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Broun, Thomas
Revision of the New Zealand Byrrhidae
596 B97U76
[Registered for transmission by post as a magazine.
NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE
BULLETIN No. 2.
EEVISION
OF THE
NEW ZEALAND BYRRHIDAE,
WITH
B
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.
Y MAJOR T. BROUN. F.E.S
EDITED AND PUBLISHED UNDEE THE AUTHORITY OP THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE INSTITUTE.
ISSUED 30th AUGUST, 1910.
$cto 3cal;mb :
JOHN MACKAY, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WELLINGTON.
WM. WESLEY AN1> SONS, 28 ESSEX STREET, STRAND, LONDON W.C.
Price, to the pubUc 2s., to membeis Is. 6d.]
1
NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE.
BULLETINS.
Under the title "Bulletins" the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute hopes to issue, from time to time, important papers which for any reason it may not be possible to include in the yearly volume of the Transactions. The bulletins will be uniform in size and . general style with the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, but will appear at irregular intervals, and each bulletin will be complete in itself and be separately paged. The bulletins will not be issued free to mem- bers of the Institute, but may be obtained by them at a reduction on the published price.
NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE
BULLETIN No. 2,
RE VISION
OP THE
NEW ZEALAND BYRRHIDAK,
WITH
DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES.
By MAJOR T . BROUN. F . E . S
EDITED AND PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE INSTITUTE.
ISSUED 30th AUGUST. 1910.
JOHN MACKAY, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WELLINGTON. Wm. Wesley and Sons, 28 Essex Street, Strand, London, W.C.
b'9L Bf7 &7L
I
REVISION OF THE
NP^W ZEALAND BYRRHIDAE,
WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES. By Majoe T. Buoun, P.E S.
INTRODUCTION.
There were several reasons for undertaking this task, one being the scattered nature of the literature on the subject.
The first description appeared in vol. ii of the great German work.
' Voyage of the ' Novara,' ' 1867, and was followed bv that of Pascoe's Morychus coruscans in the Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist, for September, 1875. Since then many more have been published in different volumes of the latter work, and in separate parts of the Man. N.Z. Coleopt., so that a colonial entomologist who wished to identify his captures — perhaps a dozen
—probably less, as they are generally rare — would have to procure just as many separate volumes, or parts, as the number of species in his collection. After this necessary expense had been incurred, he would not be long in coming to the conclusion that the numerous species assigned to Morychus or Pedilophorus within the last thirty years are not by any means easily recognised by descriptions alone.
When studying the genera of this family, he would have to consult Lxordaire's Hist, des Ins. Coleopt., in Latin and French. There he would see Pedilophorus treated as a synonym of Morychus ; but on referring to the " Catalogus Coleopterorum " of Gemminger and Harald, the standard work, which was published about fourteen years later than Lacordaire's, it would be found that the process had been reversed. In many cases it would be found necessary to dissect some of his rare specimens in order to ascertain whether the details of structure corresponded with their European descriptions.
In this memoir, instead of recapitulating these generic diagnoses in detail, certain salient characteristics that arc comparatively easily seen are given as the characters of each genus represented in New Zealand ; and, as another aid to identification, Mr. A. Waterworth, of Northcote,
4 NEW ZEALAND BYRRHIDAE.
has been kind enough to prepare micro-photographs to illustrate this paper. This is the first step towards simplification — one which, it is hoped, will be appreciated here.
The species belonging to Nosodendron, Curimus, Cytilissus. and Lim- nichus are not difficult to distinguish from one another. Liochoria huttoni is not represented in my collection, but I have no doubt it is most nearly related to Pedilophorus lewisi.
Pedilophorus, it may be stated, has been retained in accordance with the " Catalogus Coleopterorum " of 1868. To this genus, considering Morychus as synonymous, twenty-three species have been attached. Here arises the principal difficulty — a real one, too. They are very homogeneous, varying chiefly in colour and sculpture, but without any well-marked or prominent differences, such as tubercles or superficial inequalities, that would be serviceable in tabulation. At first it was thought that the antennal structure would be useful in separating these species into series or sections, but after a good deal of time had been expended — I had almost said, wasted — it became apparent that these important organs are not reliable guides in classification, because, after carefully examining the left antenna of several species, or varieties, under the microscope, it was found that the right differed more or less. The membranous appendages of the third tarsal joints were tried next : these also were found unsatisfactory : the anterior or posterior were sometimes well developed, but if the tarsi had been smeared with gum in mounting the specimens on cardboard, or with dried sappy substances in the forest, they could hardly be seen at all. The extremities of the mandibles are bifid, or even trident ate in some species ; but, as a rule, it is difficult to examine them properly in the case of old specimens without running the risk of spoiling the insects, and even in fresh examples they are not at all easy to manipulate. The scutellum and eyes vary but little, whilst the form of the head and thorax offers no distinct feature for discrimination. The species have, nevertheless, been divided into two sections, as will be seen on referring to their descriptions.
After a prolonged scrutiny of all the specimens in my collection it was decided that eleven species should be detached from Pedilophorus, and, along with three new ones, placed in a new genus, which has been named Synorthus. These fourteen species have been arranged in four sections, each with one or more special characteristics, so as to facilitate identification. Those that are located in the first section will give more trouble than the others.
Pedilophorus, thus reduced by half of its older members, is now in a very different position ; and. although three species that proved to be new are now added, five or six of the total number, fifteen, exhibit certain obvious characters that will lead at once to their recognition: the remainder cannot be separated from one another quite so easily.
As the typical member of each section of Pedilophorus and Synorthus, as far as possible, has been pretty fully described, the general form and
INTRODUCTION. 5
structure of its nearest allies can he. comprehended without the repetition of unnecessary details. With one or two exceptions, all measurements include the head as set out on cardboard ; hut I cannot yet guarantee thai this applies to Redtenbacher's Curimus zeelandicus or Keitter's Pe- dilophorus hdmsi. Throughout this group very little variation occurs as regards size amongst the individuals of any species : measurement, there- fore, is another aid to identification.
On perusal of the following list it will he seen that the Nosodendridae, Byrrhidae, and Limnichidac, all of which are here included in the general family name Byrrhidae, comprise forty-two species, which are distributed among seven genera.
In Britain there are twelve species and nine genera. In North America there are also nine genera and about forty species ; whilst Europe, with the same number of genera, possesses about sixty species.
Our list, doubtless, will be augmented in course of time ; yet even now it equals that of such a huge territory as that portion of America which extends southwards to the border of Mexico. Although New Zealand has already yielded, so far as this particular group is concerned, a number altogether out of proportion to its limited area, it must not be forgotten that some other extensive groups of Coleoptera are either entirely absent or only very poorly represented.
LIST OK THE NEW ZEALAND BYRRHIDAE.
Nosodendron ovatum Broun.
„ zealandieum Sharp.
Curimus squamiger Broun. ., striatus Broun. vestitus Broun. „ zeelandicus Redtenbacher. Synorthus stern alis Broun. ,, orbicularis Broun.
nigricans Broun. insuetus Broun. nigralis Broun. mixtiis Broun. mandibulars Broun. 3157 laevigatas Broun. 3158. ,, setarius Broun.
rotundus Broun. ,, villosus Broun.
pygmaeus Broun. 3159. anomalus Broun. ,, granulatus Broun.
Pedilophorus foveigeru.s Broun. 3160. ,, gemmeus Broun.
Pedilophorus laevipennis Broun. ,, probus Broun.
,, puncticeps Broun.
tibialis Broun. creperus Broun. pulcherrimus Broun. picipes Broun. laetus Broun. ,, lewisi Broun.
„ sculpturatus B r o u n.
3161. cognatus Broun. 3162. coruscans Pascoe. helmsi Reitter. „ bryobius Broun. 3163.
Liochoria huttoni Pascoe. Cytilissus claviger Broun. Limnichus decorus Broun. ,, simplex Broun.
picinus Broun. „ nigripes Broun.
NEW ZEALAND BVKKHI I) AK.
Group BYRRHIDAE.
Nosodendron Latreille. Lacordaire, Hist, des Ins. Coleopt., torn, ii,
p. 478.
Head not retracted during repose. Labrum indistinct. Antennae 11- articulate, inserted below the sides of the head ; club abruptly enlarged, 3-jointed. Tarsi simple, pentamerous.
Nosodendron ovatum Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 212. {Fig. 1.)
Oval, convex, subopaque, fusco-piceous ; bearing numerous short ful- vescent setae, some of which are decumbent and a little thicker than the more numerous erect ones ; legs and antennae piceo-rufous. club rulo- castaneous.
Head quite as long as broad, gradually narrowed anteriorly ; evenly, distinctly, yet not closely punctured, more finely and densely in front. Eyes quite lateral, transverse, not prominent. Thorax twice as broad as long, base widely rounded, with obtuse angles ; the sides nearly straight, but gradually narrowed towards the acute anterior angles ; its sculpture slightly finer and closer than that of the head. Scutellurn moderate, tri- angular, minutely punctate. Elytra as broad as thorax at the base, cioselv applied thereto, curvedly narrowed posteriorly, their punctation similar to that of the. thorax.
Antennae shining, 2nd joint as long as the exposed portion of the basal oik', but not as stout; 3rd elongate and slender, quite the length of the following 2 combined, both of these latter distinctly longer than broad ; 7th slightly broader than 6th; 8th transverse, obconical, rather broader than the preceding one ; club finely pubescent, abruptly marked off. un- symmetrical, the joints being attached to each other outside of the middle, and therefore appearing to be dilated inwardly, its basal joint inwardly narrowed behind, the intermediate rather shorter and more transversal, the terminal rather larger and subrotimdate.
Femora broad at the base, gradually narrowed outwardly. Tibia* slender at the base gradually expanded, so as to be almost elongate- triangulax : they are finely denticulate, or spinose externally. Tarsi short, their terminal joint only extending beyond the outer extremity of the tibiae.
Underside distinct]}' punctate, with short setae. Prosternal process cuneiform, narrowed behind, not projecting beyond the coxae. Meso- sternum delimited by a fine straight suture between the intermediate coxae. with a rather narrow, polished, median cavity in front. Metasternum elongate. Ventral segments with strongly sinuated sutures, the basal 4 about equal, 5th longest.
The insect in its natural state is usually covered with sappy matter, which must be removed before the sculpture and clothing can be seen.
Length, 2— 2f lines ; breadth, l£-lf lines.
Tairua, Waitakerei, and Hunua Ranges. Four specimens in my own
c
ollection.
Nosodendron zealandicum Sharp. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 1106.
Oval, convex, black, moderately nitid ; sparingly, very finely, and indistinctly pubescent : antennae and legs rufo-piceous. club dull fuscous; rather densely and finely punctate, the elytra with several series of fine pund ures near the base.
NOSODENDKON. 7
Rather larger, more shining, with closer and finer sculpture than N. ovatwn. The scutellum is larger, the tarsi more elongate, and the tibiae are less expanded towards the extremity.
Antennae slender, the basal joint concealed under the side of the head ; 2nd stout ; 3rd slender and very elongate, as long as the following 3 or 4 taken together ; 4th and 5th equal, about twice as long as broad ; (it I, and 7th obconical, longer than broad; 8th transverse; club elongate, sym- metrical, the intermediate joint transverse, the terminal largest, subcorneal.
Length, 2| lines ; breadth, 1| lines.
Greymouth (Mr. R. Helms). My specimen, in bad order, was sent to me by Mr. P. Seymour from Te Oneroa.
(Curimus Erichson. Lacord., Hist, des Ins. Coleopt., torn, ii, p. 481.
Head retracted during repose. Antennae 11 -articulate, inserted at the sides of the head, basal joint not hidden. Labrum transverse. Prosternal process broad, augulate behind, and fitting closely into the mesosternal cavity. Legs and tarsi closely packed together when at rest. Tibiae slender at the base, dilated, or subangulate above the middle.
In the New Zealand species the eyes are rather flat, and, being situated at the sides of the head, just below the lateral margins, they are not at all prominent ; sometimes, even in well-mounted specimens, they are hardly discernible when looked at from above.
Curimus squamiger Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 1448. {Fig. 2.)
Convex, broad, suboblong, moderately nitid, densely covered with depressed, minute, circular, dull smoky squamae, and many short, erect, greyish-yellow setae ; body black ; antennae, palpi, and legs rufo-piceous ; claws rufescent.
Head conical, rather narrow, finely margined, indefinitely sculptured, with some minute grey scales. Thorax transverse, the length about half the width, its sides nearly straight, but much narrowed towards the deflexed subacute front angles, apex medially rounded ; base widely and slightly bisinuate, apparently with rectangular angles ; a denuded spot is smooth, but the scales cause the surface to appear minutely granulate. Scutellum distinct. Elytra finely striate, the interstices plane.
Tibiae deeplv grooved for the accommodation of the tarsi, the anterior in front, the others behind, they are fringed with greyish setae ; tarsi apparently without membranous appendages. Antennae slender ; basal 2 joints of equal length, the 1st the stouter ; 3-6 cylindrical ; 7-9 short, obconical. rather broader than preceding one ; 10th obconical, rather broader than 9th ; the 11th as broad as the 10th, but nearly twice as long, these terminal 2 finely pubescent, so that the club seems to be only biarticu- late.
Underside moderately shining, black, with short grey setae ; meta- sternum distinctly but not coarsely punctate, the last ventral segment finely and closely.
Differentiated from C. striatus by the squamosity and thoracic sculpture.
Length, If lines ; breadth, 1^ lines.
Ashburton. A pair from Mr. W. W. Smith.
Curimus striatus Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 244.
Suboblong, rather broad, convex, moderately nitid, black, sparingly clothed with short greyish and erect fuscous setae.
8 NEW ZEALAND BYKHH1DAE.
Head rather short, apparently minutely and closely granulate. Thorns more than twice as broad as "it is long, its sides slightly explanate. consider- ably narrowed anteriorly, the apex broadly rounded medially and finely margined, base widely Insinuate and very closely fitted to the elytra : its surface closely and finely yet distinctly punctured, it is laterally depressed in front. Scutettum elongate-triangular, but not easily seen. Elytra parallel- sided, but much narrowed, and rather abruptly declivous behind : on each there are 6 sharply impressed, impunctate, discoidal striae which become irregular behind, the sutural are broad and deep near the extremity ; there are also 4 lateral striae, the dorsal grooves scarcely reach the base, where the sculpture is minutely rugose : the Brd interstices are rather broader than the others, and the 5th are slightly and obtusely prominent near the top of the declivity. The terminal joint of the maxillary palpi is acuminate.
Length, head excl.. If lines ; breadth. 1^ lines.
Parua. Whangarei. My somewhat damaged specimen was found by Mr. T. Beasely.
Curimus vestitus Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Jul}-, 1904.
Convex, subovate, slightly nitid, fusco-piceous, legs dark rufous, an- tennae and palpi piceous ; densely covered with small, flat, greyish-yellow7 and grey scales, these latter predominate on the head and near the hind angles of the thorax, they also form irregular spots near the sides of the elytra ; there are also numerous short, erect setae, which are fuscous on the dorsum, but grey near the sides, and nearly quite white but more slender on the forehead ; tibiae with setiform denticles along the outside.
Head suboblong, rather flat. Eyes quite lateral and longitudinal, narrowed backwards, not prominent. Thorax strongly transverse, gradually narrowed towards the acute anterior angles, its punctation concealed, shallow. Seidell w» triangular. Elytra with simple, sharply defined striae, interstices plane.
Underside opaque, sparingly studded with short, suberect grey setae, the punctation rather coarse and shallow.
Antennae sparsely hispid, 2nd joint nearly as long as the exposed portion of the 1st, 3rd and 4th equal, about twice as long as broad, the next 2 longer than broad but shorter than the preceding, 7th short. 8th and 9th trans y<ms«. 10th evidently broader than 9th, 11th oblong, large, closely muted to the 10th ; these terminal 2 therefore appear to form the oblong club.
Rather smaller than its two predecessors, and at once distinguishable by the dense pallid vestiture.
Length, L| lines: breadth, 1 line.
Ophir. Otago. Discovered by .Mr. J. H. Lewis. Two examples.
Curimus zeelandicus Redtenhacher. Voy. " Novara," Zool.
Breviter-ovatus, valde convexus, niger, supra cinereo nigroque squamu- bi t us. Betie erectis, clavatis nigris in interstitiis alternis elytrorum in fasci- culos longitudinales irregulares condensatis. maculaque transversa post mediana elytrorum albido squamosa.
Long., \ lin. ; lat. T% lin.
SYNORTHUS. 9
Synorthus gen. nov.
Body subrotundate, convex. Scutetiwn absent. Thorax and elytra truncate at base.
Head during repose with the eyes and organs of the mouth uncovered. Labrum transversely quadrate, carinate at base. Mandibles variable. Maxillary palpi with subovate, not acuminate, terminal joints. Antennae 11 -articulate, their 1st joint quite free, being attached to the lower part of the forehead, at some distance from the eye, by means of a stalk-like articulation ; they are gradually incrassate from the 6th or 7th joint on- wards. Tibiae without well-marked tarsal furrows, not dilated towards the extremity. Tarsi pentamerous, 3rd joint with membranous appendage.
Prosternal process projecting into the semicircular mesosternal cavity : it is broader than in Pedilophorus (Morychus), so that the anterior coxae are more widely separated. The posterior coxal laminae differ, their trochan- teral portion being three or four times longer, from front to rear, than the outer, whereas in Pedilophorus they taper gradually towards the sides, their basal portion being barely twice the length of the lateral. It is more nearly allied to Pedilophorus than to Byrrhus, Cytilus, Simplocaria. &c.
Section 1. Bodv glabrous, or nearly so. Forehead indistinctly margined. Synorthus sternalis Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., September, 1893.
Glossy, black, front margin of thorax rufescent, legs and basal joint of antennae dark rufous, remaining joints paler, tarsi testaceous.
Head distinctly but rather finely punctured, more distantly on the middle than at the sides, with a few minute slender setae, the labrum with distinct yellow ones ; forehead broadly rounded, finely margined near the antennae ; basal carina of labrum separated from the forehead by a broad groove. Thorax twice as broad as long, its sides finely margined, straight but nar- rowed anteriorly ; apex widely sinuate and finely margined towards the acutely rectangular angles ; its sculpture like that of the head, but becoming finer and less definite towards the base and sides. Elytra abruptly de- clivous and narrowed behind, their punctation shallow and irregular, a little coarser than on the thorax, the sides and apex almost smooth.
Tibiae with minute slender grey setae, the anterior nearly straight, with short, external, subapical grooves ; the intermediate more outwardly curvate than the posterior. Tarsi shorter than the tibiae, with well- developed appendages. Eyes large, more prominent in front than behind, with indefinite facets. Antennae pubescent, basal joint thick, cylindric, and nearly double the length of the next, which is not as stout ; 3rd elongate and slender, nearly as long as the following 3 combined ; 4-6 about equal, evidently longer than broad ; 7th longer than broad, only slightly thickened ; 8-10 as long as broad ; 11th elongate, yet shorter than the preceding 2 taken together ; the club therefore very elongate, apparently 5- jointed, but not at all well marked off. Mandibles obtusely bifid at apex.
Underside shining, piceous, with fine brassy hairs, which are more con- centrated on the terminal ventral segment than elsewhere. Metasternum grooved behind, rather finely and not closely punctured, the abdomen more finely and closely, quite densely near the sides.
Prosternum much abbreviated in the middle, its process plane and finely punctate ; the flanks distinctly curvate and margined inwardly, moderately
10 NKW ZEALAND BVRRHIDAE.
concave in trout, the basal half more deeply. Epipleurae broad, concave at the base, but becoming linear behind the metasternum. Basal ventral segment gradually depressed at the sides, but not concave.
Length, 2 linos: breadth., If lines.
Ligars Bush. Papakura. Two. found under logs.
Synorthus orbicularis Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 245.
Glabrous, shining, piceo-rufous ; antennae, palpi, and legs flavescent.
Head distinctly punctured, more closely near the eyes than on the vertex ; forehead slightly rounded, finely margined between the eyes and antennae. Thorax finely yet distinctly margined in front, its sculpture rather finer than on the middle of the head, much finer but closer towards the base. Elytra with rather shallow irregular punctures, less distinct than those near the front of the thorax.
Eyes finely faceted. Maxillary palpi with broad terminal joints, which are truncate at the apex. Antennae with the club apparently 6-articulate, the 6th joint being rather broader than the preceding one, the 11th largest.
Like S. sternalis, but distinguished therefrom by the thoracic margins and uniformly yellow colour of the limbs.
Length, If lines ; breadth, 1£ lines.
Parua, Whangarei. Under logs ; two individuals.
Synorthus nigricans Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 671.
Nitid, nude, piceo-niger, legs dark red, tarsi fulvescent, antennae castaneo-rufous.
Head moderately coarsely punctured, distantly on the middle ; forehead subtruncate in the middle, finely margined near the eyes. Thorax distinctly but not closely punctate, more finely than the head, more finely towards the base, with an elongate median fovea behind the middle, the apex slightly margined near the angles. Elytra with unequally distributed punctures, which are less definite than those near the front of the thorax, not effaced near the extremity : the sutural region a little depressed behind the middle.
Antennae gradually thickened, the club apparently 6-jointed, basal joint thick, pitchy-red.
The narrow ante-basal fovea on the thorax is a good differentiating feal tire.
Length, 2 lines; breadth. 1^ lines.
Paina. Unique.
Synorthus insuetus Broun. Man. X.Z. Coleopt., p. 769.
Shining, glabrous, quite black, legs and basal joint of antennae rufous. remaining joints pale rufo-castaneous, tarsi fulvescent.
Head rather strongly rounded in front, and, though without margins, rather well defined there; it is finely yet distinctly punctured but nearly smooth along the middle. Thorax very finely, rather distantly and in- distinctly punctate, the apex finely margined near the angles. Elytra very finely and ^definitely sculptured.
Eyes only moderately prominent, strongly transverse, with obsolete facets. Antennae with the 6th joint rather broader than its predecessor, -o that the club is indistinctly 6-articulate, joints 8-10 are strongly trans- verse.
SYNORTHUS. H
The fine sculpture, form of the eyes, and unusually broad joints near the terminal one, will lead to its recognition. Length, I] lines; breadth, L| lines. Parua. Unique.
Synorthus nigralis Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 1348. (Fig. 3.)
Glossy, nearly nude, having only a few minute yellowish hairs, which are most easily seen near the extremity of the hind-body; it is Mack, with testaceous tarsi, fulvescent antennae ; the basal joint, however, and the legs, rufous.
Head broadly rounded, obtuse and not at all well limited in front ; finely yet distinctly punctured, closely near the eyes, nearly smooth on the middle ; on the vertex there are 4 shallow foveae. Thorax not margined in front, with acutely prominent anterior angles, its sculpture similar to that of the sides of the head. Elytra somewhat irregularly and finely punctate less distinctly near the base than on the disc, the suture a little depressed behind the middle, as in S. nigricans.
Tibiae with fine grey setae, the anterior slightly curved, the others normal. Club apparently 5-articulate, joints 8-10 moderately transversal. Mandibles obtuse and not distinctly dentate at the extremity. Eyes ob- soletely faceted. Antennal grooves broad and deep, extending underneath alongside the eyes, as in S. sternalis.
Underside shining, rufo-piceous, abdomen rufescent, clothed, on the femora and sides especially, with slender brassy setae. Metastemum finely and distantly punctured, middle of abdomen still more finely and indis- tinctly, the sides and terminal segment very densely and minutely sculptured. Prosternum less abbreviated than in S. sternalis. the front of its flanks plane.
Maxillary palpi with thick terminal joints, their apical portion distinctly narrower and truncate at apex.
Somewhat similar to S. nigricans. The forehead different, thoracii angles more acute and prominent, the antennae more elongate, &c.
Length, 2 lines ; breadth, 1J lines.
Boatman's, Reefton. Mr. T. Cavell ; three examples.
Synorthus mixtus Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 901.
Nitid, black, head and thorax slightly bronzed, legs dark rufous, tarsi and intermediate joints of antennae rufescent, basal joint pitchy-red. terminal joints paler.
Head with some slender grey setae, medially curved but not margined in front ; closely and finely punctured near the eyes, very distantly on the middle. Thorax not perceptibly margined in front, with acute rectangular angles ; distinctly but finely and not closely punctate, indistinctly near the base. Elytra finely and irregularly punctured, and, like the thorax, bearing some minute, hardly discernible setae.
Front and hind tibiae slightly, the intermediate evidently, arched, with distinct slender grey setae. Antennae with the club 5-articulate ; 3rd joint almost as long as the following 3, which are just a little longer than broad, 9th and 10th transverse. Maxillary palpi with unusually broad terminal joints, their apical portion sub-membranous and impressed or concave. Eyes large, finely faceted.
Underside piceo-niger, nitid, with slender greyish pubescence. Meta-
num distinctly, abdomen finely punctate, the 5th segment densely.
19 XKW ZEALAND HYKHHIDAE.
Smaller and rather less rotundate than the other members of this Bection. The remarkable palpi, if quite natural, as they Beem to be, cannot well be mistaken for any ordinary form.
Length, 1! lines : breadth, 1 tine.
Mount Maungatua, Otago. Mr. S! W. Fulton: two individuals.
3157. Synorthus mandibularis sp. nov.
Glossv. aeneo-niger, legs and 1st antenna! joint rufous, remaining joints infuscate, tarsi testaceous.
Head with some slender greyish hairs, rather large, the forehead rounded, not margined ; it is finely, distinctly, and closely punctured, but nearly smooth behind. Thorax with acute and slightly prominent anterior angles. its apex with slender margins near the angles only ; its punctation finer than that of the head, and apparently absent on some parts. Elytra with ir- regular, rather shallow, and not close punctures, and appearing slightly coriaceous.
Tibiae with fine flavescent setae, the anterior nearly straight, the others moderately arched externally ; tarsal appendages well developed. Eyes only slightly prominent, rotundate behind, truncate in front. Mandibles thick, curvate, and acute at the extremity as examined from above ; when carefully examined from the front they are seen to be minutely tridentate, though appearing nearly truncate, at the apex. Antennae with the last 5 joints enlarged, 9th and 10th transverse, 3rd nearly the length of the following 3 taken together ; these 3, though longer than broad, are not elongate.
Underside shining, piceous, with numerous slender pale brassy setae. Metasternum distinctly but not closely punctured, the ventral segments more finely and closely, the 5th even more closely. Maxillary palpi with broadly ovate terminal joints, truncate at the apex.
Differentiated by the small size and glossv bronzed surface. S. mixtus can be distinguished by its peculiar palpi.
Length, 1| lines: breadth. 1 line.
.Mount look, at an elevation of 2,500ft. A solitary individual found by Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, January, 1909.
3158. Synorthus laevigatus sp. nov.
Glabrous, very glossy, black, apex of thorax and extremity of elytra slightly rufescent, legs Eusco-rufous ; tarsi, palpi, and antennae fusco-tes- taceous, the basal joint of these last rufous.
Head moderately convex, the forehead broadly rounded and rather sharply defined, but not margined except near the antennae ; there are a few line indistinct punctures near the sides. Thorax with some scattered line punctures, .interior angles acutely rectangular, its sides not perfectly straight, yet hardly perceptibly curved. Elytra very slightly depressed and pointed just at the apical margin, their punctation distant and obsolete.
Eyes only slightly prominent. .Maxillary palpi with broad terminal articulations, obtuse or subtruncate at the extremity, and somewhat con- cave or flattened. Tibiae with slender greyish setae, the anterior nearly straight, gradually narrowed towards the extremity, without tarsal fur- rows. Antennae rather short, the club 5-articulate ; joints 8-10 evidently transverse, 7th subquadrate, rather smaller than 8th but broader than the moniliform 6th, 4th and 5th longer than broad but not elongate, 3rd
SYNORTHUS. L3
slender, about as long as Ith and 5th combined, the terminal subcorneal, not doable the length of the penultimate.
Another alpine species, which may be known by the glossy surface and almost entire absence of sculpture ; indeed, with an ordinary lens it seems quite smooth.
Length, If lines ; breadth. I line.
Mount Arthur. My specimen was. among other species of Coleoptera, collected by Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, and the late J. Adams, master of the Thames High School.
Section 2.
Body with erect setae. Forehead distinctly margined.
Synorthus setarius Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 245. Fig. 4.)
Piceous, thorax somewhat rufescent, legs and basal joint of antennae dark rufous, the other joints paler, tarsi testaceous : moderately shining, with numerous outstanding fulvescent setae.
Head finely yet definitely, but not closely, punctate ; forehead widely rounded, distinctly margined from one eye to the other ; carina of labrum distinct. Thorax strongly transverse, apex subtruncate, slightly marginated near the sides, anterior angles acute and a little prominent, its sides margined, straight but gradually narrowed anteriorly ; distinctly, finely, and moderately closely punctured, more distantly near the sides. Elytra moderately and rather distantly punctate.
Tibiae finely setose, the anterior nearly straight, unimpressed in front, the. others curvate externally. Tarsi rather slender, with distinct append- ages. Eyes prominent in front. Mandibles sometimes minutely tridentate at the extremity. Antennae with the basal joint stout and cylindric. 2nd rather smaller, 3rd slender and as long as the following 3 combined, 7th about twice as broad as the 6th. joints 8-10 still broader, transverse, 11th largest ; the club therefore appears 5-articulate.
Underside piceous. a little nitid. the slender but distinct yellowish pubescence thicker at the sides of the abdomen and on the last segment than it is elsewhere. Metasternum moderately coarsely punctate, the sculpture of the ventral segments fine and indistinct.
Prosterncti process very broad and flat. The flanks of the presternum and the basal portion of the epipleurae are deeply concave, and form a continuous cavity for the accommodation of the femora ; the basal ventral segment is, at the sides, much below the level of the epipleurae.
Length. 1| lines ; breadth, 1 line.
Mount Manaia, Whangarei. Unique.
06s. — The description of the lower surface is derived from a reversed specimen of a varietal form, which I got at Ligars Bush. Papakura. The body is concolorous, If by 1| lines, with more elongate terminal joints to the antennae, but otherwise presenting no obvious differences from the type. In both the last joint of the maxillary palpi is broad.
Synorthus rotundus Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 671.
Rufo-piceous, moderately nitid, bearing many erect pale setae ; legs and basal joint rufous, remaining joints pale ferruginous, tarsi flavescent.
Head rounded and margined in front, with distinct, though fine, distant punctures. Thorax very distinctly yet finely and rather closely punctate ; the front slightly medially rounded. Elytra more finely and much more distantly punctured than the thorax, rather abruptly vertical behind.
14 NEW ZEALAND BYRRHIDAE.
Eyes finely faceted, not prominent. Antennae rather short., basal 2 joints aormal, 3rd slender and equalling the following 2 in length, 5th distinctly shorter than 4th, 6th very small, 7-10 gradually dilated, 11th large, ovate somewhat pointed towards the extremity; club evidently
5-jointed.
Smaller than S. setarius, the thorax more rounded in front and there- fore rather longer, "s punctation more definite and closer, that of the elytra much (loser. The body more rotundate. and at the extremity quite pre- cipitous instead of sloping. The antennae also differ.
Length, \\ lines ; breadth, f line.
Parua, Whangarei. Unique.
Section 3. Body villose. Forehead not distinctly margined in front.
Synorthus villosus Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 900.
Piceo-fuscous. slightly nitid, head feebly aeneous, legs rufous ; antennae, except the red basal joint, fulvescent ; tarsi testaceous ; rather thickly covered with long, slender, suberect greyish hairs, and some shorter decum- bent ones with others attached, so as to appear somewhat feather-like.
Head closely and finely punctured, rather large, not visibly margined in front. Eyes moderately large and prominent, rather distinctly faceted. Thorax very finely and distantly punctured, of the ordinary form. Elytra finely and distantly punctate, more distinctly than the thorax.
Tibiae with fine setae, the front unimpressed, and. like the posterior, a little curvate, the intermediate more strongly. Tarsi with well-developed membranes, their claws evidently thickened, but not dentate, at the base. Antennae with fine grey pubescence, the 7th joint small, only half the size of the 8th. which is haTdly as broad as the 9th, the 11th subcorneal ; the clnb, nevertheless, seems 5-jointed.
I 'mlr, side piceous, abdomen quite rufescent, rather thickly clothed with long slender greyish hairs ; the sculpture concealed, apparently rather coarse and shallow on the metasternnm. but close and minute on the sides of the abdomen.
The slender elongate pubescence is its best distinguishing character.
Length, If lines ; breadth, | line.
Dunedin. Mr. T. Ohalmer ; two individuals.
3159. Synorthus pygmaeus sp. nov.
Fusco piceous, legs ferruginous, Tarsi, palpi, and joints 3-11 of the an- tennae Elavescenl : covered with elongate, slender, decumbent, cinereous, and suberect yellowish hairs, these latter more conspicuous on the thorax than on the hind-body.
//""/ rather la rue. finely punctured, more finely and distantly on the vertex, the forehead broadlv rounded hut not rimmed. Thorax of the usual form, almost smooth on the denuded central portion. Elytra finely punctured near the suture, on the middle quite perceptibly there, but seemingly impunctate elsewhere.
Tibiae finely setose, the front and hind pairs nearly straight, the inter- mediate moderately arched. Tarsi relatively rather stout and short, with well - developed appendages. Eyes moderately convex, not prominent in front, .\niin, in, rather short, with thick rufous basal joints, 3rd elongate, almost as long as the following 2 combined, 6th and 7th short and rather
sYNOKTHUS. 15
small, 8-10 abruptly enlarged arid strongly transverse. 1 Itli large, sub- ovate ; club apparently quadri-articulate.
Underside shining, with distinct yellowish pubescence. Mctasternnm piceous, rather large, relatively coarsely punctured on the middle, finely behind. Abdomen rufescent, basal 3 segments finely punctate, the 5th, in the middle, with excessively short yet quite definite setae.
This is the smallest species of the genus, with long slender vestiture like that of S. villosus, with shorter tarsi, and its eyes less prominent in front.
Length, 1| lines ; breadth, f line.
Southland. Sent by Mr. A. Philpott, with the number 265 attached.
Section 4.
Body with distinct vestiture. Forehead not perceptibly margined. Scutellum present.
Synorthus anomalus Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 243.
Rufo-castaneous, legs ferruginous, antennae, tarsi, and palpi fulvescent ; rather thickly and irregularly clothed with tawny, decumbent, slender setae, and many erect, coarser ones, which are more or less irregularly con- centrated, there being 3 tufts on each elytron.
Head curvate in front, not margined ; its sculpture ill defined, not close, fine and distant on the vertex, rather closer and apparently almost punctate- granulose at the sides ; carina of the labrum distinct. Thorax with very minute distant sculpture, apparently granular ; it is subtruncate in front, and very much narrower there than at the base. Elytra minutely and remotely granulate.
Tibiae with moderately coarse flavescent setae, all very little arched externally, without visible tarsal furrows. Tarsi with distinct appendages, claws very small. Maxillary palpi with elongate-oval terminal articulations, which taper towards the extremity. Antennae gradually thickened from the 6th joint, so that the club seems to be 6-jointed, 4th and 5th equal, the latter elongate-oval. 3rd distinctly longer than 4th and thickened towards the apex. Eyes finely but distinctly faceted. Scutellum small, but dis- tinctly marked oft'.
This and the following species, no doubt, will not remain permanently with this genus, but, as they are represented by single specimens only, and are difficult to manipulate, it is not advisable to proceed further until more specimens are available.
Length, If lines ; breadth, 1^ lines.
Tairua. Unique. When found it was covered with a film of sappy matter which was diffieu't to scrape oft with the point of a needle, and until that had been done its sculpture could not be seen.
Synorthus granulatus Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., September, 1893.
Shining, rufo-piceous, sparingly clothed with erect, moderately coarse, yellowish setae ; legs and 1st joint of antennae red, the other joints and the tarsi fulvescent.
Head finely and rather closely punctate, in some aspects appearing minutely granulate ; the forehead not perceptibly margined, labral carina only moderately distinct and rather distant from the forehead. Eyes large and prominent, with fine facets. Thorax very finely but not closely granu- late, much depressed towards the anterior angles, its width more than
li, NEW ZEALAND BYRRHIDAE.
double ili<' length. Sctttellum small, triangular. Elytra most convex be- fore the middle, much narrowed, bu1 not vertical behind; their surface slightly uneven, but without definite depressions; the sutural region slightly elevated behind : their sculpture resembles that of the thorax.
Tibiae moderately finely setose, the anterior unimpressed but obliquely narrowed externally near the apex, the other pairs are slightly arched out- wardlv : the tarsal appendages are moderately developed. Antennae moderately elongate, 2nd joint hardly more than half the size of the 1st. Ith slender and elongate yet distinctly shorter than 3rd. 5th and 6th evidently longer than broad, 7th very slightly longer but nearly as broad as the 8th. 9th and 10th rather broader than long, 11th elongate, about as long as the preceding 2 combined ; club apparently 5-jointed.
Differentiated by the minute granular sculpture, somewhat uneven elytra, &c.
Length, H lines : breadth, 1 line. •
Ligars Bush, Papakura. A solitary individual.
Pedilophorus StefTahny.
Bodv convex, oviform ; glabrous or nearly so. Scutellum distinct. Thorax Insinuate at base.
Section I.
Anterior tibiae curved, flattened or impressed along the outer portion of the front face.
3160. Pedilophorus foveigerus sp. now {Fig. 5.)
( Mossy, viridi-aeneous, the head and the sides and base of elytra rufeseent, legs dark rufous, tarsi and intermediate joints of antennae ferruginous, the terminal joints rather darker, the basal piceo-rufous.
Head with rather shallow but distinct punctures, and appearing slightly rugose : forehead moderately rounded, not margined. Thorax moderately finely, no! deeply or closely, but regularly, punctured ; its sides finely margined, nearly straight, but gradually narrowed towards the acixte and somewhal prominent anterior angles, the apex widely sinuate towards the -ill'-. Scutellum triangular, rather small, not transverse. Elytra not at all vertical behind, their sculpture like that of the thorax.
Tibiae with a few slender inconspicuous setae, the anterior rather more curved below the middle than above it, the intermediate strongly arched externally, with small apical spines. Tarsi stout, the appendages of the 3rd joints prolonged half-way underneath the 5th. Eyes large, finely faceted, more prominenl in front than behind. Antennae moderately elongate ; 3rd joint slender and elongate ; 1th and 5th also long yet shorter than 3rd : 6th longer than broad, very slightly thicker ; 7th slightly longer than broad, rather thicker than 6th -. 8-10 enlarged, sometimes transversal,. Il'h longer; the club, therefore, appears 5-jointed: the thick 1st joint is free, having a short basal stalk by which it is attached to the head near the iront (,| t he eve.
Underside Bhining, with some slender yellow hairs on the 5th ventral
nent. the rest of the pubescence is indistinct. Metasternum finely
punctate, the more rufeseent abdomen still more so. Terminal ventral
segment, at the apex, with a well-marked broad fovea, which seems to
terminate in a short fissure.
PEDILOPHORUS. 17
Prosternal process little more than half the width of that of Synorthus stemalis. The flanks are depressed behind, but level in front. The posterior coxal laminae taper gradually towards the sides, their trochanter] portion being barely twice as long, from front to rear, as the lateral. The sides of the mesosternum are deeply concave, and the epipleurae are linear except at the short flattened space alongside the metasternum. The basal ventral segment is simply gradually depressed, and the femora fit in below the coxal laminae.
Pedilophorus gemmeus Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 769.
Shining, glabrous, dark rufo-cupreous. head aeneo-niger, legs pale ferruginous, antennae pale rufo-castaneous, their basal joint pitchy red, tarsi and palpi testaceous.
Head distinctly punctured, less closely on the vertex than near the eyes ; forehead simple, rather strongly rounded. Thorax twice as broad as long, its sides not quite straight, being slightly sinuate behind the middle, so that the posterior angles seem to extend slightly outwards ; the apex sinuate and distinctly margined near each side ; punctation rather finer than that of the head, but quite distinct. Scutellum triangular, small. Elytra finely punctured and coriaceous.
Antennae gradually thickened from the 6th joint onwards, 5th joint hardly thicker than the more elongate 4th ; the club therefore appears 6-articulate. Eyes finely yet distinctly faceted. Tarsi rather slender, with moderate membranes ; claws of the front pair evidently thicker throughout than the posterior.
The strongly curved forehead, the sinuate sides, and distinctly mar- ginated apex of the thorax are its distinguishing characters.
Length, If lines ; breadth. 1 line.
Parua. Unique.
Pedilophorus laevipennis Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., September, 1893.
Shining, aeneo-piceous, head and thorax slightly cupreous, legs rufo- piceous. antennae dark red, the last six joints somewhat castaneous.
Head distinctly and rather evenly punctured, nearly as closely on the vertex as at the sides ; forehead moderately rounded, simple ; labrum. mandibles, and palpi almost black. Thorax with the apical margins quite as definite as the lateral, its sculpture like that, of the head but rather shallow. Scutellum triangular, very small. Elytra nearly smooth, finely coriaceous, and with, in some lights, indications of obsolete striae. Claws very small. Club apparently 6-jointed.
Metasternum rather flat, very finely and distantly punctate. Abdomen with minute sculpture and pubescence.
This is the second species with definite margins extending from the anterior angles to near the middle of the thorax at the apex. In appearanee it differs much from the preceding ones.
Length, 1| lines ; breadth, quite 1 line.
Mount Pirongia, Waikato. Unique. December, 1892.
Pedilophorus probus Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., September, 1893.
Nitid, aeneo-niger, tinged with blue, the base and sides of elytra slightly rufescent, the legs and basal joint of the antennae rufo-piceous, remaining joints and the tarsi red. 2— No. 2.
18 NEW ZEALAND BYKRHIDAE.
Head broadly rounded in front, distinctly punctured, very closely near the sides, with 2 smooth spots on the middle. Thorax regularly and dis- tinctly punctate, rather more finely than the head: the frontal margins, towards the sides, moderately definite. Scutellum triangular. Elytra irregu- larly, rather finely, vet quite perceptibly and rather closely, punctured, less evidently near the base.
Tibiae finely setose, the anterior a little dilated below the middle. Eyes distinctly but finely faceted. Antennae with the club apparently 5-jointed ; 7th joint obconical, slightly enlarged, 8-10 transverse, 11th large, subovate.
This comes near P. foveigerus, but can be recognised by the dilatation of the front tibiae and the moderately developed apical margins of the thorax.
Length, 2} lines ; breadth, If lines.
Taieri, Otago. My specimen was found by Mr. S. W. Fulton.
Pedilophorus puncticeps Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., September, 1893.
Glossy, aeneous ; the head obviously, the sides of the thorax and elytra slightly, rufo-cupreous ; legs dark red, tarsi and antennae fulvescent, the latter becoming duller and more castaneous towards the extremity, basal joint dark red.
Head moderately coarsely punctured, very closely near the eyes ; fore- head rounded. Thorax evidently yet less coarsely punctured than the head, more closely and finely near the middle of the base, the central linear space nearly smooth, the margins of the apical sinuations slightly developed ; its sides straight but narrowed anteriorly, the posterior angles rather more acute than the anterior. Scutellum small, triangular. Elytra finely and not closely punctate, somewhat coriaceous, towards the extremity par- ticularly.
Tibiae with slender greyish setae, the front pair moderately curved, and broadly impressed near the outer margin. Tarsi rather slender. Eyes finely but distinctly faceted.
Antennae gradually incrassate from the 7th joint onwards, the 2nd lather slender, but little thickened at the base ; 3rd elongate, yet scarcely longer than the following one ; 5th also elongate, just appreciably shorter than the 4th ; 6th twice as long as broad, hardly at all dilated ; 7th obconical. rather longer than broad ; 8-10 broad, moderately transverse ; 11th oblong, not quite the length of the preceding 2 combined: club appa- rently 5-articulate.
The coarse punctation of the head, rather slender tarsi, and the structure of joints 2 to f> of the antennae, render its identification easy.
Length, 2{- lines ; breadth. If lines.
Clevedon, Hunua Range. My specimen was found by Mr. G. Campbell Munro.
Pedilophorus tibialis Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.. September. 1893.
Convex, rather narrow, shining, aeneous, the head and sides evidently rufescent ; legs and antennae, save the dark basal joint, ferruginous, tarsi fusco-testaceous.
Hi iid with a few slender grey hairs, rather short, middle of forehead subtruncate, simple ; the punctation very distinct, closer near the eyes than on the vertex. Thorax rather finely punctate, still more so towards
PEDILOPHORUS. 19
the sides and base, with straight, anteriorly narrowed sides and acute angles, the frontal margins rather slender. Scutellum small, triangular, minutely punctate. Elytra finely punctate, more or less coriaceous.
Tibiae with slender hairs, the anterior widely explanate and strongly curvate outwardly, the dilated outer half broadly impressed. Tarsi stout. Eyes prominent, distinctly yet finely and closely faceted. Antennae rather short, 3rd joint elongate and slightly oviform, 4th and 5th gradually narrowed towards the base, of nearly equal length, each obviously shorter than 3rd; 6th as long as broad, only slightly dilated, obconical ; 7th broader than long, not double the width of 6th ; 9th and loth transverse ; 11th subovate. not as long as the preceding 2 combined; club apparently 5-jointed.
This beautifully iridescent species can be readily identified by its widely expanded front tibiae.
Length. 1J lines ; breadth, 1 line.
Dyer's Pass, near Christchurch. My rather mutilated specimen was found by Mr. H. Suter.
Section 2. Anterior tibiae nearly or quite straight, grooved along their outer face.
Pedilophorus creperus Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.. September, 1893.
Convex, oval, moderately nitid, sparingly clothed with minute yet quite perceptible grey hairs ; piceo-niger, elytra slightly bronzed, legs piceo- rufous, tarsi and antennae ferruginous, basal joint of the latter dark red.
Head moderately coarsely and rather evenly punctured, forehead sub- truncate. Thorax distinctly punctate, less coarsely than the head ; its sides straight, very gradually narrowed anteriorly, the angles rectangular and acute but not prominent, the front margins definite near the sides and only slightly sinuate. Scutellum triangular, small. Elytra with cori- aceous sculpture, the fine punctation distinct on the disc.
Tibiae with slender grey setae, the anterior straight, rather narrow, impressed along the outside ; the other pairs moderately curvate externally. Tarsi stout, with well-developed membranous appendages. Eyes prominent, with numerous fine facets. Antennae moderately elongate: basal joint stout ; 2nd more slender and shorter ; 3rd elongate and slender ; 4th and 5th also elongate, both shorter than 3rd ; 6th longer than broad, slightly thickened; joints 8-10 transversal, 11th nearly double the length of the penultimate ; the terminal 5 joints appear to form the elongate club, the 7th being a little broader than the 6th. Terminal joint of maxillary palpi rather thick, subtruncate at apex. Mandibles apparently bifid at extremity.
This is somewhat similar to P. laevipennis, belonging to Section 1, but much darker, less shining, with more distinctly sculptured elytra, and quite perceptibly pubescent.
Length, 1| lines ; breadth, 1| lines.
Dyer's Pass, Canterbury. Unique. Another of Mr. H. Suter's captures.
Pedilophorus pulcherrimus Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., May, 1909. (Fig. 6.)
Oval, bearing numerous, hardly perceptible on the elytra, more distinct on the head, greyish slender setae ; brilliant viridi-aeneous, the head, scutellum. sides, and base of elvtra with metallic red reflections ; tibiae
•20 NKW ZEALAND BYRRHIDAE.
and basal joint of antennae dark rufous, remaining articulations paler or more infuscate, tarsi fulvescent.
Head moderately coarsely punctured, more closely near the sides than 013 the vertex : forehead slightly rounded. Thorax quite twice as long as it is broad, its sides not quite straight, being widely yet only slightly incurved near the middle ; the apical margins, near the sides, nearly as well defined as the lateral ; its punctation very distinct and regular, but not quite as coarse as that of the head ; it has 2 shallow discoidal foveae. Scu- tellum triangular, small. Elytra nearly smooth at the base, elsewhere finely though quite distinctly punctured.
Tibiae with small terminal spurs, finely setose ; the anterior nearly straight, grooved along the outside. Tarsi stout, with well-developed appendages. /'Ji/cs prominent, with fine facets. Antennae with their 3rd joint rather longer but much more slender than 2nd, T-6 gradually ab- breviated ; all. however, are elongate ; 7th rather smaller than 8th. but broader than 6th : 9th and LOth transverse. 11th as long as the preceding 2 combined ; club apparently 5-jointed.
Underside shining piceous. with reddish reflections, with slender, scanty, yellowish pubescence. Metasternurn distinctly, abdomen more finely and closely, punctured. Maxillary palpi normal, terminal articulations not truncate at apex. Mandibles apparently trifid at extremity.
P. foveigerus is like this in appearance, but is more finely sculptured, destitute of pubescence, and the sides of the thorax are not sinuate.
Length, 2 lines : breadth. 1£ lines.
[nvercargill. Two. from Mr. A. Philpott.
Pedilophorus picipes Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.. September, 1893.
Shining, aeneo-piceous, head and thorax slightly rufescent, legs and antennae rufo-piceous, tarsi pitch v-red.
Head distinctly, moderately coarsely, and closely punctured near the sides, irregularly and much more distantly on the vertex, with a few fine grey hairs : forehead slightly curved. Eyes distinctly but not coarsely Faceted. Thorax distinctly but not closely punctate, more finely near the base, formed as in the preceding species. Scutellum small, triangular. Elytra finely and moderately closely punctate somewhat coriaceous, be- coming smooth behind.
Front tibiae nearly straight, grooved along the outer face, the inter- mediate moderately arched. Club apparently 6-articulate.
The unusually dark legs and antennae will lead to its identification.
Length, l'J lines: breadth, L| lines.
Midhirst. T.uanaki. I could find only a single specimen.
Pedilophorus laetus Broun. .Man. X.Z. Coleopt., p. 1349.
Glossy, aeneous, tinged with rufo-cupreous, legs and basal joint of an- tennae dark rufous, remaining joints and the tarsi dark fulvescent.
Head moderately curved in front, rather coarsely, a little rugosely, and irregularly punctate. Thorax distinctly, moderately finely, and closely punctured, less evidently near the base. Scute/lion small, triangular. Elytra very distinctly and rather closely punctured almost to the extremity, where there are a few slender setae.
Tibiae with slender grey setae, the front pair nearly straight and slightly grooved along the outer face, the others moderately arched. Eyes finely
I-KDILOPHORUS. 2l
yet distinctly faceted. Antennae moderately elongate, 3rd joint elongate and slender, -4th and 5th similar kit rather shorter than 3rd ; 6th as long as broad, only slightly thickened; 7th subtriangular and moderately ex- panded : the club, consequently, seems to be 5-articulate.
Underside shining black with metallic-red reflections, sparingly and very finely pubescent. The metastemum distinctly punctate, abdomen rather more closely and finely, the last segment large, unimpressed.
Prostemal process broadly concave along the middle. Epipleurae very slightly expanded and flattened alongside the metastemum.
One of the largest and finest of our species. The concave prostemal process and simple terminal ventral segment, by themselves, are sufficient for the separation of this from the other Westland species, P. foveigerus.
Length, 2f-3 lines ; breadth, If— If lines.
Boatman's, Reefton. Discovered by Mr. T. Cavell. Two.
Pedilophorus lewisi Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., January, 1907. (Fig. 7.)
Body broadly oval, moderately convex, minutely and sparingly pubescent, nitid ; bronzed black, legs and 1st antennal joint piceo-rufous, remaining joints and the tarsi rather paler.
Head distinctly and rather closely punctate ; the forehead obtuse, not at all sharply limited in front. Thorax strongly transverse, the middle of its apex subtruncate, its sculpture similar to that of the head but becoming finer towards the base. Scutellum subcordifonn. Elytra rather more finely sculptured than the thorax, and with from 2 to 7 series of punctures, which sometimes form indefinite, striae, on each elytron.
Tibiae finely setose, with short terminal spurs ; the anterior a little curved, and grooved along the outside. Antennae very gradually dilated, the club apparently 6-jointed, the 4th joint rather smaller than the con- tiguous ones.
Underside, femora inclusive, shining pitchy - black, sparingly clothed with greyish-yellow slender hairs. Metastemum coarsely, abdomen finely yet distinctly punctured, terminal segment with an indistinct apical fovea.
Prostemal process nearly plane, moderately broad, finely punctate. Epi- pleurae moderately broad and flat alongside the metastemum. Mandibles trifid at the extremity. Tarsi thickly pubescent underneath, their mem- branous appendages generally only moderately developed.
This fine species may be immediately identified by a glance at the elytral sculpture. ijp] Length, 3|-3§ lines ; breadth, 2-2£ lines.
Old Man Range, Otago, at an elevation of 4,100 ft. Named in honour of Mr. J. H. Lewis, its discoverer.
3161. Pedilophorus sculpturatus sp. nov.
Oblong-oval, only moderately convex, sparingly clothed with fine erect grey setae ; shining, aeneous, with rufo-cupreous and violaceous reflections, legs and first joint of antennae dark rufous, remaining joints and the tarsi infuscate.
Head slightly uneven, moderately coarsely and closely punctate ; forehead
subtruncate in the middle. Thorax hardly twice as broad as long, hind
angles acutely rectangular, the anterior a little prominent ; its sculpture
very distinct, almost similar to that of the head. Scutellum triangular.
3— No. 2.
NEW ZEALAND BYKHHIDAE.
Elytra distinctly but not closely punctured, more finely behind ; they are of unusually oblong form, with nearly straight sides before the middle, and not at all abruptly declivous behind.
Tibiae with slender yet quite distinct grey setae, the front pair slightly curved, the intermediate moderately. Tarsi stout, with well-developed appendages. Mandible* trifid at extremity. Eyes finely faceted. An- tennae stout. basal joint thick, 3rd only twice as long as broad, 4th shorter than 5th ; 6th small, not broader than 5th ; 7-10 transverse, very gradually dilated ; 11th nearly the length of the preceding 2 combined : club 5-articu- late.
Underside shining, black, with decumbent brassy hairs ; the punctation verv distinct, coarse on the sternum.
Differs from all our species by the more elongate . form, the sides of the elytra being but little curved for half their length, the thorax is just appreciably longer than usual, and the sculpture is obvious throughout.
Length, 2A lines ; breadth, 1£ lines.
Broken River, Canterbury. Mr. J. H. Lewis. Unique.
3162. Pedilophorus cognatus sp. nov.
Oblong-oval, only moderately convex, shining, bronzed black, legs piceo- rufous, antennae and tarsi fusco-rufous ; the setae short and slender, erect, and numerous.
Very similar to P. sculpturatus as regards form and sculpture ; the hind-body even less convex, without iridescent reflections, much darker in colour; the setae of the under-surface more distinct, and with joints 4 and 5 of the antennae more elongate. The sides of the thorax are not quite straight, being just perceptibly rounded. The middle tibiae are nearly straight.
Length, 2\ lines ; breadth, 1^ lines.
Broken River. Mr. J. H. Lewis. One.
Pedilophorus coruscans Pascoe. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 245.
Elliptical, very convex, shining, aeneous, antennae and legs pale fer- ruginous.
Head finely and almost closely punctate. Thorax and elytra coriaceous, very finely punctate. Scutellum transversely triangular, smooth.
Underside ferruginous, finely punctate. Femora and tibiae sparsely setose.
Length, 2 lines.
Wellington.
Pedilophorus helmsi Reitter.
Oval, short, very convex, smooth, finely and evenly punctured above ; glossy, black, subaeneous, legs ferruginous; antennae elongate, these and the tarsi fusco-testaceous.
Head nearly smooth on the middle, its sides coarsely punctured. Thorax very much narrowed anteriorly, with acute front angles. Scutellum minute. Elytra acuminate behind.
Long., 3-7 mm.
• irevmouth. Mr. R. Helms.
Obs.— Not in my collection ; placed temporarily in Section 2.
I'KmijOl'HOKUS. _I3
Section 3. Body obviously setigerous.
3163. Pedilophorus bryobius sp. nov.
Oblong-oval, only moderately convex, shining, viridi- violaceous, legs and antennae fusco-rufous ; bearing numerous outstanding, elongate, ful- vescent setae.
Head closely punctured near the eyes, more coarsely and distantly on the vertex ; forehead strongly rounded, the groove between it and the punctate labium deep and smooth. Thorax almost twice as long as broad ; bisinuate at the base, so that its angles appear rather prominent and directed back- wards, the sides margined and much narrowed towards the straight anterior angles; apex medially truncate, sinuated and margined behind the pro- minent eyes ; its surface moderately coarsely but distantly punctate. Scu- tellum triangular, distinct. Elytra rather distantly, moderately coarsely, and subseriate-punctate, but quite estriate, the sculpture less distinct behind.
Tibiae nearly straight, indistinctly impressed, with fine elongate greyish setae. Tarsi with well-developed membranous appendages. Antennae with thick, pyriform, dark-red basal joints, 3rd joint longer than 4th, 7-10 gradually dilated but hardly transversal ; 11th elongate, nearly the length of the preceding 2 combined : these terminal 5 joints are more densely pubescent than the others, and evidently form the elongate club.
Underside nitid, nigrescent, clothed like the legs, the breast coarsely, the abdomen finely punctate. The posterior eoxal laminae very much narrowed towards the sides.
Length, 2 lines ; breadth, nearly 1|- lines.
Mount Quoin, Wellington. I am indebted to Mr. A. O'Connor for a pair found by him amongst moss on trees, at an elevation of about 3,800 ft.
Liochoria Pascoe. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., September, 1875. Antennae sub-elongatae, articulis sex ultimis, ultimo excepto, perfoliatis, clavam angustatam formantibus. Labrum magnum, distinctum. Paljn maxillares articulo ultimo ovali. Tibiae anticae extus excavatae.
Liochoria huttoni Pascoe. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., September, 1875.
L. elliptica convexa, nigra, nitida, antennis pedibusque piceis ; capite prothoraceque confertim subtiliter, elytris subtilissime. punctatis ; scutello aequilateraliter triangulari ; corpore infra femoribusque subtiliter punctatis, sparse hirsutis ; tibiis extus integris, intus ciliatis.
Long.. 3f lin.
Otago. Captain Hutton.
Cytilissus Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., September, 1893.
Body subrotundate, convex. Labrum moderately carinate at the base. Thorax and elytra truncate at the base. Scutellum absent. Tarsi with well-developed membranous appendages. Eyes large, prominent, dis- tinctly faceted. Maxillary palpi with rather broad terminal joints.
Antennae free, rather short ; basal joint cylindric, thick ; 2nd quite half the length of the 1st, narrowed apically ; 3rd slender, nearly as long as the following 2 combined : club large, compact, indistinctly articulated, but apparently composed of 2 nearly equal joints. The antennae, there- fore, seem to be only 7 -articulate, a character which at once separates it from all its congeners.
The only exponent of this genus, in facies, resembles a hairy Synorthus.
•_) I NK\\ ZEALAND BYRRHIDAE.
Cytilissus claviger Broun. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.. September, 1893.
Fusco-piccous. Blightly oitid, tibiae and basal joint of antennae dark red, remaining joints and the tarsi testaceous ; with numerous erect, elongate. slender, greyish-yellow hairs.
Head finely and distantly punctured : the forehead subtruncate between the antennae, with fine margins near these latter and the eyes. Thorax strongly transverse, its sides finely margined, straight, but gradually narrowed anteriorly : apex subtruncate. with deflexed acute angles ; its surface very finely, rather distantly and indistinctly punctate. Elytra with sculpture similar to that of the thorax, their suture very fine and close, the apex broadly rounded.
Tibiae moderately arched externally, with fine setae, the anterior slightly grooved along the outer face.
Underside piceous, punctate, with elongate pale hairs.
Length, 1| lines ; breadth, quite | line.
Mount Pirongia. Only a single specimen could be secured during several visits.
Limnichus Latreille. Lacord., Hist, des Ins. Coleopt., torn, ii, p. 486.
Body oblong-oval, moderately convex. Organs of the mouth, and the eyes, concealed during the retraction of the head. Antennae 10-articulate. The species very small.
Limnichus decorus Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 247. {Fig. 8.)
Oval, moderately convex, glossy ; black, slightly olivaceous, legs and antennae rufo-piceous : rather thickly clothed with bright-yellowish and grey, decumbent, moderately slender setae, the grey ones scattered over the elytra.
Head about as long as the thorax, only half its width, a little narrowed anteriorly, not distinctly punctate, rather densely pubescent. Thorax twice as broad as it is long, its sides straight but gradually narrowed Ulteriorly : apex subtruncate. anterior ancles acute and slightly prominent : base slightly sinuate towards the sides, hut in the middle incurved in front of the scutellum : its punctation very fine and close, rather indistinct. ScutcUiim proportionally rather large, elongate-triangular, minutely sculp- tured. Elytra curvedly narrowed, hut not abruptly declivous, posteriorly: with line coriaceous sculpture, and near the base with a few fine distant punctures or minute granules, their suture well marked.
Tibia* rather slender, nearly straight. Tarsi simple, terminal joint of the posterior equals the basal f combined in length. Eyes lateral, rather Hat. Antenna* about as long as the head and thorax, rather laxly articu- lated, intermediate joints narrowed apically, 8th and Dth slightly broader, 10th rather larger and subrotundate ; club Particulate.
Length, -| line : breadth, \ line.
Tairua. Two specimens in my own collection.
Limnichus simplex Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt.. p. 247.
Oblong-oval, moderately shining, Mack, covered with depressed grey
Thorax indistinctly sculptured, its clothing slightly flavescent ; formed ,s m L. decorus. Scutellum large. Elytra finely sculptured, appearing minutely granulate when examined under the microscope.
LlftfttlOHtfB. 25
Vnderside black, shining, finely punctate, with depressed, slender, brassy setae ; these are somewhat concentrated along the middle of the last ventral segment. Metasternum distinctly sulcate along the middle.
The name originally applied, L. punctatus, having been used before for a North American species, has now been changed to L. simplex.
Length, 1 line ; breadth, \ line.
Lindis Pass, Otago. Captain F. W. Hutton.
Limnichus picinus Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 671.
Oblong-oval, moderately convex, slightly nitid, piceo-niger, sparingly clothed with short yellowish setae.
Head indistinctly sculptured. Thorax finely yet distinctly and closely punctured ; apex medially truncate, but obliquely prolonged towards the acute anterior angles. Scutellum large, triangular, finely punctate. Elytra minutely granulate near the base, punctate along the dorsum, the sculpture becoming obsolete towards the sides.
The more definite sculpture differentiates this from the preceding species.
Length, 1| lines ; breadth, f line.
Castle Hill, Canterbury. Mr. J. D. Enys. Unique.
Limnichus nigripes Broun. Man. N.Z. Coleopt., p. 1449.
Oblong-oval, moderately convex, nigrescent, legs and antennae piceous ; nitid, irregularly clothed with depressed yellowish setae, the tibiae with fine grey setae.
Head subopaque, indefinitely sculptured. Thorax finely and indistinctly punctate ; the setae near the middle exceedingly short, but at each side of the middle, near the base, rather elongate and disposed transversely. Scutellum triangular, large, punctate. Elytra distinctly and closely punc- tate or subgranulate. the sculpture near the sides hidden by the dark clothing there. Eyes large, but only very slightly convex.
Underside black, bearing depressed almost white setae, finely and not closely punctate. The prosternum in the middle is cuneiform, truncate in front and tapering towards the extremity. Cavities for the reception of the legs moderately deep. Metasternum finely grooved along the middle.
With more brightly coloured setae than L. simplex, the elytral sculpture more distinct than in L. decorus.
Length, 1 line ; breadth, | line.
Ashburton, Canterbury. A pair, in excellent condition, from Mr. W. W. Smith.
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE.
Fig. 1. Nosodendron ovatum Broun.
2. Curimus squamifer Broun.
3. Synorthus nigralis Broun.
4. „ setarius Broun.
5. Pedilophorus foveigerus Broun. '>• „ pulcherrimus Broun. 1- „ lewisi Broun. 8. Limnichus decorus Broun.
NEW ZEALAND BYKRHIDAE.
~S\
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A. Waterworth, photo.
To face p. 'Hi.
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UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
QL Broun, Thomas
596 Revision of the New
B97B76 Zealand Byrrhidae
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