DORIS H. BL< A Review of the Beetles

of the Genus Metachroma

Chevrolat (Coleoptera: A

Chrysomelidae)

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY • 1970 NUMBER 57
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SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO

ZOOLOGY

NUMBER 57

Doris H. Biake A Review of the Beetles

of the Genus Metachroma

Chevrolat (Coleoptera:

Ghrysomelidae)

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PRESS

CITY OF WASHINGTON

1970
ABSTRACT

Blake, Doris H. A Review of the Beetles of the Genus Metachroma Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 57:1-111. 1970.—

A history of the genus Metachroma Chevrolat and a revision of the species in the Western Hemisphere are presented, with 47 new species described. The total number of

species now known from the Caribbean islands is 68, contrasted with 65 species from

North, Central, and South America. There are 34 species from the United States, 24

from Mexico and Central America, and only 7, so far, from South America. Drawings

have been made of all the species, with emphasis on showing the different color forms

that occur in most of the species—a phenomenon that has led to much confusion in

the past

Official publication date is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded

in the Institution's annual report, Smithsonian Year.

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Contents

Page

Introduction 1

Species from eastern and central United States 5

Species found from western Texas to Rocky Mountains and California .. . 20

Species from Mexico and Central America 30

Species from South America 45

Species from the Bahamas 49

Species from Cuba 50

Species from Hispaniola 60

Species from Puerto Rico 67

Species from Jamaica 72

Species from Dominica 82

Literature Cited 83

Figures 85

Index Ill

Doris H. Blake A Review of the Beetles

of the Genus Metachroma

Chevrolat (Coleoptera:

Chrysomelidae)

Introduction

On page 436 in the third edition of the Dejean catalog of 1837 is the first mention of the generic name

Metachroma of Chevrolat with fifteen species listed

under it. Of these species, fourteen are from America

and one (the last species listed) is from Madagascar.

Metachroma quercata (Fabricius), the species heading

the list, had been previously described. There are three

other previously described species in Chevrolat's list—

canella (Fabricius), aterrima (Olivier), and quadrinotata (Say), all three of which LeConte, in defining the

genus Metachroma in 1858, separated as a closely related group that he named the genus Paria. In the list

is one other familiar (although not previously described) species, Metachroma adusta Klug, from Cuba.

That name was given by Klug in his price list of duplicate insects in his Cuban collection, and it was used

later by Gundlach in his Cuban collection; finally, the

species was fully described under that name by Suffrianin 1866.

Chevrolat writes of his genus Metachroma in

D'Orbigny's Dictionnaire Universal d'Histoire Naturelle, published in 1846. It is interesting to note his

explanation of the Greek name: pera, meaning "different" according to Chevrolat, and XP^M"' "color."

In my Greek dictionary the preposition fiera is said in

composition to express change. Thus, the name

Metachroma is singularly appropriate because of the

Doris H. Blake, Honorary Research Associate, Department

of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560.

differences or changes in the color pattern within

almost all of the species, a variability that naturally

has led to a great deal of confusion and the description of many "new" species which are, in reality, only

color forms of previously described species.

In Schultze's Nomenclator Animalium Generum et

Subgenerum, published in 1926, the name "Atrachela

pro Metachroma Dejean 1835" is given with the reference to a book by J. Gistel entitled Naturgeschichte

des Tierreiche fiir hohere Schulen," published in 1848.

LeConte, in 1858, gave the first description of the

genus. He wrote:

. . . the species to which I desire to restrict the name Metachroma are those congeneric with Colaspis quercata Fabricius, the first species mentioned in Dejean's Catalogue. They

have the mouth free beneath, the thorax not lobed behind

the eyes, which are large and prominent, the anterior coxae

occupying nearly the whole of the prosternum, the antennae

widely separated, slender, with joints 7-11 very slightly

dilated and the second and third joints equal. The femora

are moderately incrassated, scarcely perceptibly dentate, the

posterior tibiae are externally obliquely emarginate near the

tip and finally the ungues are acutely toothed or even bifid.

Except for two points, that "the femora are scarcely

perceptibly dentate and the ungues are acutely toothed

or even bifid," LeConte's characterization of Metachroma may still stand as adequate in separating Metachroma from related genera. LeConte did not have

very many species before him when he drew up his

description or he would have seen that many of the

species do not have toothed femora while in others

the femora sometimes are rather conspicuously toothed,

and in at least three instances the claws appear simple.

1
SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

LeConte described three species: Metachroma ustum,

M. suturale and M. puncticollis.

Suffrian, in his description of the chrysomelid beetles

of Cuba in 1866, discussed LeConte's separation of

Metachroma from Paria in some detail, and he described six species of Metachroma from Cuba, only one

of which I can definitely recognize. This is not because

Suffrian's descriptions are not detailed enough but because there are so many color variations in these small,

closely related species that without examining them

and dissecting them for the aedeagus one finds it impossible to make an accurate determination from almost any description based essentially on the coloring

of the beetles.

Crotch, in 1873, was the third to describe new

species under the genus and the first to make a short

revision of the genus. He added nine new species as

well as Say's Colaspis pallida and Colaspis dubiosa.

Five of these new species, all from North Carolina,

bore a Zimmermann manuscript name. Zimmermann,

a German entomologist, spent the last 39 years of his

life in the United States, part of the time teaching in

the Carolinas. He collected wherever he went, and

after his death, in 1867, Crotch bought his collection.

Crotch designated Metachroma quercatum (Fabricius) as the type of the genus. It is a variably colored

species, and Fabricius himself described two color

forms, one entirely dark, the other with deep reddish

brown elytral spots. As a result of these variations, two

color forms have since been described as distinct

species. Since M. quercatum is not very closely related

to any other of the species, it cannot be considered as

very typical of the genus.

Schwarz, in 1878, was the next to describe a species.

Metachroma maculipennis. Although this name is a

nomen nudum in the Dejean list, I can find no indication that Schwartz's species is the same. In 1885 that

student of the Eumolpinae, Edouard Lefevre, in his

catalog of the eumolpids described the genus and listed

all the species known at that time. In the meantime,

Jacoby (1882, 1891) in the Biologia Centrali-Americana, described nine more species from Mexico and

Central America. Horn followed in 1892 with a lengthy

revision of the genus and four new species. Linell

added a single species in 1898, and Schaeffer and Fall,

more recently, have described new ones. Weise and

G. E. Bryant have described species from Puerto Rico

and Jamaica, respectively. In 1930 I began describing

species of Metachroma from the West Indies, and in

the years since have named over forty new ones from

the Caribbean islands, as many again as had been previously known. Now I am attempting to treat the genus

as a whole as it occurs in the Western Hemisphere

from Ontario, Canada, to Mendoza, Argentina, as well

as the Caribbean islands. Whether this genus extends

across the Pacific to the Pacific islands I am not certain. I have examined a specimen from Hawaii and

one from the Gilbert Islands, neither of which differs

very much from the species in America. In both, the

second and third antennal joints are equal (in the

genus Rhyparida, a closely related oriental genus, the

second joint is shorter as in Paria). I have two specimens labelled "Totana, Pr. Murcia Spain," a locality

on the Mediterranean coast, which I doubt is correct

since the genus is not known to occur in Europe. It is

probably a Central American species, although possibly from South America.

As for the distribution of the species in the Western

Hemisphere, by far the largest number for any particular section occurs in the West Indies, where each

island has its own distinct species that do not occur

on the other islands (except possibly the small adjoining ones). Many species, however, have closely

related but slightly different relatives in the other islands. I have 21 species from Cuba, 8 from Puerto

Rico, 15 from Haiti and the Dominican Republic, 19

from Jamaica, and 5 from various other islands, totaling 68 from this Caribbean region. In contrast, there

are only 34 species from the United States, 24 from

Mexico and Central America, and, so far, only 7 from

South America, totaling 65 species from both North

and South America. Of the United States species, at

least five are common to both the United States and

Mexico.

In the United States the preponderance of species

is found along the eastern coast, particularly the

southeastern coastal region, and from Texas across

New Mexico and Arizona to southern California.

There are only a few from the middle and northern

states, none so far reported from Washington or Oregon, three from Idaho, of which one, Metachroma

angustulum Crotch (which feeds on willow), is known

along the northern border in Montana, Minnesota,

and Ontario and is the farthest north of any species

of the genus. Four species have been collected in

Massachusetts, but none from farther north in the

New England states.

The host plant is unknown in the majority of cases,
NUMBER 5 7

but in those of which we do have records, it would

appear in most instances to be trees, and oak in particular. Metachroma quercatum (Fabricius) was undoubtedly named for its host, as there are records of

it being taken on that tree. Metachroma vicinum,

M. maculipennis, and M. laevicollis have been recorded on oak, M. marginale on pecan, M. inter -

ruptum on pecan, poplar, and apple, M. angustulatum

on willow, and M. orientate on Pinus taeda. Metachroma viticola was so named by Linell because it was

found injuring grape. Metachroma californicum

throughout its wide range from western Texas to

southern California, has been recorded on Pluchea

sericea, a willow-like shrub that attains the height of

some meters and grows along the water courses in

these semi-arid states. Bryant has described a species

from Jamaica as Metachroma rosac, which was taken

on rose bushes. So it would appear that, in general,

species of Metachroma live on the foliage of woody

shrubs or trees.

Of the life history, I have been able to find only a

single reference. Unlike its closely related genus, Paria,

which is sometimes injurious to members of the rose

family such as strawberry, raspberry, and apple, Metachroma beetles apparently have not inflicted sufficient

damage from an economic standpoint to warrant any

investigation into their life history. D. W. Coquillett,

in a short note on Metachroma pallidum (Say) as

determined by Horn, wrote that it was feeding on

the leaves of poplar in colonies, the larvae entered the

soil June 5, and beetles issued about June 19. Species

of Paria also have been found on such trees as pine,

willow, hazel, juniper, walnut, and oak, besides such

herbaceous plants as strawberry, clover, golden-rod,

and aster.

In his list in the Dejean catalog Chevrolat did not

distinguish species of Metachroma from those that

LeConte later placed in the genus Paria. In truth,

there is little to separate them. LeConte found a difference in the relative length of the second and third

antennal joints; in Metachroma they are of the same

length, in Paria the second joint is shorter. More striking is the postorbital lobe on the prothorax that in

Paria encircles the lower part of the face like a high

collar; in Metachroma there is no such collar, and

the lower part of the face is "free." In separating the

two genera Suffrian stressed the toothed anterior angle

in Metachroma, which is lacking in Paria, the sides

being (as Suff rian wrote) more or less closely pressed

together without the jutting-out anterior angles which

he called the "eared" prothorax in Metachroma. In

both genera the color pattern in many species varies

within a species, from entirely pale yellow-brown

through variously spotted or vittate markings to entirely dark brown or piceous. John A. Wilcox in his

treatment of Paria has even reduced his descriptions of

coloration of the species to a listing of color patterns by

number. He illustrates 15 such color patterns. Many

species of Metachroma show the same extreme variation

in color patterns in a series of specimens from one locality, while in a few others for which so far as we have

material there is only one color pattern. In only two

species, both from the West Indies, is there a departure

from the pale yellow-brown to piceous coloration; in

these two there is a definite aeneous green lustre, more

pronounced than in Horn's M. aeneicollis. Suffrian

also writes of a "greenish shimmer" to the thorax in his

M. suturale. At least one species, M. interruptum

(Say), is apparently dimorphic; in the male the coloring is regularly pale, and in the female it is heavily

and darkly marked. I have examined large series of

M. interruptum, and all show this color difference in

the sexes. Wilcox reports, on the other hand, that in

M. angustulum Crotch the females are pale and the

males are dark. There may be other species with similar dimorphism but, for the most part, too few specimens have been seen to make any positive determination of this.

While the genus Paria is probably the closest relative of Metachroma in the Western Hemisphere,

Rhyparida from the Pacific islands, Australia, New

Guinea, Borneo, and southern Asia also is very close.

In this genus, as in Paria, the second antennal joint

is shorter than the third. The legs and antennae are

often longer. Rhyparida is likewise a large genus—

166 species (described chiefly by Baly and Jacoby) are

listed in Wilhelm Junk's catalog of 1914, and many

more have been added by Gressitt and others. Rhyparida, like Metachroma, also shows great diversity of

forms and of the aedeagus.

In Metachroma the head has a groove about the

eyes that usually ends at the antennal socket. In one

species, however, in the male this groove extends down

to the transverse sulcus dividing the front from the

clypeus, while in the female it ends as usual at the

antennal socket. The eyes, which are conspicuously

large, are emarginate on the inner side near the antennal sockets. There is often a linear depression from
SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

the occiput down the front, or the remains of it as a

depressed spot on the front. In certain groups there

is a well-marked sulcus separating the front from the

clypeus, the latter varying in shape from broadly rectangular to much narrower and even somewhat triangular. The anterior margin of this clypeus over the

labrum is usually curved in a greater or less emargination, but it has all variations of this and may occasionally be straight over the labrum. The jaws are usually

large and well developed. In one species there is such

a development of jaw that I have named it prognathus.

In a great many species there is no transverse sulcus

separating front from clypeus, although the clypeus is

almost always marked by an alutaceous and more

coarsely punctate surface. The antennae extend well

beyond the humeri in most species, varying from long

and slender in the long species to having shorter joints

with the distal ones somewhat thicker. The second

joint is always as long or longer than the third, and the

seventh joint is longer and thicker than the preceding

ones and usually is a little longer than joints 8, 9, and

10. The prothorax is variable in proportions as well as

in convexity. There is always a more or less conspicuous

tooth at each angle, both anteriorly behind the eye and

at base. The surface varies from very smooth, without

depressions, to rugosely punctate, and in at least one

species there is a hole-like depression on each side. The

elytra have regular striae, a short stria at the scutellurn,

then five long striae ending in the one from the intrahumeral sulcus, and on the side there are four or five

shorter striae, often somewhat confused. In a few

cases the first of these lateral striae extends upward

on the inside of the humerus, a good character in determining the species in which it occurs. These elytral

striae vary greatly in distinctness and in being more

or less impressed, with the intervals often costate. They

may be reduced to mere remnants of striae along the

suture and in the transverse depressed area near the

base. Usually the striae are fainter towards the apex,

but in some the punctures are distinct to the apex. The

upper surface is glabrous in all but two species. (1)

In M. peninsulare Crotch there is a very inconspicuous

short pale hair from each puncture on the prothorax; it

is difficult to see this except when viewed from the

side. (2) In a new species from Mexico which I have

named hirsutum, the whole upper surface is covered

with a very fine pale pubescence that while not at all

conspicuous is more easily detected than in M. peninsulare. On body beneath, the pubescence is more

usual, especially on the femora and tibiae. In the

emargination of the middle and hind tibiae is one of

the primary characters in determining the genus. The

claws have a basal tooth in most cases varying from

being very short at the base to more than half the

length of the claw. As in the case of the femora, sometimes with a tooth and occasionally with none, there

are a few species (M. longulum Horn, M. insulare

Fall, and M. immaculatum, new species) in which the

claws are apparently simple. In the structure of the

legs Metachroma resembles Paria again. In both there

may or may not be a tooth on the femora. Often

the tooth is so small that it is difficult to detect, but

in a few species it is conspicuous. This development of

the tooth, particularly on the front femora, occurs in

several West Indian species, mostly in the narrow ones.

From the foregoing one can easily see that in the

determination of species of Metachroma little dependence can be placed on the color pattern because of its

variability within a single species. One must rely chiefly

on morphological characters, often quite small ones,

such as the presence or absence of the transverse sulcus

separating the front from the clypeus, the presence or

absence of a femoral tooth or the length of the claw

tooth, or the depressions on the elytra. The punctation

of the elytra is a good character, but the punctation

of the prothorax may vary from fine to coarse in a

single series from the same locality. In most cases the

best character is in the aedeagus.

In the shape of the aedeagus, Metachroma is unlike

Paria in the great majority of cases. It is unlike any

eumolpid genus that I have studied in the remarkable

variety in the shapes of the aedeagus. On the basis of

this variation one could put the species in different

genera, but there would be so many that it would only

lead to confusion to do so. These differences in the

shape of the aedeagus would appear to be only inward manifestations of the many outward shapes of

the beetle. Probably the commonest and most universal form is that of the large, broadly oval species that

have a wide aedeagus with a broad apex and short

median tip, similar to that found in other eumolpid

genera such as Paria and Graphops. Wilcox (1953)

has illustrated the aedeagi of species of Paria, and I

have illustrated the aedeagi of Graphops in my revision of that genus in 1955. In both these genera the

aedeagus is similar and varies little in the different

species. In Metachroma this type of aedeagus is found

commonly in the broader, larger species, such as M.
NUMBER 5 7

ustum LeConte, M. suturale LeConte, M. viticola

Linell, M. interruptum (Say), M. peninsulare Crotch,

and others. Close relatives of M. ustum, which I would

call the "ustum" group, occur from Texas through

Mexico and Central America into South America, on

the Galapagos Islands, and in the West Indies. But

the narrower species of Metachroma not only are outwardly unlike but have very different aedeagi of

diverse shapes. In the western United States there are

groups of narrow species (of which M. longulum Horn

and M. californicum Crotch are representatives) in

which the aedeagi gradually narrow to the tip. In

Texas another narrow species, M. presidiense, new

species, has a still differently shaped but narrow-tipped

aedeagus, and M. texanum Schaeffer has a uniquely

different, sharply pointed tip to the aedeagus. There

is a group of wider but tiny species (of which M. testaceum Blatchley is representative) that vary from having a two-pronged tip to the aedeagus to having the

prongs more or less closely joined in a rounded tip. In

the West Indies the narrow species are more prevalent

and reach their most extreme form in Cuba and

Jamaica, with such species as M. gracile Blake and

M. prognathus Blake, the latter having a short, broad,

straight aedeagus. On the other hand, M. chapini

Blake, another narrow species from Jamaica, has a

long, narrow, straight aedeagus. Of the 19 species

known from Jamaica, 13 species are of an elongate

narrow shape with variously shaped aedeagi, and only

one of the narrow shape, M. rugosum Blake, has an

aedeagus broad at the tip. Nearly all of these elongate

West Indian species have a rather flat prothorax with

a straight basal margin, and in several, as in the Cuban

M. odontotum, new species, there is a large, conspicuous tooth on the front femora. Metachroma mendozae,

new species, from the farthest south in central Argentina, is an odd-looking species having a large, wide

head with widely separated eyes. Although of such

unusual appearance for the genus, the aedeagus is not

very different from that of M. ustum LeConte, being

broad with a tip like that of many eumolpid beetles.

The aedeagus of Metachroma quercatum (Fabricius),

the type of the genus, with a cleft and pointed tip, is

unlike any of them.

Though future revisionists may consider breaking up

both Rhyparida and Metachroma into many genera,

possibly on the basis of their different shapes, I do

not consider this practical or desirable, and prefer to

recognize the relatively few natural groups within the

genus. By far the greater number of species are so

different they cannot be put in any group. With all

these differences in size and shape, there are few clearly

marked characters beyond the simple ones laid down

by LeConte and other early entomologists to separate

these species into genera.

I have been fortunate in having so many collections

loaned to me from all over the United States, Canada,

and Europe. I wish to thank the following for sending

me material for study: R. D. Pope and R. T. Thompson, who have sent me even the unique types from the

British Museum (Natural History) (BMNH) ; Gerhard Scherer, G. Frey Museum at Tutzing, Germany;

T. H. Farr, Science Museum, Institute of Jamaica;

Dr. and Mrs. H. F. Howden, Canadian National Collection (CNC) ; P. J. Darlington, Jr., Museum of

Comparative Zoology (MCZ); John C. Pallister,

American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) ;

Charles Triplehorn, Ohio State University (OSU) ;

George Byers, University of Kansas (UK); Floyd

Werner, University of Arizona (UA) ; Milton Sanderson, Illinois Natural History Survey; W. F. Barr, University of Idaho (UI) ; Hugh B. Leech, California

Academy of Sciences (CAS) ; N.L. Downie of Lafayette, Indiana.

Key to Species from Eastern and Central United States

1. Small, 2.5-3.5 mm in length 2

Larger, 3.5—7 mm in length 7

2. Elytra less than three times as long as prothorax, shining deep reddish brown or piceous

M. longicollis aeneicollis Horn

Elytra three times (or more) longer than prothorax, yellowish or reddish brown 3

3. Prothorax smooth, nearly impunctate M. laevicollis Crotch

Prothorax punctate : 4

4. Head and prothorax deep reddish brown 5

Head and prothorax pale yellowish brown 6

5. Prothorax sparsely punctate M. pellucidum Crotch

Prothorax densely punctate M. testaceum Blatchley

6. Elytra usually with large triangular dark area on side; 3-3.5 mm M. laterale Crotch

Elytra entirely pale, without dark spot; 2.5-3 mm M. anaemicum Fall
SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

7. Prothorax with dense elongate strigose punctures M. quercatum (Fabricius)

Prothorax without strigose punctures °

8. Prothorax with four small spots across it M. carolinense new species

Prothorax without spots, sometimes with large dark areas 9

9. Lateral striate punctures continuing up on inner side of humeri ...

Lateral striate punctures not continuing up on inner side of humeri

10. Narrowly elongate, with strong elytral costae

Broadly oblong oval, without strong elytral costae

11. Aedeagus narrowing gradually to apex

Aedeagus broad at apex

12. Elytra three times as long as prothorax and usually dark on side

10

11

M. angustulum Crotch

M. interruptum (Say)

12

13

M. luridum (Olivier)

Elytra only slightly more than twice as long as prothorax and entirely yellowish brown

M. texanum Schaeffer

13. Prothorax dull alutaceous pale yellow-brown M. fioridanum Crotch

Prothorax not dull alutaceous but more or less shiny 14

14. Prothorax distinctly and densely punctate 15

Prothorax either mirror-smooth or very finely and inconpicuously punctate 18

15. Prothorax finely and densely punctate, elytra without spots 16

Prothorax densely and coarsely punctate, elytra often with spots 17

16. Prothorax approximately twice as wide as long, elytra with pale margin

M. orientate, new species

Prothorax not twice as wide as long, elytra often with margin dark M. marginal* Crotch

17. Elytra densely and coarsely striate punctate, with punctures distinct to apex and interval!

tending to be somewhat costate M. magnipunclalum, new species

Elytra not densely striate punctate, punctures fading at apex and intervals not costate

M. maculipennis Schwarz

18. Elytra convex, without intrahumeral sulcus or depression below M. viticola Linell

Elytra with well-marked intrahumeral sulcus and depression below basal umbones 19

19. Small (3.5-4.8 mm); elytra three times as long as prothorax Af. pallidum (Say)

Large (4.8-7 mm); elytra not three times as long as prothorax 20

20. Head, prothorax, and elytra (except at apex) dark piceous M. adustum terminals Horn

Head and prothorax reddish brown; elytra usually paler yellow-brown, sometimes with

median dark area M. us turn LeConte

Metachroma laevicollis Crotch

FIGURES 1, 2

Metachroma laevicolle Crotch, 1873, p. 43.—Horn, 1892,

p. 217.

DESCRIPTION.—From 3.0 to 3.5 mm in length, oblong oval, lustrous, either pale yellow-brown or piceous,

legs always pale, prothorax not very convex but disc

evenly rounded all over and with rounded sides, often

mirror-smooth, at most with very fine punctures,

elytra with fine, well-spaced striate punctures nearly

obsolete over basal callosities and in apical half.

Head with interocular space half width of head, indistinctly and sparsely punctate, sometimes with a short

median depression, no transverse sulcus separating

clypeus; clypeus not so shiny, somewhat alutaceous and

usually a bit more distinctly punctate. Antennae pale

in pale specimens, in dark specimens with apical joints

deeper brown, slender, extending below humeri. Prothorax not a third wider than long, not very convex,

with slightly rounded sides, almost impunctate in most

specimens, very finely punctate in some. Scutellum

polished. Elytra with intrahumeral sulcus and a transverse depression below basal callosities, striate punctures along base deeply impressed so as to form puckers

along base, but nearly obsolete over basal callosities

and also in apical half, punctures not closely set and

striae on sides short. Color varying from pale to piceous, sometimes suture dark, varying in degree. Body

beneath varying from paler yellow-brown to piceous,

legs always pale. Claws with long tooth. Length, 3—3.5

mm; width, 1.5-1.8 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—North Carolina.

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Massachusetts: Sherborn,

C. A. Frost; Holliston, Chicopee, Mount Tom, Springfield, all collected by F. Knab. New York: Central

Park, Long Island, Charles Schaeffer. New Jersey: Da

Costa, H. W. Wenzel; Egg Harbor, Cape May, H. A.

Wenzel; Phillipsburg, J. W. Green. Pennsylvania:

Easton, J. W. Green. Maryland: Greenbelt, on pin oak,
NUMBER 5 7

G. N. Nelson. Virginia: Barcroft, J. C. Bridwell;

Hampton, N. M. Downie. North Carolina: Walnut

Hill, L. D. Tuthill; Black Mountains, Van Dyke.

Georgia: Okefenokee Swamp, H. W. Crowder; Prattsburg, L. D. Tuthill. Florida: Suwanee Springs, Zolfo

Springs, L. B. Lawson; Jacksonville, R. L. Plickle.

Mississippi: Meridian, R. H. Beamer, Paul Oman.

Louisiana: Mandeville, H. Soltau.

REMARKS.—This eastern coastal species described

by Crotch with a Zimmermann manuscript name, is

similar in many ways to M. pallidum (Say) from the

midwest. In comparing the Crotch type of M. laevicollis with the specimen labelled M. pallida dubiosa

(Say) in the LeConte collection, the specimens of

M. laevicollis are smaller, the prothorax is not so convex in the middle but flatter and evenly rounded all

over, and the elytral punctation is not so distinct and

dense but is more widely spaced and vanishes entirely

at the apex. In the midwestern species there are distinct traces of striate punctures at the apex. Large

series of M. laevicollis from Phillipsburg, New Jersey,

contain both pale and piceous forms, and specimens

from Mount Tom, Massachusetts, have intermediate

forms with sutural darkening of varying widths. One

character that makes this eastern species recognizable

is the puckering along the base of the elytra due to

the impressed punctures there, whereas elsewhere the

striate punctures are not at all impressed but

superficial.

Metachroma marginale Crotch

FIGURES 3, 6

Metachroma marginale Crotch, 1873, p. 43.—Horn, 1892,

pp. 220, 221.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.0 and 5.0 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, somewhat shiny, pale yellowbrown with prothorax a deeper yellow and often but

not always margin of prothorax and elytra piceous,

prosternum and metasternum often deep brown or

even piceous, prothorax flat, densely punctate, elytra

with regular, closely set, small, striate punctures, at

apex becoming indistinct.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

coarsely punctate throughout and more so on clypeus,

a well marked transverse sulcus separating clypeus

from front and usually a median depressed line down

front; yellow-brown, sometimes occiput dark, jaws

dark. Antennae extending below humeri, yellow-brown

with apical joints frequently deeper brown. Prothorax

not twice as wide as long, with widely rounded sides,

not very convex and faintly depressed over head, surface densely covered with small but deep punctures,

yellow-brown often with margins dark. Scutellum

usually deep reddish brown. Elytra more than three

times as long as prothorax and considerably wider,

with striate punctures closely set and regular, becoming rather faint at apex but with distinct rows along

side, a faint transverse depression below basal umbone;

shining pale yellow-brown, often with dark margin.

Body beneath often with deep reddish brown to

piceous prosternum and metasternum, abdomen

usually paler, legs pale. Femora not toothed, claws

with short basal tooth. Length 4.2-5.2 mm; width,

2-2.5 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ, with light

green label, indicating "Kansas, westwards." The

name label is followed by "Zimmer," indicating it is

a Zimmerman manuscript name. There is a second

specimen from Enterprise, Florida.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"N. C. and Kansas."

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Texas: Karnack, D. J. and

J. N. Knull; Leon County, D. J. and J. N. Knull. Louisiana: Leesville, J. Robinson. Alabama: Robertsdale,

destroying new growth of pecan trees, C. A. Reed;

Wadley, H. H. Smith. Florida: Molino, S. S. Harvey;

Faye, on pecan; Dunedin; Tampa, Hubbard and

Schwarz; Jacksonville, Ashmead; Georgia: St. Catherine Island, Hubbard and Schwarz; South Carolina:

Florence, V. M. Kirk, 25 May 1953. North Carolina:

Raleigh, H. F. and A. Howden.

REMARKS.—The type described by Crotch with the

Zimmermann manuscript name, in the LeConte collection, is pale and entirely without a "pitchy" margin, as

Crotch described it, and its green label indicates Kansas. There is no specimen from North Carolina as

mentioned by Crotch, but there is a specimen in the

United States National Museum of Natural History

(USNM) from Florence, South Carolina, that has

dark margins. There is another specimen from Florence (but not taken on the same date) that is

M. orientate, new species, which is the species so easily

confused with M. marginale. In a series from Robertsdale, Alabama, some specimens have dark margins and

others are entirely pale. Except for this little variation

the species is fairly constant in its coloring. Horn evidently was not familiar with M. marginale, since he

simply copied Crotch's description with the remark
8

that possibly it is "merely a larger luridum." The only

certain way of distinguishing M. marginale from M.

orientate is by comparing the aedeagi.

Metachroma orientate, new species

FIGURES 4, 5

Metachroma pallidum Crotch (not Say), 1873, p. 43.—Horn,

1892, pp. 211, 219.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.5 and 4.7 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, pale yellow-brown with head and

prothorax usually a deeper yellowish or reddish brown;

prothorax nearly twice as wide as long, broad and

rather flat, densely and distinctly but not coarsely

punctate; striate punctures on elytra shallow, fading at

apex; aedeagus tending to be dark brown or piceous.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, occiput broadly rounded, polished, usually very finely punctate, a well-marked transverse

sulcus dividing front from clypeus and a small median

frontal depression, yellow-brown with jaws tending to

be darker reddish brown. Antennae slender, extending below humeri, yellow-brown. Prothorax nearly as

wide as elytra, with well-rounded sides and small tooth

at each angle, basal margin straight, disc rather flat

with a slight depression over head, surface with very

dense, distinct but not coarse punctures, deep yellowish

or reddish brown. Scutellum deep yellow-brown.

Elytra three times as long as prothorax, convex, with

few depressions, only a short intrahumeral sulcus, and

a faint depression below it, rows of punctures not

deeply impressed but superficial and fine, becoming

fainter at apex, shining yellowish-brown. Body beneath rather variable in color, usually deeper than

upper surface, occasionally abdomen piceous; legs

pale. Femora not toothed, claws with short basal tooth.

Length, 3.5-4.7 mm; width 1.7-2.2 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ, with two

paratypes. Labeled by Crotch as M. pallidum (Say).

TYPE-LOCALITY.—North Carolina.

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Massachusetts: Lowell, Tyngsboro, Chatham, Mount Tom, Springfield, F. Knab;

New York: Central Park, Long Island, Charles Schaeffer. New Jersey: Egg Harbor, Da Costa; Linwood,

J. W. Green. Maryland: Baltimore, F. E. Blaisdell;

Piney Point, Hubbard and Schwarz. Virginia: Hampton, N. M. Downie. North Carolina: Durham, on

Pinus taeda, V. M. Kirk. South Carolina: Florence,

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

20 July, 1953, V. M. Kirk. Florida: "Florida,"

A. Bolten.

REMARKS.—The three specimens in the LeConte

collection labeled "M. pallidum (Say)" by Crotch

have been the basis for this species being determined,

ever since, as Colaspis pallida Say, although neither

Say's description nor the type-locality fits them. Say

described Colaspis pallida as having the thorax "with

punctures small, sometimes obsolete," and for the typelocality he wrote "it inhabits Missouri." This species

is found only in the east, from Massachusetts to Florida. The prothorax is very densely and distinctly punctate with the punctures never obsolete. H. S. Barber

has written on specimens: "this is not pallidum." Apparently because of Crotch's early error, this species

has gone undescribed. Another factor that may have

contributed to its being unrecognized as new is its close

relationship to Metachroma marginale Crotch. In

many instances, in the paler specimens of M. marginale

Crotch I cannot be certain which species it is unless

I dissect a male. In its typical form, as Crotch described it, the margins of M. marginale are piceous,

but this is not so in the paler specimens, which are so

similar to M. orientate as to be almost indistinguishable. In general, the prothorax is not so broad, but is

smaller and more elliptical and the basal margin not

straight, and the elytral punctation is more impressed

in M. marginale. The aedeagus of M. orientate has the

apex more rounded and is usually dark brown or

piceous.

Metachroma pallidum (Say)

FIGURES 7, 8

Colaspis pallida Say, 1823, p. 446.

Colaspis dubiosa Say, 1823, p. 447.

Metachroma dubiosum (Say).—Horn, 1892, pp. 212, 213.

DESCRIPTION.—Say's description of Colaspis pallida

is as follows:

Pale rufous, elytra pale testaceous, immaculate. Inhabits

Missouri. Body very pale rufous; head obsoletely punctured,

an indented abbreviated line or spot on vertex; thorax with

puntures small, sometimes obsolete; elytra pale testaceous

with striae of punctures which become obsolete before the tip.

Beneath pale. L. 3/20 of an inch. Very similar to C. notata

but is always destitute of spots on the elytra.

His description of Colaspis dubiosa is as follows:

Pale rufous, elytra testaceous with a black suture dilated at

base. Inhabits Arkansa. This species seems to differ from the

preceding only by having a black suture dilated at base, a
NUMBER 5 7

black lateral edge on the anterior half, sometimes obsolete,

and a black basal ventral segment; the thorax is sometimes

obsoletely dotted with black, and in one specimen is a small

black spot anterior to the middle of each elytron; 6-notata,

4-notata, pallida, and dubiosa may possibly prove to be the

same species exhibiting remarkably distinct variations in the

distribution of its colours. Found near the Rocky Mts. I think

it possible that dubiosa may prove to be a variety of Cryptocephalus canellus Fabr.

In the LeConte collection the label on the first

specimen of a series of beetles (apparently all the same

species) is M. pallida dubiosa (Say), which would

seem to indicate that LeConte regarded dubiosa as

only a color form of M. pallidum. There are eleven

specimens following the one bearing the label, which

is an entirely pale yellow-brown beetle with a light

green disc label. There are five specimens with green

disc labels (indicating Kansas, Nebraska, etc.) five

specimens with light blue labels (Lake Superior), and

one specimen with a pink label (Middle States). In

the second specimen the elytra have a piceous sutural

darkening such as Say described in dubiosa. The third

specimen, like the first, has the elytra entirely pale

yellow-brown. The fourth specimen has a thorax with

a dark spot on either side and the elytra with a dark

sutural vitta. The remaining specimens have the sutural darkening varying in width and the prothorax

varying from having dark spots to being entirely

piceous. The sculpture is similar in all the specimens.

The head is nearly impunctate, yellow-brown with

dark brown jaws; there is no transverse sulcus dividing

front from clypeus, but there is a small median frontal

depression in some specimens; the interocular space

is about half width of head. The thorax is moderately

convex with rounded sides, very finely and sparsely

punctate; the elytra have fine striate punctures fading

at apex but well-marked on the sides. The body

beneath, legs, and antennae are all pale. Femora not

toothed, claws with long tooth. Length, 3.8-4.4 mm;

width, 1.9-2.2 mm.

REMARKS.—Crotch's interpretation of Colaspis pallida is quite different from that of LeConte, as shown

by the three specimens in the LeConte collection from

North Carolina which I believe Crotch has labeled

and which correspond with Crotch's description of

pallidum in having a densely punctate prothorax. I

think that these three specimens labeled pallidum are

responsible for the confusion of all subsequent entomologists from Horn to Fall. These three specimens

in reality represent an eastern species that occurs from

Massachusetts southwards to Florida but does not

occur in the midwest. Because of Crotch's determination of this species as M. pallidum it has remained a

species that has never been described. As for M.

dubiosum (Say), Crotch has described a species that

LeConte recognized as new and described as M.

suturale. In the LeConte collection Crotch has put his

label "M. dubiosum" below LeConte's "M. suturale

Lee." As in the case of Crotch's pallidum from North

Carolina, Crotch gives the locality of M. dubiosum as

"Atlantic region, Texas." All this in spite of Say's

locality from the midwest.

Whether LeConte ever saw Say's specimens is problematical, but his interpretation of Say's descriptions

in this instance is better than that of either Crotch

or Horn, and I believe it should be followed. His long

series of specimens of varying degrees of dark coloring

following the pale specimen he labeled pallida dubiosa

Say is sufficient to show that color alone—which was

Say's sole way of distinguishing dubiosa from pallida—

does not hold. Like so many other species of the genus,

this one is variable in coloring.

DISTRIBUTION.—Kansas: Sheridan County, at 2,500

feet, S. J. Hunter; Stafford County, D. B. Lindsay;

Garden City, H. W. Menke; Decatur County, at 2,560

feet, S. J. Hunter; Hamilton County, F. H. Snow;

Clark County, F. H. Snow. Arkansas. Nebraska: Superior. Dakota. Kentucky: Ben ton, R. H. Beamer; Tennessee: Burrville, B. Benish. Illinois: Valmeyer, M. W.

Sanderson.

Metachroma carolinense, new species

FIGURE 9

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.3 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, shining, head and prothorax reddish

brown, elytra, legs, and undersurface pale yellowbrown; four small dark spots across pronotum, deep

brown sutural edges widened below scutellum with

a median spot on each elytron opposite and another

submarginal one in same line, also another median

spot near apex, on first abdominal segment a median

dark area, pronotum finely punctate, elytra with fine

striate punctures vanishing at apex.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

finely punctate over occiput and deep reddish brown,

paler on front, jaws piceous, a median frontal depression but no sulcus dividing front from clypeus, clypeus

with sparse, fine punctures, anterior margin over

labrum widely and shallowly emarginate. Antennae
10

pale yellow brown. Prothorax about a third as long

as elytra and not as wide, moderately convex with

rounded sides and small tooth at each angle, somewhat

alutaceous and finely and densely punctate with a

median linear impunctate area; four deeper brown,

rather small spots across disc. Scutellum pale with

piceous edging. Elytra with prominent humeri, a deep

intrahumeral sulcus and transverse depression below

basal umbones, punctures near base deeply impressed

forming short costae of intervals, but over umbones

punctures fine and not impressed, in transverse depression they become enlarged, gradually diminishing so

at apex they vanish; pale yellow brown with deep

reddish brown sutural edges, this darker color widening below scutellum at transverse depression, and a

dark median spot opposite the widening on each side,

and a trace of a dark spot on margin in same row,

another median spot near apex of each elytron. Body

beneath and legs pale but deepening to reddish brown

over prostemum and metasternum and middle of first

abdominal segment. Femora with minute tooth. Claws

with long tooth. Length, 4.3 mm; width, 2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 70685.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Eighteen miles north of Charleston, South Carolina (E. A. Chapin, collector).

REMARKS.—Only one specimen, a female, is known.

This is the only eastern species of Metachroma north

of Mexico with a four-spotted pronotum. There are

four Mexican species (one of which extends into

Arizona) with four spots on the pronotum, but all

have a larger prothorax and usually have a dark occipital spot. Also, there is no other eastern species with

similar markings on the elytra. In fact, this does not

appear to be at all closely related to any other eastern

species. A male specimen is greatly needed to help

place this species in a group.

Metachroma luridum (Olivier)

FIGURES 10, 10a

Colaspis lurida Olivier, 1808, p. 892.

Metachroma vicinum Crotch, 1873, p. 45.

Metachroma luridum Horn, 1892, pp. 217, 218.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.5 and 4.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, yellow-brown with dark occiput,

often dark prothorax, and elytra having a lateral or

marginal darkening, sometimes beetle entirely pale

yellow brown; prothorax densely punctate, elytra with

striate punctures fine and fading at apex.

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

Head with interocular space a little less than half

width of head, usually dark on occiput, yellow or reddish brown on front, coarsely and densely punctate, a

slight transverse sulcus between front and clypeus,

often a small median depression on front. Antennae

extending below humeri, yellowish brown. Prothorax

not quite twice as broad as long, rather flat, with

rounded sides and tooth at each angle, densely and distinctly punctate, usually deep reddish brown to piceous, with paler area about edges, sometimes only sides

dark or sometimes entirely pale. Scutellum deeper

brown. Elytra three times as long as prothorax and

wider, striate punctation fading after middle so apex

is often entirely smooth, little evidence of transverse

depression or basal umbones; yellowish brown usually

with a reddish brown or piceous lateral darkening,

sometimes only margin dark, sometimes sutural edges

also dark, but rarely whole disc dark, occasionally entirely pale. Body beneath varying in color from pale

yellow-brown to piceous, legs always pale. Claws with

long basal tooth. Length 3.5-4.2 mm; width, 1.7-

2.2 mm.

TYPE.—The whereabouts of Colaspis lurida Olivier

is not known. The type of M. vicinum is in the LeConte collection, MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"Caroline" (Colaspis lurida) ;

South Carolina (Metachroma vicinum).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—New Jersey: Lakehurst, Da

Costa, H. W. Wenzel: Virginia: Fort Monroe, Hubbard and Schwarz. North Carolina: Chadbourne, feeding on oak, E. G. Smythe; Raleigh, H. F. Howden.

Georgia: Tifton, Schaeffer; 8 miles south of Waycross,

E. S. Ross; Emory University Field Station, Newton.

Florida: Dunedin, W. S. Blatchley; Jacksonville, Ashmead; Gainesville, S. Rogers; Tampa, Hubbard and

Schwarz; Archer, four miles north of High Springs,

Howden and Dozier. Louisiana: Covington, Soltau;

Mandeville, Soltau; Hammond. Texas: Tyler, S. E.

Bennett; Bastrop, J. O. Martin. Alabama: Oak Grove,

H. Soltau. Mississippi: "Southern Mississippi," Soltau.

REMARKS.—The type-specimen described by Crotch

with the Zimmermann manuscript name Metachroma

vicinum is in the LeConte collection, MCZ. Horn,

recognizing this as Olivier's Colaspis lurida, wrote

that the figure in Olivier's Entomologie was very good

and that it seemed to him remarkable it had not been

identified earlier. As in so many species of Metachroma

there is considerable variation in coloring, some specimens being entirely without dark markings or with
NUMBER 5 7 11

only a faint darkening of the margin, and these last

are difficult to distinguish from M. marginale Crotch,

which is generally a little larger and not so flat as

M. luridum, and with only the margin dark. The

aedeagus is quite different. This species extends from

New Jersey along the coast to Texas. It is approximately the same size as M. quercatum Fabricius, and,

like that species, has been taken on oak. It belongs in

the group composed of small yellow-brown species with

the head having a transverse sulcus across the front,

the prothorax being rather flat and densely punctate,

and resembling M. anaemicum Fall, M. marginale

Crotch, and M. laterale Crotch, but the aedeagus is

quite unlike any of these, having a tapering narrowed

apex instead of a broadly rounded one.

Metachroma laterale Crotch

FIGURES 11, 12

Metachroma laterale Crotch, 1873, p. 44.—Horn. 1892, p.

219.

DESCRIPTION.—From 3.0 to 3.5 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, shining yellowish brown, each elytron with a more or less conspicuous reddish brown

lateral blotch along the middle extending from the

margin inwards but not reaching suture; prothorax

rather flat, densely punctate, elytra with punctures becoming faint in apical half.

Head with interocular space a little more than half

width of head, occiput rounded, nearly impunctate, a

transverse sulcus dividing front from clypeus, clypeus

with a very few punctures, yellow-brown, only jaws

dark. Antennae extending below humeri, pale. Prothorax not twice as broad as long, rather flat with

well-rounded sides, a depression over head, surface

densely and distinctly punctate except along base, entirely pale yellowish brown. Scutellum pale. Elytra

about three times as long as prothorax, with striate

punctures regularly spaced and fairly large but disappearing at apex and not very conspicuous over basal

umbone; a depression below umbone; yellow-brown

with a large triangular reddish brown area on the side

of each elytron extending towards middle, this area

very faint in some specimens. Body beneath with

breast and sometimes abdomen a little darker, rest pale

yellow-brown. Femora not toothed; claws with long

tooth. Length, 3-3.5 mm; width, 1.5-1.7 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ, with four

other specimens all with green disc label (signifying

Kansas westward).

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"North Carolina, Kansas."

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Virginia: Aquia Creek. Tennessee: Burrville, Howden collection.

REMARKS.—The type and four specimens described

by Crotch with the Zimmerman manuscript name in

the LeConte collection have such faded faint lateral

elytral markings that I failed to see them on first examination of the type-specimens. Only later, when I discovered a single specimen from the E. A. Popenoe collection labeled "LeConte det. 6763," did I recognize

the species as fulfilling Crotch's description of M.

laterale. I have seen four specimens from Aquia Creek,

Virginia—two in the Ohio State University collection

and two of the same series in Fall's collection. Howden

collected a specimen from Burrville, Tennessee, that

is in the Canadian National collection, and there are

two specimens in MCZ—one labeled "Tenn." and the

other "N.C." The beetle closely resembles M. anaemicum Fall from Georgia and Florida in shape and punctation as well as in the pale yellow coloring, but it is

larger and has the elytra longer and the aedeagus quite

different.

Metachroma quercatum (Fabricius)

FIGURES 13-15, 18

Colaspis quercata Fabricius, 1801, p. 417.—Olivier, 1808,

p. 891.

Metachroma quercatum LeConte, 1858, p. 58.—Crotch,

1873, p. 42.—Horn, 1892, pp. 211, 220.

Metachroma puncticolle LeConte, 1858, p. 85.—Horn, 1892,

pp. 219, 220.

Metachroma strigicolle Blatchley, 1924, p. 169.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.0 and 4.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, somewhat shiny although many specimens

are distinctly alutaceous, pronotum with strigose punctation, elytra finely striate punctate with punctures

often somewhat irregularly placed, varying in color

from entirely yellow or reddish brown to piceous, often

pronotum piceous and elytra with median disc or suture piceous, or even humeri and apex reddish brown,

rest dark, legs varying from yellow-brown to piceous.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, occiput usually piceous, finely punctate,

sometimes a faint trace of median line on front, clypeus

becoming paler, not deeply set off by transverse groove,

more coarsely punctate, alutaceous, anterior margin
12

shallowly emarginate over labrum, mouthparts usually

paler yellow-brown. Antennae extending below humerus, pale yellow-brown, sometimes with darker

apical joints. Prothorax rather flat, with well-rounded

sides and small tooth at each angle, surface cut lengthwise with short dense strigae and because of this surface not very shiny, in pale forms reddish brown, in

dark specimens piceous. Scutellum varying from reddish brown to piceous. Elytra more shiny than prothorax although often distinctly alutaceous, humeral

prominences small, and a faint basal umbone; the

somewhat irregular fine striate punctures becoming

faint towards apex; color varying from entirely piceous

to having a reddish brown spot on humerus and another at apex, or sometimes reddish brown with a

piceous sutural vitta that varies in width, occasionally

entirely pale yellowish or reddish brown. Body beneath

varying likewise from reddish brown to piceous (Horn

noted that in southern specimens the legs are frequently dark, in northern specimens, pale). Femora

not toothed, claws with long tooth. Length, 3.2-4.2

mm; width, 1.9-2.3 mm.

TYPE.—One specimen in Fabricius collection at

Kiel.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"Habitat in Caroline, Museum

D'Bosc."

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Massachusetts: Nantucket.

New Jersey: Anglesea, Schaeffer; H. W. Wenzel; Glementon, G. M. Greene; south of Smithtown, W. T.

Davis; Lakehurst, Schaeffer; Medford, J. W. Green;

Otsion Junction, J. W. Green; Linwood, J. W. Green;

Chatsworth, J. W. Green; Five-Mile Beach, H. W.

Wenzel. Ohio: Lucas County, D. J. and J. N. Knull.

Maryland: Odenton, W. L. McAtee; Bladensburg,

Hubbard and Schwarz. Washington, D.C. North Carolina: Holly Shelter, H. and A. Howden; 9 miles north

of Wilmington, on turkey oak, D. H. Blake; Bell Island

road, on oak, D. H. Blake. South Carolina: Eureka,

W. J. Brown; Jackson, W. Tarpler; Beaufort; Bethune,

J. A. Watts. Georgia: Swainsboro, P. W. Fattig. Florida: Four miles west of Archer, H. F. Howden; High

Springs, Howden and Dozier; 8 miles southeast of

Interlachen, H. F. Howden; Jacksonville, Ashmead,

H. W. Wenzel; Haulover, Hubbard and Schwarz;

Port Orange; Dunedin. Alabama: Mobile, H. and A.

Howden; 6 miles southwest of Stapleton, H. and A.

Howden; Floral, L. G. Henderson; Texas: Peabody,

collector.

REMARKS.—Although LeConte in his description of

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

the genus wrote that "the species which I desire to

restrict the name Metachroma are those congeneric

with Colas pis quercata Fabricius, the first species

mentioned in Dejean's Catalogue," he described a

large female (approximately 4 mm in length) of this

species from Fredericksburg, Texas (Haldeman collector), as Metachroma puncticolle. This specimen has

a dark prothorax and a dark area about the suture

below the scutellum extending a little below the middle

of the elytra. Following this type-specimen in LeConte's collection is a second one fully as large and

then three smaller ones, all of them entirely piceous,

one with a pink disc label (Middle States) and three

with orange labels (Southern States). All of them have

the typical strigose punctate pronotum of Metachroma

quercatum, the unique feature of this species. Probably this arrangement in the collection was made by

Crotch, because he recognized LeConte's puncticolle

as the Fabrician species and synonymized it with quercatum. Horn, on the other hand, believed that Crotch

had "incorrectly suppressed puncticolle" A study of a

large series of specimens of this variably marked species

shows that Crotch was right. Fabricius himself described two color forms, one with the elytra having a

rufous spot on the humerus and another posteriorly,

the second form being entirely dark.

Blatchley has described as M. strigicolle two specimens from Dunedin, Florida. I have examined one of

these specimens, and it is entirely reddish brown, a

pale form of quercatum. Blatchley's claims that the

elytral punctation is more distinct in these two specimens than in M. quercatum and that the elytra are not

alutaceous are not substantiated in a large series of

M. quercatum in which there is considerable variation

in the distinctness of the punctation and degree of alutaceous surface, as well as in size and coloration. In

short, M. quercatum, like so many other species of

Metachroma, shows great variability in size, color,

and punctation.

Crotch, following LeConte's lead, has designated M.

quercatum as the genotype.

Metachroma pellucidum Crotch

FIGURE 16

Metachroma pellucidum Crotch, 1873, p. 43.—Horn, 1892,

pp. 218, 219.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 3.5 mm in length,

ovate, shining, yellow brown usually with deeper red-
NUMBER 5 7 13

dish brown head and prothorax, the latter often

vaguely marked with deeper brown area on each side

and finely and rather sparsely punctate; elytra unusually convex, with scarcely a trace of intrahumeral

sulcus, striate punctures fine, not impressed and fading

out over basal callosity, sides, and at apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, obsoletely and finely punctate over

occiput, front often impunctate with a median line on

vertex and transverse sulcus dividing front from clypeus, sometimes clypeus nearly impunctate but usually

with a few coarser punctures, lower margin over

labrum nearly straight, shining reddish brown over

occiput, paler down front. Antennae extending below

humeri, pale. Prothorax about a third wider than long,

not as wide as elytra, with only slightly rounded sides

and conspicuous tooth at each angle, shining, deep reddish brown often with deeper brown areas on each

side, and with fine, not dense punctures especially on

sides, intermediate median line often impunctate.

Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra approximately three

times as long as prothorax, convex with only trace of

intrahumeral depression or depression below, striate

punctures not deeply impressed or very dense and becoming faint over basal callosity, along sides, and after

the middle, side rows only half as long as usual; shining

pale yellowish brown with sutural edges often reddish

brown. Body beneath with prosternum and area about

coxae usually reddish brown, abdomen paler yellowbrown, apex of femora usually deeper brown, femora

not toothed, claws with long tooth. Length, 3.4-3.8

mm; width, 1.8-2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in LeConte collection, MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—North Carolina.

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Massachusetts; Wellfleet,

Wickham, New York: Riverhead, V. M. Kirk. New

Jersey: Buena, Wickham; Liebeck. Maryland: Bladensburg, Hubbard and Schwarz. Washington, D.C.-

Virginia: Bancroft, J. C. Bridwell; Pennington Gap,

Hubbard and Schwarz. North Carolina: Durham;

Raleigh, H. A. Howden; Southern Pines, A. H. Manet,

H. and A. Howden; Fort Bragg, Wilson. South Carolina: Clemson, O. L. Cartwright; Aiken, H. F. Howden. Georgia: Atlanta, P. W. Fattig; Wrens, L. D.

Tuthill. Alabama: Decatur, J. D. Beamer. Louisiana:

Caney Lake, near Minden, P. J. Spangler; Covington,

H. Soltau. Texas: Columbus, Hubbard and Schwarz.

REMARKS.—This is another species described by

Crotch that bears the Zimmermann manuscript name.

382-478 O—70 2

In the LeConte collection there is a second specimen,

following the type, that probably is the same species,

but the others that follow probably are not. Metachroma pellucidum is more ovate and convex than the

other small yellow-brown species in the southeastern

United States such as M. testaceum, M. anaemicum,

and M. marginale. Apparently there is little variation

in its coloring. It can be distinguished by the convex

shape of the elytra, without a conspicuous intrahumeral sulcus, by the fine punctation on the pronotum, and by the very fine elytral punctation that

fades away at the sides and apex.

Metachroma texanum Schaeffer

FIGURE 17

Metachroma texanum Schaeffer, 1919, p. 327.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.5 and 4.0 mm in length,

ovate, shining yellow-brown with prothorax, scutellum,

and usually sutural edges deep reddish brown; prothorax densely and finely punctate, elytra without depressions and with straight rows of punctures distinct

to apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, yellow-brown with piceous jaws, occiput

and front obsoletely and faintly punctate, a faint

median line, no transverse sulcus separating clypeus,

which has more distinct punctures and is alutaceous,

anterior margin of clypeus only slightly emarginate, in

some specimens straight over labrum. Antennae pale.

Prothorax about a third wider than long, and nearly

as wide as elytra, moderately convex with rounded

sides and the usual tooth at each angle, deep dark

reddish brown, densely but not coarsely punctate.

Scutellum dark reddish brown. Elytra slightly more

than twice as long as prothorax, convex, surface without depressions except a faint short intrahumeral

sulcus, smooth, shining, and tapering at apex; pale

yellowish brown, usually with reddish brown sutural

edges; striate punctures not too closely set and in

straight rows, visible to apex. Body beneath deep reddish brown to piceous, with tip of abdomen often paler.

Legs pale, sometimes apex of femora darker. Claws

with short basal tooth. Length, 3.5-3.8 mm; width,

1.8-2 mm.

TYPE.—In USNM, with six paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Esperanza Ranch, Brownsville,

Texas.
14

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Texas: Brownsville, R. H.

Beamer; Macdona, H. W. Wenzel; Cameron County,

H. W. Crowder, L. D. Beamer; Port Isabel, on ragweed; Seabrook, H. W. Wenzel; Katherine; Loma;

Galveston, Bryant, Becker; Boca Chica, H. F. Howden;

Wilder Wildlife Refuge. Alabama: Mobile, H. P. Loding. Louisiana: Cameron, J. S. Hine, B. T. McDermott. Florida: Tampa, R. H. Beamer; Key Largo,

R. H. Beamer.

REMARKS.—The ovate shape, the large dark prothorax that is almost as wide as the elytra and nearly

half as long, and the tapering elytra without depressions and with straight rows of punctures make this

species easily recognizable. There appear to be no color

variations.

Metachroma floridanum Crotch

FIGURE 19

Metachroma floridanum Crotch, 1873, p. 43.—Horn, 1892,

p. 219.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.4 and 5.3 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, not very shiny, pronotum dull

alutaceous and very finely punctate, elytra not quite

so dull, entirely pale yellow-brown except deeper

brown jaws; elytral striate punctation fine, closely set,

but not deeply impressed and often disappearing before

apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, a well-marked transverse sulcus dividing front from clypeus and a median depressed line on

front, finely punctate, alutaceous, pale yellow except

reddish brown jaws. Antennae pale, extending below

humeri. Prothorax not quite twice as broad as long,

not very convex, depressed over head, sides arcuate

with a tiny, inconspicuous tooth at each angle; surface

dull alutaceous with scattered, very fine punctures,

entirely pale yellow-brown. Scutellum pale, alutaceous.

Elytra more than three times as long as prothorax and

wider, very finely alutaceous, a little more shiny than

pronotum with only a trace of intrahumeral sulcus

and transverse depression below basal umbones; striate

punctures over base very fine and not impressed,

coarser below, but becoming fine and inconspicuous

towards apex. Body beneath and legs entirely pale,

femora not toothed, claws with long tooth. Length,

4.4-5.3 mm; width, 2-2.6 mm.

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

TYpE.—in Le Conte collection, MCZ, with two

other specimens from Capron, Florida.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—St. John's Bluff, East Florida

(Doubleday, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Florida: Capron; Miami,

M. W. Sanderson; South Miami, on lettuce leaf; Palm

Beach, on Pithecolobrium seedpod; West Palm Beach,

J. E. Porter; Cocoanut Grove, on avocado leaf;

Palmetto, on crotalaria pods; Stuart, Bryant; Haulover, F. Knab; Jacksonville, F. Knab; Port Orange;

Fort Lauderdale, J. W. Green; St. Petersburg; Sanford,

E. S. Ross; New Smyrna, M. Wright. Georgia: Tybee

Island, H. A. Wenzel; St. Simons Island; South

Carolina: Mount Pleasant, on hibiscus; Hilton Head,

on sugar cane; Myrtle Beach; Awendam, on cotton,

V. M. Kirk; Pawley's Island, O. L. Cartwright. North

Carolina: Holden Beach. Arkansas: Hot Springs.

Tennessee: Lookout Mountain.

REMARKS.—The localities of Arkansas and Tennessee probably are incorrect, since all the other

records are for Florida and along the coast northward

on islands and beaches from Tybee Island, Georgia,

to Holden Beach, North Carolina, and I believe this

is the true range of the species. It is a readily recognizable beetle because there are no confusing color

variations, all the specimens being pale yellow-brown

with a distinctive dull alutaceous surface on the prothorax and, to a lesser degree, on the elvtra.

Metachroma anaemicum Fall

FIGURES 21, 23

Metachroma anaemicum Fall, 1927, p. 138.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 2.5 and 3.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, pale yellow-brown, prothorax

densely but finely punctate, elytra with striate punctures becoming faint in apical half.

Head with interocular space slightly more than half

width of head, rounded over occiput, almost impunctate, a median linear depression on vertex and a clearcut transverse sulcus dividing front from clypeus and

connected with orbital groove; punctures over occiput

very indistinct, more distinct and dense on clypeus, pale

yellow-brown with piceous jaws. Antennae pale, extending below humeri. Prothorax twice as wide as long

with rounded sides and not very convex, a little

depressed over head, densely and distinctly punctate
NUMBER 5 7 15

except along base; entirely pale yellow-brown. Scutellum pale. Elytra more than three times as long as

prothorax and wider, with well-marked humeri and

intrahumeral sulcus, distinct basal umbone and transverse groove below it; striate punctation distinct in

basal half but fading away in apical half; entirely pale

yellow-brown. Body beneath yellow brown. Femora

not toothed, claws with long tooth. Length, 2.5-3 mm;

width, 1.3-1.6 mm.

TYPE.—In Fall collection, MCZ, with other specimens from Enterprise, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, and

West Palm Beach, Florida, and one specimen from St.

Simons Island, Georgia.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—West Palm Beach, Florida.

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Florida: Daytona Beach, G. T.

Riegel; Chiefland, on Quercus virginiana, Stannard;

Coronado, D. M. Castle; St. Augustine; Crescent City,

Hubbard and Schwarz; Bartow, Hubbard and

Schwarz; Hudson, P. B. Lawson; Lake Placid,

E. Todd; Indian River; Fort Capron; Jacksonville,

Ashmead; Branford, L. D. Tuthill; Inverness, R. H.

Beamer; Wakullah, P. B. Lawson; Sanford, R. H.

Beamer; Old Town, P B. Lawson; Tampa, Hubbard

and Schwarz; Enterprise; Jupiter, H. W. Wenzel;

Georgia: Okefenokee Swamp, F. W. Fattig; Tybee,

H. W. Wenzel.

REMARKS.—For some reason, Crotch did not

describe a specimen of this species that he got from

the Zimmermann collection and that now is in the

LeConte collection. Fall, in describing the species for

the first time, refers to this specimen and the Zimmermann manuscript name but named the species

anaemicum; I have found the Zimmermann manuscript name in old collections that have been identified from this specimen.

This species is closely related to M. testaceum

Blatchley, another species from Key West and Cuba,

but M. anaemicum is paler yellow and has fainter

elytral punctures. In M. testaceum the transverse

sulcus across the front of the face is more distinct, the

integument appears thicker and less transparent, and

the punctation is much stronger. The aedeagi are

similar, but in M. testaceum there are widely separated

side arms at the apex. Metachroma anaemicum is

found throughout Florida and even into southern

Georgia, whereas M. testaceum is found only on the

Keys and at the tip of the Florida peninsula.

Metachroma viticola Linell

FIGURE 22

Metachroma viticola Linell, 1898, p. 4&1.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.0 and 5.8 mm in length,

oblong oval, lustrous; head, elytra, legs, and antennae

usually yellow-brown; prothorax convex, deep reddish

brown, minutely punctate; body beneath varying from

yellow-brown to piceous; elytra convex and without

depressions, striate punctures in straight lines, visible

to apex although finer in apical half.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, occiput minutely punctate with a faint

median depression on vertex, no transverse sulcus

dividing front from clypeus, clypeus wide and deeply

emarginate anteriorly over labrum, alutaceous with

fine, sparse punctures, jaws piceous. Antennae extending below humeri, slender, yellow-brown with deeper

brown outer joints. Prothorax about a third wider

than long, strongly convex with arcuate sides, a very

small tooth at each angle, disc lustrous deep reddish

brown, minutely punctate. Scutellum reddish brown.

Elytra more than twice as long as prothorax and not

much wider, smoothly convex, without depressions,

only a faint intrahumeral sulcus, striate punctures

rather coarse and not dense, finer towards apex and

visible throughout, on sides short rows somewhat confused between regular rows; yellowish or even deep

reddish brown, often in paler specimens sutural edges

deep reddish brown, very shiny, Body beneath shining,

with few punctures, varying from yellow-brown to

piceous, legs pale, femora not toothed. Claws with long

tooth. Length 4-5.8 mm; width, 2.4-2.9 mm.

TYPE.—USNM 1294, with four paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Brighton, Texas (on grape,

June 27, 1895, J. Taylor, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Texas: Cameron County, J. G.

Shaw; Galveston, F. H. Snow; O. Bryant; Aransas,

P. Monarda; Port Aransas, H. and A. Howden; Boca

Chica, 25 miles east of Brownsville, H. and A. Howden;

Tarpon Beach, Padre Island. Louisiana: Cameron.

Mexico: 16 miles south of Tecolutla, Vera Cruz, University of Kansas Mexican Expedition.

REMARKS.—This is very close to M. convexum, a

species that Jacoby described from Nicaragua. Linell

described M. viticola from Texas, and, except for three

specimens from Cameron, Louisiana, I have seen no

others outside of Texas in the United States. Schwarz

identified the three Louisiana specimens as M. ustum
16

LeConte, probably because they were so much larger

than the Linell types from Texas and were a deeper

reddish brown. The ovate, convex shape with the resulting absence of any elytral depression is the distinguishing character of this species as well as of M. convexum Jacoby. The latter species has a dark median

spot on the occiput and sometimes a spot or vitta on

each elytron, which is lacking in M. viticola. Otherwise,

the two species appear much the same, even to the

aedeagus. One specimen of M. viticola has been taken

in Vera Cruz, Mexico.

Metachroma angustulum Crotch

FIGURES 24, 25

Metachroma angustulum Crotch, 1873, p. 41.—Horn, 1892,

p. 216 (in part).—Wilcox, 1953, p. 57.

Metachroma parallelum Horn, 1892, p. 216.

DESCRIPTION.—From 5.0 to 7.0 in length, elongate

oblong oval, shining, prothorax rather flat with fine

and not-dense punctures; elytra with fine, dense, and

somewhat irregular striate punctures between which,

especially on sides, intervals tend to be costate, punctation on sides dense and confused, coloring variable,

head, antennae,, and legs usually yellow-brown; antennae unusually long, with outer joints often dark and

considerably thicker in male; prothorax and elytra

varying in color from pale to piceous, the latter often

with a wide lateral dark vitta.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

finely and not densely punctate on front but more

densely and coarsely on clypeus which appears depressed between swollen inner side of antennal sockets,

anterior margin of clypeus straight over labrum, a short

median depression on front but no transverse sulcus;

head occasionally entirely pale but in some dark specimens clypeus dark. Jaws unusually small. Antennae

extending nearly to middle of elytra, with apical joints

widening in male and often darker. Prothorax about a

third wider than long and not as wide as elytra; flat

and often with a small oblique depression on either side

in basal half; sides rounded, surface shining, finely

and not densely punctate, color varying from pale

to piceous, toothing at angles not conspicuous. Scutellum pale or piceous. Elytra more than three times as

long as prothorax, elongate, with prominent humeri

and deep intrahumeral sulcus, striate punctures fine,

dense, and somewhat irregular, with confused punctures about scutellum and many confused small puncSMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

tures on sides; intervals tending to be costate; color

varying from entirely pale yellow-brown to pale yellowbrown with a dark lateral vitta of varying width, to

being entirely piceous. Body beneath also varying in

color but prosternum and metasternum usually darker

than abdomen; legs usually pale, femora sometimes

dark; femora not toothed, claws with long tooth.

Length, 4.8-7.0 mm; width, 2.0-3.2 mm.

TYPE.—M. angustulum, in LeConte collection,

MCZ; of M. parallelum, in Horn collection, PAS.

TYPE-LOCALITIES.—"Mo." (angustulum) ; Montana

(parallelum).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Pennsylvania: Erie. Ohio:

Sandusky; Cedar Point; Erie County. Indiana: Terre

Haute, Clark, A. B. Wolcott. Illinois: Lake Superior;

southeast of Beaverville, on willow, M. W. Sanderson;

Meredosia, M. W. Sanderson; Keithsbury, on evening

primrose, St. Anne, M. W. Sanderson; Bath, on willow,

M. W. Sanderson. Oquawka, Henderson County, on

pepper plants, Joe Vandemark; Beardstown, M. W.

Sanderson; Mason State Forest, Mason County,

F. M. Campbell. Indiana: Tippicanoe County, N. M.

Downie, on willow and poplar; Dunes State Park,

N. M. Downie. Michigan: Warren Dunes, N. M.

Downie. Wisconsin: Princeton, on apple foliage, L. G.

Gentner. Minnesota: Fort Snelling. Iowa: Cedar

Rapids; Council Cliffs, on milkweed, F. H. Shoemaker;

Iowa City, Wickham. Nebraska: Dawson County;

West Fort; Forest Reserve, Halsey, F. H. Shoemaker.

Kansas: Garden City, Clark County, at 1,962 feet,

F. H. Snow; Medora, W. Knauss, W. Benedict; Jewel

County, H. Deny. Montana: Hubbard and Schwarz.

Ontario: Mount Pelee, on willow, W. J. Brown; Normandale, W. J. Brown, G. S. Walley.

REMARKS.—Although Crotch described under

M. angustulum four color varieties. Horn believed that

Crotch had confused two species and described a

piceous specimen as M. parallelum. Crotch's typespecimen has black elytra and a pale prothorax. John

Wilcox has refuted Horn's notion and synonymized

parallelum with angustulum. In short, this is another

species of Metachroma that shows the usual wide variation in color. The species may be recognized by its

elongate shape, flat prothorax, and unusually long

thick antennae in the male.

John Wilcox has noted a certain color dimorphism

in the sexes. Unlike M. interruptum (Say), the other

species known to have this characteristic, in this species

the male is usually dark (parallelum) and the female
NUMBER 5 7 17

pale (angustulum). There are, however, rare exceptions in which the male also may be pale.

Metachrotna maculipennis Schwarz

FIGURE 26

Metachroma maculipennis Schwarz, 1878, p. 366.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.5 and 4.5 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, convex, shining, head often with

a median dark spot on occiput, prothorax deep reddish brown, in paler specimens with a vague, deep

brown, M-shaped marking, elytra not so reddish, usually a yellowish brown with two or three piceous spots

on each elytron and dark sutural edges, striate punctures not so pronounced over basal umbones and fading at apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, occiput and front alutaceous and rather

obsoletely punctate, a deep transverse groove separating front from clypeus, latter densely and coarsely

punctate; occiput frequently dark with a median dark

plaga down front, jaws piceous. Antennae extending

below humeri, apical joints tending to be darker. Prothorax about a third wider than long, moderately convex with widely rounded sides and tooth at each angle

with the anterior ones longer, deeper reddish brown

than elytra, often with a darker M-shaped marking;

surface shining, moderately densely and coarsely punctate, sometimes with a smooth median area. Scutellum

dark reddish brown. Elytra less than three times as

long as prothorax and not much wider, convex, with

only short intrahumeral sulcus and no transverse depression or apparent basal umbones, striate punctures

regular but not so pronounced over apical half; yellowish or reddish brown with dark sutural edges and

three small piceous spots on each elytron—one before,

one after the middle, and a third near margin below

humerus, in paler specimens one or all spots may be

lacking. Body beneath usually with dark prosternum

and metasternum, abdomen pale reddish or yellowish

brown. Legs pale. Femora not toothed, claws with long

basal tooth. Length, 3.8-4.7 mm; width, 2.2-2.5 mm.

TYPE.—In USNM with seven paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Enterprise, Florida (on oak).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Florida: LaBelle, P. B. Lawson; Sebastian, Hubbard and Schwarz; Royal Palm

Hammock, State Park, W. R. Mason; St. Lucie, Hubbard and Schwarz; Barlow, Hubbard and Schwarz;

Hernando County, O. C. Tigner; Hilliard, F. G.

Weyansk; Enterprise; Miami. Georgia: Okeefenokee

Swamp, Hardy, R. H. Beamer; Tybee Island, D. M.

Castle, H. A. Wenzel.

REMARKS.—This is a short, broad species with a

wide and densely punctate pronotum and very convex

elytra. There is little variation in coloring although in

pale specimens some or occasionally all of the elytral

spots may be missing. The squat shape and rather

coarse and dense pronotal punctation readily identify

this small beetle.

Metachroma testaceum Blatchley

FIGURES 28, 30

Metachroma testacea Blatchley, 1920, p. 70.

DESCRIPTION.—From 2.3 to 3.3 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, head and prothorax reddish

brown, elytra usually paler yellowish brown, sides of

prothorax widely rounded, surface finely and densely

punctate, elytra with striate punctures moderately

dense and deep, distinct throughout, aedeagus with

apex widely parted in two prongs.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, a faint transverse sulcus dividing clypeus from front and a short median depression on vertex, densely punctate, deep reddish brown with darker

jaws. Antennae extending below humeri, yellowish

brown. Prothorax shining reddish brown, approximately twice as wide as long, with widely rounded

sides, not very convex and depressed over head, densely

but not coarsely punctate. Scutellum reddish brown.

Elytra three times longer than prothorax and paler,

with regular rows of striate punctures becoming finer

at apex, a short intrahumeral sulcus and transverse

depression below basal callosities. Body beneath and

legs pale reddish brown or yellowish brown. Femora

not toothed, claws with long tooth. Length, 2.3-3.3

mm; width; 1.3-2 mm.

TYPE.—Of M. testaceum, in Blatchley collection,

Purdue University; of M. elachistum Blake, USNM

64670.

TYPE-LOCALITIES.—Key West, Florida (M. testaceum) ; shore near Havana, Cuba (M. elachistum).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Florida: Key West, Hubbard

and Schwarz; Wickham, R. H. Beamer; Ramrod Key,

on guava flowers; Key Largo, R. H. Beamer; Marathon, H. S. Barber. Biscayne, Hubbard and Schwarz.
18

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

Cuba: Cayamas, Schwarz, Mariano, F. de Zayas.

Eleuthera Island.

Metachroma testaceum elachistum Blake, new status

Metachroma elachistum Blake, 1960, p. 97.

REMARKS.—In the USNM collection are specimens

from Cayamas, Cuba, determined by Schwarz as M.

puncticollis Suffrian (changed by Clavareau, Junk's

catalog, 1914, to cubaecola). Suffrian's description,

however, does not apply in several regards, and until

someone can compare with Suffrian's type, I believe

Blatchley's name should stand. These Cuban and Eleutheran specimens are noticeably smaller and deeper

reddish brown in coloring than the ones from the mainland. In this difference in size the subspecies is like

M. terminale Horn (1892), a species which also occurs

on the tip of Florida, on the Keys, and in Cuba, and

specimens from Cuba that were named by Suffrian

(1868) as M. adustum. I believe the island form is

subspecific, so am retaining the name elachistum as a

subspecies.

Metachroma magnipunctatum, new species

FIGURE 27

DESCRIPTION.—Between 5.0 and 5.5 mm. in length,

elongate oblong oval, head, prothorax, body beneath,

apex of femora, and often tibiae dark reddish brown,

almost piceous, a dark marking from humerus to middle of elytra and another spot below middle; prothorax

rather flat; dense, coarse punctures on head, pronotum, and elytra.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, coarsely and rugosely punctate throughout with scarcely a trace of transverse sulcus or median

linear depression, deep reddish brown, almost piceous.

Anterior margin of clypeus with very small emargination over labrum. Antennae long and slender with five

apical joints dark. Prothorax approximately a third

wider than long with rounded sides, not very convex,

rather flat, surface densely and in one of the two specimens rugosely punctate; deep dark brown. Scutellum

dark. Elytra about three times as long as prothorax

and only a little wider, densely and coarsely striate

punctate, punctures distinct to apex, deep-set so that

intervals in basal half and along sides are somewhat

costate; a transverse depression below basal callosities;

surface shining yellow-brown with deep brown to piceous marking on humerus extending diagonally to a

large median spot, another median spot in apical half

and a slight submarginal spotting below humerus. Body

beneath dark brown, femora with apices dark, tibiae

tending to be dark and tarsi in one specimen also dark.

Femora not toothed, rather hairy, claws with long

basal tooth. Length, 5.0-5.5 mm; width, 2.3-2.4 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in Frey Museum. Paratype, female,

in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Kentucky.

REMARKS.—Bechyne has identified this beetle as

M. interruptum (Say), probably because of the elytral

markings, which somewhat resemble those of that

species. That color pattern, however, is found in a

number of species of the genus. This new species has

a proportionately larger prothorax than has M. interruptum, and the entire beetle is much more coarsely

punctate. There is no toothing of the femora, and the

aedeagus is different. This species is characterized by

the strong and numerous punctures, especially on the

sides and apex of the elytra. There are no other specimens like these two from the Frey Museum in any collection that I have examined in the United States. In

this pair, a male and female, the markings are alike.

Metachroma interruptum (Say)

FIGURES 29, 31, 32

Colaspis interruptus Say, 1823, p. 448.

Metachroma interruptum Crotch, 1873, p. 42.—Horn, 1892,

pp 211,216.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.4 and 6.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, prothorax not very convex and

rather finely punctate on sides with a median impunctate area, usually female with darker markings

than male, with a large piceous spot on each side of

pronotum which in male is either lacking or reduced,

on elytra in female a vitta from humerus to middle,

also a short vitta below the middle, in male elytra

often without markings, suture and margin more or

less dark in female; striate punctures regular, fading

at apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, coarsely and densely punctate, with

clypeus even more coarsely and densely punctate, anterior margin of clypeus broad and nearly straight over

labrum, no transverse sulcus separating front from

clypeus, a small depression in middle of front; yellowbrown with piceous jaws. Antennae extending below
NUMBER 5 7

humeri, in darker specimens yellow-brown with dark

apical joints. Prothorax not twice as broad as long, not

very convex, with well-rounded sides and small tooth

at each angle, rather finely punctate on the sides, usually with a median impunctate area. In female a large

brown spot on either side, sometimes entire surface

dark; in male only faint brownish traces of this darker

area. Scutellum varying from pale to piceous. Elytra

three times as long as prothorax, with regular, closeset, striate punctures somewhat impressed, so intervals

in basal half appear slightly costate, on sides punctures

often dense and confused, usually a row along side

extending up on inner side of humerus, fading at apex;

surface yellow-brown, in male, often without any dark

markings, in female, with deep reddish brown or

piceous vittate markings or spots, sometimes all but

apex and sides dark, suture and margin always dark.

Body beneath varying from pale in male to piceous in

dark females; femora with minute tooth, claws with

long tooth. Length, 4.4-6.0 mm; width, 2.2-3.2 mm.

TYPE.—Whereabouts unknown. Most of Say's collection is lost.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"Inhabits Arkansa, near the

Rocky Mts."

OTHER LOCALITIES. Georgia: Thomasville, P. W.

Fattig. Florida: Suwanee Springs, R. H. Beamer.

Texas: Presidio, Peale, L. W. Hepner. Louisiana:

Shreveport, on pecan, B. G. Sitton. Illinois: E. Dubuque, M. W. Sanderson. Indiana: Tippicanoe

County, on poplar, N. M. Downie. Kansas: Cheyenne

County, at 3,300 feet, F. X. Williams; Medora, D. R.

Lindsay, W. Benedict. Wyoming: 40 miles north of

Lusk.

REMARKS.—Apparently this species is more or less

dimorphic in its coloring, the male often being entirely

pale without dark markings, the female usually with

dark spots on pronotum and interrupted vittae on the

elytra. In a series from Shreveport, Louisiana, 48 females have dark markings and 23 males either have

very faint markings or are entirely pale. Sometimes in

the female the dark markings lead to the pronotum

being entirely dark, and the elytra also may be piceous

except perhaps at the apex, as in M. adustum terminate Horn. In distinguishing these dark females from

such species as M. suturalc LeConte the characters to

look for are the rather flat prothorax and long elytra.

There is one other peculiarity to be noted in the lateral

striae—one row runs up on the inner side of the

humerus. This characteristic is not unique to this spe19

cies, as it also is found in M. angustulum Crotch and in

M. longipennis, described herein. All three species have

unusually long elytra.

Metachroma ustutn LeConte

FIGURES 33, 34, 36

Metachroma ustum LeConte, 1858, p. 85.—Crotch, 1873,

p. 41.—Horn, 1892, p. 214.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.8 and 7.0 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, lustrous yellow-brown, head and

prothorax and often body beneath deep reddish brown,

sometimes in darker specimens a dark reddish brown

area varying in width along suture; pronotum polished, often nearly impunctate, elytral striae becoming

faint at apex, femora toothed.

Head with interocular space about half width of

head, shining yellowish or reddish brown, obsoletely

punctate on front, more distinctly and coarsely punctate on clypeus which is alutaceous, without transverse

sulcus between it and front, anterior margin widely

emarginate over labrum; usually a median linear depression on front, jaws dark. Antennae slender, extending below humeri, pale in most specimens but those

with elytral darkening often have deeper brown outer

joints. Prothorax broad and strongly convex with

widely rounded sides and well-developed tooth at each

angle; lustrous dark reddish brown, in type-specimen

distinctly punctate, but usually appearing nearly impunctate or only very finely punctate. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra not three times as long as prothorax,

usually paler yellowish brown, in darker specimens

with sutural edges and sometimes area half as wide

as elytra deeper brown, nearly piceous sometimes, this

dark area not extending to apex in any specimens examined; a faint intrahumeral depression and faint

transverse depression below basal callosities; striate

punctures somewhat variable in size, often very small

over base, becoming coarser in transverse depression

and indistinct towards apex, well defined along sides.

Body beneath reddish brown, often deeper at apex of

femora and base of tibiae, femora toothed. Claws with

long tooth. Length, 4.8-7.0 mm; width, 2.5-3.5 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"Sonora. Webb."

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Texas: Rockport, J. G. Shaw;

Columbus, Hubbard and Schwarz, Fenyes; "Texas,"

J. B. Smith, M. L. Linell; Esperanza Ranch, Brownsville, Charles Schaeffer, T. N. Knull; Hearne, E. L.
2 0 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

Deven; Victoria, J. D. Mitchell; Corsicana, H. Soltau; mens of Metachroma. Some specimens of M. ustum

Trinity, on cotton, F. C. Bishop; Canadian, W. M. from Hidalgo, Texas, are fully as large as specimens

Mann; Palestine, R. C. Howell; Giddings, on cotton, labeled M. variabile Jacoby from Zapote, Guatemala,

E. S. Tucker; Kerrville, F. C. Pratt; Hidalgo County, and M. regulare Jacoby from Playa Vicente, Mexico.

J. N. and D. J. Knull; Robstown, on string beans; In fact, I strongly suspect that they may all be LeWilder Wildlife Refuge, near Sinton, H. F. Howden. Conte's species, later described by Jacoby under the

Florida: Big Pine Key, on sawgrass. above names. There is, as Jacoby implied in his name

REMARKS.—In the LeConte collection are two speci- variabile, great variability in size as well as coloring

mens—one bearing the type label and "Webb," and in this group. In the Texas specimens is a series from

one without a locality label. Also, there are two other Robstown in which the elytra have a darker reddish

specimens, from Columbus, Texas, that probably are brown area, some specimens with only dark sutural

from the same series (in USNM) as collected by Hub- edges, and others with a broader area extending to the

bard and Schwarz. The type-specimen has a distinctly middle of the elytra but not downward to the apex,

punctate prothorax, whereas in most specimens the Jacoby (in Biologia Centrali Americana) has illussurface is so polished as to appear nearly impunctate. trated a similar sort of dark coloring in his figure of

This species belongs to a group that extends from the specimen of M. variable from Zapote.

Texas, through Mexico, into Guatemala and Honduras I have not seen any specimens of M. ustum from

and that is composed of the biggest and broadest speci- north or west of Texas.

Key to Species Found from Western Texas to Rocky Mountains and California

1. Small, 3 mm or less in length. (Montana) M. montanense, new species

Larger 2

2. Claws simple 3

Claws with basal tooth 4

3. Elytra with punctures impressed and intervals somewhat costate, usually with 2-4 spots.

(Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada) M. longulum Horn

Elytra with striate punctures not impressed nor intervals costate and without spots or dark

markings. (Idaho to Lower California) M. immaculatum, new species

4. Elytra in female with strong costae. (Southern California, Mexico) M. coronadensc Fall

Elytra only moderately or not at all costate 5

5. Elytra moderately costate 6

Elytra not at all costate 9

6. Elytra with large dark markings in apical half. (Kern County, California)

At. nigrosignatum, new species

Elytra without dark markings in apical half 7

7. Aedeagus broad but narrowing rather abruptly near apex into a narrow tip; claw with short

basal tooth. (Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico) M. bridwelli, new species

Aedeagus narrowing gradually to a narrow tip; claw with a short basal tooth. (California,

Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas) M. californicum Crotch

Aedeagus broad at end with a small median tip; claw with a long tooth. (California, Arizona,

New Mexico) M. occidentale, new species

9. Prothorax usually with four spots; aedeagus broadly rounded at tip. (Mexico, southern

Arizona) M. quadrimaculatum Jacoby

Prothorax without spots, aedeagus either broad with median tip or gradually narrowed to

apex 10

10. Aedeagus broad at apex, not narrowed gradually 11

Aedeagus narrowed gradually at apex 12

11. Elytra three times as long as prothorax, yellowish or reddish brown, lateral stria extending up

on inner side of humerus. (Mountains of southern Arizona). . M. longipennis, new species

Elytra not three times as long as prothorax, either entirely piceous or reddish brown with

piceous sutural darkening of varying width, lateral stria not extending up on inner side of

humerus. (Texas west to New Mexico and Arizona) M. suturale LeConte

12. Striate punctures distinct to apex. (Southern California, Mexico) M. coronadense Fall

Striate punctures not distinct to apex 13
NUMBER 5 7

13. Claws with basal tooth moderately long. (West Texas) M. presidiense, new species

Claws with minute basal tooth 14

14. Prothorax densely and rather coarsely punctate. (Idaho) M. sandersoni, new species

Prothorax not coarsely punctate 15

15. Interocular space more than half width of head, elytra not quite three times as long as

prothorax, aedeagus narrowing to a point. (Utah) M. utahense, new species

Interocular space half width of head, elytra a little more than twice as long as prothorax,

aedeagus broad with short narrowing to apex. (Northern California)

M. septentrionale, new species

21

Metachroma suturale LeConte

FIGURES 55, 56

Metachroma suturale LeConte, 1858, p. 85.

Metachroma dubiosum Crotch (not Say), 1873, p. 41.

Metachroma aterrimum Horn, 1892, pp. 214, 215.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.8 and 6.4 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, lustrous, varying in color from

yellow-brown with a dark elytral sutural vitta of varying width to deep reddish brown or piceous with the

sutural vitta in some specimens so wide as to cover

entire elytra, in these darker specimens prothorax also

dark (M. aterrimum Horn), pronotum with variable

degrees of punctation but never so lightly punctate as

in M. ustum LeConte. Femora toothed.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, no transverse sulcus dividing front

from clypeus, a short median depression on front,

occiput densely and coarsely punctate, less so on front,

clypeus also densely and coarsely punctate, with

anterior margin over labrum widely and shallowly

emarginate; shining, varying from deep reddish or

even piceous to dark piceous with two reddish brown

spots on front. Antennae extending below humeri,

usually yellowish or reddish brown, but in dark specimens outer joints dark. Prothorax not twice as wide as

long, convex, with widely curved sides, a tooth at each

angle, surface lustrous, punctation variable, from being

fine and sparse to dense and coarse, in color varying

from reddish brown to piceous. Scutellum dark. Elytra

more than twice as long as prothorax, lustrous, a slight

basal umbone with a transverse depression below;

striate punctation in basal half well developed but

after middle tending to fade out, color varying from

deep reddish brown with a dark sutural vitta or dark

sutural edges to entirely piceous. Body beneath also

varying from reddish brown to piceous, legs usually

yellowish brown but in some dark specimens also

entirely dark; apex of femora usually dark. Claws

with long basal tooth. Femora toothed. Length, 4.8-

6.4 mm; width, 2.5-3.3 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ. (Type of

M. aterrimum Horn in Horn collection, PAS.)

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"Texas, Mr. Haldeman." (Typelocality of M. aterrimum: "Occurs in New Mexico.")

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Texas: Valentine, R. H.

Beamer; The Basin, Big Bend National Park,

K. Roever; H. and A. Howden, Howden and Becker;

Green Valley, Brewster County, H. W. Wenzel;

Alpine, at 4,400-6,000 feet, Wickham; Round Mountain, H. W. Wenzel; Chisos Mountains, Triplehorn,

Knull; Davis Mountains, D. J. and J. N. Knull; Fort

Davis, Howden and Becker: 10 miles west of Fort

Davis, H. and A. Howden. New Mexico: Santa Fe,

Gisler. Arizona: Douglas, F. H. Snow; San Bernardino

Ranch, Cochise County, at 3,750 feet, F. H. Snow.

REMARKS.—In the LeConte collection Crotch has

put the label M. dubiosum on the type-specimen below

LeConte's label "M. suturale Lee. Hald." And in his

paper of 1873 Crotch synonymized M. suturale with

M. dubiosum (Say), a much smaller species from the

midwest, probably because the markings of LeConte's

suturale resemble those of some specimens of Say's

dubiosum (pallidum). Horn may have been confused

by this synonymyzing, as he writes in his description

of M. suturale that the "larger measurement is on the

authority of Dr. LeConte, as none in my cabinet are

of that size," and yet he has retained LeConte's name,

suturale. Furthermore, he has described the dark form

(in which the beetle is entirely piceous black) as

M. aterrimum, writing that "suturale" is of "shorter

form."

In reality, as LeConte wrote, M. suturale is closely

related to M. ustum LeConte, although "differing in

the arrangement of the colors." M. ustum in fact does

have forms with markings similar to typical suturale,

as occasionally there is a deeper brown sutural vitta

or area, although in its typical and usual coloring

it is an entirely yellowish or reddish brown beetle.

The thorax in suturale is usually more densely and

coarsely punctate than in ustum, in which the surface

is nearly impunctate in most specimens.
22 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

As for M. aterrimum Horn, a large series of specimens from the Chisos Mountains and Davis Mountains in western Texas leaves no doubt that M. suturale

and M. aterrimum are the same, the latter name being

applied to entirely dark beetles and the former to

those having only the sutural vitta dark. While

M. ustum extends from Texas southwards into Mexico,

M. suturale extends from western Texas westward

through New Mexico into Arizona, and the western

specimens are generally darker.

Metachroma californicum Crotch

FIGURES 40, 41

Metachroma californicum Crotch, 1873, p. 41.—Horn, 1892,

pp. 213-214.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.5 and 5.8 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining pale yellowish or reddish

brown, prothorax strongly and densely punctate, especially on sides, with deeper reddish brown areas on

each side; elytra usually paler yellowish or reddish

brown with moderately coarse, closely set, striate punctures rather deeply impressed, becoming less so at apex,

sutural edges often deeper reddish brown.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

finely and densely punctate throughout with clypeus

more coarsely punctate, a median frontal linear depression and sometimes a trace of transverse line between

front and clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus emarginate over labrum. Antennae pale. Prothorax not very

convex, about a third wider than long, with rounded

sides, a long tooth at anterior angle; surface strongly

and densely punctate with sometimes a median linear

impunctate area; yellow-brown with reddish brown

areas frequently on each side. Scutellum pale yellowbrown. Elytra usually paler than prothorax, nearly

three times as long as prothorax and very little wider;

striate punctures rather coarse, closely set and impressed

in basal half, producing a distinctly costate effect in

intervals; along side several straight rows of punctures

with some confused punctures between. Body beneath

and legs pale yellow brown; front and hind femora

minutely toothed; claw with tiny basal tooth. Length,

4.5-5.8 mm: width 2.5-3 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ, with two

paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—California (indicated by golden

disc on pin).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—California: San Ysidro, on

Pluchea serica; Imperial County, E. S. Ross, J. C. Bridwell; Blythe, E. P. Van Duzee, D. J. and J. N. Knull;

Holtville, E. S. Ross; Laguna Mountain, J. O. Martin;

Chino Canyon, Warwick Benedict. Arizona: S. Luis,

Yuma County, Van Dyke; Ehrenberg, P. C. Grassman;

Van Dyke, F. H. Parker; Cibola, Yumlo, R. Hopping;

Mesquite, C. C. Searl; Patagonia, J. W. Tilden;

Laguna Dam, Yuma County, Werner and Nutting.

Utah: Washington, D. J. and J. N. Knull.

REMARKS.—In addition to the type there are two

specimens in the LeConte Collection that bear the

gilt disc for California. All three are yellow-brown

beetles with reddish brown to piceous areas on each

side of the pronotum; and two specimens have darker

sutural edges than the type. In this species the prothorax is nearly as wide as the elytra, and there is

an unusually long tooth at the anterior edge of the

prothorax under the eye. On the elytra the rows of

striate punctures along the side are long and distinct

and between are many confused punctures. On the

disc the striae are deepset, producing a costate effect.

The aedeagus has a long, gradually narrowed tip.

This species occurs in southern California, in the

southern part of Utah, and throughout Arizona. It

appears also in New Mexico and even in the western

counties of Texas in El Paso and Presidio. At first I

believed the specimens from Ruidoso, New Mexico

(which, as the California specimens, also were collected on Pluchea serica), and from El Paso and

Presidio, Texas, to be a different species; they seemed

to have shorter elytra and a little shorter tip to the

aedeagus, but I have come to the conclusion that

these more eastern specimens represent a subspecies.

Metachroma californicum anatolicum, new subspecies

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70714, with two paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Near Ruidoso, New Mexico (23

September 1943, on Pluchea sericea J. M. Russell, collector) .

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Texas: El Paso, C. D. Duncan, C. P. Trotter; near Presidio, on Pluchea serica.

Metachroma presidiense, new species

FIGURE 35

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.0 and 6.0 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining yellow brown with some-
NUMBER 5 7 23

times a pale reddish brown area on each side of pronotum, pronotum finely and densely punctate, elytra

with fine, not-impressed striate punctures.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, finely punctate over occiput and front,

more coarsely punctate on clypeus, a faint trace of

transverse sulcus separating clypeus from front, anterior margin of clypeus widely curved over labrum, a

faint median line ending in a depression in middle of

front, pale yellow brown with piceous jaws. Prothorax about a third wider than long, nearly as wide

as elytra, not very convex with sides not very rounded,

sometimes almost straight, a small tooth at each angle,

densely and finely punctate, yellow-brown, often with

a slightly deeper yellow-brown area on each side.

Scutellum yellowish or pale reddish brown. Elytra not

quite three times as long as prothorax, narrow and

elongate, without depressions except for a short shallow intrahumeral sulcus, smooth, shining yellow brown,

sometimes with reddish brown sutural edges, striate

punctures fine and closely set, often a little irregular,

not at all impressed and becoming a little indistinct at

apex, very fine punctures in intervals. Body beneath

and legs pale yellow-brown, no tooth on femora, basal

claw tooth longer than in M. californicum. Length,

4.2-6 mm; width, 2-3 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70687; with 37 paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Near Presidio, Texas, 27 May

1945. (Also, specimens collected at same place, under

lights, 9 June 1940.)

REMARKS.—This species is narrower than M. californicum Crotch, which it resembles in size and coloring, and the elytral striae are finer and not so impressed. The tooth on the claw is longer and there is no

tooth on the femora; the pronotal tooth is not pronounced. So far, no color varieties are known. The

aedeagus, with its narrowly pointed tip, is unlike that

of any other species of Metachroma.

Metachroma occidentale, new species

FIGURE 42

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.5 and 5.2 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, yellowish brown with deeper reddish brown head and prothorax and sutural edges,

often a median dark spot on each elytron or even two

spots or a short vitta; elytra with striate punctures distinct to apex, prothorax rather coarsely and densely

punctate, femora not toothed.

Head with interocular space a little more than half

width of head, front occasionally nearly impunctate

but usually densely punctate, punctures never so

coarse as on clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus broad

and nearly straight over labrum, a faintly depressed

median line on front but no transverse sulcus separating clypeus, reddish brown to piceous jaws. Antennae

pale, slender, extending below humeri. Prothorax

broad and moderately convex with well-rounded sides

and tooth at each angle, anterior teeth long; surface lustrous reddish brown, sometimes with deeper

brown or piceous areas on each side, densely and moderately coarsely bu.t not confluently punctate, and often

with an impunctate median line. Scutellum and sutural

edges usually darker reddish brown. Elytra often with

a median reddish brown spot or (rarely) two spots, or

a short median vitta on each elytron; a faint transverse depression below intrahumeral sulcus; intervals

between striate punctures faintly costate, in many

specimens the lateral row of striate punctures extending up on inner side of humerus; punctures distinct to

apex. Body beneath varying from pale yellow-brown

to deep reddish brown; femora not toothed, claws with

inner tooth half length of claw. Length, 4.5-5.2 mm;

width, 2.2-2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70686.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Albuquerque, New Mexic o

(Wickham collection).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—New Mexico: Artesia, D. J.

and J. N. Knull; Mesilla, Coolidge, Hot Springs, R. H.

Beamer. Arizona: Tube City, R. P. Allen; Carrizo

Creek, Highway 60, Navajo County, J. W. Green;

Patagonia, E. S. Ross; Tucson, Bryant; Wilcox, Bryant, E. D. Ball; Yuma, C. D. Butler; Cochise, R. H.

Beamer; Wickenburg, Arnold; Douglas, F. H. Snow;

Bill Williams Fork, F. H. Snow. California: Needles,

Wickham; Coachilla, E. P. Van Duzee.

REMARKS.—This is one of three very similar species,

all from Arizona and Southern California. It is not

easy to distinguish these three species (M. occidentale,

M. californicum, and M. bridwelli, which hitherto

have all gone under the name of M. californicum) except by comparison of the aedeagi. M. californicum

and M. bridwelli both have toothed femora, but M. occidentale does not. And both M. californicum and

M. bridwelli have a tiny basal tooth on the claw, but

M. occidentale has the tooth half the length of the

claw. In both M. californicum and M. occidentale

there is a long tooth at the anterior angle of the pro-
24

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

thorax behind the eye, but this tooth is not so developed in M. bridwelli. Unlike the other two species,

M. occidentale has at times one or two dark median

spots or even a short vitta on each elytron. The prothorax is wider and usually more coarsely punctate.

The striate punctures are coarse and distinct to the

apex, and on the side the punctures of the lateral stria

creep up on the inner side of the humerus as in M.

angustulum. Aside from these small differences, all

these species are so much alike that only by examination of the aedeagi can one be really certain of their

determination. The aedeagus of M. occidentale is

similar to that of many of the usually large, broad

species of Metachroma of which M. ustum LeConte is

representative. There are only two other species from

the southwestern States that have a similar aedeagus—

one is M. suturale LeConte and the other is a new

species that I am describing as M. longipennis from

the mountains of southern Arizona.

Metachroma bridwelli, new species

FIGURES 37, 39

DESCRIPTION.—From 4.7 to 5.8 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, head and prothorax reddish

brown, antennae, elytra, legs and body beneath usually

pale yellowish brown, prothorax densely and not very

coarsely punctate, with vaguely defined darker areas,

elytra with striate punctures distinct to apex, femora

toothed, sometimes elytra with sutural edges of varying

width dark reddish brown.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, occiput and clypeus distinctly punctate,

front usually impunctate, often with a median, depressed line, sometimes a faint transverse line separating clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus with half circle

of emargination over labrum. Antennae slender, extending below humeri, pale. Prothorax about a third

wider than long, convex, with rounded sides and small

tooth at each angle, anterior ones longer; finely but

distinctly and densely punctate on sides, often with

a bare median line and fainter punctures along anterior margin; shining deep reddish brown with deeper

brown or piceous areas on each side. Scutellum usually

deep reddish brown. Elytra not quite three times as

long as prothorax and somewhat wider, paler yellow

brown, sometimes with sutural edges deeper brown;

striate punctures deeply set and distinct to apex with

intervals slightly costate, especially on sides. Body

beneath and legs usually yellow-brown, prosternum

usually deeper in color. Femora distinctly toothed,

claws with tiny basal tooth. Length, 4.7-5.8 mm;

width, 2.0-2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70689. Twenty paratypes in

USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Meloland, Imperial Valley, California (June 1912; J. C. Bridwell, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—California: Pasadena, Ralph

Hopping; Loma Linda, G. H. Nelson; Imperial

County, G. H. Field; Coachilla, E. P. Van Duzee.

Arizona: Phoenix, D. K. Duncan, H. W. Wenzel;

Tempe, L. J. Hogg, F. G. Werner. Gillespie Dam, Gila

Bend, at 1,000 feet, F. Werner, W. Nutting; Patagonia,

P. H. Johnson; Yuma, Arrizo and Tuttle. Nevada: Las

Vegas, D. J. and J. N. Knull. Mexico: Mexicale, on

zinnia; near San Jose Beach, 40 miles southwest of

Obregon, Sonora, Howdcn and Martin.

REMARKS.—This species so resembles M. californicum as to be nearly indistinguishable except by dissecting for the aedeagus. The prothorax in M. californicum is proportionately wider in many specimens. J. C.

Bridwell collected a large number of these beetles in

Meloland, California; many of these still remain unmounted, and there are specimens of M. californicum

among them. As for the range, this species so far has

been collected only in extreme southern California,

in Arizona, and in the southern part of Nevada. One

specimen has been collected in Sonora, Mexico (rather

far south, near Sinaloa), and the species may be an

essentially Mexican one.

Metachroma nigrosignatum, new species

FIGURE 46

DESCRIPTION.—From 4.0 to 5.0 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, shining, head and prothorax deep

reddish brown, the latter often piceous or with piceous

areas on each side, elytra yellow-brown with piceous

areas in apical half, sometimes almost covering elytra

except at base; punctation on prothorax dense and

deep but not coarse, usually with an impunctate

median area, on elytra striate punctures fine and

closely set, fading at apex but enlarged in transverse

depression, some costate ridging on sides, femora

toothed.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, strongly punctate throughout with clypeus more so and often rugose; no transverse sulcus
NUMBER 5 7 25

between front and clypeus, a median linear depression

on front; varying in color from reddish brown to piceous. Antennae slender, extending below humeri, pale

yellow-brown. Prothorax about a third wider than

long, not very convex, with rounded sides and a small

tooth at each angle, densely and deeply but not

coarsely punctate, often with a median impunctate

area; deep reddish brown with darker, often piceous

areas on each side, or entirely piceous. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra more than twice as long as prothorax and not much wider, elongate, with a transverse depression below basal umbone; rows of striate

punctures fine and closely set, coarser in transverse

depression and on sides, on sides somewhat confused

and with costate ridging; color variable, basal portion

more or less yellow-brown but apical half with piceous

markings variable in extent. Body beneath piceous, legs

yellow-brown, often with apex of femora dark-ringed,

all femora toothed, claws appear simple but there is

a very tiny inconspicuous tooth at base. Length, 4-5

mm; width, 1.7-2.3 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in CAS. Six paratypes in CAS; three

paratypes in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Poso Creek, Kern County, California (5 June 1929, E. P. Van Duzee, collector).

REMARKS.—Although the aedeagus resembles that

of M. calif ornicum Crotch, this species is more slender

and has a dark prothorax, dark markings on most of

the elytra, and dark undersurface. The tooth at the

anterior angle of the prothorax is not conspicuous as

in M. californicum.

Metachroma longipennis, new species

FIGURE 38

DESCRIPTION.—Between 5.4 and 6.0 mm in length,

narrowly elongate oblong oval, shining, prothorax

narrow and convex, about a third as long as elytra,

finely punctate, elytra elongate with fine striate punctures somewhat confused near base and becoming faint

at apex, head and prothorax reddish brown, elytra,

abdomen and legs yellowish brown.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

deep reddish brown with piceous jaws, shining, covered

with dense punctures that are coarser on clypeus, no

transverse sulcus between front and clypeus, clypeus

with anterior margin nearly straight over labrum.

Antennae slender, extending below humeri, yellowbrown. Prothorax about a third wider than long,

narrow and strongly convex, not as wide as elytra and

about third as long, with only slightly rounded sides

and a tooth at each angle, anterior teeth rather conspicuous; surface shining deep reddish brown, finely

and moderately densely punctate. Scutellum yellowish

or reddish brown. Elytra elongate with prominent

humeri and fine striate punctures that are sometimes

irregular about scutellum and intrahumeral sulcus and

become dense and confused on sides, one stria on side

continuing up on inner side of humerus as in

M. angustulum; punctures tend to fade away towards

apex. Body beneath with legs and abdomen yellowbrown, rest deeper brown. Length, 5.4-6.0 mm; width,

2.4-2.7 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in CAS. Nine paratypes in CAS; six

paratypes in USNM; eighteen paratypes in AMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Southwest Arizona, research station, 5 miles west of Portal, Chiricahua Mountains,

Cochise County, at 5,400 feet (15 June 1958, C. D.

MacNeill; 8 June 1958, W. J. and J. W. Gertsch;

25Mayl958,M.A.Cazier).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Arizona: Sierra Vista,

Huachuca Mountains, R. F. Sternitzky; Huachuca

Mountains, D. K. Duncan; Pinal Mountains, Gila

County, D. K. Duncan; Madera County, Santa Rita

Mountains, at 5,000 feet, F. G. Werner; South Fork

Camp, Cave Creek Canyon, Chiricahua Mountains,

Cochise County, at 5,500 feet.

REMARKS.—In its narrow elongate shape this

species resembles M. angustulum Crotch, but it has a

more convex prothorax with nearly straight sides. In

both species the elytral punctation is fine and rather

irregularly striate, and the lateral stria, as in M. angustulum, continues up the inner side of the humerus. I

have not seen any color variation such as is common

in M. angustulum in M. longipennis. So far, this

species has been collected only in the mountains of

southern Arizona from Gila County south to Cochise

County at an altitude of about 5,000 feet.

Metachroma longulum Horn

FIGURES 47, 49, 50, 51

Metachroma longulum Horn, 1892, p. 212.

Metachroma novemstriatum Schaeffer, 1919, p. 328.

Metachroma opacipenne Fall, 1927, p. 138.

DESCRIPTION.—From 3.4 to 4.7 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining, prothorax unusually

convex, deep reddish brown usually with darker areas
26 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

on each side, distinctly and densely punctate, elytra

somewhat paler yellowish or reddish brown usually

with from two to four reddish brown or piceous spots

sometimes coalescing to form a dark vitta or widening

to join suture, sutural edges often dark, striate punctures deeply impressed with somewhat costate intervals,

especially on sides.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, base of occiput punctate, front sometimes nearly smooth but often coarsely and densely

punctate, shining, front not separated from clypeus

by transverse groove, clypeus usually more densely

punctate, anterior margin with small emargination

over labrum; a faint median line down front; yellowish

or reddish brown with darker jaws. Antennae pale

yellow or reddish brown, extending below humeri.

Prothorax unusually convex, with slightly rounded

sides, about a third wider than long, shining deep

reddish brown, usually with darker brown or piceous

area on each side, densely and often coarsely punctate,

punctures on sides being denser and coarser and often

with a median impunctate line. Scutellum dark

reddish brown. Elytra a little more than twice as long

as prothorax and not much wider, shining, sometimes

without spots but usually paler than prothorax with,

on each elytron, two deep brown or piceous median

spots (one before and one after the middle) or sometimes only one spot, and occasionally in darker specimens spots coalesce to form a short median vitta and

sometimes a wide dark area covering most of elytra,

usually sutural edges dark. Striate punctures deeply

impressed in basal half and on sides, making intervals

appear costate. Body beneath reddish brown or piceous,

legs paler, hind femora with minute tooth; claws appear simple. Length, 3.4-4.7 mm; width, 1.5-2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Of longulum Horn in Horn collection,

PAS; of novemstriatum Schaeffer in USNM; of

opacipenne Fall in Fall collection, MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITIES.—Arizona (longulum Horn) ;

Lower California [novemstriatum Schaeffer) ; Santa

Rosa, Lower California (opacipenne Fall).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Texas: El Paso. Arizona: Gila

Bend, Wickham; Winslow, Barber and Schwarz; Gillespie Dam, E. P. Van Duzee, F. Werner, W. Nutting;

Holbrook, F. H. Parker; Tucson, R. A. Flock; Gila

Valley, F. H. Parker. Colorado: La Junta. Wyoming:

Rock Spring, O. Bryant. Lower California: San

Domingo; Mesquital; 20 miles south of Coyote Cave,

Conception Bay, 10 miles south of Catavina, and 12

miles south of Santa Rosalia, all collected by Michelbacher and Ross. Mexico: Desemboque, Sonora,

B. Malkin.

REMARKS.—There are no specimens of M. longulum

Horn in Fall's collection, and he could not have been

acquainted with the species when he described opacipenne from a single specimen. The type-specimens of

both opacipenne Fall and novemstriatum Schaeffer

as well as a large number of specimens (collected by

Michelbacher and Ross also in Lower California) in

the California Academy of Sciences are all, without a doubt, a single species (Horn's longulum),

although they show the usual wide variation in color

markings and even in the aedeagus. In general, the

specimens from Lower California are a little larger

than those from Arizona that I have examined, and

in some (but not all) the head is more coarsely and

densely punctate. Specimens vary from being entirely

yellowish or reddish brown without dark markings to

having the elytra with two and four spots. I have not

seen specimens from California, but these beetles have

been taken in El Paso, Texas; Sonora, Mexico; Lower

California; Arizona; Colorado; and Wyoming. The

species is characterized by its long, convex, and densely

punctate prothorax and by elytra that are a little more

than twice as long as prothorax and with deeply impressed punctures in the basal half. The aedeagus has

a long narrow tip which shows considerable variation

in the length of the narrowing.

Metachroma immaculatum, new species

FIGURES 44, 45

DESCRIPTION.—From 3.3 to 4.4 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, shining, head and prothorax reddish

brown, elytra paler yellowish brown, prothorax strongly

convex, finely punctate, elytra with striate punctures

not impressed and fading away at apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, occiput often punctate but front

smoother, clypeus, which is not separated from front by

a transverse sulcus, distinctly and densely punctate,

sometimes a faint median line on front. Antennae extending below humeri, pale yellow-brown. Prothorax

not a third wider than long, convex, with rounded sides,
NUMBER 5 7 27

a tiny tooth at each angle, surface finely and densely

punctate, deep reddish brown. Scutellum reddish

brown. Elytra more than twice as long as prothorax,

usually paler yellowish or reddish brown, moderately

convex with small humeri, a short intrahumeral sulcus

and faint trace of transverse depression below; striate

punctures fine, regular, and becoming faint at apex, not

at all impressed except on sides where intervals are

somewhat costate. Body beneath shining reddish

brown with abdomen usually paler yellowish brown.

Femora minutely toothed; claws simple. Length, 3.3-

4.4 mm; width, 1.7-2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70690. Five paratypes in

USNM; six paratypes at UI.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Six miles northeast of Malta, Cassia County, Idaho (W. F. Barr, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Lower California: San Fernando, Michelbacher and Ross. Nevada: Reno, F. E.

Blaisdell. California: Bishop, Inyo County. Arizona:

Winslow, Wickam. Utah: Logan. Idaho: Nampa, Canyon County, W. F. Barr; Idahome, Cassia County,

W. F. Barr; Given Springs, R. W. Haegele.

REMARKS.—Horn, in his description of M. longulum, mentions one specimen as different from the other

examples in not having the elytral striae impressed and

in not having the abdomen "rufescent." He wrote that

these differences "doubtless indicate a true species but

from the already known variability of others, I propose

to pass it with this note till others appear." Horn

probably had a specimen of this species before him.

Like Horn, I am not certain whether these differences

really constitute a species different from M. longulum;

but I am describing this species as new on the basis of

the more finely punctate pronotum, the finer, lessimpressed elytral punctation, the lack of any dark

markings above, and the paler undersurface. In M.

longulum the aedeagus has a long pointed tip that

varies somewhat in the length of the narrowed end.

In M. immaculatum the narrowed end is very much

shorter. The range of this new species is similar to

that of M. longulum except that it has been collected

in eastern California (Inyo County). It occurs also

in Lower California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and

Idaho. In a series of 25 specimens from Idaho there

is not one specimen with any dark markings on the

prothorax or elytra. This lack of dark markings also

holds in the case of the rest of the specimens examined

among which is no series as large as the one from

Idaho.

Metachroma septentrionale, new species

FIGURE 43

DESCRIPTION.—From 4.0 to 5 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, not very convex, shining yellowbrown, prothorax densely and distinctly punctate on

sides, usually with a bare median impunctate area,

elytra with striate punctures slightly impressed in basal

half, becoming very faint at apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, occiput and front smoothly rounded

with a faint trace of transverse groove separating clypeus, obsoletely and finely punctate, clypeus densely

and moderately coarsely punctate, yellow brown with

jaws piceous. Antennae entirely pale yellow brown.

Prothorax a third wider than long with rounded sides

and the usual tooth at each angle, not so convex as

in M. longulum or M. immaculatum, surface shining

deep yellowish brown, densely and distinctly but not

coarsely punctate on sides, with a bare median area,

punctures finer anteriorly and posteriorly. Scutellum

pale. Elytra more than twice as long as and not much

wider than prothorax, with small humeri and short

intrahumeral sulcus, paler yellow-brown than prothorax, shining, striate punctures close-set, not coarse,

and fading away towards apex, in basal half somewhat

impressed, especially on sides and in the slight transverse depression. Body beneath yellow-brown; claws

with a tiny basal tooth. Length, 4.0-5.0 mm; width,

1.7-2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in MCZ. One paratype in MCZ, one

paratype at UK, and one paratype in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Amedee, California, at 4,200 feet

(Wickham collection).

REMARKS.—This species is very closely related to

M. immaculatum from Idaho, southern Utah, Arizona, and Lower California. Specimens of both species

are small, narrowly elongate, and without dark markings. There is little to differentiate them except that

M. septentrionale is not so convex, the elytral punctures at base are more deeply impressed, and the claws

have a small basal tooth, unlike M. immaculatum. The

wide difference in the localities of the two species, however, is the strongest point for separating them. Metachroma septentrionale was collected at an altitude of

4,200 feet in the northern Sierras of California.
28

Metachroma utahense, new species

FIGURE 52

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.8 and 4.8 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining yellowish brown with the

pronotum, scutellum, and sometimes sutural edges

deeper orange-brown; pronotum not very convex,

finely punctate, elytra with rows of striate punctures

not distinct below middle.

Head with interocular space more than half its

width, base of occiput and sometimes clypeus finely

punctate, otherwise tending to be smooth, polished

yellow-brown without a transverse sulcus separating

clypeus and with a short median linear depression on

front; anterior margin of clypeus with small emargination over labrum. Antennae extending below humeri,

yellow-brown. Prothorax not twice as wide as long

and not very convex but rather flat, with rounded sides

and small tooth at each angle, surface finely punctate

and lustrous orange-yellow brown. Scutellum deep

yellow-brown. Elytra not three times as long as prothorax, a slight transverse depression below intrahumeral sulcus, rows of striate punctures fine, especially over basal umbone, and not very distinct after

middle. Body beneath and legs pale yellow-brown;

claws with short basal tooth. Length, 3.8-4.8 mm;

width, 1.8-2.4 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in CAS. One paratype in CAS; two

paratypes in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Washington County, southwestern Utah (C. C. Searl, collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—St. George, Utah, Wickham

(MCZ).

REMARKS.—This species is similar to pale forms of

M. laevicollis, an eastern species. Like that species the

elytral punctation is fine and indistinct towards the

apex but, unlike most specimens of M. laevicollis, the

pronotum is distinctly and rather densely punctate and

the aedeagus is entirely different in having a long

pointed tip. Unlike M. longulum, the prothorax is not

very convex.

Metachroma coronadense Fall

FIGURES 53, 54

Metachroma coronadense Fall, 1927, p. 138.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.4 and 4.3 mm in length,

oblong oval, lustrous reddish or deep yellowish brown

with margins, sutural edges, and apical joints of anSMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

tennae deeper reddish brown and body beneath and

jaws nearly piceous; head and pronotum finely punctate; elytra with straight lines of striate punctures,

moderately coarse, close-set and distinct to apex; in

female elytral intervals on sides and three on disc

strongly costate in basal half.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

smooth, lustrous, very finely and sparsely punctate with

a more or less well-marked median line down front,

no trace of transverse sulcus, clypeus with more punctures than front, anterior margin over labrum nearly

straight, only slightly emarginate. Antennae with outer

joints wider and frequently darker. Prothorax a little

less than half as long as elytra and nearly as wide, with

arcuate sides and prominent tooth anteriorly and less

so at base, not very convex, polished, finely punctate

except along base and often an impunctate median

line, bright reddish brown or orange-brown with very

slightly darker areas on each side, often scarcely perceptible, margins deep reddish brown. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra slightly paler yellowish brown but

frequently with dark reddish brown sutural edges, rows

of punctures moderately coarse and nearly straight,

distinct to apex, on sides three long striae; in female

strongly costate intervals which are not developed in

male, a costa opposite humeral prominences and two

lesser costae not extending far down elytra on disc, and

on side three long costate intervals, the first from humerus down; in the type-specimen and in several other

specimens a slight irregularity in the punctures between fourth and fifth striae. Body beneath varying

from deep reddish brown to piceous, abdomen being

darker. Femora minutely toothed; claws with short

basal tooth. Length, 3.4-4.3 mm; width, 1.7-2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in Fall collection, MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Coronado, California (19 April

1891).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—California: San Diego County,

F. E. Blaisdell. Mexico: San Bias, Nayarit, 19 June

1956, R. Pallen; 17-21 September 1953, B. Malkin;

24-26 April, Howden and Martin.

REMARKS.—Fall's type, the only specimen of the

species in his collection, is a male. In the California

Academy of Sciences are one male and three females

(also from San Diego County) that I believe are Fall's

species. The male is very much like M. texanum

Schaeffer, an eastern species, both in size and in the

straight rows of elytral striation, although M. texanum

has a darker reddish brown prothorax. But in the fe-
NUMBER 5 7 29

male there is no similarity between the two species,

since in the female of M. coronadense are strong

elytral costate intervals both on sides and on disc in

basal half. Also in the collection of the California

Academy of Sciences are three females from San Bias,

Nayarit, Mexico, that appear to be this species; all

three have strong elytral costae. In the Canadian National Collection is a series of 17 specimens from San

Bias collected by Howden and Martin. These specimens probably represent a Mexican species that crosses

the border into southern California. Another Mexican

species is represented by two females from Tepic,

Nayarit, in which there is a strong lateral costa in the

female, together with two smaller costate intervals

on the disc, but in that species, which I have named

M. bimarginatum, the elytral striate punctures, while

coarse and dense in the basal half of the elytra, completely fade out in the apical half. That species has

much more darkly marked elytra and a 4-spotted

pronotum.

Metachroma quadrimaculatum Jacoby

FIGURES 57, 59

Metachroma quadrimaculata Jacoby, 1891, p. 235.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 3.7-4.6 mm in

length, oblong oval, shining, pronotum finely and

sparsely punctate, elytra with striate punctures not distinct to apex, yellow-brown, pronotum with from two

to four spots, often an occipital dark spot, elytra with

one or two median spots on each elytron.

Head with interocular space more than half width

of head, usually finely and not densely punctate over

front and more coarsely and densely punctate on clypeus, no transverse sulcus dividing front and clypeus,

clypeus with a very slight emargination over labrum,

often a depressed line on front, yellow-brown, usually

with a dark occipital spot. Antennae extending below

humeri, distal joints tending to be darker. Prothorax

broad but not twice as wide as long, with arcuate sides

and small tooth at each angle, not very convex, yellowbrown, usually with four piceous spots, the middle ones

elongate, often outer spots or even all spots missing,

finely and sparsely punctate, although sometimes more

coarsely and densely punctate. Scutellum reddish

brown. Elytra not three times as long as prothorax,

with prominent humeri and slightly costate intervals

between striae near base and on sides, a faint transverse

382-478 O—70 3

depression below basal callosity, striate punctures moderately fine, becoming obsolete on sides and at apex,

shining pale yellowish brown with sutural edges tending to be deep reddish brown and usually on each

elytron two piceous vittate spots, sometimes reduced to

one or entirely missing, or enlarged to form a median

vitta. Body beneath and legs pale yellow-brown, femora with minute tooth; claws with tooth nearly half

as long as claw. Length, 3.7-4.6 mm; width, 2.0-

2.5 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cuernavaca, Mexico (H. H.

Smith, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Mexico: Atlixco, A. Fenyes;

Cuernavaca, A. Fenyes. Arizona: Tucson, E. P. Van

Duzee, J. N. Knull; Sabino Canyon, D. J. and J. N.

Knull; Tex Canyon, Cochise County, Chiricahua

Mountains, J. A. Kirsche; Nogales, D. J. and J. N.

Knull; St. Xavier Mountain, Tucson, E. P. Van Duzee.

REMARKS.—A cotype from Cuernavaca (H. S.

Smith, collector) that was sent to me from the British

Museum (Natural History) has markings similar to

the one figured here from Nogales, Arizona, except that

the humeri in the Mexican specimen are slightly darkened. But the Mexican specimen, unlike the Nogales

one, has a polished, almost impunctate pronotum. The

other figured specimen, from Washington Mountains,

near Nogales, has very finely punctate pronotum. Not

only does the sculpture vary thus, but the markings

vary too. As in a series of typically marked specimens

from Sabino Canyon, Arizona, there are two without

any dark markings whatsoever on the elytra and only

faint traces of the four pronotal spots. One specimen

in a series from Atlixco, Mexico, has no dark markings

on head, pronotum, or elytra.

There are at least four species of Metachroma from

Mexico with a 4-spotted pronotum similar to that of

quadrimaculatum. The only certain way of distinguishing this very variable species from the other three

is to dissect a male for the aedeagus. Jacoby writes

that the elytra of quadrimaculatum are more finely

punctate than in M. ornatum Jacoby.

Metachroma sandersoni, new species

FIGURE 48

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 5 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining, head and prothorax deep

reddish brown, rest of beetle yellowish brown; pro-
30 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

thorax on sides densely and coarsely punctate, elytra

with rows of striate punctures becoming faint after

middle, front and hind femora minutely toothed.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, front and occiput rather obsoletely

punctate with a median linear depression and a trace

of sulcus dividing it from clypeus, clypeus coarsely

punctate, anterior margin emarginate over labrum,

jaws piceous. Antennae missing. Prothorax about a

third wider than long, rather flat, with rounded sides

and a small tooth at each angle, shining deep reddish

brown with dense coarse punctures on sides becoming

finer anteriorly and with a median impunctate line.

Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra paler yellowish

brown, approximately three times as long as prothorax

(in male), with regular striate punctures becoming

indistinct after the middle, on sides widi somewhat

costate intervals; humeri well developed and with

intrahumeral sulcus and a slight basal umbone with

transverse depression below. Body beneath entirely

pale, front and hind femora with small tooth; claws

with a minute basal tooth. Length, 4.9 mm; width,

2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Male, at UK.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Bliss, Idaho (M. W. Sanderson,

collector, 7 July 1931).

REMARKS.—This is one of the few species of the

genus found in the northwestern states, in this instance

in the southwest corner of Idaho on the Snake River.

Only one specimen is known. The chief characters of

the beetle are the shape of the aedeagus with its long

narrow tip, the toothed femora, and the claws with

the minute basal tooth.

Metachroma montanense, new species

FIGURE 58

DESCRIPTION.—Length, 3.0 mm; narrowly oblong oval, shining, pale yellow-brown with head,

prothorax, and apical joints of antennae deeper reddish

brown; prothorax densely but not coarsely punctate,

elytra with regular rows of striate punctures becoming

less distinct towards apex.

Head with interocular space a little more than half

width of head, a faint, short orbital groove above

antennal sockets, eyes appearing entire and not

emarginate; surface smooth, shining, without depressions or transverse sulcus, finely and shallowly punctate,

slightly coarser on clypeus, anterior margin over labrum

nearly straight, mouthparts dark. Antennae extending

below humeri, outer joints deeper brown and wider.

Prothorax nearly as long as wide, strongly convex with

slightly rounded sides, with a small tooth at each angle,

densely punctate, punctures somewhat coarser near

lateral margin, a short impunctate median line, shining

reddish brown. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra a little over twice as long as prothorax, convex, with only

a short, intrahumeral sulcus, no other depressions,

striate punctures regular, on sides with a tendency to

being deeply impressed, with intervals somewhat

costate, and with many confused punctures, entirely

yellowish brown. Body beneath yellowish brown.

Length, 3 mm; width, 1.6 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 70688 (from Chittenden

collection).

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Montana.

REMARKS.—The type, a female, is the only known

specimen of this species, and the locality on the label

is simply "Montana." Chittenden identified this specimen as M. aeneicollis Horn, and it does appear to be

in the group with that species. The eyes appear entire

and not at all emarginate, and there is only a short

orbital groove above the antennal socket; the antennae,

too, are unusually short. This specimen is larger than

any in the longicollis group, and instead of being

piceous is yellowish brown with reddish brown head

and prothorax. It is unfortunate that no male specimen

is known.

Key to Species from Mexico and Central America

1. Elytra with remnants of striate punctation visible chiefly in transverse depression near

base 2

Elytra with striate punctation visible after middle 5

2. Interocular space less than half width of head. (Quintana Roo) M. lucidum, new species

Interocular space more than half or half width of head 3

3. Interocular space more than half width of head M. mexicanum Jacoby

Interocular space half width of head 4

4. Surface of pronotum punctate M. guatemaUnse Jacoby

Surface of pronotum impunctate M. costaricanum Bechyne
NUMBER 5 7 31

5. Pronotum with from two to four transverse dark spots 6

Pronotum without dark spots 10

6. Elytra more or less costate 7

Elytra not costate 8

7. Elytral striate punctures not distinct to apex. (Mexico) M. bimarginatum, new species

Elytral striate punctures distinct to apex. (Mexico) M. bipunctatum Jacoby

8. Prothorax twice as wide as long. (Mexico) M. ornatum Jacoby

Prothorax not twice as wide as long 9

9. Elytra without well-marked intrahumeral sulcus or transverse depression

M. pananiense, new species

Elytra with well-marked intrahumeral sulcus and transverse depression. (Yucatan Peninsula)

M. clarkei, new species

10. Upper surface with fine pubescence either on pronotum or over whole beetle 11

Upper surface not at all pubescent 12

11. Pronotum with short yellow hairs visible only when viewed from side. (Baja California)

M. peninsulare Crotch

Whole upper surface with fine pale pubescence. (Sonora) M. hirsutum, new species

12. Elytra with striate punctures visible entire length 13

Elytra with striate punctures not visible entire length 16

13. Length, 4 mm or more; elytra distinctly costate M. ignotum, new species

Length, 2.5 to 3.4 mm; elytra not costate 14

14. Elytra three times as long as prothorax. (British Honduras) M. minutum Jacoby

Elytra not three time as long as prothorax 15

15. Elytra more than twice as long as prothorax M. longicollis Jacoby

Elytra about twice as long as prothorax. (Salvador, Nicaragua). . M. vittipennis, new species

16. Length less than 4 mm 17

Length 4 mm or more 18

17. Prothorax piceous and densely punctate. (Mexico) M. nigricollis, new species

Prothorax either pale or with dark spot. (Mexico) M. mutabile, new species

18. Elytra twice as long as prothorax. (Angel de las Guarda Island, Gulf of California)

M. insulate Fall

Elytra more than twice as long as prothorax 19

19. Elytra not depressed, with rows of punctures nearly straight. (Nicaragua; Costa Rica)

M. convexum Jacoby

Elytra with the usual intrahumeral sulcus depression and transverse depression 20

20. Prothorax rather flat, a short basal tooth on claws. (Quintana Roo)

M. quinUnuu, new species

Prothorax convex, with long tooth on claws 21

21. Elytra usually with spots or other dark markings. (British Honduras)

M. inconstans, new species

Elytra usually without dark markings 22

22. Striate punctures, although faint, apparent at apex. (Mexico) M. regulate Jacoby

Striate punctation fading away at apex. (Mexico) 23

23. Large, 5.5 mm or more in length. (Mexico; British Honduras; Guatemala)

M. variabile Jacoby

Smaller, 4.5 mm in length. (Panama) M. vulgare, new species

Metachroma variabile Jacoby Head with interocular space half width of head,

front impunctate, polished, a median linear depresFIOURE 60 sion ^ trac e o f transvers e sulcus dividing front from

Metachroma variabile Jacoby, 1882, p. 170; 1891, p. 233. clypeus, the latter more alutaceous and finely punctate,

jaws piceous. Antennae long and slender, outer joints

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.5 mm in length, broadly ob- darker. Prothorax not twice as wide as long, modlong oval, lustrous deep reddish brown, prothorax erately convex with rounded sides, deep dark reddish

impunctate, elytra with regular striate punctures be- brown, lustrous, impunctate. Scutellum reddish brown,

coming finer after the middle, femora toothed. polished. Elytra not three times as long as prothorax,
32 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

convex with short intrahumeral sulcus and transverse

depression below basal umbone, striate punctation

regular and enlarged in transverse depression, but

fading away towards apex; surface very shiny, deep

reddish brown. Body beneath dark reddish brown, legs

a little paler, femora toothed, claws with long tooth.

Length, 5.5 mm; width 2.7 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH. Cotype in Bowditch collection

MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Rio Hondo, British Honduras

(Blancaneaux, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Guatemala: Zapote, Duefias,

La Tinta, Capetillo, Mirandella, Pantaleon (Champion, collector). Mexico: Tapachula, Chiapas (Hoge,

collector).

REMARKS.—In the Bowditch collection is a female

specimen from Rio Hondo, British Honduras that has

a deep brown, almost piceous prothorax and elytra,

the latter a bit paler at the apex. The pronotum Is

nearly impunctate. Also, there are seven specimens

from Tapachula, Chiapas, mentioned by Jacoby

(1891). These specimens show a wide color range—

from the prothorax being simply brown to piceous and

and the elytra from being without markings to having

a darker median area. The Zapote, San Miguel, and

San Juan Bautista specimens in the Bowditch collection are all yellow-brown with polished, almost impunctate pronotum. There is great variation in size.

Jacoby (1891) writes that "it is possible that

M. regularis may be only a variety of M. variabilis."

He bases this suspicion oh the fact that some specimens

of what he considers variabile do have "extremely fine

punctation visible on the thorax." As stated under my

discussion of M. ustum LeConte, this is also the case

with that species, which is so close to M. variabile that

I believe they are the same species. The aedeagi of all

specimens that I have examined appear to be much the

same in both. The type of M. ustum has a distinctly but

finely punctate pronotum although other specimens

are as smooth and nearly impunctate as M. variabile.

Metachroma regulate Jacoby

FIGURES 62, 63

Metachroma regularis Jacoby, 1882, p. 170.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 6.5 and 7.0 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, lustrous, head, prothorax and

body beneath deep reddish brown, elytra and legs

usually more yellowish; apical joints of antennae tending to be darker; pronotum with very fine punctures,

elytra with striate rows of punctures fading at apex,

femora toothed.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, coarsely punctate at base of occiput,

obsoletely so below that, with clypeus tending to be

alutaceous and coarsely punctate, no transverse sulcus

dividing front from clypeus, latter with anterior margin widely and shallowly emarginate; reddish brown

with piceous jaws. Antennae extending below humeri,

often distal joints darker. Prothorax convex with

rounded sides, lustrous deep reddish brown with fine

punctures, a small tooth at each angle. Scutellum dark

reddish brown. Elytra convex with short intrahumeral

sulcus and only faint depression below basal umbone,

striate punctures regular, moderately coarse and

strongly impressed, the rows on the side being distinct

and moderately coarse, fading away in apical half but

still apparent. Body beneath deep reddish brown, almost piceous in middle, legs paler, femora toothed.

Claws with long tooth. Length, 6.5-7.0 mm; width,

2.8-3.1 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH. Cotype in Bowditch collection,

MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Playa Vicente, Mexico (Hoge,

collector).

REMARKS.—The specimen here illustrated, a cotype

of M. regulare from Playa Vicente, agrees in size, color,

and punctation with a female specimen (in CAS) from

Estero de Saigente, Sonora, Mexico. The only difference that I can find between M. ustum LeConte and

M. regulare Jacoby is that the Mexican specimens

generally are larger and the elytral punctures are more

deeply impressed and usually coarser and apparent to

the apex. The aedeagus is similar in the two species.

In the Bowditch collection are three specimens of the

type series collected by Hoge at Playa Vicente; all

measure from 6.5 to 7 mm in length. Jacoby had some

doubts about M. regulare being distinct from M. variabile since he wrote that regulare "may be only a variety" (Jacoby, 1891).

Metachroma vulgare, new species

FIGURE 83

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, broadly

oblong oval, shining, deep yellowish brown with
NUMBER 5 7

antennae having 6th, 7th, and sometimes apical joints

dark; head and prothorax nearly impunctate, elytra

with striate punctures at apex evanescent.

Head with interocular space half width of head, no

transverse sulcus separating clypeus, the surface of

which is somewhat duller alutaceous and more distinctly punctate than front, with anterior margin

curved above labrum, jaws piceous; front with a small

median depression, nearly smooth without punctures.

Antennae extending below humeri, with 6th, 7th, and

often apical joints dark. Prothorax approximately a

fourth wider than long, with well-rounded sides and

conspicuous tooth at each angle, not very convex, surface deep shining yellowish brown with margins reddish

brown, minutely punctate. Scutellum yellowish or

reddish brown. Elytra not three times as long as prothorax and not much wider, smoothly convex with

only slight intrahumeral sulcus and faint trace of

transverse depression below; striate punctures not

closely set but regular and distinct in basal half, becoming less impressed after middle and vanishing entirely

at apex. Body beneath and legs yellowish or reddish

brown, femora toothed, claws with long basal tooth.

Length, 4.5 mm; width, 2.3 mm.

TYPE.—Male USNM 70693, with one paratype.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"In bananas from Panama"

taken at San Francisco, California (17 September

1931).

REMARKS.—This is another species belonging to

the M. ustum LeConte, M. variabile Jacoby, and M.

regulare Jacoby group that ranges from Texas southward through Mexico and Central America and is

represented in South America by M. venezuelense

Bechyne and M. labrale Blair from Galapagos Islands.

There are also closely related species from the various

islands of the West Indies. Their aedeagi, while

differing slightly, are all similar. Whether they are all

specifically distinct is hard to determine. In the present species the aedeagus appears wider than in most

others.

Metachroma inconstans, new species

FIGURES 78, 79

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 5 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, yellowish to reddish brown, often

with piceous prothorax and piceous elytral spots or

short vittae; prothorax almost impunctate, elytra with

33

coarse, deep-set, striate punctures becoming faint at

apex.

Head with interocular space not quite half width of

head, a faint trace of line separating front from

clypeus, clypeus alutaceous and finely punctate with anterior margin widely and shallowly curved over labrum,

front shining, nearly impunctate, sometimes with a

median line. Antennae slender, with 6th and 7th

joints sometimes dark and joints 6-11 usually dark.

Prothorax strongly convex with well-rounded sides

and tooth at each angle; surface mirror-smooth,

lustrous deep reddish brown to piceous. Scutellum

yellowish to deep piceous. Elytra not three times as

long as prothorax and somewhat wider, convex, with

short but deep intrahumeral sulcus and a faint transverse depression below this sulcus; rows of striate

punctures deeply set and coarse in basal half, gradually becoming smaller and faint at apex; color variable,

some specimens being entirely yellowish or reddish

brown without markings, and others with sutural

edges dark and a dark elongate spot in middle of base

and another below intrahumeral sulcus and another

in the middle in basal half, sometimes these spots

widening to cover most of middle of disc, in these dark

specimens the body beneath dark and femora with

dark ring at apical constriction, pale specimens usually with deeper reddish brown prosternum and

breast often deeper in color. Hind femora with small

tooth; claws with long tooth. Length, 4.7-5.2 mm;

width, 2.4-2.6 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in MCZ. Four paratypes in MCZ;

two paratypes in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"M-tee Dist." (?Manatee), British Honduras (January-February 1906).

REMARKS.—This new species is very close to

M. variabile Jacoby and M. ustum LeConte (which

I am unable to separate). In fact, the chief point in

with it differs from those two species is in the pattern

of the elytral markings in darker specimens. In a series

of seven specimens, all from the same place, only one

specimen is entirely pale and the elytra without spots

or other markings. In both M. variabile and M. ustum

dark markings are rare, and when such a marking does

occur it is a median short vitta on the elytra or a

rather pale reddish brown widening about the sutural

edges. The elytral punctation in this species appears

a little more deeply impressed and coarser than in

M. variabile and M. ustum; the intrahumeral sulcus
34 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

also is deeper cut; and the aedeagus, while of the same

shape, is narrower.

Metachroma convexum Jacoby

FIGURES 82, 84

Metachroma convexa Jacoby, 1882, p. 171.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 5.0 and 6.0 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, shining yellow-brown with a lustrous reddish brown prothorax, head with a piceous

median plaga down occiput, elytra yellowish brown,

rows of striate punctures nearly straight, not very

coarse, becoming fine and fainter at apex, no transverse

depression near base, elytra evenly convex.

Head with interocular space a little more than half

width of head, front finely and sparsely punctate, lustrous, clypeus dull alutaceous, finely punctate with

a wide, shallow emargination over anterior margin,

lateral edges somewhat ridged, especially along antennal sockets. Antennae extending below humeri, apical

joints darker. Prothorax about a third wider than long,

nearly as wide as elytra, with rounded sides and a tooth

at each angle, lustrous reddish brown, nearly impunctate. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra not three times as

long as prothorax, usually paler yellowish brown with

small inconspicuous humeri and faint trace of intrahumeral sulcus, striate punctures small and not closely

set or deeply impressed, becoming finer at apex, in

nearly straight rows; one specimen from Costa Rica

(which I believe to be this species) has on each elytron

a faint median reddish brown spot, and in another

specimen from Nicaragua this spot is elongated into a

short median vitta, and the humeri have a faint dark

spot. Body beneath deeper brown than elytra, femora

not toothed; claws with long tooth. Length, 5.0-5.8

mm; width, 2.5-2.8 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH. A cotype (male) in first Jacoby

collection, MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Chontales, Nicaragua (Janson,

collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Costa Rica: Totuguera, Nevermann. Nicaragua.

REMARKS.—Jacoby named this species "convexa"

probably because the elytra lack any depressions and

are smoothly rounded. In this respect the species is like

Linell's M. viticola. In fact, except for the lack of occipital dark spot in M. viticola there is little to separate

the two species; even the aedeagi are alike. Much more

material from intervening localities is needed to enable

one to come to any conclusions about the status of

these species.

Metachroma quintanae, new species

FIGURE 81

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.0 mm in length, shining

yellow-brown with deeper reddish brown markings

on either side of pronotum, on humeri, and along

suture, and two median spots on each elytron and a

submarginal one below humerus, pronotum finely

punctate, elytra with spare striate punctures becoming

evanescent at apex.

Head with interocular space less than half width

of head, occiput reddish brown with almost strigose

punctation, a faint median line down front to a poorly

marked transverse line dividing front from clypeus,

front sparsely punctate, clypeus short and broad and

more coarsely and densely punctate, anterior margin

over labrum nearly straight, jaws large and piceous.

Antennae extending below humeri, distal joints darker.

Prothorax large, almost as wide as elytra and rather

flat, with rounded sides and small tooth at each angle,

surface lustrous, finely and not very densely punctate,

yellow-brown with a vaguely defined reddish brown

area on each side. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra

considerably more than twice as long as prothorax,

convex, with short intrahumeral sulcus and a slight

transverse depression below, striate punctures rather

fine and widely spaced, evanescent over basal umbones

and at apex; shining yellowish-brown with reddish

brown markings on humeri and along margin below,

along suture, and two median spots, two other spots

near suture. Body beneath reddish brown with paler

yellow-brown abdomen; legs with short middle and

hind tibiae, yellow-brown, a faint trace of tooth on

femora, a short basal tooth on claws. Length, 4.9 mm;

width, 2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70696.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo,

Mexico (29 March 1960; J. F. G. Clarke, collector).

REMARKS.—The large and rather flat prothorax

and numerous reddish brown markings distinguish this

species from other Mexican species. Only a single

specimen is known, but undoubtedly, as in so many

other species of the genus, there are color variations

in this one.
NUMBER 5 7

Metachroma mutabile, new species

FIGURE 89

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.2 and 3.6 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining, pale yellow-brown, some

specimens with darker brown occipital spot and median

pronotal spot and in these darker specimens scutellum

and sutural edges reddish brown and sometimes a

median dark spot or two on each elytron; pronotum

finely and sparsely punctate, elytral striate punctures

fading away after middle.

Head with interocular space slightly more than half

width of head, occiput and front smoothly rounded,

polished, very finely punctate with sometimes a small

median depressed spot, often without any depression,

no transverse sulcus dividing front from clypeus,

anterior margin deeply emarginate over labrum, jaws

piceous; in dark specimens occiput variably deeper

brown, sometimes across entire base, often only a

median brown spot, in paler specimens entirely pale

yellow-brown. Antennae usually with deeper brown

distal joints even in pale specimens. Prothorax about

a third wider than long with slightly rounded sides

and well-developed tooth at each angle, not very convex, without depressions, polished, very finely punctate,

entirely pale in pale specimens and with a rounded

median dark spot in darker ones. Scutellum varying

from pale yellow to brown. Elytra with well-marked

intrahumeral sulcus, otherwise without depressions,

striate punctation not deeply impressed and evanescent

after middle; in color varying from entirely pale yellow

to having sutural edges deeper brown, and in dark

specimens one or two small median reddish brown

spots on each elytron. Body beneath varying from pale

yellow brown to deep reddish brown, legs pale. Femora

not toothed; claws with short basal tooth. Length,

3.2-3.6 mm; width, 1.6 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in MCZ. Five paratypes in MCZ;

two paratypes in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

(J. F. McClendon, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Six miles south of Durango,

Durango, Mexico, H. F. Howden; 15 km. south of

Mazanitla, Jalisco, at 5,900 feet in pine-oak forest,

F. W. and F. G. Werner.

REMARKS.—As in so many species of Metachroma,

there is considerable variation in the markings—from

pale specimens without darker markings to ones with

a spot of varying size on the occiput, another spot, also

varying in size, in the middle of the pronotum, and one

35

or two median spots on each elytron. The aedeagus is

usually dark.

Metachroma peninsulare Crotch

FIGURE 80

Metachroma peninsulare Crotch, 1873, p. 42.—Horn, 1892,

pp. 215,216.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.6 and 5.5 mm in length,

broadly ovate, head and pronotum coarsely punctate

(the latter, at times, contiguously punctate), pronotum

with very short inconspicuous pale hairs, head and prothorax deep reddish brown, elytra yellowish brown,

often with sutural edges deeper brown and sometimes

one or two dark median spots or even a median vitta

on each elytron, apex of femora dark-ringed, femora

minutely toothed.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, shining yellowish or reddish brown,

densely and coarsely punctate throughout, sometimes

a median depression on front, no transverse groove

separating front from clypeus, clypeus with wide anterior margin slightly emarginate over labrum, jaws

piceous. Antennae yellowish or deep reddish brown,

slender, extending below humeri. Prothorax not twice

as wide as long and nearly as wide as elytra in some

specimens, with widely curved sides, not very convex,

with conspicuous tooth at anterior angle and smaller

one at basal angle, color deep reddish brown with a

fine, short, pale yellowish pubescence not readily discernible except when viewed from the side. Scutellum

deep reddish brown, often with a few punctures. Elytra

not quite three times as long as prothorax, yellowish

brown, often with deep reddish brown sutural edges

and sometimes with one or two dark spots or even a

median vitta on each elytron; striate punctures dense

and rather deeply impressed, with slightly costate intervals especially in basal half and along sides of

elytra, many confused punctures along sides, punctures

on first lateral stria often continuing up on inner side

of humerus. Body beneath varying from yellowish to

reddish brown or even piceous, apices of femora

dark-ringed, all femora minutely toothed, claws with

long basal tooth. Length, 4.6-5.5 mm; width, 2.5-

3.5 mm.

TYPE.—In LeConte collection, MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"California" (a silver disc on

specimen signifying Valley of the Gila River, which

would indicate the specimen came from the extreme
36

southern boundary of California adjoining Arizona

where the Gila River joins the Colorado).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Lower California: Baja California, F. Knab; 5 miles south of Miraflores, Michelbacher and Ross; Las Animas, Sierra Laguna, Ross;

Agua Caliente, Cape Region, Ross and Bohart; 15

miles south of San Domingo, Ross and Bohart; Todas

Santos, Ross and Bohart, R. W. Radford and F. G.

Werner; 5 miles west of San Bartolo, Michelbacher

and Ross; Comundu, Michelbacher and Ross; La Paz,

Triunfo, Michelbacher and Ross; Santa Rosa, H. W.

Wenzel; San Felipe, H. W. Wenzel; Hermosillo,

Sonora, W. L. Nutting, F. G. Werner.

REMARKS.—Although Crotch gives California as the

type-locality, I have seen specimens only from Sonora,

Mexico, and Lower California. Crotch's name peninsulare would indicate Lower California. There is the

usual color variation in this species from elytra being

entirely pale yellowish brown to elytra with one or two

median spots or even a median vitta. It is an easily

recognizable species because of the broad prothorax

that has very dense coarse punctures and also a fine,

inconspicuous, yellowish pubescence to be seen only

when viewed from the side. A pubescence on the upper

surface is rare in the genus.

Metachroma insulare Fall

FIGURE 92

Metachroma insulare Fall, 1927, p. 390.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 4 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining; head, antennae, legs,

margins of elytra, and a short narrow vitta on either

side of suture at base deep reddish brown; prothorax,

middle part of elytra, and body beneath piceous; prothorax about as wide as elytra and half as long, hind

femora conspicuously toothed.

Head with interocular space more than half width

of head, no depressions on front or transverse depression separating clypeus, surface shining, deep reddish

brown with piceous edging about eyes and a narrow

piceous spot on occiput (Fall calls it an "impressed

line"), moderately densely and distinctly punctate

throughout, anterior margin of clypeus deeply and narrowly emarginate over reddish brown labrum, jaws

piceous. Prothorax about a third wider than long and

almost as wide as elytra, strongly convex with rounded

sides, a small tooth behind eye but not at basal angles,

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

surface shining with dense but not contingent punctures on disc, punctures moderately coarse, but finer

about edges. Scutellum piceous. Elytra twice as long

as prothorax, strongly convex, with small humeri and

intrahumeral sulcus, a trace of transverse depression

below, striate punctures widely spaced and not deeply

impressed, larger below base, then diminishing and

becoming obsolete at apex, on sides with three long

striae and a short stria. Body beneath piceous, abdomen

with fine hairs, legs reddish brown and pubescent.

Front femora with tiny tooth, hind femora with large

conspicuous tooth; claws simple. Length, 3.9 mm;

width, 1.9 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in CAS.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Pond Island Bay, Angel de las

Guarda Island, Gulf of California (1 July 1921; E. P.

Van Duzee, collector).

REMARKS.—Fall describes this species as one that

"runs to longulum in Horn's table" and "falls naturally between that and aencicollis." While it is of the

same shape as the species in the longicollis (aeneicollis

Horn) group, it is much larger and is more closely

related to longulum Horn. It is at once separated from

that species by the narrower elytra with the lessimpressed striate punctures. As in longulum, the claws

appear simple; but, unlike longulum, the hind femora

are conspicuously toothed. There is no doubt that in

a series of specimens the elytral dark markings will be

found to vary in extent.

Metachroma longicollis Jacoby

FIGURES 67, 68

Metachroma longicollis Jacoby, 1891, p. 234.

DESCRIPTION.—From 2.4 to 3.4 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining, deep reddish brown to

piceous, thorax often shining with an aeneous luster,

legs and basal joints of antennae reddish brown, prothorax about a third wider than long, finely and densely

punctate, elytra 2.5 times as long as prothorax and with

regular striate punctures distinct to apex.

Head with interocular space more than half width

of head, eyes small, not distinctly emarginate, with a

short groove above antennal socket, occiput and front

finely and densely punctate, no transverse groove

separating front from clypeus, clypeus more coarsely

punctate, anterior margin almost straight over labrum,

a faint median line on front, shining dark piceous.

Antennae short, not extending much below humeri,
NUMBER 5 7 37

basal joints paler, apical joints thicker and darker.

Prothorax a third wider than long, strongly convex with

arcuate sides, and with very narrow margin and very

tiny tooth at each angle; lustrous piceous black, sometimes with an aeneous lustre, finely and densely punctate, often with a median impunctate line. Scutellum

shining dark. Elytra more than twice as long as prothorax, with small humeral prominences and short

intrahumeral sulcus, not otherwise depressed; striate

punctures rather coarse, closely set and distinct to apex,

on sides with costate intervals, shining dark piceous,

legs usually paler reddish brown, with femora often

darker on outside; breast coarsely punctate. Femora

not toothed; claws with long basal tooth. Length, 2.4-

3.4 mm; width, 1.1-1.6mm.

TYPE.—Lectotype in BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—San Juan Bautista in Tabasco,

Mexico (Hoge, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Mexico: Isla, Vera Cruz, on

pineapple; Loma Bonita, Oaxaca on pineapple; "Mexico," on banana.

REMARKS.—I have chosen as lectotype the first

specimen named by Jacoby. This single specimen was

taken by Hoge at San Juan Bautista in Tabasco. According to Jacoby it is larger than the two collected by

Champion from San Geronimo, Guatemala. A drawing has been made of one of the two specimens from

San Geronimo (sent to me from BMNH) and also a

drawing of a beetle (in USNM) from Oaxaca, Mexico,

not far from the Tabasco type-locality and presumably

the same species as the type. The Oaxaca specimen

also is larger than the Guatemala one. I strongly suspect that there may be two species involved. I am

describing (as M. vittipennis) a closely related species

from Salvador and Nicaragua that is smaller and about

the size of the Guatemala specimen. All of these more

southern specimens may represent a single species. The

aedeagus of the Salvador specimen has a shape different from that of the Mexican specimen.

Metachroma longicollis aeneicollis Horn, new status

Metachroma aeneicolle Horn, 1892, p. 210.

REMARKS.—Horn has described as M. aeneicolle a

beetle for which he has given no locality but which is

presumably from the United States. It is much like

the Mexican species, and it occurs in Texas, the states

about the Gulf of Mexico, and as far north as Kansas

and Arkansas. There is little to differentiate these

United States beetles from the Mexican ones. The

aedeagi do not appear different. One specimen from

Seabrook, Texas, is illustrated here. It is a deep reddish

brown instead of piceous, but other specimens are as

piceous as the Mexican beetles and also have an

aeneous lustre as Horn indicated in his name aeneicolle. I am retaining Horn's name for this subspecies

because of the wide distance between the Mexican

localities of Tabasco and Oaxaca and the United

States localities from Texas to Kansas rather than for

any other difference that I can find.

TYPE.—In Horn collection, PAS.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Unknown.

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Texas: Sugarland, on soybean;

Macdona, H. A. Wenzel; Seabrook, H. A. Wenzel;

Waco, on cotton, Glick. Georgia: Tifton, Mississippi:

Bay St. Louis, P. McKinstry. Louisiana: Many, B. T.

McDermott; Caddo Parish, in peach orchard debris.

Arkansas: De Queen, B. T. McDermott. Kansas:

Clarke County, at 1,962 feet, F. H. Snow.

Metachroma vittipennis, new species

FIGURES 69, 71, 72

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 2.5 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining, prothorax densely punctate, deep brown to piceous, elytra with regular striate

punctation, yellow-brown with a deep reddish brown

vitta along side and another from middle of base running diagonally down the middle of elytron and joining

suture below middle, sutural edges dark, and one specimen with elytra almost entirely dark, antennae with

six apical joints dark.

Head with interocular space more than half width

of head, eyes small, not noticeably emarginate, with

short sulcus above antennal socket, finely punctate

throughout and without transverse sulcus separating

front from clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus straight,

in one specimen a faint median depression on front;

deep reddish brown, almost piceous. Antennae not

extending much below humeri, outer joints thicker

and darker, basal joints pale yellow-brown. Prothorax

nearly as long as wide, with rounded sides, convex,

shining, finely and densely punctate, deep piceous

brown. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra about twice

as long as prothorax, widest at middle and tapering

to apex; humeri small and sharp with a short intrahumeral sulcus, surface shining yellow-brown with

deeper reddish brown sutural edges and a dark lateral
38

vitta and a median vitta extending diagonally across

to join suture before apex; striate punctation regular

and distinct to apex, more deeply impressed on sides

with distinctly costate intervals. One specimen with

nearly entirely dark piceous elytra except along apical

side. Body beneath reddish brown, prosternum almost

piceous, metasternum punctate, legs yellowish brown.

Femora not toothed; claws with long tooth. Length,

2.2-2.5 mm; width, 1.0-1.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in Canadian National Museum. One

paratype in USNM.

TYPE LOCALITY.—El Salvador, San Salvador (L. J.

Bottimer, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—One specimen taken at

Brownsville, Texas, on plane from ?Guatemala; another specimen intercepted at Brownsville on plane

from Nicaragua.

REMARKS.—This species is somewhat differently

colored and smaller than M. longicollis Jacoby. Although some specimens of M. longicollis from Texas

have reddish brown elytra, there is no distinct vittation

as in this new species. There is a color variety with

nearly piceous elytra. The aedeagus is different, however, from that of M. longicollis.

Metachroma minutum Jacoby

FIGURE 88

Metachroma minuta Jacoby, 1882, p. 171.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 2.7 mm in length,

ovate, shining, head and prothorax deep orange-yellow

and elytra and legs paler yellow-brown; pronotum

finely and densely punctate, elytra with regular striate

punctures becoming fine and inconspicuous at apex.

Head with interocular space barely half the width of

head, occiput shining and minutely and sparsely punctate, clypeus broad and distinctly punctate, not separated from front by any sulcus, anterior margin nearly

straight over labrum, jaws piceous. Antennae in typespecimen are broken; the remains are pale yellowbrown. Pronotum approximately twice as wide as long

with well-rounded sides, moderately convex, depressed

over head, finely and densely punctate and deeper

orange-yellow than elytra. Elytra three times as long

as prothorax, broadly rounded at apex, convex, with

short intrahumeral sulcus and transverse depression

below basal callosities; striate punctures fine, regular

and apparent nearly to apex. Body beneath and legs

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

pale yellow-brown. Length, 2.7 mm; width, 1.5 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Belize, British Honduras (Blancaneaux, collector).

REMARKS.—The type-specimen sent me for study

from BMNH has antennae and legs broken. There is

one other specimen—a cotype (from the same locality

and also collected by Blancaneaux) in the Bowditch

collection which lacks head and prothorax. This is one

of the tiny species closely resembling M. testaceum

Blatchley found on the tip of Florida and in Cuba. It

differs from M. testaceum by not having a sulcus

separating the clypeus and from both M. paulum Blake

and M. brevistriatum Blake, from Jamaica and Hispaniola respectively, in having more distinct punctation and being more ovate in shape. In this regard it is

like M. obesum Blake from Hispaniola, which has dark

markings and is more coarsely punctate.

Metachroma costaricanum Bechyne

FIGURE 76

Metachroma costaricana Bechyne, 1958, pp. 525, 526.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.3 and 4.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, lustrous yellow-brown to piceous, occiput

and pronotum polished, impunctate, elytra with only

remnants of striate punctation along suture and in

transverse depression below basal callosities.

Head with interocular space half width of head, in

male, orbital groove on each side extending down to

meet in middle of front, thus making a groove separating front from clypeus, clypeus strongly and densely

punctate; in female, orbital groove on each side not

extending below antennal socket and whole front

smooth and polished without any transverse groove

separating clypeus or any punctures on clypeus. Antennae slender, apical joints a little thicker and dark.

Prothorax not twice as wide as long, moderately convex with rounded sides and small tooth at each angle,

surface polished, impunctate, varying in color from

yellow-brown to piceous. Scutellum smooth. Elytra

not quite three times as long as prothorax, with prominent humeri and deep intrahumeral sulcus; punctures

only in sulcus, in transverse depression below basal

callosities, and near suture, otherwise surface polished

and impunctate; one specimen entirely yellow-brown,

remaining five specimens piceous with paler humeri

and apex. Body beneath varying from yellow-brown to
NUMBER 5 7 39

piceous, legs also varying in color. Femora with tiny

tooth; claws with basal tooth. Length, 3.3-4.0 mm;

width, 1.6-2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Whereabouts of type not given by Bechyne.

Five paratypes in Frey Museum; one paratype in

USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Bebedero, Costa Rica (E. Reimoser, collector).

REMARKS.—There appears to be a difference in the

sexes in the sculpture of the head. The one male examined has the orbital groove extending to the middle

of the front, an unusual phenonemon in the genus; in

the female this groove ends normally near the eye and

the clypeus is not distinct from the front, being polished

and impunctate. Like M. mexicanum Jacoby and M.

guatemalense Jacoby, this species is lacking much of

the elytral punctation. It differs from M. guatemalense

in not having the prosternum rugosely punctate, and

from M. mexicanum in being smaller.

Metachroma lucidum, new species

FIGURES 74, 75

DESCRIPTION.—From 3.2-4.0 mm in length, oblong

oval, lustrous yellow-brown, sometimes with reddish

brown markings on elytra, prothorax nearly twice as

wide as long and very finely and sparsely punctate,

elytra with striate punctation only in basal half and

smooth elsewhere.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, clypeus triangular and separated from front by

well-marked transverse groove, anterior margin with

very slight emargination, a short, deeply impressed line

in middle of front, occiput with finer punctures than

on clypeus, which is alutaceous and more distinctly

punctate than rest of head, pale yellow brown with

piceous jaws and in darker specimens with a dark base

to occiput and sometimes a dark median spot on front.

Antennae slender, pale, extending below humeri. Prothorax nearly twice as wide as long with well-rounded

sides, not very convex and depressed over occiput; surface lustrous, very finely and sparsely punctate, pale

yellow-brown with reddish brown margins. Elytra not

much wider than prothorax and about three times as

long, with small humeri and short intrahumeral sulcus,

striate punctation only along base, in intrahumeral

sulcus and slightly below basal umbone, and along suture, rest of elytra polished and impunctate; color pale

yellow-brown, sometimes with a short median basal

reddish brown spot, another such spot below intrahumeral sulcus and a more or less well-defined median

fascia, these markings often broken into two or three

spots. Body beneath pale, coxae deeper reddish brown;

femora not toothed; claws with long tooth. Length,

3.2-4.0 mm; width, 1.7-2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70694. Paratypes: 115 in

USNM; 9 in CAS; 5 in MCZ; 5 in AMNH; 5 in UK;

5 in UA; 5 in OSU; 5 in BMNH; and 5 in CNC.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Allen Point, Ascension Bay, Quintana Roo, Mexico (from beating small shrubs and

palms, 13-17 April 1960; J. F. G. Clarke, collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—Mexico: Cozumel, Espiritu

Santo Bay, J. F. G. Clarke.

REMARKS.—The unusually short, wide, and rather

flat prothorax, the sparsely punctate elytra, and

lustrous, polished surface characterize this species. Its

aedeagus resembles that of the group composed of

M. anaemicum Fall, M. testaceum Blatchley, and

M. later ale Crotch as well as other small species with

a short, wide prothorax and well-marked sulcus across

the front of the head. In most of the rest of these

species, however, the pronotum is very densely punctate. This species differs from M. guatemalense

Jacoby, in which Jacoby describes the antennae for

the most part piceous and the prosternum as rugose

punctate.

Metachroma hirsutum, new species

FIGURE 65

DESCRIPTION.—About 5 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, moderately shiny, yellow-brown, with

base of occiput dark, a broad brown band across pronotum, dark scutellum, dark spot on humerus, another before middle below intrahumeral sulcus, and

a third below that at about the middle of each elytron,

sutural edges dark, undersurface a deep reddish

brown, legs pale, a fine, short, closely appressed, silken,

yellowish pubescence over upper surface and legs.

Head with interocular space less than half width

of head, eyes large, surface coarsely but shallowly

punctate, with a median dark line and dark base of

occiput, no transverse sulcus dividing front from

clypeus, but clypeus deeper brown and more coarsely

punctate, anterior margin with small emargination

over labrum, jaws deep brown. Antennae yellowbrown with outer joints darker. Prothorax about a

third wider than long, only moderately convex, with
40

rounded sides and very small tooth at each angle, a

broad deep brown transverse band across disc, surface

finely punctate with fine, closely appressed, yellow

pubescence. Scutellum dark. Elytra with regular,

closely set strlate punctures becoming faint and disappearing after middle, first lateral stria continuing

up on inner side of humerus, and with finer intermediate punctures bearing fine, short, silken, pale

pubescence; yellow-brown with dark sutural edges,

and on each elytron three dark spots. Body beneath

deep reddish brown with paler legs, femora as well as

tibiae pubescent. Femora not toothed, claws with

short basal tooth. Length, 4.8 mm; width, 2.1 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in CAS.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Sixteen miles southwest of Hermosello, Sonora, Mexico (21 July 1950; J. P. FiggHoblyn, collector).

"REMARKS.—In shape, color, and sculpture this

species is not unlike M. longulum Horn except that it

has an additional spot on the humerus and a dark

band across pronotum. It is unique, however, in having a fine, inconspicuous, yellow pubescence over the

upper surface and legs. Except for this hairiness it is

very much like all the other species of the genus, and

I would not set it in a separate genus solely for this

one unique character. M. peninsulare Crotch has

similar fine, closely appressed, silky, yellowish hairs

over the pronotum, and the femora also are with

hairs.

Metachroma nigricollis, new species

FIGURE 90

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 3.5 mm in length,

oblong oval, lustrous, head with occipital dark spot,

prothorax piceous, elytra deep reddish brown with

piceous sutural vitta widening in basal half and a

second vitta from intrahumeral sulcus extending down

side and widening in transverse depression, not reaching much below middle of elytra, femora ringed with

black at apex, pronotum densely punctate, elytral

striate punctures becoming indistinct at apex.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

reddish brown with a dark median occipital plaga and

dark jaws: clypeus not separated from front by a

transverse groove, anterior margin over labrum widely

emarginate; surface densely punctate on clypeus but

not so densely on front. Antennae with dark outer

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

joints. Prothorax about a third wider than long and

almost as wide as elytra, moderately convex, with

widely rounded sides, densely punctate, shining

piceous, anteriorly deep reddish brown over head.

Scutellum piceous. Elytra not three times as long as

prothorax, with regular striate punctation, coarser in

depression below basal callosities and becoming obsolete at apex, surface lustrous deep reddish brown with

wide piceous sutural vitta becoming narrower below

middle and a piceous lateral vitta extending from

intrahumeral sulcus down side and widening below

transverse depression, not extending to apical curve.

Body beneath (abdomen missing) deep reddish brown,

femora with dark ring about apex; claws with basal

tooth. Length, 3.4 mm; width, 1.6 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"Mex." (second Jacoby collection).

REMARKS.—Only a single poor specimen lacking

the abdomen is known, but it is sufficiently distinct

in its large, closely punctate, dark pronotum and vittate elytra not to be confused with any other species

so far described from Mexico.

Metachroma clarkei, new species

FIGURE 70

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.5 and 5.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, lustrous yellowish or reddish brown with

a piceous spot on occiput, four spots across pronotum,

occasionally combined into two large ones, and a dark

sutural vitta widening below scutellum, a dark spot on

humerus and below and two submarginal spots and

one below middle, all these dark markings variable in

extent; pronotum very finely punctate, striate punctures on elytra coarse (especially in transverse depression) and visible to apex.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, shining reddish brown with a piceous median

plaga from occiput down front almost to clypeus,

occiput punctate, a median depression on front, a faint

transverse line separating front from clypeus, clypeus

more coarsely punctate, anterior margin only slightly

curved, sometimes nearly straight over labrum, jaws

piceous. Antennae extending below humeri, distal

joints darker. Prothorax large, almost as wide as elytra,

about a third wider than long, not very convex, with

well-rounded sides and small tooth at each angle,
NUMBER 5 7

lustrous, very inconspicuously punctate in some specimens, never coarsely or very densely punctate, reddish

brown with four piceous spots across, sometimes combined to make a single large spot on each side, margins

dark. Scutellum dark. Elytra lustrous, about 2.5 times

length of prothorax, with well-marked intrahumeral

sulcus and transverse depression in which striate punctures are coarser, punctures visible to apex, on sides

intervals faintly costate; markings, as described above,

variable, especially in width of sutural dark areas,

margins dark. Body beneath deep reddish brown to

piceous with legs paler. Femora with minute tooth;

claws with long tooth. Length, 4.5-5.0 mm; width,

2.3-2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70695, with five paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cozumel, Yucatan Peninsula,

Espirito Santo Bay, Mexico (6 April 1960; J. F. G.

Clarke, collector).

REMARKS.—This is one of several species with a

4-spotted pronotum. It differs from M. quadrimaculatum Jacoby in having more coarsely punctate elytra;

from M. ornatum also in that regard as well as being

a wider, more robust beetle; from M. bimarginatum,

new species, in lacking the strong submarginal costa;

and from M. bipunctatum, according to Jacoby's description, in that the thorax is not densely punctate.

The tooth on the claw is longer in this species than in

M. bipunctatum Jacoby.

I take pleasure in naming this after Dr. J. F. Gates

Clarke, who has collected several new species of Metachroma in the West Indies as well as in Mexico.

Metachroma panamense, new species

FIGURE 77

DESCRIPTION.—From 4.2 to 4.6 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, shining, deep yellowish or reddish

brown, usually with a dark plaga down occiput, four

elongate spots across pronotum and one or two median

spots on each of the elytra, which have a dark suture,

sometimes this is widened, occasionally beetles are

entirely pale; pronotum very finely punctate, elytral

punctation well spaced and evanescent at apex.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, eyes large, occiput and front shining, finely

punctate, usually a dark plaga down front, often a

median linear depression, in one specimen a trace of

depressed line separating front from clypeus, clypeus

41

wrinkled, alutaceous, not shiny, with margin over

labrum somewhat curved, jaws piceous. Antennae extending below humeri, pale yellow-brown. Prothorax

not very convex and nearly as wide as elytra, with

widely curved sides, shining, very finely punctate, deep

yellowish or reddish brown with four elongate piceous

spots across basal half, in a pale specimen only traces

of these spots. Scutellum usually reddish brown. Elytra

not three times as long as prothorax, with small

humeri, short intrahumeral sulcus, and only a trace of

transverse depression below, punctation regular, not

closely set, and vanishing at apex; some specimens

entirely pale, in others, suture dark, spots varying from

one or two median ones on each elytron to specimens

with dark suture widening and spots lengthening to

coalesce. Body beneath varying from pale yellow-brown

to deep reddish brown with abdomen tending to be

paler; femora with small tooth; claws with short basal

tooth. Length, 4.2-4.6 mm; width, 2.0-2.3 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70692, with three paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Panama (30 April 1911; A. H.

Jennings, collector).

REMARKS.—This is another of the species with a

4-spotted prothorax. It is closely related to M. ornatum

Jacoby from Chiapas, Mexico, but it is a larger beetle

and its prothorax appears to be larger and the elytra

not so long proportionately.

Metachroma ornatum Jacoby

FIGURE 87

Metachroma ornata Jacoby, 1891, p. 234.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.7 mm in length, narrowly

oblong oval, lustrous, prothorax almost as wide as

elytra and rather flat with well-rounded sides, very

finely punctate, elytra with striate punctures enlarged

in transverse depression but becoming faint on sides

and at apex; head and prothorax deep reddish brown,

occiput with black median streak down front, prothorax with from two to four spots, elytra with piceous

humeri and markings extending from humerus downward, widening to join a widening sutural vitta in a

broad area extending almost across elytra but not

reaching apex.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

occiput with a median dark plaga extending down

front, shining, inconspicuously punctate, a faint sulcus

dividing it from clypeus, which is alutaceous and
42 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

wrinkled and widely emarginate over labrum, jaws

piceous. Antennae with distal joints dark. Prothorax

approximately twice as wide as long, with arcuate sides

and small tooth at each angle, flat, lustrous, deep reddish brown with two to four deeper piceous spots across

it, mirror-smooth, with almost invisible punctures.

Scutellum dark. Elytra not much wider than prothorax

and over three times as long, tapering to apex; striate

punctures regular but not closely set, in transverse depression moderately coarse but on sides and at apex

becoming fine and faint; lustrous reddish brown with

dark piceous markings from humerus downward,

widening to join a wide, piceous sutural vitta and to

form a dark area nearly covering elytra but not reaching apex. Body beneath deep reddish brown, legs yellowish brown; claws with basal tooth. Length, 3.7 mm;

width, 1.9 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico

(Hoge, collector).

REMARKS.—Only a snigle female cotype, from

BMNH, has been examined. In markings, this species

is similar to M. bimarginatum, new species, from

Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico, but it is more slender and has

no trace of the pronounced elytral costae of M. bimarginatum. It is also a narrower species than M. quadrimaculatum Jacoby. In his description Jacoby writes

that the prothorax has a "transverse slightly sinuate

black spot on either side" and later adds that "in one

specimen the thorax has four small spots instead of two

large ones," which undoubtedly refers to the specimen

I have at hand.

Metachroma bipunctatum Jacoby

FIGURES 61, 73

Metachroma bipunctata Jacoby, 1891, p. 235.

DESCRIPTION.—From 4.6 to 5.0 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, shining yellow-brown, with from

two to four spots across pronotum and sometimes two

median spots on each elytron, these may be lacking or

reduced to one, prothorax nearly as wide as elytra

and punctate, elytra with striate punctures deeply impressed and visible to apex, intervals, especially in female, somewhat costate, body beneath tending to be

dark.

Head with interocular space half width of head.

occiput often dark, with punctures, rest of front

smooth and with only obsolete punctures, no transverse

sulcus separating clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus

in a wide arc over labrum, jaws piceous. Antennae

slender, five distal joints darker brown than pale basal

ones. Prothorax unusually large, almost as broad as

elytra and moderately convex, without depressions and

with well-rounded sides, a prominent tooth at each

angle, surface coarsely (in some specimens much finer)

and densely punctate on sides, usually smooth about

edges, at base, and anteriorly; pale yellow-brown, in

type-specimen a piceous spot on each side of middle,

in three other specimens four spots (varying from pale

to deep reddish brown) across pronotum, Scutellum

reddish brown. Elytra more than twice as long as but

scarcely any wider than prothorax, with regular,

coarse, deeply impressed striate punctures that are visible to apex, in male, costate intervals on sides, in

female, all intervals somewhat costate, little trace of

transverse depression and intrahumeral sulcus feeble;

pale yellow-brown with reddish brown sutural edges

in some specimens and one or two small reddish brown

spots down middle of each elytron, one spot on each

elytron in type, but no spots in a female examined.

Body beneath in two specimens and type dark, in the

pale female, abdomen pale; legs pale, femora minutely

toothed, claws with short basal tooth. Length, 4.6-

5.0 mm; width, 2.4-2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Vera Cruz, Mexico (Hoge,

collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—Mexico: Mazatlan, Sinaloa

(9 May 1961; Howden and Martin, collectors).

REMARKS.—The large prothorax and relatively

short elytra characterize this species. The thorax is

wider and not so convex as in M. longulum Horn, and

the claws have a short basal tooth, and, unlike

M. longulum, the female has a distinctly costate appearance. There is a close resemblance between this

species and M. clarkei from the Yucatan Peninsula,

but the claws in this species have a short basal tooth

and in M. clarkei the tooth is long. The type is from

Vera Cruz on the east coast of Mexico, and the only

other specimens examined are three from Mazatlan,

Sinaloa, on the west coast. Although varying somewhat

in markings, the specimens from Mazatlan correspond

well in other ways with the type. The one female specimen is paler and without elytral spots.
NUMBER 5 7

Metachroma bimarginatum, new species

FIOURE 66

DESCRIPTION.—From 4.0 to 4.5 mm in length, oblong oval, shining yellow-brown, pronotum with four

small spots across it, elytra with wide piceous markings

covering most of disc except on sides, base, and apex,

a well-marked lateral costa and deeply impressed striate punctures in basal half fading away entirely after

middle.

Head with interocular space half width of head, polished and (except at base of occiput) nearly impunctate, a faint frontal linear depression, no transverse

sulcus dividing front from clypeus, clypeus with tiny

emargination over labrum, jaws piceous, otherwise

yellow-brown. Antennae with six basal joints pale,

distal ones dark brown. Prothorax moderately convex,

nearly as wide as elytra, with widely rounded sides, surface lustrous, nearly impunctate, yellow-brown with

four rather small piceous spots across it, outer ones

near lateral margin tending to be elongate. Scutellum

reddish brown. Elytra more than twice as long as

prothorax, with deeply sunken, coarse, striate punctures in basal part, intervals being costate, and on side

a strong costa from humerus extending well down side

of elytra; punctures in apical half fading away; a

piceous mantel over most of disc but not covering

base, sides, or apex and somewhat variable in the two

specimens examined. Body beneath pale yellow-brown

with breast and first abdominal segments tending to be

dark, legs pale, claws with long basal tooth. Length,

4.0-4.5 mm; width, 2.0-2.1 mm.

TYPE.—Female, at KU. One female paratype in

USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Sixteen miles northwest of Tepic,

Nayarit, Mexico (19 July 1953, University of Kansas

Expedition).

REMARKS.—The strong lateral costa on the elytra is

the most striking character of this species. Since only

two females have been examined, it is possible that this

costa is not so developed in the male. In its four-spotted

pronotum this species resembles M. quadrimaculatum

Jacoby and M. ornatum Jacoby, but both of those

species lack the costa. Fall's species, M. coronadense,

has several well-developed elytral costae in the female,

but it is a pale species without piceous markings and

the elytral punctation is distinct to the apex. It has also

been collected in Nayarit, Mexico.

43

Metachroma mexicanum Jacoby

FIGURES 91, 93

Metachroma mexicana Jacoby, 1882, p. 171.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.7 and 4.5 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, shining, reddish or yellowish

brown with broad impunctate prothorax and elytra

with remnants of striate punctation only in intrahumeral sulcus, femora toothed; color varying from

specimens entirely pale to ones with pronotum having

one or two spots, and elytra with dark sutural edges

and dark margin and a broad dark median vitta.

Head with interocular space more than half width

of head, occiput and front smooth, nearly impunctate,

no transverse sulcus, clypeus finely punctate with lateral

edges curved slightly upward, anterior margin with

well-marked emargination over labrum, jaws piceous.

Antennae with more deeply colored distal joints. Prothorax approximately a third wider than long,

moderately convex with strongly arcuate sides and welldeveloped tooth at each angle, surface polished, impunctate, yellow-brown, in darker specimens with one

or two piceous spots. Scutellum reddish brown or

darker. Elytra convex with prominent humeri, short

intrahumeral sulcus, and depression below basal callosities, in both of which striate punctures are visible,

also along suture, otherwise punctures not apparent;

surface polished yellowish or reddish brown, in darker

specimens with dark sutural edges and margin, and

with a median vitta of varying length. Body beneath

pale in pale specimens, more or less piceous in dark

ones, femora toothed and claws with tooth nearly as

long as claw; in dark specimens apices of femora and

tibiae as well as tarsi dark. Length, 3.7-4.5 mm;

width 2.0-2.5 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Guanajuato, Mexico "(Duges,

coll. Salle)."

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Mexico: Silao, Salle; Cuemavaca, Morelos, Hoge; E. Gavilan, 15 km. north of

Taxco, at 5,390 feet; Guerrero, in oak and pine scrub,

F. Werner and W. Nutting; Minas Neuvas, Sonora,

C. and P. Vaurie; Sinaloa, Mazatlan, Paul Spangler.

REMARKS.—A specimen collected by Hoge in Cuernavaca and sent to me by the British Museum (Natural

History) is an entirely pale female without any dark

markings. Two other specimens, collected by Werner

from Guerrero, also are pale, but a single female from

Minas Nuevas, Sonora, corresponds more with the
44

figure given by Jacoby with spotted pronotum and

elytra with a median vitta, except that in the Sonoran

specimen the median vitta is longer and it lacks the

basal spot. Apparently this species is another of the

variably marked ones. It is to be distinguished chiefly

by its polished, nearly impunctate elytral surface as

well as head and pronotal surfaces.

Metachroma guatemalense Jacoby

FIGURES 85, 86

Metachroma guatemalensis Jacoby, 1882, p. 172.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.7 mm in length, ovate, shining, yellowish to deep reddish brown, sometimes without dark markings, sometimes with a median dark spot

on front of head between antennal sockets and a dark

plaga down occiput, pronotum with a piceous spot

on each side in anterior half, elytra with dark humeri,

a median spot below transverse depression and a lateral spot at middle of each elytron, only remnants of

striate punctation in transverse depression.

Head with interocular space half width of head, surface shining, impunctate, without median depression

but with a transverse, rather indistinct sulcus dividing

front from clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus straight

over labrum; yellowish or reddish brown, sometimes

with a dark band between antennal sockets and a dark

mark down occiput. Antennae extending below humeri,

joints 7-11 darker. Prothorax about a fourth wider

than long, convex, produced anteriorly over head, and

with widely rounded sides and conspicuous tooth at

each angle; yellowish to deep reddish brown, sometimes with a moderate-size piceous spot on each side

near anterior margin; surface anteriorly with dense,

fine but distinct punctation, smooth on sides and in

basal half. Scutellum in dark specimen edged with

piceous. Elytra not much wider than prothorax at base

but wider in apical half, convex with only a slight depression at intrahumeral sulcus and slight transverse

depression below this in which a few striate punctures

are evident, otherwise, even in intrahumeral sulcus, the

only punctures are along suture; surface shining yellowish to deep reddish brown, sometimes with a dark

spot on humerus, a piceous spot in transverse depression and another on side at middle. Body beneath deep

reddish brown with abdomen paler, femora usually

with dark ring about apical constriction, femora not

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

toothed, claws with long basal tooth. Length, 3.7-

3.9 mm; width, 2.3 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cahabon, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala (Champion, collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—Cacao, Trece Aguas, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala (Barber and Schwarz, collectors).

REMARKS.—The British Museum (Natural History)

has sent me its only specimen, the type, for study. It is

an entirely pale yellow-brown specimen with dark

outer joints to the antennae. It resembles M. mexicanum Jacoby in its sparse elytral punctation but is a

smaller beetle with more widely rounded sides to the

prothorax. Another specimen collected (by H. S.

Barber) in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, has dark markings on the head, prothorax, and elytra.

Metachroma ignotum, new species

FIGURE 64

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.2 and 4.5 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, elytra more than three times as

long as prothorax and much wider, with deeply impressed striate punctures visible entire length and having costate intervals, yellowish brown to deep reddish

brown, in paler specimen a dark median band on pronotum, femora strongly toothed.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

surface in dark specimen densely and moderately

coarsely punctate, especially on clypeus, in paler specimen occiput and front finely punctate, clypeus coarsely

punctate, in both a trace of transverse line dividing

clypeus from front and a median linear depression on

front, anterior margin of clypeus nearly straight over

labrum, yellowish or reddish brown with piceous jaws.

Antennae extending well below humeri, slender, with

apical joints dark. Prothorax not twice as broad as long,

convex with rounded sides and small tooth at each

angle; surface in dark reddish brown specimen densely

and coarsely punctate, in yellow-brown specimen very

finely punctate with a piceous median band not reaching margins. Scutellum reddish brown, in pale specimen sutural edges also reddish brown. Elytra much

wider than prothorax and more than three times as

long, with parallel sides and well-rounded apex; striate

punctures very closely set and deeply impressed, on

sides coarser, distinct to apex, intervals strongly costate,

so entire surface appears ribbed; shining yellowish

brown in one specimen, deep reddish brown in other.
NUMBER 5 7

Body beneath from deep reddish brown to piceous,

femora with conspicuous tooth, claws with basal tooth

half as long as claw. Length, 4.2-4.5 mm; width,

2.2-2.3 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 70691, with one female

paratype.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Totana, Murcia, Spain, Balaquer

1947 (probably in error).

45

REMARKS.—Although this species is rather unusual

in its strongly costate elytra, it is in every way a species

of Metachroma. Since Metachroma is not known to

occur in Europe, I believe that the locality given on the

label is incorrect and that it is either a Mexican or

Central American species, or possibly is from South

America.

Key to Species from South America

1. Prothorax with sides angulate at middle. (Amazonas) M. egleri Bechyne

Prothorax with sides rounded 2

2. Large (7.0 mm), elytral striate punctures distinct to apex. (Galapagos Islands)

M. labrale BlahSmaller (3.5-5.5 mm) 3

3. Elytra with a more or less marked transverse depression below basal callosities 4

Elytra smoothly convex without transverse depression 6

4. Elytra three times as long as prothorax, claws with very small basal tooth. (Entre Rios,

Argentina) M. argentinense, new species

Elytra not three times as long as prothorax 5

5. Claws with basal tooth nearly half as long as claw (Chaco de Santiago del Estero,

Argentina) M. jacobyi Bechyne

Claws with short basal tooth M. venezuelense Bechyne

6. Elytral punctures very fine and disappearing after middle. (Mendoza, Argentina)

M. mendozae, new species

Elytral punctures large, becoming finer at apex. (Cartagena, Colombia)

M. cartagenense, new species

Metachroma labrale Blair

FIGURE 101

Metachroma labrale Blair, 1933, p. 484.

DESCRIPTION.—Length, 7.0 mm; elongate oblong

oval, lustrous deep reddish brown with finely punctate

head and nearly impunctate pronotum, striate punctures on elytra widely spaced, not impressed, and visible

to apex, hind femora minutely toothed.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, occiput rather finely punctate, a median

depressed spot on front, no transverse sulcus separating

front from clypeus, which is densely and distinctly

punctate, anterior margin widely curved over wide

labrum, jaws even deeper reddish brown. Antennae

entirely reddish brown, extending below humeri. Prothorax half as wide again as long, smoothly convex

without depressions and with well-rounded sides, a

small tooth at each angle, surface mirror-smooth and

only under high magnification seen to be finely punctate. Elytra a little wider than prothorax and more

than twice as long, convex, with only faint intrahumeral sulcus and faint transverse depression below,

882-478 0—70 «

striate punctures rather fine, not impressed, widely

spaced and distinct to apex, with many confused punctures and some ridging at apex, color not so deep

reddish brown as prothorax. Body beneath deep reddish

brown with legs paler, lightly pubescent, hind femora

with small tooth, claws with short basal tooth. Length

7.0 mm: width, 3.6 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—James Island, Galapagos Islands.

OTHER LOCALITY.—Villamil, Albermarle Island,

Galapagos Islands. (4-14 March 1906; F. X. Williams,

collector).

REMARKS.—As Blair has written, this species is very

close, to M. variabile Jacoby and also to M. regulare

Jacoby and M. ustum LeConte. These three species

are the largest of the genus and they closely resemble

each other in shape, size, coloration, and even in

punctation. In M. labrale there is more distinct elytral

punctation in the apical half, with many confused

punctures at the tip. Blair also has pointed out that

the lower part of the face is wider and the tooth at the

base of the claw is not so long as in the other three

species. In both M. ustum and M. variabile there are
46

forms with dark elytral markings, and it is quite possible

that similar color variations occur in M. labrale.

Metachroma cartagenense, new species

FIGURES 97, 98

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, oblong

oval, shining yellowish or reddish brown, with head,

prothorax, and undersurface deeper reddish brown;

in unmarked specimen (type) no piceous markings,

in spotted specimen, a dark occipital spot and on each

elytron two small reddish brown spots—one on humerus and the other on side somewhat below middle.

Head with interocular space half width of head, a

finely marked transverse sulcus between front and

clypeus, and on vertex a slight median linear depression; clypeus broad, alutaceous, and finely punctate,

with anterior margin broadly but shallowly emarginate; front and occiput shining and finely punctate,

yellowish or reddish brown, in spotted specimen with

a dark occipital plaga extending down front almost

to clypeus. Antennae yellow-brown with apical joints

a little darker. Prothorax approximately a third wider

than long, moderately convex with widely rounded

sides; shining, dark reddish brown, in spotted specimen

with vaguely defined darker area on each side; very

finely and shallowly punctate. Scutellum reddish

brown. Elytra nearly three times as long as prothorax,

smoothly convex, without depressions except for a

very short shallow intrahumeral one made by sunken

punctures; striate punctures large, regular, becoming

finer at apex; yellow-brown, in spotted specimen with

a reddish brown spot on humerus and another on side

below middle, sutural edges also deeper brown, in

type-specimen elytra deep reddish brown without

spots. Body beneath reddish brown, legs yellowish

brown, femora minutely toothed, claws with moderately long tooth. Length, 4.5 mm; width, 2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in MCZ. One female paratype in

USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cartagena, Bolivar Province, Colombia (10 July 1920; F. R. Mason, collector). A

female specimen (in Frey Museum) was collected at

Cartagena by C. Gagzo on 12 June 1905.

REMARKS.—This species differs from M. venezuelae

Bechyne in having the elytra more convex and without

depressions. In this regard it resembles M. viticola

Linell and M. convexufm Jacoby, although it is not

so oval as those species. The aedeagus is also slightly

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

different. The type is without dark markings on head,

pronotum, and elytra but it is a deeper reddish brown

than the spotted female paratype, which has a spot

on the head, vague darker areas on pronotum, and

two small spots on each elytron.

Metachroma venezuelense Bechyne

FIGURE 99

Metachroma venezuelense Bechyne, 1953, p. 116.

DESCRIPTION.—About 5 mm in length, oblong oval,

yellow-brown with slightly deeper brown head and

prothorax, prothorax finely and moderately densely

punctate, elytra with striate punctures distinct to apex.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

front and clypeus not separated by sulcus, a faint median depression on vertex, surface shining and with

shallow punctures becoming coarser on clypeus, clypeus broad and widely emarginate over labrum with

somewhat ridged sides, the unusually large jaws piceous. Antennae slender, outer joints wider and darker.

Prothorax less than a third wider than long, moderately convex with rounded sides and small tooth at

each angle; surface lustrous, deep chestnut brown with

fine punctures not so dense about edges. Scutellum

reddish brown. Elytra less than three times as long as

prothorax and not much wider; humeri small, a short

intrahumeral sulcus and faint transverse depression

below; striate punctures distinct to apex, somewhat

enlarged in transverse depression. Body beneath reddish brown, legs paler yellowish brown; femora minutely toothed, claws with short basal tooth. Length,

5 mm; width, 2.3 mm.

TYPE.—In Frey Museum, with one paratype.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Venezuela.

REMARKS.—The paratype sent to me from the Frey

Museum shows that this beetle belongs in the group of

rather large, robust species which is composed of M.

ustum LeConte and its relatives. The aedeagus is similar to that of both M. ustum and M. variabile Jacoby.

It differs from the group composed of M. viticola

Linell from Texas, M. convexum Jacoby from Nicaragua, and M. cartagenense from South America in having elytra that are not so convex but have a well-developed intrahumeral sulcus and transverse depression

below. Bechyne wrote of a single male he had seen

from northern Colombia that was 4.0 mm long and

had very strongly punctate elytra. It might be added
NUMBER 5 7 47

too that the prothorax is much more distinctly punctate than is usual in the ustum group, in the single

specimen sent to me.

Metachroma egleri Bechyne

FIGURE 96

Metachroma egleri Bechyne, 1961, p. 16.

DESCRIPTION.—The original description is as follows (Bechyne, 1961, p. 16):

Brasil, Est. Amazonas: Manaus, Ponta Negra (campina),

12.V.1961 (Dr. W.Egler.MG).

Long. 3.5 mm. female inconnue.

Testac6, genoux (largement), tarses, sternum, marginations du thorax, ecusson, suture (sur le ler intervalle) et bords

latcraux des 61ytres et epiplcures, rouge brun; antennites

4—6 et une bande longitudinalc sur les intcrvalles 4—6 des

elytres, commenc.ant a la base et se terminant dans le tiers

apical d'un brun sombre; antennites 7-11 noirs. Taille

allongee avant-corps mat soyeux (reticulation bien visible

sous le grossissement de 20-30 x), elytres plus brillants (reticulation visible sous le grossissement de 80-100 x).

Tete obsoletement et 6parsement ponctu^e (grossissement

de 50-80 x) sur le front et sur le vertex, ponctuation du

clyp£us plus distincte. Front presque 3 x aussi large que le

diamctre transversal d'un oeil. Sillons oculaires Stroits et tres

profonds, reunis avec les sillons frontaux qui s'arre'tent sur

le tiers exterieur du front en se reunissant en angle obtus

(de 120°) avec les sillons latero-clypeaux. Depression interoculaire effacee, sillon longitudinal central du front finement

insculpt£. Clypeus subparallele (plutot tres 16gerement dilate

en avant), 1,3 x aussi long que large, nettement emargine au

milieu du bord anterieur. Calus surantennaires effaces, orbites

plus brillants que leurs environs, larges. Antennes atteignant

le milieu des elytres, 2e article epaissi et allonge, 3-6 minces,

le 3e (qui est plus court que le 2e) 6gal au 4e et au 6e, le 5e

aussi long que le 2e, les 5 apicaux epaissis, 7 et 8 subegaux,

chacun d'eux aussi long que les 3 et 4 reunis.

Thorax a forme tres particuliere, tres finement et 6parsement pointile (grossissement de 50-80 x). Angles anterieurs

deftechis, base fortement marginee.

Elytres fortement et tres regulierement ponctues (grossissement de 3-5 x), points diminuant en arriere. Calus basal

faible mais distinct, accentue en arriere par une faible

depression transversale. Intervalles plans, le 5e faiblement

convexe en avant a cote du calus humeral, les 2 lateraux

faiblement convexes dans la moitie' ante'rieure. Series 8 et 9

de points atrophiees (points tres epars et irr^gulierement

disposes dans le liers median). Dessou peu brillant. 5e

segment abdominal marque par une fine carene en arriere,

coupe en ligne presque droite au milieu du bord posterieur.

Pattes robustes, dent des femurs extremement fine (grossissement de 40—50 x), emargination des 4 tibias posterieurs

cre'nele'e, profonde.

Espece bien iso!6e dans le genre a cause de la structure du

thorax et la sculpture des elytres (modification des series

post-humerales de points). Elle est la premiere connue du

Bresil; les nombreuses especes se retrouvent dans l'Am6rique

Centrale et aux Antilles, penetrant dans l'Am6rique du Nord,

quelques unes ont et€ trouvees en Colombie et Venezuela.

REMARKS.—The whereabouts of the type was not

given by Bechyne and is unknown to the writer.

Metachroma jacobyi Bechyne

FIGURE 95

Metachroma jacobyi Bechyne, 1955, p. 635. (Not Balya

jacobyi Lefevre.)

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, shining yellow-brown, prothorax about a

third wider than long, nearly impunctate, elytra with

fine, regular, and distinct punctation.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

occiput polished and with distinct, sparse punctures

and a small faint depression in middle of front, clypeus

more distinctly but not densely punctate, no emargination but nearly straight across anterior margin, jaws

pale brown. Antennae entirely pale, extending below

humeri, outer joints wider. Prothorax moderately convex with rounded sides and small tooth at each angle;

margin very narrow, surface lustrous, nearly impunctate, entirely pale yellow-brown. Scutellum pale. Elytra

not three times as long as prothorax, with rather small

humeri and well-defined intrahumeral sulcus, a transverse depression below basal callosity, striate punctures

deep and distinct nearly to apex, with a trace of costate

intervals more developed near lateral margin. Body

beneath and legs entirely pale yellow-brown, femora

toothed, claws with a basal tooth nearly half length of

claw. Length, 4.3 mm; width, 2.4 mm.

TYPE.—In Frey Museum.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"Chaco de Santiago del Estero.

Bords du Rio Salado, env. d'Icano, Argentina"

(December 1904; E. R. Wagner, collector).

REMARKS.—The specimen that Bechyne determined

as Balya jacobyi Lefevre but about which he wrote

that it is a species of Metachroma has been sent to me

by Gerhard Scherer from the Frey Museum. The label

on this specimen, which gives the locality and collector,

also bears the lettering "Museum Paris." But the

specimen could not be one that Lefevre had seen,

because he died ten years before the date of collection

(December 1904). Bechyne, however, is quite correct

in writing that the description of the genus Balya does
48 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

not fit this beetle. It is, in truth, a species of Metachroma strongly resembling many other species of that

genus. In the male of Balya, according to Jacoby, there

is a tooth on the intermediate and posterior tibiae

described 'as "acute, long and triangular"; in the

female, the intermediate tibiae alone are toothed and

the posterior tibiae are simply emarginate. This speciman is a female, and there is the same emargination

with what might be described as "toothing" on the

hind tibiae as on the intermediate. But Bechyne was

not correct in identifying this Metachrorna as Lefevre's

species of Balya because in the first place it does not

fit Lefevre's description of jacobyi in coloring, being

entirely pale flavous, whereas Balya jacobyi has the

distal joints of the antennae, the breast, and abdomen

piceous black. I believe the chief point that caught

Bechyne's attention is the fact that the beetle has

emarginate tibiae and is from Argentina, but even

here, Bechyne erred because this beetle is from Chaco

de Santiago del Estero, an entirely different sort of

habitat from the type-locality of B. jacobyi, which is

Mendoza. Lefevre, with his knowledge of the Eumolpinae in which he was an acknowledged specialist, was

not one to mistake a species of Metachroma for Balya.

In his Catalogue of Eumolpinae published in 1885,

the year after he described Balya jacobyi, he wrote

that the claws are appendiculate in Balya, a point that

Jacoby, who described the genus, did not mention.

R. T. Thompson of the British Museum (Natural

History) has written me that Balya picta (Perty),

which is Jacoby's B. quadrimaculata, has appendiculate claws.

Metachroma argentinense, new species

FIGURE 100

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.5 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, shining yellow-brown with head and

prothorax deeper brown, head with sides of clypeus

curling upward slightly, pronotum finely punctate,

elytra with deeply impressed, closely set punctures

becoming finer and shallower towards apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, clypeus unusually broad and rectangular

and appearing somewhat scooped out and rugosely

wrinkled, anterior margin widely emarginate over

labrum; a faint trace of transverse suture between

front and clypeus, and a depressed medium line on vertex, rather obsoletely punctate, shining deep brown

with slightly darker jaws. Antennae pale, slender, extending below humeri. Prothorax about a third wider

than long, moderately convex with rounded sides and

small tooth at each angle; surface lustrous brown with

distinct yet not very dense or coarse punctures. Elytra

approximately three times as long as prothorax with

closely set, small punctures rather deeply impressed except on basal callosities and toward apex, shining yellow-brown without dark markings. Body beneath and

legs yellowish brown, femora toothed, claws with short

basal tooth. Body beneath and legs entirely yellowish

brown. Length, 5.5 mm; width, 2.6 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in Frey Museum.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—La Paz. Entre Rios, Argentina (24

November 1951; Wittmcr, collector).

REMARKS.—This species, with its long elytra somewhat resembles M. californicum Crotch in both size

and shape. A distinctive feature, however, is the way

the sides of the clypeus curl upward so that, when

viewed from above, a little peak is observed in front

of the eye.

Metachroma mendozae, new species

FIGURE 94

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.5 and 5.5 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, dark yellowish brown with occiput of head, scutellum, sutural edges, joints 6-11 of

antennae, tarsi, breast, and abdomen dark brown to

piceous, pronotum often impunctate, elytra with very

fine striate punctures in basal half, impunctate in

apical half.

Head broad with interocular space more than half

width of head, no transverse sulcus separating clypeus,

which is broad and rectangular with anterior margin

nearly straight across over labrum, surface finely punctate, more coarsely so on clypeus, in some a median depression on front, occiput and jaws piceous. Antennae

with two basal joints yellow-brown, joints 3-5 deeper

brown and remainder piceous. Prothorax approximately a third wider than long, strongly convex, with

rounded sides and small tooth at anterior and basal

angles; surface mirror-smooth in some, very finely

punctate in others, deep yellowish brown. Scutellum

dark brown to piceous, Elytra not much wider than

prothorax and approximately 2.5 times as long,

smoothly convex with only a short depression marking

humeral sulcus, and with small humeral prominences;
NUMBER 5 7 49

striate punctures very fine and not impressed, disappearing after middle, apical half mirror-smooth, deep

yellowish brown with sutural edges usually darker.

Body beneath with breast and abdomen and often

middle of prosternum dark, legs deep yellowish brown,

tarsal joints dark brown or piceous, femora not

toothed, claws with short basal tooth. Length, 4.5-5.5

mm; width, 2.3-2.6 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70697, with five paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina

(19 November 1944; Juan Daguerre, collector).

REMARKS.—This species of Metachroma comes from

the farthest south of any member of the genus so far

described. In Daguerre's collection it is determined

as Balya jacobyi Lefevre, but it is a species of Metachroma with an unusually large head and unusually

fine elytral punctation that is visible only in basal half

of the elytra. There appears to be a slight difference in

the shape of the first two tarsal joints, which are

more slender than is usual in the genus. I have sent a

specimen of this species to the British Museum (Natural History) for comparison with Balya picta (Perty)

and R. T. Thompson wrote that it is not a species of

Balya, in which genus the claws are appendiculate, a

fact that Lefevre was aware of, as he described the

genus with that character (Lefevre, 1885, p. 92).

Key to Species from the Bahamas

1. Shining black with paler antennae, legs, and apex to elytra. (Cat Island) M. felts Blake

Shining brown 2

2. Deep reddish brown, with polished, very finely punctate pronotum. (Nassau)

M. nassauense Blake

Pale yellow-brown, with densely punctate pronotum. (Turks and Caicos Islands)

M. haydeni Blake

Metachroma felts Blake

FIGURE 146

Metachroma felis Blake, 1948, pp. 276, 277.

DESCRIPTION.—About 5 mm in length, oblong oval,

shining black with pale antennae, legs, and apex of

elytra.

Head with interocular space less than half its width,

shining black over occiput and front, alutaceous on

clypeus, densely punctate, no transverse sulcus separating clypeus, a short median vertical line on front,

mouthparts reddish or yellowish brown. Antennae extending to middle of elytra, slender, pale with distal

joints deeper in color. Prothorax almost twice as wide

as long, with arcuate sides and small tooth at each

angle, surface polished, with obsolete and moderately

dense punctation. Scutellum shining black. Elytra approximately three times as long as prothorax, lustrous

black except for a narrow pale rim along the apex,

striate punctures distinct in basal half becoming indistinct after the middle and vanishing at apex, rows

of punctures on sides regular but short. Body beneath

deep brown, legs pale with narrowed apex of femora

dark-ringed and a dark streak down base of tibiae,

femora toothed.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27827, with one female paratype.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Arthurstown, Cat Island, Bahamas (23 July 1935; W. J. Clench, collector).

REMARKS.—This is one of the species closely related

to M. adustum Suffrian. It differs from that species in

having only a narrow pale apex to elytra and no pale

area along the sides or on the humeri, as is the case

in the Florida and Cuban beetles; also, it is slightly

larger, and the tip of the aedeagus is broader. The

elytral striae are not so impressed as in the other closely

related species. In the USNM collection is a female

from Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, collected in July by

H. F. Wickham, that seems to be the same species.

Metachroma nassauense Blake

FIGURE 143

Metachroma nassauense Blake, 1962, pp. 175, 176.

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.5 mm in length, broadly

oblong oval, shining, deep reddish brown, pronotum

polished, elytra strongly punctate, femora toothed.

Head with interocular space about half its width,

densely and rugosely punctate, shining, deep reddish

brown. Antennae yellowish brown, very slender, extending below humeri. Prothorax broad and convex

with rounded sides, polished deep reddish brown, very

minutely punctate. Scutellum dark brown. Elytra
50

broad and convex, polished, with rows of coarse punctures becoming finer over slightly elevated basal callosities and toward apex; entirely deep reddish brown.

Body beneath reddish brown with the abdomen paler

yellowish brown, space between anterior coxae coarsely

punctate; legs reddish brown, femora coarsely punctate, pubescent at apical narrowing, and toothed;

claws with short basal tooth. Length, 5.7 mm; width,

3.0 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 65895.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Nassau, Bahamas.

REMARKS.—This species is very similar to M. adusturn Suffrian from Cuba, but it is a paler reddish brown

instead of piceous and does not have paler sides and

apex to the elytra; in addition, the single specimen

known is considerably larger.

Metachroma haydeni Blake

FIGURE 144

Metachroma haydeni Blake, 1965, p. 34.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.5 mm in length, oblong

oval, shining, not at all alutaceous, entirely pale yellowbrown, prothorax with disc densely punctate except

about margin and base, nearly as broad as elytra,

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

elytra with rows of striate punctures becoming faint

below middle.

Head with the occiput and front shallowly and

coarsely punctate, clypeus more distinctly so, pale

yellow-brown with darker mouthparts. Antennae not

reaching middle of elytra, distal joints darker than

basal ones, which are pale yellow. Prothorax almost

twice as broad as long and nearly as broad as elytra,

not very convex, with curving sides, densely punctate

in anterior half, on sides and base nearly impunctate,

entirely pale yellow-brown. Scutellum pale brown.

Elytra three times as long as prothorax, with distinct

basal callosity and transverse depression below, a short

intrahumeral sulcus, striate punctation distinct to

middle of elytra but disappearing before apex, shining,

entirely pale yellow-brown. Body beneath and legs

shining pale yellow-brown. Length, 3.5 mm; width,

2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in AMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—West Caicos Island, Turks and

Caicos Islands (taken at light, 4 February 1953, by

E. B. Hayden, L. Giovannoli, and G. B. Rabb, on Van

Voast-American Museum of Natural History Bahama

Islands Expedition).

REMARKS.—This species closely resembles M.

obesum Blake from the Dominican Republic in shape,

but it lacks the elytral spotting and the darker

pronotum.

Key to Species from Cuba

1. Head with hornlike projection on each side of clypeus M. cornutum Blake

Head without hornlike projection on clypeus 2

2. Elytra more than three times as long as prothorax 3

Elytra not more than three times as long as prothorax 7

3. Elytra with a lateral costa M. gracile Blake

Elytra without a lateral costa 4

4. Pronotum with vitta on each side M. moaense Blake

Pronotum without vitta 5

5. Elytra with punctation not visible to apex M. longicornis Blake

Elytra with punctation visible to apex 6

6. Elytra narrowly elongate M. oteroi Blake

Elytra more ovate M. acunai Blake

7. Length, 2.0-3.3 mm 8

Length, 3.5 mm or more 12

8. Aedeagus 2-pronged at apex At. testaceum elachistum Blake

Aedeagus not 2-pronged at apex 9

9. Aedeagus narrow at tip 10

Aedeagus broad 11

10. Elytra pale with dark markings, aedeagus very long and narrow M. ensiforma Blake

Elytra entirely deep reddish brown, aedeagus not so long and narrow... M. castaneum Blake
NUMBER 5 7 51

11. Head without sulcus dividing front from clypeus, prothorax not twice as wide as long

M. imitans Blake

Head with sulcus dividing front from clypeus, prothorax twice as wide as long

M. simile, new species

12. Front femora with unusually large conspicuous tooth 13

Front femora either without tooth or with an inconspicuous one 14

13. Aedeagus with tip not pointed M. obscuricollis, new species

Aedeagus with tip pointed Af. odontotum, new species

14. Striate punctures on elytra distinct to apex 15

Striate punctures on elytra not distinct to apex 16

15. Large (5.5-6.5 mm), either entirely piceous or yellow-brown with many spots

M. multipunctatum Blake

Smaller (4.5 mm), entirely piceous except antennae and tarsi M. schwarzi Blake

16. Elytra with short rows of striate punctures in basal half 17

Elytra with striate punctures fading after middle 18

17. Small (3.5-3.8 mm), yellow-brown with darker markings M. maniocae Blake

Larger (4.5 mm), piceous with pale apex to elytra and pale legs M. xanthacrum Blake

18. Interocular space more than a third width of head 19

Interocular space approximately a third width of head 20

19. Prothorax about a fourth wider than long, aedeagus unusually dark.... M. longitarsus Blake

Prothorax about a third wider than long, aedeagus pale M. adustum Suffrian

20. Large (6.5 mm), eyes very large, elytral punctures fine M. grande Blake

Smaller (4.5 mm), eyes not unusually large, punctation coarse except over basal umbones

and at apex M. zayasi Blake

Metachroma adustum Suffrian

FIGURES 20, 110, 111

Metachroma adustum Suffrian, 1866, pp. 339, 340.—Blake,

1930, pp. 214, 215.

Metachroma terminate Horn, 1892, p. 215.

DESCRIPTION.—From 3.4 to 4.9 mm in length, oblong oval, lustrous, usually piceous black but varying

from deep reddish brown to piceous and occasionally

elytra deep brown with a wide lateral piceous vitta not

reaching apex, and dark sutural edges, apex paler yellowish brown, pronotum nearly impunctate, elytra with

striate punctation fading away at apex, femora minutely toothed.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

deep brown to piceous, finely and obsoletely punctate

on front, a short median linear depression on vertex,

no definite sulcus separating front from clypeus, latter

alutaceous and more distinctly punctate, basal margin

widely emarginate over pale yellow-brown labrum.

Antennae yellowish brown, often with deeper brown

apical joints. Prothorax convex, nearly as broad as

elytra, a third wider than long with widely rounded

sides, lustrous deep brown or piceous, almost impunctate. Scutellum dark. Elytra usually deep piceous black

with a paler reddish or yellowish brown apex, sometimes paler along sides and occasionally paler with a

broad piceous vitta along sides not reaching apex, and

dark sutural edges, rest of elytra deep reddish brown;

striate punctures regular and fine, especially over basal

callosities, fading at apex but well developed in several

rows on sides. Body beneath in dark specimens entirely dark but in paler specimens reddish brown, legs

also varying in color, often femora with dark apex,

tibiae and tarsi yellowish or reddish brown, femora with

minute tooth, claws with short basal tooth. Length,

3.4-4.9 mm; width, 1.7-2.5 mm.

TYPE.—In Havana? (Type of M. terminale Horn

in PAS).

TYPE-LOCALITY.—"Cuba" (Of Metachroma terminale Horn, "Florida, Biscayne Bay and Key West").

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Cuba: Cayamas , E. A.

Schwarz; Baragua, on rose petals; Bahia Honda,

Wickham; San Vicente, Pinar del Rio, 6-10 July

1956, C. and P. Vaurie; Grand Cayman: D. M. Cameron. Andros: Fresh Creek, May, June, W. M. Mann.

Florida: Miami Beach, H. B. Bailey, 1-5 May 1922;

Big Pine Key: Barber and Schwarz.

REMARKS.—This species, described by Suffrian from

Gundlach's collection as "fuscous brown," is ordinarily

deep piceous with the apex of the elytra (according

to Suffrian) "more dilute". As in other species of the

genus, there is considerable color variation. Occasionally the elytra are deep brown with a wide lateral
52

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

piceous vitta not reaching the apex, and the suture

also is widely dark. In an earlier paper I synonymized

Metachroma terminale Horn with M. adustum, and

I still believe that, at most, Horn's species is only a subspecies. There is a similar case in Blatchley's M. testaceum from Florida and in M. testaceum elachistum

Blake from Cuba. In both, the Cuban beetles are

smaller. In.Af. terminale the beetles range from 4.2 to

4.9 mm in length, and the Cuban beetles from 3.4 to

4.4 mm. This difference in size is practically the only

difference I can find.

Metachroma schwarzi Blake

FIGURE 119

Metachroma schwarzi Blake, 1948, p. 276.

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, broadly

oblong oval, shining black with reddish brown mouthparts, antennae, and tarsi; pronotum very finely punctate, elytra with striate punctures distinct to apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half its

width, occiput smooth and shiny, clypeus alutaceous,

densely punctate, no transverse line separating clypeus.

Antennae not reaching middle of elytra, deep reddish

brown. Prothorax not twice as wide as long with arcuate sides and small tooth at each angle, surface polished, finely punctate. Elytra entirely dark, shining, a

very faint transverse depression below intrahumeral

sulcus; striate punctures coarse and distinct to apex,

rather deeply impressed. Body beneath shining piceous

with tip of abdomen a little paler; legs dark with pale

tarsi, a tiny tooth on hind femora. Length (4.4-4.5

mm; width, 2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 58778. One female paratype in MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cayamas, Santa Clara Province,

Cuba (E. A. Schwarz, collector).

REMARKS.—Dr. Schwarz himself labeled this species

as new. It strongly resembles M. adustum Suffrian but

has entirely dark elytra and black legs. The elytral

punctation is coarser and distinct to the apex and the

eyes are more widely set than in M. adustum. It differs from M. zayasi Blake in being more strongly punctate as well as being shorter and broader, and it differs

from the dark form of M. multipunctatum Blake in

having a narrower prothorax and being, in general,

a smaller beetle.

Metachroma xanthacrum Blake

FIGURE 112

Metachroma xanthacrum Blake, 1947, pp. 311,312.

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, shining

piceous, with antennae, legs, margin and apex of

elytra, and apex of abdomen pale; head and prothorax

very finely and sparsely punctate; elytra with only the

sutural row of punctures entire, the short rows of

punctures below basal callosity becoming progressively

shorter toward sides.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head; eyes large, occiput and front with obsolete

punctation, producing a wrinkled appearance, no

groove separating clypeus, which is deep reddish

brown, a pale spot near eye on vertex. Antennae pale,

extending below humeri. Prothorax not twice as wide

as long, with rounded sides and tooth at each angle,

surface very smooth and shining, with a few indistinct

scattered punctures; piceous except for a lighter reddish brown area along anterior margin. Elytra with

small humeri and a basal callosity with a depression

below in which there are short rows of coarse punctures, the sutural striae alone reaching apex, and others

becoming shorter toward the side; dark piceous except

for pale sides and broad pale apex and two reddish

spots on each side of scutellum at base. Body beneath

deep reddish brown with paler apical segments of abdomen; legs pale except at apex of femora and along

sides at base of tibiae where there is a dark streak. All

femora minutely toothed; claws with long basal tooth.

Length, 4.5 mm; width, 2.4 mm.

TYPE.—Female, MCZ 27680.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Loma del Gato, Cobre Range,

Oriente Province, Cuba, at about 3,000 feet (3-7 July

1936; P. J. Darlington Jr., collector).

REMARKS.—This species lies between M. adustum

Suffrian from Cuba and M. wolcotti Bryant from

Haiti. It resembles the former in general coloration,

having a pale apex to the elytra, but it lacks the pronounced elytral striation in which the rows of punctures are entire. In this respect it resembles M. wolcotti,

which differs in being entirely dark with dark legs and

dark elytra. It is possible that M. xanthacrum has a

paler color phase, as the two pale spots at the base of

each elytron and the pale apex suggest that it may be

the dark form of a spotted species.
NUMBER 5 7

Metachroma longitarsus Blake

FIGURES 123, 125

Metachroma longitarsus Blake, 1946, pp. 24, 26; 1948, p.

278.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 5.5 mm in length,

elongate oblong ovate, shining, varying from being

deep reddish brown with piceous markings on the

pronotum and elytra and darkened apices to femora

to being entirely black except the mouthparts,

antennae, and tarsi; elytral striate punctures not

impressed or dense, and becoming indistinct at apex.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, a transverse sulcus separating front from clypeus

and a vertical median depression on vertex, clypeus

alutaceous, punctate, front smooth with scattered

punctures, a dark streak down occiput, jaws dark.

Antennae reddish brown, extending below humeri.

Prothorax about a fourth wider than long, with

arcuate sides and a seta-bearing tooth at each corner;

surface polished, finely but not densely punctate in

middle, smooth about edges, deep reddish brown with

large dark areas on each side, or in dark specimens

entirely piceous. Scutellum dark. Elytra parallel-sided

and rather convex with well-developed humeri and a

deep sulcus within, and a somewhat swollen basal

callosity; shining deep reddish brown with piceous

humeri, dark streaks along striae in middle at base

and two large spots down the middle of each elytron

and another large spot on the side between them, in

dark specimens elytra entirely piceous. Body beneath

more or less piceous, polished, lightly pubescent; legs

pale with apex of femora dark in pale specimens, legs

more or less dark in dark ones with tarsal joints reddish

brown. Posterior femora with a minute tooth; claws

with tiny basal tooth. Length, 5.4 mm; width, 2.8 mm.

TYPE.—Female, MCZ 27355.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—South side of Pico Turquino,

Oriente Province, Cuba, at 3,000-5,000 feet (June

1936; P. J. Darlington, Jr., collector).

REMARKS.—This is one of the larger species of

Metachroma having at least two color forms. It is

nearly as large as M. grande Blake, also from Oriente

Province, Cuba, and the dark form can be distinguished from that species by its smaller and narrower

prothorax, not so large eyes, and not so prominently

toothed femora.

53

Metachroma zayasi Blake

FIGURE 117

Metachroma zayasi Blake, 1958, pp. 92, 93.

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, oblong

oval, lustrous black with antennae, tarsi, and body

beneath deep brown; pronotum nearly impunctate,

elytra with striate punctation most developed around

(but not over) depression below basal callosities,

becoming faint towards apex.

Head with interocular space approximately a third

width of head, occiput finely punctate, a short median

line on vertex and a trace of transverse line dividing

front from clypeus, which is alutaceous and with scattred coarse punctures. Antennae not reaching middle

of elytra, deep brown. Prothorax nearly twice as wide

as long with arcuate sides and inconspicuous tooth at

each angle, convex, very finely punctate. Scutellum

deep brown. Elytra nearly three times as long as prothorax, lustrous, striate punctation not very distinct

over basal callosities but becoming large and coarse in

depression below and on side and faint toward apex.

Body beneath and legs shining dark brown, almost

piceous, with tarsal joints paler. Femora toothed;

claws with short basal tooth. Length, 4.5 mm; width,

2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 64536.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Sierra del Cristal, Oriente Province, Cuba (May 1955, F. de Zayas, collector).

REMARKS.—This species differs from M. schwarzi

in being less coarsely punctate. In M. schwarzi the

striate punctures are visible to the apex. The dark

form of M. multipunctatum is larger and the striate

punctures are even deeper and coarser along the sides

and apex and over basal callosities.

Metachroma grande Blake

FIGURE 121

Metachroma grande Blake, 1958, p. 98.

DESCRIPTION.—About 6.5 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, shining piceous black with reddish brown

antennae, tarsal joints and head; occiput and prothorax finely punctate, striate punctures on elytra

except in depression below basal callosity fine and

becoming faint on sides and at apex; eyes very large.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, eyes large, a median line on vertex, front finely
54

and sparsely punctate, clypeus wrinkled, mouthparts

paler reddish brown. Antennae reddish brown with

seventh joint darker than the other joints (in only

specimen examined). Pro thorax not twice as broad as

long, moderately convex with rounded sides and small

tooth at each angle, a slight transverse depression over

head, surface lustrous with fine, scarcely discernible

punctures, entirely dark piceous. Scutellum piceous.

Elytra almost three times as long as prothorax, with

an intrahumeral sulcus and transverse depression below

basal callosities, striate punctures larger in this depression and thence becoming finer and at sides and apex

almost vanishing; surface lustrous black. Body beneath

and legs piceous, tibiae at apex and tarsal joints deep

reddish brown, femora with small tooth. Length, 6.5

mm; width, 3.2 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in collection of F. de Zayas, Cuba.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Yunque, Oriente Province, Cuba

(July 1955; F. de Zayas, collector).

REMARKS.—This species is one of the largest of the

black species of West Indian Metachroma. Its large

eyes, very narrow interocular space, elongate, lightly

punctate elytra, and toothed femora sufficiently differentiate it from the other black species.

Metachroma cornutum Blake

FIGURE 107

Metachroma cornutum Blake, 1948, p. 93.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.5 mm in length, oblong

oval, lustrous deep yellowish brown, antennae with

apical joints darker brown, head with a knobby projection on either side of clypeus anteriorly, pronotum

impunctate with only slightly curved sides, elytra with

striate punctation in intrahumeral sulcus, transverse

depression below basal umbone and along suture,

surface otherwise impunctate.

Head with interocular space half its width, polished,

impunctate, clypeus wide with wide shallow emargination anteriorly over labrum and a knobby projection

at each side of this emargination forming two horns

projecting forward when viewed from above. Antennae

extending well below humeri, outer joints deeper

brown. Prothorax not very convex with only slightly

rounded sides and a small tooth at each angle, surface

lustrous, impunctate and without darker markings.

Scutellum yellowish brown. Elytra very shiny, a small

umbone at base and transverse depression below in

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

which striate punctures are visible, otherwise on sides

and at apex punctation is very faint or absent; surface

very smooth, shiny and deep yellowish brown. Body

beneath shining reddish brown with abdomen and

legs a little paler. Femora not toothed; claws with distinct basal tooth. Length, 3.5 mm; width, 1.8 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 64532.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cayamas, Cuba (5 October; E. A.

Schwarz, collector).

REMARKS.—Only one specimen is known, but the

hornlike excrescences on the anterior margin of the

clypeus make this species easily recognizable.

Metachroma gracile Blake

FIGURE 106

Metachroma gracile Blake, 1937, pp. 67, 68.

Metachroma cavicollis Blake, 1960, pp. 97, 98.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 6.0 and 6.5 mm in length,

elongate oblong, yellowish or pale reddish brown,

feebly shining (one specimen distinctly alutaceous),

head and prothorax densely and strongly punctate,

elytra more than three times as long as prothorax and

tapering to the apex, with small, closely set striate

punctures visible to apex, in female a well-developed

lateral costa, not so evident in male.

Head with interocular space more than half width

of head, a faint transverse depression between front

and clypeus, clypeus broad and short with wide shallow emargination over labrum, front often with a

shallow median linear depression ending on vertex in

a rounded hole; surface of clypeus distinctly alutaceous

and finely punctate, front densely and rather coarsely

punctate. Antennae yellowish or reddish brown, extending below humeri. Prothorax not twice as wide as

long with well-rounded, sometimes almost angulate

sides, and small tooth at basal and anterior angles, disc

with more or less pronounced depressions on each side

and over head, surface strongly and densely punctate,

sometimes alutaceous, yellowish or reddish brown with

lateral margins piceous. Scutellum pale. Elytra more

than three times as long as prothorax, narrowly elongate and tapering to apex, with small prominent

humeri, short intrahumeral depression and faint depression below the slight basal callosities, in female a

pronounced lateral fold or costa, especially developed

in apical half, which in male is not so evident; striate

punctures small, closely set and somewhat impressed,

in straight lines to apex, surface in some specimens
NUMBER 5 7 55

also alutaceous. Body beneath yellowish or reddish

brown, very lightly pubescent; legs pale. Femora with

small tooth; claws with short basal tooth. Length, 6.0-

6.5 mm; width, 2.5-2.7 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 51838. (Type of M. cavicollis,

USNM 64671.)

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Santiago de las Vegas, Cuba

(1919; "B.T.B."). (Type locality of M. cavicollis,

Sierra Cajalbana, Pinar del Rio Province, Cuba, June

1956, F. deZayas).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Buenos Aires, Trinidad Mountains, Cuba, 3 May 1932, J. Acuna.

REMARKS.—As in so many species of this genus

there is considerable variability, in this case in the

difference between the sexes. M. gracile was described

from a male without strong pronotal depressions or a

pronounced elytral costa. M. cavicollis was described

from a female in which the surface is distinctly alutaceous, has well-marked pronotal depressions, and elytra

with a strong lateral costa. In the light of my study of

the genus as a whole, I have come to recognize this

variability not only between the sexes but between

individual specimens, and I feel certain that M. cavicollis is merely the female of M. gracile.

Metachroma oteroi Blake

FIGURE 108

Metachroma oteroi Blake, 1944, p. 252.

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.0 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, moderately shining, pale yellow-brown

with a dark depressed line running down from occiput

to vertex, dark mouthparts, dark lateral edges both on

prothorax and elytra; elytra long and narrow without

any depressions and with straight lines of striate

punctures.

Head pale with dark mouthparts and dark median

occipital depression, surface moderately shining, very

finely alutaceous and with numerous distinct punctures. Antennae extending below humeri, reddish

brown with apices of joints darker. Prothorax pale with

piceous margins, shining, moderately convex, sides arcuate, a sharp tooth at each angle, surface moderately,

densely, and distinctly punctate. Elytra elongate, without depressions or elevations, the small striate punctures running in regular straight lines to apex; between

striae intervals very finely and not densely punctate;

margin in basal half piceous. Body beneath and legs

pale yellow-brown, shining, finely and sparsely pubescent. Front femora distinctly toothed, hind femora with

very faint indication of toothing, scarcely distinct

enough, however, to be definitely called toothed.

Length, 5.3 mm; width, 2.0 mm.

TYPE.—? Male, USNM 46948.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Santiago de las Vegas, Cuba

(16 May 1932; Angel Otero, collector).

REMARKS.—Metachroma oteroi is one of the narrowly elongate species. It is related to M. gracile Blake,

also from Cuba, but it differs from that species in not

having the hind femora toothed and in lacking any

elytral costae.

Metachroma acunai Blake

FIGURE 104

Metachroma acunai Blake, 1946, p. 22.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.0 and 4.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining reddish brown, head with a darker

occiput, each elytron with four more or less distinct

spots down the middle, the lowest near suture; prothorax sparsely but distinctly punctate, elytral striate

punctures distinct to apex.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, a transverse sulcus dividing clypeus from

front, clypeus coarsely and densely punctate, a median

groove on front at vertex, occiput finely and not densely punctate and tending to be darker. Prothorax less

than a third wider than long, sides arcuate and a small

tooth at each angle, a transverse depression over head,

surface finely and not densely punctate. Elytra wider

than prothorax and about three times as long, with

striate punctures distinct to apex and coarser in depression below humeri; each elytron with four spots (which

in one specimen are small and indistinct), these spots

located (1) in middle near base, (2) just below basal

spot a little more toward humerus, (3) in the middle

of elytron, (4) near suture at two-thirds the distance

from base to apex. Body beneath shining reddish

brown; femora without tooth. Length, 3.6-3.8 mm;

width, 1.3-1.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 57745. One female paratype

in MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Moa, Oriente Province, Cuba

(13-22 April 1945; J. Acufia, collector).

REMARKS.—The distinct elytral punctation, visible

to the apex, is a distinguishing feature of this small
56

species. In markings it somewhat resembles M. rosae

Bryant, but that is a larger species with a larger, morepolished pronotum.

Metachroma simile, new species

FIGURES 120, 122

DESCRIPTION.—Between 2.5 and 3.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, lustrous yellow-brown, often with dark

reddish brown to piceous markings in the form of spots

on the elytra, or darker prothorax that varies from a

reddish brown band to being entirely piceous; striate

punctation much reduced, to being only in basal depression and along suture.

Head with interocular space more than half width

of head, occiput smoothly rounded, very finely punctate, varying from reddish brown to piceous, a sulcus

dividing front from clypeus with a short median linear

depression on vertex, clypeus alutaceous and very

finely punctate, jaws dark. Antennae long and

slender, yellow-brown, in darker specimens with apical

joints partly dark. Prothorax approximately twice as

wide as long, sides arcuate with a small tooth at each

angle, a depression over head, polished, usually minutely punctate but sometimes more distinctly so; varying in color from deep reddish brown to piceous. Scutellum deep reddish brown to piceous. Elytra three

times as long as prothorax, polished, only short remnants of striate punctures, apical half smooth and impunctate, varying in color, from being entirely yellowbrown to having reddish brown to piceous spots in

intrahumeral sulcus and below in transverse depression

and another spot along side and a fourth below

middle near suture, often two other submarginal spots,

some of these spots often missing. Body beneath and

legs pale, femora not toothed, claws with short basal

tooth. Length, 2.5-3.0 mm; width, 1.5-1.6 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70699. Fifteen paratypes in

USNM; four paratypes in MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Bahia Hondo, Cuba (1-3 June;

Wickham, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Cuba: Pinar del Rio, C. Parsons, Baker; Banos de San Vicente, C. Parsons; Santiago de las Vegas, A. Otero.

REMARKS.—Specimens in USNM have been labeled

by Schwarz as M. lituratum Suffrian, but I am unable

to tell from Suffrian's description whether or not this

is that species. Suffrian described three very similar

species—M. lituratum, M. laeviusculum, and M. sordiSMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

dum—from Cuba, and it is quite possible that the present species may be any one of these three, but until

someone can examine Suffrian's types and above all

dissect for the aedeagus, these species will remain unknown. This species is about the same size as M. testaceum elachistum Blake, also from Cuba, but the elytral

punctation in the latter is distinct to the apex and

there is little variation in the coloring.

Metachroma maniocae Blake

FIGURE 113

Metachroma maniocae Blake, 1966, p. 216.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 3.5 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, pronotum very finely punctate,

elytra with small striate punctures becoming faint over

basal callosities, toward apex, and on sides; yellowbrown, head with a broad dark plaga, pronotum usually with a more or less well-defined dark transverse

fascia, elytra with dark streak down intrahumeral sulcus ending in a rounded dark spot, often connected

with a marginal dark streak, another spot below this

on side.

Head with interocular space half width of head, a

broad dark median area from occiput down front,

front shining, with scattered punctures, clypeus separated by well-marked transverse sulcus and alutaceous

with denser and coarser punctures. Antennae extending below humeri, outer joints darker. Prothorax moderately convex with widely curved sides, a depression

behind eyes, polished and with fine, not dense punctures, pale yellow-brown with a broad dark fascia.

Scutellum dark. Elytra with small striate punctures

fading out over basal callosities, sides, and apex, surface very shiny, pale yellow-brown with a dark streak

down intrahumeral sulcus ending in a broad spot,

often connected with marginal dark area, below this

on the side another spot, this often faint or even lacking. Body beneath sometimes dark reddish brown, in

paler specimens yellowish brown, legs with a slight

darkening at base of tibiae, femora not toothed, claws

with a long tooth. Length, 3.5-3.8 mm; width, 1.9-2.0

mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 68198, with twelve paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cuba.

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Cuba: Soledad, Cienfuegos,

P. J. Darlington, G. Salt, May 1925; Cayamas, 5 Sep-
NUMBER 5 7

tember, E. A. Schwarz; Jovellanos, Matanzas, attacking cassava, 10 May 1941, E. V. Echemendia.

REMARKS.—There is little variation in the markings

of the specimens examined, but some darker ones have

larger elytral spots and an extra spot near the suture

in the apical half of elytron. One pale specimen is

without the lower lateral dark spot.

Metachroma moaense Blake

FlOURE 114

Metachroma moaense Blake, 1962, p. 176.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 3.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining pale yellow-brown, with a vitta

on each side of pronotum and several reddish brown

spots on the elytra, pronotum densely and finely punctate, elytra with striate punctures distinct to the apex.

Head with interocular space a little less than half

width of head, occiput with a dark median line down

front, impunctate, pale, clypeus rugosely punctate,

jaws brown. Antennae with five distal joints dark, basal

ones paler. Prothorax with a rather uneven surface, a

depression over head, densely and moderately finely

punctate, shining pale yellow-brown with a rather

faint reddish brown vitta on each side. Scutellum pale.

Elytra strongly striate punctate, punctures distinct to

apex, shining yellow-brown with a faint reddish brown

spot along side and three or four spots down middle of

each elytron. Body beneath entirely pale, legs pale.

Femora not toothed, claws with tooth half the length

of claw. Length, 3.2 mm; width, 1.5 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 65896.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Moa, Oriente Province, Cuba

(Acuna, collector).

REMARKS.—The color pattern of this small species

somewhat resembles that of M. fenestratum Blake,

from Puerto Rico, which also has vittate markings on

the pronotum, but the elytra in this Cuban species are

much more coarsely punctate.

Metachroma multipunctatum Blake

FIGURES 115, 116

Metachroma multipunctatum Blake, 1958, pp. 96, 97.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 5.5 and 6.5 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, lustrous, pronotum very finely

punctate, elytra with large, deeply set, striate punctures

57

visible to apex, two of the four specimens deep chocolate brown with a large spot on each side of pronotum,

a row of three dark spots across base of each elytron,

one dark spot below humerus, another one below that,

at middle, and an irregular row of four dark spots

across each elytron below middle, suture in part dark;

in the other two specimens pronotum and elytra entirely dark; femora in paler specimens with apex dark

and tibiae dark at base, in dark specimens legs entirely

dark.

Head deep brown or piceous with interocular space

about a third the width of head, clypeus coarsely, even

rugosely, punctate, with anterior margin over labrum

widely emarginate, sometimes a faint line separating

clypeus from front, usually a short median line on vertex. Antennae reddish brown not reaching middle of

elytra. Prothorax moderately convex, but not quite

twice as wide as long at widest point, with widely

arcuate sides and small tooth at each angle, a depression over occiput anteriorly, surface lustrous, finely

and not densely punctate, in pale specimens deep reddish brown with a large darker area nearly covering

each side, leaving only a small area anteriorly and at

base and a median line paler, in dark specimens pronotum entirely piceous. Scutellum piceous. Elytra

broad and moderately convex with only a short intrahumeral sulcus, coarsely and deeply striate punctate

with some irregular punctures often between rows at

middle, punctation especially deep and distinct on sides

and at apex, surface lustrous deep brown with darker

spots in paler specimens. In dark specimens elytra entirely piceous. Body beneath dark in all specimens,

femora in pale specimens pale with dark apex, tibiae

dark in basal half, in dark specimens legs entirely dark;

front and hind femora with small tooth, claws with

long tooth. Length, 5.5-6.5 mm; width, 3.0-3.7 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 64535. Three female paratypes in USNM; one paratype in collection of F. de

Zayas.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Sierra del Cristal, Oriente Province, Cuba (May 1955; F. de Zayas, collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—"Somorrostro, Habana, 1948."

REMARKS.—This is still another species with at least

two color forms, one pale with spots and the other

entirely dark. The unusually large size and broadly

ovate shape together with the coarse elytral striate

punctures, which are distinct to the apex, characterize

this species.
58

Metachroma obscuricollis, new species

FIGURE 105

DESCRIPTION.—From 3.5 to 4.8 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, head and prothorax dull alutaceous

yellowish or reddish brown, antennae, legs, abdomen,

and elytra paler yellow-brown, elytra often with a reddish brown suture, anterior femora with large tooth.

Head yellowish or reddish brown with piceous jaws,

alutaceous with obscure shallow punctures, no median

depression on front, a line separating front from clypeus, clypeus short and broad with shallowly emarginate anterior margin over labrum. Antennae extending

below humeri, yellow-brown. Prothorax not much

wider than long, moderately convex, with arcuate sides

and prominent tooth anteriorly behind eye, tooth at

basal angle not so conspicuous, surface dull alutaceous

with scattered fine punctures, usually deep reddish

brown but in one specimen yellowish brown with

deeper reddish brown median area. Scutellum dark

reddish brown. Elytra yellowish brown, often with reddish brown sutural edges and margin; striate punctures

small, closely set and visible to apex in regular rows;

elytra with a faint depression in intrahumeral sulcus

and below basal callosities. Body beneath with prosternum and breast deeper reddish brown, abdomen

and legs pale, all femora toothed but fore femora with

large prominent tooth; claws with short basal tooth.

Length, 3.5-4.8 mm; width, 1.8-2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70700, with three paratypes.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cayamas, Cuba (E. A. Schwarz,

collector).

REMARKS.—The narrow, elongate shape, dull alutaceous surface of the prothorax, and large tooth on

anterior femora distinguish this species. Dr. Schwarz

has labeled it M. suturalis Suffrian, but Suffrian's description of that species as having the thorax with a

greenish shimmer certainly does not apply to this

beetle. In fact, I cannot identify any of Suffrian's six

species of Metachroma from Cuba, except M. adustum, with any certainty. There are more than 20

species in Cuba, most of which have considerable variability in markings and color, and with this variability

they can easily be confused in Suffrian's descriptions.

In Metachroma, small morphological differences such

as—in this species—the large tooth on the anterior

femora and the conspicuous tooth at the anterior angle

of the prothorax are of more importance in distinguishing the species than any color phase.

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

Metachroma imitans Blake

FIGURE 103

Metachroma imitans Blake, 1947, pp. 310, 311.

DESCRIPTION.—About 2.5 mm in length, ovate, shining deep reddish brown with paler legs and antennae;

head and prothorax distinctly punctate; elytral striate

punctation not very distinct over basal callosities or

in apical half.

Head with interocular space nearly half as wide

as head, shining and lightly punctate over occiput, more

coarsely and densely punctate on front and clypeus;

no groove separating clypeus, labrum paler, jaws with

deep brown edge. Antennae pale, extending below

humeri. Prothorax not quite twice as wide as long, with

arcuate sides and small tooth at each angle, a depression over head, shining deep reddish brown and a

little paler over head, moderately closely and distinctly

punctate. Elytra very shiny deep brown, with prominent humeri, a transverse depression below basal callosities, striate punctures not distinct to apex and nearly

vanishing over basal callosities and in apical half,

punctures largest in intrahumeral sulcus and transverse depression. Body beneath and legs paler, shining,

femora without tooth, claws toothed. Length, 2.3-2.5

mm; width, 1.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27678, with one female

paratype.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Aguadores, Oriente Province,

Cuba (6 June 1936; P. J. Darlington, Jr., collector).

REMARKS.—This species closely resembles M. testaceum elachistum Blake, also from Cuba, but it does

not have such distinct punctation on pronotum or

elytra, and the aedeagus is unlike that species.

Metachroma longicornis Blake

FIGURE 102

Metachroma longicorne Blake, 1966, pp. 216, 217.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.0 mm in length, ovate,

polished yellow-brown with deep reddish brown occiput, pronotum with a dark fascia, elytra with four

small spots on each and with striate punctation only

in transverse depression and near suture.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

occiput deep reddish brown, polished, finely punctate,

lower part of front paler brown, alutaceous and obsoletely punctate: Antennae slender, extending to middle
NUMBER 5 7

of elytra, pale yellow-brown- Prothorax approximately

twice as wide as long with rounded sides and small

tooth at apical and basal angles, surface lustrous,

finely and not densely punctate, yellowish brown with

deeper brown verging on piceous transverse markings.

Scutellum yellowish brown. Elytra broader than prothorax with small humeri and a transverse depression

below basal callosities in which striate punctures are

visible, otherwise, except along suture, punctation is

very indistinct; surface polished, yellow-brown with

four small piceous spots on each elytron, one on the

humerus, one below basal depression, another along

side at middle, and a fourth near suture in apical half.

Body beneath and legs yellowish brown. Length, 2.8

mm; width, 1.6 mm.

TYPE.—Female, MCZ 31195.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Soledad, Cienfuegos, Cuba (22

November 1936; P. J. Darlington, Jr., collector).

REMARKS.—The pattern of the elytral spotting distinguishes this beetle from other small yellow-brown

species.

Metachroma castaneum Blake

FIGURE 118

Metachroma castaneum Blake, 1965, pp. 5,6.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 3.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, castaneous brown, with body

beneath, legs and basal joints of antennae paler reddish

brown; prothorax finely and not densely punctate,

elytra with striate punctation visible along suture and

in transverse depression below basal callosities.

Head with interocular space less than half width

of head, eyes large, occiput and front smooth, shining,

inconspicuously and finely punctate, deep brown with

yellowish brown labrum. Antennae with four basal

joints paler, remaining joints deep brown. Prothorax

with rounded sides and acute tooth at basal angles,

basal margin somewhat sinuate, disc not very convex,

a little depressed behind eyes; surface finely punctate

with punctures fading out on sides and near base,

polished deep brown. Elytra not much wider than prothorax, with distinct basal callosities and, below, a

transverse depression in which striate punctation is

visible, punctures also along suture and in intrahumeral sulcus, otherwise nearly impunctate; surface

polished, entirely dark reddish brown. Body beneath

with sides of prosternum and metasternum, abdomen

59

and legs paler reddish brown. Length, 2.7 mm; width,

1.3 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 67556.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cayamas, Cuba (5 October;

E. A. Schwarz, collector).

REMARKS.—Although of approximately the same

size, this species differs from the description of Suffrian's two Cuban species, M. laeviusculum and M.

sordidum, in being deep castaneous brown instead of

yellow-brown.

Metachroma ensiforma Blake

FIGURE 124

Metachroma ensiforma Blake, 1947, p. 310.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 3.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining pale yellow-brown with reddish

brown markings on pronotum and elytra; pronotum

finely and densely punctate except on sides, elytra with

only vestiges of striate punctation in the shape of strong

punctures below basal callosity and in intrahumeral

sulcus. Aedeagus unusually long and slender.

Head with interocular space less than half its width,

occiput and vertex with faint obsolete punctures tending to give a wrinkled appearance, a median depression on vertex, well-marked transverse groove separating front from clypeus, which is more distinctly and

densely punctate with an emarginate anterior margin

over labrum. Antennae pale with outer joints slightly

deeper in color, extending below humeri. Prothorax

not twice as broad as long, rather flat with arcuate

sides and a small tooth at each angle, a transverse

depression over head, surface densely punctate except

about edges, yellowish brown with a deeper reddish

brown median area. Elytra with deep intrahumeral

sulcus and a depression below basal callosities, punctation indistinct except in these depressions, yellowish

brown with two short reddish brown vittae on each

elytron extending over basal callosity and a diagonal

stripe from about the middle of the side down to suture,

forming on the combined elytra a wide, open V; in

poorly marked specimens only traces of these markings.

Body beneath and legs yellow-brown, femora not

toothed, claws with long basal tooth. Length, 2.7-3.1

mm; width, 1.4-1.6 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27677. Four paratypes in

MCZ; two paratypes in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—South side of Pico Turquino
60

(1,000-5,000 feet), Oriente Province, Cuba (June

1936; P. J. Darlington, Jr., collector).

REMARKS.—The long, sword-shaped (when viewed

from above) aedeagus is unlike any that I have seen

in this genus or related genera.

Metachroma odontotum, new species

FIGURE 109

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, shining, head and prothorax with deep

reddish brown markings, elytra, abdomen, and legs

paler yellowish brown, elytra with sutural edges and

margins deep brown, anterior femora with large tooth.

Head with interocular space not quite half width

of head, front with fine punctures and a median depressed line, yellow-brown with a dark plaga down

from occiput, a faint trace of sulcus dividing front

from clypeus, which is densely and coarsely punctate

with anterior margin emarginate over labrum, jaws

piceous. Antennae extending below humeri, dark

brown. Prothorax about a third wider than long, with

arcuate sides and tooth at each angle, not very convex,

but flat, surface polished and very finely punctate,

yellow-brown with deep reddish brown disc over middle and dark brown margins. Scutellum dark brown.

Elytra almost three times as long as prothorax and

wider, moderately convex with a short intrahumeral

sulcus and depression below basal callosities, striate

punctures regular, closely set, and distinct although

fainter at apex, shining pale yellow-brown with sutural

and marginal edges deeper reddish brown. Body beSMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

neath with prosternum deep reddish brown, abdomen

paler yellow-brown, legs also pale, anterior femora with

large conspicuous tooth, hind femora with smaller

tooth. Length, 4.5 mm; width, 2.1 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70701.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Cuba (taken on pineapple fruit,

12 May 1936, by Mirimanian).

REMARKS.—The only really distinctive feature

about this beetle is the large tooth on the anterior femora. H. S. Barber has labeled the species as M. suffriani (Clav.) (sutural" Suffrian), but Suffrian's

description of the color of the pronotum as with

"leichten griinlichen Schimmer" does not apply to this

beetle, nor does the size of about 3 mm (1J4 lines).

Since Suffrian's descriptions arc conscientiously detailed, and he made no mention of the prominent tooth

on the anterior femora, I do not think that this can be

his species.

Doubtful Species

Suffrian described six species of Metachroma from

Gundlach's collection of Chrysomelidae from Cuba,

but I can recognize only one. Gundlach's specimens, in

the Instituto de Segunda Ensenanza de la Habana,

are kept in cases with a glass cover, and one is not

allowed to examine them except through the glass

cover. Suffrian's own collection is in the University of

Halle in East Germany. Under the present political

circumstances, the following Suffrian species will have

to remain unknown to me: Metachroma puncticollis,

M. suturale, M. lituratum, M. laeviusculum, and

M. sordidum.

Key to Species from Hispaniola

1. Elytral striate punctures distinct to apex 2

Elytral striate punctures not distinct to apex 5

2. Intervals between striae strongly costate 3

Intervals between striae not strongly costate 4

3. Head with a dark spot on occiput, pronotum impunctate and with 2—4 dark spots, elytra

with numerous small spots M. darlingtoni Blake

Head without dark markings, prothorax finely and densely punctate with darker areas often

on each side, elytra without dark markings M. barahonense Blake

4. Punctures on elytra widely spaced, elytra without depressions, femora toothed.. At. cinctipes

Blake

Punctures on elytra closely set and in basal half deeply impressed, elytra with slight transverse

depression below basal umbones, femora not toothed M. leonardi, new species

5. Elytral striate punctures visible over basal umbones and to below middle but not extending

to apex 6

Elytral striate punctures not visible or much reduced over basal umbones and extending

scarcely beyond middle of elytra, being most conspicuous in transverse depression 11
NUMBER 5 7 61

6. Pronotum with elongate punctures M. longipunctatum Blake

Pronotum either impunctate or with fine punctures 7

7. Pronotum impunctate, beetle piceous, sometimes with a greenish luster, about 3.0 mm long

M. hottense Blake

Pronotum with scattered punctures 8

8. Front femora with large tooth 9

Front femora either not toothed or with small tooth 10

9. A deep transverse sulcus on front of head separating clypeus M. laevius Blake

No transverse sulcus on front of head separating clypeus M. dentatum Blake

10. Femora with small tooth, deep reddish brown to piceous with metallic green luster; 4.0-4.5

mm long M. nigroviride Blake

Femora not toothed, yellowish or reddish brown, elytra with piceous spots; 2.5 mm long

M. obesum Blake

11. Beetle mostly deep piceous black 12

Beetle entirely pale yellow-brown or pale with dark spots 14

12. Piceous, with apex of elytra pale 13

Apex of elytra not pale, elytra entirely dark M. melanochrotum, new species

13. Legs reddish brown, with apex of femora and base of tibiae dark . M. leucurum new species

Legs with femora dark brown to piceous M. wolcotti Bryant

14. Large (4.5 mm), with spots on elytra and dark apices to femora and tibiae

M. nigromaculatum Blake

Small (2.0-3.0 mm), entirely pale yellow-brown M. brevistriatum Blake

Metachroma leonardi, new species

FIGURE 126

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.0 mm in length, broadly obling oval, lustrous, prothorax deep reddish brown,

nearly piceous, impunctate, elytra paler reddish brown

with piceous circles about striate punctures and scattered dark spots in intervals at base, below humeri,

and near middle; prothorax nearly as wide as elytra,

antennae long, extending to middle of elytra.

Head with interocular space less than half width

of head, eyes large, a distinct transverse sulcus separating front from clypeus and a short median depression

on vertex; surface distinctly alutaceous, dull, very

finely and sparsely punctate, clypeus short and broad,

shallowly emarginate over pale yellow-brown labrum,

jaws piceous, front piceous with a reddish brown spot

on each side. Antennae unusually long and slender,

pale, with the distal joints partially dark. Prothorax

fully twice as wide as long, nearly as wide as elytra,

with widely arcuate sides and very inconspicuous tooth

at each angle, not very convex, with a slight depression

over head, polished, almost impunctate, deep reddish

brown piceous. Scutellum dark, impunctate, Elytra

three times as long as prothorax, convex, with small

humeri and very short shallow intrahumeral sulcus,

scarcely a depression below, and regular, small but distinct punctures visible to apex and deeply impressed in

basal half and on sides, each puncture ringed with

piceous and intervals at base with some dark areas and

also below humeri nearly to the middle dark and other

shorter dark areas below middle. Body beneath with

prostemum and breast reddish brown, abdomen paler,

femora with dark ring at apex, base of tibiae tending to

be darker. Femora not toothed, claws with long basal

tooth. Length, 4.9 mm; width, 2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70698.

TYPE LOCALITY.—St. Louis, Tortue Island, Haiti

(April 1929; E. C. and G. M. Leonard, collectors).

REMARKS.—This species somewhat resembles

M. rosae Bryant from Jamaica, but it is larger and has

a darker head and prothorax and more deeply punctate

elytra.

Metachroma laevius Blake

FIGURE 127

Metachroma laevius Blake, 1946, p. 22.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.7 mm in length, broadly

oblong oval, lustrous, head and prothorax reddish

brown, antennae, elytra, legs, and undersurface yellowish brown; head and prothorax finely punctate, elytra with striate punctures indistinct in apical half.

Anterior femora with large tooth.

Head with interocular space a little less than half

its width, front nearly smooth with obsolete punctures,

a deep sulcus dividing front from clypeus and a short

median groove on vertex, clypeus alutaceous, finely

punctate, with shallowly emarginate anterior margin

382-478 0—^70 6
62

over labrum. Antennae entirely pale yellow. Prothorax

about a third wider than long with arcuate sides and

a tooth at each angle, not very convex, lustrous reddish brown with vaguely darker areas on each side and

fine, scattered punctures. Scutellum reddish brown.

Elytra with fine, close-set, striate punctation, not

deeply impressed and indistinct over basal callosities

and apex; surface shiny, paler yellow-brown than prothorax. Body beneath shining, lightly pubescent. Anterior femora with large, sharply pointed tooth, posterior one with a small tooth. Length, 3.7 mm; width,

1.9 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27350. Two paratypes, one of

whichisinUSNM

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Mt. Diego de Acampo, Dominican Republic, 3,000-4,000 feet (July 1938; P. J.

Darlington, Jr., collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Donald Hurst.

REMARKS.—The most distinctive feature about this

species is the large tooth on the anterior femora.

Metachroma longipunctatum Blake

FIGURE 128

Metachroma longipunctatum Blake, 1966, p. 217.

DESCRIPTION.—About 2.3 mm in length, oblong

oval, shining, head and prothorax deep reddish brown,

elytra, legs, and antennae paler yellowish brown, pronotum somewhat rugose with elongate punctures,

elytra with transverse depression and basal callosities

and clearly marked and rather coarse striate

punctation.

Head with interocular space half width of head, a

median depression on front, alutaceous, not at all

shiny, deep reddish brown. Antennae extending below

humeri, yellow-brown. Prothorax rather flat, nearly

twice as wide as long, with widely arcuate sides and

a tooth at basal angles, shiny deep reddish brown with

distinctly elongate punctures, surface becoming somewhat rugose towards base. Scutellum reddish brown.

Elytra shining yellowish brown, paler than prothorax,

striate punctures distinct, larger in transverse depression below basal callosities, becoming fainter towards

apex. Body beneath reddish brown, legs paler, femora

not toothed. Length, 2.3 mm; width, 1.1 mm.

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 31196.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—La Visite and vicinity, LaSalle

Range, 5,000-7,000 feet, Haiti (16-23 September

1934; P. J. Darlington, Jr., collector).

REMARKS.—This is one of the smaller species, and

its conspicuously elongate punctures on the pronotum

distinguish it from other small West Indian species.

Metachroma brevistriatum Blake

FIGURE 129

Metachroma brevistriatum Blake, 1946, p. 23.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 2-3 mm in length, oblong

oval, shining yellow-brown, prothorax punctate in

middle but smooth on sides, elytra sparsely striate

punctate about scutellum and a little below basal callosities, apical half and sides nearly smooth.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, a transverse sulcus dividing clypeus and

a faint linear depression on vertex, clypeus alutaceous,

indistinctly punctate, front shining, with very inconspicuous shallow punctures. Antennae pale yellowbrown, sometimes outer joints with darkened tips.

Prothorax approximately twice as wide as long with

widely arcuate sides, not very convex and depressed

over head, an acute tooth at each corner; surface

distinctly and not very densely punctate, entirely pale

yellow-brown. Scutellum pale. Elytra polished, usually with only traces of striate punctation in apical

half, the only row reaching apex being one next to

suture, others represented by a few short lines below

and about basal callosities. Body beneath pale, shining,

femora not toothed. Length, 2.3-3.0 mm; width,

1.3-1.8 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27352. Six paratypes (3 male,

3 female) in MCZ; one para type (male) in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—San Jose de Las Matas, Dominican Republic, 1,000-2,000 feet (June 1938; P. J.

Darlington, Jr., collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Dominican Republic: Constanza, 3,000-4,000 feet; Villa Altagracia, June 1938,

P. J. Darlington, Jr.; six km. west of Ciudad Trujillo,

22 December 1955; Jarabacoa, 1950, N. L. H. Krauss.

REMARKS.—This species is very close to the Cuban

species M. simile Blake, but it has a differently shaped

aedeagus. Unlike the Cuban species, there are no dark

markings on any of the specimens examined.
NUMBER 5 7

Metachroma cinctipes Blake

FIGURE 130

Metachroma cinctipes Blake, 1946, pp. 26, 27.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.7 and 5.6 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, shining, head, prothorax, and

most of undersurface more or less yellowish or reddish

brown with deeper reddish brown or piceous areas,

elytra and legs paler yellowish brown, elytra with

small spots about base and below middle, both femora

and tibiae with dark bands; prothorax at base nearly

as wide as elytra, polished, elytra with striate punctures

widely spaced.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, eyes large; a broad piceous plaga extending

down front, a transverse groove separating clypeus,

which is deeper brown and alutaceous with distinct

but not dense punctation, anterior margin over labrum

barely emarginate. Antennae extending below humeri,

outer joints thicker and darker. Prothorax not quite

twice as wide as long at base, much broader at base

than anteriorly, with rounded sides and little trace of

tooth at anterior angle but one at basal angle; surface

polished, nearly impunctate, reddish brown with a

large darker area on each side. Elytra convex without

depressions, not much wider than prothorax with small

humeri and short intrahumeral depression and very

little trace of a transverse depression below, basal

callosities not well marked, surface shiny, striate punctures widely spaced and distinct; pale yellow-brown

with remnants of spots about base, a large spot on

each elytron below the middle near the suture, and a

smaller one near lateral margin. Body beneath tending

to be reddish brown or piceous, especially on breast,

legs with dark bands both on femora and base of

tibia, tarsal joints often dark, all femora with trace

of a tooth, most pronounced on hind femora, claws

with long tooth. Length, 4.7-5.6 mm; width, 2.8-

3.1 mm.

TYPE.—Female, MCZ 27357.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Mt. Diego de Acampo, Dominican

Republic, 3,000-4,000 feet (July 1938; P. J. Darlington Jr., collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Dominican Republic: Villa

Altagracia, July 1938, P. J. Darlington; San Jose de las

Matas, 1,000-2,000 feet, June 1938, P. J. Darlington,

Puerto Plata, Donald Hurst. Haiti: Mount Basil, 4,700

feet, 9 September 1934, P. J. Darlington, Jr.; Furcy,

63

W. M. Mann; Plaisance, feeding on fruit of rose apple,

October 1965, Kiskuk and Cooley.

REMARKS.—The large prothorax and general shape

of this beetle remind one of M. rosae Bryant, of

Jamaica. One feature that is rather unusual, and

unlike M. rosae, is the widely separated striate punctures on the elytra that are distinct to the apex.

Metachroma obesum Blake

FIGURE 131

Metachroma obesum Blake, 1946, pp. 23, 24.

DESCRIPTION.—About 2.5 mm in length, ovate, shining, head, prothorax, legs and undersurface reddish

brown, antennae with seven distal joints dark at base,

elytra yellowish brown with piceous spots, prothorax

distinctly punctate, elytra with striate punctures disappearing after the middle.

Head with interocular space more than half width

of head, coarsely punctate throughout, a transverse

sulcus dividing clypeus from front and a short deep

cleft on vertex; a dark occipital spot running down to

vertex. Antennae extending below humeri, four basal

joints pale, remainder dark at base. Prothorax more

than a third wider than long with well-rounded sides

and a tooth at each angle; surface alutaceous and

distinctly but not densely punctate, smooth near margin; deep reddish brown with an irregular darker

median fascia. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra shining pale yellow-brown with piceous spots, one on

humerus, three below it in a transverse row, four

other small spots on each elytron forming an interrupted fascia across elytra below the middle. Striate

punctation distinct to middle of elytra but vanishing

in apical half and on sides shortly below the humeri.

Body beneath shining reddish brown, nearly glabrous,

claws toothed, but femora without toothing. Length,

2.5 mm; width, 1.5 mm.

TYPE.—Female, MCZ 27353.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Constanza, 3,000-4,000 feet, Dominican Republic (August 1938, P. J. Darlington, Jr.,

collector).

REMARKS.—This is an unusually broadly ovate species with conspicuous dark elytral spots and the apical

half entirely smooth. It differs from M. brevistriatum

Blake in having a narrower prothorax and dark markings on head and elytra.

382-478 O—7
64 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

Metachroma nigromaculatum Blake

FIGURE 132

Metachroma nigromaculatum Blake, 1962, p. 175.

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, oblong

oval, shining, prothorax impunctate, elytra with striate

punctures distinct only in basal half and not over basal

callosities, deep reddish brown with vague darker areas

on pronotum and at base of elytra, and a large dark

area in middle in apical half, legs pale with darkbanded femora and tibiae.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, alutaceous, clypeus separated from front

by a deep transverse groove, a short median depression

on vertex, reddish brown with a darker area in middle

of front. Antennae slender, extending well below

humeri, reddish brown with deeper brown outer joints.

Prothorax not very convex, with arcuate sides and

small tooth at each angle, depressed slightly over head,

polished, impunctate, deep reddish brown with indefinite dark areas on each side. Scutellum reddish brown.

Elytra nearly three times as long as prothorax, with

slight basal callosities and faint transverse depression

below, impunctate over callosities and with short rows

of punctures below, smooth in apical half and on sides,

deep reddish brown with a short vittate piceous mark

in middle of base, a smaller spot below humerus, and

on each elytron a large rounded dark area in apical

half, almost connected at suture but not reaching apex.

Body beneath reddish brown, legs yellowish brown,

femora with dark ring near apex, tibiae dark at apex.

Femora not toothed; claws with short basal tooth.

Length, 4.5 mm; width, 2.3 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 65894.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Kinscoff, Haiti (2 August 1935;

R. E. Blackwelder, collector).

REMARKS.—The absence of striate punctation in the

apical half of the elytra and the large dark spot in the

apical half of each elytron are distinguishing characters

of this species.

Metachroma darlingtoni Blake

FIGURE 133

Metachroma darlingtoni Blake, 1946, p. 24.

DESCRIPTION.—From 4.0 to 5.0 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, shining, pale yellow-brown with a

dark streak down occiput to middle of front, four (or

two coalescing) dark spots across pronotum and small

irregular spots across base and below middle of elytra;

legs banded, undersurface more or less dark, elytral

striae deeply impressed.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, eyes large, occiput with a piceous streak down

front, shining, lightly punctate, a well-marked transverse sulcus dividing front from clypeus and a short

median line on vertex, clypeus more distinctly punctate and somewhat alutaceous, anterior margin very

shallowly emarginate over labrum, jaws dark. Antennae extending below humeri, apical joints dark. Prothorax not quite twice as broad as long with arcuate

sides and tooth at anterior and basal angles, only

slightly convex, shining, smooth, impunctate, with

either two or four piceous spots across middle. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra shining pale yellow-brown,

with four spots across the base and six irregularly

shaped spots below the middle, striate punctures closely

set and impressed and distinct to apex, intervals somewhat costate, especially on sides where there is a strong

costa from humerus along side, humeri prominent,

with a transverse depression below. Body beneath varying in coloring, in two of the three specimens dark

piceous, one specimen with the abdomen pale. Legs

pale, both femora and tibiae with a dark band, claws

with long tooth, femora not toothed. Length, 4.2-5.2

mm; width, 2.0-2.6 mm.

TYPE.—Female, MCZ 27354. One paratype in

USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Constanza to Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic, 2,000-4,000 feet (August 1938; P. J.

Darlington, Jr., collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—Villa Altagracia, Dominican

Republic, July 1938, P. J. Darlington, Jr.

REMARKS.—Deeply impressed striae, spotted legs,

and large eyes are the characteristics of this species.

Metachroma nigroviride Blake

FIGURE 134

Metachroma nigroviride Blake, 1948, pp. 274-279.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.0 and 5.0 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, shining, deep reddish brown, piceous or with a dark green metallic luster, antennae reddish brown, legs varying as upper surface; prothorax

nearly as broad as elytra, very finely and sparsely punc-
NUMBER 5 7

tate, elytral striate punctures becoming very fine over

basal callosities, on sides, and at apex.

Head with interocular space half its width, polished,

with fine punctures and a faint median line down

front, no transverse sulcus separating clypeus, which

is more distinctly punctate, and with a wide emargination anteriorly over labrum. Antennae extending

nearly to middle of elytra, apical joints tending to be

darker. Prothorax not quite twice as wide as long, but

nearly as wide as elytra, with arcuate sides and a small

tooth at apical and basal angles, surface polished,

finely and sparsely punctate. Scutellum polished. Elytra with a slight basal callosity, well-marked humeri,

and a short intrahumeral depression and slight transverse depression below basal callosity, rows of striate

punctures distinct but not coarse, becoming fine over

basal callosities, on sides, and at apex. Body beneath

deep reddish brown to piceous, shiny, lightly pubescent, femora with small tooth, claws with long tooth.

Length 4.0-4.5 mm; width 2.5-2.6 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in MCZ. Six paratypes in MCZ; one

paratype in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic (Hurst, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Dominican Republic: Villa

Altagracia, July 1938, P. J. Darlington, Jr.; Constanza,

3,000-4,000 feet, August 1938, P. J. Darlington; Pico

de Isabel de Torres, near Puerta Plata, 10 May 1959,

M. W. Sanderson.

REMARKS.—Three of the ten specimens examined

are deep reddish brown, one is piceous, and the rest

are more or less deep metallic green. This green coloring is unusual in the genus, which is composed o\

species varying from yellow-brown to piceous.

Metachroma dentatum Blake

FIGURE 135

Metachroma dentatum Blake, 1965, p. 5.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.5 mm in length, broadly

oblong oval, shining yellowish brown, with the prothorax having deeper reddish brown areas, prothorax

finely punctate, flat, elytra pale yellow-brown, all

femora toothed, eyes large.

Head with interocular space less than half width

of head, eyes large, a median depression on vertex,

no transverse sulcus dividing clypeus, occiput and front

65

finely punctate, entirely pale yellow. Antennae extending below humeri, entirely pale. Prothorax about twice

as wide as long, rather flat, depressed over head, sides

widely arcuate, a tooth at each angle, lower margin

not at all sinuate but straight; surface very shiny, with

fine punctures in middle; yellow-brown with reddish

brown areas in middle. Scutellum pale. Elytra smooth

with a transverse depression below small basal callosities, not very convex, striate punctures apparent in

basal half but fading below middle; entirely pale

yellow. Body beneath pale, all femora toothed, front

femora with an unusually large tooth. Length, 3.6 mm;

width, 2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in AMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (3 March 1955; A. M. Nadler, collector).

REMARKS.—This is a broadly oblong oval beetle

whose most distinctive features are the wide, flat prothorax and the conspicuous tooth on the front femora.

Metachroma wolcotti Bryant

FIGURE 136

Metachroma wolcotti Bryant, 1926, p. 403.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.0 and 5.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, lustrous piceous black, prothorax rather

flat, finely punctate, elytra with striate punctures most

evident in transverse depression below basal callosities,

fading away after middle.

Head with interocular space less than half width

of head, more or less coarsely punctate, especially on

clypeus, no transverse sulcus separating front from

clypeus or frontal depression, entirely piceous except

reddish brown mouthparts. Antennae yellowish brown

with deeper distal joints, extending to below humeri.

Prothorax nearly as broad as elytra with widely curved

sides and small tooth at each angle, not very convex,

lustrous black with fine inconspicuous punctation.

Scutellum dark. Elytra shining piceous with a slight

basal umbone and transverse depression below in which

striate punctures are large, but otherwise, except along

suture and in intrahumeral sulcus, punctation nearly

obsolete. Body beneath deep brown verging on being

piceous on prosternum and femora, tip of abdomen

paler, all tibiae and tarsi brownish, femora toothed,

claws with basal tooth. Length, 4.4-5.0 mm; width

2.2-3.0 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH. Two "cotypes" in USNM.
66

TYPE LOCALITY.—Port-au-Prince, Haiti (taken at

light June 1925 by G. N. Wolcott).

REMARKS.—This species is very close to a Cuban

species, M. zayasi Blake, described from Oriente Province, which is nearest to Haiti. There are, however,

slight differences in shape and punctation: M. zayasi

has more striate punctures on the elytra and fewer on

the prothorax. Also M. wolcotti Bryant is more uniformly darker in color and a more robust beetle. Bryant

describes the prothorax as being black with a "metallic tinge" and the apex as '"slightly fuscous." In the

two cotypes in the USNM collection I can see no

metallic tinge and the apex of the elytra is not paler.

Metachroma hottense Blake

FIGURE 137

Metachroma hottense Blake, 1948, p. 279.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.0 mm in length, broadly oblong oval, polished dark metallic green with dark

brown mouthparts, antennae, legs, and undersurface;

head and pronotum impunctate, striate punctures on

elytra coarsest below basal callosities, on sides and at

apex becoming indistinct.

Head with interocular space more than half its

width, front broad, flat, impunctate, no transverse

groove separating front from clypeus, labrum reddish

brown. Antennae extending below humeri, five basal

joints reddish brown, apical joints piceous. Prothorax

not quite twice as broad as long, moderately convex

with strongly arcuate sides and small tooth at each

angle, surface polished, impunctate, basal margin

lightly sinuate. Scutellum dark. Elytra a little broader

than prothorax with short intrahumeral sulcus and a

transverse depression below basal callosities; striate

punctures in depression coarser than elsewhere, at sides

and apex becoming rather indistinct; surface polished

metallic green. Body beneath dark, shining, lightly

pubescent, femora not toothed. Length 3.2 mm; width,

2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27826.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Desbarriere, Morne LaHotte,

Haiti, at about 4,000 feet (12-14 October 1934; P. J.

Darlington, Jr., collector).

REMARKS.—This beetle is considerably smaller than

M. nigroviride Blake, which sometimes also has a green

metallic lustre, and the thorax differs in not being

punctate at all.

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

Metachroma leucurum, new species

FIGURE 138

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.5 and 4.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, lustrous black with apex of elytra pale,

and legs with apex of femora and base of tibiae dark;

pronotum impunctate, elytral striation disappearing

after middle.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, shining piceous above, occasionally with paler

brown spot on either side of front, punctures sparse, a

more or less well marked transverse sulcus separating

front from clypeus, which is more alutaceous and finely

punctate. Antennae extending below humeri, slender,

distal joints darker. Prothorax nearly twice as wide as

long with arcuate sides and small tooth at each angle,

surface lustrous black, nearly impunctate. Elytra not

quite three times as long as prothorax, striate punctation faint over basal umbones and disappearing before

middle; a slight transverse depression below umbones;

piceous black except the wide pale apex and often pale

along side from humerus down, leaving a submarginal

pale area, this latter variable. Body beneath more or

less dark brown to piceous, legs reddish brown with

apex of femora and base of tibiae dark, claws dark.

Femora toothed, claws with long tooth. Length, 3.4-

4.1 mm; width, 1.8-2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in BMNH. Two paratypes in BMNH;

one paratype in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Port-au-Prince, Haiti (1-10 May

1908; Dr. M. Cameron, collector).

REMARKS.—The coloration of this species is similar

to that of M. adustum Suffrian from Cuba and southern Florida, but it is a smaller beetle with a wider prothorax and not so strongly punctate elytra. A single

larger specimen from Chester Vale, Haiti, collected 16

June 1908, by Dr. Cameron differs from the typical

specimens in size (measuring 5.0 mm in length and

3.0 mm in width) as well as coloration of the elytra,

having only the rim about the apex pale. It is a female,

and I am not able to determine whether it represents

a different species. The elytral punctation appears a

little more distinct.

Metachroma melanochrotum, new species

FIGURE 139

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.5 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, shining black, prothorax minutely punc-
NUMBER 5 7 67

tate, elytra with short rows of striate punctures in

transverse depression below basal umbones.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, eyes large, front densely and finely punctate,

without trace of transverse sulcus or median depression,

clypeus shallowly emarginate over labrum, with deep

reddish brown mouthparts. Antennae slender, extending below humeri, reddish brown. Prothorax large,

almost as wide as elytra, only moderately convex, with

rounded sides and small tooth at each angle, surface

lustrous black, very finely punctate. Scutellum black.

Elytra not three times as long as prothorax, lustrous

black with striate punctation only in short rows in

transverse depression below basal callosities and along

suture and in intrahumeral sulcus, short rows along

sides, punctures impressed, producing a slight costate

effect in their short range. Body beneath dark, legs

deep reddish brown, femora toothed, claws with long

basal tooth. Length, 5.5 mm; width, 2.5 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in BMNH. One paratype in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Carrefour, Haiti (May 1908; Dr.

M. Cameron, collector).

REMARKS.—This is another of the black species

prevalent in the West Indies. In its sparse elytral punctation is resembles M. felis Blake from Cat Island, but

the legs are darker and the prothorax is larger. It is

also closely related to M. zayasi Blake from Cuba, but

differs from that species in having a larger prothorax

and even less-punctate elytra. It is larger than M. wolcotti Bryant, having a wider prothorax and more deeply

impressed elytral punctures.

Metachroma barahonense Blake

FIGURE 140

Metachroma barahonense Blake, 1946, p. 23.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.2 and 4.7 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining, head, prothorax, and

undersurface deeper yellow-brown or reddish brown

than the pale yellow-brown elytra, legs, and antennae;

prothorax rather flat with prominent tooth at each

angle, closely punctate, elytra with close-set, impressed striate punctures distinct to apex.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, eyes large, front and occiput indistinctly punctate and shining, a transverse groove separating front

from clypeus, a median depressed line on vertex,

clypeus densely and coarsely punctate and anteriorly

nearly straight over labrum. Antennae extending below

humeri, pale yellow-brown, often with darker outer

joints. Prothorax approximately a third wider than

long with well-rounded sides and conspicuous tooth

at each angle, rather flat and not convex, surface lustrous reddish brown, finely and densely punctate

with sides, along anterior margin and along base,

smooth and not so deep a brown as the punctate area.

Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra almost three times

as long as prothorax with regular close-set and impressed punctures that on sides have costate intervals,

a more-pronounced costa from humerus along side,

punctation distinct tc apex; a distinct intrahumeral

depression and prominent humeri, also a transverse

depression below, pale yellow-brown. Body beneath

reddish brown with pale legs, a faint deepening of

color about apex of femora and base of tibiae, claws

with long tooth, no tooth on femora. Length, 4.2-4.7

mm; width, 2.2-2.3 mm.

TYPE.—Female, MCZ 27359. One female paratype

in MCZ; one female paratype in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Barahona, Dominican Republic

(September 1938; P. J. Darlington, Jr., collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—"Santo Domingo" (female

specimen in Frey Museum). Haiti: Carrefour, several

specimens in BMNH, 1-3 May 19083 M. Cameron.

REMARKS.—The short, wide, flattened prothorax

and the elytra with strong, dense, striate punctation

and somewhat costate intervals on the sides distinguish this species.

Key to Species from Puerto Rico

1. Elytral striate punctures visible to apex, a lateral costa in female, piceous black

M. oakleyi, new species

Elytral striate punctures not visible to apex, no lateral costa in female, yellowish or reddish

brown, with or without dark markings 2

2. Head with interocular space half width of head 3

Head with interocular space less than half width of head 6
68

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

3. Head with well-marked transverse groove separating front from clypeus 4

Head without well-marked transverse groove separating front from clypeus

M. leiotrachelus, new species

4. Femora conspicuously hairy at apex M. tricharthrum Blake

Femora not conspicuously hairy at apex 5

5. Striate punctures on elytra not visible much below transverse depression, pronotum with vittate

marking on each side M. fenestratum Blake

Striate punctures visible to middle, becoming gradually fainter after middle, pronotum without

6. Aedeagus ending in a long, gradually narrowed, pointed tip M. antennale Weise

vittate markings M. nanum Blake

Aedeagus with a broad apex having a short pointed tip 7

7. Elytra more than three times as long as prothorax Af. metrium Blake

Elytra not three times as long as prothorax M. amplicollis Blake

Metachroma antennale Weise(?)

FIGURES 151, 152

Metachroma antennalis Weise, 1885, p. 155.

DESCRIPTION.—-From 2.5 to 3.2 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining yellow-brown with slightly

deeper colored head and prothorax, varying from

being without markings to having an elongate spot

on each side of pronotum and reddish brown to piceous

markings on elytra.

Head with interocular space a little less than half

width of head, a deep sulcus dividing front from

clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus nearly straight

over labrum, surface shining, nearly impunctate, yellow-brown, sometimes with vague darkening on occiput, jaws piceous. Antennae yellow-brown, extending

below humeri. Prothorax not twice as broad as long,

depressed over head, moderately convex with rounded

sides; surface deep orange-brown, in darker specimens

with elongate spot on each side, mirror-smooth, impunctate. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra approximately three times as long as prothorax and wider,

convex, with intrahumeral sulcus and well-marked

transverse depression below basal callosities, striate

punctation indistinct over basal callosities and on sides,

not extending much below middle, apical half impunctate ; ranging in color from being entirely pale yellowbrown to having a reddish brown spot in middle at base

of each elytron and reddish brown fascia in transverse

depression, and in darker specimens a piceous area

covering elytra except humerus and below, and a wide

pale apical area. Body beneath reddish brown with

paler abdomen and legs, femora not toothed, claws

with basal tooth. Length, 2.5-3.2 mm; width, 1.3-1.6

mm.

TYPE.—Whereabouts unknown.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Puerto Rico.

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Puerto Rico: Rio Piedras, on

guava; Bayamon, on guava; Aibonito, on guava.

REMARKS.—It is with considerable hesitation that

I am determining this species as Weise's M. antennale.

As in the case of some of the small Cuban species that

Suffrian described, there are in Puerto Rico several

small species that are difficult enough to distinguish

when one has the specimens. From written descriptions

such as those of Suffrian and Weise, one can only

guess. All of these little species have many color variations, and only by dissecting for the aedeagus can one

separate them satisfactorily. In this species the specimens vary from being entirely pale to having two dark

spots on the pronotum and the elytra with a large

piceous area in the basal half. There are three other

small species with similar markings. One, which I described as M. nanum (unfortunately a female, without

any markings at all), I can separate only by the fact

that the eyes are more widely separated. In a second,

M. fenestratum Blake, also with similar markings, the

elytral dark area extends farther down towards the

apex, the striate punctures do not extend to middle

of the elytra, and the aedeagus has a longer and

thinner tip. A third species, M. tricharthrum Blake,

I so named because of the conspicuously hairy femora.

In this species the aedeagus is wider.

Metachroma fenestratum Blake

FIGURE 155

Metachroma fenestratum Blake, 1947, p. 312.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.0 mm in length, oblong

oval, lustrous yellowish or reddish brown with a dark

vitta on each side of pronotum and a broad dark marking on the basal callosity of elytron and below along

the suture, and a fainter band running from about the

middle of the side diagonally across to the suture;
NUMBER 5 7

head and pronotum indistinctly punctate, elytra with

large striate punctures for a short distance below basal

callosities and in intrahumeral sulci.

Head smooth, with interocular space about half its

width, in some specimens indistinct wrinkles as of obsolete punctures, transverse groove separating clypeus

deep. Antennae extending to the middle of the elytra,

five distal joints with dark apex. Prothorax rather narrow, considerably less than twice as broad as long, with

curved sides and a sharp tooth at each corner; surface

very shiny, only indistinctly and sparsely punctate;

deep reddish brown with a dark stripe on either side.

Elytra more than three times as long as prothorax, with

small humeri and basal callosities and a deep intrahumeral sulcus; a line of indented punctures along base

and down suture, and short rows of large punctures below the basal callosities and in intrahumeral grooves,

these rows becoming indistinct before the middle; surface very smooth and shiny, pale yellowish brown with

dark markings in the middle of the base and below for

a short distance along the suture, a darker band starting from the side at middle and extending diagonally

across to the suture, but becoming paler. Body beneath

shining yellowish or reddish brown. Femora not

toothed; claws with long basal tooth. Length, 2.8-3.2

mm; width, 1.7 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27661. One paratype in MCZ;

one paratype in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Yauco, Puerto Rico (15 June

1934, C. M. Matos, Stuart T. Danforth collection, on

Eugenia species, 13 May 1934, R. G. Oakley).

REMARKS.—The vittate markings on the pronotum

of this species distinguish it easily. Also, the shape of

the aedeagus is rather peculiar in this genus.

Metachroma tricharthrum Blake

FIGURE 154

Metachroma tricharthrum Blake, 1946, pp. 26, 27.

DESCRIPTION.—About 2.0 mm in length, oblong

oval, lustrous pale yellow-brown with a piceous mark

on occiput, one on each side of pronotum, and a median dark spot at base of each elytron and another transverse one at middle not quite reaching suture; sides of

prosternum and metasternum dark; elytral striate

punctation absent in apical half.

Head with transverse groove separating clypeus from

front, no median depression on front; polished, im69

punctate with a piceous area on occiput. Antennae extending to middle of elytra, six distal joints dark.

Prothorax a third wider than long with arcuate sides

and small tooth at angles; surface polished and finely

and not densely punctate, pale yellow-brown with

dark margin and a piceous area on each side. Elytra

considerably wider than prothorax, polished pale yellow-brown, a dark piceous spot in middle at base and

another transverse one across below middle not reaching suture, margins dark; only sutural striate punctures

entire the length of elytra, others disappearing at sides,

over basal callosities, and in apical half. Body beneath

with sides of prosternum and metasternum dark, abdomen and legs pale; femora conspicuously hairy at

apex, not toothed. Length, 2.2 mm; width, 1.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27356.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Maricao Forest (2,000-3,000

feet), Puerto Rico (30 May-2 June 1938, P. J. Darlington, Jr.; collector).

REMARKS.—The conspicuous bristles at the apex of

the femora have suggested the name tricharthrum for

this species.

Metachroma nanutn Blake

FIGURE 150

Metachroma nanum Blake, 1958, p. 96.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.0 mm in length, oblong

oval, shining, elytra distinctly striate punctate, yellowbrown without dark markings except brownish

mouthparts.

Head with interocular space half its width, lightly

but densely punctate over occiput, a transverse groove

between antennal sockets dividing front from clypeus,

anterior margin of clypeus with small emargination,

jaws large and deeper brown. Antennae not extending

to middle of elytra, entirely pale. Prothorax moderately

convex with arcuate sides, surface shining, very indistinctly punctate, pale. Elytra a little more than three

times as long as prothorax, with striate punctures

coarse in intrahumeral sulcus and in depression below

basal callosities, gradually becoming finer and vanishing at apex; surface very shiny, entirely pale yellowish

brown. Body beneath and legs pale, femora not toothed,

claws with long tooth. Length, 3.0 mm; width, 1.6 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 64534.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Puerto Rico (collected on guava

by Kline, 31 May 1951).
70

REMARKS.—This species is approximately the same

size as the Cuban species Metachroma simile Blake, but

it is more distinctly punctate on the elytra. Possibly

other specimens, as in the case of M. simile, have dark

markings. The interocular space is wider than in M.

antennale Weise, and the striate punctures extend

farther down towards the apex than is usually the case

in that species.

Metachroma metrium Blake

FIGURE 147

Metachroma metrium Blake, 1947, p. 311.

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.0 mm in length, broadly oblong oval, shining yellowish brown with dark markings

on the occiput, thorax, and elytra; on each elytron a

spot on the basal callosity, three spots placed transversely below the basal callosity and two or three paler

ones slightly below the middle, one on the edge and the

other on the side; punctation on elytra indistinct in

apical half.

Head with interocular space not half width of head,

eyes large; occiput and front obsoletely punctate and

somewhat wrinkled, with a broad dark band extending

down front and a slight depression between eyes. Antennae extending to middle of elytra, six distal joints

deeper in color. Prothorax not quite twice as wide as

long, not at all convex but flat, sides arcuate and a

small tooth at each angle; surface mirror-smooth, impunctate, yellow-brown with dark brown or piceous irregular markings on each side. Elytra more than three

times as long as prothorax, with small humeral prominences, a short intrahumeral sulcus and not-pronounced basal callosities with a transverse depression

below; striate punctation rather fine except in transverse depression, indistinct in apical half; shining

yellow-brown with a dark streak in middle of base,

three small spots across below this, the outer one on the

edge, and two or three larger, less-distinct spots slightly

below the middle. Body beneath and legs pale, femora

with a dark spot at apical narrowing and dark along

sides of tibiae. No tooth on femora, a short basal tooth

on claws. Length, 4.1-4.3 mm; width, 2.2-2.4 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27679. One paratype in MCZ;

one paratype in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Villalba, Puerto Rico (21-28 June

1934; C. M. Matos, collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—Ponce, Puerto Rico, R. G.

Oakley.

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

REMARKS.—In shape and markings this species

somewhat resembles M. cinctipes Blake from the Dominican Republic, but that species has a larger prothorax and the elytral punctation is more distinct.

Metachroma amplicollis Blake

FIGURE 153

Metachroma amplicollis Blake, 1947, pp. 312, 314.

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.0 mm in length, oblong,

shining yellow or reddish brown with a dark spot on

the occiput, a broad, irregular band across pronotum,

and on elytra a small spot at base of basal callosity and

below in the depression and near the margin a spot,

and in some specimens two spots in middle; pronotum

almost impunctate; elytra with striate punctation entire in only two rows next to suture. Thorax almost as

broad as elytra.

Head with interocular space less than half its width;

eyes large, occiput and front distinctly but finely punctate, more coarsely so on clypeus, a median sulcus

dividing clypeus from front, a slight depression on

front; yellow-brown with a broad dark plaga down

front. Antennae extending to middle of elytra, pale.

Prothorax large, nearly twice as broad as long and

approximately as wide as elytra, sides widely curved

and a sharp tooth at each angle; surface smooth, often

impunctate, although in some specimens a fine punctation; reddish brown with a large transverse dark

band, in paler specimens this broken into two large

spots. Elytra with small humeri and short intrahumeral

sulcus, a slight depression below basal callosities; punctation fine and only the two rows next to suture entire, the other rows becoming indistinct toward apex;

yellowish or reddish brown with piceous spots about

basal callosity and in darker specimens near middle.

Body beneath and legs pale, in darker specimens apex

of femora dark-ringed; no toothing of femora, claws

with tooth. Length, 2.7-3.4 mm; width, 1.4-1.6 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27682. Three paratypes in

MCZ; one paratype in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Guanica, Puerto Rico (25 June

1934; C. M. Matos, collector).

REMARKS.—In its unusually large prothorax this

species resembles M. cinctipes Blake from the Dominican Republic, but it is a considerably smaller species

with less-distinct punctation.
NUMBER 5 7 71

Metachroma leiotrachelus, new species

FIGURE 148

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 3.5 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, head and prothorax deep reddish

brown, almost piceous, elytra yellowish brown, legs

with apex of femora and sometimes base of tibiae

piceous, pronotum lustrous, impunctate, elytra with

regular striate punctures becoming indistinct towards

apex.

Head with interocular space half width of head, a

faint transverse line separating front from clypeus,

clypeus distinctly punctate, anterior margin only

slightly emarginate over pale yellow-brown labrum,

jaws piceous, front faintly punctate, a short median

linear depression on vertex, polished reddish brown.

Antennae slender, pale, extending below humeri.

Prothorax moderately convex, with well-rounded sides

and small tooth at each angle, a little more than a

third wider than long, nearly impunctate, lustrous

deep reddish brown. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra

slightly wider than prothorax and more than twice as

long, convex, with short intrahumeral sulcus and a

slight transverse depression below basal callosities,

regular striate punctures becoming smaller after the

middle and fading away on sides and apex, surface

lustrous dark yellow-brown. Body beneath reddish

brown, legs paler yellow-brown, with dark-ringed apex

of femora and often base of tibiae dark, femora not

toothed, claws with long basal tooth. Length, 3.4-3.7

mm; width, 1.9-2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in MCZ. Three para types in MCZ;

two paratypes in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Coamo Springs, Puerto Rico

(Stuart Danforth collection, 10 May 1919, 28 September 1929).

OTHER LOCALITY.—St. Thomas: 20 October 1908,

Peetz. Puerto Rico: Pico Atalya, near Anasco, 3 July

1958, M. W. Sanderson; Ponce, on leaves of Scirpus

validus, 29 September 1933, R. G. Oakley; Matrullus,

on Micropholis curvata, 15 October 1934, R. G. Oakley; Quebradillas, on cotton, June-July 1922, G. N.

Wolcott.

REMARKS.—This is another of the broad reddish

brown species allied to M. ustum LeConte, having a

lustrous and nearly impunctate pronotum and elytra

with the striate punctation fading at apex. The aedeagi

of these species are all much alike, this one differing

only slightly in the tip. This species, however, is much

smaller than M. ustum. Metachroma laevius Blake

from the Dominican Republic has toothed femora and

less distinctly punctate elytra.

Metachroma oakleyi, new species

FIGURE 149

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 4.5 mm, in length,

oblong oval, lustrous piceous black with pale yellowbrown antennae, tarsal joints, and tip of abdomen;

prothorax almost as wide as elytra, shining, smooth

with very fine punctures; elytra with deeply impressed

striate punctation becoming finer at apex, and in female

with a lateral costate fold most pronounced in apical

half.

Head with interocular space half width of head, occiput and front densely but obsoletely punctate, producing a somewhat wrinkled surface, only slightly

shiny, a faint transverse sulcus dividing front from

clypeus which is alutaceous and more deeply punctate,

anteriorly emarginate over labrum, palpi pale yellow,

rest of head piceous. Antennae extending below

humeri, pale yellow-brown. Prothorax nearly twice as

wide as long, about as wide as elytra, with widely

rounded sides, rather flat, a small tooth at each angle,

surface lustrous black and very finely punctate. Scutellum black. Elytra three times as long as prothorax,

broad and convex with (in female) a compressed lateral fold in apical half hiding margin beneath from

middle to apex, in the basal half from humerus to middle this is not so marked; striate punctation deeply

impressed and in transverse depression below basal

callosities rather coarse, distinct to apex but finer and

shallower there. Body beneath shining piceous black

except at tip of abdomen which is pale yellow-brown,

legs dark except yellowish brown tarsi, femora minutely

toothed. Length, 4.4 mm; width, 2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 70703.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Torres, Finca, Ponce, Puerto

Rico (22 August 1933; R. G. Oakley, collector).

REMARKS.—The only specimen, a female, has a

strongly compressed lateral fold on the elytra which is

the most striking character. Probably this fold is not so

developed in the male. It is possible that this is a dark

specimen of a pale yellow-brown beetle, since the antennae, palpi, about mouth, and tarsal joints are pale.

So far I have not seen any pale brown beetle from

Puerto Rico with this lateral fold in the female.
72

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

Key to Species from Jamaica

1. Small, between 2.0 and 3.0 mm long 2

Larger

 l5

2. No transverse groove separating front from clypeus, aedeagus broadly rounded at apex

M. paulum Blake

A transverse groove separating front from clypeus, aedeagus gradually narrowed to a point

M. ashtonae Blake

3. Head with unusually wide and forwardly produced labrum with unusually large jaws

M. prognathus, new species

Head without unusual labrum or jaw development 4

4. Elytra less than three times as long as prothorax 5

Elytra three times or more longer than prothorax 11

5. Broadly oblong oval, deep reddish brown to piceous 6

Narrowly elongate oblong oval, yellowish or reddish brown 8

6. Reddish brown Af. farri Blake

Piceous black '

7. Prothorax almost twice as wide as long M. flavolimbatum Blake

Prothorax about a third wider than long Af. piceum Blake

8. Aedeagus with a pointed tip 9

Aedeagus not pointed at tip 10

9. Prothorax with a broad reddish brown fascia M. clarum, new species

Prothorax with a spot or deeper brown area on each side At. hardiparense, new species

10. Aedeagus long and narrow Af. fuscifrons, new species

Aedeagus broad with truncate apex Af. howdenae, new species

11. Elytra rugose with striate punctures irregular and tending to be geminate Af. rugosum Blake

Elytra not rugose with regular striate punctation 12

12. Elytra very long, almost four times as long as prothorax 13

Elytra approximately three times as long as prothorax 15

13. Femora and tibiae pale with dark rings Af. annulate, new species

Femora and tibiae entirely pale 14

14. Prothorax coarsely and densely punctate • Af. rugicollis, new species

Prothorax finely and densely punctate Af. acutulum Blake

15. Prothorax approximately twice as wide as long Af. rosae Bryant

Prothorax not twice as wide as long 16

16. Prothorax with a hole-like depression on each side Af. dicoelotrachelus, new species

Prothorax without a hole-like depression on each side 17

17. Front femora with small tooth Af. macrum Blake

Front femora with large tooth 18

18. Approximately 5 mm in length Af. chapini Blake

Between 3.5 and 4.0 mm in length Af. variutn, new species

Metachroma howdenae, new species

FIGURE 161

DESCRIPTION.—About 3.5 mm in length, slender

elongate oblong oval, somewhat shiny although with

alutaceous head and pronotum, legs and basal joints

of antennae, head, and prothorax reddish brown, elytra usually deep brown with pale yellow-brown area

from humerus down side; a distinct fold along side,

femora conspicuously toothed.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, no vertical line on front or transverse

sulcus separating front from clypeus, distinctly but not

densely punctate throughout, more coarsely so on

clypeus, anterior margin of clypeus widely emarginate

over labrum, reddish brown. Antennae with apical five

or six joints deeper brown. Prothorax only a little

wider than long with arcuate sides and prominent

tooth at anterior angle, basal tooth not so conspicuous,

constricted over head but below this swelling out into

moderate convexity, basal margin not at all sinuate;

surface reddish brown, finely alutaceous but a little

shiny, with fine, dense punctures. Scutellum reddish

brown. Elytra fully twice as long as prothorax and

considerably wider, tapering to apex, with a conspicuous fold from humerus down side to apex, more

marked in female; striate punctures visible to apex,

close-set and distinct, a deep transverse depression be-
NUMBER 5 7 73

low basal callosities; surface distinctly alutaceous but

somewhat shiny, usually deep reddish brown with pale

yellow-brown area on side from humerus down a third

or more length of elytra, some specimens with elytra

entirely pale. Body beneath yellow-brown with abdomen frequently reddish brown, legs yellow-brown,

front femora with large tooth, a smaller tooth on hind

femora, claws with long tooth. Length, 3.2-3.7 mm;

width, 1.4-1.6 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in Canadian National Collection, on

loan from collection of Mrs. Anne Howden. Five paratypes in Canadian National Collection, on loan from

collection of Mrs. Anne Howden; two paratypes in

USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Hardwar Gap (4,000 feet), Jamaica (30 July 1966; A. T. Howden, collector).

REMARKS.—The distinctive feature in most specimens is the deep reddish brown coloring of the elytra

with paler yellow-brown humeri and area below. There

is also a strong costate fold from the shoulder all the

way down to the apex; moreover, there is a large tooth

on the anterior femora. The species is named in honor

of Mrs. Anne Howden, who made a good collection in

Jamaica.

Metachroma hardwarense, new species

FIGURE 156

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.5 and 4.5 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining yellow-brown with a spot

on occiput and vague deeper brown areas on each side

of pronotum, dark apical joints of antennae; elytral

striae very faint at apex, a conspicuous transverse depression below basal callosities, femora inconspicuously

toothed.

Head with interocular space about half width of

head; in most specimens a median depression on vertex

and in some a vague suggestion of transverse sulcus

separating clypeus, not very coarsely punctate with

punctures on clypeus more distinct, anterior margin of

clypeus emarginate; usually yellow-brown with a

dark plaga down occiput, but this may be lacking.

Antennae extending nearly to middle of elytra, apical

six joints generally dark. Prothorax approximately a

third wider than long with strongly arcuate sides and

tooth at basal and apical angles, depressed over head

but more convex behind, yellowish brown with vague

darker spot on each side, basal margin not at all sinuate, rather finely punctate. Scutellum reddish brown.

Elytra wider than prothorax and more than twice as

long, with conspicuous transverse depression below

basal callosities, striate punctation small and regular

and becoming faint at apex, no lateral costa; shining

yellow-brown, sometimes with a small dark submarginal spot below humerus. Body beneath usually pale

yellow-brown but occasionally deeper brown, especially

on prosternum and along sides of metasternum and abdomen. Legs pale, femora with small tooth, claws with

short basal tooth. Length, 3.5-4.5; width, 1.5-2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in Canadian National Collection.

Two paratypes in Canadian National Collection; four

paratypes in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Hardwar Gap (4,000 feet), Jamaica (July 1966; A. T. Howden, collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—Three miles west of Ecclesdown,

Portland Parish, Jamaica, 7 August 1966, E. C. Becker.

REMARKS.—In shape this species is very much like

M. howdenae except it is a little broader. There is no

lateral costa on the elytra and the coloring is different,

this species being yellowish brown except for the plaga

on the head and the dark spots on the pronotum. The

femora have smaller toothing than in M. howdenae

and the aedeagus, instead of being truncate as in that

species, is pointed, but not so narrowly as in M. dicoelotrachelus and M. clarum. The pronotum does not have

the two holes as in M. dicoelotrachelus and it is somewhat wider and more finely punctate.

Metachroma variutn, new species

FIGURE 157

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.6 and 4.0 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining yellow-brown, sometimes

entirely pale, usually with prothorax more or less dark,

and elytra varying from pale yellow-brown to dark

brown with humeri alone pale; pronotum moderately

finely punctate, although some specimens have coarser

punctures, elytra with regular small striate punctures

visible to apex.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, eyes large, remnants of a transverse sulcus dividing front from clypeus and often a short median line,

surface alutaceous and densely and coarsely punctate,

margin of clypeus over labrum almost straight; yellowbrown, often with dark median occipital plaga. Antennae long, joints 7-11 deep brown usually. Prothorax

not twice as wide as long and not very convex, with

depression over head, sides rounded, basal margin
74

straight, surface varying from finely to moderately

coarsely and densely punctate and from shiny yellowbrown to deep brown. Scutellum usually dark brown.

Elytra more than three times as long as prothorax with

short intrahumeral sulcus and a transverse depression

below basal umbones, striate punctures small, regular,

and distinct to apex, no costation, surface shiny, varying from entirely yellow-brown to deep brown except

for humeri, which are pale yellow-brown, margin

usually dark. Body beneath varying from yellow-brown

to dark brown, legs with femora having a dark ring

near apex, front femora with large tooth, tooth on

hind femora small, claws with long basal tooth. Length,

3.6-4.0 mm; width, 1.6-1.8 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in Canadian National Collection, on

temporary loan. Three paratypes in Canadian National

Collection, on temporary loan; two paratypes in

USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Good Hope, Trelawny Parish,

Jamacia, 17 August 1966, A. T. Howden.

REMARKS.—The unmarked specimens of this species

are very much like the pale ones of M. hardwarense.

Only by dissection for the aedeagus can these two

species by readily distinguished. In M. varium the

tooth on the anterior femora is larger and there is

less space between the eyes. In the dark specimens

in which only the humeri are pale, M. varium

resembles in color M. howdenae, but the latter is a

more slender species with distinct lateral costae; also

the aedeagus is quite different.

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

brown than elytra. Scutellum brown. Elytra not three

times as long as prothorax and considerably wider,

with transverse depression below basal umbones,

striate punctures small and regular, becoming faint at

apex; surface unusually pale yellow-brown, but in one

specimen a deeper brown coloring over most of it.

Body beneath varying from pale yellow-brown to

darker brown, apices of femora tending to be darkringed; femora of front legs with large tooth, hind

femora with small tooth. Length, 3.5-4.5 mm; width,

1.5-2.0 mm.

TYPE. Male, in Canadian National Collection, on

temporary loan from A. T. Howden collection. One

paratype in Canadian National Collection, on temporary loan from A. T. Howden collection; two paratypes in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Good Hope, Trelawny Parish,

Jamaica (11 August 1966; A. T. Howden, collector).

REMARKS.—This is another species from Jamaica

with very similar outward appearance to M. varium,

M. hardwarense, and M. howdenae. The prothorax

is a little narrower than in the others, being almost

as long as wide; and the aedeagus is unusual in its

narrow shape and parted tip. Only by dissecting for the

aedeagus can this species be readily determined.

Metachroma chapini Blake, a larger species, while

resembling M. fuscifrons, has different proportions;

in the former the elytra are approximately three times

as long as the prothorax, while in M. fuscifrons the

elytra are not much more than twice as long.

Metachroma fuscifrons, new species

FIGURE 172

DESCRIPTION.—From 3.5 to 4.5 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, shining yellow-brown with fuscous

brown alutaceous head, pronotum usually darker than

elytra, finely punctate, elytra with striate punctures

becoming faint near apex. Front femora with large

tooth.

Head with interocular space fully half as wide as

head, no depression or transverse sulcus on front,

anterior margin of clypeus widely and shallowly

emarginate over wide labrum; surface fuscous,

alutaceous and coarsely punctate. Antennae pale yellowish or reddish brown. Prothorax almost as long as

wide, with arcuate sides and small tooth at each angle,

not very convex with straight basal margin, depressed

over head, finely punctate, usually deeper yellowish

Metachroma clarum, new species

FIGURE 158

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 4.0 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, glistening yellow-brown, seven

apical joints of antennae darker than basal, a dark

brown spot or plaga down occiput and front, reddish

brown transverse fascia on pronotum, aedeagus with a

needle-fine pointed apex.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

no transverse sulcus dividing clypeus, densely and

coarsely punctate with anterior margin widely emarginate over labrum, in some specimens a median dark

spot on front or a plaga down from occiput. Antennae

slender with four basal joints pale, rest dark. Prothorax

approximately a third wider than long, depressed over

head, not very convex, with arcuate sides, surface very

shiny, densely punctate, a broad reddish brown trans-
NUMBER 5 7 75

verse fascia, on sides deep yellowish brown. Scutellum

reddish brown. Elytra not three times as long as

prothorax, with small humeral prominences and short

intrahumeral sulcus, traces of a transverse depression

below basal umbones, shining yellow-brown with fine

regular striate punctures becoming faint after middle.

Body beneath pale yellow-brown in one specimen, in

another specimen sides of prosternum reddish brown,

legs with apex of femora dark-ringed; femora with

small tooth, claws with short basal tooth. Length, 3.8-

4.0 mm; width, 1.8-1.9 mm.

TYPE.—Male, in Canadian National Collection, on

temporary loan from A. T. Howden collection. One

paratype in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Good Hope, Trelawny Parish, Jamaica (3 August 1966; A. T. Howden, collector).

REMARKS.—This is the third species described from

Good Hope, and it is very similar to the other two,

M. fuscifrons and M. varium, except that the elytral

punctation is not so pronounced. Its chief distinguishing character is the very finely pointed apex of the

aedeagus. It is an unusually shiny beetle.

Metachroma macrum Blake

FIGURE 159

Metachroma macrum Blake, 1962, pp. 176, 178.

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.0 mm in length, oblong

oval, shining, deep reddish brown, head and pronotum densely but finely punctate; prothorax nearly as

wide as elytra, contracted over head, elytra with fine

striate punctures becoming faint at apex, femora

toothed.

Head with interocular space more than half width of

head, densely punctate and alutaceous without any

sulcus separating clypeus or median line down front;

reddish brown. Antennae extending to middle of elytra, yellowish brown. Prothorax with widely arcuate

sides, a small tooth at each angle, depressed over head,

finely and densely punctate, shining deep reddish

brown. Elytra a little wider than prothorax and three

times as long with short intrahumeral sulcus and distinct transverse depression below basal callosities;

striate punctures fine, closely set, becoming very faint

at apex, shining deep yellowish brown. Body beneath

and legs yellowish brown, femora minutely toothed,

claw with short basal tooth. Length, 3.8 mm; width,

1.8 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 65897. Two paratypes in Science Museum, Institute of Jamaica, Kingston.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Hardwar Gap, St. Andrew Parish,

Jamaica (28 June 1959; T. H. Farr, collector).

REMARKS.—This species is distinguished from the

other small Jamaican species by its somewhat oblong

shape, wide head, and wide and rather flat prothorax

that is constricted over the head.

Metachroma dicoelotrachelus, new species

FIGURE 160

DESCRIPTION.—From 3.5 to 4.5 mm in length, elongate oblong oval, shining, varying from yellow-brown

with slightly darker head and pronotum to pronotum

having a distinct fascia across it and from elytra being

entirely pale to having reddish brown spots or being

almost entirely piceous except for pale humeri; prothorax with a distinct round hole-like depression on

either side, finely and densely punctate, striate punctures on elytra not visible over basal umbones or in

apical half.

Head with interocular space half width of head,

a more or less evident transverse sulcus dividing clypeus from front, and a short median line on front; surface coarsely punctate and on clypeus alutaceous, pale

yellow-brown in pale specimens, usually with a reddish brown occiput or dark plaga down front, in dark

specimens entirely dark. Antennae even in palest specimens with joints 6-11 dark. Prothorax approximately

a third wider than long with rounded sides and small

tooth at each angle, not very convex and depressed

over head and with a distinct round depression on each

side; surface more or less alutaceous and densely and

rather rugosely punctate, often a bare impunctate line

in middle, color varying from pale yellow-brown to entirely dark, usually with an indefinite darker median

area. Scutellum dark. Elytra wider than prothorax and

more than three times as long, in female a lateral

costa in apical half, not so developed in male; striate

punctures not evident over well-developed basal callosities or in apical half but enlarged in transverse depression below basal callosities and in intrahumeral sulcus;

color varying from entirely pale yellow-brown to having two reddish brown lateral spots below humerus, a

dark spot in transverse depression and an elongate spot

below middle near suture; one specimen entirely dark

except for pale humeri. Body beneath varying in color

from reddish brown with pale abdomen to entirely
76

dark, legs also variable in color but usually pale, with

apex of femora dark-ringed; femora minutely toothed,

claws with short basal tooth. Length, 3.3-4.5 mm;

width, 1.5-2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in Canadian National Collection.

Five paratypes in Canadian National Collection; four

paratypes in USNM.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Blue Mountain Peak (7,400 feet),

Jamaica (27-28 July 1966; Howden and Becker,

collectors).

OTHER LOCALITY.—Hardwar Gap, Jamaica, 2-6

July 1966, Howden and Becker.

REMARKS.—The distinguishing character of this

species is the hole-like depression on each side of the

thorax. There is also a broad costa on the side (usually

at middle) on the elytra of the female, less-developed

in male.

Metachroma rosae Bryant

FIGURES 162, 163

Metachroma rosae Bryant, 1923, pp. 261-265.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.0 and 5.0 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, lustrous yellow-brown with reddish brown to piceous markings across occiput, a band

across pronotum, and variable and irregular markings

over elytra, apex of femora and base of tibiae as well

as outer joints of antennae tending to be reddish

brown; pronotum wide and rather flat, minutely

punctate, elytra with striate punctation inconspicuous

except in transverse basal' depression, apex smooth.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, eyes large, a faint transverse sulcus dividing

clypeus from front, anterior margin of clypeus emarginate over labrum, clypeus alutaceous and finely

punctate, front more shiny, with scattered fine punctures, yellow-brown, with occiput and sometimes

front with dark plaga, a small median depression

on front. Antennae slender, extending below humeri,

outer joints with some deeper brown basal darkening.

Prothorax approximately twice as wide as long, not

very convex, with widely rounded sides and small

tooth at each angle, polished, with exceedingly fine

punctures, yellow-brown, with wide deeper brown

areas on each side. Scutellum reddish brown.

Elytra not much wider than prothorax and

approximately three times as long, a slight intrahumeral sulcus and a transverse depression below

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

basal callosities; striate punctation inconspicuous

except in transverse depression and entirely missing

towards apex; yellow-brown with reddish brown to

piceous markings, varying from a few dark marks in

transverse depression and a spot below on the side to

specimens with sutural area dark and an irregular

dark area from humerus along side, often broken into

two parts. Body beneath usually reddish brown with

abdomen tending to be paler, apex of femora and

base of tibiae usually deeper brown; femora not

toothed, claws with long tooth. Length, 3.8-5.0 mm;

width, 2.0-2.4 mm.

TYPE.—In BMNH.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Manchester, Jamaica (25 June

1937, M. Bovell; Mandeville, on rose, A. H. Ritchie;

collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Jamaica: Balaclava, April

1937, M. Bovell; Mandeville, on rose, A. H. Ritchie;

January-April 1909, E. P. Van Duzee; North Coast,

January 1954, G. and Helga Frey; Hardwar Gap

(4,000 feet), July 1966, A. Howden, Moneague, St.

Ann, 20 August 1966; Mizpah, Manchester, 16 August

1966, A. Howden; Whitefield Hall, St. Thomas, 27

July 1966, A. Howden; Mahogany Vale, St. Andrew,

20 July 1966, H. F. Howden.

REMARKS.—As in so many other species of this

genus there is considerable variation in markings,

especially on the elytra. Some specimens are almost

entirely without dark markings while others have

deeper brown spots almost covering the elytra. The

large flat prothorax and the very lightly punctate

elytra are distinguishing characters of the species.

Metachroma piceum Blake

FIGURE 164

Metachroma piceum Blake, 1948, p. 278.

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, ovate, shining, deep reddish brown to piceous with pale legs, femora dark-ringed at narrowed apex, tibiae in part dark,

elytra with paler streaks along basal margin and on

humeri and pale along sides at apex, base of antennal

joints 3-11 dark, all femora toothed.

Head with interocular space about half its width,

rounded over occiput with a broad front having a short

median line, dark piceous with a reddish brown area

on each side of front, clypeus and labrum also reddish

brown; surface dull alutaceous with fine, shallow punctures. Antennae not reaching middle of elytra, two
NUMBER 5 7 77

basal joints pale, remainder with pale apices. Prothorax

wider than long with widely arcuate sides, a small tooth

at each angle; surface polished, very minutely punctate,

piceous with deep reddish brown streaks along anterior

and basal margins, possibly in paler specimens only a

piceous transverse band. Elytra with striate punctures

coarsest in transverse depression below basal callosities,

becoming fine at apex; shining deep piceous with reddish brown streaks along short, raised basal costae and

on humeri and a pale margin along the apex and partly

on sides. Body beneath deep reddish brown with tip of

abdomen and legs paler, femora near apex banded and

tibiae with deeper color near base, all femora with

small tooth. Length, 4.4—4.6 mm; width, 2.6 mm.

TYPE.—Male, MCZ 27824. One paratype in MCZ.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Main Range, Blue Mountains

(5,000-7,388 feet), Jamaica (17-19 August 1934; P. J.

Darlington, Jr., collector). Paratype collected at Whitfield Hall, Blue Mountains (near 4,500 feet), Jamaica

(13-20 August 1934; P. J. Darlington, Jr., collector).

REMARKS.—Although the pale coloration at the

apex of the elytra reminds one of beetles of the M.

adustum group, this species does not belong with that

group. It is more oval and with reddish brown markings that suggests some specimens are paler. Also, the

eyes are more widely set.

Metachroma flavolimbatum Blake

FIGURE 166

Metachroma flavolimbatum Blake, 1948, p. 277.

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.0 mm in length, oblong

oval, shining piceous with head (in part), basal antennal joints, anterior margin of prothorax, margin of

elytra and legs reddish brown, femora banded near

apex.

Head with interocular space less than half its width,

no distinct sulcus between front and clypeus, a median

depression on front, surface alutaceous and rather

densely and obsoletely punctate, occiput and front

piceous, clypeus reddish brown, jaws piceous. Antennae

extending to middle of elytra, with basal joints paler.

Prothorax not twice as broad as long with strongly

arcuate sides, a small tooth at basal and anterior angles,

moderately convex, surface very finely and obsoletely

punctate, lustrous piceous with anterior edge reddish

brown. Elytra with small humeri, and a slight transverse depression below basal callosities, striate punctures deeply impressed and dense, becoming finer and

shallower in apical half; sides from humerus to apex

paler, the pale area wider at apex. Body beneath reddish brown, shining, legs pale yellow with a dark band

about narrowed part of femora at apex, and a dark

streak down tibiae; hind femora with faint trace of

tooth. Length, 5.0 mm; width, 2.8 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 58779.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Mess Castle, near Antully, St.

Thomas Parish, Jamaica (5 November 1928; C. R.

Orcutt, collector.)

REMARKS.—This is another of the adustum group

of species. It is slightly larger than most of the specimens of M. adustum, the aedeagus has a shorter point

at the tip, and the antennae are mostly dark.

Metachroma paulum Blake

FIGURE 165

Metachroma paulum Blake, 1962, pp. 178-179.

DESCRIPTION.—About 2.5 mm in length, broadly oblong oval, lustrous yellowish or reddish brown to piceous

black, head and pronotum densely and distinctly punctate, elytra with striate punctures distinct only in basal

half, becoming indistinct towards apex and over basal

callosities.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, shining reddish brown, very densely punctate,

punctures becoming coarser on clypeus, no frontal

depression or sulcus separating clypeus, anterior margin of latter widely emarginate over labrum. Antennae

reddish brown with darker apical joints, slender, extending to middle of elytra. Prothorax about twice as

wide as long with well-rounded sides smoothly convex with a little constriction over head, densely and

distinctly punctate, shining reddish brown to piceous.

Elytra shining reddish brown to piceous with striate

punctures not distinct over basal callosities or much

below middle. Body beneath and legs reddish brown

or piceous, femora not toothed; claws with long tooth.

Length, 2.5 mm; width, 1.5 mm.

TYPE.—USNM 65899. Two paratypes in USNM;

one paratype in Science Museum, Institute of Jamaica,

Kingston.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Two miles northeast of Spanish

Town, Sligoville Road, St. Catherine Parish, Jamaica

(16 September 1957; T. H. Farr, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Jamaica: Adelphi, St. James
78

Parish, 15 July 1966; Mahogany Vale, 20 July 1966,

A. T. Howden.

REMARKS.—This species is similar in size and shape

to the Cuban Metachroma testaceum elachistum Blake,

but with an entirely different aedeagus. It is the smallest species so far found in Jamaica, being a trifle smaller

than M. ashtonae Blake, which is a pale yellow-brown

beetle with small dark elytral spots.

Metachroma ashtonae Blake

FIGURE 169

Metachroma ashtonae Blake, 1966, p. 215.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 2.0 and 3.0 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining yellow-brown, sometimes without

markings, but sometimes with dark frontal spot on

head and often with a faint reddish brown M-shaped

marking on prothorax, two small spots at base, and

two small spots below middle of each elytron, prothorax finely and densely punctate, elytra with striate

punctation becoming fainter near apex, a well-marked

transverse depression below basal callosities.

Head with interocular space barely half width of

head, a median transverse groove separating clypeus, a

median line down front; finely punctate above and

more coarsely so on clypeus. Sometimes with round

dark frontal spot. Antennae extending below humeri,

outer joints a little deeper in coloring. Prothorax large,

nearly as wide as elytra, not very convex, with rounded

sides and small tooth at basal and apical angles, surface somewhat alutaceous and densely punctate, a faint

M-shaped deeper brown marking usually across disc.

Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra yellowish brown,

sometimes without any markings but usually with two

elongate basal spots, one in humeral sulcus wider than

median basal spot, below middle two more dark spots,

one near suture, the other slightly below in middle;

striate punctation deep and distinct in basal half, in

apical half becoming fine and shallow, on sides striate

punctures more deeply impressed with intervals becoming slightly costate, a distinct transverse depression below basal callosities. Body beneath yellowish brown, all

femora without toothing, claws with short tooth.

Length, 2.1-2.9 mm; width, 1.0-1.3 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 68199.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Christiana, Manchester Parish,

Jamaica (4 November 1959; T. H. Farr, collector).

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Jamaica: Whitfield Hall, St.

Thomas Parish, 28 July 1966, A. T. Howden; Barbecue Bottom, Trelawny Parish, 4 and 10 August 1966.

H. F. Howden; Duncans, Trelawny Parish, 14 August

1966, Howden and Becker.

REMARKS.—This species is only slightly larger than

M. paulum and it is paler, often with spotting on front

of head, across pronotum, and numerous small spots on

elytra. It is named after Mary Ashton, an English

biology teacher in Jamaica for some years.

Metachroma rugosum Blake

FIGURE 167

Metachroma rugosum Blake, 1962, pp. 179-180.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.4 and 5.8 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, not very shiny, with finely alutaceous head and pronotum which are rather sparsely

and finely punctate, elytra irregularly, coarsely, and

semi-geminately punctate, with somewhat costate intervals, especially marked near base, variable in color

from pale yellowish brown to deep reddish brown, head

often with a dark mark down front, pronotum with a

deeper brown spot on each side, sometimes a transverse fascia, elytra without markings, femora and tibiae

dark-ringed.

Head with interocular space about half width of

head, a median line down front, about which are scattered fine punctures, surface dull alutaceous throughout, anterior margin of clypeus broadly emarginate;

yellow-brown, sometimes with occiput and a median

frontal area dark. Antennae slender, extending nearly

to middle of elytra, yellowish brown with deeper brown

outer joints. Prothorax somewhat wider than long

with rounded sides and small tooth at each angle,

moderately convex, surface dull alutaceous with very

fine, not dense punctures, deep yellowish or reddish

brown, sometimes in paler specimens with only a faint

trace of dark areas on each side, in well-marked specimens a deep reddish brown fascia across. Elytra more

than three times as long as prothorax and much wider,

with prominent humeri and deep depression below

basal callosity, striate punctures deeply impressed and

exceedingly irregular with a tendency to being geminate, especially in depression and below humeri, an

irregular subcostate rugosity over whole surface, which

is not shiny but dull and varying in color from yellow-
NUMBER 5 7

ish to deep reddish brown. Body beneath and legs

yellowish brown with sides of posternum and breast in

some specimens darker. Femora toothed and at apex

dark-ringed, tibiae ringed at middle, claws with short

basal tooth. Length, 4.4-5.8 mm; width, 2.0-3.0 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 65900.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—West side of Mount Horeb, St.

Andrew Parish, Jamaica (11 April 1955; T. H. Farr,

collector).

OTHER LOCALITY.—Hardwar Gap, 4,000 feet (4-25

July 1966; Howden and Becker, Mrs. A. Howden,

collectors).

REMARKS.—This species has the most irregularly

striate punctate elytra of any species of Metachroma;

in addition, it has a rugose, subcostate surface.

Metachroma chapini Blake

FIOURE 174

Metachroma chapini Blake, 1944, pp. 250-251.

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.0 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, somewhat shiny, very finely alutaceous,

head and prothorax reddish brown with darker brown

occiput and median line on front of head and dark

areas across prothorax, elytra paler yellow-brown; femora dark-ringed at apex and strongly toothed.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, reddish brown with a dark occiput and median

line down front, clypeus paler, mouthparts dark; surface alutaceous, coarsely punctate, anterior margin of

clypeus emarginate. Antennae extending well below

humeri, reddish brown with the apical joints a little

darker. Prothorax with rounded sides and small tooth

at each angle, moderately convex, contracted over

head, surface finely alutaceous and with numerous

punctures; deep reddish brown with deeper brown

areas on each side connected along base. Scutellum

pale with deeper colored margin. Elytra considerably

wider than prothorax and approximately three times

as long, a transverse depression below basal callosities,

surface shining, tending to be paler than prothorax,

in one specimen, the male, entirely yellow-brown, but

in the female an indefinite darker area on side of each

elytron below humerus, and in this specimen also the

punctures deeper in coloring, thus appearing coarser

than in pale specimen; striate punctures distinct to

apex. Body beneath reddish brown, shining, legs pale

with dark ring at apex of femora, anterior femora with

79

pronounced tooth, posterior femora with very small

tooth, claw with short basal tooth. Length, 4.9-5.2

mm; width, 2.0-2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 56947, with one female

paratype.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Newport, Jamaica (21 April

1937; E. A. Chapin and R. E. Blackwelder, collectors).

REMARKS.—This is one of the narrowly elongate

species of Metachroma that are usually without elytral

markings, but one specimen of this species shows a

tendency towards deeper brown areas along the side of

the elytra.

Metachroma acutulum Blake

FIGURE 168

Metachroma acutulum Blake, 1962, p. 178.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 5.0 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining pale yellowish brown

with deeper brown occiput, and two roundish brown

areas on pronotum, head and prothorax distinctly but

not coarsely punctate, elytra with striate punctures

becoming faint at apex and on sides, femora minutely

toothed.

Head with interocular space approximately half

width of head, occiput deep reddish brown, with a

dark median impressed line down the pale yellowbrown front, no transverse sulcus separating clypeus,

surface alutaceous and punctate, anterior margin of

clypeus nearly straight over labrum, tip of jaws

piceous. Antennae long and slender and extending to

middle of elytra, outer joints deeper in color. Prothorax small, with rounded sides, a tooth at each angle,

constricted and somewhat depressed over head, becoming more convex before middle, shining, densely but

not coarsely punctate, yellowish brown with two round

brown areas, one on each side. Scutellum brown.

Elytra not quite four times as long as prothorax and

much wider, with prominent humeri, a deep intrahumeral sulcus, and depression below basal callosities;

striate punctation regular, fading on sides and apex

and over basal callosities; surface shining yellow-brown

without any dark markings. Body beneath and legs

also yellow-brown, a little deeper at apex of femora

and base of tibiae, femora minutely toothed. Length,

4.8 mm; width, 2.1 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 65898.
80

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Hardwar Gap, St. Andrew

Parish. Jamaica (2 March 1956; T. H. Fair, collector).

REMARKS.—This is one of the elongate species of

Metachroma with toothed femora and elytra narrowed

at the apex, strongly resembling M. chapini from

Jamaica, but it is a paler colored beetle with less convexity of the prothorax and a shiny, not alutaceous

surface. In M. chapini the elytra are three times as

long as the prothorax, but in M. acutulum the proportions are slightly different, the elytra being considerably

longer, nearly four times the length of the prothorax,

and the beetle is not so narrow.

Metachroma rugicollis, new species

FIGURE 170

DESCRIPTION.—About 5.0 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, shining, pale yellow-brown with apical

joints of antennae and two spots on pronotum a

deeper reddish brown. Head and prothorax coarsely

and rugosely punctate, elytra with regular rows of

striate punctures.

Head with interocular space slightly less than half

width of head; surface very rugosely punctate

throughout, with a median brown depression on front;

no transverse sulcus, anterior margin of clypeus widely

emarginate over labrum, jaws reddish brown.

Antennae slender, not reaching middle of elytra, apical

joints reddish brown. Prothorax approximately a third

wider than long with arcuate sides and small tooth at

each angle, not very convex, with a depression over

head, surface coarsely punctate and rugose; yellowbrown with reddish brown area on each side. Scutellum

reddish brown. Elytra considerably wider than

prothorax and nearly four times as long, with prominent humeri and a transverse depression below basal

umbones, striate punctation near base with slightly

costate intervals, punctures small, closely set and impressed, visible to apex. Body beneath and legs entirely pale yellow-brown, femora conspicuously

toothed, claws with long tooth. Length, 5.0 mm;

width, 2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in Canadian National Collection.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Hardwar Gap (4,000 feet),

Jamaica (21 July 1966; Howden and Becker, collectors) .

REMARKS.—The rough, punctate surface of the

head and prothorax is the chief character in differenSMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

dating this species. The prothorax is very small compared with the rest of the body, the elytra being nearly

four times longer and much wider than the prothorax.

Metachroma annulare, new species

FIGURE 171

DESCRIPTION.—About 4.5 mm in length, elongate

oblong oval, pale yellow-brown with a dark median

line down occiput to between antennal sockets, a

rounded dark spot on either side of pronotum and on

each elytron a dark spot in transverse depression below

basal umbone and two other dark spots along side below humerus, and a long irregular dark area below in

middle, legs with a dark ring at apex of femora, and

at base and middle of tibiae, antennae with darker

apical joints; finely punctate surface throughout.

Head with interocular space less than half width of

head, a median depressed line down front and a faint

transverse one separating clypeus, these lines both dark,

occiput and front finely and sparsely punctate, shiny,

clypeus more alutaceous with a few punctures, anteriorly widely and shallowly emarginate over labrum,

jaws dark. Antennae long and slender, apical joints

somewhat wider, two basal joints yellow-brown, rest

reddish brown. Prothorax less than a third wider than

long, with arcuate sides and small tooth at each angle,

not very convex but smoothly rounded, slightly depressed over head, shining, finely and not densely punctate, pale yellow-brown with a reddish brown round

spot on each side, very faintly connected with paler spot

anteriorly. Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra more than

three times as long as prothorax and wider, with small

prominent humeri and transverse depression below

basal umbones, striate punctures small and regular, becoming fainter after middle, apex nearly smooth; pale

yellow-brown with a piceous spot in transverse depression, two other piceous spots along side, the lower one

connecting along side with a larger piceous area extending down below middle but not reaching suture.

Body beneath with breast reddish brown, prosternum

and abdomen paler yellow-brown, legs with femora

near apex ringed, base and middle of tibiae also darkringed, femora not toothed, claws with long basal tooth.

Length, 4.5 mm; width, 2.0 mm.

TYPE.—Female, in Canadian National Collection.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Three miles west of Ecclesdown,

Portland Parish, Jamaica (7 August 1966; E. C.

Becker, collector).
NUMBER 5 7 81

REMARKS.—This slender, elongate beetle has rather

unusual dark elytral markings and dark rings about

both femora and tibiae. Unfortunately, only a single

specimen, a female, is known.

Metachroma farri Blake

FIGURE 175

Metachroma farri Blake, 1962, p. 180.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 4.5 and 5.8 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, shining, pronotum very finely

punctate, mirror-smooth, lustrous deep reddish brown,

elytra paler yellow-brown with striate punctation becoming fine at apex.

Head with interocular space a little more than half

width of head, occiput smooth, shining, very finely

punctate, usually with a median depressed line on

front, clypeus alutaccous and finely punctate, widely

emarginate over labrum, jaws large and piceous. Antennae extending to middle of elytra, slender, yellowbrown. Prothorax large, with tiny tooth at each angle,

moderately convex, polished, very finely punctate, deep

reddish brown. Scutellum brown. Elytra not much

wider than prothorax and not three times as long,

strongly convex, humeri small, only a trace of intrahumeral sulcus, no transverse sulcus, shining yellowish brown, striate punctures moderately coarse, regular

and rather deeply impressed in basal half becoming

shallow at apex. Body beneath and legs yellowish or

reddish brown, sometimes almost piceous, femora not

toothed, claw with short basal tooth. Length, 4.5-5.8

mm; width, 2.5-3.0 mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 65901. Three paratypes in

USNM; two paratypes in Science Museum, Institute

of Jamaica, Kingston.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Palisadoes, Kingston, Jamaica

(1957 and 1961; T. H. Farr, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Jamaica: Duncans, Trelawny

Parish, August 1966, Howden and Becker; Palisadoes,

25 August 1966, Howden and Becker, A. T. Howden;

Kingston, June 1908, M. Cameron.

REMARKS.—This is another of the broadly oblong

species of which M. ustum LeConte is representative. It

is very much like M. leiotrachelus of Puerto Rico but

is larger and has a slightly different aedeagus. All

members of this group have a large, lustrous prothorax, deeper colored than the elytra, and strongly convex elytra. In all, the aedeagus is broad at the apex.

Metachroma prognathus, new species

FIGURE 173

DESCRIPTION.—From 5.6 to 6.0 mm in length,

elongate oblong oval, shining yellow-brown with occiput of head sometimes dark and two indistinct reddish

brown areas on pronotum. Head with unusual enlargement and prolongation of labrum and jaws anteriorly, all femora conspicuously toothed, punctation

fine on both pronotum and elytra.

Head with interocular space half width of head, a

frontal depression and faint trace of sulcus between

antennal sockets, then clypeus bent inward and widely

emarginate over an enlarged and forward-produced

labrum, on either side of which large jaws protrude,

also a prominent enlargement about antennal sockets;

occiput in one of the two specimens dark, also a dark

spot in median depression; surface alutaceous and

coarsely but not very densely punctate. Antennae unusually long and slender, extending almost to middle

of elytra, outer joints darker. Prothorax not twice as

wide as long, with somewhat rounded sides, unusually

narrowly margined, a tooth at each angle, basal margin

straight, not at all sinuous, anteriorly somewhat depressed over head, surface moderately coarsely but not

densely punctate, slightly alutaceous, pale yellowbrown with a faint reddish brown area on each side.

Scutellum reddish brown. Elytra elongate, tapering

towards apex, with small humeral prominences and

small basal callosities with depression below, striate

punctures close-set, regular and small, towards apex

becoming faint. Body beneath entirely pale yellowbrown, legs long and slender, all femora conspicuously

toothed, front ones with unusually large tooth, claws

with long tooth- Length, 5.6-6.0 mm; width. 2.2-2.5

mm.

TYPE.—Male, USNM 70702. One paratype in Science Museum, Institute of Jamaica, Kingston.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Hardwar Gap, Portland Parish,

Jamaica (11 March 1966; T. H. Farr and D. W.

Duckworth, collectors).

REMARKS.—This large, elongate beetle has a most

unusual development of the labrum and jaws which

project at almost right angles from the front forward.

It would be interesting to know the food plant of

these beetles that causes them to have developed such

an abnormally large jaw, so unlike the other species

of the genus. All the femora are conspicuously toothed.

382-478 O - 70 - 7
M

-

Blak e

on SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

Key to Species from Dominica

1. From 3.5-4.5 mm in length, prothorax almost as broad as elytra and nearly twice as wide as

j o n g M. bredeni Blake

Approximately 2.5 mm in length, prothorax not as broad as elytra, and not twice as wide as

long

Metachroma gagnei Blake

FIGURE 145

Metachroma gagnei Blake, 1968, p. 62.

DESCRIPTION.—Approximately 2.5 mm in length,

oblong oval, shining, yellow-brown with a reddish

brown basal spot and two lateral spots on each elytron,

striate punctures on elytra feeble over basal callosities

and fading on sides and at apex; prothorax impunctate, antennae with apical joints darker.

Head with interocular space less than half width

of head, occiput and front nearly impunctate, a transverse sulcus between antennal sockets, clypeus nearly

impunctate. Antennae long and slender with apical

joints thicker and darker. Prothorax evenly rounded

but not very convex, with arcuate sides and depression

over head; mirror-smooth, yellow-brown. Scutellum

reddish brown. Elytra with striate punctures nearly

obsolete over basal callosities and indistinct on sides

and at apex; one median long reddish brown basal

spot on each elytron and two others along sides—one

below humerus and the other, larger, at about the

middle. Body beneath yellow-brown, shining, legs pale,

femora not toothed. Length, 2.5 mm; width, 1.3 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 69720.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Path to Cabrits, Dominica (2

April 1966; R. G. Gagne, collector).

REMARKS.—Only a single specimen of this small

species is known. It is about the size of M. testaceum

Blatchley from the tip of Florida and also from Cuba.

It is the smallest species of Metachroma yet collected

from Dominica.

Metachroma bredeni Blake

FIGURES 141, 142

Metachroma bredeni Blake, 1958, pp. 94,96.

DESCRIPTION.—Between 3.6 and 4.3 mm in length,

broadly oblong oval, yellow or orange-brown, sometimes with wide deeper reddish brown areas on each

side of pronotum and on each elytron a piceous spot

in intrahumeral sulcus connecting narrowly with another larger spot in transverse depression below, and

a spot on side parallel to this, two other spots along side

near middle, some of these spots may be missing or elytra may be entirely pale; head and prothorax not at all

shiny but alutaceous, striate punctation on elytra becoming indistinct near apex.

Head with interocular space a little less than half

width of head, occiput rounded, smoothly alutaceous,

scarcely punctate, although clypeus frequently

wrinkled, a distinct sulcus separating front from clypeus, and a median depressed line on front, anterior

margin of clypeus with very little emargination, dull

yellowish or reddish brown, often with dark median

line and dark transverse sulcus, jaws piceous. Antennae

extending below humeri, sometimes entirely pale but

often with apical joints (which are wider) also darker.

Prothorax not quite twice as broad as long, with wellrounded sides, not very convex, with a short transverse

depression over head, not shiny but alutaceous, also

usually wrinkled, either entirely reddish brown or with

a deeper brown area on each side. Scutellum yellowbrown. Elytra about three times as long as prothorax

and only a little wider, with a short intrahumeral sulcus and faint transverse depression below inconspicuous basal callosities, striate punctation becoming faint

towards apex, surface shiny, not at all alutaceous, paler

yellow-brown than prothorax, either entirely pale or

with piceous spotting as indicated above, some of spots

may be missing. Body beneath reddish brown with

abdomen and legs more yellowish brown, femora not

toothed, claws with a short basal tooth. Length, 3.6-A.3

mm; width, 2.0-2.2 mm.

TYPE.—Female, USNM 64533.

TYPE-LOCALITY.—Castle Bruce Junction, Dominica

(21 March 1956; J. F. G. Clarke, collector).

OTHER LOCALITIES.—Dominica: 2.2 miles east of

Pont Casse, 1 May 1964, O. S. Flint, Jr.; 1 mile west of

Pont Lolo, 1,300 feet, March and June 1965, J. F. G.

Clarke and T. M. Clarke.

REMARKS.—This species was originally described

from a single female collected by Dr. Clarke in 1956.

Later other specimens were collected on the Breden-
NUMBER 5 7 83

Smithsonian expedition in 1964 and 1965, in which

were taken male specimens and others showing considerable variation in markings.

Literature Cited

Bechyne, Jan

1953. Katalog der neotropischen Eumolpides.

ogische Arbeiten aus dem Museum G. Frey, 4:116.

1955. Reise des Herrn G. Frey in Sudamerica: Ei'molpidae. Entomologische Arbeiten aus dem \{useum

G.Frey, 6:635.

1958. Notizen zu den neotropischen Chrysom^'oidea.

Entomologische Arbeiten aus dem Museiim G.

Frey, 9:525-526.

1961. Notas sobre Chrysomeloidea Neotropicais, JI- Boletim do Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, Zo°logia,

37.16.

Blair, K. G.

1933. Coleoptera from the Galapagos Archipelago. Annals

and Magazine of Natural History, series 10, 11:484.

Blake, D. H.

1930. Synonymies of Antillean Chrysomelidae wit n Descriptions of New Species. Bulletin of Brooklyn Entomological Society, 25:214-215.

1937. Ten New Species of West Indian Chrysorpelidae

(Coleoptera). Proceedings of the Entomological

Society of Washington, 39(4): 66-67.

1944. Notes on Five West Indian Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera). Proceedings of the Entomological S°~

ciety of Washington, 36(1):22-27.

1946. Nine New Species of Metachroma (Coleoptera)

from the West Indies. Journal of the Washington

Academy of Sciences, 36(1): 22-27.

1947. New Eumolpid Beetles from the West Indies- Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, ^7(9):

310-312.

1948. New Species of Metachroma and other Chrysomelid Beetles from the West Indies. Journal °f the

Washington Academy of Sciences, 38(8) : 276-279.

1955. A Study of LeConte's Species of the Chrysomelid

Genus Graphops with Descriptions of some New

Species. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative

Zoology, 113(4).

1958. Some New West Indian Eumolpid Beetles, psyche,

65: 92-98.

1960. Seven New Species of West Indian Chrysomelidae.

Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 62(3): 97.

1962. Eight New Species of Metachroma from the West

Indies. Proceedings of the Entomological Soc*ety °f

Washington. 64(3): 175-180.

1965. Twelve New Species of Chrysomelid Beetles

 fro m

the West Indies (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae).

American Museum Novitates, 2217: 3-6.

1966. Ten New Chrysomelid Beetles from the West Indies and Key West. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 68(3): 215-216.

1968. Ten New Chrysomelid Beetles from Dominica and

Jamaica. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington, 70(1): 62.

Blatchley, W. S.

1920. Notes on the Winter Coleoptera of Western and

Southern Florida with Descriptions of New Species.

Canadian Entomologist, 52: 70.

1924. New Coleoptera from Southern Florida and Notes

on other Interesting Species. Canadian Entomologist, 56: 169.

Bryant, G. E.

1923. New Injurious Phytophaga from India and Brazil.

Bulletin of Entomological Research, 13: 261-265.

1926. New Species of Phytophaga. Annals and Magazine

of Natural History, series 9, 17: 403.

Coquillet, D. W.

1883. Descriptions of a Few Leaf-Eating Coleopterous

Larvae. Canadian Entomologist, 15: 21.

Crotch, G. R.

1873. Materials for the Study of the Phytophaga of the

United States. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 25: 41-44.

Dejean, A.

1837. Catalogue des Coleopteres de la Collection d'Auguste Dejean.

D'Orbigny, Alcide C. V. D.

1846. Dictionnaire Universal d'Histoire Naturelle. Volume 8, page 165.

Fabricius, J. C.

1801. Systema Eleutheratorum. Volume 2, page 417.

Fall, H. C.

1927. New Coleoptera, XII. Canadian Entomologist,

59: 135.

1927. Expedition of the California Academy of Sciences

to the Gulf of California in 1921. Proceedings of

the California Academy of Sciences, series 4,

16: 390.

Gistel, J.

1848. Naturgeschichte des Tierreiche fur hohere Schulen. Page 123.

Horn, G. H.

1&92. The Eumolpini of Boreal America. Transactions

of the American Entomological Society, 19: 209-

221.

Jacoby, Martin

1882. Biologia Centrali-Americana, Coleoptera. Volume

6, part 1, pages 170-172.

1891. Biologia Centrali-Americana, Coleoptera. Supplement, pages 234-335.

LeConte, J. L.

1858. Description of New Species of Coleoptera Collected

By Boundary Commission. Proceedings of the

Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,

4:85.
84 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

Lefevre, Edouard Schultzc,

1885. Eumolpidarum Catalogus. Memoires de la Societe 1926.

Royal des Sciences de Liege, series 2, 11: 92.

Linell, Martin Schwarz,

1898. New Species of Coleoptera of the Family Chry- 1878.

somelidae with a Short Revision of the Tribe Chlaraydini. Proceedings of the United States National Suffrian,

Museum, 20:481. 1866.

Olivier, A. G.

1808. Entomologie. Volume 6, page 892.

Say, Thomas Weise, J.

1823. Descriptions of Coleopterous Insects Collected in 1885.

the Late Expedition to the Rocky Mountains Performed by Order of Mr. Calhoun, Secretary of

War, under the Command of Major Long. Jour- Wilcox, J

nal of the Academy of Natural Science of Phila- 1953.

delphia,3: 446-447.

Schaeffer, Charles

1919. Synonymical and other Notes on some Species of the

Family Chrysomelidae and Descriptions of New 1957.

Species. Journal of the New York Entomological

Society, 27: 327-328.

F. E.

Nomenclator animalium generum et subgenerum.

Volume 1, page 325.

E. A.

The Coleoptera of Florida. Proceedings of the

American Philosophical Society, 17: 366.

E.

Verzeichness der von Dr. Gundlach auf der Insel

Cuba gesammelten Chrysomelinen. Archiv fur

Naturgeschichte, 31: 339-346.

Beitrag zur Chrysomeliden und Coccinelliden

Fauna Portorico. Archiv fur Naturgeschichte,

51(1): 155.

.A.

A Revision of the North American Species of

Paria Lee. (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae). New

York State Museum and Science Service Bulletin,

365: 1-45.

New Species of Galerucinae and Alticinae with

Notes on other Species. Ohio Journal of Science,

53:57.
NUMBER 5 7 85

u

1. Mefachroma laevicollis Crotch, type,- oedeagus from specimen from Mandeville, La.

3. M. marginale Crotch, type.

2. M. laevicollis Crotch, Phillipsburg, N.J.

4. M. orientate, n. sp.

5. M. orientate, n. sp.; type in LeConte

collection as M. pallidum (Say). 6. M. marginale Crotch, Theodore, Ala.

d b

7. M. pallidum (Say), Sheridan Kans.

8. M. pallidum (Say); in LeConte collection

as M. pallida dubioso.

9. M. carolinense, n. sp., type.

FIGURES 1-9
86 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

10a. M. (uridum (Olivier),

Fort Monroe, Va.

10. Metachroma luridum (Olivier), type of

Metachroma vicinum Crotch.

13. M. quercarum (Fabricius), from "5-mile

beach," N. i.

11. M. /orero/e Crotch, type.

I 2. M. laterals Crotch, Topeka, Kans.

15. M. quercorum (Fobricius), Bethane, S. C.

14. M. quercarum (Fabricius), type of

M. puncticolle LeConte.

16. Ad. pelluadum Crotch, type.

17. M. rexanum Schaefter, Brownville, Tex.

FIGURES 10-18

18. M. quercorum (Fabricius), type of

M. strigicolle Blatchley.
NUMBER 5 7 87

db

24. M. angustulum Crotch, type; aedeagus

from all-dark specimen, Montana.

25. M angustutum Crotch, Medosa, Kans.

FIGURES 19-25
88

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

30. M. testaceum elachistum Blake, Cayamas

Cuba.

d-b

3 1 . M. interruptum (Say), Thomasville, La. 32. M. interrupfum (Say), Shreveport, La.

FIGURES 26-32
NUMBER 5 7 89

33. Metochromo utfum LeConte, type; oedeogus from specimen from Columbus, Tex.

34. M. ustum LeConte, Robstown, Tex

35. M. presidiense, n. sp., type.

36. M. ustum LeConte, Hidalgo, Tex.

FIGURES 33-36
90

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

.40. M. californicum Crotch, type; aedeogus ., .. ... . ..

from specimen from Son Ysidro, Calif

 4 ' ' M " <M

°"»TM<» or.crfol.cum, n. »p., type.

FIGURES 37-42

42. M. occidental*, n. »p., type.
NUMBER 5 7 91

43. Mttachroma leptenfnonofa, It. ip., type.

44. M. immocirforum, n. $p., type. 45. w . , mmacu / o # u m # n . $p ., Winslow, Ariz.

47. M. longulum Horn, Rock Spring, Wyo

48. M. jondersoni, n. sp., type.

49. M. longulum Horn, Winslow, Ariz

50. M. longulum Horn, type of

M. novemstriatum Schaeffer.

5 1 . M. longulum Horn, type of

M. opacipenne Fall.

FIGURES 43-51
92

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

52. Mefochromo uiahense, n. sp., type.

S3. M. coronadense Fall, Son Diego County,

Calif.

55. M. suturale LeConte, type; aedeagus

from specimen from Chisos Mts., Tex.

56. M. suturale LeConte (arerrirrmm Hori

Cochise County, Ariz.

58. M. montanense, n. sp., type.

57. M. quadnmaculorum Jacoby, Washington

Mts., near Nogales, Ariz.

59. M. quadrimaculatum Jacob/,

Nogales, Ariz.

FIGURES 52-59
NUMBER 5 7 93

6 1 . M. bipunctatum Jacoby, type.

60. M. variabile Jacoby, Zapote, Guatemala

d-b

62. M. regulare Jacoby, Estero de Sargente,

Sonora, Mexico.

63. M. regulars Jacoby, cotype.

FIGURES 60-63
94

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

64. Metachromo ignotum, n. sp., type. 65. M. hinutum, n. sp., type.

66. M. bimorgmofum, n. tp., type.

67. M. longicollii oeneicol/is Horn.

68. M. longicollrs Jacoby, Loma Bonita,

Oaxaca, Mexico.

69. M. vitfipennis, n. sp., type.

70. M. clarkei, n. »p., type.

7 1. M. viltipennis, n. jp., Nicaragua.

72. M. tvittipennis, n. $p., San Geronimo,

Guatemala.

c+b

73. M. bipunctatum Jacoby, Mazatlan,

Sinaloa, Mexico.

FIGURES 64-73
NUMBER 5 7 95

75. M. luadum, n. sp.

74. Melachroma lucidum, n. sp., type.

76. M. coitahcanum Bechyne, paratype.

78. M. inconjfons, n. sp., »ype.

79. M. inconstant, n. sp.

FIGURES 74-79
96 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

80. Metachroma penmsulare Crotch, type

83. M. vulgare, n. sp., type. 84. M. convexura Jacoby, Tortaguera,

Costa Rica.

FIGURES 80-84
NUMBER 5 7 97

85. Melachromo guafemofense Jacoby, type.

86. M. guatemalense Jacoby, Alta Verapaz

Guatemala.

87. M. ornofum Jacoby, cotype.

88. M. minu/um Jacoby, type.

90. M. nigricol/is, n. sp., type.

89. M. mutabile, n. sp., type.

9 1. M. mexicanum Jacoby, Cuernavac

Mexico; aedeagus from specimen fro

El Garvila, Guerrero, Mexico.

92. M. insulare Fall, type.

93. M. mexicanum Jacoby, Minas Nuevas,

Sonora, Mexico.

FIGURES 85-93

382-478 O - 70 - 8
98 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOG1

94. Metachroma mendozoe, n. sp., type.

95. M jocobyi Bechyne, type.

96. M. eg/eri Bechyne. (Copy of Bechyne's

illustration.)

97. M. cartogense, n. $p., type.

db

98. M. cortagense, n. sp., Cartagena,

Colombia.

FIGURES 94-98
NUMBER 5 7 99

99. Metachromo v«ne;ue'eme Bechyne, type.

100. M. orgenrineme, n. sp., typ«.

101. M. labrale Blair, Villamil, South

Albemarle, Galapagos Islands.

FIGURES 99-101
100 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

103. M. imitons Blake.

102. Mefachroma longicornis Blake. 104. M acunoi Blake

107. M. comutum Blake, type.

108. M. oferoi Blake, type. 109. M. odontotum, n. sp., type.

FIGURES 102-109
NUMBER 5 7 101

1 13 . M. mam'ocoe Blake, type. 114 . M. moaense Blake, type.

115. M. mullipunctatum Blake, type. 1 1 6. M. multipunctatum Blake.

FIGURES 110-117

117. M. zoyasi Blake, type.
102

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

d-b

1 23. M. longitartus Blake, type. 1 24. M. ensiforma Blake, type.

FIGURES 118-125

1 25. M. longitartus Blake.
NUMBER 5 7 10'

126. Mtlachromo teonordi, n. sp., type. 1 27. M. loevius Bloke, type.

128. M. longipunctatum Blake, type.

1 33. M. darlingtoni Blake, type.

132. M. nigromaculatum Blake, type.

FIGURES 126-133
104 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

1 37. M. hoHense Blake, type.

1 35. M. dentolum Blake, type.

cfb

1 39. M. melanochrotvm, n. $p., type.

FIGURES 134-139
NUMBER 5 7 105

144. M. hoyden/ Blake, type

145. M. gagnei Blake, type.

FIGURES 140-146

d-b

146. M. fe/is Blake, type.
106

SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

147. Metachromo melnum Blake. 1 49. M. oakltyi, n. tp., type

150. M. nanum Blake, type.

151. M. anfennale Weise (?). 15Z M. antennale Weise (?).

155. M. fenestrafum Blake.

153. M. ompKco/Ks Blake.

FIGURES 147-155
NUMBER 5 7 107

162. M. rosoe Bryant.

163. M. rosae Bryant.

FIGURES 156-163
108 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY

168. M. acutulum Blake, type.

169. M. ashtonae Blake.

FIGURES 164-170

1 70. M. rugkollii, n. sp., type.
NUMBER 5 7 109

db

175. M. tarn Blake, type.

1 74. M. chapini Blake.

FIGURES 171-175

Index to Species and Subspecies of Metachroma

acunai, 55

acutulum, 79

adustum, 51

adustum terminale, 51

aeneicollis (syn.), 37

amplicollis, 70

anaemicum, 14

angustulum, 16

annulate, 80

antennalc, 68

argentinense, 48

ashtonae, 78

aterrimum (syn.), 21

barahoncnse, 67

bimarginatum, 43

bipunctatum, 42

bredeni, 82

brevistriatum, 62

bridwelli, 24

californicum, 22

californicum anatolicum, 22

carolinense, 9

cartagenense, 46

castaneum, 59

cavicollis (syn.), 54

chapini, 79

cinctipes, 63

clarkei, 40

clarum, 74

convexum, 34

cornutum, 54

coronadense, 28

costaricanum, 38

cubaecola, 60

darlingtoni, 64

dentatum, 65

dicoelotrachelus, 75

dubiosum (syn.), 8

egleri, 47

elachistum (syn.), 18

ensiforma, 59

farri, 81

felis, 49

fenestratum, 68

flavolimbatum, 77

floridanum, 14

fuscifrons, 74

gagnei, 82

gracile, 54

grande, 53

guatemalense, 44

(New taxa in italic)

hardwarense, 73

haydeni, 50

hirsutum, 39

hottense, 66

howdenae, 72

ignotum, 44

imitans, 58

immaculatum, 26

inconstans, 33

insulare, 36

intcrruptum, 18

jacobyi, 47

labrale, 45

laevicollis, 6

laeviusculum, 60

laevius, 61

laterale, 11

leiotrachelus, 71

leonardi, 61

leucurum, 66

lituratum, 60

longicollis, 36

longicollis aeneicollis, 37

longicornis, 58

longipennis, 25

longipunctatum, 62

longitarsus, 53

longulum, 25

lucidum, 39

luridum, 10

macrum, 75

maculipennis, 11

magnipennis, 17

magnipunctatum, 18

maniocae, 56

marginale, 7

melanochrotum, 66

mendozae, 48

metrium, 70

mexicanum, 43

minutum, 38

moaense, 57

montanense, 30

multipunctatum, 57

mutabile, 35

nanum, 69

nassauense, 49

nigricollis, 40

nigromaculatum, 64

nigrosignatum, 24

nigroviride, 64

novemstriatum (syn.), 25

oakleyi, 71

obesum, 63

obscuricollis, 58

occidentale, 23

odontot um, 60

opacipennis (syn.), 25

orientate, 8

ornatum, 41

oteroi, 55

pallidum, 8

panamense, 41

parallelum (syn.), 16

paulum, 77

pellucidum, 12

peninsulare, 35

piceum, 76

presidiense, 22

prognathus, 81

puncticollis (syn.), 11,60

quadrimaculatum, 29

quercatum, 11

quintanae, 34

regulare, 32

rosae, 76

rugicollis, 80

rugosum, 78

sandersoni, 29

schwarzi, 52

septentrionale, 27

simile, 56

sordidum, 60

strigicollis (syn.), 11

suffriani, 60

suturale, 21, 60 (syn.)

terminale (syn.), 51

testaceum, 17

testaceum elachistum, 18

texanum, 13

tricharthrum, 69

ustum, 19

utahense, 28

variabile, 31

varium, 73

venezuelense, 46

vicinum (syn.), 10

viticola, 15

vittipennis, 37

vulgare, 32

wolcotti, 65

xanthacrum, 52

zayasi, 53

o

111

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