1 '^x.. \ ^^ qN"" "''^^ ==^-— - p^V ^'o ^ ^S^ ^ .^ ^^_-^^_ ^^M ^7i ~X^ TW^^W^^^Am- ^<^ .^^ .^' ^^ ^^^ ■r^ '%, 9 THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S 5^ -a MONTHLY MAGAZINE: EDITEli BY G. C. CHAMPION, F.Z.S. J. E. COLLIN, F.E.S. W. W. FOWLER, D.Sc, M.A., F.L.S. R. W. LLOYD, F.E.S. G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S. J. J. WALKER, M.A., R.N., F.L.S. VOLUME LVIII. [THIRD SKRIES-^OL. VIII.] " J'engage done tous a dviter dans leurs Merits toute personnalite, toute allusion depassant les limites de la discussion la plus sincere et la plus courtoise." — Laboulbene. LONDON : GURNEY & JACKSON (Me. Vak Voorst's Successoes). 33, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.G. 4. 1922. -JJ — —^ J\(p i " rUINTED BY TATLOR AND FRAKCIS, KEl) LION COUKT. FLEET STKEET, E.C. 4. INDEX. PAGE Title-Page i Contributors iii General Index iv Special Index— Coleoptera viii Diptera ix Hemiptera x Hy menoptera xi Lepidoptera xii Special Index (confinuei) — page Mallophaga xiii Neuroptera and Triohoptera xiv Orthoptera xiT Thysanoptera xiv GrEXEEA AND SPECIES NEW TO BRITAIN ... XV „ ,. ,, „ .. Science'... xri Explanation of Plates xviii Errata xviii INDEX TO CONTRIBUTORS. PAGE Andrewes, H. E., F.E.S 174, 238 Ashe, G. H., M.A 108, 230 Austen, Major E. E., D.S.0 182, 254 Bagnall, E. S., F.L.S 18,183, 248 Bayford, E. G., F.E.S 42 Boare, Prof. T. Hudson, B.Sc.,F.E.S.E. 193,194, 249 Blair, K.G., B.Sc, F.E.S 65, 80, 221, 250 Blenkarn, S. A., F.E.S 65 Blood, B, N., M.D 229 Bradley, A. E 141 Britten, H., F.E.S 107 Burkill, H. J 117 Butler, E. A., B.A., B.Sc, F.E.S. 152, 179, 191, 200 Carter, A. E. J 19 Champion, G. C, F.Z.S. ...31, 68, 77, 109, 126, 145, 161, 209, 214, ;: 257, 277 ,' '- Chapman, T. A., M.D., F.E.S. (the X late) 8 yC Colo, N. L 65 ' boilett, H. E. P 210, 231, 232 X\ Collin, J. E., F.E.S 184 >Cottam, E 61, 156 4 PAGE Crawley, W. C, B.A., F.E.S 118 Day, F. H., F.E.S 209 Donisthorpe, H. St. J., F.Z.S 52, 92, 134, 193, 194, 233 DuiTield, C. A. W., F.E.S. 37 Edwards, F. W., F.E.S 104, 160 Edwards, J., F.E.S 204 Elliott, E. A., F.E.S 208 Enderlein, Dr. G 101 Evans, W 190, 208 Fergusson, A., F.E.S 250 Ford, Eev. H. D., M.A 162 Fowler, Eev. W. W., D.Se., M.A., F.L.S 208 Gardner, W„ F.L.S 252 Gimingham, C. T., F.E.S 226 Hale, Eev. J. E 276 Hamm, A. H., F,E.S 163 Harwood, P., F.E.S 249 Hudson, G. v., F.E.S 28, 196 Hudson, Miss S 94 Hutchinson, G. E. 255 Imms, A. D.,D.Sc.,M.A., F.L.S. .20, 26, 231 Keys, J. H., F.E.S 35 King, J. J. F. X., F.E.S 230 a 2 IT PAGE Kryger, J. P 229 Laing, F., F.E.S 141, 164, 191, 254, 255 Lamb, C. G., B.Sc 109 Lyle, G. T., F.E.S 276 Morice, Eer. F. D., M.A., F.E.S 197 Mortimer, C. H 16, 19 Morton, R. J., F.E.S 277 Neave, S. A, D.Sc, M.A., F.Z.S. 22, 46, 67, 117, 143, 213 Nevill-Wilmer, E 38 Palmer, R., F.E.S 142 Pearce, E. J 37, 93 Perkins, E. C. L., D.Sc, M.A., F.E.S. 17, 24, 46, 89, 94, 167, 252 Porritt, G. T., F.L.S 109, 131 PAGE Poulton,Prof . E. B., D.Sc.,M.A .,F.E.S. 118 Saunt, J. W 38,110,230, 276 Sclater, W. L., F.Z.S 35 Scott, H., Sc.D., M.A., F.E.S 56 Sykes,E.E 208 Theobald, Prof. F. V., M.A., F.E.S.... 137 Turner, H. J 44, 67, 116, 166, 212, 237, 256 Uvarov, B. P., F.E.S. ...83, 139, 211, 277 Wainwright, C. J., F.E.S 38, 255 Walker, J. J., M.A., E.N., F.L.S. 1, 162, 189, 251 Walton, C. L., M.Sc 271 Waterston, J., B.D., D.Sc., F.Z.S. 159, 163, 243 Womersley, H 234 GENERAL INDEX. Acantbocinus aedilis Liun. in luverness-shire Acanthocnemus nio-ricans Hope ( = ciliatus Ferris), The Geograpliical Distri- butioii aud Synonymy of the Dasytid-beetle {rvith Jiyures) Aleyrodidae : correction of generic nomenclature AntLouomus ciuctus Kollar in Kent AniM, Australian, Notes on some. Biological notes by E. B. Ponlton, D.Sc, M.A., r.K.S., and Notes and Descriptions of new forms by W. C. Crawley, B.A., F.E.S. (ivMJjffures) Aphid genus aud species (Trilobaphis caricis), new to Britain, An {ivith figures) Aphids, Three species of, new to Britain Asemum striatum, The distribution of, 230; etc. at Hiudhead, 208; etc. in the New Forest Aulonium ruficorne 01. and Hypophloeus fiaxini Kug,, Two species of Coleoptera new to the British List Bees, Three hermaphrodite Billaea irrorata Mg. in Britain . . Blattella supellectilium Serv., Observations on the Phyllodromine Cockroach, in Khartoum Bombus A new British, nigrescens (Perez) from Sussex, 16 ; cullumanus (Kirby), Occurrence of, in Sussex, 19 ; cullumanus (Kirby) 111., On the occurrence of, in Britain, 26 ; the genus, etc., Some observations on, in Wales PAGE 276 77 255 37 118 137 164 189 193 17 255 156 271 PAGE Butterflies in Iceland, On the occasional occurrence of ; with notes on the Lepidopterous Fauna of the North Athmtic Islands . . . . , . 1 Butterfly notes from Oxford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Caenocara bovistae in Carnarvonshire . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Calycella Blair (Coleoptera), The Generic Name . . . . . . . . 250 Carabidae, Oriental, Notes on— III 174, 238 Carpophilus ligneus Murray in Britain . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Cecidomj'id, A, Perrisia harrisoni, nom. nov. . . . . . . . . . . 183 Celerio lineata F. (Deilephila livornica Esp.) at Oxford . . . . . . 163 Chaetocnema sp. injuring' Wheat .. .. .. ., .. .. 191 Chalcid parasite, A, on Lecanopsis formicarum Newstead . . . . . . 163 Chloropisca circumdata Mg. ( = ornata Loew, nee Mg.), Note on Swarms of, 20 ; occurring in houses . . . . . . , . . . . . . . 38 Choleva angustata F., and its allies : supplementary note . . . . . . 107 Clytus arcuatus L. in Notts and Lines , . . . . . . . . . . . 276 Coleoptera in the Forest of Dean, A few days' hunt for, 194 ; some Indian (7) 31, 68 ; (8) 126 ; (9) 214, 257 ; at the Lizard, Cornwall, in 1920 and 1921, 35 ; in 1921, A few notes on, 52 ; Notes on various, 93 ; of Russia and Western Europe, The, by G. G. Jacobson, St. Petersburg, 1905- 1915, 91 ; in Worcestershire in 1921 .. ..108 Colias croceus (edusaj in Hertfordshire . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Coloration of Insects, Terrifying and Protective, at the Time of Emergence. 162 Cucujidae, A classification of the, based ou larval characters . . . . 209 Deiopeia pulchella L. at Southsea . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Deliphrum crenatum Grav. in Midlothian . . , . . . . . . . 190 Dendrothrips ornatua (Jabl.), a species of Thysanoptera new to the British Fauna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Deraeocoris ruber, A contribution to the Life-history of . . . . . . 200 Dermestes lardarius L. feeding on wood . . . . . . . . . . 209 Dictyonota strichnocera Fieb., A contribution towards the Life-history of . . 179 Diptera from the Bristol district . . . . . , . . . . . . . . 234 Drama, A, on a Rose-leaf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Drepanothrips reuteri Uzel, an addition to the British Fauna {with Jiff ure). . 248 Empididae from the Seychelles . . . . . . , . , . . . . . 184 "Etudes de Zoogeographie," par J. Sainte-Claire Deville . . . . . . 64 " Faune Coleopterologique des iles Baleares," par Szymon Tenenbaura, W\irsaw, 1915 , 91 Fl}^, an Aphidophagous, of the genus Leucopis, Notes on the Bionomics of, in the Anglo-Egyptian Soudan, 61 ; A Dolichopid, swarming in houses. 109 Forficula auricularia L., Curious malformation in . . . . . . . . 109 Galleriadae, An Eastern species of, imported into Britain . . . . . . ]91 Gall-midge, A new fungus-feeding {withjiyures) . . . . . . . . 104 Ghost Swift Moth, The, and the " WiU-o'-the- Wisp " 252 Grasshopper, A, new to Britain .. .. .. .. .. .. ..211 Gymnetron squamicolle Reitt. in Hants and Surrey . , . . , . • 277 Halictus and Sphecodes, The British species of . . . . . . 46, 94, 167 Halictus tumulorum L. and fiavipes F. and some allied species . . . . 24 Haliplus obliquus Er. infested with Acarid parasites . . . . . . . . 37 PAGE Hemiptera, A fortniglit's collecting, in Ilampsliire . . . , . . . . '2-M Hymeuoptera and Aphides, 276 ; and Diptera, Some North Derbyshire . . 110 Hypera meles F. and other Coleoptera in a lucerne field at Wicken. . . . 249 Ischuocera (Mallophaga), A new genus of . , . . l-")9 Jussina, British, A generic arrangement of .. .. .. .. .. 204 " Konowia," Zeitschrift fiir systematische Insektenkuude : another entomo- logical periodical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Leistus montanus Steph. in Arran . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Lepidoptera in the Dolgelly district, Merionethshire, 38 ; Descriptions of two new species of, from New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Leptura sanguinolenta at Nethy Bridge, N.B 208, 230 Lissodema cursor Gyll., etc., at Box Hill . . . . . . . . . . 65 Miridae (Capsidae) common to Britain and N. America . , . . . . 309 Mordellidae, A new genus aud some new species of {ivithjjgures) . . . . 221 Mvmarid, A new, from Brockenhurst {wiOi Plate) . . . . . . . . 229 Nehria iberica Oliveira, a British species . . . . , . . . . . 92 New Zealand, Notes on collecting in, during the Season 1920-1921, 28; Insects observed on a glacier in . . . . . . . . , . . . 94 Nomada hillana Kirby, Note on . . . . . . . . , . . . . . 252 Notes, Critical, en the Hon. H. Onslow's paper " Melanism in Abraxas grossulrtriata var. varleyata . . . . , . . . . . . . . . 131 Notouecta halophila J. Edw., Localities for . . . . . . . . , . 255 Obituaries. — Arthur W. Bacot, F.E.S., 115 ; Louis Bedel, 66 ; Thomas G. Bishop, 237, 279 ; Thomas A. Chapman, M.D., F.R.S. {tviih Portrait), 22, 40 ; William Lucas Distant, F.E.S., 06 ; Hamilton H. Druce, F.Z.S., 211; Albert Brydges Earn, 20; Julius Jaeger, 114; Vincent Robert Perkins, 110; G. A. James Rothney, F.E.S., 113; Henry Rowland Brown, M.A., F.E.S., 142, 165; Dr. Georg von Seidlilz, 22 ; David Sharp, M.A., M.B., F.R.S. {icith Portrait), 234 ; Frederick W. L. Sladen, F.E.S., 22, 111 ; Francis George Whittle, F.E.S 22 Orchamus bellaniii, a new Pamphagid grasshopper from the Canary Islands 1.S9 Orthezia maenariensis Dougl. (Coccidae), A Synouymical Note on . . . . 2">4 Orthoptera, Three new, from Palestine and N.W. Persia {withjiyures) . . 83 Osmia leucomelaua Kirby, in Shropshire . . . . . . . . . . 252 Pantomorus godmaui Crotch, a cosmopolitan weevil attacking roses and greenhouse plants, The synonymy and distribution of . . . . . . 161 Parasite, a Chalcid, of Lecanopsis formicarum Newstead, 163 ; a Liotheid (Mallophaga) of the Curlew (Numeuius arquata L.), Observations on the Life-history of {icith fyures) . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Parasites of beetles, Notes on some, 226 ; On some Hymeuopterous, and some other enemies «f Tortrix viridana Linn. : with further records of Chalcididae swarming in buildings . . . , . . . . . . 56 Pelobius tardus Herbst, The life-history of the, by__F. Balfour-Browue, M. A. 141 Pentatoma rufipes L., A Contribution to the Life-history of, 152 ; Notes on, (Tropicoris) 210 Phasmid larvae from Mount Everest . . . . . . 277 Phylloxera salicis Licht., a species of Aphid new to Britain . . . . . . 191 Picromerus bideus L., Nutes on two larvae of , . . . . 232 PAa£ 233 160 208 134 141 Plant-lice, How the Iloney-dew of, is excreted . . , . , , Plastosciara (Diptera, Sciaridae), A third new British Pogonochaerus bidentatus Thonis. in Perthshire Ponera punctatissima Roger, Some notes on . . Psithjrus Lep., variation in the genus in the neighbourhood of Leeds Psocid, A Scaly-winged, new to science, discovered in Britain {ivithjigures) 101 Pcerostichus angustatus Dutts., and Anchomenus quadripunctatus De G. etc., in Kent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Reviews. — " Mecoptera : Monographic Revision." By P. Esben Petersen, 39; "The Odonata or Uragonflies of South Africa." By Dr. F. Ris, 142 ; " A Redescription of the Type Species of the Genera of Coccidae based on Species originally described by Maskell." By Harold and Emily Morrison, 164 ; " Instituto Biologico de Defesa Agricola." Boletini N. 1. Entomolcgia Agricola Brasileira, Por Carlos Moreira. . 192 Rhamphoniyia conformis K. in Scotland : a correction . . . . . . 19 Rhinocola eucalypti Mask, in England . . . . , . . . . . . . 141 Rliinoniacer attelaboides in Dorset . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 Rhizophagus parallelocollis GylL, Notes on the Life-history of {xoith figures) . 80 Sawflies, Notes on, chiefly as to ovipot-ition, 8 ; Two, new to Britain — Scolioneura tenella King and Pristiphora geniculata Hartig . . , . 197 Scarabaeid, An American, in dried fruit . . . . . . , . . . 162 Seitz's '•' Macrolepidoptera of the World " . . . . . . . . . . 276 Sirex juvencus F. in Yorkshire . . , . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SociETiKS- — Entomological Society of London, 22, 46,67, 117, 143, 213; London Natural History Society, 117 ; South London Entomological Society, 44, 67, 116, 166, 212, 237, 256 ; Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, Entomological Section . . . . . . . . . , . . . . 42 Sphecodes scabricollis Wesm. in Somerset, and description of the $ of S. kershawi Perk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 S3'mpetrum fonscolombii and other Dragonflies near London in October . . 277 Tiichinidae (Diptera), Two additions to the list of British , . . . . . 182 Typhlocyba ulmi L., Abnormal abundance of, in Hyde Park . . . . 254 Vanessa c-album L. in Hertfordshire .. .. .. ., .. ..142 " Zoological liecord," The . . . . , , . . . . . . . , 35 SPECIAL INDEX. [For the new genera, species, etc., described see pp. xvi-xvii.] COLEOPTERA. PAGE Acanthocinus aedilis 276 Acanthocnemus nigricans 78 Acidota crenata 108 Agabus brunneus 35 Anchomenus 4-punctatus ; 249 Anisotoma calcarata 195 Anthonomus cinctus 37 Antixoon 77 Apliodiua zenkeri 195 Aphthona eupborbiae 249 Apion brachypterum, 55 ; confluens, pomonae, stolidum 36 Asemum i5triatiun 189,208,230, 249 Atheta angusticollis, 35 ; gyllenhali, 36 ; muscorum, 35 ; oblita, 36, 37 ; palustris, sordida, triangulum ... 37 Aulonium ruficorne 193 Balaniniis glandium 249 Bradycellus harpalinus 195 Bruchus rufimanus 226 Bythinus glabratns 65 Caenocara bovistae 54, 230 Caenopsis waltoni 37 Cardiophorus erichsoni 35 Carpophilus ligneus, etc 65 Cassida equestris, fastuosa, nebidosa. 55 Cathormiocems attaphilus, 35, 37 ; maritimus 3G Ceuthorrhynchus chrysanthemi 35 Cbaetocnema sp 191 Cboleva angustata, cisteloides, sturmi, etc 107, 108 Clytus arciiatus 276 Coccinella 11-pimctata 94 Corticaria eppelsbeimi, 53 ; crenulata. 36 Corynetes co^ruleus 108 Criocephalus polonicus 249 Cryptocephalus biguttatus,luieola, 54; sexpunctatus 108 Cryptophagus cylindrus 194 Cryptopbiliis integer 31 Cteniopus sulphureus 37 Cucujidae, families of 209 Dacne huraeralis 93 Dasytes cambiensis, 127, 145 ; dis- cretus 127, 147 Delipbrmn crenatum 190 Dermestes lardarius, vulpinus 209 Deronectes depressus 93 Donaldia (Xamerpus) maindroni. 127, 128 Dryocoetes alni 108 Ernobius mollis 1 94 Exomias araneiformis 195 Gabrius peiinatus 35, 37 Gymnetron squamicoUe 277 Haemonia sp. ? 93 Haliplus oblongus 37 llaplocnemus impressus, 108 ; moes- tus 127 Helopborus aequalis 36 Henoticus californicus, 53 ; indicus, 31 ; serratus 249 Heterotomus pulicarius 35 Homalota cuspidata, 194 ; egregia, elegantula 249 Hydraena atricapilla, gracilis, riparia, testacea 36 Hylastes ater, 194; attenuatus, 190, 249 ; opacus, palliatus 194 Hyla.stinus obscurus 194 Hypebaeus carinatifer, 215, 265 ; divoTsipennis, 270; uneatus, 215, 266 Hypera melos 249 Hypophloeus fraxini 193, 194 Laemophloeus bimacidatus, 53 ; ferru- gineus 194 Laius balteatus, boysi 215, 216 Laparocerus azoricus 1G2 Lathrobium angustatum 36 Lebia cyanocepliala 65 Leis antipodum 94 Leistus montanus '. 250 Leptura revestita, mbra, 208 ; san- guinolenta 208, 230 Lionyclius quadrillum var. unicolor... 36 Lissodema cursor "^ Malachius sikkimensis 215, 271 Malthinus piinctatus 195 Masoreus wetterhali 35 Melig'ethes exilis, 35 ; fulvipes, 52 ; pediciilarius, subrngosus 35 Metriorrhynchus erraticus 9-i Miarus micros 35 Molorchus minor 208, 209 Monotoma 4-dentata 35 Mordellistena inaequalis 36 Mycetoporus angularis 36 Myelophilus piniperda 1 94 Naupactus subvittatus 161 Nebria iberica 92 Necrophorus humator 228 Ochthebius impressicollis, impressus, 36; lejolisi, 250; nanus, poweri. 36 Opilo mollis 108 Orchesia micans 2'_8 Orthochaetes insignis, setiger 36 Pachyura sumptuosa 29 Pantomorus godmani • ■ 161 Paracymus sciitellaris 36 Pelobius tardus 141 Philonthus micans, quisqiiiliarius, 35; ventralis 37 Phyllotreta atra 249 Pityogenes bidentatus 194 Platycotylus uiusitatus 31, 72 Platystethus alutaceus 35 Pogonochaerus bidentatus 208 Procerallus aplocnemiformis 127, 129 Psammobius batesi 162 Pselaphus dresdensis 37, 52 Pseudocerapheles rosti, superbus.215, 260 Psylliodes cuprea 249 Pterosticlius angustatus, 249 ; ob- longo-piuictatus 195 Ptinus sexpmictatus 108 Pyrochroa coccinea 195 Pyronota edwardsi, f estiva 94 PAGE Rhagium bifasciatum, 195, 208 ; in- quisitor 195 Rhinomacer attelaboides 190, 208 Rhizophagus depressus, dispar, 194 ; parallelocollis 80, 93 Saprinus virescens 108 Scolytus pruni 108 Sericoderus lateralis 35 Sitones eambricus 36 Sphaeriestes ater 3b Stenichnus pusilluB 37 Tacliyusa atra 36, 37 Taphria nivalis 195 Tetropium gabrieli 190 Thanasimus f ormicarius 208 Thymalus limbatus 194 Tiresias serra 53 Tocris laevicostatus 29 Tomicus erosus, 194 ; laricis, sex- deutatus 193, 194 Tracbyphloeus bifoveolatus, laticollis, myrmecopliilus 36 Trichonyx suIcicoUis 93 Trinodes hirtus 53 Triplax aenea, 195 ; lacordairei 52 Trogoderma khapra 53 Trox scaber 108 Xestobium tessellatimi 108 Xyleborus saxeseni 55 Zeugopbora flavicollis 108 DIPTEEA. Arcboneura liudsoni 28 Billaea irrorata 182, 255 Chironomus rufipes 234 Chloropisca circumdata, 20, 38, 109 ; glabra 20 Cynomyia mortuorum HO Dasyneura jaapiana 183 Drapetes angustata, 184, 187 ; ba- salis 187 Empis livida 58 Exsul singularis 29 Gymnochaeta viridis 110 Haematopota crassicornis 234 Leucopis sp 61 i Limnophora humilis 60 Macromastix clara 94 Mallota cimbicif ormis 234 Medeterus petrophihis 109 Mycocecis (g-en. n.), 105 ; ovalis 106 Nemotelus notatus 234 Neoitamus cyairarus 59 Odontomyia cliloris 94 Onesia germanorum 183 Opomyza florum 110 Oxycera formosa 234 Parahybos iridipennis 186 Perrisia marg:inemtorquens, 14 ; har- risoni, ulmariae 183, 184 Phaonia errans 110 Phora aterrima 80 Plithiria pulicaria 234 Plastosciara perniciosa 160 Pnyxia scabiei 160 Pollenia rudis 110 Psila fimetaria 110 Rhabdophaga pseudococcus 107 Rhamphomyia conformis, stigmosa, 19; spissirostris 110 Sarcophaga nigriventris 228 Syndyas nigripes, nitida 185 Syrphus aegyptius, 61 ; tricinctus ... 110 Tachydromia lacteiseta, etc 188 Tipiila iiTorata 234 Tropidia scita 234 Volucella inflata 234 Xylota leiita 234 HEMIPTERA. Acantliosoma haemorrhoidalc 231 Acompocoris pygmaeus 231 Adelphocoris Ihieolatus 109 Aleurodes aureus, vaporariorum 255 Amphorophora rhinanthi 164 Anthocoris confusus, sylvestris 14 Apocremnus variabilis 109 PAGE Aphis gossypii 61 Asciodema obsoletum 231 Blepharidopterus angulatus 109, 231 Bothynotus pilosus 109 Calocoris bipunctatus 109, 231 Camptobrochis lutescens 109 Chlamydatus pulicarius 109 Corixa fallen! 231 Cymus glandicolor 231 Cytorrliinus caricis 109 Deraeoeoris ruber 109, 200 Dicbrooscytus rufiioermis 231 Dictyonota strichnocera, 179 ; tri- cornis 181 Dicyphus errans 231 Globiceps dispar 109 Halticus apterus 109 Hamainelistes betulae 164 Heterotouia merioptera 102 Ischnorbynchus geminatus 231, 232 Jassidae, species of 207 Lasiosomus enervia 231 Lecanopsis f ormicartim 163 Leptopterna dolabrata, ferrugata 231 Lygus pabulimis, etc., 109 ; pratensis, viridis 231 Megaloceraea erratica, etc., 231 ; recticornis 109 Megalocoleiis moUiculus 109 Microphysa elegantula 231 Miris dolabratus, ferrugatus, 109 ; holsatus 231 Monalocoris filicis 109 Monanthia cardui 231 Myrmus mirif ormis 231 Nabis ericetorum 231 Neoeoris boliemaui 109 Neottiglossa pusilla 231 Notonecta halophila 255 Nysius clavicornis 94 Oncacoutias vittatus 94 Ortliezia maenariensis 254 Orthocephalus mutabilis 109 Orthotylus concolor, 109 ; ericetorum, etc 231 Pentalonia nigrouervosa 1 64 PAGE Pentatoma rufipes 152,210, 231 Pliyllosera salicis 191 Piiylus palliceps 231 Phytocoris iilmi 231 Picromerus bidens 153, 232 Piezodorus lituratus 231 Pilophorus clavatus 109 Pithaniis maerkeli 109, 231 Plagiognathus clirysantlieiiii, 109, 231; roseri 231 Plesiocoris rugicollis 231 Poeciloscytiis unifasciatus 109 Psallus alnicola 109, 231 Rhopalotomiis ater 231 Ehinocola eucalypti 141 Scolopostethus decoratus, tliomsoni . . 231 Stenotus binotatus 231 Teratocoris saundersi 109 Trilobaphis caricis 137 Triijhleps nigra 231 TypLlocyba ulmi 254 HTMENOPTERA. AUotria victrix 277 Amblyopone australis, ferimginea ... 120 Aiidrena albicans, etc., 110 ; fulva ... 274 Anthophora pilipes 272 Aphaenogaster lozigiceijs, poultoni ... 122 Aphelostoma tasmauica 118 Apludius 276 Apis mellifica 272 Bombus agrorum, etc., 273 ; cullu- manus, 19, 26; Jerhamellns, 16, 27 ; lapidarius, 27 ; nigrescens, 16, 19 ; pratorum, 19, 27 ; soro- ensis, 19, 27 ; sylvarum 16, 19 Camponotus claripes, etc., 125 ; ferru- ginipes, 125 ; nigriceps race di- midiatus 118, 125 Choreia inepta 163 Creinastogaster australis, rufotes- tacea 123 Diadromus candidatus 58 XI PAGE Dolerus aeneiis, etc 110 Euponera liitea 120 Exochus globulipes 58 Fenusa dohrni 110 Glypta cicatricosa 58 HaUctus atricornis, etc., 110; pau- xillus var. immarginatus, 17; fasciatns, flavipes, tumiilorum, etc., 24; and Sphecodes, British species of, 46,94, 167 Hemiteles areator 58 Hylaeiis confusus 17 Iridomyrmex darwinianiis, 125 ; de- tectus, etc 124, 125 Labrorhynchus nigricornis 58 Leptomyrmex erythrocephalus 125 Limnerium albidum, 58 ; geniculatum 110 Monomorium ilia 122 Myrmecia forficata, 120, 126; vindex 119 Monophadnus geniculatus 110 Nomada alternata, etc., 110; con- jungens, 18; hillana, etc 253 Notoncus, species of 125 Osmia leucomelana 252 Pachynematus clitellarius, xantho- carpus 110 Petiolaria anomala 229 Phaeogtnes stimulator 57 Pheidole variabilis 123 Phygadeuun assimilis 54 Phytodiaetus coryphaeus, polyzonias. 58 Pimpla brassicariae, rufata, 57 ; ex- aminator, etc 58 Poecilosoma tridens 110 Ponera eoarctata, edouardi, tarda, 135 ; punctatissima 134 Pontania piliserra 8, 13 Prioj^horus tener 8, 14 Pristiphora geniculata 199 Pteromalus deplanatus 86, 56, 59 Pteronidia curtispina, 8 ; hypoxan- thus, 8, 10; oligospilus 8, 12 Psithj'rus barbutellus, etc 142 Rhogogaster aucupariae 110 Rhytidoponera metalUca and vars 121, 122 Xll PAGE Scolioneura tenella 197 Sigalplius luteipes 276 Sirex juvencus 38 Sphecodes, British species of, 167 ; kershawi, 91; scabricollis, schen- kii,etc 89 Stenomalus miiscarum 56, 60 Theronia atalantae 58 Thersilochus orchesiae 228 Trichiocampus eradiatus 110 Turneria fren^lii 125 LEPIDOPTEEA. Abraxas grossulariata vara, albo- varleyata, 132 ; hazeleighensis, 134; varleyata 132 Acidalia immorata 256 Acronycta alni, 38, 212 ; menyan- thidis molanic 43 Aegocera mahdi 141 Aglais urticae 46 Agriades corydon 251 Agrotis agathina var. scoi^ariae, 42 ; ashwortliii, 38 ; corticea var. . . . 256 Albulina pheretes 256 Ampbidasys betiilaria gynandro - morph, 23 ; vars. 45 Anisoi^teryx aescularia 42 Apbomia gularis 191 Aplecta occulta 42 Arctia caja, 256 ; viUica 45, 256 Argema miltrei 144 Argymiis f reyja 2 Argyropbenga antipodum 28 Argyropborus argenteus 167 Aricia astrarcbe var. artaxerxes 6 Azochis gripusalis 192 Bapta temerata 238 Boarmia gemmaria, and var. perfu- maria 257 Brentbis eupbrosyne, 167, 238, var. 237; freyja, 2, 4; selene ...116, 256 Callimorpba bera 115 Celastrina argiolus 251 PAGE Celerio lineata 163 Cerura bifida, furcula 238 Charaeas graminis 7 Cbionobas jutta, oeno 2 Cbrysoclista bimaculella 43 Cbry sojihanus salustius 212 Cidaria designata, immaiiata, 7 ; suf- fumata var. porrittii, 42 ; trun- cata 7, 44 Cirrboedia xerampelina 38 Cleoceris viminalis var. obscura 167 Coenonympba typbon, 6, vars. ...67, 165 Colias edu.sa (croceus), 38, 165, 213, 231, 251 ; becla, pbicomone 2 Crambus extincteUus, 7 ; myellus . . . 256 Crymodes exulis 7 Cupido minimus 238 Deilepbila livornica 115,163, 212 Deiopeia pulcbella 65 Diantboecia carpopbaga 42 Diapbora mendica xi. var. venosa ..45, 117 Dircenna lenea 23 Elloijia ijrosapiaria 167 Ematurga atomaria var. unicolorata . 45 Epbestia kiibniella 191 Epicbnopteryx reticella 22 Epinepbele janira 23 Episema graminis 7 Erebia butleri, 28 ; pluto 29 Eucbloe cardamines vars 67 Eupitbecia linariata, 38 ; sobrinata, Valeriana ta 7 Eurymene dolabraria 38 Euvanessa antioija 6,45, 117 Glypbipteryx equitella, bawortbana . 43 Grammesia trigrammica 237 Grapta c-album, 38, 46, 117, 142, 144, 251, var 21 Hadena exulis, 7 ; sommeri 6 Heliopbobus bispidus 67 Heliotbis armigera 115 Hepialus bumuli, 251 , var. betblandica 6 Hesperia malvae var. taras 213 Hybernia leucopbearia, marginaria, rupicapraria 42 Icbneutica nervosa, n. sp 196 PAGE Incurvaria tenuicornis 43 Klugia spini 45 Laphygma exigua 115 Leptosia medusa 214 Leucania albipiiiicta, vitellina 115 Leuceronia pharis 214 Leucoma clirysorrhoea 212 Limacodes testudo 256 Lithophano socia 38 Lycaena phiaeas vai'. schmidtii, 38, vars 251 Malacosoma neustria 45 Malenydris salicata 256 Mamestra pisi 7 Melaiiargia galatea var 21 Melanippe thulearia 7 Melitaea atbalia var. navarina, 45 ; aurinia var 67 Mesoleuca albieillata 256 Myelois duplipunctella 192 Nemoria viridata 238 Noctua glareosa var. rosea, 44 ; xan- thograplia melanic 44 Nonagria arundineta var. dissoluta ... 42 Nordmannia ilicis vars. aesculi and cerri 45 Notodonta ziczac 238 Notoreas anthracias 29 Nygmia pliaeorrhoea 212 Odontosia carraelita 162 Ophiusa stolida 115 Orocrambus melanipetrus 29 Paedisca semifuscana 42 Panolis piniperda 167 Papilio dardanus, 23 ; idaeus, 192 ; machaon var., 45, 256 ; rex 23 Pararge climene, 213 ; megaera vars. 67; roxelana 213 Parnassius apollo, deUus 213 Perizoma blandiata 38 Phigalia pedaria 42 Pieris monuste, 192 ; napi var. bryo- niae 256 Platyedra gossypiella 192 Plebeius argns gynandromorph. 117; icarus vars. 67, 251 xm PAGE Plusia gamma 5 Polygonia c-album 21, 38, 46, 117, 142, 144, 251, 256 Polyommatus icarus vara 67, 251 Polyploca ridens 38 Pseudopoutia paradoxa 214 Pterophorus islandicus 7 Pyrameis atalanta, 4, 23 ; cardui ...3, 4 Rumicia phiaeas var. schmidtii, 38, vars 251 Sabatinca chrysargyra 28 Satiirnia pavonia 162 Scoparia trapezophora 29 Sesia andrenif ormis 44 Sphinx convolvuli, 4 ; ligustri 38, 257 Stauropus fagi 38 Stenoma albella, anonella 192 Stilbia anomala 38 Taeniocampa incerta var., 116 ; mi- niosa 38 Tatosoma nigra, n. sp 196 Tauroscoija glaucophanes 29 Teracolus puniceus 45 Tephrosia consonaria, punctulata ... 38 Thera firmata 42 Titanomis sisyrota 29 Tortrix viridana 56 Triphaena fimbria, 44; pronuba 6 Vanessa atalanta, 4, 23 ; c-album, 21, 38, 46, 117, 142, 144, 251 ; cardui, 4 ; gonerilla 212 Xanthia aurago 42 Xylophasia monoglypha var. infus- cata, 257 ; scolopaciua 38 Zygaena achilleae, 256 ; anthyllidis, 238 ; fllipendulae, 44, var. chry- santhemi, 23 ; lonicerae, 44 ; scabiosae, 238; transalpina, 238, var. elongata 14,4, MALLOPHAGA. Colpocephalum, the genus, 243 ; flavescens, patellatimi 246 PAGE Liiieurus doco]ihoroides 159 Lagopoecus (gen. n.) I59 Nirmus cameratus 159 Xanthocnemis zcalandica PAOE . 94 NEUROPTERA and TRICHOPTERA. Aeschna cyanea, mixta 279 Agrion puella 59 Anax georgius, 143 ; imperator 59 Argia concinna 143 Calopteryx virgo 5 13 Chrysoija dorsalis, 212 ; perla, 43 ; prasina 167 Cx-ocothemia saxicolor 143 Ecliinopsocus erinaceus 102 Eiiallagma cyathigerum 59 Lcptoperla maculata 94 Lestes viridis 143 Limnopliihis afRnis 278 Nemoptera bipennis, coa. sinuata ... 256 Notiothemis jonesi I43 Osmylus chrysopa 213 Palpares libelluloides 256 Pscudonema obsoleta 94 Ptcroxanium squamosum, n. g. and n. sp 102 Pyrrhosoma nympliula 43 Scolopama lialterata 102 Soraatocblora smithii 94 Sympetrum corruptum, 278 ; fons- colombii, 277 ; striolatum 278 ORTHOPTEEA. Blattela supellectilium 156 Empusa egena 257 Forficula auricularia var. forcipata .. 109 Hypernei^hia everesti 277 Labidura riparia 256 Mantis religiosa 256 Menexenus 277 Oedipoda germanica 257 Orchamu.s bellamii. n. sp 139 Paradrymadusa annulicornis, n. sp. . . 87 Phasmid larvae 277 Psophus stridulus 257 Schistocera paranensis 192 Sphingonotus angulatus, n. sp., 84 ; coerulans, 84, subsp. coerulipes n., 83 ; mechoriue, rubescens, vosseleri §4 Stauroderus bicolor, vagans 211 THYSANOPTERA, Bagnallia calcarata ig Dendrothrips degeeri, etc., 19 ; orna- tws 18, 19 Drepanothrips reuteri, viticola 248 Oxythrips ericae 248 ADDITIONS TO THE BRITISH INSECT FAUNA BROUGHT FORWARD OR NOTICED IN THIS VOLUME. HYMENOPTEEA. PAGE . 193 65 COLEOPTEEA. SPECIES. Aulonium ruficorne 01 Carpophilus ligneus Murray (intro- duced) Hypopliloeus fraxini Ki(,gel 193 Nebria iberica Oliveira 92 Psammobius batesi Arrow (intro- duced) 162 DIPTEEA. GENTJS. Mycocecis F. W. Edwards 105 SPECIES. Billaea irrorata Meig 182, 255 Mycocecis ovalis F. W. Edwards 106 Onesia germanorum Ville^i. 183 Plastosciara perniciosa F. W. Edwards 160 HEMIPTEEA. GENEKA. DUYI.IX J. Edu-ards 206 Hakdta „ 206 MOCTBIA „ 206 Ophiola „ 206 Eecilia „ 206 Trilobaphis Theobald 137 species. Amphorophora rhinanthi Schout 164 Hamamelistes betulae Mordw 164 Pentalonia nigronervosa Coq 164 Phyllosora salicis Licht. (introduced). 191 Ehinocola eucalypti Masl. ( „ ). 141 Trilobaphis caricis TJxeobald 138 genus. Petiolabia Blood cj- Kryger page ,. 229 species. Bombus nigrescens Perez 16 Petiolaria anomala Blood ^ Kryger . . . 229 Pristipbora geniculata Ifarf ifif 199 Scolioneui-a tenella Klug 197 LEPIDOPTEEA. species. Aphomia gularis Zett. (introduced) ... 191 Diapbora meudica, var. venosa, Adhin 45, 117 OETHOPTEEA. species. Stauroderus vagans Eversm 211 NEUEOPTEEA. GENUS. Ptekoxanium Enderlein 102 species. Pteroxanium squamosum Enderlein (? introduced) 103 THYSANOPTEEA. species. Dendrothrips ornatus Jabl 18 Drepanothrips reuteri Uzel 248 LIST OF NEW GENERA, SPECIES, etc., DESCRIBED IN THIS VOLUME. COLEOPTEEA. GENERA. PAGE Calycia (Caltcella) Blair ... 222,250 Danacaeomimus C/iampion 130 Procerallus ,, 129 SPECIES. Amaurouia westwoodi Champion, India 130 Antherophagus himalaicus ,, )! 68 Attalus alutaceus „ ,, 258 „ andrewesi „ „ 218 „ calcarifer „ „ 219 „ cuspidatus ,, „ 220 „ erythrocephalus „ „ 220 „ flavogiittatus „ ;) 257 „ hamatilis „ „ 259 „ triformis „ ,, 219 ,, verticillatus ,, ,, 258 Bembidium earner oni Andrewes , India 177 „ cimmerium „ „ 238 ,, ,, , var. orinixm, Andreioes , India 2.39 „ compactum „ ,, 240 „ kempi „ „ 179 „ leptaleum „ „ 242 „ loricatum „ „ 239 „ notatum ,, ,, 175 „ psucbrum „ ,, 241 „ radians „ ,, 177 „ regale „ „ 174 „ xanthochiton „ „ 176 Bolitobius spinipes Chaminon „ 31 „ xanthopterus ,, „ 32 Calyce bicolor Blair, Nyasaland 222 „ cardinalis „ Brazil.. 221 Calycia (Calycella) borneensia Blair, Bornec 224 „ ,, guiiieensis Blair, W. Africa 225 J, ,, nigriccps Blair, Malay Penins 224 SPECIES. PAGE Calycia (Calycella) pa'lpalis Blair, Brazil 223 ,, „ tarsalis ,, Borneo 223 Cerylon setulosum Cham2non, India',. 72 „ striativentre „ „ 72 Cis faaciculosus „ „ 151 Colotes atrofemoratus „ ., 217 ,, halticoides „ „ 218 „ piriformis „ „ 217 ,, scapularis „ ,, 216 Corticaria inflatipennis (iuflata) Champion, India 70, 214 ,, nebulosa ,, ,, 71 „ orientalis „ ,, 69 ,, parvitborax (parvicollis) Chaminon, India 71, 214 „ rbombifera ,, „ 70 Cryptopbagus atratus „ „ 69 Danacaeomimua nigropectus Champion, India 131 Dasytes aneonitens ,, „ 146 ,, aurescens ,, „ 151 ,, breviusculus ,, ,, 150 ,, danacaeoides „ „ 148 ,, kasbmirensis „ „ 148 ,, kumaonensis ,, ,, 149 „ monilicornis ,, „ 150 ,, miitabilis ,, ,, 146 „ scabricollis „ „ 147 ,, speculifer ,, ,, 149 Ebaeus squamifer ,, „ 263 „ tenuicornis ,, ,, 264 Haplocnemus indicus ,, ,, 127 Hedybius bipenicillatus „ ,, 261 „ (?) cbitralensis Champion, India 263 „ (?) nigToplagiatus Champion, India 262 Hyi^ebaeus albocinctus ,, ,, 265 ,, cavernosus „ ,, 264 „ clavatus „ ,, 266 SPECIES. PAGE Hypebaens flexuosus Champion, I)idia 269 lenis „ „ 269 ,, nainiensis ,. ,, 267 stevensi ,, ,, 268 siiffu8iis ,. ., 268 „ triang^ilaris ,, ,, 267 ' Lathrobium seniicaeruleum Cam., var. j ochreonotatnm Chomjnon, India 34 Mordella arg^eiit^og-nttata Chamiiion, \ India 75 Mordellistena cuneig-era Champion, India 76 I ,, hnmeronotata i Champion. India 76 I Mycetoporus fasciatocollis ,, ,, 32 Osphya dissimilis ,, ,, 75 Philoeotrya qiiercicola .. ,. 74 Pseudobram laevi ventre ,, ,, 34 Pseudocerapheles longipennis Champion, India 261 Qucdiiifi (Raphiriis) conicus Champion, Indi(( 33 Sphindus semirufus ,. ,. 74 Thorictodes erraticus „ ,, 73 GENERA. page MOCYDIA 206 Ophiola 206 Eecilia 206 Trilobaphis Th eohc Id 137 SPECIES. Trilobaphifs caricis Theobald, Britain 138 HYMENOPTEEA. genus. Petiolaria Blood ^- Krijger 229 SPECIES. Camponotus (Myrmosaga) ferrugi- nipes Cm uiey, Avstralia 125 Petiolaria anomala Blood Sf Knjgev, Britain 229 LEPIDOPTERA. Ichnentica nervosa Hudson, N. Zealand 196 Tatosoma nigra ,, .. 196 MALLOPHAGA. GENUS. Lagofoecvs Watersion 159 DIPTEEA. GENUS. Mycocecis F. W. Edwards 105 SPECIES. Drapetis angustata Collin, Seychelles 187 basalis ., ,, . 187 Mycocecis ovalis F. W. Edvards, Britain 106 Perrisia harrisoni Bagnall (n. n. for jaapiana jRubs.) 183 Plastosciara perniciosa F. W. Edwards, Britain 160 Tachydromia lacteiseta Collin, Seychelles 188 HEMIPTERA. GENERA. Drylix J. Edwards 206 Hardya , 206 NEUROPTERA. GENUS. Pteboxanium Enderlein 102 SPECIES. Pteroxaniiim squamosum Enderlein. By(7a in (? introduced) 103 ORTHOPTERA. Orchamus bellamii Urarov, Canary Ms. 139 Paradrymadusa annulicornis Uvarov, Palestine 87 Sphingonotus angulatns Uvarov, Palestine, etc. 84 ,, coerulans L., subsp. coerulipes Uvarov, Persia 83 EXPLANATION OF PLATES Plate T.— Portrait of TLomas Algernon Chapman. IM.D , F.R.S. (sre pp. 22, 40, 41). „ 11. — Pttiolaria anomaki, n. g. et sp., ^ (Ilymenoptera, jNIyniaridae) (see pp. 229, 2.30). „ TIL— Portrait of David Sharp, M.A., M.B., F.R.S. (see pp. 2:34-2.37). E R H A T A Page 74, line 2, from top, for " T. heydimi" read " T. heydeni*.^' 74 ,, 6 ,, ,, for " T. erraticus * " read " T. erraticus. 77 „ 8 „ ,, _/br " distributiiin ■" re^t^ "distribution." 77 ,, 9 „ „ /or " syonymy" rrar/ '' synonymy.'" H-") ,, 1 „ bottom, /"or " acuter' /-ea^ " acutely." 91 ,, 24 from top, /yj- " isles " read ^^ lies." 91 „ 8 „ botto.n,./w' " extend " rear/ " extends." 107 ,, 17 ,, top,/or" .Jeanne " j-ertfi? "Jeaanel." 110 ,, 20 „ ,, lor '■' Limeriwn" read " Limnerinm." 147 ,, 8 ,, ,, for " Tangra "" read " Kaugra." r The Annual Subscription for 1922 is 15/-. ™''"-o"692'] ■ ^^-^ JANUARY, 1922 [P„,c. 2/- kkt THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE. EDITED BT G. C. CHAMPION, F.Z.S. J. E. COLLIN, E.E.8. W. W. l^'OWLER, D.Sc, M.A., E.L.S. K. W. LLOYD, E.E.S. G. T. POKlllTT, F.L.S. J. J. WALKER, MA., E.N., E.L.S. >^ VOLUME LVIII. [THIRD SERIES -VOL. VIII "J'enyage done tons a eviter dans leurs ecrila loute personnalite, toute allusion depassant les limites de la diaoussiou ia plus sincere et la plus coartoise." —Laboulhene. L 0 X D O N : GURNEY & JACKSON (Me. Van Voobst-8 Successors) 33, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C 4. TAYLOK AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. I The price of the Magazine is 15/ per annum to Subscribers and 2/- a part for single copies. Subscriptions for 1922, which are payable in advance, are now- due and should be remitted as soon as possible to R. W. LLOYD, I. 5, Albany, Piccadilly, London, W. 1. SCALE OF CHARGES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. Whole Page £6. Half Page £3 3s Quarter Page £1 14s. Low^est charge, 10s. 6d. up to 5 lines; Is. 6d. per line afterwards. Repeated or continuous Advertisements per contract. There is no charge for Lists of Duplicates or Desiderata. All payments and applications for the above should be made to R. AV. LLC'S D, I. 5, Albany, Piccadilly, W. 1. AUTHORS are requested to send their conniiiinications and proofs to either J. J. Walker, AoranQ-i, Lonsdale Road, Summertown, Oxford ; or G. C. Champion. Brooniliall Eoad, Horsell, Woking-. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OE LONDON, 41 Queen's Gate, S.W. 7 (nearest stations : Sonth Kensington and Gloucester Road). -January 18th, 1922 (Annual Meeting), February 1st, at 8 p.m. The Library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except on Saturdays, wheJi it is closed at 2 p.m.), and until 10 p.m. on ]\Ieeting nights. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY", Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge. The Second & Fourth Thursdays in each month, at 7 p.m. The lantern will be at the disposal of Members for the exhibition of slides. THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, now meets in Hall 40. Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.G. 2, on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month at 6.30 p.m. General meetings 1st Tuesdays, Sectional meetings 3rd Tuesdays. (No meetings in July or Augu.st indoors, but field excursions instead.) Hon. Sec. : W. E. Glegg, The House, Albion Brewery, Whitechapel Road, E. 1. Chingford Branch. The Chingford Local Branch meets at the Avenue Cafe, opposite Chingford Station, at 8 p.m., on the 2nd Monday in each month. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT.— This Society hns developed from the Southampton and District Entomo- logical Society. Meetings are held on the First Saturday afternoon of each month at Southampton, and other meetings will be arranged in important centres in the coimty from time to time. Activities being undertaken at the present time include the formation of a library, of collections of insects, and the compilation of a county insect fauna list. Will keen entomologists in the county who are interested please commimicate with the Hon. 8er.., F. J. Killington, 1 St. Catherine's Road, Eastleigh, Hants. THE EITOMOLOaiST'S MONTHLY MAGAZINE: VOLUME L VI U. [THIRD SEEIES, VOL. VIII.] ON THE OCCASIONAL OCCUREENCE OF BUTTERFLIES IN ICELAND; WITH NOTES ON THE LEPIDOPTEROUS FAUNA OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC ISLANDS. BY JAMES J. WALKEE, M.A., R.N., F.L.S. The question as to the occurrence of any indigenous species of Bhopalocei'a in Iceland has for a long time formed a subject of discus- sion with those entomologists who are interested in the geographical distribution of insects. At first sight it would appear highlj- improbable that an island considerably larger than Ireland, Ijang within the influence of the Gulf Stream and thus possessing a climate much less severe than that due to its high latitude, can be entirely destitute of butterflies, several species of which are well known to extend their range to the northernmost limits of land. But all available evidence hitherto appears to show that no really native butterfly is found in Iceland, with j^ossibly one exception to be referred to hereafter ; and that most, if not all, the butterflies that have been observed within its limits are wanderers from more genial regions which have successfully braved the dangers of the stormy North Atlantic Ocean. It is true that a great part of the interior of Iceland is altogether vmsuited to insect life, consisting as it does of ice-covered mountain slopes, extensive fields of naked lava, and vast stretches of loose volcanic sand, all equally destitvite of vegetation of any kind. Many parts of the island, however, especially in the north, are comparatively fertile and luxm'iant, and can even boast of what may be called miniature forests of sallow, willow, and birch, the latter tree sometimes attaining a height of twenty feet or more. The Icelandic flora, too, is fairly rich, as, according to Dr. Lauder Lindsay (Edinburgh New Philos. Journal, new series, vol. xiv, pp. 64-101), it comprises no fewer than 426 species B 9 [January, of flowering plants. These conditions would appear to indicate the presence of at least a moderately extensive Lepidopterous fauna, which is not borne out by the results of such researches as have been made so far, and Iceland, in this respect, is probably one of the poorest ]-egions of the whole earth. It must be remembei-ed, however, that no equally accessible land of the same extent has been so inadequately explored from an entomological point of view. So far as I am aware, Iceland has never produced a single resident collector or observer of insects, and such knowledge of the svibjeet as we j^ossess is due to a very few of the numerous summer visitors from Europe — above all, to the late Dr. Staudinger, whose classical paj^er on the results of his expedition in ISoG ("Reise nach Island": Stett. Ent. Zeitung, 18 Jahrgang, 1857, pp. 209-289) still remains the most important single work on the insect fauna of this great island. The oldest record of Icelandic insects by IST. Mohr ("Forsog til in Islands Naturhistorie " : Kjobenhavn, 178G) includes 12 species of Lepidoptera ; and the same number of species appears in a list of insects compiled by M. Paul Galmard in the Appendix to the official narrative of the voyage of the French corvette " La Eecherche " to Iceland and Greenland in 1835-6. This list is reproduced in Dr. C. W. PaijkuH's well-known work "Ein Sommer in Island" (English translation, 1868, pp. 355-6). Like the last, it mentions no butterflies, and is otherwise of not much value. In the "Table of Distribution " of the very useful little " Manual of European Butterflies " by the late W. F. Kirby, the following species are ascribed to Iceland — Colias palaeno Jj., G. pliico- mone Esp., and CJiionohas oeno Edv. (Boisduval) ; Colias liecla L. (Linne), Ghionolas jiilta Hb., and Argynnis freyja Thnb. (De Vilhers et Guenee). From the known distribution of these species, it is very unlikely that any of them can occur in Iceland, and, as far as I am aware, no specimens exist in any collection, with the possible exception of the last-named butterfly, the case for whose occurrence in Iceland will be considered later on. The expedition of Dr. Staudinger, who was accompanied by C. Kalitsch, an excellent practical collector, occupied most of the summer of 1856, from May 18th to the middle of September. His researches were chiefly made in the relatively barren south-western portion of the island, but fortunately another experienced entomologist, Dr. Kriiper, spent most of June and all July of the same year in the much more luxuriant region round the lake Myvatn in the north-east. Some insects were also collected in the same year by Herr Finsterwalder on the north coast, in the Siglufjordr region, which was, however, found 1P22.] 3 to be very unproductive. The whole of the insects ohtuined hx these entomologists are included in Dr. Stauding-er's paper, in which Bll species in all are enumerated. Of this number 110 belong to the Diptera, 81 to Coleoptera, and 00 to Hi/menoptera ; the Lepidopiera comprising only 33 species, little more than one-tenth of the whole, and tlie remaining Orders being even more poorly represented; OrtJioptera, indeed, being apparently totally unknow^n in Iceland. Respecting the Lepidopfera, Dr. Staudinger (l,c. p. 229) writes as follow^s : — "The 33 species found by us belong to the Noetuae, Geometrae, and Micro- Lepidoptera — Papilionidae, kipliingidae, and JBoinhyces are altogether absent The absence of Pap)ilionidae and Bomhyces is more sur- prising (than that of the SpJiingidae). Indeed, some authors mention Diurnal Lepidoptera as occurring in Iceland, but I must decidedly contradict these statements. In my opinion it is not possible for butterflies to live in Iceland, and should they have existed in former times they must have perished. The situation of Iceland has nothing to do with it, as Diurnal Lepidoptera are known to occur much farther north. To find the reason in the volcanic devastations is very artificial, always hypothetical only, and can be refuted by the facts." He goes on to suggest that the constant rain, the storm}^ weather, and usually low temperature of summer, as well as the general absence of shelter, are the causes which militate against the occurrence of butterflies in Iceland. In the summer of 1889 Iceland was visited by two well-known English entomologists, Dr. Philip B. Mason and the Rev. Francis Walker, D.D. The researches of Dr. Mason (Ent. Mo. Mag. vol. xxvi, pp. 198-201) were confined to the rather poor region near Reykjavik and the Geysirs in the south-west, but Dr. Walker (Entomologist, vol. xxii, pp. 222-25, 240-49, 273-75, 299-302), besides collecting at these places, landed at no fewer than fifteen fjords in the course of a coasting voyage round the island, and obtained insects at most of them. Although a good many Lepidoptera, including some species not included in Staudinger's list, were met with by these travellers, no butterfly' of any kind was observed by either, though Dr. Walker remarks {I.e. p. 222): "Some of the days occupied in riding were so fine and hot, that had there been any butterflies at all in the (south-west) district, I feel sure that I should have seen them." But he also states (J. c. p. 222) that Dr. Jon Thoroddsen, the well-known Icelandic geologist and ti-aveller, informed him that he had observed a single specimen of Pyrumeis cardiii in Shore Street, Reykjavik, in the previous summer. This appears to hti the first reliable record of the occurrence of any butterfly' in Iceland. b2 A [January, Dr. N. Annandale, in his very interesting little work " The Faroes and Iceland," pubhslied in 1905, remarks (p. 214) : " Butterflies do not exist as natives of Iceland and the Faroes ; but a specimen of the Painted Lad\^ has been recorded from the Faroes, and several species apparently visit Iceland as occasional immigrants from Greenland, though I do not know that any have actually been recorded. There are specimens, said to have been caught in Iceland, in the Natural History Museum at Reykjavik, and they probably belong to a species of Fritillary which is well known as an Arctic form." Quite recently Dr. Annandale has informed me that this " Fritillar}' " is one of the smaller kinds, probably one of the circumpolar species of Brenthis, and it may even be the JB. freyja reported by Kirby to occur in Iceland on the authority of De Villiei-s and Guenee. Without seeing the specimens, however, it is impossible to say with certainty what the insect really is ; but I very much doubt Avhether any of the few species of butterflies that occur in East Greenland, none of wliich are known to he migrants, can be able to cross the 250 miles of more or less ice-encumbered sea which separates that country from Iceland. The latest paper that I can find which deals with the subject of Icelandic Lepidoptera is one by Dr. C. Aurivillius (Arkiv for Zoologi, Eand 8, No, 12, pp. 15-17), treating of the insects of that Order met with by Dr. Axel Freiherr von Klinckowstrom in Iceland and the Faeroe Islands in 1909-10. One or two species are added to the list of those already known from the former island, but again there is no mention of the occurrence of any butterfly. Quite recently, through the kind offices of the Eev. Dr. Skat- Hoffmeyer, of Copenhagen, I have been placed in communication with Dr. Bjarni Saemundsson, the Curator of the Natural History Museum of Eeykjavik, who has very courteously given me particulars of the fol- lowing Lepidoptera now in the Museum: — " Vanessa atalantu. One, taken in Eeykjavik, June loth, 1901. " V. cardui. Five specimens taken near Eeykjavik, July 1S94, B. Grondal ; and| one specimen (very fine) also near Eeykjavik, October 14th, 1914. " Sphinx convoiindi. One or more specimens, in very poor con- dition, from the neighbourhood of Eeykjavik. " One specimen taken at Hvanneyri in Borgarf jord. South-west Iceland, in the spring of 191G by Mr. Halldor Vilhjjllmsson. " One specimen taken in Rcydarf jord, South-east Iceland, in Sep- tember 1899, by Mr. Lara Olafsson." Dr. Saemundsson also remarks that " now and then people are seeing butterflies, sometimes in great numbers, without catching them, e. g. Vanessa atalanta (o£ which we have one specimen in the Museum) and maybe some of them are V. cardui. Otherwise butterflies are not citizens of our Fauna, only occasional visitors." I am indebted to his kindness for specimens of Pyrameis cardui and Agrius convolincli, both in very travel- worn condition ; these I have deposited in the Hope Department of the Oxford University Museum. Thus it would appear that Iceland is occasionally visited by at least three species of Lepidoptera, notorious for their migratory propensities, and possessed of powers of flight sufficient to carry thorn across the most stormy tract of the ocean in the Northern Hemispliere. All three are well-known visitors to the Shetland Islands at not infrequent intervals, and one of them, Pyrameis cardui, has been recorded by Hansen from the Faeroes as long ago as 1881. Plusia gamma, its frequent companion on migration, which was not observed by Dr. Staudinger in Iceland, was taken at Reykjavik by Dr. Nordenskiold's expedition in 1883, and by Dr. Mason and Dr. Walker on their visit to the island in 1889 ; it was also taken by von Klinckowstrom, who records it from the Faeroes as well. Whether Pyrameis afalanfa or P. cardui may be able to perpetuate its kind in one of the warm and genial summers with which Iceland is sometimes favoured, is open to question ; but the capture of the latter butterfly in fine condition in October leads one to speculate as to whether this does not happen on rare occasions. The flora of Iceland includes four species of thistle, our two common British nettles, and the common mallow, so that either of these butterflies reaching the island would find suitable food-plants for its progenj'-. It may be of some interest to compare the scanty Lepidopteroiis fauna of Iceland with those of the Faeroes and the Shetlands, the two nearest groups of islands in the North Atalantic. The following table is compiled from («) " Distribution of Lepidoptera in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland," by R. South (Entom., vol. xxi, pp. 28-30 and 98-99); (h) "Fauriula Insectorum Faeroensis," by H. G. Hansen (Naturhistorisk Tidsskrift, 3 Eaekke, 13 Bind, pp. 229-278: Copenhagen, 1881) ; (e) the lists of Icelandic insects by Dr. Staudinger, Dr. Mason, Rev. F. Walker, and Dr. Aurivillius, already cited, with the addition of the species communicated to me by Dr. Saemundsson : — [January, Family or Division. Shetland Islands. Faeroe Islands. Iceland. Lat. 60° 30' N. 551 sq. miles. Lat. 62° N. 511 sq. miles. Lat. 63030' N.-6G^30'N. 40,437 sq. miles. Rhopalocora ... 5 1 ?3 Sphingidae 2 — 1 Arctiidae 1 — — Noctuina 37 7 10 Geometrina . . . 13 4 12 Pyralidina 7 1 — Crambina 5 — 3 Pterophorina . . . — — 1 Tortricina 17 — 4 9 2 2 1 11 Hepialidac j Total 98 IG 1 ^S To the three species of butterflies noted hv Mr. South as occurring in Shetland may be added Etivanessa aniiojjn, recorded by Mr. J. J. F. X. King (Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. sxxvii, p. 226) as having been seen by him, bat not captured, in the island of Unst on August 15th, 1901 ; and my fi-iend Mr. Gr. Claridge Druce, the eminent botanist, who is well acquainted with our butterflies, assures me that he caught a specimen of Aricin astrarclie var. artaxerjccs in the same island in July 1020. Coenonymplia typlion, which appears to be scarce, is probably the only species really indigenous to Shetland. With the single exception of IlaJena sommeri Lef., also common in Iceland, all the Ticpidoptera as yet recorded from the Faeroes occur in Shetland. Perhaps the most noteworthy' species is Hcpialus Inimvli, the Faeroese specimens of which closely resemble in both sexes the lighter- coloured forms of the var. lietldandica Staud., the males especially being intermediate between that variety and the white type-form.. Dr. Annandale states ("The Faroes and Iceland," p. 21o) that "the Ghost Moth sometimes appears in great numbers in the Faroes at the end of July and the beginning of August," and the Oxford University Museum possesses a fine series taken by him in the island of Eoro in July 1900. As might have been expected from the generally wide distribution, of Arctic forms, the majority of the Iceland Lejyidoptera are of species also found in Northern and Central Europe, with a very slight element of more southern charactei', for instance as TripJiaena proiLuha L., recorded 1922.] y by Dr. Staudinger and Dr. Mason. Tlic entire absence of the character- istic Arctic genus Anarta is espcciallj noteworthy, and is attributed by Dr. Staudinger to the usually unsuitable weather for these sun-loving insects. Only three well-defined species appear to be peculiar to Iceland : Melanippe thulearia Staud., allied to our M. hastata ; Crambus extinctellus Zell., near C. pascuellus, but j)robably distinct ; and Ptero- pJiorus {Stenoptilki) islandicus Staud., a well-marked form. Certain other species, such as Hadena {Crt/modes) exulis (perhaps the most characteristic moth of Iceland), Maniestra pisi, Gidaria truncata, G. immanata, G. munitata, G. designata, Hupitliecla sohrinata, and E. valerianata, present remarkable pliases of variation, some which are altogether confined to the island. There being no true night on Iceland during most of the smnmer months, the Lepkloptera may be found on the wing throughout the whole twenty-four hours, the flowers most favoured by them, according to Dr. Staudinger, being Spiraea ulmaria, Silene acciclis and mariiima, and Thymus serpyllum, all of which, especially the last, grow in pro- fusion througliout the island. Although the species are so few in number, many non-entomological travellers have been strongly impressed by the enormous numbers of individuals met "with in favourable seasons and situ.ations. And Dr. Walker remarks (Entom. vol. xxvi, p. 223) : — " As though to make up for the total absence of diurnal Lepidopfera, the quantity of certain species of moths is something astonishing. I do not recollect ever having seen Geometridae so abundant elsewhere — rising in a cloud from the scrub vegetation when the dwarf willow or birch was lashed by the riding-whip of our guide, on the grassy slopes of the mountains, and likewise on the m.eadows adjoining the hoinestead — everywhere m^ost numerous." A larva, in all probability that of Episema {Gliaraeas) graminis, is reported to work great havoc in the pasture-lands and hayfields, in certain years, just as is the case with the same species in Britain. As it is doubtful whether the estimate of Dr. Staudinger, made nearl^^ seventy years ago, of a maximum number of 500 indigenous species of insects of all Orders, has up to now been exceeded or even attained, it is evident that Iceland holds out but few inducements to the entomologist, except perhaps the chance that a truly native butterfly may at some future time be found in one or other of Its sequestered valle^^s. Aoraugi, Lonsdale Road, Summertown, Oxford. December IGth, 1921. Q [Januarj, ^ NOTES ON SAWFLIES, CHIEFLY AS TO OVIPOSITION. BY THE LATE T. A. CHAPMAN, M.D., F.R.S. The observations here noted were directed specially to the disposition of their eggs made by the. several species in oviposition. Other points Avere noted l>y the way ; some of them may be of value, but I am very imperfectly acquainted with the Continental literature on the subject. The Rev. F. ~D. Morice has kindly helped me in determining the nomen- clature, etc. The species studied are : Fteronidea curtispina Tlioms., P. hypoxantlius Forst., P. oUgospiliis Forst., Fontania j^iliserra Thorns., and PriopTiorus tener Zadd. Fteronidea curtispina Thoms. I have met with larvae of this species for several years past, but tliis year I succeeded iu getting some eggs laid. The larvae feed on the edges of sallow leaves and very much resemble those of P. oligospilus in appearance and habits, but they are of n paler green and at once distinguishable by tlie double white dorsal band, the two portions separated by the dark and conspicuously pulsating dorsal vessel. On looking for the eggs several days after suppl^qng the flies with Osier, I could find none — a circumstance explained a day or two later as due to my loukiug for them under the leaves, fancying they must be placed similarly to those of P. hypoxaiithus ox oligospihis, whereas they were laid on the upper side in a manner very like that of Ti-ichiosouia ; at this time they were becoming conspicuous, owing to the growth of the eggs in their pockets. Luckily a few more eggs were laid, showing how easily they coidd be over- looked when recently deposited, even when one knew how to look for them*. When recently laid the eggs are difficult to see ; they are laid in a pocket on the upper side of the leaf, and are obviously very thin and fiat, as their ])Osition is not indicated by any elevation of the leaf cuticle over them ; there is of course a slight elevation to be seen when critically looked for, and there is, if not at once, very soon, a pale line round part of the egf:;, where air fills the angle between the upper and lower faces of the pocket, held apart by the margin of the egg, rounded no doubt, thin as the egg may be. These notes are made from a separated twig in water; probably on the growing tree this angle is filled by exuded sap. The natural appearance and colour of the cuticle over the egg suggest that a certain trace of the parenchyma of the leaf is attached to it. The egg, however, grows chiefly in thickness, so that when mature, just before hatching,its cross-section, instead of being notfar from linear, is nearly a circle, and the egg and pocket stand up on the surface of the leaf very conspicuously. At this stage the pocket does not expand with the growth of the egg, and the cuticle covering the egg draws apart so that a portion of the egg is exposed. The newly laid egg is pear-shaped, as seen through the upper cuticle of the leaf — about TS mm. long and 0-6 mm. at the widest part; thickness not measured. As it grows it does not increase in length, but becomes nearly O'S mm. in width and as much in thickness, losing * [Enslin in Ent. Mittheil. vi, 1917, p. 241, mentions that P. curtispina oviposits on the upper side of the leaf, and figures a leaf with " pockets " and eggs in situ. — F. 1). M.] 1922.1 9 the pyriform outline and becoming oval. This egg showis, as well a."* that of any sawtiy, how it grows by imbibing fluid from the leaf-tissues with which it is in contact, increasing its bulk perhaps five or six times. All the other species I refer to in these notes have eggs that perish if the sap fails where they are laid, though I think none of them grow appreciably, but all apparently lose fluid and die if the supply from the leaf fails. The egg of ctirtispina is also much larger than these others, and being in a pocket can hardly belong to a species congeneric with those that lay exposed eggs, like ribesii. Even when the egg has grown to its full size with much of it exposed and the covering- cuticle becoming brown, any attempt to remove and isolate it results in its rupture and destruction. This firmness of attachment, which exists also in the exposed eggs of many species of " Nematini," to the surface through which they draw fluid and nutriment, suggests a union between the egg and the plant that might almost be called placental. The egg is usually deposited on the leaf just beyond and parallel with a secondary nervure at about its middle, but it may be otherwise placed and oriented. Though in my jars confined space led to several eggs being placed on one leaf, I feel sure that each egg was, so to speak, a separate laying, and that naturally only one egg is deposited on a leaf. This is confirmed by the larvae always being found solitary. The eggs hatched at the end of a week (weather very warm), and in a further ten days the first larva spun up. The young larvae are very dark, the venter pale, but the back and head appear to be quite black. Thej'' eat the margins of the leaves, holding on by the true legs, the body stretched out free, slightly away from the leaf, with the last segments bent slightly ventrad ; it would hardly be inaccurate to say that the body was straight — length 2 mm. When not long hatched and having only fed a little, the head would be called dark brown and chitinous and the back very dark green, less dark as they feed, due to expansion and not to intestinal contents. In the 2nd instar the larva has the head brown with a slightly darker shade behind the eyes, the body green, darker above, paler below, this as seen with a lens. To the unaided eye the colour is a rather dirty olive, no white dorsal line or any other variation being visible. It keeps nearly the whole body close to the leaf-margin or edge of eaten portion. The supra -anal forks stand well back, with dark tips, as they did in first instar. When disturbed, the body is thrown away from the leaf with a jerk, but not further than to leave it still almost straight. The larva in this (2nd) instar varies from 4-7-6'0 mm. in length, and it then moults into the last instar. I could not obtain any evidence that it had more than two moults and three instars. It now, in last instar, has the double white dorsal line ; its habits of feeding, etc., seem to be the same as in previous instars. When full grown the larva is 13 mm. long, fairly cylindrical, perhaps rather thicker about 8rd and 4th abdominal segments; width about I'Smm. With its ventral surface along the edge of the leaf, the last segments are only turned ventrad if the straight surface is not lengthy enough. The colour is pale apple-green, slightly paler below, tracheal white line obvious. Owing to the continual rather quick pulsation of the dorsal vessel, the two portions of the white line (subcutaneous) appear to approach and recede from each other. 10 [January, On the 1st and f?nd thoracic and 0(h ahdnminal segment the white lines coalesce. The two lines and vessel occupy about a fourth of the toial width in dorsal view. The supra-anal spines project about 0-5 mm. beyond the anal prolep-s and end in two bluntly conical points with red tips. There are 7 pairs of pro]ei;s. No hairs visible when viewed under a good hand-lens. Head light brown, almost green ; eyes black, a brown shade of about their own width e.xteiids from them upwards, half-way to vertex True legs nearly cohnuless. Below the eye a dark dot represents the antenna. The antenna is a flat plate, hardly, if at all, raised above the surface, oval, with its long axis horizontal, i.e. at right angle with the line joining the antenna and eye, about 0-lmm. long and '0-06 wide. When mounted, it shows five joints, separated (except the first and second) by colourless lines, each possessing certain clear points, indicating hnir-origins (hairs obsolete). The numbers of these vary in different antennae. The 1st j.iiut has oiie on the upper margin of its posterior angle, the 2ud has o:ie close to its posterior angle, then we have three clear lines marking off the three further joints; anterioi'ly these lines are very close together, posteriorly they are apart enough to leave room for the hair-bases, two large and a smaU one on the ;5rd, a large and a small one on the 4th, and on the 5th two to four; the 4th joint may have one or two minute points' just above the oth, and there are other variations. There are a few very minute hairs near the eye, and also on the apparently tubercular portions of tlie body, on tlze prolegs, and rather more and ratlier larger on the last segment or two. The cocoons were placed on or between the leaves of the food-plants and are n,ade of a bright yellow silk, much the colour of that of the silkworm- moth, Bomhyx niori. From a captured larva I bred a Tachinid. Unfertilized eggs laid in con- hnement enabled me to rear about two dozen flies, all males. This was much greater success than I have usually had in trying to rear sawflies from eo-os hud in captivity, the cut twigs on which they are laid us.uxlly withering Tnd tlie eggs dying before the time for their hatching arrived. The skin-sculpture on the dark areas of the larva consists of very numerous black dots, which range tliemselves along the sides of the white bands almost into cells like tlio.e of P. olu,o.pa^s, showing here even the blaclc dots dividing- the cells. As m otiier of the species here dealt with, the pale areas reveal no scul])ture. Pteronidea hypoxantlms Forst. S;;lif-T Ian ae found feeding on a very smooth-leaved sallow. In August nidd le f-"T%" T:- ■?'' -""'^^^^^ ^^^^ ^"^^^ -^- - --^1 hole in^he n ddle of a leaf, and beside this and others hardly larger, an empty egg-«hell Xt't: tl" ^^"f r'^,r' ^'^ '''''■ '''' ^^-^^-^ --^d quit' willing to tw c t r "r ; : ''' '"" ^•^■"""' '^"^ ^^ "-* ^-- t^-' ---d once or except on the margin of a hole, never on the edge of the leaf except under a certain amount of compulsion in confinement, ^but rarelv then By laSn: -uad the margi:. it gradually enlarges the hole. It has twenty legs, and Sl: 1922.] H clasp tho mnrpiu of the liole along which tlie body is extended, the last se}i'ments being sometimes free and bent ventrad. The egg-shells found beneath the leaf showed them to be laid solitarily, in no 2)articulai' position as regards veins, etc., but not near the edge of the leaf. A very small larva about i2'6mni. long is, contrary to the rule just noted, curled S'^'lis-P'^d, the true legs and first pair of prolegs grasping the edge of the hole ; the same curve, a little exaggerated, raises the rest of the body from the margin to the middle of the hole, the last segment being bent vertrad. The larva is transparent, colourless except for the green tone from intestinal contents; the head is faintly rufous, darker when seen directly, paler by transmitted light, the eyes black. A larva 7 mm. long is transparent like the younger one mentioned, but shows green intestinal contents; the head- colours are the same, subsegmentation distinct. Two larvae, 11 and 12 mm. long respectively, are not so transparent, having a black mark on the vertex and a dark tint obscuring the wliite dorsal region. A larva, apparently full grown and looking about for a place to spin up, has the dark, rather longitudinal mark on the vertex, the thoracic segments dorsally green, the forward abdo- minal segment very pale reddish brown, the others darker and all with a faint fuscous tone. All examples are transparent enough for the longitudinal and ether trachefie to be very conspicuous. Below the spiracular line, in all the larger larvae, are a series of not very dark markings or slight eminences ; they may vary a little, but almost always occur on the last two thoracic and hrst iive abdominal segments. These marks are characteristic, and probably dis- tinguish this larva from others with which it might be confounded. The reddish colour of the forward abdominal segment occurred in all larvae noted as ready to go down, though the subsegnieutation is very distinct ; probably for this reason it is very difficult to decide which are the intersegmental incisions. The skin-armature presents a number of hair.-*, singly over the dorsum, each in a circular space clear of the ordinary cellular skin-structure and apparently representing primary tubercles. The thorax has a rather complicated number, it being difficult to recognise the true margins of the segments ; there appear to be a non-micropylar one on each aide of dorsum, and others, stated in subsegments, on the prothorax, 3.0.2, mesothorax, 2. 3. 0. 3, last very small, nietathorax, 2. 4. 0. 3, last very minute, and first abdominal segment, 3. 3,0. 3, these very minute. The further abdominal segment nearly the same, 1-t rather larger hairs on last segment, one of them in dark anal plate. There are 5 hairs on the lateral black marks and 4 or 5 others on the sides and a few on prolegs. The dark dorsal areas and lateral black marks show a tessellated pavement of cells, rather spindle-shaped ; L)ng axes transverse and to .'■ome extent in transverse rows, up to 13 or 14 rows to a subsegment ; each cell is crowded with dark dots. Though the eggs have all the aspect of those that have a small portion trapped in the incision in the leaf, their disposition appears to be different. It is not very difficult to separate them from the leaf, and on removing the latter a portion of leaf cuticle was torn, showing that though it is very slight and shallow the eggs are really in a pocket, of which this scrap of cuticle is the upper portion, too short to do more than reach a little way lij) the egg. The eggs themselves are about 0*92 mm, long and 0'4 wide. Thejr I 2 [January, do not taper to the Piids to any extent, i.e. nre not ovate, and carry their full width very close to the ends, which, though crowded, have a very square appearance, especially at one end. PteroJiidea oligosfilus Forst. I find this larva on Osier, one at a time. Its habits are almost identical with those of curtispina, and it is not very different from the larva of that species before the latter attains its double dorsal white line. Length 12-13 mm., width 1-6 mm. It looks very long and slender, widest about 1st abdominal segment. Colour dark apple-green, very much the colour of the osier leaf on which it feeds, uniform, except tliat the head is a little paler and has a dark line down the dorsum and a brownish cloud above the eyes ; and the last segment also differs in being yellowish, with dark orange central dorsal band, ending in two short black (supra-anal) terminal spines. Feeds on edge of leaf, like curtispina, and when crawling along it keeps its prolegs on the margins, but the last segment is bent to upper or lower side of leaf as may happen. It is fairly cylindrical, but rougliened by subsegmentation and lateral flanges, so that viewed dorsally there seems dark coloration laterally', due, however, entirely to refraction through the eminences, showing also that the larva is translucent. The subsegments are difficult to count owing to similarity of colour, but seem to be six in number, two wider in front and four narrower behind. "When walking on the flat, the anal segments cannot apparently be bent down, and it is apt to go to one side or the other. There are six pairs of ventral prolegs, with anal and true legs = 20. The larva is always solitary and always on the edge of a leaf. A mounted larva skin shows little structure dorsally, but along the lateral region, above and below spiracles, there are considerable areas showing minute fusiform plates, their margins outlined by black dots and their central surface studded by very fine dots. They differ from the similar cells of P. hypoxanthus in not being so definiteh- ranged and extended transversely, and in being more pronounced along their margins. There are a couple of solitary hairs behind each spiracle and a few on the last segment. The antenna is nearly the same as noted in P. curtispina. The cocoon is brown and made between leaves of the food-plant. 1 believe the second brood goes into the earth, but not deeply. On July 21st, 1921, some bred females oviposited on the undersides of Osier leaves, generally singly, two or three eggs near each other were probably deposited at separate visits to the leaf. The leaves chosen are those just or barely mature. The eggs are placed about half-way between the mid-rib and the margin, usually parallel to the mid-rib, but now and then to the secondary ribs. They appear to be laid on top of the small silky hairs with which the underside of the leaf is so abundantly and closely set, though witliout a lens the surface looks as glabrous, though not as polished below as above. Magnified, however, it is seen that they are pressed down amongst the hairs, which, rising up round each, somewhat obscure the margins of the eggs. When an attempt is made to remove the egg it is found to be firmly fixed, probably by inclusion in an incision, as in ribesii, jmvida, etc., nor can they be removed without almost certain destruction. I did not succeed in hatching any, the leaves withering before the eggs had matured. They are 0-92 mm. long and 0'3 mm. broad, of the usual spindle shape. 1922.] -j^g Fontania piliserra Thorns. The larvae of this species were found during June on Osier in leaves longi- tudinally rolled, vv'itLout any silken threads. About June 28th they appeared to be full-fed. They agree completely with the description by Konow, kindly quoted to me by Mr. Morice, of P. hypo.vanthus. The lai-va of hypoxxinthus, however, has quite other characters and different habits. The length of the full-grown piliseiTa larva is about 12 mm., with a width of I'o to I'Smm. Above, its colour is a dirty olive-green, with darker dorsal line; this colour is only dorsal and, when viewed from above, a little of the palter tint of the under surface, a palish green, is seen on either side of it. It widens a little at the middle of each segment. The segments are divided (dorsnlly) into three subsegments — a broad median, taking rather more than half the segment, a naiTow anterior and a still narrower posterior one. There are a number of very minute liairs which may be seen in a mounted skin. The living larva looks quite smooth, the dorsal hairs beings visible, but are more distinct in three white dots, with minute hairs, at the outer end of the diiik dorsal area of the middle subsegment, and one close by the end of the dorsal part of first subsegment. All the hairs are of about the same length (0"07-0"09 mm.) and solitary, in patches nearly free from skin-points, and they no doubt represent the ordinary tubercles. The general surface of the dark area is thickly set with dark skin-points, and no doubt owes its darker colour to them, laid flat with shai'p points directed backwards. There is a patch of hairs on the sides of each segment with other scattered ones, and the last two (or one ?) segments have a good many hairs several times as long as the dorsal ones noted. The margin of the dark dorsal area is marked by the nearly white line of the lateral trachea, which with some of its branches is very conspicuous; the spiracles show a small thickening of the white line, which looks superficial enough to appear to demarcate the darker dorsum from the much paler green of the under surfnce. The head is pale rufous in front, darkening upwards into a dark brown area along posterior margin, and widest dorsally. The antennae show a small rounded brown eminence, with a minute tubercle (another joint ?) on tip. The mandibles are asymmetrical. The larvae form very dark cocoons underground. The imagines emerged during the third week of July. Attempts to get them to lay were not very successful, still several eggs were laid and attempted layings were observed, so that the following notes were made. A rather young leaf is chosen, and the eggs are placed on the underside of it and slightly beneath the secondary ribs, the incision being just where the front margin of the rib rises from the flat surface of the leaf; the egg is almost but not quite hidden and theposition is half- way between the mid-rib and the margin ; the rib over the egg appears to bend buck a little, but a sufficient number of eggs was not obtained to show whether this is usual. A series of eggs is laid on each leaf used under consecutive lateral ribs on one (or both) sides of the mid-rib. One leaf measured was about three-quarters of its length when fully grown and about half its full width, actually about 0'27 inch (nearly 8 mm.) wide, not reckoning the margin, still a little inturiied. Attempts to find eggs actually laid on growing osiers led to no success, beyond the observation of some leaves on which a few eggs 14 [January, appeared to have been laid. Tlie presence of large numbers of Ilemiptera of the genus AntJiocoris [sj/lvestris and confii&iis), Tvhere\er there was any cover lor them, appeared to account for the failure to tind eggs and later larvae of an autumn brood. The larvae live inside tunnels formed by the leaves curlino so that the edges meet ; in these tunnels are usually- three to six larvae. I was for some time in much doubt as to how the leaves became curled. I thouoht it njiaht be due to aphides, which produced a very similar effect, or perhaps to the gall-gnat (Fcrrisia mar(/i/ieiiitorqiie?i.s). There were, however, seldom any aphides with the piliserra larvae, and the gall-gnat r;ir^erra of various ages finally convinced me that they became curled bv the presence of thesawfly, probably the active agent being placed by tJie parent fly with the eggs. The young larvae eat the parenchyma of the underside of the leaf bet^^■een the various ribs. Sometimes, when larvjie are ^^tv^, this appears to su])ply ;ill their needs, but usually the larvae, as they get large, leave their home in the tunnel during the night and devour neighbouring leaves. 1 never found jiiiv silk used in the tunnels, which resulted apparently from deformation, thou-di I found larvae once or twice hidden between spun-together leaves, where they Iiad taken shelter after excursions for food, but which were abandoned domiciles of other larvae. The leaf-rolling result of the attack o'i Fontania piliserra on the leaves uf the osier is clearly of the same nature as the production of galls on species of Salix by not distantly related sawHies. The skin-sculpture of the larva consists of points, each with one or two acute ends. These usually point backwards when pressed down flat. They are arranged in transverse rows, sometimes echeloned. With 26 rows across a larger subsegment the acute apices are not well-developed, but are very well shown on a narrower subsegment with 10 to 12 rows. PriojjJiorus tener Zadd. The second-brood larvae of this species were rather frequent in my cravdt-n in 1920. I found they went freely into rough cork to pupate, and clos"ed the outer opening with a thin glazed diaphragm, behind v.hich a not very thick ordinary cocoon was made. 1 believe practically all the specimens passed the wmter successfully, eniergiug i„ ,Le «priug. 1 succeeded in getting some females to lay eggs. Tliis sunmrer the spring brood of larvae occurred, but not abundantly. I discovered one larva of the autumn brood and saw indications of a lew others, but they were very scarce, especially compared with their abundance the previous year. The eggs are laid in the interior of the petioles of the raspberry I saw the operation once or twice, but did not note the precise action of the saws the leaves selected are those that are little more than half developed who^e' })etioies are still tender and soft. They are deposited in the outer or bark-like layer, about hall-way between the surface and the inuer more fibrous and woo.jy central portion, and are placed longitudinall v in a series, each eo-<^ bein- ]9?2.] lo about its ow-n length from its neiglibour. Tlioy are about 0-8r)mni. long and 0'33 mm. wide, and at first are inclined to be bent into a kianey-shape, after- wards are more oval, or at least those I examined had these features, but their outlines may have been altered in the process of extraction. Perhaps the most remarkable point is that the incision of entry is practically indiscoverable, nor could I make sure of the place of exit of the young larvae, the; rapidly growing- young petiole no doubt healing up all traces. Tlie larva has many rather long hairs and a skin-sculpture of minute transverse ridges, each about 0'02 or O'OSmm. long; pressed down on slide, one edge appears black, the ridge being more pressed to that side. 0, a 0, EXPLANATION OP FIGURES. Sketched diagrammatically under camera. Fig'. 7 enlarged by 6 diameters, all the others by 29. Fig-. 1. Egg of Pteronidea curtispina Thorns., recently laid. The surface of the leaf ■where it is laid shows hardly any disturbance or elevation ; the egg at this stage mnst be very thin, but it can be made out easily on close examina- tion. Very soon after laying, probably on egg beginning to thicken, the narrow margin of the pocket that it does not fill appears paler, owing to the entry of air. a, Egg ; b, paler margin of pocket. Fig. 2. Pteronidea curtispina — continued. As the egg (a) matures, it increases in size, fills and expands the pocket, first stretching the covering epidermis, diminishing the pale unoccupied area (6), then lifts it, opening the pocket on one margin (that where the saw entered to make it ?), and becomes exposed (c). Towards hatching, half the egg may be exposed in this opening, and the egg, instead of being thin and flat, has made a close approach to being spherical. Fjg. 3. Two eggs of Pteronidea hypoxantlius Fiirst. : a, the egg ; b, portion of epiderm of leaf, torn up in remo-ving the egg. 16 [Jannary, Fig. 4. Egg of Pteronideaoligospilus'Forst. Lines to represent the hairs of the leaf in which it is partially buried. Fig. 5. Egg of Pontaiiia piliserra Thorns. Secondary rib slightly pushed back to show position of egg, almost beneath it. Fig. 6. Egg of the same species, removed from leaf. Fig. 7. Priophorus tener Zadd. Longitudinal section of portion of petiole of rasp- berry, showing position of eggs (a), in outer spongy bark (b), never in central more woody portion (c) ; d, outer surface of petiole, X 6. Figs. 8, 9. Two different views of eggs of the same species, extracted from petiole. The outline of 9 is probably correct for newly laid eggs, but may be due to manipulation in removing it. Roigate. November 1921. ^ A NEW BEITISH BOMBUS, NIGBESCEN8 (P^EEZ), FEOM SUSSEX. BY C. H. MOETIMEE. In August last, while collecting in the' Newhaven district, I took a cJ Humble Bee of which, though it appeared to be merely a specimen oi" J], derhamellus, the genitalia were typical of B. sylvarum. I con- cluded, after finding five similar examples near the same spot, that they could only be referred to the black race of B. sylvarum, known on the Continent, but not hitherto in Britain, as nigrescens. This identifica- tion Dr. K. C. L. Perkins has been good enough to confirm for me. The fact of as many as six of these S tery.v ( Wkittlein) reticella , the life-history of which was practical!}' discovered by him. Probably no one was so intimately acquainted as he was with the exceedingly interesting Lepidopterous fauna of the salt-marshes bordering both sides of the Thames estuarj'. We understand that his extensive collections are bequeathed to the Natural History Museum. Frederick William Lamburt S'laden, F.E.S., the well-known writer on Hymenoptera and author of "The Humble Bee," was, we regret to learn, drowned in Canada on September 10th last. We have, however, no I'urther particulars of the accident. We deeply regret to announce the decease of Thomas Algernon. Chapman, M.D., F.R.8., at liis residence, Betula, Reigate, on December 17th. A full notice of his life and work will appear in the next forthcoming number of this Magazine. Entomological Society op London: Wednesday, Noveinher 2nd, 1921. — The Rt. Hon. Lord Rothschild, M.A., F.R.S., etc.. President, in the Chair. The ])resentatiou by the President of a rare copy uf Scopoli's " Deliciae Florae et Faunicae" was announced, and a vote of thanks to him was carried with acclamation. The following were elected Fellows of the Society : — Messrs. Norman N. Miller, Dar-es-Salaam, East Africa; Oliver Richardson Goodman, 210 1922.] 28 Goswell Road, E.G. 1 ; K. P. U. U. Nair, M.A.. Training College, Trivandrum ; Frank Balfour-Browne, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.Z.S., Oaklands, Fenstanton, St. Ives, Hiint.s ; E. Melville Uu Porte. M.Sc, Pli.l)., Macdonald CoJlege, Quebec, Canada; Oliver C. Cassels, D.F.C., N.]).A., West Hill, Ottery St. Mary, Devon; (). C. OUenbach, Survey of India Dept., Delira Dun, India; J. B. Corporaal, Pieter Bothstraat, 39 The Hague, Holland ; Douglas Cator, 13 Westminster Mansions, Gt. Smith Street, S.W. 1 ; Marco Pallis, Tatoi, Aigburth Drive, Liverpool; and Samuel Walker, .53 Micklegate Hill, York. Mr. W. G. Sheldon exhibited a series of F.pinephele ianira from Suther- landshire showing an approach to var. hispulla ; also Pieris nctpi showing an approach to var, bryoniae. Mr. Betliune-Baker, a series of Zygaena Jili- pendulue var. chrysanthenii, from Birmingham. Mr. F. W. Edwards, a remarkable new insect from Kashmir, which, though probably representing a new family of Diptera, shows curious resemblances to the Mayflies. Mr. L. Newman, gynandromorphous example of Amphidasys betularta, var. double- dayaria, and an Ichneumonid parasite from Sphinx liyustri. Professor E. B. Poulton, F.li.S., Oedemaaena tarandi, the warble-fly of the reindeer, captured with its model, Bumbus lapjwnicus mim'tnanicus ; he also read a note re- garding observations made by JMr. Arthur Loveridge on the oviposition of the beetle Mylabris uculata Tiiunb., var. tricolor Gerst. Canon St. Aubyn Rogers, buttertiies from East Africa, including remarkable females of Papilio dardanus ; examples of Papilio rex and Mimacraea marshalli doherlyi. Dr. W. A. Lamborn, an Oriental Danaine butterfly, observed brushing the tcent-glands on its hind wings. Mr. G. Talbot (on behalf of Mr. J. J. Joicey), new and rare butterflies from New Guinea and Peru. Mr. H. Donisthorpe, a rare British Aphid, SUnnaphis quercus L. Mr. A. T. J. Janse concluded his account on methods of collecting while travelling in South Africa, illustrated with lantern-slides. Wednesday, November \Qth, 1921. — The Prefid^nt in the Chair. The Secretary announced that the Council had nominated the following Officers and Council for 1922: — President, The Rt. Hon. Lord Rothschild, M. A., F.R.S., etc. ; Treasurer, W. G. Sheldon, F.Z.S. ; Secretaries, S. A. Neave, M.A., D.Sc, F.Z.S., and H. Ellringham, M.A., D.Sc, F.Z.S. ; Librarian, H. J. Turner ; Council, Robert Adkin ; H. E. Andrewes ; Ernest C. Bedwell ; James E. Collin, F.Z.S. ; J. Davidson, D.Sc, F.L.S. ; J. J. Joicey, F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.R.G.S., etc. ; Frederick Laing ; William G. F. Nelson ; Professor E. B. Poulton, M.A., D.Sc, F.R.S., etc.; Norman Denbigh Riley; H. Rowland- Brown, M.A. ; J. Waterston, D.Sc, B.D. After some discussion, it was decided to hold an informal meeting on January 4th, 1922, at 5.30-7.30 p.m. Mr. W. J. Kaye exhibited a new race of the Ithomiine butterfly Dircenna lenea from Trinidad, with a series of the typical forms from the Potaro district of British Guiana. Mr. A. W. Bacot, enlarged microphotographs (jf the eggs of bed-bugs. Mr. W. G. Sheldon, Lepidoptera from Sutherlandshire. Dr. A. E. Cockayne, an example of Pyrameis atalanta with larval head. Professor E. B. Poulton, F.R.S., discussed the question of fluorescence as evidence fur the evolution of the pigments of mimetic females from those of their non-mimetic males, and said that, with the Jielp of Dr. Cockayne, he had been able to 24 [Jiinuarv. examine for fluove8cence the Nairobi forms of Papilio dardanus that had been shown by Canon St. A. Rogers at the hist meeting. Mr. H. Donisthorpe exhibited specimens of the Chalcid Spalanr/ia eri/thi-omera, together with its Dipterous host, and tlie ant Acanthoniyops fulii/inosiis, in the nest of which these insects live. Dr. Neave read a translation from tlie German of an amusing skit on modern systems of Zoological Nomenclature.— S. A. Neavk, Hon. Secretary. [/ HAL ICTUS TVMULOBUM L. AND FLAVIPE8 F. AND SOME ALLIED SPECIES. BY R. C. L. PERKINS, M.A., D.SC, F.B.S. Neither F. Smith nor Edward Saunders recognised the distinctness of a. fumulortrm from S. favipes, both of wliicli occm" in this country, so that an additional species can be added to onr list. The former in the first edition of his " Catalogue" called the British species Jlavipes, but in the later one it is given as tumnJorum, with fiavipes as a synonym. Kirby kept the two apart, describing the British specimens as flavipes and considering tumuloriim distinct from this, and not known to him as British, his description being based on the Linnean types. Nevertheless, it is evident that Kirby's descriptions — made from males only — both refer to tnmulorum L. and not io flavipes F. Judge P. Bliithgen, to whom I am indebted for German specimens, has pointed out the real differences between the two species in his tables on German Halicti (Deutsche Ent. Zeitschr. 1920, pp. 81-132), and in other papers. The distinctions between them are for the most part difficult to appreciate, and I have not been successful myself in the perception of some of the characters given, while it is absolutely neces- sary that the material be in the best of condition if others of these are to be seen at all. Some of the characters considered to be of specific value are certainly not constant ; but, that the species are really dis- tinct, appears certain from the fact that the genitalia present obvious differences. On the continent there is another closely allied species, which I have long looked for without success in this country, but which is quite likely to occur, seeing how extremely local or rare with us are some of the species of the genus that abound in Northern Europe. This species, H. fasciatus Nyl., was recorded by Smith on the strength of a speci- men caught by him at Deal, and sent to Nylander, who returned it with this name. This specimen I have examined, and 1 have no doubt that it is a ratlier abraded exam|)lc of fldvipr.s- 2 ■ Smitli liiniself G- A. BENTALL, Naturalist, 392 Strand^ London^ W.C. 2, ENTOIYIOLOGICAL SUPP^LIES OF ALL KINDS. Sec/ioiial Entovwlngical Cabinets. A new departure in Entomological Cabinets now being manufactured and ■sold in Sections at the undermentioned greatly reduced prices. The Top and Bane Fittings are purchased separately. Locking device 10/- extra per section. A complete 4-Sectional Cabinet of 20 Drawers can be seen on the premises. Fiirther particidars sent on application. Prices of 5-Draicer Section. Visible parts Mahogany. Solid Mahogany. 18X18X2" £8 0 0 £9 0 0 18xl8x2A" £8 10 0 £10 0 0 Top Fitting £1 1 0 Base Fitting 18 16 REVISED PRICES FOR BACK VOLUMES. 1st Seuies, 18()4-18S9.— Parts, 3/6 net eacli ; Volumes, 26/~ net, Vols. 1 to 25. bound 3/6 extra. These can be obtained in many cases in complete Volumes. Many of the single parts can also be supplied separately. 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Carter 19 Note on Swarms of Chloropisca circu^mdata Mg-. ( = ornata Loew, nee Mg.). — .4. D. I/Him-, M.A., D.Sc, F.L.S 20 Obituary. — Albert Brydges Earn 20 Dr. Georg von Seidlitz 22 Francis George Whittle, F.E.S 22 Frederick William Lambart Sladen, F.E.S 22 Thomas Algernon Chapman, M.D., F.R.S 22 Society. — Entomological- Society of London 22 Halictus tumulorum L. and flavipes F. and some allied species. — R. C. L. Perlnus. M.A.. D.Sc. F.R.S 24 THE NATURALIST: A MONTHLY^ lI.LtTSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOK THE NORTH OF ENGLAND EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, M.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., The Museum, Hull ; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., M.Sc, F.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield ; WITH THK ASSISTANCE A8 KFFEKEES IN SPECIAL DEPA RTMKN'JS OF GEO. T. POBRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., JOHN W. TAY1.0K. JVl.Sc, RIIiEY FOBTUJSTE, F.Z.S. 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Killington, 1 St. Catherine's Road, Eastleigh, Hants. 1922.] 25 subsequently came to the conclusion that it was only a variety or fresh specimen of tumulorum, so that fasciafus Nyl. does not occur in our list, nor have I ever seen a British specimen. H. tumulorum is so generally distributed in England and so very abundant that it may readily serve to conceal the presence of closely allied species of similar appearance, and my own series is a very short one. I think, however, that Jlavipes is certain to prove much rarer, or at least more local, even if it is shown to be generally distributed like fuunilornm. The iew Jlavipes in my collection are casually caught, single examples, both sexes from the New Forest and the $ from Devonshire,* while, as 1 have mentioned above, it was taken by Smith at Deal. Very probably it exists in many collections mixed with tumulorum. It is said to be most partial to sandy places. In Devonshire I am sure it is much scarcer than tumulorum, if it exists there. Including fasciatus Nyl., not at present known as British, but possibly existing in some collection, or hereafter to be discovered, the allied species may be distinguished by the help of the following table: — 6 6- 1 (2) Antennae shorter, not reaching behind the postscutellum ; 6th ventral segment at most a little depressed, not conspicuously foveate in the middle at the base subauratus llossi {yramineus Sm.). 2 ^1) Antennae very long, reaching behind the brow of the propodeum ; 6th ventral segment foveated at the base. 3 (4) Occipital margin of tlie vertex of head sharp, the vertex very strongly raised behind the ocelli. (Tomentose bands of abdominal segments 2-4 dense, wide, and clearly defined, as also one at the base of the 2nd segment). .... fasciatus Nyl. 4 (3) Vertex of head ordinary, rounded off into the occiput. 5 (6) Trochanters of middle pair of legs pale beneath, yellow or reddisli ; apical margin of the foliaceous inner process of the laciuia of the genital armature broadly rounded or nearly straight, the smaller outer process in lateral aspect very wide, fan-shaped, and at the apex as broad as long jiavipes F. 6 (5) Trochanters of middle legs black ; foliaceous inner process of lacinia distinctly emarginate at the apex, the outer process, in lateral view, small, subtriangular or subclavate. .... iumidorum L. ??• 1 (2) Vertex of head very strongly raised behind the ocelH, so that a sharpish edge is formed with the occipital region. (2nd, 3rd, and 4th abdominal segments each with a wide, complete, tomentose band, which fills the apical impression of each segment). .... fasciatus Nyl. * The specimen being abraded, I am not quite aure of its identity mth Jlavipes. 2(5 [February, 2 (1) Vertex rounded off into the occipital region in the ordinary manner. 3 (4) Punctures of mesonotum very tine and excessively dense, so tbat practi- cally uo surface is visible between them, or only minute spaces hert; and there; in fresh examples the yellow clothing is very dense. .... suhanratus Rossi [gramineus Sm.). 4 (3) Punctures ot mesonotum dense or very dense, but still the surface between them is easily seen, and the clothing is much less dense. 5 (6) Tomeutose bands of 2nd and 3rd segments broad, filling the apical impressions, except that the band of the former is somewhat narrowed or eiiiarginate in the middle. . . . Jlavipes, F. 6 (5) Tomentose bands of 2nd and 3rd abdominal segments, except laterally, narrow, and not nearly filling the whole of the apical impressions, which to a large extent are clothed only with the minute hairs of the general surface and a row of setae springing from the base of the impressions ticmulorum L. A male from the New Forest, which I susjjected would prove to be Jlavipes, and by examination of the genitalia found to be this species, has the penultimate antennal joint reddish beneath, but much darker than the 11th joint, while the apical joint is hardly pale at all. In Bliithgen's table the two apical joints of this species are said to be yellow beneath. Similarly there seems to be considerable variation in the colour of the legs and of the metallic tint of the head and \)0(\y. In the J the mesonotum of jlavipes is said to be much more finelj^ and densely punctured than in fumulorum, but this is not the case with my specimens. This author considered the descriptions of iumulorum in Saunders's work to apply io Jlavipes rather than to the other. Newton Abbot. November Uth, 1921. ©N THE OCCURRENCE OF BOMBUS CULLUMANUS (KIRBY) ILL. IN BRITAIN. BY A. D. IMMS, M.A., D.SC, F.L.S. A male examj^le of this veiy scarce bee* was taken on a Hower head of Centaurea nigra growing on the roadside between Dunstable and Tring on Jvily 29th, 1921 ; another individual of the same sex was also observed but not captured. The local it}^ is situated on the chalk, and nvunbers of freshly emerged Lycaeria corydon were on the wing at the same time, while odd specimens of Ortholitha hipiinctaria flew up among the herbage. The example of the bee which was captured was in perfect condition and had evidently only very recently left the * I am indebted to Rev. P. D. Moi-ice for ezamimng the specimen and confirming my identification thereof. 1922.1 27 nest. This fact, therefore, scarcely supports Sladeii's conclusion ("The Humble-bee," p. 172) that it is a late appearing humble-bee even after making allowances for the exceptionally hot and long summer of 1921. The type-specimen of Bomhus cullumanus was taken by Kirby at Witnesham in Suffolk, and Sladen mentions that four more examples were taken at Southend b}^ Smith. The latter authority also recorded examples from the Brighton Downs and from Bristol. These captures were all made over forty years ago, and the only record of recent years is a somewhat faded male taken by Sladen on September Sth, 1911, at Ripple, Kent. It is interesting to note that the latter specimen was also taken on a head of Centaurea nigra by the roadside. Sladen mentions that the male only has so far been found in Britain. Perkins, in his notes on the Smith Collection of Hymeno])tera in the Biitish Museum (Ent. Mo. Mag. 1917, p. 161), states that there is a short series of males of B. cnUumanus among the specimens, and also two supposed females, Avhich ajtpear to have been accepted by Saunders as belonging to the males. Perkins further adds that he was unable to see any structural characters to separate them from females of Bomhus prat or um. According to Saunders (British Aculeate Hymenoptera) the face is broader, especially across the mandibles, and the abdominal black band is confinpcl to the 3rd segment in B. cullumanus. In B. fratorum the face is naiTower, and the black band is not confined to the 3rd abdominal segment. It is evident, therefore, that the two species are very alike m so far as the female is concerned, but it is very uncertain whether any examples of that sex have ever been taken in Britain. The male of cullumanus might be mistaken for either tiiat of pratorum or possibly derliumellus, but the genitalia are very distinct and are well figured by Sladen (plate VI) and also by Handlirsch ("Hummelstudien," Ann. k.-k. Hofmus. vi, 1891). These same organs also serve to distinguish j;he male cullumanus fi'om the same sex of lapidarius and of the variety proteus of soroensis. Saunders mentions that he regarded it as a variety of the latter species until the genitalia were subsequently examined. Any further distinguishing characters need not be detailed here as both Sladen's and Saunders's works are accessible to most entomo- logists. Bomhus cullumanus does not appear to be a common insect on the Continent ; according to Dalla Torre its range is northern and central Europe. Eotbanisted Experimental Station, Ilarpeuden, Herts. December 9tli, 19J1. 1)2 28 [February, NOTES ON COLLECTING IN NEW ZEALAND DURING THE SEASON 1920-1921. BY G. T. HUDSON, F.E.S., F. N.Z.INST. Apart from the spring and early summer, Avhich is very usually most un.settled, the weather conditions for collecting in New Zealand have been better during the season of 1920-1921 than for some j'ears past, and some good captures have been made. On December 6th, 1920, I was collecting at Wilton's Bush, near "Wellington, when I was delighted to re-discover the long lost Arctoneiira (^Cyrtonenra) hudsoni Marshall. Holding my net under a tall tree-fern I gave the stem a sharp kick which brought down a fine female fairly into the bag. The day was cloudy and cool, and to this circumstance I attribute my success, as, had there been hot sunshine at the time, I feel sure the insect would have taken flight instead of falling into the net. A. hudsoni is a very fine Mycetophilid described and figvu-ed by Dr. Marshall in the " Transactions of the New Zealand Institute," vol. xxviii. page 2G3, from a single specimen taken by me at Karori about the year 1S8-1, and until last December, so far as I am aware, the insect had not been taken since that time. On December 15th, whilst collecting in a deej) forest ravine below the resei-voir at Wainviiomata, I had the good fortune to capture a speci- men of a very large and handsome species of Tanydenis, apparently at present undescribed. On December 28th, accompanied by my wife and daughter, I left Wellington for the Lake Wakatipu, reaching Kinloch, at the head oi the lake, on December 31st, and remaining there until Januarv 12th. Four of the best days, Januarj^ 1st, 5th, 8th, and 10th, were devoted to working Bold Peak, at altitudes from 2000 to 6000 feet above the sea-level. On January 1st my daughter discovered a large moun- tain Perla at the foot of a waterfall just above the forest (3600 ft.), and subsequently obtained a good series during a flying visit to Lake Harris (4000 ft.) on January 9th. During our ascent of Bold Peak we found Sabatinca chrysargyra Meyr., flying over moss in broken sunshine in the Fagus forest at about 3000 feet. Higher up, amongst the subalpine veronicas, several interesting species of Ghloroclystis were secured, and larvae of Argyropltenga anfipodum occurred amongst the tussocks. Few insects were found above this, although on jjrevious visits I have found Erehia hutleri abundant amongst the shaggy tufts of DantJionia grass, which grows in profusion between 4000 and 5000 feet. On Janu.ary 5th, on our second ascent of Bold Peak, my daughter captured, 1022.1 29 amongst rocks at about oOOO feet, a fine specimen of the remarkable broad-winged Anthomyid fly Exsul singularis Hutton, and this speci- men is now in the British Museum (Natural History). Higher up, at about 6000 feet, we secured several specimens of Erebia pluto, Tauro- scopa qlaucophanes, and Orocramhus melampetrus, all three insects being excellent examples of melanic colouring at high altitudes. Descending the mountain between 4.30 and G.30 p.m., we found Porina fusca Philp., amongst the Veronicas at about 4000 feet, and on the tussock grass, between the Veronica bushes, we took a fine series of the grand weevil Tocris laevicostatus Broun. These beetles were evidently just emerging from the tussocks prior to nightfall (we being then on the shady side of the mountain), as not a single specimen was seen during our ascent, over the same ground, about midday. On January 14th we left Queenstown, situated on the middle arm of the lake, for Skippers, and reached a hut on the lower slopes of Mount Aurum on the following day. The road to Skippers is one of the most perilous in the Dominion, and the country all around is ex- tremely rough. The prevailing vegetation is tussock grass with small patches of Fagus forest in some of the ravines, and in many places the ground is much overrun by marjoram {Origanum vidgare). The col- lecting here was not nearly as good as around the head of Lake Wakatipu. Four days' hard work produced a good series of Notoreas anthracias Meyr., several Tineids, some probably new, and two very fine specimens of a variety ? of the remarkable giant Tipulid Cerozadia ■plumosa 0. S. On this trip my daughter was fortunate enough to capture a specimen of the beautiful little Choristella pliilpotti Tillyard, the sole representative of the family Panorpidae at present known in New Zealand, This was in a wooded ravine at about rSOOO feet where Scoparia trapezophora, Meyr., and the gorgeous weevil, Pachyura sumptuosa Broun, were also secured. The last named insect was found quite commonly on the foliage of Phyllocladus alpinus, and was very variable in respect of the pale transverse markings on the elytra. A single specimen of the same species was also taken on December 21st amongst mixed Fagus forest, in GroUan's Valley, on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour. The past season has also proved noteworthy through the rediscovery of Titanomis sisyrota Meyr., a very rare Tineid of quite exceptional interest. In the " New Zealand Journal of Science " for June 1921, page 141, Mr. H. Hamilton reports this occurrence as follows : " After an interval of at least twenty years, during which it was generally thought that this moth must be extinct, it is gratifying to record a reappearance. 30 [February, During a collecting trip to Rangaiana, on the main trunk line, in January of tliis year, my wife and I were enjoying the hospitality of Mr. and Mi-s. Larking at their residence. The night being Avarm the drawing-room windows were open, and, consequently many Prlonophis reticularis were annoying the ladies. Mrs. Hamilton struck down what she thought to be a beetle, but seeing the visitor was a nioth, promptly acted on a collector's instinct and secured it in a matchbox. Thus was a fine female specimen of Titanomis sisi/rofa secured under peculiar circumstances. Rangataua is situated between the boundaries of the beech foi-ests that fringe Mount Ruapehu and the outlying Kimu- Kahikatea-Maire belt. It would be hard, therefore, to locabze this moth to any definite plant association, but the occiirrence of l)eech forests in all localities where it has been found is significant." So far as I have been able to ascertain, Titanomis sisyyota has only previously occurred on the following occasions : — 1. The first capture Avas made by the late Mr. R. Helms at Grey- mouth ? in 1874, but the moth was not then described. Tliis occurrence was communicated to me verbally by Mr. Helms. 2. There is a female specimen in my collection taken in Nelson in the " seventies,'' but no particulars are available. 3. In the collection formed by the late Mr. A. P. Buller, now in the Dominion Museum, thei-e is an extremely damaged male specimen of Tifano7nis si sy rota, probably captured in the Nelson district. 4. In February 1882 Miss Collins captured a female specimen in the drawing-room of her residence at Wakapuaka, Nelson, and kindly gave it to me. I sent this specimen to Mr. Stainton, in 1885, for description. Subsequently, however. Mi-. Stainton handed it over to Mr, Meyrick, who described it in the " Transactions of the New Zealand Institute" for 1887, page 104. 5. The next occurrence was in March 1880, wlien Mr. Clement W. Lee found a female specimen at Otaki, in the North Island. This is now in my collection. 6. Mr. Bannehr captured a specimen on the Dun Mountain, near Nelson, prior to 1898, when I saw the insect in his collection. 7. Mr. Philpott has Recorded the discovery of a broken dead speci- men at Haldane, Southland in 1900. Ilillview, Karori, Welliugton, N.Z. July 1921. 1922.] 31 SOME INDIAN COLEOPTEKA (7).* BY G. C. CHAMPION, F.Z.S. The seventh contribution of this series contains descriptions of a few more Staphylinidae, various Clavicornes, and one or more Ptinidae, Melandryidae, and Mordellidae. Many additional species of quedius, Cryptophagus, Corticaria, etc., have come to hand from Kumaon, but these cannot be determined at present. Unnamed Indian Mordella and MonJelUstena are to be found in collections, but none appear to have been recorded. Amongst the Cryptophagids, a specimen of Henoticu^ indicus Grouv. (1916), from Nainital, and severar examples of the cosmopolitan Cryptopldlas integer Heer, from Sarda, Bengal, have been identified. The species or varieties enumerated or described, in this paper are as follows, the genera marked with an asterisk being additions to the Indian fauna : — Staphylinidae. Bolitohiiis spinipes, n. sp. ,, xa7ithopterus, n. sp. Mycetopoms fasciatocollis, n. sp. Quedius (Rrtp?iiri(s) conicus, n. sp. Lathrohmm semicaervleum Cam., var. ochreonotatum, n. *Pseudohium laeviventre, n. sp. Cbtptophagidae. Antlieropliagus Ivimalaicus, n. sp. Cryptophagus atratus, n. sp. Latheidiidae. Corticaria orientalis, n. sp. „ rJiomhifera, n. sp. „ inflata, n. sp. „ nehulosa, n. sp. ,, piarincoUis, n. sp. CUCUJIDAE. *Platycotylus inusitatus Olliff. COLTDIIDAE. Cerylon setulosum, n. sp. „ striativentre, n. sp. Thorictidae. *Thorictodes erraticus, n. sp. Ptinidae. *Sphindus semirufus. n. sp. Melandryidae. *P}iloeotrya quercicola, n. sp. Osphya dissimilis, n. sp. Mordellidae. Mordella argenteoyuttata, n. sp. Mordellistena cuneigera, n. sp. humeronotata, n. sp. Bolitohias spinipes, n. sp. Blxek shiuin-, the basal joints and tip of the antennae, an oblong wX'atch on^;ach elytron,\he femora, and ^.^terior coxae testaceo^^^^^ the abdomen and under surface clothed with long-, stiff, ^^eou-nben , bnsdy hairs, the abdominal segments with longer projecting setae at each h^nd an • Head smooth, long, about half the width of the base o t^- P-^ -^^P;^^] sided behind the eyes; antennae rather ^'^^^'''^^^^'^^'\''^f^^^^ 6-11 opaque, stout, 5 triangular, G-10 transverse, 11 oval. P^^*^'^ ^^ '"f °;^' as lon/as broad, widest a little before the base, subcouica as -n from ab ve the apex with four and the base with two setigerous punctures, ^ ^J^^ ^^^^ than the prothorax^aWas^on^^ ^^^^ ™ Continued from Vol. LVII. p. 206, September, 1921. 32 [February. tliree rows of 5 or 6 pnuctiires — sutural, siibbumeral, and marginal, — the sutural stria deep, tlie subluimeral groove oblique, curved, pballow; accessory punctures vpanting. Abdomen rather clotsely (except the exposed dorsal seg- ments 1 and 2 in the middle), strongly punctate. Legs moderately long ; tibiae strongly spinose. Length 7 mm. Hal. Nainital, W. Alinora Division of Kumaon (11. G. C). One specimen. This insect lias the general facies of a Mijceto- foriis, but the elongate apical joint of the maxillary i)alpi brings it into Bolitohins. It has shorter h.'gs and antennae than the European IB. airicapillus F. ; the head isbroadei-, the elytra are narrower, the tibiae are very strongly spinose, and the abdomen is strongly punctured and clothed with decumbent bristly liairs. Two Burmese representatives of this genus were described bj' Fauvel in 1895, but they are not related to this or the following species. Bolifohins d'anthopterus, n. s]). Black, shining, the four basal joints and the tip of the antennae, the palpi, elytra (the indexed outer margins excepted), legs, and .anterior coxae, and the apical margin of each abdominal segment, testaceous ; the abdomen and under surface clothed with long, decumbent, bristly liairs, the abdominal segments with longer projecting setae at each hind angle, the elytra with a few fine, eiect hairs. Head smooth, rather narrow, less than half the width of the base of the prothorax ; autennae rather long, joints 1-4 shining, slender, 5-11 opaque, moderately stout, 5-10 about as long as broad, 11 oval. Prothorax as long as broad, subconical, smooth ; the apex with four and the base with two setigerons juujctures. Elytra much wider than tlie prothorax, about as long as broad, each with three rows of 5 or G punctures — sutural, subhumeral, and marginal, — the sutural stria deep; accessory punctures wanting. Abdomen rather sparsely pur.ctured, the exposed dorsal segments 1 and 2 smooth in the middle. Tibiae spinose. Length 5-G mm. Hah. Ranikhet Division of Kumaon {H. G. C). Four specimens. Separable from D. spinipes by the testaceous elytra (the inflexed lateral margins excepted), palpi, and legs ; the less thickened antennae, narrower head, relatively broader elytra, and less strongly spinose tibiae. Mi/ccfoporusfasciatocollis, n. sp. Narrow, shining, black, the mouth-parts, palpi (the stout infuscute pen- ultimate joint of the muxillaiy pair excepted), the base of the antennae, the basal two-thirds of the prothorax, the elytra with an oblong humeral patch (emitting an oblique ramus within) and an apical fascia (extending forwards at the sides and nearly meeting the humeral streak), the apical margin of each 1922.] ^^ abdominal seo-ment, and the legs testaceous; the elytra and under surface clothed with rather long, decumbent, pallid hairs. Head smooth, subcorneal ; antennae moderately long, joints 5-11 gradually thickened, 5-8 about as long as broad 9 and 10 transverse, 11 oval, rather stout. Prothorax as long as broad subconical, smooth ; the apex with four and the base with two setigerous punctures. Elytra considerably longer than broad, wider than the prothorax ; each with three rows of about ten puuctures-sutural, subhumeral, and mar- ginal; accessory punctures wanting. Abdomen sparsely punctate, rapidly narrowed from the base. Length 4-J mm. Hah. W. Almora in Kumaon {H. G. C). One specimen. Near the European 31. spJendidus Grav., the antennae infuscate (except at the base) and a little more slender; the prothorax nigro-fasciate in front ; the elytra black on the disc, with the sides in part and the apex testaceous, tlie seriate punctures more numerous ; the abdominal segments black, testaceous at the apex. The only recorded Indian species of this genus, so far as I am aware, are 31. hraminiis and 31. nitidus Motsch. Quedius {Baphirus) conicus, n. sp. S Obconic, robust, very shining, sparsely clothed with stiff, adpressed, bristly 'hairs, the head and prothorax smooth and glabrous, except fur the usual setae around the eyes and along the sides of the pronotum ;_ black, the inflexed lateral portions of the elytra piceous, the antennae palpi, and legs rufo-testaceous. Head very large, orbicular ; eyes extremely large, occ.ipying almost the whole of the sides of the head; antennae long, slender, jomts 3-lU gradually aecreasing in length. Prothorax wider than the head, very convex, transverse, laterally con.pressed and with the sides (as seen from above) sub- parallel from the middle forward, the margins narrow, scarcely visible from ?he dorsal aspect; the disc with two widely separated puncture^ towards the a^Ierior margin. Scutellum coarsely punctured. Elytra broader than long narrower than the prothorax: impressed with very coarse, angular, .omeu hat scattered punctures. Abdomen narrowing from the base, iridescent, sparseij , finely punctate. Anterior tarsi broadly dilated. Length 8^, width of prothorax 1 \ mm. Hah. Ranikhet Division of Kumaon (if. G. C). One specimen only of this remarkable insect has been received. The -reatly developed, very convex, broad prothorax, the large head, and the rapidly narrowed abdomen, give it a conical shape ;_ the elytra too, are extremely coarsely, rather sparsely punctured. This is one of several species of Quedius sent from Kumaon: one o them was described in the last volume of this Magazine (p. 273) under the name Q rugosus Cam.; another, a form with brilliant cyaneous elytra 34 [February (i-eseinl)llna Phi]onthus cyanipennh F. in this respect), Q. hima laijicns Bernli., has been sent in abundance from various localities in Alraora. Latlrohinm semh.aerulenm Cam., var. oeltreonotatum, n. Lnthrohiinn semiccwndeum Cam. Ent. Mo. Mag. 1921, p. 274. Var. Elytra each with a large ochreous apical patch, sometimes extending, forward to the middle. ° ^ Hah. R. Sarda Gorge [xii.1918] and W. Almora and Ranikhet Divisions of Kumaon [vi.l917] {H. Q. C). Amongst a series of L. setnicaeruleum sent from Kumaon, there are four specimens with a large ochreous patch at the apex of the elyti-a, differing in no other way from the type. Pseudohium laevivenfre, n. sp. Narrow, shining, sparsely clothed with fine, semierect liairs : rufous or pieeous, the elytra usually darker tlian the prothorax, and invariably with a narrow flavour space at the apex, the abdomen black, the antennal joints 1 and 2, the palpi, and legs (the darker femora excepted) rufous or testaceous Head elongate, wider than and about as long as the prothorax, impressed with rather coarse, scattered punctures; antennae long, joints 2 and 3 lonoer than those followmg, 4-10 subequal in length. Prothorax elongate, narrow ; with a row of closely-packed punctures along each side of the rather broad, smooth, median space, and some scattered irregularly distributed punctures at the sides. Elytra as long as and much broader than the prothorax : with rows of rather coarse punctures separated on the disc by smooth, sharply raised, narrow lines, the flavous apical margin almost impunctate. Abdomen very finely, sparsely punctate, the interspaces smooth and shining. 6- Sixth ventral segment deeply triangularly emargiiiate. Length 4^-5 mm. Hub. Swal R. Division [ii.l919], Eanikhet and E. and W. Divisions [x.1918] of Almora, Kumaon {H. G. C). Five specimens. A form of the Mediterranean P. lahile Er., differing from a series of that insect before me (captured by myself in Corsica, Sardinia, the Eastern Pyrenees, and Algeria) l.y tliei'r larger size; the more coarsely striato-punctate, costate elytra; and the sparsely jnmctured, polished abdomen. The abdomen' in P. labile, viewed under the microscope, is extremely finely shagreened (and in consequence less shining) and the puncturing is closer. {To he continued.) 1922.] 35 The " Zoological Record^ — Owing to the collapse of the International Catalogue of Scientific Literature in connection with which the Record was published from 190G to 1914, the Zoological Society of London has undertaken to bear the whole financial responsibility for the preparation and printing of the Record. Owing to the great increase ot the cost of printing and to the very meagre support accorded to the Record by Zoologists and Zoological Institutes generally, the financial burden of this undertaking on the Zoological Society is becoming very severe. The cost of printing the Record now amounts to between i'loOO and £2000 annually, and the Society receives back by Subscribers and sales less than 25 per cent, of this sum : 1 fear, therefore, unless Zoologists are prepared to make greater efforts to support the under- taking, there is a strong possibility that tlie Council of the Zoological Society may refuse to find this large sum each year. It appears, therefore, to be the duty of every Zoologist to help so far as he is able to support this most invaluable work. All particulars and fcjrms of subscription can be obtained from the Secretary of the Zoological Society, Regent's Park, London, N.W.8. The price of the whole volume is now £2 lO.*., and that of the separate parts a proportional smaller simi ; the Insecta is 15s.— ^V. L. Sclater, Editor, " Zoological Record," London : January 1922. Coleoptera at the Lizard, Connvall, in 1920 and 1921. — In the hope of securing further examples of the new British Cathormiocerus, subsequently identified as C. attaphilus Bris., of which two specimens from the district were already in my possession, and of obtaining Meligethes subrugosus Gyll. iu quantity, three only of that species having been taken by me in 1919, I spent June 21st to July 5th, 1920, at the Lizard. Of the former beetle, despite considerable search, the result of my visit was a single capture only; of the Meligethes I took upwards of 200 specimens (and doubtless could have doubled that quantity had I desired so many), thereby justifying Canon Fowler's observation : " Only one British specimen is known It will probably be found iu Britain in some numbers." — Col. Brit. Isls. iii, p. 246. Vegetation was luxuriant in growth and perfect in condition, and Jasione montana, on whicb the Meligethes chiefly occurred, was abundant everywhere. Miarus micros Germ, was equally plentiful in the same tlower heads. Agabus brimneus F. was again in evidence, but I met with it nowhere else in the district than in the little water-course noted in my first record of Lizard Coleoptera in this Magazine (1919, p. 259). The Carabidae I neglected this time, and Masoreus ivetterhali Gyll. was the only noteworthy species taken. Just beyond Cadgwith, in the mud of a partly dried up pool, 17 Platystethus ahdaceus Thorns, saved the reputation of an otherwise blank day in that neighbourhood, Phihmthus micans Gr., P. quisguiliarius Gyll., and *Gabnu$ pennafus Sharp occurring in the same place ; these with Atheta angusticollis Thorns. (1) and A. muscorum Bris. (1) are all the Staphylinids worth men- tioning. Meligethes pedicularius Gyll. was found in numbers and about twenty M. exilis Sturm, came off thyme ; Heterotomus pulicarius L. (Brachi/pterus gravidus 111.) was frequent; Sericoderus lateralis Gyll. and *Monotoma A-dentata Thorns, (brevicollis Aube) were captured at the roots of plants ; Cardiophorus erichsoni Buyss. (2) by sweeping ; Ceuthorrhynchus chrysanthemi Germ. (20), all of which, curiously enough, were taken off isolated small [February, clusters of ox-eye daisy {C. leiicanthemum), huge patches, perhaps about half an acre m extent, yielding none; Sitones cambrims Steph. (2); TrachiqMoevs /aticollis Boh., T. myrmecophilus Seidl., T. Ufoveolatus Beck {scaberl..) m some numbers; Cathormiocerus maritimusnye (17), Orthochaetes setigerBec^, ana O. ijisigms Aube. Apion stoUdum Germ., and A. pomonaeY. were the only individuals of any interest amongst masses of commoner species of that genus. Of the Heteromera the only noteworthy examples were Mordellistena maequahs Muls. {teste G. C. C.) and Sphaeriestes {Salpingus) ater Pk., Tery variable in size and occurring on flowers and tall grasses all along the coast. The nearest trees were three-quarters of a mile distant as the crow flies, and then only a small copse, at Landewedenack. Decaying seaweed under suitable conditions for Coleoptera is rare at the Lizard, and the only habitat I found yielded very few individuals and those of the commonest species only, although I spent some time examining the weed. Ill 1921, June 10th-25tb, I again went to the Lizard, on the way down stavmg a night at Helston, and the following morning walking out to the "Bar," a small-scale Slapton Ley. I had half-an-hour onlv to spend on the sands, but was rewarded with several Lionychus ab. iinicolor Schill., Corticaria crenulata Gyll., Apion confluens Kirby, etc. On reaching the Lizard there was a marked contrast for the worse in the condition of the flora compared with that ot last year. Little rain had fallen during the spring and none at all for several weeks prior to my arrival. The herbage was stunted and sparse, the grass short and parched, the ground hard-baked, Jasione being very uncom- mon comparatively, and the Mdujethes and Miarus proved to be quite rare. 1 had decided on this visit to concentrate my attention on the quest for the Cathornuocerus, but present conditions were hopeless for tho work so I accordingly got out the water-net for temporary use, trusting that rain would soon fall. The little rills were very low in water-some were quite dried up— but the moss on the stones aud boulder, was teeming with life. I used a beating tray, 2 ft. square, and a few minutes after shaking a handful of moss upon It there was at least a beetle of some sort for every i in. of surface. Helophori were the most abundant, but nearly all were of the commonest species, several H. ^aequahs Thoms. being the only interesting form obtained. Ochthebii were next m quantity, but consisted almost entirely of O. impressicollis Lap and O. impressus Marsh. I got, however, 0. *nanus Steph., one only ; 1 *Paracy7nus scutellaris Rosenh. {nigroaenens Sahib.) was also taken. Of Hydraena four species occurred in fair numbers, viz., testacea Curt., riparia Kug., gracilis Germ., and *atricapilla Wat., and O. *poweri Rye from a trickle on the rocks on the shore, m some numbers. Of Staphylinids there were some 50 species, but the only kinds worth noting were TachT/usa atra Gray, (lots), Atheta obhta Er., and A. * gyllenhali Thoms., Lathrobium nmltipundum Gr., L. angm- tatum Lac, Lestem fontinalis Kies. (3), and * Myceioporus angularis Rey. Limnius tuberculatus Miill. and L. troglodytes Gyll., in abundance, were also taken. The seaweed on the beach, so very barren last year, was now full of things. I bottled a few in a cursory way just to see what they might be and regret now that I gave the matter so little thought, as refugees from the drought were there in numbers. My holiday, however, was already half spent, no rain had fallen, Cathormiocerus, my especial que«t, had proved 1922.] 37 elusive, and I was getting anxious to be doing serious work in that direction. It may be worth while, however, to record the species I found in the weed : Exaleochara morion Gr., Oxypoda opaca Gr., Tachyusa atra Gr., Atheta eknujatula Gr., A. longiuscula Gr. {vicina), A. trUmi/iduin Kr., A. oblita Er. ( J ), A. pulustris Kies., A. sordida Marsh., A. atrmnentaria Gyll., A. fungi Gr. (var.), A. longicornis Gr., Philonthiis ventrnlis Gr., Gahrius nigritidtis Gr., G. pennutus Sharp, Jiantholinas linearis 01., O.vytelus rugosus F., 0. laqueatns Marsh., O. nitidulus Gr., O. sculptus Gr., Homalium excavation Steph. The remainder of my time was devoted to the Cathormiocerus search, and by persistently setting tiaps I succeeded in coaxing four specimens from their subterranean retreats before I returned home. Rain fell a few hours after I had left, and thanks to my friend, Mr. N. Micklewood, who remained some davs longer, and who (although not an entomologist) was good enough to continue to practise my methods, eleven more examples were taken. In addition to the C. attaphilus Bris. in question (recorded in Ent. Mo. Mag. 1921, p. 100), the various species of Trachyphloeus mentioned above, as well as Caenopsis waltoni Boh., were taken in numbers in the traps. There also occurred *Pselaphus dresdetisis Herbst (1), and Stenichmts jmsUlns Miill. (2), as well as many other species of Coleoptera. It is perhaps worth noting that C'teniopus sulphureus L. was flying about in numbers and had the habit of settling on the back of our necks whilst we were kneeling and making their presence rather unpleasant by nibbling our skins with their mandibles Species marked with an asterisk are apparently new to the County List. — J. H. Keys, 7 Whimple Street, Plymouth: December 1921. Halijjlus obliquus Er. infested tvith acarid parasites. — It is generally known that the aquatic bugs { Cor ixa, Notonecta, etc.) are not infrequently infested with acarid parasites ; apparently definite examples are lacking amongst the beetles. A specimen of ILdiplns obliquus Er. was taken on August 28th, 1921, at the Madingley Pools, near Cambridge, infested with two larval acarid para- sites. One of these is attached to the wing, and the other to the dorsal surface of the abdomen. Dr. D. Keilin, of the Quick Laboratory, has very kindly examined the specimens, and informs me that they are larval Hydrachnids. He considers that it is worth putting on record. — E. .1. Pearce, The Lodge, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge : January 16th, 1922. Authotiotnus cinctus Kollar in Kent. — Having seen the report of Mr. Ilar- wood's interesting capture at Darenth of ^. cinctus, recorded in this Magazine for October last (vol. Ivii, p. 226), I enquired of Miss Worsley, who is doing some interesting work from an economic point of view at Mailing on the " Apple-blossom Weevil," whether she had found any weevils differing in any particulars from the majority of those she was finding, and I was much interested to receive from her a description of a single specimen she had taken which apparently differed from the others. Unfortunately she had not preserved it, but on December 15th I received from her two other examples which I suspected might be A. cinctus. Mr, Harwood has very kindly examined one of these and has identified it as Anthonomus cinctus. — C. A. W. DuFFiELD, W3e, Kent: January 1922. 38 [Februdry, Slrexjuvencus F. in Yorkshire. — In connection with Mr. Bayford's note on the above (Ent. Mo. Mag. vol. Ivii, p. 277), and the information conveyed that there has only been three previous records from Yorkshire, I am reminded that I have been lacking in not placing on record four specimens I received from Mr. W. Fletcher, of Wakefield, in 1914. I was under the impression they were the commoner S. noctilio F. until I submitted them to the Kev. F. U. ^lorice, when I was pleased to learn they were the rarer S.jiivencus F. — J. W. Saunt, 53 Enfield Road, Stoke, Coventry : December 2\st, 1921. Le2}:doptera in the Ihlgelley district, Merionetjishire, — While collecting in the valley of the Gwynant, a mountain-torrent which flows tlirough a wooded valley and joins the Mawddach about three miles below Dolgelley, I have been fortunate enough to obtain several Lepidoptera, which I believe have only rarely or never been recorded from this district. I append a list. Colias eduaa, one specimen, September 1918 : Vatiessu c-album, often common, sometimes seen in April as well as in September; Ijycaenn phlaeas, var. schmidtii, one specimen, September 1912; Sphinx ligusfri, one larva on a solitary ash-tree on the slopes of Cader Idris ; Stauroj^us fa[/i, two larvae 1917, one imago 1918; Acrojiycta aim, two larvae 1916; Polyploca ridens, larvae often very common, imagines not uncommon ; Ayrotis ashivorthii, one larva 1 920 ; Xylvphasia scolopacina, several large specimens were taken at privet- blossom in August 1919 ; Stilbia anomala, common on heathy tracts ; Taenia- cdinpa miniosa, in 1918 this was abundant at sallow-bloom ; Cirrhoedia xerampelina, of regular occurrence ; Lithophane socia, one specimen at sjiUow, April 1920; Mesoleuca ocellata, common; Perizoma hlandiata, one specimen, 1917 — this specimen was captured on the south side of the iMawdd.ich, not near Cwni Bychan, which I believe is a regular locality f.jr it ; Eupitliecia linariata, one specimen ; Eurymene dolnbraria, one specimen bred from a larva found on oak ; Tephrosia cousonaria, occurs regularly ; 'Pephrosia pnnctidaria, common every year. Since I have only collected in the locality regularly in April, August, and September, this list is necessarily very incomplete, but it may prove of interest — E. Nkvill-Willmeb, Traft'ord Hall, near Chester: December 1921. CItloropiscu circumdata My. { = ornata Loeio, nee My.) occurriny in houses. — Dr. Imms's note on p. 20 of this Volume about this species has decided me that I ought to report a similar occurrence here. It was at the beginning of September that I tirst noticed numbers of the flies in the top rooms of this house. They were chiefly in a room which I use for my study, and in a neigh- bouring bedroom, but also in the other rooms on the same floor; and there were none at all in the lower parts of the house. The two rooms where they were chiefly observed had windows facing, those of the bedroom North only, those of the study East and South. The study is a large room, formerly used for billiards, and the flies were in every part of it, but were most numerous on the ceiling in the S.E. corner between the windows. Here they were packed so close together that in a test-case, a narrow-mouthed cyanide bottle of barelv 2-iuch inside diameter, placed over as man\' as it would cover in a typical portion of the mass, was found to contain 17 individuals (the sexes were 1922.] 39 approximately equal j. They were as numerous as this over an area of about 60 square feet of the ceiliug, and beyond that became less and less so as one got further away from that corner, but nowhere failed entirely, and it would be safe to estimate that there were about 50,000 present. Dr. Sharp, in the Camb. Nat. Hist., Insects, pt. ii, p. 506, speaks of " many millions " occurring in a single apartment ; had there been one million in my room there must have been at least a dozen per square inch over the whole of the ceiling, and many millions would mean several layers thick : do they really occur in this abundance ? I could see no explanation of their presence ; the house is quite surrounded by garden ; not far away is a place where under trees the grass is allowed to grow rough and is only scythed occasionally, not mown at all, but otherwise I see no ground where the species would be likely to breed in special numbers. They certainly did seem to come in after the first cold nights at the end of the summer (there ha,d been one or two slight ground-frosts imme- diately before their arrival) ; but if they come into the house for the purpose of hibernation, a suggestion to which Dr. Imms refers, then the question immediately arises : How is it that they died so soon ? For after about two weeks they began to drop, and before long were all dead ; not one has survived. Moreover, why did they come into the rooms on the second floor only and none into those immediately beneath ? In the latter rooms we had a similar visitation, on a much smaller scale, of another insect altogether — a Chalcid, which Mr. G. T. Lyle has kindly identified for me as Fteyumulus deplanutus Nees, which is also known to have this habit of entering houses. Can there be any connection between the two species by any chance ? I only came to live in this house in October 1920, so yet have to learn whether either or both of these insects will prove to be annual visitors, or if the unusual character of the summer of 1921 may be partly responsible. — CoLBRAN J. Wainwright, Daylesford, Ilandsworth Wood, Birmingham : January 1922. "Mecoptera: Monographic Revision." By P. Esben-Petkrsen, " Catalogue Systeniatique et Descriptif des Collections Zoologiques du Baron Edm. de Selys Lungchamps." Fasc. v (deuxieme partie). Pp. 1-172, pis. i and ii, fig^. 1-188. Brussels, 1921. Another addition has just been made to the series of magniticent mono- graphs forming the Selysian Catalogue. On the present occasion the particular group of insects dealt with is that known as the Mecoptera, or Scorpion-flies, of which 179 recent species, belonging to 17 genera, have been described. These are arranged in five families, the largest of which, the Panorpidae, is subdivided into three subfamilies. That family, with 8 genera and 112 species, is represented in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and North America. The Meropidao (containing only Merope tuber Newman) and the Notiothaumidae (consisting of Notiothamna reedi McLachlan) occur in the United States and Chile respectively. The family Boreidae comprises the single genus Boreus, with 10 European and North American species. Finallj'', the Bittacidae include 6 genera and 55 species, from Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and North and South America. ^Q I February, The appearance of this volmue, delayed by tlie War since 1914, coines at a time when interest in the group has been renewed by the recent discovery in the Permian and Triassic deposits of Australia, not only of true Mecoptera, but also of related forma belonging to new Orders. Indeed, Dr. R. J. Tillyard, to whom we are indebted for our knowledge of these discoveries, sees in these earliest endopterygote insects something very near to the common ancestors of the Diptera, Lepidoptera, and other recent Orders possessing a complete metamorphosis. The author of the monograph is the well-known writer on the so-called " neuropterous " or " neuropteroid " insects, Mr. P. Esben-Petersen, of Silke- borg, Denmark, and entomologists in this country will be gratified to learn that English has been adopted as the language of the text. Mr. Esben- Petersen is also responsible for the excellent illustrations which add so largely to the scientific value of the monograph. In addition to two well-executed plates, exhibiting many remarkable and interesting forms, the text is enriched by no fewer than 188 iigui'es of wing-venation and male genital armature, from the author's own photographs and drawings. — Herbert Campion. (©bituariT. Di'. Thomas Algernon Chapman, F.R.S., etc., as announced in our last issue, died at lieigate, Surrey, on December 17th, 1921. lie was born at Glasgow on June 2nd, 1842. At an early age he qualified as L.R.C.S. Edinburgh and M.D. Glasgow (with honours), and was resident physician and surgeon of Glasgow Royal Infirmary for a time. He then joined the staft" of the Abergavenny Asylum, remaining there till 1871. During his 2o years at Hereford, 1871-1896, he was medical superintendent of the County and City Asylum. After his retirement he went, in 1897, to reside at Reigate, but up till then he was not known personally to many of us resident in the south. His cheery manner and attractive personality soon brought him many friends, and from that time onward, till failing health prevented, he was a constant attendant at the meetings of the Entomological Society of Loudon, often taking part in the discussions on these occasions. In the obituary notice of Mr. T. Chapman, published in this Magazine (xvi, p. 138, 1879), the following remarks were made concerning his son : " It may safely be presumed that early training under a parent genuinely devoted to natural history has developed in Dr. Algernon Chapman that talent for biological work which has hitherto so eminently characterized liis writings." In writing a memoir of the junior man, 42 years later, we can add that his subsequent work was even more thorough, and that this standard was main- tained till the last. From 1897-1914, when war put an end to travel, it was his practice to spend some considerable time each year on the Continent for entomological purposes — in the spring occasionally to the Riviera, and in the summer to various places in the Alps or Pyrenees, Sicily, Spain, Norway, etc. When the French army was mobilised in 1914, he was at Gavarnie with the present writer, who had also had the privilege of accompanying him on his five visits to Spain, and on various occasions to places in the Alps, and a better field-companion than Ext. Mo. Mag., 1922- Pr.viK I. /y/uk^- 1922.) 41 Chapman it would be difficult to find. His object invariably was to try to solve some problem concerning the oviposition or life-history (particularly with regard to Lycaen id-larvae living with ants) of certain Lepidoptera. Accord- ingly, some particular species would be selected for investigation each year — often a Lycaenid, au Erebia, a Tortricid, or a Psychid — and a journey made to places where such insects were known to occur. When this work was acc'im- plished, and he seldom failed to elucidate new facts, the insects bred or studied, uo longer required, were presented by him to his friends. Therefore, at liis death, he possessed no collection in the ordinary sens3 of the word. Amongst his most important contributions to science, are the life-histories of various butterflies — Callophrys act's, Albulina pheretes, Agviades thersites and escheri, PoUjommatus eras, Lycaena arion (concluding portion), and Scoli- tantides orion (Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1910-1915). In Vols, iii, iv, and vi of this Magaxine (18G6-1870) there are papers by his father and by himself. One of these articles by the son, the first written by him so far as we are aware (iii, p. 94, 1866), was on the habits and oviposition of a Dipteron, Atherix ibis ; and the last, entitled *' Notes on some sawflies, chiefly as to oviposition," appeared in January 1922 {op. cit. Iviii, pp. 8-16), the proofs of this paper having been actually ready for him at the time of his decease. His contribu- tions to entomology extend, therefore, over a period of 56 years. Those written at Abergavenny and Hereford concerned British insects — Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera. Seven of the earlier papers, all of which were published in this Magazine, 1868-1891, are of particular value: (1) Habits and transformations of /iy^smMS creuatus,frfi.vini, and vittaf,us ; (2) Aphodius iwrcus, a cuckoo parasite of Geotinipes stercorarius ; (-J) Oeconomy of the British species of Scolylus [less ra/zebur(/i], (4) of the Chrysides parasitic on Odi/tisrus spinipes, (5) of Abdera bifasciata, and (6) of Bomhylius ; (7) Oviposi- tion of 3fetoecus. The remainder are to be found in one or other of oui* entomological journals, or in the "Transactions of the Entomological Society of London." This Society owes much to his generosit}', as he contributed largely towards the cost of the great number of illustrations accompanying his papers. He was always ready, too, to help entomologists, and on more than one occasion he entertained the numerous members of one or two of the local London entomological societies at his IJeigate home. Chapman was elected a Fellow of the Entomological Society in 1891, serving many times as Vice-President, though he could never be induced to taccept the office of President, much to the regret of his friends ; a Fellow of the Zoological Society in 1897 ; and a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1918. His funeral took place at Reigate Cemetery on December 21st, 1921. Tha void left in the ranks of our philosophical Entomologists by tlie death of Dr. Chapman is indeed one which may not be adequately tilled for a long time to come. He was never married, his last years at Reigate being passed with two unmarried sisters, to whom we tender our sincere condolence and sympathy in the loss of their greatly esteemed and respected brother. The photograph hei'e reproduced was taken in 1905. — G. C. C, 42 [February, Yorkshire Naturalists' Union : Entomological Section. — The Annual Meetings of this Section were held at Leeds on October 29th, 1921. In tlie absence through illness of the President, Dr. O. E. Croft, F.E.S. was Chairman of the afternoon meeting. Mr. B. Morley and Mr. M L. Thompson, F.E.S. paid a tribute to the work, and expressed the loss the Section had sus- tained in the deaths during the year of Dr. II. H. Corbett, F.E.S., Mr. J. W. Carter, F.E.S., and Mr. John Gardner, F.E.S. It was decided to raalce a special excursion for the investigation of Askham Bogs during the following summer. Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.S., was re-elected President, and Mr. B. Morley Secretary of the Section, and the various committees were appointed. The reports of the various committees were presented, and the following is a summary of their contents : — Coleoptera, — Dr. W. J. Fordham, F.E.S., said that twelve species had been added to the county list as follows : Stenus carbo>Hirius and Oq/zisa i?iaura hoth from flood-refuse at Bubwith by himself ; Erirhinus scirpi from Hawksworth by Mr. H. H. Wallis ; Syncalypta setigera, Eyiicvms hisfrio, Eston, Scalb}', Hull, and Bichmond, Trichoptcryx 7iio7itandoni,''U nrwood Dale, Chaetocnema suhcoerttlea, Forge Valley, Scarborough, Bruchidms debilis, East Ayton, Dorytomus melanophthabmts Ellerburn and Staiutondale, and Erythra- 2>wii hr achy pter ton ^ Scalby, all by Mr. G. B.Walsh ; Hepfaulacus villosiis, Iledcar, and JIapcdaraea pyymaca, Kildale, by Mr. M. L. Thompson, F.E.S. Other species noted were Carabus nitenr., which head occurred in several localities, and various moorland forms, such as Pterostichus lepidus and Miscodern arctiat in new localities; Pelohms tardus had again occurred in the Ilidl district, and Dytiscus cireuvrflexus had extended its range. Lepidoj} f era.— Ml- . B. Morley said that the season had been almost a.s bad as the previous one, notwithstanding the brilliant and prolonged hot summer, and apparently tlie species which had beeu almost exterminated during the cold season of 1920, had not yet been able to re-establish themselves to an3ahing like normal numbers. On the other hand, several of tlie bettor local species, such as Xanthia aurayo at Skelmantliorpe, and the nearly black var. scopariae ol Ayrotis ayathina near Penistone, had been more abundant as lai-vae than for some years. Species had appeared very early, beginning with the winter moths. A large emergence of Phiycdia pedaria was worn out before the end of January, and Hyhernia rupicajn-uria, H. leiicophearia, H. mar- ginaria, and Anisopteryx aescularia were all on tlie wing during the same month. Many of the later species also emerged correspojidingly earl}', so much 80 that numbers of them produced second, and in some cases third, broods. Among the few better things which had been talcen was a tine Cidaria siiffuvmta, var. porrittii, at Clayton West, near Huddersfield, by Mr. W. Buckley; Aplecta occulta at Slielley by Dr. H. Douglas Smart, F.E.S. ; and Mr. Porritt had found larvae of Dianthoecia carpophuya com- monly on Silene injlata, in it adding a species new to the Huddersfield area. The Rev. C. D. Ash, Thera firmaia at Skipwith, and Nonayria arundinetn with its var. dissoluta had been again conimou in the Wharfe Vallej'. Mr. T. A. Lofthouse, F.E.S., Paedisca scniifuacdnu at Askham Bugs, Glyphyptcryx 1922.1 43 fimcorthuna from Piluioor, and G. equitella from the Yorkshire side of the Tees. I'aken in 1919 by Mr. T. II. Fisher, but only recently identified, were a speci- men of Inc.urvaria tenuicurnis at Skehnanthorpe, and Chrysoclista himacuklla near Penistone. Ki/meiioptera. -Mr. Rosse Butterfield. F.E.S. Mellinus arvensis from Allerthorpe and Psithyrus distmcf.us, var. subrujlpes, from Ilkley by Dr. Ford- ham were new to the county. Several species resting on slender authority had been substantiated. Mr. A. E. Bradley had taken a few nearly black Boiubus hortorum at Scarcroft near Leeds, and half-a-dozen males of Bombus distinynendas in the same district. lie himself saw queens of Bombus jonellus and B. hipponicus at flowers of bilberry at Embsay and near Harden. Ayenia varicgata was found prej'ing on spiders on an old oak stump at Shipley Glen. NeKvoptera. — Mr. Porritt. Practically nothing new or of interest had been done in this Order. He had found a considerable colony of Pyrrhosoma nymphula on Harden Moss, and Chrysopa perla not uncommonly in Honley Wood, both new to the Iluddersfield area, but abundant enough in the county generally. Remrptera. — Dr. Fordliam noted that the first instalment of his " List of Yorkshire Hemiptera-IIeteroptera " had appeared in the October number of the " Naturalist," and the rest would follow in due course. Dipfera. — Mr. C. A, Cheetham, F.E.S., said that about three hundred species had been added to the County list, some of them (see F. W. Edwards's paper in Trans. Ent. Society of Loudon) being additions to the British list. Plant Galls. — Mr. W. Falconer, F.E.S., reported that considerable work had been done by this Committee, and most of the species had already been recorded in the " Naturalist." Among others, the dipterou Lipara lucenSf which causes a cigar-shaped gall on Phraymites coimnmiis, was apparently new to the north of England. Amongst the Midge Galls the following had liot previously been recorded for the county : Peri&sia Jloriperda on bladder campion, P. schlechtendali on tuberous bitter vetch, P. vaccinioriim on bilberry, P. viryaureae on golden-rod, P. acercriapmis from maple, all in the Iludders- field disti-ict ; P. malt on crab-apple at York and Scarborough, and Rhopu- lomyia tanaceticola on tansy at Huddersfield and Skipwith Common. The Evening Meeting, presided over by Mr. B. Morley, was devoted to the examination of the exhibits and discussion. Among the Exhibits, in addition to many of those already mentioned in the reports, were the following: — Coleoptera. — By Dr. Fordham, the melanic form of Stenus aryus from flood-refuse at Bubwitb ; Haltica li-itteni abundant over a limited area, from heather at Ravenscar ; Helophortis jjorcuhis from roots of Cakile at Sandsend ; Ilydropoi-us borealis {davisi) from near Sandf end ; and an r undescribed Athda from Bubwitb flood-refuse. Mr. M. L. Thompson, other species in addition to his new records. The three boys, Caird, Ilincks, and Kitchen, again showed various species from the Leeds district. These boys give promise of doing good work among the Coleoptera in future years. Lepiduptera. — Mr. B. Morley, a series of second brood Acronycta menymz- tbidis, including a tine melanic specimen from the South- West Riding Moors; 44 [Fibruarr, local specimens of the var. rosea of Ncctua t/lareosa, and an extremely variable ^^eries of Tn/phama fimhria, specimens of a fine form of Ciihtria trnncata of the var. i-ufescens type, but much darker, ftvmi Clayton West, near Iluddersfield ; also a series of Sesia (oidreni/ormis, with its mine and pupa, from Surrey. ])r. H. Douglas Smart, F.E.S., a series of Pieris napl from various Yorkshire districts, and other loc.ilities in Britain and Ireland, with those of various European countries for comparison ; series of 'Zygaena Jilipendulae and Z. hmicerae from Filey, showing the local variation, with specimens of Z trifolii and Z. hlppocrepidis for comparison ; also a melanic Noctua xqiit/to-: (/rcqtha from Shelley. Hymenoptera. — Dr. Fordham. Ainmophila sabuJosa and the Chrysid Notozus panzeri from Allerthorpe, the latter. very abundant in a sandfiti bnt not seen elsewhere. Mr. E. G. Bayford, F.E.S., a specimen of the true Sire.r juveneus from Barnsley tkis j'ear, making- the fourth Biitish example. Mr. F. Khodes, F.E.S., a series oi Bombus distvKjuendus from Sunn^alale. Ilemiptera. — Mr. Rhodes, Dictijonota crassiconds and other species fmni Ileaton and Sunnydale in the Bradford district. Diptera. — Mr. Cheetham, the followiiinr, all new to the county: Pachi/r- rhina scurra and Urellia stellafa from Skipwith ; To.voneara muliehris and Neottiophilum praeudum from Farnley ; Fitaresta conji/ncfa frtim Allerthorpe ; I'lineonv/ia fuscipennis and Conops Jlaripea from Nidd; Xijloia lenta and Ardu- pieru irrorata from Rawdon ; Tipula siynata, Oxycera parddlina, Therioplectes vi'mianus, Didea intennedia, Dp.via vacua, and Ilelumyza variey(da, all from Austwick ; HydrojdiDvus borealis from llelwitli JIoss ; FipKuculus Utturalis and Syrphus anniilipcs from Pateley Bridge. Dr. Fordham, Laniopoyon cinctus and Diwtria bmimlumeri from AUerthoi-pe Common ; Porphyrops iiasuta and Eufarsus arcticus from Bubwith, also all new to tlie county. Plant Galls. — ]Mr. Falconer, tlie Ilymenopteron Isosnma yraminicola new to the United Kingdom ; the Dipterou Atrichosema aceris from maple, new to the Nortli of England ; the Homopteron Pemphigus jUayims on black poplar, and Asterodiaspis quercicola on oak, both new to the North of England, besides man}' of the species alluded to in the report. A most interesting and stimulating discussion followed on *' Parasitism in Insects," such topics as " Stung larvae are careless and do not attempt to hide," "Do birds know this and avoid tliem?" "How do hA'per-parasites know of the presence of parasites' eggs or larvae, or both ? " " Are parasites' eggs laid on eggs of hosts or on small larvae, and do they hibernate as eggs or 1 irvae in the ho.sts ? if as larvae they cannot continue damaging the hosts during hibernation, or they would die," were dealt with. — E. G. Bavfokd. The South Eondon ENroMOLOGiCAL andNatltbalTIistoby Society: October imh, 1921.— Mr. K. G. Blaiii, B.Sc, F.E.S., President, in the Chair. Mr. A. W. Vesterling, 167 Castle Street, Battersea, was elected a member. Mr. Grosvenor e.vhibited the chief Palaearctic species of the genus Zygaena. Mr. Blenknrn, the scarce weevil, Epipolaeus caliginosus from Dover. Mr. New- man, Rumicia i)hlaeas with ab, obsoleta, ab. siiffusa, a golden form, and ab- 1922.] 45 parvipuncta ; he reported TJuvanessa anfiojja seen by bis son at Bexley.. Messrs. O. R. and A. de li. Goodman, Nordmatmia ilids, var. cerri and var. actculi, with Kliiyia spini having' (] ) strai<>:ht white line below, (2) concave ditto, (3) and greatly widened ditto, all but the last two from Digne. October 27 cassion on the comparative rarity of A. urticae in 1921, and on the relative abundance and apparent spread in the South of England of Vanessa c-albuni. Mr. W. J. Kaye exhibited IIelico)iius from Trinidad, and a remarkable Erycinid, Nyviiyhidium inaravalica, Vi'ith its supposed model, Adelpha ipliicla. Professor E. B. Poulton, F.R.S., black varieties of the Longicorn beetle, Grammoptera analis, on behalf of Mr. Joseph Collins ; he also gave an account of some observations of Mr. A. IL Hanini on the third brood of Heodes ph/aeas from the Newbury district in 1921, and exhibited the specimens referred to. Mr. R. Stenton, some living JNIautids bred from an egg-case taken by Mr. J. C. F. Fryer on an imported Japanese maple. The following papers were read : — " Descriptions of South American Micro-Lepidoptera," by Mr. E. Meyrick, B.A., F.R.S., F.Z.S. ; "Notes on Orthoptera in the British Museum, II Group, Calliptamini," by Mr. B. Uvarov. Mr. C. Nicholson read some notes on Vespidae, and on a remarkable nest of respa vulyaris, illustrated with lantern-slides. THE BEITISH SPECIES OF HALICTUS AND SPHECODES. BY R. C. L. PEBKIKS, M.A., D.SC, F.Z.S. For the purpose of tabulation the British Ilalicfl are here divided into three groups, the second containing by far the greatest number of species. This group is, however, composite, and contains more than one of the subgenera that have been proposed hj those who have divided tliis extensive genus. The groups may be distinguished as follows : — 1922.) 47 1 (2) A distinct pattern of white spots or bands of hair on the abdomen these being placed along the apical margins of the segments. .... Group I. 2 (1) Spots or bands situated at the base of the segments or wanting. 3 (4) Thorax not metallic, except slightly so in prasiniis Sm., which has the pvopodeum black, not metallic, and the apical dorsal segment of the c? blood-red. .... Group II. 4 (oj Thorax including the propodeum distinctly metaUic ; the apical dorsal segment of the c? not blood-red. .... Group III. The extensive second group may be tabulated as follows : — Group II, 1 (2) A very large .species, expanse of wings often 17 mm. or more, the hind tibiae clear testaceous. (Mandibles, labrum, and often the apex of the clypeus also black ; abdomen with tomentose bands, the 5th vential segment conspicu- ously emarginate, 6th with a deep longitudinal impression) .... xanlhoi?us K. 2 (1) Hind tibiae black or black and flavous. 3 (4) Apex of clypeus, labrum, mandibles, and the antennae both above and beneath black, the abdomen beneath bare or only with short hairs. (Antennae long and slender ; propodeum coarsely rugose above and also on its posterior face ; abdomen elongate, subcylindrical, polished, tlie punctures for the most part sparse and with distinct tomentose spots in fresh specimens, the 4tli and 5th ventral seg- ments widely emarginite) .... laevigatvs K. 4 (3) Apex of clypeus in most species, and often the labrum and mandibles, yellow or yellow marked, antennae oi'ten red or fulvous beneath. When all are black the abdomen has long hairs on the 2nd ventral segment, easily seen in lateral aspect. 5 (6) Ilind tibiae and the tarsi (except sometimes the claw-joint) black. A large species, generally 15 mm. or more in expanse, with distinct tomentose abdominal spots, the 1st and 2nd segments densely, nearly evenly punctured except at the apex. Wings infuscate or smoky. (Anterior area of the propodeum closely rugose, and viewed from in front, its hind margin is raised in the middle ; the lateral areas not margined behind) nitidus Panz. {Q-notatus K.). 6 (5) iSpecies which have both the hind tibiae and tarsi black are either small, or, if large, either the tirst abdominal segment is very re- motely punctured or the wings are clear* hyaline. 7 (8) Seventh abdominal segment wholly red both on its upper and its reflexed surfaces. (Head and thorax often distinctly metallic ; mesonotum finely, densely punctured ; anterior area of the propodeum densely and * This character will at once distinguish the rare black-legged variety of leucozonius on the most casual inspection. 48 [February, finely rngose ; fifth ventral segment of abdomen emarginate fringed with decumbent golden cilia, those at the sides being very long) .... prasi7ius Sm. 8 (7) Seventh segment not wholly blood-red. y (12) Robust species with tomentose abdominal markings, the (3th ventral either with a median longitudinal carina covered with minute haiis, or else with two bare shining ridges, strongly converging towards the base, the subtriangular area between them pubescent and flattened or depressed. 10 (11) Sixth ventral segment with a median carina inteiTupted towards the base ; basal abdominal segment polished and very sparsely punctured on the disc; hind metatarsus diirk .... zonulus Sm, 11 (10) Sixth ventral segment with convergent ridges; basal segment generally less shining and not very sparsely punctured on the disc ; hind metatarsus, except as a rare aberration, whitish yellow on at least the basal part leucozoiiius K. 12 (9) Sixth ventral .segment not as in either of the preceding (some species are narrow, with long cylindrical abdomen; many are quite small and, in some, tomentose abdominal markings are absent). 13 (16) Flagellum of antennae black or blackish fuscous beneath, abdomen with tomentose spots, its ventral segments seen from the side with copious long erect hairs. (Mesonotum densely, evenly punctured, propodeum closely longi- tudinally rugose on its anterior area, lateral areas much smoother, punctate, not margined behind, three basal abdominal segments black right up to the apical margin, the first with copious, distinct puncturation ; hind metatarsi pale flavous). 14 (l-j) Inner margin of stigma generally testaceous, sometimes brown; extreme apex of the stipites of the genitalia hairy, as well as the lacinia * ■i-uof.atns K. 15 (14) Inner margin of stigma dark brown or nearly black ; end of the stipites of genital armature not hairy .... lativenU'is Sch. {dccipietis P.). 16 (13) Flagellum of antennae in most species distinctly rufescent or some- times fulvescent beneath ; if blaclf, either the ventral abdominal segments have only very short hairs beneath, or tomentose spots are wanting. 17 (36) Second venti'al segment (viewed from the side) with at most very short erect hairs on its middle part, sometimes with only very short subdecumbent ones, or even almost glabrous ; antennae always long, reaching at least to the end of the thorax when laid back. 18 (27) Antennae with the flagellum black or blackish fuscous beneath. 19 (20) Scutellum for a large part at least (and often wholly) roughly sculp- tured and without definite punctures, the sculpture being unlike that of the mesonotum ; antennae very long, when the head is laid back they reach at least to the end of the fii'st abdominal segment .... fulvicornis K. ab. * In a recent work Judj^e P. Bliithgen has fliowii that the much wider face of i-iiolatux sepa- raten it from fa/ivcjitrix, an exoellent character ovixlooked by nie. I G- A- BESMTALL, Naturalist, 392 Strand^ London^ W.C. 2, ENTOMOLOGICAL lUPPLIES OF ALL KINDS. Sec/ioi/a/ ItntomuJocjical Cabuiets. A new deijarture in Entomological Cabinets now being manufactured and sold in Sections at the undermentioned gieatly reduced prices. The Tup and Butte Fittings are purchased separately. Locking device 10- extra ptr section. A complete 4-Sectional Cabinet of 20 Drawers can be seen on the premises. Further particulars sent on application. Prices of S-Drawer Section. Visible parts Mahogany. Solid Mahogany. 18X18X2" £8 0 0 £9 0 0 18Xl8x2A" £8 10 0 £10 0 0 Top Fitting £1 1 0 Base Fitting 18, 6 REVISED PRICES FOR BACK VOLUMES. J ST Skkies, LcS61-1SS9. — Purts, 3/6 net each ; Volumes, 25/- net, Vols. 1 to 25. bound 3 G extra. These can be obtained in many cases in complete Volumes. 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Piccadilly, London, W, 1 : or Messrs, GURNEY & JACKSOX, 33 Patekxosteh Row. London. E.C.-l. WATKiiyS & OONCASTER, 35 StraTid, Losidon, W.C. 2, England, (Phone: 9451 Gerrard) STOCK EVERYTHING REQUIRED by COLLECTORS OF BIRDS' EGGS, INSECTS, PLANTS, Etc. - - - - Large Stocks of Specimens on hand. Books on all Branches of Natural History. CATALOGUES FREE. C 0 N T E N T S. PA(7f! Halictus tnmulornm L. and flavipes P. and some allied species (conclnded). — R. C. L. Per^cins, M.A., D.Sc, F.R.S 25 On the occurrence of Bombus cullumaniis (Kirby) 111. in Britain. — ^4. D Imms, M.A., D.Sc.,F.L.S 26 Notes on Colleutingf in New Zealand diu-ing- the Season 192Q-1921. — G.V. Hudson, F.E.S., F.N.Z.Inst 28 Some Indian Coleoptera (7). — G. G. Cham^non, F.Z.S 31 The "Zoological Eecord."— FT. L. Sclater, F.Z.S 35 Coleoptera at the Lizard, Cornwall, in 1920 and 1921. — J. H. Keys, F.E.S 35 Haliplus obliquus Er.- infested with acarid parasites. — E. J. Pearce 37 Anthonomus cinctus KoUar in Kent. — C. A. W. 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Notonedae from the Canary Islands and Mediterranean countries, and N. lutea, especially required.-^G. E. Hutchinson, Aysthorpe, Newton Eoad, Cambridge, England. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OP LONDON, 41 Queen's Gate, S W. 7 (nearest stations : teouth Kensington and Gloucester Road).-March 1st, 15th, April 5th, May 3rd, June 7th, 1922, at 8 p.m. ^ ;« .1.^^^ ^o"'"'^ ^'' °Pf" "^i^^ ^"""^ ^ ^•°'- *° ^ P-™- ^e'^^ept on Saturdays, whe^i it IS closed at 2 p.m.), and until 10 p.m. on Meeting nights. ^„^THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY feOClEil, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge. The Second & Fourth Thursdays m each month at 7 p.m. The lantern will be at the disposal of Members for the exhibition of slides. THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, now meets in Hall 40 Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2, on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month at 6.30 p.m General meetings 1st Tuesdays, Sectional meetings 3rd Tuesdays. (No meetmgs in July or August indoors, but field excursions instead.) Hon. Sec. : W. E. Glegg, The House, Albion Brewery, Whitechapel Road, E. 1. Chingford Branch. The Chingford Local Branch meets at the Avenue Caf. opposite Ghmgford Station, at 8 p.m., on the 2nd Monday in each month. ^..^^TOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WICtMI.— this Society has developed from the Southampton and District Entomo- logical Society. Meetings are held on the First Saturday afternoon of each month at Southampton, and other meetings will be arranged in important centres in the county from time to time. Activities being undertaken at the present time include the formation of a library, of collections of insects, and the compilation of a county insect fauna list. Will keen entomologists in the county who are interested please commimicate with the luueiestea Hon. Sec, F. J. Killington, 1 St. Catherine-s Road, Eastleigh, Hants. i«aa. 49 20 (19) Scutellum generally to a larf;e extent distiiictl}' punctured, the surface not much rougher than that of the niesonotum ; antennae shorter ; when the head is laid hack, not reaching to the apex of the hasal abdominal segment. 21 (22) Face in front view extremely wide across the eyes, transverse, the clypeus hardly produced. (Ventral segments with short erect hairs; general appearance most like fuhicornis, which it approaches in the length of the antennae, but separable at once by its finely punctate, smoother scutellum, and the narrow and very elongate 2nd and 3rd joints of the hind tarsi, as viewed from the side.) .... laticeps Sch. (=se))ii2)tmctulattislE.S. nee Sch,). 22 (21) Cly])eus more or less strongly produced, the face not extraordinarily wide. 23 (24) Labium not entirely bright flavous, often black, pitchy, or reddit^h, or to a small extent flavous .... calceatus Scop. 2-1 (23) Liibruni bright flavous (like the apex of the clypeus) over the whole .'iurface or almost so. 25 (26) Face in front view broader, more strongly rounded at the sides and, if the portion bej'ond the apical margin of the eyes is left out of consideration, almost circular in outline. (Toraentose spots at sides of 2nd segment dense and conspicuous in good specimens.) calceatus var. {cylindrivus F.). 26 (27) Face in front view narrow and subelongate ; leaving out the produced clypeal portion, the outline is suboval. (Tomentose spots often feeble or indistinct, even in fre.'-li examples.) (ilhvpes K. 27 (18) Antennae with at least a considerable unmber of the flagellar joints distinctly rufescent, or in some species fulvescent, beneath. 28 (29) Propodeum, seen from in front, more or less finely rugose anteriorly, the wrinkles not reaching the brow of the declivous posterior surface, but leaving a large part with mere surface rugulosity or granular-like sculpture. Lateral angles of the pronotum distinct and subprominent, rectangles or nearh' so. (Second ventral segment of abdomen with more or less numerous short but erect hairs, the bind tibiae usually with a yellow line from base to apex above.) .... vialachurus K. {longulus Sm.). 29 (28) Propodeum generally rugose right up to the brow of the declivity ; lateral pronotal angles very indistinct. 30 (31) Second joint of the hind tarsi viewed laterally very elongate, nearly parallel-sided, about t\\ ice as long as wide ; face in front view very wide, evidently transverse across the eyes, the clypeus hardly ]n'o- duced. (In normal examples the basal abdominal segment is copiously or even densely punctured, but on its ai)ical portion impunctate or almost so, the surface there being evidently (microscopically) ru- gulose, not polished. Eed-banded specimens occaaionally occur.) .... laticepk Sch. {seimpunctulatttsli. S.). 50 [March, 31 (bO) Second joint of hind tarsi, viewed laterally, either subtriangular and nmch less than twice as long as wide, ©r the face is not extra- ordinarily wide. 32 (33) Antennae not extraordinarily long; they extend when the head is liiid back, behind the thorax, but not so far as the apical margin of the basal abdominal segment. A smaller species. (Basal abdominal segment generally with a very feeble apical impression, which, however, is nearly always visible right across the segment in some aspects, and on this part the surface is excessively tiuely, but evidently, sculptured.) .... pnuxillus var. imvuirginaUis Sch. 33 (32) Antennae extraordinarily long, extending, when the head is laid back, to the apex of the basal abdominal segment or even further, three or four of the apical joints lying beyond the brow of the propodeum. Larger species. (First abdominal segment without an evident apical impression, and, along the apical margin, smooth and polished, without evident minute surface-sculpture.) 34 (35) Face in front view widely ovato or roundish ; scutellum roughly or rugosely sculptured, the punctures generally effaced, the sculpture therefore unlike that of the mesonotum ; fourtli abdominal segment viewed from the side with the general clothing consisting of ex- cessively minute hairs, onW just visibly rising above the surface ; tarsal joints of all the legs longer, the second joint of the hind ones (viewed laterally) longer than wide. (Tomentose spots at base of 2nd abdominal segment laterally dense and distinct in good specimens.) .... fulvicornis K. 35 (34) Face in front view long-ovate ; scutellum punctured much like the mesonotum ; fourth abdominal segment viewed laterally with con- spicuous, erect, and not excessively short, hairs ; tarsi of all the legs short, the second joint of the hind ones, viewed laterallv, about as wide as long. (Tomentose spots at the sides of the 2nd abdominal segment indistinct or wanting.) freygessneri Alfk. 3G (17) Second ventral segment of the abdomen well clothed with long, erect hairs, as seen in lateral aspect, the following ones also often more or less similarly clothed ; in laevis alone with very short hairs or nearly glabrous, but this species has short antennae, which do not reach nearly to the end of the thorax. 37 (54) Antennae often short, or at most of moderate length, when the head is laid back they reach at most to about the end of the anterior area of the propodeum ; the 5ih and 6th joints are at most a little elon- gate, in some species not at all so. 38 (41) Anterior area of propodeum rugose throughout and bounded pos- teriorly by a sharp, fine, raised margin. 39 (40) Hind angles of the propodeum with a raised margin ; abdomen with only very short hairs on the ventral segments .... laevis K. 1922.] 51 40 (39) Hind angles of propodemu rounded off and not margined ; ventral segments with long erect hairs .... j!)?/Hc^zcoZ/('s Mor. 41 (38) Anterior area of propodeunj not bounded by a raised margin behind. 42 (53) Species without a strong constriction at the base of the secoi:d abdominal segment; size not extremely small nor the form ex- tremely narrow. 43 (44) Mandibles not marked with tlavous ; mesonotum highly polished and remotely punctured ; apex of clypeus and labrum often black, but in some varieties one of these or both may be flavous. (Fourth joint of antennae, viewed beneath, distinctly elongate ; stigma either wholly brown or at least with a brown margin.) .... villosiilus K. 44 (43) Mandibles with a flavous mark like the apex of the clypeus; meso- notum in some species not highly polished nor sparsely punctured. 45 (46) Stigma very pale, its lower margin yellowish, at most somewhat darker than the disc ; 4th antennal joint, viewed beneath, not at all elongate, the following ones wider than long. (Mesonotum shining, the punctures very feeble, more or less indefinite in outline, and remote, face suboval.) .... brevicornis Sch. 46 (45) Stigma with the lower margin at least conspicuously dark, or brown ; 4th antennal joint, viewed beneath, generally distinctly elongate. (Face either broad and round or else conspicuously elongated.) 47 (48) Face broad and round paiiperatus Brulle { = breviceps E. S.). 48 (47) Face narrow and elongate. 49 (50) Hind metatarsus wholly, or at least on its basal portion, whitish yellow punctatissimus Sch. 50 (49) Hind metatarsus yellowish brown, brown or nearly black. 51 (52) Mesonotum on the disc finely and closely punctured, minutely sculp- tured between the punctures so as to be only moderately shining at most; lacinia of genital armature very short .... punctatissimus var. 52 (51) Mesonotum on the disc shining and more strongly punctured ; lacinia long angitsticeps Perk. 53 (42) A strong constriction at the base of the 2nd abdominal segment ; a very minute and narrow species; hind tarsi in normal examples dark or fuscous minutissinius K. (\a.Y. = arnoldi J E. S.). 54 (37) Antennae long and slender, reaching, when the head is laid back, beyond the brow of the propodeum ; 5th and 6th joints strongly elongate. 55 (56) 3rd, 4th, and 5th ventral segments with a tuft of dense, long hairs on each side, the two latter comparatively glabrous between the tufts. (Anterior area of the propodeum very finely sculptured on its posterior part at least, where the surface appears merely granulate, or the whole area may be thus sculptured and without distinct wrinkles; hind metatarsi usually clear testaceous, rarely dark.) .... nitidiusculus K. 52 (March, 56 (55) Srd, 4tli, and 5tli segments Leneatli without these conspicuous lateral tufts. (Anterior area of the propodeuiu usually with dense, fine wrinkles over practically the whole surface.) 57 (58) 2nd joint of hind tarsi, viewed on the outer side, and seen at its widest, quite elongate ; face in front view wide, the clypeus little produced. (Hind tarsi dark.) mittutus K. 58 (57) 2ud joint of hind tarsi, viewed at its widest, only about as long as wide ; face longer and narrower, the clypeus produced. (Tarsi variable in colour, either clear testaceous or dark.) .... rufitarsis Zett. (atricorm's Sni.). (To be continued.) A FEW NOTES ON COLEOPTERA IN 1921. BY HOKACE BONISTHOKPE, P.Z.S., F.E.S., ETC. Personally I had a very successful year with Coleoptera in 1921, ttiid the following notes only deal with a few of my captures. Although the continuous hot weather and drought rendered general collecting almost useless, hunting for a special beetle often proved successful, the species being concentrated in a smaller area. Psehplms dresdensis Hbst. On May SOth, 1905, Mr. G. E. Bryant took one specimen of this rare Pselaphid at Wisley Pond, Surrey [Ent. Mo. Mag. xli, p. 159 (1905)], and, though he subsequently captured more specimens, it had not been found there since, as far as 1 am aware. I have tried for it on several occasions during the last few years without success luitil 1921 when I found it in numbers. The water in the pond was very low when I visited it on July 11th, and one could walk knee-deep through the dry moss and sphagnum nearly to the middle. It had occurred to me that the species might be concentrated near the water, and such pro-\ ed to be the case. 13y pulling np handfuls of a stiff green moss (in my experience it did not occur iu sphagnum), and shaking it over paper the Fselaji/ius was found to be present in numbers. 2'riplax lacorda'irei Crotch. On June 25th I found this beetle in numbers, with its larvae in a bunch of fungus {Fleitrotiis enomins) on an old stump in Darenth Wood. Some of this fungus was taken home and put into a tin, and many more of the beetles were reared from the larvae during the year. 1 have been hunting for this insect at Darenth Wood for the last thirty years. It was originally taken by Champion in that locality very many years ago [Ent. Mo. Mag. vi, p. 136 (1869) etc.], and subsequently by Walker in 1889 and 1898 ; but only a few specimens have been found since the first capture. Meliyethes fulvipes Bris. This is another species I have been looking for for many years. The late II. S. Gorham told me lie had taken it in Chippenham Fen and that it sjjould occur in Wicken Fen. The records in Fowler do not by any means apply to a Fen species ; however, on August 11th .1922.] 53 I swept up a yellow-leg'g-erl Meligethes in a Fen near Watevbeach, Cambridge- shire, which proved to be this species. Corticaria eppelsheimi Reitt. On October 7th this beetle occurred in some numbers, both in tlie "packing" oi afuliyinosus nest situated in a bircli- tree near Wolfing and under bark of an oak tree near by. I am indebted to Mr. Champion for the identification of the insect. It will be remembered it was first added to the British list [Ent. Mo. Mag. xliv, p. 127 (1908)] on s])ociiuens taken by him at Woking and in the New Forest. As lar as I am aware, no other collector has recorded this species from Britain. Laemophloeus bimaculatus Pk. On June 21st and July 1st L. bimaciilatus was present in numbers under bark of a dead hornbeam and some dead beeches in Richmond Park. The drought had no doubt killed these tine trees, which were situated in a grove in one part of the Park : in the autumn they were cut down and removed. Richmond Park is a very old record given by Fowler for this beetle. Although I have collected there regularly for many years past I never found it there before. Henoticus californicus Mann. I reared a series of this beetle from larvae which were feeding on the mould on parchment covers of jam-jars from a Loudon jam factory, given to me in 1920. The perfect insects hatched out from February 2nd to 27th, 1921. On putting them aAvay in my cabinet I perceived that they were identical with a beetle which had been named for me Henoticus serratus Gyll., and which I had captured on a window in Newbury Station on August 2ord, 1906. Moreover, Mr. Black kindly lent me a specimen of the true H. serratus, which species he had recently captured in Scotland, and I found my specimen did not agree with it. Mr. S. A. Blenkarn first recorded II. californicus Mann. {=gerv amicus Reitt.) in Britain from a London warehouse in 1912 [Ent. Mo. Mag. xlviii, p. 263, 286 (1912)]; it will thus be seen that my capture has six years' priority. The correction in the synonymy has recently been made by Mr. Champion [op. cit. Ivii, p. 12 (1921)]. Trogodenna k/iapra Arrow. Towards the end of last year a sample of malt was sent to me from a brewery at Salisbury, which contained a number of dead specimens of this beetle and very many living larvae of the same. Some of the malt I placed in a small plaster-of-Paris cell, and the rest in a large glass-topped box. The larvae do not seem to have eaten any of the orain since I had them, though some holes have been eaten in the plaster, and are now all huddled together in corners of the boxes, evidently hibernating. I believe most of the iJermestidae hibernate in the larval stage ; I have now, in my study, living larvae of Trinodes hirtus, Tiresias serra, Anthremis {ckn-iger?}, and the Trogodenna, none of which are eating, but are in good condition, though quiescent. T. khapra is becoming a most serious pest in this country, the insect having increased and spread to an alarming extent: Salisbury is quite a new area for it. An interesting paper on .the beetle may be found in the "Brewer's Gazette " (July 7th-August 4th, 1921), written and illustrated by Mr. James Scott, The author is not an entomologist, and some amusing remarks occur— "Mr. G. J. Arrow, Entomologist to the British Museum, who eventually identified them as Trogoderma khapra. In con- sequence, his own name was bracketed behind that of the insects ! " etc. — otherwise the paper is accurate and instructive, and explains the origin and 5^ [March, iutrod action of tie species into this countr^y, and Low it is spreading. Walker records [Ent. Mo. Mag. liii, p. 165 (1917)] that on July 30th, 1908, he found a few specimens and larvae of a Trogodenna in a granary at Strood, Kent, which prove to be identical with the species described bj' Arrow in 1917. Caenocara hovistae Hoffni. I have recorded [Ent. Rec.xxxii, p. 199 (1920)] that in September 1920 I collected a number of Lycoperdons at Freckenhani and Barton Mills, which I took home and placed on damp sand in large glass bowls, tied over with muslin; and that at the former locality I had captured several female C. bovistae crawling on large puft'-balls. Nothing appeared in the bowl for either locality (except rocadlus femajmetis in large numbers in both, and nothing further from the Barton Mills puff-balls) until April 19tli, 1921, when five specimens of C. bovistae were observed running about on the lycoperdons. The beetles continued to appear up to May 30th ; some twenty- nine in all being reared, consisting of six (5 c? and twenty-three $ §. When mature the perfect insects ate their way out of pulF-balls of various species and sizes. Fowler does not refer to the differences between the sexes; the S characters are very distinct — it is smaller, less rounded, and the seventh joint of the antennae (the first of tlie three serrate joints) is considerably longer transversely and more pointed than in the 5 . The only other insects which hatched out in the bowl were seven specimens of the Cryptinid rhyijaderton assimilis, all covered with thf hypopi of an Acarus, some so thickly that they were hardly able to walk. As nothing else ever hatched out from the putt-balls, and as I subsequently most carefully examined the contents of the bowl without finding a trace of any other insect, I can only conclude that the Ichneumon is parasitic on the Caenocara, or possibly on Pocadins ; though as it was not present in the Barton Mills bowl (where Pocadius was most abundant), this does not seem so probable. Cryj^tucephalus biguttatns Scop. In 1916 the late W. E. Sharj) showed me the spot near Crowthorne where he discovered this fine beetle. We were not fortunate enough to find it on that occasion, and on other visits 1 was equally unsuccessful. In 1920 I found what appeared to me to be a very suitable locality some distance away from the original spot ; but I only succeeded in taking a specimen of C. lineola. In July 1921 1 made several visits to my locality, aud eventually obtained a nice series of both C. biguttatus and C. lineola. Dr. Nicholson pointed out [Ent. Mo. Mag. Ivii, p. 36 (1921)] that the beetle always occurs on Erica tetralix, and this is undoubted!}^ the case. I must confess, however, that I only actually spotted one on the plant, hanging on to a flower-head, when it was very conspicuous (I saw five specimens of C. lineola in the same position) ; but the rest I swept over a large area, only where this Erica was growing. My explanation is as follows : — I have shown [Ent. Mo. Mag. liii, p. 128 (1917)] that all the species of Crgptocephalus (as do Clgthra and GynandropUhabna) lay a covered e^g which they let fall. The ^^g is covered with the excreta of the beetle, which she arranges round it with her posterior tarsi, and whilst doing this she hangs on to a plant or leaf with the other legs. Some C. biguttatus $ $ I took laid naked eggs in the tubes in which they had been placed., and little bits of excreta were also present — the beetles not being able to arrange it round the eggs when they could not hang on to something. The covered eggs would be dropped amongst the moss, etc., 1922.] 55 at the roots of the heather, ami the larvae, when hatched, feed on the lichen and algae at the roots of the herbage. It is also probable that as the J like- wise sits on the ^/7c«,both sexes devour the nectar of the flowers — the 2 thus putting the plant to a twofold use. Cassida nehulosa L. My experience with this beetle has so far been rather unfortunate ; although T have perhaps been able to add a little to the knowledge of its life-history. Having heard that it had been taken by the late W. E. Sharp and others on Gnaphalium, in the neighbourhood of Wokingham, I paid a visit to that locality on September 6th, 1920. After much exploring I found a field in which the food-plant occurred in abundance. Having swept for some time without result, I settled down to searching the plants, and eventually found two Cassida 7iebulosa pupae, but nothing more. The pupa is narrower, more pointed, and has shorter tail-forks than in other species I have previously reared, i. e., C. viarraea, C. viridis, etc. Neither of the two nehulosa pupae hatched, but from both some thirteen very small Chalcids emerged from two and three holes bored through the dorsal surface of the mesothorax and abdomen. In July 1921 I again visited this field, only to find it had been ploughed up— no sign of the food-plant being present. I next went to Cambridgeshire, as Mr. Allen had kindly furnished me with a plan of a fen near Waterbeach, where he and Dr. Nicholson had taken C. iiebnlosa on Chenopodium album in 1919. I journeyed to Cambridge on August 24th, and, hiring a bicycle, rode out to the spot, only to find that this field also had been ploughed up, no C7ieno2)odiuin being present. Having noticed, as I rode out from Waterbeach, a field with mixed herbage, which had looked likely to me, I returned to that spot, where I at once found a good patch of Chenopodium album. By sweeping and searching J obtained one perfect insect and one larva. (I also found a specimen of Cassida equestris on the Chenopodium — there being no Water-mint, the usual food-plant of C. equestris, anywhere near. This specimen had beautiful golden rims to the base of the thorax and elytra, which persisted for some weeks after death before they disappeared.) C. albxwi is plentiful in some of the roads near my house at Putney. The perfect insect ate the leaves and buds of the plant, and the larvae round holes in the leaves. The excreta, which is carried on the forked tails, closely resembles the buds of the plant. The larva pupated on August 28th, but, alas! early in September a number of the same small Chalcids emerged from four holes bored through the dorsal surface of the meso-, metathorax, and first abdominal segments. Apion brachypterum Sharp. In July I swept a number of a small red Ainon in Richmond Park, which Dr. Sharp tells me is A. br achy pte rum. 'J he beetle was very abundant (July 26th, etc.), but only on bracken in one pait of the Park. Xyleborus saxeseni Ptatz. This little Scolytid was very common on the trees in Richmond Park on which I had found Laemophloeus bimaculatus. I have frequently found it before, both in the Park and elsewhere, but never in feuch numbers, nor had I ever found the male. On May 6th and July 19th I captured single specimens of that sex for the first time. 19 ILulewell Road, Putney Hill, S.W. 15. January 30th, 1922. "5(5" [March, NOTE ON SOME HYMENOPTEEOUS PARASITES AND OTHEE ENEMIES OF TORTRIX riRIDANA LINN.: WITH FUETHER EECORDS OF CHALCIDIDAE SWAEMING IN BUILDINGS. BY HUGH SCOTT, M.A., SC.D.,' T.E.S. The two subjects mentioned in the title may at first sight seem quite unrelated one to the other, but in reality there is a connection between them. In tlie "Entomologist's Monthly Magazine " for Jan. 1919, p. 13, I published an account o£ the occurrence of vast swarms of females of the Chalcidid Pferomalus deplaiiatus Nees in certain houses for several seasons in succession. Names of a number of insects said to be hosts of this parasite were collected from the literature, and it was shown to be very unlikely that the swarms were derived from Anobiid beetles in the woodwork of the buildings (as had been supposed), but much more probable that they were parasites of the too abundant Tortrlx viridana. Proof is now forthcoming that this moth is a host (though not the only host) of the Pferomalus, as in 1921 I bred 43 examples of the latter, all apparentlj^ females, from pupae of the Toririx. The purpose of the present paper is to give particulars of this, and of the breeding of three other species of parasites (Ichneu- monidae) from Tortrix viridana ; a brief note on other enemies of this moth ; and, finally, to place on record certain further occurrences of swarms of Chalcidids, both Pteromalns deplanatus and Stenomahfs i/itiscarum, in buildings. Certain works have been consulted, but the literature has not been exhaustively searched, my purpose being mainlv to put on record my own observations, to be made use of by other workers if needed. I. BREEDING OF PTEROMALUS BEPLANATUS FROM TOR TRIX VI RID A NA. A number of pupae of the Toririx were collected on June 7th. 1921, l)y beating oak-trees in a wood in the Southern part of Cambridgeshire. The pupae were placed on some soil in a glass bowl with gauze stretclied over the top, and the soil was occasionally lightly moistened. When a series of the moths had emerged, there remained some abnormally small and sliort pupae, from which tlie Chalcidids issued as follows : — 19 came out from two pupae on June 29th ; these were removed that day, and 12 more emerged from a single pupa on June 30th or 3\\\j 1st; finally, on July 6th the remaining pupae were broken open and examined, and from one of them 12 more examples of the Pferomalus ran actively out. The 43 CMiak'idlds therefore emerged from four pupae, and in two cases the actual number from a single pupa was seen to be 12. In each of the three pupae, from which they issued Avlthout assistance, they made a single small hole of rather irregular shape. In one case this is thoracic and ventral in position, on the left side, piercing through the sheaths of the imaginal legs. In the other two pupae the hole is ventro-lateral and abdominal, immediately behind the wing-sheaths. The 43 specimens have been examined by Dr. Waterston and are almost certainly all females : only in a few cases it is not possible to be absolutely sure of the sex without floating the specimen off its card. Dr. Waterston has kindly supplied the following record : — In the British Museum there is a 5 of Pt- deplanatus bred from the mine of a Tineid moth in crab-apple at Fairhill, Tonbridge, Kent, in April 1917, by P. A. Buxton. II. ICHNEUMONIDAE BRED FROM TORTRIX VIRIDANA. The three species of Ichneumonidae bred from other pupae of the TorfrLv collected at the same time are : — (i) Fhaeogones siimuhdor Gravenliorst (Ichnemnoniiiae ; see Morley, Icliii. Brit. I, p. 260). One S and five $ $, emerged 27-30.vi.l921. They were named by comparison with the series arranged by Mr. Moiloy in the British Museum, which includes a $ {ex Coll. Linn. Soc.) named by Gravenhorst. My five $ 5 vary in length (excluding antennae) from about 5'5 to 8 mm. The smallest $ , which emerged later than the rest, has the antennae abnor- mally short, with much fewer segments tlian the normal ; the funicle is ratlier a light ferruginous colour throughout, the whitish band, which in normal specimens occupies about segments 9-11, not being distinguished from the rest ; in this example also the abdomen does not seem to have attained its full black coloration, hut is dark ferruginous, especially towards the apex. Morley {loe. cit.) states that this species is widely distributed on the Continent, and has been frequently bred from pupae of Tortrix mridana. (ii) Pimpla brassicaviae Poda (Pimplinae : see Morley, op. cit. Ill, p. 109). One small $, emerged between June 27th and 29th, 1921. Named by c.m- parison with the series arranged by Mr. Morley in the British Museum, and with specimens in the Cambridge Museum also named by him. This specimen is referred to brassicariae mainly on account of the characteristic, markedly canaliculate, form of the first segment of the gaster, and the absence of pale vittae on the mesonotum. Its inner orbital margins are, however, narrowly white, the apex of the scutollum and postscutellum are also white, and the hind tibiae are pale-banded, in all of which features it inclines more to- the closely-allied P. rufata Gmel. The British Museum contains specimens of both these species named by Gravenhorst, and my example agrees with Gravenhorst's si)ecimeu of brassicariae more closely than with his example of rufata. Morley {loc. cit.) does not record P. brassicariae from Turtri.v viruJana, though he does record P. rufata from that host. 5g [March, (iii) Lahrorhychus nigricornis Wesmael (Opliioninae : spe Morley, o/?, cit. V. p. 247). One c?, emerj^ed between June 27th and 29th, 1921. Determined by comparison with examples in the Cambridge Museum which were named by Mr. Morley : apparently quite- typical. Not recorded by Morley as bred from Tortrix viridana. The eight pupae from which these Ichneumonids emerged were all found in the breeding- vessel. None are quite the full length and several are very small and short, one which is only 6 mm. long being the tiniest of all the pupae collected. All the Ichneumonids emerged at the head end. In two cases the head end is entirely gone, a jagged edge being left all round. In a third, not only the part forming the sheath of the imaginal head, hut also all the part covering the antennae and legs, has broken neatly away, leaving a wide opening between the wing-sheaths. In the remaining five pupae there is a rather small and \erj in-egular opening, antero-ventral, just behind the imaginal eyes and in the region of the mouth-parts. In addition to the above three species, the following list of Ichneumonids recorded from Tortrix viridana has been compiled from Morley's " Ichneumonologia Britannica," Vols. I-V. The volume- and page-references are to that work. Several of these species are, however, only recorded therein as having been bred from this host on the Continent, not in England : — Vol. I (Ichneumoninae) : p. 267, Diadromus candidat.m Grav. Vol. II (Cryptinae) : p. 133, Hemiteles areator Panz. Vol. Ill (Pimplinae) : p. .51, Theronia atalantae Poda ; [p. 60, Pimpla c/raminellae Holmgr., somewhat doubtful] ; p. 63, P, inquisitor 8cop. ; p. 80, P. pictipes Grav. ; p. 100, P. exa77iinator Fabr. ; p. 105, P. macidator Fabr. ; p. 112, P. rufula Gmel. ; p. 168, Olypta cicatricosa Ratz. ; p. 242, Phytodiaetus polyzonias Forst. ; p. 244, Ph. coryphaeus Grav. Vol. IV (Trvphoninae) : p. 37, Exochus glohnlipes Desv, Vol. V (Ophiominae) : p. 115, Limnerium albidum Gmel. III. OTHER ENEMIES OF TORTRIX VIRIDAXA. My observations under this head are very slight. (i) Calopteryx virgo. On June 21st, 1921, by one of the streams at Queen's Bower, New Forest, a J dragonfly of this species was seen fluttering a few feet above the ground and carrying a specimen of the Tortrix. On being- approached it dropped the moth, which seemed to be dead. (ii) Empidae, sp. On the preceding day, June 20th, in New Park Enclosure (Brockenhurst), at about 9 p.m. (summer time), a large reddish- brown fly was noticed carrying a specimen of the Tortrix. The fly was probablj"^ Empis livida (see below), though in the failing light it could not be very clearly seen and I was unable to catch it. It dropped the moth, which in this case also appeared to be quite dead. 1922.] 59 In Professor Poulton's lists o£ " Predaceous Insects and their Prey " Tortrix viridana is mentioned (Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 190G, pp. 356, 382 389) as being the prey o£ the Asilid fly Neoitamus cyanurus, and of Empis livida, in great numbers in both cases. In Mr. H. Campion's lists of " Dragonflies and their Prey " [Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. (8) xiii, 1914, pp. 495-504] it appears in four separate records, as the prey of Enallagma cyathigenm, Agrion puella (twice), and Anax imperator. IV. FURTHER RECORDS OF SWARMS OF CHALCIDIDAE IN BUILDINGS. A. Pteromalus deplanatus. It is unnecessary to recapitulate the particulars given in my former paper. Some additional informa- tion may be condensed as follows : — Hascombe, Surrey. The Rev. C. Sadler, who supplied most of the infor- mation on which my former paper was based, has reported tliat the Chalcidid invasion was just as had in 1919 as in 1918, while in 1920 the insects were much less abundant, causing practically no inconvenience ni the house, though during mild weather in November, and when artificial heating was begun m the church, they appeared in the latter building in considerable numbers. In 1921 Mr Sadler wrote on February 25th, that after a mild spell the creatures had reappeared in his house in a semi-torpid state ; but during the succeeding summer they were so much less than in the preceding years that he scarcely noticed them again till after October 23rd, when, artificial heating having been started in the church, they appeared in great numbers in the stoke-hole and crawling about other parts of the buikling. He also alluded (wntmg 25.n.l921) to a cottao-e about two miles away, where a first-floor room facmg East had been severely infested, while in the ground-floor room below none of the Pteromali had been seen. Heve7' Kent. Mr. E. G. B. Meade-Waldo reported that while the Chalcidid incm-sion into his house was bad in 1918, it was much worse in 1919, but very much less in 1920. This tallies with the report from Hascombe. Mr. Meade- Waldo stated that in 1919 the mvasion seemed to be at its heioht later than in the preceding ye^ir, October, November, and December being the months when the greatest inconvenience was caused: even carpets were covered with the creatures, which sometimes extin- guished lights by their numbers. Their extreme abundance in 1919 coincided with the worst visitation of Tortrix viridana and other oak-moths which he could remember occurring in the district. The woods were hare tdl July.* In 1920 on the other hand, defoliation of the woods was bad early m tlie season, but seemed to be suddenly checked about May, after which the trees recovered. . *Mr.Meade-Waldo'^i^hat larvae fell and ate plants beneath ^^llll^l^^l'^l^'^^^tZ in the same year. 60 [March, Crawley, Sussex. Earlj^ in 1020 I liefird that infestations of liouses liad occurred in tliis district, but did not see specimens of tlie insects or go into the matter in detail. IIand'i?corth, Birmingham. A small visitation is recorded by Mr. 0. J. Waiuwright, Ent. Mo. Mag. 1922, p. 39. Felden, Herts. In my earlier paper (p. 14) I mentioned that a swarm liad occurred in this place, but gave no details. Mr. Claude Morley has now kindly told me that the insects wei*e present only on the South-East window of a bedroom with three windows, in the late Albert Piffard's house, and that tlie date when he saw them was September 27th-October 1st, 1901. The date of the year is worthj^ of note, because it is possible that there is a definite periodicity in the occurrence of these swarms of parasites, depending on n periodicity in the extra abundance of their hosts, as has been observed with other parasites and their hosts. It may be that swarms occurred about 1901, and that then followed a cycle of years in which the Chalcidids were not so numerous as to swarm, till they began to attract notice again by their myiiads from about 1916 onwards. B. Stekomalus muscaeum. This Chalcidid also is known to swarm in liouses at times, and two occurrences of this which have come to my notice may be recorded. It seems that nothing is known with real certainty as to the hosts of tliis parasite, though it is said to have been bred from puparia of Muscid flies. Little Shelford, Cambridgeshire. A great swarm occurred in 1920 at the house of the late J. F. Eaden, M.A. A sample from the infested rooms, received 22. xi. 1920, consisted almost entirely of the Anthomyiid fly Zm/wo- fhora humilis Zett. { = s€pte7nnotata Zett.), of wdiich about 100 examples, all 5> were counted *, and of Stenomalus muscanim (J. Waterston det.), of which several thousands at least, all 5? were present. Besides these two species the sample contained only six specimens of Pteromalus deplanatus: also a single specimen of lihgpMis and of a Culicid, but these might occur on any window, and cannot be regarded as part of the swarm. Mrs. Eaden stated that visitations of myriads of small insects have taken place in the house for a long succession of years. A number of rooms are affected more or less, but especially three first-floor rooms facing South-East and one (warmed by pipes) facing North-West. The South-East rooms are three in a row, two large rooms each with a big window, and between them a smaller room with a much smaller window : the two big rooms are heavily, but the small room verj-^ little, infested. The iiisects are most numerous in the narrow crevices round the window-sashes. They have not been observed to get behind the glass of pictures. The flies appeared about the end of August, the Chalcidids later, about September. The insects disappear in frosty w^ealher. It is thouoht that the Chalcidids have been preeent in the * The house at Little Shelford is distant about P>k miles as the crow flies from Babraham Hall, where occurred the vast swariii of Limn ophor a and of Chhropisca recrded by tlie writer, Ent. Mo. Mag. 1918, p. 18. Since then a number of records have been published on swarms, especially in Scotland, of which the Limnopkora was a principal component: see " Scottish Naturalist," 1916 pp. 81, 114, 139; 1917, p. 118 : c/. Ent. Mo. Mag. 19^2, pp. 20, 38. 19^2.] Gl swarrua for some years at least, Lut this is not sure, as previous swarms Lave not been critically examined. I saw the rooms on May 26th, 1921, but there was then no trace of flies or Clialcidids, alive or dead, exposed or concealed ; but this must be attributed partly to thorough cleaning up of dead and torpid insects. The rooms face gardens and park-land. J'evei/, Switzerland. Dr. Charles Ferriere, of the Museum at Berne, wrote (March 12th, 1919) that he bad seen in October 1916 thousands of Chalcidids in a house near Vevey, in rooms facing South, and had determined them as Stenninaltis imtscarum, but not with entire certaintj'. The occurrence of the Stenomcdus in company with hibernating flies is discussed by Major T. K. Gaskell and Dr. Waterston, " Scottish Naturalist," 1916, pp. 139-14'2. The places iVom which the latter had seen samples are Largo, Fifeshire (in company with the Limnopliora and several other flies) ; Swindon, Gloucestershire (in company with Limnopliora and Follenia rudis) ; and Hever, Kent (on windows in Mr. Meade- Waldo's house, xii.1915). University Museum of Zoology, Cambiidge. Fehruary Qth, 1922. NOTES ON THE BIONOMICS OF AN APHIDOPHAGOUS FLY OF THE GENUS LEUCOPIS IN THE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN, BY E. COTTAM, Entomological Laboratory Assistant, Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratories, Khartoum. Dm-ing November 191-1 the larva of a small silverj'-grey fly belonging to the genus Leuco])is w^as noticed feeding on the dura aphis {ApJiis soiyhi Theob.), and the following year, fi-om February to April, an opportunity presented itself of studying its habits in the vicinity of Khartoum. A croj) of dura {Sorghum vulgare Pers.) growing at the Mogren — the junction of the Blue and White Niles — was heavily in- fested with A. sorghi, and in company with the larvae of the syrphid {Sgrjjhus oeggjjfius Wd.) and the coccinellids {Cocci nella vicina Muls. and C. luideciinpunctata Linn.) were large numbers of the larva of the Leucopis species preying upon the aphis. The combined efforts of these predacious larvae had a marked effect in keeping the aphis in check. A Leucopis species was further noted, in February of that year, as being the onl}^ predacious insect attacking the cotton aphis {A. gossypii Glover) infesting cotton on Tuti Island near Khartoum North. Throughout the entire period from February to April, when the dura crop was cut, all stages of the fly were present on the dura leaves. (52 • [March, indicating that breeding was continuous and that the generations over- lapped. The adults could frequently be seen hovering over the honey- dewed leaves, and on two occasions in the laboratory were observed feeding on the honey-dew, though they could not be induced to take a sugar solution offered them. Flies confined in breeding cages paired in the evening and the females commenced egg-laying two days after emerging from their pupal cases. Oviposition lasted two days and the females then died. Possibly under natural conditions the flies live longer. When engaged in ovipositing the female Leucopis hovers over the aphid-infested leaves as does a female sj'rphid. The eggs are deposited siuglj^ on the leaves, close to the colonies of aphides and are attached in a horizontal position to the surface of the leaf. When on dura leaves they were invariably found on the underside of the leaf, but on cotton leaves were seen only on the upperside. They may readily be dis- tinguished from tlie eggs of Syrjylnis aecjyptius, with which they occur, by their small size; they are barely visible to the naked eye, while the syrphid ^^^ is 1 mm. in length. The eggs ©f the coccinellids are also comparatively large, and are moreover arranged in a vertical position on the leaf. From breeding experiments, it was found that the average number of eggs laid by one fly was 34 ; possibly a number considerably in excess of this would be produced by flies being under natural conditions. The larvai occur among the aphides on which they feed. Their method of progression resembles that of a geometer cater^iillar, and may be described as follows : — The insect grasps the surface of the leaf ajjpai-ently with its mo\ith and then, arching its bod}'', brings its pos- terior end close to its head. Attaching itself by its anal prolegs it releases its head-end and extends itself to take fresh hold with its mouth. When feeding the larva seizes either the leg or body of an aphis by means of its mandibles and sucks the body-juices. When once a hold upon an aphis has been obtained it is rarely, if ever, released until the unfortunate creature has been sucked dry. The emjDty aphid skins are left attached to the leaf. Under laboratory conditions the life-cycle from egg to adult was completed in eleven days, the various stages being as follows :— egg- stage, 2 days ; larval stage, 5 days ; pupal stage, 4 days. The entire life-cycle may be considered as being thirteen days, for, as noted above, the adult female commences egg-laying two days after emergence. The larva was observed to moult only twice during its five days of develop- ment. When ready to moult it attaches itself to the leaf, a longitudinal 1P22.] 63 split appears on the dorsum of the old skin and the larva slowly frees itself, leaving the old skin attached to the leaf. Frequently the larva is seen eating aphides before it has left the old skin. Prior to pupating the larva attaches itself very firmly to the leaf in a horizontal position by means of a sticky black fluid ; the pupal case is formed of the old larval skin. The adult escapes by pushing off the lid of the pupal case, Econo7nic importance. — This small fly undoubtedly assists mate- rially in the control of the aphides affecting the two main crops of the Sudan, its short life-cycle compensating for the relatively small numbers of eggs produced by each female. The number of Leucopis eggs — • exclusive of other stages — found on twelve aphid-infested dura leaves, picked at random, varied from 7 to 153, with an average of 93. Descriptions of stages. — Adult. Length 2*25 mm., general colour silvery-grey. Head, thorax, and abdomen silvery-grey, sparsely clothed with black bristles. Head large, almost as broad as the thorax and with thi'ee ocelli ; compound eyes dark brown and widely separated in both sexes ; antennae greyish-brown, arista bare. Thorax \v\l\\ four longi- tudinal dorsal stripes, the inner pair grey, the outer pair greyish-black ; halteres ivory-white. Abdomen with two conspicuous black spots on the dorsum of the second segment, Egg. — Length "SS mm,, colour ivory-Avhite when newly deposited, darkening to leaden as the embrj^o develops. In shape elongate-oval, tapering towards either end. Surface marked with shallow longitudinal striae. Larva. — Length when mature 3 mm. First-stage larva ivory-white in colour, spiny, Avith two prominent anal processes — the spiracles — resembling the eye-stalks of a snail and pro jecting from either side of the anal segment ; body flattened dorso-ventrally, narrow anteriorly, and abruptly truncated jjosteriorly. Second-stage larva transparent glossy white with a girdle of spiny tubercles of the same colour on each segment; a series of longitudinal ivory-white stripes visible through the skin on the dorsum. Mature larva glossy transparent creamy- Avhite, much flattened dorso-ventrally ; spiny tubercles arranged in girdles, those situated laterally being larger than those on the dorsum ; lateral tubercles arranged in three longitudinal rows ; white lines showing through the skin of the dorsum each in the form of a V. three in number, situated parallel to each other and with their apices directed posteriorly ; apices of spiracles black. Pupa. — Length 2-5 mm, to 3*5 mm,, colour light to dark brown. In shape elongate-oval, flattened dorso-ventrally; two prominent pro- cesses on the anal segment. ^^ [March, liaftiral enemy.—L ehalcid, as yet undetermined, lias been bred from the pupa of the Lcucopis species. This parasite is 1-75 mm. in length and Prussian blue in colour, with black and yellow legs. Summary. The occurrence of an aphidophagous fly of the genus Leucopis is recorded, and the following observations on its life-histoiy and habits noted : — 1. Its life-cycle is completed in 13 days. 2. -Breediug is continuous while aphides are present on the plant. 3. It occurs in sufficient numbers and is so voracious in its feedincr-l)al)its as to constitute a valuable check to the increase of the aphi Jes infesting dura and cotton. 4. It is parasitised by a minute hymenopteron. Khartoum. Is'ovemher 3r(7, 1 92 1 . " Etudes de Zoogfi,ographie," par J. Samte-Claire Deuilie.— In the " Annales de la Society entomologique de Eelgique/' Ixi, pp. 390-421 (Jan. 192'^) under the above title, there is a paper by Col. Deville on the geographical distribution of certani palaearctic Coleoptera of particular interest to British entomologists, many of our well-known beetles being enumerated in it. Eleven specie^, ten' of which are British, have been specially selected for illustration, and ske'tch- uiaps showing the distribution of each of them are given : the insects thus mentioned are Leisfus rufiharbis Dej., Empleurus {Helophorus) pormlus Bedel, Hydroporus obsoletus Aub6, Pseudopsis sulcata Newm., Boreaphilns velox Heer [a Staphylinid related to Eudectus], Stenm gwjnemeri Duv., Chrysomda banlcsi ¥., Calathus piceus Marsh., Anchonidium unyuiculnre Aube, Parnphaedon tumididus Germ., and Quedius tristis Grav. The author calls attention to a work by Dr. E. F. Scharff, entitled " European Animals, their Geographical History and Geographical Distribution," London, 1907, the perusal of which has assisted him in the present " :^tiides " on the Coleoptera.— Eds. " Konoivia;' Zeitschrift fur systematische Lis,ddc),Mmcle : another ento- mological periodical-This new venture is a continuation of the " Zeitschr. fur syst. Hymen, und Dipterologie," which was supervised by the late Pastor Ivonow till his death, when it came to an abrupt end. '• Konowia " is edited by Dr. Reinh. Meyer, of Landsberg a. Warthe, Germany, and published by Fritz Wagner ,n Vienna. Band I, Heft. 1-2, pp. 1-96, was issued on Jan. 15th, 1922, the entire volume to include three parts, each with two hefts, and the subscription price for Great Britain and Colonies is fixed at ten shillings. The first part contains papers on Bymemptera by Dr. E. Enslin, Dr H Hedicke, Dr. F. K. Stockhert, Dr. H. Friese, and Dr. H. lUhermehl, Dipter'a by Th. Becker and Dr. Gunther Enderlein, Trkhoptera by R. P. L. Navas, and Thymnoptera by Dr. Hermann Priesuer. The annual subscription, if the same amount of matter is given iii the follu^^ilJg hefts, is moderate, considering the present cost of printing, etc.— Eds. 1922.] 35 Carpo2)hilus liyneus Murray in Britohi. — On several occasions recently specimens of tliis beetle have been sent to the Natural History Museum for determination. They come from different localities and in each case were found in connection with merchandise, e.g. dried Californian plums (Liverpool per H. Britten) ; dried apples (Penarth, Tomlin) ; jelly blocks (London); also from Birmingham and the Isle of Wight. The species was described from Mexico and later taken in some numbers by the collectors for the " Biologia t'entrali-Americana," but dues not appear to have been hitherto noticed in Europe as a pest to commerce. Its congener, C. hemipterus L., widely known as the " Dried-fruit Beetle," is now of almost cosmopolitan distri- bution as a pest of dried fruits and other provisions, and if the adoption of similar habits by C. li(ineus is at all general its i-apid spread as a com- mercial pest is to be anticipated. Of the species recorded by Fowler it is most nearly related to C. se.rpustalutus F., the affinities of these species being indicated by the following key : — 1. Thorax strongly convex from side to side, its base as wide as that of elytra : elytra not as long as together broad. ... 2. Thorax dorsally depressed with lateral margins notably explanate, base narrower than that of elytra, the sides sinuate before the posterior angles ; elytra longer than together broad 3. 2. Thorax much narrowed at apex, elytra each with large pale spot at apex. .... hemijjtenis L. Thorax scarcely narrower at apex than at base, elytra without apical ]iale spot dimidiafits F. {niutilidus Er.). 3. Base of thorax truncate, puncturation of upper side strong, form more elongate ; elytra distinctly longer than broad (7 : 6), each with 2 or 3 indistinct pale spots scvpudulotus F. Base of thorax broadly rounded, sinuate in middle, puncturation fine ; elytra scarcely longer- than together broad, without pale spots .... liyneus Murr. — K. G. Blair, British Museum (Nat. Hist.) : February 2nd, 1922. Lissodema cursor Gyll., etc., at Box Hill. — I have pleasure in recording the capture of a specimen of Lissodema cursor under bark on Ranmore Com- mon, on August 1st last. Tlie season here has, in common with most places, been very erratic, Cassida fastuosa occurred in its usual haunt fairly abundantly in the spring and early summer, but species like Licinus depressus and Lehia chlorocephala were almost, if not entirely (in the latter case), absent. Two specimens each of Lebia cyanocephala and Bythinus glabratus resulted from hours of hunting. — Stanley A. Blenkarn, Burford Lodge, Box Hill Dorking : January 20^A, 1922. Deiopeia pulvhella L. at Southsea. — In the latter end of September I took a specimen of Deiopeia pulchella J in a small field near the sea at Southsea, Hants. As I gather from the works of reference which I have at hand that the species is a rare immigrant, I thought that it might be worth recording. — Norman L. Cole, Moncrieff, Cirencester, Glos, : February 10th, 1922. 66 [March, bituanr. William Lucas Bidant, we regret to announce, died on February 4tli, in a nursing home at Wanstead, Essex, aged 77 years. He was born at Kother- liithe on November 12th, 1845, and was the only surviving son of Capt. Alexander Distant, in whose company on a whaling voyage to the Malayan Peninsula, in 1867, he first developed a love for natural history. In his early life Uistaut was connected with a tannery in London, and while engaged in this business he paid two lengthy visits to the Tran.svaal, and thus became interested in the fauna of that region. The experiences of his first journey there, 1890-1, are related in his "Naturalist in the Transvaal" (1892). The second visit, made a few years later, was of much longer duration (about four years in all), and gave him sufficient time to amass a large collection of insects, many of these being described and figured in his " Insecta Trans- vaaliensia," twelve parts of which (forming Vol. I) were issued, 1900-11. From April 1899-November 1920 he was employed by the Trustees of the Natural History Museum at S. Kensington to look after and rearrange their extensive collection of Rhynchota, this work occupying him two or three days a week, till failing health put an end to it. Distant began by taking up the study of exotic Lepidoptera, and his first article on this subject appeared in this Magazine in November 1874. But after the publication of the " Illiopalocera Malayana " (1882-6) he devoted nearly the whole of his time to the lihyn- chota. His chief contributions on this subject are, Heteroptera, Vol. I, and Somoptera, Vol. I (part), of the " Biologia Ceutrali-Araericana" (1880-1905) ; a "Monograxih of the Oriental Cicadidae" (1889-92); and the Heteroptera and Homoptera of the "Fauna of British India," 7 vols, in all, 1902-18. A very lai"ge number of papers by him on these and kindred subjects have appeared in our scientific journals, mainly in the " Annals and Magazine of Natural History " and in the " Entomologist " ; his last paper in the " Annals," on Rhynchota from New Caledonia, is dated November 1920. In addition to this lengthy list, he has contributed numerous papers to foreign periodicals, and described the Rhynchota captured by expeditions to the Seychelles, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Kashgar, etc. A contemporary of Bates, Pascoe, Meldola, McLachlan, C. 0. Waterhouse, and W. F. Kirby, he was well known to the older school of entomologists. The deatJi of his wife in 1914, and the loss of one of his sons by drowning in Australia in 1913 and the death of another in hospital in Alexandria in 1915, greatly affected him, and we fear that the subsequent years of his life must have been very unhappy, aggravated in the end by the development of cancer, to which he finally succumbed. Few men, however, have kept up their love of entomological work over so long a period, 1874-1920, and he will be missed by many of the habitues of the Insect Room of the Natural History Museum. Distant was elected a member of the Soci6te Entomologique de France in 1868, and a Fellow of the Entomological Society of London in 1875, serving as Secretary of the latter in 1878-80, and as Vice-President in 1881 and 1900. He was Director and Honorary Secretary of the Anthropological Institute, 1878-81 ; Editor of the '"' Zoologist," 1897-1914 ; and was also a member of the Societe Eutomologique de Belgique. 1022.] g7 Ilis collection of insects, containing- abont oO,000 specimens, cliiefly Rliyn- chota, inclnding over 2500 types, was acquired by the Trustees of the Rritish Miisenm some years ago. Louis Bedel, the French Coleopterist, we have just been informed, died on Jan. 26th. The South London Entomological and Natural History Society: January I2th, 1922. — Mr. E. J. Bunnett, M.A., Vice-President, in the Chair. Mr. I'unnett exhibited Heliophohis hispidus, the dark form from Torquay and the lijifhter form from Dorset, and a very dark aberration of Ortholitha jmlumharia. Mr. Withycombe, larvae of Taeniorlupichiis richanli (Dipt.) attached by siphons to roots of Typha anyustifolia from Epping, with illustrative photo- graphs. Mr. Ily. J. Turner, for Mr. Thomas Greer, Co. Tyrone, the following aberrations recently taken by him: HJiichloe cardamines, (1) d" ^b. maryinata, (2) cJ dark streaks on the orange blotches, (3) tinct, the iiter.sticws transversely rugulose. Head narrower than the prothorax, the eyes rather large ; prothorax strongly transverse, comparatively small, rounded and irregularly crenulate at the sides, constricted behind the median denticle, which is a little more prounnent than the others, and with a deep transverse fovea before the base. Elytra elongate, wider than tlie prothora.x, slightly rounded at the sides. Length l^j, mm. Hah. W, Almora District of Kumaon {R. G. C). One specimen. Less elongate and much smaller than C. orientah's; the prothorax small, strongly transverse, and subangulate at the sides ; tlie elytra closely, finely, confusedly punctate (the interstitial punctures similar to the rest), the sutural stria onW distinct. C. parcicoUis is not unlike the Em-opean C. rlnxf/afa Humm, C O N T E N T S. PAGR The Bi'itisli species of Halictus and Spliecodes (continued). — R. C. L. Perlcins, M.A., D.Sc, F.R.S 49 A few notes on Coleoptera in 1921. — H. St. J. Donisthoi-pe, F.Z.8. 52 Note on some Hymenoi^terous parasites and other enemies of Tortrix viridana Linn. ; with further records of Chalcididae swarming in buildings, — Hugh Scotf, M.A., Sc.D., F.E.S 5G Note on the Bionomics of an Aphidophagous fly of the genus Leucopis in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. — R. Cotta m 61 " Etudes de Zoogeographie," par J. Sainte-Claire DeviUe. — Eds. 64 " Konowia," Zeitschrift fiir systematische Insekteukunde : another entomological periodical. — Eds 64 Carpophilus ligneus Murray in Bi-itain. — K. G. Blair, B.Sc, F.E.S 65 Lissodema cursor Gyll., etc., at Box Hill. — S. A. Blenl:ai'n, F.E.S 65 Deiopeia pulchella L. at Southsea. — N. L. Cole 65 Obituary. — William Lucas Distant, F.E.S 66 Louis Bedel 66 Societies. — South London Entomological Society 67 Entomological Society of London 67 Some Indian -Coleoptera (7) {continued). — G. C. Champion, F.Z.S 68 THU NATURALIST: A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF iSTATUKAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND . EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, M.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., The Museum, Hull ; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., M.Sc, F.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield; WITH THE ASSISTAXCK AS RFrEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS (ISr GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S. , JOHN V^T. TAYIjOR. JVI.Sc, RIIiEY FORTUJSTE, F.Z.S. The Journal is one of the oldest Scientific Periodicals in the British Isles, dating back to 1833, and is cvxxdated u-idely amongst the 2^rincipal Naturalists of the country, London -. A. Brown and Sons, Limited, 5, Faeringdon Avenue E.G. 4, And at Hull and York, PRICE, 1/- NET. Prepaid Subscription, 10/6 per annum, Post free. The Annual Subscription for 1922 is 15,'- Third Series. No. 88.1 atjt,tt ,«no [N0.695.J APRIL, 1922. [Pbice 2/- nkt. THE EHTOMOLOGIST'S MOfiTIlLY MAGAZINE. EDITED BT G. C. CHAMPION, P.Z.S. J. E. COLLIN, F.E.S. W. W. POWLER, D.Sc, M.A., P.L.S. R. W. LLOYD, P.E.S. G. T. PORRITT, P.L.S. J. J. WALKER, M A., R.N., 'P.L.S. VOLUME LVIII. [THIRD SERIES-VOI^* VIII.] •'J'engage done tous a eviter daus leurs ecrits toute personnalite, toute allusion depassant les iimites de la discussion la plus sincere et la , plus oourtoise." — Laboulbene. L 0 N Y) O N : GURNEY & JACKSON (Mr. Van Voorst's Successors), .33, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. 4. TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. The price of the Magazine is 15/ per annum to Subscribers and 2 - a part for single copies. Subscriptions for 1922, which are payable in advance, are now- due and should be remitted as soon as possible to N. LLOYD &. Co., Ltd , Burrell Street Works, Blackfriars, London, S.E. I. SCALE OF CHARGES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. Whole Page £6. Half Page £3 3s Quarter Page £1 14s. Lowest charge, 10s. 6d. up to 5 lines; Is. 6d. per line afterwards. Repeated or continuous Advertisements per contract. There is no charge for Lists of Duplicates or Desiderata. All payments and applications for the above should be made to N. LLOYD 8c Co., Ltd., Burrell Street Works, Blackfriars, London, S.E. 1. AUTHORS are requested to send their conununications and proofs to either J. J. Walker, Aorang-i, Lonsdale Road. Summertown, Oxford ; or G. 0. Champion, Broomhall Road, Horsell. Woking. RECORDS WANTED FOR NORTH HERTS AND SOUTH BEDS. The Letch worth and District Naturalists" Society, who manage Letchworth Museum. are endeavoiTring to work up the lists of fauna and flora of the reg^ion covered l)y their activities (a twelve-mile radius). The writer, being entomological recorder for the above Society, would therefore be extremely grateful for any records of insects, other than Lepidoptera, taken by entomologists who have collected at Royston. or any other locality in North Herts or South Beds. Ray PalmeTo. F.E.S., '■ Ingleliohne." Norton Way. Letcliwortli. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 41 (jneen s Gate, S.W. 7 (nearest stations: South Kensington and Gloucester Road). -April 5th, May 3rd, June 7th, 1922, at 8 p.m. The Library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except on Saturdays, when it is closed at 2 p.m.), and until 10 p.m. on Meeting nights. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge. The Second & Fourth Thursdays in each month, at 7 p.m. The lantern will be at the disposal of Members for the exhibition of slides. THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, now meets in Hall 40. Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2, on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month at 0.30 p.m. General meetings 1st Tuesdays, Sectional meetings 3rd Tiaesdaj's. (No meetings in July or August indoors, but field excursions instead.) IJu7i. Sec. : W. E. Glegc4, Tlie House, Albion Brewery, Whitechapel Road. E. 1. Chingford Branch. The Chingford Local Branch meets at the Avenue Cafe, ■opposite Chingford Station, at 8 p.m., on the 2nd Monday in each month. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT. — This Society has developed from the Soutliamjjton and District Entomo- logical Society. Meetings are held on the First Saturday afternoon of each month at Soutliampton, and other meetings will be arranged in important centres in the county from time to time. Activities being undertaken at the j^i'esent time include the formation of a library, of collections of insects, and the compilation of n county insect fauna list. Will keen entomologists in the county who are interested please communicate with the Hon. Sen., F. J. Killington, 1 St. Catherine's Road, Eastleigh, Hants. 1923.] 78 Hah. W. Almoi-a District of Kumaon (//. G. C). A long series, sexes not identified. A very small, narrow form, with transversely subquadrate, somewhat coarsely punctured prothorax, sharply curvato-striate elj^ra, and the first ventral segment with two longi- tudinal impressed lines, which separate the smoother central space from the coai'sely punctured lateral portions. The European C. histeroides F. has narrower tibiae and wants the ventral lines. Various species of Gerylon from Ceylon and India have been described by Motschulsky, Sharp, and Grouvelle, but the Kumaon insect cannot be identified with any of them. A smaller undescribed form from Dehra Dun (C arcuatum Grouv. in litt.) comes near it. Thorictodes erraticas, n. sp. Elongate, convex, moderately shining', finely pubescent, ferruginous ; above and beneath rather closely punctured, the puncturing a little closer ou Thorictodes erratic us. X 20. the prothorax than on the elytra, the interspaces alutaceous. Head small ; eyes minute, hidden beneath the angular lateral prominences of the head, in front of which the antennae are inserted; antennae short,stout, 11-jointed, 1 very stout, 9-11 fused into a broad club. Prothorax longer than broad, oblongo- cordate, strongly rounded at the sides, sinuously narrowed towards the base and also much narrowed in front. Elytra oblong-oval, about twice the length of the prothorax, widest towards the apex, hollowed at the base, the humeri angular. Legs stout ; anterior tibiae broad, elongate-triangular, the inter- mediate and posterior pairs narrower, the latter slightly bowed inward ; tarsi 5-jointed, thickened. Length 2j mm. Hab. W. Almora District of Kumaon (S. G. C). One specimen. More elongate, more robust, and much larger than T. lieyderii Eeitt., the type of the genus ; the elytra narrowed at the u [April, base and with the humeri angular in front, the legs and antennae much stouter. T. heydeni is a minute, shining, ferruginous, oblong insect, described from examples introduced into France, etc. Ganglbauer gives a long accovmt of its characters, and adds Egypt and Algeria as localities. It appears to have been carried in cargoes of rice. The Indian T. erraficus,* sent unmounted in s])irit, inay have been found indoors V In general facies it resembles the Lathridiid-genus Meropliysia. SpJiindiis semirufus, n. sp. Oblong, robust, shining, tliickly clothed with long, soft, decumbent, whitish hairs; blacL:, the head (eyes excepted), antennae, prothorax, scutellum, and legs rufo-testaceous; the head, prothorax, and scutellum closely punc- tured, the elytra with rows of fine punctures extending to the apex, and the interstices flat, alutaceous, and obsoletely punctulate. Head broad; eyes coarsely facetted ; antennae short, joint 1 stout, 2 much shorter and narrower, 3-7 slender, 8-10 forming an oblong club, 8 and 9 strongly transverse, 8 smaller and shorter than 9. I'rothorax convex, transverse, rounded at the sides, narrowed anteriorly. Elytra long, subparallel in their basal half. Tarsi 5-joiuted. Length 2\ mm. Hcib. Sitapur in Ivumaon ( ZT. Gr. C). One s])ecimen. Larger and more convex than the Euroj)ean >S. duhiiis Gylh, the upper surface shining, differently coloured, and clothed with longer hairs. The general facies is that of a Cls. Fliloeotrya qnercicola, n. sp. Elongate, narrow, parallel-sided, dull, finely pubescent; nigro-piceous, the suture reddish in one specimen, the antennal joints 1 and 2 and the apices of the others, and the tarsi, testaceous ; densely, very finely, reticulate- punctate, the sculpture of the prothorax coarser and transversely rugose. Head sulcate down the middle ; joint 4 of maxillary palpi long and cultri- form in J, «i little shorter in 5 I antennae moderately long, not very slender, joints 6-10 slightly decreasing in length. Prothorax very convex, longer than broad, obliquely narrowed at the base (as seen from above), sulcate down the middle posteriorly, and with an oblique, basal fovea on each side of this. Elytra very elongate, as wide as the prothorax, subparallel to near the tip, and with a shallow groove near the suture, the sutural region somewhat depressed. Terminal ventral segment triangularly depressed in the middle behind, and the anterior tarsi thickened, in (^ , Easal joint of posterior tarsi as long as 2-4 united. Length 5-7, breadth 1^-2 mm. Hah. Bhatkot, Eanikhet Division of Kumaon {H. O. C. -. iv.l920). * Fi-ured by J acobsou in his " Coleoi)tera of Russia," pi. 22, fig. 20. 1922.1 75 Two d" cf and one 5 > l^i'ed from an oak snag. A small form re- sembling the Japanese P. ohscnra Lewis, the elytra parallel-sided, the head sulcate down the middle. The prothorax in the 2 has an incom^jlete smooth median line in front of the short basal sulcus. Osphya dissimilis, n. sp. 5 . Moderately elongate, sinning, closely, finely puLescent ; brassy- green, the anterior margin of the head, the labruin, antennae (the infuscate joints 8-11 excepted), abdomen, and legs (the infuscate penultimate tarsal joint excepted) testaceous; the head and prothorax densely, finely, the elytra conflueutly, rugulosely punctate. Head much narrower than the prothorax, rather small; antennae comparatively short, slender, joints 2, 4, 5 subequal in length, 3, 6, and 7 a little longer, 8-11 stouter, elongate ; joint 4 of maxillary rather short, subcultriform. Prothorax transverse, convex, narrowed an- teriorly, trisinuate at the base, the base itself slightly depressed in the middle and near the obtuse hind angles, the margins not in the least explauate. EU'tra long, much wider than the prothorax, parallel to about the middle, depressed on the disc below the base ; the sculpture beciuning a little coarser and transversely rugose anteriorly. Legs rather slender; penultimate tarsal joint broad, deeply excavate, emarginate at the tip. Length -5^ mm. Hah. W. Almora Division of Kumaon {H. G. 0. : vi.l9l7). One specimen. This insect differs from typical OsjjJii/n in the form of the antennae and in the less elongate terminal joint of the maxillary palpi ; but it undoubtedly belongs to the same genus. Mordella argenteogutfata, n. sp. Elongate, cuneiform, shining, sericeo-pube^cent, the reticulate surface- sculpture tine; black, with sharply defined, silvery-white markings— the pro- thorax witli a transverse fascia of variable width extending across the disc anteriorly, emitting two short longitudinal streaks in the middle behind, and an angulate fascia running along the basal margin (sometimes continued for- ward along the lateral margins), the elytra each five spots, one at the base transverse, three rounded or oval, longitudinally-arianged down the middle of the disc (the intermediate one placed nearer the suture), and a smaller sub- marginal one at some dibtauce below the base, the lower surface with a series of large triangular patches along the sides, and the ventral segments sometimes with a transverse patch at the middle; the rest of the vestiture black, brownish on the head. Antennae short, the joints from the fifth onward moderately widened and subserrate ; maxillary palpi moderately stout, joint 4 somewhat cultriform. Pygidium long, tapering, convex. Length (excl. pygid.) -1^-5 mm. (J $ •) Hah. W. Bhatkot, Lanikhet Division of Kumaon {II. G. C. : V.1920). h2 7(5 [^p*^J' Six examples, found on Sr/ rupJ ocos-hlossom. At the same locality tun specimens ( S $ ) of a black Mordella were captured, and these are so like the common Palaearctic M. aciilcata L., that they can be pro- visionally referred to that species, the only apparent difference being the somewhat smoother sculpture of the upper surface when the vesti- ture is removed, Mordellistena cuneigera, n, sp. Modei'ately elonirate, subcuneiforni, shining-, finely pubescent; testaceous, the eyes, the elytra with the suture uarrowly and the sides broadly (leaving a cuneiform testaceous dorsal vitta on each which does not quite reach tlie apex), and the apex of the abdomen, black, the antennal joints 4-11 infuscate. Antennae long, slender, joint 3 small, short, 4-11 much longer, subequal. Posterior tibiae with two, joint 1 of posterior tarsi with three and 2 with two, oblique ridges. Pygidium long, slender, acuminate. Length (excl. pygid.) 3 mm. Hah. Khaula in Almora, alt. 4500 ft. {H: O. C). One specimen. A small testaceous form, tlic elytra black, each with a cuneiform testaceous dorsal streak. Mordellistena liumeronotafa, ti. sp. Moderately elongate, narrow, cuneiform, shining, clothed with fine, silky, brownish pubescence; black, the antennal joints 1 and 2, the palpi in part or entirely, and a large humeral spot on each elytron, testaceous. Antennae (c?) very long, joints 3 and 4 small, short, together barely as long as 5, 5-11 elon- gate, subequal, rather stout, ( $ ) much shorter, and with joints 5-11 less thickened; terminal joint of maxillary palpi elongate, obliquely truncate at the tip. Prothorax moderately transverse. Pygidium long, pointed, stout at the base. Posterior tibiae and joint 1 of posterior tarsi each with two oblique ridges, joint 2 of the latter with one ridge only. Length (excl. pygid.) 2-2^ mm. Hob. W. Bhatkot, Ranikhet Division of Kumaon {II.G.C: V. 1920). Fovmd in plenty on >S'^w^j)/ocos-blossom, with the above-mentioned species of Mordella. A small black sericeo-pubescent insect with a testaceous humeral spot on each elytron, a foim of coloration occurring amongst other members of the same genus. Two black species of Mordellistena have also been found in Almora, Kumaon ; one of these seems to be the common Palaearctic M. pvmila Gyll. and the other is nearly related to M. inaeqiialis Muls, 77 THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND SYNONYMY OP THE DASYTID-BEETLE AGANTHOCNEMUS NIGRICANS Hope { = C HIATUS Peeris). BY G. C. CnAMPIOX, r.z.s. Bourgeois (Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1904, pp. 25, 26), in a paper entitled " Sur le cosmopolitisme de V Acanthocnemus cUiatus Ferris, Coleoptere de la tribu des Dasytides," gives a detailed account of the extraordinary distribution of this beetle and of its formid- able S3"onym3\ The species, he says, has been described under six different names, and re- ferred to three different genera. Nevertheless, tvro specific names have still to be added, nigricans and fiiscipennis Hope, one of which, nigricans, must replace that of ciliafus Ferris, it having 21 years' priority. The types of Hope's insects, both of which were referred by him to the genus Dasytes, and both from Adelaide, S. Australia, have been lent me by Prof. Poulton, and they agree perfectly -with an example of Acantlwcnemus ciliafits from Erbalunga, Corsica, kindly communicated by Lt.-Col. J. St. Claire Deville. Mr. A. M. Lea, in re-describing these Australian insects in 1909, is the onl}' author who has noticed one of the most important characters of the genus, viz. the presence of very deep, almost circular foveae (these having a silvery appearance in certain lights) on the propleura, about wdiieh the French and German writers say nothing, their diagnoses having doubtless been drawn up from carded specimens. A. nigricans has the general appearance of a Trogositid or Ci-ypto- phagid, and the hairy body and ciliate elytral margins of certain Dasytids, amongst which the genus seems best placed.* The insect has been described by Lea, as Avell as by other authors, and it is onl}' necessary to say that it is of a flattened, subcylindrical shape, blackish or fuscous in colour, with the antennae and legs more or less ferruginous ; the numerous specimens before me measure from 4-5| mm. in length and l|-2 mm. in width. The characters of the genus given below were taken from Australian and Ehodesian examples before the descriptions * The genns Aniiioon Goi-Ti. (1SS6), type A. eribripenne, from Panama, described *s a Melyrid. is a Trogositid allied to Dioiduluhus Solier. Acanthocne^nus vigricans Hope, c? , X 9, the long hairs on the dorsal sur- face omitted; the lower fig-ure shows the pro- sternal foveae^ 78 [■^i''"'!' (i£ the Continental authors had been seen by me, or the identity of their insects with Hope's species had been suspected. This definition adds a few particulars regarding the structure of the mouth-parts, tarsi, presternum, etc. In the short basal joint of the tarsi and the flattened subcylindrical body, Acanthocnemus approaches Felecoj^horus Latr., Avhicli includes two or three species from Mauritius and Reunion ; but it differs from that genus in the structure of the palpi, antennae, tibiae, and tarsal claws, the bristly vestiture, and the deeply foveate pru- sternum. The specimens assumed to be d have four visible joints only to the anterior tarsi, a character common to several gen.era of Malachiids. The revised synonymy and generic definition will stand thus : — ■ Acanthocnemus. Acantliociiemus Ferris, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1866, p. 187 ; Bourgeois, Full. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1901, p. 26 ; Reitter, Faun. Germ., Kafer, iii, p. 283 (1011). Eurema Abeille de Perrin, L'Eehange, x, p. 93 (1894); Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1896, p. 261. Hovacnemus Fairmaire, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xlii, p. 232 (1898). Dasyfes (Paykull), Sect. 1, Lea, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1909, p. 239. Head transverse, broad, the epistoma short, confused with the front ; labruni short ; eyes large, entire; mandibles stout, dentate before the middle within, feebly emarginate at the tip; terminal joint of tlie maxillary and labial palpi narrow, subcylindrical, truncate at apex, the penultimate joint short; antennae 11-jointed, stout, joint 1 very stout, 2-11 perfoliate, '2 and 3 obconic, 4-8 submoniliform, transverse, 9-11 much stouter than those preceding-, together forming a loose club ; prothorax transverse, sharply margined at sides and base ; scutellum strongly transverse ; elytra long, flattened, subparallel, with numerous rows of punctures, the epipleura reaching as far as the apex of the luetasternum ; prosternum with a deep, almost circular, flat-bottomed fovea on each flank exterior to the sinuous transverse ridge closing the anterior coxal cavities in front, the cavities themselves widely open behind, and the coxae contiguous; five ventral segments exposed ; tibiae asperate, subdenticulate on their outer edge, the spui's short; tarsi simple, 5-jointed, 1 short, wanting or fused with 2 on anterior pair in c?, 5 long, the claws long, simple ; body sub- cjdindrical, hairy, the hairs forming a close fringe along the elytral margins, the antennae and tibiae setose. Type, Dasytes nigricans Hope {=Acant1iocncmus ciliatus Ferris). Acanthocnemus nigricans. Dasyfes niyricans Hope, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1845, p. 105 1; Lea, oji. cit. 1909, p. 243 2. 1922.] 79 Dasytes fiiscipennis Hope, loc. cif. '^ ; Lea, op. cit. p. 241 *. AcaniTiocnemus ciliatus Pervis, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1866, p. 188 5; Schilsky, in Kiister's Kiif. Europas, xxxi, no. 16 (1895) '^ ; Bourg., Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1904, pp. 25, 26 7. Acantliocnemus triKiuii Baudi, Berl. ent. Zeitschr. 1873, p. 3218. Acmithocnemiis fauveli Bourg. Rev. d'Ent. 1884, p. 289 9. Eurema dilutum Abeille de Perrin, L'Echange, x, p. 93 (1894) i" ; Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1896, p. 261 ^i. AcantJiocnemus Jcraatzi Schilsky, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1896, p. 361 13, Hovacnemus pallitarsis Fairm. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xlii, p. 232 (1898)13. Hah. Australia 7; S. Australia, Adelaide i-* (-For^'^i^wj: types in 3Im. Oxon. ; Mus. Brit. ) ; W. Australia * ; New South Wales * ; Queensland'*^; Tasmania^; New Caledonia 9; Siam (Vitalis de Salvaza : iv.l920) ; Burma {coll. H. JE. Andrewes) ; India, Tenas- serim7 (Fea : 1887); Madagascar is ; S. and N.W. Ehodesia, various localities (Dr. Marshall, H. G. Dollman : 1901-1915) ; Guinea 13; Algeria lO; Corsica ^ 6; Sardinia H; Cyprus 8. According to Mr. Lea'^, this is probably the most widely distributed Malacoderm beetle in Avistralia, occurring under the bark of Eucalyptus- trees, and also coming to light at night. It would therefore appear that Australia is the real home of A. nigricans, Fortnum having captured specimens at Adelaide as long ago as 1841. The next record, 1866, is that of an example found by Reveliere under the bark of a juniper in Corsica. Presumably the insect has been transported by commerce, either in the larval or imaginal condition, in cereals, etc., like Plochionus 2)nllens, Tenehroides mauritanicus, Silvanus suriuamensis, Flatycotylus inusitatus, etc., and has now become cosmopolitan throughout the warmer parts of the Old World. The present writer has recorded * the capture of living examples of an Argentine Dasytid, Astylus atromaculatus Blanch., at Durban and Pretoria, which were probably brought there in hay dunng the Boer War. Horsell. 31arch 1922. * Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (9) ii, p. 352 (Oct. 1918). so fApriU NOTES ON THE LIFE-HISTORY OP RHIZOPHAGUS PARALLEL0C0LLI8 Gtll. BY K. G. BLAIE, B.SC, F.E.S. (Publislied by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.) Sometimes called the " Grave-yard Beetle," S. jyaraUelocolIis has long been known as a frequenter of grave-yards and cemeteries, where it occasionally abounds ; otherwise it is found, though rarely, like most of its congeners, under bai*k or in fungi. Its life-history, and consequently the reason for this peculiar partiality, was unknown until in the course of some exhumations in the cemetery at Iviy, France, during the winter of 1886-87, the beetle and its larva were found in numbers on some of the bodies exhumed. M. Megnin*, who was investigating the entomo- logy of these graves, noted that the beetles were only present on bodies that had been buried for two years, and always in the company of the dipteron Fhora aterrima, the latter in very large numbers. He also remarked that while the Hhizophagns was usually found upon the fatter portions of the corpse, the Phora larvae were more abundant on the leaner portions. He supposed that corpses of more recent date than two years had not reached the right state of putrefaction for the require- ments of the beetle, and that corpses of three years and upwards had passed beyond this state ; hence he concluded that the presence of lEiliizopTiagus on an exhumed corpse was evidence that it had been buried for about two 3'ears. About the same time that these observations were made a larva supposed to be that of H. paraUelocoUis was described by Eey (Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, 1S87, p. 176, pi. i, fig. 34). It was found in the earth, having no association with graves, and apparently at shallow depth, and is said to live, with the perfect insect, amongst old roots and pieces of wood attacked by various other insects. This description, however, does not tally with larvae recently found with the perfect beetle upon an exhumed corpse, and is either inaccurate, or, more probably, applies to the larva of another species of Wiizo'pliacius. Another descrij^tion and figure given by Megnin in the work referred to are unfortunately too lacking in detail to be definitely recognisable. Both beetles and larvae have recently been referred to the Natural History Museum by Dr. B. H. Spilsbury for identification. Again they were in the company of the larvae of a Phorid, in this case P. vitri- * p. Megnin, ";La Faune des Cadavrt-s," 1?94. See also notices in Ent. Mo. Mag. vol. xxiv, 1SS8, p. 276; ibid. (2) iviii, 1907, i). ii. 1022.] 81 pennis Mg.*, and were most numerous on certain parts o£ the bocT^', such as the Lacks of the hands and the forearms, where the skin had been destroyed (probably by the Phorid larvae), and also in the hair. In this case the corpse had been buried for only ten months and was in a remarkably good state of preservation; the coffin of sound oak was quite good, with the joints perfect except that when the lid was removed a little fluid exuded from the joints at the bottom. The grave was in a dry loam, and was unusually shallow, the floor, which was Hned with the turf cut from the surface, being only 4 ft. 9 in. below surface level. The larvae are elongate, subparallel, slightly depressed, of a whitish colour, with the ninth abdominal segment flattened above and blfm-cate behind, somewhat resembling that segment in the larvae of the Elaterid genus AtJions. The form of this segment in those species of Bhizo- pliagusoi which the larvae have been described gives excellent diagnostic characters. In R. imrallelocoUis (as received from Dr. Spilsbury) there are two conical brown tubercles on the disc, each having a single hair ; each lateral margin bears two similar setigerous tubercles ; and each of the terminal lobes, wliich are separated by a deep round emargination» is itself subdivided into three branches, one dorsal, strong, upcurved and sharply pointed, and two A'entral, an inner and an outer, smaller and less strongly chitinised, each bifid or double-pointed at the apex, with a long hair arising from between the points. -pig. A. — R. x>arallelocollis. 9th abdominal segment of larva, viewed from above. B. — Lateral view of terminal process of same, more highly magnified. A comparison of this segment as described in the larvae of other species of the genus may be of use. R. hipustulatus (Ferris, Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, 1877, p. 286, fig. 16, as R. nitidulus). Very similar to above; also with two dorsal and two pairs of lateral setigerous tubercles, but each of the terminal lobes is divided into two * For this determination I am indebted to Jlr. P. W. Edwards, who informs me that in the only two previous records of this species being reared the laryae were found in the nests of Wasps and Humble-Bees. 82 [^P"i' dorsal lobes, oacli bifid witli a median bair, and one ventral, conical, with a much shorter hair. R. cUspar (Perris, ibid. fig. So) apparently lacks both dorsal and lateral tubercles (though this may be an omis.-ion by the artist) and each termiuiil lobe is divided into three simple conical lobes, two dorsal, of which the external is the larger, and one ventz'al, each bearing a seta. R. depressus (Perris, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 1853, pi. xviii, fig. 90) agrees with the last in having the terminal lobes divided each into three conical setigerous branches, but here the internal dorsal is the larger ; the two seti- gerous tubercles az-e present on the disc, and there are four pairs of lateral tubercles. The larva described hj Eey {vide svpra) as that of JR. paralleJo- collis has the two dorsal and one pair of lateral tubercles (all apparently ivithout setae) and the terminal lohes are divided each into two, one dorsal, strong, and curved upwards, and one ventral, short and somewhat internally placed, provided with a seta (?i?. ferforaius'). The larvae of this genus are mostly found under hark, in the galleries of various Seotytidae, on which they are predacious, though they are said to feed also on the excrement of these larvae. They are sonietimes found in fungi, but it is probable that they are feeding upon the dipterous and coleopterous larvae by which these are often riddled, and are not themselves fungivorous. It is interesting to note that one other species of the genus, JR. perforatiis, shows a tendency to adopt habits similar to those of a. parallelocoUis. In addition to records of its occurrence under bark it has been found in the carcase of a dog, under a dead fowl, around an old mutton bone (cooked) that had been buried eight da3^s, and under dried cow-dung. In all these cases the presence of the JRhizophagus is probably to be explained as a devourer of carrion-feeding larvae rather than as itself a carrion-feeder. (N.B. — It is perhaps to this species that Key's larva should be assigned.) Taking all these points into consideration, it seems only reasonable to assume that the larvae of JR. parallelocoUis are predacious upon the Phorid larvae in whose company they seem invariably to be found, and that the supposed preference of the JRhizophagus larvae for the fat por- tions of the corpse while the Phorids are more numerous upon the lean portions may be due partly to accident and partly to the Phorids having been somewhat thinned out in the vicinity of the JRhizophagus. The presence of the JRhizophagus larvae in the hair, where also the Phorid larvae and puparia were abundant (the Phorid larvae avoiding moist situations when about to pupate), is a further indication that the liliizopluigKS larvae were there merely to pi'ey upon the Phorids. 1P22.] The question remains : how do the beetles effect entrance to a coffin huried many feet in the earth ? In the present instance Dr. Spilsbuiy feels certain that the mature beetles could not have done so, and indeed it is probable, if only on account of their numbers, that they had matured from larvae that had developed there. As the beetle is seldom found away from grave-yards, it is tolerably certain that the eggs could not have been laid upon the corpse before the coffin was closed (as may be the case with Fliora, although burial took place in the month of February). The probability seems in favour of the newly hatched larva having effected entrance, but whether the beetle burrows down to oviposit on the surface of the coffin, or whether she lays her eggs on the surface and the young larvae burrow down, or whether the eggs were laid on the sods with which the bottom of the grave was lined, we have no evidence. In any case in the course of the ten months during which in this instance, the corpse had been buried the beetles had evidently passed through at least one life-cycle, thus proving that their presence on a corpse cannot be taken, as claimed by M. Megnin, as evidence that two years have elapsed since burial. British Museum (Natural History). February 19:22. THREE NEW ORTHOPTERA FROM PALESTINE AND N.W. PERSIA. BY B. P. UTAKOV, F.E.S. The following new species of Orthoptera from Palestine and one new subspecies from N.W. Persia are described from collections sent to the Imperial Bureau of Entomology by Dr. P. A. Buxton, at present Government Entomologist at Jerusalem. The types are preserved in the British Museum collection. 1. Sjjhingonotus coerulans L., subsp. coerulipes, n. One male and two females taken 25th-2Gth August, 1919, at Kazvin, N.W. Persia, differ from the typical (European) specimens of S. coerulans by the following- characters, which compel me to separate them aa a distinct geographical race : — Frontal riJge of the $ between the antennae somewhat convex, with the margins slightly diverging downwards, just below the ocellum constricted and distinctly impressed, disappearing before it reaches half-way between the ocelhim and clypeus. False vein iu the discoidal field perfectly straight, parallel to the hind radial ; the hind discoidal area about three times as broad as the foro discoidal. Hind femora on the inner side bluish bhnck, with a broad pale ring before the apex. Iliud tibiae «ky.blue, with the in.side of their 84 [April, base black, and a pale streak along tlie basal quarter of tbe outer side. Wings faintly bluish basalh'. In tlie paratypic male tlie frontal ridge in its lower part is more raised as in tbe female and almost reaching the clypeus, but still its margins are far less raised than in the typical coerulans. 2 (type). S (paratype). Length of body 25 mm. 16 mm. ,, pronotum 5 3'5 „ elytra 26 16 „ hind femora 1.3 9 These three specimens have been previously named by me in my paper on the Orthoptera of Mesopotamia * as ^S*. coerulans L., but when I revised the whole material of the genus Sphingonotus in the British Museum, I came to the conclusion that there is more than one species (with additional geographical races) of SjyJiinffonofus with hyaline wings in the deserts of the Western Asia. Tims, the typical S. coerulans coerulans seems to be confined to the more northern parts of the country, and Dr. Buxton's collection contains a long series of very typical specimens, taken at the Southern coast of Caspian Sea — at Enzeli, Gilan, and Menjil. The series of specimens from Baghdad and Amara proved to be ^S'. meclteriae Krauss, described from the Algerian Sahara. One specimen from Enzeli belongs to ^S*. ruhescens Walk., which is probably identical with S. aegyptiacus Sauss., and represents a very good species -ft^hich w-ill be redescribed by me else- where ; there is also one specimen of it in Dr. Buxton's Palestine lot, taken at Amman, Transjordania, alt. 2500 ft., 21. vii. 1921. A small lot of Mesopotamian Orthoptera sent in by Mr. Y. Ramachandra Rao included one more species of that group taken at Baghdad, 15. vii. 1920 — 8. vosseleri Krauss, also described originally from the Algerian Sahara. It is obvious that the Asiatic species of Sph/'nc/onofus \vith bj^aline wings should be revised on the basis of large series of specimen s. 2. Sphingonotus angulaiiis, sp. n. (Fig. 1.) 2 . Similar in size and the pattern of wings to Sphinf/nnotus callosus Fieb., but differing from it in the shape of the head, sculpture of the pronotum, and the shape and position of the discoidal intercalate vein. Antennae distinctly longer than the head and pronotum together, very slightly flattened, with the apex somewhat attenuate. Face with scattered puncturation, in profile somewhat reclinate ; frontal ridge in profile rotundato- promiuent between the antennae, feebly, but distinctly depressed just below the ocellum, practically straight aud distinctly reclinate in the rest; when * Journal of the Bombay Nat. Hist. Soo., xxvii, No. 1, p. 80i, No. 22 (1921). 1922.] 86 seen from the front it is gradually widened from the fastigium towards the ocelhim, distinctly constricted below the latter and gradually widened farther downwards, disappearing just before the clypeus ; its surface not strongly impressed; the margins above the ocellum sharp and smooth, below it thick, rounded and callous, irregular. Temporal foveolae scarcely marginated, slightly impressed, indistinct, elongato-oval. Fastigium of the vertex strongly sloping, in profile widely rounded, impressed, with an indistinct median carinnla ; its margins scarcely elevated in the front half and more so in the hind half where they are thick, callous, and slightly convergent backwards ; the maximal width of the fastigium is just before the eyes and measures more than a half of its length and twice as much as the maximal width of the frontal ridge. Occiput smooth, but not shining. Lateral facial keels practi- cally straight, feebly divergent downwards, fairly thick, callous, disappearing before they reach the clypeus. Cheeks somewhat swollen, smooth, with the Fig. 1. — Sphingonotus angulatus, sp. n. puncturation more dense at the lower margin and scattered elsewhere. E\es perfectly oval, their maximal length subequal to two-thirds of their height ; their lower end almost acutely angular. Pronotum strongly constricted in the prozona, which is a little longer than one-third of the whole pronotal disc and regularly convex ; the fore margin slightly rotuudato-prominent with a shallow emargination in the middle; the first and second transverse sulci^ well distinct, narrow, bent backwards in the middle, parallel to each other ; the fore part of the prozona (/. e., that between the fore margin and the first sulcus) somewhat raised tectiformly, but "without a distinct median carinula, with two shallow impressions sideways of the raised middle part; no trace of the median carina between the first and the third sulcus; two transversely elongate callous tubercles between the second and the third sulcus ; the meta- zona feebly convex, slightly rugulose, with a feeble median keel : the hind margin obtusely rounded, with the sides slightly sinuate ; shoulders distinctly prominent, rounded ; lateral lobes much higher than long, tlieir front margin practically straight, the front angle obtuse, not rounded, tlie lower margin strongly oblique, scarcely sinuate before the middle, the hind angle acutel' attenuate sideways, the hind margin practical!}' straight. Episternum 8G [April, rotundato-triangular, about twice as long as it is high. Mesosterual lobes separated by an interspace about twice as broad as it is long, and distinctly broader than one of the lobes. INIetasterual interspace almost twice as broad as it is long. Elytra about five times as long as their maximal width, gradually and not strongly narrowed towards the obliquely rounded apex ; nuire than the basal half densely reticulated, subcoriaceous ; mediastinal area rather hroad, quickly narrowed at the apex, with a distinct false vein ; scapular area in its middle a little narrower than the mediastinal, sinuate, gradually narrowed towards the apex, with a false vein beyond the middle, not reaching the apex of the area ; radial veins distinctly sinuate ; discoidal area densely and irregularly reticulated, somewhat broader than the mediastinal area in its broadest part ; the false discoidal vein well developed, though in the apical part somewhat irregular, in the basal half subparallel to the hind radial vein, and beyond the middle approaching to the latter, but not touching it ; inierulnar area in its broadest part as wide as the discoidal area, with about five irregular rows of cells and a scarcely developed, irregular, false vein ; the interfurcal area at its base about half as broad as the discoidal, slightly narrowed towards the apex, with 3-4 very irregular rows of cells; more than the basal third of the apical part of elytra rather densely and irregularly reticulated, subcoriaceous, the rest hyalinous with regular elongated cells ; the axillar vein confluent apically with the anal vein. Wings rather broad, with two apical lobes rounded. Hind femora broad basally, with the apex attenuate ; the upper carina regularly bent, without a preapical emargination. Coloration brownish ochraceous, densely raarmorated with dark chocolate- brown and whitish. Antennae pale ochraceous, somewhat darker apicalh^, with brownish rings. Face whitish, with dark grey puncturation ; margins of the frontal costa near the fastigium and not far above the clypeus, black ; cheeks whitish ochraceous with grey marmoration, dark grey punctures and one black spot near the edges of the clypeus. Fastigium and vertex ochraceous, densely marmorated with velvety-black. Occiput of a lighter shade than the vertex, with an indefinite dark median fascia and sharply defined from above blackish postocular fasciae. Pronotum ochraceous ; its middle part marmorated with black and velvety-brown, while the sides of the disc are paler, forming an X-shaped design; the two callous tubercles in the middle of the disc, before the hind sulcus, white ; hind margin with three pairs of brown spots ; the lateral lobes with an indistinct dark fascia along the upper margin and with a velvety -brown spot in the middle, surrounded by whitish. Elytra ochraceous ; the basal third densely marmorated with chocolate-brown, the colour being darker along the apical border, which is irregular and oblique; the postmedian fascia brownish, distinctly interrupted between the radial veins and suddenly widened behind them; the apical third part of the elytra with irregularly scattered brownish spots, more dense at the base of that part where an indefinite fascia is formed by them. "VVings hyalinous; a broad black fascia starts from the middle of the fore margin and runs towards the hind angle, but neither reaches the latter nor touches the hind margin ; the fascia is distinctly constricted at the anal vein, and its post- anal part is then suddenly widened, being in its broadest part more than twice as broad as the preanal part ; its outer margin is very convex, while the inner one is only so feebly ; the veins and veinlets in the apical lobes are brownish. 11^22.] 87 Fore aud middle legs Avitli brown riiigluts. Hind femora with three indefinite dark fasciae on the up])er side, and still more indistinct ones on the outer side ; the inner side pale with the basal half and a preapical ring black. Iliud tibiae pale, with the base and tips of the spines black. c? (paratype). Dillers from the $ in having more distinct transverse fasciae on the elytra, the postmediau one being very distinctly interrupted between the radial veins ; tbe fascia of the wings is much narrower and not sharply defined, interrupted at the anal vein ; the two apical lobes infumate. $ (type). c? (paratype). Length of body 24'5 mm. 17'5 mm. ,, pronotum 6 3'75 elytra 23 17-6 „ hind femur lOo 9 The type is from Haifa, Palestine, 25. vi. 1921 ; the 17 paratjpes (13 males and 4 females) ai-e partly from the same locality, but mostly from Akka, 9-29. vi. 1921 ; one male is from Amman, TransjorJania, 2500 ft., 30. viii. 1921. In its general appearance this species is not unlike *S'. caJlosus Fieb. (specimens of which have been sent by Dr. P. A. Buxton from the same localities), but of course is easily separated b}'' tlie sculpture of tbe pronotum and shape of the head. In these charactei-s S. angulatus resembles S. coerulans L., but differs from it not only in tbe coloration of the wings (a character very unreliable in this genus), but also in the form of tbe discoidal false vein, which is in the new species much more sinuate and more aj)proximated aplcally to the radial vein ; further differences are to be found in tbe broader rounded hind margin of tbe pronotum and tbe more attenuate bind angles of its lateral lobes, Tbe general coloration, of course, varies considerabl}', as does also tbe band of the wings, which may, probably, disappear altogether ; the apical lobes of the wings are in the males either infumate or with distinctly darkened veins and veinlets. Farad yymadusa annuUcornis, sp. n. (Fig. 2.) J. Antennae slender, very long. Pronotum rounded, with but very short and obtuse lateral keels near its hind margin, which is very broadly rotundato-truucate ; lateral lobes obliquely trapezoidal; their fore margin straight, oblique, forming a very obtuse and rounded angle with the lower margin which is short aud straight ; hind angle more obtuse and more widely rounded than the fore angle ; hind margin strongly oblique, very long, scarcely sinuate. Prosternum with two short obtuse spines. Mesosternal lobes triangular, with the sides distinctly convex. Front femora armed with three spiuules along the fore lower margin and with two short spinules on the inner [April, knee-lobe 5 front tibiae with three spines along the upper side and with six spines on each margin of the lower side. Middle femora with three spiuules on the fore lower carina ; the outer knee-lobes with two and the inner ones with only one short spinule. Hind femora very long, strongly incrassate in the basal half ; their filiform part longer than one-third of the whole femur ; both lower carinae with 10-12 fairly strong spinules each ; the knee-lobes unarmed. Elytra short, oval; the tympanal field strongly reticulate, coria- ceous throughout. Anal segment (fig. 2) produced into two narrow conical appendages, rotundato-emarginate between them. Supra-anal plate almost hidden under the anal segment, directed vertically downwards, acutely triangular, sulcate along its middle. Cerci pilose, short, depressed dorso- Fig. 2. — Paradrymadusa aiinidico7-nis. sp. n. ventrally, conical, slightly incurved, with a strongly flattened trapezoidal tooth just beyond the middle (fig. 2). Subgenital plate with an acute triangular emargination ; styli short, cylindrical. General coloration uniform brownish-ochraceous. Antennae pale with indistinct brownish rings basally, and brownish with widely distant narrow pale rings in the rest. Pronotum above rufous, somewhat velvety ; its hind margin pale, with brown points. Elytra uniformly brownish, with the cellules between the reticulation of a somewhat darker shade. All spinules of the legs with brown tips. Length of body 33 mm. ; pronotum 11 mm. ; elytra 6'5 mm. ; front femur 10 mm. ; hind femur 34 mm. The paratypic female in the last larval stage agrees in all cliaracters with the described male ; its ovipositor is slightly recui-ved, and the dimensions are as follows: length of body (somewhat contracted) 23 mm. ; pronotum 11 mm. ; liind femur 29 mm, ; ovij^ositor 16 mm. 1922.] 89 The type is from Haifa, Palestine, 14. vii. 1921 ; the ])aratype from the same locality, 12. vi. 1921. This species is easily recognised b}^ the very peculiar shape of the male cerci, as well as by the coloration, especially that of the antennae. London. January 19i'2. SPHEC0DE8 8CABRIC0LLI8 Wesm. IN SOMEESET, AND DESCRIPTION OF 2 OF S. KERSHAWI Peek. BY E. C. L. PERKINS, M.A., D.SC, F.B.S. In this Magazine for 1917 (p. 47) I brought forward S. scahricoUis Wesm. as British on the evidence of a S in the Kirby collection, where it stood in the series of S. divisiis K. {siinilis Wesm.). This specimen was no doubt obtained about 120 years ago, and in the great number of British Sphecodes that have passed through my hands I have seen no other, nor is there any i-ecord of another. Recently amongst some Hymenoptera sent to me for determination by Col. T. Jermyn I found a fine 5 Sphecodes which was evidently new to me, and I have little doubt that this is the other sex of the scahricoUis in Kirby's collection. 8. scali'icollis is one of the rarest of European Sphecodes, and the 2 is very imperfectly known. Dr. E.. Meyer, in his recent work on the genus, suspects that v. Hagens confused this sex with that of the almost equally rare S. schenJcii, the descriptions of these being almost identical, and he himself did not know the 5 of scahricoUis. The following is a description of the Somerset specimen : — Size of -S. pellucidus (pilifrons), black, the apical part of the mandibles red, the last tarsal joint of all the legs more or less testaceous. The two basal abdominal segments are red and a basal spot is visible on each side of the third, which, like the preceding, is red beneath. Face very wide, the temples very strongly rounded off behind the eyes, much as in giihus, the clypeus dull and less coarsely punctured thiiu in that species ; antennae blackish fuscous beneath, hardly at all inclined to rufescence. The front and vertex of the head are very roughly sculptured, in some aspects appearing very rugose, but in others the dense punctures causing the rugosity are easily seen, though they are very much less definite and deep than those of the mesonotum, and the head is quite dull as compared with the latter. Face beneath the antennae densely clothed with pale hairs, mesonotum and vertex more thinly with finer, erect ones, amongst which there appear to be a few darker hairs intermixed. Mesonotum in the middle with coarse, deep punctures, more or less irregular, and leaving considerable, smooth, polished spaces between them, but where they are close I 90 ^^1^"'- iogetlier rugose, or tending to run into one anotlier, the snioolh siirfnce here and there with an excessively minute puncture; towards the sides the punc- tures become very dense and less coarse. The scutellum is very coarsely punctured, the punctures dense all over and leaving very little smooth space anywhere, while on the posterior half they are rather finer and still denser than in front. Anterior area of the propodeum very strongly longitudinally rugose, the wrinkles more or less connected posteriorly before reaching the bruw ; at the sides the propodeum is much duller, with irregular and compara- tively feeble sculpture. Wings largely hyaline basally, but distinctly iufuscate on the apical part, and with the appearance of a distinct, smoky, apical band. Stigma dark brown, the neuration for the most part evidently paler than this, more yellow. Hooks of the hind wings, 8 on one, 9 on the other. Spines of the hind tibiae dark, but some of them in certain aspects have a reddish tinge, and the fringe in which they are placed is not pure white, but sordid, as is that on the metatarsus. Basal segment of the abdomen with very fine and extremely remote punctures (which, however, are scattered over the disc as ou other parts) except along the apical margin ; second segment with the punctures much more numerous, but jiot dense, except at the sides, where they become larger, the paler apical part or apical impression of the segment without visible sculpture, while that of the Si'A and 4tli has an extremely fine transverse rugulosity ; pygidial area very small for the size of the insect, and very minutely granulate, the hairs around it sordid, greyish. The single specimen described is in very fresh condition and had probabl}^ only recently emerged, even the minute marginal cilia of the wings being perfect. It was caught on August Stli, 1919, at Shapwick, Somerset {Jenny ii) . Mr. Morice has, with his usual kindness, lent me the only Conti- nental example he possessed named " scahricollis ? ". This specimen was caught by him at Bozen, Tirol, on June 9th, 1899, and bad evidently been very long on the wing, as the mai-gins of these organs are very much frayed and their colour is entirely brownish. The punctures on the mesonotum are a little closer, and the abdominal punctures are rather more developed than in the British specimen, but these and other slight differences are not greater than one finds between individuals of any series oi f/ihhiis or of other species. I refer the Somerset specimen to scalri- coUis rather than to schenchii because the scutellum cannot be considered at all remotely punctured, the apical impunctate part of the 2nd abdo- minal segment occupies considerably less than half the surface of the segment, and on account of some other differences in Meyer's description of scheiicJiii. The English specimen could only belong to one of these. The 6 of S. l-ersTtauH Berk., from Macao, China, was described U.22.] 91 in this Magazine, 1921, pp. 9, 10. The description of the 5 is as follows : — Head iu shape and sculpture very like the S , and the face with almost similar, dense, Avliitish pubescence. Antennae bLickish fuscous beneath, the 5th and 6th joints nearly square in outline, the latter slightly the longer, the 4th strongly transverse. Mesonotum as in the (S , the scutellum with a line of punctures along the front suture, but immediately behind these with a rather large polished transverse space, behind which it is densely and coarsely rugose- punctate ; propodeum as in the Si hut the lateral areas are less coarsely rugose. Abdomen with the three basal segments red, the apical impression of the third more yellow; puncturation almost like that of the S y the punctures of the 1st only a little less dense; the pale-coloured apical impression of the 3rd and the black one of the 4th are subopaque, but no definite sculpture is visible under a strong lens; pygidial area small, the hairs around it sordid, brownish-fuscoiTS. Hind tibiae and metatarsi fringed above with white or silvery hairs, the spines on the former few, pale, and translucent, and only seen on careful examination. Wings and size of insect as in the S J the alar hooks 6-7. In the latter sex the basal abdominal segment varies to red with at most some indefinite infuscation. The female and variety of the 'S were captured with the type by Mr, J. C. Kershaw. Newton Abbot, Febmanj 2ith, 1922. "Fcmne Coloopterolor/iqiie des isles Baleares" by Szymon Tenenhaum, Warsaw, 1915. — We are indebted to the author for his interesting paper on the beetles of the Balearic Islands, -which has not yet been noticed in the " Zoological Record." He spent the summer of 1913 collecting at La Palma in Majorca, Iviza, and some of the smaller islands, but in these latter places he was not able to remain very long, owing to the difficulty of obtaining fresh water, etc. The number of species enumerated is 1677, 352 of which were added as the result of M. Teuenbaum's visit. The Curculionidae include 268, the Carabidae 223, the Staphylinidae 177, the Chrysovielidae 123, the I'enebvionidae 87, the Scarabaeidae 68, and the Dytiscidae 40 species. Altogether, 67 of them, apart from varieties or aberrations, are stated to be endemic. The new Tetwbrmiidae, Colotes, etc., obtained by the author were described by him in separate papers, but they are comprised in the foregoing list. The pamphlet itselt extend to 150 pages ; a resume in the French language is given on pp. 145-150. — Ens. " The C'oleoptera of Russia and Western Europe" by G. G. Jacobson, St. Petersburg, 1905-1915. — A copy of this important book on Palaearctic beetles, so far as published, has recently been received in London from the author by Mr. B. P. Uvarov. It comprises 1024 pages of letterpress j^up to the commencement of the Notoxidae = Anthicidae) , and the very well drawn coloured plates intended to illustrate the entire work, 83 in all, about 2460 species being 92 [April, figured. The MSS. of the rest of the letterpress is said to be finished, and tlie author hopes to be able to publish it before very long, the delay, of course, being due to the present state of aflairs on the Continent. Unfortunately for most of us, the text (including the title-page) is in the Russian language, but as many eastern species are here figured for the first time, the plates alone will be of great assistance to working Coleopterists. The author gives tables for all the families, genera, etc., and a list of tlie species under each genus, witli full references. He also enumerates the genera and species likely to occur in Asiatic Russia, i. e., many from Japan, China, etc. The portions of the book so far published, including the plnte~, are priced at £3 in London, and they can be obtained through Mr. Uvarov, IJritish Museum (Nat. History), Cromwell Road, S.W.— Eds. Nebria iberica Oliveira, a British Species. — Early last year my friend Lt.-Col. Sainte Claire Deville, when writing to me respecting Nebria, on which genus he had published two notes (liull. Soc. Ent. France, 1921, pp. 68, 157), mentioned two forms — one in which the upper surf:ice of all the tarsi is furnished with some little hairs {breoicollis vera), and the other in which the hairs are not present on the posterior tarsi, the upper surface of w^iich is entirely glabrous [iberica Paul. d'Oliv.) — and asked me to send him fresh unset .specimens from the British Isles. AJ though this insect {brevicollis Brit. Cat.) is one of our most common and widely distributed beetles, it was not until September that I was able to find a single specimen. On September 17th, when collecting with my friend Mr. P. Harwood, at Westerham, we found a few examples of a Nebria in a sand-pit, and these I sent to Lt.-Col. Deville. He informed me they were not brevicollis s. str., but were the recently separated iberica P. d^Oliv. = klinckou'stromi Mjob. ; they have upperside of the posterior tarsi quite glabrous and the striae of elytra not so deep. He pointed out that it would be extremely interesting to know if the two forms existed in the British Isles, as they do in " les departements franfaises au sud de la Manche." It occurred to me that it would be important to find out if possible whether Fabricius's type of N. brevicollis possessed the fine hairs on the posterior tarsi ; as it was certain, without looking up his original descrip- tion (Ent. Syst. i, p. 150), that he would not have mentioned so small a detail. I therefore wrote to Mr. H. E. Andre wes, who has done so much valuable work on the types of the Carabidae, to ask him about this point. He replied that the point was a very interesting one, and he has very kindly taken a great deal of trouble to elucidate it. He wrote to the museums at Copenhagen, Kiel, and Berlin. Mr. Henriksen wrote to him from Copenhagen that the type was not there ; and Dr. Reibisch from Kiel that there are three examples of N. brevicollis in Fabricius's collection all with pubescent hind tarsi, like the specimens taken now commonly in that neighbourhood. Mr. Andrewes says that Helwig''s and Hoffmausegg's collections formed the basis of the Zoological Museum in Berlin, and the type came from Helwig's collection. Dr. W. Horn informs him there are five examples from the Helwig and Rossi collections in that museum, and all of them have a fine, sparse pubescence on the upper surface of the hind tarsi. Mr. Andrewes considers that the type is among these five specimens. This appears to settle the question that the form with pubescence on the hind tarsi is the breuicollis F. Mr. Andrewes also told me 1922.] 93 {in lift., 25.X.21) that on seeing Deville's papei- he had examined the tarsi of his supposed N. hrevicollis (which came from various localities in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, and Austria) and found most of them to be pilose. In September 1921 he vras in the Lake District at Borrowdale and "'took a few specimens of Nehria of wbich only one had the bind tarsi pilose, in the others the upper surface was quite glabrous { — N. iberica Oliveira)." He kindly asked me to look over all his specimens, and he appears to have iV. hrevicollis F. from Borrowdale, Arran, Dublin, Cromer, Reading, Christ- church, Weymouth, Rouen, Provence, Jura, Bregenz, and Nancy; and N. iberica Oliv. from Borrowdale, Connemara, Morthoe, and Valembrosa. I find that the series in my cabinet all come from Richmond Park and all are N. brevicollis. Lt.-Col. Ste. Claire Deville tells me Mr. Champion has sent him N. hrevicollis from Surrey and Scotland. He further states that he is con- vinced that the two insects are truly distinct. He and Dr. Jeannel have verified the observations of Pasteur Huberthal on the male genitalia (the penis of iherica is much more slender, less constricted at the base and less strongly curved inwards than in hrevicollis) and have found them to be absolutely true. — HoKACK DoNiSTHORPE, 19 Hazlewell Rd., Putney Hill : March llth, 1922. Notes on various Coleoptera, — Late in January, 1921, when collecting near Sherborne, Dorset, I had the good fortune to come across an old uprooted tree to which plenty of earth wns attached. Here the following species put in an appearance : Dacne humeralis F., Rhizophat/us iHtraUelocollis Gyll., and Trichonyx sulcicollis Reich. The first two species occurred only twice under bark on the outer extremities of the roots, but the Trichonyx, of which four or five examples were taken, were found where the earth formed a thick layer o>er the partlj^ decayed roots. As far as could be judged fiom a rather rapid examination, they were preying on some very small wingless insects that occurred rather abundantly in this portion of the roots. These and the 'I'richo7iyx ^^ ere taken home alive and kept for over a week in the hope of settling this point. However, though the former unquestionably disappeared, the Trichonyx yvtixe not observed devouring them. As far as my present know- ledge goes, the three species mentioned above have not been recorded for Dorset before. Two years ago I received three specimens of a Haeinonia (which I have not been able to determine satisfactorily) from Mr. A. Hutchinson, of Pembroke College, Cambridge. He took them in the water-net at Talkin Tarn, Cumber- land, on 9.ix.l920, Avhilst working the bottom of the Tarn for Derouectes ilepressvsY. Since this, Dr. J 03', Dr. A. \V. Nicholson, and Mr. Blair have all very kindly examined the specimens, and have given their opinions on them. Provisionally, I am inclined to regard them as intermediates between Haeinonia curtisi Lac. and H. curtisi Lac. var. appendiculata Pz. I have not examined the aedeagus, as I have not got specimens of the European species with which ■ to compare ihem, but 1 hope shortly to be able to do so. It is well known that the species of Huenionia, at any rate as constituted at present, rest on very unsatisfactory characters, and that they require critical examination and comparison inter se before they can be regarded as distinct species. — E. J. P)';aiicr, The Lodge, Corjius Christi College, Cambridge : March Vllhy 1922. 94 t^P"i' Insects observed on a (jJacier in New Zealand. — On January 11th, 1922, during- an attempted ascent of Iluapehu, a slightly active volcano, 0000 feet high, in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand, I had the good fortune to observe many hundreds of insects stranded on a glacier at a height of 7500, feet. Five orders were represented among the insects thus seen. The}' were all lowland forms, and must eitlier have been blown up from the surrounding plains, or, as I think more probable, wore migrating across country. It has been previoush' observed that insects occasionally congregate on mountain-tops during- migration. Ruapehu is the highest summit in the North Island, and is surrounded by many miles of undulating forest and tussock-clad country, practically in its primitive condition and ranging from 2000 to 4000 feet in height above sea-level. It thus seems highly probable that insect swarms should occur on this mountain. At first sight I thought the glacier was covered with fine dust, but on a closer examination the " dust" proved to be minute Dipterous insects. Apart from these, the Cocdnellidae, Lei's antijyodum Muls., Coccinella 11-punctuta L., and another species of Coccinella with large black spots (not as yet identified), were by far the most abundant. Other Coleoptera observed were Metrior- rhijnchus erraticus Er., Pyronota /estiva F., P, edivardsi Sharp, and a small Hister with extremely rugose elytra (not yet identified). These Coleopiera were moribund, but they revived when held in my hand. The Lepidoptera that were seen belonged to the families Noctuidae, Geometridae, Tortiicidde, and Tineidae, but were all in too poor condition for identification, and most of them were dead. Other Diptera seen included a Crane-fly, Macromastix clara White, and a Stratiomyid, Odontomyia chloris Walk. Among the Neuroptera {sensu lata) were two dragon-flies, Sojnatochlora sviithii White and Xantho- oiemis zeakmdica McL., two Stone-flies, Leptoiierla maculuta and a closely- allied species, and a Caddis-fly, Pseudonema obsoleta McL. The Hemipfera were represented by the two "bugs," Oncacontias vittatus F. and Ni/sius clavicui-uis. All these insects were collected in about ten minutes, as clouds came down and necessitated a hurried retreat from the mountain. — Stella Hudson, Ilillview, Karori, Wellington, N.Z. : Ja7iuanj 22}id, 1922. THE BRITISH SPECIES OF HALICTVS AND SPHECODES. V.Y R. C. L. PERKINS, M.A., D.SC, IMf.S. [_Continued from p. 52.] Group II. 5?. 1 (4) Thorax clothed with \exy bright fulvous-brown hairs. 2 (?)) IJind tibiae clear testaceous or yellow ; propodeuni with tlie anterior area very finely rugose, not shining, and with tlie hind angles rounded off; a very large species 10-13 mm. long .... xanfhopus K. 3 (2j Ilind tibiae not clear testaceous ; propodeum with the anterior area strongly rugose, shining, the hind angles strongly prominent ; species 7-9 mm. long laeci(/atus K. I9a2.] 95 4 (1) Thorax rarely with brown hairs, whicli aro not conspicuously bright, generally with pale or griseous hairs. 5 (6) Basal abdominal segment with a large area of oppressed tomeutum on each side, thorax often distinctly submetallic ; length about 8-10 mm., expanse usually 14 mm. or more. (Thoracic sculpture much as described below under nitidus.) .... 2)rastnus Sm. 6 (5) Basal segment merely hairy at tlie sides. 7 (8) A large species, with conspicuous tomentose pattern ; mesonotura dull, with dense shallow punctures; propodeum with the anterior area finely rugose, the Literal angles being rounded off and without a rrtised margin behind ; expanse usually 18 mm. or more, length usually 10 mm. or more, unless the segments are contracted. (Clothing of liead and thorax cinereous, wings with smoky in- fuscatiou) nitidus Panz, [G-notatus K.). 8 (7) Species of the size of the preceding, or approaching it, have the meso- notum strongly punctate, or the propodeum with a raised margin behind, the angles not rounded off. 9 (12) Large and robust species (expanse 14 mm. or more), abdomen with conspicuous tomentose pattern, and the three basal segments entirely black right to the actual apical margin, the propodeum with raised margin* at the hind angles, or at least bounded there by strong rugosity. (Mesonotum densely, strongly punctate, the anterior area of the propodeum strongly rugose and generally shining between the wrinkles.) 10 (11) Basal abdominal segment highly polished, with only a few widely separated punctures on the disc .... zonulvs Sm. 11 (10) Basal segment not polished, but with microscopic sculpture between the punctures, which are numerous on the disc. (Thoracic hairs paler (less brown) than in the preceding.) . . , . leucozonius K. 12 (9) Species smaller, or at least less robust, than the two preceding ; the larger ones have some or all of the more basal segments pale along the apical margins, or else the propodeum is not margined behind, while others lack a conspicuous pattern of white tomentum. 13 (16) Tomentose spots or bands at the base of 2nd and 3rd segments distinct to the naked eye, and these segments black right up to the apical margins: mesonotum densely, strongly punctured, the pro- podeum closely rugose, dull or scarcely shining, without a raised margin behind, the angles rounded off. Subrobust, medium-sized species, expanse of wings 12 mm. or more. 14 (15) Inner margin of stigma pale, yellowish or testaceous ; basal abdominal segment usually less polished, especially on the apical part, and there more densely punctured, the 2nd segment with the punctures even and almost as dense as possible all over, dull or scarcely shining ; face very wide .... A-notatus K. * This character is easily seen iu these and other species when the propodeum ia viewed from above, or a littU" in front, the head of the insect beinj; towards the observer. 9G t^P"'- 15 (14) Inner margin of stigma dark, brown or blackish; basal abdoiuinal segment very shining, and on its apical part much less closely punctured, the second segment usually distinctly shining and willi the punctures less extremely close, especially about the middle ; face obviously less wide lativentris Sch. {decqnens Perk.). 10 (13) Abdomen in some species distinctly pale along the apical margins of at least some of the more basal segments, or with a raised line at the hind angles of the propodeum ; some are quite small (not 12 mm. in expanse of wings), the mesonotura often finely punctured, and in some the distinct tomentose pattern is absent. 17 (34) Propodeum at the hind angles with a raised margin (occasionally confused with upstanding rugosites), so that the posterior declivous face is separated by this from the upper surface. IS (19) Lateral pronotal angles in dorsal aspect distinct or subprominent, rectangles, or nearly so. (Anterior area of propodeum finely rugose in front, the wrinkles fading out posteriorly so that the surface becomes only minutely rugulose or granulate in appearance; basal abdominal segment with copious, but extremely fine punctures on the disc.) .... maJachurhs K. (small var. = longidus Sm.). lU (18) Pronotal angles indistinct or very obtuse. 20 (31) Mesonotum often dull or only moderately shining under a strong h^ns, owing to the minute sculpture, over at least a large part of the surface, between the punctures ; abdomen often with lateral spots or band of dense tomentum at the base of the 2nd segment. 21 (24) Larger species, the alar expanse even in small examples usually 13 mm. (in well-developed calceatus 17 mm., in allipes 15 mm., and larger examples of each occur), median (supraclypeal) plate of face very densely punctured. 22 (23) Basal abdominal segment in perfectly clean specimens with a very conspicuous * glaucous bloom, the ridges which define the apical impression at the sides usually more distinctly produced inwardly, so that the impression is more distinct across nearly the whole width of the segment, which is often somewhat flattened in the middle apically ; 2ud segment in the middle mure clothed with minute pubescence albii)e& K. 23 (22) pMsal segment at most with a very slight glaucous bloom, polished black, widely convex in the middle apically, the disc of the 2nd segment much less clothed with minute hairs, or almost glabrous there, (As a species larger than alhipes, and with the face of different shape, more rounded at the sides.) .... calceatus Scop, (cylindricus R). 24 (2ij Smaller species, individual large examples of some rarely attaining 13. mm. in expanse ; supraclypeal plate not very densely punctured, except in aberrant examples, and then the expanse is less than above. * To sec this dearly llio segment should be touched over with a brush damped with pure beuzol. 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'iipenaen, to St. Jeimy, Kings Croft r^fff^Pp^^^ NORTH H^^^Tl^D SOUTH "^^T" The Letchworth and District Natnrilicf.' «„• X . ^''■l' i^uuiM EEDS. are endeavouring to work up the 3 J fannn '^' l'\° "^"^^^ Letchworth Museum, their activities (a twelve-miemditfTW^^^^ of ti, ,,^„i„, ^^^^^.^^ ' the above Society, would therefore be e. remitLtT^i enton^ological recorder for other than Lepidoptera, taken by entonfoloSst wf t ' ^.^ "'^°°^'<^^ "^ ^^^^^tS' any other locality in North Herts ox SoSh Beds ^"^^ '"^^'°*'^^ ""^ ^^^^t^^' «r — -.-^H^Ifi^LZl^-S-- "Ingleh^Inie." Norton Way. Let.h...... MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES" ~ ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF T o^t^aa THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCTETV Winchester House, Old Broad Street EG 9 fc>OCIETl, now meets in Hall 40, month at 6.30 p.n.. General meet ngs ?;t ' TuesV '"t ^I^ ^^"'^'^^^'^ '^ *^« Tuesdays. (No meetings in July or Wn^/f i ^''"'"t y'' Sectional meetings 3rd Hon. Sec. : W. E. Glegg The ntSe 1 b 1°°'^'' ^''' ^'^^ excursions instead.) Ckin,fora .Branch. The CHnlirL ^^ T""' ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ E- 1- opposite Chingford Sta.on, at ^X ^iL^^^^t:^ Z^^^ ^^^^^' WIG^H^^Thl^^S^fAaf^^^^^ AND THE ISLE OR logical Society. Meetings are held on the E^ f '^^^f ^^^.'"P^o^^ ^^^^ District Entomo- at Southampton, and other meetings ti^^^^ tne county from time to time Actitftl.« K ^''''Tl^ Z'' important centres in niclude the formation of a libTa;y of roteHorS"^^^^'^^^^^^^^ *^^ ^'''''^^ «-« county insect fauna list. Will keen entomoln.l / '^'it'' '''''^ **^' compilation of a please communicate with the entomologists m the county who are interested Hon. Se.., E. J. Killi.oxc, 1 St. Catherine's Road, Eastleigh, Hant. '"'■' ( MA^] 5 192i 25 (28) Basal abdominal segment with extremely fine, but numerous punctures -q- ou the disc, or else the segment has a complete, or all but complete, M^^^^ apical impression, easily seen in some aspects, though feeble. 26 (27) Basal segment on its apical part widely convex between the lateral ridges, so that there is no definite apical impression on the middle part ; the 2nd segment also with the apical impression effaced or very indistinct in the middle ; face very wide .... laticeps Sch. {semipunctulatus E. S.). 27 (26) Basal segment with complete apical impression, or almost so; that of the second segment still more distinct ; face less wide .... pauxUlus var. immarginatus Sch. 28 (25) Basal abdominal segment polished black, at most with a few hardly perceptible punctures, and without an apical impression on the middle part, the segment being evenly convex there between the lateral ridges. 29 (30) Face in front view broadly ovate or widely roundish. (Tomentose spots of 2nd abdominal segment distinct and dense in good specimens.) fulvicorjiis K. 30 (29) Face, in front view *, somewhat oblong-ovate, the clypeus more produced. (Sculpture of front of head denser and much less distinct in most specimens, often not distinguishable as puncturation, but rather as obscure granulation or recticnlation, more rarely almost lilie tliat of fulviconns ; punctures of mesonotum still finer than in the preceding and tlie tomentose spots of the 2nd iibdominal segment often indistinct or hardly noticeable.) .... freygessneri kU]i. 31 (20) Mesonotum smooth and shining all over between the punctures, which are either coarse or deep and distinct. (Second abdominal segment without a tomentose spot on each side at the base, or at most with a very small one.) 32 (33) Abdomen polished, practically impunctate, at most with a few isolated punctures lueiis K. 33 (32) Abdomen with the 2nd and 3rd segments copiously and finely punc- tured, at least on the basal portion .... ^j?«zc^iCo///s Mor. 34 (17) Piopodeum at the hind angles without a distinct raised margin, its angles rounded off. 3o (36) Mesonotum very strongly shining, the surface smooth, the punctures not at all close ; basal segment of abdomen finely punctured, the punctures not becoming conspicuously dense towards the sides, nor is it densely punctured along the apical margin. .... villosulus K. 36 (35) Mesonotum rarely very shining, generally for a lai-ge part the surface is minutely sculptui-ed between the punctures, which are more or less dense, at least about the middle, except in one species, and this has the disc of the basal alidominal segment very remotely punc- tured, but towards the sides the pui.ctures (which are extremely * When viewed from behind the ocelli, the face is narrow and long, while that of fiUvicontis is wide and much less conspicuously produced apically, 98 [*Iay. fine) become conspicuously dense, and the stigma is very pale, almost white ; in some species the basal segment is very densely punctate along tlie apical margin. 37 (38) Basal segment of the abdomen with only a few very feeble punctures over the whole polished disc, but towards the sides there is an excessively fine, copious or dense, puncturation. (Mesonotum shining, tlie punctures remote and very shallow, more or less ill-defined in their outlines; stigma very pale, almost white.) brevicornis Sch. 38 (37) When the disc of the basal segment is polished and nearly im- punctate, there is no dense minute puncturation at the sides. (Mesonotum more or less closely, or at least copiously, punc- tured.) 39 (40) Mesonotal punctures strong for the size of the insect ; the basal abdominal segment for the most part very remotely punctured, but along- its apical margin with very dense, fine, distinct punctures. (Face in front view wide, wider than long.) .... jyauperatus Br. [breviceps E. S.). 40 (39) If the basal segment has anj^ resemblance in sculpture to the preceding, then the mesonotum is very finely punctured. 41 (42) Face long and narrow, or oblong-ovate, the basal abdominal segment finely and copiously punctured, both on its apical portion and else- where ; size not very minute. . pioictatissimug Sch. 42 (41) Face in most species roundish or widely ovate ; if otherwise the puncturation of the basal segment is not like that of the preceding species. 43 (44) A very minute, nnrrow species (expanse 8 mm. or less) the anterior area of the propodeum with some wrinkles in front, these being often sliort and failing on the posterior part of the area, though the middle one is sometimes percurreiit as a fine median carina. .... minutissivms K. 44 (43) Species only ordinarily small, except that some examples oi pauxiUus do not exceed the preceding in size, but tliat species has the anterior area of the propodeum comparatively strongly, generally reticu- lately, rugose throughout. 45*(50) Inner spur of hind tibiae with several spine-like and more or less pointed teeth ; apical impression of the basal abdominal segment obliterated at least on the middle part ; 2nd segment at the base without a distinct tomentose spot on each side. 46 (49) Second abdominal segment on its apical portion or depression either with numerous distinct punctures, or, if with only a few feeble ones, the surface is without distinct, minute, transverse rugulosity; face wide, broadlj' ovate. 47 (48) 2ud abdominal segment less deep black, being more dei.sely clothed with minute hairs, its apical impression genei-ally copiously and distinctly punctured, and not polished, that of the 3rd segment * This heading and the corresponding one (50) is only necessary to include the scarce aberra- tions of pauttllus, in which the raised line at the hind angles of the proiiodeum is wanting. The gjiecies belongs to the group of calceafus, and has no real aiiinity with the nitidiusculw! section. 1922.1 ^^ usually Avith much less distinct punctures; anterior area of the propodeum finely rugose, the wrinkles generally disappearing before reaching the end, so that the surface becomes merely granulate or minutely sculptured nitidiuscuhis K. 48 (47) 2nd abdominal segment blacker, less clothed, its apical impression generally with less distinct and much less numerous punctures (of ten closely resembling that of the third segment in this respect) and with "the surface strongly shining; anterior area more rugose, the wrinkles extending over the whole surface .... mrimtus K. 49 (46) Apical portion of 2nd abdominal segment impunctate or practically so and under a strong lens with an excessively fine transverse rugulosity apparent; face longish or oblong-ovate, the clypeus more produced. (Basal abdominal segment impunctate or nearly so.) .... rvfitarsis Zett. 50 (45) Inner spur of hind tibiae with the teeth short and blunt or widely rounded at the tips, not spine-like ; apical impression of the basal . seomeut hardly effaced even in the middle ; fresh examples have sn°all tomentose lateral spots on the 2nd abdominal segment jiaitxillm var. immnrc/matiis. Group I. 1 a\ ^ with the 5th ventral segment strongly emarginate ; $ with the apical impression of the basal abdominal segment finely but copiously punctured. , , 2 (3) /mandibles strongly dilated at base; 9 tib>ae black or dark beneath the scopal hairs .... tetrazonius Kl. [l-anctus K. nee F.). 3 (2) 6 mandibles ordinary ; $ tibiae yellow. „ , , . (a) Antennae of 6 with the flagellum mostly yellow (above and beneath) • ruhieundns var. * nesiotis, n. {h) Antennae of S with flagellum not yellow . . . , riibicundus Chr. 4 (1) c? 5th ventral segment with nearly straight apical margin; $ with the apical impression of 1st segment of abdomen minutely rugulose, with at most excessively feeble indistinct punctures, sometimes wanting maculatus Sm. Group III. 1 (6) 6 Inml tibiae fur the most part or wholly yellow, if («« a J'^^-^f y) widely black in the middle, then the apical impressions of the nd 3rd, and 4th abdominal segments are filled with complete bands of dense tomentum. , j i 5 with the apical impression of the 1st abdominal segment densely finelv punctured. . 2 (3) c? 5th ventral segment at most slightly depressed; antennae on y nioderatelylong^^jneseo^^ * I propose this name for the curious forn, of 'OPSOCINAe. 1. Radialis not toucliing the media at any point. Axillaris and subcosta not developed. Media two-branched. AViug with quite Huntly-rounded apex I'teroxanium Enderl., uov. gen. Kadial-ramus touching the media. Axillaris and subcosta developed. Wings acuminate 2. 2. Media two-branched. Basal section of radial-raunis completely reduced. Wings very sharpl^y drawn out at apex Echi?iopsoci(s Enderl., 1903. Media three-branclied. Basal section of radial-ramus present. Wings moderately sharp at apex Scolopamu Enderl., 1906. Earn. LEPIDOPSOCIDAE. Subfam. ECHINOPSOCINAE. Pteeoxanium, nov. gen. [Type: P. squamosum, nov. spec, England.] Antennae 2 + 22-segmented, the flagellar segments slender, becoming gradually longer towards the apex ; each flagellar segment, except the apical segments, a little dilated at the end. Eyes with rather long pubescence. Prothorax very short, compressed from front to back, and somowhat drawn up dorsally in the form of a lamella, so that it reaches over the mesothorax. Wiiic/s scale-shaped, curved like elytra, and reaching to the apex of the abdomen : rather bluntly rounded at the apex : sub- costa [sc.) not developed : ?-i and rr forming a handle nearer the base thau the middle, rr not forked : radius nowhere united Avith media {m) : media (7^(1 and nii) two-branched: cubitus (c«i and cwa) forked: analis (a«) distinct : axillaris {ax) not discernible. A fairly broad border round the wing- margin, and the veins, are set with large, stout, perpendicularly erect bristles (the hollow cups in which tliey are inserted are indicated in fig. 2), wliich are set with a certain number of microscopically fine, obliquely upstanding, points (fig. 6). The wings are set witli asymmetrical scales, one side of whicli is straight, the other curved (fig. .3); the longitudinal fluting on these runs a little obliquely to the straight side of the scale. Besides scales the wings bear also hairs of the same length as the scales, and all gradations between scales and hairs. Hind ivings apparently quite absent. Tarsal claws slender, with a sharp tooth near the apex. lii:i2.] 103 Pteroxanium squamosum, iiov. spec. 2. Head of a pale brownish shade, frous and vertex wlien viewed in certain directions (especinlly obUquely from behind) with a faint greyish- white lustre, with which is mingled a trace of bluish sheen : clypeolus and labrum black, clypeus only black in tlie front third or as far as the middle. Antennae yellowish-brown, very slender, the scanty pubescence very lonij, about three times as long as the thickness of the tlagellum. 3Iaxillary palp yellowish-brown, terminal segment broadened to the apex somewhat in the form of an axe. Frons and vertex with scattered brown spots, which are denser at the hind margin of the frons and the margins of the eyes : clothed with long, bristly, upstanding, moderately dense, brass-yellow hairs. Thorax 3 4 5 6 Pteroxanium squamosum, $: 1, terminal segment and claws of hind tarsus; 2, venation of front wing, X 48 ; 3, scale from front wing ; 4, intermediate between scale and ordinary hair of wing'; 5, ordinary hair of wing; 6, one of the erect perpendicular bristles from the wing ; 3-6, all equally magnified. and abdomen light brownish-yellow : abdomen above somewhat flattened and set with scales, with not very sharply defined blackish markings, especially near the lateral margins. Femora dark brown, light brownish-yellow at the extreme apex. Tibiae dark brown, the following parts light brownish-yellow ; in the front leg, the 4th and 7th sevenths; middle leg, 3rd and 6tli sixths; hind leg, 3rd, 4th, and 7th sevenths ; the tibiae bear numerou,-^, very long, upstanding bri>tle3. Tarsi light brownish-yellow, first quarter of the meta- tarsus infuscated. Wing-membrane hyaline, veins very pale, completely covered with scales, hairs and bristles : hairs and scales dense, shining liglit brass-yellow*, on the 4th fifth and the 10th tenth of the wing blackish-brown : * In the two specimens retained in England, the parts which Dr. Enderlein describes as hght braas-vellow appear (in bright daylight) more of a pale straw or buft : but the texture ot the scales is such that their colour and reHection probably look very' different according to the nature ana direction of the illumination. — H. S. 104 [May, the erect, perpendicular bristles are blackish, in the apical fifth light brass- yellow : in the imdenudecl wing the veiiia are only recognizable by the longitudinal series of bristles along them, but they themselves are quite indistinct. Length : body (of dried insectl ca. 2^ mm.; front wing, 1| mm.; antenna, ca. 3 mm. ; hind tibia, 2 mm. ITab. Crowborough, Sussex : in a house, October 1st, 1921, four specimens {F. J. 11. Jenhinson). Two cofypcs in the author's collection : also one example in the British Museum and one in Cambridge University Museum. [Dr. Jenkinson states that he only saw the four exam])les which were cajjtured : one was found among some clothes which had lain overnight in a bedroom, another was on a table in another room, and he cannot recall exactly in what part of the house the remaining two were taken. The house had been occupied only just twelve months. The occurrence of various species of Psocids, both fully-winged and flightless, inside houses, has been frequenth' observed. It is mentioned, for instance, by E. E. Green in his supplementary^ note to Dr. Enderlein's important paper on the scaly-winged Copeognatha of Ceylon, Spolta Zeylanica, iv. 1906, p. 123. Sometimes certain species are present in very great numbers, forming veritable swarms on the ceilings and walls of rooms : the occurrence of such a swarm (comjjosedof two winged British species) in a quite new house at Cambridge is recorded in Ent. Mo. Mag. 1916, p. 20. — Hugh Scott]. A NEW FUNGUS-FEEDING GALL-MIDGE. BY F. W. EDWAKDS, F.E.S. The remarkable insect to be described below was first obtained in the larval state in Yerdly Wood, North Sussex (a few miles south of Haslemere), in the summer of 1921 by Mr. J. liamsbottom of the Botanical Department of the British Museum, who was collecting with Mr. E. E. Green at the time. Mr. Green at the first glance took them for Coccidae, but soon discovered them to be CecidomyUdae and passed them on to me. Subsequently I myself found some dead pupae in a wood at Datchworth, Herts. Probably therefore the sj)ecies, though hitherto overlooked, is widely distributed in suitable localities. The habitat of the larva is in a bark-encrusting fungus which Mr. Kamsbottom has determined as a species of Hypochnus, probably S. fuscus. Small, more or less circular, blister-like swellings are formed on the surface of the fungus ; the swellings are about 2 mm. in diameter 19-^2.] 105 when fully formed, iiud often crowded closely together. Each swelling- contains a single larva, which when full-grown pupates within the swelling ; before emergence the pupa pushes itself half-way out through the side of the swelling, and when this has taken place the whole cap of the blister easilj^ becomes detached, leaving a shallow depression on the surface of the fungus. So far as I am aware this is the first record of a Cecidomyiid fly producing a more or less definite gall on a fungus, and for that reason I have thought it worth while to waite an account of the species. From the material collected by Mr. Eamsbottom I was fortunate enough to rear 3 (5" d and 3 $ § . An examination of these specimens shows that they belong to the tribe Cecidomyiariae, and by the table of genera in Kieffer's monograph in Wytsman's " Genera Insectorum " appear to run down to either Frauenfeldiella or Galodiplosis, according as the palpi are taken as two or three-segmented. From these, however, they differ in many respects, and as I have been unable to trace any subsequently described genus into which they will lit, I feel compelled reluctantly to propose a new generic name, overburdened as the family already is with such names. Mycocecis, gen. n. J $. Eyes toLichiiig. Palpi 2-segiiiented (apart from the palpiger), very short, and the segments iudistinctlj^ separated. Antennal flagellum l:2-seg- meuted, the tirsttwo segments connate; each with two liair-wLorls and three rings of looped filaments, eight equal-sized loops in each ring; teiminal seg- ment with a small, conical, connate, pubescent knob. First scapal segment simple, rounded. Mesouotum without scales. Abdomen rather densely but shortly hairy ; short and broad. Legs densely covered with close-lying hair- like scales or flattened, blunt-tipped hairs, sometimes showing a single median striatiou. Claws each with a long sharp tooth arising near the base. Empo- dium and pulvilli rudimentary, less than half as long as the claws. Wings densely covered with close-lying hairs ; costa without scales. Sc absent, or only faintly traceable at the base. R\ well separated from the costa, ending about the middle of the wing> Rs slightly curved downwards, ending very slightly before the middle of the wing-tip ; r-cu almost in a line with Rs, much longer and stronger than the basal section of Rs. Cu forking a short distance before the tip of i?i. (S • Flagellar segments each with two conspicuous swellings, the basal one almost sessile and about tAvo-thirds as long as the apical one, this latter with a terminal neck which is about half its breadth and nearly two-thirds its length. Loops nearly as long as the greatest diameter of the segments. Ilypopygium : both dorsal and ventral anal lamellae (tenth teigite and sternite) with a rather deep and rounded emargination. Aedeagus (stylet) rather stout but slightly chitinised. .Side-pieces rather over twice as long as broad, without lobes. Claspers rather short and stout, tapering, with a single short terminal claw. 106 ' May. 5. Flagellar segments slightly tliougli distinctly constricted just beyond the first ring of loops; neck rather shorter than in thee?. Loops about a quarter as long as the diameter cf the segment. Ovipositor non-prutrusible, with a pair of small, simj)le, oval lamellae, and a pair of large, rounded, ventral lobes. Pupa flattened, subcircular in form. Exuvium hyaline, smooth, without any apparent spines or tubercles. Prothoracic horns strongly chitinised, about half as long as the separated antennal sheaths, slender, almost bristle-like, somewhat tapering to the rather blunt tip, which is slightly curved ; perfora- tions scarcely visible even under a magnification of 300. Larva whitish, broadly oval, flattened, the integument almost completely bare, and without well-marked tubercles. Spatule well-marked, pear-shaped, with two small ec[uilateral-triangular points in front. First two thoracic seg- ments microscopically papillose at the sides. A minute bristle in the middle of the side margin of each segment, and in addition four similar bristles behind the anus. A small tubercle on the ventral surface near the lateral margin of each segment. Spiracles all sessile and unmodified, the first and last pairs somewhat lai'ger than the others. Mycocecis oval is, sp. n. Head rather abruptly broadened just below the middle. Eyes large, broadly contiguous above the antennae, v\idely separated behind the mouth Mycocecis oralis, sp. n. — «, Flagellar segment of $ ; b, flagellar segment of J; c, hypoijygium of J ; d, mouth-parts of cJ ; e, larva ; /, head and prothorax of larva. (All X 150, except e, which is X40.) parts, considerably emarginate anteriorly. Antennae daric brown, somewhat longer than the whole body in tlie J, not much longer than tlie head and thorax togethei' in the § ; verticillate hairs black, about two-thirds as long as 1922.] 107 tlie whole segment. Palpi pale jelluAvish, Aery shoil, scarcely one-third as long- as the vertical diameter of the head ; palpiger (or perhaps the first palpal seg- ment) sub-glohular, first (or second ?) segment oval, second (or third ?) segment elongate-oval, about half as long again as the first, each segment with four or five short bristles. Labella short, shorter than the palpi, each with one or two sub-apical bristles. Hypopharynx in c? lather broad and pubescent, in § narrower and bare, llwrax shining dark brown ; membranous parts dark reddish in life. Mesonotum with the usual two rows of long black bristly hair ; similar hair on the margins ; scutellum paler than the rest of the thorax, with long dark marginal bristles. Abdomen rather short and broad, with dark, reddish membrane, tergites blackish-brown ; clothed rather densely with black hair. Leys uniformly clothed with black hair-like scales. Wint/s scarcely twice as long as broad, with dense blacli close-lying hairs and rather long black fringes. One pore near the base of the feebly-marked iSc, two at the tip of Hi, and one on Hs at a point half-waj' between the base and tip of JR^. Salteres pale at the base, knob black. Wing-length about 2 mm. Co-types in the British Museum : 1^,2$^ dry ; 1 cj" , -' $ 2 iu balsam The broadly oval shape of the larvae and pupae is peculiar, but not unique among the Cecidomyiidae. Somewhat similar larvae and pupae have been described by Riibsaam^en for ^hahdoioliaga pseudococcus, a species which forms white cocoons on the under sides of sallow leaves. I have myself found larvae not at all unlike those described above, feeding openly on a fungus (a species of Corticium'^) encrusting a fallen log ; in this case I failed to rear the larvae and did not preserve any. British Museum (Natural History). April 1922. Choleva angiiatata F., and its allies : supplementary note. — Dr. R. Jeanne in a recent paper entitled " Sur les Choleva des iles Britauniques " (Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1922, pp. 49, '50) comments upon the five species of the genus charac- terized and figured by me in this Magazine in 1918, pp. 80-33, figs. 1-6. He accepts all of them as distinct, two being unknown to him on the Continent, and makes various corrections in the synonymy, concluding with the remark that C. angustata Fabr., C. cisteloides FriJl., and C. sturmi Bris. are not found in Britain ! He appears to have overlooked the fact that the type of C. ( Cistela) angustata Fabr. (Sp. Ins. i. p. 148, 1781) was from "Anglia," and that it is contained in the Banksian Collection at the British Museum in London. I was also unaware of this when my paper was written, and now find that my identi- fication of the species was incorrect, thus misleading Dr. Jeannel. Mr. Blair, in 1920, in his " Further Notes on P'abrician types in the Banks Collection " (Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (9) v. p. 162) states that C. angustata F. appears to be the C. sturmi of Continental entomologists, but this is evidently not the case. He and Mr. Champion have been kind enough to compare my 1918 material with the Fabriciau type, a S , still in a fair state of preservation, and it work s 108 [May out as a pallid or immature example of tlie iusect uauied by ine C. cisteloides, so far as can be ascertained without an examination of the genital armature. The posterior femora are unarmed and rather stout, the posterior trochanters are armed with a sharp, curved spine, and the ventral segments 2-5 have each a small shallow depression in the middle ; the species, therefore, belongs to Bectiou 2 of my table. Dr. Jeanuel does not tell us much about his " vrai C. anc/ustata F.," but as he compares it with my C. sturmi, it presumably has toothed posterior femora; the aedeagus is described hy him as having a small quadrangular plate at the tip, while that of C. sturmi Bris. (cf. Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1922, p. 27) has the apex broad, brusquely retracted into a narrow, feebly bilobed, quadrilateral plate. Accepting his synonymy as correct, except as regards the Fabrician insect, the names of the five British species noticed by me in 1918 will stand thus :— Section 1. 1. faijjiiezi S&&\\n&\ (Jan. 1922). Type, La Grotte de Lheim. anyiistata Britten (nee Fabr.). 2. jeanneli, n. n. Type, Britain. sturmi Britten (nee Brisout). Section 2. 3. (jlauca Britten. Type, Britain. 4. ungustata Fabr. Type, " Auglia.'' cisteloides Britten (nee Frolich, 1799). pyrenaica Jeannel (Jan. 1922). Type, La Boude, France. 5. oldniH/a Lati'eiUe (1807). Type, Southern Fiance. intermedia Kraatz, Britten. — H. Britten, Manchester Museum, Victoria University, Manchester: April, 1922. Coleoptera in Worcestershire iii 1921. — The following species of Coleoptera have been taken in this district by Mr. Perrius or myself during the last seasons; — Dryocoetes alni, found in profusion by Mr. Perrins in an alder grove near Kidderminster; in a plantation of about an acre scarcely a tree was to be found which was not or had not been attacked. Saprinus virescens, in plenty with Fhaedon tumidulus, about 30 specimens were taken from the one locality; two or three specimens of a blue variety were found. Lema melanopa, attacking oats and doing considerable damage to tiie leaves of the plant. Cryptocephahis sexjninctatus, discovered by Mr. Perrins on aspen, on which tree I afterwards took a series ; the insects cling firmlj to the top of the tree, and could be obtained by bending down the main stem and picking them off by hand ; a strong wind which was blowing may account for the departure from the usual habits of the species. Haplocnemus impresses, one specimen taken by sweeping under old oaks. Zeiiyophora Jlavicollis, on aspen in September. Acidota crenata, by sweeping under old trees. Scolytus pruni, in old apple-trees, making its gallery in June. Ptinus sexpunctatus, Corynetes coeruleus, and Trox scaler were all fairly common on the walls of my house at night during June. Opilo mollis, about a dozen specimens taken from an old oak, also at night, apparently preying on Xestobium tessellatum. — G. H. Ashe, Hartlebury, Kidderminster, Ajjril 6th, 1922. 1922.] 109 Curious malfonnnfion in Forficula auricularia Linn. — Mr. B, Morley of Skelmanthorpe, near Iluddersfield, lias given me a very curious Forficula auricularia which he took in that district last year. It is a large specimen of the variety /oy«}>rtf«, and the right side calliper seems tome to be of abnormal length, even for that variety. On the left side there is no calliper at all, uor can I find any trace of there ever having been one. If one did not know the Earwig had this variety forcipata., the ordinary man might well be excused for supposing that in this specimen both callipers had been developed into one long one on the right side ! — Gko. T. Pohiiitt, Elm Lea, Dalton, Huddersfield : March IQth, 1922. Miridae ( Capsidae) common to Britain and N. America. — Mr. 11. II. Knight in a paper entitled " Nearctic Records for Species of Miridae known heretofore from the Palaearctic Region" (Canad. Ent. liii, pp. 280-288, Dec. 1921) adds several European species to the American list, eight of which are British. He is able to account for 48 species of Miridae which are common to the two regions, and as many of them are found in this country it seems worth while calling attention to the distribution of the insects in question, two only wanting confirmation {Bothynotus pilosus Boh. and Apocremnus variabilis Fall.). The species common to Britain and N. America are : — Teratocoris saundersi D. &; S., Miris dolabratus L. and M. ferrtigatus Fall., Merjcdoceraea redicornis Geoffr. * [longicornis Fall.), Monalocoris Jilicis L., Camptobrochis bdescens Schill., Calo- coris bipunctatus F., Adelphocoris lineolutus GoezH* (chenopodii Fall.}, Lygus pabidinus L., L. prcdensis L., L. pastinacae Fall., L. riibicundus Fall., Poecdo- scytus unifasciatus F., Deraeocoris ruber L. {laniarius L.), Pdophorus clavatus L., Orthotylus co7icolor Kirschb.,* Chlatnydatus pidicarius Fall., Plagiognathus chrysanthemi Wolff* (viridulus Fall.), Psalliis alnicola D. & S.,* Megalocoleus molliculus Fall.,* Blej)haridopterus angulatits Fall.,* Globiceps dispar Boh.,* Neocoris bohemani Fall., Heterot.oma meriopteru Scop., Pithanus mar/celiH.-ii., Cytorrhinus caricis Fall., Halticus apterus L., Orthocephalus nvitabilis Fall. The species marked with an asterisk have been added by Mr. Knight. The others are nearly all mentioned by Dr. Ilorvath in his paper " IjCS Relations entre les Faunes Ilemipterologiques de I'Europe et I'Amerique du Nord" (Ann. Mus. Hung. vi. pp. 1-14, 1908).— G. C. Champion, Hor.sell: A2tril, 1922. A Dolichopid fly sivarmiyig in houses. — Though a number of kinds of Uiptera and other insects have been recorded as swarming in buildings, this habit has not frequently, if ever before, been observed among Dolichopodidae. Towards the end of June, 1921, the writer was staying at West Trevose, Padstow, N. Cornwall. The house was suddenly invaded by great numbers of the Dolichopid fly Medeterus petrophilus Kowarz ; the swarm was not so dense as those of Chloropisca circumdata (one of which the writer also observed this summer in Scroope House, Cambridge), nor was the phenomenon so severely localised. The insects occurred in large numbers in most rooms, but the chief swarm (which must have numbered a few thousands) was in a lower room facing east. The same species was also noticed in other houses near by in great numbers, though not so great as in Trevose. The insects remained quiescent, and the swarm persisted for several days, gradually dwindling away. The phenomenon was quite new to the occupiers of the house. M. petrophilus 110 [May, occurs abuudantly on the neighbouring "towans," and it is just possible that the extraordinarily high temperature and the drought were factors in determining the migration. — C. G. Lamb, University Museum of Zoology, Ciimbridge : March '2nd, 1922. So7itc- North JDerhyshire Hymenoptera and Diptera. — To one accustomed to the profuse vegetation of the woodland and hedgerows-efLJWarwickshire, two day- in the mining village of Danesmoor at Whitsuntide 1921, was not very alluring entomologically, as with the slag heaps of Clay Cross Ironworks on one hand, shale dumps of the pit on the other, and the prevailing erratic weather conditions; there were small hopes for collecting in this apparently barren region. Much to my surprise, I was fortunate in taking some interesting specimens during the fitful spells of sunshine, a few at Padley Wood, the remainder beside the Midland Railway line between the village and Clay Cross. I am indebted for nmch kind assistance in the determination of \\\y captures, in the Hymenoptera to the Rev. F. D. Morice, and in the Diptera to the Rev. Alfred Thornle}'. Monophadmis genicuhitus Htg., Fennsa (Kaliosi/spkinf/a) dohrni Tischb., Poecihsoma tridens Knw., DoJerus haematodes Schr., D. picipe's Ki., D. niyratus Miill., D. aeneus Htg., Bhoyogaster auaipariae Kl., Pachyue~ matus clitellatus Lep., P. xa7ithocarpns Iltg., Trichiocamjnis eradiatus Htg., Microcryptus labralis Gr. (taken 1914), Lbnerium yeniculatum Gr., Halidiis rubicimdus Christ., H. atricornis Smith, II. leucopus Kirb., Andrena albicans Kirb., A. cineraria Linn., A. triimnerana Kirb., A. (jwynana Kirb., A. anyustior Kirb., A. similis Smith., A. saunderseJIa Per., Nomada nltcrnata Kirb., N. Jath- buriana Kirb., N. bifida Thorns., N. fahriciana Linn. Phamphomyia spissirostris Fin., iSi/rph?(S tricinctus Fin., Gymnochaeta viridis Flu., Cynomyia morttiornni L., Pollenia rudis Fin., Polietes Inrdaria F., Phaonia {Hyctodesia) errans Mg., Psila fmetariali., Opomyza jiorum F., also a brown lacewing-fly ilf/6vow??fs [lagnnns Linn., and a moth Porfrix palleana Hiibn,, bred from larva taken in 1914.— J. W. Sal-NT, 53 Enfield Road, Stoke, Coventry: April I5th, 1922. ^/ #bituavm Vincent Robert Perkins died at his residence in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, on April 3rd last, oged 91. He was the eldest son of the Rev. B. R. Perkins, v,-ho ibr fifty years was Yicar of the parish, and also Headmaster of the Grammar School. As young men, he and his younger brother were entlnisiastic collectors of Lepidoptera in the early days of the " Entomologists' Annunl " and the " Weekly Intelligencer," their father's beautiful garden and the hills and woods around tha town providing delightful and profitable collecting grounds. Vincent, after a short time spent in London, was for a while in the Bank of England at Newcastle-on-Tyne, where he made the acquaintance of Bold and other collectors in the North, but by far the greater part of his life was spent at Wotton. In the " seventies " of last century, when resident for some years in London, he was a frequent attendant at meetings of Scientific Societies, but subsequently he lived in the hoixse wliich had formerly belonged to his father the Vicar. 1S.22.] ]^-L^ Until comparatively recent years he continued his collecting of Insects of the Wotton district, and not only those of one Order, but practically all groups at one time or another interested him. From about the year 1875 the Aculeate Hymenoptera were especial objects of search, and later the Homopterous bugs seemed to have received a good deal of attention. Soon after beginning to collect Hymenoptera he added to the British list tlie Fossor, Crabro gonac/cr, which for a considerable time was not found elsewhere in this country, although it is now known to be rather widely distributed. His observations on the nesting habits of the bee, Osnita bicolor, which he observed concealing the snail-shell, in which its cells are placed, with great numbers of ''bents" (or pieces of dry grass stems) have been quoted by many writers. His pleasure lay, certainly, in field-work rather than in minute study of the specimens captured, and probably he had neither the inclination nor the power to discriminate difficult species, nor was he a prolific writer to the magazines. Besides contributing to lists of Gloucestershire insects of other groups, he himself wrote that on the Aculeate Hymenoptera — in reality a list of the species found around Wotton rather than a county list. Such errors as exist in this are mostly, if not all, due, I believe, to determina- tions made not by himself, but by specialists to whom he sent insects for determination. So recently as last August, when the writer, his nephew, spent many hours in his company, his interest in his past collecting days was almost as keen as ever, and his eagerness to know exactly where one had been and what insects one had seen in his old haunts was surprising. Apart from Entomology all matters of Natural History interested him, and at one time he possessed a number of specimens of our rarer birds, and got together a large collection of birds' eggs. He was local Secretary of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeolooical Society, was actively interested, as Trustee or otherwise, in various Cliarities in connection with the town, and also in the local schools ; in past times he had been Mayor and Alderman of "Wotton, and was the last survivor of those who had served in either of these positions. He was elected a Fellow of the Entomological Society of London in 1879 and resigned in 1917. His two daughters survive him.— R. C. L. P. Frederick William Lamhart Sladen (F.'E.S. since 1902, and "Dominion Apiarist" of Canada), who died suddenly on September 7th last year — not exactly, as was first reported by drowning — but from heart-disease, while bathing at Duck Island, Lake Ontario, had not long entered upon his 46th year, having been born at Blackheath in May 1876. His father was Lieut.- Col. J. Sladen, R.A., and his mother Lady Sarah Sladen (nee Lambart) was a sister of the late Earl of Cavan. He was educated at home, and spent most of his life till he left England in 1912— or at any rate till his marriage in 1902 — at his father's house, Ripple Court, near Dover, among surroundings in many ways ideal as a preparation for his future work in life as a Hymenopterist and professional expert in Apiculture. At the age of 16 he had already had several years of practical Bee-keeping, and had experimented with some success in domesticating Humble-bees— a work which he continued for manv vears, 112 May, continually revising and improving his methods, long after he had found that it could never be made commercially remunerative. In his case, however, the labour taken was by no means " Labour lost," since we owe to it his admirable and well-known monograph " The Humble Bee " (1912). He had also already acq^uired much familiarity with Kentish insects generally, paying chief atten- tion to the bionomics of the Aculeate Hymenoptera, and especially of the Bees (both social and solitary). It was at this time (1892) that he produced quite a sensation aiuong the few Hymeuopterists of the day, by circulating among them copies of a reall}" wonderful little booklet, composed, stylographed in imitation of printing, illustrated, and even bound (!), entirely by himself. Small though it was, it contained many quite new observations on the bionomics of our various species of Humble-bee ; and, both in its title, and more or less even in its contents, anticipated the great work, already .illuded to, which was to appear twenty years later, just before its author finally left this country. It is to this little essay that the late E. Saunders chiefly referred when he wrote in his " Hymenoptera Aculeata," etc. (p. 360) : " Mr. F. W. L. Sladeu has latel}' paid a good deal of attention to the habits of the British Bomhi, and in the remarks which follow I have drawn largely from information very kindly supplied by him." Between 1895 and 1912 Sladen not unfrequently contributed notes to this Magazine. All but one dealt with Hymenoptera, and the following at least are of more than temporary interest: — Descriptions, etc. of two Bees new to Britain, Sphecodes rubicundus (Nov. 1895) and Cilissa melanura (Oct. 1897); Bombi in captivity and the Habits of Pdthyrus (Oct. 1899) ; A Scent-producing Organ [viz., the " Canal'' of Nassanofi] in the Abdomen of the Workers of Apis mellijica (Sept. 1902). Here we may note, parenthetically, that Sladen also first discovered and explained — not, however, in Ent. Mo. Mag. but in the " British Bee Journal " (Dec. 14th, 1911) — the true function of another structure in the woi-ker Hive-bee, namely the " auricle " at the base of the hind meta- tar.sus. To the " British Bee Journal " also he communicated many other papers — mostly on Apiculture — one series of which (" Queen-rearing in England ") was republished as a book in 1905, and followed by a 2nd (enlarged) edition in 1913. After settling in Canada he published in the '' Canadian Entomologist" several papers of a systematic character, e.g., on certain genera of North American Wild Bees, and the relations of their species to congeners in Europe. During his last fifteen years in England (though still continuing to collect, study, and occasionally write on Aculeates other than Hive-bees) he was occupied chietiy with practical Apiculture. In fact, he adopted this as a definite profession, establishing iind managing (practically single-handed) the well-known " Ripple Court Apiary " on his own premises. Here, besides dealing, not unprofitably, in honey, queens, bee-keeping appliances, etc., he^ paid special attention to the production bj' scientific methods of improved races ; arranged exportations of Humble-bees to the Antipodes, and of Hive- bees, specially selected, to many of our more distant Colonies ; competed in Exhibitions, etc., etc. This side of Sladen's activities can only be discussed adequately by an expert in Apiculture, and fortunately this has been done 1922.] 113 already, so that -we need only refer our readers for a conipU te accouut of it to an admirable "Obituary Notice" of our lamented colleague Avhich appeared in the " British Bee Journal " of October 6, 1921. They will find there a most comprehensive and interesting survey of Sladen's whole career, which has helped the present writer much in preparing the above imperfect sketch of his too short life and his most noteworthy contributions to our knowledge of the "roup on which he specialized with such conspicuous and fruitiul industry. — M. Georae Alexander Javtes Rothney, 1849-1922.— G. A. James Rothney, who died on January 31st in his 73rd y(;ar, was a keen entomologist, especially interested in the Aculeate llymenoptera, and one whose broad outlook took in many sides of Jiis favourite science— that of the naturalist pt-rhaps even more than the keen collector and student of systematics ; the artistic side, revealing the setting of the insect world in the whole scheme of nature ; above all, the human and personal, delighting in memories of his scientific comrades. ■ Where shall we find so fine a picture of Edward Saunders as that given by him in the " Proceedings of the Royal Society " (B. vol. 91, p. xvi) ?— " I can see him now as he was in 1868 to 1870, looking so very young and boyish, but standing up and reading learned papers at the Entomological Society on the Buprestidae, listened to and holding his own with the giants of those days." And then memories of his later years and home-life, and the conclusion :— " lie was the kindest helper and friend that anyone could have." One thinks, too, of Rothney 's pleasure in recovering and placing near his own in the Mope Museum at Oxford, a collection recalling, as he wrote, " a memory of good, cheery old Fredk. Smith, one of the dearest and most interesting of men." The naturalist and artistic sides of his nature are evident in his graphic story of a tremendous flight of Winged Termites at Barrackpore— " a real 'Brock's beneHt' in White Ants," and in the delightful "picture-memories" recorded in this Magazine (1920, p. 175), memories which, as he said, '• 1 love to dwell upon now my collecting days are over." Rothney 's great collection of Oriental Acideata was begun in 1872, the year when he sailed to the East in the service of 0. W. Scott & Co., merchants, of Calcutta, soon to become John Dickinson & Co. His own captures were chiefly made in Barrackpore Park near his house, also in Calcutta, Mussoorie, Allahabad, and N. W. P. The collection is also rich in specimens from other famous entomologists— Bates, Bingham, Cameron, Forel, and F. Smith, and includes a very fine series taken by natives in the Khasia Hills, Assam, and extremely rich in types of new species not only among the Amleata but also the PhytopJuKja and Parasitica. The ants, which are a special feature, include species from many other parts of the world. Together with this splendid col- lection in its cabinet he presented nearly 100 volumes and numbers of unbound separata, forming a library of the Oriental Hymenoptera, including all publi- cations concerned with the Rothney collection, also 34 volumes of his own papers, correspondence, and notes, chiefly on Indian llymenoptera and Lepi- doptera. He also presented his own series of the Trans. Ent. Soc. Loud., dating from 1868, the year of his election, and arranged for its continuance and uniform binding imtil the end of 1922. " 1868-1922 inclusive is a pretty good show " L 114 [»'ay, he wrote on December 31st. In addition to the Ilj'menoptera, he gave iine series of other Oriental insects and a small cabinet containing his British Aciileates, includirg the first male and female of Formica exsecla taken in Britain, and the example, for many years unique as a British insect, of Odynerus herrirhii { = basaUs) taken in Dorset in 18G8. I well remember the extraordinary care and interest he took in the trans- port by road of these collections to Oxford, personally superintending the packing in the van and arranging that it should arrive so that I could superin- tend the un])acking and at once send him a telegram when all was safe. I recall, too, the cluiracteristic generosity with which he sent a present to the carter when the telegrjim came — generosity combined with wise foresight, for the man had been told what he might expect if he iised all care and discretion. And he never lost sight of or forgot his collection, but would seize every chance of adding to it by the purchase of further series of Ilymeneptera, especially pleased when they were Oriental species from new districts, or insects of all kinds from ex-enemy countries. These generous gifts were continued in the List years of his life and referred to in letters dictated a few weeks before his death. lie bequeathed £150 to the Entomological Society, and £50 to the Hope Department to provide further accommodation for his favourite Oriental Ilymenoptera. He kept all his keen interest in natural history up to the end. A fortnight before his death he listened to a long scientific paper read to him by his daughter and only finished when it was nearly midnight, and dictated a letter telling of his interest in it, and his pleasure at his daughter's interest. And a few days earlier he had supplied further details concerning the capture of rare British insects, and made an important correction in the data previously given. " I don't know how it is," he wrote, " but as one gets older and towards the end of the lane one turns to one's first love— British Bittterjlies.^' It was the same with his other great interest — Rugby football. After hearing tlie summar}' of current events in the newspaper he would always say " Now turn to the football news." Ilothney was one of those wise English- men who know well that the worst thing to do in the Tropics is to live a sedentary life chiefly occupied in cursing the weather. He was the first to start distance running in India ; he introduced Bugby Eootball into Calcutta in the year of his arrival, and, when Captain and Secretary of the Club in 1878, it was at his suggestion that the Calcutta Cup was presented to the Bugby Union, to be competed for annually by England and Scotland. With his brain clear and active as ever he died as he would have wished, very quietly, with his two daughters by his side. — E. B. P. I Julius Jaeyer, — In liis eighty-ninth year, the veteran Lepidopterist, .7. Jaeger, jjassed away on January 5th last, at his home in North Kensington Born in 1834 at Biedenkopf in Germany, he came to this country as a Professor of Music about 1854, and remained in that profession until his retirement a good many years ago, having at the time of his death lived in England for ti8 3'ears. From boyhood he was an ardent entomologist, and the long summer holidays which his profession allowed were largely spent in collecting Lepi- doptera in Wales, and in various parts of England. Starcross was a favourite m2.] 115 locality with him, and it was while spending what was probably his first holiday in South Devon, that he was the first to discover and make known that Callimorpha hera, until then regarded as one of our greatest larities, was common in that district; and it was rather a "sore point" with him at the time that the late 0. G. Barrett, in his "Lepidoptera of the British Islands," seemed to give the credit of this to another man. His most notable capture was the beautiful fresh specimen of Ophiusa stolida which he took on September 23rd, 1903, at Galmpton, South Devon, on a post which the writer of this has himself sugared very many times. Jaeger recorded this interesting capture in our Magazine for November of the same year (p. 269), and the specimen, which still remains unique as British, was also figured on the coloured plate published by us in September 1911. Some of the writer's most enjoyable entomological expeditions were spent with Jaeger at Galmpton, and we there took together such then rare species as Heliolhis armlgera, Leucania vifellhia, L. albipuncta, Laphyyma ea-ir/ua, as well as many other good, but less notable, Lepidoptera. Jaeger, too, found the larva of Deikphila livornica at Starcross, and succeeded in breeding the perfect insect. Jaeger never pre- tended to be in any sense a scientific entomologist : his greatest delight was to get into the haunts of various local species and take them himself, and from eggs obtained to watch their habits by breeding them through at home. His interest in Lepidoptera was strong until quite the end of his long life, and after he could no longer do any field-work, he was breeding them up to within two or three years of his death. So recently as December 21st last he wrote to the writer a long and cheerful letter on entomological and other matters, but saying that, although in fairly good health, his sight was so bad that he could do but little of anything. It was, therefore, a shock to hear from his step- daughter in just over a fortnight later that he was gone, after three days' illness from broncho-pneumonia. For a collector throughout so many years, his collection is not an extensive one, and contains but few great rarities, but it shows a good representation of the moi-e ordinary and local moths. This is accounted for from the fact that he did little exchanging, and no buying, the collection thus being largely the result of his own work. For many years he was associated with the South London Entomological Society, where he often spoke and exhibited his specimens. There he made many friends, and having made an intimate friend he probably never lost him in life, his great cheerfulness and geniality being very attractive. Among such friends who predeceased him may be mentioned W. H. Tugwell and Sydney Webb, and his visits to the latter at Dover were greatly enjoyed by him, in looking and chatting over his well-known fine collection. He has left a sou, and a step-daughter (Miss Townsend), the former now having a large practice as a medical man in the district in which his fatlier resided for eo many years, and to them we extend our sincere sympathy in their loss.— G. T. P. Arthur W. Bacot. — The death of this entomologist was announced in (he daily press on April 12th, in a telegram from Cairo, in the following words : — "Science has claimed another victim in Mr. Arthur Bacot, who died here this morning from typhus, which he contracted while carrying out research work 116 [[May, for whioh lie wns recently lent to the E^-yptian Government by the Lister Institute. Mr. Bacot \vas well known for his researches into the conveyance of plague by rats, and also for his work in connection with trench fever during the war." He was entomologist to the Lister Institnte of Preventive Medicine. Some years ago he visited Sierra Leone for the Yellow Fever Commission, and was the author of numerous papei's on entomological subjects, insects and disease, and yellow fever. Bacot Avas elected a Fellow of the Entomological Society of London in l')07, and resided at Longhton, Essex. The South Loxdon Entomological and Natural History Socikty : January 2Qth, 1922. Annual Meeting, — Mr. Stanley Edwards, F.L.S., Vice- President, in the Chair. The Report of the Council, Statement of the Treasurer, and Balance Sheet were received and adopted. The following members were declared elected Officers and Council for the ensuing year : — President, E. J. Bunnett, M.A.; F.E.S.; Vice-Presidejits, K. G. Blair, B.Sc, F.E.S., and N. D. Eiley, F.E.S., E.Z.S. ; Treamrer, A. E. Tonge, F.E.S. ; Librarian, A. W. Dods ; Curator, S. R. Ashb}^, F.E.S. ; Assist. Curator, T. L. Barnett ; Editor of Proceedings, Ily. J. Turner, F.E.S.; Hoju Secretaries, Stanley Edwards, F.L.S., F.E.S., and Ily. J. Turner, F.E.S. ; Recorder, L. E. Buuster ; Lanternist, A. W. Dennis ; Council, T. L. Barnett, A. A. W. Buckstone, L. E. Dunster, O. K. Goodman, F.E.S., T. IL L. Grosvenor, F.E.S., H. A. Leeds, G. S. Robertson, M.D., E. Step, F.L.S., and S. Syms. The President being unwell, his Annual Address was read by Mr. Riley. Tt was entitled, " Will o' the Wisp," with which he dealt historically and biologically, ascribing the phenomenon to the male Ghost-Moth. The new President, Mr. E. J. Bunnett, then took the Chair, and votes of thanks were passed to the retiring Officers and Council. Major C. E. Lyles, 6 Hyde Park Mansions, and Mr. J. H. Adkin, WhWc- cliff Road, Purley, were elected members. Mr. C. Craufurd exhibited an Afjlais urticae with a curious deficiency of colour in two streaks on the hind margin of the hind wings; the scaling was perfect. February dtk, 1922.— The President in the Chair. Miss Alice K. Lock, 77 Grove Hill Road, S.E., was elected a member. jNIr. R. Adkin exhibited a second brood series of Brenthis selene from Abbot's AVood, Sussex, taken at end of July and in August. Mr. A. A. W. Buckstone, a large foim of the same specie.-s racial in the Is. of Arran, and a series of a small race from Ileadley ; and an aberrant form of Taeniocampa incerta, resembling both T. munda and 1\ gracilis. Mr. H. W. Andrews, the Anthumyiidae (Dipt.), Hylephila sponsa, said to be rare, but common in Kent; and species of local Limnophora. Mr. Bleukarn, Crypt oceplialus coryli from Mickleham, with a spot on each elytron ; and the racial form of Phyllodecta luticullis from Killarney, Dec. 1921. Mr. H. J. Turner, for Mr. Greer of 1022.] 117 Stewartstown, aberrations of butterflies, EucJilo'e cardamines, Pararge megaera, Polyommatus icarus. Mr. Frohawk, aberrations oi Aglaib urticae, Pieris napi, Argynnis paphia, E'lchlu'e cardamines, P. brassicae. — Hy. J. Turner, Hon, Editor of Proceedings. The London Natural History Society. — Members have been giving more attention to other branches of Natural History instead of concentrating on l<]ntomology lately, but in spite of this several very interesting Lepidoptera exhibits have been shown, including a fine series of Grapta c-aWian, bred bj' Mr. R. W. Robbius from pupae obtained in the west of England, showing that both the "marbled" and "non-marbled" forms appear at the same time and in the same locality. Dr. Cockayne has shown Plebeius argiis, a long series of gynandromorphs with varieties, and some freshly emerged Euvanessa antiopa with white borders caught last year showing that the wliiteness is not due to fading of the pigment after emergence. Mr. J. Riclies exhibited selected varieties from his extensive collection of Abraxas grossulariata, bred in North London by himself. Mr. H. B. Williams has shown Dryas paphia and its var. vc/esitia. Mr. W. A. Southey, several forms of HemeropJiila abruptaria ; and Mr. Worsley Wood, series of Erehia blandina, Chrysophamis phlaeas, Brephos pnrtbenias, and Pseudoterjjna pruinata, with varieties. On January 3rd, Mr. L. W. Newman gave an interesting lecture on the effects of last j'ear's drought on the various species of Lepidoptera. A large number of Plant Galls liave been exhibited caused chiefly by Eriophyidae, Diptera, or Hymenoptera species.— H. J. Burkill, 31i7iuting Secretary : March \Qth, 1922. Entomological Society of London: Wednesday, March \sf, 1922. — The Rt. Hon. Lord Rothschild, M.A., F.R.S., etc., President, in the Chair, Tlie following were elected Fellows of the Society: — Mrs. Margaret Rae, Courtliill, Birkenhead; A. F. Rosa, M.U., 28 Pitt Street, Edinburgh; Mr. Frank Russell, F.G.S., Aulden House, Worksop ; and Captain Francis JNIoysey, Suffolk Regiment, Talodi, Nuba Mountains, Sudan. The Treasurer made a statement on the Wicken Fen Fund. He called attention to the valuable work that is being done on this Nature Reserve and made an appeal for contributions towards its maintenance. The Treasurer announced that the late Mr. G. A. J. Rothney had bequeathed the sum of £150 to the Society. The President announced tlie death of Professor Geldart, and a vote of condolence with his relatives was passed. Dr. Waterston exhibited a Brazilian bee, Melipona scutellaris Latr., taken near Brighton; also a stem oi Ar undo phrag mites from whicli numerous pupae of a Chalcid, Geyiiocerus Jlavimamis Thorns., were projecting; Mr. II. Mace, a number of butterflies from the ueiglibourhood of Khartoum ; Mr. R. Adkin, Diaphora mendica var. venosa, n., from Co. Tyrone, and compared it with other races of the species ; Mr. E. B. Asliby, numerous insects of various orders from Piedmont, Italy; Professor E. B. Poulton read some notes on the utilization of derived plant pigments in the colouring of Lepidoptera ; he also read a communication from the late Dr. T. A. Chapman on germinal "factors" and 118 [May, their independent existence and development; Mr. Hn<:li IMain read some notes on tlie metamorplioses of Onthophagus taurus L., illustrated with some remarkable lantern-slides. The following papers were read : — " Qynandromorphous Plebeiiis argus L.," by Dr. E. A. Cockayne ; " Butterflies from the Nile," by Mr. H. Mace ; " Types of Oriental Carabidae in the Stettin Museum," by Mr. H. E. Andrewes ; and ''New Genera and Species of Neotropical Curculioiiidae,'" by Dr. G. A. K. iihirshall. ^ NOTES ON SOME AUSTEALIAN ANTS. BIOLOGICAL KOTES BY E. B. POULTOX, D.SC, M.A., F.E.S., AND NOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS OE NEW FORMS BY W. C. CRAWLEY, B.A., F.E.S., F.R.M.S. The following paper contains an account of some ants collected during 1914 in West Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. The notes on the habits of each species were made at the time of capture, and Professor Poulton has added further observations from memory. These are indicated by quotation marks and the initials " E. B. P." All captures without the addition of any name or initials were made by Professor Poulton, who contributes the following general notes : — " During my brief visit to Australia — July 29th to August 27th, 1914, with a few hours at Fremantle on August 31st — I was much struck with the dominant position of the ants in the insect fauna Other insects were scarce, especially the Lej)idoptera ; indeed the only day on which I saw an abundance of varied insect life was August 31st, at Cottesloe Beach, Fremantle, Avhere the 'wattle ' (Acacia spp.) was in bloom and attractive to many species. The important position taken by the ants is shown by the species recorded in the present paper, althougli allowance must be made for the fact that ants are more easily found in a time of scarcity than most insects. But I do not doubt that their pre- douiinance in Australia is real. " I noticed when collecting Camjjonotus nigriceps race dimiJidta {infra p- 12-3) under the bark of a prostrate tree-trunk near Healesville, Victoria, that Hemiptera on the bark of an adjacent tree were ant-like in appearance and especially in their movements ; also at the same time small Coleoptera under and in rotten logs and on bark were, when running very ant-like. Mr. E. E. Turner has recorded a unique feature in the mimicr}^ by a fossorial wasp, ApJieJostoma tasmanica Westw., of the 1922.] 119 formidable ' Bull-dog ' ants of the genus Myvmecia. When alarmed, the wasp often picks up a fragment of dead stick or leaf, which it carries in its mandibles, thus increasing the resemblance to an ant (Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1919, p. xxxvii). I anticipate that the mimicry of ants will prove to be a special feature of the Australian fauna. " In making the collection here described I received the kindest help from Mr. L. le Seouef, Director of the Zoological Gardens, Perth, and from Mr, H. M. Giles, the Head Keeper ; and at and near Healesville from Mr. E. Kelly. A few of the ants were collected in the Blue Mountains, N.S.W., by Prof, von Luschan, of Berlin." Sub-family I. Ponerinae Lep. Myrmecia vindex Sm. — g . From manj^ adjacent nests of various sizes. S. Perth, Swan Kiver bank near Zoological Gardens, 2.viii.l-l (i. le Seouef; E. B. P.). " This species is one of the well-known ' Bull-dog' ants of Australia, a term no doubt applied to many others in the genus. The number of nests in a small area seemed to be a definite habit and is j^robably advan- tageous on the Miillei'ian ](i-inciple. An enemy having experienced the defensive powers at the mouth of one nest would carefully avoid disturbing others. Thus each nest would help in guarding the rest. The behaviour of the ants was different from any I have seen. Around and just inside the entrance, which aj^peared to descend vertically into the earth, was a little group of ants. The head of each ant was always facing outwards in the direction of possible attack. When disturbed, the ants walked slowly, with widely opened mandibles, towards the enemv. I have never seen suggested, in the bearing of an insect, so firm a confi- dence in the possession of terrible powers of defence and such relentless determination to use them. The result was to make them particularly^ easy to capture with the forceps ; for reti-eat of any kind or the avoid- ance of danger by rapid movement was quite foreign to their nature." — E. B. P. Some species of ants, by a system of colonisation in addition to the general mode of founding nests by means of fertilised females, succeed in establishing enormous colonies consisting of scores or even hundreds of separate nests, all the members of the different nests being on friendly terms with each other. This is the case with the common European Formica riifa and others, and it is possible that some species of Myrmecia have a similar habit. It would be interesting to ascertain 120 [May, whether tlie members of the different nests of M. vindex referred to above were friendly to each other. M. forficata F. — 4 ^ g . Under log in bush, Victoria, near Heales- ville, Narbethong, Springbank. One ^ has a ^ of Gamponotus ferru- qlnifes, sp. n., fixed to its leg. " When the two were captured and put in the same box, the Camponotns seized the leg of the Ponerine. When the box was opened a few hours later the Gamponotus was dead but still holding on tightly to the living Myrmecin.'''' — E. B. P. One deiilated $ was taken under a log in the same locality (7?. Kelly), and 3 5 under a stone near Black Spur in the same district {E. B. P.), 15.viii.l4. Amhlyoponeferriiginea Sm. — S ^ ^ . From nest under stone. Blue Mts., N.S.W., near Mt. Victoria, 23.viii.14. A. australls Erichs. — 2 g ^ . Victoria, Healesville to Narbethong, Maryville road, 15.viii.l4. Eitponera {Brachyponera) lutea Mayr. — ^ c? . Near Perth, Yallingup to Mammoth and Lake Caves, under log or stone in bush, 31.vii.l4. ^ ^ , 5 c? d, and one alate $ were taken by H. M. Griles at Mun- daring Weir, near Perth,3.viii. 14, and a single deiilate $, taken at an earlier date by the same collector, bears the note " Probably Perth District." 6 6 and 2 $ of this ver}^ abundant species are often taken after the marriage flight without ^ ^ , and it was probably from such a S and $ that Mayr described the sexes of his species, as he says " Broh- ahly belonging to this species." Up to recent years I had never received either J d or $ $ taken with the ^ ^ , and therefore when Prof. Poulton showed me some ^ ^ and one dealate $ (queen) taken together undei- a stone close to the platform at Picton Junction, near Perth, l.viii.l4, the $ differing entirely from Mayr's $ , it occurred to me that this $ was the true female of JE. Jutea. I described this ant in 1918 (Ent. Eec. XXX. 5, p. 86) as the true 5 of this species, or alternatively a " B " form. There is no doubt, however, that the 5 described by Mayr is the typical 5 of lutea, and therefore the very interesting one discovered by Prof. Poulton must be considered as a "B " form. It is just possible that it may be a parasitic $ of another species, though this is not so probable from its appearance. I have recently received many S d and 2 ? taken in nests with -g ^ from different parts of Australia, all the 2 2 being the typical forms. It is a verj^ variable ant as regards colour, ranging from pale yellow to almost black in the same colony, and numerous myrmecophiles are found in its populous nests. The figures G. A. BENTALL, NATURALIST, 392 STRAND, LONDON, W.C. 2. ENTOMOLOGICAL SUPPLIES^OF ALL KINDS. Any of the following Price Lists sent without charge : — PALAEARCTIC, INDO-AUSTRALIAN, AFRICAN, AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA, AND OTHER INSECT ORDERS : APPARATUS AND BOOKS. REVISED PRICES FOR BACK VOLUMES. 1st Series, 1864-1889.— Parts, 3/6 net each ; Volumes, 25/- net, Vols. 1 to 25. bound 3/6 extra. These can be obtained in many cases in complete Volumes. 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LLOYD & Co., Ltd., Bubbell Street Works, Blackfbiars, London, S.E. 1 : or Messrs. GUE,NEY & JACKSON, 33 Paternoster Row, London, E.G. 4. WATKINS & DONCASTER, 36 Strand, London, W.C. 2, England, (Phone: 9451 Gerrard) STOCK EVERYTHING REQUIRED by COLLECTORS OF BIRDS' EGGS, INSECTS, PLANTS, Etc. - - - - Large Stocks of Specimens on hand. Books on all Branches of Xatural History. CATALOGUES FREE. C O N T E N T S. PAGB The British species of Halictus and Sphecodes {continued). — B. C. L. Perkins, M.A., D.Sc, F.R.S 97 A Scaly-winged Psocid, new to science, discovered in Britain {with figures). — Dr. Giinther Enderlein 101 A new fungais-feeding Gall-midge {irith figures). — F. W. Edirards, F.E.S 104 Choleva angnstata F., and its allies : supplementary note. — H. Britten, F.E.S. . 107 Coleoptera in Worcestershire in 1921. — G. H. Ashe, M.A 108 Curious malformation in Forficula auricularia L. — G. T. Porritt, F.L.S 109 Miridae (Capsidae) common to Britain and N.America. — G. C. Champion, F.Z.S. 109 A Dolichopid fly swarming in houses. — C. G. Lamb, B.Sc 109 Some North Derbyshire Hymenoptera and Diptera. — J. W. Saunt 110 Obituary. — Vincent Robert Perkins 110 Frederick W. L. Sladen, F.E.S Ill G. A. James Eothney, F.E.S US Julius Jaeger 114 Arthur W. Bacot, F.E.S 115 Societies. — South London Entomological Society 116 London Natural History Society 117 Entomological Society of London 117 Notes on some Australian Ants. Biological Notes by E. B. Poulton, D.Sc, M.A., F.R.S. , and Notes and Descriptions of new forms by W. C. Craidey, B.A., F.E.S., F.R.M.S 118 THE NATURALIST: A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATUKAL HISTORY FOK THE NORTH OF ENGLAND EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, M.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.G.S.. F.S.A.Scot., The Museum, Hull ; AND T. W. "WOODHEAD, Ph.D., M.Sc, F.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield; WITH THE ASSISTANCK AS KEfEREES IN SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS OF GEO. T. PORBITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.. JOHN W. TAYJLiOK. M.Ks , RUjEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. The Journal is one of the oldest Scientific Periodicals in the British Isles, dating back to 183o, and is ci^xulated ividely amongst the principal Naturalists of the country, London -. A. Brown and Sons, Limited, 5 Farringdon Avenue E.G. i. And at Hull and York, PRICE, 1/- NET. Pre] aid Subscription, 10,6 per annum. Post free. The Annual Subscription for 1922 is 15; ThirdSeries. No. 90] tttxtt. ,000 [No. 697.] '^^^^' ^^^^ t^^'^"^ 2/-N1.T. THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S MOHTHLY MAGAZINE. EDITED Br &. C. CHAMPION, P.Z.S. J. E. COLLIN, F.E.S. W. W. FOWLER, D.Sc, M.A., E.L.S. E. W. LLOYD, E.E.S. G. T. POREITT, E.L.S. J. J. WALKER, M A., R.N., F.L.S. VOLUME LVIII. LTHIllD S ERIK S- VOL.. VIlL] "J'euj^aye done tous a eviter dans leurs eurits louie persoiinalile, toute allusion depaaaant les iiinites de la disoussion la plus sincere et hi plus conrtoise." — Lahoulhene. LONDON: GURNEY & JACKSON (Me. Van Voorst's Successohb), 33, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. 4. TATLOK AND FEANCIS, RED LION COUKT, FLEET STREET. 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RECORDS WANTED FOR NORTH HERTS AND SOUTH BEDS. The Letchworth and District Naturalists" Society, who manage Letch worth Museum, are endeavouring to work up the lists of fauna and flora of the region covered by their activities (a twelve-mile radius). The writer, being entomological recorder for the above Society, would therefore be extremely grateful for any records of insects, other than Lepidoptera, taken by entomologists who have collected at Royston, or any other locality in North Herts or South Beds. Rat Palmer, F.E.S., " Ingleholme," Norton Way, Letchworth. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 41 Queens Gate, S.W. 7 nearest stations : South Kensington and Gloucester Road). — Jtme 7th, Oct. 4th, 1922, at 8 p.m. The Library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except on Saturdays, when it is closed at 2 p.m.), and until 10 p.m. on Meeting nights. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge. The Second & Fourth Thursdays in each month, at 7 p.m. The lantern will be at the disposal of Members for the exhibition of slides. THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, now meets in Hall 40, Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2, on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month at 6.30 p.m.. General meetings 1st Tuesdays, Sectional meetings 3rd Tuesdays. (No meetings in July or August indoors, but field excursions instead.) Ho7i. Sec. : W. E. Glegg, The House, Albion Brewery, Whitechapel Road, E. 1. Chingford Branch. The Chingford Local Branch meets at the Avenue Cafe, opposite Chingford Station, at 8 p.m., on the 2nd Monday in each month. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT. — This Society has developed from the Southampton and District Entomo- logical Societj'. Meetings are held on the First Satiirday afternoon of each month at Soiithampton, and other meetings will be arranged in important centres in the county from time to time. Activities being undertaken at the present time include the formation of a library, of collect.ions of insects, and the compilation of a county insect fauna list. Will keen entomologists in the county who are interested please communicate with the Hon. Ser.., F. J. Killington, 1 St. Catherine's Road, Eastleigh, Hants. 1922.] 121 sliow the o-reat difference In size and structure in the two forms of ? . In proHlc the scale of the "B" $ is thick like that of the ^ , not knife- edged as in the normal 2 • Bhijtidoponcra {('ItaJcopoiiera) meialUca Sm. — ^ . One under log, ^Nlundaring Weir, 3.viii.l-i ; one ^ , Mundaring Weir, 3.viii.l-i ( //". M. Gilcft) ; and G under stone, Adelaide, Mt. Lofty Range, lO.viii.1-1. Tlie specimens from the latter locality are all uniform dark metallic sreen, and the coarse longitudinal striae on the front do not continue so \ Fig. 1. — Normal 5 of Euponera lutea Mayr. (On same scale as fig. 2.) Fig. 2. — "B" 2 of Euponera lutea Mayr. (On same scale as fig. 1.) far as in typical specimens ; the scale is straight, not concave, behind ; the first segment of gaster has shallow punctures among the fine striae, and the second segment has fewer and shallower ones. The anterior border of the clypeus has a somewhat more pointed form, and the head is not quite so emarginate behind as in typical forms. This very abundant ant varies greatly, and a number of varieties in addition to those already described might readily be named, but in all ])robability many of these slight variations are found in the same colony, especially the colour variations. The metallic sheen ranges in all shades from red and purple to green and blue. M 1 OO [Tune, E. (C.) metallica Sm., vav. tasnuouensis Emerv. — -J 5 • Near Perth, Yallingup to Mammoth and Lake Caves, under log or stone in bush, 31.vii.l4. B. {C.) metaUica Sm., var. cristidota Forel— J ^. Blue Mts., N.S.W., near Mt. Yictoria. Nest tinder stone, 23.viii.14. For description of the S , which was taken on this occasion for the first time, see Ent. Eec. xxx. 5, p. 88 (1918). E. (C.) victoj'iae Andre. — 2 J, 6 ^. Yictoria, near Healesville, Narbethong, Springbank. Nest under log in bush, 15.viii.l4. S (laitlievto uudescribed). Length 4'8 mm. Black ; tip of gaster, ailicu- latious of legs and terminal joints of tarsi, ferruginous, also mesonotum ; antennae dark brown. Wings p;ile brown and iridescent, nervuresdark brown. Head broader than long, narrowing in front and behind. Mandibles with 7-8 teeth. Clypeus bulbous, depressed along anterior border, wjiicli is feebly convex. Frontal area triangular, slightly impressed. Eyes large and oblong, placed obliqueW across the side of head in front of middle, occupying a little more than | the side. Scapes short, about twice as long as broad, nearly twice as long as 1st segment of funiculus .which is about as broad as long ; 2nd joint long, longer tliau the scape and 1st joint together, the rest diminishing in length and increasing in breadth to the ajucal, Avhich is about as long as the 2nd. All except 1st much longer than broad. The whole antenna f as long as the whole insect. Scntellum prominent, a transverse impression dividing it from the scutum. Base of epinotum equals the declivity, the latter plane, sub-boidered. Scale from above longer than broad, the sides concave in front, the concavity forming a ridge wliich ends in a blunt tooth at each side. Underneath is a flat lamella ending in a blunt tooth directed forwards ; in the centre of the lamella is a circular translucent aperture. Pilosity : body sparsely provided with erect brown hairs; pubescence nil except on antennae. Tibiae with erect hairs. Gaster and mandibles shining, the rest sub-malt. Mandibles with very few small punctures ; rest of head roughened, mostly longitudinally. Scutum anteriorly with a short longitudinal impression from ^vhich radiate fine stiiae. Mayrian furrows with broad transverse grooves, shining, the rest and the scutelbira irregularly and lougitudhially rugose-striate. Epinotum irregularly and coarsely transversely reticulate. Ntde -with irregular lines. Gaster shining and smooth, with traces here and there of superficial striae. Sub-family III. Myrmicjnae Lep. Apliae7iogaster {jSfystaloviyrma) longicejis Sm. — 13 ^ ^, near Healesville, Yictoria, under rotting log, l(3.viii.l4. These ^ ^ agree perfectly with Smith's type. A. (X.) 2ioidtoni Crawley. — Tln-ee ^ ^ , taken b\' Prof. Poulton m the Zoological Gardens, Perth. I have received numbers of this species from the neighbourhood of Perth, 1^22.] \2S " I have no special recollection of the nest of longiceps, but I feel sure that the log when raised only disclosed a series o£ tunnels from which the ants were taken. The openings to the nests of jwidtoni in the Zoological Gardens were very characteristic. They were scattered sparingly over the bare turf and were all alike, being deep, circular, little craters, from memoiy about 1^ inches in diameter, with a small central hole passing vertically downward. The crater was surrounded by a wall of pure yellow sand evidently brought \ip from below the superficial soil, from which it was entirely free. Th.e 3'ellow sand also lined the crater, which, with its wall, was a very conspicuous object. Very few ants were seen in the craters, never more than one or, at the most, two in each.''— E. B. P. A. pouUoni is described in a paper now being printed for the Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. Plieidole variabilis Mayr var. — A single 1/ under stone. Blue Mts., N.S.W., near Mt. Victoria, 23.viii.14'. This appears to be one of the numerous varieties of this species. It is very like var. ri/f/occijjuf For. from Queensland, as it has the whole head longitudinally striate and reticulate between the striae, but the scapes are somewhat shorter than in rngoccipuf. Monomovium {Mitara) ilia For. — ^ ^ and 4 $ 5 , from nests in rotten wood, S. Perth, Zoological Gardens, and Swan Eiver Bank, 2.viii.l4 (i. h Seouef; H. M. Giles; E. B. P.). Crematogaster austraJis Maj'r. — ^ ^ , many c? d" , 3 alate and one dealate 5 » S. Perth, Swan Biver bank, near Zoological Gardens. From 3 nests in rotten Melaleuca trunk, 2.viii.l4 (Z. le Seouef; E. B. P.). " The nests, of which two were found on one tree, were excessively populous." — E. B. P. This I take to be Mayr's species from his description, though I have iiever seen a co-type or a specimen named by a myrmecologist who has seen the type, and I am not completely satisfied that this is austral is. C. rufotestacea Mayr. — 5 ^ ^ , under log or stone in bush, near Perth, Yallingup to Mammoth and Lake Caves, 3l.vii.l4. This is a very abundant species in Western Australia. Sulvfamily IV. Dolichodebixae Forel. Iridomyrmex detectus Sm. — ^ ^ . Mundaring Weir, near Perth, 3.viii.l4 ; Perth, stations on railway to Busselton, 30.vii.l4; Adelaide, Outer Harbour, 27.viii.14. " The entrance to the nests was very charac- teristic, being a single opening, leading vertically downwards, in the m2 124 tJ«ne. centre of a bare, smooth, circular patch, from memory about a foot in diameter. Across this patch the ants ran with great rapidity in their iourneys to and from the nest. Known as the 'meat ant." " — E. B. P. Abundant ahnost over tlie wliole continent. I. (h'scors For. — Q g • ^^nder log or stone in busli, near Pertli, Yallingup to Mammoth and Lake Caves, 31.vii.l4. Also a very abundant species in West Australia. I. conifer For. — ^ . Perth, stations to Busselton ; Yallingup, close to sea, 30.vii.l4. An extremely abundant species in W. Australia. The nests harbour a great niunber of myrmecophiles. " The nests, which were especiall}^ common near the sea at Yallingup, resembled a small Formica rufa nest, but the material was coarser, grey in colour, and freely intermixed with sand. Near one of the nests in this locality a crowd of ants was seen busily engaged in attacking some object. One scoop with a moderate-sized pill-box secured 32 ^ with their prey, a Noctuid larva. The contents of the box were poui'ed into a cyanide bottle, and, when examined later, were found to include a large larva of the Myrmeleonid genus Palpares. It seems probable that tliis predaceous insect had been attracted by the number of ants at one spot and had tunnelled towards and beneath them. Its flexible limbs sug- gested that it had been alive when put into the bottle." — E. B. P. I. emery i Crawley. — d $ ^ . This species was described in Ent. Hec. XXX. 5, p. 90, 1918. " A moderate-sized flat stone formed tlie roof of a chamber the floor of which was crowded with winged 5 5 • ^vhile the S 6 were hanging, as densel}' packed, from the ceiling. The close proximity of the sexes— for the chamber was low — combined with their absolute segregation, was a very striking sight." — E. B. P. In the original description the locality was given as Victoria ; it should be N. S. Wales, Blue Mts., near Mt. Victoria, 23.viii,14. I.fornicatits Em.- — 10 ^ ^ , under stone, Blue Mts., N.S.W., near Mt. Victoi'ia, 23.viii.ll. Kindly determined for me by Prof. Emery. /. itinerans Lowne, race nitidicej)s Andre. — 1 ^ , near Perth, Y^allingup to Mammoth and Lake Caves, imder log or stone in bush, 31.vii.l4. The specimen is damaged, but it is almost certainly this species, which I have frequently received from the Perth district. I. riifonicjer \jQ\\ve. — 4 ^ 5 , in flower of pink Mesembryanthemum, Adelaide, Outer Harbour, 27.viii.14. I. sp. — ^ ^ , under stone, Victoria, near Ilealtsville, near Black Spur, 15.viii.l4. I am unable to identify this species at present. 1922.] 125 /. {Doleroinynna) dai'winianus For., \a.v. Jicla For. — 8 "^ ^. Yal- liiigup to Mammoth and Lake Caves, under log or stone in busli, 31.vii.l4. Kindly identified by Prof. Emery. Lepfoiiii/nnex eri/llwocepliahis F. — 1 ^, under stone, Blue Mts. N.S.W., near Mt. Victoria, 23.viii.14 {von Luschan). Tarncria frenclii For. — 7 ^ ^ , under stone, Blue Mts., N.S.W., near Mt. A'ictoria, 23.viii.14. Not having been able to compare this striking little species with ForeFs co-types, 1 place it with some hesitation nn^Qvf rendu, though it agrees fairly well with the description. Sub-famiLy V. Gampoxotjxae Forel. jVufonciis sp. — 4 ^ ^, 1 5 alate. These 5 specimens do not quite agree with any of the published descriptions. They are veiy like f/ilbcrti For., from Queensland, but are without the striae on the thorax. There are so few representatives of this genus in ovir collections in this country that I let them stand over for further material. The ^ ^ measure 4"5 to 5"1 mm. Near Perth, Cottesloe Beach, sea to railway station, in one nest, under a stone or piece of tin. Nutoncus sj). — A single specimen, a ^ , differing from the above, but indeterminable at present. Near Perth, Yallingup Lo Mammoth and Lake Caves, under log or stone in bush, 31.vii.l4. Cauiponotus {Myrmotavha) niifriceps Sm., race dimidiata Kog. — 20 5^ ^ , from nest under bark of prostrate trunk, Victoria, near Heales- ville, 16.viii.l4. 9 ^ g , under stone, Blue Mts., near Mt. A'ictoria, 23.viii.14 {von Luschan). "The ant-like Hemiptera and beetles with ant-like movements {siq)ra, p. 118) Avere found near the Healesville nest."--E. B. P. G. {M)/rmophi/ina) testaceipes Sm. — G l!/, 16 ^ ^, under log, near Perth, Mundaring Weir, 3.viii.l4. C {Myi'mogonia) claripesMajv, race? — 4 ^ ^ minor, near Perth, Yallingup to Mammoth and Lake Caves, under log or stone in bush, 31.vii,14. Difficult to identify without ^ ^ major. C. {Myrniosphincta) suffusus Sm., var. hcndiyensis For. — A single 5 under stone, Blue Mts., N.S.W., near Mt. Victoria, 23.viii.14 {von Luschan). C. {Myvmosaya) ferruginipes, sp. n. ^ major. Leuglli 9 mm. Deep black ; ma-ticatoiy border of mandibles leddisli, f uuiculi dark red-brown, legs bright terruginoiis, 126 [June, Head very slightly broader than long, widest at eyes, sides feebly convex. Mandibles 6-dentate. Scapes pass tlie occiput by more than a quarter of their length. Clypeus feebly carinate. Anterior border very sinuate. Kyes Hat, placed above the middle of sides. Pronotum broad in front, the shoulders rather prominent and bordered. Base of epiuotnm IJ as long as declivity, saddle-shaped. Scale in profile twice as high as broad, bluntly rounded at top. Fi'oni above it is wider than long. Pilosity spnrse, brown-yellow. A slight pubescence on head and gaster Tibiae and scapes without erect hairs. Moderately shining. Mandibles shining, with a few punctures and lines at base ; clypeus, cheeks, and the space between the frontal cavinae have small, scattered, irregular punctures. AVliole of head and thorax minutely and closely reticulate and semi-matt ; on sides of thorax and on base of epinotum the sculpture has a more or less transver.-e direction. Scale with extremely fine encircling striae ; caster with even finer transverse striae. Legsmicro.scopically reticiilate-striate. A single specimen, fastened, as related on p. 120, to the leg of a jSLjrmecia forficcda, near Healesville, Victoria. The gaster is unfortu- nately somewhat damaged and some legs are missing. It is quite unlike any of the described forms of this subgenus from Australia. The C. (iLf.) cliaJceus Crawley, originally taken at Yallingup, comes nearest this species, but differs princijjally in colour. It has since turned out to be a very abundant species in Western Australia. See Ent. llec. XXX. 5, 1918. 29 Holland Park Poad, London, W. 14. March 1922. SOME INDIAN COLEOPTERA (8). BY G. C. CIIA.MPIOX, F.Z.S. The eighth contribution of this series contains descriptions of, or notes on, the few known Dasytids inhabiting the Himalaj'a, the Nilgiri Hills, etc., nineteen in all. Three others have already been recorded by me from India, Eulohony.v exaspera/i/s and U. scricens Champ. (Ent. Mo. Mag. 1920, pp. 71, 72) and the cosmopolitan Acaitthocnemus nigricans Hope (=^ciliafi/s Ferris) (oj). cif. 1922, pj). 77-79). A peculiar Cis is also described. The species enumerated in this jmper ai'e * CoutiiuR'd from ante, p. 7'5. 1922.] 12? as follows, the genera marked with an asterisk being new to the Indian fauna : — Dasytidae. Dasytes scahricollis, n. np. *Haplocnemns nioestus Gorh. ,. Ittshmiren^iti, ii. sp. ,, indicus, n. sp. ., danacaeoides, n. sp. *Donaldia maindroiii Pic. ,, kumaonensis, n. sp. *Procerallns (n. gen.) aplocnemiformis Pic. „ speciilifer, n. sp. *^mrtM»-onia icesticoodi, n. sp. ,, monilicornis, n. sp. *J9rt iiacaeomimtis (n. gen.) nigropectus, n. sp. ,, breviuscuhts, n. sp. Dasytes cambiensis Gorh. „ aurescens, n. sp. ., mutabilis, n. sp. Cisidae. ,, aeneoni^eus, n. sp. Cis fasciculosus, n. sp. ., discretus Gorh. Haplocxemus Stephens. 1. Haplocnemus nwesfiis. Dasi/fes moestus Gorh. Ann, Soc. Ent. Belg. xxxix, p. 323 (1895), Hah. Belgaum (Aiidreives). Gorham, in describing this species from numerous unset examples, alludes to its oblong, convex body, the coarse elj^tral puncturing, and the securiform apical joint of the maxillary palpi ; but he docs not appear to have noticed the long free appendage of the tarsal claws, a character bringing it into Haplocnemus Steph. A cinereo-pilose, brassy-black or aeneo-piceous insect, with the two basal joints of the antennae testaceous (a streak on 1 above excepted) and the others piceous, the legs piceous, with the tarsi paler ; the antennae of the the eyes moderately large; antennae rather short, the joints submonilifonn, 5 and 7 distinctly Avider than 6 or 8, 9-11 slightly stouter, 9 and 10 tran-sverse. Prothorax moderately convex, longer than broad, sinuously narrowed from the middle forward and obliquely narrowed posteriorly. Elytra parallel, long, much wider than the prothorax, bluntly rounded or subtruncate at the tip. Beneath more shining, very finely punctured, the metasternum almost smooth in the middle. Length 2-2^ mm. Hah. Eanikhet Division of Kumaon {H. G. C). Eight specimens. {To be continued.) CEITICAL NOTES ON THE HON. H. ONSLOW'S PAPEE, -^MELANISM IN ABRAXAS GBOSSULARIATA var. VARLEYATA.' BY a. T. POREITT, F.L.S. The Hon. H. Onslow has very kindly sent me a copy of his paper under the above heading, which ajipeared in the " Journal of Genetics," vol. xi. No. 2, September 1921, and which paper was discussed at the last meeting of the British Association at Edinburgh. The paper is a most interesting and valuable contribution to the literature on the subject, for, although so far as the breeding results are concerned, it contains nothing that has not for many years been known to those specially inte- rested in Abraxas (jrossulariata. the facts have never previously been XS'2 i-Uine, published which ishow in detail, and Avith diagrams, the biological facts, as has been done here, thus bringing the account of the variety varlci/atd into line with other melanic and other varieties, which have been worked out Ijy the same author, by the late Professor Doncaster, and others, and which will be of so much use to future students. But as several of the minor details of the paper are misleading, comment upon them seems necessary. Taking them in rotation, in the footnote on ]). 12-1- it is stated " it is possible that the variety alhovarleyata is exq^uisita,'" whereas if the two names did represent the same form, the reverse would be the case, alhovarlei/ata having been named and described in the Ent. Mo. Mag. of April 1917, whilst the description of cxqnisita (or vavlcijata- exquisita as it should be called, for it is a varleyata), did not appear imtil a year later (Ent. Record, 1918, p. 189), so that exquisita would become albovco'leyafa. Since sending me the paper, however, Mr. Onslow has very generously given me a specimen (along Avitli several other interesting varieties of the species bred in the course of his experiments) of what he evidently regards as the xAYiaiy cxqnisita, and which undoubtedly is the same form as my albovarJeyafa. Mr. Onslow's specimens were obtained by crossing the var. varlei/ata with var. lacticolor (Jhivo- fasciari(t), and it is evidently much easier to breed the form from such crossing than it is from pairings of pure varleyata, from a pairing of Avhich mine was bred. But this specimen of Mr. Onslow's does not agree with Mr. Ila^'nor's original description of var. exquisita, which reads : " Fore-wing with black shoulder-knot at Ijase ; then a broad Avhite median band containing a black discal spot ; then a broad black band extending to outer margin, except that it is bordered outwardly with a band of large white cuneate blotches edged with black towards the fringes. Hind wing wdthout black shoulder-knot, with base therefore white, the rest of tlie loiny to tlie outer maryin similar to tlic fore winyy The italics are mine. Neither in Mr. Onslow's specimen nor my own is there any trace whatever of a black band on the hind wing, which to agree with the description there should be. Mr. Kaynor's description of the upper side, indeed, agrees well with the most pro- nounced form (as to the white cuneate marks) of the male varJeyata as it occurs wild here, though it ap})ears to have considerably more white on the under side. Then on p. 127 Mr. Onslow is certainly in error in stating that the males of varhyata are considerably in excess of the females, for when an 1922.] 133 entire brood is reared through, the sexes are equal in number, ahnost to a motli. This I have proved over and over again. The number of motlis reared from Mr. Onslow's broods seems to have been small, and I can only suppose that there was considerable mortality among his larvae. Disease often attacks the broods when the larvae are well grown, and as the larvae of the females are so much bigger than those of the males, and are longer in feeding up, the mortality is naturally much greater among them. On p. 128 it is stated that " many of the families coming from the strains obtained from Mr. Newman and Mr. Porritt showed an increased development of black pigment, which is not apparent in the families obtained from JStr. Kaynor's strain." This is easily accounted fur in my case by the fact tliat in the strain from which I sent Mr. Onslow tlie eggs, and which was from the tirst very dark, I had for several years been tiying to obtain moths entii'ely black, and so had selected each year the Idackest moths in both sexes for pairino-. Eventually 1 did eliminate tlie white rays from practicallv all of the male specimens, and also the white band from the fore wings of some of them. Possibly Mr. Newman Iiad been trying to do the same tliino- with his. On }). Vol a section of the paper is headed " Vars. Acfinota and Leiccosfic/a."' There are no vars. actinota and leucosticta of varleyata ! Mr. Eayuor, from having no knowledge of varleyafa in a wild state, or for some other reason, aj^plied these names to two of the most ordinary forms of the male varleyata, and, as a matter of fact, Mr. Onslow's figures 8 and 9 on the plate accompanying his paper, labelled leitcosiicta and actinota respectively, exactly represent two of the most ordinary forms of the male varleyata, as it occurs wild in the gardens here. The original description of varleyata (in Trans. Yorks. Nats. Union, and not in Ent. Mo. Mag. as inferred b}^ Mr. Onslow) was made from the female only, as I did not then know the male, and of c(jurse had no suspicion that the variety would be sexually dimorphic, as it afterwards proved to be. But to apply other names to the males of a motli of which the female had already been named transgresses all the accepted laws of entomological nomenclatiu-e. One might just as reasonably give different names to all the males of the vast number of moths in which the sexes differ in colour or markings. These names of Raynor's are totally invalid, as are also those he has applied to the different forms of the female of varleyata (including a new name for the type form!). These names of the female Mr. Onslow has \eYj properly ignored, though he gives good figures of several of the forms on his plate. The confusion caused by such naming as tlris is well j^34 t-^""*' exemplified in this case. The short abstract of the paper printed by the British Association, concludes by stating that no female varJeyafa showing tlie white radii had been bred. Yet in the very next sentence in Mr. Onslow's paper, from which this observation was taken, we read : "llecently, however, this observer" (myself) '-has bred from radiated stock a leucosficin 5 ." As a point of fact, two seasons ago I bred several females with the male white radiate markings as strongly developed as Mr. Onslow's figure 9 labelled acfinota. Of course, if these ordinar}^ forms of the male are not to be regarded as varleyala, a radiated female varleijata never could be bred ! I have also bred a number of specimens of varleyata having broad black rings around the bodv, and one or two with the body almost completely black, which Mr. Onslow states has never l)een done. Lastly, there must be some mistake about the figures 11 and 12 on Mr. Onslow's plate, which are referred to as var. hazeleif/hensis. The}^ certainly do not represent that well-known form, nor have they the least resemblance to it. They come near to being good representations of two of the Aberdeen forms of fjrossuhiriafa, but have nothing whatever to do with liazeJeiyliensis. VAm I.ea, Dalton, Hudderstield. May &h, 1922. SOME NOTES ON PONE R A PUNCTATISSTMA Eogeb. J3Y' HORACE DOXISTIIORI'E, F.Z.S., F.E.S., ETC. In 1021, Dr. r. Santschi redescribed and figured the worker of Poiura 2>>ii>cfatissniia Roger, for which he gave the following ex- planation : — In August 1920 he cai)tured some 17 ^5 of a Poiiera at Hammamet, Tunisia, at the bottom of an old well, which was damp but without water. These were identical with a specimen taken l)y Thery at Rabat in Morocco, and an example in his collection from Jyvoskyla (Sahlberg) received from Mons. Forel. On referring to the descriptions and figures of P. punctatissima given by Emery and Bonhoit, he found that they a]:)peared to have a much shorter scape to the antennae than that of his examples, and he therefore came to the conclusion that he had discovered a new species. He sent a specimen to Mons. Emery, who identified it with P. piiiicfafiss/ma Rog. He next sent an example to Mons. L. Borland, of the Paris Museum, and asked r.'22.] 185 him to compare it with Roger's type in the Andre collection. j\I. Berland sent him a sketch of the head of the type and told him that: (1) The scape reaches the posterior border of the head ; (2) the frontal furrow is hroad to nearly the middle of the head, and then continues in a fine line which reaches the posterior border. Being fresher, his example was somewhat lighter in colour than the type, but otherwise agreed with it in all particulars. Mons. Santschi therefore considered it was necessary to correct the figures and descriptions of P.piincfafissima, which give it too short a scape and do not mention the frontal furrow. This last character easily separates it from both P. coarctata Latr. andP. eJouardi Forel. In his figure he shows the thorax and petiole in profile ; the thorax and abdomen from above ; the head from above ; and the labial and maxillary palpi. Mons. C. Emery, in his ants of the Palaearctic region (1919), figures the head of the ^ with the scape not reaching the posterior border of the head. In his table he distinguishes coarctata, japonica, eclouardi, ^^(S. punctatissima from ahcillei and raf/usai,h\ the mesonotum being separated from the pleura by a suture (Santschi does not show this suture in his profile figui'e of punctatissima, though he does for coarctata v. atlaiitis) ; and punctatissi»ia from edoiiardi by the scape not reaching the posterior border of the head. In "British Ants" (1915) I did not use these characters, as there are many which serve to separate punctatissima from coarctata, our only other British species. Recently, however, when my friend Mr. Ilarwood sent me ^ ^ and winged 5 5 of a Ponera from Wester- ham (Donisthorpe, 1922), which I at once saw wei'e not coarctata, I used Emery's table to make sure they were not some species other than punctatissima, and I found that the mesonotum was separated from the pleura by a faint but perceptible suture, and the scape did not I'each the posterior border of the head ! After I had seen Dr. Santschi's paper, I proceeded to overhaul all the specimens of P. punctatissima I could get hold of in Britain. These were from Edinburgh; Oxford; Old Ford, London; Bromley; Westerham ; Chatham ; Queenborough ; Southsea ; Gibraltar ; and St. Helena. The specimens from Oxford included the type of P. tarda Charsley (for the loan of which I have to thank my friend Prof. E. B. Poulton), about which species Er. Andre wrote (1881): — " M. Charsle}^ d'Oxford a decrit, sous le nom P. tarda, une espece trouvee en Angleterre et qui n'est autre que la P. punctatissima ainsi c|ue j'ai pu m'en assurer par 1 on [June, rexamen cVexcmplaires typiques », 2 et c? / g qu'a Lien voula me eomniuuiquer Taviteur." To ascertain whether the scape reached the posterior border of the head, I did not trust to measurements, but in every case I bent the scape back right over the head. This can be done without any danger to tlie specimen if the antenna be tirst damped with a paint-brusli dipped in water or, better still, in wood-naphtha. In one specimen, taken by me at Queenborough in 1912, the scape almost reaches the posterior border ; but in the case of all the others, I should say it distinctly did not, and in some this was very evident. I asked m^y friend Mr. Bedwell, who has taken the species at Old Ford, and also at Queenborough, to examii>e his series in this way. He tells me that in the former specimens the scape does not reach the postei-ior border, but " the scape of the Queenborough specimen however does appear to just about reach the posterior border of the head." I have therefore come to the conclusion, from the examination of the above material, that the length of the scape varies considerably in this species, as does also the presence, distinctness, or absence of the suture which divides the mesonotum from the pleura. The frontal furrow appears, however, to be a good and constant character. Mons. Emery tells me that he has 2 ^ ^ from Switzerland and 1 ^ from Paris wdiich show the suture separating the disc of the meso- notum from the pleura ; and 1 ^ from Switzerland (from the same colony as the other two) and 2 ^ ^ from Africa which do not sIioav the suture. The ^ ^ which show the suture are a little more robust and have the thorax more developed. They are somewhat gynaecoid. The scapes, however, do not reach the posterior border of the head. Roger's type of the ^ of P. punctatissima is in the Museum at Berlin. Ponera puiictafissima is a very interesting and rare species, of obscure habits; occurring in hot-houses and buildings, but also at large in nature. A full account of its life-history, as far as is known, can be found in " British Ants." , Liferafiire. Andr^, Er. " Species des Ilyiueuopteres d'Europe & d'Alg6rie." Vol. ii. Les Fom-mis, p. 241 (1S81). Chausley, R. S. " A Mew Species of Ant found in Biitaiu." Ent. Mo. Mag xiv, p.'l62(1877). DoNiSTHOBPE, II. St. J. K. " British Ants, Their Life-History and Classifica- tion," pp. GO, 71-74 (1915). (Breudon & Son, Plymouth.) DoNiSTHORPE, n. St. J. K. " Myrmecophilous Notes for 1921." Ent. Record, xxxiv, p. 1 (1922). 1922.] 137 Emery, C, Beitrage ziir Monographie der Fonniciden des paUiai'kti. long as the Gth ; 4th and 5th about equal, the latter with a round sub-apical sen- sorium; 6tli with basal area about as long as oth ; the Hagellum a little longer than the base ; a few faint im- brications on the 6th. Proboscis very short, reaching midway between the 1st and 2nd coxae ; apex black. Tlioracic segments distinct. Cornicles thick, cylindrical, more than half the length of the antennae, constricted at apex, and in some slightly swelling towards the apex on the inner side, with marked imbrication of peculiar form and with crenulated edges. Cauda prominent, about one-third the length and scarcely as wide, to as wide, as the cornicles: finely spinose, with two hairs one side, one the other. Anal plate bluntly triangulate, spinose, with a few hairs. Legs short ; the hind pair not reaching to the end of the boJy; tibiae and apices of femora with fine hairs. The thick cornicles project inwards and only just I'Xtend beyond the tip of the Cauda. Length I'o to 2 mm. roOD-PLA>'T. Carex remota. Locality. Near Bangor, X. "Wales {€'. L. Walton). Obseetatioxs. Described from a number of apterous viviparous females and young, found by Mr. C. L. Walton on Carex remota growing on the banks of the Ogwen, near Bangor. It is a very strange looking Aphid, and bears a general resemblance to Atheroicles and Thripsaphis, but the processes on the head clearly place it, in con- junction with the large cornicles, in the Macrosiphinae. It is one of the most marked of our British Aphides that I have seen.* Wye, Kent. Fig. 2. — Trilobaphis cai-icis, sp. nov, apterous viviparous 5 . (x3S.) * Another new British Aphid genus and species, Lainyia psa7)imae. from Littlestone, Kent, has recently been described by Mr. Theobald (Bull. Ent. Ees. xii, pp. 429 & 430, Feb. 1922.— Eds. 1922.] 139 ORCHAMUS BELLAMII, sp. n., A NEW PAMPHAGID GEASSHOPPER FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS. BY B. P. rTAEOY, F.E.S, 9 . Auteuuae 10-jointed, witli the base dilated and triangular in transverse section, longer than the liead and pronotuai together. Frontal ridge strongly prominent and very deeply furrowed between the antennae, suddenly lowered, feebly widened and shallowly inijiressed below them. Fastigium of the vertex distinctly sloping, longer than broad, with the margins distinctly raised, sharp and gx'auulose, continuous with the margins of the frontal ridge ; its surface somewhat impressed, punctured ; a linear longitudinal carinula runs from the occiput over the whole vertex, forming a narrow bifurcation at the apex of the fastigium. Eyes strongly prominent, obliquely placed, somewhat higher than the subocular distance ; the distance between the eyes is more than the vertical diameter of an eye. Pronotum short, moderately compressed, rugu- lose ; median keel tectiform, in profile obtusangularly arcuate, the highest point being just before the middle of the prozona, while the keel is very low in metazona and does not I'each its hind margin ; typical sulcus well expressed, but cutting the median keel not very deeply ; prozona about five times as long- as the metazona ; lateral lobes very uneven, with deep transverse sulci; their lower margin straight, the fore angle 90'"', the hind one slightly more. Pro- sternal tubercle rotundate-quandrangular, low, with the fore margin scarcely raised, its surface rugulose, but not tuberculate. Elytra very short, exteriding scarcely beyond the middle of the mesonotum, and almost linear. Tympanum open, small. Hind femora very narrow, their exteruo-mediaii area being less than twice as broad in its middle as the supero-externa ; the upper carina low, densely granulose ; both lower and upper carinae of the externo-median area granuloso-denticulate. Hind tibiae with 8-9 spines on each side. The whole underside, sides and legs clothed with dense grey hairs. General coloration reddish -brown, with some parts creamy- white Antennae brownish-grey, with large punctures and margins black. Face and cheeks creamy-white, with dense and coarse red-brown puncturation, which disappears in the upper part of the cheeks (?'. c. at the lower margin of the eyes), which is smooth, creamy-white ; occiput and vertex red-brown, with a creamy-white honeycombed net of carinulae, disappearing at the sides of the occiput ; margins of the fastigium, as well as the median carina of the head and two short lateral occipital carinulae, black or blackish ; the occiput margined with black behind. Pronotum reddish-brown; sides of the lateral keel creamy-white, with dense and coarse red-brown punctures ; lower half of the lateral lobes also creamy-white, with scattered coarse blackish punctures ; the crest of the median keel and series of small round spots along all the margins, as well as some indefinite spots in the upper part of the lateral lobes, black. Mesopleura and metapleura Avith dirty-white honeycombed sculpture. Mesonotum, metanotum and abdomen from above red-brown ; mesonotum indistinctly rugulose, with the fore lower angles smooth ; metanotum and abdomen rugulose throughout, with a low granulose median keel, which is blackish up to the end of the first tergite ; both mesonotum and metanotum with a few small blackish marginal spots. Fore and middle legs creamy-ophite 140 [June. with brownish and blackish punctnvation. Hind femora reddish-brown; the externo-niedian area, creamy-white, ahnost smooth, with deep blackish punc- tures scattered along- the middle, and with blaclc granulaied marj^inal carinae ; the knees blackened laterall}'. Hind tibiae blackish on the underside, and creamy-white, punctured with reddish-brown on the rest of their surface ; their spines black-tipped. The underside paler and redder than the upperside. Length of body (somewhat extended) 72 mm.; prouotum S-e5 mm.; elytra 1*5 mm. ; hind femora 23 mm. Two females (type and paratype) from Hermigua, Gomera, Canary Islands, captm-ed 21. ii. 1922 Ly Mr. C. E. Bellamy, to whom the species is dedicated. Both are in the British Museum collection. I have included this striking insect in the genus Orchamus, though it does not agree very closely with all the generic characters ; thus, the presence of a median carinula on the vertex and occiput, the extreme reduction of the elytra, and the peculiar shape of the hind femora, may be considered as characters of generic value. I, however, refrain from describing a new genus until the male of the present species is known. The genus Orcliamus includes five species, and is restricted in its distribution to the East of the Mediterranean — to Syria, Palestine, Crete, and Cyprus, and that also speaks in favour of the new species being generically distinct from the Eastern forms ; but there is no doubt that it is much more closely related to them than to any genus of Pamphaginae of N.W. Africa and Spain. It is very interesting to note that examples of the same kind are known in the affinities of Canarian ffora. Thus, J. Pitard and L. Proust * pointed out that the following endemic Canarian plants have Eastern affinities: JRaniinculus corfiisaef'oliits Willd. io P. creficus L. from Crete, and Parolina ornata W. to DicernteUa Jloccosa Boiss. fi'om Persia and to D. canescens from Sokotra ; and that some- of the Canarian Convolvuli are nearly allied to species of Asia Minor, Persia and Sokotra. The fact that two odd specimens of Orthoptera, picked up by Mr, Bellamy quite accidentally, proved to belong to a new and extremely interesting species, indicates that our knowledge of the Orthopterous fauna of the Canarian Islands is very unsatisfactory ; indeed, the latest list of Canarian Orthoptera, by H. Ki-auss +, includes 64 species only, A\liile more than 200 are known from Morocco, the fauna of which is scarcely richer than the Canarian one. A thorough investigation of the latter is, therefore, badly wanted, the more so, * " Les lies Canaries. Flore de rArehipel." Paris, 1908. t "Sybtematisclier Verzeichniss der canarischen Denuapteren und Orthopttren mit Diagnosen der neusn Gattungpii und Arten." Zoolog. Ar.zeigci-, xv. 1892. pp. 163-171. 1928] X41 as it should give many important clues t^) the past history of the Mediterranean fauna. In fact, Mr. Bellamy's discovery is highly important in this respect, since it speaks most decidedly against the generally adopted theory of the volcanic origin of the Canaries, and in favour of their (or, at least, of some of them, like Gomera) being remnants of a sunken continent, as the possibility of a recent introduction in the islands of such a sluggish insect as a member of the Pamphatjinae is quite out of the question. May 1922. The Lifc-lliitonj of the Pelobius tarchis Herbd, hij F. Balfour-Broicnc, M.A. — The attention of Coleopterists is called to Mr. I3alfoui--Browm;'s valu- able paper on this well-kuowu water-beetle (P. Z. S. 1922, parti, pp. 79-97, pis. i-iii, April 1922). He divides the subject under five headings: 1. The family Pelobiidae ; 2. Britannic distribution of P. ^arc^iis (with a typo-map); 3. The Imago (habitat and habits, loiig-evity in artificial environmer.t, stridu- lation, sexual differences) ; 4. The Life-history (oviposition, incubcation, vital staining of embryo, the larva, food of the larva, stomodaeum of the larva, liabits of the full-grown liirva) ; 6. The Life-cycle. On plate i the variation of the larva is shown (figs. 1-6), also the e^^y (figs. 7-10), and on plate iii (fig. 6) an elytiou showing the stridulatory-file upon which the apex of the abdomen rubs, this being present on each of them in both sexes. The paper is too lengthy to quote in detail, and must be consulted for further par- ticulars.— Eds. lihhiocola eucalypti Mask, in Enyland. — In 1916, Mr. II. Britten, whilt; nt the Hope xMuseum, Oxford, reared this species of PsylHclae through all its stages from material which he found on a Eucalyptus at Headington Ilill House. Recently I have received examples of the same species from Dr. Hugh Scott. They Avere found by a nurt^eryman at Felixstowe, Suffolk, Avho says : '* We have some [^Eucalyptus] planted out in a border, some 20 feet high, ar.d this fly was first noticed by the down or woolly substance falling on the plants underneath. It lives outdoors during the summer on plants used for bedding purposes. We keep it under by fumigation." The host-plant is Exculyptus ylohuhts (Blue Gum), the species upon which Maskell originally found the Psyllid in New Zealand, and this is the only recorded food-plant for it. Rhinocola eucalypti has been recorded from New Zealand, Australia, and S. Africa. Maskell's description and figures (Trans. NewZeah Instit. vol. xxii, 1800, p. IdO) make the species readily recognizable. The wing venation of many of the specimens I have seen is abnormal in that the median is un- branched. — F. Laing, Natural History Museum: May 14th, 1921. Tariation in the yenus Psithyius Lep. in the neiyhbourhood of Leeds. — In Dr. P. C. L. Perkins' clear summary of the principal variations known to occur in Britain (Ent. Mo. Mag. April 1921, p. 82) he opens with the remark that the many variations have been insufficiently studied and " their distribution especially is very imperfectly known." This fact is my excuse for offering the following list of varieties which fell to my net in 1920 and 1921 in the northern outskirts of Leed.»:, chiefly in the suburb of Poundhay. All ^ix British species 142 [J""'-' werp taken, five of them in goodly numbers, but of P. vestalis Fourcr. only a single example, a male. The scarcity of this inquiline in view of the abundance here of its host-specie.s, Bomhus vlryinalis K., seems remarkable. Possibly the altitude (about 560 feet) in a northern county may be unfavourable to the parasite but not to the host. The varieties are indicated below by the lettering- used in L)r. Perkins' article. Psithyrus campestris Panz. (^ S '• — var. /3, 2 spns. ; var. y {rossiellus K.), common; var. 6 (/em?iM.s K.), 1 spn. ; var. e {franciscamis K.), 6 spns. ; var. ^ {suhterraneus K.), 2 spns. (1 spn. of var. /3 has so few black hairs that it seems to be almost referable to var. n; the j-ellow '•collar" is less bright in the spn. of var. 8 than in those of var. y.) 5 §: — var /3, several seen. P. distinctvs Perez. S S '• — var. «, 2 spns. ; var. ^, in o^reat numbers ; var. y, 2 spns. (Dr. Perkins records var. a from Perthshire only.) $* 5- — var. «, common ; var. /y, 1 s])n. ; var. with dull yellow fringe on scutellum and basal abd. segment, 1 spn. (This last resembles P. barbiitellus.) P. barbutellui K. S 6 '■ — No marked variation noticeable, 10 spns. $5: — 1 spn. with basal abd. segment entirely black; 0 have it dietinctly yellow-banded. P. fjiiri'Iricolor Lep. J S: — var. j3, very common ; var. y, 10 spns.; var. with abd. segments after the 2nd clothed with yellow hairs, black subapical band absent, 3 spn?. ; var. with yellow hairs absent or obscured, white band on abd. obscured and sooty, 2 spns. ; var. like the last, except that the band on the abd. is obscure sooty yelloio, 2 spns. (The two lust appear to be melanic forms of var. [i and var. y respectively.) § §: — var. «, 3 spns. P. rupestris Fabr. J c^ : — var. a, 4 spns.; var fi {albinella K.), common ; var. y, 8 spns. ; var. 8, 1 spn. (Transitional forms were frequent in this species, but very rare in the others.) 5 ? • — typical. — A. E. BaADLEv, 8, Shaftesbury Avenue, Rouudhay, Leeds : Dec. I'dth, 1921. Vam-ssa c-album L. in Hertfordshire. — A rather worn specimen of this butterfly was taken on Norton Common, Letchworth, on May 7th, visiting blackthorn blossom. This seems to be the first record of its appearance in Nortii Hertfordshire, and the only notice of its occurrence in the County for many years. The records given in the Victoria County History are as follows: — Hertford, abundant prior to 1833 (Stevens) ; Broxbourne, 3 or 4 [Stoekley) ; rSt. Alban's (Field). The last two records are probably at least fifty years old, but no dates are given. — Bay 1'aljier, Inglehohno, Norton Way South, Letchworth, Herts. : May 26th, 1922. Obituary. — Henry llowland-Brown, ALA., F.KS., died, after a long and distressing illness, on May 3rd, at his residence at Harrow Weald, ^^'e hope to give a more extended notice of the life and work of this well-known and highly esteemed Entomologist in the next forthcoming numij.ir of this Magazine. Ji ou i e lu . "Thk Odonata or Draoonfliks op South Africa." By Dr. F. Ris. Annals of the South African Museum, vol. xviii, part 3, pp. 245-4o2, pis. v- xii, text- tigs. 1-77 (1921). In 1908 Dr. F. Eis published in a German periodical an annotated catalogue of the Odonata of South Africa, Avhich remained for mnnv vears the 1922.] 143 standard autliority on this particular geographical group. The present fine worl;, which is primarily addressed to English readers, originated in the desire of the Director of the South African Museum for " a descriptive and fully illustrated paper" ''which would help the resident entomologist to get a reliable Icnowledge of the South African dragonflies.'' Much fresh material has been examined, and considerable progress has been made in our knowledge of the regional fauna. While the catalogue of 1908 enumerated 83 species, some of which have since proved to be merely nominal, in the work under notice no fewer than 111 species are dealt with, including 13 which are new to science. By means of helpful keys, lucid descriptions, and illuminating figures, the study of South African Odonata has now been made so easy and attractive that furtlier collecting should follow as an immediate consequence, and it is to be hoped that, if Arcjia concinna and Anax georgius really occur in South Africa, as they are reputed to do, the fact may soon be established by fresh and well-authenticated captures. . Indications are not wanting that the work before us finall3' left its author's hands se^•eral years ago. Notiothemis jonesi and Crocotheinis saxicolor, for instance, continue to be designated as gen. et sp. nov. and sp. nov., respectively, notwithstanding the fact that both of them were fully described in the final instalment of Eis's monograph of the Libellulinae, issued in 1919. An unfor- tunate misprint, too, occurs twice on page 437, and again on page 442, where the generic name Aethriamaitta each time appears as Tethriamanta, and fig. 3 on Plate VI. is placed upside down. All such blemishes, of course, are directly due to the abnormal conditions which have hindered production and communi- cation for such a long period of time. Particular interest attaches to the genus Chlorolestes, of which a sixth species is now described, not merely because it appears to be restricted to Souih Africa, but chiefly because its wing-venation presents an important character always found in the Lestidae and never in the Agrionidae, in which family Chlorolestes has hitherto been placed. Moreover, in an appendix by Mr. K. H. Barnard, the life-history of Chlorolestes is made known for the first time. The'nymph shows undoubted relationship with that of the Australian Synlestes. a relationship which had been already inferred from the venational character to which allusion has been made. Furthermore, the adult female deposits its eggs, not in the stream in which the nymphs will afterwards pass their existence, but in punctures made in the young green shoots of the over- hanging Ilex trees. Here, again, are Lestid affinities disclosed, for a similar habit has been observed in Europe in the case of Lestes viridis. — Herbeet Campion. ^ocietn. Entomological Socikty op London: Wednesday, March loth, 1922. — Professor E. P. Poulton, M.A., F.E.S., etc., Vice-President, in the Chair. The following M'ere elected Fellows of the Society: — Messrs. Reginald Charles Treherne, Entomological Branch, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Canada; T. G. Sloans, Moorilla, Young, New South Wales, Australia; William Monod Crawford, B. A., Orissa, Marlborough Park, Belfast; Leonard 144 [June, Charles Biisliby, 11 Park Grove, Bromley, Kent; Arthur Morel Massee, "Park Place," The Common, Seveuoaks, Kent ; Linnaeus Greeuiug-, " Fairlight," Grappenhall, Cheshire ; John Wilson Mowre, 151 Middleton Hall Kd., Kings Norton, Birmingham : John Edmund Eastwood, Wade Court, Hava:it, Hants. ; Dr. Francis Arthur, M.H.C.S., E.ll.C.P., 395 Bethnal Green Itoad, E. 2 ; and Dr. H. Silvester Evans, M.R.C.S., L.li.C.R, Lautoka, Fiji. Mr. W. H. Tams exhibited a selection of insects, chieHy Lepidoptera, taken on the Mi)unt Everest E.xpedition. Mr. 0. E. Janson, a new species of Euchroea, and a female of the rare Saturniid moth Aryema miltrei, from Madagascar. Dr. C. J. Gahan, an example of the Indian Phasmid Caraushu^ morosus, in which liomoeotic regeneration had taken place, an amputated antenna having been replaced by a tarsus. Professor E. B. Poulton, F.R.S., who illustrated his remarks with lantern-slides, read some notes by Mr. A. H. Hamm on the occurrence of Syntoinnspis drujKcrum in liaAvthorn seeds in birds' droppings, and some notes by Dr. B. C. L. Perkins on the procryptic resting attitude of Pohjgonia c-albuin. He also exhibited some Chalcids, bred by Mr. J. Collins, from beetles in dog-biscuits and plum-branches. Dr. S. A. Neave read a letter from Mr. W. J. Harding recording the capture of PolygoJiia c-album at Ilolcombe in Devonshii-e, and some discussion took place as to the distribution and recent spread of this butterfly in the South of England. Wednesday, A^jril 5th, 1922. — The Rt. Hon. Loud Rothschild, M.A., F.R.S., etc., President, in the Chair. The following were elected Fellows of the Society: — Messrs. William George Clutten, 136 Coal Clough Lane, Burnley ; Edmund James Pearce, The Lodge, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; George Evelyn Hutchinson, Aysthorpe, Newton Rd., Cambridge ; Charles Herbert Lankester, Cartago, Costa Rica; Arthur D. R. Bacchus, 29 Abbotsford Rd.,Redland, liristol ; and Captain Douglas S. Wilkinson, Kennington Vicarage, Ashford, Kent. Ijord Rothschild exhibited a group of mimetic Lepidojyiei-a and Hytneno- jitera from South America. Mr. W. G. Sheldon, on behalf of Mr. T. Greer, series of Epinephile jurtimi and Pieris napi, from Co. Tyrone. Mr. A. W. Pickard-Cambridge, Zeller's types of a number of moths, mainly Crambids, from Egypt and Palestine. Mr. W. F, H. Rosenberg, an example of Colaenis telesiphe tithraustes, from Ecuador, in which the band of the hind wing is white as in the typical form. Mr. G. T. Bethune-Baker, series of Heodes phlaeas, and a specimen of Zyyaetia transalpina ab. ehngata from Florence. Dr. G. A. K. Marshall, on behalf of Mr. B. P. Uvarov, some remarkable mimetic long-horned grasshoppers with their Cicindelid models. Dr. K. Jordan, F.R.S., a pair of the Agaristid moth, Aegocera mahdi, the male of which has a stridulatory organ; also a series of Liphyra brassolis. Dr. S. A. Neave gave an account of the fauna of Mt. Mlanje, Nyasaland, and illustrated his remarks with lantern-slides, and with an exhibition of some typical insects from that locality.— S. A. Neave, IIoji. Secretary. G. A. BENT ALL, NATURALIST. 392 STRAND, LONDON, W.C. 2. EHTOIWOLOGICAL SUPPLIES OF ALL KINDS. An}' of the following Price Lists sent without charge: — PALAEARCTIC, INDO-AUSTRALIAN, AFEICAN, AMERICAN LEPIDOPTERA, AND OTHER INSECT ORDERS : APPARATUS AND BOOKS. REVISED PRICES FOR BACK VOLUMES. iST Series, ISG-J-1S89.— rarts, 3/6 net each ; Volumes, 25/- net. Vols. 1 to 25. bound 3/6 extra. These can be obtained in many cases in complete Volumes. 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A 137 Orchamiis bellamii, a new Pampliagid grasshopjjor from the Canary Islands. — B. P. Uvntuv, F.E.8 13i> The Life-History of the Pelobius tardus Herbst. by F. Balfour-Bro^\^le. M.A.- Eds 141 Ehinocola eucalypti Mask, in England. F. Laiiuj. F.E.S. 141 Variation in the genus Psithyrus Lep. in the neighbourhood of Leeds. A.E.Bradley 141 Vanessa c-album L. in Hertfordshire. Zi'rf.v -Pf''"^er, jP.E.S. 142 Obituary.— H. Rowland-Brown, M.A., F.E.S. 142 Review. — " The Odonata or Dragonflies of South Africa." By Dr. F. Ris . 142 Society. — Entomolouical Society of London . ... 143 THE NATURALIST: A MONTHLY ILLfSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATUKAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD. M.Sc. F.G.S., F.R.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., The Museum, Hill ; AND T. W. WOODHEAD, Ph.D., M.Sc. F.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield; with the assistance as rkfekiies in splcial dlipa rtments of GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S. , F.E.S., JOHN W. TAYLOR. M.Sc , RIIiEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. The Journal is o)ie of the oldest Scientific Periodicals in the Britiali Isles, datitiff back to 1833, and is ci'culafed widely amongst the principal h'aturaUsts of the coxintry. London: A. Brown and Sons, Limited, 5 FARRiNCiooN Avenue E.C. 4. And at Hull and York. PRICE, 1.'- NET, Prepaid Subscription, 10/6 per annum. Post free. I /, V The Annual Subscription for 1922 is 15/-. Third Series. No. 91.] ..^..- ,,„. [No. 698.] •^^^^^' ^^22 [Price 2/- nkt. THE EBTOMOLOGIST'S MOfiTHLY MAGAZINE EDITf:D BT G. C. CHAMPION, I'.Z.S. J. E. COLLIN, F.E.S. W. W. EOWLER, D.Sc, M.A., F.L.S. E. W. LLOYD, r.E.S. G. T. POERITT, E.L.S. J. J. WALKER, M A., R.N., E.L.S. VOLUME LVITI / LT H I R D S E R I K S - \ < M #111.] % ■/ \ "J'engage done tous a eviter dans leifrs e^v^l toute allusion depaasaut les limites de la diaoussion plus conrtoise." — Lahordbene. LONDON: GU.RNEY & JACKSON (Mr. Van Vooe8t's Successors), 33, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.G. 4. TAJLOR AND FRANCIS, RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. 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AUTHORS are requested to send their communications and proofs to either J. J. Walker, Aorangi, Lonsdale Road, Summertown, Oxford ; or G. C. Champion, Broomliall Road, Horsell, Woking-. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 41 Queens Gate, S.W. 7 {nearest stations -. South Kensington and Gloucester Road). — Oct. 4th, 1922, at Si^.m. The Library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except on Saturdays, when it is closed at 2 p.m.), and until 10 p.m. on Meeting nights. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge. The Second & Fourth Thursdays in each month, at 7 p.m. The lantern will be at the disposal of Members for the exhibition of slides. THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, now meets in Hall 40, Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2, on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month at 6.30 p.m. General meetings 1st Tuesdays, Sectional meetings 3rd Tuesdays. (No meetings in July or August indoors, biit field excursions instead.) Hon. Sec. : W, E. Glegg, The House, Albion Brewery, Whitechapel Road, E. 1. Chingford Bi-anch. The Chingford Local Branch meets at the Avenue Cafe, •opposite Chingford Station, at 8 p.m., on the 2nd Monday in each month. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT. — This Society has developed from the Southampton and District Entomo- logical Society. Meetings are held on the First Saturday afternoon of each month at Sout'iami^ton, and other meetings will be arranged in important centres in the county from time to time. Activities being undertaken at the jiresent time include the formation of a library, of collections of insects, and the compilation of a county insect fauna list. Will keen entomologists in the county who are interested please communicate with the Hon. Ser., F. J. Killington, 1 St. Catherine's Road, Eastleigh, Hants. 1922.] 145 SOME INDIAN COLEOPTERA (8). BY G. C. CHAMPION, f.Z.S. (Continued from p. 131.) Dasi'tes PaykuU. This genus, as might be expected, is well represonted in th,e T^^ima- laya ; twelve species are contained in the collections before me, twc of these having been found in abundance on flowers in Kumaon. Oi ^ species, D. aitrescens, in the absence of the S , is provisionally included in Dasytes ; the others have a small fourth tarsal joint, as in Dasytiscus. 1 (10) Tarsal joints 1-3 broader than 4, the latter small ; elytral ii: u-gius nut explanate. 2 (9) Antenna] joints 5-8 equal or subequal in width ; elytra longer. 3 (4) Prothorax longer, sometimes canaliculate ; body elongate, metallic green, the legs and antennae black Species 1. 4 (3) Prothorax shorter, not canaliculate ; body less elongate, aeneous, nigro-aeneous, or aeneo-piceous, the elytra wholly or in part testa- ceous in No. 2. 5 (8) Elytra without intermixed smooth raised points. 6 (7) Legs in great part testaceous Species 2-6. 7 (6) Legs black Species 7, 8. 8 (5) Elytra with intermixed smooth raised points ; legs testaceous Species 9. 9 (2) Antenna! joints 5-8 unequal in width ; elytra shorter ; legs inf uscate : species very small Species 10, 11. 10 (1) Tarsal joints 1-4 slender; elytral margins expIanatej,j>.bot^' ^'y*^*!**^^ legs testaceous .j^-^^\(^ fe.' ^^^/'^ fl ■■■}«. w 1. Dasytes camhiensis. : -i^* "''Mlli 1 *t'^t9l22. Dasytes camhiensis Gorh. Ann. See. Ent. jVlg.\x^xix, p. 323 ^yt (1895) 1. ^ ^^^|liA!ll^^ Dasytes himalayanus Pic, L'Echange, xxvii, p. 133 (191i-jr-. Hah. N. W. Provinces {ex coll. Andrewes), Chaniha ^ (^C- Some>'S- Smith), Simla (H. Chippendale: vi, vii.1909), N. W. Himalaya - {E. P. Stehhing), Sunderdhunga and W. Almora in Kumaon {R. G. C. : vi.l917, V, vi.l919). Eighteen specimens of this species are before me, varj-ing in the intensity of the puncturing of the prothorax and elj'ti-a and in the development of the median channel on the prothorax, which in some examples is complete and well-defined and in others nearly or quite obsolete. An elongate, metallic -green insect, with the legs and antennae black ; the prothorax longer than broad, narrowed and somewhat con- stricted anteriorly, and very sparsely punctured on the disc in d ; the o -■y.o 146 [J»iy' elytra strongly punctate ; the tarsi with a small fourth joint and the claws slightly Avidened in their basal half ; the antennae of the c? elongate and rather stout, that of the $ much shorter. The punc- turing of the prothorax is very coarse and rather close in some of the 2 2 fi'om Kumaon. The Simla specimens were found on the flowers of Castanea vesca. Length 4g-6 mm. 2, Dasytes mutahilis, n. sp. Moderately elongate, very shining, aeneous or nigro-aeneous, the palpi and antennae (except at their apices), legs (tarsal claws excepted), elytra wliolly or iu part (usually with a triangular brassy scutellar patch extending down the suture), and sometimes the entire abdomen in 2 , testaceous; clothed with fine, adpressed, pallid pubescence, the head and prothorax with intermixed long, soft, erect hairs, the elytra with scattered, semierect, flavous setae, the margins fiavo-ciliate. Head closely punctulate, nearly as wide as the prothorax in c? ; antennae rather stout and moderately long iu S > shorter in $ , thickening towards the tip, joints 5-10 subserrate, 11 acuminate-ovate. Prothorax con- vex, a little broader than long, rounded and crenulate at the sides, more narrowed anteriorly in 5 ; densely, rugulosely punctured at the sides, sparsely punctate or almost smooth down the middle of the disc. Elytra wider than the prothorax, parallel to near the apex, the latter rounded ; closely, rather strongly punctate, the interspaces flattened and feebly rugulose ; epipleura very narrow. Var, The brassy coloration on the elytra extending nearly or quite to the tip ; the femora and the outer joints of the antennae slightly inf uscate. ( d •) Length 2V^-4 mm. [S 2-) Hah. Upper Gumti Valley, W. Almora, and Ivosi River, lianikhet Division of Kumaon {H. G. C. : iii-vi.l9l7, iv.l919, iii.l920). A long and variable series, $ $ preponderating. The colour of the elytra and of the $ abdomen is inconstant, as in the somewhat similar S. European and N. African Dasytes fiavescens Gene, an insect I have seen in plenty in Tunis and Algeria. I), mutahilis is nearly allied to D. discreius Gorh., from Cliamba, differing from it in the testaceous legs and antennae, the latter not so stout, the elytra usually in part or entirely testaceous. 3. Dasytes aeneonitens, n. sp. 5. Moderately elongate, i-ather broad, ver}^ shjiiiog, aeneous, the antennae and legs (the black tarsal claws excepted) testaceous ; clothed with brownish pubescence intermixed with scattered bristly hairs, which are semierect on the elytra and erect on the head and prothorax ; the head and sides of the pro- thorax densely, rugulosely, the disc of the latter iu one specimen more finely, punctate, the elytra deiiselj', rather strongly punctured. Head, antennae, and prothorax much as in 7). mutabilis, 5; the elytra broader than in the latter, more densely punctured throughout, and each with a tumid space at tlie base near the suture. uaz] 14,7 Var,? cJ, Narrower, greenisli-aeiieous, the antennae (joints 2-4 in part excepted) and femora blacic ; antennae elongate, rather stout, joints 7-10 much longer than broad, 5. Antennae short, testaceous, joint 1, tips of palpi, and femora in p:at, black. Length 3|-3| mm. Ilab. Siuni Gad, Garhwal, alt, 4000 ft. [type, $ ] (jl. G C. : vi.l920), N. W. Provinces (ex coll. Andreives : $ ), Tanyra Valley, Punjab, alt, 4500 ft. (Dudgeon : iv.l899 : c? $ , var.). Four examples. A close ally of the variable D. mutahilis. The d" and 5 from the Punjab seem to belong to one and the same species : the S is very like D. discretus, but has much longer antennae, the 5 '^^ narrower than the type and has the femora to near the tip and the basal joint of the antennae infuscate. 4. Dasi/fes discrcfus. d" . Dasytes (? AmaiC7'onia) discretus Gorh. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xxxix, p. 323 (1895). Ilab. Chamba, Himalaya. There are two specimens of this species in the Andrewes collection, one of them marked type, both males. A small, parallel-sided, brassy or brassy-green insect, with rather long, stout, black antennae (joints 2 and 3 only obscure-testaceous), infuscate femora, testaceous tibiae and tarsi, and black claws. The tarsal joints 1-3 are stouter than 4, which is very small (as in Dasytiscus Kies.), and the claws are without mem- branous appendages. The apical joint of the maxillary palpi is fusiform, not truncatu at the tij) as stated by Gorhaai. The antennal joints 8-10 are as broad as long. 5. Dasytes scahricollis, n. sp. Moderately elongate, shining, clothed with pale brownish pubescence intermixed with long erect or semierect hairs ; brassy-green or brassy, the labrum, palpi (except at the tip), antennal joints 2-5 or 6 in part or entirely (the others black), and legs (the black tarsal claws excepted), testaceous; the head and prothorax densely, rugosely (except a narrow smooth space down the disc of the latter in some specimens), the elytra more strongly and uniformly, punctured. Head narrower than the prothorax in both sexes ; antenn.^ie rather stout, thickened outwards, in 5 barely reaching the base of the prothorax, a little longer in d, joints 5-10 triangular. Prothorax convex, slightly broader than long, rounded and creuulate at the sides, more narrowed anteriorly in J than in (S . Elytra comparatively broad, parallel to beyond the middle. Length 3-4 mm. o2 148 [July- Hah. Simla [type] {H. Chi2)j)endale : v, vii.1909), N. W. Provinces {coll. Andreioes), Sunderdhunga, W. Almora, alt. 8000 ft. {R. G. C). Two 6 d , four 2 § . This species has the prothorax even more mgose than in D. danacaeoides ; the legs and the basal joints of the antennae (joint 1 excepted) are testaceous ; and the elytra, which are broader in $ , are more strongly punctured. 6. Dasi/tes Tcaslimirensisy n. sp. Moderately elongate, shining, aeneo-piceous or reddish-brown, tLe anteuuae, palpi, and legs obscure-testaceous ; clothed with pallid pubescence intermixed Avitli long bristly hairs, which are curled on tlie head and prothorax and semierect on the elytra ; the head and prothorax densely, rugulosely (a narrow smooth space down the disc of the latter excepted), the elytra closely, finely, puuctAte. Head a little iiarrower than the prothorax in (j", the eyes prominent; antennae moderately long, not very stout. Prothorax convex, broader than long, rounded and crenulate at the sides. Elytra much wider than the prothorax, parallel to near the apex in c? > a little widened posteriorly in $. Length 2|-3§^ mm. Hah. Kashmir {ex coll. Andreioes). Two S 6 > one 5 . A reddish brown or aeneo-piceous insect allied to D. scahricollis ; the antennae and legs obscure-testaceous ; the antennae more slender ; the ptrothorax shorter, smooth down the middle in both sexes, and with curled hairs ; the elytra a little more finely punctured. Broader than D. disc refits Gorh., the legs and antennae paler, the prothorax more densely and the elytra not so strongly punctate. 7. Dasytes danacaeoides, n. sp. Danacaea sp. ?, Gorh. Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. xxxix, ])p. 293, 322 (1895) \ Moderately elongate, shining, thickly clothed with pallid pubescence inter- mixed with scattered bristly hairs, which are vt'ry long and erect on the head and prothorax, and semierect and shorter on the el} tra ; black with a brassy- green lustre above and beneath, the tibiae obscure-testaceous towards the apex ; the entire upper surface densely, rugulosely punctate, the puncturing on the elytra rather coarse. Head nearly as wide as the prothorax in (^ , the eyes large ; antennae (J ) moderately long, thickened towards the apex, joints 5-10 serrate, transverse, ( $ ) shorter and more slender, Prothorax about as long as broad, narrowed anteriorly and also at the base. Elytra much broader than the prothorax, parallel to beyond the middle in cT, a little widened posteriorly iu 2 . Tarsal claws equal, slightly widened at the base. Length o-3o mm. 1922.] 149 Ilah. Dalhousie ^, Himalaya (C Somers- Smith). One $ , two d" d" . A brassy-green form, with black legs and anteimae, the entire upper surface densely, rugulosely punctured. The tarsal claws are equal in the present insect, while in Danacaea, one of them is shorter and differently shaped from the other, a character shown in the figures given by Kiesenwetter and Duval. 8. Dasytes Jcumaonensis, n. sp. Moderately elonfjate, sliining, brassy-black, the antennae, palpi, and legs black ; clothed with brownish pubescence abundantly intermixed with long-, erect, darker, bristly hairs ; the bead and sides of the prothorax densely, rugulosely, the disc of the latter sparsely, finely, punctate, the elytra closely, rather strongly punctured. Head narrower than the prothorax ; antennae moderately elongate, joints 8-10 about as broad as long. Prothorax transverse, obliquely narrowed from the middle forward and also narrowed at the base, the margins obsoletely crenulate. Elytra parallel in J , a little widened towards the apex in $ . Tarsal claws rather long, slightly widened at the base. Length 2§-3i mm. Hah. Nainital and W. Almora Divisions of Kumaon, Chakrata, Jaunsar {H. G. C). One S > three $ $ . The abundant erect pilosity, the sparsely finely punctate disc of the prothorax (which is in consequence much more shining), and the stronger elyti'al puncturing separate D. kumaon- ensisivQxa the black-legged D. danacaeoides. 9. Dasytes sjyeculifer, n. sp. Moderately elongate, shining, brassy-black, clothed with rather long greyish pubescence intermixed with many very long erect or semierect hairs, the antennae (except the outer joints in some specimens), the palpi (except at the tip), and legs (the black tarsal claws excepted) testaceous. Head much narrower than the prothorax in both sexes, closely punctulate; antennae rather slender, moderately long, shorter in ? . Prothorax convex, transverse, rounded at the sides, much narrowed anteriorly in $; closely, rugulosely punctate laterally, very sparsely and finely so on the disc. Elytra parallel, much wider than the prothorax ; closely, finely punctate, and with numerous, subseriately- arranged, smooth, raised points. Legs long ; tarsal joints 1-3 much stouter than 4 in c?, narrower in $, 3 excavate at the apex above for the reception of 4, tne latter small. Length 3-3| mm. TIab. W. Almora and Ranikhet Divisions of Kumaon [iv.l916^ v,vi.l917], Sunderdhunga (JI. G. C). Found in abundance on Quercus dilatato, etc., in Kumaon, up to inO [-Tnly, an elevation of about 10,000 £t. Separable from its Himala_yan allies ])y the conspicuous, subseriately-arranged, smooth, raised points on the elytra, the almost entirely testaceous antennae and legs, and the closely intermixed long bristly hairs on the upper surface. 10. Dasytes monilicornis, n. sp. (S . Comparatively short, shiniiig', brassy-black, the antennal joints 2-4 testaceous, the others infuscate or black, the tibiae (except at tlieir api«es) and tarsi (tlie black claws excepted) also testaceous ; clothed with pallid pubescence intermixed with longer bristly hairs, which are erect on the head and prothorax and semierect on the elytra ; the head and prothorax densely, rugulosely, the disc of the latter a little more sparsely, punctate, the elytra closely and ratlier sirongly punctured. Head a little narrower than the prothorax; antennae long, rather stout, thickening outwards, joints 5-10 subraoniliform, 5, 7, and 9 wider than 4, 6, and 8, transverse. Prothorax broader than long, rounded and crenulate at th^^ sides, obliquely narrowed anteriorly. Elytra rather short, parallel, much wider than the prothorax. Legs long, not very slender. Length 2^!, mm. Hah. Ranikhet Division of Kumaon (Ji. G. C). One specimen. Distinguished from its Indian allies by its very small size, short elytra, and rather elongate, stout antennae, joints G-10 of which are submoniliform and 5, 7, and 9 widened. The antennal structure is very like that of the Mediterranean Dasytisciis graminicola Kies., as figui-ed by the author in 1859, the present insect having a narrower prothorax than in the Dasytiscus. 11. Dasytes hreviusculus, n. sp. 5 . Comparatively short, subopaque, the elytra shining, obscure nigro- caeruleous, the antennal joints 2-6 testaceous, the other joints and the legs infuscate or piceous ; clothed with fine pallid pubescence intermixed with bristly hairs, which are erect on the head and prothorax and semierect on the elytra; the head and prothorax densely rugulosely, the elytra more strongly, punctate. Antennae short, rather slender, thickened outwards, joints 5-10 transverse, 5, 7, and 9 wider than 4, 6, and 8. Prothorax coiivex, transverse* sinu iusly riarrowed anteriorly and also narrowed at the base. Elytra much broader than the prothorax, short, widened posteriorly. Legs slender. Length 2 mm. _ ILih. W. Almora Division of Kumaon {II. Q. C). One example. This little bluish insect has the elj'tra as short as in D. monilicornis, but they are more finely punctured ; the antennae are short, slender, and differently formed, though there is the same disparity in the width of the intermediate joints ; and the legs are quite slender. 1922.] 151 12. Dasytes aurescens, n. sp. 2 . Elongate, widened posteriorly, shining, brilliant aeneous or aeneo- piceous, the antennae (the infuscate joints 6-11 excepted), palpi, and legs testaceous; sparsely clothed with rather long, fine, decumbent, pallid hairs, a few of those on the head and prothorax erect ; the head and prothorax very sparsely, finely punctate, the punctures on the latter becoming- coarser towards the sides, the elytra alutaceous, finely, sballowly, and not very closel^^ punctate Head short, rather small, feebly bifoveate anteriorly ; antennae moderately long, joints 5-10 triangular, about as long as broad. Prothorax transverse, convex, rounded at the sides. Elytra broader than the prothorax, widening to near the apex, the apices conjointly rounded, the lateral margins explanate and conspicuous as seen from above. Legs long ; tarsi slender, the clawa equal, rather long, widened in their basal half. Length 3|-3i mm. Hah. Ranikhet and W. Alnioi-a Divisions of Kumaon (ff. Q. C). Two specimens. The slender tarsi and explanate elytral margins separate B. aurescens from the other species of the genus here noticed. It may have to be removed from Dasytes when the 6 is found. The apical joint of the maxillary palpi is fusiform. D. gorhami Pic (1911), from Pegu, seems to have similarly expanded lateral margins to the elytra. Cis Latreille. Cis fascicidosus, n. sp. Elongate, robust, convex, snbcylindrical, moderately shining ; blackish- brown, the labrum, palpi, antennae (the slightly infuscate 3-jointed club excepted), and tarsi testaceous : thickly clothed with short, stiff", brownish, erect hairs, which (as seen under the microscope) arise in email groups or clusters from the punctures on the upper surface ; the entire upper surface very closely, rather finely punctured, the narrow interspaces alutaceous. Head ratlier small, in one specimen (? S ) with a raised transverse line between the antennae, behind which is a transverse groove. Protharax broader than long, parallel-sided at the base, arcuately narrowed anteriorly. Elytra elongate, parallel to beyond the middle. Length 3i-4i, breadth l^-lf mm. Hal. W. Almora Division of Kumaon (//. G: G. : iii, iv.l917, iii.1919). Seven specimens, the sexes not certainly identified. An unusually large, convex, elongate form, with the general facies of an Anobiid and the rough appearance of a ITeiidecatomtiS, this being due to the abundant erect, chaffy, fasciculate pubescence partly hiding the sculpture. Ois indicus and madurensis Pic (1916) are also rather large 152 iJ«iy. insects, but very different fmm tlie present species. Various otlier Indian representatives of the genus, not yet studied, liav8 been sent me from Almora. April 1922. A CONTEIBUTION TO THE LIFE-HISTORY OP PENT ATOM A RUFIPES L. BY E. A. BUTLER, B.A., B.SC, F.E.S. This is one of the commonest of the Httle company of Penta- tomidae, betAveen 30 and 40 in number, which inliabit the British Isles, and as its area extends far bej^ond, from Ireland as the western limit, right across the Palaearctic Region north of the Mediterranean, to Japan as the eastern, some account of its bionomics may perhaps be of general interest. It is, moreover, one of the species that are of sufficiently vagrant habit to force themselves on the notice of the most unobservant, not infrecjuently appearing amongst the abodes of men, in oui' gardens, and also even in the busiest streets of our largest towns and cities — a tribute, if not to its sagacity, yet to its vigour of flight, which is capable of carrying it so far from its birth-place amongst woodlantl scenes. The PentaiomiJaeavii not provided with the saw-like ovipositor which is usual am )ngst the Hemiptera, and hence the eggs are attached externally to leaves, etc., being fixed in position by a minute amount of adhesive secretion. On August 24th, 1917, I found in the New Forest a l)atch of 14 eggs attached to an oak-leaf. They hatched early in September, and turned out to be this species. The g^^ is spheroidal, of a 3'ellowish colour, with a single red mark at the upper extremit}', near to which is a black mai'k somewhat T-shajX'd (this probably appears onh' a short iuwQ before hatching, and is the egg-opener showing through) ; the surface is quite smooth, save for a circle of Avhite points which bound the rim where the cap is attached. After hatching the chorion appears hyaline, shining and iridescent, while the red spot has disappeared, and the black T-shaped mark shows itself as the trifurcate instrument with very short stem, which has been used to open the lid or cap. The cap remains attached at one side, and falls bacls into position after the emergence of the embr3^o, and so the hatched eg^ is left in as perfect a form as the unhatehed. These 14 eggs were arranged in four rows, the two outer ones containing three each, the inner ones four; the eggs in each row were in conta(;t with one another anl with those of the 1922.] 153 preceding row, being placed alternately to these. My friend, Mr. Hugh Main, has since sent me an exactly similar batch on a hazel-leaf. The larva exists in live instars, and can be recognised by its ochreous colour marked with bronzy black, and especially by the narrow black arches that appear in the connexivum. The ochreous ground- colour appears most distinctly at the anterior angles of the prothorax ; in other parts it is very much obscured by black punctures, or by large patches of bronze-black or greenish-bronze. The black punctux-es and the metallic patches preserve their colour in the cast skin, but the ochreous ground-colour becomes in the slough much paler. This is due to a difference in the position of the pigments, which seems to be pretty general in the family, viz. that shining and metallic colours are quite supei-ficial, whereas dull colours belong to the deeper layers of the skin, and are not shed at the ecdysis. It is curious also that the metallic reflexions become more intense with each successive instar, but entirely disappear at the last moult, leaving the imago of a plain brown colour with a bright red tip to the scutellum. In the younger instars, again, a very distinct ochreous ring is seen in the middle of the black tibiae ; but by the time the last stage is reached, the ground-colour of the tibiae has become largely tinged with reddish, and the ring has disappeared, while the adult insect has entirely red tibiae. This same presence of a pale ring in the younger stages, followed by its entire disappearance in the adult, is seen even more markedly in Picromerus hiclens L. Another curious feature that is revealed in the course of development is that the lateral pronotal angles, which are so prominent a characteristic in the the fully-grown insect, do not appear till the last larval instar, and there is nothing in the early stages to suggest the possibility of such an outgrowth. While we are on the subject of the prothorax, it may be as well to point out the curious way in which in the imago that part of the insect's anatomy is, in the majority of the Hemiptera, constructed, especially as P. rujtpes well exemplifies the peculiarity. The dorsal and sternal parts of the segment are very unequal, the sternum being shortened as much as possible, so that there is only just room for the attachment of the small pair of coxae, while the dorsal tergite forms a large plate extending backwards and covering nearly a third of the whole body's length. This chitlnous plate is almost the whole of the segment that exists above, and it immediately overlaps the next segment without being attached thereto, so that the gi-eater part of its area simply lies quite freely on the very solid mass beneath, which constitutes the mesonotum and 154 [J«iy. encloses the muscles of flight, etc., appertaining to that division of the thorax. There is, therefore, a free passage for air between the pronotal plate and tlie mesonotum. Reverting to the larvae, there are three other points that should be noted. First, there are no ocelli in any of the larval instars, but these appear at the last moult, giving, one must suppose, some additional per- ceptive power to the imago, to Avhich it has been till then a stranger. Secondly and thirdly, at the same moult occurs a multiplication in seg- mentation in both antennae and tarsi. Throughout larval life the antennae are four-jointed, but at the last moult, the second joint becomes divided into two, so that the imago has five joints, an arrange- ment which must at least increase the flexibility of the organ, and so possibl}^ augment its sensitiveness, and the tarsi, which throughout the immature life have had but two joints, get an additional one by the sub- division of the terminal, thereby gaining a more workmanlike instrument for its use. The life-cycle of this insect seems to be rather different from that of the rest of our Pentatomidae. The majority certainly pass the winter in the adult condition, but that does not seem to be the case with this species. As above mentioned, eggs found in late August hatched in September, and this would hardly leave time for the maturation of the insect before the change of weather and the state of vegetation rendered vmdesirable a life in the open. The onlj^ records I have been able to gather for the capture of the imago lie between the beginning of June and the end of October ; there is but one outside the limit of those months, and that is May 30th, 1917 (^Edmonds). The absence of records for all the rest of the year seems to imply that the Insect retires into obscurlt}^ as a larva towards the end of October, passes the winter months in a state of inactivity, and emerges again in spring-time to com- plete its larval life before midsummer. This is confirmed by the occurrence of numbers of fully-grown larvae in June ; Commander Walker, speaking of the New Forest in June, says : — " The abundance of tlie nymphs of Tropicoris {Peniatoma) riifipes was quite a feature of the collecting, twent}^ or thirty of these at a time coming down into the umbrella when an oak was beaten " (Ent. Mo. Mag., Aug. 1917). Probably the perfect insects are most numerous in August; I have found recently matured specimens in cop. in August on birch-trees ; but on opening the body of the $ , I could find no trace of ova. If the course sketched above is correct, it gives a shorter imaginal life to this large Pentatomid than is found in an}^ other of our species in the family, a life of not more than five months. 1022.] 155 p. rvfpcs is an inliabitant of various trees, sucli as Qiiercvs, Alnus, Crataerjus, Fraxinus, Betula, Fagns, Pop7ilus, Snlix, Ulmns, Sorbiis aucuparia, but perhaps most commonly of oaks ; J. S^ahlberg adds Ribes, and Prof. Carr reports it from flowers of Senecio jacohnea. Morley records it from a seeding Angelica flower-head, and he also found one on a dead hawk. Whittaker speaks of taking it by beating chest- nuts, and Collins by beating Gorylus. If all these mean diet, the menu is certainly a very varied one. But as an imago this species has for the last century and a half been credited with carnivorous tastes. De Geer saj'^s it wanders on the foliage of trees seeking caterpillars to suck, and several observers since his time have confirmed this statement. Dalla Torre speaks of the imago as a destroyer of aphides, and Gorski as pursuing and destroying the caterpillars of the gipsy-moth. On the other hand, Schumacher says he has often bred it, and has always found it to be phytophagous. I have seen larvae in the second instar sucking a sycamore leaf ; while doing this, the rostrum, which is very long, is thrust far forward, and the body is inclined at an angle of about 30° to the surface on which it is resting. Of course the diet may be different at different stages of its life ; it may be vegetarian as a larva and carni- vorous as an imago, or it may be absolutely indifferent, ready to accept whatever turns up. The rostrum is long and slender, very unlike the short and stout weapon of the admittedly carnivorous species Picromertis hidens, and much better fitted to deal with unresisting vegetation than with a struggling victim. At the same time it can, as McGregor says, " inflict a painful probe with its powerful beak." On the whole, therefore, we may say that the question of its food needs further investigation. The odour from the scent glands is very powerful, and to the human nostril, most disagreeable ; Frey Gessner compares it to that of rotten apples, with a little muskiness. When the insect is weakened by fasting, the smell is scarcely perceptible, and I have seen a larva in that condition eaten by a carnivorous lepidopterous caterpillar, though one would suppose it would have been safeguarded had it retained its odour. There is a certain malformation of antennae, to which the name " oligomery " has been given, and this insect is one of those that occasionally exhibit it. It is a defect which occurs most frequently and characteristically amongst the Lygaeidae, and it is not at all common in the Fentafomidae. In one instance the normal fourth joint was suppressed but the third elongated ; hence the antenna, being 4- instead of 5-jointed, preserved something of the larval structure, though with a k loG [July, lengthened segment. Anotlier example had the termi-ial joint missing, the third short and thickened, and the fourth much elongated and slightly thickened {Douglas). The foundation for these defects must, of course, have been laid during larval life. Now, as oligomery is most common amongst the Lygaeidae, most of which spend their life upon the ground, it seems as though there may be some connection between this kind of teratology and the habit of living on the ground, amongst the roots of plants, where the risks of damage to the antennae must be considerable ; and the question naturally suggests itself whether the winter retirement of larval P. rvfipes, presumably on the ground, under plants, stones, etc., may be similarly responsible for tlie appearance of oligomery in a Pentatomid, P. rufii^es shows no hesitation in the use of its wmgs, and readily takes flight, and this may have something to do with the wide area it has covered. In the British Isles it is probably quite general in distri- bution : it has been definitely recorded from 30 English and 3 Welsh counties, and it occurs in both Scotland and Ireland. Seven other Palaearctic species of the same genus have been described, and these are almost all Asiatic in distribution, and still others are found in other l)arts of the world. 35 Kyrle Road, Clapham Common. May 20th, 1922. OBSERVATIONS ON THE PHYLLODROMINE COCKROACH, BLATTELLA SUPELLECTILIUM Serv., IN KHARTOUM. BY K. COTTAM, Entomological Laboratory Assistant, Wellcome Tropical Research Laboratories, Khartoum, Sudan. In this paper certain habits of this cockroach are described, and an account is given of its breeding habits, oviposition, and development as observed in a series of experiments carried out at Khartoum in 1915. This small cockroach is one of the commonest species in Khartoum, and is found in nearly all buildings and in native huts (tukls). It is nocturnal, but may sometimes be seen moving about during the daytime. Whilst searching for other insects, I have often disturbed it from holes both on the river bank and in gardens. The wings are well developed in both sexes ; but, though I have frequently seen this insect flying round 1022.] 157 artificial light in houses, I have only once seen it on the wing out o£ doors. In the Sudan, Blattella siipellectilium apparently breeds throughout the year, and every stage of development may be seen at all seasons. A male fertilizes several females. A female produces many broods, each of which is not necessarily dependent on a fresh mating. The jn'olific increase of this cockroach is checked by a hymenopterous parasite which develops in the egg-capsule. In order to trace the life-history of this insect, a number of experi- ments were carried out in 1915. Cockroaches are not difficult to keep alive in confinement, if kept clean and fed and watered regularly. Those used in the following experiments were kept in large glass basins covered wdth glass lids, and were fed on table scraps. The food was supplied daily and the remains of the previous day's supply carefully removed. If the old food was not removed it became mouldy and the insects died. A young fi-eshly matured male was caught and used to fertilize the females until a male had been bred out. Afterwards specimens which had been bred \\ere used. Index of the specimens used in Experiment 1. No. 1. Female matured on May 2nd Died June 13th, 2. Female matured on May 2nd Died July 18tli. 3. Male caught May 4th. 4. Male matured on May 15th Died July 16th. The females, Nos. 1 and 2, were kept with a male, No. 3, from May 4th until May 15th ; on that date he was released and male No. 4 added. Index of the specimens used 171 Experitnent 2. No. 5. Male matured on August 20th Died Oct. 19th. 6. Female matured on August 29th Died Oct. 12tli. 7. Female matured on August 30th Died Oct. 30th. These cockroaches were reared from one brood and kept together. The male was eventually killed by accident. No eggs were developed after the male was absent, although No. 7 female lived approximately 21 days later. From these experiments it was found that these cockroaches laid their eggs in an average period of 13'75 days after attaining maturity', the maximum being 17 and the minimum 10 days. The average period 158 fJ"''-' between each oviposition was G'13 clays, with a maxunum of 14 and a minimum o£ 4 d^js. The female deposited on the day following the carrying of the egg- capsule, that is when it appears quite clear of the aodomen and is held by the anal claspers. Cockroach No. 1 made five deposits in 25 days, and probably her death was premature. No. 2 made twelve deposits in 59 daj^s. Nos. 6 and 7 made five deposits each in 32 and 25 days respectively, but ceased to lay after the death of male No. 5. The young emerge from ihe egg-capsule in 33-37 days, or in an average period of 35 days. Each egg-capsule contained alwut IG j^oung, but the average number that emerged was 12; the undeveloped speci- mens could be seen in their respective cells in the egg-capsule. On January 19th, a brood of young cockroaches emerged from an egg-capsule. These were reared but no full record of the moults was kept. On May 2nd to the 4th these insects matured, and on tbc 18th and 19th respectively two females dej^osited. The period from emergence to maturity was 103 days approximately. Another brood was hatched on June 6th, and reached maturity in GG to 85 days. The brood was fed very regularly and with great care. It is quite obvious the growth of these insects can be retarded or quickened by feeding. During develop- ment only one empty skin was noticed, so it is indicated that they devour the cast skin after each moult. Though males were often seen attentive to females, the cockroaches were never seen in copula ; probably their mating takes place at night. To ascertain whether a separate mating was necessary for the pro- creation of each particular brood, four newly matured females were confined with a corresponding number of males, and were not separated until each female was seen to be carrying her fii'st egg-capsule ; from that time the males were deprived of further access to the females. The first cockroach lived 48 days after the male was taken away, and during that time deposited 9 egg-capsules ; the second lived 46 days and deposited 8 egg-capsules ; the third lived 31 daj^s and deposited 5 egg-capsules ; the fourth dejiosited 8 egg-capsules and lived 52 da3's. With the exception of 5 which dried up, the above egg-capsules were fertile and young cockroaches emerged therefrom. 1922.] 159 A NEW GENUS OP ISCHNOCEBA (MALLOPHAGA). BY JAMES WATEESTOK, B.D., D.SC, F.Z.S. Assistant Keeper in the Department of Entomology, British Museum (Nat. Hist.). (Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.) For some time past the writer lias been engaged in a critical study of the Ischnocera occurring on Palaearctic grouse, in the course of which it has become evident that one small group of these parasites, whose members have been variously referred to Lipeurus, Niinniis, and Goniocofes, really deserves separate treatment. This new genus, which is diagnosed below, is perhaps the most characteristic of the grouse Ilallo^jluiga and, in the writer's opinion, its included species will, Avhen more perfectly known, afford important clues to the phylogeny of their host genera. Laqopoecus, gen. nov. Head ( much less so in the S '■, second segment very minute, each with a few short hairs. Antennae black, the flagellar segments with rather dense, uniform hair which is about as long as the diameter of the segments. First anil last flagellar seg- ments each a little longer than any of the others, the remaining segments in the S each a little over half as long again as broad, and provided with a distinct week, which is fully one-third as long as the remaining portion of the segment ; in the 5 these segments are very little longer than broad, and Lave shorter necks. Thorax blackish-brown, somewhat shining. Pleurae with rather extensive pale membranous areas. Scutellum with two distinct mar- ginal bristles and some finer hairs ; mesonotal hair short, dark and inconspicuous. Abdomen with the membranous parts whitish, the chitinised parts dark brown. In the S all the tergites are uniformly chitinised ; in the '^ tergites 1 and 2 are membranous at the base, 3 and 4 uniformly cliitinised, 5 with a tendency to weakening of the chitin in the middle, 6 and 7 chitinised only on the apical and lateral margins. Sternites 3-5 in $ broad, 6-8 verj' narrow, all sliglitly bnt nnifdrmly cliitinised. Ilypopygiiun of J rather small ; claspers not enlarged, slightly curved and tapering, a litile over twice as long as their breadth at the base, with a single subterniinal spine mixed with some hair ; side pieces without patch of bristles at their ventral junction. Lamellae of J 2-segmented, first segment roundish, second narrower and rather elongate- ovnl, Leys dark brownish, coxae and femora rather lighter. Hind coxae short, together with the trochanters less than two-thirds as long as the f-^mora. Front and middle femora sumeAvhat thicliened. Tibiae without definite combs ; spurs very shojt, considerably shorter than the diameter of the tibia. On the hind leg-s the proportions of the tibia and tarsal segments are roughlj' 48 : 22 : 10 : 7 : 0 : 7.' Empodia minute; pxilvilli not distinguishable; claws simple. [Vimjs alike iu the two. sexes, slightlj' greyish-tinged; costal and radial veins dark and strong ; media and cubitus devoid of macrotrichia, rather thin and faint, especially the stem of M, Hi ending in costa far before the base of cell Mi ; i?i shorter than H ; costa extending about three-fourths of the distance between the tips of lis and Mi ; the horizontal r-m a little longer than the vertical portion of lis ; median fork shorter than its stem, its branches slightly divergent apically ; tip of iI/2 considerably nearer the ^^ ing-tip than id the tip of Hs. Cubital fork with a very short stem, which is rather difficult to detect owing to the fact that the base of Cu-i is fainter than An, which latter vein approximates to Cu2 and actually seems to unite with it distally, so that at first sight it appears to be the base of Cu.2, and suggests the condition which occurs iu Pnyxia, where Cih is quite separate from Cui. Anal angle of wing only slightly indicated. Halteres with the knobs dark. Length of wing, 1'2-1*5 mm.; length of body, S, 1-1"3 mm.; J, 1-5-1 -8 mm. British Museum (Natural History). May QOtJi, 1922. T/te synonymy and distribution of Pantomorus godmani Crotch, a cosmo- politan jveevil attacking roses, greenhouse plants, etc. — Mons. A. Mustache (Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1922, pp. 100, 101) has recently called attention to tliis destructive Otiorrhynchid-beetle, and correctly uses the name Pantomorus godmani Crotch for it. The Fayal types agree perfectly with N. American ex&oi^les of P. (Aramigus) fullt^ri Horn. Like Otiorrhynchus sulcatus F, ai\d O. scabrosus Marsh., both of which have also been introduced into the Azores, it seems to be gradually spreading into widely distant regions, but is certainly of American origin, the allied species being numerous in Tropical America. P. godmani appears to have been first described by Crotch, from specimens captured in the Azores in 1866, unless the Chilean Nanpaclus suhvittatus Fairm. et Germain (1861) is synonymous with it. The localities gTven by liustache are as follows : — California, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Hawaiian Islands, Azores, Portugal, and Sicily. Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell met with it in Madeira during the past winter. The species is widely distributed-in the United States, and is known there as " Fuller's rose-beetle." It is stated to attack roses, P ie2 f-^^'^' geranium?, fruit-trees, etc. The larva gnaws the roots of the plant?, and the imago eats the leaves, flowers, and shoots. Crotch's types were beaten from brambles at Ilorta, Fayal. Dr. Duges sent examples of it to the British Museum in 1901, from Guanajuato, Mexico. The insect is not included as an introduced species in Reitter's last Catalogue, and it has probably found its wav into Europe since 1906. The principal synonymy is as follows : — Asynonychus (n. gen.) godmani Crotch, P.Z..S. 1867, pp. 3S8,. 389, pi. 23, fig. 9; and in Godman's " Azores," p. 81 (1870). Pantoynorus godmani Tbxii&ch.Q, Bull. Soc. Ent. Fr. 1922, p. 100. Aramigiis fuUeri Horn, Proc. Am. PhU. Soc. xv, p. 94 (1876).* Pantomortis fidleri Champ. Biol. Centr.-Am., Coleopt. iv. 3, p. 333^ pi. 15, fig. 19 (1911). Pantomoi-us olindae Perk. Fauna Hawaiiensis, Coleopt. i, p. 130 (1900). Papers on its habits and life-history have been written by various American authors — Chittenden, Pierce, Koebele, and .Schwarz. Commander Walker gent me specimens of P. godmani Crotch and Lapavocerus azoricus Drouet from Horta, Fayal, in the " seventies,"— G. C. Chajipion, Horsell : May 2,Qth, 1922. An American Scarabaeid in dried fruit. — A few days ajro I found in some dried apricots a bright-looking minute Lamellicorn beetle, which made an excellent specimen, despite the fact that it had been subjected to the culinary process, Mr, G. C, Champion has kindly determined it for me as Psammobitt^ fca^m Arrow ( =^;a/TK7MS Bates, nee Chevr.) described, or rather recor Jed, in the " Biologia Centrali-Americana" from Mexico and Guatemala, and renamed by AiTOw in Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. Ici03, p. 514, The insect i§ very much smaller and narrower than either of our two British species of the genus, of a clear yellowish-testaceous colour, rather shining, and with very strong diffuse puncturation on the prothorax. Its presence in dried apricots is no doubt accidental, but may not be devoid of interest,- especially as P. hatesi has not been recorded from California, from whence the fruit probably came. P. par- vulus Chevr., a somewhat larger and more robust insect, is recorded from the West Indies. — James J. Walkib, Oxford : June 1922. Terrifying and Protective Coloration of Inseets at the Time of Emergence. — During the last ten days I have had the pleasure of witnessing the emergence of two insects, Saturnia paivnia and Odontosia carmelita, in both cases from the actual moment of dehiscence. In the case of S. pavonia the central area of the primaries, on which the large orbicular " eye " appears, was already well developed when the insect emerged in comparison with the rest of the wing, which was relatively very small and baggy. Consequently the ocelli stood out with the most startling effect, and as the scales were closely packed, the general coloration of that particular area was much more vivid than when the wing was completely distended, I was much interested therefore, to see t^vo large eyes, ringed vividly with white, staring fixedly at me from the moment that the insect had freed itself from the cccoon, and I could well imagine that any small bird, encountering such an object, would hesitate to investigate it * The date is misprinted " 1&46 " in Hustache's paper. further. The insect appeared to be quite conscious of its ability to terrify intruders ; instead of dropping to the ground when I touched it with a piece of stick, it clung firmly to the twig on to which it had climbed, and not until it was thoroughly satit^fied with its position did it swing itself over and let its wings hang down backwards in the usual attitude of expansion. As soon as it had achieved that position, the dull brownish colour of the underside of the expanding wings merged effectively withthe coloursof the surrounding dry earth andleaves and afforded complete invisibility. It would appear as if the ocelli constituted a real protection to the insect during the few anxious minutes between the moment of dehiscence and the time when it had comfortably arranged itself for expansion. In the case of O. carmelita it was the central area of the primaries, close to the costal margin, that was the most conspicuous portion of the wings immediately after emergence, and on it the creamy-white dash whicb starts from the margin into the body of the wing was particularly apparent. As in the case of ^S". pavonia, this dash of colour was much more vivid than when the wings were fully expanded, and I suppose for the same reason that the scales on the unexpanded wing were very closelj-^ packed. But the general efiect was to break up the outline of the inject by a very effective piece of " dazzle painting," and thus to secure immunity from attack during the few minutes when the insect was crawling about to search for a proper situation in which to expand. I wonder if other observers have noticed similar instances of protective coloration in other freshly-emerged insects. 1 obtained O. carmelita by pupa-digging in a wood three or four miles from Carlisle. I believe it to be a new record for this district. — H. D. Ford, Thursby Vicarage, Carlisle : May 10th, 1922. Celerio lineata F. {Deilephila livornica Esp.) at Oxford. — On the afternoon of May 13th, a neighbour called my son's attention to a " pretty butterfly " at rest among stems of Clematis near his front door. On seeing it my son at once came and informed me that it was a " Hawk Moth" of some kind ; and my surprise and delight may be imagined when, on going to look at the insect, it proved to be a cf Celerio lineata in condition equal to bred. — A. U. Ha:m5I, 22 Southtield lload, Oxford : May I8th, 1922. A Chalcid parasite of Lecanopsis formicarum Newstead. — Writing under date, 16.vi.l922, Mr. E. E. Green remarks : — " I enclose some apterous Chalcids that have just emerged from specimens of L. formicarum Newst., collected at Camberley three weeks ago There was also one lai^cr winged example but this escaped " The parasites in question (6 cT , 8 9) are referable to Chureia inepta Dalman (1820) (Encyrtidae-Cltalcidoidea) of whose biology apparently nothing has hitherto been ascertained, though the insect itself has been known for a century and reported by reliable workers from various localities ranging from Sweden to Austria and thence westwards into Spain. In Britain Choreia inepta has been known since 1833, when Westwood des- cribed it (as C. niyroaenea Westw.) from Dorking (G. R. Waterhouse Coll.). Mr. Green's examples are all of the usual form with inconspicuous rudimentary wings. The $ of the macropterous form (to which the specimen which escaped may have belonged) has been recorded by Mayr (1876) from Forster's collection. — James Wateeston, Brit. Mus. Nat. Ilist. : June 1922. y/iree Sjjecies of Aphids ntw to Britain. — In August 19:20 Master A. llodgL-r Wateistun, while on liolidiiy at Catiicol, Arran, found AinjJiurophora rhinanthi Sellout. (Zqo\. Anz. xxvi, 1903, p. 087) on lihinaitthus cviita-yaUi. In tile corresjjoiidiug montli of the followijii^- year I found it g-enerally distributed throughout the North-East of Scotland. The presence of this species is difficult to detect on account of its habitat— it is found inside the seed-capsules of its host-plant, and no doubt this explains why it has not been recorded since it w^as described by Schouleden from specimens he obtained in Belgium, li/iinantlius majorj though frequently found growing side by side with R. crisfa-f/alli, was not found to be affected. jSTothing is known regarding the life-histor}' of A. rh iyianthi -^nov to the formation of the seed' capsules of the food-plant. In Maj' 1021 I found on birch- trees in Ilichmond Park Ilamcunelibtos betulae Mordw.*, and this year the species has turned up on Wimbledon Common. The aphids cluster together on the under surface of the leaf which beconies slightl}' concave and white from t!ie excretions of the insects. Tullgren, in his monograph of the Pemphiyinae (Ark. f. Zool. 1909), has dealt fully with this very interesting species, and English students may be referred to that work for further information. Towards tii'i end of March of this year, Mr^ C. L. Withj^combe brought me specimens of I'entalonia niyro- jiervosa Coq., which he found on Alpiyiia rafflesiana in one of the glass-houses in Kew Gardens. Originally described from Bourbon I.laud, it was reported as being present in the United States in 1909 when Wilson (Journ. Econ. Ent ii, 1909, p. 346) re-described and figured the species. — F. Laing, British xMuseum (Nat. Hist.) : June 9t/i, 1922. "A PtEDESCltlPTION OP THK T\'PE SpeCIK8 OF THE GeNERA OF COCCIDAE BASED ON SPECIES OIUGINALLY DESCRIBED BY MaSKELL." By IlAnoLB & Emily IMomuson. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus. 60, pp. 1-20; 1922. This is one of the most important papers on Coccidae which has appeared for a long time. Maskell, an occasional contributor to this Magazine, began the study of the Coccidae when very little was known regarding the family, and as he was a prolific writer over a Lnig number of years a proper conception of the genera based on his species is of fundamental importance in the proper classifi- cation of the family. The U.S. Nat. Museum authorities recognised this fact and obtained the loan of the Maskell Collection from New Zealand. The present paper is the first result of the examination of that Collection. The types of 36 genera and one subgenus are redescribed and very fully illustrated ; for reasons of space the adult $ and first-stage larva are alone dealt with. CoccidoL. gists have been misled in many cases by Maskell, who had made errors in his descriptions or misidentified material sent to him by other euto- mologi.sts. This work will now cori'ect these misconceptions, and we are under a debt of gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Morrison for the able and thorough way in which they have carried ont the task. They have confined themselves mainly to the work in hand, but occasionally they express opinions as to. the proper systematic position of a particular genus, and also regarding oilier species subsequently included in a genus. * Unfoi-tunatoly when I wrote this, I overlooked the fact that Rhymer Eol)ert9 { item. & Proc. Manchester Lit. & Phil. So?, lii, Ko. 9, 1H15) had recorded this species for Britain under the name of Hiimamelisies iidljreni de Meij. Iliurij lioivUmd-Biown, M.A., F.E.S., whose decease was briuHy aunoiiiiced ill the last imuiber of this Magazine, was born at Pinner, Middlesex, on May 19th, 1865. In a very charming little book, " Myself when Young," by his sister, the well-luiowu novelist writing under the pseudonym of "Rowland Grey," we find many allusions to the Leen interest in Nature talieii by herself and her brother when both were quite young children, and as a boy of twelve years lJowland-J3iowii was already a keen collector of Lepidoptera. He was educated at Kugby, where he came under the influence of the eminent Entomologist the Kev. F. D. Morice, at that time a master in that famous school; from Rugby he proceeded to University College, Oxford, afterwards studying for the Ear, and becoming in due course a member of his father's profession. As an Entomologist, his attention was for the most past directed to the Lepidoptera of the Western Palaearctic Region, including those of our own islands ; and in his knowledge of the butterflies of Central and Western Europe, and especially those of France, he was certainly without an equal in our country. For many years together, up to the outbreak of the Great War, a portion of every summer was devoted by him to an excursion to some favoured Continental locality, on one occasion even to North Sweden and Lap- land ; and the detailed and brightly written narratives of these expeditious form quite a leading feature in the pages of one of our contemporaries, for as far as we are aware, he made no direct contribution to this Magazine. His monograph of Coenonymplia iyphon in M. Oberthur's " Lepidopterologie Com- paree" is an Entomological classic, as is also the exhaustive study of the races of that most interesting butterfly Colias croceus (edtisa), his last piece of serious work, which appeared quite recently in the " Entomologist." It was also his intention, a few years ago, to revise thoroughly and bring up to date that excellent and most useful little book "European Butterflies," by the late Mr. W. F. Kane, which has gone out of print, and considerable progress was made with this task, as well as with an entirely original work on the subject, but unfortunately the outbreak of war prevented the completion of these undertakings. It is probable, however, that to the majority' of Entomologists Rowland- Brown's name is best known in connection with his greatly appreciated services to the Entomological Society of London. He was elected a Fellow in 1887, and twelve years later, when the present writer was compelled by an appoint- ment abroad to resign the Secretaryship at very short notice and a successor was urgently needed, Rowland-Brown stepped into the breach and held the ofiice without intermission until 1910. His eminent qualifications for this responsible duty were at once obvious, and few, if any. Secretaries of the Society have enjoyed so large an amount of confidence and general popularity. The writer of this notice, who once more shared the office with him from 1905 onwards, recalls with the utmost pleasure his unfailing geniality, resource, and readiness in dealing with the many complications which inevitably arise in the conduct of the affairs of a Society of this kind. Truly he was the beau-ideal of a colleague. 16(j [.JuU, In 1921, after the resignation of the Rev. G. Wheeler, he resumed the uihce of Secretary', but increasing ill-health compelled his final resignation after a few mouths. Besides serviuji on the Council in 1914-16, he was a Vice- President of tlie Societj in 1908 and 1910. He will also be greatly missed by his associates of the Eutomological Club, of which he was an active and hospitable member. llowland-Browu was a man of wide outloolc and sympathies, an able journalist and essay-writer, and the author of more than one volume of light and graceful verse under the pen-name of " Oliver Grey." Among his innumerable friends his immediate neighbour at Harrow Weald, the late Sir W. S. Gilbert of musical fame, held a very high place, and the reminis- cences of their friendship, wdiich appeared recently in the " Cornhill Magazine," was probably the last of his writings. Up to about a year ago he was a man of vigorous physique and active habits, and in his youth an athlete of distinction ; but recently heart-trouble, no doubt aggravated by strenuous public work during the war, was the cause of great though patientlv endured suffering. Although a temporary rally a few months ago enabled him partially to resume work, the end came on May 3rd at Oxhey Grove, Harrow Weald, his residence for many years past. We understand that his extensive collections of Lepidoptera and his entomo- logical library are bequeathed to tlie Entomological Society of London, with remainder to the Oxford University Museum. We tender our most sincere and heartfelt sympathy to his bereaved mother and sister. — J. J. W. Thk South London ENroMOLOGiCAi. and Natural Histouy Soc:i';ty: February '2\^rd. — Mr. A. J. Bunnett, M.A., President, in the Chair. Mr. Ciieesemau, 30 Clayton Road, S.E., was elected a member. An Exliibition of Lantern-slides by members. Mr. Hugh Main, slides illustrating the latest results of colour-photography ; a series of slides illus- trating the life-history of the field-cricket and the Avolf-spider Lycusa. The President, slides of "fairy Hies," and of the tracheae of a beetle. Mr. Syms, slides of the ova of the more local species of British Butter- flies. Mr. Tonge, slides of the ova of a number of British Geometers. Mr. Staniland, slides of the galling of the wild crab by the woolly aphis Erlosonia laniyerum, and of the Syrphid {Syrphus vitripennis). Mr. Withy- combe, a curious fungus growth from a dead ant, a nest of Osmia rvfa in a door-lock, the egg-mass of Empasa pauperata, the life-history of a Conio- l^teryx, etc. March 9th, 1922.— The President in the Chair. Mr. G. C. Champion, A.L.S., F.Z.S., was elected an honorary member. Mr. L. C. Jjushby, of Bromley, and Mr. A. M. Massee, of Sevenoaks, were elected members. ' Captam J. Ramsbottom, F.L.S., gave a Lecture on " Symbiosis of Fungi with the Fertilization of Orchids,"' illustrated with lantern-slides and diagrams. 1922.1 ley March 2Srd, 1922.— The President in the Chair. The death of Mr. Lachlan Gibb, F.E.S., a life-member, was announced. Mr. Goodman exhibited an aberration of Ar(/ynnis cu/laia with tlie discal blotches much increased in area and united to form an irregular band. Mr. Grosvenor, Dr. Chapman's bred series of CaUofhrys avis. Mr. Turner, the remai'kable silver Satyrid Arcfyrophorus aryenteus irom Chile. April 13^//, 1922.— The President in the Chair. Mr. A. A. W. Buclvstone exhibited series of Breiitkis eiiphrosyne. all strongly marked, tahen on high ground at Horsley, compared with others taken at a much lower elevation in the valley. Also one from Oxshott, with xanthie markings, and ab. ohscura of Cleoceris riminalis from Yorks. Mr. Enefer, beetles attacking lentils from Egypt. Mr. "Withycombe, the results of pine-beating at Bagshot, including Panolis pinijwrda, larvae of Ello2na pru- sapiaria, Chrysopa vitlyaris and C. prasina with its prey Chertnes hricii,. April -271/1, 1922.— Mr. K. G. Elaib, B.Sc, F.E.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. Mr. A. D. Hobson, of Highgate, Mr. W. Rait Smith, F.E.S., of Bickley, and Mr. A. G. "S^^^t, of W. Dulwich, were elected members. Mr, E. E. Green, F.E.S., gave a Lecture on '•' British Cocciihte,'' with blackboard sketches and numerous coloured figures of species and their de- predations. Mr. Grosvenor exhibited a collection of the species and forms of the genus Endrom (Sefiiia).—IlY. J. Turner, Hon. Editor of Froceedinya. THE BRITISH SPECIE.S OF HALICTUS AND SPIIECODES. BY R. C. L. PERKIXS, M.A., D.SC, F.R.S. {Continued from p. 101.) Sphegodes. 66. 1 (10) Antennae on their hind surface with the tiagellar joints strongly compressed from the sides so as to be cariniform, and the sculpture excessively minute, so that its nature is not distinguishable even under the strongest lens. 2 {;i) Punctures of the mesonotum so dense that practically no surface is left between them, and they are divided merely by sharp edges .... scabricollis Wesm. 3 (2) Mesonotal surface to a greater or less extent evident between the punctures. 4 (5) Second ventral segment very deeply gi'ooved at the base, in ventral aspect strongly raised from the sulcature, so as to form there a very strongly inclined plane with the general surface ; hind tibiae spinose on the upper edge ; a very large species .... simmlosus v. Hag. 168 [Jiiiy. o (4) Secoml ventral segment at most gently inclined from the base ; hind tibiae not spinose. 0 (7) Head viewed from in front witli the vertex behind the posterior ocelli generall}' distinctly punctured, sometimes subrugose, but the individual punctures for the most part clearly distinguishable; basal pubescent * bands of the f.agellimi of antennae very strongly dilated at one end. (Basal abdominal segment conspicuously punctured, the larger punctures not very fine and generallj' deep, the smaller ones between these excessively minute uuder a strong lens, so that the contrast between the two kinds is very great) .... gibbns L. 7 (6) Head immediately behind the ocelli generally rugose, with few or no distinct punctures; basal pubescent bands of flagellum not thus strongly dilated. (Punctures of basal abdominal segment finer and less conspicuous, the larger ones usually less distinct, and the contrast between those of different size less striking.) 8 (9) When the insect is viewed from beneath and from the front, the hair- fringe of the hind trochanters is less conspicuous than that on the adjoining part of the femora, the hair being evidently shorter on the former; head when the vertex is viewed from above wider and thinner, the sides behind the eyes being much more rounded away to the occipital angles (the head of gihbus is of much the same form and this common species can be used for comparison) .... reticHlatu!< Th. 9 (8) Hind trochanters, viewed as above, with the white hair-fringe similar to tliat on the femora at the part where the fringes adjoin one another; head with the vertex comparatively subquadrate, not nearly so much i-ounded away at the sides (and in this respect distinct from either (jibhus or reticulatus) .... monilicornis K. {subqiiadratus Sm.). 10 (I) Hind surface of the antennae with evident sculpture under a strong lens, often appearing reticulated or with very close, hue punctures (due really to reticulation), the antennae themselves in most species much shorter than in any of the preceding, and uo area of dense short pubescence is found on either the hind trochanters or femora beneath. 11 (12) A large species, robust, with strongly, closely punctured mesothorax and scutellum, the basal abdominal segment with irregular and remote, but conspicuous puncturation, the second with a very conspicuous band of close and not very fine punctures, occupying at least the basal third riifiventris Panz. {riihicundus v. Hag.). 12 (11) The large species have tlie basal abdominal segment with at most very feeble and few punctures. 13 (28) Hair-band of 10th antennal joint not covering nearly the whole of the joint, at most occupying about half the face of this. * For the sake of uniformity the 10th antennal joint is used in comparing the bands, these becoming less developed on the more basal joints. ThymO'plas MOUNTING OUTFITS. A Simple and Permanent Method for Mounting Insects, &c. ADOPTED BY THE ENTOMOLOGICAL DEPT. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, LONDON. Price 3 - (postage Bd.) & 6/- (postage 9d.). HARBUTT'S PLASTICINE Ltd.,56 Ludgate Hill, EC. 4, and Bathamptou, iir. Bath. tUili- ^^e^^ Tg''^ AGENT- ^'it'h^-, \ G. A. BENTALL, F.Z.S. naturalist. ^fA^ I 392 Strand. London. W.C. 2. REVISED PRICES FOR BACK VOLUMES. IsT Series, IS64-1S89.— Parts, 3/6 net each ; Volumes, 25/- net. Vols. 1 to 25. bound 3/6 extra. These can be obtained in many cases in complete Volumes. 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GUENEY & JACKSON, 33 Paternoster Row, London, E.C.4. „ 2 (191G).— „ 3 (1917).— „ 4 (1918).— „ 5(1919).- „ 6 (1920).— „ 7 (1921).— C O N T E N T S. PAG II; Some Indian Coleoptera (8) {concluded). — Gr. C. Champion, F.Z.S 145 A Contribution to the Life-History of Pentatoma rufipes L. — E.A.BiiHer, B.A., B.So.., F.E.S 1 52 Observations on the Phyllodromine Cockroach, Blattella siipellectiliuni Serv. in Khartoum. — B. Cottam 156 A new Genus of Ischnocera (Mallophaga). — .7. Waterston, B.D., D.Sc, F.Z.S. ... 159 A third new British Plastosciara (Diptera, Sciaridae).— F. W. Edwai-d.^i, F.E.S. . 160 The synonymy and dis^tribiation of Pantomorus godmani Crotch, a cosmopolitan weevil attacking' roses, greenhotise plants, etc. — G. C. Champion, F.Z.S. ... 161 An American Scarabaeid in dried fruit.— .7. .7. Wnll-er, M.A., B.N., F.L.S 162 Terrifying and Protective Coloration of Insects at the Time of Emergence.— Bev. H. D. Ford, M.A. 162 Celerio lineata F. (Deilephila livornica Esp.) at Oxford. — A. H. Hamm, F.E.S. . 16.3 A Chalcid j^arasite on Lecanopsis formicarTmi Newstead. — J. Wnteiston, B.D., D.Sc, F.E.S 1G3 Three species of Aphids new to Britain. — F. Laing, F.E.S. 164 Revievp. — ''A Rede s crip tion of the Type Species of the Genera of Coccidae based on Species originally described by Maskell." By Harold & Emily Morrison 161- Obittjabt. — Henry Eowland-Brown, M.A., F.E.S. 165 Society. — South London Entomological Society 166 The British species of Halictus and Sphecodes iconfinued). — B. C. L. Pei-Jcins, M.A.. n.Sc. F.R.S. 167 THE NATURALIST: A MONTHLY II.LUSTIIATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, M.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., The Museum, Hull ; AND T. W. "WOODHEAD, Ph.D., M.Sc, F.L.S., Technical College, Huddebsfield ; with tiir assistanck as ki'?ickk,es in sprxlal departmenis of GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S. , F.E.S.. JOHN W. TAYLOR. JVI.Hc , RILEY FORTUNE. F.Z.S. 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AUTHORS are requested to send their communications and proofs to either J. J. Walker, Aorang-i, Lonsdale Road, Summertown, Oxford ; or G. C. Champion, Broomhall Road, Horsell, Woking. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 41 Queens Gate, S.W. 7 (nearest stations : South Kensington and Gloucester Road). — Oct. 4th, 1922, at 8 p.m. The Library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except on Saturdays, when it is closed at 2 p.m.), and until 10 p.m. on Meeting nights. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge. The Second & Fourth Thursdays in each month, at 7 p.m. The lantern will be at the disposal of Members for the exhibition of slides. THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, now meets in Hall 40, Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2, on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month at 6.30 p.m. General meetings 1st Tuesdays, Sectional meetings 3rd Tuesdays. (No meetings in July or August indoors, but field excursions instead.) Hon. Sec. : W. E. Glegg, The House, Albion Brewerj% Wbitechapel Road, E. 1. Chingford Branch. The Chingford Local Branch meets at the Avenue Cafe, opposite Chingford Station, at 8 p.m., on the 2nd Monday in each month. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT. — This Society has developed from the Southampton and District Entomo- logical Society. Meetings are held on the First Saturday afternoon of each month at Southampton, and other meetings will be arranged in important centres in the county from time to time. Activities being undertaken at the present time include the formation of a library, of collect'ions of insects, and the compilation of a county insect fauna list. Will keen entomologists in the county who are interested •please communicate with the Hon. Sec, F. J. KiLLiNGTON, 1 St. Catherine's Road, Eastleigh, Hants. 14 (15) Hair-band of 10th joiut wide throiigliout, very distinct and definite, occiipjing half the whole area of the face of this joint, or sometimes more; niesonotum deeply, closely punctured, clothed with un- usually long whitish pubescence ; basal abdominal segment nearly impunctate ; species large or rather large .... jjelhicidus Sm. {pilifrons Th.). 15 (14) Hair-band of 10th antenna! joint less large, its apical maa-gin in some species conspicuously curved and sometimes not clearly defined ; some species are quite small, and some have shallow or fine meso- notal puncturation. 16 (17) A small species, with black or piceous-black abdomen, only the apices of some of the segments more or less obscurely reddish ; propodeum viewed from in front shining, with distinct, well-separated, longi- tudinal wrinkles, Avhich either end simply or are sometimes more or less connected at their apices, before reaching the brow ; scutellum shining, with sparse (or very sparse) feeble punctures ; abdomen smooth, shining, and almost impunctate ; front tibiae black or browu-black in front nu/er v. Hag. 17 (16) Small black-bodied species have the propodeum densely rugose, often strongly reticulated, to the brow ; scutellum ofteu strongly punc- tured ; front tibiae often pale in front. 18 (23) Mesonotal punctures more or less dense and strong — in lonyulus which is one of the smallest species, they are strong for the size of the insect, — the scutellum in normal examples strongly, and often densely, punctured; these punctures sometimes even coarser than those of the mesonotum. 19 (^0) Sixth ventral segment nearly always with a shallow depression which is often very vague and feeble, varying in shape and extent and sometimes only to be seen by inclining the insect this wav or that divisus K. (simi/is Wesm.). i?n (19) Sixth ventral segment without a depression, sometimes with a feeble indication of a median raised line. 21 (22) Abdomen often coloured as in nu/er, the second abdominal segment with at most extremely fine, feeble puuctures basally, just visible under a strong lens. Mesonotal punctures finer than in divisus or pvncticeps. (A small narrow species ; larger examples with the 2nd segment of the abdomen largely red are referable to var. epidus v. Hag.) .... longulus v. Hag. 22 (21) Second abdominal segment with quite distinct puncturation basally ; mesonotum strongly punctured, the scutellum even more coarsely. (Conspicuously red-banded forms are common, biit melanic ones are not at all infrequent.) .... puncticeps Th. 23 (19) Mesonotal punctures in some species dense, but conspicuously shallow and not coarse ; in other species the mesonotal punctures are to a large extent remote (or sometimes very remote) and fine. 24 (27) Mesonotal punctures, for the most part at least, dense; abdomen ovate, unless unnaturally extended, much like that of a 2 in shape. Q 270 [August, 25 (26) Hind metatarsus on the outer surface nearly ahva^'s darlc or infuscate, hair-baud of 10th antenual joint narrow .... fer/nu/iiiaius v. Hag. 26 (25) Hind metatarsus in most specimens clear yellowish ; hair-band of 10th joint of the antennae Avider, extending usually, where longest, to n point between ^ and i the length of the joint .... hynlinatus v. Hag. 27 (24) ^[esonotal punctures at least to a large extent remote — in some examples very remote ; abdomen narrow and elongate, nmre cylindrical varieciatiif v. Hag. 28 (13) Hair-band of lOlh antennal joint very wide, coverini;- the whole face of the joint except a narrow apical portion. 29 (30) Mesonotal punctures stronger and coarser, base of hind tibiae above notably pale, yellowish dimidiatus v. Hag. 30 (29) Mesonotal jmnctures finer, and the base of the hind tibiae above as a rule dark affinis v. Hag. Owing to their \ovy great variability and tlie fact tliat highly aberrant examples occur in tlie species that follow after niger, a brief table of genital characters is here added for these species, so that these doubtful examples ma}' be rightly placed. 1 (G) Stipites of the genital armature not grooved. 2 (3) Armature ver^' wide, transverse, the hicinia in some aspects bifid .... din'sus K. 3 (2) Armature slender, yellowish or orange in colour, the lacinia not bifid. 4 (5) Lacinia produced back along the inner edge of the stipes for a distance about as great as that to which it is produced beyond their apex .... punoticeps Th. 5 (4) Lacinia not thus produced back .... lonffulus V. Hag. 6 (1) Stipites with a great longitudinal groove. 7 (8) Lacinia well chitiuized, brown or yellowish brown, without a large, thin membranous portion, extending about to the tip .... Iiyalinatus v. Hag. 8 (7) Lacinia with a large inner membranous portion, to a considerable extent quite pallid, and extending to, or almost to, the tip. 9 (10) Form slender and elongate, mesonotum more or less remotely punc- tured; three first abdominal segments usually with black or dark bands, rarely the 2nd and 3rd with only fuscous markings in the middle vanei/atiis v. Hag. 10 (9) Fol'm not slender ; mesonotum densely punctured ; abdomen some- times with three entirely red segments, and most often with at least one red one, but sometimes all are black-banded .... ferniyi/iaius v. Hag. S. dimidintus is easily separated from ajfinis by the much longer lacinia, and neither can be confused with any other of our species. 1922.] 171 29- 1 (2) Second ventral segment very deeply, trausversely sulcate at the base, the segment very strongly raised from the sulcature, as viewed beneath. (Basal abdominal segment with clear, fine, and remote punctures, which become still finer, but denser, a little before the hind margin ; a very large species, the vertex of the head rugose behind the ocelli, the pygidial area very narrow, as in gibbiis.) .... spinulosus V. Hag. 2 (1) Second ventral segment of abdomen at most rising gently from the base, and therefore without a deep sulcature. 3 (8) Vertex of head on the part behind the ocelli evidently punctured, the punctures often all distinct, and though sometimes more or less rugose the sculpture evidently consists of puncturation. 4 (7) Spines on the upper edge of hind tibiae black or pitchy black, rarely rufescent, the hairs amongst which they are placed and those that fringe tlie metatarsus outwardly, dark or sordid ; vertex of head viewed from above not at all subquadrate, but greatly narro-wed behind the eyes, the sides being very strongly rounded off. (Pygidial area narrow.) 5 (6) Fourth abdominal segment shining black, with by no means close nor very tine punctures, these being generally irregular in outline; mesonotal punctures very remote, but strong .... ffibbus L. 6 (5) Fourth dorsal segment greyish from the very numerous, minute, pale hairs clothing it, very finely and densely punctured over almost the whole surface, the punctures at most a little less dense along the border of the apical impunctate part .... reticulntus Th. 7 (1) Vertex of head subquadrate, the temples large; the spines of the hind tibiae red or testaceous, the hairs amongst which they lie, and those of the metatarsus, pale. (Pygidial area flat and not very narrow.) .... inonilicornis K. [subquadratus Sm.). 8 (3) Vertex of head behind the ocelli rugose, rugulose, or roughly sculp- tured, practicall}- without definite puncturation. 9 (10) A large or very large species, robust, the mesonotum strongly, densely, evenly punctured ; 2nd abdominal segment with a band of dense and not very fine puncturation, usually occupying about the basal third of the segment ; the hairs on the upper edge of the hind tibiae mor^ or less sordid, sooty-grey, or blackish. *' (In typical examples three whole segments and a considerable part at least of the 4th are red ; the spines of the hind tibiae some- times black, sometimes red.) .... rujiveiitris Panz. [rubicundus v. Hag.j. 10 (9) Large species are without this very dense and conspicuous band of punctures, the punctures, when present, being much finer; fringe of the hind tibiae above generally quite pale, whitish or silvery. q2 172 [August. 10ff(106)A small or very small species, with very finely punctured mesonotum and red labrum ; 3rd abdominal seo-raent black, in no part con- spicuously red ; wrinkles of the propodeum longitudinal and remote, at most about four on either side of the strong median one, and these ending simply befoie reaching the brow, the anterior area being undefined nu/er v. Hag. lOi(lOrt) Some or all of these characters wanting. 11 (14) Mesonotal punctures strong, deep, not fine, dense, or at least not evidently remote, the mandibles always with a lateral tooth before the apex. (Species medium-sized to large, but divisiis is very variable, and examples of quite small size are frequent.) 12 (13) Lateral angles of the pronotum, in dorsal aspect of the insect, more or less obtuse or indistinct ; head, viewed from above, wider ; pygidial area extremely wide ; hairs of tlie scape of the antennae longer. .... pclliickhis Sm. (pilifrojis Th.). 13 (12) Lateral angles of pronotum always distinct and very often decidedly prominent; head less wide ; the pygidial area narrower .... divisus K. {si7ii{lis 'Wesm.). 14 (II) Mesonotal punctures in most species fine, often .shallow, and some- times quite remote ; if deep, and nut fine, the mandibles are simple, without an anteapical tooth, or the size of the insect is very small. 15 (18) Mandibles simple. 16 (17) Species larger and not very narrow in form, tlie face transverse; the mesonotum Avith very distinct impressed median line, generally reaching at least to its centre. . pioicticpps Th. 17 (16) A very small narrow species with subcircular face, the impressed line of the mesonotum generally wanting or little developed, the legs usually much paler than in the preceding .... lonijidus v. Hag. 18 (15) Mandibles with a tooth before tlie apex. 19 (20) A moderately large and robust species, the expanse usually about 12 n:m. or more, the sculpture of tlie front part of the head along the middle line from the antennae for half the way or more to the anterior ocellus is rough and very obscure without definite punc- tures, or almost so. (Mesonotal punctures never very remote.) .... ferruf/inatus v. Hag. 20 (19) Species, except in \exy large examples of some, smaller than the preceding, often quite small, ajid the sculpture of the front of the head, in the region above mentioned, consists largely of quite distinct punctures, though these are sometimes very close on the lower part and to some extent confused. 21 (22) Second abdominal segment almost impunctate, or with hardly visible punctures, on its basal portion ; the third also hardly punctured ; posterior (vertical) surface of the propodeum unusually smooth, viewed somewhat from the side its upper part at least has little or no upstanding rugosity, but appears rather to bear some shallow punctures or impressions ; towards the petiole rugosities are often distinct hyalinatMS v. Hag. 1922.] , 173 22 (21) Second abdominal segment at the base generally, the third always with evident piuictiiration, which is often dense, though very fine ; propodeum on its posterior face generally with evident raised wrinkles, and altogether less smooth than that of the preceding. 23 (24) Mesonotum somewhat coarsely and deeply punctured for the small size of the insect, the punctures hardly remote ; the propodeum with the anterior area always very coarsely rugose, and on each side adjoining- the area •(?. e., between this and the dorso-lateral angles) equally coarsely rugose dimidiatus v. Hag. 24 (23) Mesonotum finely punctured, the punctures often shallow and some- times very remote ; propodeum very variable in sculpture .... varieyatus and afpnis v. Hag. The males of the species of Sj)Jiecodes can nearl}^ always be separated without exposure of the genital armature ; but in the case of some very aberrant example it is safer to do this, though the natural form of the in.sect may be somewhat altered in the process. S. ne.t; but all the time I watched, the abovJ series of actions welt on uueafter time ad h6^ the tickling, the sudden motion of the body like the ounshmg of a cudg-el and the withdrawal of the assailant. Now what was e purpose of all t ns ? Was the hyn.enopteron trying to hvpnotise the aphis so as to make it calm enough for the insertion of an e,g in its body, or was it trynigto stimulate the flow of nectar from the cornicles, or was it merely in-act,.ng a practical joke, like tickling the ears of an occupied person with a stiaw ^ Perhaps someone who is more familiar than I am with the habits and customs ot aphides and of the smaller hymenoptera will be able to throw some Iruicitr. " INSTITUTO BlOLOairo DE DEFESA AGBICOLA." Boletim N. 1 Ento- mologia Agricoa Brasileira. For Carlos Mobeii... Pp. , and 1S2, with 60 uncoloured plates and numerous text-figures. Pio de Ja^ieiro, 192] . The fii^t Boletim of this new work forms a complete volume, with full index. It contains dlustrated life-histories of various destructiv Brazi il insects, wntten bj the Director of the Institution, Senhor Carlos Moreira a^d an account of the methods used to deal with them. The species studied, apart in Ooccids, as arranged by the author ur.der the particular trees o crops and D ; T "' f"l'-;— -Orangk-xkees, etc. -^.-oe^.. ..c...^.. Oliv and n,.losckema rotund.collis Ser.. (Longicorn-beetles), and PupiUo iLus, F.; Sepp (Tmina); Sugar-cane-Z.-^^.^,, /«,,«,,, Burm.. L. fossor Latr Podal.us ^mnuks Bun. and Steno.rates laborator F. ' (Dynastidae), and Tonu.p^sparr^a Dist. (Cercopidae) ; C.o^o-Myelois duJi,lcteUa R -onot (Pyrahdae) ; !>.... .-Strate.us aloeus L. (Dynastidae), ^/.l j larbirostri^^ mynchophor.y,alman.n L., and Hon^alonotus calrescens Dahrn (Rhyncho t^^^T "u'"''''''"^ -.//.,« Vigors and^. (^.) .......L^Gu r. (Hi.pidae) ; Maize.. Be.xs, etc.-i?,..c/... obtectns Say ; To^ACCo-Protoparce ^^..Cram. (Sphingidae) ; R.c.--Lyscinetus yeminatus F. (Dynastidae and Monmdea poecUa Dallas (Pentatomidae) ; Gorro:.- Platyedra\PeetinopJ>ora) ffossyprella Saund. (Tineina); MYRTACEAE-.S..no,.« allla Z 11. (Tinein V ^Z'l^Tfct "'Tf V ' ^^^^^— -- -HER .REES-eo.d' lamo Sahib (a Galeruc.d-beetle attacking Cecropia cinerea) and Dryoctenes ^n.p.,osns Germ. (aLongicorn boring the trunks of Packira a,uatica)'vnZ other headings the ravages etc. of the insects are described : Orthoptkra- ^^Tfi~Camponotus rvfipes Forel and Atta sexdens L. MOUNTING OUTFITS. A Simple and Permanent Method for Mounting Insects, &c. ADOPTED BY THE ENTOMOLOGICAL DEPT. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, LONDON. Price 3 - (poslap 6d.) & 6- (poslaije 9d.). 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F.E.S 171> Two additions to the List of British Tachinidae (Dii^tera).- JV/ojo;- E. E. Austen, D.S.0 182 A Cecidomyid, Perrisia harrisoni, nom. nov. — R. 8. Bagnall, F.B.S.E., F.L.S. .. 183 Empididae from the Seychelles. — J. E. Collin, F.E.S 184 Asemum striatum, etc., in the New Forest. — J. J. Walkey, M.A., R.X., F.L.S. .. 181> Deliphrum crenatum Grav. in Midlothian. — W. Era)is 19(> Chaetocnema sp. injuring^ Wheat- F. La in(j, F.E.S ItH An Eastern species of Galleriadae imported into Britain -Id 191 Phylloxera salicis Licht., a species of Aphid new to Britain. -/h(trn(s dispar Gylh, R. depresses F. (some very large specimens), Corticaria elongata Gyll., Gryptopliayns cylindrus Kies., Honialota cuspidata Er., Typliaea fiimata Curtis (a strange place for this species), and Ernohius mollis L. The time spent on this pile of logs left little leisure for general collecting, but the following additional captures were made ■.—Thymnlus '''-'' 195 limhatus F., in the usual fungus on birch ; Triplax aenea Schall., and its larvae in abundance \\\ fungus growing on old holly ; Pterostichus ohlongo-punctatus F., more metallic in colour than New Forest specimens, in fallen boughs ; Taphria nivalis V&nz., Stomis pumicatus Panz., and Liophloeus mihilus F., crawling on roads. By evenino- sweeping in one of the numerous beautiful glades, we captured Brady- celhis harpalinus Dej. in great numbers, Anisotoma calcarata Er., Eoco)nias araneiformis Schrank, Ilalfliodes marginatus L., Malthinus piincfatus Fourcr., and Apliodius zenTceri Germ. Under the bark of dead standing oaks, the larvae of Bliagiiim inquisitor F., R. hifas- ciatiim F., and Pyrochroa coccinea L., were very abundant. The Saw-fly Sirrx cyaneus Pz. occurred in a felled beech. We were evidently visiting the forest at a time somewhat between the seasons for most insects. With regard to T. erosns, it is desirable to draw attention to what appears to be a mistake made by Heitter and other continental writers in regard to an important character connected with the antennae of this species. JMr. D. J. Atkinson in introducing this species (Ent. Mo. Mag. 1921, p. 253) stated that the sutures of the club of the antennae were curved, while in laricis they were straight. A careful examination of our specimens of erosus and of the specimens of laricis we took and mounted showed that this was so ; on the other hand, Reitter (Fauna Germanica, vol. v, p. 303) divided the genus Ips = Tomiciis into two sub-genera, the one Ips s.s., having curved sutures on the antennal club, the other, Orthotomicus, having straight sutures on the club, and he places erosus in his second sub-genus along wdth laricis, suturalis, proximus, and longicolUs ; this is evidently an error. That our insect is true erosus is proved by the fact that Mr. Atkinson (/. c.) compared his specimens with Wollaston's types from Madeira, now in the Natural History Museum. We have looked up Wollaston's original description (Catalogue of Madeiran Coleoptera, 1857, p. 95), and the characters given by him to separate erosus and laricis are those we find in our specimens, although Wollaston says nothing about the antennal club sutures. The insect was first taken under bark of chestnuts in Madeira ; Reitter says it occurs under bark of Pimis mar it i ma in South Europe, North Africa, Syria, Armenia, and the Cavicasus ; it is evidently not confined to any one species of tree, as will be seen from the above records, and the fact that it occurs in Scots pine in Great Britain. August Uth,\m2. s2 1 Qf» [September DESCEIPTIOXS OF TWO NEW SPECIES OF LEPIDOPTEEA FEOM NEW ZEALAND. BT G. T. HUDSON, T.E.S., F. X.Z.INST. Ichneutica nervosa, sp. n. This verv striking insect was discovered by Mr. F. S. Oliver on Bold Peak, Lake Wakatipu, in December 1910. The expansion of the -wings of the male is almost IJ inches. The fore- wings have the costa almost straight, the apex rather acute and the termen obliquely rounded ; briffht ochreons xcith the veins heavily marhed in clear white and icith black marJcings between the veins ; a small black spot at the base ; an elongate blotch between vein 1 and the dorsum ; two elongate marks between veins 1 and 2; wedge-shaped marks at the origins of veins 2, 3, 4, and 5; a large blotch between veins 5 and 6 ; a much smaller blotch between veins 6 and 7; two obscure elongate marks in disc immediately below middle of costa and two obscure blackish lines between the costal and subcostal veins ; a curved series of subterminal spots and a series of elongate terminal marks. The hind-wings are greyish-brown. The cilia of all the wings are whitish- ochreous. The head is pale brownish-ochreous. The thorax is densely clothed with brownish-ochreous hair with a brown horseshoe-like mark in the middle. The abdomen is pale ochreous. The antennae, which are heavily bipectinated throughout, are reddish-ochreoiis. Mr. Oliver very kindly submitted his unique specimen to me for description. It was captured on the mountain, at niglit. Tatosoma nigra, sp. n. A single specimen of this insect was captured in forest at Whaka- papa, on the lower slopes of Mount Euapehu, at an elevation of about 4000 feet above the sea-level. The expansion of the wings of the female is 1|- inches. The palpi are blackish, scarcely longer than the xcidth of the head. The antennae are blackish with the apical portions dull ochreous. The head and thorax are dull greenish-ochreous. The fore-wings are rather broad with the termen oblique, bowed outwards near the middle; there is a small dull greenish-ochreous basal patch, bisected by a broken black transverse line ; the sub-basal area is black with a very few scattered white and dull reddish scales ; the inner edge of the median band is bounded by a strongly dentate white line with a very deep dentation just before the doi'sum ; its outer edge by a less dentate white line with a decided projection below the costa; within the median band there are three distinct wavy black transverse lines, the intervening spaces being dark grey, the costal, discal, and dorsal portions of the median baud have a few scattered dull green and reddish scales ; the termiiial and subteinninal areas are almost black with scattered dull green, whitish, and dull reddish scales, these are thickest on the terminal area ; there is a series of black terminal dots arranged in pairs ; on the dorsum the spaces between all the black transverse lines are stronglv marked in white and the main veins are more or less strongly 1922.] igj marked in black; tlie cilia are pale riisty-oclireous barred with blackish. The hind-wings are greyish-ochreous with a cloudy median line ; the cilia are greyish-ochreoua. This species inay be immediately recognised by its very short palpi and predominant black coloration. The moth appears in January. Hillview, Karori, N.Z. Ma>/ 1922. y TWO SAWFLIES NEW TO BRITAIN— SCOLIONEURA TENELLA Klug AND PRISTIPHORA GENICULATARautig. BY THE KEY. E. D. MOKICE, M.A., F.Z.S. 1. Scolioneura tenella Klug { = filiae Kaltenbacb). Both sexes of this little Blennocampid appeared in some numbers in my garden at Woking on May 21st last and for several days following. They were flying about a Lime-tree which had been topped during the winter and was just beginning to put out a few young leaves. The d' c? and $ 2 differed so remarkably in colour — the formei' having the abdomen for the most part bright testaceous-red, while that of the $ was entirely black — that at first I could hardly believe them to be con- specific, and in fact felt almost sure that the red-bodied insects could only be specimens of Blennocam^ya aJ^nisY?i\\. (^ = assimiUs Cam.), and the black-bodied ones probably of lilennocampa pusilla KL, though I should not have expected either of those species to visit Lime-trees. However, after taking four or five specimens of each and examining them with a hand-lens, I noticed (1) that all the red-bodied specimens were 6 6* and all the black-bodied ones 5 $, and (2) that neither the 6 6 nor the § $ had the wing-venation of the genus Blennocampa as at present defined, the basal nerve in their fore wing being not almost straight but sharply and almost angularly henf, not received on the subcosta close to the origin of the cvibitus but at some little distance before it, and not parallel to the 1st recurrent but converging witli it in the direction of the stigma. These characters, together with the absence of a " closed cell " in the hind wing, showed that all the specimens, 6 6 and $ $ alike, were to be looked for in one or other of Konow's genera Scolioneura and Entodecta. And, after consulting Enslin's and Konow's descriptions of * This alone would have made it unlikely that they could be specimeus of affinis, for, though the 9 ? of that species are fairly common, its . ruber L., under which it is entered in Oshanin's " Katalog" (1912) with no fewer tban 26 synonyms appended. Almost all these names were given during the last half of the 18th centurv, and while therefore the insect was recognised only as an inhabitant of Europe. At the present day it is known to include in its area also both the Nearctic and the Neotropical Provinces. Though one of our common species, it has been recorded in the British Isles only fi-om central and southern England and South Wales. I have not seen any records from 1922.] 201 either Scotland or Ireland, nor for England north of Nottinghamshire. Where it does occur, however, it is usually common and its varieties are sufficiently striking and handsome to attract general notice, especially when, as often takes place, it appears in our gardens. The egg, as taken from the body of a 5 is a reddish yellow body, about If mm. in length, cylindrical, curved, especially at the anterior end, rounded posteriorly and truncate anteriorly, thus quite well adapted for insertion in the tissues of some plant. As with the Cajjsidae generally, this must undoubtedly be the method of its deposition, for the 2 is furnished with the usual saw remarkably well-developed. But, al+hough the eggs are no doubt so disposed of, it by no means follows that the plant in question is at all in the nature of a food-plant. The majority of the Gapsidae seem, in these latitudes at least, to spend the winter in the egg stage, and the insertion of the eggs in the stems of plants need not necessarily have any other purpose than the protection of such small objects during so many of the most inclement months of the year. The larvae that issue from these eggs show great similarity of form and colour throughout the whole of their five instars, although I very much doubt whether any one who had not actually reared them would guess what they would ultimately become. They are of a deep purplish or reddish fuscescent colour, entirely dull and with scarcely any trace, except in the head, of the shining integument possessed by the adult, and with none of the deep puncturation which is acquired only at the last moult. The width of the body is greatest in the middle of the abdomen, and the sidas of this are supplied with verj' strong black setae springing from prominent tubercles. Similar setae ai'e found on other parts of the body as well, especially in the earlier instars. Such setae are, I think, generally indicative of predatory habits. The antennae have a long, stout, and setose basal joint concolorous with the body ; the second joint is ochreous with a dark reddish-brown clavate apex ; the third joint is much thinner, entirely ochreous at first, but darkening ultimately ; and the fourth joint, always dark, is at first thicker than the third, but narrows in the later instars ; the legs are rather powerful, with dark femora, variegated tibiae, and rather short two-jointed fuscous tarsi. The strong black setae above referred to entirely disappear in the adult, being discarded at the last moult, when the abdomen becomes more than covered by the hemielytra. It would thus appear that these setae may be protective in function while the insect is soft-bodied and unable to fly, and that therefore they disappear when no longer needed, 202 rReptember, because the integument has become harder and the insect has the power of riight, giving it a ready means of escaping from enemies less active or not similarly endowed. The imago is found from June to September, but the majority of specimens appear to mature during Juty. There are no records what- ever of its occurrence in the winter or spring, and it may safely be concluded that the insects perish in the autumn, after having made provision for the next generation by laying eggs which will not hatch till the next spring or early summer. Such a course seems to hold good for the majority of our Palaearctic Ccrpsidae, though not for quite all of them, for some few species get through the winter as adults and appear in the open again in the following spring. This insect occurs most commonly by sweeping amongst nettles and other luxuriant low herbage, and it has only occasionally been found upon trees. Besides nettles, Reuter gives the following list of plants as affording it shelter: — Carduas o'is^ms, Lamium, Ballofa. Seiiecio, Verhascum, JRosa, Pnuius, Carphius, Corylus, Lririd\ and Pinus si/lvesfris : Douglas and Scott add bramble Howers, and it is often foiuid in gardens upon fruit bushes. This is certainly a curious mixture, and can hardly in all cases mean diet ; in fact, it lends further countenance to the idea of jwedatory habits. But there are other records which make this more than a mere idea. Douglas speaks of a brood as having taken possession of a clump of raspberry plants in his garden ; they were born and bred there and mostly remained, and he adds, " Like all other Ccqysidae, it is credited with being a feeder on the juices of leaves, and I was, therefore, somewhat surprised yesterday to see one individual that was not a vegetarian. On the flower-umbels of a Heracleum, the stems of which were literally covered with larvae of a pale green Aphid, the Caj)sus stood motionless, rostrum exserted and arched, the tip in the ])ody of one of the Aphids, and so gently inserted (after the manner in which Izaak Walton advises a hook to be passed into a worm), that there was no resistance by the victim. If this was the beginning of a feast, there was an abundant supply of the delicacy to continue the revel, which, in the nature of things, could not last long.'' The next day the same observer records, " To-day I witnessed the assault of a Capsus laniarius [_ruher'] on one of the aforesaid Ajihids which, how- ever, did not take it quietly, but at first resisted vehemently, but ineffectually, the rapidly exhausting effect of the insertion of the rostral lancet into its body. There were three others of the Capsus on the leaves of the plant, resting, presumabl}"^ after an aphidian banquet." 1922.] 203 This observation as to the relation between D. ruler and Aphides has been confirmed by Verhoeff, the Aphis in this case being A. rosae. I have also myself reared one specimen through its last larval in star by feeding it with the black aphides which infest the Broad Bean. Hamm found in his garden at Oxford a specimen of this bug which was attacking the butterfly Pieris rapae L. after it had been caught and killed by a web-building spider (Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1915, cxxx.). According to Morley, this insect can inflict a painful puncture with its rostrum, which may mean an attack by way of self-defence, or, perhaps, an attempt to extract nourishment from the flesh of human kind. Pierret asks the question : " Is it possible that a bug can develop an ether which, under certain conditions, will cause anaesthesia to itself P " and answers it in the following way : " Last w^eek I collected on some nettles, four examples of Capsiis capillaris [I'liher'] and two Heterotoma, all of wduch I put into a small tube oO mm. long and 8 mm. diameter ; some time after, not one of them moved, although they did not appear to be dead. The odour exhaled appeared to me to be the same as that of the compound ethers known and employed in commerce under the name of fruit-essences'; and corroborating this impression by observing the complete insensibility of the insects, I considered whether they themselves, after having discharged their (supposed) etherial emanations within a restricted and enclosed space, had not succumbed to their anaesthetic action ; actually, wdien they had been for some minutes under the influence of a fresh atmosphere which was charged with a little ammonia, the Capsidae came back to life. The experiment was then tried under a small bell-glass in which I had put a drop of acetic ether to be volatilized, and I obtained a result identical with the former, viz., the same insensibility, the same appearance of anaesthesia, and the same time for recovery. It seems to me, after these facts, that it may be possible to establish that the emanation from certain Hemiptera is a true ether, having the power of effecting even the producers themselves." This insect is a most variable one in its coloration, the differences resulting from the varying degree of development of the two main colours, reddish-ochreous and black. Eeuter describes six such varia- tions, but they run into one another more or less, so that perhaps they hai'dly deserve the names that have been conferred upon them, but they serve to explain what was mentioned above about the 26 synonj^ms. There seems to be a tendency for the dark ones to be d c? and the light ones 5 $ . 204 [September, As already indicated, this insect is an inhabitant of midland and southern England and S. Wales. I have records of its occurrence in 23 English counties and in Carmarthen and Grlamorgan. But strangely enough, though so conspicuous an insect, it is omitted from Dale's list for Glanvilles Wootton, and though 1 have myself collected for some time in Dorsetshire I have not taken it in that county, though it occurs in Hampshire on the one side and in Devon on the other. It is, no doubt, unsafe to argue from negative evidence like this that the insect is really not present in the county, especially as its life in the perfect state is such a very brief one, and visiting collectors might miss it by being present at the wrong time of the year ; but such an argument will not exjjlain its absence from the Glanvilles Wootton list, which represents Mr. Dale's work for many years and for all the year round. In the Alps this species may be found up to the height of 3000 feet. 3o Kyrle Road, Claphain Common, S.W. 11. August 9th, 1922. A GENEEIC ARRANGEMENT OF BRITISH JASSINA. BY JAMES EDWAEDS, F.E.S. The subject-matter of this paper forms part of a long over-due revision of the systematics of the British Cicadina, which is now nearing completion. It is published in advance in order that it may be available for use in a re-arrangement of British Cicadina now in progress in a Government Museum. For this purpose a statement of index-charactei's and a list of the species dealt -with has been considered sufficient to indi- cate the categories intended, leaving extended definitions and discussion of the characters employed for another occasion. It is believed that the genera used, with the possible exception of Sficiocoris J. Sahib., of which only the two British species, prei/ssleri and Jlaveol a, Avere avail- able for study, represent homogeneous natural categories ; which is hardly the case with such terms as Athysanus, Thamnotettix, and Deltoceplialus as commonly applied. Hardya bears considerable superficial resemblance to DeltocepltaU of the ptclicar/s-gron'p, but a different line of descent is indicated not only by the want of the cross-vein intermediate m-cu in the elytra, bvit also by the form and direction of the male genital plates. In the majority of our Jassina the male genital plates lie in approximately the same plane as the valve and form the two halves of a common, usually 1922.] 205 move or less triangular, figure with their inner edges in contact ; in Hardya the plates stand at right angles to the valve and each is a large equilateral triangle having its base equal to and in contact with one-half of the free edge of the valve, consequently there is, in the cephalad aspect, a large V -shaped space between them. The only extra-British record for H. inelunopsis with wdiich I am acquainted is Irkutsk (Jakovlev in litt.), Oshanin, Cat. 1908. The genera Ophiola, Mocydia, Recilia, and Drylix are all well distinguished by their facies ; and the removal of their components from the genera in which they are commonly placed contributes to the homogeneity of the latter. The Comstock-Needham terminology has rendered possible the intelligible use of characters derived from venation. The venation of the elytra in Cicadina is much less stable than in some other groups, but the instability is not sufficient to neutralize the phylogenetic significance of venational characters. I distinguish Jassina from the other eight divisions of Jassidae as follows : — Frontal sutures not meeting above the antennae ; ocelli on the forehead, i. e. that part of the epicranium where the crown passes into the frons ; M forked on the disc of elytra ; both edges of the outer face of hind tibiae multi-spinose. JASSINA. 1 (10) li2+3 in elytra running to tlie termen rather than the costa. Crown with a distinct keel at the hind margin, or separated from the frons by a well-defined ridge, or strigose in front parallel with the free sides. 2 (3) Crown four-sided, bounded behind by a fine keel . . Grypotes Fieb. 3 (2) Crown five-sided. 4 (5) Ocelli nearly or quite touching the eyes Platymetopius Burm. 5 (4) Ocelli evidently free from the eyes. 6 (9) Crown separated from the face by a well-de fined ridge. 7 (8) Pronotum separated from prosternum by a ridge. Crown with a deep impression parallel with its front edge .... Grophocraenis Thoms. 8 (7) Sides of pronotum not margined. Crown refiexed in front . .Dorafnra J. Sahib. 9 (6) No ridge separating the face from the crown, the latter strigo,«e in front parallel with its free sides. Face pale with a black chevron on the upper half reaching from side to side Rhytistyliis Fieb. 10 (1) R2+3 in elytra running to the costa. Crown ecarinate at the hind margin, not separated from the face by a well-defined ridge, nor strigose in front parallel with its free sides. 11 (20) Intermediate m-cu present. 12 (13) Elytra with many irregular supernumerary white cross-veins. Crown widely rounded in front Jassus Fab. 206 ( September, 13 (12) Elytra without supenuimerary white cross-veins. 14 (17) Kj in elytra directed obliquely cephalad. lo (16) Termen obliquely truncate. Ocelli not standing in a black-edged pale band Scaphoideus Uhl. 16 (15) Termen rounded. Ocelli at each end of a black-edged pale band which runs from ej'e to eye Paralimnus Mats. 17 (14) Ri in elytra erect. 18 (19) Crown broadly rounded in front Paramesus Fieb. 19 (18) Crown pointed in front Deltocephalus Burm. 20 (11) Intermediate m-cu wanting. 21 (32) Elytra with the dorsum straight or nearly straight throughout ; their apices therefore not or but slightly overlai)piiig in repose. 22 (31) Ocelli evidently free from the eyes. 23 (24) Frons as long as, or but little longer than, the distance between the ocelli ; frontal sutures converging rapidly from the base of the antennae to the clypeus, or at least convex throughout . .Athysanus Burm. 24 (23) Frons much longer than the distance between the ocelli. 2o (30) p]lytra rounded at the apex. 26 (29) Pronotum with a lateral carina. Elytra normally having all the cells edged with black. 27 (28) Pronotum with three or five pale stripes. Genital plates separately triangular, their inner edges widely divergent . . Hardy a, gen. no v. 28 (27) Pronotum marbled transversely with black. Inner edges of genital plates close together Ophiola, gen. nov. 29 (26) Pronotum laterally ecarinate. Cells of elytra not edged with black . . Stictocoris J. Sahib. 30 (25) Elytra narrowly pointed at .apex Mocydia, gen. nov. 31 (22) Ocelli nearly or quite touching the eyes. Front edge of crown with a black band bearing five pale spots Recilia, gen. nov. 32 (21) Elytra with the dorsum very distinctly angulated at the apex of the cluvus ; their apices therefore much overlapping in repose. 33 (40) R2+.3 and K4+5 separating before the latter receives M1+2, which therefore runs into E.4+5; elytra with five apical cells. 34 (35) Pronotum separated from the prosternum by a distinct keel ; sides of thorax of moderate length Thamnotettix Zett. 35 (34) No keel dividing the pronotum from the prosternum; sides of thorax very short. 36 (39) Crown broadly rounded, not evidently longer in the middle than at the sides. 37 (38) Crown without markings. Elytra opaque with concolorous veins . . Opsins Fieb. 38 (37) Crown with a wide black band in front. Elytra transparent, the veins discolorous D?-ylix, gen. nov. 39 (36) Crown obtusely pointed, considerably longer in the middle than at the sides Limotettix J. Sahib. 40 (33) R2+.S and R4+5 separating much beyond the apex of M1+2, the latter therefore running into R ; elytra with four apical cells. 1922. 207 41 (42) Less than one-balf of tlie dorsum beyond the apex of the clavus. Wings: E4+5 and M1+2 anastomosing in the apical third, or connected only by a cross-vein Cicudulu Fieb. 42 (41) One-half of the dorsum beyond the apex of the clavus. Wiros H4+5 and Mi+2 confluent in the apical third . .Ba J chit ha Kirk. Grypotes Fieb. pinetellus Zett. Plattmetopius Burm. undatus De G. Graphocraerus Tboms. ventralis Fall. DoRATDRA J. Sablb. stylata Boh. impiidica Horv. Rhytisttlus Fieb. proceps Kbm. Jassus Fab. commutatus Fieb. modestus Fieb. mixtus Fab. ScAPHOiDEUS Uhler. /oj-mosMS Bob. Paralimnus Mats. phragmitis Boh. Paramesus Fieb. nervosus Fall. Deltocephalxjs Burm. multinotatns Boh. ocellaris Fall. linnei Fieb. repletus Fieb. picturatus Fieb. falleni Fieb. Jinri Fieb. sursumjiexus Then. distinguendus Flor. socialis Flor. punchim Flor. striatus L., Then. thenii Edw. sabulicola Curt. normani Scott. halophilus Edw. Colesborne. Jul'!/ 1922. abdominalis Fab. striifrons Kbm. pascuellus Fall. minhi Fieb. cep)halotes H.-S. collimis Boh. maculiceps Boh. pulicaris Fall. panzeri Flor. argus Marsh. costalis Fall. Athysanus Burm. brevipennis Kbm. grisescens Zett. sordidus Zett. saldbergi Reut. j-«sseol»s Fall. ohsoletus Kbm sejwigendus Kbm. plebejus Fall. lineolatus Brulle. variegatus Kbm. schenlci Kbm. distinguendus Kbm. Hardya, gen. nov. melanopsis Hardy. Ophiola, gen. nov. striatula Fall. striatulella Edw. Stictocoris J. Sahib. preyssleri H.-S. flaveola Bon. MocYDiA, gen. nov. crocea H.-S. attenuata Germ. Recilia, geu. nov. coronifer Marsh. coroniceps Kbm. Thamnotettix Zett prasinus Pall. dilutior Kbm. subfusculus Fall. cruentatus Panz. torneellus Zett. splendidulus Fab. Opsius Fieb. stactogalus Am. Drylix, gen. nov. striola Fall. atricapilla Boh. LiMOTETTix J. Sahib. 4-notnta Fab. persiinilis Edw. aurantipes Edw. saturata Edw. 5-notata Boh. intermedia Boh. lunulifrons J. Sahib. frontalis H.-S. sulplnirella Zett. CiCADULA Fieb. 6-notata Fall. livida Edw. frontalis Scott. viridi-grisea Edw. jieberi Edw. fasciifrons Stal. variata Fall. 7-notata Fall. punctifrons Fall. cyanae Boh. dahlbomi Zett. metria Flor. opacipennis Leth. Balclutha Kirk. punctata Thunb. 208 [September, Pof/onochaerus bidmtattis T/ionts. in Perthshire. — On liis return from a few days at Rannoch last month, Mr. K. J. Morton kindly gave me some beetles he and Mr. M. E. Moseley had collected there. Among these I was pleased to see a Pogonochaertts, which on examination proved to be P. bidentatus Thoms. It was taken on June 22ud near Kiuloch, IJannocli, but Mr. Morton cannot be sure what tree or bush it was on, though he thinks it probably came off birch or alder. In Sharp's " Coleoptera of Scotland," published in the Scottish Naturalist over forty years ago, this pretty little Lougicorn is given as having occurred in the Forth and Moray areas only, with the remark, " very rare, if indigenous." I am not aware of any more recent occurrence in Scotland. The Forth record is no doubt the Roslin one given in Murray's 1853 Catalogue. The species may, I think, safely be regarded as indigenous, though certainly rare, in Scotland. — William Evans, Edinburgh : July Vith, 19:^2. Phmomacer attelahoides in JJorset.—Jie^en-iug to Commander Walker's notice of this species in the Xew Forest (ante, p. 190), it may be of interest to add that it is now to be found in Dorset, as I have come across isolated speci- mens in Cranborne Chase, by sweeping, during the last two years. The colouring of the specimens agrees better with those recorded from the Oxford district, than with those from the New Forest.— E. R. Sykes, West Lodge, Iwerne Minster, Blandf ord : August 3i-d, 1922. Asemum striatum, etc., at Ilindhead. — Asemum striatum occurred in some numbers at Plindhead during the last week in May and the first in June, after which they were scarce. They were among pine logs in that part of the heath which has been purchased by Government for aiforestation, and from which all the standing timber had to be removed before planting could be begun. Thanasimus formicarius was also fairly common in the same situation. Rhagitmi bifasciatum was common, and remarkable for the great variation in the markings. One specimen oi Molorchus minor was taken on the blossom of a small mountain-ash. — Ernest A, Elliott, 41 Chapel Park Road , St. Leonards-on-Sea : August bth, 1922. Leptura sanguinolenta at Nethy Bridge, N.B.—^h. T. G. Bishop lias sent me a record of the breeding of two tine female specimens of L. sanguinolenta from larvae taken last year at Nethy Bridge by Mr. F. Gilbert Smith, who has done and is still doing much good work at the life-history of the British Longicorns; the species, which has of late years almost come to be considered as doubtfully British, is apparently well established in the locality, as Mr. Bishop had previously received two or three other specimens, one of which he kindly gave me. Mr. Bishop also records a fine specimen of L. revestita taken in June 1917 by Mr. C. Gulliver in the New Forest ; a speci- men of this insect was taken some years ago iu Harewood Forest, Hants, by Mr. P. Harwood. I am not sure whether this was recorded at the time, but it is worth mentioning again, as showing that several of the old records on which doubt has at times been thrown, are correct. Leptura rubra has been again taken this year by Mr. H, J. Thouless near Norwich ; the dissimilarity of the sexes is very remarkable iu this fine species ; we are very glad to hear that it is still in its old locality, as Mr. Thouless was afraid that it was being 1932.] 209 almost exterminated by the removal of the logs and stumps in which it occurred. When first I began collecting Molorchus minor was regarded as a great rarity ; it has now become quite common in the London and Reading districts ; M. umhellatarum, however, which used to be considered the commoner of the two species, appears now to he very rare. Is anything known of the history of Clytus {Playionotus) arcuatus as British? In old collections it is fairly numerous, and I have a good series from these in my collection ; I have never, however, heard of a recent capture, since I began collecting. — W. W. Fowler, Earley Vicarage, Reading : August 1922. Dermestes lardnvms L. feeding on wood. — Some time last May I was asked to investigate an attack by some insect on the woodwork in a large skin ware- house in Carlisle. Quite expecting the depredator to be Anobium do^nesticum, I was not a little surprised on visiting the place to find no trace of this or other similar wood -boring pest, the cause of the trouble turning out to be Dermestes lardariiis, a beetle which, of course, was present in numbers in such an establishment among the various kinds of skin (hare, rabbit, etc.) stored there. It appears that from time to time the skins are sent away from the warehouse, and in the process of removal many larvae drop out on to the floors and creep into any available crannies they can find, such places harbouring fragments of akin and hair ; this limited food supply becoming exhausted, the larvae had bored into the boards of the partitions which rest on end on the floors of the warehouse. These boards appear to be of English Spruce, very old and dry, almost of a corky consistence, in fact, and are strongly impregnated with the odour of skins, and doubtless the larvae would be able to extract sufficient nutriment from the wood to complete their life-cycle. Some of the burrows were a foot or more long, and both larvae and mature beetles were present in them. I might add that entrance to the wood had always been ettected at the end of a board where it was much softer than on the sides. — F. H. Day, Carlisle : August lOth, 1922. \_Cf. Ent. Mo. Mag. vol. xxi, p. 161, for an account of similar damage to woodwork caut^ed by larvae oi Dermestes vulpinus at Qiieenborough. — J. J. W.] A classification of the Cucujidae based on larval characters. — Dr. A. Boving's valuable paper on the larvae and pupae of certain social beetles of the Family Cucujidae (" Zoologica," iii. No. 7, pp. 197-213, pis. vii-x. New York, Dec. 1921) will interest British Coleopterists. He suggests that this Family, according to their larval characters, may have to be divided into four : Silvanidae, Cuc%(jidae, Laemophloeidae, and Scalidiidae. Of these the first three are represented in Britain, and the characters taken from the larvae of each of them, as tabulated by him, may be abridged thus : A. Maxillary mala (possibly lacinia) falciform, with terminal uncus ; externally to uncus a more or less sharply defined, small setose region (possibly reduced galea). Maxillary articulating area distinct. 1. Oerci wanting Earn. Silvanidae. a. Antenna with second joint large and clavate, third joint very small or wanting ; ocelli in two distinct groups Subfam. Silvaninae. T oif) [September, b. Antenna with three ■vrell-deTeloped joints; ocelli not in two distinct groups Suhfam. Tf.lp:phaninae. 2. Cerci present Fam. Cccujidae. a. Tenth abdominal segment long, conical, extending far behind ninth segment Suljfam, Hyliotixaf.. b. Tenth abdominal segment short, wart-shaped, not extending behind ninth segment Subfam. Cxjcujijtak. B. Maxillary mala (possibly galea) obtuse, with or without well-defined uncus, which when present is laterally placed on inside of mala (i)ossibly terminating a reduced laciniaj Fam. Laemophloeixae. The genera of Silvaninae are defined by their larval characters thus : 1. Second antennal joint as long as head Cathartus IJeiche. 2. ,, „ ., half the length of head. a. Mandible apically quadrifid ; individual ocelli in each group well separated ; bodv well chitinized, with dark brown chitinous shields IS'ausibius Redt. b. Mandible apically trifid : individual ocelli in each group almost con- fluent : body thinly chitinized, with pale yellowish shields, ft' ^laxillary palp with length of basal, second and apical joints as 1:1:2 SiLVANUS Latr. b' Maxillary palp with length of basal, second and apical joints as \ •.2:2 Oryzaephilu.s Ganglb. [type Silcanns surinamensis L.] The Cv.cujidae include Hyliota [Uleiota] Latr. = Bboxtes F., Dendeo- PHAGrs SchiJoh., Peuiacu.s Shuck., and Psammoecus Latr. — G. C. Chajipiox, Horsell : July 1922. Notes on Pentatoma {Tropicoris) nijipes L. — The accompanying notes were commenced during, and continued on my return from, a holiday in Hampshire, and I had not yet seen the current number of " Entomologist's Monthly Magazine," and in view of Mr. A. E. Butler's article, I thought they might be of interest : — Juhj 7th, 1922. Eight immature full-sized specimens of P. rnjipes were swept from birch at Hengistbury Head, Hants, and put into a glass bottle with some leaves. For some time they lay one on top of the other, or walked over each other quite unconcernedly. "When, however, a small green weevil walked over one, it strongly resented it, jerking quickly from side to side to try and dislodge the weevil. July 10th. They are constantly on the move. At no time during the last three days have I seen their rostrum elsewhere than lying flat against their abdomen. Two of them have turned much paler in colour and have lost the iridiscent sheen that all of them formerly had. Jiily lith. Noted that the rostrum of one bug was inserted into stem of birch-leaf continuously for over an hour. July 15th. On my arrival home, examined bugs and found that one had cast its final skin and had complete elytra, but had incurred some damage to the scutellum, which was wet. One leg of the middle pair was also absent. 1922.] 211 On examining the skin, I found that the same leg was missing. The extra joint of the antennae in the imago seems to be produced by the second joint in the nymph (which is nearly twice the length of the other joints) dividing into two equal parts, thus giAing the five joints common to the Peiitatomids. July 17th. Another imago has hatched out. In the evening, I introduced into the same bottle two small, shining purple-black larvae of a Pentatomid (?). as they also were found on birch. Jul;/ ISf.h. I noticed in the morning that one of the small larvae had imbedded its rostrum in the abdomen of the uninjured P. riifipes imago, which was dead. This I removed, as it was otherwise unspoilt as a specimen. I then removed larvae and gave them the deformed imago. Almost immediately the smaller larva of the two attacked the imago, and very shortly afterwards I found the P. rufipes on its back, the larva having stuck its rostrum into a fold of the abdomen. The imago then remained on its back, its legs and antennae jerking spasmodically. On being disturbed, the larva walked backwards, pulling the imago, still attached to its rostrum, as though it feared being deprived of its feast.— H. R. P. Collett, Hale, Cheshire : Jidu 19th, 1922. A Grasshopper 7ieiv to Britain. — When looking through the collection of JBritish Orthoptera in the Natural History Museum, I came across a $ oi Stauroderus vagcms (Eversni.) put in amongst series of St. hicolor. It agrees perfectly well with the description in Brunner's " Prodromus der europaischen Orthopteren" (p. 118), and seems to belong to the form (subspecies ?) with incrassate head mentioned by that author as occurring in the more southern localities. Unfortunately, no more specimens could be found in the collection, which makes it impossible to state that this particular form is constant in Britain. St. vagans is very much like St. hicolor, which is, perhaps, the com- monest grasshopper in Britain, but it is easily separated from that insect by the lateral keels of the pronotum being not angulated, but rotundato-inflexed in the prozona ; by the transverse furrow of the pronotum placed distinctly behind the middle ; by the shorter elytra, in the 5 scarcely extending beyond the tip of the abdomen ; and by the underside and the legs not being covered with dense hairs, as they are in St. bicolor. The species was originally described from S.E. Russia, but is known to occur sporadically all over Europe. W. J. Lucas (Monogr. Brit. Orth., p. 257) records it from Jersey, Channel Islands ; but it has been never noticed from Britain, and our specimen, labelled New Forest {F. P. Pascoe), enriches the British fauna by one more short-horned grasshopper. It is not unlikely that a«»ed with his relatives. lie also announced that Mr, II. Willoii^jhby Ellis, F.Z.S., had hoen co-opted on the Council in the place of the late Mr, llowland-Brown. The following were elected Fellows of the Society : — Messrs. B. A. li. Gater, B.A., F.R.M.S., 13 Arundel Mansions, Kelvedon Road, S.VV.6; Lionel Lacey, Churchfield, liodborouffh, Stroud, Glouceftter : Herbert Mace, Fair- cotes, Harlow, Essex ; William 11. .lackson, 14 Woodcote Valley Road, Parley; and Mi.ss A. B. Flower, Eastbury, Surrey Road, Bournemouth West. Professor Poulton made some remarks on transformational deceptive resemblance in insects arising out of the exliibits of long-horned gra-ssh oppers made by Dr. Marshall on behalf of Mr. Uvarov at the previous ineeting. Professor Poulton also exhibited an example of Coccinella septempunctata as the prey of an Asilid, Laphria flava; he called attention to some recent observations on the " false head" of i/yc«ewiVi«e in relation to the attacks of enemies; he also gave numerous interesting particulars of the binomics, geographical races, and affinities of the remarkable African butterfly, I'aeuflo- pontia puradoxa. Dr. Dixey, who illuitrated his remarks with a lantern-slide, discussed the venation of this butterfly; he expressed the opinion that it is more closely associated to the Fierlnae than any other subfamily, and that there are probably two geographical races of it distinguished by the venation. I)r. Neave made some remarks on the habits and distribution of this species, and of Jjfifitonia medma and Leuceronia phirin, butterflies that are associated with it in some parts of Africa. Mr. G. Talbot, on behalf of Mr. .T. J. Joicey, brought for exhibition some new and rare Lepidoptera from Africa, New Guinea, and the Dutch East Indies. The following papers were read : " Transformative Deceptive fie-'emblance ill Long-homed Grasshoppers," by Mr. J}. P. Uvarov; '^'- Elateridae of the Seychelles Expedition," by M. Fleutiaux, communicated by Dr. II. Scott. — S, A. Nkavk, Tlf/n. Nan. SOMK LVJJiAN COLEOPTEKA (9).* liV O. (',. CHAMPION, F.Z.S. The niritli contribution of this .series includes descriptions of seve)*al new Malachiid.H recently brought me by my oldest son from the L'nited Provinces, and of others from various Indian localities contained in the collections of Mr. Andre wes and the British Museum. Numerous species from the same sources belonging to the genera Laiua, dolotex, Attalun, InciHomalachiuH, Hedyhiug, Uypehaeua, Mnlachivn, Hapalo- chrus, etc., have already been enumerated by me in this Magazine or in the " Annals and Magazine of Natural History." Amongst the Attali * The namfift of two of the live new upeci'eg of C'oHicaria deacribed in the seventh contribution ;hi» ««ri»» '««<«■'/, pT), 31, 70, 71 ) arc prcoccuijied, and the folic peniiU" for injlnta and " parviihorax" tor parvicoUin. — Q-. C. C, 1922.] 215 are two remarkablo insects, one having extremely elongate, bristly antennae in the d and the other with peculiarly-formed anterior legs in the same sex. Three additional species are refen-ed to Hedyhiiis Er. Sixteeen Indian Malachiids (excluding Carphurus) named by Pic and other writers have not been identified in the collections examined : Malachites caeruleoscutatus Fairm. ; Attains fruhstorferi, divcrsi- pennis, discomacttlatus, apicipennis, annulifer, hanyhaasi, donceeh, kiduensis, and impressifrons, Ehaeus carinatipennis and madrasensis, Lohatomixis cavifrons, and Apalochrus dapressicornis Pic ; Zelotypva liorni Bourg. ; Colotes contaminalus Ab. ; and Zelotypus (Collops) violaceipennis Motsch. Specimens of" Myrmecop>liuHma (Myrmecodes) nietncri Motsch., c? and $ (the 5 of which was redescribed by Abeille de Perrin in Rev. d'Ent. xix, p. 179, 1900;, were captured by Mr. G. Bryant at Kandy, Ceylon, in 1908; Motschulsky's figure of the 6 of this insect is unsatisfactory, the elytra apparently having been drawn from a 5 and the antennae from a J ! Zelotypus Ab., from the same island, has equally remarkable antennae. Species enumerated in the present contrilution. Laius hoysi Champ., (^ . Hedybitis bipenicillatug, n. sp. „ balteafus Et., S- ,> {'■) nigro-plagiatuH, n. b^. Colotes scapularis, n. sp. ,, (?) chitraletisis, n. sp. „ atrofemoratus, n. sp. Ehaeus squamifer, n. sp. ,, piriformis, n. sp. ,, tenuicornis, n. sp. ,, halticoides, n. sp. Hypebaeus cavernosus, n. sp. Attains andreivesi, n, sp. „ carinatifer Pic ,, calcarifer, n. sp. ( = auritu8 Champ.). ,, triformis, n. sp. „ albocinctus, n. sp. ,, cuspidatns, n. sp. ,, clavatus, n. sj;. ,, erythrocephalus, n. sp. ,, uncatus Champ., var. ? ,, flavoguttatiis, n. sp. „ triangularis, n. sp. „ alutaceus, n. sp. ,, nainiensis, n, sp. „ verticillatus, n. sp. ,, stevensi, n. sp, ,, hamatilis, n. sp. ,, suffusus, n. sp. Pseudocerapheles superbus Pic. ,, flexuosus, n. sp. ,, rosti Pic. :, lenis. n. sp. „ longipennis, n. sp. Malachius sikkimensis Pic, J , Lai US Er. Laius hoysi. Laius boysi Champ. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (9) vii, p. 330 (?) (1921). J . Antenna] joints 1 and 2 testaceous ; 1 curved, stout, much widened outward, deeply emargiuate on the outer edge (appearing biangulate externall}) 2\Q 'September, the basal angulation produced into a long, slender, curved, bhmt appendage; 2 very large, subliemispherical, deeply excavate near the apex within and also towards the inner margin, the distal edge of the inner cavity angulate and furnished with a short, curved, dentiform appendage. Hal. Eanikhet Division of Kumaon (H. G. C. : iv.l920). One specimen. The type, $ , was from an unknown Indian locality Lams halteafus. Laius lalteatus Er. Entomographien, p. 64 ( 5 ) (1840). " Niger, elytris cyaneis, fascia testacea" \_Erichsoif\. (S . Autennal joints 1 and 2 testaceous; 1 strongly curved, moderately stout, simple ; 2 very large, transverse, sublunate, concave at the base and convex at the apex, the basal cavity furnished with a short, slender, ciliate appendage on its inner edge. 2 . Antennal joints l-."i or 4 testaceous, 1 and 2 elongate, simply thickened. Hah. Nandhaur Valley, Kumaon, U.P., alt. 2000 ft. {H. G. C. : V.1921). A small narrow Laii/s (length 2f-'Sl mm.) from the Haldwani Forest Division agrees with Erichson's description of L. lalteatus, type 5 , from Siam, except in having the head and prothorax metallic, instead of black. The specimens before me have the prothorax punctulate at the sides and the elytra deeply, closel}^ rather coarsely punctured to near the tip ; the vestiture abundant, long, and Avhitish ; the elytral fascia placed at a little before the middle, and slightly variable in width ; and the abdomen testaceous. The second antennal joint in S is shaped like that of L. lunatus Champ., except that it is not so large. Bourgeois mentions L. lalteatus under his description of L.fasciatus (1890), but he says nothing about the d of it. L. taprohanus Champ. (1921), from Ceylon, type $ , is a larger and broader insect. L. lalteatus and L. nodifrons Champ, were found in abundance on Poli/(jonum on the banks of the Nandhaur Eiver. CoLOTES Er. Colotes scapularis, n. sp. 2. Oblong, moderately shining, finely pubescent; testaceous, the eyes, ioints 9-11 of the antennae, elytra (a humeral spot and a common triangular apical patch excepted), and metasternum blnck : the entire upper surface very finely punctured. Head (with the rather prominent eyes) wider than the pro- thorax ; antennae moderately long, slender, subserrate, joints 5-10 longer than broad, 11 elongate ; apical joint of maxillary palpi subconical. Prothorax rr MOUNTING OUTFITS. A Simple and Permanent Method for Mounting Insects, &c. ADOPTED BY THE ENTOMOLOGICAL DEPT. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, LONDON. Price 3/- (postage 6d.) & 6/- (postage 9cl.). HARBUTT'S PLASTICINE Ltd.,56 Ludgate Hill, E.G. 4, and Bathampton, iir. Bath. AGENT— G. A. BENTALL, F.Z.S. naturaust, 392 Strand, London, W.C. 2. 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Cloth cases for binding' the 1921 Volume can be supplied at 2/- net, post free. All applications for the above should be made to — N. LLOYD & Co., Ltd., Buebell Street Works, Blackfriars, LoNHOiV, S.E. 1 ; or Messrs. GURNEY & JACKSON, 33 Paternoster Row, London, E.G. 4, CON T E N T S. PAGR Aulonium ruficorne 01. and Hypophloeus fraxini Kug., two species of Coleoptera new to the British List.— T. H. Beare, B.Sc, F.R.8.E., D.L., and H. Donlsthorpe, F.Z.S., F.E.S 193 A few days' hunt for Coleoptera in the Forest of Dean. — Id. 194 Descriptions of two new species of Lepidoptera from New Zealand. — G. V. Hudson, F.E.S. . F.N.Z.Inst 196 Two Sawflies new to Britain — Scolioneura tenella Klvig-, and Pristiphora geni- culata Hartig-.— Bee. F. D. Morice, M.A., F.Z.S 197 A. contribution to the Life-history of Deraeocoris ruber L. — E. A. Batler, B.A., B.Sc, F.E.S 200 A g'eneric arrangement of British Jassina. — J. Edivards, F.E.S 204 Pogonochaerus bidentatus Thoms. in Perthshire. — W. Evans ; 208 Rhinomacer attelaboides in Dorset. — E. R. Syl'es 208 Asemum striatum, etc. at Hindhead. — E. A. Elliott, F.E.S 208 Leptura sanguinolenta at Nethy Bridge, N.B. — Rev. W. W. Fowler, M.A., D.Sc, F.L.S 208 Dermestes lardarius L. feeding on wood. — F. H. Bay, F.E.S 209 A classification of the Cucujidae based on larval characters. — G. C. Champion, F.Z.S 209 Notes on Pentatoma (Tropicoris) rufipes L.— H. jR. P. CoUett 210 A Grasshopper new to Britain. — B. P. Uvarov, F.E.S 211 Obittjakt. — Hamilton H. Druce, F.Z.S 211 Societies. — South London Entomological Society 21 2 Entomological Society of London 213 Some Indian Coleoptera (9). — G. C. Champion , F.Z.S 214 CHANGE OF ADDRESS. J. R. LE B. ToMLiN,//-o))i R.eading to 23 Boscobel Road. St. Leonards-on-Sea. BRAZILIAN BUTTERFLIES. Correspondence with a View to Business is desired by Carlos Herxdl, (loyaz Capital, Brazil. THE NATURALIST: A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, M.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., The Museum, Hull ; AND T. W. AVOODHEAD, Ph.D., M.Sc, F.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield ; with the assistance as referees in special i>upartment.s of GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S.. JOHN W. TAYliOK. JVl.Sn , RIIiEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. The Journal is one of the oldest Scientific Periodicals in the British Isles, datiiig^ back to 1833, and is ci-'-culaied widely amongst the principal Natnralists of the conntry. London : A. Brown and Sons, Limited, 5 Farringdon Avenue E.C. i. And at Hull and York, PRICK, 1'- NET. Prepaid Subscription, 10/6 per annum, Post free. The Annual Subscription for 1922 is 15/ Third Series. No. 94 1 r.r.n.r.T.^r. [N0.701.J OCTOBER, 1922 [Phice 2/- net. THE ENTOMOLOGIST'S MOKTIILY MAGAZINE. EDITED BT G. C. CHAMPION, r.Z.S. J. E. COLLIN, F.E.S. W. W. FOWLER, D.Sc, M.A., E.L.S. R. W. LLOYD, F.E.S. G. T. PORRITT, F.L.S. J. J. WALKER, MA., R.N., F.L.S. VOLUME LVIII. [THIRD SERIES -VOL. 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Lowest charge, 10s. 6d. up to 5 lines; Is. 6d. per line afterw^ards. Repeated or continuous Advertisements per contract. There is no charge for Lists of Duplicates or Desiderata. All payments and applications for the above should be made to K. LLOYD 8c Co., Ltd., Burrell Street Works, Blackfriars, London, S.E. 1. AUTHORS are requested to send their coinmuiiioations and proofs to either J. J. Walkek, Aoraiigi, Lonsdale Road, Snmmertown, Oxford ; or G. C. Champion, Broomhall Road, Horsell. Woking-. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 41 Queens Gate, S.W. 7 (nearest stations : South Kensing-ton and Gloucester Road). — Oct. 4th, 18th, Nov. 1st, 13tb. Dec. Oth, 1922, at 8 p.m. The Library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except on Saturdays, when it is closed at 2 p.m.), and until 10 p.m. on Meeting nights. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge. The Second & Fourth Thursdays in each month, at 7 p.m. The lantern will be at the disposal of Members for the •xhibition of slides. * • — THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, now meets in Hall 40, Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2, on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month at 6.30 p.m. General meetings 1st Tuesdays, Sectional meetings 3rd Tuesdays. (No meetings in July or August indoors, but field excursions instead.) Hon. Sec. -. W. E. Glegg, The House, Albion Brewery, Whitechapel Road, E. 1. Chingford Branch. The Chingford Local Branch meets at the Avenue Cafe, opposite Chingford Station, at 8 p.m., on the 2nd Monday in each month. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT. — This Society has developed from the Southami^ton and District Entomo- logical Society. Meetings are held on the First Saturday afternoon of each month at Southampton, and other meetings will be arranged in important centres in the countj' from time to time. Activities being undertaken at the present time include the formation of a librarj^, of collections of insects, and the compilation of a county insect fauna list. W^ill keen entomologists in the county who are interested please communicate with the Hon. Sec, F. J. Killington, 1 St. Catherine's Road. Eastleigh, Hants. 1922.] 2k7 convex, transverse, rounded at the sides. Elytra wider than the prothorax, somewhat rounded and dilated from below the hnmeri to the tip. Lef>s slender; posterior tibiae slightly curved. Wings fully developed. Length 2 mm. Rah. Nilgiri Hills {R. L. Andreices). One specimen. A small form allied to C. {JUbaeus) dorsalis Gorh., from Belgaum, and C. contaminatus Ah., from Cej'lon ; the elytra black, a humeral spot and a common triangular patch at the apex excepted, the rest of the upper surface and legs testaceous. C. scajiiilaris has the general facies of a Xylojjhiliis. Colotes atrofemoratus, n. sp. 2 . Oboval, convex, shining, finely cinereo-pubescent ; black, the anteniial joints 1-4, tibiae, and tarsi (the terminal joint excepted) testaceous; the herd and prothorax minutely, the elytra closely, rather strongly punctate. Head broad ; antennae long, rather slender, joint 1 thickened, elongate; apical joint of maxillary palpi broad, stout, subtriangular. Prothorax convex, strongly transverse, rounded at the sides. Elytra oval, somewhat gibbous beyond the middle, incompletely covering the abdomen, the humeri distinct. Legs elon- gate. Wings M'anling. Lenglh 2 mm. Rab. Nainital, Kumaon, alt. 8000 ft. (//. G. C. : ix.l918). One specimen. Very like the Palaearctic C. punctatus Er., but a little larger; the legs and antennae longer; the apical joint of the maxillar}' palpi broad and stout; the elytra more convex. Colotes piriformis, n. sp. 5 . Piriform, rather convex, moderately shining, finely einereo-pubt scent ; black, head rufescent (a transverse patch on the basal portiun excepted), ilie antennal joints 1-4, the bases of the palpi, prothorax, and legs (the intermediate and posterior femora excepted) testaceous; tlie head and prothorax minutely, the elytra closely, finely punctate. Head rather small, rhomboidul, much narrowed behind; antennae long, joint 1 thickened, elongate ; terminal joint of palpi stout. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides. Elytra piriform, much widened posteriorly, at the base narrower than the prothoiax, covering the abdomen, the hunieri distinct. Wings wanting. Length 2 mm. Hah. Belgaum, S. India ( H. E. Andreioes). One 5 . Less convex than C. airofemoratus, the head and prothorax nai'rower, wholh' or in part testaceous or reddish; the elytra longer, more widened posterioi-ly, piriform, and less convex ; the femora not so black. C.Jaceti Duv. is an allied smaller form. U 2x8 [October, Coloies ludticoides, n. sp. 5 . Obovate, convex, sliii.irg, finely cinereo-pubescent ; black, the anteiinal joints 1-4 (the base of 1 excepted), knees, and tarsi in part, testaceous ; the entire upper surface extremely finely punctured, tlie elytra somewhat rugulose. Head much narrower than the prothorax ; antennae slender, short, joints 7-10 about as long as broad. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides. Elytra widening posteriorly, at the base nut wider than the prothorax, covering the abdomen. Legs very slender. Wings wanting. Length If mm. Hah. Belgaum, S. India (iZ. E. Andreices). Two 2 § . Smaller than C. piinctaius Er., the elji^ra very finely, rugnlosely punctured. This insect is so like a minute black Halticid (AphfJiona or Longitarsus) that it might easily be mistaken for such, till the leers were examined. Allied insects are also found in S. Africa. Attalus Er. Attains andretvesi, n. sp. (S . Elongate-subtriangulur, sliining, thickly clothed with fine pubescence intermixed with long, erect, blackish hairs; black, the prothorax with the lateral portions broadly rufo-testaceous, the basal joints of the antennae testaceous beneath, the abdomen at the sides and beneath rufous, the elytra with a bluish lustre, the apical margin very narrowly white ; the head and prothorax sparsely, finely, the elytra rugulosely, punctate. Head (as seen extended) long, narrower than the prothorax, transversely depressed anttriorly, rounded at the sides posteriorly, the eyes rather prominent ; antennae long, stout, slightly tapering towards the tip. Prothorax a little broader than long, narrowed anteriorly, feebly margined. Elytra long, at the base broader than the prothorax, much widened posteriorly, incompletely covering the abdomen, the apices obliquely truncate. Terminal dorsal abdominal segment conical, emarginate at tip. Anterior tarfal joint 2 extending over the base of 3 above. 5. Antennae shorter, joints 4-10 subequal in width; prothorax rufo- te.-^taceous, sometimes with an oblong dark patch on the disc; elytra Avith apical margin rarely whitish ; pygidiuni broader, more feebly emarginate. Length (exclud. head and pygidiuni) 2\-'2\ mm. JIab. Nilgiri Hills (if. L. Andrewes). Eleven specimens, one only of which is a J , the $ 5 varying in the length of the head and in the colour of the prothorax. This insect is very like the Mexican A. nitidiceps Champ, (figured in Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1914, pi. 2, fig. 8), both sexes having the head long and narrow and the elytra much widened distally. J 1922.] 219 Al till US calcarifer, ii. sp. 5. Moderately elongate, shining, finely pubescent; black, the antennal joints 1-5, palpi, prothorax, anterior coxae and legs in great part, intermediate knees, and apices of posterior tibiae, testaceous or rufo-testaceous, tlie rest of the antennae more or less infuscate, the elytra bluish-black; the head and pro thorax almost smooth, the elytra closely, minutely punctured. Head njuch narrower than the prothorax; antennae moderately long, slender, feebly serrate. Prothorax convex, small, broader than long, rounded at the f-ides Elytra moderately long, much broader than the proihorax, widened posteriorly conjointly rounded at the apex, depressed on tlie disc below the base. Posterior tibiae bowed inward, produced at the apex into a rather long spur. Length 2^-2^ mm. Hah. Gopaldhara, Ivungong Valley, Sikkim {H. Stevens). Two 2 5 . Smaller than A. dalmatinus Er., the antennae and legs more slender ; the posterior tibiae of the 5 bowed and produced into a i-ather long spur at the apex, as in the same sex of the American A. various Champ., various Hy^^ebaeus, etc. Attalus triformis, n. sp. (S . Narrow, elongate, parallel-sided, shining, clothed with line pubescence intermixed with seniierect longer hairs; brassy-black, the head on each side before the eyes, clypeus, the basal joints of the antennae beneath, basal margin of prothorax, trochanters, bases and apices of tibiae, bases of tarsi, and base and apex of abdomen, testaceous, the apical margin of elytra whitisli ; the head and prothorax sparsely, minutely, the elytra densely, lrausver:-EO, Matang Ed. {J. E. A. Leiois). Differs from most of its congeners in its larger eyes leaving a comparatively narrow strip of bead behind them, but agreeing Avith tliem in the short pygidium and the remarkable development of the pal]>i in the cS . Calycella giiineensis, sp. n. Black, except for the labruni, the two basal joints of the antennae, tlie underside of the head, and the palpi, and the anterior and intermediate femora and tibiae, which are flavous. Pubescence cinereous or brownish, forming by its density and by the direction and the degree in whith it is depressed a somewhat irregular and varying pattern, the most obvious feature of which is a post-median pale bar acros.s the elytra, wkich is thrown into relief by a bar of sparser dark pubescence in front of it and a broad dark apical patch. Head subtriangular, i. e. the sides almost straight from the tip of the jaws to the posterior angles, the line broken by a small rectangular projection between the eye and the base of the mandible, and by the slight convexity of tlie eye itself ; the vertex, forming the base of the triangle, strongly arcuate. Antennae short, only the last three joints extending beyond the posterior angles of the head, 2nd joint elongate, cylindrical, 3rd about as long as 2nd, but obconic, 4th a little longer than 3rd, 5th to 10th subequal, strongly serrate. Last joint of maxillary palpi very large, the inner side short, the outer long, and the inferior face much wider tlian the superior face, so that the apical face, which is excavate, is oval and strongly oblique, giving the joint a shovel-shaped appearance. Thorax strongly transverse, anterior angles completely rounded, posterior angles more obtuse ; disc with a few feeble depres-sions, with a much larger and stronger depression each side of the basal median lobe ; surface rather densely and finely punctate and pubescent. Scutelluni small, rounded at apex, partly concealed by bas^al lobe of thorax. Elytra widest at base, thence slightly narrowed posteriorly, each sejarately and somewhat acutely rounded at apex; the humeri are rathtr strongly elevated, and the scutellar and sutural areas depiested ; surface densely and finely punctate, tie punctures on the anterior half forming transverse or oblique ridges, strongest behind the shoulders. Pygidium nearly flat, very short, scarcely projecting beyond the hypopygium, and rounded at apex. (5 unknown. Lensrth 9 mm. 22U [Uetolier, Rah. West Afbica, Gold Coast {O. S. CotteriU). Judging by its congeners the unique specimen before me is a $ Explanation of the Fig-iires of the maxillary palpi : — 1. Calyce bicolor, sp. n., cJ ; 2. CalyceUa paljxdis, gen. et sp. n., c?;. 3. Calycella tarscilis, sp. n., J; 4. CalyceUa bonieensis, sp. n., J; 5. Calycella {Mordella) sericeobrunnea, Blair, Q . British Museum (Natural History). Auf/ust lit/i, 1922, NOTES ON SOME PAEASITES OF BEETLES. BT C. T. GIMINGHAM, F.I.C., F.E.S. 1. Sigatphus hoteipes Thorns. In 1921, a small area of Field Beans grown at the Eesearch Department of the Oljanpia Agricultural Company at Offchurch in Warwickshire was infested to an unusual degree by BrucJnis ri/Jimaniis. Shortly after harvesting the beans and before the majority of the beetles emerged, a Hymenopteron, evidently parasitic on the Brnchus, also appeared in great numbers. The insect was afterwards identified by Mr. Claude Morley as Sigalphus litteipes Thorns. {Braconidae). The main period of emergence of the Braconid Avas from July 24th to August 7th, whilst the beetles began to appear in numbers about the end of July and contiiiued emerging for a month or more. Both insects 1922.] OOJ were fi-equently observed during the actual process of emergence, and it was noted that the tough skin of the bean presented a very serious obstacle to the Braconid, so much so that many failed to get clear and died without obtaining their freedom. Each parasitised Bruchus larva ))roduced only a single parasite. Occasionally beans were found which had contained two Bi'itchiis larvae (sometimes one or both parasitised), but each made a separate exit hole. The exit holes of the Sit/aljjhnsure about 1 mm. in diameter, whilst the BrucJiiis makes a much larger hole with a diameter of 2-2*5 mm. It was therefore easy to distinguish between the two, and advantage was taken of this to make some counts which give an idea of the percentage of beetles which had been destroyed by the parasite. The beans were harvested in a number of small lots, usually from single rows, for certain experimental jiurposes ; and in three of these lots, which appeared to be fairly typical of the whole as regards attack by BntcJius, the beans Avere divided into (1) those unattacked, (2) those with a small hole made by Signlphus, and (3) those with a large hole made by Bruchus. The number of beans in each division were then counted with the following results : — Lot I. Lot II. Lot IIL Number of beaus unattacked 7'2'2 872 120 „ from which Bruchus emerged .... 204 201 25 „ „ „ Siijalphus „ 213 325 66 Percentage of beetles parasitised 51"1 61 "8 72'5 The percentage of ])arasitisation is high, and the Braconid must have reduced the numbei's of beetles reaching the adult stage by more than half. In all the lots of beans examined, the great majority of those unattacked were of younger growth, as indicated by the lighter colour and general appearance ; very few of the earlier formed beans can have escaped. Of the infested beans, those in which the Bruchus com- pleted its transformations tended on the whole to be smaller and more shrunken than those in which the Bruchus was parasitised. So far,, however, as was observed, the plants resulting this year from beans which had been attacked by the beetle in 1921 did not show any signs of having suffered, and were no less vigorous than those grown from whole seed. The embryo is apparently never, or \gyj rarely, eaten or damaged by the Bruchus larva. There are very few of the beetles to be found in the crop grown this year. Sifjalphus liiteipes is, I understand, a known Bruchus parasite. I have not, however, seen any record as regards this particular species.. Elliott and Morley (Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. 1907, 33, and 1911, 492) give records of various other species of Higalphus which are parasitic oit 09,S [October, several of* the Brucltl; and Morley (Ent. 1907, 183) mentions the capture of S. luteipes by sweeping in Suffolk. 2. Thersilochus orchcsiae Mori. Numbers of this insect were bred from larvae of Orcliesia micans in fungus {Polyporus spp.) taken from dead trees at Off church in 1921. On one occasion, on October 10th, 1921, I was fortunate enough to obsierve the oviposition of the parasite. On breaking a piece of the fungus across, a portion of the side of one of the pink Orchesia larvae was exposed. Whilst I still held the fungus in my hand, a Hymenopteron (afterwards kindly identified by Mr. Morley as Thersiloclius orchesiae) alighted upon it, quickly approached the exposed larva and, standing over it, inserted its ovipositor just above one of the posterior pair of legs. The larva remained perfectly quiescent for about two minutes, then moved, finally wriggled out on to the surface and began to walk away. The fly held its ground firmly, its abdomen, curved round underneath, being drawn more and more forward until it looked as though the ovi- positor would be torn away ; at last, however, it was withdrawn and both fly and larva were captured. Presumably, under normal conditions the parasite must be able to locate the beetle larva from the surface of the fungus in which it is embedded, when it would hardly be in a position to move very readily. Thersilochus orchesiae (Ophionidae) is one of the many hymenop- terous parasites which can frequently be bred from Orchesia vncans. 3. Sarcophaga nigrii'entris Mg. This Dipteron, kindly identified for me by Mr. J. E. Collin, was bred from a single specimen of Necrophoriis humator, found on the sand-dunes at Holkham, Norfolk, on July 8th, 1922. The beetle was picked up in a moribund condition, and a few days afterwards four larvae emerged from it, pupated, and about August 5th produced one male and three female Sarcophaga nigf'ivenfris. Mr. Collin tells me that he has not been able to trace any record of this fly as parasitic on beetles, though a few other species of the genus are known to be so. I have on several previous occasions seen dead, but externally uninjured, specimens of Necrophoriis humator, and it is not unlikely that these had also been parasitised. It would be interesting to know whether other entomologists have had the same experience. Offchurch, near Leaniingtoii Spa. Auijust -list, 192i\ 1922.] ^229 A NEW MYMARID FROM BROCKENHURST.* BY B. X. BLOOD, M.D., A>D J. P. KRYOEH. Plate II. Whilst hunting for Mymarinae and Tri cliogrammatinae last year in the New Forest, we captured many interesting insects, some of which we have never seen described, and among these was one male Mymarid which at once attracted our attention. The following is a description of this insect. Petiolaria, gen. no v. Tarsi S-jointed ; abdomen petiolate ; antennae of male 13-jointed, joints 3-13 fusiform, with a few strong huirs around the thickest part of each. lit ad quadrangular, excavated behind, broader than the thorax. Eyes small, no visible ocelli. Thora.x ovate, a little more than twice as long- as the head, the pro- thorax wider, and semicircular in outline. Front wings battledore-shaped, the " stem " about a quarter of the total length of the wing. The surface of the wing with a few rows of strong hairs ; the outer half of the wing with very long and powerful marginal cilia. Hind wings .«hort and almost i ndinientary, about half as long as the stem of the anterior wings. Petiole nearly as long as the thorax, coutisting of two distinct joints. Abdomen a little longer than the thorax. The genus is easily recognised by the 5-jointed tarsi, the battledore- shaped front wings, the rudimentary hind wings, and the double-jointed petiole. Petiolaria anomala, sp. n. c?. Head brown, the eyes black; antennae brown; thorax brown, with dark brown tegulae ; abd< men brown ; petiole and legs light yellow, at each tarsal articulation is a narrow darker ring, and the last tarsal joint is lighter in colour than the other four. The head, thorax, and surface of the Avings reticulated ; in the wings the reticulations are large, like crocodile-skin, and do not follow any lines of neuration. Antennae : scape long and slender; pedicel turbinate, one-third as long as the scape ; third joint very small, shorter than the pedicel or anv other joint; last joint of antenna pointed. Wings : anterior border, from the end of the stem to the first long cilinm, with very short cilia; posterior border, from the end of the stem to the first long cilium, with shorter cilia than those of the anterior border. On the posterior border, about half-way between the thorax and the first long cilium, springs a solitary long spine. The rest of the wing-border with cilia which are nearly all longer than the gieatest width of the wing. The surface of the wing has four rows of discal hairs above and two rows underneath. Legs : fore legs shorter, middle and hind legs longer and slender. Fore and middle tarsi longer than their tibiae ; hind tarsi shorter than their tibiae ; the tarsi taper towards the apex. * Plate II. will be issued in the November Xo. , 230 [October, Length '63 mm. Length of head "1 mm., of thorax •]9 mm., of petiole '16 mm., of abdo- men "IS mm. ; length of anterior wing '6 mm, its width "2 mm., the longest cilia about "25 mm. The antenna! joints are in the following ratio in millimetres (fiom the scape outward):— •O67--033--OI7--O.'3--O4-O4-O5--OG--05--O4-O4--O3:5--05. Hab. England, New Forest, Broekenhur.st (J. P. Kryger). Season, July 24th, 1921. Type (one male) in tlie British Miiseuin. 5 Brynland Avenue, Bishopston, Bristol. September 1922. Leptura sangninolenta at Nethy Bridge, N.B. — I was interested in the Rev. Canon Fowler's note regarding Leptura sanguinolenta, as in 1911 I captured a nice series of this species, of which three are females, on flower- heads at a bfink on the River Nethy, some distance up the river. I visited the place this year but found that owing to floods the bank has considerably altered, and f did not see any evidence of the beetle. — J. J.F. X. King, Glasgow: iSeptejiiber Ut/i, 1922. [Dr. Sharp also found this common Alpine insect in some numbers at Nf-thy Bridge. It was recorded b}' myself from Aviemore in 1876 and again in 1892. — G. C. 0.] The distribution of Asemum striatum. — In the light of recent notes on this beetle, it may be of interest to know I had a specimen brought to me in 1917 from a sawmill in Coventry'. — J. W. Saunt, 63 Enfield Road, Stoke, Coventry : August 2\st, 1922. Cacnocnra bovistae in C(tnian:onshire. — I was fortunate enough to observe this beetle depositing its eggs in a putl-ball {Bovista plumben ?) and possibly a description of this operation may be of interest. The beetle, of which two were working on the same puft'-ball, eats a small conical hole, 2 mm. wide by 1 mm. deej), through the outer skin ; some of this may be swallowed, but much was merely bitten off. This operation takes three-quarters of an hour or probably longer, as the hole was begun when I found the specimen ; the beetle then reverses its position and rests, with its tarsi folded in the pit, fur from two to three minutes, another excavation is then begun. I Cduld not find the eggs, but the hole made by the ovipositor was quite clear. This operation was on fresh puff-balls, and the greatest number of pits observed was seventeen ; other beetles were emerging or had emerged from dry puff- balls a few feet away. The eggs are laid about half-way up the side of the fungus, and as the marks are clearly visible as dots in the dry specimens, they may be useful guides to collectors searching for the larvae of the beetle. — G. IL Ashe, Portmadoc : Auyust Vith, 1922. 1922.] 231 C'uUas croceiis {edusa) in Hertfordshire. — This insect has occurred in several lofalitiea during August in this county, more ef-pecially on the chalk- hills around Dunstable. I have also seen two examples at Harpenden, and others have been noted near Sandridge. — A. D. Imms, Rothamsted Experi- mental Station, Harpenden : September 9th, 1922. A fortnight's Hemiptera collecting in Hampshire. — With the object of trying pastures new, both from an entomological and a health point of view, I stayed at Southbourne in Hampshire for the first half of July, and, as oppor- tunity and the weatlier permitted, tried my luck with my sweeping-net. On several occasions, however, owing to the soaked vegetation, I had to give up, as my net was wet through. At Hengistbury Head, off honeysuckle, 1 swej)! six Neottiglo.^sa piisilla Gmel. on the 12lh, and although I tried again several times, I did not see any more. In the garden of the hotel at Southbourne I took a green $ Piezodorns litiiratus F., and bred from larvae three Fentatoma riifipes found on birch at Hengistbury Head. Other captures included one ^ Acantho- soma haeinorrhoidale L. at Tiptoe on willow, and 3Igrmus miriformis Fall, was taken occasionally. Cgmus glandicolor Hahn, one, and Ischnorhynchns geminatus, I'airly common, at Hengistbury Head. One Lasiosotnus enerris, H.-S., near sea-shore at Mudeford ; Scolopostethus thomsoni Rent, and S. deco- raf.us Hahn, a few of each at Hengistbury Head. Two Monanthia cardui L. were taken, one at Mudeford and the other at Barton-on-Sea. I captured fonr Hydrometra stagnorum L. on a backwater of the Stour near Tuckton 13ridge,and a solitary Cori.va falleni Fieb. among hosts of immature Corixus. Several Gerris were seen on this occasion, but they were all immature. One Nabis ericetorufn Scholtz at Hengistbury Head was the only species of this genus that 1 took. Acompocoris jiygmaeus Fall, was met with on every Scotch Fir that 1 could beat in the district, and one TrijMeps nigra Wolff was captured at Mudeford. A J and $ Microphysa elegantula Baer.yvere swept up together in the hotel garden at Southbourne, with large numbers of Asciodema obsolclum D. & S. and Flagiognathus chrysnnthemi. A few Pithmius maerkeli H.-S. were taken in Southbourne, and several Miris hulsatus F., \\\\\\g Meyalocci-aea erratica L. and M. riificortiis were common there. One Megaloceraea psammaecolor Rent., Mudeford ; Leptopterna ferrvgata Fall, and L. dolabrata L., a few ; Phytocoris ulmi L., one at Mudeford ; Calocoris bipunctatiis F. was common at Southbourne, while Steiiotus binotatus F. was taken occasionally at Hengistbury Head. Two Dichrooscytus rujipennis Fall, were found at Southbourne — one on the trunk of a Scotch Fir, the other beaten out of a small cypress ; Plesio- coris ruyicollis Fall., two or three at Mudeford; Lygus viridis Fall., common at Hengistbury Head ; a solitary L. pratensis L. and a pair of lihopcdotomm ater L. at Mudeford, where I also captured two $ Dicyphus erram W. Christ- church further gave me Orthotylus marginalis Reut., O. viridinervis Kb., a soft O. ochrotrickus D. & S., and O. ericetorum Fall. A single Amblytylus affinis Fieb. at Barton ; Phylus palhceps Fieb., P. melanocephalus, Psallus obscurellus Fall., P. alnicola 1). & S., P. roseus F., Plagiognuthus roseri H.-S. Many common Hemiptera are, 1 know, included in this list, but some of the captures- may be of interest to other hemipterists, .so I have included everything taken. I am greatly indebted to Mr. E. A. Butler and Mr. H. Britten for their kind- ness in naming the above captures for me, — H. R. P. Collett, 2 Wyuoate Road, Hale, Cheshire : August Ibth, 1022. 2:]'2 [October. iV'o^es o?i tioo larvae of Picromerus hidens L. — July 20th. — Two larval Pentatoinidae were swept into the net about ten days ago with some Ischno- rhynchus geminatus Fieb. off heath, and when tlie larger one was discovered sucking a mature Pentafoina rti/ipef, it was separated from tlie smaller one and given some lepidopterous larvae to feed on. To-day the larger bug (which measures about 5 mm. in lenglli) changed its skin and is almost black iiiC')loiir with a purple sheen, with the ba>es of the 3rd and 4th joints of the antennae pale brown and a paie band across the central portions of the intermediat'^ and posterior tibiae. July 24th. — No change. Jietween them the bugs have accounted for a full-fed EuchcUa jacohaeae larva, a small sawfl}' larva, and, to- night, a Tineid larva f-inch long was given them. Within a minute the larger bug had stabbt'd it with its rostrum, and despite the caterpillar's struggles the bug maintained its hold. In five minutes the larva was limp and dead, and the bug appeared greatly excited, walking backwards and shaking the larva, which was still firmly attached to its rostrum. The rostrum reaches to the middle pair of coxae and is fiat and very broad in proportion to its length, and also is deeply grooved on the outer surface of the second segment only. The larger bug shows distinct wing-pads. On looking at it four hours later the Tineid larva was found to be sucked almost diy and the bug very much distended in consequence. July 29th. — This morning tlie .^mailer bug has cnanged its sliin and was pale pink all over, rapidlv darkening until it resembles tlie larger one. In the last four days the smaller bug has eaten practically nothing, while the larger one has eaten two Tineid and two sawfiy larvae, and partial}}' sucked an E. jacobaeae larva. August 1st. — No apparent change save that the larger bug is paler and appears mottled on its abdomen. In the last three days it has eaten three small Pierisrapae larvae and two sawfiy larvae. August 7th. — Less voracious, though the smaller bug is almost as large as the bigger one. August 8th. — Have just managed to get the smaller bug under the microscope in the act of sucking a small larva. Under the transparent skin of the larva can be seen an extraordinarily active filament coming from the terminal seg- ment of the bug's rostrum, and it moves rhythmically as the bug sucks. This filament passes through the teruiiual (4th) and 3rd segments of the rostrum, and leaves the 3rd segment wliere tlie latter joins the 2nd, and passes thence immediately into a fine sheath which has its origin on the anterior border of the face. The rostrum and hlament are, in action, exactly like the cauular and trochar respectively that a surgeon uses, for, as far as I can see, the rostrum acts as a guide for the filament or tongue. Once an entrance into the prey has been efl'ected, the rostrum is retracted toithout being withdraivn. Tliis action brings forward the head and tlius a greater length of filament protrudes into the prey, allowing almost the whole body to be sucked dry from one puncture. On being disturbed the bug was so quick in leaving its prey that I was unable to focus the microtcope in time to see the retraction of the filament. I then turned vay attention to the larger bug, which has eaten nothing for two or tiiree days, and found it waving itself about as though in pain. Under a glass it was seen that a split was rapidly widening along the sides of the pronotum, followed by a transverse split across the base of the latter, and in a moment b}' a vertical one to the head. Then the bright pink of the new skin could be seen, and the bug gradually bent down its head and arched its back, laying its antennae straight backwards under its abdomen. A faeries of painful rhythmical 1922.] 233 heaves then began, and wilhin twenty uiiuutes from the commencement the whole insect was free save for the last two segments of its abdomen, which were eventually cleared by the posterior tarsi forcing the skin off. Since hardening the bug has proved to be Picrovierus bidensL. — II. K. P. Collett : AuyiistSth, 1922. How the Honey-dew of Plaiit-Hce is excreted. — In the August number of ihe Ent. Mo. Mag., Mr. E. A. Butler records that he saw a small slender- bodied but ample-winged Ilymeuopteron stroking and tickling the body of a plump-bodied but not very large green aphis on a rose-bush ; and he asks if anyone can throw some light on the matter. I should say without any hesita- tion that the Ilymeuopteron was endeavouring to milk the Aphid in the same manner as that used by ants when they wish to obtain the sweet secretion which is excreted by plant-lice. This, after all, would not be very surprising — certain beetles and their larvae ( Coccidotrophus socialis) milk coccids ; gnats {Hdiyayomyia spp.) solicit food from, and are fed b}^ ants ; and even Lepidoptera have been seen to milk aphids and coccids. Mr. Butler's aphis would, no doubt, be the common rose aphis, and his Hymenopteron a Braconid, or perhaps a Proctotrypid. The reason which probably prevented him from understanding what was in progress was his evident belief in the old error perpetuated by some of the earlier writers — lieaumur, Limiaeus, etc., and also by some of the more recent ones, such as McCook, Buckton, and even Comstock — that the sweet secretion or honey -dew obtained by ants from aphids comes from the cornicles ; as he writes : " On the cornicles of the aphis there were two small light-coloured masses of what looked like some solid matter, but tiie Hymenopteron took not the slightest notice of these." It has been proved, and anyone can satisfy himself by watching ants, with a low- pocket lens, milking aphids, that the sweet secretion is excreted from the anus and not from the cornicles. Moreover, many of the true myrmecophilous aphids, which pass nearly the whole of their lives in ants' nests and supply the bulk oi the food of their hosts, do not possess cornicles at all ; and as we shall see later on, they would not require them in the safety of an ant's nest, Biisgen, Donisthorpe, Forel, Kolbe, Wheeler, and others have all disproved the statement that the honey-dew is a secretion of the cornicles, and have shown that it is simply the excrement of the plant-lice. Darwin, in the "Origin of Species," well describes how aphids voluntarily yield their sweet excretion to ants. He writes : " I removed all the ants from a group of about a dozen aphides on a dock-plant, and prevented their attendance during several hours. After this interval, I felt sure that the aphides would want to excrete. I watched them for some time through a lens, but not one excreted. I then tickled and stroked them with a hair in the same manner, as well as I could as the ants do with their antennae ; but not one excreted. Afterwards 1 allowed an ant to visit them, and it immediately seemed, by its eager way of running about, to be well aware what a rich flock it had discovered ; it then began to play with its antennae on the abdomen first of one aphis and then of another ; and each, as soon as it felt the antennae, immediately lifted up its abdomen and exci'eted a limpid drop of sweet juice, which was eagerly devoured by the ant." The liquid secreted by the cornicles is of a sticky and wax-like nature, and is of a yellower colour than that excreted by the anus. X 234 [October, Biisgen has shown that an aphis will discharge this liquid from the cornicles and smear the face and forceps of the larva of the lace-winsr fly, and also the whole fore parts of a lady-bird, when these enemies attack it. The secretion hardens at once and at least temporarily inconveniences and disturbs the foe, causing it to desist from the chase. — IIorack Donisthoupk, 19 llazlewell Road, Putney : Anr/ust I2t/i, 1922. Diptera from the Bristol District. — Chironomns rtifipes L., abundant at Ilanham, Som., 15.vii.22 ; also taken a week previously by Mr. II. Audcent. Tipula irrorata Mg. — One cJ ,conlirined by Dr. Go^tghebuer, and distinguished from our other species of marmoiated "Daddies" by distinct bluish wing reflections. Yerrall, in Ent. Mo. Mag. vol. xxiii, p. 121, gives it in lus list of reputed British Ttpulas, referring to " Suites a BufFon, i. 84, Curt., B.E., 493," but omits it from his 1901 list. Ilerewitli it is returned to list. Taken at Blaise Castle, Bristol, Glouc, 27. v. 2. Ilaematopota crassicornis Whlbg. — J, Nailsea, Som.,23.vii.22 ; 9 ,Shapwick, Som., 10.vi.21. New to Somerset list. Oxycera formosa Mg. — Nailsea, Som., 27.Tii.22. Nemotelus notatus Ztt.— J, 12.vii.22, two $ 2 , 17.Tii.22, Shirehampton, Glouc. New to Somerset. Volucella in- flata F.— Dursley, Glouc, 17.Ti.22 ; Blaise, Glouc, 25.Ti.22. Mallota cimbici- formis Fin. — One, Blaise, Glouc, 25.Ti.22. Tropidia scita Ilarr. — Two, Ashcott, Som., 3.vi.22. Xylota lenta Mg.— One, Blaise, Glouc, 25.Ti.22. During June 192] at Burnham, Som., Pktkiria pulicaria Mik was plentiful on the sand-hills, evidently associated with a species of PompiUis. — H. WoMF-nsLKY, 17 DeTonshire Road, Westbury Park, Bristol : July 31si, 1922. #biluarn. David Sharp, M.A., M.B., F.R.S., the doye7i of Britisli Coleopterists, one of the most distinguished Entomologists of our time, and whose name is a household word wherever our Science is pursued, passed away peacefully at his residence, Lawnside, Brockenhurst, on the morning of Sunday, August 27th, and was laid to rest in the beautiful churchyard of that New Forest village on the following Thursday. He was born on October 15th, 1840, at Towcester, Northants, and his early years were passed at Stony Stratford, Bucliinghamshire, his parents afterwards removing to St. John's Wood, in the north of London. Here Herbert Spencer was for some considerable time nn inmate of his father's house, and there can be no doubt that the keen and logical quality of Dr. Sharp's mind was in large ineasux'e due to his early association with the eminent philosopher, who gave him much encouragement and assistance in his tirst efforts in the study of Natural History, and of whom he was wont to speak witli respect and affection to the end of his life. Not finding his father's bu,siness congenial after a short trial. Sharp decided to enter the profession of medicine, and to that end studied, first at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, and subsequently at Edinburgh, where in 1866 he graduated as M.B. and CM. In 1867 he received an appointment to the Crichton Institution at Dumfries, and some years subsequently he was entrusted with the medical care of a wealthy patient, who died in 1883 ; he Ent. Mo. :\rA(i.. 1022. Platk III. %^UL^^ ^*^y '^^^^ 1922.] 235 was then enabled to discontinue active medical practice .id to devote himself entirely to scientific work. For several years he resided at Shirley Warren, Southampton, and afterwards at Wilmington, near Dartford, Kent ; and in 1890 he accepted an invitation to undertake the charge of the insect col- lections of the University Museum of Zoology at Cambridge. He retained the Curatorship of this collection until 1909, when, having built for himself a house at Brockenhurst overlooking one of the most beautiful parts of the New Forest, he retired thither for the remainder of his days. As is so often the case, his attention was first given to the Lepidoptera, and he used to relate that one of his earliest recollections was that of the sur- passing beauty of a newly-emerged " tiger-moth." But his energies were soon transferred to the Coleoptera, the object of his life-long study, and the Order with which his name will be inseparably associated in the future. Already, in the short-lived "Weekly Entomologist" (1862-3), we find, besides lists of numerous captures, a faeries of directions for the mounting and preservation Of bdjtlej which thus early mark him as an excellent practical Coleopterist. The magnitude of Dr. Sharp's entomological work during his long life may be estimated by the fact that no fewer than 257 entries stand under his name in the Royal Society's Catalogue of Scientific Papers, and the " Zoological Record" to date, besides a multitude of minor articles in our own and other Magazines. It is obviously impossible to give here an exhaustive account of this great contribution to the literature of our Science, but a few of its principal items may be briefiy alluded to. In the Transactions of the Entomological So-iety for 18G9 appeared his earliest paper of first-rate importance, " A Revision of the British Species of Honialota," which to this day remains the foundation of our knowledge of the extensive and most difficult group of beetles included under this generic name. It may be added that during the hd-^t few years he accumu- lated a very large amount of material, including many beautiful dissections and drawings by his accomplished daughter Anne (now Mrs. F. Muir), for ix, contemplated further revision of the group. This, we venture to hope, may at some time in the near future be made available for students of Coleoptera. The Staphylinidae of Japan (1874) and of the Amazon Valley (1876) formed the subject of exhaustive papers in subsequent volumes of the Transactions, but his most important contribution to the Society's publications is without doubt the masterly treatise (in conjunction with Mr. F. Muir) " On the Com- parative Anatomy of the Male Genital Tube in Coleoptera," which appeared in 1912. " On Aquatic Carnivorous Coleoptera or Dytiscidae," published in the Scientific Transactions of the Royal Dublin Society in 1880-2, is an exhaustive monograph of this great series of beetles which still remains the principal authority on the subject. In the same Journal (1885) appeared the papers on the Coleoptera of the Hawaiian Islands (with the Rev. T. Blackburn) and of New Zealand, in which Dr. Sharp was the first to elucidate the surpassing- interest and importance of these isoLited beetle-faunae ; and many years after- wards, when he was editor of the sumptuous " Fauna Hawaiiensis," he contributed the memoirs on the Caraboidea and some other groups indigenous to the first-named islands. In the " Biologia Centrali-Americana," he was OQr* [October, responsible for the water-beetles, the Staphylinidae, most of the Clavicornes, certain Bkipickophora, and the important families Brenthidae and Bruchidue. His connection with the ''Zoological Record" commenced in 1885, when he undertook the editing of the section Insecta; and in 1891 he became the responsible editor of the entire work. His influence was immediately apparent in the greatly improved arrangement and increased facilities for reference, and this strenuous and exacting task was to him a labour of love. Up to the very last, although confined to his room, he continued to devote two or three hours a day to the reading and correction of the proofs as they ai-rived from the printer. As regards the Coleoptera of our own country, we owe to him two excellent catalogues of our species, issued in 1871 and 1893, the latter in conjunction with the Rev. Canon Fowler. His long residence in Scotland, and his intimate acc[uaintance with its beetles, resulted in the publication, in the quarterly " Scottish Naturalist " (1871-9), of the " Coleoptera of Scotland/' an exhaustive annotated list of the members of that Order occurring north of the Bonier. His energ}^ and discernment in the field, which he retained up to quite recent years, and his unrivalled knowledge of the insects themselves, enabled him to add to our country's list of Coleoptera a greater number of species than perhaps any other worker of our time has done. By his death the last link with the active and successful band of Coleopterists of the ''fifties " and " sixties" of the last century is finally severed. Of his colleagues of that period he was full of interesting memories and quaint anecdotes, and it is a source of much regret to his many friends of the present generation of beetle- hunters that he could never be induced to publish his reminiscences of those bygone times. Unquestionably Dr. Sharp's mafpnim nptis is the treatise on "Insects" forming the greater part of two volumes of the " Cambridge Natural History." Of this work it is unnecessary to speak further, as the volumes were adequately reviewed in our Magazine on their appearance in 1895 and 1899, but it is safe to say that no work of equal value on general Entomology has been produced in this c mntry since Westwood's '' Introduction to the Modern Classification of Insects " appeared more than half-a-century previously. To our own Magazine he was one of the most valued contributors from its commencement, and a brief note by him narrowly missed inclusion in our very first number, having in fact been printed on its cover. There is scarcely one of our volumes in which one or more of his communications may not be found, asid many of these rank among the most important memoirs that have appeared in our pages. Dr. Sharp formed an extensive collection of Coleoptera from all parts of the world, which was acquired by the nation some few years ago, and more recently his fine entomological library was transferred en bloc to the Cawthron Institute at Nelson, New Zealand. His collection of British beetles, one of the finest and most complete in existence, remains at present with the family. Besides the Coleoptera, some other orders of Insects, and especially the Hemiptera, received a considerable share of his attention ; and when at Cambridge, and subsequently in the New Forest, he studied and collected Dipteru with great success, and added several species to our Fauna. 1P22.] 237 lie joined the Entomological Societj' of London in 18G2, and at the time of his death was the senior surviving Fellow. He served as Secretary in 1867, was Vice-President on four separate occasions, and in 1887 and 1888 was Pi'esident of the Society. lie was a Fellow of the Linnean and Zoological Societies, but resigned some years ago from the former; and in 1890 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Most of the chief Entomological Societies throughout the world numbered him as an honorary or corresponding member, and among these he specially valued his connection with the New Zealand Institute. During his residence at Cambridge the University con- ferred on him the degree of M.A., honoris causa. In the field he was a delightful companion, with an inexhaustible fund of dry humour under all circuuistancas. A man of varied and extensive reading, of strong personality', and a keen debater on controversial subjects, his attitude towards the many vexed questions of modern biology was that of a sane and open-minded conservati^^m. His bodily health failed greatly during the past winter, and when the writer of this notice last saw him in July, though his mind was unclouded and strong as ever, it was only too evident that the end was not far off. He is survived by his widow, one son (at present, we believe, in New Zealand), and five daughters ; a second son, wlio had also emigrated to the Antipodes, joined the Army and died in England during the war. We join our own heartfelt sympathy to that of his many friends, with each and every member of the bereaved family, as well as with his only surviving sister, Mrs. S. E. Lamb. The very characteristic porti-ait which we present with this Memoir is reproduced from a photograph, taken in the New Forest in 1909 by Mr. W. J. Lucas. — ^J. J. \V. We have just heard of the decease of Thomas G. Bishop, another veteran British Colf^opteiist, and hope to give further details of his life and work iu a forthcomiu'' Number. The South London Entomological and Natural History So<:iErY-: Jnhj \3th, 1922.— Mr. E. J. Bunnett, M.A., President, in the Chair. Major Stuart Maples, Monkswood, Huntingdon, and Messrs. H. Candler,. Broad Eves, Ashstead, and E. B. Watson, Winthorpe Grange, Newark, were elected members. Mr. Ik. Adkin exhibited two specimens of a dark grey form of Grammesift tiiyrammica {trilinea) from Abbots Wood, where the species had been unusually common at sugar. Mr. Buckstone, living larvae and pupae of Fyrameis cardici, the ground-colour of the pupae varying from pale grey to blackish. Misa A. K. Li->ch, a uniformly pale yellow aberration oi Brenthis euphrusyne -with, quite normal spotting, from Worth, Sussex. Mr. H. Main, several items brought by him from the S. of France : 1. Larvae of the ant-lion, Palj)aies lihelluloides j 238 [October. 2. the Teiiebriouid beetle, rimelia (jtillica ; 3. cases of the large Psychid, Acan- thopsyche atra {opacella) with young larvae ; 4. the spider Li/cosa nar^bonnensis, discussed by Fabre ; 5. the spider Clotho dtirandi, fuuud under stones ; 6. the Wyriapod, Scutiyera araneoides, said to be poisonous ; larvae of the butterfly Tliais nmuiia. Mr. Cheeseiuan, living larvae of Attacus cyntliia and Samia ci'cropia, two silk-.spinuiug moths. Mr, Enefer, the yv eev il Alolytes (/ermanus from rarniiighani, Kent. July 27th, 1922.— The President in the Chair. Mr. Step exhibited the insects he took at the Field Meeting at Netley Heath, July 15th, including Stranyalia armata (Coleopt.), Volucella j^Mucens (Dipt.), etc. Mr. K. Adkin, a short series of Cupido miniinus from Eastbourne, ■where it was abundant and generally large in size with blue dusting, in May last. JNIr. T. H. L. Grosvenor, Zyyaena cmthylUdis, Z. transalp{?ia, and Z. scabiosae sent from the Pyrenees by Mr. 0. K. Goodman. Mr. F. B. Carr, larvae of Nevioria viridafa from Witlierslack, and of Bapta temerata from Horsley. Mr. Barnett, a series of Brenthis euplirosune from S. Devon, and Ematurya atoviaria taken as late as June 22nd. Mr. lly. J. Turner, the race alexandrina of Melitaca aurinia with other races for comparison ; it had abundance of light yellow niaikings on the fore wings. ^Ir. Bell, larvae of Cerura bifida and C.furcula, and stated that the ova were laid on the under sides of the leaves and not, as stated, on the upper; also, he showed larvae of Nutodonta ziczac ; all were from ova found near Hatfield in June. — IIy. J. Turner, Hon. Editor of Pro- ceedinys. NOTES ON ORIENTAL GARABIBAE.—Y^. BY n. E. ANDREWES, F.E.S. Home new Species of Bemhi oil M from the Himalayas (cont.). Bemhidiicm cimineriiim, sp. nov. Length o5-6*0 mm. ; width 2*0-2*2 mm. Dark blue-black, upper surface generally with a faint greenish tinge, joint 1 of antennae and legs more or less piceous, apical joint of palni testaceous. Surface shiny. Head with simple, deep, nearly parallel, uneven furrows, extending to clypeus, the space between them smooth and convex, some faint striation behind them, close to eye, genae oblique, eyes not prominent, antennae nearly reacliing middle of elytra. Prothorax cordate, moderately convex, distinctly wider than head, and a third as wide again as long, base truncate, sides moderately rounded and gently sinuate near hind angles, which are sharply rectangular, with a fine but distinct carina ; median line impressed in middle, not reaching extremities, transverse impressions rather slight, basal foveae small, deep, and rounded, one or two punctures only in or near them, surface smooth, here and there faintly striate, uneven along base. Elytra ovate, rather convex, shoulders square, the side border extending to opposite stria 5, where it ends in a small tooth, marginal channel rather wide, striae entire, 1922.] 239 deep, 6uely punctate, tlie outer ones a little less deeply impressed, striae 1-2 deep to apex and joining at base, 3-4 join and disappear, as do 6-7, at some distance from apex, 5 joined to apex by the deep apical stria and joining marginal channel at base, scutellary striole very short but deeply impressed, intervals convex on disk, rather flatter towards sides and apex, two large pores on stria 3, at or just before middle and at a iburtli from a])ex, surface smooth ; tliere is generally a small raised knob between the end of striae 3-4 and apex. The species seems most nearly allied to JB. virens Gy\\\\., though not very much like it, size larger, and colour blue-hlack instead of green. Head wider, the ridges between frontal furrows and eves much more developed, antennae thicker and with longer joints ; prothorax wider, sides much more rounded, basal area more uneven and a little rugose, both the carina and the foveae less clearly marked ; elytra wider, sides more rounded, extremity more pointed, striae deeper and with larger punctures, 3-4 joining at some distance from apex, with a smooth area behind them, on which is a small prominence. PuxJAB : Simla Hills, Matiana, SOOO ft. {Dr. S. W. Kevtp—lnA. Mus.), 0 ex. ; Gahan, 7000 ft. (^S*. N. CliaUerjee — For. Ees. Inst.), 5 ex. Type in British Museum. Bemhidiiim cimmerium, var. orinmti nov. Numerous specimens taken by Mr. Champion at a high elevation in Kumaon differ uniformly from the typical foi-m, but they do not seem to constitute more than a local variety. The size and shape are about the same, though on average they seem to be a shade smaller. The elytra have a bluish instead of a greenish tinge. The head is slightly narrower and the e^^es a little flatter. The shoulders of the elytra are more rounded, the striae hardly as deep on the disk, but deej^er towards apex, the outer ones on basal half quite as deep as the inner ones, 3-4 continued to nearer apex and without any raised knob behind their termination. United Pbovinces : Kumaon, West Almora, Sunderdhunga, 8000- 12,000 ft., many examples (if. G. Champion). The type is in the British Museum. JBembidium loricatum, sp. nov. Length 5"0 mm. ; width I'O mm. Upper surface bright bronze, shagreened and not very shiny, underside piceous-black with sliglit greenish reflections; joints 1-2 of antennae and base of 3-4 (rest dark brownish), palpi (peimllimate joint fuscous), tibiae and tai'si testaceous, femora piceuus-brouze. Head with shallow furrows, striate near eyes, which are moderately 240 1 October, promint^nf, auteuiiae barely reacliing basal foiirtli of el\tra, surface sinootli, except for a few minute punctures on vertex. Pruthorax moderately convex, a little wider than head, and about a third as wide again as \o\\s, sides gently rounded and very slightly sinuate before hind angles, wliich are right, witli well-marked carina; median line hue, base depressed, with deep rounded foveae, basal area (except along margin) finely rugose-punctate with traces of shoit longitudinal striae, surface smooth with some faint cross-striation. Elytra moderately convex, parallel, shoulders square, barely a third wider again than prothorax, but very nearly twice as long as wide, basal border reaching stria 4 and forming with side border a distinct angle above stria 6 ; finely striate-punctate, the striae nearly effaced behind, stria 1 only deep to apex, scutellary striole fairly long, apical stria faint, joining stria o ; intervals flat, 3 with two very large and conspicuous pores at a tliird aTid two-thirds, occupying the whole interval, the aiea surrounding the front one slightly transversely depressed, surface smooth. Underside smooth. Closely allied to B. splendid urn Sturm, but the shagreened surface makes it less shiny. The fi'ontal foveae are shallower and vaguer, sides of front striate ; prothorax narrower, with more rounded fi-ont angles, more contracted behind, base rugose, the foveae not so sharply defined ; elytra narrower, the punctures of the striae more evident, interval 8 with much more conspicuous ])orc's, tlie angle at shoulder less acute. The apex of the femora is testaceous. United Pbovinces : Kumaon, llanikhet, West Bhatkot, 4000 ft., and West Almora (^. G. Champion), 6 ex. Biiiae : Pusa (Agric. Res. Inst.), 2 ex. Type in the British Museum. Bembidiutn compactum, sp. nov. Length 4-25-4-75 mm.; width 1-70-1-90 mm. Upper surface cupreous, sometimes brassy and occasionally with purplish blotches, underside black ; joints 1-2 of antennae and base of 3-4 (rest fuscousi, palpi (penultimate joint fuscous), and legs (knees slightly iufuscate) testaceous. Surface shiny. Head Avith rather shallow, but distinct furrows, extending to clypeus, which is bordered in front, eyes rather flat, antennae not reaching beyond basal fourth of elytra, surface moderately punctate, sparsely on vertex, middle of front and neck smooth. Prothorax cordate, very convex, very little wider than head, and barely a third wider again than long, extremities truncate, sides of base slightly oblique, sides moderately rounded and sinuate close to hiud angles, which are right, though they project a little, without trace of carina; median line fairly deep, confined to disk, base strongly depressed, almost constricted, foveae hardly distinguishable, the whole basal area coarsely rugose-punctate, occasionally with some punctures along front margin, surface otherwise smooth, with some vague cross-striation. Elytra convex, nearly parallel, with very square shoulders, side border reaching stria 4, nearly twice as wide as prothorax and about half as long ngain as wide ; striae G. A. 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GURNET & JACKSON, 33 Paternoster Row, London, E.C. 4. C O N T E N T S. PAOK Some Indian Coleoptera (0) (continued). —G. C. Champion, F.Z.S 217 A new genus and some new species of Mordellidae (iritli Jiynres). — A'. G. Blair, B.Sc, F.E.S 221 Notes on some parasites of beetles. — C. T. Giiningliam, F.I.C., F.E.S 226 A new Mj-marid from Brockenhurst (tritJi Plate). — B. N. Blood, M.D., and .7. P. Krijijer 229 Leptura sanguinolenta at Nethy Bridge, N.B. — J. J. F. X. King, F.E.S. 230 The distribution of Asemum striatum. — J. W. Saunt 230 Caenoeara bovistae in Carnarvonshire. — G. H. Ashe, M.A 230 Colias croceus (edusa) in Hertfordshire. — A. D. Imms, D.Sc, M.A., F.L.S 231 A fortnight's Hemiptera collecting in Hampshire. — H. R. P. Collett .. 231 Notes on two larvae of Picromerus biden?: L. — Id 232 How the Honey-dew of Plant-lice is excreted. — H. St. J. Donisthorpe, F.Z.S. ... 233 Diptera from the Bristol district. — H. 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ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 41 Queen's Gate, S.W. 7 (nearest stations : South Kensington and Gloucester Road). — Nov. 1st, 13th, Dec. 6th, 1922, Jan. 17th, 1923 (Annual Meeting-), at 8 p.m. The Library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except on Saturdays, when it is closed at 2 p.m.), and until 10 p.m. on Meeting nights. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge. The Second & Fourth Thursdays in each month, at 7 p.m. The lantern will te at the disposal of Members for the exhibition of slides. THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, now meets in Hall 40, Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2, on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the month at 6.30 p.m. General meetings 1st Tuesdays, Sectional meetings 3rd Tuesdays. (No meetings in July or August indoors, but field excursions instead.) Hon. Sec. -. W. E. Glegg, The House, Albion Brewery, Whitechapel Road, E. 1. Chingford Branch. The Chingford Local Branch meets at the Avenue Cafe, opposite Chingford Station, at 8 p.m., on the 2nd Monday in each month. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OP HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT. — This Society has developed from the Southampton and District Entomo- logical Society. Meetings are held on the First Saturday afternoon of each month at Southampton, and other meetings will be arranged in important centres in ihe county from time to time. Activities being undertaken at the present time include the formation of a library, of collections of insects, and the compilation of a county insect fauna list. Will keen entomologists in the county who are interested please communicate with the Hon. Sec, F. J. Killington, 1 St. Catherine's Road. Eastleigh, Hants. 'JOV. ii)22 ] Ent. Mo. Mag., 1922. Plate II. PETIOLARIA ANOMALA, n. geu. et sp., J. To fact p. 229.] 191'2.] 241 closely and moderately punctate, all deep to apex, tliougli 4-6 are a little fainter behind, scutellary stride very long, reaching to quite a third from base, apical stria joining 7 ; intervals convex at sides, 3 with two large pores at about a third and two-thirds, the surrounding area depresped nenr the front one, surface shagreened but nevertheless smooth and shining. Beneath, the sterna are coarsely punctate at sides, metasternum with a few punctures at base and apex, ventral surface smooth. Allied to B. inmctulatum Drap., but rather differently coloured, protliorax a little narrower. Elytra shorter and more compact. Head much less punctate, frontal foveae deeper, base of antennae testaceous ; prothorax much less punctate, median line shallower, base more constricted and more rugose; elytra more shiny, the striation and puncturation similar. UxNTiTED Pkoyinces : Kumaon, West Almora, Ifanikhet, Bhatkot, Swal li. basin, and R. Sarda gorge, man}' examples (//. G. Champion^^ Dehra Dun {Dr. 31. Cameron — For. Kes. Inst.). Type in British Museum. Bemhidhtm psuclwum, sp. nov. Length 4*0 mm.; width 1*4 mm. Very dark metallic green, extremely shiny ; tibiae (more or less), apical joint of palpi, and claws reddish. Head with deep, simple furrows, diverging slightly behind, the space between them very convex, eyes rather flat, antennae stout, reaching middle of elytra, surface smooth. Prothorax convex, cordate, not much wider than head, about a fourth wider than long, sides well rounded in front, strongly contracted and sinuate behind, base distinctly narrower than apex, marginal channel very narrow, hind angles right, with a slight though distiuct carina; median line clearly marked, reaching base, which is strongly depressed, foveae fairly deep, adjoining angles, surface smooth, base subrugose, with a few punctures in the foveae. Elytra moderately convex, elongate-oval, not quite half as wide again as prothorax, two-thirds as long again as wide, shoulders almost obliterated, border reaching stria 5 ; punctate-stiiate, both striae and punctures clearly marked at base of disk, obsolescent at sides and behiud, though fine punctures are visible almost to apex, stria 1 deep to apex, where it curves round in the direction of 2, scutellary striole ver}^ short (in one example fused with stria 1), apical stria short, but fairly deep, joining 5, intervals moderately convex on disk only, flat elsewhere, sutural interval raised, 3 with two well-marked pores, surface smooth, transversely depressed near base, especially at sides. In the form of the elytra this species resembles B. nigricorne Gyllh., but it is more nearly allied to B. glaciale Heer and B. pyre- iiaeum Dej. The colour is about the same as that of the last-named species, with the surface much more shiny. Head \vith umch deeper furrow\s, eyes Hatter, genae very oblique, so that the greatest width (across exQs) Y 242 [November, is hardly greater than that of neck ; prothorax naiTOW, contracted behind both more and further from base ; elytra more convex, more narrowed towards base, shoulders more rounded and behind them tlie surface rather strongly depressed, striae deeper on disk and with larger punctures. United Peovinces: Kumaon, West Almora Division, Sundcr- dhunga, 8000-12,000 ft. {H. G. Champion), 3 ex. Type in the British Museum. Semhidium leptaleum, sp. nov. Length 3-5 mm. ; width 1-3 mm. Aeneous, shiny, underside piceous; joints 1-3 of antennae, with basal half of 4, palpi (except apex), legs, apical margin of elytra, and a very small, indistinct spot at apical third of each elytron, covering intervals 6-7, rufous ; rest of antennae, and penultimate joint of palpi fuscous. Head with simple shallow furrows, curving outwards to the hind supra- orbital ])ore, a few transverse striae on their inner mnigins, neck thick, eyes not prominent, antennae short, reaching very little be\und base of elytra, surface smooth. Prothorax convex, transverse, a third as wide again as head, and half as wide again as long, sides of base bordered and only very slightly oblique, sides moderately rounded and faintly sinuate close to hind angles, which are in the form of a minute rectangular tooth and have a short but very distinct carina; median line fine, but strongly impressed just in front of base> foveae deep, the outer part, close to the carina, separated from the inner part by a small raised area, base a little depressed, with a few moderate punctures, one or two punctures along front transverse impresfcion, surface smooth. Elytra convex, oval, half as wide again as prothorax, and two-thirds as long again as wide, side border ending in a slight tooth between striae 5 and 6 ; punctate- striate, the striae rather shallow and evanescent behind, stria 1 deep to apex, where it joins 2, which is deep close to apex only, interval 2 at tliat point being very wide, apical stria fairly deep and rather long, scutellary striole short, but very deep at base ; intervals slightly convex on disk, 3 with two pores at basal fourth and apical third respectively, surface a little less shiny than that of head and prothorax. Not unlike 13. nigricorne Gyllh., but narrower, the legs and antennae otherwise coloured. Head with deeper furrows and wider side ridges, the front supraorbital })ore much larger ; prothorax much narrower, median line deeper behind, the foveae each divided into two by a slight raised area ; elytra less brilliant, the striae deeper and intervals not quite ilat, the basal border altogether wanting. SiKKiM : Lachung, 9000 ft. {H. Stevens), 1 ex. My collection. August, 1922. i V.-J2.] 243 OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE-HISTOKY OF A LIOTHEID (MALLOPHAGA) PARASITE OF THE CURLEW (NUMENIUS ARQUATA Linn.). BY JAMES WATEllSTO:^, B.D., D.SC. On 10.X.1910 I shot a common Curlew at CoUafirth, Northmavine, Shetland, and examined it for Mallophaga. It was then my custom in dealing with host species to search the plumage of any specimens passing through m^^ hands feather by feather, and to this was due the discovery of a Mallophagan habitat and mode of life which at the time were new to me, and which now, with a wider knowledge of the litera- ture of the group, I find to be apparently almost unnoticed. I had pulled out an old ])rimary when somethmg unusual in the appearance of the barrel or calamus caught my eye. Normally the cjuill in this region shows, when seen by transmitted light, a few more or less oblicpie septa, the divisions, /. e., between the internal horny caps which together form a structure (called by German -writers "die seele " — the soul of the feather), for which there exists no exact term in English. In the present case, however, the lumen was continuous from the superior down to the inferior umbilicus where, on looking carefully, I noticed one or two small dark masses. As I Avatched, one of these masses detached itself from the others, ard travelled shadow-like up the barrel. That it was an animal of some sort seemed certain, but how it had got inside the feather v/as puzzling, since no aperture was at first dis- cernible. Later, however, a very small hole was detected — too small, as events proved, for the exit of the creature whose movement I had just watched. On splitting the feather open several examples of a rather large Colpocej)halum, at various stages of development, were disclosed. Two more feathers in a similar condition were found in the same wing of this bird. Since discovering this peculiar habit I have never missed an opportunity of examining the plumage of Curlews for the parasite. The percentage of infested birds has not been high, but 1 have no note of the exact figure. With one exception, when two $ $ were taken at large, between the webs of two adjacent flight-feathers, the Colpoce- pkalum has occurred in its original habitat within the quill, from halt" a dozen up to a hundred specimens being present. In the latter case, though there was a small clear s^mce distally, the parasites were tightly packed proximally, and tumbled out in a struggling mass when part of the shaft was excised. Either primary or secondary feathers may be attacked. I have found up to five feathers in one bird tenanted. The effect of this occupation may be noted. 1-2 2'14 [NoTember, (a) Apertures. — The inhabited quill (fig. In) is pierced by one or more apertures. Commonly one is present winch may be too small to permit the egress of the largest o£ the enclosed parasites. Tliis aperture is regular and approximately circular (fig. Ih) in outline, but may be irregular and large. It is placed at some point on the proximal third of tlie rhachis, as a rule on the ventral aspect, and pierces the pith. A second aperture, generally larger, is sometimes seen either near the first on the rhachis or on the barrel. I have seen at least a third tiny hole in one case, and even more may be expected to occur. Such extra holes are possibly to be explained as of accidental occurrence during the working of the parasite. (h) Internally the calamus is smooth and "die seele " has been devoured, while distally the pith is consumed for some distance. In an Fig. 1. — a, Flight-feather of Curlew {Numenius arquafa) : h, Aperture made by Colpoc&phnlwm; c, Calamus and proximal jjart of rhachis; d, Eggs of (Jolpo- ceplialwrn in situ. extreme case there may be a continuous passage between the points indicated by the lines from c. in the figure. Sometimes, however, the jjith is incompletely removed and merely tunnelled for some distance. (c) One effect of the occupation of the shaft by the Coljjocepliahim is possibly a retarding of the normal moulting thne. The point is put forward more as a suggestion than as an ascertained fact, but occupied feathers sometimes appear consj)icuously weathered and pale in a set which has been recently renewed. M}^ knowledge of the moult of the flight-feathers of Numeniiis is, howevei', quite insufiicient to determine whethei', in the case referred to, the feathers had persisted beyond their due time, but if future observations should establish what is here tenta- tively put forward, the importance of tlie fact in ensuring the survival of the species is considerable. Tui'ning now to the contents of this unusual habitat one finds : — («) Every stage of the Coljwcephalum may he repi'csented from the egg to fully coloured adults. The eggs for the most part lie side b\ 1022.1 245 sido in rows wliicli may be ciilior st'-aio-lit or in short, spirals. If one of tlie eggs at tlie end of a row is freed l>j a needle-point from the surface of the calamus the otliers lift with it, and hy the exercise of a little care the whole row can be detached, the eggs being glued together so that when turned over the row appears to be a glistening band. The cement extends as a narrow margin beyond the edge of the band (fig. 1 d). I have not observed oviposition by this species, but apparently what happens is that the cement (whose emission takes place at the beginning of the process) runs between the egg-shell and the smooth surface of the barrel, and is not gathered at the posterior (?. e., that remote from the operculum) end of the egg into an anchoring mass. I have, however, seen single eggs, attached like the others by their side to the supporting surface, which showed a distinct knob or amorphous tail posteriorly. I have no note now b}^ me of there being in such cases any reduction in the amount of cement at the margin, though one would expect this to follow. {h) With the eggs are found numerous empty shells from which the operculum is generally pushed completely off. The operculum frequently is seen persistent in recently hatched examples, so that its removal in other cases may be due to the movem.ent of the insects crowded into a narrow space. With the egg-shells are to be found cast-off skins of all stages, and both are frequently devoured — pre- sumably by the parasites themselves, though mites may also be responsible for this. ((?) There are also large accumulations of faecal matter in the form of a fine grey sand which may till the proximal third or more of the calamus. Putting these observations together one may hjq^othetically recon- struct in outline the life-history of the parasite. Access to the quill is gained by the Golpoceplialum boring into the rhachis, several specimens using the same hole. Once inside the quill the parasites feed on the pith and " seele," attain maturity and breed freely. Either through failure of their food supply, or through overcrowding, an exodus is initiated, the oi-iginal entrance being enlarg-ed or a new hole formed. It is possible, of course, that before any general exodus takes place the adult parasites may have left and returned to their strange habitat many times. The very thorough examination of the plumage of several hosts made, renders this highly improbable. I think it likelj^ also, that new colonies are initiated, not by adult females, but by immature examples. I have recorded these observations, incomplete as they are, partly because of their — to the possibl}-^ prejudiced eye of a student of the 246 [Kovember, ijroup — Intrinsic interest and partly because species with so defined a liabitat may, witli suitable iiianipulation, be made to yield further valuable information as to the bionomics! of the Mallophaga. One point on which light might be shed may be mentioned. Very exti-a- ordinary indeed must be the changes by which the meal of a biting louse becomes physiologically available for its ingester. But ordinarily that meal may, to begin with, be exceedingly complex. A louse in the course of a day may feed on feather fibre, epidermal scales and powder, and even the skin itself if roughened, while blood extravasated in any casual way is grecdih^ devoured. Within the quill, on the other hand, the food supply, once " die seele " has disappeared, is of uniform quality, and I shoidd suggest that comparative analyses of the pith of the rhachis and of the grey faecal sand would yield results of interest. The difficulty of course would be to get the material in analysable quantities, but it is not an insurmountable one. I believe the name of this GoJpocepludum to be G. p(deJlatum Piag.^ (p. 2r)i, pi. x, fig. 8). So far as I am aware, the species has not been recorded since its description by the French author, and this in view of the notes already given is hardly astonishing. Henry Dcnn^^- (p. 207) has recorded the same or similar pheno- mena in the case of Colpocepliahiv} favcscens. His remarks nre worth quoting in full : " To the Earl of Derby I am indebted for several exami)les from the Harpy Eagle {Harpyia destructor'). On the 14th ot" November, 1837, IMr. Yarrell^ (p. 127) exhibited, at a meeting of the Zoological Society of London, a quill from the wing of the above bird, which had died while in the menagerie of his lordship at Knowsle}', and which was found upon examination to be infested with a great number of a species of GolpocepliaJum. It appeared that these minute creatures had chosen for their place of retreat the hollow of the large quill feathers, which were filled with their exuviae ; two circular apertures situated ne;\r the base of the quill afforded the animals access to its interior. Another quill, infested with the above, his lordship obligingly forwarded to me, with the follow'ing remarks : ' My superintendent lately found in a young Harpy Eagle, who was not moulting kindl}', two feathers, of which the quills when extracted were filled with a substance he could not make out, he opened one and found the whole base of the quill fdled with lice, at that time alive, but they soon died; there was at first no apparent opening, but on a close microscopic examination two small holes were observed at the base of the web, since then he has found and extracted four more ; in one, besides the lice, observing something to move, he oj.ened it and found a large white maggot.' From the hundreds 1922.1 247 (if skins accmnulatod in one quill, and to whose interior there had been no access but through the small orifices mentioned, it would appear that this species of Colpocephalum at least seeks a place of sbelter when about to undergo so important a change as the shedding of its entire skin, similar to what we know takes place with Crustaceans." It is evident that in Denny's quill the infestation had been long established — witness the two apertures. The hundreds of skins are easily under- stood when one remembers that the Harpy Eagle quills are larger than those of the Curlew, Avhile C. flavescens is a much smaller species than that of which I have been speaking. The fact that both parasites are at present placed in Colpoceplialum should not be over stressed, for that genus needs subdividing, and when that is done the two will certainly be apart. The note that the Harpy Eagle had been moulting badly, should be compared with what has been said above. As to what portion of the life-history of the parasite is passed in its retreat Denny is cautious. lie thinks it is used at least for the ecydses (c/. supra), but does not discuss the possibility of a longer part of the life-cycle being spent in this curious habitat. I am not aware of any subsequently published paper bearing on Denny's observations nor, after drawing the attention of various students of the Mallophaga to the passage quoted, have more recent instances of similar phenomena, been brought to my notice. During the past twelve years I have only once or twice found flight feathers of raptorial hosts tenanted by Colpocephalum. The habitat is not confined to parasites of Old World forms, for Mr. G. E. Bodkin, 17.V.1915, sent to the Imperial Bureau of Entomology, London, a feather of Bostrhamus sociahilis — a small Kite — from Turke3'en, British Guiana, affected in this way. Such cases are probably much commoner than the paucity of i-ecoixis might lead one to suppose, and it is much to be desired that the phenomena outlined above should have more atten- tion given to them, in order that their precise role in the life-history of the species may be properly understood. References. ' Yaurkll (W.). Proc. Zool. Soc. Loud., Uth Nov. 1837. ^ Denny (H.). Mouographia Anoplurorum Britanuiae, Lou Ion, 1842. '' PiAGET (E.). Tidj. V. Eut. xxxiii. 1888. British Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, Loudon, S.W, 7. September 1922. 248 [NoTember, DREPANOTHRIPS BEUTERI Uzel, AN ADDITION TO THE BRITISH FAUNA. BY EICIIAED S. BAGXALL,, F.R.S.E. F.L.S. I recently had a microscopic slide submitted to me with a mounted specimen o£ Oxj/thrips ericae (Hal.) and another species, very minute, transparent and difficult to see, which proved to be a male Drepano- tlirips. These were taken in oak leaf-rollings collected by Mr. E. E. Grreen at Camberley, Surrey, 3.vi.l920. Drepanoihrlps reiiteri Uzel. 1895 Mon. der Ordnung Thysanoptera, pp. 213-214, pi. vii, figs, 113-111. The length of the S (which is readily recognised by the pair of sickle-shaped prolongations of the ninth abdominal segment) is less than 0"5 mm. The chief characteristics of the genus are the 6-jointed antenna, which is without style, and the sickle-shaped chitinous pro- longations of the ninth abdoininal segment in the S mentioned above. Uzel does not describe the specialised chaetotaxy of the ninth abdominal tergite, which is an important structure in the S Thysano- pteron of the sub-order Terebrantia. It consists of a dorsal series of -D. reuteri Vz. — End of abdomen in (^ showing' chaetotaxy of tergite 9. six bristles arranged in an ii-regular arc and set on tubercles, the inner- most pair being the longest and the outermost the shortest, being but O'G the length of the innermost. Fulmek and Karny (Zeitsclir. f, Pilanzen- krankheiten, xxv (1915), pp. 393-398) describe the $ in detail, and show that the D. viticola of Mokrzecki is synonj^mous. It has been taken on vines in the Caucasus and Italy. 39, Eslingtou Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Sejitetnber 13th, 1922. 1922,] S^v Hypera mclrs F. and other Colroplera in a IvfcmcfM at Wickev.—Micr the close of the meeting of the British Association at Hall, I spent six days with my friend, Ih: J. E. Black, at Wicken, from September 14th to 20th. The weather, however, was unsatisfactory, and we had only one really fine day, September 18th. On the way to the Fen from the village was a small patch of lucerne in full flower, which was being mown ; a casual sweep by Mr. Black on the 16th produced a specimen of Hypera variabilis Ilbst., so on the afternoon of the 18th, while my friend was busy setting some of his captures, I decided to try my luck in this lucerne patch, and was much pleased with the result. I secured, with plenty of H. variabilis, three (Liter in the day Mr. Black captured another) specimens of a second species of the oenus, which turned out to be the rare H. meles F. I provisionally determined these specimens to be this species with the help of the description given by Canon Fowler in Vol. 5 of "Coleoptera of the British Islands"— we had the volume with us-and, on my return home, I confirmed this determination by comparing my specimens with the description given by Reitter m Vol. \ of the " Fauna Germanica," p. 104, and also by comparing them with a specimen of this species sent to me by Reitter some years ago ; the agreement was com- plete in all respects. Other species brought to light by my net were Aphthona euphorbiae Sc]iv. = virescens Foudr., of which I secured a series by constant sweepino-Canon Fowler records this species from Wicken Fen ; Fhyllotreta atra Pavk ; PsyUiodes cuprea Koch ; Balaninus glandium Marsh., m numbers, evidently blown off a row of oaks which bounded one edge of the lucerne patch; and several common species of 6V^o»c's in swarms-they filled the net after every sweep and made it difiicult to pick out the desirable captures. The thoracic and elytral scales of S. meles are quite distinctive ; Reitter considers it synonymous with trifolii Hbst., and he states that it is very common in Germany, the larvae feeding on Trifolium pratense.~T. Hudson Beare, 10 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh : October lit h, 1922. Pterostichus angusfatns Bufts., and Anchomenus quadripmictatus DeG., etc in Kent.— When searching for Coleoptera under the bark of a fallen beech near Westerham on Sept. 2Gth, I was surprised to find several specimens of Anchomenus A-punctatus. As the light was already failing, I did not investi- oate further than the beech, but on a subsequent occasion I made a thorough search of the adjacent ground, and found both A. i-punctatus and Pterostic/ms angnsiatus in some numbers. A good many pine-trees had been felled, and the tops piled in heaps and burnt ; the beetles were found among the charred remains and under stones and chips in the vicinity. A large tract of hr- wood was felled during the war, and the ground still shows signs of bavins been burnt, thus affording a good breeding-ground for these beetles Tlie pine stumps are riddled with the holes of Asemum slnatvm, and a sinole specimen of Criocephaius polonicus occurred on August 17th last. Another interesting species, Benoticus serratus, has also turned up this year, principally under the bark of partially burnt beeches, but I have also beaten several from young oaks, and taken one on the wing in my garden. Homaota ^Aleuonota) egregia (the third British example-the first was captui;ed at Caterham, Surrev, in 1873, and the second at Sheringham, Norfolk, in 1919), and H. elegantula, and Hylastes attenuatus (in plenty), have also been taken on the wiuo' here.— r. IIarwood, Westerham, Kent: October 1st, U'-J. '■^^^ [November, [The two Cnral)idao mentioned by Mr. TT.arAvood must he f^radnally spread- ing in our Southeru Counties and finding- their way in some mysterious manner to tlie charred pine-woods. The Anc/wmenus disappeared for many years from the Wokinp: district, but it again put in an appearance for a time when the conditions were once more favourable. It is almost certain that this will prove to be the case at Crowthorne, Berks. The AncJwmenus, unlike the Pterostichns, is extremely active and readily takes to wing, and is usually abundant where it occurs. Specimens of the latter are often broken or have one or more of the elytral striae abnormally formed.— G. C. C] LeistMs montanus Steph. in An■an.—^When collecting with Master Ro"-er Waterston during the month of August last at the moulh of a stream'at Catacol in the Island of Arran, we were fortunate enough to discover a few specimens of Leistns montanus. The beetles occurred under stones on a bank of shingle, which was only a few feet above sea-level and about 30 yards from high-tide mark— not a place wliere one would naturally expect to find this beautiful mountain species. As the bank of shingle had obviously been formed by repeated floods of the stream, I could only come to the conclusion that, at some tune or other, the insects had been carried down from the mountains whicli rise to a height of oyer 2000 feet in the area drained by the stream. When in Arran again during the montli of September, I made a more thorough investigation of the shingle banks at the month of the stream and for a short distance up its course, and I then found that the beetle was present in small numbers in most of the banks.- A. Fergusson, 22 Polwarth Gardens, Glasgow • October llth, 1922. ^ [Mr. Fergusson (Scottish Naturalist, 1919, p. (U) has recorded OchtheUus U^ohsi Muls. et r.ey froai the same locality. He tells me that Mr. Balfour JJrowne has found it in several of the Western Islands, and that the insect also occurs on the Ayrshire Coast. Specimens of this species were captured by myself at Looe, S. Cornwall, in Sept. last.— G. C. C] The Generic Name Calycella Blair (ro/eo;;to-«). -My attention has been drawn to the fact that the name Calycella, proposed by me for a genus of the Coleopterous family Mordellidae {ante, p. 222), has already been used in zoological nomenclature by Allnian for a genus of Hydrozoa Hydroidea (Ann &_Mag. Nat. IL*t. (3) xiii, 1864, p. 376). In this case, however, it was a misspelling (there is nothing to suggest an intentional correction !) of the generic name Calicella used by Ilincks in 1861 for the same Ilydroid, and the name does not appear in Scudder's " Nomenclator Zoologicus." and was consequently overlooked by me. That I should have overlooked the name in Its original form is a much more heinous offence on my part, for I need hardly say that had I been aware of the existence of Calicella I would never have perpetrated such an homophonous misdemeanour as Calycella. According to the rules of nomenclature such a name, though greatly to be deprecated, does not become absolutely invalid. We have, therefore, double grounds of objec- tion to the name Calycella (mihi), and it appears to me best to propose the alternative name Calycina for it, which will either sink at once into synonymy or be available as the major name by those who are unable to accept the validity of Its predecessor.-K. G. Blaib, British Museum (Natural History) • October IGih, 1922. ^^ 251 1922.) Butterfiy notes from O.xford.—X few immirrrant ColUis cdum were ol.- ^erved in the Oxford district durino: the spell of fine hot weather in late May and early June, and one of these, a c^, T .aw niyself at CothiU on May 30th. Its appearance at this time of year natnrally raised hopes of a plentiful August brood, but the gloomy and ungenial character of the weather from mid-June onwards certainly appeared most unsuitable to the requirements of this erratic butterflv. However, on Angust 14th the f.rst newly emerged specimen was spen by* me at Boar's Hill, Berks ; and the next morning I was much pleased to meet with it in fair numbers and in beautiful condition, in a rough tiowery field of no great extent near Ileadinpton, Oxon ; no fewer than sixteen species of butterflies were noted on this occasion in little more than an hour withm the limits of this field. For at least a month afterwards, specimens of C echmi were observed in all parts of the district, one or two being seen m the city itself. A hibernated example of Poh/r/oma c-album was found on the iron fence of the University Tark as early as March 15th, and several were brought to me from Bao-lev Wood in May, but I did not succeed in obtaimng ova from these. The summer brood first appeared on July 11th, but was by no means as plentiful as the succeeding generation, first noticed at Ileadmgtmi on August loth. The butterfly was reported as " quite common at Boar s Hill at the flowers of Bialdleia in late August, and it occasionally visited the attrac- tive blossoms of this shrub in my own small garden, whenever the sun shone lon^^ enough to allow it to fly. Yesterday (October loth) I boxed a perfectly fVeSi specimen, the first I had seen for several weeks, off the " Mid.aelmas daisies '' in the grounds of the University Museum. It would appear that t ns interesting butterfly, for the time being at any rate, is fully established in the Oxford district. In contrast with last year's experience, the second brood of Brunicia ;,/,/«.«.-a fairly numerous one, but by no means so abundant as m 19.1- presented no Jtriking n>odiHcations in coh:,ur or marking; the specimens, indeed, being hardly distinguishable from those of the early brood except by the more or less darkened costal margin of the 6, which appears to be a constant character in this generation. The only noteworthy aberra ions ob- served were a c? , taken by myself at Tubney on June 8th, in whichthe left fore wing is entirely silvery-white, the black spots and hind margin being only very faiiitly indicated ; and a very fresh $ (probably ot the thirdbrood) aken on September 27th near Cowley, Oxon, by Mr. A. H. Hamm, m which are combined the characters of -^h,. caeruleoprmctata btaud. and 5«W.«^« Tutt, with the addition of a conspicuous sprinkling of coppery scales above the blue spots, the whole giving a very pretty and unusual ocellated effect to the hind wings. The second brood of Celastrina anjiolus was much more plentiful than is usually the case, being almost as numerous as the spring emergence ; 1 saw a fresh-iooking example as late as September 6th. Blebeius teams has this year been notably scarce, and I regret to say that the sole and very restricted sta ion ofA^riades corydon in our district has been practically destroyed by close grazing.-JAMES J. Walker, Aorangi, Lonsdale Koad, Summertown, Oxford : October lQ>th, 1922. [November, The Ghost Swift Moth and the ^' JFill-o'-the. my,:'— The following remarJvs on this subject are extracted from ]\lr. K. G. JMair's presidential address read at the Annual Meeting of the "South London Entomological and Natural History Society " on January i>2nd last, and recently published in " Proceedings " of that Society for 1921-22, pp. 1 2-20. After quoling numerous conflicting published statements regarding the phenomenon known variously as "Will-o'-the-Wisp," " Jack-o-Lantern," "Ignis Fatuus," etc., the author concludes his account of it thus : " We have now considered the four principal phenomena that have been claimed as giving rise to the popular legend of the Will-o'-the-Wisp, but, ' as we have seen,' each of them is distinct in itself, and it is their confusion under one name that has caused the considerable di-ree of mystery that has become attached to it. The luminous owl is quite a simple phenomenon in itself, and, apart from its moving luminescence, has none of the features characteristic of the Ignis Fatuus. The dancing swarms of midges that have become luminous owing to pathological causes is a nearer approach to our ideal, though its motions are very different from those of the popular conception. We also see that the populir explanation of the mystery, viz. : — the spontaneous ignition of marsh-gas evolved from decaying or-anic' matter, though supported by definite scientific observations, relates not to the Will-o'- the-Wisp, but to a very different phenomenon that should be designated by a different name, such as 'Marsh Lights' or 'Marsh Fires.' , . .° That tlie Ghost^Swift Moth {d)ia the true source of the popular legend of the Wil!-o'- the-Wisp is, in my opinion, practically certain, since it is the onlt/ simple and natural solution of the luminous insect theory." On p. 17, Mr. Blair re- marks :-"Many lepidopterists when out dusking or later, on a June evening, have no doubt seen the appearance of a shining luminous object hovering in one spot for a time, then off to repeat the motions a few yards away, tlien' off again, and then disappearing altogether, only to appear again" L few moments later. You know it at once to be a male Ghost Swift Moth display- ing his attractions in the hope of finding a mate. But would the average countryman know it as such ? " Some naturalists have thought that the luminous insect must be the glovv-worm Zampyris twctihica (f^)', others that it is the mole-cricket {Gnjllotalpa vul,jans), but Mr. Blair considers that the evidence against this is overwhelming.— Lbs. Osmia leucomdana Kivby in Skroj^shire.— In May last, my boy, E. H. W Gardner, captured a $ of this bee on the west side ofRagleth Hill n'ear Church Stretton. ^^ This is the first time, according to Saunders' '"Hi/menop/era Aculeafa," that this uncommon species has been recorded so far north.— Wii.LouGKBY GardxXer, Began wy, N. Wales: September 24th, 1922. Note 071 Nomada hillana Kirbt/.—ln " Konowia," 1922, pp.1 13-124, 161-1 72, Herr E. Stiickhert has published very full descriptions of Nomada ochrostoma K.' and the allied German species, and has kindly sent me a copy of his paper. To the group as represented in Germany four species are assigned, guttulata Sell., bvaunsiana Schmled., hillana K. and ochrostoma K. The two first-named of these are distinguished by pronounced structural characters, yxdlulata beincr, in my opinion, a dubious member of the group, while bravmiana is easily diJ- tiuguished by the structure of its antennae. This species I have not seen,'but it 1022.] 253 is not likely to occur with us, being parnsitic on Andrcva prmde/Ici E, Saund. That the German species assigned to hillana K. is distinct from ochrostoma there appears to be no doubt, as the sculpture of the mesonotum and scutellum is diflerent, apart from other characters. It is said to be synonymous with N. vi/losa Thorns. Kirby's description of hillana, so far as it goes, appears to me to refer clearly to ochrostoma and not to rillosa Thorns. Kirby's type, a J , was smaller than his S ochrostoma, while Stockhert's hillana is said to be larger than the latter. Owing to great individual variability in size, and seeing that Jvirby saw only one c? of each species, possessing neither himself,* not much importance is to be attached to his measurements. In his description Kirby savs that the ventral abdominal segments of hillana are variegated with yellow bauds and spots, and that the legs are red, except certain specified parts — not inc-luiling llie tibiae — which are black or marked with black. The jellow markings of the abdomen are described as four lateral spots, two on each side, followed by three bands, of which the first two are interrupted. In species where the spots are larger he does not call these '' lateral." In these points Kirby's description of hillana appears to me to accord with British ochrostoma^ and of course the brevity of this does not allow much comparison with the detailed descriptions of Stiickhert, which in each case occupy several large pages of print. The host oi hillana Stockhert is n'^Y^xHwiXy Andrena lathyri Alil'., a species unknown in Britain, but one which I have specially sought in many localities and in many collections from the time when it was first de- scribed and Herr Alflcen furnished me with specimens, liill, in whose collection Kirby found the c? hillana — " a D. Hill Londinensi capta " — does not appear to have been a special collector of bees, as very few species are credited to him in the Monographia, and it would be remarkable it he collected a Nomada, never since found in England and known to be parasitic on an Andrena, like- wise unknown here. Though it would be a pleasure to add another Nomada to our limited list, I think that Kirby's hillana should not be accepted as such, and that the name villosa Thoms. should be applied to the species so carefully described by StiJckhert under the name hillana K. Incidentally I have re- examined a long series of a Nomada from Baden, Germany, collected by Mr. A. Koebele, in company with great numbers of Ayidrena lathyvi, no other Andrena on Avhicli this could be parasitic being found at the same time and place. I had referred these to N. ochrostoma, as a larger and darker form than ours, and I find that they are this species, and not Stockhert's hillana, as one u;iglit have expected. Herr Stockhert gives a list of various hosts for ochrostoma and the authority for these, but very positive evidence is needed before some of them can be accepted as correct. In this Magazine (Iyi8 p. 3G) I have shown that in England ochrostoma apparently restricts its parasitism to A. wilkella {xantliura) and leaves the closely allied afzeliella K. and similis Sm. immune. It would be strange if, under these circumstances, the hosts A, humilis and A.fucata, and still more so \i Halictus scabiosae, were correct. Various authors give A. lahialis as a host, but Smith's record I know to be wrong, as his (supposed) Ilampstead specimens of ochrostoma were (juttidata, the well-known parasite of A. cincjidata ! In Germany N. villosa Th. appears about a mouth ea,rlier in the season than N. ochrostoma. Any British * Kii'b3''s collection coutaiued females of oc/uros/of/ai, but these were considered by bim to be varieties of riijlcornis. 254 [NoTcmber; Ilymonopterist interested iu this group of Numnda would do well to procure Ilerr Stookbert'a very full account of these bees. — K. C. L. Pkbkins, Newtou Abbot : October oth, 1922. Abnormal abundatice of Typhhcyba ubni L. iyi Hyde Park. — Pedestrians, whether entomologists or otherwise, passing through Hyde Park between Alexandra Gate and The Magazine on the morning of October Oth, could scarcely fail to notice that the air appeared to be full of little, drifting, whitish specks. Some of these specks, alighting and resting for a moment on tlie writer's coat, were recognised as small Horaopterous insects, further specimens of which were subsequently identified by the writer's colleague, Mr. F. Laing, as imagines of Typlilocyba idmi L. — a Jassid bug which, in its larval stage, is parasitic on the leaves of the elm. Somewhat curiously, when seen in the air on the occasion mentioned, all the insects appeared to be moving against the wind, apparently drifting from the direction of Kensington Gardens towards the north-east, although a keen north-easterly current of air was making itself unpleasantly felt at the time ; the possibility that a local eddy in the air- current may have determined or influenced the direction of flight was, unfor- tunately, not investigated. Since October Oth, only isolated specimens of 7'. ulmi have been noticed by the writer on the wing in Hyde Park, although before 10 a.m. the resting insect has been observed in numbers on the trunks of various species of trees near the Serpentine, and especially in the crevices of the bark of the horse-chestnuts outside the railings of IMie Magazine. According to Mr. Laing, T. ulmi hibernates iu the adult state, so that the insect's activity at the present time may be stimulated by the necessity of tiuding suitable winter-quarters. That houses sometimes do dui^^ for the latter is not impossible ; at any rate, during the present week T. ulmi has been found in nutnbers on a window in a house about 150 yards or less from the south- western corner of Kensington Gardens. If any reader has observed Typhhcyba ulmi swarming on the wing elsewhere than in London, perhaps he will be good enough to place his observations on record. — E. E. Austen (Major), British Museum (Natural History) : October I2th, 1022. A Synonymical Note on Orthezia inaenariensis Douyl. (Coccidae). — Douglas in 1884 (Trans. Ent. Soc. Loud. p. 81) described Orthezia maenariensis from the Island of Montecristo. According to his description the species was peculiar in that the adult 2 ^''-d 9 segments to the antennae, and the adult (5 possessed three ocelli on the head. Acting on the supposition that the species possessed these characters (which, if true, would make them aber- lant for the Ortheziinae), MacGillivray in "The Coccidae " (1921) erected Douylariella (surely a misprint for Douglasiella) with maenai-toisis as type. At the suggestion of Mr. Harold Morrison, U.S. Bureau of Entomology, I have examined Douglas's types. These were still contained iu mica cells as Douglas received them from Lichtenstein. As no details could be made out through the mica, the specimens have been remounted on slides. The 2 instead of iiaving 9-segmented antennae, as Douglas described, has one 7-seyuieuted and the other 8, while the J has but the two normal, lateral ocelli. Lindinger had already (" Die Schildlause," 1012) suggested that O. muenariensis was synonymical with O. nrticae L., and, except for its slightly snuiller sii?e, I can u>22,] 255 find nothing by which to separate the two species. The marsupium in the type 5 was practically destroyed, so that it was not possible to check Douglas's remarks regarding it, but in the meantime I think we are justified in regarding O. maenarieyisis as a synonym of O. tiHicae L. and sinking MacGillivray's Douglariella to Orthezia Bosc. — F. Laing, British Museum (Natural History) : October lOth, 1922. Aleyrodidae : correction of generic nomenclature. — Messrs. Quaintance and Baker in their "Classification of the Aleyrodidae," Part ii (U.S. Dept. Agr., ]Jur. Ent., Techn. Ser. 27, pt. ii, 1914), assigned Aleurodes vaporariorum Westw., as the type species of Asterochiton Mask., while they erected the genus Dialeitrodoides with Aleurodes attreus Mask, as the type. In the " Con- tents and Index " to the Classification, published in 1915, the authors, in the corrigenda, p. xi, point out that Cockerell had in 1902 designated aureus Mask, as the type of Asterochiton Mask., and cited penjandei Quaint, as the type of his sub-genus Trialeurodet>. A. pergandei is congeneric with vapor- ariorum Westw. The synonym stands, therefore, as follows : — Asterochiton (Mask.) Ckll., type aureus Mask. DiALEUKODOiDES Quaint. & Baker, type aureus Mask. Trialeurodes Ckll., type perga7idei Quaint. Asterochiton Quaint. & Baker, type vaporariorum Westw. I bad not seen the " Contents and Index" section (we do not seem to have a copy in the library here, and there is no mention of it in the "Zoological Record"), and it was not until Dr. A. S. Neave showed it to me that I was aware of its existence. As I have followed Quaintance & Baker's nomencla- ture and spread the mistake, I take this opportunity of pointing out to English Entomologists the necessary change. — F. Laing, British Museum (Natural History) : October IQth, 1922. Localities for Kotonecta halophila J. Edxo. — During the last few weeks Miss J. Barrington and Mr. J. Omer Cooper have kindly Bent me several specimens of this species. Miss Barringtou's specimens are fruui three localities near Bridgwater, Somerset, all at some distance from tlie sea. Mr. Omer Cooper's are from Little Sea, Studland, Dorset, and New Milton, Hants. I believe other collectors have taken the species in the latter county frequently. I have also one specimen taken at Madingley, near Cambridge, in a pond where N. ylauca is common. — G. E. Hutchinson, Aysthorpe, Newton lload, Cambridge : October 10th, 1922. Billaea irrorata Alg. in Britain. — In Major Austen's interesting note upon new British Tachinidae in pp. 182 and 188 of the present volume of this Magazine is a record of the occurrence of this species in various localities in this country in the years 1921 and 1922. I took a single female on August 19th, 1898. It was not identified by me until 1909, since when, however, it has been in my collection over its correct name. It was taken iu Kan Dan Woods, in Worcestershije. — Colbhan J. Wainwright, Daylesford, Haudsworth Wood, Birmingham : October l^th, 1922, 250 [NoTember, The South London Entomological and Natural History Society : August 10th, 1922.— The President iu the Chair, Mr. D. W. Seth-Smith, 84 Ekworthj^ Road, was elected a member. Mr. R. Adkin exhibited a series of Ardia inllica reared from larvae piclced lip on Eastbourne Parade ; they were common this year, whereas larvae of A. cqja were nuusually scarce. Mr. Tonge, a bred specimen of Maleriydris stdicata from Langridge Fell. Mr. Prideaux, aberrations of Mumicia iMaeas from Kent, and k remarkable aberration of Mesoleuca alhicillata, bred, from Blasted. Major Gillett, a unique black-banded form oi Agrotis corticea, a verv li;iht cJ and a dark 5 of A. cinerea, and aberrations of ^. exclamationis, all taken in his light trap. Mr. Bunnett, larva and imago of Ledra anrita (Ilemipt. Homopt.) and Centrotus conmius from Box Hill, with tlie scarce beetles Agrclus sinnatus and Rhinomacer attelaboides. Dr. Robertson, Lepi- doptera taken by him at Grindelwald in July, Pieris napi, var. hyoniae, Albulina pheretes, Acidalia iinmorata, Zijgaena achiUeae, Crcanbus niyellus, etc. Mr. Hy. J. Turner, species of the S. American genus Automei-is mostly sent by his friend Mr. Lindeman, and read notes on the distribution and charac- teristics. Messrs. Tonge, flamm, and Carr reported the abundance of A. villica larvae, the scarcity of A. eajn, and the occurrence of Polygonia c-alh^im near and iu Oxford, and fresh Colias croceus (edusa) respectively. Augiist 24/A, 1922.— Mr. E. Step, F.L.S., in the Chair. Mr. Barnett exhibited series of two forms of the female o£ Breni/iis sclene from S. Devon. Mr. Witliycombe, the larva of Limacodes testudo beaten from oak at Oxsliott with the Hemipteron Acanthosoma intcrstincfum. Mr. Sims, examples of the large earwig Lahidnra riixu'ia, and referred to its burrowing liabits ; he had seen a fly carried in the forceps. Mr. Turner, exotic species of " whites," Pieridae, to show the extreme development of brilliant coloration witli total or almost total suppression of the white coloration on both surfaces. Mr. Robert Adkin, pupae of PapiKo machaon, 3 spun up on a carrot-leaf, ou the glass of the food-bottle, and on a dark stick amid the food, respectively, were pale yellowish greoi ; 7 spun up on dark sticks leaning against the cage away from the food-plant were putty-coloured witli broad black stripes along the sides and wing-cases black, giving them a very dark appearance. Scptemler lith, 1922.— The President in the Chair. Exhibition of Orders other than Lepidoptera. — Mr. R. Adkin exhibited a large female of Sirex gigas from Eastbourne, 70 mm. in expanse. Mr. W. J. Lucas, Oiihoptera: a brown form of Mantis religiosa from Spain, 1911; Neuropteva : specimens of Palpares libelluloides from Sierra de Carbonera and Algeciras, Spain, 1911-12; Nemoptera bipennis from S. de Carbonera, N. coa from Corinth, and N. sinuata from Macedonia and Syria ; Hymenoptera : two specimens of the rare Metlioca icJmeuvwjiides taken by himself in the New Forest, one on Aug. 27th of this year. Mr. H. W. Andrews, Diptera : iJiodna oclandica, found after many years search near Farningham, Kent; Cdtabonba 1322.] 257 pyrastri, a 2 var. umcolor, from Slioreliam, T\ ent ; Urophora cardui, bred from tbistle-galls, and its hyraeuopteroiis parasites, also from Slioreliam. Mr. Ily. J. Turner, the curious " tlue-brusli " beetle, llhina barbirostris {Cureulionidue), from Brazil. Mr. F. J. Coulsou, var. infuscata of X]/loph(ma monofihjplui, Aug. 22ud at Wimbledon Common, and a blackish speckled form of Boaimiu ijeimnaria bred from ova from St. Leonards-on-Sea, with normal forms, and var. perfumaria from Wandsworth. Mr. 0. L. Withycombe, Orthopjtera : Empusa egena and Oedipoda (jermanica from S. France ; Psophus stridulus from the Pyrenees ; and a Mantid from the Straits Settlements with short prothorax and ill-developed fore legs. Mr. Enefer, Coleoptera : Trichodes apiarius, Strcm- (pdia quadrifasciata, both on cow-parsley; Liparus yermanus and a Longicorn, both on pine-logs ; and a living Carabus nuratus — all from Miirren, Switzer- land. Mr. Cheeseman, a striated Pulyovimatus icarus. Mr. B. S. William^, Coleoptera from Harpenden: Panacjaeus A-jmstulattis, Cassida hemisphaerica^ StiUcus suhtilis, Mef/arfhrusdentico/liSf Antherophap\adrate, the elytra elongate, and the legs slender. Pseiidoccraflielps superljvs. Psevdocpvaplielcs S)iperh7isV\G, L'Echange, xxx, p. 1.3',( cT ) (1914). II ah. Himalaya {type of Pic^, Chamba {ex coll. II. P. Andrewes). A 5 taken at Chamba agrees with the description of this species, except in its smaller size, length 3^, instead of 4 mm. A shining, siib- glabrous, rufo-testaceous insect, with the head (except along the anterior margin), a transverse basal fascia on the elytra and a broader one towards the apex (divided at the suture), the posterior femora in part, and the metasternum and abdomen, greenish-black. P.^e/idoceirqjlicles rosti. Pseudoceraplieles rosti V\c, L'Echange, xxx, j). 15 ( c? $ ) (1914). J*. Elimgnte, nariow, very shining-, almost glabrous; brilliant bhiish g-recn, the ehtra violaceous, tlie front of the bead, the palpi, the anteiuial joints 1-4 beneath, the edges of the prothorax, the knees, apices of the tibiae, and the tarsi testaceous, tlie rest of the legs and antennae infuscate or black; tlis head and prothorax almost smooth, the elytra very sparsely-, finely punctate. Jlead broader than the prothorax, bi-impressed in front, the eyes prominent; antennae very long, joints 3 and 4 triangular, 5-11 elongate, 5-10 each pro- duced at the apex into a long tooth. Prothorax convex, subquadrate. Elvtra elongate, slightly widened posteriorly, parallel at the base, and there not wider than the head; the apices conjointly rounded, and with a small, common, transverse, excavatinn crossing the suture just before the tip. Legs very long, slender ; anterior tarsi simple, 5-joiuted ; posterior tibiae slightly bowed inwards beyond tlie middle. Lensi'th 3 mm. 3322.] 2(51 Hah. Simla (//. Clnj^pmdalc : v.lOOi)), Falaoii, TTinialava (fi/j^c of Fie). A c5" from Simla, from Mr. Andrewes' collection, is probably refer- able to P. rosti. The small excavation at the apex of the S elytra is not mentioned by Pie, The apical joint of the maxillarj' pal})i is small and fusiform, the genus differing in this respect from Ceraplieles. PseudocerftpJieles lonffijJeniiis, n. sp. $. Elongate, sLiiiiiii;-, very finely, sparsely pubescent; black with n brassy or metallic green lustre, the antennae (the iiifuseate tip of joint 11 excepted), palpi, anterior portion of liead, the sides of the protborax broadly, a sbarply- angulate ante-mediau fascia on the elytra, connected along the suture with an apical patch and extending forward along the outer margin to the base (leaving a large triangular mark at the base, and a more elongate piriform space towards the spex, of the gieenish ground-colour), and the legs (a broad black annulus on the posterior femora excepted) testaceous; the head and pro- thorax very sparsely, minutely punctate, the elytra rugulose and sparsely punctulate. Head transversely bi-impressed in front, about as wide as the prothortix; antennae slender, moderately long, joints 6-10 subtriangular, longer than broad. Prothorax subquadrate, depressed on each side before the base. Elytra very long, at the base subparallel and about as broad as the pro- thorax, gradually widening from the middle onward, rounded at the tip. Legs long ; posterior tibiae bowed inward in iheir outer half. T'ar. The metallic green portions of each elytron coalescent, leaving a mesially-widened sutural streak and the outer margin to near the middle testaceous. Length (to tip of elytra) Q^ mm. Hab. Sunderdhunga Valley, W. Alraora and Ranikhet Divisions of Kumaon, alt. 5000-8000 ft. (11. G. C. : v, vi.1919, vi.l920). Three females, varying in the development of the elytral markings. Near P. sujJerbus Pic ; the prothorax broadly vittate down the middle ; the elytra more elongate, and with the metallic portions nearly or quite- coalescent on the disc. Found by beating blossom of Si/nqjlocos cratae- (joides. Hedybtus Er. Three additional Indian species are referred to this genus, two of whicdi are re])resented by $ 2 only in the material before me. Iledi/hlus hipcniciUaius, n. sp. o. Elongate, suhparallel-sided, shining, clothed with fine pubescence intermixed with long, scattered, ei'ect or projecting hairs, these latter conspicuous on the tibiae ; black, the iotra-ocular and anterior maigins of the head and the mandibles (except at the tip) flavous, the auteunal joints 1-3 (a 2(52 [NnvmlM-r, slronlc ti.l)nv(! <>xco])1o(l), pal])! (tlio tips oxcopfod), protliorax, anteritir coxao, niiteriov femora beneath, and anterior tarsi in part, testaceous, tlio (ilylra cyaneoii.s; tlie Iiead and protlujrax closely, niimitely punctate, the elytra densely, finely punctured, with scattered lar}>er piincturos intermixed. Head nearly as wide as the protliorax, transversely excavate between the eyes, and with a lat»!ri),lly-coniprcssod dentiform ])rominenco in the centre of the cavity in ironi, on either aide of which is a porrect pencil of matted hairs; eyes rather prominent; anteiinati comparatively stout, moderately lon^r, joints 5-10 triani^nilar, much lonpcn- than broad. Protliorax transverse, convex, rounded at the sides. J<]lytra long, at the base very little liroader than the prothorMX, wid(!iiiiig' posteriorly. Leg's long:; anterior tarsi with joints 1 and 2 tliicK('ii<'. (cr;//r^r, 15)21 , ]i. 110). Hie IVoiital excavation of tlir J transverse, sniallcr, and shallower, llio antennae suliserrate, tlie jiroihorax testaceous, and the sides and anterior margin of tlie head llavous. 1 fed If hi IIS (P) iiii/roplai/ialiis, n. sp. 9- I'lloiigiite, shining, finely pubescent; llavo-testaceous, the head with a broaii (ibliiine |)iitcli on ea(;h side behind (the testiici'oiis portion extendinp^ Iriaiignliirly buck ward in the centre), eyes, outer half of the antennae, seutellum, an elongate hroad streak on the disc of each elytron beyond the middle, the inoso- and metasterniim, and wiiig-s infuscate or black ; sparsely, iniiiiit-(dy punetate, the elytra somewhtit rugidose and with tlie puncturing a lil I le sti'oiiger, I lead nearly as wiile as tlit' ])rotIiorax, bil'oveale between the rather iiroiiiineiit eyes, the clyjieus also prominent; antennae iiuideralt'ly long, serrat(!. I'rotl.orix cinivox, transverse, rounded at the sides, hollowed within the basal margin. I'ilytra at the base a little broader than the protliorax, gradiiiilly widened posteriorly, flattened on the disc, the apical margins rouiuled, hM,\iiig the last tw'O alnloiiiimd segments exposetl. Legs not very slouder; jtosterior tibiae curved. Length (to tip of elytra), .'5 mm. //. lliiisar. Minora Distriet, Kuiikdii, alt. I'.tlO ft. ( //. G. C. : iii.li)!'.)). One speeimeii, taken on tlu' wing. In llie ahsenee oF the cT , fids species cannot be loeatetl with I'crtaintv. 'I he broad, liifovcate head is .suggestive of l/rdi/Ziiiis, rather tiiaii J'J/kiciis. The geiu'val I'oloratioii is unusual. Jtlalns doitcccli i*ic (1008), from Cliambaganor, the two si'xes of wliieli are known, may be an allied form ; it is described as baving a nigro-vittafe protliorax and wholly jKillid elytra, with strong, seatti'i'cd, invgular uunet nation. 1922.] 2G3 ITedi/liua (?) cJ/ifrnlrnfiift, n. sp, 9. Elongate, rather broad, shining, somewhat thickly clothed with erect bristly hairs intermixed with fine scattered pallid pubescence; fiavous, tlio head with an oblique patch on each side behind (the yellow portion extending triangularly backward in the centre), eyes, a broad oblong jiatch on the disc of the protiiorax, scutelluin, two large patches on each elytron — one basal, some- what rounded, the other broader, transverse, subapical, neither reaching the euture nor outer margin, — the abdomen above, and metasternum, black or nigro- piceous, the legs and antennae testaceous, the latter with the tips of the outer joints slightly infuscate ; the entire upper surface sparsely punctulale. Ileud broad, narrower than the prothorax, flattened anteriorly, the clypeus and eyes both prominent ; antennae rather short, joints 5 and G sharply triangular, 7-11 each produced into a rather long tooth. J'rothorax transverse, convex, rounded at the sides, narrowed behind, the margins hollowed towards the base. b]lytra broader than the prothorax, moderately long, widened posteriorly, rounded at the tip. Legs hairy ; posterior tibiae scarcely curved. Length 3^ mm. Ilab. Chitral (E. Hill, in Mus. Brit.). One 2 , received in 1910. Broader and larger than II. ni(jro- flacjiatus, the txpper surface setose, the ])rotliorax vittate down the middle, and the elytra each Avitli two largo blackish patches, the outer joints of the antennae shar])ly dentate. The d probably has these organs pectinate. Ebaeus Er. Ehaeus sqiiamifer, n. sp. cJ. Moderately elongate, much widened posteriorly, shining, clotlied with cinereous pubescence abundantly intermixed with long, erect, blackish hairs, which are also conspicuous on the tibiae, the apices of the elytra closely set Avith very small, oval, golden scales ; green or bluish-green, the head and pro- thorax somewhat brassy, the antennae (the testaceous lower surface of the basal joints excepted) and legs (the testaceous thickened basal joints of the anterior tarsi excepted) piceous or black ; the head and prothorax very sparsely, finel}', the elytra densely rugulosely punctate. Head nearly as wide as the prothorax, obsoletely bi-impressed anteriorly; antennae long, pectinate from joint 5 onward, 2 extremely short, transverse, 3 triangular, 4 dentate within. Prothorax convex, transverse, rounded at the sides, narrowed behind, narrowly margined at the base. Elytra moderately long, at the base a little wider than the prothorax, and rapidly widened thence to the broadly rounded apex ; the fcUtural region depressed posteriori}', and with a narrow, deep, transverse groove before the tip. Pygidium notched at the apex. Anterior tarsi with joints 1 and 2 stout, 2 nigro-pectiuate and claw-like at the tip, extending over the base of 3 above. 2 . Antennae serrate ; elytra simple, not squamose towards the tip ; anterior tarsi simple; pvgidium entire. Length 2^-3 nun. '264 [November, Hah. Maiiijnu", S. India {Doherty, ex coll. Fry). Three S 6 , one 5 • Separable from the similarly-coloured Indian Jlapalocliri hy the distinctly 11-jointed antennae and the deeply, trans- "versely sulcate apices of the elytra in the cJ • The presence of scales on the apical portion of the latter in this sex is a very unusual character amongst the Malachiids, and unique so far as I am aware. Ehaeus fenuicornis, n. sp. c? . Elongate, narrow, gradually wadened posteridrly, sliininjr, finely pubescent ; black witli a faint metallic lustre, the protliorax testaceous, broadly'- infuscate ou the disc (this being partly due to transparency, the base of the head, etc., showing throuah the chitin), the elytra each with a small pallid subapical spot, the antennae (the testaceous lower surface of joints ] and 2 •excepted), femora and tibiae piceous, the tarsi testaceous; the head and pro- thorax ahnost smooth, the elytra closely, very minutely punctate. Head narrower than the prothorax, trapezoidally depressed anteriorly ; antennae about as long as the bod_y, slender, tiliforra. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides, convex. Elytra long, broader than the prothorax, widening to near the tip and then abruptly narrowed ; with a common, narrow, deep transverse sulcus before the apex, the apical margin tumid, sinuato-trnncate, and sub- bituberculate as seen from above. Legs long and slender; anterior tarsal joint 2 with a claw-like prolongation extending over the base of 3. 5 . Antennae more slender and much shorter ; head similarly hollowed anteriorly ; elytra immaculate, more widened posteriorly, the apex of each bluntly rounded and bifoveate ; legs shorter, the posterior tibiae curved. Length 21 mm. Hah. Dudhatoli, Garhwal, U.P., alt. 10,000 ft. {H. G. C. : vi. 1920j. One })air, found on flowers of Clematis montana. An isolated form, referred to Ehaeus, rather than to Attains, on account of the trans- versely furrowed, tumid, truncate apices of the elytra in d . The incompletely-diagnosed E. madrasensis Pic (lOlO), ty])e $, has short, hroad elytra and a prominent pygidium : the colour of the body is not mentioned (r' black), and the length giv^en is 2 mm. HrPEBAEUs Kies. Hypehaeus caveniosus, n. sp. S . Elongate, rather broad, shining, finely pubescent ; the head, scutellum, meso- and metasternum, terminal segment of abdomen, and a spot at the apices of the posterior femora black, the labrum, antennae (the infuscate outer joints excepted), and the rest of the legs and abdomen, test.aceous ; the elytra violaceous, with a narrow, outwardly-widened, submedian fascia and the ear- like apical appendages testaceous ; the head and prothorax almost smooth, the I Great Reduction in Prices. PARIMF1Q Hardwood, finished rich Mahogany, Panelled Doors and Sides. UADIIICIO. Drawers 17 X 16x 2|". Lined Cork or Peat. 40-Dr., 12/6 l>i-awer; 20-1 )r., 13/6 Drawer. STORE BOXES, '^;^t ""' "sT "^' '^"• COMPO CORK SHEETS, ^^^,;ri: ,d s^et G. A. BENTALL, 392 STRAND, LONDON, W.C. 2, REVISED PRICES FOR BACK VOLUMES. J.ST Sehies, lS(i4-lS89. — i'arts, 3/6 net each ; Volumes, 25/- net, •Vols. 1 to 25. bound 3/6 extra. These can be obtained in many cases in complete Volumes. 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Hudson Beare, B.Sc, F.R.8.E 249 ' Pterostichus ang-ustatus Diifts., and Anchomenus quadripunctatus De G.J|etc. in Kent.— P. Harwood, F.E.S i 249 V Leistus montanus Steph. in Arran. — A. Fergnsson, F.E.S 250 V The Generic Name Calycella Blair (Coleoptera).— Z. 6?. Blair, B.Sc, F.E.S. ... 250 /Butterfly notes from Oxford.— J. J. Waller, M.A., R.N., F.L.S 251 V The Ghost Swift Moth and the " Will-o'-the-Wisp.' '—Eds 252 VOsmia leucomelana Kirby in Shropshire. --TFiKoHj/ibi/ Gardner, F.L.S 252 vTSTote on Nomada hillana Kirby. — R. C. L. Perlins, M.A., D.Sc, F.R.S 252 V Abnormal abundance of Typhlocyba ulmi L. in Hyde Park. — Major E. E. Austen 254 A Synonymical Note on Orthezia maenariensis Dougl. (Coccidae). — 7'^. Laing, F.E.S 254 Aleyrodidse : correction of generic nomenclature. — Id 255 Localities for Notonecta halophila J. Edw. — G. E. Hutchinson 255 Billaea irrorata Mg. in Britain. — 0. J. 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Subscriptions for 1923, "which are payable in advance, are now- due and should be remitted as soon as possible to N. LLOYD &, Co., Ltd., Burr ell Street Works, Blackfriars, London, S.E 1. SCALE OF CHARGED FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. Whole Page £6. Half Page £3 3s Quarter Page £1 14s. Lowest charge, 10s. 6d. up to 5 lines; Is. 6d. per line afterw^ards. Repeated or continuous Advertisements per contract. There is no charge for Lists of Duplicates or Desiderata. All payments and applications for the above should be made to N. LLOYD Si, Co., Ltd., Burrell Street Works, Blackfriars, London, S.E. 1. AUTHORS are requested to send their communications and proofs to either J. J. Walker, Aorang-i, Lonsdale Road, Summertown, Oxford ; or G. C. Champion, Broomhall Road, Horsell. Woking-. MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, 41 Queen's Gate, S.W. 7 '(nearest stations : South Kensington and Gloucester Road). — Dec. Gth, 1922, Jan. 17th, 1923 (Annual Meeting), at 8 p.m. The Library is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except on Saturdays, when it is closed at 2 p.m.), and until 10 p.m. on Meeting- nig-hts. THE SOUTH LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Hibernia Chambers, London Bridge. The Second & Fourth Thursdays in each month, at 7 p.m. The lantern will be at the disposal of Members for the ■exhibition of slides. THE LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, now meets in Hall 40, Winchester House, Old Broad Street, E.C. 2, on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the •month at 6.30 p.m. General meetings 1st Tuesdays. Sectional meetings 3rd Tuesdays. (No meetings in July or August indoors, but field excursions instead.) Hon. Sec. -. W. E. Glegg, The House, Albion Brewery, Whitechapel Road, E. 1. Chinrjford Branch. The Chingford Local Branch meets at the Avenue Cafe, opposite Chingford Station, at 8 p.m., on the 2nd Monday in each month. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT. — This Society has developed from the Southampton and District Entomo- logical Society. Meetings are held on the First Saturday afternoon of each month at Southampton, and other meetings will be arranged in important centres in the county from time to time. Activities being undertaken at the present time include the formation of a library, of collections of insects, and the compilation of a county insect fauna list. Will keen entomologists in the county who are interested please communicate with the Hon. Sec, F. J. Killington, 1 St. Catherine's Ro.ad. Eastleigh, Hants. 1922.] 265 elytra, closel}', rather strongly punctured. Head narrower than the protliorax, bi-impressed in front ; antennae long-, slender. Protliorax transverse, rounded at the sides. Elytra broader than the protliorax, widened posteriorly, flattened on the disc, sharply carinate laterally from below the shoulder to near the apex ; the apices produced into a large, posteriorly-truncate, externally smooth and convex, cavernous, ear-like appendage, and with a long, erect, hammer- shaped process arising from the inner margin of the cavity. Terminal segment of abdomen bilobate. Legs long; anterior tarsi 5-jointed, simple j posterior tibiae slightly curved. Length 3 mm. Hal). Mussoorie, U.P. {ex coll. Fry). One specimen, injured by pinning. Near H. ci/aneonotatus Pic * ; the elytral appendages of 6 testaceous, mvieli larger, cavernous, differently shaped, and furnished with a long, apically-dilated, erect pro- cess on the inner margin ; the posterior femora black at the tip only. H. {Ebaeits) carinatipennis Pic (1905) and H. {Attains) carinatifer Pic (1919) are allied forms. Hypehaeus carinatifer. 2 . Attains carinatifer Pic, Melanges exot.-entom. xxx, p. 16 (1919). Hypehaeus auritus Champ. Ent. Mo. Mag. 1921, p. 73 ( c5' ? ). Pic's description was overlooked by me last 3'ear. The species also occurs in the Kangra Valley. The type of A. carinatifer was from " Indes." Hypehaeus alhocinctns, n. sp. 2 . Elongate, much widened posteriorly, shining, finely pubescent ; the antennal joints 5-1], head, scutellum, meso- and metasteruum, legs (the testaceous knees and apices of the tibiae excepted), and terminal segment of abdomen, black or piceous, the labrum, prothorax, and the rest of the antennae and abdomen testaceous ; the elytra cyaueous, each with a slightly curved, complete, sharply-defined, white median fascia, extending for a short distance down the suture posteriorly ; the head and prothorax almost smooth, the elytra closely, rather strongly punctured. Head comparatively small, without definite impressions; antennae moderately long, joints 5-11 much longer than broad, 1 elongate. Prothorax transverse, convex, rounded at the sides. Elytra much broader than the prothorax, rapidly widening to the apex, Ctarinate laterally from a little below the shoulder to beyond the middle, the apices rounded. Legs long ; posterior tibiae sinuously curved, produced into a stout, blunt spur at the apex. Length (to tip of elytra) 3! mm. Hab. Manipur, S. India {Dolierty, ex coll. Fry). * Females of this species have been captured in the Tista Valley by Mr. II. Stevens. o(ifi [December, One specimen. Near IT. c^auconofafifs Pic and II. aiiriius Clianip. (^■=carinatifer Pic, type 5 ) ; the cyaneous coloration of the elytra n)ore extended, leaving a curved median fascia only white, the elytra them- selves more convex in their apical half and the inner fold on the disc wanting ; the head and prothorax smaller ; the legs in great part black. Hijpehaeits cJavaftis, n. sp. J, Elongate, finely pubescent, shining; testaceous, the head (the whitish anterior portion, which extends nngulaily baclnvard on each side near tlie eyes, excepted), the apices of the antennae, a common basal fascia and a very large rounded subapical patch on the elytra (extending to the outer margin but not reaching the suture), the bases of the posterior femora, meso- and meta- sternum, and apex of abdomen, black ; the head and prothorax almost smooth, the elytra closely, finely punctured to near the tip. Head (tig. 3) much narrower than the prothorax, transversely, triangularly depressed between the eyes and bi-impressed iu front ; antennae (Bg. 3) long, stout, joints 3-8 tri- angular, 9-11 widened, 9 subtriangular, much longer than 8, 10 transverse, 11 very stout, constrictfid at tlie middle and dentate within. Prothorax trans- verse, convex, rounded at the sides. Elytra a little wider than the prothorax, long, subparallel to about the middle, and arcuately narrowing thence to the apex, subcarinate in their basal half from the humeri downward and depressed along the suture anteriorly, the apices simple. Legs long ; anterior tarsi 5-jointed, simple ; posterior tibiae sinuately curved, slightly produced at the tip. Terminal ventral segment with two curved forcipiform processes. Length 3| mm. Ilah. Nainital, Knmaon, alt. 7000 ft. (II. G. C: vi.l921). One male, attracted to light. Near II. cyaneonotatus Pic, tlie antennae long, stout, with joints 9-11 widened and 11 distorted, the head whitish in front and black at the base, the elytra subcarinate laterally and not excavate at the ajjex. The simple anterior tarsi separates II. clavahis from Ehaeus and Attains. The S -development in this insect is transferred to the apical joints of the antennae. The white face is common to males of other species of Hypehaeus and the simple elytra to II. spinicornis. There is a Mulachius clavicornis Peyr. with somewhat similar antennae in 6 • Hypehacus nncatus. Ilypelaeus nncatus Champ. Ent. Mo. Mag. 1921, p. 77. Additional § $ of this species or of a closely allied form have since come to hand, including one from W. Almora with a complete, elongate- oval, black annulus on each elytron below the common cordifoim scutcUar 1922.] 267 patch.* Till the d d have heen found, these $ $ are best treated as vars. of //. uiicatiis. Altai us annulifer Pic (1907), tj'pe from Murree, presumably $ , must be nearly rehited to the present species. Sypehaeus triaiigidaris, n. sp. S . Elongate, narrow, widened posteriorly, shining-, very sparsely, finely pubescent; pale testaceous, the head whitish in front, a spot on the latter at the base, eyes, aiitennal joints 5-10, scutellum, a common transverse basal patch on the elytra and a large oblique patch on each of them near the tip not reaching the suture), and the apex of the nietasternuni, black or piceuus ; the head and prothorax almost smooth, the elytra sparselv, minutely punctate. Head large, rhomboidal, as long as broad, rapidly, obliquely narrowed behind the ej'es, the latter prominent ; antennae long, slender. Prothorax transverse, convex, rounded at the sides. Elytra long, broader than the prothorax, sub- arcuately dilated posteriorly, the apices somewhat produced and dehiscent at the sutural angle; with a common, deep triangular (A-shaped) subapical excavation, from the centre of which an erect, curved, black, setifonn process arises from near the suture of each wing-case, this being followed by a shorter, blunt, pallid appendage, the apical margin thickened. Legs very slender, long ; anterior tarsi simple ; posterior tibiae slightly bowed towards the apex. Length 2^ mm. Rah. W. Bhatkot in Kumaon, alt. 4000 ft. (if. G. O. : v.1920). One male, found on blossom of Crafaegns cremilata. Very like H. uncatus and H. aJumhratus Champ., 6 , but separable from both of them by nigro-maculate, longer, rapidly narrowed basal portion of the head ; the posteriorly- widened, differently shaped apical portion of the elytra ; and the entirely testaceous legs. In the c? of H. adumlratus the apex of the triangular subapical excavation is directed backward, while in the present species it is directed forward. Mypehueus naiuiensis, n. sp. 5. Elongate, much widened posteriorly, shining, finely pubescent; black, the palpi, antennae, prothorax, an outwardly-dilated ante-median fuscia on the elytra extending down the suture to the apex and there triangularly widened (leaving a common basal fascia and a very large rounded-subquadrate subapical patch on each elytron extending from near the suture to the outer margin black), anterior and intermediate legs (the bases of the femora excepted), the base and apex of the posterior tibiae, and the posterior tarsi, testaceous or flavous; the head and prothorax almost t-mooth, the elytra densely, finely, con- spicuously punctate. Head rather small, rhomboidal ; antennae long, slender. Prothorax a little wider than the head, broader than long, rounded at the sides. Elytra long, much wider than the prothorax, rapidly widened to near the * A 9 fi'om the Kangra Valley, Punjab (Dtidgeon), Tery like typical R. uncatus, wilh a black head and unarmed posterior tibias, is probably referable to jEf. spmicornis. 2a2 0/«Q [December, apex. Legs long, slender ; posterior tibiae slightly curved and sinuate towards the apex, the apices not produced. Length 2^-3 mm. Rah. Nainital, Kumaon, alt. 7000 ft. {H. G. G. : ix.1918). Seven § $. Larger than H. tricjuitatus Champ. (1921), type $, from the N. W. HimaWa, tlie black markings on the elytra more extended, the posterior tibiae less bowed. The Himalayan Attains kuluensis Pic (1910) seems to be somewhat similarly coloured. The closely punctm-ed el^'tra, darker legs, and mucli larger size sej^arate II. nainiensis from the $ of II. sjiinicornis. Hypehaeiis stevensi, n. sp. J. Moderately elongate, much widened posteriorh', shining, very finely pubescent ; black, the prothorax reddish-yellow, the elytra with an oulwardl}'- wadened transverse fascia beh)w the base (not reaching the suture), and a common triangular sutural patch before the apex, white; the basal joints of the antennae, the knees, tarsi, and apices of the tibiae testaceous, the rest of the antennae infuscate ; the head and prothorax almost sniDoth, the elytra closely, extremely finely punctate. Head (as seen extended) rhomboidal, narrower than the prothorax, broadly subtritmgularly depressed in the middle anteriorly ; antennae long, slender. I'rothorax nearly as long as broad, rounded at the sides, strongly narrowed towards the base and apex. Eiytia elongate- subtriangular, much wider at the base than the prothorax ; the apices simply transversely excavate. Legs very slender ; posterior tibiae bowed inward towards the apex and produced into a short spur at the tip. Length 2\ mm. Hah. Gopaldhara, Kungbong "N^alley, Sikkim {H. Stevens, in Mas. Brit.). One specimen, certainly 6 ■ Amongst the numerous allied Hima- layan forms described by me in the last volume of this Magazine, II. stevensi is perhaps nearest related to II. quaJrisif/natus. (op. cit. p. 105) which has very different elytral markings. Hi/pehaeus sujfasus, n. sp. $ . Moderately elongate, slender, much widened posteriorly, the head and prothorax shining, the elytra dull, very finely pubescent ; testaceous, the head at the base, the antennae in their outer half, a divided median vitta on the prothorax and a triangular jjatch on each side of it (these markings confluent in front), the elytra (an outwardly-widened transverse mark on eacji side below the base and a common triangular mark at the tip excepted), the under surface in great part, and the posterior femora in their basal half, piceous or black ; the head and prothorax almost smooth, tlie elytra excessively minutely, closely punctate. Head (with eyes) about as wide as the prothorax ; antennae 1922.] 269 slender, rathei' lonp-. Prothnrax transverse, rounded at the sides. Elytra wider than the, prothorax, arciiately dilated posteriorly. Legs very slender; posterior tibiae bowed towards the apex, simple at tip. Length 2 mm. Rah. Siiuii Gad, Garhwal, alt. 4000 ft. {H. G. G. : vi.l920). One specimen. Smaller and more slender than S. stevensi, the head testaceovis in fi'ont ; the prothorax fusco-trimaculate ; the ely tm duller, with less conspicuous testaceous markings, the triangular spot apical; the legs and antennae very slender and in great part testaceous. H. albocamlatus is another allied form. Hypebaeus Jlex7(0sns, n. sp. J. Moderately elongate, slendei", very finely pubescent, shining; testaceous, the basal half of the head, joints 5-11 of the antennae, abdomen, and metasternum piceous or black ; the elytra greenish on the disc and at the sides posteriorly, leaving a sinuate, testaceous marginal stripe, which extends forward around the humeri, inward below the base, and reaches the suture at the tip, the apices with an indication of a triangular pallid spot; the head and prothorax and tip of the elytra almost smooth, the rest of the last-named closely, conspicuously punctured. Head (with eyes) about as wide as the pro- thorax ; antennae long, slender, tapering towards the tip, the intermediate joints triangular. Prothorax transverse, rounded at the sides. Elytra moderately long, wider than the prothorax, parallel at the base, explanate from a little before the middle to near the apex, the dilated portion separated from the rest by a rather deep longitudinal groove, which is bordered within by a short carina, the apices simple. Legs long, slender; anterior tarsi o-jointed, simple ; posterior tibiae bowed towards the tip. Length 2 mm. Hah. W. Bhatkot, in Kumaon, alt. 4000 ft. {H. G. G. : v. 1920). One specimen, undoubtedly S > the simple a])iees of the elytra not- withstanding. The S -development is here transferred from the tip to the outer margin. S. sijinicornis and S. clavatus also want the apical excavation. The flexuous elytral markings resemble those of a PTiyllo- treta. H. sulcicauda is perhaps the nearest ally of H.flexuosus. Hypehaeics lenis, n. sp. c? . Elongate, narrow, slender, shining, very finely pubescent ; testaceous, the head (epistoma excepted), the elytra with the basal margin and a common transverse patch just before the tip, and the under surface in part, black or piceous, tlie intermediate joints of the antennae slightly iufuscate ; the upper surface extremely finely punctulate. Head (with the eyes) slightly wider than 27Q [December, the prothovnx, Lroadly hollowed in tlie middle anteriorly; antennae longr, slender. Prothorax small, transver.-~e, rounded at the sides. Elytra long-, wider than the head, parallel at the base, slightly widened posteriorly ; trans- versely excavate and feebly plicate before the apex, the apical maijrin rt>flexed and snbtruncate. Legs very slender; anterior tarsi simple; posterior tibiae feebly curved. Ijength Ik mm. Hah. Siuni Gad, Gavhwal, U.P., alt. 4000 £t. (TL G. C. : vi.l920). One male, found on Mach ilus-hlossom.. A very slender, minute, narrow, pallid insect, with the head (except in fVont) and the basal margin and apex of the elytra infuscate or black, the a})ical excavation transverse and simply plicate within. Near II. lamellaius and sjj/'ni- coni/'s Champ. Hyjiehaeus diversipen nis. ? Atfalus {Indiattahis) iliversij^ennis Pic, Melanges exot.-ent. xiv, p. 12 (c? 2) (1915). (5* . Narrow, slightly widened posteriorly^ finely pube-icent, shining ; black, the antenual joints 1-4, prothorax, anterior femora in part, tarsi, and apices of the tibiae testaceous, the elytra with a common, large, transverse, whiti>h patch just before the tip; the head and prothorax almost smootli, tlie elytra very minutely punctured. Antennae long, slender. Elytra with a common, deep, transverse, subtriangular e.xcavatiou at the apex, and with a long, erect, slender, dentiform process arising from each sutural margin within the cavity. Anterior tarsi simple, S-joiuted. Posterior tibiae almost straight to near the tip and then bowed inward, the apex unarmed. 2 . Elytra wholly black, much widened posteriorly ; antennae a little shorter and paler; posterior tibiae curved, spurred at the tip. Length 2j-2| mm. Hah. Himalaya {tyjjes of Pic), Gopaldhara, Darjeeling, alt. 3400- 4720 ft. {II. Stevens: 2:ix.l914, l.v.1918). A 6 and $ recenth" presented to the British Museum are pro- visionally^ referred to A. diversijyennis Pic ; they are smaller than tlie types (length 3 mm.), and ap))arently have blacker femora and tibiae, to judge from the description. The simple o-jointed anterior tarsi of the 6 separates the specimen of that sex before me ivomAttalus. This is one of the Indian Malaehiids mentioned on p. 215 {antea) as not represented in the collections under examination. 1922.] 271 MALAcnirs F. MalacJiius sikkimensis Pic. A c? of the insect described by me under this name last year (Ent. Mo. Mag. 1921, p. 145) has now been received from Ranikhet. The $ only was known, (S . Antenuaevery longjjoints .5-11 strongly pectinate, 4 broad, triangular, 5 produced into a stout, blunt tooth within ; elytra sub|)arallel, the apices pro- duced beyond the abruptly deflexed, transversely excavaie terminal portion, and furnished with a long, curved, testaceous appendage near the sutural angle ; posterior femora curved, compressed ; posterior tibiae sinuately curved, Horsell. June 1922. *Mf:* During the course of publication of my account of the Lidian Dasytids, antea pp. 126-131 (issued on June 1st), 14o-lol (issued July 1st), various new species of Dasytes from India, etc., have been diagnosed by Pic (Bull. Soc. PJnt. Fr. 1922, No. 11, pp. 155, 156, Seance du 14 juin). This paper, M. Joannis informs me, was published on July 22ud.— G. C. C. SOME OBSEEVATIONS ON THE GENUS BOMBUS, etc., IN WALES. BT C. L. WALTON, M.SC. (Adviser in Agricultiiral Zoology, University College, Bangor.) During the period 191-3-16, and again from 1919 to 1921, I had a wide experience of the counties of West and North Wales, and thus had ample opportunity of observing the havoc wrought by " Isle of Wight " (Acariue) disease among the Hive Bees of these areas. Also, through F. W. L. Sladen's book, I became interested in the Humble-Bees, their distribution, work, etc. I noted whole districts depleted or cleared of Hive Bees, and wondered whether the absence of pollinators would be felt in any way by farmer, gardener, or fruit-grower. I liave not, so far, been able to satisfy myself that such has been the case, and believe that the work is effectually performed by the Wild Bees. During Jvily and August 1919, I began to make notes on the flowers worked by the various Bombi to be met with (chiefly during a three-week holiday period in Mid-AVales). Such notes were continued subsequentl}^ with a view to obtaining some data as to the work of the various species of Humble- Bees to be found in West and North Wales. I wished to bring out, if possible, any differences that might exist in the type of floAvers visited by the various species throughout the season, and to form some idea as to their value to Agriculture and Horticulture; or to prove, on the other 272 [December, liand, whether any were mere weed visitors. Incidentally, also, some idea has been gained as to the species present in West and North Wales, and their relative abundance. In compiling these notes no special attention was paid to any par- ticular type of cultivation, etc., notes being made wherever and whenever opportunity offered, whetlier ni field, garden, or on hillside or woodland, so as to try to get as complete a view as possible of the total activities of the species. It must be meiitioned, however, that the mountains were less worked than the lowlands and foothills. Records included llower visits hj Apis wellifica, Aniliopliora pilipes^ and a few by various Fsiiliyri (recorded thus and not specifically). Records of other Apidae or of Golletidae and Andrenidae were not made owing partly to lack of time to extend the scope, but chlefiy owing to lack of knowledge of the species ; although numbers of these are undoubtedly of importance as pollinators of fruit, etc. The data were mostly obtained from the following localities : — Crosswood, Cardiganshire, a few ; Aberystwyth district (per Mr. T. A. Ste])henson) ; Aberdovey, a few (for which I am indebted to Mr. C. H. Mortimer) ; Aberhosan, near Machynlleth ; the four North Wales counties, from Pwllheli to near Chester, with a preponderance from the vicinity of Bangor and Bethesda ; about Ludlow (Salop) and Leominster (Hereford- shire), a few; the vicinity of Liverpool (Altcar, Formby, etc.), a few ; North Lancashire (Ulverstone, Bai-row, and the Islands of Roa, Piel, and Foulney), a few records. The majority of records, however, relate to West and North Wales ; others are chiefly in the nature of controls and agree with the Welsh records in every way. The records contained in Knuth's "Handbook of Flower Pollination" and other literature have been consulted, but the data found are not incorporated in this account. Records of queens, workers, and males visiting flowers were included under the one heading, although the earlier records were, of course, those of queens, wjiile any males recorded chiefly came under July- September. It should be noted that very considerable variations in size occur among all the castes of the various species ; Graenicher, for instance, records variation between 9 and 17 mm. in body-length and from 5-11 mm. in tongue-length in the American species, H. pennsylvanicus (s\?e Bull. Wisconsin Nat. Hist. Soc. vol. viii, no. 4, 1910). Such differ- ences will be reflected in corresponding variability in the flowers visited in some instances. 1922.] 273 The following table is based on that given by Knuth (p. IGO) witli some additions and modifications from measurements made by myself, Mason (Journ. S. E. Agric. Coll., Wye, 1907, pp. 178-lSO), and others : — Leii(/th of Tovfjue in Bouibus, shoicuuj variation. -^ 1. B. tevreniris 7 -9 mm. .. 9-11 mm. 2. B. lapidarius 9-5-] 4 „ .. 9-5-14 „ 3. B. pratonim 8-12 „ . . 9 -14-5 „ 4. B. derhamellus 12 -13 „ ..13 -14 „ 5. B. acjrorum 12-13 „ . . 13 -15 „ (}. B. hortorvm 7 -K! „ ..12-21 „ (the Iiijilier figures are from Kimlh) 7. Apis mellifica G mm. Within the areas examined the Bombi, la^^idariiis, terresivis, htcorvm, Iwriorum, and agroriim are abundant, although Stephenson found terrestris scarce about Aberyst\v3^th in 1915-10. B. pratontm lilcewise was scarce at Aberystwyth, but proved to be fairly common in A^rth Wales in ] 920-21 and on the Lancashire Coast in 1919. B. soroi'nsis was scarce at Aberystwyth. 1915-16, and also occurred sparingly in Carnarvonshire, 1021. Mr. C. H. Mortimer reports it common but very local at Aberdovey in August, where also B. jonelhis and B. lapponicns were both similarly reported from Aberdovey, but were rare in Carnarvon, etc., and also at Aberystwyth, 1915-16. B. derliamelhis is local. B. sijlvarum and helferanus were found by Stephenson to be fairly frequent about Al)erystwyth, but the former is not reported from North Wales, while the latter is by no means common. Of JatreilleUits I have only a single record, near Eethesda on July 11th, 1920. With regard to the interpretation of the mass of data collected, it is at once obvious that the species showing the widest ranges of activities are to-restris, lucorum, and affrorum. Of these the last-named shows the longest series of flowers visited and seasonal activities. I am not able to record it as a useful w^orker of fruit blossoms, Avith the exception of Easpberry. During the period May-August, however, it was the chief visitor of Eed Clover, while Alsike, White Clover, and Lotus corniciilatus were also included to a very considerable extent. It w^as also very abundant on Gentaurea nigra, Galcopsis, Teucrium, Prunella, etc. B. terrestris and B. lucorum are considered by Sladen ("The Humble-Bee ") to be closelv related, and in this connection it is interesting to compare their work, which shows close similarity in the kind of 27^! fDocenibpi", llowei's visited, periods of occurrence, etc. Both are active on I'lum, Grooseberry, and Black Currant in April, Apple in May, Alsike and White Clover in Jvily, while Charlock was also a favourite. S. lapi- (Jarius shows much more restricted range both as to season and flowers. It is not a visitor of fruit blossoms as it appears later in the season, and the workers do not become numerous imtil June-July. Clovei's were visited to some extent, also L. cornicuJaius; but such flowers as Tru- nella vulgaris, Siihus fruticosus, Centaurea nigra, etc, were favourites. B. hortorum also commences late in the season, July being apparently its month of greatest activity. Clovers again receive some attention, but its favourite flower is undoubtedl}^ the Foxglove, also Yellow Rattle and such garden flowers as TropaeoJum and Antirrhinum. The queens v/ere fairly common on Broad Beans. 5. pratorum is an early insect, but is little seen after Juh\ It is a diligent visitor of Plum, Raspberry ( which in my experience is its favourite), and to some extent Black Currant. B. soroensis is a rare mid-summer bee ; but Mr. C. H. Mortimer records it as common in one small field at Aberdovey on Cenfaurea nir/rcf, which flower has a great attraction for bees, as has also the Blackberry. Of B. joiicllns and lapponicus little can be said; the former is a frequenter of Vaccineacae and Ericacae, while the latter especially visits Erica vagans (Mortimer) and Blackberry. B. derham- ellus also visits Bed and White Clover in July and Raspberry in May ; lielferanus has been recorded from Clovers, etc., but is a scarce species. Andrena fiilva is very active in visiting Gooseberry, and to a lesser extent, Black Cui-rant and Plums. It must be remembered that there is this great difference between the work of Bombi and others and Hive Bees : these latter can commence work in large numbers as soon as weather permits, while the Wild Bees must start afresh and build up their colonies anew each season, their spring work being restricted to the queens alone. Knuth does not record any Bomlus as visiting Ivy, but several specimens were noted on flowers at Tregarth, near Bethesda, in earl}?- October 1921, and these were probably B. lucorum ; but this could not be verified, as they were too high to be netted. It is also curious that so few records were obtained from TJlex, although great masses were frequently examined during fine weather. Another flower from which no records were obtained was the Blackthorn (^Prunus spinosa). A nest of B. helferamts (the only one I have taken as yet) was found near Llanfair P. G., Anglesey, close to the surface and 1922.] 275 oil tlie margin of a wet ditch, only a few inches from water, on September 24th, 1921. A male and female of B. lapidariiis were taken in copula on the ground in a grass field, near Bethesda, at G.30 p.ai. during August 1920. The perforation of the corolla base of flowers by B. terrestris has not been noted in the districts examined, though it does not follow that it may not occur, as I have often seen it in other areas. Some instances were noted of Bombi passing from one species of flower to another, although, as a rule, they adhere to one species at a time; examples were: — (1) B. agroriivi, 24.iv.21, from Viola canina to Geranium robertianum ; the same species, 29.viii.20, visited StacJ>i/s germanica, Galeopsis sp., Shirley Poppy, and back to Galeopsis ; B. hipidarius, 24.viii.20, from Centanrea nigra to Hieracium ; B. Jior- forum, Julv 1919, from Foxglove to Prunella vulgaris. Similar cases are quoted by J. H. Lovell (" The Flower and the Bee," 1920, p. 92). Chittenden (Ann. Appl. Biol., May 1914, p. 42) calls attention to the importance of the numbers of visits paid by an individual insect, and states that a specimen of B. terrestris paid 48 visits to different flowers in the course of 10 minutes. I made notes on this subject on April Gth, 1921, in a plum orchard at Tregarth, Carnarvonshire. B. pratorum visited 10 flowers per minute on the average. B. terrestris ,, 8 „ „ „ „ B. lucoruni ,, 10 ,, ,, ,, ,, One other point seems worthy of mention, the apparentlj'^ irregular (not to say capricious) manner in which certain flowers are visited by Humble-Bees. For instance, Fuchsia, Weigela, and Ehododendron were practically deserted on June 2nd and 3rd, 1920, in the college grounds, wliile there were a few visitors to Azalea and on Cotoneaster only Golletidae were present. At the same time Escallonia swarmed with B. terrestris, lucorvm, lapidarius, agrorum, and others. Near Bethesda, on August 29th, B. terrestris, lueorum, and agrorum were concentrated upon Fticlisia. No doubt a careful investigation as to the factors involved would clear up such cases; probably the maximum nectar flow was to be obtained from Fscallonia at the moment. Bangor. Aufftist 1922. O'Tfi [December, Clytits arciiatus L. in Nolfs and Lines. — In reference to Mr. W. W. Fowler's remarks on recent captures of this beetle, it may be of interest to lion has also learned that Mr. Haines, as tie result of an accident, had not been able to visit the pond at Morden, Dorset, during the summer, but that he had been there in September and had seen no fonscolombii, the day, however, having turned out badly. This occurrence of *S'. fonscoloinbii is an interesting addition to what is known of it as a British breeding species. I am not aware that it has hitherto been taken in this country so late in the season, most of those recorded having been captured in June and July, the latest, I think, being about tlie end of August, and these fully mature specimens. Lucas, in 1912 ("Entomologist," p, 144), summarised the recorded occurrences prior to that date, he having found it rather commonly in the New Forest in 1911, aj^d in the same maga- zine for 1913-14-15 there are further i-eferences to the species. Haines (" Entomologist," 1921, p. 197) records the reappearance of the insect in Dorset after a supposed absence since 1914. Although from the observations ot Haines, the species would appear from time to time to be able to breed in the South of England for several consecutive years, yet the evidence at present available supports, on the whole, the view that S. fonscolombii is in the same category as some of our Lepidoptera, an alien immigrant unable permanently to establit^h itself as a British breeding species. The life-cycle oi S. fonscolombii does not appear to be known, but in the warmer countries in which it is really at home, it probably develops rapidly, producing more than one brood in the year. In a cold summer like the pa.st one, however, the possibility of this October emergence being the result of an immigration earlier in the same season is excluded (if such a result is ever possible in our climate), the presumption rather being that the insects are descendants of others that were present at Ruislip in the warmer summer of 1921, and that their development has been unduly retarded by the absence of genial weather, with, it is feared, disastrous consequences to the local stock. Dr. Ris has pointed out to me that analogy exists iu colour-system and distribution (though probably not depending on afiiuity) between this species and the North American Sympetnim corvvptum. In this connection it may be mentioned that Needham, who describes tlie nymph of S. corruptum in his "Aquatic Insects of New York State" (N.Y. State Mus. Bull., 68, p. 271, l9Uo), says that Professor Cockerdl took this species in trausformation__at 1922.] 279 Tenipe, Arizoua, March 30tli, 1902, and also sent a J witli cast nvniplial skin labelled Las Veyas, New Mex., Oct. 1901. In New York Slate, NeodLain says '' this species flies only in late summer and autumn (in early sprinfj;- I have twice found a specimen that I suppose had hibernated), but in the south- west it flies throughout the greater part of the season." May it not be sng- gesteJ that the presence of the species in spring in New York State was due to immigration rather than hibernation ? At Ruislip I had also the pleasure of taking a fine cf of Aeschna mixta ; one or two others were seen and a good many pairs of Sijmpetntm striolatum were present. Ae, mix-ta was, I believe, seen on September 30th between Chertsey and Weybridge. On October 2nd, at Burnham I'eeches, two tine T^iCwa oi Ae. cyanea were taken at the ponds there, at which the only other dragontlies seen were S. striulatum. At a pond near Burnham Beeches Station in the afternoon of the same day Ae. mixta was again found, and the Si/n,pe- tnitn just named was very abundant. — Kenneth J. Mouton, 13 Blackford Eoad, Edinburgh : Octobe}- 1922. Thomas George Bishop^ as announced in our October No. {antca p. 237), died at his residence, Dalmore, Helensburgh, after a short illness, on 2()th August last. He was born at Carlisle on August 11th, IS-iO, but lefl there \v liiie still a boy for Glasgow, where, except for a short term of residence at Ltwis- ham, near London, he spent his business life. It was probably during his boyish days in Glasgow that he first began to take an interest in natuial history and particularly in Entomology, for there is still in existence a Jouruai compiled by him when only 14 years of age, in which, in addition to volu- minous notes upon birds and birds' eggs, there is evidence that even at that early age his attention was turned towards the Coleoptera, of which in later years he became an enthusiastic collector and student. While yet in his teens he appears to have become acc[uainted with the late Dr. David Sharp, who at that time was resident in Edinbuigh, and the friendship then begun, founded as it was upon their mutual interest in Coleoptera, endured during their lifetime. In the autumn of 1864 thev paid a joint visit to Rannoch, then almost terra incognita to the Coleopterist, and the result of that visit was chronicled in the "Entomologist's Annual " for 1865, pp. 41, 42, as the addition of four species to the British list, one of them, Ayathidiuin rhinuceros Shp., being new to science. During this period Mr. Bishop also collected Coleoptera in the neighbourhood of Glasgow, and the writer can well remember tiie pleasure with which he related his eaily collecting experiences in such i,vell-knowu Glasgow localities as TuUcross sand-pits, Fossil Marsh, and Cadder Wilderness. A good deal of his Gh.sguw collecting was done along with the Rev. J. E. Sonierville, who statts that during their entomological excursions to Possil Marsh, Mr. Bishop was alto much interested in the birds of the Marsh and had great skill in finding their neats. He was a member and for some time acted as Secrefary of the Glas>^ow 280 [December, 1922. Naturalists' Society before its union with the Natural History Society of Glasgow. For many years after 1870 the increasing claims of business curtailed Mr. Bishop's opportunities for collecting, but, although debarred from active participation in the pursuit of Ooleoptera, his interest in the group still remained keen, and he acquired at various times the British collections of the late Samuel Stevens, Alfred Beaumont, and George Guyon, as well as the foreign collection of Dr. Heath. In later years more leisure enabled him, along with Dr. Sharp, to re-visit Eannoch, Nethy Bridge, and other famous northern collecting grounds. During this period some of his more important captures, usually made in the company of Dr. Sharp or his daughter, were Bledius annae Shp., B. fuscipes Rye, B. terebrans Schiodte, B. denticoUis Fauv., Gabrius bishopi Shp., Criocephalus rusticus Dej., Pachi/ta sexmacalata L., and Rabocerus bishopi Shp. Mr. Bishop became a member of the Glasgow Society in 1883, and although he was not a frequent attender he always toolc an interest in the affairs of that Society and on various occasions contributed to the meetings by sending for exhibition examples of his notable captures of Ooleoptera. Although he was a most successful collector of beetles Mr. Bishop hardly ever wrote on the subject; in fact, almost the only notes from his pen appear to be those on the occurrence of Dehaster dichrous at Lewisham and Ocijpus cyaneus at Grantown-on-Spey, both published in this Magazine, the first in 1868 and the second in 1907 ! In many respects it was a pity he did not publish more, for he was a keen and accurate observer in the field and had a large store of information regarding the habits of his favourite group, particu- larly of the Northern species. A man of singular personal charm and generosity, he was always pleased, in spite of the cares of a great business, to share his knowledge with his fellow Coleopterists and to assist them in wliat- ever way lay within his p^wer. By his death and that of his old friend Dr. Sharp, who, by a pathetic coincidence, passed away only a day later, the little group of Entomologists who did so much in the middle of last century to direct attention to the richness of the Scottish coleopterous fauna has almost vanished. Mr. Bishop's extensive collections of British and foreign Ooleoptera were left to his grandson, Mr. T. G. Bishop, but the ultimate destination of the collections has not yet been decided, — A. Fergusson. END OF VOL. LVIII (Third Series, Vol. /Ti 3 Witvio Vvla6 MOUNTING OUTFITS. A Simple and Permanent Method for Mounting Insects, &c. ADOPTED BY THE ENTOMOLOGICAL DEPT. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, LONDON. 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LLOYD & Co., Ltd., Bubkell Street Wobks, Blackpriars London ;S.E. 1; or Messrs, GUENEY & JACKSON, 33 Paternoster Eow, London, E.C. 4. >• '5 „ 2 (191G).- If M „ 3 (1917). JJ ;i „ 4 (1918).- •>> j> „ 5 (1919).- 55 »» „ 6 (1920). 11 5» „ 7 (1921). CON T E N T S. PAGE Some Indian Coleoptera (9) {concU(ded).-~G. C. Champion, F.Z.S 265 Some Observations on the genus Bombus etc., in Wales. — C. L. Walton, M.Sc. .. 271 Clytus arcuatuB L. in Notts and Lines. — J. W. Saunt 276 Acanthocinus aedilis Linn, in Inverness-shire. — Rev. J. B. Hale 276 Seitz's " Macrolepidoptera of the World." — Eds 276 Hymenoptera and Aphides. — G. T. Lyle, F.E.S 276 Phasmid larvae from Monnt Everest. — B. P. Uvarov, F.E.S 277 Gymnetron squamicoUe Reitt. in Hants and Surrey. — G. C. Chamjnon, F.Z.S, ... 277 Sympetrum fcjnscolombii and other Dragonflies near London in October. — K. J. Morton, F.E.S 277 Obituary. — Thomas George Bishop 279 Title-page, Index, etc i-xviii THE NATURALIST: A MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF NATURAL HISTORY FOR THE NORTH OF ENGLAND EDITED BY T. SHEPPARD, M.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., F.S.A.Scot., The Museum, Hull ; AND T. VI. AVOODHEAD, Ph.D., M.Sc, F.L.S., Technical College, Huddersfield ; with the assistanck as kkferees in special departments oy GEO. T. PORRITT, F.L.S., F.E.S., JOHN "W, TAYliOR. M.Hc, RILEY FORTUNE, F.Z.S. The Journal is one of iJie oldest Scientific Periodicals in the British Isles, dating back to 1833, and is ci'>xulated widely amongst the principal Natxiralists of the conntry, London : A. Brown and Sons, Limited, 5 Farringdon Avenue E.G. 4. And at Hull and York. PRICE, 1/- NET. Prepaid Subscription, 10/6 per annum, Post free. Great Reduction in Prices. nkmUCTO Hardwood, finished rich Mahogany, Panelled and Glass Doors. vAulIlt I Ui Drawers 17xl6x2|" on hidden runners. .^^_^^__^^^^ Lift-off Glazed Tops. Cam]ihor Cells. 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