 (1824). This well-known genus includes a large number of Palearctic species, some of which seem to be spreading in the United States, as well as numerous North-American forms. Not a single Sitones is contained in any of the extensive collections received by our * By G. C. Cuampion.: + In this volume the enumeration of the species of the subfamily Curculionine is commenced, the preceding volume (Coleoptera, iv. part 3), undertaken by Dr. Sharp, being devoted to the subfamilies Attelabine, Pterocoline, Allocorynine, Apionine, Thecesternine, and Otiorrhynchine. The numerous “Groups” of Curculionine will be dealt with as is most convenient, there being no other possible method of arranging the enormous amount of undescribed material amassed by us, unless publication is delayed till the whole of these insects have been thoroughly studied.—Ep. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 4, May 1902. BB 2 RHYNCHOPHORA. Editors from Mexico, whence two species have been recorded, and this habitat therefore requires corroboration. Lacordaire includes the genus amongst the ‘‘ Naupactides, most of which belong to the Otiorrhynchine. 1. Sitones lepidus. Sitona lepidus, Gyll. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. ii. p. 104°. Sitones lepidus, Schénh. Gen. Cure. vi. 1, p. 270°. Sitones flavescens, var. y (lepidus), Allard, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1864, pp. 346, 347 *. Sitona carmelita, Chevr. in litt. *. Hab. Nortu America ! ?,—MExico °. If this insect is really nothing more than a variety of the European S. flavescens, Marsh., as stated by Allard (doc. cit.), it has no doubt been introduced into Mexico, as well as into the United States. 2. Sitones ordinarius. Sitones ordinarius, Fahr. in Schinh. Gen, Cure. vi. 1, p. 266"; Allard, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1854, p- 863°. Hab. Mexico ! 2, I have seen one of the types of this species, which, as Allard states, is very like the European 8. puncticollis, Kirby, but differs from it in having the head sharply sulcate between the eyes, the prothorax a little more rounded at the sides, and the fifth elytral interstice callose towards the apex. Group HYPERINA. Hypérides, Lacordaire ; Phytonomini, Leconte & Horn (part.) ; Hyperini, Bedel, Petri. This group contains but few representatives in Tropical America, and these mostly belonging to the genera Isorrhinus and Phelypera. Listronotus, Jekel (a genus represented in Mexico, and extremely closely allied to Desiantha, Pase., of Australia), referred to the Hyperina by Leconte and Horn, seems to me to be more nearly related to the Erirrhina. HYPERA. Hypera, Germar, Mag. Ent. iv. p. 335 (part.) (1821); Capiomont, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1867, p. 490; Petri, Monogr. Hyperini, pp. 6, 25 (1901). - This genus, even if Phytonomus is retained as distinct, includes numerous represen tatives, most of which inhabit the Palearctic region. The single species now added from the mountains of Western Mexico is a very remarkable form *. * In the Sallé collection there is a specimen of Phytonomus rumicis (Linn.) labelled as from “ Mexico,” but further evidence is required before it can be admitted into our list. P. rumicis (?=diversus, Gyll., and comptus, Say) has, however, been recorded from North America. HYPERA.—ISORRHINUS. 3 1. Hypera ocellata, sp. n. (Tab. I. figg. 1, 2; 1a, profile of head; 14, meso- and metasternal side-pieces.) Oblong-ovate, black, shining ; thickly clothed above and beneath with small, narrow, grey scales, these becoming piliform on the head, rostrum, antenne, and legs, and on the terminal ventral segments, the upper surface also with scattered decumbent hairs; the elytra with eleven conspicuous black spots, each surrounded by a line of fulvous or ochreous scales—one on the humeral callus, one at the apex, and two on the dise of each elytron, and three on the suture (the anterior one of these being immediately behind the scutellum),—and a line of ochreous scales along the outer margin ; the head also with a line of similarly coloured scales extending round the eyes, except in front. Head densely, very finely punctate, foveate between the eyes; the latter transverse, somewhat coarsely facetted, and separated by a space about equalling their own length; rostrum stout, about as long as the prothorax, gradually widening outwards, densely punctate to near the tip, which is smooth ; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length, the scape reaching back to the anterior margin of the eye. Prothorax transverse, barely one-half the width of the elytra, narrowed and slightly constricted in front, the sides parallel from the middle to the base, the surface densely, very finely punctate. Elytra oblong-oval, truncate at the base, the humeri obliquely truncated and somewhat swollen, the disc flattened anteriorly ; finely punctate-striate, the interstices almost flat and minutely, rugulosely punctate. Beneath closely, very finely punctate. Ventral segments 1 and 2 very broadly and feebly depressed down the middle in the ¢. Length * 94, breadth 44 millim. (¢ 2.) Hab. Muxico, Omilteme in Guerrero 8000 feet (H. H. Smith). Two specimens. In its essential characters this insect agrees very well with [/ypera, but the general coloration is very peculiar, the elytra having eleven irregularly shaped black spots, each surrounded by a ring of ochreous or fulvous scales. The eyes are somewhat widely separated. ISORRHINUS. Isorhinus, Capiomont, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1867, p. 443 ; Petri, Monogr. Hyperini, p. 5 (1901). Isorrhinus, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. Col. viii. p. 2389. A genus including a few Mexican species f, and differing from Phelypera in the very short rostrum. J. gibbus and J. undatus have the eyes larger and more rounded than in either of the forms described by Capiomont, J. gidbus also having the prothorax widened behind, the elytra gibbous towards the base, and the legs elongate. It is unnecessary, however, to treat either of these insects as generically distinct from Lsorrhinus. 1. Isorrhinus fuscomaculatus. (Tab. I. figg. 2 ¢; 2a, profile of head.) 2. Lsorhinus fuscomaculatus, Capiom. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1867, p. 444°. 3. Iserhinus chevrolati, Capiom. loc. cit. p. 445°. Hab. Mexico (coll. Chevrolat?), Tuspan, Yucatan 4.—? Borrvia}. I. fuscomaculatus and I. chevrolati are, no doubt, sexes of the same species, one of * The length is given exclusive of the rostrum in all the species described in this volume. + The locality ‘ Bolivia” quoted for one of them is probably a mistake. BB 2 4 | RHYNCHOPHORA. each of them being now before me, and these are female and male respectively ; the male is labelled with the locality “Tuspan.” In this insect the eyes are coarsely facetted and very narrowly separated above. ‘The elytraare irregularly and subequally tessellated with fuscous and ochreous scales; and the prothorax has a line of ochreous scales down the middle. ‘The male has the first ventral segment sulcate, and the fifth slightly depressed down the middle, there being a patch of dark brown scales on either side of this space at the apex. One of the types of J. chevrolati, from Tuspan, is figured. 2. Isorrhinus depressus, sp. n. (Tab. I. figg. 8, ¢; 34, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, depressed, piceous, the antenns and the tarsi in part ferruginous ; variegated above with rather coarse, piliform, fuscous and cinereous scales, and with scattered decumbent hairs, the prothorax with a median line of cinereous scales ; the squamosity of the under surface and legs in great part cinereous. Rostrum short and stout, closely punctate ; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus equal in length; eyes large, somewhat coarsely facetted, almost contiguous above. Prothorax transverse, densely punctate, the sides parallel from the middle to the base. Elytra more than one-half wider than the prothorax, moderately long, flattened on the disc to about the middle, subparallel in their basal half, the humeri rounded; seriate- punctate, the interstices feebly convex, and closely, very minutely punctate. First ventral segment broadly and deeply, and the fifth shallowly, depressed down the middle, and the latter with a broad patch of blackish scales at the tip, in the ¢. Length 5-6, breadth 23-3 millim. (d 2.) Hab. Mexico, Cuernavaca in Morelos (/ége). Eleven specimens. Very like I. fuscomaculatus, but less convex, the elytra flattened on the disc anteriorly and with the sides straighter, the eyes larger and almost contiguous above. The dark scales predominate on the elytra. 3. Isorrhinus confusus. (Tab. I. figg. 4, 9; 44, profile of head.) Phytonomus confusus, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. vi. 2, p. 350°. Tsorhinus confusus, Capiom. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1867, p. 446’. Hab. Mexico (coll. Chevrolat'), Oaxaca (Hoge). The type of this species, kindly lent by Dr. Aurivillius, is a male, and a female obtained by Herr Hége at Oaxaca agrees very well with it, except in its much larger size. Both have the elytra asymmetrically tessellated with patches of fuscous scales, the rest of their squamosity being ochraceous. ‘There is a line of ashy scales down the middle of the prothorax. ‘The eyes are rather finely facetted, and separated above by a space about equalling the length of the first joint of the funiculus. The first ventral segment is depressed down the middle in the male. Compared with J. depressus the present species is much smaller and less elongate, the eyes are less approximate above - and more finely facetted, and the elytra are more irregularly tessellated with fuscous, the light colour predominating. ISORRHINUS. 5 4. Isorrhinus gibbus, sp. n. (Tab. I. figg. 5, 5a, ¢ ; 6, 2 ; 6a, last ventral segment, 2.) Ovate, robust, black, the antenne in part ferruginous; thickly clothed with narrow intermixed reddish-brown (or fuscous) and whitish scales, which have a cupreous or violaceous iridescence in certain lights, and also with scattered decumbent dark hairs, the squamosity of the scutellum black, and that of the under surface and legs in part whitish, that of the under surface sometimes almost entirely of this colour. Head closely punctate, faintly foveate between the eyes; the latter large, finely facetted, somewhat prominent, rounded as viewed from the side, separated above by a space about equalling one-half the width of the rostrum; rostrum very short and stout, closely punctate, deeply triangularly impressed at the tip; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax transverse, subconical, the sides rounded and converging in front and straight behind; the surface densely, minutely punctate, with slightly larger punctures intermixed. Elytra oval, gibbous towards the base, about one-half wider than the prothorax, gradually narrowing from a little below the shoulders, which are rounded; rather finely seriate-punctate, the interstices almost flat and rugulosely punctate, the fifth very little raised posteriorly. Beneath closely punctate. First and fifth ventral segments broadly depressed along the middle in the ¢, the fifth foveate at the apex inthe 9. Legs elongate. Length 9-103, breadth 43-53 millim. (d Q.) Hab. Mexico, Acapulco, Iguala, Matamoros Izucar, Juquila (Hoge), Mescala in Guerrero (H. H. Smith). Sent in plenty from Acapulco. This species differs from the typical Jsorrhiné in the larger and more rounded eyes (though they are still broader than long), which are finely facetted and not all approximate above, the posteriorly widened prothorax, the gibbous elytra, the longer legs, &c. In the form of the eyes it nearly agrees with I. undatus, except that in the latter they are a little more transverse. 5. Isorrhinus undatus, sp.n. (Tab. I. fig. 7, 3; 74, profile of head.) Ovate, convex, black, the antennee in part and the tarsal claws ferruginous ; densely clothed with brown or brownish-grey piliform scales, and with scattered decumbent hairs, the elytra usually with a more or less distinct, common, angulate, grey or greyish-ochreous fascia a little beyond the middle ; the squamosity of the under surface and legs cinereous or brownish-cinereous. Rostrum short and stout, closely punctate, except at the tip, feebly carinate down the middle ; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length ; eyes large, rather prominent, finely facetted, narrowly separated above in the 2 and almost contiguous in the ¢. Prothorax transverse, the sides rounded and converging anteriorly and straight behind ; the surface densely, finely punctate, transversely depressed in front of the basal margin. Elytra more than one-half wider than the prothorax, subcordiform in the g, somewhat parallel-sided in the 9; seriate- punctate, the interstices flat and closely, rugulosely punctate. Beneath closely, finely punctate. First and second ventral segments broadly and shallowly depressed down the middle, and the fifth flattened and sparsely. squamose along the centre, in the ¢. Length 6-7}, breadth 34-4 millim. (¢ @.) Hab. Mexico, Ventanas, Acapulco, Juquila (Hdge). Sent in numbers from Ventanas, in Western Mexico. Differs from J. fuscomaculatus in its broader and more robust form, the larger, more prominent, and finely facetted eyes, the piliform squamosity of the upper surface, &c. The elytra usually have a common angulated pallid fascia (formed by an oblong patch at the middle of the suture and a transverse postmedian fascia on the disc of each elytron) beyond the 6 RHYNCHOPHORA. middle. The metathoracic episterna are broad, but they are a little more narrowed behind than in J. fuscomaculatus. PHELYPERA. Phelypera, Capiomont, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1867 ; Petri, Monogr. Hyperini, p. 5 (1901). Eight species were referred to this genus by Capiomont, one of these being a cma and widely distributed insect within our limits, the genus ranging from Mexico to Uruguay. I. Pronotum without transverse impression at the base. 1. Phelypera isthmica, sp. n. (Tab. I. figg. 8, ; 84, profile of head.) Broad-ovate, pitchy-black, the antenne and tarsi in part ferruginous ; thickly clothed with narrow tawny scales, the elytra mottled with whitish and blackish scales, the lighter-coloured ones showing a tendency to form spots on the alternate interstices. Head closely punctate ; the eyes large, coarsely facetted, and contiguous above; rostrum slightly longer than the prothorax, moderately stout, thickly punctured, obsoletely carinate down the middle ; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax transverse, as wide at the middle as at the base, the sides slightly sinuate behind and rounded and converging in front, the hind angles acute ; the surface densely, finely punctate, without trace of transverse depression before the base. Elytra comparatively short, broad, nearly twice the width of the prothorax, the humeri rounded ; rather coarsely seriate-punctate, the interstices convex, and minutely, rugulosely punctate, the fifth very little raised posteriorly. Beneath closely, finely punctate. First and second ventral segments slightly depressed along the middle. Legs comparatively short. Length 7, breadth 4 millim. (¢ .) Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 feet (Champion). One specimen, slightly abraded. This insect has the head and rostrum formed as in P. distigma, but differs otherwise in the less dilated, unimpressed thorax, the shorter, dissimilarly coloured elytra, which are without sete and have the fifth interstice much less raised posteriorly, the shorter legs, &c. II. Pronotum transversely impressed at the base. 2. Phelypera distigma. (Tab. I. figg. 9,¢,var.; 94, profile of head; 10, 2 .) Phytonomus distigma, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. vi. 2, p. 344°, Phelypera distigma, Capiom. Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1867, p. 465, t. 11. fig. 7 (episternum, &c.), t. 12, fig. 18 (pronotum, &c.) *. Phytonomus signatus, Chevr. in litt. *. Phytonomus brevicollis, De}. in litt. *. Phelypera bimaculata, Capiom. in litt. ’. Hab. Mexico! , Ventanas, Acapulco, Misantla, Tapachula (Hége), Guanajuato, Playa Vicente, Tehuantepec (Sallé); British Honpuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneauz) ; GuateMaLa, Panzos, Teleman, Chacoj, La Tinta and Tamahu in Vera Paz, El Reposo, San Isidro, Pantaleon, Mirandilla, Paso Antonio (Champion); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, David ( Champion).—CoLoMBIA *. PHELYPERA.—HILIPUS. 7 A very variable species as noted by Capiomont. Both light and dark forms (one of each of which is figured) have been found at Tapachula, Acapulco, and Chacoj. The males have the rostrum shorter than in the female, and the first ventral segment broadly depressed in the middle behind. Group HYLOBIINA. This group is nearly equivalent to the “ Hylobiides vrais” and the ‘ Molytides ” of Lacordaire, the “‘ Hylobiini” of Leconte and Horn, and the “Curculionini” of Bedel, except that Pissodes, Anchonus, and Oncorrhinus are excluded, the two latter belonging to the “ Anchonina,” which is distinguishable by the globose, smooth, deeply inserted head. The Hylobiina are chiefly recognizable by the long curved claw at the apex of each of the tibia, the apex itself being oblique, dilated, and concave, with the corbel closely ciliate on either edge; and the stout or moderately stout rostrum, with the anterior opening of the scrobes almost always visible from above. The gula, except in Telys, is transversely strigose. The strongly retractile legs and the powerful tibial claws enable these insects to cling very firmly to the foliage and bark of trees. In most of the genera the femora are acutely spined and the wings fully developed. Hilipus represents Hylobius* in Tropical America. Anchonomorpha and Rhecas form a connecting-link with.the “ Anchonina,” the first-mentioned having the first and second ventral segments connate at the middle, and the latter having the elytra soldered together. | HILIPUS. Heilipus, Germar, Ins. Spec. Nov. p. 399 (1824) ; Lacordaire, Gen. Col. vi. p. 457. Hilipus, Gemminger & Harold, Cat. Col. viii. p. 2425. Hilipus, as here restricted, still includes a vast number of species, and in this respect must far outnumber Otiorrhynchus, one of the most numerously represented genera of the Rhynchophora. It might be further subdivided, as noted by Lacordaire, by the exclusion of the forms having the inner apical angle of the tibie mucronate f (our Section II.) ; but as this would -remove: more than half the species from the genus, and as it is in some cases a peculiarity of the female only, I do not think it advisable to adopt this course. The insects here referred to Hilipus have the scrobes formed to receive the scape only of the antenna; the seventh joint of the funiculus not forming part of the club; the eyes large and more or less approximating above; the scutellum mode- rately large; the femora clavate and acutely dentate ; and the tibie armed with a long claw at the apex, this (in the species of Section I1.) being sometimes ditferently placed * In the Sallé collection there is a mutilated specimen of Hylobius pales, Herbst (=assimilis, Boh.), labelled as from “‘ Toxpam, Mexico,” but there must be some mistake about the locality. + To avoid confusion the term “‘ mucronate ” is here applied only to the smaller tooth at the inner apical angle of the tibie, the larger, apical, one being called the “ claw.” 8 RHYNCHOPHORA. in the two sexes. In Hilipus and the allied genera the tibie are furnished with two matted, long, spine-like tufts of hair near the inner apical angle, these projecting forwards on either side of the claw. The males are usually distinguishable by the shorter and more rugose rostrum, and often by a longitudinal depression on the first ventral segment, or two tufts of matted piliform scales at its apex, as well as by the different position of the tibial claw in some cases. Various modifications of structure are to be found in H. securiger (a peculiarly;formed antennal club in the ¢ ), H. appen- diculatus (the claw of the posterior tibia replaced by a spoon-shaped process in the ¢ ), H. strigipectus (a dense brush of long hairs on the first and second joints of the anterior tarsi in the 3), H. empiricus, H. penicillatus, &c. The genus is characteristic of the forest-regions of Tropical America, the various species attacking the branches of fallen trees, by beating which very many forms were obtained by myself in Guatemala and the State of Panama. The species occurring within our limits may be grouped as follows :— I. Tibiz not mucronate, the claw in both sexes forming a continuation of the inner apicalangle. . . . 1. 1 6 we we ew ew ew ew eh he) 6) 6 ir ts, 8. str.] a. Scrobes not confluent at the base of the rostrum beneath. a’. Elytra seriate-punctate. . . 2 1. 2 ee ew 6 ew ew we es). «Species 1-25. b'. Elytra irregularly foveolate . . . 2. . . . . + « « « . . . Species 26, 27, c’. Elytra simply granulate . . . . . . . a - Species 28, 29. b. Scrobes confluent at the base of the rostrum beneath . » © « « « « . Species 30. II. Tibiz more or less distinctly mucronate at the inner apical angle (at least in the ?), the claw arising from about the middle of the apical margin, sometimes from nearer the inner or the outer angle in the @. c. First ventral suture straight, or simply sinuate in the middle, the first segment sometimes subangularly produced (H. angulosus). d’. Eyes large and contiguous above. a’’, Antennal club securiform in the ¢, ovate in the 9? - . Species 81. bo’, Antennal club ovate in both sexes . 2. 2. . 2. ww wee, Species 32-87. e’. Eyes smaller and more or less separated above. e’, Prothorax and elytral interstices coarsely tuberculate . d’’, Prothorax and elytral interstices granulate or smooth. al”, _Rifth ventral segment without longitudinal median sulcus. . Hind tibiz with a flattened spoon-shaped process at the apex in - Species 38-40. the 3 woe ss - + « . Species 41. 6°. Hind tibiz with a clay at ; the apex in the two sexes, a’. Prothorax and elytra with velvety-black patches . . . . , Species 42, 43. 6°. Elytra, at most, with velvety-black patches. . . . Species 44-75. 6”. Fifth ventral segment with a longitudinal median sulcus in both SEXES . oc 4 . Species 76. d. First ventral suture bisinuate, the first segment being broadly produced § in the middle in both sexes Species 77 | HILIPUS. 9 Section I. 1. Hilipus cruciatus. (Tab. I. fig. 11, 2.) Heilipus cruciatus, Chevr. Col. Mex. cent. 1, fase. 1, no. 3 (June 1833) '. Heilipus schinherri, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. iii. p. 160 (1836) ’. Hab. Mextco2, Playa Vicente, Toxpam (Sai/é), Jalapa, Cordova, and Paso de San Juan in Vera Cruz (Hoge), Ojo Chico and Jalapilla (fide Chevrolat 1). Apparently not uncommon in the State of Vera Cruz. Distinguishable from H. elegans and other allied forms by the broad, sinuous, white vittee not reaching the apex of the elytra, though sometimes extending along the suture to near the tip. The head is deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated. The antenne are inserted before the middle of the rostrum, which is longer in the female than in the male; the first and second joints of the funiculus are subequal in length. The venter is broadly depressed down the middle in the males, The sculpture of the prothorax and elytra is variable. 2. Hilipus elegans. (Tab. I. figg. 12, ¢; 124, profile of head; 13, 3, var.) Heilipus elegans, Guér. Icon. Régne Anim., Ins. p. 148’. Hab. Guatemata, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Costa Rica (Pittier, in Mus. Brit.) ; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 8000 feet, Caldera, David (Champion), Chiriqui (ex Boucard).—Co.omsiat. A very variable insect, but always separable from the Mexican H. cruciatus by the sinuous whitish or pale ochreous vitte extending to the apex of the elytra, and more or less surrounding the subapical callosities, which are bare at the summit, as is also the suture. In both species the elytral vittze are sometimes broadly interrupted beyond the middle, and often show a tendency to become broken up into spots; and in H. elegans they are sometimes again interrupted (as described by Guérin) before the apex, so as to leave an isolated apical spot. The fifteen specimens from Cerro Zunil (fig. 13) have the inner and outer margins of these stripes much less indented, and the subapical callosities indicated by a large bare spot. Amongst our long series from Chiriqui, one only (the insect obtained from Boucard) shows the broad depression on the disc of the prothorax before the base, mentioned by Guérin, and exhibited in the South- American individuals before me; others, again, from the same district, are much less elongate. The rostrum is curved and stout. The antenne are inserted before the middle in both sexes, but nearer the tip in the males than in the females. Length (excluding rostrum) varying from 9-17 millim. 3. Hilipus albopictus, sp. n. (Tab. I. fig. 14, ¢.) Very like H. cruciatus, Chevr., but differing as follows:—The white markings much reduced in extent—the humeral patch on the elytra represented by a narrow stripe extending forwards from the second one, and forming a continuation of the prothoracic vitta, which is also much narrowed before the middle, the BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 4, May 1902. CC 10 | RHYNCHOPHORA. anteapical patch represented by an angulated transverse fascia ; the rostrum carinate at the base; the prothorax less rounded at the sides, and therefore somewhat conical in shape, irregularly granulate (due to the punctures being confluent and the interstices raised), without trace of raised median line; the elytra closely seriato-granulatc, the punctures of the striw scarcely discernible; the upper surface duller and thickly clothed with narrow, minute, greyish scales, Length 16, breadth 63 millim. (d.-) Hab. Muxtco, Cuernavaca in Morelos (H. H. Smith). One specimen. This may be an extremely aberrant form of H. cruciatus ; but as we have nothing intermediate, and the insect inhabits a different district in Mexico, it is worthy of a name. In Dr. Sharp’s collection there is a single (2?) example of a very closely allied species, from Colombia, labelled H. mirus, Chevr. (=viator, Jekel), n. sp. 4. Hilipus fenestratus, sp.n. (Tab. I. fig. 19, ¢ .) Oblong-oval, moderately shining, black or piceous, the prothorax with a white vitta on each side, narrowing in front; the elytra each with three large, white, oblong, suboval patches—one at the base, oblique, directed outward, another, below it, directed inward and downward (these two often connected laterally and forming a large curved or S-shaped patch), and a third, transverse, sometimes connected with the opposite one at the suture,—each enclosing numerous bare longitudinal spaces, and sometimes with an additional white spot before the apex; the legs, rostrum, and under surface with scattered, narrow, white scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum comparatively slender, curved, about one-third longer than the prothorax, coarsely punctured at the sides towards the base, for the rest almost smooth ; antenne inserted long before the apex of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax about as long as broad, rounded at the sides before the middle, and much narrowed in front; the surface coarsely, irregularly punctate, and often with minute interstitial punctures and indications of a smooth median line anteriorly. Elytra moderately elongate, one-half wider than the prothorax, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; seriate-punctate, the interstices flat and in some specimens transversely wrinkled. First ventral segment broadly depressed down the middle in the male. Length 12-154, breadth 43-63 millim. (¢ 9.) Hab. Guatremaa, San Juan and Purula in Vera Paz (Champion). Found in plenty in the forest-regions of Alta Vera Paz. This species is closely allied to H. cruciatus, but has a longer rostrum, with the antenne inserted further from the tip, the prothoracic vitte narrow, and the elytral markings very differently arranged, each of the three large patches enclosing numerous, bare, parallel, longitudinal spaces. A specimen in the British Museum, labelled “ Mexico,” may belong here; but it has the white elytral patches much reduced in size, and without the distinct black lines. : 5. Hilipus albovenosus, sp.n. (‘I'ab. I. fig. 16, 2.) Oblong-ovate, shining, black, the prothorax with a white vitta on each side; the elytra with a double series of zigzag white lines, which here and there coalesce, so as to enclose three subtriangular spaces on the disc of each elytron, these spaces in one specimen including a small white spot; eke win ee rostrum, and legs with a few scattered, narrow, white scales, the propleura with a line of white scales Evi front of the anterior coxe, and the ventral segments exch with a few white scales along their anterior HILIPUS. 11 margin towards the sides, Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum stout, curved, about as long as the prothorax, thickly punctured towards the base, smooth at the tip; antenng inserted a little before the apex of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus slightly longer than 2. - Prothorax about as long as broad, much narrowed in front, and slightly sinuate at the sides behind, sparsely punctate, and with indications of a smooth, raised, median line towards the apex. Elytra one- half wider than the prothorax, subparallel towards the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; seriate-punctate, the interstices smooth and flat. Ventral segments 1 and 2 broadly depressed down the middle in the male. Length 123-16, breadth 5-6} millim. (¢ 9.) Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sal/lé). Two specimens, the female much smaller than the male, and also differing from it in having the white lines on the elytra a little wider and extending down the suture towards the apex. JH. albovenosus is a close ally of the Mexican H. cruciatus; it may be nothing more than an extreme form of H. fenestratus, but I have seen nothing intermediate. 6. Hilipus hieroglyphicus, sp. n. (Tab. I. fig. 17, ¢ .) Elongate-oval, moderately shining, black, the antennal scape in part and the tips of the tarsi reddish ; the prothorax with a narrow submarginal vitta, which is continued down the elytra to near the middle, and has three short branches extending inward and one outward, some very small spots on the elytra inside this, an oblique fascia at about one-third from the apex, and four more or less coalescent streaks beyond it, white; the legs, rostrum, and under surface with scattered, narrow, white scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat distant; rostrum stout, curved, not longer than the prothorax, closely, coarsely punctate, much smoother at the tip; antenne inserted a little before the apex of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax about as long as broad, narrowed in front, and sinuate at the sides behind; the surface very sparsely, coarsely, shallowly punctate, with traces of a smooth, raised, median line in front. Elytra elongate, much wider than the prothorax, almost parallel to about the middle, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded, seriate-punctate, depressed behind the scutellum, the interstices flat. First ventral segment broadly and shallowly depressed down the middle. : Length 144, breadth 53 millim. (? 2.) Hab. Guatemaua, Purula in Vera Paz (Champion). One specimen. The arrangement of the elytral markings, the elongate anterior streak of which is somewhat E-shaped, distinguishes this insect from H. sticticopterus and other species with white submarginal prothoracic vitte and comparatively smooth upper surface. 7. Hilipus limbatus, sp. n. (Lab. I. figg. 18, ¢; 184, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, rather broad, shining, piceous; the prothorax with a broad vitta on each side and the elytra with a still broader, strongly sinuous one on the outer part of the disc (formed by a coalescent curved stripe and a large apical patch), the latter nearly reaching the suture towards the apex and enclosing a rounded bare space on the subapical callosities, brownish-ochreous, edged on either side with white; the rest of the upper surface clothed with minute ochreous scales ; the under surface and legs with scattered, narrow, whitish scales, the propleura with a line of larger whitish scales before the anterior cox. Head foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum moderately stout, feebly curved, nearly twice as long as the prothorax, punctured laterally on the basal half, for the rest almost smooth; antennz CC 2 12 RHYNCHOPHORA. inserted at about the middle of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus nearly one-half longer than 2. Prothorax broader than long, rounded at the sides, narrowed in front, depressed on the disc at the base ; coarsely, confluently punctate, with a smooth, raised, median line. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, depressed behind the scutellum, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; deeply seriate-punctate, the interstices flat and transversely wrinkled. First ventral segment depressed in the middle. Length 10, breadth 43 millim. (¢.) Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 4000 feet (Champion). One specimen. Very like some of the smaller and less elongate forms of the variable H. elegans; but with a longer, more slender, and less curved rostrum, the antenne inserted at about the middle of the latter and with a more elongate basal joint to the funiculus, the prothorax more transverse, &c. The markings of the upper surface are brownish, bordered on their edge with white, and very like those of some of the Guatemalan specimens of H. elegans. 8. Hilipus rectirostris, sp. n. (Tab. I. figg. 19, 2; 19a, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, comparatively broad and short, shining, piceous, the femora in part and the rostrum more or less rufescent ; the prothorax with a broad whitish vitta on each side; the elytra with a very broad curved stripe on the outer part of the disc, extending from the base to about the middle, and a large apical patch, the two connected in one specimen, and the latter reaching the suture before the apex and enclosing a small bare spot on the subapical callosities, whitish or pale ochreous; the rest of the surface and the legs clothed with narrow ochreous scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum a little longer than the prothorax, stout, almost straight, thickly punctured, except towards the tip, obsoletely carinate at the base; antenne inserted far before the middle of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus longer than 2. Prothorax broader than long, the sides much rounded and converging anteriorly; coarsely, confluently punctate, and with a smooth median carina. Elytra about one-half wider than the prothorax, comparatively short, subparallel towards the base, depressed behind the scutellum, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; coarsely seriate-punctate, the interstices transversely wrinkled and towards the base granulate. Length 7-8, breadth 34-43 millim. (9.) Hab. Mexico (Sallé); Guatemana, Cerro Zunil (Champion). Two specimens, the Guatemalan one figured differing from the other in having the elytral markings longitudinally confluent. Differs from H. elegans and H. limbatus in the almost straight rostrum, which is also much shorter and stouter than in the jast-mentioned insect, and the relatively shorter elytra. There are two nearly allied South-American forms in the British Museum, labelled H. draco (Fabr.) and H. parvulus, Boh., respectively. 9. Hilipus ornatus, sp. n. (Tab. I. fig. 20, ¢.) Narrow, subcylindrical, shining ; rufo-piceous, the prothorax with a moderately broad whitish vitta on each side, narrowing in front; the elytra with a broad, irregular, sinuous stripe at the sides extending from the base to about the middle, from which a short ramus runs inward posteriorly to the third row of punctures, and a large transverse oval patch before the apex, nearly reaching the suture and enclosing a bare smooth space at the tip of the anteapical callus, also whitish, the edges of both markings more or less excised ; the upper surface elsewhere clothed with a fine ochreous pubescence; the under surface and legs with - HILIPUS. 13 narrow whitish scales. Head deeply foveate and punctured between the eyes, which are somewhat distant ; rostrum stout, curved, longer than the prothorax, somewhat coarsely punctured, except towards the tip, obsoletely carinate at the base, and with a short sulcus between the points of insertion of the antenne ; the latter inserted at about one-third from the apex of the rostrum, and with joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax about as long as broad, somewhat rounded at the sides, irregularly punctate, the punctures becoming coarser and transversely confluent towards the base, the disc with a smooth central line, the flanks obsoletely granulate. Elytra elongate, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, a little more than one-fourth wider than the prothorax, flattened towards the suture, the humeri obliquely rounded, obtuse in front; seriate-punctate, the interstices transversely wrinkled. First ventral segment somewhat deeply depressed down the middle. Length 11, breadth 33 millim. ( 92.) Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). One specimen. This species is coloured almost exactly like some of the small varieties of H. elegans occurring in the same district; but may be readily distinguish- able therefrom by its narrow subcylindrical shape, and the relatively much narrower elytra. The whitish markings are slightly tinged with ochreous, and those on the elytra more or less excised at the edges. 10. Hilipus furcatus, sp.n. (Tab. I. fig. 21, ¢.) Narrow, subcylindrical, shining, black; the prothorax with a rather broad whitish vitta on each side, which is continued down the outer part of the elytra to far beyond the middle, and there connected with a curved oblique fascia extending from near the outer margin to the suture before the apex, and has two rami extending inwards to the second or third row of punctures and another running outwards to near the margin ; the legs, rostrum, and under surface with scattered, narrow, white scales. Head coarsely punctured and foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat distant; rostrum stout, curved, about as long as the prothorax, coarsely punctured at the sides towards the base, for the rest almost smooth ; antenns inserted some distance before the apex of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax convex, about as long as broad, rounded at the sides, narrowed in front, almost parallel behind ; the surface with widely scattered punctures, Elytra elongate, widest a little beyond the middle and here barely one-third wider than the prothorax, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; rather coarsely seriate-punctate, the interstices transversely wrinkled. Length 104, breadth 3} millim. (2.) Hab. Muxico, Jalapa (Hoge). One specimen. This insect somewhat resembles H. hieroglyphicus in general colora- tion; but is of more cylindrical shape, with the thorax more rounded at the sides and the elytra relatively narrower. 11. Hilipus cylindricus, sp. n. (Tab. I. fig. 22, 9.) Narrow, elongate, cylindrical, shining, rufo-piceous, blackish below the shoulders and at the apex of the elytra, clothed above with very minute, piliform, ochreous scales, which tend to become more concentrated towards the sides of the prothorax ; the prothorax with a small whitish spot on either side at the base ; the elytra with numerous more or less coalescent spots at and below the humeri, forming an irregular, oblong, humeral patch and an oblique one behind it, and others before the apex, the latter forming a common transverse fascia, ochreous; the under surface and legs with scattered, narrow, whitish scales, Head foveate and thickly punctured between the eyes, which are somewhat distant; rostrum stout, curved, longer than the prothorax, thickly punctured towards the base and smooth at the tip, and with a 14 RHYNCHOPHORA. short sulcus between the points of insertion of the antenne ; the latter inserted at about one-third from the apex of the rostrum, and with joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus equal in length. Prothorax rather longer than broad, the sides slightly rounded and converging a little towards the apex; the surface somewhat coarsely, confluently punctate, with a smooth, raised, median line in front, the interspaces here and there asperate. Elytra elongate, subparallel to beyond the middle, conjointly rounded at the apex, rather more than one-third wider than the prothorax, the humeri obliquely rounded, obtuse in front; seriate-punctate, the interstices transversely wrinkled. First and second ventral segments feebly depressed in the middle behind. . Length 10, breadth 3 millim. ( 9.) Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Belt). One specimen. Not unlike H. ornatus, but still narrower and more cylindrical, the prothorax without marginal vitte, the elytral markings reduced in extent and formed by coalescent spots. 12. Hilipus collectus. (Tab. I. figg. 23, 3; 234, profile of head.) Hilipus collectus, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1881, p. 68°. Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales 1 (Belt, Janson). We have received five specimens of this species. It is chiefly recognizable by the disposition of the pale ochreous markings on the upper surface, these consisting of a small spot or oblong streak on either side of the base of the prothorax and numerous spots on the elytra, the latter more or less concentrated in places, and showing a tendency to form a patch at the shoulders, an oblique fascia below this, and a transverse, common, anteapical band. The second joint of the funiculus is a little shorter than the first. 13. Hilipus trifasciatus, sp.n. (Tab. I. figg. 24, ¢; 25, 3, var. f.) Oblong-ovate, moderately shining, black, the head, the prothorax (except at the base and apex), the incras- sate portion of the femora, the apical joint of the tarsi, and the metasternum, in part, often rufous; the upper surface in fresh specimens thickly clothed with a very short fulvous or greyish pubescence ; the prothorax sometimes with an interrupted ochreous vitta on each side, usually reduced to a single spot at the base, and a similarly coloured streak beneath in front of the anterior coxe; the elytra with numerous patches of ochreous or whitish scales, these concentrated in places and forming three interrupted transverse fascie ; the underside and legs clothed with scattered, narrow, white scales. Head deeply foveate between the narrowly separated eyes; rostrum stout, curved, as long as or a little longer than the prothorax, irregularly and rugosely punctured at the sides, and sometimes carinate in the middle towards the base, for the rest almost smooth; antenne inserted far before the middle of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax about as long as broad, moderately convex, rounded at the sides, much narrowed in front and slightly so towards the base; the surface rather coarsely, irregularly punctate, usually with indications of a smooth central line, the interspaces sometimes more or less granulate. Scutellum sometimes with a few white scales. Elytra about one-half wider than and fully three times as long as the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; seriate-punctate, the interstices flat, in some specimens faintly transversely wrinkled or obsoletely granulate. Venter smooth, in the ¢ broadly depressed down the middle of the first two segments. Var. a. Duller, the spots on the elytra less numerous; the prothorax sparsely punctured or with a few widely scattered granules. HILIPUS. 15 Var. /3. Prothorax very sparsely finely punctate, and with a short ochreous vitta on each side at the base ; the ochreous markings on the elytra in the form of short longitudinal streaks. (Fig. 25.) Length 10-18, breadth 41-7} millim. (¢ @.) Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Belt, Janson, Richardson). Sent in plenty from Chontales, the form « indiscriminately with the type, by all three collectors, a few examples only showing a tendency to granulation on the prothorax and elytra. The elytral markings resemble those of H. collectus, from which the insect differs in its comparatively broader form, smoother rostrum, more distinctly punctured prothorax, &c. The var. f (fig. 25) is represented by a single specimen. 14. Hilipus belti, sp. n. (Tab. I. fig. 26, 2.) Oblong-ovate, shining, black, the prothorax (except at the base and apex), the incrassate portion of the femora and the side-pieces of the metasternum rufous; the prothorax with a small patch of white scales on each side in front; the elytra with numerous, irregular, transverse or oblique patches of white scales, tending to form fascize; the underside and legs with scattered, narrow, white scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat widely separated; rostrum very stout, curved, sparsely punctured towards the base, smoother at the tip, the antennal grooves rapidly descending; antenne as in 4. trifasciatus. Prothorax conical, distinctly longer than broad, sparsely punctate. Elytra more than three times the length and (at the widest part) nearly twice the width of the prothorax, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; seriate-punctate, the interstices faintly transversely wrinkled. Length 20, breadth 74 millim. (2.) Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt). ‘The above description is taken from a single female specimen, which is separable at a glance from the same sex of H. trifasciatus by the longer, conical prothorax, the more widely separated eyes, and the stouter and smoother rostrum. A male from Chontales (Janson) may belong here, as it has a similar head and rostrum; but the general shape of the prothorax is very like that of H. trifasciatus, except that there is a broad deep depression on each side of the disc before the middle. The prothorax, however, appears to be abnormally formed in this insect, which cannot, therefore, be certainly located till further material has been obtained. No such sexual difference in the form of the prothorax is known to me amongst any of the other species of the genus. 15. Hilipus albonotatus, sp. n. (Tab. II. fig. 1, ¢.) Elongate-oval, moderately shining, piceous or rufo-piceous ; the prothorax with a broad vitta on each side, narrowing in front, and the elytra with a small spot on the fifth interstice at the base, a short, oblique, angulated fascia towards the sides before the middle, and another before the apex, the latter nearly reaching the suture, white; the legs, rostrum, and under surface with scattered, narrow, whitish scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum distinctly longer than the prothorax, stout, curved, coarsely, sparsely punctate, except towards the tip, which is much smoother, the antennal grooves narrowly separated behind; antenne inserted a little before the apex of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax slightly longer than broad, narrowing -4n front; the surface sparsely punctate, with a narrow, ill-defined, smooth space down the middle. Elytra elongate, one-half wider than the prothorax, widest at the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, 16 RHYNCHOPHORA. the sides almost straight to beyond the middle, the humeri rounded; flattened on the disc, depressed behind the scutellum, rather finely seriate-punctate, the interstices flat. Venter depressed along the middle towards the base. Length 133-15, breadth 43-5 millim. (¢ Q.) Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). Six specimens, apparently including both sexes, some of them having a longer ventral depression than others. Distinguishable from all the other Central-American forms by the disposition of the white markings on the elytra, these showing no tendency to vary. The antennal grooves are only separated by a very narrow ridge at the base of the rostrum beneath. 16. Hilipus albomaculatus, sp. n. (Tab. II. fig. 2, 2.) Oblong-oval, moderately shining, piceous ; the prothorax with a broad vitta on each side, narrowing in front, this being continued on the elytra to near the middle in the form of a broad, curved, submarginal band, and the elytra also with a broad auteapical fascia, not quite reaching the suture, white; the under surface and legs with scattered, narrow, white scales. Head deeply foveate between the narrowly separated eyes ; rostrum distinctly longer than the prothorax, curved, stout, coarsely, closely punctate and obsoletely carinate towards the base, much smoother at the tip, the antennal grooves narrowly separated behind 5 joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax about as long as broad, narrowed in front and slightly so behind, sparsely punctate, with a narrow smooth space down the middle towards the apex. Elytra moderately elongate, widest a little below the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri broadly rounded and not at all prominent ; rather finely seriate-punctate, the interstices flat, the scutellar region depressed. Length 14, breadth 34 millim. (9.) Hab. Guatemata, Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion). One specimen. Very like H. albonotatus, but more robust, with shorter and stouter legs, the elytra broader and widest a little below the base, the prothoracic vitte continued on to the basal portion of the wing-cases in the form of a broad, curved, sub- marginal stripe, which extends inwards to the third row of punctures, and (like the subapical fascia) is not excised on either edge. 17. Hilipus stictopterus, sp. n. (Tab. II. figg. 3, ¢ ; 4, 3, var.) Elongate-oval, dull or slightly shining, black or piceous, the head and rostrum usually rufescent; the pro- thorax with a broad vitta on each side above and a narrow line in front of the anterior coxe whitish or pale ochreous; the elytra with numerous, more or less coalescent, similarly-coloured spots towards the sides, extending from the base to the apex; the under surface, legs, and rostrum with scattered, narrow, whitish scales. Head very deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum about as long as the prothorax, stout, curved, thickly and rather coarsely punctured, except at the tip, which is much smoother ; antenne inserted a little before the apex of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus slightly longer than 2. Prothorax as long as broad, narrowing from the middle forwards ; the surface closely punctate in some examples, almost smooth in others, and with indications of a smooth, raised, central line anteriorly. Elytra elongate, one-half wider than the prothorax, very gradually narrowing from the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; flattened on the disc, depressed behind the scutellum, seriate-punctate, the interstices broad and faintly transversely wrinkled. Ventral segments 1 and 2 with a few scattered punctures, and in the ¢ broadly depressed along the middle. HILIPUS. 1? Var. The elytral spots coalescent and forming a sinuous submarginal vitta (fig. 4). Length 123-16, breadth 34-53 millim. (¢ 9.) Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). Found in plenty by myself on the slopes of the Volcan de Chiriqui, the form with a few shallow widely-scattered punctures only on the disc of the prothorax predominating. The variety, of which a single specimen only was captured, is very like the Costa- Rican Z. bivittatus, but has the prothorax more narrowed in front and the coalescent spots on the sides of the elytra forming sinuous vitte. The present species is nearly allied to H. collectus, from which it may be known by the complete prothoracic vitte, and by the elytral spots being concentrated along the outer part of the disc, showing no tendency to form oblique fasciz. The specimens with a closely punctured prothorax are more shining than the others. 18. Hilipus bivittatus, sp.n. (Tab. II. fig. 5, 2.) Elongate, subcylindrical, moderately shining ; the prothorax and elytra each with a broad submarginal pale ochreous vitta, the two vitte not confluent at the apex, the elytra in one specimen (2?) also with two detached similarly-coloured spots on the third interstice; the under surface with scattered ochreous scales, which are concentrated into small patches towards the sides; the legs and rostrum with narrow whitish scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated ; rostrum stout, curved, as long as the prothorax, rugosely punctured towards the base, almost smooth at the tip; antennee inserted far before the middle of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus slightly longer than 2. Prothorax longer than broad, very little narrowed in front, the sides more parallel in the ?; the surface coarsely punctured (except upon the space occupied by the vittee), and with indications of a raised central line, the flanks rugosely punctured and in one specimen (2) granulate. Elytra elongate, subparallel to beyond the middle, at least one-half wider than the prothorax, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; seriate-punctate, the interstices broad and more or less wrinkled transversely. Ventral segments 1 and 2 with a few scattered punctures, and in the ¢ broadly depressed down-the middle. Length, g 13, 2 19; breadth, ¢ 4, Q 6 millim. Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten), Caché (Rogers). One pair. The female has the prothorax longer and less narrowed anteriorly than in the male, and also much more coarsely and closely punctured. This species is allied to H. peplus, Guér., and other South-American forms, from which it may be distinguished by its narrower and more parallel shape, the straighter elytral vitte, &c. From H. norrisii, Guér. ((=H. chevrolatii and H. bohemant, Guér.), from Colombia, it differs in the regularly seriate-punctate disc of the elytra, and the absence of a line of yellow scales near the suture, &c. . 19. Hilipus areolatus, sp. n. (Tab. II. fig. 6, ¢.) Elongate-ovate, shining, black or pitchy-black, the rostrum and tarsi sometimes reddish ; the prothorax with two lines of ochreous scales on each side, these becoming coalescent at the base and apex and enclosing an elongate-triangular space ; the elytra with two zigzag lines of similarly-coloured scales on the disc and another down the sutural stria, which are here and there connected so as to enclose large triangular spaces, the lines themselves becoming more tortuous at the apex; the rest of the upper surface, as well BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 4, May 1902. DD 18 RHYNCHOPHORA. as the body beneath and the legs, clothed with widely-scattered; narrow, white scales, the pro-, meso-, and metapleura with a line of larger ochreous scales. Head almost impunctate, deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum curved, considerably longer than the prothorax, moderately stout, with a few scattered punctures only at the sides towards the base ; antenne inserted far before the middle of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus longer than 2. Prothorax about as long as broad, rounded at the sides anteriorly, coarsely, confluently punctate, and sometimes with a narrow smooth space or raised line down the middle. Elytra rather convex, about one-half wider than the prothorax, sub- parallel at the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; seriate-punctate, the interstices smooth and flat. Ventral seements 1 and 2 deeply depressed down the middle in the male. Length 11-144, breadth 4-5} millim. (¢ Q.) Hab. Costa Rica (Van Patten); Panama, Volean de Chiriqui 4000 feet (Cham- pion). Six examples. Easily distinguishable from all the other Central-American species of the genus by the network of narrow lines of ochreous scales on the upper surface, those on the prothorax enclosing a triangular space on each side, and those on the elytra here and there connected on the disc, enclosing large triangular spaces, except towards the apex, where the lines become tortuous. The South-American H. mysticus, Pasc., is an allied form, but differs from the present species in having the upper surface smoother, the femora partly red, and the sinuous lines on the elytra differently arranged, not forming a zigzag line on the disc of each. 20. Hilipus clathratus, sp.n. (Tab. IIL. figg. 7, ¢; 74, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, shining, pitchy-black, the rostrum and the legs and antenne in part rufescent; the prothorax with a rather narrow ochreous vitta on each side, which curves inwards at the apex; the elytra with various sharply-defined ochreous lines—two of these enclosing a very large, common, rhomboidal space on the dise before the middle, the anterior line sending off a branch in front to meet the prothoracic vitta, the posterior line followed by two transverse ones (one oblique and the other curved),—and the outer and apical margins, a curved streak behind the subapical callus, and the punctures of the striew also, more or less clothed with similarly-coloured scales ; the rest of the upper surface with widely-scattered, narrow, ochreous, and the under surface and legs with whitish, scales, the pleura and each of the ventral segments 1-4 at the sides in front with lines of larger ochreous scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated; rostrum very nearly twice as long as the prothorax, rather slender, feebly curved, smooth, with a few scattered punctures only at the sides towards the base ; antenne inserted at about the middle of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus nearly twice as long as 2. Prothorax broader than long, rounded at the sides and much narrowed in front, very coarsely confluently punctate, and with a smooth, raised, median line anteriorly. Hlytra one-half wider than the prothorax, parallel at the base and narrowing thence to the tip, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; coarsely seriate-punctate, the interstices smooth and flat. Ventral segments 1 and 2 broadly and shallowly depressed down the middle. Length 113, breadth 43 millim. (<.) Hlab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion). One specimen. A very distinct species, with ochreous lines on the elytra, as in H. areolatus (though very differently arranged), and a very long feebly curved rostrum. HILIPUS. 19. 21. Hilipus lauri. (Tab. II. figg. 8, 2; 84, profile of head.) Heilipus lauri, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. viii. 2, p. 448. Hab. Mexico, Capulalpam (Saldé). Two specimens of this species are contained in the Sallé collection. The type is stated to have passed its metamorphosis in a fruit of Persea (Laurus) drymifolia. H., lauri is easily recognizable by its very long rostrum, conical prothorax, and some- what cordiform elytra, the latter with two short, narrow, transverse, pale ochreous fascie. 22. Hilipus longirostris, sp.n. (Tab. IT. figg. 9, 2; 94, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, shining, piceous, the rostrum, antenna, and legs reddish; the prothorax with an ill-defined oblique vitta on each side of the disc, which becomes very narrow in front and is formed of intermixed white and fulvous scales, the disc with scattered ochreous pubescence; the elytra with various oblong or rounded fulvous spots, which form an irregular curved series on the outer part of the disc below the base, a common, sinuous, transverse, subapical fascia, and a rounded apical patch, these markings interspersed with very small pure white spots, the rest of the surface with minute, scattered, ochreous scales; the under surface, legs, and rostrum with scattered, narrow, white scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated; rostrum slender, about three times as long as the prothorax, strongly curved, thickly punctured towards the base; antenne inserted slightly before the middle of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus one-half longer than 2. Prothorax a little broader than long, deeply bisinuate at the base, narrowed in front, the sides rounded anteriorly and almost straight behind ; coarsely confluently punctate, and with a narrow smooth space down the middle. LElytra about one-half wider than the prothorax, narrowing from a little below the base, flattened on the disc, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; coarsely seriate-punctate, the discoidal interstices strongly transversely rugose, the punctures of the striz thus appearing to be transversely confluent. Metasternum and venter almost smooth. Length 12, breadth 42 millim. (2.) Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 3000 feet (Champion). One example. This species is extremely like H. mixtus and H. atomarius, both of which inhabit the same district, but it is readily separable therefrom by the exceedingly long, curved, and slender rostrum. 23. Hilipus atomarius, sp.n. (Tab. II. figg. 10, 2; 10a, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, shining, piceous or rufo-piceous, the rostrum rufescent at the apex in one specimen; the prothorax with a narrow white vitta on each side, upon which a few ochreous scales are visible, and scattered whitish pubescence ; the elytra with various oblong or rounded fulvous spots, which form a curved longitudinal series on the outer part of. the disc below the base, a common, sinuous, transverse, subapical fascia, and a small apical patch, these markings interspersed with very small white spots, which become larger at the base, the rest of the surface with scattered ochreous or white scales; the under surface, legs, and rostrum with scattered, narrow, white scales. Head very deeply foveate between’ the eyes, which are narrowly separated; rostrum stout, moderately curved, nearly twice as long as the prothorax in the 9, shorter in the ¢, rugosely punctured in its basal half; antenne inserted at about one-third from the apex of the rostrum in the ¢, further back in the 2, joint 1 of the funiculus slightly longer than 2. Prothorax a little longer than broad, narrowed in front, rounded at the sides anteriorly; coarsely, confluently punctate, and with a smooth, raised, median line. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, widest a little below the base and narrowing thence to the apex, flattened on the DD 2 20 RHYNCHOPHORA. disc, the apices conjointly rounded, the humeri rounded ; coarsely seriate-punctate, the discoidal interstices transversely rugose, the punctures of the striw thus appearing to be transversely contluent, Ventral segment 1 broadly depressed along the middle in the male, and narrowly 80 in the female. Length 11-14, breadth 43-5? millim. (d 2.) Hab. Paxama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). One pair. Very like H. longirostris, but with a much stouter and shorter rostrum, even in the female; the prothoracic vitte more distinctly defined; the markings of the elytra very similar, except that there are larger patches of white scales at the base in the present insect. 24. Hilipus mixtus, sp. n. (Tab. Il. figg. 11, ¢; 11, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, shining, piceous, the tarsi and the tip of the rostrum rufescent; the prothorax with an ill-defined oblique vitta on each side formed of intermixed white and fulvous scales, the disc with scattered ochreous pubescence; the elytra with various oblong or rounded fulvous spots, which tend to form an oblique fascia below the shoulders, a short transverse fascia before the middle (the two together forming an irregular curved band), a complete subapical arcuate fascia, and an apical patch, the rest of the surface with very small, scattered, whitish spots and narrow, minute, ochreous scales; the under surface, rostrum, and legs with scattered, narrow, white scales. Head very deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum stout, curved, about one-third longer than the prothorax, thickly punctured towards the base, almost smooth at the tip; antenne inserted towards the apex of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax a little longer than broad, much narrowed in front, rounded at the sides before the middle; coarsely confluently punctate, and with indications of a smooth, raised, median line. Elytra convex, one-half wider than the prothorax, widest about the middle, and slightly narrowing thence to the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; seriate-punctate, the interstices transversely rugose. Ventral segments 1 and 2 very broadly depressed down the middle. Length 14, breadth 54 millim. (¢-) Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 5000 feet (Champion). One specimen. Very like H. atomarius and H. longirostris, but with a shorter rostrum, a longer prothorax, and more convex elytra, the latter widest at the middle and narrowing forwards. The differences are too great to admit of its being treated as the male of H. longirostris, the female only of which is known. ‘The present species is also a close ally of the South-American /H. apiatus, Oliv., which is a larger insect and has the elytral spots irregularly scattered over the whole surface, and nowhere ageregated so as to form fasciz. 25. Hilipus guttiger, sp.n. (Tab. II. figg. 12, ¢; 124, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, shining, piceous or rufo-piceous, the prothorax (except at the base), head, rostrum, and legs sometimes rufous; the prothorax with an ill-defined, narrow, oblique, whitish vitta on each side and for the rest clothed with scattered ochreous pubescence ; the elytra with a broad curved stripe on the outer part of the disc extending from the base to about the middle (in one specimen divided into two), and a very large rounded patch immediately before the apex, the latter extending to the suture, but not to the apical angle, and enclosing a bare spot on the subapical callus, ochreous or pale ochreous, the rest of the surface with scattered, minute, whitish or ochreous scales, which fill up the depressions of the surface and form small spots; the under surface, legs, and rostrum with scattered, narrow, whitish scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated; rostrum about three-fourths longer than the . HILIPUS. 21 prothorax, feebly curved, moderately stout, thickly punctured towards the base ; antenne inserted far before the middle of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus nearly twice as long as 2. Prothorax broader than long, narrowed in front, and rounded at the sides before the middle; coarsely confluently punctate, and with an incomplete, smooth, raised, median line. Elytra comparatively short, one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel towards the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; coarsely seriate-punctate, the interstices strongly transversely wrinkled. Length 8-94, breadth 4-44 millim. (¢.) Hab. Mexico, Toxpam (Sallé); Guaremata, Zapote (Champion); Panama, Volcan. de Chiriqui (Champion). One specimen from each locality. This species somewhat resembles Z. rectirostris, H. limbatus, H. elegans, &c.; but has narrow ill-defined prothoracic vittee and trans- versely rugose elytra, the depressions of the surface between the markings being clothed with minute ochreous or whitish scales, so as to form numerous, small, coalescent spots. 26. Hilipus 12-guttatus, sp. n. (Tab. II. figg. 13, ¢; 134, profile of head.). Elongate-ovate, shining, the rostrum and the prothorax and femora in great part rufous; the elytra each with six fulvous spots—one at the base, two in an oblique line on the outer part of the disc before the middle, and three before the apex, the outer anterior one of these in the form of a short curved fascia,— the foves filled with pale ochreous scales; the depressions on the prothorax, as well as the under surface and legs, clothed with whitish scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are depressed and narrowly separated ; rostrum very stout, curved, about one-half longer than the prothorax, very sparsely punctured at the base and smooth beyond; antenne inserted before the middle of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus one-half longer than 2. Prothorax convex, broader than long, narrowed in front, the sides rounded anteriorly; coarsely confluently punctate, the interspaces transversely rugose, the disc with a smooth space down the middle. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; irregularly seriato-foveate, the fovere here and there transversely confluent, the interstices smooth and shining. Ventral segments 1 and 2 broadly depressed down the middle. Length 11, breadth 43 millim. (¢.) Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Belt). One specimen. An isolated form, distinguishable by its convex rugose prothorax and foveolate elytra, the latter each with six fulvous spots and the fovee filled with pale ochreous scales. Not unlike H. paradorus, Pasc., from Cayenne, but more elongate and with a much shorter rostrum, the eyes not rounded, the femoral tooth sim ple. 27. Hilipus ahrensi. (Tab. II. fig. 14, ¢.-) Heilipus ahrensi, Boh, in Schonh, Gen. Cure. vii. 2, p. 80°. Hab. Mexico, Oaxaca ! (Sal/é). Easily distinguishable from its Central-American allies by the very coarse transverse _ wrinkling of the prothorax and elytra, and the peculiar coloration, the prothorax having two small pale ochreous spots on the disc in front and a large similarly-coloured 22 RHYNCHOPHORA. patch at each of the hind angles, the elytra with various pale ochreous spots, these tending to form a straight, transverse, median, and a curved subapical, fascia. ‘The male has the first ventral segment broadly depressed down the middle. The head is deeply foveate between the eyes. The scrobes are directed downwards, and are separated only by an acute ridge at the base of the rostrum beneath. H. wndabundus, Boh., from Brazil, is very like the present species. 28. Hilipus sexmaculatus, sp.n. (Tab. II. figg. 1, 3; 15a, profile of head.) Elongate-ovate, piceous, the prothorax with a rather narrow whitish vitta on each side; the elytra with a small transverse spot at the shoulders, a short, oblique, angulated fascia at the sides before the middle, and an irregular transverse spot or fascia on the disc before the apex, also white; the depressions on the rest of the upper surface thickly clothed with minute ochreous scales, amongst which on the prothorax some much longer ones are visible; the under surface, head, rostrum, and legs with scattered, narrow, whitish or ochreous scales, the pleura and the sides of the ventral segments 1—4 with patches of whitish scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum very stout, strongly curved, about one-fourth longer than the prothorax, rugosely punctured, except towards the tip, the scrobes directed downwards and separated only by a narrow ridge at the base ; antennz inserted a little before the apex of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax about as long as broad, narrowed in front, the sides rounded anteriorly and slightly sinuate behind ; granulate, punctured at the apex, and usually with a short carina before the middle. LElytra elongate, one- half wider than the prothorax, flattened on the disc, subparallel towards the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; the entire surface granulate, the granulations here and there transversely confluent. Ventral segments coarsely sparsely punctate, 1 and 2 broadly depressed down the middle in the male. Length 15-164, breadth 53-63 millim. (d 9.) Hab. Guatemaa, Cerro Zunil (Champion). Numerous specimens, varying only in the size of the elytral spots. The upper surface is sculptured very much as in J. albifrons, which, however, is a much narrower insect, with immaculate prothorax and elytra. This is one of many species of Hilipus found by myself in forest-clearings on the Pacific slope of the Cerro Zunil, in the immediate vicinity of the coffee-plantation known as “ Las Nubes.” 29. Hilipus albifrons, sp.n. (Tab. II. fig. 16, ¢ .) Elongate-ovate, rather narrow, pitchy-black, the head with a patch of pale ochreous or whitish scales behind the eyes; the prothorax and elytra covered with small, smooth, shining, granular elevations, which here and there on the elytra are arranged in transverse irregular series, the interspaces dull and densely clothed with minute ochreous scales: the under surface, rostrum, aud legs with scattered, narrow, whitish scales, the ventral segments each with a transverse patch of pale ochreous scales on either side in front. Head densely, rugosely punctured, foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated; rostrum very stout, strongly curved, slightly longer than the prothorax, densely, rugosely punctate, except towards the tip, the scrobes directed downwards and separated only by a narrow ridge at the base ; antenne inserted far before the middle of the rostrum, joint 1 of the funiculus slightly longer than 2, Prothorax convex, a little longer than broad, narrowed in front, the sides rounded anteriorly and almost straight behind. Elytra elongate, one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel at the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, flattened on the disc, the subapical callosities rather prominent, the humeri rounded. Metasternum comparatively elongate, very coarsely confluently punctured at the sides. Ventral segments very sparsely, rather coarsely punctate, the first slightly depressed down the middle in the male. . Length 13-143, breadth 43-5 millim. (¢ 9.) HILIPUS. 23 Hab. Guatemata, Purula in Vera Paz (Champion). Four specimens. A very distinct species, easily identified by the patch of whitish- ochreous scales on the head, the flattened elongate elytra, and the uniformly granulate upper surface. 80. Hilipus empiricus. (Tab. II. figg. 17, ¢; 17a, profile of head; 17 6, rostrum from beneath.) Hilipus empiricus, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1881, p. 71. Hab. Guaremata, Teleman (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales! (Belé); PANAMA, Caldera in Chiriqui (Champion). We possess six specimens of this peculiar species. Apart from the confluent scrobes *, it is recognizable by the broad, sinuous, sordid ochreous elytral vitte, which extend from the base to the apex (or are occasionally interrupted), leaving two confluent, common, diagonal patches on the disc and a transverse one before the apex, the prothorax also with broad similarly-coloured vitte. The elytra are flattened on the disc, coarsely seriate-punctate; the prothorax is as long as broad, coarsely rugose, and with a smooth median carina; the rostrum is strongly curved and slightly longer than the prothorax; the antenne are inserted before the middle of the rostrum in both sexes; the second joint of the funiculus is slightly shorter than the first; the eyes are narrowly separated above and beneath. ‘The first and second ventral segments are broadly depressed down the middle in the male. H. velamen, Boh., H. tetanicus and H. designatus, Pasc., are allied forms. Secrion II. 31. Hilipus securiger, sp. n. (Tab. II. figg. 18, ¢; 184, profile of head ; 18 6, antenna.) Oblong-ovate, very robust, slightly shining, black, the rostrum and legs more or less piceous; the prothorax sparsely clothed with fulvous piliform scales, these tending to form a narrow, irregular, sinuous vitta on each side of the disc and some spots on the flanks, the scutellum with white scales ; the elytra clothed with brownish-fulvous piliform scales, with very small, irregularly scattered, white or ochreous spots, and an oblong dark brown patch on the fourth interstice at about the middle; the mesepimera with a patch of fulvous scales below the humeri; the under surface and legs with widely-scattered, narrow, whitish scales. Head closely punctured, the eyes large and approximate ; rostrum curved, moderately stout, considerably longer than the prothorax, rugosely punctured in its basal half, the scrobes extending forwards from the points of insertion of the antenne to near the tip; antenne inserted at about the middle of the rostrum in both sexes, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax convex, nearlv as long as broad, bisinuate at the base, rounded at the sides, abruptly constricted and narrowed in front; con- spicuously granulate, with an interrupted, smooth, median carina. LElytra one-half wider than the prothorax, subtruncate at the base, gradually narrowing almost from the shoulders, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; coarsely seriate-punctate, the interspaces dull, granulate. Lateral portions of the metasternum coarsely foveolate. * A character not noticed by Pascoe. 24 RHYNCHOPHORA. g. First ventral segment, and the metasternum also, very broadly and shallowly depressed down the middle, this space being pilose and closely punctate, and the fifth segment with a transverse depression at the apex. Club of the antenne securiform, and the seventh joint of the funiculus furnished with a cluster of fulvous bristly hairs. Length 14-163, breadth 63-73 millim. (d 2.) Hab. Guaremata, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt, Richardson). Two males and three females. A large robust species, distinguishable by the irregularly-scattered, minute, white or ochreous spots on the elytra, the approximate eyes, the convex granulated prothorax, and peculiar male-characters. The lateral grooves of the rostrum (scrobes) extend forwards beyond the points of insertion of the antenne to near the tip. This character, alone, will separate H. securiger from the following nearly allied form. The oblong, blackish, velvety patch on the fourth elytral interstice is not easily seen in abraded specimens. The abnormally-formed antennal club of the male is a very remarkable peculiarity. 32. Hilipus nigrofasciatus, sp. n. (Tab. II. figg. 19, ¢; 194, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, robust, slightly shining, black or piceous; the prothorax variegated with fulvous scales, the scutellum and a spot below the humeri densely clothed with white scales, the elytra variegated with fulvous and blackish scales, the latter forming a broad, irregular, angulated, transverse fascia a little beyond the middle, the edges of this being here and there indicated by scattered small pure white spots, which are variable in number, all the scales narrow and piliform; the under surface and legs with scattered, narrow, whitish scales. Head closely punctured, the eyes large and contiguous; rostrum curved, moderately stout, considerably longer than the prothorax, thickly punctured towards the base, smooth towards the tip; antenne inserted at about the middle of the rostrum in both sexes, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax considerably broader than long, convex, bisinuate at the base, rounded at the sides, abruptly constricted and narrowed in front; sparsely and finely granulate, with a more or less distinct, smooth, raised, central line. Elytra convex, about one-half wider than the prothorax, gradually narrowing from a little below the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; deeply seriate-punctate, the interspaces dull, obsoletely or finely granulate. Lateral portions of the metasternum coarsely foveolate. ¢. First ventral segment, and the metasternum also, very broadly and shallowly depressed down the middle, this space being pilose and closely punctate, and the fifth segment with a transverse depression before the apex. Length 123-14, breadth 53-63 millim. (¢ 9.) Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Cham- pion). | Found in plenty in Chiriqui. This is one of a group of species characterized by their large approximate eyes and coarsely foveolate metasternum ; and amongst these it may be identified by its finely granulate prothorax and irregularly fasciate elytra, the edges of the fascia indicated here and there by small pure white spots. HILIPUS. 2 Crt 33. Hilipus guttatus, (Tab. II. fig. 20, ¢.) Heilipus guttatus, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. vii. 2, p. 52°. Hilipus guttatus, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1889, p. 582”. Hab. Mexico, Ventanas in Durango (Forrer), Minas Viejas (Dr. Palmer), San Andres Tuxtla, Tehuantepec (Sallé), Jalapa, Misantla (Hoge), Atoyac in Vera Cruz (H. #. Smith); British Honpuras, Rio Sarstoon, Belize (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA, Panzos, Teleman, Las Mercedes, Mirandilla (Champion) ; Nicaracua (Sallé), Chontales ? (Belt, Janson); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—ANTILLES, Cuba?, San Domingo *. A common species within our limits, extending to Northern Mexico and occurring on both the Atlantic and Pacific slopes. Distinguishable by its broad short form and the peculiar maculation of the upper surface, the prothorax having a large ochreous patch at the sides in front and the elytra a similarly-coloured one on the disc before the apex, and both, in addition, with numerous, scattered, white spots, those on the middle of the disc of the prothorax and on the base and anterior portion of the elytra being the most conspicuous. The eyes are almost contiguous above; the rostrum in the male is short, stout, rugosely punctured, and carinate, it being smoother and more slender in the female; the first and second joints of the funiculus are equal in length ; the scutellum is without white scales; and the metasternum is almost smooth. The first ventral segment is narrowly sulcate down the middle from the base to the apex in the male. H. multiguttatus (Fabr.) is a nearly-allied form, having the ochreous patches on the prothorax and elytra replaced by white spots. 34, Hilipus leucostictus, sp. n. (Tab. II. figg. 21, ¢; 21a, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, subopaque, black or piceous, the legs and rostrum usually reddish; the upper surface clothed with brownish-ochreous piliform scales, the elytra sometimes variegated with blackish ones; the pro- thorax with two white spots on the disc and one on each side in front, and the elytra each with five conspicuous white spots—four in an oblique series on the disc, extending from the base to near the apex (the third the largest, and the second and fourth sometimes obsolete or indistinct), and one at the side below the base,—and often a few other smaller ones scattered along the outer margin posteriorly and on disc, the scutellum also with white scales; the under surface clothed with narrow ochreous and whitish scales, the pleura sometimes with white spots; the legs with whitish scales. Head closely punctured, the eyes contiguous; rostrum not very stout, curved, much longer than the prothorax, finely punctured towards the base; antenne inserted a little before the middle of the rostrum, joint 2 of the funiculus slightly longer than 1. Prothorax a little broader than long, convex, strongly rounded at the sides and narrowed in front, feebly bisinuate at the base; sparsely granulate and with an abbreviated median carina. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, truncate at the base, subparallel before the middle, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; coarsely seriate-punctate, the punctures deep and transverse, the interstices narrow and in some specimens finely granulate. Metasternum coarsely foveolate at the sides. Ventral segment 1 depressed along the middle in the ¢. Anterior and inter- mediate tibize curved. Length 10-113, breadth 43-5 millim. (d¢ 9.) Hab. Mexico, Chiapas (Sallé); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 4, May 1902. EE 26 RHYNCHOPHORA. Six examples. Very like HW. multiguttatus (Fabr.) and H. guttatus, Boh., but with the elytra truncate at the base and the white spots differently placed, the four on the disc being almost equidistant and arranged in an oblique line. The single specimen from Chiapas has the elytra variegated with blackish scales and the second white spot in the discoidal series absent. 35. Hilipus chiriquensis, sp. n. (Tab. II. fig. 22, ¢ .) Very like H. leucostictus and differing as follows :—The eyes separated by a narrow space, the rostrum more coarsely punctured towards the base, the prothorax less rounded at the sides and much more sparsely granulate, with a longer and more distinct median carina, the serrate punctures on the elytra rounded (instead of transverse) and more scattered ; the prothorax with six very small white spots—two on the dise, one on each side in front and one on each flank; the elytra with a small white spot on the fourth interstice below the base (absent on the left elytron), several others (five or six on each elytron) a little beyond the middle, these forming an irregular, common, transverse fascia, and a larger one at the sides a short distance below the humeri. Length 10, breadth 43 millim. (<¢.) Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). One specimen. Perhaps an extreme form of H. leucostictus, differing, however, in the sculpture of the prothorax and elytra, as well as in the arrangement of the white spots. 36. Hilipus rotundicollis, sp.n. (Tab. II. fig. 23, ¢.) Oblong-ovate, dull, black, the legs and rostrum piceous or nigro-piceous; the upper surface clothed with brownish-fulvous piliform scales, the prothorax with two small whitish or pale ochreous spots on the disc before the middle and one on each side in front, and the elytra with several small similarly-coloured spots —one at the base near the shoulder, two (obliquely placed) on the flanks some distanee below the base, one on the fourth interstice a little beyond the middle, and some others along the outer margin, being the most distinct,—and each with two velvety-black patches on the disc—one at the middle, subquadrate, the other towards the apex, irregular, and formed by two interrupted coalescent streaks,—the scutellum clothed with pale ochreous scales; the under surface with narrow fulvous, and the legs with whitish, scales. Head closely punctured, the eyes approximate; rostrum comparatively slender, curved, about one-half longer than the prothorax in the ¢, a little shorter in the 2, thickly punctured to the middle and smooth beyond ; antenne inserted at the middle of the rostrum, joint 2 of the funiculus slightly longer than 1. Prothorax convex, a little broader than long, strongly rounded at the sides almost from the apex to the base, abruptly constricted and narrowed in front; granulate and with a smooth median carina. Elytra rather short, one-half wider than the prothorax, gradually narrowing from a little below the base, which is subtruncate, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; coarsely seriate-punctate and very finely granulate, the interspaces dull. Lateral portions of the metasternum foveolate. Ventral segments sparsely punctate, the first depressed and smooth in the middle in the ¢. Length 10-11, breadth 43-5 millim. (¢ @.) Hab. British Hoypuras, Rio Sarstoon (Blancaneauz). One pair. Closely allied to H. leucostictus and H. chiriquensis, both of which have similarly-placed whitish spots on the prothorax; but differing from these insects in having two velvety-black patches on the disc of each elytron, placed one behind the other, as well as in the very small size and position of the whitish spots. The — HILIPUS. aT prothorax is even more rounded at the sides than in H. leucostictus, and the elytra are less elongate than in that species. 37. Hilipus rusticus. Heilipus rusticus, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. ili. p. 209°. Hab. Mexico 1.—Cuvusa 1. There are Cuban specimens of this insect in the British Museum. It is perhaps most nearly allied to H. guttatus, but with a very different system of coloration. 38. Hilipus phrynodes, (Tab. II. fig. 24, 2.) Hilipus phrynodes, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1889, p. 589 '. Hab. Mexico, Jalapa (M. Trujillo), Suquila (Sallé); Nicaragua, Chontales ! (Belt, Janson) ; Panama, Chiriqui (Zrétsch), Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). We possess thirteen specimens of this species, distinguishable by its large size, the scattered series of smooth, prominent, conical tubercles on the elytra, the apices of the latter being separately acuminate and the subapical callosities prominent, the sparsely tuberculate, carinate prothorax, &c. The rostrum is longer than the prothorax, stout, closely punctured towards the base, and has a short longitudinal groove between the points of insertion of the antenne. The latter are inserted far before the middle of the rostrum; the second joint of the funiculus is, at most, a little longer than the first *. The head is deeply foveate between the eyes. ‘The elytra have a large, sub- triangular, black or brown, velvety patch on the disc about the middle, but this is not always visible in old or dirty specimens and it is not mentioned by Pascoe. ‘The males have the first ventral segment depressed in the centre. 39. Hilipus spiculosus, sp. n. (Tab. II. fig. 25, ¢.) Oblong-ovate, opaque, black, the antennw and tarsi rufo-piceous; the prothorax and elytra densely clothed with brown scales, the elytra each with a small, elongate-triangular, velvety-black patch on the disc, the scutellum, rostrum, legs, and under surface with whitish pilitorm scales. Head shallowly foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat narrowly separated ; rostrum stout, feebly curved, a little longer than the prothorax, rugosely punctured in its basal half ; antenne inserted before the middle of the rostrum, joint 2 of the funiculus slightly longer than 1. Prothorax convex, transverse, rounded at the ‘sides, constricted and narrowed in front, strongly bisinuate at the base ; sparsely tuberculate, each of the elevations bearing a short decumbent seta in front, faintly carinate down the middle. Elytra one-half wider than, and nearly three times the length of, the prothorax, sinuato-truncate at the base, subparallel anteriorly, conjointly rounded at the apex, which is slightly emarginate at the suture, the humeri somewhat angulate externally ; the surface very uneven, coarsely seriate-punctate, the interstices with numerous, scattered, irregularly-arranged, smooth, conical tubercles, those on the disc large and prominent, each bearing a * Never twice as long, as stated by Pascoe. EE 2 28 RHYNCHOPHORA. short decumbent seta behind, the third somewhat costate in places, the subapical callosities prominent. Beneath very sparsely, finely punctate, the sides of the metasternum and the apex of the last ventral segment coarsely foveolate, the first segment unimpressed. Length 113, breadth 54 millim. (.) Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt). One specimen. Allied to the South-American H. muricatus and H. tuberculatus, but not agreeing with the descriptions of those species. From H. phrynodes it may be known by its much smaller size, the shorter rostrum, the more convex, more closely tuberculate, and obsoletely carinate prothorax, the shorter elytra, the apices of which are very feebly emarginate, &c. H. aspredo, Pasc., is also a very similar form. 40. Hilipus frontalis. (Tab. II. fig. 26, ¢.) Hilipus frontalis, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1889, p. 586, t. 17. fig. 5°. Hab. Nicaracua, Chontales 1 (belt). Recognizable by the coarsely tuberculate prothorax and elytra, the latter each with two rounded patches of ochreous scales (one at the base close to the shoulder, and the other some distance beyond the middle near the suture), the head also with a large rounded patch of similarly-coloured scales. The rostrum is very stout, a little longer than the prothorax, and coarsely foveolate on the basal half. The antenne are inserted before the middle of the rostrum; the second joint of the funiculus is slightly longer than the first. The eyes are somewhat widely separated. The male has the first ventral segment deeply sulcate down the middle behind. Two specimens only have been received by us, both of this sex. 41. Hilipus appendiculatus, sp.n. (Tab. II. figg. 27, 3; 27 a, profile of head ; 27 b, front tibia ; 27 ¢, hind tibia; 28, 9; 28a, front tibia; 280, hind tibia, @ .) Oblong-ovate, dull, black, somewhat thickly clothed with brownish or fulvous scales, a median line and a narrow vitta on each side of the prothorax, the scutellum, and the posterior margin of the large, oblique, velvety-black patch on the disc of each elytron clothed with ochreous scales; the under surface thickly clothed with intermixed coarse ochreous and piliform whitish scales; the legs with piliform whitish scales. Head densely punctured, foveate between the eyes, the latter widely separated and not at all prominent ; rostrum feebly curved, moderately stout, laterally sulcate towards the base; joint 2 of the funiculus longer than 1. Prothorax subconical, a little broader than long, feebly rounded at the sides, strongly bisinuate at the base, finely granulate. Elytra rather more than one-half wider than the prothorax, gradually narrowing from the base, the latter sinuate, the apices considerably produced and conjointly rounded, the humeri rounded; seriate-punctate and finely granulate, the interstices transversely wrinkled. 3. Rostrum about as long as the prothorax, rugosely punctured to the tip. First ventral segment very coarsely rugosely punctured and broadly excavate down the middle, and the fifth with a deep, sinuous, transverse sulcus on each side towards the apex. Tibiew not mucronate, the hind pair strongly sinuous within and produced at the inner apical angle into a flattened spoon-shaped process, the usual acute claw absent. . Rostrum smoother at the tip, and also a little longer. First ventral segment very sparsely finely punctate, HILIPUS. 29 the fifth with shallower transverse sulci. All the tibia mucronate, the hind pair moderately sinuous and armed with the usual claw at the apex. Length 10-11, breadth 4-44 millim. (d 2.) Hab. Mexico, Misantla, Jalapa (Hoge). Six specimens. Differs from the other Central-American species of the genus in the form of the hind tibie of the male, these being strongly sinuous and produced at the inner apical angle into a flattened, spoon-shaped process, the usual claw being entirely absent in this sex. All the tibiee have two long, matted, spine-like pencils of hair at the apex. The velvety-black spot on each elytron is more obliquely placed than in any of the other similarly-coloured Hilip: inhabiting our region. 42. Hilipus suspensus. (Tab. III. figg. 1, 1a, 2.) Hilipus suspensus, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1881, p. 74". Heilipus insignis, Jekel, in litt.’ Hab. Muxto (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge); Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt, Janson); PaNaMa, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—AMazons, Ega }. This is a species with velvety-black markings on the prothorax and elytra, there being a sinuous streak on either side of the disc of the former, and an elongate patch of variable extent on the disc of each of the latter (this being often broken up and reduced to narrow streaks), the elytral markings extending more or less posteriorly so as to include the various fulvous or whitish discoidal spots; the prothorax has a fulvous stripe on each side exterior to the black one, and on the flanks there is a large, sinuous, white-edged, fulvous patch ; the scutellum is clothed with white scales; the elytra have each a small fulvous spot at the base and an oblique white patch on the outer margin below the shoulder; the rest of the upper surface is thickly clothed with minute, narrow, chocolate-brown scales. The rostrum is curved, closely punctured from the base to the apex, moderately stout and considerably longer than the prothorax in the male, longer and more slender in the female. The head is not foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated. The first and second joints of the funiculus are subequal in length. ‘he disc of the prothorax and the base of the elytra are obsoletely granulate. The first ventral segment is unimpressed in both sexes. 43. Hilipus pulchellus, sp. n. (Tab. III. fig. 2, 2.) Oblong-ovate, opaque, black, the tarsi rufescent, the upper surface somewhat thickly clothed with minute, rounded, chocolate-brown scales, the base of the rostrum, the head, the front of the prothorax, and the scutellum clothed with bright fulvous piliform scales; the prothorax with three velvety-black streaks, one along the middle of the disc and one on each side of it, the latter irregular, more or less interrupted, and divided at the base by a curved longitudinal line of fulvous or whitish scales, the flanks also with a sinuous line of similarly-coloured scales in front; the elytra each with a triangular mark at the base, a large, subtriangular, posteriorly excised patch about the middle of the disc, an irregular patch or streak 30 RHYNCHOPHORA. beyond it, and various other scattered markings, velvety-black, and with two short ochreous or fulvous lines at the base, some small ochreous spots along the hinder margin of the triangular patch, and a few irregularly-scattered fulvous or ochreous dots ; the under surface and legs with scattered fulvous and whitish piliform scales. Head not or faintly foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated ; rostrum curved, closely punctured to the tip, a narrow space along the middle excepted, very stout and considerably longer than the prothorax in the ¢, longer and a little more slender in the 2, the apex shining ; joint 2 of the funiculus longer than 1. Prothorax slightly broader than long, moderately rounded at the sides, bisinuate at the base, narrowed and constricted in front, sparsely granulate. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, flattened along the suture anteriorly, gradually narrowing from the base, the apices conjointly rounded, the humeri rounded externally and slightly hollowed in front, the third interstice somewhat costate towards the base; seriate-punctate and sparsely granulate, each of the smooth elevations bearing a short decumbent seta behind. First ventral segment somewhat deeply depressed along the middle behind in the male. Length 123-133, breadth 53-6 millim. (d @.) Hab. Nicaragua (Sallé), Chontales (Belt); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). Nine specimens. ‘This insect resembles /. swspensus in having velvety-black patches on both the prothorax and the elytra; but these are differently shaped and more numerous, and the other markings are also very dissimilar, the elytra, too, are sparsely, but conspicuously granulate. 44, Hilipus cuvierl. (Tab. III. fig. 3, 9.) Heilipus cuvieri, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. vii. 2, p. 82°. Heilipus gyllenhalii, Guér. Icon. Régne Anim., Ins. p. 151’. Hab. Nicaraaua, Chontales (Belt, Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—Sovutu America !, Cayenne ?, Bolivia ?, &c. This species may be recognized by the large velvety-black mark on the disc of each elytron, this being triangular in shape and extending downwards at the inner angle, often meeting a similarly-coloured longitudinal streak on the third interstice, followed by a large ochreous or greyish evanescent patch. ‘The head is shallowly canaliculate between the eyes. The rostrum is short and broad, carinate, and not longer than the prothorax; the scrobes are lateral and in great part visible from above. The prothorax has a narrow oblique line of greyish or ochreous scales on each side of the disc. The males have a dense transverse patch of ochreous scales (sometimes divided into two) at the middle of the posterior margin of the first ventral segment, which is unimpressed in both sexes. The South-American specimens I have seen are considerably larger than any of the nine obtained in our region. 45. Hilipus exustus. (Tab. III. fig. 4, 2.) Hilipus exustus, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1881, p. 87°. Heilipus argus, Jekel, in litt.’. Hab. Mexico (Sallé'), Jalapa (M. Trujillo); GuaTemaua, Cerro Zunil, Purula HILIPUS. 31 (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson, Belt); Panama, Chiriqui (Trétsch).— CoLomBia }, Chiefly distinguishable by its very large size, broad elytra, and granulate upper surface, which is thickly clothed with intermixed griseous and brownish scales, the elytra each with a large, oval or subtriangular, velvety-black patch on the outer part of the disc and some similarly-coloured markings near the apex. The rostrum is very stout, about as long as the prothorax. The second joint of the funiculus is very little longer than the first *. The head is obsoletely foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated. ‘The tibie have a triangular tooth at the middle and an acute one at the inner apical angle, and the terminal hook is long and sharp. The males have a slightly shorter rostrum than the females and the first ventral segment depressed along the middle. Nine specimens have been seen from within our limits. 46. Hilipus cynicus. (Tab. III. fig. 5, 2.) Hilipus cynicus, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1881, p. 89°. Hab. Mexico, Cholula, Misantla (Hége), Toxpam, San Andres Tuxtla (Sallé) ; British Honpuras, Rio Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; Guatemata, Cahabon (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales ' (Belt, Janson); Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). The fourteen specimens received of this species show considerable variation in the size and shape of the large velvety-black patch on the disc of each elytron, and also in the extent of the encircling ring of ochreous or ashy scales: in four (out of the seven) examples obtained north of Nicaragua the black patch is reduced in size, rounded, and with, at most, a faint line of ashy scales round it; in the two individuals from Chiriqui, as in some of those from Chontales, the black patch is very large and angular, and encircled (except on the outer edge) by a rather broad line of ochreous scales. In fresh specimens there is an angulated line of ochreous or greyish scales on each side of the disc of the prothorax. The rostrum is very stout, the antenne inserted near the tip; the eyes are somewhat distant; the prothorax and elytra are granulate ; the first ventral segment is flattened or very faintly depressed in the middle in the male. A typical specimen from Nicaragua is figured. 47, Hilipus intensus, (Tab. III. fig. 6, ¢.) Hilipus intensus, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1881, p. 79°. Hab. Nicaraeua (Sallé), Chontales (Belt, Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).— CoLomBia }. Not uncommon in the southern part of our region, whence seventeen specimens * Pascoe describes the second joint of the funiculus as rather longer than the last four joints together, but this is, of course, a mistake. 32 RHYNCHOPHORA. have been obtained by us. Recognizable by the very large, posteriorly excised, velvety-black patch on the disc of each elytron beyond the middle, this patch bordered with a narrow line of ochreous scales, and sometimes followed by a small triangular one. The rostrum is stout, feebly curved, considerably longer than the prothorax in the male, smoother at the apex and still longer in the female, rugose and 5-carinate towards the base. The head is sulcate between the eyes, which are very narrowly separated. The prothorax and elytra are sparsely granulate, each of the smooth, tuberculiform, elytral elevations bearing a short decumbent seta; they have the surface clothed (except upon the velvety patch) with minute, rounded, brownish scales. The scutellum is clothed with whitish scales. The males have the metasternum and first ventral segment very broadly and shallowly depressed down the middle. 48. Hilipus flavolineatus, sp. n. (Lab. III. figg. 7, 2; 7a, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, opaque, black, somewhat thickly clothed with very minute, rounded, brown scales; the elytra each with a very large, oval, velvety-black, lateral patch, extending inwards to near the second row of punctures and limited internally by a line of pale ochreous scales, which is continued forwards round the humeri to the base of the sixth interstice, the scutellum also clothed with pale ochreous scales ; the under surface and legs very sparsely clothed with piliform ochreous scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are rather widely separated ; rostrum dull, strongly curved, stout, considerably longer than the prothorax, sparsely, finely punctate, smoother towards the tip, with a smooth narrow space down the middle; antenne inserted at the middle of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax transverse, convex, rounded at the sides, abruptly constricted and narrowed in front, very sparsely granulate, the elevations transverse and not very prominent. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, sinuate at the base, subparallel to near the middle, conjointly rounded at the apex, but with the sutural angles somewhat pointed, the humeri rounded externally and concave in front; finely seriate-punctate, the punctures becoming coarse towards the base, the interstices (except upon the velvety patch) with a single, widely-scattered, irregular series of rather prominent granular elevations, each of which bears a short decumbent seta on its posterior edge. Metasternum very sparsely foveolate towards the sides. Ventral surface almost smooth, the first segment unimpressed. Length 11-12, breadth 5-53 millim. (@.) Hab. Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). Two specimens. Not unlike the South-American H. zoubkofii, H. ocellatus, &c., but with the velvety-black patch on each elytron very large and lateral, the interstices each with a single series of scattered, setigerous, granular elevations. From H. intensus, which has similar minute scales on the upper surface, it may be distinguished by the more curved non-carinate rostrum, the much larger and differently-shaped velvety patches on the elytra (which are not bordered externally with a line of ochreous scales), the more widely separated eyes, &c. 49. Hilipus nigromaculatus, sp.n. (Tab III. fig. 8.) Oblong-ovate, slightly shining, black, thickly clothed with narrow brown scales; the elytra each with a very large, oval, velvety-black, lateral patch, extending inwards to about the second row of punctures and limited internally by a line of ochreous scales; the under surface and legs sparsely clothed with piliform whitish or ochreous scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated ; rostrum shining, curved, moderately stout, longer than the prothorax, punctured towards the base; antenne HILIPUS. — 33 inserted about the middle of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax convex, broader than long, moderately rounded at the sides, feebly constricted and much narrowed in front, sparsely granulate. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, sinuate at the base, subparallel to near the middle, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; seriate-punctate and finely granulate, the interstices transversely wrinkled towards the base. Length 10-114, breadth 43-53 millim. Hab. Mexico, Jalapa ({Hége); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). Three specimens, probably including both sexes. Very like H. flavolineatus, but slightly shining, the prothorax a little less constricted in front and more finely granulate, the elytra more closely and not so coarsely granulate, with the humeri less hollowed in front, the velvety-black patches less elongate, and the line of ochreous scales bordering them internally not extending sinuously forward to the base, the brownish scales on the prothorax and elytra more elongate. 50. Hilipus decoratus, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 9, ¢.) Oblong-ovate, opaque, black, the upper surface thickly clothed with griseous and brown scales, the latter usually forming two obscure vitte on the disc of the prothorax and various spots on the disc of the elytra, each elytron with a large rounded or rounded-triangular velvety-black. patch on the outer part of the disc and a similarly-coloured triangular mark near the suture before the apex ; the under surface thickly squamose, the legs with piliform scales. Head not or feebly sulcate between the eyes, which are somewhat widely separated; rostrum stout, in the ¢ slightly curved, about as long as the prothorax, and closely punctured and laterally sulcate towards the base, in the 2 longer, more curved, and smoother at the tip; joint 2 of the funiculus slightly longer than 1. Prothorax broader than long, rounded at the sides, narrowed in front, very sparsely granulate, the granules larger on the disc than on the flanks. Elytra a little more than one-half wider than the prothorax, gradually narrowing from the base, the latter sinuato-truncate, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri swollen, rounded externally; the surface uneven, the third interstice interruptedly costate and the subapical callosities prominent, seriate- punctate, the interstices with widely-scattered, smooth, prominent tubercles, each of these bearing a short, pallid, decumbent seta. 3. First ventral segment hollowed down the middle, the depression limited on either side posteriorly by a dense cluster of ochreous scales, and the fifth with a deep transverse sulcus on each side before the apex. Length 8-9, breadth 33-4 millim. (¢ @.) Hab. Guatemata, Sinanja, Panima and Senahu in Vera Paz (Champion). Five examples, all from the vicinity of the Polochic Valley. This species appears to be a near ally of H. muricatus, Boh., from Colombia, but it does not fully accord with the description of that insect, nor with a specimen thus named in the British Museum. It is also very similar to H. prodigialis, Germ., from Brazil, but is much smaller and the black patch on the elytra is not emarginate behind as in that species. The fifth ventral segment in the male has a deep transverse groove towards the apex, which is interrupted in the middle, whereas in the female the groove is shallow and uninterrupted. 51. Hilipus circuliferus, nom.n. (Tab. III. figg. 10, ¢ ; 11, 2, var.) Heilipus biplagiatus, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. vii. 2, p. 78 (1843) (nec Guérin) *. Oblong-ovate, slightly shining, black, the upper surface variegated with ochreous and blackish scales, the BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 4, August 1902. FF 54 RIYNCHOPHORA. elytra each with a large, rounded, velvety-black spot on the disc a little beyond the middle, this being encircled by a line of ochreous or greyish scales ; the under surface and legs very sparsely clothed with narrow whitish scales. Head faintly foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated ; rostrum slightly curved, short, very stout, and rugosely punctured to near the tip in the ¢, and in this sex only about as long as the prothorax, longer, more slender, and smoother at the apex in the 9 ; antenne inserted near the apex of the rostrum in the g, further back in the @, joints 1 and 2 of the fnniculus subequal in length. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides, strongly bisinuate at the base, constricted and narrowed in front, granulate, and sometimes with traces of an abbreviated median carina. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, parallel towards the base, the latter sinuate, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; coarsely seriate-punctate, and in some specimens finely granulate, the interstices smooth and transversely wrinkled. Metasternum foveolate towards the sides. Ventral segments 1-4 very sparsely and finely, the fifth coarsely, punctate, the first unimpressed in both sexes. Length 12-13, breadth 5-6 millim. (5 2.) Hab. Muxico, Sierra de Durango (Flohr), Toxpam, San Andres Tuxtla (Sallé), Teapa (H. H. Smith), Temax in N. Yucatan (Gaumer) ; British Honpvras (Blancaneaux) ; GUATEMALA, Panzos and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); NiIcaRaGua (Sallé), Chontales (Belt, Janson). Var. The velvety-black patch on the disc of each elytron small and angular, or broken up into spots, not encircled by a line of ochreous scales (fig. 11). Length 9-13, breadth 4-53 millim. (¢ 2.) Hab. Mexico, between Oaxaca and Acapulco (coll. Mannerheim'!), Tepenistlahuaca in Oaxaca (Sallé); Guatemaa, El Reposo, Pantaleon, Zapote (Champion) ; NICARAGUA, Chontales (Belt). Specimens of the form here selected as typical of this species are labelled Z. circu liferus, Jekel, in the Sallé collection. In Guatemala the variety, which seems to be the Hilipus described by Boheman under the preoccupied name of H. biplagiatus, is confined to the Pacific slope, and was found in plenty at Zapote, and the typical form to the Atlantic slope. H. biplagiatus, Boh., which looks very distinct at first sight, merely differs from H. circuliferus in having the velvety-black spot on the disc of the elytra reduced in size, or broken up into spots, and not encircled by a line of greyish or ochreous scales. Of the forty specimens before me, twenty-two belong to the former. From H. cynicus the present species may be separated by its much smaller size, the less prominent humeri, &c. 52. Hilipus atrosignatus, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 12.) Oblong-ovate, subopaque, black, the head, rostrum, and legs rufo-piceous, the antennee and tarsi rufescent ; the upper surface variegated with whitish and brown scales, the whitish ones forming a short median and a sinuous submarginal line on the prothorax, a spot on the scutellum, and a line round the large, rounded, velvety-black patch on the disc of each elytron, the latter also with a small velvety-black spot on the subapical callus; the under surface and legs sparsely clothed with whitish and ochreous piliform scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated; rostrum stout, feebly curved, a little longer than the prothorax, thickly punctured and laterally sulcate towards the base ; joint 2 of the funiculus slightly longer than 1. Prothorax transverse, strongly bisinuate at the base, rounded at the sides, constricted and narrowed in front; sparsely, coarsely granulate, Elytra rather HILIPUS. 35 short, one-half wider than the prothorax, parallel towards the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded externally and hollowed in front; seriate-punctate and sparsely, coarsely granulate, the smooth granular elevations each bearing a short decumbent seta. First ventral segment un- impressed. Length 93, breadth 44 millim. Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt). One specimen, probably a male. A second example (?%), found by myself at Bugaba, Panama, belongs to this or to a very closely-allied species. It differs from the Nicaraguan insect in having the prothorax and elytra much more finely granulate, the interstices of the latter transversely wrinkled towards the base, the rostrum mote elongate. 53. Hilipus asperatus, sp.n. (Tab. III. fig. 13.) Oblong-ovate, black, the head, rostrum, antenne, and legs rufo-piceous ; the prothorax and elytta somewhat thickly clothed with intermixed fulvous and whitish scales, the whitish ones on the prothorax coarse and piliform, the elytra each with a triangular, brownish-black, velvety patch on the disc and a transverse similarly-coloured streak near the apex; the scutellum with whitish scales; the under surface and legs sparsely clothed with ochreous and whitish piliform scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated; rostrum short and very stout, feebly curved, very little longer than the prothorax, towards the base rugosely punctured and laterally sulcate; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax convex, much broader than long, rounded at the sides, considerably narrowed in front, strongly bisinuate at the base, coarsely granulate, without trace of median carina. Elytra comparatively short, one-half wider than the prothorax, sinuate at the base, gradually narrowing from a little below the humeri, the latter rounded externally, the apices conjointly rounded; the surface uneven, coarsely seriate-punctate, the interstices with scattered series of smooth tubercles, those on the third interstice large, each bearing a rather long decumbent seta, the subapical callosities prominent, Ventral segments 1-4 very sparsely, minutely punctate, the first unimpressed. Length 9, breadth 4 millim. Hab. Guaremaua, Cubilguitz in Vera Paz (Champion). One specimen, no doubt a male, the rostrum being very short. Recognizable by the coarsely tuberculate, transverse thorax, the rather stout, tuberculate, setigerous elytra, each of which has a small triangular, dark, velvety patch on the disc, &c. Compared with H. spiculosus it is less elongate and much smaller, the elytra are narrower and more finely tuberculate, the tubercles on the prothorax, on the contrary, being larger. 54. Hilipus costaricensis, sp. n. (Tab. III. fig. 14.) Oblong-ovate, black, shining, the rostrum and the legs in part piceous, the tips of the tarsi and the scape rufescent ; the upper surface variegated with rather coarse, narrow, ochreous and whitish scales, the elytra each with a very large, black, subtriangular, lateral patch (extending from a little below the shoulder to near the tip, and inwards to the third interstice) and a small transverse black mark before the apex ; the legs and under surface with scattered, coarse, piliform, whitish and ochreous scales. Head closely punctate, not foveate between the eyes, the latter large and somewhat narrowly separated ; rostrum moderately stout, feebly curved, much longer than the prothorax, shining, sparsely punctate ; antenne inserted considerably before the middle of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax convex, transverse, rounced at the sides, constricted in front, and FF 2 36 RHYNCHOPHORA. strongly bisinuate at the base; the surface coarsely granulate, the elevations smooth and shining and transverse in shape on the disc, in the centre of which is a smooth oblong prominence. Elytra one-half wider than, and three times the length of, the prothorax, subtruncate ,at the base and subparallel thence to the middle, flattened on the disc anteriorly, the humeri rounded, the subapica callosities prominent, the apical portion somewhat abruptly declivous, the apices conjointly rounded ; deeply seriate-punctate, the interstices slightly convex and each with a scattered series of smooth tubercles. Beneath very sparsely, finely punctate, the sides of the metasternum foveolate ; metasternum short, deeply sulcate in the middle behind. Legs comparatively short; tibisze mucronate, the claw arising from near the outer angle. Length 83, breadth 4 millim. (2.) Hab. Costa Rica, Pital del Naranjo (Biolley, in Mus. Brit.). Two specimens. This species is perhaps nearest allied to H. asperatus, H. nevulus, and If. atrosignatus, but has relatively shorter and broader elytra, the black patch very large and laterally placed, a long rostrum, &c. The shorter prothorax, more parallel elytra, &c., separate it from H. decoratus. The white scales on the upper surface are chiefly confined to a space on the disc of the elytra beyond the middle, the scutellum, and a line down the middle of the prothorax. 55. Hilipus trinotatus, sp.n. (Tab. III. figg. 15; 15, profile of head &c.) Elongate-ovate, black, the prothorax (except along the middle in front), scutellum, and elytra densely clothed with flavo-cinereous scales, the disc of the prothorax and of that of the basal half of the elytra mottled with brown, the elytra with a very large, subtriangular, sharply-defined patch at the sides a little beyond the middle and a common apical patch brownish-black ; the head, rostrum, under surface, and legs sparsely clothed with piliform greyish scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are rather widely separated; rostrum exceedingly stout, moderately curved, about as long as the prothorax, closely punctured at the sides towards the base; antenna stout, inserted at about the middle of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length, the following joints short and moniliform, the club ovate and about as long as the last four joints of the funiculus united. Prothorax convex, about as long as broad, much rounded at the sides, constricted and narrowed in front and narrowed behind; the surface with widely-scattered, smooth, rounded granules, which become more crowded on the dise behind and are flattened in front. Elytra comparatively elongate, subparallel in their basal half, one-fourth wider than the prothorax, flattened on the disc, conjointly rounded at the apex, but with the sutural angles somewhat pointed, the humeri rounded; coarsely seriate-punctate, the interstices narrow, transversely rugose, and also very sparsely but conspicuously granulate. First ventral segment faintly depressed in the middle behind. ‘Tibia acutely mucronate, the curved apical claw also long. Length 133, breadth 5 millim. Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Belt). One specimen, probably a female. A very distinct species, not unlike H. jocosus, but more elongate, densely squamose (the scales completely hiding the sculpture, with the exception of the smooth granular elevations), the antenne stouter, with a shorter club, the prothorax more rounded at the sides, the anterior tibie strongly mucronate at the tip, &c. 56. Hilipus jocosus. (Tab. III. fig. 16, 2.) Heilipus jocosus, Boh. in Schénh. Gen, Cure. iii. p. 180°. Hab. Mexico, Orizaba (Sallé), Misantla, Bobo (Hoge); GuatTemaa, Panzos, Teleman, HILIPUS. 37 Capetillo, Mirandilla, Rio Maria Linda (Champion); Nicaracva (Sallé), Chontales (Belt, Janson) ; Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—CoLoMBIA ; Braz t. Found in plenty at Bobo and Bugaba, and occurring on both the Atlantic and. Pacific slopes of Guatemala. Distinguishable by its rather elongate shape and greyish-white clothing, the elytra each with a large, subtriangular, postmedian, lateral patch and an irregular transverse fascia immediately before the apex velvety-black, the lateral patch bordered posteriorly with ochreous scales, the prothorax with a more or less distinct, curved, whitish line on each side of the disc, the two lines becoming confluent before the apex. The entire upper surface is sparsely granulate, the elytra flattened towards the suture. In the males the first ventral segment is slightly emarginate at the apex, and furnished with a dense patch of ochreous and brown seales in the centre behind, the other scales on the ventral surface being white. 57. Hilipus quadrinodosus, sp. n. (Tab. ITI. figg. 17, ¢ ; 17 a, profile of elytra.) Oblong-ovate, dull, piceous, more or less mottled with black, the upper surface variegated with a somewhat: dense clothing of rather coarse whitish and fulvous scales, the elytra also with intermixed dark brown scales and with a transverse series of small velvety-black streaks on the dise at about one-third from the apex, that on the fifth interstice the longest; the under surface and legs with whitish and fulvous scales, those on the pleura coarse and closely placed. Head rugosely punctured, not foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat narrowly separated; rostrum very stout, not longer than the prothorax, feebly curved, rugosely punctured; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax convex, broader than long, rounded at the sides, narrowed and constricted in front, strongly bisinuate at the base; granulate, the elevations coarser and more transverse on the disc than at the sides. Elytra one-half wider tham the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, strongly sinuate: at the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; coarsely seriate-punctate and conspicuously granulate, the interstices transversely wrinkled, the third shortly costate at about one-third from the apex and then abruptly declivous, the blunt tooth thus formed being as prominent as the subapical callus, these elevations limiting the flattened space on the apical declivity. Metasternum transversely strigose. Ventral segments finely, shallowly punctate, the first sometimes notched in the centre of the apical margin. _ Length 114-123, breadth 53-53 millim. (d @-) Hab. Guatemata, Rio Maria Linda, Pacific slope (Champion) ; Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt). Four specimens. Not unlike H. jocosus, but less elongate and relatively broader ; the elytra more coarsely granulate, with the third interstice raised into a blunt tooth posteriorly, and the velvety-black markings consisting of a transverse series of three or four small streaks on the disc at about one-third from the apex, the streak on the fifth interstice being longer than the others; the metasternum transversely strigose. The quadrinodose apical declivity of the elytra separates the present species from the other allied Central-American forms. 38 RHYNCHOPHORA. 58. Hilipus lutosus. (Tab. III. fig. 18, ¢.) Hilipus lutosus, Pasc. Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1889, p. 578°. Oblong-ovate, subopaque, piceous or rufo-piceous, the elytra sometimes with the subapical callus, and a transverse, anteriorly evanescent, patch on the outer part of the disc some distance before this, black, the femora and tibie partly rufescent; the upper surface somewhat sparsely clothed with fine, piliform, whitish and fulvous scales, the whitish ones aggregated into a short median line at the base of the prothorax and a broad band on its flanks, a scutellar patch, and a curved oblique stripe on each elytron at the base and a common, sharply-defined, rather broad fascia a little before the apex, the latter preecded by a more or less distinct transverse patch of velvety-black scales; the under surface and legs thickly clothed with piliform whitish and fulvous scales, the fulvous ones on the body chiefly confined to the apical half of the venter and the sides of the metasternum. Head closely punctured, not or shallowly foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated ; rostrum feebly curved, in the ¢ very stout, closely punctured to the tip, and not longer than the prothorax, in the 2 moderately stout and a little more elongate. Prothorax convex, broader than long, moderately rounded at the sides, which are almost straight behind and convergent in front, strongly bisinuate at the base; somewhat closely granulate, the elevations transverse. Elytra one-half wider. than the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, the base strongly sinuate, the humeri rounded; rather finely seriate-punctate and finely granulate, the interstices broad and transversely wrinkled. Metasternum and venter closely punctate. First ventral segment un- impressed in both sexes, the fifth somewhat deeply depressed on either side in the male. Femora strongly clavate. Length 11-12, breadth 44-5 millim. (od 2.) Hab. Nicaraeva, Chontales (Belt); Panama, Bugaba (Champion).—Co.omBIa 1. Three specimens. Very like /. jocosus, but less elongate, the eyes somewhat narrowly separated, the prothorax more transverse, the elytral markings very different, &c. The common, subapical, white fascia on the elytra is broad and sharply limited in front, and usually preceded by a transverse patch of blackish scales. There is also a broad dense band of white scales extending along the pro- and mesopleura, this being partly visible from above. The rest of the squamosity is fine and rather sparse. The type is immature, and has the legs red, with a black patch at the apex of the femora. 59. Hilipus quadrisignatus, sp. n. (Tab. III. fig. 19.) Oblong-ovate, black, the tarsi rufescent ; the prothorax and elytra with the interspaces between the smooth shining tubercles thickly clothed with rather coarse, whitish, ochreous, and fulvous scales, the elytra each with a conspicuous, moderately large, transverse, velvety-black patch on the disc about the middle and an oblong one near the suture before the apex, these markings edged with fulvous scales ; the head, scutellum, under surface, and legs with ochreous scales, the squamosity of the under surface coarse and rather close. Head sparsely punctured, shallowly foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat widely separated; rostrum very stout, shining, feebly curved, a little longer than the prothorax in the ¢, more elongate in the 9, somewhat closely punctured towards the base; antenne inserted slightly before the middle of the rostrum in both sexes, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax convex, a little broader than long, rounded at the sides, narrowed. in front, strongly bisinuate at the base; coarsely, sparsely granulate. Elytra comparatively short, one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, somewhat compressed laterally at about the middle, sinuate at the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; seriate-punctate, and with interrupted series of large and small granular elevations. Metasternum foveolate along the HILIPUS. 39 outer edge. Ventral segments 1-4 finely and sparsely punctate, 1 and 2 convex and unimpressed in both sexes. Length 11-114, breadth 5 millim. (¢ 2.) Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt). Three specimens. Distinguishable by the two conspicuous velvety-black patches on each elytron—one median, transverse; the other oblong and subapical. From H. jocosus and other allied species it may be recognized by the numerous, smooth, small, shining tubercles on the prothorax and elytra, the variegate and rather coarse squamosity, and the shape of the velvety-black patches on the elytra. 60. Hilipus nevulus. (Tab. III. fig. 20.) Heilipus nevulus, Mann. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. iii. p. 188°. Oblong-ovate, shining, nigro-piceous or black; the upper surface between the smooth granular elevations variegated with a somewhat dense clothing of narrow, coarse, whitish and fulvous scales, the elytra also with intermixed blackish scales and with an oblong, conspicuous, velvety-black patch on the fourth interstice beyond the middle; the under surface sparsely clothed with coarse, narrow, whitish or ochreous scales, the legs with whitish piliform scales. Head densely punetured, foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat widely separated ; rostrum stout, shining, moderately curved, a little longer than the head and prothorax united, closely punctured towards the base ; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus equal in length. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides, narrowed and constricted in front; sparsely, rather coarsely granulate, the elevations transverse or oblique, and with a smooth, abbreviated, median carina. lytra one-half wider than the prothorax, feebly sinuate at the base, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; coarsely seriate-punctate and conspicuously granulate, the interstices transversely wrinkled towards the base, the third very slightly raised to about the middle, the sutura] region appearing flattened. Beneath sparsely, finely punctate, the sides of the metasternum and the fifth ventral segment foveolate, the first segment unimpressed. Length 10-11, breadth 4443 millim. Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—BraziL, Minas Geraes 1. Two specimens, probably females, agreeing very nearly with the description and with Brazilian examples thus named in the British Museum (from Jekel’s collection). ‘The present species is recognizable by the oblong velvety-black patch on the fourth elytral interstice, the long rostrum, the granulate upper surface, &c. 61. Hilipus decussatus, (Tab. IIL. fig. 21.) Heilipus decussatus, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. vil. 2, p. 93°. Hab. Mexico (coll. Chevrolat !), Toxpam (Saldé). — In this species the prothorax has an oblique, angulated, white vitta on each side of the disc, and the elytra have a common, interrupted, X-shaped, white mark (extending from the humeri to the subapical callosities), and outside this a large, subtriangular, velvety-black patch. The upper surface is conspicuously granulate. The antenne are inserted a little before the middle of the rostrum, which is long and curved, and. closely punctured to the tip; the second joint of the funiculus is 4() RHYNCHOPHORA. much longer than the first. The two specimens received appear to be male and female. 62. Hilipus adustus, sp. n. (Tab. III. fig. 22, ¢.) Elongate-ovate, opaque, black, the rostrum and antenne piceous, the legs partly rufescent; the prothorax and elytra densely clothed with minute fulvo-cinereous and reddish-brown scales, the elytra variegated with black spots and streaks and the prothorax with a small, triangular, black mark on each side of the disc; the under surface densely squamose, the head and legs with piliform scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated; rostrum moderately stout, feebly curved, a little longer than the prothorax, densely punctate; antenne inserted before the middle of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus equal in length. Prothorax broader than long, transversely convex, uneven, moderately rounded at the sides, narrowed and constricted in front, bisinuate at the base ; very sparsely and finely granulate, and with a distinct prominence on each side of the disc. Llytra one-half wider than the prothorax, narrowing from a little below the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the base subtruncate, the humeri rounded; the surface uneven, seriate-punctate, the interstices with scattered, small, smooth granules, the third, fifth, and seventh interruptedly costate. First ventral segment with a smooth, triangular, glabrous space in the middle behind. Tibie sharply mucronate at the inner apical angle, the hind pair strongly bisinuate within, so as to appear triangularly dilated at the middle. Length 18, breadth 5 millim. (¢.) Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (f/0ge). One specimen. This insect seems to be allied to the Brazilian H. leoninus, Boh. The following species, H. lentiginosus, is not unlike it, and has similar male-characters. The tibial claw in both sexes arises from near the outer apical angle, the tibie thus being ‘“ unguiculate” (instead of “ mucronate”), in the sense of Lacordaire. 63. Hilipus lentiginosus, sp. n. (Tab. III. figg. 28, 9 ; 23a, profile of head.) Oblong-ovate, black, the head, rostrum, legs, and antenne rufo-piceous; the prothorax and elytra variegated with a dense clothing of small fulvous and whitish scales, the latter forming an irregular patch on the disc of the prothorax and another on each flank, and an oblique fascia on the disc of each elytron before the middle and a transverse one beyond it, the elytra also with a curved, longitudinal, velvety-black streak on the disc between the fascie and some similarly-coloured marks near the apex; the scutellum with whitish scales ; beneath thickly squamose, the legs with fulvous and whitish piliform scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated; rostrum not very stout, shining, feebly curved, finely and rather closely punctate towards the base, a little longer than the prothorax in the ¢, considerably more elongate in the 2 ; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax broader than long, transversely convex, rounded at the sides, constricted and narrowed in front, strongly bisinuate at the base, sparsely and rather coarsely granulate. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, gradually narrowing from a little below the humeri, which are rounded, the base sinuate, the apices conjointly rounded ; seriate-punctate, the interstices each with a scattered series of rather prominent, smooth, granular elevations. First ventral segment in the g with a smooth, transverse, glabrous space in the middle at the apex, this being preceded by a dense patch of scales. Tibize mucronate, the hind pair strongly bisinuate within. Length 10-12, breadth 47-5 millim. (¢ 9.) Ilab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson); Panama, Bugaba (Champion). A male from Panama and a female from Nicaragua. Very like Z. adustus, from HILIPUS. 4] which it differs in the smoother and less thickened rostrum (¢ and @), the less uneven upper surface, the more closely granulate prothorax, and the sub-bifasciate elytra. 64. Hilipus angulosus, sp. n. (Tab. III. figg. 24; 24a, profile.) Oblong-ovate, opaque, black, the antenne and tarsi obscurely rufescent, the upper surface thickly clothed with minute greyish scales, those on the scutellum whitish ; the elytra each with a “\-shaped streak on the disc about the middle and three marks before the apex (the central one V-shaped) velvety-black, and a common, evanescent, whitish fascia on the apical declivity, the space between this and the dark anterior streak being clothed with brownish scales ; the under surface, rostrum, and legs with whitish piliform scales. Head sulcate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated; rostrum very stout, distinctly widening outwards, curved, about as long as the prothorax, rugosely punctured, towards the base obsoletely carinate in the middle and at the sides; antenns inserted near the apex of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax convex, transverse, moderately rounded at the sides, constricted and narrowed in front, strongly bisinuate at the base; the surface uneven, and very sparsely, irregularly, finely granulate. Elytra fully one-half wider than the prothorax, parallel in their anterior half, sinuato-truncate at the base, slightly emarginate at the apex, flattened along the suture, the humeri somewhat angular externally ; coarsely seriate-punctate, the interstices with widely- scattered, irregularly-arranged, smooth granules, each of these bearing a short decumbent seta; the subapical callosities, and the third, fifth, and seventh interstices at about the middle, angularly or acutely raised, these elevations and the black fascia limiting a large flattened space on the apical declivity. Ventral surface very finely punctate, the first suture feebly bisinuate. Length 114, breadth 5 millim. (?¢.) Hab. Payama, Bugaba (Champion). One specimen only of this curious form has been obtained. There is a Brazilian insect very like it at the British Museum labelled with the MS. name ZH. signatus, a term already applied to a different species. The subapical callosities on the elytra are dentiform and very prominent. . 65. Hilipus strigipectus, sp.n. (Tab. II1. figg. 25, ¢; 25a, metasternum.) Oblong-ovate, slightly shining, piceous or rufo-piceous, maculated with black; the upper surface variegated - with a somewhat dense clothing of small ashy, fulvous, and brownish scales, the ashy scales tending to form three streaks or a cruciform patch on the disc of the prothorax and two interrupted fascize on the elytra, the fulvous ones predominating on the head, on the sides of the prothorax, and on the scutellum, the elytra each with a small rounded or oval velvety-black patch on the dise beyond the middle; the under surface thickly clothed with coarse, fulvous or whitish, piliform scales, the legs with long, similarly- coloured hairs, the four hinder tibia with very long and fine hairs on the inner side towards the tip. Head densely punctured, shallowly foveate between the eyes, which are rather widely separated ; rostrum feebly curved, shining, rugosely punctured—in the ¢ stout, widening outwards, about as long ‘as the prothorax, and obsoletely carinate at the base, in the 2 longer, more slender, and smoother at the tip; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax convex, nearly as long as broad, moderately rounded at the sides, constricted and narrowed in front, strongly sinuate at the base; sparsely granulate, the anterior portion densely punctate. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, strongly sinuate at the base, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, flattened along the suture, and somewhat abruptly declivous at the sides, the humeri rounded and prominent; seriate- punctate and also granulate, the interstices transversely wrinkled, the third slightly raised. Metasternum very finely and closely transversely strigose, deeply sulcate down the middle, glabrous. Ventral segments closely punctate, the first shallowly depressed in the middle in front inthe male. Tibiee feebly mucronate. BIOL. CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. 1V. Pt. 4, August 1902. GG 42 RHYNCHOPHORA. First and second joints of the anterior tarsi with a pencil of very long fulvous hairs on their outer edge in the ¢. Length 92-10, breadth 4-4} millim. (d 2.) - Hab. Mexico, Cerro de Plumas (£/6ge). Three specimens. Closely allied to H. guadrinodosus, with which it agrees in the transversely strigose metasternum; but smaller and narrower, with more prominent humeri; the elytra less uneven and without a prominence on the third interstice, the velvety-black spot placed further from the apex ; the rostrum not so stout. The strigose surface of the metasternum looks as if it might be used for stridulatory purposes. ‘The dense brush of long hairs on the first and second joints of the anterior tarsi in the male is a very remarkable character. 66. Hilipus punctipectus, sp. n. Extremely like H. strigipectus, but differing as follows:—The prothorax with a rather large patch of fulvous scales on each side at the base, the velvety-black patch on the disc of each elytron a little more elongate, the piliform scales on the under surface not so coarse, longer, and more abundant; the rostrum (¢) stouter and a little longer, densely ragose to the tip, so as to appear dull; the metasternum clothed with piliform scales like the rest of the under surface, closely and simply punctate, shallowly sulcate down the middle; first ventral segment( ¢ ) impressed down the middle from the base to the apex ; first and second joints of the anterior tarsi (¢) without brushes of long hair; the intermediate and hind tibie without additional long hairs on the inner side towards the apex. Length 11, breadth 45 milim. Hab. Mexico, San Andres Tuxtla (Sal/é). One specimen, so like //. strigipectus as to be separable only by the characters mentioned, the general coloration and facies being almost exactly similar. 67. Hilipus bioculatus. (Tab. III. fig. 26, 2.) Heilipus bioculatus, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. vii. 2, p. 49°. Hab. Mexico, Sierra de Durango, Motzorongo (Fohr), Vera Cruz (coll. Chevrolat +), San Andres Tuxtla, Toxpam, Chiapas (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge), Teapa (H. H. Smith); British Honpuras, Belize, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaur); GUATEMALA, Teleman, Chacoj, and San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Belt, Janson, Richardson) ; Costa Rica (Mus. Brit.), La Flor, Atlantic slope (Biolley) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba, David (Champion). A common species in Central America. It may be recognized by its comparatively broad short form and shining surface, the elytra each with a small, oval, velvety-black spot on the disc beyond the middle, this spot surrounded by a line of ochreous or whitish scales, the rest of the upper surface being sparsely clothed with narrow greyish or brownish scales. The first two ventral segments are convex, and unimpressed in both sexes. : HILIPUS. 43 68. Hilipus cxcus, sp. n. (Tab. III. fig. 27, 2.) Heilipus cecus, Chevyr. in litt. Oblong-ovate, opaque, the granular elevations only shining, black, thickly clothed with brownish piliform scales, with a few whitish ones intermixed, these latter tending to form a sinuous interrupted line on either side of the prothorax, the elytra variegated with blackish scales, and each with a small, conspicuous, oblong or oval, velvety-black patch on the fourth interstice slightly beyond the middle, the scutellum clothed with white or pale ochreous scales; the under surface and legs with scattered, narrow, whitish scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated ; rostrum slightly curved, moderately stout, considerably longer than the prothorax, thickly punctured towards the base; antennw inserted before the middle of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax much broader than long, rounded at the sides, constricted and much narrowed in front, sparsely granulate, the elevations smooth and transverse, without trace of median carina. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; seriate- punctate, the interstices with smooth, transverse, granular elevations, and transversely wrinkled towards the base. Metasternum foveolate along the outer margins. Ventral segments 1 and 2 rather convex, 1-4 sparsely and finely, and 5 coarsely, punctate, 1 unimpressed in the male. Length 10-12, breadth 43-53 millim. (¢ Q.) Hab. Mexico, Toxpam (Sallé), Jalapa (Hoge, Trujillo). Sent in plenty from Jalapa. ‘The specimens in the Sallé collection are labelled with the MS. name H. cewcus, Chevr. Allied to H. bioculatus, from which it differs in the opaque and more densely squamose upper surface, and in having the smooth, transverse, granular elevations on the elytra extending to the base, instead of being confined to the apical declivity, those on the prothorax being also more prominent. No definite male-characters are visible beneath. There is a WHilipus from Brazil very like H. cecus in Dr. Sharp’s collection labelled H. fallax, Sch., but this insect has the scales on the upper surface much less elongate, and the elevations on the elytra more transverse. 69. Hilipus unifasciatus, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 1, 2.) Heilipus unifasciatus, Chevr. in litt. Oblong-ovate, shining, black; variegated above with very small widely-scattered patches of whitish or ochreous, rather coarse piliform scales, and also with very minute, loosely-attached, narrow, brownish ones, the larger scales sometimes aggregated so as to form a narrow, irregular, sinuous, postmedian fascia on the elytra and a short median line at the base of the prothorax and a sinuous one on each side of its disc, the scutellum with whitish scales; the under surface very sparsely, and the legs more thickly, clothed with whitish piliform scales. Head closely punctured, foveate between the eyes, which are narrowly separated; rostrum stout, feebly curved in the ¢, nearly as long as the head and prothorax, and closely or rugosely punctured towards the base, in the ? smoother at the tip and a little more elongate, the antennal grooves widely separated at the base beneath; joints 1 and 2 of the funicuius equal in length. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides, narrowed and constricted in front and narrowed behind, strongly bisinuate at the base; sparsely granulate at the sides and towards the base, a space on the anterior part of the disc being impressed with intermixed, minute, and rather coarse punc- tures. Elytra one-third wider, and about two and one-half times longer, than the prothorax, sinuate at the base, gradually narrowing from the rounded, somewhat swollen humeri, conjointly rounded at the apex ; deeply seriate-punctate, the punctures becoming finer and more scattered towards the apex, the interstices slightly wrinkled towards the base and in some specimens finely granulate on the apical GG 2 44 RHYNCHOPHORA. declivity. Sides of the metasternum and the apex of the fifth ventral segment coarsely foveolate, ventral segments 1-4 very sparsely, minutely punctate, 1 slightly depressed in the middle in the male. Length 74-11, breadth 33-5 millim. (d @.) Hab. British Honpvras, Rio Sarstoon (Blancaneaux) ; GuaTemaua, Panzos (Conradt, Champion), Chacoj, San Juan, Senahu (Champion); Nicaracua, Chontales (Beit) ; Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion).—CotomBia (Mus. Brit.). Var. The squamosity of the upper surface a little more abundant; the elytra more rugose towards the base, with the interstices faintly granulate, the punctures usually very coarse on the basal half. (¢ 2.) Hab. Mexico, Sierra de Durango, Amatan, Motzorongo (Blot), Toxpam (Sallé), Misantla (Hége). Of this variable species, which may be known by its shining and very sparsely squamose surface (approaching JI. bioculatus in this respect), we have received a long series of specimens from within our limits, those from the Sallé collection being labelled H. unifasciatus, Chevr. There is an example of it, too, from Colombia, in Dr. Sharp’s collection, ticketed H. indistinctus, Jekel. Very similar forms seem to be generally known under the name of H. clavipes (Fabr.); but I cannot reconcile our insect with Boheman’s description of the Fabrician species, in which he says that it is of the length of Cleonus sulcirostris, and has the elytra four times as long as the thorax, &c. The minute brownish scales are easily abraded, the larger ones only being conspicuous. Compared with H. bioculatus, the present species is relatively narrower. 70. Hilipus cinctipennis, sp. n. Oblong-ovate, subopaque, black, the upper surface clothed with very fine, piliform, fulvous or brownish scales, the elytra each with a rather broad transverse fascia of coarser whitish or ochreous scales on the disc a little beyond the middle; the under surface and legs with scattered, whitish, piliform scales. Head deeply foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat widely separated ; rostrum stout, feebly curved, short, not longer than the prothorax, closely punctured, smoother at the apex and along the middle; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus equal in length. Prothorax broader than long, moderately rounded at the sides, strongly bisinuate at the base, narrowed and constricted in front ; subgranulate and also punctate at the sides and base, a space on the anterior part of the disc irregularly punctured (the entire surface, when viewed under a strong lens, densely minutely reticulate). Elytra about one-third wider than, and three times the length of, the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, somewhat compressed at the sides before the middle, strongly sinuate at the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded and a little swollen; seriate-punctate, the punctures on the apical declivity almost obsolete and replaced by scattered granular elevations, the interstices transversely wrinkled towards the base. Ventral segments 1-4 very sparsely, minutely punctate, 1 flattened or faintly depressed in the middle. Length 9-113, breadth 33-4? millim. (¢.) Hab. Mexico (Sailé); Guatemauta, Panzos (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Janson). A single specimen from each locality (the one from Mexico being immature), evidently males, the rostrum being short and stout in all of them. Very like H. unifasciatus, but less shining, the prothorax and elytra without small scattered HILIPUS. AH patches of whitish scales, the fascia on the elytra broader, more transverse, and more distant from the apex, the punctures on the actual declivity almost obsolete and replaced by scattered granules, the prothorax less rounded at the sides. ‘he tibie- are sharply mucronate in the Mexican example, feebly so in the others. 71. Hilipus crux-alba, sp. n. (Tab. IV. fig. 2, 2.) Oblong-ovate, somewhat shining, black or pitchy-black, variegated above with small scattered patches of coarse, piliform, fulvous scales, and also with very minute brownish ones, the elytra each with a large, irregular, cruciform patch of intermixed coarse, whitish and fulvous scales on the disc beyond the middle ; the pleura with coarse, and the rest of the under surface and the legs with piliform whitish scales. Head closely punctate, deeply foveate between the eyes, the latter rather widely separated; rostrum curved, in the ¢ stout, not longer than the prothorax, and rugosely punctured to the tip, in the 9 more slender, as long as the head and prothorax, and smoother towards the tip, the antennal grooves rapidly descending and somewhat narrowly separated at the base beneath; antenne inserted near the apex of the rostrum in the ¢, much further back in the 9, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus equal in length. Prothorax convex, transverse, rounded at: the sides, constricted and narrowed in front, strongly pisinuate at the base, broadly and deeply emarginate at the apex (so as to appear to have rather prominent ocular lobes); somewhat closely granulate, the apex closely punctate, and sometimes with a faint, abbreviated, median carina. Elytra one-half broader than, and two and one-half times the length of, the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; very coarsely and closely seriate-punctate, the interstices narrow, somewhat raised, transversely wrinkled, and finely granulate. Beneath very sparsely, minutely punctate, the sides of the metasternum and the apex of the first ventral segment foveolate, the first segment unimpressed in both sexes. Length 9-10, breadth 4-43 millim. (¢ 9.) Hab. Mexico, Jalapa, Misantla (Hoge), Temax in North Yucatan (Gaumer). Nine specimens. It is possible that these may prove to be a form of H. tugusti, which is also said to have somewhat prominent ocular lobes to the prothorax; but as Boheman does not mention the granulation of the elytra, &c., our insect must be treated as distinct for the present. The rapidly-descending scrobes, the closer granulation of the upper surface, the large cruciform patch on the disc of each elytron, the more deeply emarginate apex of the prothorax, &c., readily separate H. crux-alba from H. unifasciatus. H. albosignatus, Kirsch, from Bogota, must also be a nearly-allied form. 72. Hilipus scutellaris, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 3.) Oblong-ovate, slightly shining, black, the head, rostrum, legs, and antennz more or less piceous or rufo-piceous, the upper surface variegated with narrow fulvous and blackish scales ; the elytra each with a subtriangular velvety-black or dark brown patch on the disc beyond the middle, this being followed by two or three small pure white spots, and sometimes preceded by a single one, and with several small white spots along the outer margin, there being also one on the mesepimera; the prothorax with a small white spot at the base on each side and one in front of the anterior cox, the scutellum also clothed with white scales ; the under surface and legs very sparsely clothed with narrow whitish scales. Head closely punctured, foveate or sulcate between the eyes, which are somewhat narrowly separated ; rostrum curved, moderately stout, much longer than the prothorax, thickly punctured to the middle; antenn inserted near the middle of the rostrum, joint 2 of the funiculus a little longer than 1. Prothorax convex, broader than long, bisinuate at the base, rounded at the sides, narrowed and constricted in front, sparsely conspicuously granulate, without trace of central ridge. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel at the 46 RHYNCHOPHORA. base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; seriate-punctate and finely granulate, the interstices transversely wrinkled. Metasternum deeply foveate along the outer edge. Venter convex towards the base, segments 1-4 almost smooth, unimpressed. Length 11-18, breadth 43-5} millim. Hab. Nicaracva (Sallé), Chontales (Belt); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). Six examples, probably including both sexes, the males of some of the allied forms (H. bioculatus and H. cecus) also having the first ventral segment unimpressed. ‘The present species is very like H. nigrofasciatus; but is narrower and less robust, the eyes are not contiguous above, the prothorax has two white spots at the base and is more coarsely granulate, the outer edges only of the metasternum are foveolate, &c. 73. Hilipus pulverulentus, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 4.) Oblong-ovate, shining, rufo-piceous, the head, rostrum, and tarsi rufescent; the upper surface (the head excepted) somewhat thickly clothed with tawny scales, the legs and under surface with long piliform scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat widely separated ; rostrum moderately stout, curved, one-half longer than the prothorax, closely and finely punctured towards the base; antenne inserted at about the middle of the rostrum, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length, the club longer than the five preceding joints united. Prothorax much broader than long, convex, rounded at the sides, constricted and considerably narrowed in front, strongly bisinuate at the base; the surface, except for a narrow space along the middle behind, finely and rather sparsely granulate, the interspaces densely, minutely punctate. Elytra one-fourth. wider than the prothorax, strongly sinuate at the base, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded ; seriate-punctate, the interstices transversely wrinkled and finely granulate. First ventral segment faintly depressed down the middle behind. Length 124, breadth 5 millim. Hab. Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt). One specimen, probably a female, though the first ventral segment is distinctly impressed in the middle. Chiefly distinguishable by the dense uniform tawny clothing of the prothorax, scutellum, and elytra, the strongly-sinuate base of the latter, and the finely-granulated upper surface. H. pulverulentus is closely allied to the South- American H. pertyi, Schonh. (=rufipes, Boh.), but differs from it in having the squamosity of the elytra uniformly tawny (instead of variegate with black and white), and the elytra themselves less elongate. 74. Hilipus fulvisquamis, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 5, 2.) Oblong-ovate, moderately shining, rufo-piceous, the rostrum and legs sometimes rufescent; the upper surface somewhat thickly clothed with bright fulvous piliform scales, which on the pronotum are concentrated into two broad oblique vitte: (a space down the middle and the flanks being very sparsely squamose); the elytra with a small spot or transverse mark on the disc a little beyond the middle, sometimes extending outward to near the margin, and usually a small spot immediately behind the subapical callosities, black ; the legs and under surface sparsely clothed with whitish and fulvous piliform scales. Head foveate between the eyes, which are somewhat widely separated ; rostrum feebly curved, stout, and about one- fourth longer than the prothorax in the ¢, a little longer and more slender in the 9, rather closely punctured towards the base; antenne inserted a little before the apex of the rostrum in the @, further back in the @, joint 2 of the funiculus longer than 1(¢), or 1 and 2 subequal in length (2 ). HILIPUS. 47 Prothorax broader than long, moderately rounded at the sides, considerably narrowed in front, bisinuate at the base, sparsely granulate. Elytra one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel towards the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded; seriate-punctate, the interstices transversely wrinkled and also granulate. Ventral segment 1 in the ¢ shallowly grooved down the middle, and with a dense oblong patch of ochreous and white scales on each side of the depression; in the Q sometimes depressed along the middle behind. Tibise mucronate in the 9, obsoletely so in the ¢, Length 94-12, breadth 33-5 millim. (¢ 2.) Hab. Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui 2000 to 4000 feet, Bugaba (Champion). Eleven specimens. Not unlike H. pulverulentus, but narrower and less robust, the prothorax narrower, less rounded at the sides, and with the fulvous clothing more or less concentrated into two broad converging vittee on the disc; the elytra less sinuate at the base, and with a transverse black mark or fascia beyond the middle (sometimes reduced to a small spot), and usually a spot beyond it. 75. Hilipus hyperoides, sp. n. Oblong-ovate, shining, black, the legs and antenne in part piceous or rufo-piceous; the upper surface some- what thickly clothed with fulvous scales, with some whitish ones intermixed, the latter concentrated into a small patch on the disc of each elytron beyond the middle and also covering the scutellum; the under surface and legs with scattercd, whitish, piliform scales. Head closely punctured, foveate between the eyes, which are widely separated; rostrum moderately stout, curved—in the g about as long as the prothorax and closely punctured throughout, in the Q a little longer, more slender, and smoother at the tip; joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides, abruptly constricted and narrowed in front, strongly bisinuate at the base ; closely granulate at the sides, sparsely and transversely so on the dise. Elytra one-half wider than, and three times as long as, the prothorax, sinuate at the base, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded and somewhat swollen; deeply seriate-punctate, the interstices broad, granulate on the apical declivity, the outer ones granulate and transversely rugose. Metasternum and ventral segments 1-4 very sparsely, minutely punctate, the first segment unimpressed in both sexes, the metasternum short, foveolate along the outer margin. Legs comparatively short, the tibie feebly mucronate. Length 8, breadth 3? millim. (¢ 2.) Hab. Mexico, Santecomapan in Oaxaca (Sallé); British Honpuras (Blancaneauz). - Two rather worn specimens. ‘This species resembles H. dioculatus in general shape, except that it is smaller and less convex, and has relatively shorter elytra. The amount of white squamosity is variable, it being more abundant in the Mexican insect than in the one from Honduras. 76. Hilipus sulcifer, sp. n. (Tab. IV. figg. 6, 6; 6a, terminal ventral segments, 9 .) Elongate-ovate, black or piceous, the antenne and legs sometimes partly rufescent; mottled above with a somewhat dense clothing of fulvous and whitish scales, the latter often aggregated so as to form an oblique stripe on the outer part of the elytra below the base and a common apical patch, the elytra with a spot on the outer part of the disc beyond the middle (in some specimens large and sharply defined, in others indistinct), an oblong one close to the suture at the apex, and sometimes several others on the apical half, black; the under surface and legs thickly clothed with whitish and fulvous scales. Head rugosely punctured and not or feebly foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated; rostrum in the ¢ stout, feebly curved, as long as or longer than the prothorax, rugosely punctured and obsoletely quadricarinate towards the base, smoother at the tip, that of the 2 a little longer and smoother, the 48 RHYNCHOPHORA. antennal grooves in both sexes rapidly descending and closed behind; antenne inserted slightly before the middle of the rostrum, joint 2 of the funiculus distinctly shorter than 1. Prothorax transverse, more or less rounded at the sides, narrowed and constricted in front; coarsely or finely granulate, and with a short, conspicuous, median carina at the middle. Elytra moderately long, one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, flattened on the disc, with the third interstice often more or less costate, the humeri rounded; seriate-punctate, the interstices granulate and usually transversely rugose. Metasternum long, foveolate at the sides. Ventral segments somewhat closely, finely punctate, the fifth with a sharply-defined, deep, narrow sulcus down the middle in both sexes, the first furnished with two backwardly-projecting matted tufts of fulvous piliform scales at the middle behind in the ¢. Length 63-9, breadth 24-34 millim. Hab. Mexico (Sallé), Ventanas in Durango (Forrer), Jalapa, Cordova (Hége); GuatTeMaLA, Chacoj, Teleman, Mirandilla, Cerro Zunil (Champion); Nicaragua, Chontales (Belt); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). The twenty-one specimens referred to this species agree in baving the fifth ventral segment sulcate down the middle and the second joint of the funiculus shorter than the first; but there is great variation amongst them in the sculpture and coloration of the prothorax and elytra (the smoothest specimens having the prothorax straighter at the base and less rounded at the sides), and in the relative length and sculpture of the rostrum. The extreme forms were obtained with the more typical ones at several localities, and there can be little doubt that they all belong to one variable species. H. sulcifer resembles H. trinotatus in general facies, except that it is much smaller. 77. Hilipus penicillatus, sp. n. (Tab. IV. figg. 7, 2; 7a, part of under surface, 3.) _Oblong-ovate, black or piceous, the legs and antennze sometimes partly rufescent; thickly clothed with small, rounded, greyish-brown scales, the prothorax with intermixed piliform scales, the elytra more or less mottled with ochreous or whitish towards the apex, and each with a transverse or A -shaped velvety-black mark on the disc beyond the middle, and a short black streak or triangular mark near the suture before the apex, the scales on the scutellum whitish ; the under surface and legs thickly clothed with ochreous or whitish scales, those on the pleura mostly rounded, the others piliform. Head rugosely punctate, shallowly foveate between the eyes, the latter somewhat narrowly separated ; rostrum in the ¢ very stout, moderately curved, not longer than the prothorax, rugosely punctured and tri- or quadricarinate at the base, in the 2 a little longer and smoother, the antennal grooves descending to the lower angle of the eye and closed behind ; antenne inserted near the apex of the rostrumin the ¢, further back in the @, joints 1 and 2 of the funiculus subequal in length. Prothorax transverse, convex, moderately rounded at the sides, constricted and narrowed in front, feebly bisinuate at the base ; rather coarsely granulate, without trace of median carina. Elytra one-half wider than, and three times the length of, the prothorax, parallel. in their basal half, subtruncate at the base, conjointly rounded at the apex, the humeri rounded and rather prominent ; seriate-punctate, the interstices transversely wrinkled, the third interruptedly costate, and all of them with smooth scattered granular elevations, each bearing a long decumbent seta. Metasternum and venter very minutely punctate, with scattered coarse punctures, these being deeply impressed on the second ventral segment; first ventral segment broadly produced in the middle behind in both sexes, and with two matted tufts of ochreous piliform scales in the middle at the apex in the ¢. Length 5-74, breadth 24-31 millim. (¢ 9.) . Hab. GuateMaLa, San Juan in Vera Paz (Champion); Panama, Bugaba, Volcan de Chiriqui (Champion). HILIPUS. 49 Fourteen specimens, one only being from Guatemala. This species, except that it is very much smaller, has the same general shape and coloration as H. angulosus, in which the apex of the first ventral segment is slightly produced in the centre behind. In the setigerous elytra it resembles H. asperatus, &c. The following species is unknown to me. It may belong to Hilipinus. 78. Hilipus tugusti. Heilipus tugusti, Boh. in Schénh. Gen. Cure. vii. 2, p. 45°, Hab. Mexico (coll. Chevrolat'). I am unable to certainly identify this species amongst our material, and the type of it cannot be found in the Chevrolat collection at Stockholm. It is described as nigro- piceous in colour, variegated above with yellowish piliform scales, the elytra with a large, transverse, fulvous patch far beyond the middle. The prothorax broader than long, rounded at the sides, closely granulate throughout, and with rather prominent ocular lobes. The elytra one-half broader than, and nearly three times as long as, the prothorax, with the sides straight to beyond the middle, and then convergent to the apex, which is rounded; rather deeply and closely seriate-punctate, with the interstices narrow, subconvex, and transversely rugose. | In my remarks under J. belti (antea, p. 15) mention is made of a nearly allied form with a peculiarly shaped prothorax: a second specimen of this insect has since come to hand, and a description of it is therefore appended :— 14 (a). Hilipus compressicollis, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 8, ¢.) Oblong-ovate, shining, black, a broad space extending across the entire disc of the prothorax and the incrassate portion of the femora rufous; the elytra with numerous, irregular, whitish, transverse spots and markings, the latter tending to form two common angulated fascie, one before, the other beyond the middle. Head foveate between the eyes; rostrum stout, curved, about as long as the prothorax, sparsely punctate towards the base. Prothorax broader than long, rounded at the sides, sinuously narrowed behind and constricted and much narrowed in front, the disc broadly and obliquely depressed on each side before the middle (the depression extending inward from the lateral constriction), the base very strongly bisinuate, the surface sparsely, irregularly punctate. lytra one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel towards the base, seriate-punctate, the interstices faintly transversely wrinkled. Venter with a broad depression extending down the middle of segments 1 and 2. Length 16-17, breadth 64-64 millim. (¢.) Hab. Nicaracva, Chontales (Janson); Costa Rica, Chirripo, Atlantic slope (Biolley). Two males, agreeing perfectly enter se. Distinguishable at a glance from H. belti by the shorter, broader, compressed prothorax, with rounded sides and more strongly BIOL, CENTR.-AMER., Coleopt., Vol. IV. Pt. 4, August 1902. HH 50 RHYNCHOPHORA. bisinuate base, the elytra with somewhat differently arranged markings and deeper punctures, and the metasternum wholly black *. ARNITICUS. Arniticus, Pascoe, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1881, p. 96. Parameleus, Faust, Stett. ent. Zeit. 1892, p. 33. In the species referred to this genus the anterior opening of the scrobes is visible from above, the scrobes. themselves extending forwards at the base of the rostrum beneath, so as to receive the first joint of the funiculus, being, in fact, W-shaped in both sexes. The antenne are inserted near the apex of the rostrum in both male and female. The tibie are more or less distinctly mucronate at the inner apical angle (at least in the females), the claw arising from about the middle of the apical margin in the female, and from at or near the inner angle in the male. Arniticus includes several South-American forms described by Pascoe and Faust, as well as Hilipus lituratus and H. perturbatus, Boh., H. arrogans, Pasc., and others. Two are now added from within our limits. 1. Arniticus cingulatus, sp. n. (Tab. IV. figg. 9, ¢; 9a, profile of head and rostrum; 9 4, front tibia, ¢ ; 10, front tibia, 2 .) Oblong-ovate, black or piceous, the upper surface variegated with ochreous, whitish, and black scales, the whitish scales forming two narrow, sinuous, oblique vitte on the prothorax, a triangular spot on the scutellum, and an irregular humeral patch and a broad curved, transverse, ante-apical fascia on the elytra; the under surface and legs with scattered ochreous or whitish scales. Head rugose, feebly foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated ; rostrum about one-third longer than the prothorax, stout, moderately curved, rugose almost to the tip; joint 2 of the funiculus twice as long as 1. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides anteriorly, slightly constricted before the apex and subparallel behind ; rather sparsely granulate, and with a sharply-defined incomplete median carina. Llytra about one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel in their basal half, conjointly rounded at the apex, the sutural angles somewhat pointed, the humeri rounded externally and truncate in front; deeply seriate- punctate, the interstices more or less convex, each with a somewhat closely placed series of setigerous granular elevations. Venter broadly depressed down the middle towards the base in the gd. Tibi with the claw arising from the inner angle in the ¢, mucronate in the 2. Length 10-134, breadth 4-6 millim. (¢ 2.) Hab. Guatemata, El Tumbador, Cerro Zunil, San Isidro, Panajachel, Mirandilla (Champion) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Caldera (Champion). Found in abundance at Cerro Zunil and sparingly elsewhere, all the localities being on the Pacific slope. The coloration is somewhat variable, four of the specimens (from Panajachel, Mirandilla, San Isidro, and Chiriqui respectively) having the light markings pale ochreous, instead of white. A. cingulatus is extremely like the Colombian A. lituratus (Boh.), but that insect has a much broader prothorax, and the elytral setee shorter and less conspicuous. | * Erratum:—lIn the description of H. belti (anted, p. 15)—For “ side-pieces of the metasternum rufous,” read “ metasternum, the side-pieces excepted, rufous.” ARNITICUS.—HILIPINUS. 51 2. Arniticus setiger, sp.n. (Tab. IV. fig. 11, 2.) Oblong-ovate, nigro-piceous, the upper surface variegated with ochreous, whitish, and black scales, the whitish scales forming a triangular spot on the scutellum, a small spot at the base of the fifth interstice of the elytra, and a narrow, curved, transverse, more or less distinct fascia on the disc of the latter beyond the middle ; the under surface and legs clothed with ochreous scales. Head rugose, feebly foveate between the eyes, which are rather narrowly separated; rostrum stout, moderately curved, about one-third longer than the prothorax, longitudinally rugose, smoother at the tip in the ; joint 2 of the funiculus nearly twice as long as 1. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides, much narrowed anteriorly and slightly constricted before the apex ; sparsely granulate and with an abbreviated median carina. Elytra about one-half wider than the prothorax, subparallel to near the middle, conjointly rounded at the apex, the sutural angles somewhat pointed, the humeri rounded ; deeply seriate-punctate, the interstices somewhat convex, each with a widely scattered series of granular elevations, these being furnished posteriorly with a long, semierect, stout, pallid seta. Venter broadly depressed down the middle towards the base in the g. Tibie with the claw arising from the inner angle in the ¢, mucronate in the 9. Length 93-10, breadth 4-4$ millim. (¢ 2.) Hab. Mexico, Frontera in Tabasco (Hége); British Hoypuras, Rio Hondo (Blancaneaux) ; Panama, Volcan de Chiriqui, Bugaba (Champion). ‘Var.? The curved whitish fascia on each elytron reduced to a small spot on the middle of the disc, the interstitial granules larger and fewer in number. (