Muisca variabilis (SPINOLA, 1844a) (Figs 44, 77, 97, 124, 156)

Pelonium variabile SPINOLA, 1844a: 367. Lectotype. ♂. Le Bresil (Brazil) (MRSN). CORPORAAL 1950: 284. EKIS (now OPITZ), 1975: 56.

D i a g n o s i s: Funicular antennomeres 4-6 are infuscated only in members of M. variabilis and M. testacea . At this time, only the males of these two species are separable using characteristics of the aedeagus (compare Figs 123, 124).

R e d e s c r i p t i o n: Size: Length 5.5 mm; width 2.0 mm. Form: As in Fig. 156. Color: Castaneous, except capitulum and funicular antennomeres 5-6 dark brown. Head: Funicular antennomeres subfiliform, progressively shorter towards capitulum, capitulum longer than combined length of funicular antennomeres, capitular antennomeres 9 and 10 triangular (Fig. 44), antennomere 11 obovate; frons wider than width of eye (EW/FW 20/30). Thorax: Pronotum (Fig. 77) quadrate (PW/PL 87/87), side margin with welldeveloped tubercle, disc uniformly punctate; elytral asetiferous punctation striate to distal 2/3 rd of epipleural region, near sutural margin punctured end at about distal 1/2 (EL/EW 225/70). Abdomen: Pygidium scutiform; posterior margin of 6 th visible sternite faintly incised; aedeagus, phallic apex as in Fig. 124.

V a r i a t i o n: Size: Length 4.7-6.0 mm; width 2.0- 2.2 mm. Other than body size, the available specimens are quite homogeneous.

N a t u r a l h i s t o r y: Specimens were captured throughout the year, some at 300- 500 m.

D i s t r i b u t i o n (Fig.97): In addition to the type, I examined 66 specimens: Brazil: Estado do Minas Gerais, Serra do Caraca, Santa Barbara,?- I-1970, F. M. Oliveira ; Bocaiúva,?- XI-1965, F. Plaumann ; Estado de Paraná, Caveuna,?- IX-1945, A. Maller ; Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro,?- XII-1856, H. Klark ; Tijuca,?- XII-1884, E. Gounelle ; Nova Friburgo, 2-3-IV-1903, E. Gounelle ; Petropolis,?- II-1857, J. Gray ; idem,?- II-1857, H. Clark; Estado do São Paulo, Val. Rio Pardo,?- XII-1898, E. Gounelle ; Perelheiros, 6-XII-1975, V. N. Alin ; idem, 8-XII-1975, V. N. Alin; São Paulo, 6-IX-1976; Constancia,?- I-1957, J. Gray ; Estado do Mato Grosso, Villa Vera,?- X-1973, M. Alvarenga ; Estado do Santa Catarina, Nova Teutonia,?- I-1974, 300- 500 m, F. Plaumann ; idem,?- XI-1974, 300- 500 m, F. Plaumann; idem,?- II-1978, F. Plaumann; idem, 27°11'S 52°23'W,?- XI-1977, 300- 500 m, F. Plaumann; Corupa, XII-1948, A. Maller. Specimens are deposited in MNHN, MRSN, WFBM, and WOPC .