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HARVARD UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
OF THE
Museum of Comparative Zoology
MBS. COW. Z30L
Limy
MHINtt
UNIVERSITY
HKTfflTZPi
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JUL 14 196
Journal
OF THE
UNIVERSITY
Society for British
Entomology
World List abbreviation:^. Soc. Brit. Ent.
VOL. 5
EDITED BY
J. H. MURGATROYD, F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
E. J. POPHAM, D.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.C.S., F.R.E.S.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF
W. A. F. BALFOUR-BROWNE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.L.S.,
F.Z.S., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. D. HINCKS, M.Sc.j F.R.E.S.
B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
O. W. RICHARDS, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. H. T. TAMS
1 955- 1 957
BOURNEMOUTH
AND
MANCHESTER
DATES OF PUBLICATION
Vol. 5
Part 1 (1-46) .
. 14* July,
Part 2 (47-90) .
. 15th November,
Part 3 (91-118) .
Part 4 (1 19-142) .
Part 5 (143-178) .
Part 6 (179-198) .
Part 7 (199-230) .
1954
1954
1955
1955
1956
1956
1957
CONTENTS
PAGE
Andrewes, C. H. : Helocera delecta Mg. and other uncommon Diptera
in the Isle of Wight . 164
Bailey, R. : Observations on the size of galls formed on couch grass by
a Chalcidoid of the genus Harmolita . 199
Brown, William L., Jnr. : The identity of the British Strongylognathus
(Hym. Formicidae) . 113
Chambers, V. H.: Further Hymenoptera records from Bedfordshire. . 126
Collin, J. E.: Tipula seibkei (Zetterstedt) 1852, an addition to the
British Tipulidae (Diptera) . 72
- Notes on some rare British Scatopsidae (Diptera) . 72
- Genera and species of Anthomyiidae allied to Chirosia
(Diptera) . 94
- Syndyas nigripes Zetterstedt. An Empid genus and species
new to the British fauna . 132
- Some new British Borboridae (Diptera) . 172
Collingwood, C. A.: Aberrations in British Ants of genus Formica. . 193
- The Species of Ants of the genus Lasius in Britain . 204
- and Satchell, J.E.: Ants of the South Lake District . 159
Colyer, C. N. : Swarming of Phoridae (Diptera) . 22
- The identity of Megaselia (. Aphiochaeta ) vestita (Wood, 1914)
(Diptera, Phoridae). A description of the male and a
redescription of the female . 91
- Phorid flies damaging cultivated mushrooms Megaselia
plurispinosa (Lundbeck, 1920), Diptera Phoridae a
synonym of Megaselia halterata (Wood, 1910) . 166
PAGE
Day, C. D. and Fonseca, E. C. M. d’A. : A Key to the family of the
British species of Sarcophaga (Diptera Calliphoridae) . ... 119
Fonseca, E. C. M. d’A.: Translation of Ringdahl’s Muscid Tables,
Additions and Corrections . 17
- Pseudophaonia steini Ringd. (Diptera Muscidae) in Suffolk. . 100
Hincks, W. D.: Rare Trypetids (Dipt.) at Millers Dale, Derbyshire. . 88
- Notes on the Species of Micro-Hymenoptera from Charter-
house Pools . 150
- Notes on the Elateridae (Col.) of the British List . 197
- Notes on some species of Trichogrammatidae omitted from
the “Check list of British insects” . 215
Jackson, Dorothy J. : Notes on Hymenopterous Parasitoids bred from
the eggs of Dytiscidae in Fife . 144
Kevan, D. K. McE. : Further notes on the distribution of British
Orthopteroids . 65
- The known distribution of British Orthopteroids. Fourth
Supplement . 187
Kidd, L. N.: Notes on some Derbyshire Craneflies . 86
- Scoliocentra villosa (Meigen) (Diptera Helomyzidae) and
Trichocera maculipennis Meigen (Diptera Trichoceridae)
taken in Derbyshire caves . 87
Leston, D.: The male genitalia of Schirus bicolor L. (Heteroptera
Cynidae) . 75
- The function of the conjunction in copulation of shield bug
Piezodorus bituratus (Fabr.) Hem. Pentatomidae . 101
- The British species of Sigara ( Sigara ) Fabr. (Hemiptera
Corixidae) . 153
11
PAGE
Lewis, T. : Two interesting British records of Thysanoptera . no
Manning, F. J. : Note on Colletes halophila Verhoeff . 130
Massee, A. M.: Hemiptera heteroptera associated with fruits and hops 179
Owen, D. F. : The Swift Apus apus L. as a predator of Aphids . 82
- Coleoptera taken by Swifts ( Apus apus L.) . 105
Parmenter, L. : The Swift Apus apus as a predator of flies . 27
- Diptera and other insects visitors to flowers of Ranunculus
Sardous Crantz . 131
Ringdahl, O. : A survey of the Swedish species of Phaonia R.D.
(Diptera Muscidae) . 1
Shaw, S.: On the occurrence of Hylecoetus dermestoides (L.) and
Lymexylon navale L. (Col. Lymexylidae) in Lancashire
and Cheshire . 172
- - Telonimus punctissimus (Ratzeburg) (Hym. Scelionidae) new
to Britain . 165
Smith, K. G. W. : Thrip on the Stinkhorn Fungus. Phallus impudicus
(Pers) . 109
- A second British record of Myopa oculta Merz. (Dipt.
Conopidae) with notes on related species in the genus. . . 124
Thornton, I. W. D. and Broadhead, E.: The British species of
Elipsocus Hagen (Corrodentia Mesopsocidae) . 47
iii
PAGE
Yarrow, I. H. H. : Some observations on the genus Bombus with special
reference to Bombus callamanus Kirby (Hymenoptera
Apidae) . 34
- Colletes halophila Verhoeff (=C. succinta halophila Verhoeff)
a bee hitherto unrecognised in Great Britain . 39
- Psenulus schencki Tournier, a Psenine Wasp new to the
British List . 41
- The Irish form of Myrmosa atra Panz. Hym. Tiphiidae. ... 43
- Ancistrocerus gazella (Panzer) =A. pictipes Thomson, an
abundant but hitherto undetected Eumenine wasp in
Britain . 78
- The British Strongylognathus (Hymenoptera Formicidae) .. . 114
Reviews . 44, 115, 141, 158, 225
Congresses . 90, 133, 220
Editorial . 90, 143, 192, 219
Treasurer . 45, 142
Obituary . 230
IV
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LIBRARY i
VOL. 5
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Part 1
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mim
1 0N:V!RSITY
J
IOURNAL
OF THE
Society for British
Entomology
World List abbreviation : J. Soc. Brit. Ent.
EDITED BY
J. H. MURGATROYD, F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF
W. A. F. BALFOUR-BROWNE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.L.S.,
F.Z.S., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. D. HINCKS, M.Sc., F.R.E.S.
B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
O. W. RICHARDS, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. H. T. TAMS
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JOURNAL OF THE SOClE-
FOR BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY
s
1
, VOL. 5
14th July, 1954
Part 1
i
A Survey of the Swedish Species of Phaonia R.-D.
(Dipt., Muscidae)
By O. Ringdahl
(1923, Ent. Tidsk ., 1 17-140)
' Translated from the Swedish by E. C. M. d’Assis-Fonseca, B.Sc., F.R.E.S.*
I The genus Phaonia is rich in species, of large or medium size. Body either
broad or fairly narrow. Eyes of males touching or narrowly separated, female
frons broad, almost always without crossed frontal bristles. Thorax four-
’ striped, stripes sometimes indistinct or the median pair confluent. Abdomen
usually with dorsal stripe and sometimes with shifting tessellations, but never
with true paired spots. Legs usually without conspicuous secondary sexual
characters. Hind tibiae with one, seldom with two, dorsal bristles below
middle. In wing, cubital vein without setae at base. Squamae large, lower
one protruding far beyond upper.
The majority of the species are woodland and meadow dwellers. A few
favour water-loving vegetation, but on the other hand there are none which
are drought-lovers. Not a few are flower visitors ( serva , lugubris, alpicola ,
incana , basalis , mono, hybrida , consobrina ), with some the principal habitat is
a tree-trunk (errans> signata, fuscata, goberti , etc.), and similarly others are
chiefly met with where sap is flowing (< querceti , laeta, cincta , mirabilis).
[* Translator’s Note: The original Tables have been modified to an appreciable
extent in order to incorporate a further thirteen British species, viz., subfuscinervis
Zett., confluens Stein, mystica Mg., colbrani Coll., humerella Stein, bitincta Rond.,
laetabilis Coll., pullata Stein, trimaculata Bche. (normal form with pale tibiae), fusca
Mde., cincta Zett., setifemur Stein and rufiseta Zett. (the last three species in the Table
for females only). For the laeta- group, the original characters have been largely
replaced by those given by Mr. J. E. Collin in his paper on Phaonia laetabilis and
related species (see ref. below), in order to make this section of the Tables workable.
The species servaeformis Ringd., appearing in the original Swedish paper, has since
(1945) been recognized by Ringdahl as a dark form of trimaculata Bche. Collin in
1931 (see ref. below) pointed out that frenata Holmgr. should correctly be placed in
the genus Lophosceles Ringd., and this species has been omitted from the present
Tables. In 1949 Ringdahl (see ref. below) proposed a re-grouping of the genus
Phaonia , but his original arrangement is retained in this paper.
I am indebted to Mr. J. E. Collin for advice and information in regard to some of
the additional British species. My thanks are also due to Mr. L. Parmenter for the loan
of specimens of the little-known fusca Mde.
( Continued at foot of page 2)
2
[June
Table of Species
Males:
1. Legs black . 2
— Legs partly yellow . 27
2. Four postsutural dorsocentral bristles . 3
— Three postsutural dorsocentrals . 21
3. Presutural acrostichal bristles absent . 4
— Presutural acrostichals present . 9
4. Arista plumose . 5
— Arista pubescent . 7
5. Arista long-plumose; front tibiae without longer hairs behind .
. 1. incana Wied.
— Arista shorter-plumose ; front tibiae with scattered long hairs behind 6
6. Hind femora with only very short postero ventral bristles; brownish
species with yellow wing-base . 3. hybrida Schnb.
— Hind femora with a postero ventral row of long bristles; blackish
species with dark wing-base . 4. morio Zett.
7. Hind femora with a postero ventral row of bristles; blackish-grey
species . 8
— Hind femora without these bristles ; black species 7. pallidisquama Zett.
8. Frons at narrowest at least as broad as third antennal segment;
aristal hairs shorter; greyer species . 6. subfuscinervis Zett.
— Frons narrower; aristal hairs longer; darker species . . 5. consobrina Zett.
9. At least front femora, beneath at apex, with a row of very short,
strong, spine-like bristles . 10
— Not as above . 11
10. Only the front femora with a row of spines beneath ; eyes bare .
. 40. setifemur Stein
— Both front and middle femora spinose beneath ; eyes hairy .
. 39. mirabilis Ringd.
11. Arista plumose, or at least short-haired . 12
— Arista pubescent . 18
References
Collin, J. E., 1931. Diptera (Orthorrhapha, Brachycera and Cyclorrhapha) from
Greenland. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist., 7: 79-80.
- 1933- Notes on Perthshire Anthomyiidae, etc. “The Scottish Naturalist,”
p. 119.
- I95i- Phaonia laetabilis sp.n., with notes on some other related Antho¬
myiidae. Ent. Rec., 63: 1-5.
- 1953* Some additional British Anthomyiidae (Diptera). J. Soc. Brit. Ent.,
4: (8), 174-5.
Karl., O., 1928. “Die Tierwelt Deutschlands,” 13.
Ringdahl, O., 1945. For svenska faunan nya Diptera. Ent. Tidsk., 66: 3-4.
- 1949- Forsok till artgruppering inom slaktena Phaonia R.-D. och Helina
R.-D. (fam. Muscidae). Ent. Tidsk., 70: 136-41.
Seguy, E., 1923. Dipteres Anthomyides. Faune de France, 6: 315-38 ]
1954]
3
12. Hind tibiae abundantly bristled and haired; strong orbital bristles
reaching almost to ocellar triangle, uppermost one upcurved ....
. 41. querceti Bche.
— Hind tibiae not particularly bristly; strong orbital bristles not
reaching near to ocellar triangle, upper ones weaker than lower. . 13
13. Cross veins clouded . 14
— Cross veins not clouded . 17
14. Scutellum with hairs on lateral margins, below lateral bristles . 15
— Scutellum bare on lateral margins . 16
15. Abdomen more or less transparent yellowish at base and on sides;
eyes separated by almost twice the width of third antennal segment
. 37. cincta Zett.
— Abdomen nowhere transparent yellow, with shifting tessellations;
eyes separated by less than the width of third antennal segment . .
. 46. trimaculata Bche.
16. The pair of strong postvertical bristles well in front of a line joining
inner verticals; frons greyer; front tibiae without a median
posterior bristle . 36. laetabilis Coll.
— The strong pair of postverticals not in front of the inner verticals ;
front tibiae usually with a median bristle . 35. laeta Fall.
17. Arista short-plumose; eyes densely hairy; abdomen with shifting
tessellations; bristles beneath middle femora rather fine .
. 42. goberti Mik
— Arista long-plumose ; eyes sparsely-haired ; abdomen without shifting
tessellations . 43. canescens Stein
18. Black or blue-black species; wings either smoky or strongly yellow
at base . 19
— Almost lead-grey species ; wings not as above . 20
19. Blue-black species, abdomen without markings; wings strongly
yellow at base . 51. atrocyanea Ringd.
— Black species, abdomen with distinct median stripe; wings smoky. .
. 38. pullata Cz.
20. Crossveins clouded; prealar bristle long . 49. aeneiventris Zett.
— Crossveins not clouded ; prealar bristle absent . 50. halterata Stein
21. Mouthedge far protruding . 22
— Mouthedge not or hardly protruding . 23
22. Eyes touching ; squamae yellowish . 10. lugubris Mg.
— Eyes somewhat separated; squamae whitish . 11. alpicola Zett.
23. Eyes densely hairy; fairly broad species with plumose arista . 24
— Eyes sparsely short-haired, or bare; narrower species . 25
24. One pair of presutural acrostichals ; thorax distinctly four-striped;
hind tibiae not remarkably bristly; front tibiae without a median
bristle . 8. serva Mg.
— Presutural acrostichals absent or inconspicuous; median pair of
thoracal stripes very broad, usually confluent; hind tibiae
abundantly bristled and haired ; front tibiae with a median bristle
. 9. confluens Stein
4 [June
25. Prealar bristle absent or inconspicuous; almost lead-grey species;
knob of halteres dark ; costal spine about as long as small crossvein
. 50. halterata Stein
— Prealar bristle usually present, sometimes short and fine . 26
26. Arista short-plumose, hairs about as long as third antennal segment
is wide; knob of halteres usually dark; costal spine about twice as
long as small cross vein . 47. nitida Macq.
— Arista almost bare ; knob of halteres yellow . 30. longicornis Stein
27. Four postsutural dorsocentral bristles . 28
— Three postsutural dorsocentrals . 49
28. Abdomen yellow . 29
— Abdomen not yellow, or only transparent yellowish at base . 32
29. Head and thorax entirely yellow, latter at most darkened on dorsum;
arista very long-plumose . 31. pallida F.
— Head and thorax mainly dark . 30
30. Scutellum entirely yellow; one pair of well developed presutural
acrostichals . 32. scutellaris Fall.
— Scutellum blackish at base; two pairs of presutural acrostichals. ... 31
31. Arista short-plumose, hairs hardly as long as third antennal segment
is wide; thorax with the median pair of stripes broad .
. 33. variegata Mg.
— Arista very long-plumose; median pair of thoracal stripes very
narrow . 34. bitincta Rond.
32. Presutural acrostichal bristles present . 33
— Presutural acrostichals absent, or hair-like and inconspicuous . 39
33. Abdomen more or less transparent yellowish at base; eyes separated
by almost twice the width of third antennal segment . . 37. cincta Zett.
— Abdomen nowhere transparent yellow . 34
34. At least some femora yellow . 35
— Legs black, only the tibiae entirely or partly yellowish . 36
35. Humeri usually yellowish; scutellum mainly yellow; only one pair
of presutural acrostichals . 25. humerella Stein
— Neither humeri nor scutellum yellow; more than one pair of
presutural acrostichals . 45 . gracilis Stein
36. Crossveins clouded; arista fairly long-plumose . 37
— Cross veins not clouded ; arista rather short-plumose _ 42. goberti Mik
37. Scutellum with hairs on lateral margins, below lateral bristles, usually
yellowish at apex . 46. trimaculata Bche.
— Scutellum bare on lateral margins, never yellowish at apex . 38
38. The pair of strong postvertical bristles well in front of a line joining
the inner verticals; frons greyer; front tibiae without a median
bristle . 36. laetabilis Coll.
— The pair of strong postverticals not in front of the inner verticals;
frons darker ; front tibiae usually with a median bristle . . 35. laeta Fall.
39. Prealar bristle absent ; palpi more or less yellow .... 28. rufipalpis Macq-
— Prealar bristle long . 40
1954]
5
40. Scutellum yellow at apex . 41
— Scutellum not yellow at apex . 44
41. Eyes separated by more than the width of third antennal segment;
hind femora black . 15. perdita Mg.
— Eyes quite or almost touching; hind femora yellow . 42
42. Antennae black . 14. errans Mg.
— Basal segments of antennae yellow . 43
43. Front femora entirely yellow; front tibiae seldom with a median
bristle; hind femora without long bristly-hairs posteroventrally
. 12. erratica Fall.
— Front femora black at base ; front tibiae with one or more posterior
bristles; hind femora with long bristly-hairs posteroventrally -
. 13. signataMg.
44. Middle tibiae with the posterior bristles in two rows ... .2. basalis Zett.
— Middle tibiae with only one row of bristles behind . 45
45. Hind femora long-haired beneath . 17. erronea Schnb.
— Hind femora not long-haired beneath . 46
46. Hind femora posteroventrally with several strong bristles; middle
tibiae with an anterior bristle; hind tibiae with a strong postero-
ventral apical bristle . 16. vagans Fall.
— Hind femora without strong posteroventral bristles; middle tibiae
without an anterior bristle; hind tibiae without a posteroventral
apical bristle . 47
47. Femora dark; eyes with the glistening white orbits touching . 48
— Femora mainly yellow; eyes distinctly separated . 19. fuscata Fall.
48. Front tibiae with a median posterior bristle . 26. palpata Stein
— Front tibiae without a median bristle . 27. ostrologica sp. n.
49. Scutellum yellow at apex . 50
— Scutellum not yellow at apex . 51
50. Humeri usually yellowish; abdomen without shifting tessellations
. 25. humerella Stein
— Humeri not yellowish ; abdomen with shifting tessellations .
. 24. apicalis Stein
51. Hind tibiae densely bristled and haired all round _ 18. crinipes Stein
— Hind tibiae simple . 52
52. All femora mainly black ; crossveins at most very indistinctly clouded ;
abdomen without long bristly-hairs at apex beneath . 53
— Middle and hind femora mainly yellow, or if darkened then either
crossveins distinctly clouded, or genital sternite with long bristly-hairs 55
53. Arista very short-haired or pubescent; scutellum with hairs beneath
. . . 29. magnicornis Zett.
— Arista plumose . 54
54. Arista long-plumose ; eyes touching . 26. palpata Stein
— Arista shorter-plumose ; eyes separated by at least the width of third
antennal segment . 48. fusca Mde.
6
[June
55. Cross veins distinctly, usually broadly, clouded; abdomen not
remarkably bristled at apex beneath . 19. fuscata Fall.
— Cross veins at most indistinctly clouded . . 56
56. Hind femora long-haired beneath; wings clear; abdomen without
shifting tessellations . 17. erronea S chnb .
— Hind femora not long-haired beneath . 57
57. Genital sternite with a dense bunch of long bristly-hairs on each side
almost as long as fourth visible tergite . 20. vittifera Zett.
— Genital sternite at most with shorter fine hairs . 58
58. Middle femora beneath with at least one strong bristle; antennae
entirely black; abdomen with shifting tessellations. .21. mystica Mg.
— Middle femora without any strong bristles beneath . 59
59. Hind femora without strong postero ventral bristles; thorax seen
from behind with the median pair of stripes coalesced into a central
broad stripe; abdominal stripe broad . 22. rufiseta Zett.
— Hind femora with strong posteroventral bristles; thorax with four
stripes; abdominal stripe narrow . 23. colbrani Coll.
Females :
1.
2.
3-
4-
5-
6.
7-
8.
Legs black . 2
Legs partly yellow . 28
Four postsutural dorsocentral bristles . 3
Three postsutural dorsocentrals . 21
Presutural acrostichal bristles absent . 4
Presutural acrostichals present, though sometimes fine . 9
Arista plumose, hairs at least as long as third antennal segment is
wide . 5
Arista short-haired or pubescent . 7
Front tibiae almost uniformly short-haired all round; arista very
long-plumose . 1. incana Wied.
Front tibiae with scattered hairs behind ; arista shorter-plumose .... 6
Brownish-grey species ; hind femora posteroventrally without longer
bristles . 3. hybrida Schnb.
Black species ; hind femora with several long posteroventral bristles
. 4. morio Zett.
Black, thinly pruinose species, with dark wing-base; hind femora
posteroventrally without fine bristles . 7. pallidisquama Zett
Distinctly grey pruinose species, with yellow wing-base ; hind femora
with numerous fine posteroventral bristles . 8
Middle tibiae with posteroventral bristles; hind femora with long
antero- and postero- ventral bristles ; crossveins not clouded .
. 5. consobrina Zett.
Middle tibiae without posteroventral bristles; the antero- and
postero-ventral bristles on hind femora much shorter, hardly
longer than femur is deep ; crossveins slightly clouded .
. 6. subfuscinervis Zett.
1954]
7
9-
io.
ii.
12.
13-
14.
15-
i6.
17-
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Arista plumose, or at least short-haired . 10
Arista only pubescent . 18
Cross veins distinctly clouded . . 11
Cross veins not clouded . 15
Scutellum with hairs on lateral margins, below lateral bristles . 12
Scutellum bare on lateral margins . 14
Frons with hairs on frontal stripe; acrostichal rows very close
together . 39. mirabilis Ringd.
Frontal stripe without hairs; acrostichal rows not particularly close
together . 13
Scutellum with a dark basal spot and lateral patches; abdomen with
a dorsal stripe and shifting tessellations . 46. trimaculata Bche.
Scutellum entirely grey, at least without side spots; abdomen with
a dorsal stripe and brownish patches on outer hind corners of
second and third visible tergites . 37. cincta Zett.
Frontal stripe greyer, seen from the front hardly contrasting with
the grey orbits; palpi distinctly broader than width of basal
segment of front tarsi; front tibiae without a median posterior
bristle . 36. laetabilis Coll .
Frontal stripe darker, contrasting distinctly with the orbits; palpi
narrower, at most as broad as basal segment of front tarsi; front
tibiae usually with a median bristle . 35. laeta Fall.
Front tibiae with a strong median posterior bristle. .43. canescens Stein
Front tibiae without a median bristle . 16
Knob of halteres darkened ; a pair of strong upper orbital bristles
pointing forwards . 17
Knob of halteres clear yellow; no such upper orbital bristles .
. 42. goberti Mik
Hairs of arista shorter than third antennal segment is wide ; antero-
ventral bristles near apex of front femora inconspicuous
. 41. querceti Bche.
Hairs of arista much longer; front femora with much stronger
anteroventral bristles near apex . 40. setifemur Stein
Blue-black species with strongly yellow wing-base .
. 51. atrocyanea Ringd .
Species not as above . 19
Knob of halteres yellow; abdomen brownish pruinose. .38. pullata Cz.
Knob of halteres dark ; abdomen lead-grey, somewhat shining . 20
Crossveins distinctly clouded; prealar bristle rather long .
. 49. aeneiventris Zett.
Crossveins not clouded; prealar bristle absent or very short .
. 50. halterata Stein
Eyes densely hairy ; broad species . 22
Eyes sparsely-haired, or bare; somewhat slender species . 26
Arista pubescent . 38. pullata Cz.
Arista plumose . 23
B
8
[June
23.
24.
25-
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
Si-
32.
33-
34-
35-
36.
37-
Mouthedge far protruding . 25
Mouthedge not or hardly protruding . 24
One pair of strong presutural acrostichals ; middle tibiae with two-
four posterior bristles in a single row . 8. serva Mg.
Presutural acrostichals absent or inconspicuous;, middle tibiae with
numerous posterior bristles irregularly biserial .... 9. confluens Stein
Squamae usually yellow . 10. lugubris Mg-
S quamae whitish . 1 1 . alpicola Zett-
Acrostichal bristles absent or very weakly developed; antennae very
long with almost bare arista; front tibiae without posterior bristle
. 30. longicomis Stein
Acrostichals distinct, even though short and fine ; antennae normal,
arista distinctly pubescent or short-plumose; front tibiae with a
posterior bristle . 27
Arista short-plumose; costal spine very long, about half as long as
hinder crossvein . 47. nitida Macq.
Arista pubescent; costal spine shorter . See No. 20
Four postsutural dorsocentral bristles . 29
Three postsutural dorsocentrals . 49
Palpi rather strongly developed; front tibiae with a median posterior
bristle . 26. palpata Stein
Palpi not, or only slightly enlarged . 30
Abdomen yellow . 31
Abdomen nowhere yellow . 34
Head, thorax and abdomen yellow . 31. pallida Fall.
Head and thorax mainly dark . 32
Scutellum entirely, and sides of thorax largely, yellow; median pair
of thoracal stripes narrow . 32. scutellaris Fall.
Scutellum darkened at base . 33
Arista very long-plumose ; median thoracical stripes very narrow _
. 34. bitincta Rond.
Arista with hairs hardly as long as width of third antennal segment ;
median thoracal stripes broad . 33. variegata Mg.
Presutural acrostichal bristles absent . 35
Presutural acrostichals present . 42
Scutellum more or less yellow at apex, sometimes very obscurely. . 36
Scutellum not yellow at apex . 39
Antennae yellow at base; palpi usually more or less yellow . 37
Antennae and palpi black ; abdomen with shifting tessellations . 38
Very large species, about 10 mm. ; small crossvein not clouded ....
. 12. erratica Fall.
Smaller species, about 7 mm. ; both crossveins distinctly clouded . .
. 13. signata Mg.
1954]
9
38.
39-
4°.
4i.
42.
43-
44-
45-
46.
47-
48.
49-
All femora yellow, at most front femora black at base; costal spine
inconspicuous . 14. errans Mg.
Front femora largely and middle femora partly black. .15. perdita Mg.
Prealar bristle absent or extremely short; palpi more or less yellow
. 28. rufipalpis Macq.
Prealar bristle long; palpi dark . 40
Middle tibiae with the posterior bristles in two rows; front tibiae
with somewhat longer hairs behind . 2. basalis Zett.
Middle tibiae with only one row of bristles behind; front tibiae
almost uniformly haired all round . 41
Front tibiae without a posterior bristle; middle tibiae without
anterior bristles ; hind femora posteroventrally without long
bristles ; abdomen without shifting tessellations from any point of
view . 17. erronea Schnb.
Front tibiae with one or more posterior bristles ; middle tibiae with
an anterior bristle ; hind femora posteroventrally with several long
bristles ; hind tibiae with a posteroventral apical bristle .
. 16. vagans Fall.
Arista pubescent . 44. grandaeva Zett.
Arista plumose . 43
Legs mainly yellow . 44
Femora black, only the tibiae entirely or partly yellowish . 45
Humeri usually yellowish; scutellum mainly yellow; only one pair of
presutural acrostichals . 25. humerella Stein
Neither humeri nor scutellum yellow; more than one pair of
presutural acrostichals . 45. gracilis Stein
Crossveins not clouded; arista short-plumose . 42. goberti Mik
Crossveins distinctly (sometimes broadly) clouded . 46
Scutellum with hairs on lateral margins, below lateral bristles . 47
Scutellum bare on lateral margins . 48
Scutellum with a dark basal spot and lateral patches, usually more or
less yellow at apex; abdomen with a dorsal stripe and shifting
tessellations . 46. trimaculata Bche.
Scutellum entirely grey, at least without side spots; abdomen with
a dorsal stripe and brownish patches on outer hind corners of
second and third visible tergites . 37. cincta Zett.
Frontal stripe greyer, seen from the front hardly contrasting with
the grey orbits; palpi distinctly broader than width of basal
segment of front tarsi; front tibiae without a median posterior
bristle . 36. laetabilis Coll.
Frontal stripe darker, contrasting distinctly with the orbits; palpi
narrower, at most as broad as basal segment of front tarsi ; front
tibiae usually with a median bristle . 35. laeta Fall.
Scutellum yellow at apex; legs mainly yellow . 50
Scutellum not yellow at apex . 51
10
[June
50. Humeri usually yellow; abdomen without shifting tessellations _
. 25. humerella Stein
— Humeri not yellow; abdomen with shifting tessellations .
. 24. apicalis Stein
51. Arista pubescent; antennae long with angular front corner;
scutellum hairy beneath . ; . 29. magnicornis Zett.
— Arista plumose, or at least short-haired . 52
52. Palpi rather strongly developed . 26. palpata Stein
— Palpi not, or only slightly, enlarged . 53
53. All femora entirely or mainly black . 48. fusca Mde.
— Femora mainly yellow . 54
54. Thorax seen from behind with the median pair of stripes coalesced
into a broad central stripe; third antennal segment yellowish at
base . 22. rufiseta Zett.
— Thorax not as above ; third antennal segment entirely dark . 55
55. Hind tibiae with more than two anterodorsal bristles; middle tibiae
with more than three posterior bristles, irregularly biserial .
. 18. crinipes Stein
— Hind tibiae with one-two anterodorsal bristles ; middle tibiae behind
usually with two- three bristles in a single row . 56
56. Front femora almost entirely black; middle femora with strong
bristles beneath in basal half . 17. erronea Schnb.
— Front femora mainly yellow, or if extensively darkened then middle
femora with only fine bristles beneath in basal half . 57
57. Crossveins broadly clouded; scutellum with a brown spot at base;
hind tibiae usually with only one anterodorsal bristle .
. 19. fuscata Fall.
— Cross veins not, or hardly clouded . 58
58. Hind tibiae with two (occasionally three) anterodorsal bristles; hind
femora with two-three anteroventral bristles towards apex; front
femora often extensively darkened; more yellowish-grey species
. 20. vittifera Zett.
— Hind tibiae usually with only one anterodorsal bristle; hind femora
anteroventrally with a row of bristles from middle to apex ; front
femora mainly yellow; more bluish-grey species _ 21. mystica Mg.
The genus Phaonia is composed of rather dissimilar species. Schnabl, in
“Die Anthomyiden,” has divided it up into five subgenera, which, owing to
numerous diverse forms, are difficult to define. With the object of establishing
a division of the genus by grouping together closely allied species, I have in
this survey attempted to split it up into groups which correspond to Schnabl’s
subgenera, but since all the dissimilar species could not form separate groups,
this has resulted in certain of the groups becoming rather overloaded, as for
example Nos. Ill and V.
Group I
Rather large species of fairly stout build. Eyes densely hairy, frons in
females without crossed bristles, mouth-parts more or less protruding and
1954]
II
cheeks broad, palpi almost filiform, arista plumose or pubescent. Four
postsutural dorsocentral bristles, prealar bristle long as in most of the Phaonia.
Abdomen with long, outstanding bristles. Legs black (except in basalis).
All the species are flower visitors, being found on numerous different
flowers. (N.B. — usually only the males are briefly described in the following
pages, the females being dealt with in the Table.)
1. incana Wied. <£: Blackish-grey species, eyes narrowly separated, mouthedge
protruding. Thorax distinctly striped. Abdomen thickly grey pruinose with narrow
dorsal stripe. Front tibiae with a median posterior bristle, middle tibiae with a short
anterodorsal bristle, hind femora with isolated bristles beneath. Wing-base, squamae
and halteres yellow. Length about 8 mm. May- August.
2. basalis Zett. <$ : Yellowish-grey species. Arista long-plumose, eyes closely
touching, mouthedge somewhat protruding. Thoracal stripes distinct, inner ones
narrow, outer very broad. Abdomen thickly yellowish-grey pruinose with fine dorsal
stripe. Legs yellow, femora sometimes black, front tibiae densely haired behind,
usually with one-two bristles, hind femora with isolated bristles posteroventrally.
Wing-base, squamae and halteres yellow. Length 7-8 mm. June- September.
3. hy brida Schnb. {Aricia plumbea Zett.) d: Eyes closely touching, arista medium
long-plumose, mouthedge rather far protruding. Thorax with broad stripes, median
pair close together. Abdomen lead-grey pruinose, somewhat shining, with dorsal
stripe and shifting tessellations, the stripe laterally widened on hinder part of each
segment. Front tibiae with median bristle, middle tibiae with one-three anterodorsal
bristles. Wings faintly brownish, yellow at base, squamae and halteres yellow. Length
about 8.5 mm.
4. morio Zett. Similar in most respects to the preceding species, but entirely black
in colour and with blackish wing-base, even the halteres somewhat darkened.
5. consobrina Zett. ( Aricia turpis Zett., inconspicua Zett., vicina Zett.). d : Eyes
touching or slightly separated, mouthedge hardly protruding, arista pubescent.
Thorax and abdomen about as in preceding species, first visible abdominal segment
entirely black, dorsal stripe more triangularly broadened and more sharply defined.
Front tibiae not long-haired behind, leg bristles as in last two species. Wings greyish,
dark at base, squamae and halteres yellow, latter sometimes somewhat darkened.
Length about 8 mm.
Whether the above synonymy contains any closely allied but distinct species is
uncertain. Certain characters, such as separation of eyes and length of aristal hairs,
are somewhat variable, but I have not discovered more distinctive features by which
to separate them.
6. subfuscinervis Zett. <$: Very closely resembling consobrina , but of a rather greyer
colour, eyes less approximated, arista with rather shorter hairs, abdomen with shorter
and weaker bristles, especially on fifth tergite, posteroventral bristles on middle
femora shorter. (Description after Collin, 1933, “The Scottish Naturalist,” p. 119.)
7. pallidisquama Zett. ( ? Aricia anthracina Zett.). Black species with faint thoracal
stripes, abdomen very thinly pruinose with indistinct markings. <J: Eyes almost
touching, antennae short, arista slightly pubescent, mouthedge somewhat protruding.
Front tibiae with short scattered hairs behind and several bristles. Wing-base and
halteres blackish, squamae yellow. Length 7-8 mm.
Group II
Species similar in build and life-history to those of preceding group.
Abdomen broad, densely clothed with long bristles and hairs. Mouthedge
often protruding. Eyes densely and long-haired. Acrostichal bristles present.
Legs black.
8. serva Mg. Blackish-grey species. <$: Arista medium long-plumose, cheeks
broad. Thorax with fairly distinct stripes. Abdomen with dorsal stripe and distinct
shifting tessellations. Front tibiae without bristles, hind femora with isolated bristles
posteroventrally. Squamae and halteres yellow. Length 7-8 mm. May-August.
12
[June
9. confluens Stein. <J : Eyes separated by at least width of third antennal segment.
Thoracal stripes very broad, usually leaving only a pair of whitish pruinose stripes
along dorsocentral lines, prealar bristle long, scutellum with black basal band and more
or less distinct black median stripe. Abdomen with ill-defined, broad, dorsal stripe
and shifting tessellations. Front tibiae with two posterior bristles, middle tibiae with
six-seven bristles behind, hind tibiae abundantly bristled and haired. Length
6-8 mm. May.
10. lugubris Mg. Thorax almost entirely black, stripes very indistinct. Abdomen
about as in serva. Middle femora long-haired beneath and with fine bristles (coarse in
serva ), hind femora posteroventrally without strong bristles. Squamae yellow, halteres
somewhat darker. Length about 8.5 mm.
11. alpicola Zett. <$: Thorax not so black as in lugubris , but stripes no more
conspicuous, a somewhat smaller and rather more slender species, otherwise similar.
Group III
This group includes species somewhat unlike in appearance. Here belong
the erratica-type ( erratica , signata , errans and perdita), characterized by their
stout build, shifting tessellations on abdomen, densely hairy eyes, long-
plumose arista, and partly yellow scutellum. Close to these come possibly
vagans. erronea, rufipalpis and crinipes ; the fuscata- type: fuscata , rufiseta,
vittifera , and possibly the closely allied palpata and apicalis , all of narrow, or
rather narrow build; magnicornis and longicornis are distinguished by their
remarkably long antennae and only pubescent arista. All these species are
without acrostichal bristles, and there are no crossed frontal bristles in the
females.
12. erratica Fall. One of our largest Muscids. <$: Eyes closely touching, palpi
partly yellow. Thorax and abdomen yellowish-grey pruinose, former distinctly striped,
scutellum mainly yellow. Abdomen very broad with rather indistinct dorsal stripe.
Coxae and legs yellow, front tibiae with or without bristles, middle tibiae with bristles
only behind. Wings long, hinder crossvein very oblique, meeting discal vein just
before middle of apical section, discal vein somewhat undulating near wing-tip. Length
10 mm. or more. July- September.
13. signata Mg. ( Anthomyza erythrostoma Zett.). Like erratica but distinctly smaller.
Both crossveins broadly clouded, the hinder one not oblique, discal vein straight to
wing-margin. Length about 7 mm. May-October.
14. errans Mg. (Villeneuve considers this species to be the same as tinctipennis
Rond., but the true errans Mg. is really more like erratica , though smaller.) A some¬
what variable species. Orbits touching, antennae black, sometimes obscurely
yellowish at base, palpi black. Thoracal stripes sometimes rather broad, giving thorax
a darker appearance, median pair of stripes often confluent, scutellum more or less
darkened at base. Abdomen with a short dorsal stripe and shifting patches. Legs
yellow, front femora more or less black, front tibiae without median bristle, postero-
ventral bristles on hind femora may be isolated or numerous. Wings with crossveins
more or less distinctly clouded, squamae and halteres yellow. Length 8-10 mm.
May-August.
15. perdita Mg. Of more slender build than either of the two preceding species.
cJ : Eyes distinctly separated by a rather broad frontal stripe, antennae and palpi black.
Thorax distinctly striped, median pair close together, scutellum yellow at apex, often
only very indistinctly. Abdomen thickly pruinose, without distinct shifting patches,
but with a broad dorsal stripe consisting of three elongate spots. All femora black,
yellow at apex (seldom more yellow), hind femora posteroventrally with closely set
bristles at apex, tibiae yellow, front tibiae without median bristle. Wings with cubital
and discal veins divergent towards apex, crossveins somewhat clouded, squamae and
halteres yellowish. Length 8-9 mm. May-August.
16. vagans Fall. A dark, yellowish-grey pruinose species. : Eyes almost touching,
more sparsely haired than in perdita, antennae long, black, arista medium long-plumose,
1954]
13
palpi black. Thorax with median pair of stripes close together. Abdomen with narrow
dorsal stripe and faint shifting patches. Legs yellow, front and middle femora partly
darkened, front tibiae with or without bristles, hind femora with posteroventral
bristles, pulvilli large. Wing-base, squamae and halteres yellowish. Length 8-9 mm.
May-September.
17. erronea Schnb. A grey species resembling basalis , but of somewhat more slender
build. : Eyes sparsely hairy, the rather broad, glistening orbits touching, antennae
long, black, arista medium long-plumose, palpi black. Thorax with faint stripes.
Abdomen with narrow dorsal stripe and dense bristles. Legs yellow, front femora
largely black, hind femora densely bristly-haired. Wing-base, squamae and halteres
yellow. Length about 9 mm. June- July.
18. crinipes Stein. Grey species. <$: Eyes distinctly separated, sparsely haired,
antennae black, arista long-plumose, palpi black. Thorax with median pair of stripes
close together. Abdomen with dorsal stripe and faint shifting tessellations, hind-
margin of second visible segment with two strong bristles at middle. Legs yellow,
front femora largely black, middle femora black at base, front tibiae with a long median
bristle, middle tibiae without brisies in front but with many behind, hind femora,
anteroventrally from middle to apex, with a row of about six close-set, long bristles,
posteroventrally with a row of very short bristles, pulvilli very strongly developed.
Wings with hinder crossvein somewhat clouded, squamae yellowish, halteres yellow.
Length about 6.5 mm.
19. fuscata Fall. Light-grey pruinose species. <$ : Eyes sparsely hairy, separated by
a narrow frontal stripe and rather broad orbits, antennae long and narrow with long-
plumose arista, palpi black. Thorax distinctly striped, scutellum with a brown spot at
middle of base. Abdomen narrow, with a dorsal stripe composed of sharply defined
triangular spots on the first three visible segments. Legs yellow, front and sometimes
middle femora darkened, front tibiae usually with median bristle, hind femora without
posteroventral bristles, hind tibiae with one anterodorsal bristle at middle. Squamae
white, halteres yellowish. Length 6-9 mm. April- September.
20. vittifera Zett. ( trigonospila Cz.). Similar to fuscata , but somewhat darker and
more shining. Middle femora with long bristles in front, hand tibiae with two or more
anterodorsal bristles. Length 6-8 mm. April-June.
21. mystica Mg. <$\ Eyes shortly but moderately densely haired, separated by the
fine silvery orbits and a linear frontal stripe, antennae black, arista long-plumose.
Body densely bluish-white pruinose, abdomen with a fine dorsal line and shifting
tessellations. Legs, except tarsi, entirely yellow, hind tibiae with one-two anterodorsal
and three-four short anteroventral bristles. Wings yellowish at base, veins faintly
brownish-seamed, costal spine very short, squamae whitish with yellow margin,
halteres yellow. Length about 7.5 mm. May-June.
22. rufiseta Zett. Similar to vittifera , but eyes more distinctly hairy, abdomen
beneath at apex densely fine-haired, but these hairs shorter and less bristly than in
vittifera. Orbits broad, glistening white, face rather broader than antennae, latter
rather long with moderately long-plumose arista, palpi dark. Thoracal stripes
indistinct. Abdomen similar in shape and markings to that of vittifera. Legs yellow,
front femora darkened almost to apex, hind femora without long posteroventral
bristles. Wings with hinder crossvein almost straight, squamae white, halteres yellow.
23. colbrani Coll. : A species similar to those of the/wsazfa-group, but with strong
posteroventral bristles to hind femora. It resembles rufiseta in having no strong bristles
beneath middle femora. Legs yellow, with front femora towards tip, and tarsi,
brownish. Abdomen with only a narrow median dark line and without the dark
shifting tessellations of mystica. Outer crossvein of wings very sinuous and slightly
infuscated. Length 7.25 mm. Only one male specimen known. (Description after
Collin, 1953,^. Soc. Brit. Ent ., 4: (8), 174-5.)
24. apicalis Stein. Greyish species. : Eyes sparsely hairy, the glistening white
orbits closely touching, antennae long, black, with moderately long-plumose arista,
face narrow, glistening white, palpi black. Thoracal stripes faint. Abdomen almost
lead-greyish, somewhat shining, with an indistinct fine dorsal line. Legs yellow, front
femora mainly black, front tibiae without median bristle, hind femora posteroventrally
14 [June
with a row of bristles from base to middle. Wings yellowish, particularly at base>
squamae and halteres yellow. Length 6 mm. + .
25. humerella Stein. <$: Arista moderately long-plumose. Thorax usually with
three postsutural dorsocentrals, but occasionally with four, prealar bristle long.
Abdomen grey pruinose with a narrow, indistinct dorsal stripe, without other
markings.
26. palpata Stein. A rather narrow, grey pruinose, somewhat shining species*
c? : Eyes hairy, the glistening white orbits closely touching, cheeks narrow, glistening
white, antennae and palpi black. Thorax distinctly striped. Abdomen with dorsal
stripe and faint shifting tessellations. Tibiae yellowish, middle tibiae with median
bristle, hind femora with weak posteroventral bristles towards base. Wings greyish,
crossveins slightly clouded, particularly in the female, squamae whitish, halteres
yellow. Length 6-7 mm. July-August.
27. ostrologica sp.n. : Eyes sparsely and short-haired, the glistening white orbits
closely touching, cheeks very narrow, jowls slightly broader, mouthedge not protrud¬
ing, antennae black, rather long, arista long-plumose, palpi black. Thorax grey
pruinose with four distinct stripes, four postsutural dorsocentrals, presutural acro-
stichals absent, prealar bristle about as long as dorsocentrals. Abdomen long-oval,
short-haired, yellowish-grey pruinose with distinct dorsal stripe. All femora dark,
tibiae yellow, front tibiae without median bristle, middle femora with only fine bristles
beneath, middle tibiae with three bristles behind, hind femora without posteroventral
bristles, hind tibiae with two anterodorsal and three anteroventral bristles, pulvilli
somewhat small. Wings yellowish, costal spine absent, hinder crossvein distinctly
curved, squamae and halteres yellowish. Length about 7 mm. Only one d specimen
known.
28. rufipalpis Macq. A fairly broad, light grey pruinose species. <$: Eyes densely
hairy, the fine glistening white orbits closely touching, antennae long, arista long-
plumose, third antennal segment yellow at base. Thorax distinctly striped. Abdomen
with rather fine dorsal line. Legs yellow, front tibiae with median bristle, hind femora
with antero- and postero-ventral rows of bristles. Wings faintly brownish, hinder
crossvein oblique, cubital and discal veins divergent towards apex, squamae slightly
yellowish, halteres yellow. Length about 7 mm. June-August.
29. magnicornis Zett. Dark grey pruinose species. Eyes densely hairy, frons
somewhat protruding, antennae black, very long and broad, palpi black. Thorax with
median pair of stripes close together. Abdomen with dorsal stripe. Legs black, tibiae
and apices of femora yellow, front tibiae with two median bristles, hind femora only
anteroventrally at apex with two strong bristles. Wings broad and rounded, squamae
whitish, halteres yellow. Length 6-7 mm. July- September.
30. longicornis Stein. Blackish-grey species. <$: Eyes sparsely hairy, widely
separated, frons protruding, antennae black, very long, palpi black. Thorax
indistinctly striped, median pair confluent. Abdomen blackish-grey, faintly shining,
without distinct dorsal stripe. Legs black, front tibiae without median bristle, middle
femora without bristles beneath, hind tibiae with only one anterodorsal bristle. Wing-
base yellowish, hinder crossvein straight, squamae and halteres yellow. Length about
5.5 mm. May.
Group IV
Broad species of a yellow colour, otherwise similar to part of the preceding
group. Mainly frequenting shady parts of woods, resting on leaves and tree-
trunks, also visiting dung and rotting fungi.
31. pallida F. Entirely yellow species, thorax sometimes somewhat darkened
(= populi Zett.). (J: Eyes touching, densely hairy, antennae yellow, third segment
sometimes somewhat darkened, arista plumose, palpi yellow. Thorax thinly white
pruinose in front, two pairs of long presutural acrostichals. Legs yellow, front tibiae
without bristles, hind femora with posteroventral bristles. Wings yellowish, squamae
and halteres yellow. Length about 6.5 mm. June- September.
32. scutellaris Fall. Arista rather shorter-plumose than in pallida , antennae
black, yellowish at base, palpi yellow. Thorax blackish-grey with four stripes, median
1954]
15
pair fine, humeri and sides above wing-bases yellow. Abdomen with a fine dorsal
stripe and often with dark spots or patches. Legs and wings as in pallida. Length
about 7 mm. May-October.
33. variegata Mg. ( Anthomyza denominata Zett.). Similar to scutellaris , but thorax
blacker and with broad stripes. Antennae entirely black, arista rather shorter-plumose.
Hind tibiae usually with only two anterodorsal bristles (in scutellaris four or five).
May-October.
34. bitincta Rond. <$: Eyes touching, densely haired, antennae brownish-grey,
second segment and base of third yellowish, palpi yellow. Thorax light grey pruinose,
the narrow stripes not very conspicuous, humeri slightly yellowish, acrostichals strong.
Abdomen with a narrow brown dorsal stripe. $: Second and third visible tergites
with shifting brownish patches. Length 7-8 mm.
Group V
In this group also the author has found it necessary to include species of
somewhat differing habits. The following species appear to be closely allied:
laeta, cincta , mirabilis , setifemur , querceti , goberti and canescens. Most of these,
or possibly all, are sap-feeders, and are therefore often found on tree-trunks.
The species nitida , aeneiventris and halter ata form a group in which atrocyanea
holds a more isolated position. Schnabl has included many of the above
species in the subgenus Euphemia , but it seems unlikely that these are really
closely enough allied to serva , which is regarded as the type of that subgenus.
35. laeta Fall. A whitish-grey pruinose, somewhat elongate species. : Eyes hairy,
separated by a narrow frontal stripe and rather broad orbits (latter about as broad as
frontal stripe), antennae long, black, palpi black. Thorax with sharply defined stripes,
scutellum with a black basal spot which extends on to thorax. Abdomen with shifting
tessellations and a dorsal stripe consisting of narrow triangular spots. Legs somewhat
variable in colour, either entirely black or with the tibiae more or less yellow, front
tibiae with or without median bristle, hind femora with short posteroventral bristles.
Squamae white, halteres yellow. Length 7-8.5 mm. June-July.
36. laetabilis Coll. A species closely resembling laeta , but distinguished by the
characters given in the Tables. Tibiae usually more blackish than in laeta. Length
7-8 mm. June-August.
37. cincta Zett. c? : Similar to the last two species, but easily distinguished by the
transparent yellow colour on abdomen. Arista rather short plumose. Scutellum without
basal spot. Abdomen with narrow dorsal stripe, and a faintly defined dark spot on each
side of hindmargin of second and third visible tergites. $: Similar to male, but no
trace of yellow colour on abdomen, the spots on second and third tergites being rather
more distinct and brownish. Length about 7 mm. June- August.
38. pullata Cz. <$: Eyes touching, densely hairy. Thorax black, unstriped.
Abdomen only thinly pruinose, but with distinct dorsal stripe. Wings with crossveins
distinctly clouded, squamae yellowish, halteres blackish. $ with the abdominal stripe
less distinct, and with yellow halteres.
39. mirabilis Ringd. ( keilini Coll.). Very similar in appearance to a large specimen
of laeta , but with a somewhat broader abdomen, rather shorter-plumose arista, and
very slightly broader frons. Thorax with the acrostichal rows very close together.
Abdomen with dorsal stripe, dark hindmargins to tergites and shifting tessellations.
Legs black, halteres blackish. Both sexes have numerous hairs on the frontal stripe.
Length 8-10 mm. May- June.
40. setifemur Stein. Similar in appearance to querceti , particularly in the female.
<S : Eyes separated by a narrow frontal stripe and narrow grey orbits, arista plumose,
antennae and palpi black. Thoracal stripes fine and indistinct. The fairly broad stripe
on abdomen entire. Legs black, front tibiae with median bristle, hind tibiae finely and
densely haired, with a row of anterodorsal and several posterodorsal bristles. Wings
clear, squamae white, halteres blackish. $ larger and stouter than querceti , third
antennal segment longer, and orbital bristles on front part of frons further from eye-
margin. Abdomen with less distinct tessellations. Length 8 mm. -K July-August.
C
l6
[June
41. querceti Bche. ( Aricia platyptera Zett.). Dark grey species with a bluish-grey
tinge, c? : Eyes bare, separated by a narrow black frontal stripe which is about as broad
as third antennal segment, and glistening white orbits. Antennae rather short, black,
arista short-plumose, palpi black, somewhat thickened. Thoracal stripes hardly visible,
median pair usually confluent and forming a single broad stripe. Abdomen rather
narrow, with an uninterrupted dorsal stripe of uniform width, and with faint shifting
tessellations. Legs black, between the front coxae a pair of backwardly directed
bristles, front tibiae without median bristle, hind femora with one strong bristle
beneath. Wings clear, squamae whitish, halteres blackish. Length about 8 mm.
May-October.
42. goberti Mik. A rather broad species. <J: Eyes with the glistening white orbits
touching, antennae and palpi black, latter somewhat thickened. Thorax rather lightish
grey pruinose with distinct stripes. Abdomen fairly broad, with very distinct shafting
tessellations and less distinct dorsal stripe. Legs black, hind tibiae sometimes some¬
what transparent, front tibiae without median bristle, hind femora with only very
short posteroventral bristles. Wings clear, squamae whitish, halteres yellow. Length
about 8 mm. May-August.
43. canescens Stein. Similar to goberti but thoracal stripes much less distinct.
Abdomen without shifting tessellations, but with distinct dorsal stripe of uniform
width. Length 6-8 mm. May- June.
44. grandaeva Zett. $ : Frons distinctly protruding, as broad as an eye, with a pair
of weak crossed bristles, eyes shortly and sparsely-haired, antennae long, somewhat
yellowish at base, arista distinctly pubescent, mouthedge protruding as far as frons*
palpi mainly yellow, slightly thickened. Thorax and scutellum grey, stripes hardly
visible, presutural acrostichals present but very weak, prealar bristle long. Legs
yellow, front femora darkened at base, front tibiae without median bristle, middle
tibiae without bristle in front, hind femora without long posteroventral bristles. Wing-
base rather strongly yellow, squamae and halteres yellow, costal spine absent. Length
about 8 mm. Only one female specimen known.
45. gracilis Stein. An elongate, slender species, with long legs and /uscafa-like
appearance. Possibly it also belongs to that group, <$: Ash-grey in colour. Eyes
sparsely-haired, separated by broad, glistening white orbits and a narrow frontal
stripe, antennae long, black, arista moderately long-plumose, palpi slender, black.
Thorax with rather faint stripes, acrostichal rows close together and continuing behind
suture. Abdomen yellowish-grey pruinose, narrow, with fine dorsal line. Front
tibiae with one-two median bristles, hind femora with only short posteroventral
bristles. Wings clear with somewhat clouded crossveins, squamae whitish, halteres
yellow. Length 7-8 mm. June-August.
46. trimaculata Bche. ( servaeformis Ringd., a small dark form). Blackish-grey,
rather broad species. <? : Eyes densely hairy, separated by a narrow frontal stripe and
fine orbits, antennae black, arista moderately long-plumose, palpi black. Thoracal
stripes broad and distinct, acrostichal bristles long in two complete rows, scutellum in
typical form more or less yellow at apex. Abdomen with broad dorsal stripe and well
pronounced shifting tessellations. Legs black, tibiae in typical form more or less
yellow, middle femora with long, fine bristles beneath, hind femora without long
posteroventral bristles, hind tibiae with two-three anterodorsal bristles. Wings with
crossveins distinctly clouded, squamae whitish, halteres yellow. Length 5.5-7 mm.
April-September.
47. nitida Macq. Elongate, shining black species, very thinly greyish pruinose.
Eyes almost bare, distinctly separated, antennae and palpi black. Thorax black,
with very indistinct stripes, acrostichals short and weak, prealar bristle short.
Abdomen shining, seen from behind with a faint, broad dorsal stripe which is
broadened out on each tergite. Legs black, front tibiae with median bristle, hind
femora posteroventrally with only short, fine bristly-hairs, hind tibiae with two
anterodorsal bristles. Wings yellowish, costal spine long, hinder crossvein almost
straight, squamae whitish. Length 6-7 mm. July.
48. fusca Mde. <$: Eyes microscopically but moderately densely haired, antennae
black, arista with hairs about as long as width of antennal segment. Thorax and
scutellum rather thinly bluish-grey pruinose, median pair of stripes narrow, presutural
1954]
17
acrostichals absent, prealar bristle short and hair-like. Abdomen more thickly
yellowish-grey pruinose, with narrow dorsal stripe interrupted at hindmargins of
tergites, without other markings. Tibiae and extreme apex of femora brownish-
yellow, hind tibiae with two anterodorsal and two-three anteroventral bristles. Wings
greyish, costal spine long, about half as long as hinder crossvein, squamae pale yellow,
halteres yellow. $: Eyes more sparsely haired than in male, thorax and scutellum
rather more thickly pruinose. Abdomen with the narrow dorsal line not reaching much
beyond second visible tergite. Length 6-6.5 mm. July-August.
49. aeneiventris Zett. ( cinctinervis Zett.). A shining blackish-grey or lead-grey
species of slender build. (J: Eyes hairy, the glistening white orbits touching, cheeks
as broad as third antennal segment, antennae and palpi black, arista pubescent.
Thorax with broad but indistinct stripes. Abdomen shining lead-grey with a broad
dorsal stripe. Legs black, front tibiae without median bristle, middle femora with fine
bristly-hairs beneath, middle tibiae often with a short anterodorsal bristle, hind
femora with long posteroventral bristles. Wings with distinct costal spine, squamae
whitish, halteres yellow. Length about 6 mm. July.
50. halterata Stein. Very similar to the preceding species. : Eyes sparsely hairy,
cheeks narrow. Thoracal stripes indistinct, median pair often confluent, acrostichal
bristles weaker than in aeneiventris. Wings with small costal spine, hinder crossvein
straight. Length about 6 mm. May-October. (Translator’s Note: This and the last
three species are sometimes placed in the genus Dialyta Mg.)
51. atrocyanea Ringd. A rather elongate species of a blue-black colour. <J: Eyes
touching, sparsely hairy, antennae and palpi black, arista pubescent. Thorax and
scutellum black, former with faintly discernible stripes. Abdomen black with a bluish
shine, without markings. Legs black, front tibiae without bristles, hind femora
anteroventrally with a complete row of bristles, posteroventrally rather densely haired
and with a row of fine, short bristles. Squamae and halteres yellow. Length about 7 mm.
Since the above survey was written, Malloch, in the Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc .,
has set forth a revision of the North American species of Phaonia. There are
only four or five species which are common to the European fauna, viz.,
querceti , serva, errans , frenata , and possibly consobrina. Moreover, it is also
possible that citreibasis Malloch is identical with atrocyanea described by the
author.
For querceti and an American species, hilariformis Stein, Malloch has
erected a new genus which he calls Dendrophaonia.
[This part completes the present series. — Ed.]
Translations of Ringdahl’s Muscid Tables
Additions and Corrections*
By E. C. M. d’Assis-Fonseca, B.Sc., F.R.E.S.
Mr. J. E. Collin’s recent paper on Additional British Anthomyiidae
(Diptera) (1953 , J. Soc. Brit. Ent., 4: (8) 169-177) contains a number of
species of the genera Coenosia , Mydaea , Helina , Hydrophoria and Acroptena.
The majority of these species are either new or were not otherwise included
in the modified translations of Ringdahl’s Muscid Tables appearing in this
Journal in 1952. The following couplets are published with the object of
bringing the Tables up to date, and at the same time introducing one or two
necessary corrections.
* A limited number of copies of this paper have been printed on one side the paper
only, so that they may be cut up and the couplets pasted over the original papers in
the appropriate places.
A copy can be obtained post-free on application to the Secretary.
i8
[June
COENOSIINAE
(J. Soc. Brit. Era., 4: (3) 47-59)
Table of Genera:
1. ( 1 st part) to read:
1. Wings broadly darkened along front margin; scutellum without
bristles at base; hind tibiae with a posteroventral apical bristle
. Orchisia Rond.
— Wings clear, or if darkened on foremargin then scutellum with a
basal pair of bristles and hind tibiae without a posteroventral
apical bristle . 2
7. (2nd part) to read :
Antennae entirely black, legs usually black
8
COENOSIA
Table of Species
Males :
7. (2nd part) to read :
— Antennae entirely black . 7a
7a. Whitish pruinose species with entirely glistening- white frons,
without spots on abdomen . albatella Zett.
— Darker species, with dark frontal stripe and spotted abdomen;
marginal cell of wing distinctly darkened . stigmatica Wood
17. (2nd part) to read:
— Darkening at apex of middle and hind femora diffuse; front tarsi
mainly yellow . 17a
17a. Orbits opposite second antennal segment somewhat dark and
shining; vibrissae, and the small setae in single row along mouth-
edge, conspicuously longer . vibrissata Coll.
— Orbits entirely silvery-grey; vibrissae and small setae along mouth-
edge shorter . v err alii Coll.
(n.n. for steini Verr. nec Strbl.)
19. (2nd part) to read :
— Antennae black; thorax with two brownish stripes; species about
3 mm . 19a
19a. Frontal stripe more or less yellow in front; palpi mainly yellow;
jowls below eyes much wider at narrowest part than greatest width
of third antennal segment . tricolor Zett.
— Frontal stripe entirely dark; palpi black; jowls below eyes only as
wide as third antennal segment . infantula Rond.
21. (2nd part) to read :
— Hind tibiae without posterodorsal bristle; third antennal segment
at least partly black
22
1954] J9
22. Third antennal segment more or less yellowish at base . 22a
— Antennae entirely black . 23
22a. Hypopygium more or less yellowish; abdominal spots small and
rounded . flavicanda Ringd.
— Hypopygium entirely black; abdominal spots large and more or less
rectangular, forming two almost complete brownish-black stripes
. pudorosa Coll.
9*
10.
Females :
(2nd part) to read :
Abdomen entirely grey; palpi black or brownish
Middle and hind femora more or less brownish at apex
As written.
10
10a
10a. Front tibiae somewhat darkened on apical half; abdominal spots
large and more or less rectangular, forming two almost complete
broad brownish stripes, only on apical tergite somewhat isolated
. pudorosa Coll.
— Front tibiae entirely yellow ; abdominal spots smaller and roundish . . 1 1
13. ( 1 st part) to read:
13. Thorax with a pair of dorsocentral stripes, and usually traces of a
median stripe in front; abdomen with distinct small spots; coxae
more or less grey . 13a
— As written.
13a. Frontal stripe more or less yellowish in front; jowls below eyes much
wider at narrowest part than greatest width of third antennal
segment . tricolor Zett.
— Frontal stripe entirely dark; jowls below eyes only as wide as third
antennal segment . infantula Rond.
20. (2nd part) to read :
— Mouthedge not protruding . 20a
20a. Arista shorter-pubescent; vibrissae, and small setae in single row
along mouthedge, conspicuously longer . vibrissata Coll.
— Arista long-pubescent, almost short-haired; vibrissae and setae
along mouthedge shorter . verralli Coll.
27. (2nd part) to read :
— Front corner of third antennal segment not pointed . 27a
27a. Thorax with three conspicuous brown stripes ; marginal cell of wing
somewhat darkened, less distinct after death; larger species,
about 4.5 mm . stigmatica Wood
— Thorax at most very indistinctly striped; wings clear; smaller
species . 28
28. Scutellum with four subequal bristles . geniculata Fall.
— Basal pair of scutellar bristles at most only about half as long as
apical pair . distinguens Coll.
20
[June
Hydrophoria and Acroptena
(J. Soc. Brit. Ent ., 4: (4) 75-83)
Males :
5. ( 1 st part) to read:
5. Large species (usually); abdomen nowhere yellow . 5a
— As written.
5a. Eyes more closely approximated on frons, orbits quite or nearly
touching for a short space; tibiae more uniformly yellowish, at
most somewhat darkened on apical quarter . conica Wied.
— Eyes more distinctly separated; tibiae more extensively darkened
on apical half . diabata Pand.
8. (2nd part) to read :
— Abdomen beneath without, or ( nuda and wierzejskii ) with only
indistinct tufts of hair . 10a
9 and 10. As written.
10a. Arista very short-haired, the longest hairs not more than twice as
long as width of arista at base ; prehypopygial tergite very broadly
dull above and entirely devoid of bristles and hairs . .spiniclunis Pand.
— Arista with distinctly longer hairs . 11
Females :
13. (2nd part) to read :
— Middle tibiae with one anterodorsal bristle; blackish species . 13a
13a. Hind tibiae with 6-7 anteroventral bristles . frontata Zett.
— Hind tibiae with only three-four anteroventral bristles . . spinidunis Pand.
Note: The females of Hydrophoria diabata Pand. and H. conica Wied. are
apparently indistinguishable.
Mydaea and Helina
{J. Soc. Brit. Ent., 4: (5) 95-1 11)
Mydaea
Males :
1. ( 1 st part) to read:
1. Legs partly yellow . ia
— As written.
1 a. Abdomen entirely yellow . spinipes Karl
— Abdomen not yellow . 2
5. (1st part) to read:
5. Usually a shorter bristle below front sternopleural; prealar bristle
not half as long as dorsocentrals, sometimes absent . 5 a
— As written.
5a. Genital mesolobe with blunt ends; apical segment of front tarsi
slightly larger than usual . discimana Mall.
— Genital mesolobe with pointed ends ; front tarsi normal .... electa Zett.
1954]
21
Females :
i. ( i st part) to read:
i. Legs partly yellow . ia
— As written.
i a. Abdomen entirely yellow . spinipes Karl
— Abdomen not yellow . lb
ib. Apical segment of front tarsi distinctly dilated . discimana Mall.
— Front tarsi normal . 2
Helina
Males :
12. ( i st part) to read:
12. Hind femora with long postero ventral bristles at apex; venter with
long and dense bristles and hairs . 12a
— As written.
12a. Abdominal sternites (especially the fourth) longer than wide;
genital and pregenital tergites dull grey like those preceding them
. arctata Coll.
— Sternites not longer than wide; genital and pregenital tergites
blacker than those preceding them . setiventris Ringd.
There seems no doubt that the male specimens, with small setae on the
radio-cubital node beneath wing, upon which flagripes Rond, was introduced
into Ringdahl’s Table, were in fact specimens of crinita Coll. It becomes
necessary, therefore, to reposition flagripes in the Table.
29. (2nd part) to read :
— Common stem of radial and cubital veins bare beneath . 29a
29a. Middle and hind femora almost entirely yellow . flagripes Rond.
— Middle and hind femora black . 31
30. As written.
— Hind tibiae with several conspicuously long anterodorsal bristles on
apical half, middle and hind femora entirely yellow. . . .crinita Coll.
31. ( 1 st part) to read:
31. Front tibiae without a median posterior bristle . 31a
— As written.
31a. Hind femora posteroventrally very densely long-haired
. intermedia Villen.
— Hind femora without posteroventral long hairs . duplicata Mg.
duplaris Zett.
Females :
20 (2nd part) to read :
— Eyes bare or very sparsely haired . 20a
20a Common stem of radial and cubital veins with one or more small
setae beneath; abdominal spots entirely absent; front tibiae
blackish . atripes Mde.
Common stem of radial and cubital veins bare; abdomen usually
with distinct spots, but if without then front tibiae yellow . 22
22
[June
22. ( i st part) to read:
22. Front tibiae usually without a median bristle . 22a
— As written.
22a. Hind femora with only short fine bristles posteroventrally at apex. .22b
— Hind femora with one or more longer strong bristles postero¬
ventrally at apex . 22c
22b. Abdomen with distinct paired spots . duplicata Mg.
duplaris Zett.
— Abdomen without trace of spots . intermedia Villen.
22c. Hinder crossvein straighter and less sloping . setiventris Ringd.
— Hinder crossvein more sinuate and sloping . arctata Coll.
24. (1 st part) to read:
24. Common stem of radial and cubital veins with some small setae on
underside of wing . 24a
— As written.
24a. Middle tibiae with a bristle in front; abdomen with distinct paired
spots . anceps Zett.
— Middle tibiae without a bristle in front; abdomen without spots
. crinita Coll.
40. ( 1 st part) to read:
40. Arista plumose, antennae and palpi often yellowish; abdomen
without spots . 40a
— As written.
40a. Arista short-plumose, hairs about as long as third antennal segment
is wide; one pair of presutural acrostichals . impuncta Fall.
— Arista long plumose, hairs about twice as long as third antennal
segment is wide; presutural acrostichals absent . depuncta Fall.
I am indebted to Mr. J. E. Collin for information on the distinctive
characters of the females of Acroptena spiniclunis Pand. and Helina crinita Coll.
“Swarming” of Phoridae (Diptera)
By Charles N. Colyer, F.R.E.S.
Dr. Hugh Scott’s interesting article (1951) on the autumnal “swarming,”
indoors, of Megaselia ( Aphiochaeta ) meconicera (Speiser) and his comment,
“I have not previously met with a swarm composed mainly of Phoridae.”
prompt me to bring forward some of my own notes on this and other species
of this family.
In the instance mentioned, Dr. Scott is, of course, using the word
“swarming” in the sense of “congregating in large numbers” and not in the
sense of “tanzend in der Luft zu schwarmen” (Schmitz, 1929), i.e. “dancing
together in numbers in the air,” a habit characteristic of several families, but
principally of the males of Nematocera.
1954]
23
I have already (Colyer and Hammond, 1951) instanced various kinds of
“swarming,” involving the families Tipulidae, Anisopodidae, Culicidae,
Chironomidae, Simuliidae, Scatopsidae, Stratiomyidae, Phoridae, Coelopidae,
Sphaeroceridae, Drosophilidae, Asteiidae, Chloropidae, Cordiluridae and
Calliphoridae. Most of these are connected in some way with mating and/or
oviposition, but there are some cases, including some of the autumnal indoor
swarms, the reason for which is, as yet, obscure. Imms (1947) in his
discussion of gregariousness and social life in insects has commented particu¬
larly upon the influence of temperature changes on the behaviour of certain
flies and has advanced the speculation that odour-trails may account for the
regular repetition of some swarms in specific places.
As to meconicera , Dr. Scott emphasizes the fact that only females were
present, in his case^ although he refers to another instance of indoor
“swarming” by this species in spring, when both sexes were present. He also
refers to the fact that Father Schmitz (1938) found the species very common,
in the open, in Ireland, but that nearly all the specimens were females. Some
further information can be added. Wood (1909), who described the species
under the name of albipennis commented as follows, “. . . found commonly
indoors as well as out, is on the wing in the early part of the year, and again
and more abundantly in the autumn.” Schmitz (1929, op. cit.) draws
attention to the greatly developed fat-body, especially in the females, of this
species, in which respect it corresponds with other species which are found
in houses in winter; he assumes therefore that the adults overwinter, since
they are so specially equipped. Schmitz also records that he, too, once found
a great number of meconicera at a window in Sittard, Holland. For myself,
I can say that the species has occurred to me numerously, both indoors and
out. During the autumn of 1948, I took it in large numbers in a greenhouse
at Shobley, New Forest, Hants, notably on the 27th October, when the
numbers present were exceptional, consisting mainly of females. I have also
taken it indoors as late as 27th November. Such specimens almost invariably
turn greasy in the collection; in fact some of my spring females taken outdoors
have also done this. Schmitz considers the fact useful in determining
doubtful specimens. I have outdoor records as early as 21st March and as late
as 23rd October from various types of locality, notably beechwoods and
beside rivers and waterfalls. As regards the life- history, my experiments in
attempting to breed from gravid females on various types of carrion have been
unsuccessful, so that I have concluded that it may be connected with decaying
vegetable matter, or fungi; as far as I know, there are no facts in relation to
closely allied species which would indicate the possibility of obligatory
parasitism or even any connection with animal matter.
As regards autumnal indoor assemblies of other species of Phoridae, I can
record that, on 25th September, 1953, my house at Upton-by-Chester,
Cheshire, was invaded by large numbers of both sexes of Megaselia (A.)
ciliata (Zett.), in company with a very few other flies such as the inevitable
Pollenia rudis (F.). The appearance of the Phoridae indoors was marked by
cold, wet weather after a fine, warm spell. The flies persisted on the windows
on and off until the middle of November. This species, which also has the
same tendency to turn greasy in the collection, and is fairly closely related to
meconicera , can be taken commonly in various kinds of locality throughout
24
[June
most of the year. Lundbeck (1922) records it in Denmark from 22nd
February to 25th December and from such locations as a bird’s nest, hollow
trees, and the bark of dead trees where the beetle, Rhagium bifasciatum F.,
was burrowing. I myself have taken it in England as early as 8th February
but not later than 26th October, outdoors. No doubt it can be taken all the
year round in suitable circumstances. I have found it in autumn and spring
under the bark of dead trees and, in spring especially, on broad leaves such
as rhododendron, in the sun, where it is very active. My friend, Mr. L.
Parmenter, has sent me specimens from Bookham, Surrey, taken on nth
September, 1949, and 13th February, 1950, labelled “On oak tree near
remains of Hymenoptera workings.” My friend, Mr. A. E. Le Gros, has also
sent me specimens (a) taken in company with the closely allied Megaselia
(A.) coaequalis (Schmitz), “from outer workings of nest of the ant, Lasius
brunneus (Latr.), Bookham, Surrey, 28th February, 1953,” and ( b ) taken in
company with another closely allied species, Megaselia (A.) aequalis (Wood),
from broken-up grass clumps, Bookham, Surrey, 14th March, 1953. Both
ciliata and aequalis are recorded by Donisthorpe (1927) as “guests” of the
ants, Lasius brunneus (Latr.) and L. fuliginosus (Latr.), and present in numbers.
It is possible that the Upton invasion emanated from a stack of poplar logs
which had lain at the end of my garden for about a year, but I think it
unlikely; I could find no trace of either of the two ants mentioned anywhere
in the vicinity.
On 13th September, 1947, 1 found large numbers of both sexes of Megaselia
{Megaselia) halter at a (Wood) on the windows of an old house in Ringwood,
New Forest, Hants. The time was early evening and the weather was fine
and clear after a wet day. This wet day had succeeded a long spell of fine, dry
weather. Whilst I have on many occasions taken this species both outdoors
and numerously indoors on windows and in greenhouses, this instance was
remarkable for the exceptional numbers of flies present on every window,
regardless of aspect, and for the fact that no other flies were present apart
from a single specimen or so of Culicidae, Scatopsidae and Drosophilidae.
The Phoridae had all disappeared by the next day which was fine, and I was
told after that they did not reappear later in the year. I could find no adequate
explanation of their congregating thus, indoors, other than the weather
conditions noted. Lundbeck gives 21st May to 28th October for the species;
I have taken it outdoors from nth April to the 18th September, and indoors
from 13th March to 13th September. In greenhouses, I have found that the
number of individuals present has been at its greatest at the end of May, and
early June; the latter half of July; and again in early September. There is
reason to think that halterata (of which plurispinosa (Ldbk.), which also
occurs in greenhouses, may be a variety) develops in fungi, or, at least, feeds
on mycelium in the larval state and may be a pest of cultivated mushrooms
(Schmitz, 1948; Colyer, 1954).
Such invasions of houses are, however, not necessarily confined to autumn
or spring. My friend, Mr. E. C. M. d’Assis-Fonseca, sent me some specimens
of Megaselia (A.) pleuralis (Wood), a species quite close to meconicera , which
he had found in large numbers on the windows of a house at Deal, Kent, on
28th July, 1951. Both sexes were present. He was unable to trace the origin
of the assemblies, but commented that they persisted for some days, the flies
1954]
25
disappearing entirely if the weather was cloudy or cool and reappearing in
force as soon as the sun came out. Similar congregations were found in an
adjacent public house. I have taken this common species from 15th April
until 8th October, outdoors, in England; Lundbeck gives 30th January to
10th November for Denmark. I also have English records of the appearance
of both sexes indoors from mid- September until late November, and in
greenhouses until late October. It is sometimes abundant in a particular
locality. On the 15th July, and 27th August, 1950, out of a total catch of
Phoridae, at Coopersale (Epping Forest), Essex, of 68 and 83 specimens
respectively, roughly 90 per cent, in each case were pleuralis (both sexes).
This is a notable exception to Lundbeck’s generalization in regard to the
incidence of the species of the genus. As far as I am aware, the life-history is,
as yet, unknown.
On 18th July, 1949, an enormous number of Conicera dauci Mg. ( —atra
Mg.) quite suddenly appeared on the windows, mainly those of the kitchen,
at my home at the time in Wood Green, a North London suburb. In this
case, the explanation was soon found. Some plants of “Sweet William”
which had finished flowering had been brought in from the garden in a
bucket to be burnt in the kitchen boiler. Phorids were found to be issuing
from the bucket, and on examination of a very large series, all were females.
Not a single male could be found and an examination of the bucket and plants
revealed no puparia. Unfortunately, at the time, it was impracticable to make
a minute search for eggs, or to attempt to breed out, but it was assumed that
oviposition was the probable reason. Support for this assumption was later
to be found in Schmitz (1952), who quotes Prof. Dr. Franz5 several records
of this species in association with fresh plant-compost and rotting weeds, not
too far advanced in decomposition. Schmitz points out that dauci is also
associated with fungi but never carrion.
Of the five cases of indoor “swarming,” then, that we have considered, one,
C. dauci , clearly occurred through artificial circumstances, i.e. the flies were
introduced indoors; another, halterata> might have been attributable to
introduction with garden or greenhouse produce or firewood, although the
numbers were prodigious and there was no evidence to support the idea;
a third, pleuralis , might, possibly, be the result of introduction, but it occurred
in more than one house, and moreover, the date more or less rules out even
the firewood theory; in both of the latter cases, the explanation seems to lie
in changes of weather conditions coupled with some other unknown factor
accounting for the numerical abundance of specimens. The two remaining
species, meconicera and ciliata , clearly hibernate in the adult state, and might
therefore be expected indoors as well as in any naturally sheltered place,
such as burrows, old nests, hollow trees, under bark, etc., or could well be
introduced with firewood ; it is the abundance of individuals which is puzzling.
In the case reported by Dr. Scott, there is also some evidence that the
assembly took place, before entry into the house, in good weather; so that it
might be argued that, although the actual entry into houses may be fortuitous,
the congregation of the individuals is not. Here it may be noted that Grasse
(1936) has collated and commented upon a number of authors’ observations
in regard to mass unisexual assemblies of Hymenoptera, both of “social” and
“solitary” species. As an example of the latter, males of certain solitary bees
26
[June
are said to have the habit of assembling, each evening, in precisely the same
place, to spend the night. A similar phenomenon is said to occur with the
males of certain “social” or “colony” species. Such assemblies are considered
to be a simple, elementary social phenomenon in which individuals exercise
an attraction for each other ; they do not necessarily imply a tendency toward
life in an organized society. In the form of a question, Grasse advances the
suggestion, “Could not these phenomena be, to some extent, the manifesta¬
tion of a confused or diverted sexual impulse?” But, in nearly all the
“invasions” now under review, both sexes were present. A more likely
explanation in these cases would seem to be that advanced by Seguy (1950)
who considers that these assemblies arise from simultaneous mass emergences
of adults from their puparia, the larvae having presumably developed in
large numbers within a confined area governed by the circumstantial dis¬
position of a suitable pabulum, and the time of the emergences being ordained
by favourable atmospheric conditions. The invasions are considered to be
a consequence of the assemblies, provoked by such a reflex as the need for
sustenance, the seeking of hosts, or the seeking of shelter. Each individual
in the assemblies is capable of separate existence and independent reaction to
a given stimulus; it seems reasonable to suppose that a given stimulus at a
given moment will affect all the individuals in the assembly in a similar
manner, resulting in a mass behaviour.
Outdoor “swarming” of Phoridae is not at all uncommon. The females of
Phalacrotophora berolinensis Schmitz, for instance, congregate in large
numbers and behave in a characteristic fashion on and near the trunks of
trees (Colyer, 1952) and this is definitely connected with oviposition; the
larvae are endoparasites of the pupae of a Coccinellid beetle.
Lundbeck (1922, op. cit.) mentions both sexes of Megaselia ( M .) tumida
(Wood) “swarming round the end of branches of Maple” and males, only, of
Megaselia (A.) latifrons (Wood) “occurring in small swarms around the leaves
of a Hazel.” I found considerable numbers of Megaselia (M.) rubella Schmitz,
nearly all males, running actively about on, and hovering over, accumulations
of pine-needles and other vegetable debris at the roots of trees in the New
Forest, Hants, in June, 1951 (Colyer, 1952, op. cit.) and in the same month in
the two subsequent years. On 17th June, 1951, 1 found numbers of Conicera
pauxilla Schmitz, nearly all males, running in rapid gyratory courses on
lettuce leaves in a garden at Lymington, Hants. I found a very large number
of Metopina galeata (Hal.) running agitatedly in similar gyratory courses on
and around a heap of damp ashes, from a kitchen grate, deposited under
currant bushes in a garden at Shobley, New Forest, Hants, 31st July, 1949.
On this day, all the specimens taken were, with one exception, females ; two
days later, there were still large numbers present, behaving precisely in the
same fashion. Of the specimens taken on this day, an approximately equal
number of each sex was present, including two pairs in cop. The assembly
persisted for a few days. It is not easy to explain the apparent attraction of
damp ashes in this case, and it is possible that their presence had no bearing
on the reason for the “swarming.” Such assemblies as have been noted here
are, in moderate numbers of individuals, quite often to be encountered and
I think that the reason for most of them, if not all, is connected with mating.
Certainly the true “Tanzfliige in der Luft” of Schmitz (1929, op. cit.)
1954]
27
occurs as a regular and characteristic habit of the males of Phora species, and
Schmitz suggests that this may account for the enlargement of the eyes in this
genus (see Colyer and Hammond, 1951, op. cit.: pi. 42, 2) with consequent
narrowing of the frons, which, in P. velutina Mg., reaches a condition
approaching holoptic. But both sexes of the species of this genus can
frequently be found running swiftly in the same characteristic manner as
other Phoridae on broad leaves in the sun.
References
Colyer, C. N., 1952. Notes on the Life-Histories of the British species of Phalacroto-
phora Enderlein (Dipt., Phoridae). Ent. mon. Mag.3 88: 135-9.
- 1954* A new species of Megaselia (Dipt., Phoridae) from Britain ; notes on
British fungicolous Phoridae. Ent. mon. Mag., 90 : (in the press).
Colyer, C. N., and Hammond, C. O., 1951. Flies of the British Isles : 1-383. London.
Donisthorpe, H. St. J. K., 1927. The Guests of British Ants: 1-244. London.
Grasse, P. P., 1936. Sur un double rassemblement de Torymus ( Callimome ) auratus
Fonsc. (Hym. Chalcididae). Bull. Soc. ent. France. , 41: 262-5.
Imms, A. D., 1947. Insect Natural History: 1-317. London.
Lundbeck, W., 1922. Dipt. Danica , 6: 1-447. Copenhagen.
Schmitz, H., 1929. Revision der Phoriden: 1-211. Berlin and Bonn.
- 1938. On the Irish species of the Dipterous Family Phoridae. Proc. R.
Irish. Acad., 44 (B): 173-204.
- 1948. Zur Kenntnis der fungicolen Buckelfliegen (Phoridae, Diptera).
Natuurh. Maandbl., 37: 37-44.
- 1952. Phoridae in Lindner, E. Flieg. Palaearkt. Reg., 33: 272-320.
Scott, H., 1951. Swarming of Megaselia meconicera Speiser (Dipt., Phoridae) in
Houses. Ent. mon. Mag., 87: 269-70.
Seguy, E., 1950. La Biologie des Dipteres: 1-609. Paris.
Wood, J. H., 1909. On the British species of Phora (Part II). Ent. mon. Mag., 45:
24-9, 59-63, 113-20, 143-9, I9i_5j 240-4.
The Swift, Apus apus L., as a predator of flies
By L. Parmenter, F.R.E.S.
and
D. F. Owen
(Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Oxford)
Introduction and methods
This paper forms part of a detailed study of the food of the Swift Apus
apus L. in the breeding season, and is based on meals collected from young
and adult Swifts at the nest, as described elsewhere (Lack and Owen in press).
Each ball of food from the birds usually comprised 300-1,500 insects and
spiders, many of which were still living when the meals were collected. The
following meals were obtained: 54 in July and August, 1952, and 4 in July,
1953, at Oxford; 12 in July, 1944, at Radley, Berkshire. Eleven meals
collected by Miss M. M. Betts at Radley and Oxford in 1949-51 have also
been mentioned in this paper. At Oxford the birds were breeding in nest
boxes in the University Museum Tower (as described by Lack, 1951), and
at Radley in holes in the roof of a cottage.
28
[June
This paper deals only with the Diptera, other orders that have been fully
identified are being written up separately. A general summary of the food
and feeding habits of the Swift has also been written (Lack and Owen
in press).
As Swifts are entirely aerial feeders all the insects must have been caught in
the air, though some may have been taken only a few feet above the ground or
the trees, as Swifts may feed very low. Most Swifts feed close to their nests,
normally within a quarter of a mile, but sometimes, particularly in bad
weather when food is scarce, they may travel greater distances. There was no
water close to where the meals were collected, and all the meals were collected
during the day, usually about the middle of the morning or early afternoon.
Species and families of Diptera caught
In 1944, 988 Diptera were found in 12 meals, an average of 84 per meal,
and in 1952, 4,074 in 54 meals, an average of 75 per meal. In 1953 there
were 259 in 4 meals, and similar numbers were found in the meals collected
by Miss M. M. Betts in 1949- 1951. In all years the number of Diptera in
each meal varied markedly. In 1944 and 1952, about 5,000 Diptera represent¬
ing 38 families and at least 148 species were identified, but it was impossible
to identify every individual down to species. A complete list of the families
and species in the meals collected in 1944 and 1952 is given in Appendix 1.
The families supplying the bulk of the food, in order of numbers taken,
were: Empididae 30%, Chloropidae 20%, Sphaeroceridae 7%) Myceto-
philidae 5%, Dolichopodidae 5%, Stratiomyidae 4%, Syrphidae 3%,
Phoridae 3%, Sepsidae 3%, Drosophilidae 3%, Agromyzidae 2%, Ephy-
dridae 2%, Chironomidae 1% and Muscidae 1%.
It is of interest to consider the families of Diptera in turn, and to discuss
the possible reasons for the presence or absence of certain species.
Of the 200 British species of Tipulidae, there were only seven specimens
in the Swift meals, and these, and the Ptychopteridae, which are mainly
marshland species and were absent from the meals, are perhaps too leggy for
the Swifts. Also, many of the Tipulidae are crepuscular and almost all the
meals were collected in late morning and early afternoon. Only 6 specimens
in the meals out of 70 species of Psychodidae might be because these flies
keep close to the ground and the foliage. Chironomidae, about 400 species in
the British Isles, and Ceratopogonidae, about 140 species, are also mainly
crepuscular and few were caught by the Swifts. The Bibionidae were
confined to Dilophus spp.; most Bibio spp. are no longer flying in July. All
but one of the Mycetophilidae appeared to be the same species, Sciara sp.
Thus over 500 British species, mostly associated with fungi, were not taken.
The 28 specimens of the Cecidomyiidae, or gall gnats, are a poor representa¬
tion of this family with over 600 British species, but perhaps they are too
small for the Swifts, for Freeman (1945) has shown that they are well
represented in the aerial fauna, comprising 10% of all Diptera in his samples.
The only species of Asilidae taken by the Swifts, Leptog aster guttiventris,
is the weakest and the smallest of the family in this country. This suggests
that the others are too bulky or too strong for the Swifts. The larger
Empididae were also absent from the meals, probably for the same reason.
The small number of the genus Hilara is probably because so few of the
1954]
29
species are on the wing in July. The small number of Phoridae out of about
250 species, might be due to the preference of the majority of the species for
woodland cover, for those taken represent species that are known to hover or
dance in the air.
The scarcity of fungi in July and the woodland preference of the
Platypezidae accounts for their absence in the diet of the Swift. The few
Pipunculidae, there are about 50 species, is probably due to the small number
of species flying in July. Homoptera, the hosts of this parasitic family, were
common in many of the meals. The Syrphidae (hover-flies) with 250 species
in the British Isles, were fairly well represented. The chief absentees were
the woodland and the larger species. Many of those taken were yellow and
black, presumably Mullerian mimics of wasps. Perhaps Swifts, approaching
them at speed at approximately the same level and seeing them against the
sky, are unable to see these colours.
Although most of the Otitidae occur in the open country, they were not
taken by the Swifts, probably because these insects fly too close to the ground.
The single representative of the Ulididae in the meals, is a species that hovers
near rotting vegetation. The many species of Trypetidae, Lonchaeidae and
Sapromyzidae tend to keep close to vegetation and moreover most of the
latter prefer woodland cover, and are thus not available to the Swift. Psilidae
entirely absent, and Sciomyzidae, rarely taken by the Swift, also remain close
to vegetation, whilst the Helomyzidae, also absent from the meals, are mainly
confined to woods. The abundance of Drosophilidae at Radley may be due
to an especially suitable habitat for breeding. Some species are leaf miners
and the rest prefer rotting fruit and similar substances. Both Ephydridae and
Sphaeroceridae may occur in the air in numbers (Freeman, 1945). Although
some of the species are restricted to the seaside and were therefore unavailable
to the Oxford and Radley Swifts, these two families are about as well repre¬
sented in the meals as the Agromyzidae. This family and the Chloropidae
are well known in aerial samples from traps on kites, balloons, etc. Probably
the bulk of the Chloropidae caught by the Swifts were the Frit fly Oscinella
frit. The small number of Cordiluridae, Tachinidae, Calliphoridae and
Muscidae, out of 60, 240, 100 and 500 species respectively, might be due to
their large size. The hovering species of Muscidae are almost restricted to
below the canopy of woodland and therefore are not available to Swifts.
Most species of Diptera were represented by one or two specimens, and
some such as Dilophus hunter alis> D. bispinosus and Ctenulus distinctus , are
rarely taken by dipterists. Some like Microchrysa polita occurred on most
dates, but others such as Odontomyia viridula and Dilophus febrilis were almost
confined to single days.
The two most numerous species taken, Platypalpus pallidiventris and P.
extricatus , are much alike especially in the females, and it was not often
possible to distinguish between the species. In 1952 these flies were particu¬
larly numerous. None were taken on 2nd July, but large numbers occurred
on 12th July and subsequently until 19th July, after which there were few.
Platypalpus pallidiventris was the commonest of the genus taken at Radley
and occurred in 11 out of 12 meals. In the 1952 meals there were 1,347
female P. pallidiventris or P. extricatus and only 92 males. Also 208 out of
209 Dilophus febrilis were females. In fact out of 2,857 °f all the Diptera
30
[June
sexed there were only 320 males, and the only species where males pre¬
dominated were Odontomyia viridula , 54 out of 59 being males, and Haema-
topota pluvialis , 21 males out of 27. These differences in the sex ratio are
hard to explain, except they must in some way be reflected in availability.
Size of prey
The lists of flies for each meal suggests that the smaller species were
selected. Flies as large as a honey bee, such as Eristalis pertinax , E. nemorum ,
Odontomyia ornata and Sarcophaga carnaria were only taken once or twice.
The bulk of the Muscidae and the Trypetidae taken, and also the genera
Beris, Chloromyia , Oxycera , Sargus , Haematopota , Syrphus and Scatophaga
are roughly the size of a house fly, and almost all the remainder were about a
quarter to half that size. As already indicated, very small species were also
not taken.
Feeding area
The composition of the meals suggests that the Swifts fed over open fields
bounded by hedges and ditches, streams or rivers, or with cattle ponds. Old
trees are suggested by the several specimens of Pachygaster leachii and P. atra>
Populus by Phytagromyza populicola and Crataegus by Phagocarpus permundus.
The ground vegetation over which the meals were caught probably included
a field of barley or at least a large amount of a species of Hordeum , judging by
the numbers of Oscinella frit. Other plants indicated are Glechoma hederacea
by Napomyza glechomae, Urtica dioca by Phytomyza flavicornis, Rannunculus
sp. by Phytomyza ranunculi , Sonchus sp. by Ensina sonchi , Achillia millefolium
by Oxyna flavipennis , various species of Cirsium by Xyphosia miliaria ,
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum or Leontodon autumnalis by Tephritis leonto-
dontis , Hypochaeris radicata by Tephritis vespertina and possibly other
Compositae by Trypanea stellata , whilst the numbers and variety of the
Chloropidae and the Agromyzidae indicate meadows.
Hydrophorus praecox and various Ephydridae, Odontomyia and Oxycera ,
indicate the presence of mud and marshy places. Pastures are evident with
the presence of the various Sphaeroceridae, Sepsidae, Geosargus and
Microchrysa.
The bulk of the species were likely to have occurred mostly at low heights
above the grassland and field vegetation, but as Freeman (1945) found
Sciarinae, Chloropidae and Sphaeroceridae formed the bulk of the Diptera
at 10-277 feet> the Swifts might at times have caught these flies quite high.
The hoverers, Syrphidae and Stratiomyidae, are mainly confined to 1-20
feet and as many were caught by the Swifts it would appear that some birds
were flying very low.
Availability of food
The species of Diptera in the meals would depend on the following factors :
1. Time of year. The adults of only a certain number of species are on the
wing during the breeding season of the Swift.
2. Time of day. The species of flies present in the feeding area are on the
wing only during certain restricted hours.
3. Habitats in the feeding area. Swifts feed over open country or over the
woodland canopy. Each major habitat has its own group of species of Diptera
as inhabitants.
1954]
3i
4. Flora of the feeding area. This, besides affecting the general nature of
the habitat, provides species of plants that are hosts to various species of
Diptera with specific feeding habits.
5. Habits of the Diptera present in the feeding area. Hoverers, and those
that are active in the air more than a few inches from the ground appear to be
especially vulnerable to attack. The numbers of Platypalpus pallidiventris and
P. extricatus are interesting as these flies are predators of small insects and
may have been capturing aphids, as many aphids were present in the meals.
6. Abundance and distribution. Providing a species is available under the
above five headings, the heaviness of the attack upon it seems relative to its
abundance in the restricted feeding area of the Swift.
7. Weather. The affect of the weather on the food of the Swift has been
discussed more fully in the general paper (Lack and Owen in press). On fine
days when more insects are available in the air Swifts tend to catch larger
insects than they catch on dull or windy days, but this did not always hold,
probably because small species were sometimes exceptionally abundant and
very easily caught. From this it appears that on dull days the larger species
are unavailable and the Swift is forced to catch small species. Sun-loving
Diptera, such as the Syrphidae, were caught mainly on sunny days, but on
the whole it is difficult to correlate the species of Diptera taken with the
weather, except that on the average numbers of Diptera dropped in bad
weather and rose in fine weather, agreeing with the known activity of the order.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Mr. Richard Vaughan and Miss M. M. Betts for collect¬
ing the meals in 1944 and 1949-51, respectively, and Dr. R. B. Freeman for
sorting and Prof. L. W. Grensted for identifying the 1944 meals. Dr. David
Lack has read the manuscript of this paper and we are grateful for his
suggestions.
Appendix i
I.
List of Diptera in Swift meals
(a) Families and commonest species
Tipulidae
Radley
3
Oxford
4
2.
Anisopodidae
1
3-
PSYCHODIDAE
6
4-
Chironomidae
47
7
5-
(Chironomus sp.)
Ceratopogonidae
(15)
5
6.
SlMULIIDAE
3
2
7-
Bibionidae
3
210
( Dilophus febrilis (L.))
(209)
8.
Mycetophilidae
67
199
(Sciara sp.;
(66)
(199)
9.
Cecidomyiidae
28
10.
Stratiomyidae
66
123
(Microchrysa polita (L.)) . .
(2)
(40)
11.
(M. flavicornis (Mg.))
( Odontomyia viridula (F.))
Rhagionidae
(54)
(59)
1
12.
Tabanidae
27
(. Haematopota pluvialis (L.))
(27)
13- Asilidae
14. Empididae
{Platypalpus pallidiventris (Mg.))
(P. extricatus (Collin))
(P. pallidiventris or extricatus )
( Platypalpus sp.)
( Empis sp.)
15. Dolichopodidae
(Hercostomus sp.)
( Chrysotus gramineus (Fall.))
{Chrysotus sp.)
16. Lonchopteridae
(Lonchoptera lutea Panz.)
17. Phoridae
{Megaselia sp.)
18. Dorilaidae
19. Syrphidae
(. Melanostoma mellinum (L.))
{M. scalare (F.))
{Melanostoma sp.)
{Platycheirus clypeatus (Mg.))
{Syrphus balteatus (Deg.))
{Syrphus corollae (F.))
20. Ulidiidae
21. Trypetidae
22. LAUXANIIDAE
23. Tylidae
24. Sepsidae
{Sepsis punctum F.)
{Sepsis sp.)
25. SCIOMYZIDAE
26. Chamaemyiidae
{Chamaemyia aridella (Fall.))
27. Opomyzidae
{Opomyza germinationis (L.))
28. Ephydridae
{Scatella stagnalis (Fall.))
{Limnellia quadrata (Fall.))
{Hydropota griseola (Fall.))
29. Sphaeroceridae
{Trichiapsis equina (Fall.))
{Limosina sp.)
30. Asteidae
31. Camillidae
32. Drosophilidae
{Drosophila fenestrarum Fall.)
{D. obscura Fall.)
{Drosophila sp.) . .
33. Agromyzidae
{Phytagromyza populicola (Hal.))
{Phytomyza sp.)
34. Chloropidae
{Oscinella frit (L.))
{Oscinella sp.)
{Meromyza pratorum Mg.)
35. CORDILURIDAE
36. Larvaevoridae
37. Calliphoridae
38. Muscidae . .
Radley
Oxford
1
57
1,524
(43)
(40)
(14)
(1,385)
(2)
(67)
(1)
(11)
11
246
(19)
(67)
(145)
6
23
(5)
(23)
23
134
(15)
(35)
4
27
138
(13)
(2)
(20)
(17)
(21)
(2)
08)
(15)
(20)
1
8
7
1
1
28
96
(19)
(9)
(84)
1
26
1
(25)
8
14
(4)
(12)
30
73
(13)
(6)
(3)
(10)
(32)
49
322
(8)
(24)
(19)
(289)
1
1
106
3i
(50)
(17)
(30)
(25)
55
50
(17)
(25)
(42)
249
781
(167)
(60)
(728)
(11)
(5)
2
2
2
1
1
8
45
1954] 33
(b) Species caught less than ten times at each locality. Numbers refer to families as above.
I, Limonia nubeculosa Mg., Limnophila sp., Gonomyia lateralis (Mcq.), Erioptera sp.
2, Anisopus punctatus (F.). 3> Psychoda alternata Say., Psychoda sp. 4, Tanypus sp.
6, Simulium reptans (L.), Simulium sp. 7, Dilophus fermoratus (Mg.), D. humeralis
(Zett.), D. bispinosus (Lundst.). 8, Macrocera maculata Mg. 10, Beris chalybeata
(Forst.), Beris sp., Chloromyia formosa (Scop.), Geosargus cuprarius (L.), G. bipunctatus
(Scop.), Odontomyia ornata (Mg.), Nemotelus nigrinus Fall., Oxycera trilineats (F.),
O. pulchella (Mg.), O. formosa Mg., O. trivittata (L.), Pachygaster leachii Curt.,
P. atra (Panz.). 11, Chrysopilus cristatus (F.). 13, Leptogaster guttiventris Zett.
14, Drapetis exilis Mg., Platypalpus candicans (Fall.), P. flavicornis Mg., P.fasciatus
(Mg.), P. articulatus Mcq., P. agilis (Mg.), Ocydromia glabricula (Fall.), Hilara sp.,
Empis nuntia Mg., E. albinervis Mg., Empis sp. 15, Dolichopus plumipes (Scop.),
D. brevipennis (Mg.), Dolichopus sp., Hydrophorus praecox (Lehm.), Medeterus
truncorum Mg., Diaphorus sp., Chrysotus cupreus Mcq., C. blepharosceles Kow.,
Campsicnemus curvipes (Fall.), Campsicnemus sp., Sciopus platypterus (F.), S', wiedemanni
(Fall.). t6, Lonchoptera furcata (Fall.). 17, Conicera dauci Mg., Gymnophora quartomollis
Schmitz, Megaselia rufipes (Mg.). 18, Chalarus spunus (Fall.), Pipunculus sp. 19,
Eumerus strigatus (Fall.), Eristalis pertinax (Scop.), E. nemorum L., Cheilosia sp.,
Pyrophaena granditarsa Forst., Platycheirus scutatus (Mg.), P. albimanus (F.), Sphaero-
phoria menthastri (L.), 5. scripta (L.), Scaeva pyrastri (L.), Syrphus cinctellus (Zett.).
S', luniger (Mg.), S', ribesii (L.), S. vitripennis Mg., Physiphora demandata (F.). 21,
Phargocarpus permundus (Harris), Xyphosia miliaria (Schr.), Oxyna flavipennis (Lw.),
Ensina sonchi L., Trupanea stellata Fuess., Tephritis conjuncta (Loew.), T. vespertina
(Lw.), T. leontodontis (Deg.). 22, Minettia fasciata (Fall.). 23, Trepidana cibaria (L.j.
24, Saltella scutellaris (Fall), Enicta annulipes (Mg.), Nemopoda nitidula (Fall.), Sepsis
fulgens Mg., Sepsis cynipsea (L.), S. communis Frey., Themira putris (L.). 25, Ctenulus
distinctus (Mg.). 26, Chamaemyia j uncorum (Fall.), C. herbarum (R.-D.). 27, Geomyza
combinata (L.). 28, Notiphila cinerea Fall., Notiphila sp., Scatella sp., Limnellia
stenhammari (Zett.), Scatophila sp., Coenia sp., Philygria stictica (Mg.), P. posticata
(Mg.). 29, Sphaerocera curvipes Latr., Borborus ater Mg., Collinellula fuscipennis
(Hal.), C. limosa (Fall.), Paracollinella fontinalis (Fall.), Limosina silvatica (Mg.),
L. mirabilis Collin, L. clunipes (Mg.), L. heteroneura Hal. 30, Asteia concinna Mg.
31, Camilla glabra (Fall.). 32, Drosophila disticha (Duda), D. graminum (Fall.). 33,
Agromyza sp., Cerodontha denticornis (Panz.), Napomyza glechomae (Kalt.), N. lateralis
(Fall.), Phytomyza ranunculi (Schr.), P. flavicornis Fall., P. atricornis Mg. 34,
Elachiptera cornuta (Fall.), Elachiptera sp., Tricimba cincta (Mg.), Meromyza saltatrix
(L.), Meromyza sp., Chlorops elongata Mg., C. pumilionis (Bjer), C. hypostigma Mg.,
Chlorops sp. 35, Scopeuma lutarium (F.), S. squalidum (Mg.), S. stercorarium (L.).
36, Actia pilipennis (Fall.). 37, Sarcophaga carnaria (L.). 38, Morellia aenescens R.-D.,
Morellia sp., Hydrotaea irritans (Fall.), Fannia sp., Hebecnema umbratica (Mg.),
Mydaea urbana (Mg.), Pegomyia bicolor (Wied.), Schoenomyia litorella (Fall.), Egle sp.
References
Nomenclature
Collin, J. E., 1947. The British genera of the Trypetidae (Diptera) with notes on a
few species. Ent. Rec ., 59: Supl. 1-14.
Hendel, F., 1931-6. Agromyzidae in Lindner. Die Fleigen der Palearktischn Region ,
59: 1-570-
Kloet, G. S., and Hincks, W. D., 1945. A Check List of British Insects. Stockport.
Parmenter, L. (in press). A list of the species of Syrphidae (Diptera) in the British
Isles. Entom. Gazette.
Others
Freeman, J. A., 1945. Studies in the distribution of insects by aerial currents.
J. Anim. Ecol ., 14: 128-54.
Lack, D. and E., 1951. The breeding biology of the Swift Apus apus. Ibis , 93 : 501-46.
Lack, D., and Owen, D. F. (in press). The food of the Swift. J. Anim. Ecol.
34
[June
Some Observations on the genus Bombus, with special
REFERENCE TO BoMBUS CULLUMANUS (KlRBY) (HYM. APIDAE)
By I. H. H. Yarrow, M.A., Ph.D.
Dept, of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History)
In a recent series of articles on British Bombus and Psithyrus (Poole,
1952) it was stated that a few males but no females or workers of B. cullumanus
had ever been found in Britain. In point of fact, the capture of a single
female on the Berkshire Downs near Cholsey in 1926 and of a worker near
Tring in Bucks two years earlier was put on record at that time (Richards,
1926). More recently my colleague Mr. J. F. Perkins has discovered two
females and four workers placed under B. lapidarius (Linnaeus) in the
Mortimer collection now in the British Museum ; one female is from Streatley,
Berkshire, the remainder from Seaford, Sussex. It is perhaps opportune
therefore to list the present known distribution of this bee :
Beds. Barton Hills, north of Luton, $ 19/8/1923 (Palmer, 1923).
Berks. Cholsey, Pangbourne, Streatley, Sulham, Tilehurst, Wallingford.
Holland, 1916, more than 30 $$ late August and early September, and
Burtt, 1921, 7<J<J end of July. (Burtt, 1923.) Cholsey, 15/5/26 1 $ Richards
( loc . cit.), Streatley, 6/1923 1 $ Mortimer coll.
Bucks. Between Dunstable and Tring, 1921, ig, A. D. Imms, teste Palmer
{loc. cit.). Near Tring, ig 9/1924, Richards {loc. cit.).
Hants. Hook and Butterworth near Basingstoke, 1916, Holland, teste Burtt
{loc. cit.).
Kent. Ripple, 8/9/1911, 1 S Sladen, 1912. Dover {teste Nevinson, 1923.
This may well refer to Sladen’s record from Ripple.)
Suffolk. Witnesham, 1 $ (the holotype; Kirby, 1802).
Sussex. Brighton Down, 1 <$ presented to the British Museum in 1844 by
W. Walcott of Bristol. (This is very probably the specimen referred to by
F. Smith (1891) as coming from Bristol); Seaford, 9 <?<? 8/1921, 4 55
8/1922, 1 $ 7/1924, Mortimer coll.; Seaford, about 40 SS confined to two
districts, end of 9/1923, Nevinson {loc. cit.).
In addition to the above there is a single $ in the British Museum from a
Mr. Foxcroft, presented in 1852 and reputed to have come from a collection
made in Wales and Scotland; the origin of this specimen is obviously open
to doubt.
The bee has been taken at the following plants: Origanum vulgare L.,
Carduus nutans L., Cirsium acaule Web., Centaurea nigra L., and Trifolium
repens L. The localities are all associated with chalk and the flight period
seems to lie between May and September.
So far as recognition is concerned, the characters given by Richards in his
“Specific characters of British Humble-bees” (Richards, 1927) are largely
confirmed by my examination of the more recently discovered material. It
must be pointed out here that Smith {op. cit.) was quite wrong when he
presumed that the worker and female of cullumanus would look like pratorum
(Linnaeus): the specimens from Southend, Essex, upon which Smith based
this presumption were in fact pratorum , though one must give him credit for
1954]
35
having stated that he had no positive proof that the female described was really
that sex of cullumanus. S laden in 1912 and Nevinson in 1923 have drawn
attention to the colouring (yellow, black and red) of certain supposed
cullumanus specimens from Burgos in Spain but these have proved to be
B. serrisquama Morawitz, a very closely related species. On the other hand,
the specimens from Schleswig, determined as cullumanus by Fries e and
referred to by Nevinson (1923) and Richards (1926) (Iocs, cit.) are correct.
There is no difficulty in recognizing the male of cullumanus despite the
superficial resemblance to ruderarius (Muller), pratorum (Linnaeus), and
(Burtt, loc. cit.) sylvarum (Linnaeus), and a glance at the genitalia will settle
the point. The females and workers, on the other hand, require more careful
examination for they resemble lapidarius very closely, though with experience
the females at any rate can be separated with the naked eye. The following
table of comparisons should make it possible for collectors to recognize both
$ and ^ of cullumanus.
cullumanus
Hind metatarsus shining, with
scanty pubescence and very few
branched hairs.
4th segment of £ antenna as wide
as long or even wider (fig. 5).
Malar space very distinctly broader
than long, considerably punctured
laterally (fig. 7).
$ with antero-lateral impression of
clypeus much more distinct.
Central furrow of labrum not very
deep, not becoming a deep pit
apically but gradually sloping up¬
wards. Base of furrow (i.e., that
part adjacent to clypeus) more
shining, without surface sculpture.
Tubercles convex, with coarse punc¬
tures all over.
$ with distinct yellow hairs among
the black anteriorly and posteriorly
on thorax; the £ in addition has
some yellow hairs at base of
abdomen.
lapidarius
Hind metatarsus alutaceus and
well covered with branched hairs.
4th segment of £ antenna distinctly
longer than wide (fig. 6).
Malar space about as long as broad
or slightly longer (fig. 8).
$ antero-lateral impression much
less distinct.
Central furrow deep, particularly
apically, where it becomes a deep
pit. Base of furrow not very shining
and with distinct surface sculpture.
Tubercles flattened, sloping down
to level of clypeus laterally, the flat
surface in ^ shining and with few
punctures.
? occasionally with a few yellow
hairs on thorax anteriorly.
$ wings darker.
$ wings less dark.
Frison (1927) in a paper dealing with the relationships of North American
Bombus , places the subgenus Cullumanobombus Vogt in Section Boopobombus
Frison, this Section being characterized in the male by large swollen eyes,
short malar space, large ocelli placed forward of a line joining the posterior
Fig. i, Head of B. pratorum (Linnaeus) 2, Head of B. cullumanus (Kirby) d-
3, Head of B. rufocinctus Cresson <£. 4, Head of B. auricomus Robertson <$. 5, Basal
segments of the antenna of B. cullumanus (Kirby) 6, Basal segments of the antenna
of B. lapidarius (Linnaeus) 7, Malar space of B. cullumanus (Kirby) 8, Malar
space of B. lapidarius (Linnaeus) 9, Volcella, squama and sagitta (dorsal view) of
B. cullumanus (Kirby) <J. 10, Volcella, squama and sagitta (dorsal view) of B. rufocinctus
Cresson d-
1954]
37
eye-margins (fig. 4) and genitalia with protruding volsellae and in the female
by ocelli similar to the male, 3rd antennal segment longer than 5th, and
basitarsi of middle and hind legs without a pronounced projection at posterior
apical angle. Cullumanobombus was considered to be represented in America
by a single species, B. rufocinctus Cresson. Frison, who had not seen the
European B. cullumanus , was following Skorikov (1922) who very probably
had not seen the American B. rufocinctus. Cullumanobombus is very certainly
not a Boopobombus , nor is B. rufocinctus very happily placed in either. To
make this apparent I have drawn outlines of the heads of males of B.
auricomus Robertson (fig, 4), B. rufocinctus Cresson (fig. 3), B. cullumanus
(Kirby) (fig. 2), and for those who are concerned only with the British fauna,
B. pratorum (Linnaeus) (fig. 1). There are certain differences in the male
genitalia which suggest that cullumanus and rufocinctus are not very closely
related and do not belong to the same species group (figs. 9 and 10); the
squama, for instance, is of quite different form, being produced inwardly
into two well defined teeth whereas in Cullumanobombus ( apollineus Skorikov,
semenoviellus Skorikov, serrisquama Morawitz and cullumanus (Kirby)) the
squama is produced inwardly into a blunt process which shows signs of
marginal serrations. (It is perhaps worth mentioning here that certain
Palaearctic species (. B . confusus Schenck and B. mendax Gerst. and its allies)
have males with enormous eyes but on account of other characters do not
belong in Section Boopobombus .) The female rufocinctus , like the male, seems
intermediate between Boopobombus and Anodontobombus , allied to the former
by its slightly larger eyes and ocelli and short malar space, and to Cullumano¬
bombus and Lapidariobombus (though not to Pratobombus ) by the form of the
mandibles which have a sulcus obliquus but no incisura lateralis.
Frison was evidently not too sure how to handle rufocinctus , for in the
legend to plate 17 he created a new subgenus, Rufocinctobombus for this
species ; whether Rufocinctobombus should be treated as a subgenus in Section
Boopobombus or should be kept separate need not concern us here. In the
recent catalogue of N. American Hymenoptera (Muesebeck, Krombein,
Townes, etc., 1951), B. D. Burks, basing his treatment of Bombus largely on
notes by Frison, retains rufocinctus in Cullumanobombus.
The form of the mandibles in female and worker Bombus was first used by
Kruger (1920) as a taxonomic character and later by Richards for the British
species (1927); it provides such a valuable aid to identification, though one
which seems so little appreciated, that I have taken this opportunity to
illustrate the forms which occur in our British species.
1. Basal keel and sulcus obliquus present, incisura lateralis absent. (Section
Odontobombus , illustrated by B. agrorum (Fabricius), fig. 11.)
2. Basal keel absent, sulcus obliquus present, incisura lateralis absent.
(. Lapidariobombus and Cullumanobombus , illustrated by B. lapidarius
(Linnaeus), fig. 12.)
3. Basal keel and sulcus obliquus absent or the latter very weak, incisura
lateralis present. (. Pratobombus . B. pratorum (Linnaeus) and B. lapponicus
(Fabricius), figs. 13 and 15.)
4. Basal keel absent, sulcus obliquus and incisura lateralis both present.
( Terrestribombus , illustrated by B. terrestris (Linnaeus), fig. 14.)
13
_ -1L
Fig. II, Right mandible of B. agrorum (Fabricius). 12, Right mandible of B. lapidartus
(Linnaeus). 13, Right mandible of B. pratorum (Linnaeus). 14, Right mandible of
B. terrestris (Linnaeus) (apical view). 15, Right mandible of B. lappomcus (Fabricius)
(apical view). BK=basal keel; 1st K=main keel; IL=incisura lateralis; SO = sulcus
obliquus.
1954]
39
Turning finally to the European distribution of cullumanus , Skorikov (1922)
has shown how very limited this is, the species being restricted to S. England,
N. Holland, N. Germany, Denmark and S. Sweden. Its extreme rarity is
emphasized by its complete absence from the very extensive Pittioni collec¬
tion, a collection of bees containing some 40,000 specimens of mainly
Eurasian Bombus species, recently purchased by the British Museum (Natural
History).
References
Burtt, B. D., 1923. The occurrence of Bombus cullumanus $$ near Reading. Ent.
mon. Mag., 59: 91-2.
Franklin, H. J., 1913. The Bombidae of the New World. Trans. Amer. ent. Soc .,
38 (1912): 177-486.
- 1913- The Bombidae of the New World, Pt. 2. Species South of the United
States. Trans. Amer. ent. Soc., 39: 73-200.
Frison, T. H., 1927. A contribution to our knowledge of the relationships of the
Bremidae of America North of Mexico. Trans. Amer. ent. Soc., 53: 51-78.
Kirby, W., 1802. Apum Angliae.
Kruger, E., 1920. Beitrage zur Systematik und Morphologic der mitteleuro-
paeischen Hummeln. Zool.Jahrb. Syst., 42: 289-464.
Muesebeck, C. F. W., Krombein, K. V., Townes, H. K., and others, 1951.
Hymenoptera of America North of Mexico.
Nevinson, E. B., 1923. The survival of Bombus cullumanus Kirby. Ent. mon. Mag.,
59: 277.
Palmer, R., 1923. Occurrence of Bombus cullumanus (Kirby) in Bedfordshire. Ent.
mon. Mag., 59: 277.
Poole, T. B., 1952. Bumble Bees. Amat. Ent., 11: 9-10, 19-20, 27-29, 38-40, 45-47,
78-79, 87-90, 96-98, 104-105, in-114.
Richards, O. W., 1926. Capture in England of female and worker of Bombus
cullumanus K. (Hym.). Ent. mon. Mag., 62: 267-8.
- 1927. Specific characters of British Humblebees. Trans, ent. Soc. Lond ., 75:
233-268.
Skorikov, A. S., 1922. Palaearctic Bumble bees: general Biology including Zoo¬
geography. Bull. Sta. Regionale Protect. Plates Petrograd IV, (1): 1-160.
Sladen, F. W. L., 1912. The Humblebee and how to domesticate it. London.
Smith- F.. 1891. Catalogue of British Bees in the collection of the British Museum.
Vogt, O., 1911. Studien uber das Artproblem. Uber das varienen der Hummeln.
Pt. 2. Sitzungsber. Ges. Naturfreunde , Berlin, 1911 (1), 31-74.
COLLETES HALOPHILA VERHOEFF (=C. SUCCINCT A HALOPHILA
VERHOEFF), A BEE HITHERTO UNRECOGNIZED IN GREAT BRITAIN
By I. H. H. Yarrow, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History)
Until 1925 when Mr. G. M. Spooner discovered large colonies of what was
presumed to be Colletes succincta (Linnaeus) visiting the plants Aster
tripolium , Senecio jacobaea and Limonium sp. on maritime sand in September
at Scolt Head and Blakeney Point in Norfolk, it had been believed that this
species was restricted entirely to Erica and Calluna ; this unusual behaviour
was noted by O. W. Richards in his paper on British Epeolus and Colletes
{Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent., 1937, 4: 89-130). In 1943 P. M. F. VerhoefF in
40
[June
Holland published some observations on a Colletes taken at Aster tripolium
( Tijdschr . v. Entom ., 86: XLII); these he found could be distinguished from
the Erica and Calluna frequenting succincta in both males and females and he
treated them as a race of succincta giving the subspecific epithet halophila ; he
pointed out that if Spooner’s specimens from Norfolk were examined they
would in all probability prove to be the same. Accordingly Dr. Richards
examined a male and female of the Norfolk specimens and confirmed that they
agreed with Dutch specimens kindly sent by Dr. Verhoeff both to him and
to the British Museum (Natural History). It has since been discovered
that in the British Museum (Natural History) there is one $ halophila taken
by Col. Yerbury at Aldeburgh in Suffolk, 26/9/1900, and a series of 51
and 1 $ taken at Dovercourt and St. Osyth on the Essex coast from the
Harwood collection; Mr. P. Harwood has kindly sent further examples of
both sexes from St. Osyth for examination.
Mr. H. W. Daltry of Rugby has taken males and females at Fishcroft
Marsh, N. Lines., flying to Leontodon. and at Moulton Marsh, S. Lines., at
Aster tripolium , in September, 1950, and recently I have discovered a single
? taken on Aster> 25/9/1936, Southwold Saltings in the Claude Morley
collection, among specimens from Southwold which are succincta.
Halophila is usually larger than typical British succincta and the $ can be
distinguished readily by the coarser puncturation of the disc of the 1st
tergite and mesopleura; the however, is more difficult to distinguish on
these characters, particularly in small individuals. However, it has been
found that halophila differs from succincta in the form of the hypostomal
carina (fig. ia) and the area of the gena adjacent to this (figs, ib and ic are
sections through the hypostomal carina at A-B) :
succincta. Hypostomal carina only narrowly raised and the area of the gena
adjacent almost flat, or at most weakly impressed at a short distance from
the carina (fig. ib).
1954] 4i
halophila. Hypostomal carina conspicuously raised, the gena impressed
immediately adjacent to it (fig. ic).
To see this character clearly it may be necessary to scrape away some of the
hairs on the gena, particularly in the <J, in which the hair in this region is much
more dense than in the $.
In view of the difference in biology and the morphological characters noted
above it would seem better to regard these two forms as separate species.
It would be interesting to know whether halophila occurs south of the
Thames estuary, in the vicinity of the Medway and the Swale, for instance.
PSENULUS SCHENCKI TOURNIER, A PSENINE WASP NEW TO THE
British List
By I. H. H. Yarrow, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History)
Three females of P. schencki Tournier have been discovered from British
localities in collections now in the British Museum (Natural History); two are
from Holmwood, Surrey, 7/22, ex Mortimer collection, and one from Byfleet,
Surrey, 6/45, ex Guichard collection. This addition is the more interesting
since the species has hitherto been recorded not nearer than Switzerland.
There should be no difficulty in recognizing P. schencki , at any rate in the
female sex from the characters given below and those who have specimens of
this genus from Surrey would do well to re-examine them. I have not yet
seen a male but from the characters given by de Beaumont in his “Les
Psenini de la region palearctique” {Mitt. Schweiz, ent. Ges., 1937, 17: 33"93)
this sex should not be difficult to spot, for while resembling atratus in the
striate vertex and shape of the apical antennal segment, which is less than
twice as long as it is wide, it resembles concolor in having the apical antennal
segments distinctly carinate and in the absence of a smooth and shining
semi-elliptical area at the base of the second sternite.
Key to females of British Psenulus
(For further details of P. concolor (Dahlbom) see Spooner, G. M., Trans.
R. ent. Soc. Lond ., 1948, 99: 139.)
1. Vertex very shining, puncturation microscopic, clypeal carina
inverted Y shaped . concolor (Dahlbom)
— Vertex distinctly punctured and striate, clypeal carina inverted
T shaped . 2
2. Middle tibia with a longitudinal impression on the outer side
(fig. 1) . schencki (Tournier)
Black, flagellum beneath, anterior tibia above and posterior tarsus
testaceous; anterior tibia below and in front and middle and
posterior tarsi yellowish. Clypeus densely but finely punctured,
42
[June
pilose, apically with an indentation wider than deep between the
teeth. 2nd segment of flagellum hardly longer than broad, 3rd
about as long as broad, remainder except apical, broader than long.
Thorax shining, finely punctured, the outer pair of longitudinal
impressions extending back about one-third length of mesonotum.
Pygidium with a median longitudinal area parallel sided apically,
opening out Y-shaped basally. 2nd sternite with an indistinct but
very shining semi-elliptical area, the sternite abruptly descending
to the transverse carina. 4th and 5th sternites without apical
fringes of silvery hair.
— Middle tibia without such an impression . atratus (Fabricius)
Black, flagellum beneath, anterior tibia on the inner side, tarsus
and middle tibia testaceous; clypeus more or less distinctly
punctured, pilose, apically with an indentation as deep or deeper
than wide between the teeth. 2nd segment of flagellum distinctly
longer than broad, 3rd, 4th and 5th slightly longer than broad,
remainder, except apical, as broad as long or rather broader.
Mesonotum shining, punctured and distinctly striate posteriorly,
the outer pair of longitudinal impressions indistinct except in the
anterior third of the mesonotum. Pygidium with a median area
indistinctly bordered and V-shaped. 2nd sternite with a very
distinctly bordered semi-elliptical area occupying about two-thirds
of the sternite which slopes gently down to the transverse carina.
Fresh examples have apical fringes of silvery hair on 4th and 5th
sternites.
Fig. 1. Outer side of middle tibia of Psenulus schencki Toumier showing the
longitudinal impression.
1954]
43
The Irish form of Myrmosa atra Panz.
(Hym., Tiphiidae)
By I. H. H. Yarrow, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History)
Through the kindness of Mr. A. W. Stelfox of Dublin I have been able to
examine specimens of a red-headed form of Myrmosa atra Panz. In 1927,
when Stelfox published his “Hymenoptera Aculeata ( sensu lato ) of Ireland”
(. Proc . R. Irish Acad., 37 (B) No. 22: 201-355) he drew attention to a single
female of M. atra (=M. melanocephala (Fabricius)) from Co. Wicklow as
having the head, instead of black, of the same red colour as the thorax and
commented that as this was the only known Irish example of the species, the
red head was in all probability no more than an individual aberration; by
1933, however, when he published “Some Recent Records for Irish Aculeate
Hymenoptera” ( Ent . mon. Mag., 69: 47-53) he had seen some 20-30 females
from Ireland and there was not a black-headed example among them; he
concluded that the red-headed form must be endemic. Since then no black¬
headed females have turned up, nor has a red-headed female been seen from
anywhere but Ireland. Immature specimens may have the head of a less
intense black than older ones and a certain amount of red is frequently seen in
the region of the mandibular articulations but after examining several hundred
British examples I have seen nothing to approach those from Ireland. I
therefore describe this as a subspecies of M. atra Panzer.
Myrmosa atra erythrocephala n. ssp.
?. Distinguished from typical atra by the head and thorax being uni-
colorous ferruginous and from the Nearctic unicolor Say, which it otherwise
resembles rather closely, by the presence of a small tubercle at the base of
the 2nd sternite.
c£. I am unable to distinguish this sex from British specimens, except that
the hairs on the head and thorax are slightly more red; from unicolor both are
immediately distinguished by the presence of a median longitudinal carina on
the apical half of the 7th sternite.
Holotype ?. 9/8/30, Clone, Co. Wexford (B.M. (N.H.)).
Paratype $. 14/2/29, Clone, Co. Wexford (B.M. (N.H.)).
Allotype. 17/7/35, Shave, near GlengarrifF, Co. Wicklow (B.M. (N.H.)).
Stelfox (1933, loc. cit.) gives the following additional localities: Carlow,
N. Tipperary, S. Galway, N. Kerry.
Krombein (1940, Trans. Amer. ent. Soc., 65: 415-465) in a revision of the
Myrmosidae of the New World with a discussion of the Old World species
comments that occasionally the black areas tend to be piceous in typical atra
and the ferruginous areas on the 2nd tergite reduced in extent ; in the Irish
specimens which I have seen it is the black areas on the 2nd tergite which are
reduced so that the whole insect has a very red appearance ; in addition, the
apical segments of the flagellum are not darkened as in the typical form.
44
[June
Reviews
The World of the Honeybee , by Colin G. Butler. Collins, The “New Naturalist"
Series, 29. 24th May, 1954. Price 21s. o d.
The volume noticed nearly four years ago ( antea 3 : 222) is a miniature text-book for
the bee-keeper or entomologist with some training in the natural sciences : the present
book is one within the compass of the layman, that will give pleasure and instruction
to the general entomologist.
After an account of what can be deduced of the origin and evolution of the honeybee,
and of the present distribution of the several species and varieties, the author writes of
the lives and problems of honeybee colonies and of the individuals which compose
them. He writes from a large knowledge of the literature, tested out and followed up
in most respects in his own department at the Rothamsted Experimental Station, and
makes a coherent story of the whole.
The reviewer received only two shocks, and those in the first dozen pages. It was
surprising to one with a background of Darwinian thinking to read (p. 6) that the
evolution of bees together with flowers “has frequently been overlooked,” yet the
author’s own thinking on this subject may clarify that of his readers. More startling
was to read that all honeybees are wild, not domesticated, that “all that man has been
able to do has been to induce colonies ... to build their nests in . . . shelters such as
modern hives, so that he can readily rob them of their stores of honey” (italics mine).
Now man inserts into his hives “foundation” sheets of wax, ready stamped out into
the right shapes and sizes of the cells, and the bees build on these and are saved the
labour of starting the cells. Man takes honey in the summer, but feeds sugar in the
winter, according to the needs of the colony. If there are more honeybees in an area of
dense agricultural occupation than there would be in a similar, very sparsely populated
area, then honeybees have gained a biological advantage that would be reversed with
the decline of man.
There are chapters on “the origin of members of the colony,” the “survival of
colonies that have lost their queens,” the “life of a queen,” on colony odour and
defence, swarming, food, etc. That on “the world of the worker honeybee” concludes
with an intriguing summary of how the world must seem to a bee. In “bee stings and
bee venom” the popular supposition is confirmed that a bee dies soon after stinging
a human but not, of course, after stinging another bee; and bee venom as a possible
antidote to rheumatism is discussed. Under “recognition of presence of queen” the
author describes his own recent discovery of “queen substance,” and he follows by
developing the evident importance of this in maintaining the social cohesion of the
colony: his first simple experiment (p. 102) seems conclusive in a general way, and is
supported by others published only a few weeks ago, but many will probably demur
until this substance has been isolated and analysed. Under “direction finding and
communication,” there is an account of von Frisch’s famous discovery of the dances
of the bees, confirmed by observation at Rothamsted. The author is to be congratu¬
lated on presenting all this material in such acceptable form. G.J.K.
A Coleopterist’ s Handbook , edited by G. B. Walsh and John R. Dibb. 8^x5^',
120 pp., 50 text figs., 20 half-tone pis. London, The Amateur Entomologists’
Society, 1 West Ham Lane, London, E.15. Price 15 s. 3 d. post free.
This excellent Handbook, written by a team of acknowledged experts in the beetle
art, is so packed with useful material that it is difficult to know where to make a start.
An excellent opening chapter on collecting equipment is followed by another on
methods of collecting, in which the beginner is too continually exhorted to hunt for
rarities and to let the common things take care of themselves — a procedure which is
apt to land him between two stools: he is liable to finish the day’s collecting with
neither. Two excellent chapters on beetle larvae, by E. A. J. Duffey, open up a field
which has been too much neglected by coleopterists, and deserve very special mention.
The ticklish business of rearing beetles is dealt with very fully, and there are excellent
chapters on the association of beetles with plants and stored products, and on insect
photography. For a book of this kind, intended mainly for beginners, the Glossary is
rather inadequate.
1954]
45
The weak chapter in the book is that on identification, which covers just two pages.
Too little is written about the intelligent use of dichotomous keys, and nothing at all
about puncturation and the subtle gradations of colour which are such a puzzle to the
beginner.
Both the line drawings and the half-tone plates are excellent, and the seven splendid
reproductions from J. C. Schiodte’s rare De metamorphosi eleutheratorum observationes
are especially good and very welcome.
Very reasonably priced, and altogether an excellent handbook, which should be
carried in the field by every beetle enthusiast. J.H.M.
Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Published by the Royal Entomo¬
logical Society of London, 24th May, 1954.
Vol. I, Part 2. Thysanura and Diplura. By M. J. Delany. 7 pp., 15 figs. 2 s. 6 d.
Vol. V, Part 9. Coleoptera (Lagriidae, Alleculidae, Tetratomidae, Melandryidae.
Salpingidae, Pythidae, Mycteridae, Oedemeridae, Mordellidae, Scraptiidae,
Pyrochroidae, Rhipiphoridae, Anthicidae, Aderidae and Meloidae). By F. D,
Buck. 30 pp., 63 figs. 65. o d.
These two further parts of this excellent series are just to hand. The Handbook on
the Thysanura and Diplura simplifies, on paper at least, the separation of the species
of this little known and little worked group.
The Coleoptera part covers fifteen families which form part of Crowson’s section ii
of the Cucujoidea (Ent. mon. Mag., 89: 37-59), all of which are poorly represented in
Britain. Mr. Buck has dealt with the subject as fully as was possible in the limited
space available, and this part should do much to clear up many of the difficulties
presented by these families in Fowler and Joy. J.H.M.
Accounts
The Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st December 3
I953j and the Statement of the Society’s financial position at that date are
printed on page 46.
The Hon. Treasurer, Mrs. M. Murgatroyd, reports that during the year
the Subscription income was maintained, the sum of £24 14s. was received
from H. M. Inland Revenue under the seven-year Covenant scheme, and the
income from sales of Publications was again up on the previous year.
Transaction
With this issue are distributed Transaction , Vol. 11, Part 11, and Title
Page and Contents for Vol. 4 of the Journal.
46
[June
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We report to the Members of the Society for British Entomology that we have audited the foregoing Receipts and Payments
Account for the year ended 31st December, 1953, and we have received all the information and explanations we have required.
In our opinion the foregoing Account is correct and properly sets forth the result of the Society’s activities for this year.
Ellerslie Chambers, Bournemouth. DONALD & CO.,
25th March, 1954. Chartered Accountants.
( Continued from inside front cover)
HYMENOPTERA
A Consideration of Cephalic Struc¬
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Instar Larvae of the Ichneumoni-
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An Introduction to the Natural His¬
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Notes on Some British Mymaridae.
By W. D. Hincks, 1950. 42 pp., 5
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The British Species of the Genus
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A Study of some British species of
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The Natural History of some
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LEPIDOPTERA
The Morphology of Luffia ferchaul-
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List of the Lepidoptera of Dorset.
Part 2. By W. Parkinson Curtis,
1947. 138 pp., 4 pis., 1 15. od.
Postural Habits and Colour-Pattern
Evolution in Lepidoptera. By
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ENTOMOLOGICAL FAUNA OF
THE NEW FOREST SERIES
Introduction by J. Cowley, and Part i,
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1950. 12 pp., 15. 6 d. Part 2.
Neuroptera, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
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OFFICERS AND COUNCIL, I953"54
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CONTENTS
Page
Colyer, C. N. : Swarming of Phoridae (Diptera) . 22
Fonseca, E. C. M. d’A.: Translations of Ringdahl’s Muscid Tables.
Additions and Corrections . 17
— - See Ringdahl, 0 . 1
Owen, D. F. : See Parmenter, L . 27
Parmenter, L. : The Swift, Apus apus L., as a predator of flies . 27
Ringdahl, O.: A Survey of the Swedish Species of Phaonia R.-D.
(Dipt., Muscidae) . 1
Yarrow, I. H. H.: Some Observations on the genus Bombus , with
special reference to Bombus cullumanus (Kirby) (Hym.,
Apidae) . 34
- Colletes halophila Verhoeff (=C. succinta halophila VerhoefF),
a bee hitherto unrecognized in Great Britain . 39
- Psenulus schencki Tournier, a Psenine Wasp new to the
British List . 41
- The Irish form of Myrmosa atra Panz. (Hym., Tiphiidae). . 43
Reviews . 44
Treasurer . 45
Communications for the Journal should be sent to:
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Printed by Sydbnham & Co. (Est. 1840) Ltd., Printers, Oxford Road, Bournemouth
VOL. 5
PART 2
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OF THE
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IESRA2Y
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EDITED BY
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A New Chapter in Zoological Nom¬
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The Aquatic Coleoptera of North
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( Continued on inside back cover )
JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY
FOR BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY
Vol. 5 15th November, 1954 Part 2
The British species of Elipsocus Hagen
(CORRODENTIA, MESOPSOCIDAE)
By I. W. B. Thornton, B.Sc., Ph.D., and E. Broadhead, M.A., D.Phil.
(Department of Zoology, Leeds University)
Introduction
The present paper deals with the taxonomy of the nymphs and adults of
the three Elipsocus species which are common in Britain — hyalinus , westwoodi
and mclachlani. During the course of an ecological study of these species at
Malham in Yorkshire (Broadhead and Thornton, 1954), it was necessary to
identify every individual captured whether nymph or adult. It was possible
to recognize the various instars of these species and to identify specifically the
nymphs at each instar. The specific characters of the adults, fisted by
Kimmins (1941) and Badonnel (1943) have been reviewed. Their variation
in the Malham populations has been studied, and only those characters which
have proved most reliable in distinguishing these species are included in the
short diagnoses given here. Notes are also given on distribution and mating
behaviour.
Adults
(a) Females
Females of E. hyalinus , westwoodi and mclachlani , whether freshly emerged
or otherwise, may readily be identified by three characters in combination —
the colour pattern on the head, that on the abdomen and the extent of certain
pigmented areas on the forewings.
Elipsocus hyalinus (Stephens, 1836) (figs. 1-3, 10)
Psocus hyalinus Stephens, 1836, III. Brit . Ent., Mand ., 6: 123; nec Hagen,
1861, Ent. Ann. : 26.
Elipsocus westwoodi McLachlan, 1867 (partim), Ent. mon. Mag., 3: 274.
Elipsocus abietis Kolbe, 1880, Jber. Westfal Prov. Ver., 8: 114; Enderlein,
1927, Tierwelt Mitteleuropas, 4 (VII, 10): 10; Badonnel, 1943, Faune Fr.,
42: 76; Hartmann, 1951, Verb, naturf. Ges. Basel, 62: 116."
Head dor sally: uniformly dark brown apart from a paler area between the
ocelli and each antennal sclerite.
Abdomen dor sally (fig. 10) : transversely banded, terga 2 and 3 pale yellow
ochre; 4, 5, and most of 6 darker, medium brown or reddish brown; distal
part of 6, 7 and proximal part of 8 as terga 2 and 3; apex of abdomen
blackish brown.
Forewing (figs. 1-3): Pterostigma uniformly pigmented throughout its
length; no fuscous patch over areola postica. Length of forewing 2.87-
3.45 mm.
y>sr~
48
[November
Elipsocus westwoodi McLachlan, 1867 (figs. 4-6, 11)
Elipsocus westwoodi McLachlan, 1867 (partim), Ent. mon. Mag., 3: 274;
Enderlein, 1927, Tierwelt Mitteleuropas, 4 (VII, 10): 10; Badonnel, 1943,
Faune Fr., 42: 74; Hartmann, 1951, Verh. naturf. Ges. Basel, 62 : 114.
Elipsocus moebiusi Tetens, 1891, Ent. Nachr.: 372, 379.
Head dor sally : with a longitudinal dark brown median band from posterior
margin of cranium to clypeus and a broad dull yellow band on each side, a
cluster of dark brown spots on cranium laterally just above each eye.
Abdomen dorsally (fig. 11): terga 3-7 uniformly covered with granular
reddish brown pigment, extending anteriorly in mid line over terga 1 and 2 ;
terga 1 and 2 laterally pale whitish yellow; apex of abdomen blackish brown.
Forewing (figs. 4-6): Pterostigma darkly pigmented in apical two- thirds
only; areola postica with distinct fuscous patch over apex; median smokey
patch always extends basad along R as far as it extends along M+Cu; whole
wing often rather greyish. Length of forewing 2.77-3.31 mm.
Elipsocus mclachlani Kimmins, 1941 (figs. 7-9, 12)
Elipsocus mclachlani Kimmins, 1941 Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (11), 7: 528.
Elipsocus hyalinus (Stephens) sec. McLachlan, 1867, Ent. mon. Mag., 3: 257;
Kolbe, 1880, Jber. Westfal. Prov. Ver. 8: 114; Enderlein, 1927, Tierwelt
Mitteleuropas, 4 (VII, 10): 11; Badonnel, 1943, Faune Fr., 42: 75;
Hartmann, 1951, Verh. naturf. Ges. Basel., 62: 115.
? Elipsocus brevistylus Reuter, 1893, Acta. Soc. Fauna. Flor. Fenn ., 9 (4):
44 ((£)•
Elipsocus hyalinus var. abdominalis Reuter, 1904, Acta. Soc. Fauna Flor. Fenn.,
26 (9): 6.
Head dorsally: as westwoodi.
Abdomen dorsally (fig. 12): tergum 1 anteriorly fuscous; tergum 1
posteriorly and terga 2-7 pale yellow; apex of abdomen dark brown; often
from 3 to 5 reddish brown narrow transverse bands along anterior margins
of terga 3-7, the bands typically having irregular posterior margins, and
never confluent.
Forewing (figs. 7-9): wing membrane always clear, never greyish; markings
similar to westwoodi with one exception: median smoky band not extending
basad along radius (53 out of 60 wings) or if so, only for half as far as it does
along M+Cu (remaining 7). Length of forewing 2.31-2.76 mm.
Figs. 1-9 are composite drawings of the forewings based on a study of
46 wings of hyalinus, 76 of westwoodi and 60 of mclachlani. Two of the three
figures for each species represent extremes of the extent and density of the
pigment, the position of the fork of the radial sector in relation to the origins
of M2 and M3+4, the degree of rounding of the wing apex and the shape and
size of the areola postica. The other drawing in each case represents the
modal condition of these characters.
It may be noted that the shape of the areola postica is too variable to be
useful as a diagnostic character and that the relative position of the fork of the
radial sector shows only a modal difference between the species. In hyalinus
this fork is generally situated between the origins of M2 and M3+4 (in 43
wings out of 46), occasionally (in the remaining 3) it is level with M3+4. In
westwoodi it is generally level with or only slightly beyond the origin of M3+4
1954]
49
(in 46 wings out of 76). The relative position of this fork is more variable in
mclachlani. Of other characters suggested in the literature to be of specific
value, the maxillary pick, the genitalia and the subgenital plate show no
constant features differing in the three species, and the number of long
marginal setae on the epiproct has only doubtful reliability.
The uniformly pigmented pterostigma, the lack of smoky patch over the
areola postica and the distinct line of demarcation running transversely across
abdominal tergum 6 between the reddish brown and pale areas are absolutely
diagnostic for hyalinus , and the last character is always clearly evident in
freshly emerged specimens in which the wing pigment has not yet been laid
down. The colour of the head is also diagnostic for this species in all except
the weakly pigmented individuals, which show a head pattern similar to that
of westwoodi , but with very much less contrast between the constituent parts.
Westwoodi and mclachlani are more closely related to each other than either
of them is to hyalinus. They resemble each other in head pattern, in extent
of the pigment on the pterostigma and in the presence of pigment on the
areola postica. The colour of the abdomen is, however, absolutely diagnostic
for living or freshly preserved specimens of both westwoodi and mclachlani.
Specimens of westwoodi long preserved in alcohol are apt to lose the abdominal
pigment and, in this case, the extension of the median smoky patch basad
along the radius is reliable for separating these two species.
The range of variation of metric characters within the species
1. Comparison of the three species.
Measurements of the females of each of the three species, captured at
Malham, given in Table 1, comprise three head measurements, two of the
antennae, two of the hind legs and the forewing length (fig. 13). The ranges
of variation of the head and leg characters of all three species overlap
extensively. Mclachlani is, however, much smaller than the other two species
in forewing length and in the length of the flagellum and of the first flagellar
segment, there being no overlap between mclachlani and either westwoodi or
hyalinus in these characters.
The coefficients of variability have been compared by the following
method. The difference between two coefficients, if greater than twice the
square root of the sum of the squares of the two standard errors, is regarded
as significant at the 5% probability level. The standard error of the
coefficient of variability is computed by dividing the coefficient by the square
root of twice the number of items in the sample. The results are as follows.
The bisexual mclachlani is more variable than the parthenogenetic hyalinus
in the two antennal characters, but the coefficients of these two species are
not significantly different for the remaining six characters. The bisexual
westwoodi is more variable than hyalinus in the two antennal and the two hind
leg characters. There is no significant difference between these two species
in the variabilities of the three head measurements. Hyalinus , however, is
slightly more variable than westwoodi in forewing length. Westwoodi and
mclachlani show no consistent difference in variability. The former is the
more variable of the two in the two leg characters, whereas the latter species
is the more variable in forewing length, and there is no significant difference
in the variabilities of the head and antennal characters. Another aspect of
this comparison between the variability of the three species may be brought
50
[November
3i
1954]
51
out by comparing the range of the coefficients over all eight characters in
each species. Thus,
hyalinus shows coefficients ranging from 2.50 to 3.52,
whereas westwoodi shows a
corresponding range of 2.60 to 5.31 and
mclachlani 2.5 1 to 6.50. With reference to variation within a single population,
these results therefore indicate that the parthenogenetic hyalinus is less
variable than either of the bisexual species.
Table i
Linear measurements (mm.) of female Elipsocus hyalinus , westwoodi and mclachlani
from Malham
Number
measured
Mean ±
Coefficient of
(= number
Observed
standard
Standard
variability ±
of
extremes
error of
deviation
its standard
.
individuals)
(mm.)
mean (mm.)
(mm.)
error
(a) E. hyalinus.
Interocular distance . .
50
O.379-O.438
O.407 ±0.002
0.012
2.918 ±0.292
Total head width
Head width excluding
50
O.608-O.703
O.651 ±0.002
0.0l6
2.497 ±0.250
eyes
50
O.484-O.562
O.526 ±0.002
0.015
2.840 ±0.284
Flagellum length
Length of 1st flagellar
50
I.690-I.987
O.382-O.453
I.824 ±0.009
O.064
3-5r5 ±0.352
segment
50
O.4IO ±0.002
O.OI4
3.515 ±0.352
Fore wing length
no
2.872-3.452
3.151 ±0.010
0.106
3.352 ±0.226
Hind femur length . .
50
O.492-O.555
O.52O ±0.002
0.015
2.811 ±0.281
Hind tibia length
50
O.939-I.I24
I.O39 ±0.005
O.037
3.5i8±o.352
( b ) E. westwoodi.
Interocular distance . .
26
O.440-O.485
0-459 ±0.002
0.012
2.596 ±0.360
Total head width
Head width excluding
38
O.67I-O.757
o.7i4±o.oo3
0.019
2.681 ±0.308
eyes
38
O.536-O.611
0.569 ±0.003
0.020
3.536 ±0.406
Flagellum length
Length of 1st flagellar
50
I.782-2.204
2.0II ±0.014
O.O97
4.835 ±0.484
segment
50
O.397-O.506
0.441 ±0.003
0.023
5.308 ±0.531
Fore wing length
63
2-773-3 310
3.075 ±0.010
0.080
2.602 ±0.232
Hind femur length . .
57
O.492-O.600
0.552 ±0.004
0.027
4.928 ±0.462
Hind tibia length
57
O.932-I.161
1.053 ±0.007
O.O55
5.2i9±o.489
(c) E. mclachlani.
Interocular distance . .
5i
O.413-O.472
0.444 ±0.002
0.013
2.828 ±0.280
Total head width
Head width excluding
63
O.613-O.695
0.660 ±0.002
O.OI7
2.5I4±0.224
eyes
63
O.496-O.566
0.532 ±0.002
O.OI4
2.716 ±0.242
Flagellum length
Length of 1st flagellar
67
I.262-I.605
1.467 ±0.009
O.O72
4-940 ±0.427
segment
69
O.259-O.361
0.320 ±0.002
0.021
6.495 ±0.553
Forewing length
60
2.307-2.761
2.565 ±0.012
0.091
3-550 ±0.324
Hind femur length . .
68
O.443-O.541
0.508 ±0.002
0.015
2.9i6±o.250
Hind tibia length
69
O.779-O.985
O.906 ±0.004
0.032
3.549 ±0.302
Table 2
The percentage of individuals of Elipsocus hyalinus^ westwoodi and mclachlani showing
In the forewing
venational aberrations
hyalinus
8
westwoodi
8
mclachlani
22
In the hind wing
2
4
14
52
[November
Figs. 4-6. Forewings of E. westwoodi , female (scale as for figs. 1-3).
1954]
53
2. Venational aberrations in the three species.
Many psocids, apart from those showing a distinct alary dimorphism, show
a very great variability in wing size. In such species, the venation is often
very variable also, the brachypterous forms having a simplified vein pattern.
Enderlein (1908) describes a wide range of variation in the venation ol
Psoquilla microps (End.), which has relatively short wings, and Badonnef
(1943) mentions the “extremely numerous and varied aberrations of
venation” in the brachypterous form of Psyllipsocus ramburii Selys.
The three Elipsocus species studied here are all fully winged, but the
measurements of various body characters given above do suggest, however,
that a reduction of the wings is beginning to take place in mclachlani.
Whereas the head and leg measurements of mclachlani overlap extensively
those of hyalinus and westwoodi , the forewing and the two antennal measure¬
ments do not do so and are much smaller than those of the other two species.
The ratios of forewing length to total head width are 4.84, 4.31 and 3.89 in
hyalinus , westwoodi and mclachlani respectively, and the ratios, forewing
length to hind femur length are 6.06, 5.57 and 5.05 respectively.
The wings of 50 females of each of the three species, collected at Malham,
were examined for the duplication or loss of veins or parts of veins. In the
forewings the nature of the aberrations was most frequently a loss of one of
the branches of the media, breakage or loss of part of CuI5 which forms the
areola postica, and a lack of fusion of Rs and M. In the hind wings, the most
frequent aberration in mclachlani was the absence of vein R2+ 3, whereas the
three cases recorded for hyalinus and westwoodi all consisted of a duplication
of this vein. The numbers of individuals, expressed as a percentage, showing
some aberrational feature in the venation are given in Table 2. In all indi¬
viduals except two, the aberration was present on only one of the pair of
fore- or hind- wings. This suggests that these aberrations are not under
direct genetic control, but the much greater frequency of aberrations in
mclachlani presumably implies some greater genetic instability, as compared
with the others. In the two individuals, both mclachlani , in which the same
aberration was present on both wings, one showed a lack of fusion of the
radial sector and the media in both forewings and the other lacked the vein
R2+3 in both hind wings.
The distribution of these venational aberrations with reference to wing
size in 87 wings of mclachlani selected at random, is given in fig. 14. The
modal forewing length for those individuals showing these venational
aberrations is well below the modal length for all individuals. The presence
of these aberrations would, therefore, appear to be associated with the
smaller wings. The incipient wing reduction and the greater frequency of
aberrant venation in mclachlani are not associated, however, with any
unusually high variability of wing length. Although mclachlani is more
variable than westwoodi in forewing length, there is no significant difference
between mclachlani and hyalinus in this respect.
3. Comparisons of populations of one species.
E. westwoodi females were collected from Exeter on 23rd July, 1951, from
Aberdeen, 500 miles to the north, on 2nd September, 1951, and from
Malham, midway between these two localities, in September of the same year.
The lengths of the hind femur and of the hind tibia are given in Table 3. The
B
54
[November
Figs. 7-9. Forewings of E. mclachlani , female (scale as for figs. 1-3).
1954]
55
three sample means differ significantly for both tibia and femur, except for
the hind tibia means of the Exeter and Aberdeen samples. A variance
analysis of these data indicates a heterogeneity in which three distinct popula¬
tions are involved. The variance ratio (the ratio of the “between samples”
mean square to the “within samples” mean square) is 20 for the tibia and 10
for the femur, and in the latter case, for example, a value as high as 10 could
only occur fortuitously by a much less than 1 in 100 chance, if the three
samples were taken from one homogeneous population. It will be noted that
there is no regular gradation in size from north to south. The power of
dispersal of these insects is discussed by Broadhead and Thornton (1954).
Table 3
Length of hind tibia and hind femur in three E. voestwoodi populations
Number measured (= number of
individuals)
Observed extremes
(mm.)
Mean ± standard error of mean
(mm.)
Standard deviation of items in
sample (mm.)
Coefficient of variability ± its stan¬
dard error
Number measured (= number of
individuals)
Observed extremes
(mm.)
Mean ± standard error of mean
(mm.)
Standard deviation of items in
sample (mm.)
Coefficient of variability ±its stan¬
dard error
Exeter
Hind tibia
Malham
Aberdeen
59
57
63
0.998-1.264
0.932-1.161
1.000-1.286
1.091 ±0.006
1.053 ±0.007
1. 100 ±0.006
0.050
0.055
0.048
4-54 ±0.42
5.22 ±0.49
4-35 ±0.39
Exeter
Hind femur
Malham
Aberdeen
59
57
63
0.529-0.595
0.492-0.600
0.518-0.609
0.561 ±0.002
0.552 ±0.004
0.571 ±0.002
0.016
0.027
0.019
2.77 ±0.26
4-93 ±0.46
3.26 ±0.29
0 b ) Males
The males of E. westwoodi and E. mclachlani have noticeably larger eyes
and smaller abdomens than the females, and the wings lack the pigmented
patches except for the pterostigma, which is entirely fuscous. No character
of venation or wing marking has been found satisfactory for specific identifi¬
cation. Although the abdomen is smaller, it has a similar colour pattern to
the female (figs. 11-12) and in freshly killed specimens this character is
diagnostic. Even after preservation in 70% alcohol for a few months, the
pattern is still recognizable, but beyond that time the pigment fades and
specific diagnosis by this character becomes less certain. No males of
hyalinus have been recorded from this country, despite intensive collecting,
but males have been recorded in Switzerland by Hartmann (1951) and in
France by Badonnel (1943).
CN
•LUUA |
Figs. 10-12. Female abdomen dorsally to show colour pattern, (io) E. hyalinus, (n) E. westzvoodi, (12) E. mclachlani.
57
1954]
Eggs
Pearman (1928) has described the eggs of hyalinus and westwoodi as
“scattered, ovoid, brown grey eggs, with an amorphous but not dense
coating (often deficient above) of brownish bark granules.” The eggs of all
three species fit this description and are, in fact, indistinguishable from each
other. They are large, relative to the size of the insect, 0.42-0.51 mm. long
and 0.22-0.26 mm. broad. The chorion is smooth with a pearly lustre. They
are laid usually on the underside of the twigs and branches, in the crannies of
the bark, and are covered by a few silken threads or by none at all. They are
evidently laid singly, since isolated eggs on the twigs are as frequent as
clusters of eggs, which probably are the result of successive ovipositions of
single eggs by several females at the same spot.
Nymphs
Attempts to rear Elipsocus species in the laboratory from egg to adult
resulted in a very heavy mortality, so that direct observation of the number of
moults could not be made. It has, however, proved possible to differentiate
the Elipsocus nymphs from those of other psocid species, and to recognize
and identify the separate nymphal instars of the three species. The nymphal
material was obtained by taking weekly samples from larch trees at Malham
in 1952. The data on the times of occurrence of the successive instars at this
Table 4
Head widths of nymphs of Elipsocus hyalinus , westwoodi and mclachlaniy and the
application of Dyar’s Law
Number
Observed
Observed
mean
Ratio of
Expected
Difference
from
Instar
measured
extremes
(mm.)
increase
width
observed
E. hyalinus.
1
7
0.212-0.232
0.223
-
- -
_ ,
2
12
0.256-0.286
0*272
1.220
0.271
0.001
3
5
0.311-0.326
0.318
1.169
0.329
O.OII
4
9
0.383-0.404
0.391
1.229
0.400
0.009
5
10
0.478-0.517
0.498
1.274
0.486
0.012
6
20
0.580-0.625
0.590
1.185
0.590
0.000
Mean:
1*215
E. westwoodi.
1
8
0.215-0.242
0.236
2
11
0.265-0.296
0.284
1.203
0.288
0.004
3
20
0.311-0.361
0.343
1.208
0*351
0.008
4
11
0.407-0.430
0.421
1.227
0.427
0.006
5
16
0.497-0.579
0.526
1.249
0.521
0.005
6
10
0.617-0.671
0.635
1.207
0.635
0.000
E. mclachlani.
1
14
0.216-0.231
0.225
Mean:
1.219
2
10
0.271-0.289
0.281
1.248
0.272
0.009
3
12
0.316-0.349
0.338
1.203
0.330
0.008
4
20
0.384-0.425
0.404
I-I95
o.399
0.005
5
17
0.475-0.516
0.501
1.240
0.482
0.019
6
20
0.566-0.595
0.583
1.163
0.584
0.001
Mean:
1.210
58
[November
locality, obtained as a result of this taxonomic work, are given in the
ecological study of these species by Broadhead and Thornton (1954).
1. Generic identification.
The general question of the generic identification of psocid nymphs has
not been explored, since it was only necessary to distinguish the Elipsocus
nymphs collected at Malham from the nymphs of the small number of other
psocid species occurring in this locality.
Although nine other psocid species occur at Malham, only three of these
were present in sufficient numbers to warrant a detailed examination. The
nymphs of these three species were distinguished from those of Elipsocus in
the following way: Mesopsocus unipunctatus (Muller) nymphs appear earlier
in the season, are larger and also differ from Elipsocus nymphs in having no
preapical tooth on the claw, in head marking and in having a mottled
1 3
Fig. 13. Hind tibia (a), hind femur (b), head (c, d, e), and forewing (f) to indicate
measurements taken.
1954]
59
abdomen; the nymphs of Amphigerontia contaminata (Stephens), unlike those
of Elipsocus , possess capitate glandular hairs over the body and differ in the
shape of the head capsule; the nymphs of Philotarsus picicomis (Fabricius)
were difficult to recognize in the early instars, but were readily identified
in the later instars by the presence of yellow bands on the body, dark rings
on the legs and by the head pattern. Nymphs of all instars of the first two
species were discarded from the samples of psocid nymphs taken weekly from
the larch trees at Malham in 1952. The separation of the last species was
evidently complete even in the earliest instars, judging from the regularities
shown by the measurements recorded below (fig. 16).
2. Identification of the successive instars.
A mixed collection of nymphs of the three species was separated under the
binocular microscope into five groups using the size of the developing wing
pads as a grouping character. The groups thus formed were quite distinct,
showing no intermediates. In the group containing the smallest individuals,
which showed no discernible wing pads under the binocular microscope, a
further division was made on the number of antennal segments, some indi¬
viduals having 8 and others 13 segments. Moreover, further examination at
greater magnification showed that the individuals with 13 antennal segments
had in fact small wing buds on the thorax, and were in all cases larger in
head capsule width than those with only 8 segments. The nymphs in all
the other groups had 13 antennal segments and showed a size difference
between one group and the next. Thus, six nymphal instars were indicated
but this could not be confirmed until a specific diagnosis of this mixed
collection of these nymphs was found possible.
3. Specific diagnosis of each instar. _
The last instar nymphs of the three species could be divided into three
distinct groups by the colour pattern of the dorsal surface of the abdomen,
no intermediate forms being found. These three patterns were almost
identical with those of the abdomen of the adult females of the three species
(figs. 10-12), so that the last instar nymphs were thereby definitely identified.
In the earlier instars, the pigmentation is much less intense and is very often
not sufficiently differentiated to allow specific diagnosis. In the very small
nymphs no colour pattern whatsoever is present.
The colour pattern of the last instar nymphs was, however, found to be
correlated with the length of the abdominal hairs, which thus provides a
convenient alternative diagnostic character. Westwoodi has the shortest hairs,
those of mclachlani are much longer, while hyalinus has fairly short hairs
over the abdomen generally, but has very long setae on the last three
segments.
Mixed collections of nymphs of each instar (the instar being distinguished
as described above) were examined for abdominal hair length. The nymphs
were treated with cold 10% KOH solution for twenty-four hours, stained
with acid fuchsin, mounted ventral side uppermost, and the longest hair on
the lateral margin of the last abdominal segment measured. The results,
plotted in fig. 16, show that this character separates the nymphs of each of the
last five instars into three distinct groups. There is, however, some overlap
in the case of the first instar. This overlap is not extensive, as shown by the
6o
[November
histogram (fig. 15), which is trimodal. The three modes have been related to
the species by measuring the bristles of first instar nymphs hatched in the
laboratory from known eggs.
The specific identity of the three groups in the first instar and in the last
instar has thus been obtained. The measurements of the intermediate
instars, when plotted, fall along three regular and distinct curves linking the
first and the last instar of each species (fig. 16). These curves therefore
represent the three species of Elipsocus and their regularity and distinctness
indicate that all the early Philotarsus nymphs in the original samples had
been removed (p. 59).
W ING LL'NC, Th GROvi’S (rticrto- units}
Fig. 14. Histogram of forewing length of adult female E. mclachlani. The shaded
portion indicates wings having aberrant venation. (1.00 micro-unit =0.588 mm.).
4. Confirmation of the number of instars for each species.
After separating the nymphs into the three species, six nymphal instars
were indicated for each species, using, as diagnostic characters, wing pad
size, antennal segment number and head width. It may be mentioned here
that in all three species the antennae attain their adult number of segments
(13) in the second instar. The first instar has 8 antennal segments, 6 of these
being the flagellum. Each of these flagellar segments, except the distal one,
divides into two at the next moult, so giving the adult number. In no case
was there any overlap in head width from one instar to the next. The fact
that the smallest nymphs from the collected samples were first instar was
established for all three species by the measurement of nymphs newly hatched
from known eggs. The sixth instar was established as the last nymphal instar,
since nymphs with head widths falling into this range emerged as adults at
the next moult.
1954]
6i
There remains the possibility of the absence of one instar in the collected
samples. This was checked by the application of Dyar’s Law. The head
width (including the eyes) of a number of individuals of each instar of each
species was measured, and the logarithmic plots of these data approximate
closely to a straight line. Moreover, the coefficient of increase of the head
width for each instar can be calculated and an average coefficient of increase
obtained for each species. Using this and the observed head width of the
first instar, theoretical figures can be obtained for the head widths of the
succeeding instars, and if there are in fact six instars, these calculated figures
should approximate closely to the observed means. Table 4 shows that this
is the case, thus confirming that there are six nymphal instars for each of the
three species.
General biology
Geographical distribution
The locality records in the literature are too meagre to define the southern
and eastern limits of the distribution of the three species. All three species
Zo
it
U '9
/4
2 a
<x
9
>
10
n
j
Westwood 1
La
1 5
mcfachlani
hifQlinui
Ek
n n
hilt
/ S 2I3.S Z-U-lS i. 715*
HftlR LCHQTh GROUPS (WtcRo-o hits')
3 OlS
3 32*
Fig. 15. Frequency distribution of abdominal hair length of 1st instar Elipsocus
nymphs. (1. 00 micro-unit = 16.7 p)
•(O Hi<W57 HI VH
m
IZO
no
10 o
90
ft)
70
6o
50
4o
30
20
htjalinos //
/
/
/
/
me lachJani
13
/
23£
2/3
/
/
10
westiuoodi
73
/7
/o
3 4
IN STARS
1954]
63
have been recorded from France (Badonnel, 1943), Germany (Roesler, 1935),
Switzerland (Hartmann, 1951), Romania (Marcu, 1938)5 Sweden (Tullgren,
1909), and Finland (Reuter, 1893, 1904). Mclachlani and hyalinus have been
recorded from Norway by Enderlein (1910), mclachlani and westwoodi from
Bornholm by Esben-Petersen (1933), and hyalinus and westwoodi from
Holland (personal observations, E.B.), and from Italy (Ribaga, 1900).
E. westwoodi is reported from Czechoslovakia (Obr, 1948). None of the
species occurs in Iceland (Fristrup, 1942), or the Faroes (Henriksen, 1937).
Distribution in Britain
Kimmins (1941) has summarized the county locality records for this
country. To his list may be added: hyalinus in Devon, Cambridgeshire,
Oxfordshire, Yorkshire and Aberdeen; westwoodi in Yorkshire, and mclachlani
in Yorkshire. These combined records are sufficient to indicate that all three
species are generally distributed throughout the British Isles, although it
would appear that mclachlani is much less frequently taken.
Mating behaviour
Elipsocus species mate only very reluctantly under laboratory conditions.
Many attempts were made to observe the mating behaviour by enclosing
virgin females of various ages with males of various ages in inverted corked
3" X 1" glass tubes under various light intensities. Courtship was observed in
only two pairs, one of mclachlani and one of westwoodi , and both in the morning
in direct sunlight. The mclachlani pair consisted of a six-day old virgin female
and a male freshly taken in the field. On introduction, the male immediately
vibrated his wings on three successive occasions, each set of vibrations lasting
about half a second, with half a second between the sets. These vibrations
were made with the wings half open, at an angle of about 45 0 with the body
and raised slightly above it. Between each set of vibrations the wings returned
to their normal resting position roofwise over the abdomen. After a few
seconds, another two sets of vibrations occurred, and then another two,
followed by three more. The male then mounted on the back of the female,
but quickly dismounted, after which no further responses were observed.
The pair of westwoodi showed a greater response. The male vibrated his
wings in a manner indistinguishable from that already described for mclachlani ,
whenever it was within 2 mm. of the female and occasionally when as far
away as 5 mm. The male became more active and the interval between
successive sets of wing vibrations decreased. After about two minutes, the
female, which had hitherto been walking about slowly, remained still. The
male then approached her from behind, clambered on to her back and then
forwards over her until he was directly in front of her. Spreading his wings
at right angles to his body, he moved backwards beneath her. The female
then flexed her abdomen strongly downward and forward, the male’s abdomen
being flexed upwards, until the tips came into contact. They remained in
this position for only half a minute, after which time the female withdrew.
Fig. 16. Length of longest hair on last abdominal segment of Elipsocus nymphs. The
vertical lines indicate the range observed in each sample and the figures the sample
size. The broken lines join the means of successive instars.
64 [November
Since coitus in other psocids usually lasts about half an hour, this separation
was evidently premature.
The courtship of the two species is obviously extremely similar. Pearman
(1928), observing the courtship of mclachlani , recorded that the two insects
faced one another and the male then quickly spun round and moved backward
beneath the female, without having first walked over her. Both these types
of behaviour have also been recorded in Liposcelis rufus Broadhead (Broad-
head, 1952).
Acknowledgments
We desire to express our thanks to Professor E. A. Spaul for his kindness
in reading and criticizing the manuscript, and to the Nature Conservancy for
a post-graduate Research Studentship which enabled I.W.B.T. to participate
in this investigation.
References
Badonnel, A., 1943. Psocopteres. FauneFr., 42:1-164.
Broadhead, E., 1952. A comparative study of the mating behaviour of eight
Liposcelis species. Trans. IXth Ini. Congr. Ent. Amsterdam , 1951, 1: 380-3.
- and Thornton, I. W. B., 1954. An ecological study of three closely related
psocid species (in press).
Enderlein, G., 1908. Ueber die Variabilitat des Flugelgeaders der Copeognathen .
Zool. Anz., 33 : 779-82.
- 1910. Die Copeognathen Norwegens. Nyt. Mag. Naturv., 48: 318-23.
Esben-Petersen, P., 1933. Bidrag til en Fortegnelse over Bomholms Insektfauna:
Orthoptera, Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Copeognatha, Neuroptera,
Mecoptera, Trichoptera. Ent. Medd.3 18: 215-38.
Fristrup, B., 1942. Copeognatha. Zoology of Iceland, 3 (41): 1-4.
Hartmann, F., 1951. Die Psociden (Copeognathen) der Umgebung von Basel.
Verh. naturf. Ges. Basel , 62: 91-180.
Henriksen, K. L., 1937. Copeognatha. The Zoology of the Faroes , Copenhagen,
2 (1) (1928-37), No. 36:1.
Kimmins, D. E., 1941. Notes on British Psocoptera — I. Elipsocus hyalinus (Steph.)
and its allies. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist ., (n) 7: 520-30.
Marcu, O., 1938. Die Flechtlinge (Copeognatha) der Bukowina. C.R. Acad. Sci.
Roum.} 2 (5): 496-8.
Obr., S., 1948. A la connaissance des Psocopteres de Moravie (Tch6coslovaquie).
Publ. Fac. Sci. XJniv. Masaryk , No. 306: 1-107. (In Czech.)
Pearman, J. V., 1928. Biological observations on British Psocoptera. Ent. mon. Mag.3
64: 209-18, 239-43, 263-8.
Reuter, O. M., 1893. Corrodentia fennica. 1. Psocidae. F&rteckning och beskrifning
ofver Finlands Psociden. Acta Soc. Fauna Flora fenn.3 9 (4): 1-49.
- 1904- Neue Beitrage zur Kenntniss der Copeognathen Finnlands. Acta Soc.
Fauna Flora fenn.3 26 (9): 1-26.
Ribaga, C., 1900. Contributo alia conoscenza dei Psocidi italiani. Riv. Patol. veg.s
8 (2): 375-86.
Roesler, R., 1935. Die Copeognathen Mecklenburgs. Arch. Ver. Naturg. Mecklenb .,
9 (1934): 18-30.
Tullgren, A., 1909. Bidrag till kannedom om Sveriger Copeognather. Ark. Zool.3
5(8): 1-15.
65
1954]
Further Notes on the Distribution of British
Orthopteroids
By D. Keith McE. Kevan
Since the publication of the distributional “Summary” of British
Orthopteroid insects and the two supplements to it (Kevan, 1952, 1953,
I953a)j various additional vice-comital records continue to be sent to me by
correspondents, to all of whom I am most grateful. There are also certain
inaccuracies requiring correction which come to light from time to time. The
following notes are aimed at further amending the “Summary.”
Blattodea
Blatta orientalis L. This was omitted by an oversight from v.c. 39; it is
recorded in the “Victoria County History” of Staffordshire (Jourdain, 1908).
Mr. H. W. Daltry (in litt ., 1954) also records it as plentiful in Staffs., although
he gives no precise locality. The record from Gloucestershire (whence it was
already known) given by Kevan (1953a) was an error due to transposition of
type ; this record actually refers to Blattella germanica (L.) — see below.
Periplaneta americana (L.) and P. australasiae (F.). George (1954) doubts
the authenticity of the records for Gloucestershire W. (v.c. 34) based on the
vague data of Lucas (1920) and Fletcher (1937) f°r which seaport localities
were presumed. He adds v.c. 33 for both species, however, P. americana
being recorded from oil-cake mills at Gloucester (where it might be estab¬
lished); his record of P. australasiae doubtless refers only to a casual specimen.
[Nauphoeta cinerea (Ol.). This not uncommonly imported cosmotropical
alien may very dubiously be added to the list of species which from time to
time have become temporarily established under artificial conditions in this
country. Raffil (1910), followed by Zacher (1920), recorded it (together with
its relatives, N. brazzae Bol. and Pycnoscelus surinamensis (L.)) under glass in
London. The inference is that it was established as a pest although this may
be doubtful. Illingworth (1942) also alludes to its occurrence in London.]
Blattella germanica (L.) [=transfuga (Briinn.)]. I am indebted to Mr. H. W.
Daltry for drawing attention to his record of this species from Staffordshire
(v.c. 39) (see Daltry, 1939, Trans. N. Staffs. Fid. Cl ., 74: 41). The record of
this species from the city of Gloucester (v.c. 33, not 34) has already been
noted under Blatta orientalis (above). Fletcher’s (1937) imprecise record
from the county was inadvertently omitted from the “Summary.” George
(l.c.\ on the basis of these two records, now gives the distribution as
v.c. 33 and ? 34.
Ectobius lapponicus (L.). This is now recorded by Pickard (1954) from
Jersey. The same author also lists E. pallidus (01.) from Guernsey (whence
there is a record — of “F. perspicillaris ” — which was omitted from the
“Summary”), but not from Alderney (to which the same remarks apply).
Owing to early confusion in this genus, it is not impossible that these refer
to E. lapponicus also.
Phasmatodea
Acanthoxyla prasina (Westw.). The vice-comital distribution of this
species is not yet further extended, but its thorough establishment on the
mainland of South Devon is discussed by Rivers (1953 ; 1953a).
66
[November
Carausius morosus Brunn. v. W. In the “Summary” it is stated that no
record of the common Laboratory Stick- insect having become established
unattended, even temporarily under artificial conditions, had come to light
in this country. Rivers (1953a), however, states that it was “a plague” in
the municipal greenhouses at Torquay (v.c. 3). The same author (in litt .,
1954) indicates the species as having been troublesome in certain houses at
Kew Gardens (v.c. 17). Mr. H. K. Airy Shaw (in litt., 1954) also confirms
that stick- insects were found living freely there on some of the plants in one
of the large houses a few years ago and that “their presence was looked upon
with much official disfavour at the time of their discovery!” It would be
interesting to learn just to what extent this species is now established as an
“escape” in British greenhouses, especially since it appears to have acquired
unforeseen notoriety as an injurious insect.
Orthoptera (s. str.)
Tettigonioidea
Meconema thalassinum (Deg.). Mr. H. W. Daltry kindly draws my atten¬
tion to his record of this species from Staffordshire (v.c. 39) (see Daltry,
1933, Trans. N. Staffs. Fid. Cl., 68: 136); this vice-county was previously
omitted from the distribution of the species. Mr. W. K. Ford of the Liver¬
pool Museum kindly provides the data upon which Lucas (1930) based his
general record for Lancashire: namely, 1 $, Droylsden [v.c. 59], in station
yard, 5.ix.i922 (W. Buckley) [Manchester Museum]. It may also be noted
that the reference to K. G. V. Smith’s Salop record should have been cited
as 1954 [Jan*] and not 1953 [Dec.] as anticipated by Kevan (1953a).
Pholidoptera grisepaptera (Deg.). The record for Huntingdonshire (v.c.
31) given by Omer-Cooper (1926) was inadvertently omitted from the
“Summary.”
Platycleis denticulata (Pz.). Mr. Ford also furnishes a new Welsh record
of this species: 1 $, Aberdaron, Caernarvon [v.c. 49], 16.vii.1941 (M. E.
Pickles); there is also 1 <£, Manobier [v.c. 45], 20.viii.1943 (M. E. Pickles),
but the species has already been recorded from Pembroke, as have Tettigonia
viridissima L. and Pholidoptera griseoaptera (Deg.), for each of which a
female is recorded bearing the same data as the last.
Metrioptera brachyptera (L.). Again Mr. Ford sends a record new to
v.c. 49; 1 & 1 ?, Aberdaron, 16.vii.1941 (M. E. Pickles). He also records the
species for the first time from Cheshire (v.c. 58): Newchurch Common,
16.vi.1940 (H. Britten) and Abbot’s Moss, 3.viii.i94i (H. Britten). For
Staffordshire (v.c. 39) Mr. H. W. Daltry (in litt., 1954) draws attention to the
record published by him in 1933 (Trans. N. Staffs. Fid. CL, 68: 136). It
was common amongst Ling ( Calluna vulgaris ) and Bilberry (Vaccinium
Myrtillus ) on Camp Hill, Maer Woods, about three miles south of Madeley.
An interesting point is that the hill was rather dry (contrary to what is
generally regarded as a more usual habitat). Mr. Daltry also says that he
knew of one or two spots where a few rushes grew but the species seemed to
favour the driest parts where there was no sign of free moisture. He further
adds that he has observed this insect in five other localities, only one of which
could be described as really wet (Matley Bog, New Forest). The other
localities were: the driest part of Whixall Moss, Salop (where it was not at
1954]
67
all common); Lord’s Wood. Southampton (i ex. among brambles about
4 ft. from the ground); Portland Island (Dorset), east side, between Garton
and Southwell (in an approach to a disused quarry); near Stimford, Dor¬
chester (Dorset), on the heath at the edge of Duddle sandpit.
Leptophyes punctatissima (Bose). Mr. Daltry records one adult from
Wavely Wood, near Leamington, Warwicks, [v.c. 38], autumn, 1952;
“nymphs were abundant last summer [1953], but I saw no adults this
autumn.”
Grylloidea
Nemobius sylvestris (Bose)/ Daltry (1953) confirms the occurrence of the
Wood Cricket in Dorset (v.c. 9), its status there having previously been
doubtful. The species is added to the Channel Islands (Jersey) list by
Pickard (1954).
[Orocharis sp. nov. This Eneopterid species deserves no place in the British
list, even as a temporarily established alien, but it perhaps deserves mention
as something a little out of the ordinary run of casually imported species;
there does not appear to be another published record of the importation of
any member of the genus, while this species appears to be new to science!
The species is a large one for the genus (over 4 cm. long) and West Indian or
Central American in origin. It was kindly sent to me (alive) by Mr. D. H.
Murphy in mid February, 1953, having been brought to the University from
a Durham greengrocer’s shop by the local constabulary. The specimen was
a male and had been imported with bananas. Until the end of July, 1954, it
remained alive and healthy, often singing loudly with a bird-like chirp just
after dark.]
Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa L. George {l.c.) reports the Mole Cricket from
v.c. 34, his reference being the unsatisfactory record of Fletcher (1940); the
same author (1939) recorded it earlier and both references cite a prior note
(i939> Field, 188: 1227). The record was purposely omitted from the
“Summary.”
Acridoidea
Tetrix subulata (L.). Le Quesne (1954) and Pickard (1954) list three
British species of Tetrix from Jersey, T. subulata not having previously been
correctly recorded — previous records refer to T. ceperoi (Bol.).
I am once more indebted to Mr. W. K. Ford of the Liverpool Museum
for the first authentic Irish record of this species: 1 $ [f. bifasciata (Herbst)],
Galway [presumably near the town, v.c. Ireland 17], 20.viii.1937 (M. E.
Pickles). The species was recorded previously from Limerick (v.c. Ireland 8)
by Lucas (1920) and Burr (1936), but Brown (1950) failed to trace any Irish
specimen upon which this record was based, so that it is unknown if T.
subulata or T. ceperoi was involved. Brown suggests that “on the whole,
there is some evidence that T. subulata is predominantly south-eastern and
T. ceperoi south-western which makes their Irish status, when we know it,
more intriguing.” The correctness of Brown’s suggestion is dubious,
however, since T. subulata is now known from every vice-county in which
T. ceperoi occurs, with the exception of West Cornwall (v.c.i); now it is
* The correct authorship of this name is discussed by Mr. P. D. Gabbutt (1953),
to whom I am grateful for the relevant information.
68
[November
known from Ireland also, whence T. ceperoi has not so far been recorded.
One may, however, quote Brown further: “The Irish record may therefore
indicate that at least one of the species entered Britain in an interglacial or
interstadial phase when the northern land-bridge across to Ireland was
intact and it is therefore important that a close watch should be kept for
either or both species in Ireland.”
Tetrix undulata (Swrb.). A misprint in the “Summary” gives this species
from Cardiganshire (v.c. 46), where it doubtless occurs, but the actual record
is for Merioneth (v.c. 48); Pickard (1954) follows the error in his map.
Stenobothrus lineatus (Pz.). The locality of Mr. J. Ranger’s record of this
species from the Isle of Wight (Kevan, 1953a) should more correctly be:
St. Boniface Downs, Ventnor, 18.vii.1951. In the “Summary” also, it is
stated that there is no actual published record for Oxfordshire, but this was
a lapsus calami (cf. Killington, 1939). It was also suggested that Clark (1948)
implied records from Oxford, Bucks and Monmouth, but Mr. R. S. George,
who has been studying the late E. J. Clark’s notebooks, informs me in a
private communication (1954) that the latter had no record of the species
from any of these counties; v.c.s 24 and 35 thus still lack records.
Omocestus rufipes (Zett.) [=ventralis (Zett.)].* Mr. George confirms that
the late E. J. Clark’s notebooks contain a record from Oxfordshire (Merton,
3.viii.i944), so that v.c. 23 may now stand although Monmouth (v.c. 35)
must be deleted from the known vice-comital distribution of the species.
Mr. W. K. Ford, however, adds Cheshire and Lancs. S. to the list, specimens
from the former (v.c. 58) being known from Delamere, 20.viii.1922 (H.
Britten), and from the latter (v.c. 59) from Ainsdale, 18.ix.1923 (H. Britten),
and Southport, 4.viii.i934 (L. Nathan). I have not checked these specimens.
Omocestus viridulus (L.). The statement in the “Summary” that no
definite published record for this species was known from Oxfordshire and
Gloucestershire is incorrect. This was due to an error of transcription and
should only have referred to Monmouth (which was also mentioned) since
Killington {l.c.) records it from Oxford and there are several references to
both vice-counties of Gloucestershire. The latter need not be repeated since
they are given by George (1954). Mr. George (in private communication)
also notes that the late E. J. Clark’s notes contain several confirmatory
records from v.c.s 23 and 34; Monmouth (v.c.35), however, remains uncon¬
firmed and is thus the only vice- county in England from which the species
is unrecorded. In Wales, Montgomeryshire (v.c.47) has hitherto remained
one of the few vice-counties from which no orthopteroid has so far been
recorded. Four species of Acrididae were taken casually by the writer while
passing through, and of the present species, one female was captured on an
upland pasture above the Banw Valley, west of Llangadfan, 11.ix.1954.
For Scotland, I am indebted to my colleague, Mr. J. Y. Ritchie, for two new
* Now that the principle of “page priority,” established at Paris in 1948, has been
reversed in favour of that of the “first reviser” {cf. Hemming, 1953), there seems to
be no alternative but to accept the opinion of Ander (1943) — rejected by Kevan (1952)
before the Copenhagen reversal — and to revert to the specific name rufipes , since
von Borck’s (1848) selection, quoted by Ander, fulfils the necessary conditions laid
down at Copenhagen. The name ventralis has not really become so entrenched in the
literature that there is justification in applying to the International Commission to
have rufipes suppressed.
1954]
69
vice-county records: i $ [last nymphal instar], S. side of Struie Hill,
Dingwall-Bonar Bridge road, Easter Ross (v.c. 106), 16.viii.1954, and 1
lower slopes of Stac Polly, W. Sutherland (v.c. 108), 25.viii.1954.
Chorthippus vagans (Eversm.). Attention was drawn by Kevan (1953a) to
Fletcher’s two dubious records of this species from Gloucestershire. The
specimens upon which these were based have now been examined and prove
to belong to the next species ( cf . also George, 1954).
Chorthippus brunneus (Thunb.) [=bicolor (Charp.)]. The “Summary”
states that there is no definite record from v.c. 33, but this is incorrect;
several references exist which were inadvertently passed over. They are
given by George ( [l.c .) so need not be repeated here. Mr. George, in private
communication, also confirms that the late E. J. Clark’s notes contain a
record from Glos. E. (Cheltenham to Northleach, roadside, 11.ix.1944).
Montgomeryshire (v.c. 47) may now be added to the distribution; I casually
took two males on a hillside about four miles west of Welshpool, 11.ix.1954.
Chorthippus albomarginatus (Deg.). George (1954) *s unable to confirm
the occurrence of this species in Gloucestershire (v.c. 33, 34), nor, according
to a communication from Mr. George, does the late E. J. Clark have any
record of it from Monmouth (v.c. 35); this is contrary to the implication in
the “Summary.” These vice-counties must therefore be deleted from the
known distribution.
In connection with this species, it may be noted that Mr. J. Ranger took
several specimens (13 ex., ?) in unmown (lush) grass, Swalecliffe golf
course (E. Kent), 9.viii.i953. “All were uniform pale buff with characteristic
blackish markings on the sides of the pronotum and elytra,” so they must
have been rather conspicuous. The interesting point mentioned by Mr.
Ranger was that the habitat was much damper than appears to be usual for
the species in this county, where it is more commonly met with on sand dunes,
etc. The Swalecliffe habitat is more in keeping with what is more frequently
found on the Continent. The species is, of course, by no means unknown
from moister localities in Britain as its vernacular name of Lesser Marsh
Grasshopper indicates.
Chorthippus parallelus (Zett.). Mr. W. K. Ford gives us the first records
of this common species from Denbigh (v.c. 50): 1 (J, St. Asaph, 7.vii.i94o;
1 $, 13.vii.1940 (both G. E. Williams); I have taken it myself also near
Llangollen, 28.viii.1954. Dr. C. H. Andrewes (in litt., 1954) al so supplies
a new Welsh record from Anglesey (v.c. 52), stating that the species was
quite common on the island in 1953 ; this was confirmed by myself, 9.ix.i954,
specimens being collected at the north-east end of Malldraeth Marsh. I can
also record it for the first time from Montgomeryshire (v.c. 47) : 1 5, hillside,
about four miles west of Welshpool. 11.ix.1954. A new Scottish record is for
Easter Ross (v.c. 106): 2$$, S. side of Struie Hill, Dingwall-Bonar Bridge
road, 16.viii.1954 (J. Y. Ritchie). It may be added also, in connection with
this species, that the macropterous form (f. explicatus (Selys)) was recorded
by Fletcher (1939) from Gloucestershire W. (v.c. 34J; this record was
inadvertently omitted from the “Summary.”
Myrmeleotettix maculatus (Thunb.). Unintentionally omitted from Anglesey
(v.c. 52) in the “Summary” although recorded by both Lucas (1920) and
Burr (1936); confirmed by the writer from heathery slopes of Mynydd
70 [November
Llwydiarth, near Pentraeth, 9.ix.i954. It is also recorded for the first time
from Montgomeryshire (v.c. 47): upland pasture above Banw Valley west of
Llangadfan, 11.ix.1954.
Gomphocerippus rufus (L.). Mr. R. S. George, in private communication,
is unable to confirm from the notes of the late E. J. Clark that the latter knew
this species from either Bucks, or Monmouth. Vice-counties 24 and 35 must
therefore be deleted from its known distribution.
On the other hand, West Cornwall (v.c.i) should be added, having been
omitted in error from the “Summary’’ (see Clark, 1906).
Dermaptera
Labia minor (L.). The record of this from Taplow, Bucks, (cf. Kevan,
I953a), should, more correctly, be Cookham, near Taplow.
Appendix
The appearance of the recent new work on British Orthoptera (Pickard, 1954) calls
for a few comments on distribution although it is not proposed to give a general
review of the book here. The additional records and corrections listed in the present
paper are, of course, also applicable to Mr. Pickard’s text and distribution maps, but
there are quite a number of other errors and omissions in these to which attention
should be drawn. These are listed below in the order in which they appear:
Omocestus viridulus (L.). The map shows this only from the northern part of the
Outer Hebrides, but it is known only from the southern islands; N. and S. Ebudes
are omitted; Kirkudbright and Northumberland N. are included in error (unless
Mr. Pickard has some unpublished records).
Myrmeleotettix maculatus (Thunb.). There is a lapsus calami under this species; in
Scotland it is not yet recorded from East Sutherland (not Ross) nor from any part
of Ross and Cromarty.
Chorthippus brunneus (Thunb.). Eastemess, Midlothian and Arran are omitted.
Ch. parallelus (Zett.). N. and S. Ebudes and Arran are omitted; Kincardineshire is
erroneously included.
Ch. albomarginatus (Deg.). Omitted from Irish list; this may be justifiable on account
of the vagueness of the single record.
Tetrix subulata (L.). Said to occur commonly in the brachypterous condition in
Glamorgan ; this assumes much from a single record ! Huntingdonshire is accepted
but requires confirmation. The species is given in the Guernsey list but there is
nothing to indicate that this is not based on early incorrect records; the species
recorded from that island actually proved to be T. ceperoi (Bol.) which Mr. Pickard
does not list; T. subulata may well occur in Guernsey, however, for it is found
in Jersey, (see above).
T. undulata (Swrb.). As T. vittata (Zett.), the map omits Orkney, Outer Hebrides and
S. Ebudes; the record from N. Ebudes is from Eigg (unshaded) and not from Skye
as indicated; Kincardineshire is included in error; as noted above, Cardiganshire
should in fact be Merioneth.
Tettigonia viridissima L. Angus is extremely dubious and should be omitted;
Gloucestershire has been but should not be.
Metrioptera brachyptera (L.). The southern part of Somerset is shaded, but the
record is strictly Somerset E. (or N.).
Meconema thalassinum (Deg.). Midlothian is very questionable.
Gryllus campestris L. Warwickshire is also dubious.
Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa L. Angus is dubious; the omission of Warwickshire and
Gloucester is justifiable on account of the poorness of the records.
Ectobius panzeri Stephens. The north-eastward range extends to Norfolk, not Essex ;
the species is also known from Pembroke, Glamorgan, Anglesey and certain islands.
Other references to Ectobius spp. have already been made.
In conclusion it is interesting to note that Mr. Pickard has adopted the up-to-date
course of regarding Stethophyma [ Mecostethus ] grossum (L.) as a member of the sub¬
family Oedipodinae. This is the first time this has been done in a British work; it is
our only mainland species of the subfamily.
1954]
7i
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Ibid. : 183-5.
Killington, F. J., 1939. Orthoptera. Victoria County History. Oxfordshire. 1:65-6.
Le Quesne, W. J., 1954. Tetrix subulata (L.) (Tetrigidae), an addition to the
Orthoptera of Jersey, Channel Is. Ent. mon. Mag., 90: 20.
Lucas, W. J., 1920. A Monograph of the British Orthoptera. London.
- 1930. Orthoptera in Lawson, A. K. (ed.), A Check List of the Fauna of
Lancashire and Cheshire. Part I. Arbroath (p. 79).
Omer-Cooper, J., 1926. Orthoptera. Victoria County History. Huntingdonshire. 2:86.
Pickard, B. C., 1954. Grasshoppers and Crickets of Great Britain and the Channel
Islands. Ilkley.
Raffil, C. P., 1910. Cockroaches in Plant Houses. Gardeners' Chronicle, 15: 43.
Rivers, C. F., 1953. An Insect Mystery. Country Life, 113: 206-7.
- 1953a. A New Zealand Stick Insect in South Devon. Bull. amat. Ent.
Soc., 12: 92-4.
Zacher, F., 1920. Schaben als Schadlinge in Gewachshausem. Gartenflora, 69: 165-8.
72 [November
TlPULA SlEBKEI ZETTERSTEDT (1852), AN ADDITION TO THE
British Tipulidae (Diptera)
By J. E. Collin, F.R.E.S.
A male of this species was taken by me in Mark Ash Enclosure of the New
Forest (Hants), on the 26th June, 1953. It obviously was not a previously
recorded British species and proved to be one unknown to Mr. R. L. Coe
of the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, but Dr. Mannheims, to
whom it was sent for identification, returned it as the little-known T. Siebkei
Zett. Unfortunately the specimen was damaged on the journey. By the
Tables published by Audcent (1932, Trans, ent. Soc. S. Eng) and Coe (1953,
Handb. Brit. Ins: Nematocera) it runs down to T. sarajevensis Strbl. ( micro-
stigma Pierre), its wings being practically without clouds except for a distinct
“stigma,” and the veinlet arising from the middle of the end of this stigma
ending before reaching costa. Thorax with four pale brownish stripes, the
two middle ones practically confluent in front. Abdomen noticeably hairy
towards tip, the hairs pale. Eighth (prehypopygial) sternite with a triangular
yellowish apical area bearing rather long pale hairs curving towards the
middle line, its curved hindmargin with a very slight median incision.
Genitalia quite distinctive, the tergite with hindmargin not excised, but
bearing beneath at tip a pair of projecting knobs with blackened hispid ends,
and between them but further back and more hidden a similar knob. Outer
lamellae yellowish, particularly long and strap- shaped, straight and upright
but curved over at tip, which may project above level of genital tergite.
Inner lamellae also yellowish and narrow, shorter than outer pair, but from
the base of each there projects inwards (into the genital cavity) a larger, long,
straight process, which is stout at base, but narrowing towards its end.
Length, without antennae, about 9 mm.
Its larvae were recorded by Zetterstedt as found living in the rotten wood
of Aspen trees ( Populus tremula L.).
Notes on some British Scatopsidae (Diptera)
By J. E. Collin, F.R.E.S.
Psectrosciara soluta Loew, and palustris Edwards.
Duda in 1928 (Lindner’s Die Fliegen, Scatopsidae) quite unnecessarily
altered the names of these two species. Loew described his Scatopse soluta
in 1846 (Linnaea Ent. I. 335) from two specimens taken by Zeller in Sicily in
the months of March and April, and gave a figure of its wing. In a further
note published in March, 1847 ( Stettin . ent. Ztg. viii (68)), when he had seen
the type of Aspistes inermis in Ruthe’s collection, Loew stated that this species
was not an Aspistes but a Scatopse very closely related, though possibly not
identical, with his S. soluta , that he possessed three specimens of soluta , and
that he had found it in the neighbourhood of Posen. I am informed, however,
that when Loew’s collection came to the Berlin Museum it contained only
one specimen of soluta , that being one taken at Annaberg in Silesia three
months after Loew had published his note of 1847. Therefore Loew’s three
original specimens (which may, or may not, have included at least one of the
Sicilian types) had by then either been lost or destroyed, making the selection
of a “Type” for S. soluta Lw. impossible.
1954]
73
The additional Annaberg specimen, which Loew has nowhere mentioned,
now bears a label in his handwriting “soluta Loew,” and someone has added
another label “Type.” Actually it is at most only a “homoeotype,” i.e. a
specimen compared with the type and believed to be conspecific with it, and
in this case there are strong reasons for not accepting the identification
as correct. I have seen this specimen and it is (as Duda has already noted)
a male of Psectrosciara palustris Edw.
Trouble in regard to this species soluta first arose in 1864 when Schiner in
his Fauna Austriaca Dipt, sank S. soluta Loew as a synonym of S. inermis
Ruthe. Then in 1870 ( Zeitschr . Naturwiss ., XXXV, 4), at a time when it
must be remembered Loew was, on every possible occasion, venomously
attacking Schiner’s entomological work because the latter had exposed
Loew’s very extraordinary behaviour over the publication of a monograph of
the Trypetidae, Loew denied the correctness of this synonymy, stated that he
had taken inermis in large numbers, and indicated certain characters which
served to distinguish soluta from that species. These were mainly venational
differences, of a shorter upper (disconnected) branch of the forked vein, the
fork more divergent at tip, and anal vein not so straight as in inermis. These
can certainly all be traced in the Annaberg species, but with the exception of
the anal vein, they are not all in agreement with the figure of a wing of the
Sicilian soluta , which moreover shows the second vein at tip more abruptly
upcurved into costa. The wing so figured does , however, agree with that of a
species which: (1) is known to occur in the Mediterranean region from
whence the Annaberg species has not apparently been recorded, (2) has been
captured in the same months of March and April as the Sicilian soluta , while
the Annaberg species has not been so captured, and (3) was identified and
recorded as soluta Lw. by Enderlein (1912), and Edwards (1925), the latter
describing a distinct species (which proves to be the Annaberg species) as
Psectrosciara palustris n. sp., Edwards considering the generic name Anapausis
End. to be a synonym of Psectrosciara Kieflf. Moreover, as the Annaberg and
the Sicilian species are very much alike except for genital differences, which
were not used by Loew for separating species in this genus, it is not even probable
that the Annaberg specimen is necessarily the same species as the type from
Sicily merely because Loew had so identified it.
A remarkable fact is that Loew in 1878 returned a British male of Edward’s
soluta , which had been sent to him by Verrall, as “ inermis var. obscura an
identification which caused Verrall to make the mistake of including S.
inermis in the British list. This appears to indicate that Loew thought that his
Sicilian specimens were only a variety of inermis , and certainly indicates an
inability on his part to recognize the different species of this group.
From all these facts one is forced to the conclusion that Loew in 1870 quite
unnecessarily tried to transfer the name of soluta from Zeller’s Sicilian
specimens to his Annaberg specimen, and Duda in 1928, deceived by the
incorrect label “Type” on the Annaberg specimen, and without investigating
the facts, accepted this transfer of the name, and gave the new name of
tenuicauda to the species which Enderlein and Edwards had apparently
correctly recognized as the Sicilian soluta Lw.
The names by which these two species should be known are therefore
those used by Edwards in 1925, viz.: (1) Psectrosciara soluta Lw. with syn.
74
[November
Anapausis tenuicauda Duda (1928), and (2) Psectrosciara palustris Edwards,
with syns. Scatopse soluta Lw. p.p. (homoeotype in Loew’s Coll.)? and
Anapausis soluta Lw. of Duda (1928) (Edwards, 1925, Ann. appl. Biol.,
xii: 270).
The males of these two species have very distinctive genitalia as figured by
Edwards. In the females, soluta has the eighth tergite largely bare and usually
short, often being much withdrawn beneath the seventh, while that of
palustris is always more evident, and its entire upper surface pubescent.
Aldrovandiella Winthemi Duda (1928)
This was added to the British List in 1934 by Edwards {J. Soc. Brit. Ent.,
1: 34) on a pair taken by Mr. R. L. Coe in Scotland. The male is easily
recognized by the genitalia, figured by Duda in 1928 (with venter uppermost),
but Duda’s female, of which he also gave a figure of its terminalia, is not the
same as the female taken by Coe, and certainly not conspecific with Duda’s
male. I have taken both sexes of Winthemi in various localities in Scotland,
but none of the females agree with Duda’s female, though I have taken
females which do so agree in Norfolk (Horning Ferry) in company with males
which are not Winthemi Duda, but very much like Verralli Edw., though
certainly distinct, and which I describe below as A. Edwardsi sp. n., retaining
the name Winthemi for Duda’s male. The true female of the latter has the
median projection to last tergite larger and more prominent than in the
figure given by Duda, extending far beyond the “shoulders” on each side,
and these latter are more sloping, while instead of the two pairs of hairy
processes of unequal length of Duda’s female (my A. Edwardsi ), there is only
one pair of smaller processes, more or less hidden beneath the projecting
tergite.
Aldrovandiella Edwardsi sp. n.
A species superficially like halterata and Verralli , and while the male
genitalia more resemble those of Verralli as figured by Edwards {Ent. mon.
Mag., LXX: 139), they are abundantly distinct in the absence of the lateral
indentation on each side of the hypopygial “shell” (ninth sternite), actually
the shell is at its widest at this point, and on the basal side of this widest part
it very rapidly narrows, making its outline completely different from that of
either Verralli or halterata. The internal processes on each side of the penis
are also larger than in either of these other species. The female is that
described and figured by Duda as A. Winthemi $.
Length about 2 mm.
This species was not at all uncommon in the marshy ground near Homing
Ferry (Norfolk) on the 13th June, 1953, and again very common there in
June of this year. Duda’s female specimens were from Finland, but not from
the same locality as his type males.
The following two species are also additions to the British List :
Scatopse flavocincta Duda (1928)
A species very much like S. bifilata Hal. but whereas in bifilata the two
prongs of the penis are both very long, and, except for the somewhat longer
one being more pointed, are not very different in shape or direction, in
flavocincta they (and especially the blunter one) are both much shorter, and
the pointed upper prong after an upward loop near tip is straight, while the
very short blunt prong arises from the longer one near the base of the loop.
1954]
75
and is then bent upwards almost at right angles into the loop. This blunt
prong is often not visible without dissection. There are also other differences
in the shape of the genital processes. It is very variable in size.
I have taken this species at Sizewell on the Suffolk coast in September, and
there was a male in the Verrall Collection taken at Chippenham Fen (Cambs.),
also in September.
Scatopse brevifurca Enderlein (1912)
This species is remarkably distinct not only in the arms of the discal fork
in wings being shorter than its stem,- but in the female by the possession of a
small rounded “brand” on the upper branch of this fork just beyond middle.
I caught a female at Horning Ferry (Norfolk) on the 25th May, 1953.
The male genitalia of Sehirus bicolor (L.)
(Heteroptera, Cydnidae)
By Dennis Leston, F.R.E.S.
Introduction
Pruthi (1925, Trans, ent. Soc. Lond ., 1925: 143) described and figured the
aedeagus of a Sehirus sp. and found it to be of the same type as that of
Cydninae and Brachyplatidae (Plataspidae). His figure shows an unexpanded
aedeagus from which he concluded that only two conjunctival appendages were
present. The male genitalia of Sehirus bicolor (L.) — from material collected
at Ugley, Essex, in July, 1953 — has been examined in the expanded position:
erection was obtained by manipulation of KOH treated genitalia in acetic acid.
Description
The 9th segment bears within its postero-inferior border a raised and
grooved process, the aedeagal strut, arising from the base of the genital
atrium. The base of the aedeagus sits over a shallow depression in the basal
membrane of the atrium ; this depression is delimited by sclerotizations which
form the so-called basal plate. Anteriorly the basal plate carries a pair of
processes which are strongly sclerotized and rigid ; they are homologous with
the tendon and capitate process usually found in Heteroptera and are thus the
dorsal connectives. Posteriorly, the ventral connectives are present as thin
sclerotized rods whilst laterally a third pair of processes run out, attached
distally to the muscle sheet surrounding the harpagones above their base.
The harpagones are quite unlike Pruthi’s figure (similar discrepancies have
been noticed in, for example, his delineation of the harpagones of Podops );
they are rod-like and with a recurved latero-median arm. At their bases the
harpagones have the usual muscle attachment. Movement of the aedeagus
causes movement of the harpagones through the lateral muscle sheet.
The aedeagus is attached at its basal-superior margin by a rod-like sclero-
tization which lies between two further processes of the basal plate (arrow
runs from the rod to its anatomical position between the two processes).
At the base of the aedeagus lies the erection pump and its attached muscle;
the muscle runs in a shallow groove of the basal plate whilst the pump, when
the aedeagus is at rest, lies dorsi-ventrally flattened between the aedeagus
above and the floor of the atrium below.
The sperm duct is surrounded by a concentric duct carrying body fluid to
the erection pump — the details of the passage of the sperm duct into the
76
[November
Figs. 1-2. Male genital apparatus of Sehirus bicolor (L.) (Het., Cydnidae); example
from Ugley, Essex, i, Postero-intemal aspect of 9th segment (pygophore). 2, Ventral
aspect of erected aedeagus.
For terminology and abbreviations see opposite page.
1954]
77
aedeagus were not elucidated. The theca is an elongate cylinder carrying a
recurved median tongue-like process at its dorsal apex. When at rest the
vesica, conjunctiva and appendages lie within the theca except for their
apices. The expanded conjunctiva (endosoma) forms a cylindrical, sack-like
continuation of the theca (exosoma) and carries three pairs of symmetrical
conjunctival appendages (shown off-centre in the figure). The ist conjunc¬
tival appendages are rigid rods arising from each side of a median prolongation
of the conjunctiva, the median conjunctival sheath. Laterally the 2nd and 3rd
conjunctival appendages arise; they are somewhat closely connected at their
origins. The 2nd conjunctival appendages are sclerotized curved rods,
whilst the 3rd are membranous sacs with an apical sclerotization.
The vesica is surrounded by the median conjunctival sheath (median penis
lobe of some authors) ; it is long, slender and tapering with a minute external
gonopore at its apex. Basally the vesica is seen to be an outgrowth of the
seminal reservoir (or the reservoir can be considered as an expansion of the
vesica at its base). The sperm duct enters the reservoir at its base.
Discussion
The three pairs of conjunctival appendages show clearly that the aedeagus
of Sehirinae is similar in its general structure to that of Phloeidae, Scutel-
lerinae and Tessaratominae and not at all close to that of Pentatominae (cf.
Leston, 1952, Publ. cult. Cia. Diam. Angola , 16: 9-26, for details of Scutel-
lerinae; 1953, Rev. brasil. Biol., 13: 121-40, for details of Phloeidae; 1954,
Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond ., (A) 29: 9-16, for details of Tessaratominae): it
differs from Scutellerinae in having a retractible endosoma and from
Phloeidae and Tessaratominae in having the sperm duct enter at the base of
the reservoir. Phylogenetically, the aedeagus suggests that Sehirinae have
retained the primitive type of Pentatomoid aedeagus : it would be unwise to
speculate further on the position of the group from a consideration of a
single structure, but Pruthi’s suggestion that Cydninae-(- Sehirinae form a link
between Scutellerinae and Pentatominae is not supported by the aedeagus
of Sehirus.
Most figures of the Heteropterous basal plate show a single pair of connec¬
tives only. The three pairs present in Sehirus are homologous with those
found in other Pentatomoidea although the dorsal and ventral pairs are here
rigid. It is probable that the three pairs represents the basic pattern in all
Heteroptera: a dorsal and ventral pair acting as the corner supports of
TERMINOLOGY AND ABBREVIATIONS to Figs, i and 2
9th segment (pygophore)
a. s. aedeagal strut
b. d. basal depression
d.c. dorsal connective
l.c. lateral connective
l. h. left harpagone
m. g. median groove
р. m. posterior margin
v.c. ventral connective
aedeagus
b.f. basal foramen
с. a.i. 1 st conjunctival appendages
c.a.2
2nd conjunctival appendages
c.a.3
3rd conjunctival appendages
d.
concentric sperm and
erection ducts
e.
endosoma
g-
external gonopore
m.c.s.
median conjunctival sheath
P-
erection pump
p.m.
pump muscle
r.
seminal reservoir
t.
theca
V.
vesica
78
[November
a, hypothetically, rectangular basal theca; a lateral pair connecting the
aedeagus base with the harpagones. Bonhag and Wick (1953, J. Morph.,
93: 241) figure the basal apparatus of a Lygaeid: they show only one pair of
connectives, their promotor apodeme of the phallobase, which is clearly the
capitate process of authors and the dorsal connective of the present study.
However, they describe a remotor of the phallobase muscle, running from the
ventral segmental wall (their fused gonocoxopodite) to the aedeagal base and
inserted on the “stapes”; this insertion is homologous with the ventral
connective. The muscle sheet attached above the base of the harpagones and
to which the lateral connectives are attached is probably homologous with the
adductor of the gonostylus (Bonhag and Wick).
Conclusions
1. The male genitalia of Sehirus bicolor (L.) (Cydnidae) have been
examined.
2. A well-defined aedeagal strut is present.
3. The harpagones are biramous.
4. The “basal plate” carries three pairs of connectives (apodemes);
(a) dorsal connectives (homologous with the capitate processes of authors);
(b) ventral connectives; (c) lateral connectives. It is suggested that these can
be homologized throughout the Heteroptera.
5. The aedeagus bears three pairs of conjunctival appendages, suggesting
a retention of the primitive Pentatomoid number and clearly separating
Cydnidae from Pentatominae sensu str.
6. The seminal duct enters the reservoir basally whereas in Tessaratominae
and Phloeidae it enters dorsally.
7. The endosoma is retractible, clearly differentiating this structure from
that found in Scutellerinae sensu str. The vesica is a simple, non-diverticulate
structure (cf. Dinidorinae).
Ancistrocerus gazella (Panzer) ( =A . pictipes Thomson),
AN ABUNDANT BUT HITHERTO UNDETECTED EUMENINE WASP IN
Britain
By I. H. H. Yarrow, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.E.S.
(Dept, of Entomology, British Museum (Nat. Hist.))
A. gazella (Panzer) has been discovered to be at least as common, if not
more so, than A. parietum (Linnaeus) in the South of England and is likely
to be found under the latter name in most collections from these parts. I have
seen it from the following counties: Bucks., Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hants,
Herts., Isle of Wight, Kent, Mddx., Norfolk, Pembroke (Skokholm Island),
Suffolk, Surrey and Sussex. G. M. Spooner tells me he has seen it from E.
Gloucestershire; it is absent from all our collections from the Midlands and
the North, though A. parietum seems abundant over the whole of the country.
The following key should make its recognition possible but it should be borne
in mind that the black and yellow markings of most, if not all, eumenines are
subject to considerable variation and on this account the strictly morpho¬
logical characters, which vary to a lesser extent, are the more important. It is
inevitable with a species which has evaded notice for so long for the distinc¬
tive characters to be somewhat less than obvious at first sight, and they are, in
1954]
79
Figs i and 2. 1st abdominal tergite of gazella and parietum ($).
8o
[November
fact, to a large extent comparative; none the less, with a little experience the
two species may be fairly certainly separated with a hand lens, if not with
the naked eye.
Figs. 3 and 4. Clypeus of gazella and parietum , lateral aspect superimposed (cJ).
Figs. 5 and 6. Apical antennal segments of gazella and parietum (<J).
1954]
8i
?$
I. Size smaller, wing expanse 16-21 mm. (18 mm. average), thorax less
robust, pronotal angles often sharply pointed, posterior area of
propodeum rather coarsely rugose and usually fairly shining; trans¬
verse carina of 1st tergite in the middle at most slightly notched
(fig. 1), puncturation of 2nd tergite larger and more remote, the
interspaces frequently greater than diameter of a puncture. Abdomen
with yellow bands on tergites 1-4, sometimes a band or partial band
on the 5th and very rarely a spot on the 6th, the band on the 1st
tergite not sharply incised but parallel-sided across the disc (fig. 1)
postscutellum frequently yellow marked; middle and hind tibiae
usually with considerable black markings on the inner side apically
. gazella (Panzer)
— Size larger, wing expanse 20-25 mm. (22 mm. average), thorax more
robust, pronotal angles somewhat rounded, posterior area of propo¬
deum usually rather finely diagonally striate and dull, occasionally
coarser and somewhat shining; transverse carina of 1st abdominal
tergite deeply and broadly incised in the middle (fig. 2). puncturation
of 2nd tergite finer and closer, the interspaces for the most part less
than the diameter of a puncture. Abdomen with yellow bands on
tergites 1-5 and a yellow spot, rarely absent, on the 6th, the band on
the 1 st usually angularly incised in the middle (fig. 2). Postscutellum
entirely black (in some Continental examples marked with yellow
according to Bliithgen (Stettin ent. Ztg., 104 (1943): 155); middle and
hind tibiae only a little darkened (usually brownish) on the inside
apically . parietum (Linnaeus)
Figs. 7 and 8. Pronotal angles of gazella and parietum (39 .
82
[November
i . Apical identation of clypeus narrower and deeper, the clypeus consider¬
ably swollen, the surface rising somewhat abruptly from the apex
(fig. 3), the punctures small and shallow; reflexed apical antennal
segment rarely reaching apex of 10th (fig. 5). Pronotal angles sharp,
frequently extending diagonally forward as points (fig. 7) (though this
is not so marked in British as in Continental examples). Posterior
area of propodeum and transverse carina of 1st tergite as in $ though
less pronounced, puncturation of 2nd tergite coarser though no
closer than in the next species. Abdomen with yellow bands on
tergites 1-4, sometimes a partial band on 5th . gazella (Panzer)
— Apical indentation of clypeus broad and shallow, the clypeus not very
swollen, the surface rising gently from the apex and the punctures
rather large and deep (fig. 4); reflexed apical antennal segment
usually reaching 10th segment, often passing its apex (fig. 6). Pronotal
angles often prominent but not sharp pointed (fig. 8). Posterior area
of propodeum and transverse carina of 1st tergite as in ? but less
pronounced and puncturation of 2nd tergite finer but no less close
than in the previous species. Abdomen with yellow bands on
tergites 1-6 . t . parietum (Linnaeus)
The Swift Apus apus L. as a predator of aphids
By D. F. Owen
(Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Oxford)
Introduction
This paper forms part of a detailed study of the food of the Swift in the
breeding season, as shown from food samples collected from the young and
adult birds at the nest, and as described elsewhere (Lack and Owen in press).
The food balls (or meals) were collected as follows: 58 in July and August
I952_53 at Oxford and 12 in July, 1944 at Radley, Berkshire. Each meal
comprised a compact mass of insects (together with some spiders), usually
300-1,500, many of which were still alive when collected. Thus, unlike most
food samples from birds, the material was in good condition, though the
number and variety of the species made the task of identification difficult.
In this paper only the aphids are discussed. The Diptera and spiders have
been written up separately (Parmenter and Owen (1954), Owen and Le Gros
(1954)) and it is intended to write a paper on the Coleoptera. A general
paper on the food and feeding habits of the Swift has also been written (Lack
and Owen in press).
As Swifts are entirely aerial feeders all the aphids would have been caught
in the air, though as Swifts sometimes feed very low some may have been
caught only a few feet above the ground or the trees. Swifts usually feed
close to their nests, but sometimes, particularly in bad weather, they may
travel considerable distances for food.
1954]
83
Size and number of aphids
Most of the aphids caught by the Swifts were of the larger species, very
few of the small species were taken, although these must have been present in
the air in considerable numbers. This agrees with the suggestion that Swifts
select insects of a certain size when hunting (Lack and Owen in press).
However, even the largest aphids are rather smaller than the average size of
insect that the Swift prefers to catch. In poor weather, when larger insects
are scarce in the air, Swifts are forced to catch smaller insects and that was
why in 1952 and 1953, aphids were more often found in the meals collected
on dull days than on fine calm days. In July, 1944, aphids were very
numerous in the Swift meals in fine as well as poor weather. In that year
Broadbent and Doncaster (1949) found that aphids were exceptionally
abundant, as shown by the results for twelve trapping stations in England
and Scotland, being more common than in five other years. It was suggested
that this was due to the dry weather. In 1952, however, Oxford had the
driest July for twenty-one years and aphids were relatively unimportant in
the diet of the Swift (though this does not necessarily mean that they were
scarce in the air, since the Swifts were catching larger insects).
Of the 58 meals collected from Swifts in 1952 and 1953, 23 contained
aphids, and all the 12 Radley meals contained aphids. Numbers in each meal
varied considerably, often there were only 40 or 50, but some meals contained
over a thousand, with very few other insects. Certain meals contained a very
large number of one species, suggesting that the Swift had found a local
swarm.
Species
A complete list of all the aphids identified from Swift meals in 1944 and
1952 is given in Appendix 1. (Aphids collected in 1953 were not identified.)
Many of the commonest species, such as Acyrthosiphon pisum, Aphis fabae,
Hyalopterus pruni , Macrosipkum euphorbiae , M. avenae and Metopolophium
dirhodum , have a peak time of movement in July, and they were therefore
very available to the Swifts. Many are known as agricultural pests, and were
almost certainly caught over cultivated fields, though some may also have
occurred over other habitats, even the City of Oxford itself.
In both years one of the commonest species was Acyrthosiphon pisum (the
Pea aphid), which occurs on Papilionaceae , and is often abundant on crops of
peas, beans and clover. The name Aphis fabae is used in Appendix 1 to
denote a complex of species which are very difficult to identify. They include
the Black Bean aphid and their host range is very wide. Megoura viciae is
also a pest of field beans, but it rarely occurs in such large numbers as the
preceding species, and only 37 were caught by the Swifts in 1952 and only
4 in 1944-
The most numerous aphids in the Swift meals were those species particu¬
larly associated with grain, such as Metopolophium dirhodum (the Rose- Grain
aphid), Rhopalosiphum insertum (the Oat- Apple aphid), R. maidis and
especially Macrosiphum avenae , which in both years was the commonest of all
the inseas taken by the Swifts. In one meal collected at Radley there were
1, 1 1 6 M. avenae.
Other common species in the Swift meals (with their host plants) included
Cavariella pastinacae (primary host Salix spp., migrating to Umberliferae),
84
[November
Dactynotus sonchi ( Sonchus spp.), Drepanosiphum plantanoides (Acer spp.),
Eucer aphis nigritarsis ( Betula spp.), Hyalopterus pruni (primary hosts Frunus
spp., thence to Phragmites and Arundo ), Hyper omyzus lactucae (primary host
Ribes spp., thence to Sonchus spp. and Lactuca sativa ), Macrosiphum
euphorbiae (often common on potatoes, but has a wide host range), Myzus
persicae (primary host Frunus persica , thence to a wide range of plants,
including potatoes), and Thecabius affinis (primary host Populus nigra , thence
to Ranunculus spp.).
Drepanosiphum plantanoides and Euceraphis nigritarsis differ from most
other aphids in producing winged viviparous forms, so that although the
greatest numbers are usually found in the air in May and June, many would
be available throughout the summer near birches and sycamores.
The numbers of the other species (listed in Appendix i) were very small,
but the occurrence of some perhaps suggests that the Swifts had been feeding
near the host plants.
Trapping records of air-borne aphids elsewhere indicate that the numbers
of some species are, at least to some extent, influenced by the habitat. For
instance, Freeman (1945) found that the commonest insect of all orders taken
in aerial tow-nets in Lincolnshire was the Cabbage aphid Brevicoryne
brassicae. This species was caught only in small numbers by Swifts at Radley
and Oxford, and the large numbers in Lincolnshire were almost certainly due
to the presence of a cabbage field nearby.
Acknowledgements
I am extremely grateful to F. H. Jacob and J. P. Doncaster for identifying
the aphids and to R. Vaughan and to R. B. Freeman for collecting and
sorting the Radley samples. J. P. Doncaster also gave much advice on the
nomenclature of the aphids listed in Appendix 1 and in addition added notes
on the ecology of the commonest species.
Appendix i
Aphids identified in Swift meals
Acyrthosiphon malvae (Mos.)
Oxford, 1952
8
Radley, 1944
2
A. pisum (Harris)
392
519
Adelges spp.
4
—
Anoecia corni (F.)
3
8
Aphis fabae Scop.
119
268
A. cognatella (Jones)
—
7
A. hederae Kltb.
—
8
A. ilicis Kltb.
—
28
A. nasturtii Kltb.
1
—
A. rumicis L.
—
2
A. sambuci L.
1
—
Aphis spp.
15
—
Brachycaudus cardui (L.)
Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)
—
2
10
9
Capitophorus hippophaes (Koch)
3
—
Capitophorus spp.
—
2
Cavariella aegopodii (Scop.) . .
1
13
C. pastinacae (L.)
28
—
C. theobaldi (Gill. & Br.)
4
6
Cinaria laricis (Wlk.)
1
—
1954]
Cryptomyzus galeopsidis (Kltb.)
Dactynotus cirsii (L.)
D. sonchi (L.)
Dactynotus ( Uromelan) jaceae (L.)
D. ( Uromelan ) solidaginis (F.)
D. ( Uromelan ) taraxaci (Kltb.)
Dactynotus spp.
Drepanosiphum acerinus (Wlk.)
D. plantanoides (Schr.)
Euceraphis nigritarsis (v. Heyd.)
Hyadaphis foeniculi (Pass.) . .
Hyadaphis spp.
Hyalopterus pruni (Geoffr.) . .
Hyper omyzella rhinanthi (Schout.)
Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.)
H. lampsanae (Borner)
H. pallidus H.R.L.
Hyperomyzus spp.
Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thos.)
M. funestum (Macch.)
M. rosae (L.)
Macrosiphum ( Sitobion ) avenae (F.)
M. ( Sitobion ) fragariae (Wlk.)
Megoura viciae (Buckt.)
Metopolophium dirhodum (Wlk.)
M. festucae (Theob.)
Microlophium evansi (Theob.)
Myzus cerasi (F.)
M. persicae (Sulz.)
Nasonovia ribis-nigri (Mos.) . .
Pemphigus fdaginis (F.)
Pemphigus spp.
Phorodon humuli (Schr.)
Protrama spp.
Rhopalosiphum insertum (Wlk.)
R. maidis (Fitch.)
R. nymphaeae (L.) . .
R. padi (L.)
Sappaphis mali (Ferr.)
Sapp aphis spp.
Schizolachnus pineti (F.)
Thecabius a finis (Kltb.)
Trama troglodytes Hey.
Tuberculatus querceus (Kltb.). .
Tuberculoides annulatus (Hartig)
Unidentified
Oxford, 1952
1
23
9
1
2
39
63
2
83
10
32
179
1
1,764
9
37
290
5
1
1
24
4
10
1
1
98
26
3
9
1
1
3i
5
39
85
Radley, 1944
5
25
2
1
1
2
11
2
35
30
12
1
3
7
5
3>5i5
2
4
iji3x
7
2
44
1
4
2
1
31
1
1
4
1
5
418
References
Broadbent, L., and Doncaster, J. P., 1949. Alate aphids trapped in the British Isles,
1942-1947. Ent. mon. Mag., 85: 174-82.
Freeman, J. A., 1945. Studies in the distribution of insects by aerial currents.
J. Anim. Ecol. , 14: 128-54.
Lack, D., and Owen, D. F. (in press). The food of the Swift. J. Anim. Ecol.
Owen, D. F., and Le Gros, A. E., 1954. Spiders caught by Swifts. Ent. Gaz.s
5: 117-20.
Parmenter, L., and Owen, D. F., 1954. The Swift Apus apus L. as a predator of
flies. J. Soc. Brit. Ent., 5: 27-33.
86
[November
Notes on some Derbyshire craneflies
By L. N. Kidd, F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
On 6th June, 1954, Dr. W. D. Hincks and I paid a visit to Combs
Reservoir, near Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, and were greatly impressed
by the large number of craneflies seen flying and at rest on surrounding
vegetation. In spite of rather showery weather we were able to put in about
an hour’s collecting, and subsequent examination of the material taken shows
that the area is quite rich in species. Later in the day we visited an old wood
near Chapel-en-le-Frith in order to compare the cranefly fauna here with
that of the reservoir area, and were interested to find a marked difference
between the species of the two habitats.
At Combs Reservoir some eighteen species of craneflies were collected and
of these, six belonged to the genus Tipula , the commonest being Tipula
( Tipula ) luna Westhoff. Larvae of this species are known to be sub-aquatic.
The remaining species of Tipula taken were T. ( Acutipula ) maxima Poda,
T. { Tipula ) variipennis Mg., T. (TV) lateralis Mg., all of which are more or less
sub-aquatic, T. {T) oleracea L. and T. (T.) couckei Tonn., this latter being
apparently a rather rare species in the north of England. Limonia ( Limonia )
nubeculosa Mg., whose larvae have been reported as sub-aquatic, and L.
{. Rhipidia ) maculata (Mg.), the larvae of which have been recorded as feeding
in old cow- dung, were quite frequent. Other species taken whose larvae are
said to be mainly aquatic or sub-aquatic were Pedicia { Tricyphona ) immaculata
(Mg.), Limnophila ( Phylidorea ) ferruginea (Mg.), L. {Pilaria) nemoralis (Mg.),
Erioptera ( Erioptera ) lutea Mg. v. taenionota Mg. A solitary specimen of Ula
sylvatica (Mg.), whose larvae develop in fungi, was also taken. The following
species were also taken near the reservoir but I am unable to find, in the
literature available, any reference as to their larval habits: Limnophila
{Phylidorea) fulvonervosa (Schummel), Cheilotrichia {Platytoma) cinerascens
(Mg.), Ormosia { Ormosia ) hederae (Curtis), Molophilus griseus (Mg.), and
M. serpentiger Edwards.
Of the species taken in the woodland near Chapel-en-le-Frith only two had
been taken at Combs Reservoir. These were Tipula {Tipula) luna Westhoff
and Limonia {Rhipidia) maculata (Mg.), both of which were quite plentiful.
Larvae of the former species besides being sub-aquatic are known to inhabit
soil and leaf-mould in wet hollows in woodland. Four other species of Tipula
were taken in the wood, viz. T. {Acutipula) vittata Mg., T. {Schummelia)
variicomis Schumm., T. {Tipula) hortulana Mg., and T. {T) vernalis Mg.
The first of these has been observed by Mr. D. Bryce and myself to oviposit
in mud at the sides of streams, and variicomis probably breeds in similar
situations. The pre-imaginal stages of T. hortulana Mg., were recorded by
Cuthbertson as inhabiting soil in wet hollows in open deciduous woodland.
The immature stages of T. vernalis Mg. occur in grasslands. Other woodland
species taken whose larvae are said to occur in wet places, usually below
leaf-mould, were Limonia {Limonia) tripunctata (F.), and Ormosia {Ormosia)
nodulosa (Macq.). One species which seemed to be particularly common
around clumps of Broad Buckler- fern was Tasiocera fuscescens Lacks., a
species which was first described in 1939. Dr. P. M. Butler, who on the same
day visited some higher ground nearby, brought back a specimen of Tipula
{Tipula) alpium Berg., a common species in hilly districts.
,1
1954]
87
The capture of a male Dactylolabis transversa (Mg.) in Monk’s Dale on
29th May, 1954, is possibly worthy of mention. This rather uncommon
species was taken on limestone rocks together with several specimens of
Dactylolabis sexmaculata (Macq.), which appears to be quite frequent in
limestone districts.
References
Alexander, C. P., 1920. The Crane-Flies of New York. Pt. 2. Biology and
Phylogeny. Cornell Univ. Exp. Sta. Mem., 38.
Coe, R. L., 1950 Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects , IX (2): 1-66.
Tipulidae. Royal Entomological Society of London.
Cuthbertson, A., 1929. The Habitats of some Crane-Flies (Dipt., Tipuloidea) in the
West of Scotland. The Scottish Naturalist , pp. 15-23 (Jan.-Feb.).
ScOLIOCENTRA VILLOSA (MEIGEN) (DIPT., HELOMYZIDAE) AND
Trichocera maculipennis Meigen (Dipt., Trichoceridae)
taken in Derbyshire caves
By L. N. Kidd, F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
In a previous note (J. Soc. Brit. Era., 4: 136), I mentioned that Scoliocentra
villosa (Meigen) was taken in an old lead-working in Derbyshire by Mr. John
Armitage during November, 1950, and again in October, 1952. On 28th
August, 1953, Mr. Armitage and I visited this lead- working in Deepdale,
near Buxton, in the hope of making some further observations on this species.
Having arrived at our destination we proceeded with the aid of a lamp to
grope our way into the working, the entrance of which consists of a large
fault in the limestone rock. Almost immediately, we began to encounter
specimens of Scoliocentra villosa (Mg.) probably v. villosula Cz., and many
were seen glistening with condensation as the light fell upon them. Although
we continued for quite a good number of yards into the workings, numbers of
males and females could still be found resting on the walls and roof of
the passage.
This species has been found in a number of caves on the Continent during
the months of June to January as pointed out by Seguy (. Faune de France ,
28: 344), and he also draws attention to the fact that Dr. O. W. Richards has
reported specimens from rabbit burrows. It would be interesting to know
the life-history of this fly, for in spite of the fact that we searched very
carefully, we could not find, in that part of the cave investigated, any decaying
animal or vegetable refuse in which the larvae might develop.
It might be of interest to mention that the common Helomyzid Leria
serrata (L.) was also present and two caddis, Stenophylax permixtus McLach.,
and S. vibex (Curtis) were also collected, the former being apparently the
commoner of the two species. Several newly-emerged Tissue Moths
Triphosa dubitata (L.) were collected and one or two pairs were seen in
copulation.
We next visited Thirsthouse Cave in Deepdale and it was here that a
solitary female of Trichocera maculipennis Meigen was taken. This would
appear to be a rather uncommon species for Mr. Paul Freeman (. Handbooks
for the Ident. of Brit. Insects , 9 (2): 69) gives N. Lancs, and Midlothian as the
88
[November
only localities from which it is recorded. However, the late Mr. Harry
Britten took it well inside the copper mines at Alderley Edge, Cheshire, on
2nd March, 1936. It may well be that a thorough search of caves in other
parts of the country would produce further records of this rather distinctive
species.
Rare Trypetids (Diptera) at Miller’s Dale, Derbyshire
By W. D. Hincks, D.Sc., F.R.E.S.
(Manchester Museum)
Mr. S. Shaw (1952, J. Soc. Brit. Ent ., 4: 93) has reported the occurrence
of the very local Trypetid Euleia caesio (Harris) at Miller’s Dale in 1945 and
1951. It was again taken in the same small area of the dale on 15th August,
1953. On 10th July, 1954, the locality was visited again in the hope of
obtaining more specimens but, although considerable stretches of luxuriant
vegetation were swept, no Trypetids occurred until the identical area was
reached where Euleia had been taken previously. Here two Trypetids were
captured but it was not until later that it was realized that neither was
E. caesio and, indeed, that two other species were represented. These proved
to be Rhacochlaena toxoneura (Loew) and Cryptaciura rotundiventris (Fallen),
both of which are rare species with relatively few recorded stations.
The food plant of R. toxoneura appears to be unknown and little seems to
have been recorded relating to its British distribution. In the late Harry
Britten’s card-index, now in the Manchester Museum, there are records
from Cheshire (Rostherne, 15.6.30, H. Britten; Northwich, 13.9.45, Mrs.
Boyd) and Lancashire (Didsbury, 1.6.47, A. Brindle). This species is not
recorded from Yorkshire and I know of no previous occurrence in Derbyshire.
Although there are a few scattered records from Cornwall to Bonhill,
Dumbartonshire, C. rotundiventris seems to be even more local than the
previous species. There are no records for Lancashire and Cheshire,
Yorkshire or Derbyshire. Its food plant is in doubt but it is said to have been
reared from burdock and also from Heracleum. Burdock was the dominant
plant where the present specimen was taken but a few plants of Heracleum
were growing in the same area.
It is interesting that in this small area of not more than a few square yards
in extent there should occur three very local Trypetids, the biology of which
is still largely unknown.
OBITUARY
Malcolm Burr, M.A., D.Sc. (Oxon), A.R.S.M.,
F.R.E.S., M.I.Biol., Hon. M.S.B.E.
The death of Malcolm Burr on 13th July, 1954, came as a great shock to
entomologists everywhere, for although he was seventy-six years of age when
he died, those who had the good fortune to meet him on his recent visit to
1954]
89
London early this year were amazed at his vitality. He was truly a man who
was as young as he felt, but alas, shortly after his return to Turkey, where he
had made his home, he was knocked down and instantly killed by a motor
lorry in his beloved Istanbul.
Born at Blackheath on 6th July, 1878, Malcolm Burr was the son of the
late Arthur Burr and for many years lived near Dover, but he travelled far
and wide, often to remote places, and in this, his flair for languages must have
stood him in good stead. Accounts of his experiences appeared from time to
time in the Entomologists' Record and in his popular writings, the most
famous of which is his book “Slouch Hat.”
Although best known as an entomologist. Burr was by profession originally
a mining engineer. He was geological adviser to the Kent Coal Commission
from 1908 to 1914, and during the first World War he recruited and com¬
manded the “Serbian” labour battalion in Salonika. Just before the outbreak
of the last war he had for some time been in the Soviet Union, but from 1939
to 1945 he was engaged in work for the Foreign Office and the Ministry of
Information in Yugoslavia and Turkey. During each World War his English
home, together with his library, was destroyed by enemy action and he
decided to remain in Turkey where, among other things, he was correspon¬
dent for the Daily Telegraph in Istanbul from 1950 to 1953, and was latterly
Professor of English at the University.
Malcolm Burr had a wide and insatiable interest in entomology generally,
but his special field of study lay among the Orthoptera and Dermaptera —
especially the latter, in which he did much pioneer work and, in spite of his
lost library, maintained a keen interest to the end, his last original work
appearing as late as December, 1952. One of his most influential early
contributions to the literature of the Orthoptera was his “Essai sur les
Eumastacides” written in 1899. His first publication on the British Ortho-
pteroids appeared in 1897 and his best-known one, “British Grasshoppers
and their Allies,” in 1936. The publication of the second edition of his most
excellent layman’s introduction to entomology, “The Insect Legion,” pre¬
ceded his death by only a few months.
Dr. Burr served on the Council of the (Royal) Entomological Society of
London during 1903-04 and 1910-12 and was elected Vice-President for 1912.
He was also a member of several foreign entomological societies, including
the Russian, of which he was a life-fellow (though he informed us ruefully
that this honour did not seem to be fully recognized of late!). For some years
he was Hon. Secretary of the Executive Council of the International Entomo¬
logical Congress. He was a member of the Society for British Entomology
from 1935, and an honorary member from 1949 until his death, although his
absence from Britain precluded his taking an active part in its affairs.
Well loved by all who knew him, Malcolm Burr’s simple British Legion
funeral in the beautiful Crimean Memorial Cemetery that he loved so well
was attended by many mourners, both Turkish and British, many of whom
were moved to tears. To his sorrowing widow, to whom he had been married
for over fifty-one years, and to his four daughters who survive him, we offer
our sincere sympathy in the great loss we share with them.
D.K.McE.K.
90
[November
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held at Bournemouth on
23rd October, 1954. Dr. H. E. Hinton in the Chair. The following members
were elected officers of the Society for the year 1954-55 : President, Dr. H. E.
Hinton, Ph.D., B.Sc., F.R.E.S.; Vice-Presidents, Dr. B. M. Hobby, M.A.,
D. Phil., F.R.E.S.; N. D. Riley, C.B.E., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.; W. H. Thorpe,
M.A., Sc.D., F.R.S., F.R.E.S.; Hon. Treasurer, Mrs. Murgatroyd; Hon.
Editor, J. H. Murgatroyd, F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.; Hon. Secretary, S. C. S.
Brown, L.D.S., R.C.S. Members of the Council: C. A. Basker, M.D.; R.
B. Benson, M.A., F.R.E.S., Mem. Hon.S.E.Belg.; Dr. W. D. Hincks, D.Sc.,
M.Sc., F.R.E.S.; G. J. Kerrich, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.;E. Lewis, F.R.E.S.;
A. A. Lisney, M.A., M.D., D.P.H., F.R.E.S.; A. H. Turner, F.Z.S.,
F.R.E.S. The Hon. Treasurer in her report stated that the balance at this
date was £136. The Secretary reported that Membership to date was 243.
During the year the Society had lost through deaths two Honorary Members,
Harry Britten and Dr. Malcolm Burr; three Ordinary Members, Miss
Chawner, Dr. Galbraith and H. W. Whitehead. The Hon. Editor reports
that during the last twelve months the Society has published three Journals
totalling 1 14 pp. and priced at 25 s. o d.; one Transacticn totalling 16 pp. and
priced at 5 s. o d. ; giving a total of 130 pp. for the year at a face price of 305. o d.
Two are in hand for publication early in November, & Journal of 44 pp. and
a Transaction of 36 pp.
Ninth Congress of British Entomologists
Bristol, 22nd-25th July, 1955
An invitation from the Bristol Naturalists’ Society to hold the next
Congress in Bristol during the week-end 22nd-25th July, 1955, has been
accepted by the Council of the Society for British Entomology. Mr. Cecil
L. Bell, Secretary of the entomological section of the Bristol Society, has
kindly undertaken to act as Congress Organizer, accommodation has been
booked at a university hostel (at a cost for the week-end not exceeding about
£3 155. od.\ and a comprehensive programme of lectures and other activities
is already well under way.
As for the 1953 Congress at Leeds, copies of the Congress Programme will
be distributed when ready, by post, to all those on our mailing list. This is
as up to date as we have been able to make it, but any person wishing to make
sure of receipt of a copy should send name and address either to Mr. Cecil
L. Bell, 23 Harcourt Road, Redland, Bristol, 6, or to the Secretary of this
Society at 454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth.
These Congresses are open to all persons of either sex who are interested
in entomology, and membership of the Society for British Entomology is
not essential.
Transaction
With this Journal is distributed Transaction , Vol. 11, Part 12.
( Continued from inside front cover )
HYMENOPTERA
A Consideration of Cephalic Struc¬
tures and Spiracles of the Final
Instar Larvae of the Ichneumoni-
dae. By B. P. Beime, 1941. 68 pp.,
31 figs., 5 s. 6 d.
Second Review of Literature con¬
cerning British Ichneumonidae.
By G. J. Kerrich, 1942. 35 pp.,
7 figs., 35. o d.
The Hymenoptera Aculeata of Bed¬
fordshire. By V. H. Chambers,
1949. 56 pp., 3 maps, 105. od.
An Introduction to the Natural His¬
tory of British Sawflies. By R. B.
Benson, 1950. 98 pp., 9 pis., 105. od.
Notes on Some British Mymaridae.
By W. D. Hincks, 1950. 42 pp., 5
figs., 1 pi., 55. od.
The British Species of the Genus
Ooctonus Haliday, with a Note on
some Recent Work on the Fairy
Flies (Hym., Mymaridae). By W. D.
Hincks, 1952. 12 pp., 8 figs., 45. od.
A Study of some British species of
Synergus. By J. Ross, 1951. 16 pp.,
4 s. od.
A Revision of Section I (Mayr, 1872)
of the Genus Synergus (Hym.,
Cynipidae) in Britain, with a
Species new to Science. By R. D.
Eady, 1952. 12 pp., 4 pis., 45. od.
The Natural History of some
Pamphilius Species (Hym., Pam-
philiidae). By V. H. Chambers,
1952. 16 pp., 4 pis., 5 5. od.
The British Ants allied to Formica
fusca L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
I. H. H. Yarrow, 1954. 16 pp., 8 figs.,
3 maps, 55. od.
LEPIDOPTERA
The Morphology of Luffia ferchaul-
tella and a Comparison with L.
lapidella (Psychidae). By R. S.
McDonogh,i94i. 19 PPo 9 pls.» 4*. od.
List of the Lepidoptera of Dorset.
Part 2. By W. Parkinson Curtis,
1947. 138 pp., 4 pis., 1 15. od.
Postural Habits and Colour-Pattern
Evolution in Lepidoptera. By
M. W. R. de V. Graham, 1950. 16
pp., 4 pis., 4 figs., 45. od.
ENTOMOLOGICAL FAUNA OF
THE NEW FOREST SERIES
Introduction by J. Cowley, and Part i,
Odonata, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1950. 12 pp., 15. 6d. Part 2.
Neuroptera, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1951. 12 pp., 15. 6 d.
Orders, accompanied by the appropriate remittance, should be addressed to the
Hon. Secretary, S. C. S. Brown, 454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants.
OFFICERS AND COUNCIL, 1 954*5 5
President:
H. E. HINTON, Ph.D., B.Sc., F.R.E.S.
Vice-Presidents:
N. D. RILEY, C.B.E., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
W. H. THORPE, M.A., Sc.D., F.R.S., F.R.E.S.
B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
Hon. Treasurer:
Mrs. M. MURGATROYD
“Arachne,” Warren Edge Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hants
Hon. Secretary:
S. C. S. BROWN, L.D.S., R.C.S.
454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants (Tel.: Boscombe 33677)
Hon. Editor:
J. H. MURGATROYD, F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
‘Arachne,” Warren Edge Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hants
(Tel. : Southbourne 46364)
Other Members of Council:
C. A. BASKER, M.D.
R. B. BENSON, M.A., F.R.E.S., Mem.Hon.S.E.Bblg.
W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.S.
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
F T FWIS FRF1!
A. A. LISNEY, M.A., M.D.,' D.P.H., F.R.E.S.
A. H. TURNER, F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
All official correspondence should be sent to
454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants
(Tel. : Boscombe 33677)
CONTENTS
Page
Broadhead, E.: See Thornton, I. W. B . 47
Collin, J. E.: Tipula Seibkei Zetterstedt (1852), an addition to the
British Tipulidae (Diptera) . 72
- Notes on some British Scatopsidae (Diptera) . 72
Hincks, W. D. : Rare Trypetids (Diptera) at Miller’s Dale, Derbyshire 88
Kevan, D. K. McE.: Further notes on the Distribution of British
Orthopteroids . 65
Kidd, L. N. : Notes on some Derbyshire craneflies . 86
- Scoliocentra villosa (Meigen) (Dipt., Helomyzidae) and
Trichocera maculipennis Meigen (Dipt., Trichoceridae)
taken in Derbyshire caves . 87
Leston, D.: The male genitalia of Sehirus bicolor (L.) (Heteroptera,
Cydnidae) . 75
Owen, D. F. : The Swift Apus apus L. as a predator of aphids . 82
Thornton, I. W. B., and Broadhead, E.: The British species of
Elipsocus Hagen (Corrodentia, Mesopsocidae) . 47
Yarrow, I. H. H.: Ancistrocerus gazella (Panzer) (=A, pictipes
Thomson), an abundant but hitherto undetected Eumenine
wasp in Britain . 78
Obituary: Malcolm Burr . 88
Editorial: Annual General Meeting . 90
- Ninth Congress of British entomologists, Bristol, 22nd-25th
July, 1955 . 90
Communications for the Journal should be sent to:
J. H. Murgatroyd,
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IHUU. UUiWI . LUUL
ENTOMOLOGY
22nd March, 1955
Part 3
The identity of Megaselia {Aphiochaeta) vestita
(Wood, 1914) (Diptera, Phoridae); A description of
THE MALE AND REDESCRIPTION OF THE FEMALE
By Charles N. Colyer, F.R.E.S.
At intervals during the past six years I have been able, through the courtesy
of Mr. H. Oldroyd, of the British Museum (Nat. Hist.), to study the large
collection of undetermined Phoridae from England and Scotland made by
the late J. J. F. X. King. Among other interesting problems arising there¬
from has occurred that of a series of five specimens, accumulated in the
course of naming the material, which apparently belonged to Lundbeck’s
(1922) Group IV, but which would not run down satisfactorily with
Lundbeck’s or Wood’s (1909-10) keys and seemed not to correspond with
any descriptions of species belonging to that group.
I have been able to establish that the specimens in question are Megaselia
{. Aphiochaeta ) vestita (Wood) after detailed study of the type, and material,
from widely spread Palaearctic localities, kindly loaned by Father Schmitz
from his collection. Only the female of this species has hitherto been
described (Wood, 1914). Wood referred it to his Section D, and Lundbeck
{op. cit .) merely mentioned it in the key to his Group V (p. 224), with
characters obviously based on Wood, but with a modification in regard to
the size. Lundbeck wrote “1.5-2 mm.,” whereas Wood stated “ij mm.”
Knowing Wood’s propensity for understatement of size {vide Schmitz
1929a) and linking this with Wood’s remark about vestita “falling into the
neighbourhood of pectoralis and clavipes , but considerably larger than
either . . .”, one was prepared for the actual size of Wood’s type to be con¬
siderably more than he had stated, and so it proved to be; in fact, 2.7 mm.
Other material I have been able to examine ranges from 1.5 mm. to 2.4 mm.,
so that the type happens to be the largest specimen so far recorded.
Since he included vestita in his Group V, Lundbeck evidently considered
the costal index to be less than 0.44 (measuring from the basal bristle, p. 212,
op. cit.). Wood had stated of the costa “rather more than l wing length,”
i.e. rather more than 0.40, probably measuring, as Lundbeck thought, in the
same way, or perhaps from the actual base of the wing. Lundbeck followed
Schmitz (1917, p. 134) in his method of measuring, and using this method
in my study of Father Schmitz’ material, I found the costal index in the males
to be constant at about 0.45 and in the females somewhat variable at 0.45-0.47.
As vestita was evidently not represented from Denmark when Lundbeck
wrote, one is left to wonder whether he actually had a specimen or specimens
before him when constructing his table and making an amendment to Wood’s
statement of size; it is possible that he had material from Father Schmitz,
92
[March
but from the information now available, it would seem that one specimen
only, from Holland, was in Father Schmitz’ possession up to the time when
Lundbeck wrote. This specimen was a male. It is perhaps worth notice that
Lundbeck stated “only female described” and not “only female known” and
this may be an indication that he was at least aware that Father Schmitz had
a male of the species, even if he had not seen it. The uncertainty hitherto
would have been avoided if Lundbeck had keyed the species in his Group IV
and perhaps double-keyed the male to Group V.
Another feature of the species which might cause some confusion to the
student unfamiliar with the genus Megaselia is the nature of the scutellar
bristles and hairs. In some specimens there is a pair of anterior hairs in
addition to the two strong bristles, which, although weak, are sufficiently
long to give the impression that the specimens ought perhaps to be referred
to the group of species with four scutellar bristles. The character of these
hairs, however, is not the same as one finds in such species as M. (M.)
giraudii (Egger) and its allies.
Schmitz (1929b) gave the distribution of vestita as England, Holland,
mid-Germany, Hungary (Korosmezo, now Russia), Russia (Archangelsk),
and Finland (including Lapland). In 1940, he gave additional localities, viz.,
Austria, including Styria and the Tyrol; and Silesia. To these may now be
added Scotland and further records from England.
It seems desirable that a more precise and accurate definition of the species
should be available in the literature and this follows, based on representative
material from the recorded distribution :
Megaselia ( Aphiochaeta ) vestita (Wood).
cJ. Frons wider than high (about 3:2), black, a little shining, in some specimens
more strongly; the bristles stout and the hairs numerous and relatively strong, as
much as one-third of the length of the praeocellars in some cases, giving a very hirsute
appearance. Supra-antennals strong and equal, the upper, in most cases, very
noticeably more approximated than the praeocellars, and the lower even more so.
Antials inwardly directed, a little lower than the anterolaterals, and closer to them than
to the upper supra-antennals. Antennae a little larger than usual, black; arista not
long, about the same length as the width of the frons, finely pubescent. Palpi broad
and robust, the lower edge well curved, black; bristles strong.
Thorax black, shining, the shine partly obscured by dense, brownish-black
pubescence, but nevertheless clearly seen by a good light. The pubescence abnormally
long posteriorly, the hairs just before the scutellum partly overhanging it, so stout as
to be almost bristle-like, almost half as long as the dorsocentrals. Pleura also dark,
a little more brownish than the dorsum, sinning, especially anteriorly. Mesopleura
with long bristly hairs similar to those on the dorsum, of uniform length and strength.
Scutellum with two strong bristles and two anterior weak hairs, sometimes as much as
one-third of the length of the bristles.
Abdomen black, dull; venter dark. Sixth segment not much longer than the
preceding ones. Abdominal hairs sparse and generally not very conspicuous, a little
more noticeable on the hind margins and at the sides; longer on the sixth segment,
as much as one-third of the length of the tergite on the sides. Hypopygium (fig. 1) not
large, higher than long, asymmetrical, black with greyish dusting, in oblique light
giving a faintly silvery shine. On the right side, shining brownish at the broad keel¬
like apex below the anal tube; in the middle of the lower margin, in some specimens,
a very small excision or “kink,” probably due to exsiccation; a few tiny hairs on the
shining apex, two stronger, bristle-like hairs near the upper margin, i.e. almost on the
dorsal surface, and a row of three stronger ones along the anterior half of the lower
margin, of about equal length. The left side lacks the shining keel-like prolongation
below the anal tube but is otherwise similar. Anal tube rather long and slender.
1955]
93
greyish-black, a little paler or greyish-brown at the apex ; hairs fairly prominent, the
apical ones almost as long as the anal tube itself. Ventral plate small, yellowish or
brownish, roughly triangular, the apex narrow.
All legs, including the coxae, brownish-black, shining, rather thickly pubescent.
Fore tarsi a little stout, with the fifth segment a little dilated, the pulvilli and claws
prominent. Hind femora moderately dilated, the hairs on the basal half of the ventral
edge of moderate length, about 8-9 in number; the anteroventral hairs in the apical
fourth stout and prominent. Dorsal seam of hind tibiae deflected anteriorly at about
the basal third; posterodorsal cilia moderately strong, about 14 in number, of which
about 7 in the apical half are stouter and more prominent than the remainder.
Wings faintly to moderately tinged with yellowish-brown. Veins brown, the thin
veins clearly pigmented and the adjacent membrane in the darker specimens faintly
infuscated. An erect bristle at the base of the third vein on the upper surface of the
wing. Third vein rather stout; fork rather acute and with apex of third vein not
curved, lumen very small. Fourth vein (first thin vein) obliterated at origin, then
moderately curved, thereafter almost straight. Costal cilia long or moderately long,
17-19 in each row, from humeral crossvein to end of costa. Costal index 0.45. Ratio
of segments, 23:9:5, therefore 1 over half as long again as 2 + 3. Halteres, including
the peduncle, black. Length, 1. 5-2.2 mm.
$. Similar to the male, but antennae a little smaller; the frontal hairs and thoracic
pubescence finer and more sparse, giving the impression that the frons and thorax are
more shining. The wings more strongly tinged in most specimens, with the membrane
adjacent to the thin veins more strongly infuscated. The hairs below the basal half of
the hind femora short, weak and decumbent. The weak anterior scutellar hairs in
some specimens longer, nearly half as long as the bristles. Costal index variable,
0.45-0.47. Ratio of segments, 42:17:10, i.e. 1 more than half as long again as 2 + 3.
Sixth tergite about the same length as the preceding ones. Length, 1.5 to 2.7 mm.
Fig. 1. Megaselia ( Aphiochaeta ) vestita (Wood), male hypopygium, right side. From
dried specimen.
The male described and the female redescribed from the following
material: England, type, $, 30.1v. (12 or 13), Stoke Wood (Tarrington),
Herefordshire, J. H. Wood; $, 20.vii.08, Orford, Suffolk, J. J. F. X. King;
22.vii.08, ditto, Scotland; 23.V.08, Gailes, Ayrshire, J. J. F. X. King;
(£, 23.vi.22, Nethybridge, Inverness-shire, J. J. F. X. King; $, 2.VL23, ditto,
Holland, <$, 31.vii.16, Sittard, H. Schmitz; $, 12.viii.23, Slagharen, H.
Schmitz; 16.iv.39, Valkenburg, H. Schmitz. Austria, $, 13.viii.32,
Planggeross, im Pizztal, Tirol, H. Schmitz; 28.V.47, Haller Mauern,
Lielelalm, Steiermark, +ca. 1500 m., in coll. Schmitz, H. Franz leg.; J,
94
[March
28.vi.48, Schwarzensee, Kl. Solk, Nied. Tauern, Steiermark, +1153 m., in
coll. Schmitz, H. Franz leg. Silesia, & 28.V.23, Wolfelsgrund im Riesenge-
birge, in coll. Schmitz, O. Duda leg. U.S.S.R., $, no date, Archangelsk, in
coll. Schmitz, Hellen leg.
References
Lundbeck, W., 1922. Dipt. Danica , 6: 1-447. Copenhagen.
Schmitz, H., 1917. Die Phoriden von Hollandisch-Limburg. Jahrb. Natuurh.
Genootsch. Limburg, 1917: 79-150.
- 1929a. Zur Kenntnis einiger von Wood beschriebenen Phoridenarten.
Natuurh. Maandbl., 18: 23-4, 33-5.
- 1929b. Revision der Phoriden, 1-211. Berlin and Bonn.
- 1940. Kritisches Verzeichnis der palaarktischen Phoriden, mit Angabe
ihrer Verbreitung. Natuurh. Maandbl., 29: 96, 101-4, 118-20, 127-9; 30: 11-12,
15-17, 34-5-
Wood, J. H., 1909. On the British Species of Phora (Part II). Ent. mon. Mag., 45:
24-9, 59-63, 113-20, 143-9, I9I-5, 240-4.
- 1910. On the British Species of Phora (Part II). Ibid., 46: 149-54, 195-202,
243-9.
- 1914- Notes on British Phora (further additions). Ibid., 50: 152-4.
Genera and species of Anthomyiidae allied to
Chirosia (Diptera)
By J. E. Collin, F.R.E.S.
Among the Anthomyiidae with a distinct posteroventral, as well as an
anteroventral, apical spur to hind tibiae (which by itself is certainly not always
a good group character), and hairs on lower side of costa, there are two
groups of species at present known under the names of Pycnoglossa and
Chirosia which have often been placed in two distinct sub-families because
the eyes of the male are more widely separated in the latter. Actually the
two groups are very closely related to each other, in fact they may well prove
congeneric. They both comprise species in which the males retain (often in
a very modified condition) one of the upper orbital bristles of the females as
well as cruciate frontal bristles. Sometimes (in those placed in Chirosia ) the
male frons is almost as wide as that of the female, and may bear the full
complement of three upper orbitals, but the type (albit arsis) of this supposed
genus has the frons somewhat narrower, and only one upper orbital present ;
in another species ( albifrons ) the male frons is still narrower, connecting up
with species placed under the name Pycnoglossa which have the frons as
narrow as in many normal Anthomyiid males, but all still retain a pair of
small upper orbital bristles usually just in front (but sometimes further in
front) of the ocellar triangle, as well as small undoubted cruciate frontal
bristles. Females of the wider-fronted species of Chirosia appear to have no
character in common by which they can be differentiated from many species
at present placed in Pycnoglossa. However, the type species only of Pycno¬
glossa ( flavipennis ) does possess one distinctive character in both sexes,
namely an arista with long shaggy hairs, not confined to single rows above and
below , and though it has the male genitalia of the Chirosia pattern, the name
Pycnoglossa may perhaps be retained for this species only. The species of
1955]
95
both groups usually have an enlarged theca of the proboscis, but this is
certainly not always the case in at least the males, though if not particularly
enlarged while the scutellum is bare beneath, and no isolated strong bristle is
developed on the upper front part of mesopleura, a species is congeneric.
Another related group, in which the males also retain small cruciate bristles
on frons, and the single upper orbital bristle, was given the name of Melinia
by Ringdahl, but as pointed out by Huckett in 1946 {Bull. Brooklyn Ent. Soc .,
XLI: no) it will have to be known in future under the prior generic name of
Craspedochaeta Mcq. It has quite distinctive male genitalia (figured by
Schnabl & Dziedzicki and Huckett), and the proboscis is not so stout as it
usually is in Chirosia and Pycnoglossa , while the posterior upper orbital
bristle in the female is more equal in length to the one in front of it, and, in
combination with these characters, there is a more distinct isolated strong
bristle on the upper margin of the mesopleura in front (beneath the anterior
notopleural bristle), while scutellum has hairs beneath at tip.
The fact that there is some variation in the stoutness of the proboscis in
species of Chirosia has caused some authors to describe species of this genus
not only under the generic name of Melinia { Craspedochaeta ), but also under
that of Acrostilpna , a name given by Ringdahl to a closely related group with
type latipennis Zett. Species of Acrostilpna have a slender proboscis, and in
the male cruciate frontal bristles, but no upper orbital , the male genitalia
(figured by Schnabl & Dziedzicki and Huckett) are distinctive, and the
strong upper front mesopleural bristle is developed, which helps to
distinguish them from Chirosia.
It will be noted that the distinctive characters of the Pycnoglossa-Chirosia
group are mainly those usually regarded as primitive, and it is an interesting
fact that the life-history of many (if not all) the species is associated with that
primitive group of plants the Filices or Ferns. Species of Chirosia may well
be the present-day representatives of a primitive Anthomyiid stem from
which some of our more specialized groups among the Anthomyiinae have
been evolved.
Key for the identification of British species of
Pycnoglossa and Chirosia
Both sexes
1 (2). Arista with long straggling pubescence in more than two rows.
Larger species with small head and yellowish wings .
. 1. Pycnoglossa flavipennis Fin.
2 (1). Arista short haired above and below, or almost bare. . . .{Chirosia)
Males only
3 (12). Frons at narrowest part not wider than greatest width of third
antennal joint. Anterodorsal bristle on middle tibiae always
present even if only small.
4 (9). Abdomen with shining black reflections from some points of view.
5 (6). Hind femora without a row of distinct posteroventral bristles, at
most only fine hairs becoming somewhat longer towards base.
Lateral margins of scutellum bare below usual strong bristles . .
. 2. cinerosaZett.
[March
96
6 (5). Hind femora with a row of strong posteroventral bristles. Lateral
margins of scutellum with several small setae below strong
bristles.
7 (8). Arista very obviously pubescent. The small pair of upper orbital
bristles nearer to front ocellus than to the pair of cruciate frontal
bristles. Mesolobe of genitalia short and broad, neither bilobed
nor bispinose . 3. setifemur Ringd.
8 (7). Arista only microscopically pubescent. Mesolobe narrowed towards
tip and ending in two long spinose bristles .... 4. signata Brischke
9 (4). Abdomen dull greyish without shining black reflections though a
narrow median stripe may be present.
10 (11). A larger darker species (more like cinerosa and setifemur) with
strongly bristled femora as in the latter, and both posteroventral
and anteroventral rows of setae to hind tibiae, the latter stronger,
about 7-8 in number and the lowermost one strongest .
. 5. similata Tiens.
11 (10). A smaller greyer species with weakly bristled legs, no posteroventral
setae to hind tibiae, and anteroventral row limited to 2-3 fine
setae. Genitalia very unusual and remarkable. .6. aberrans sp. n.
12 (3)* Frons at narrowest part at least wider than greatest width of third
antennal joint, often almost as wide as in female.
13 (14). Front tarsi with first and second joints mainly yellowish-white.
Abdomen dusted greyish with (viewed from behind) a broad
indistinct darker stripe . 7. albitarsis Zett.
14 (13). Front tarsi entirely dark.
15 (16). Abdomen very similar to that of albitarsis , and without shining
black reflections from any point of view. Middle tibiae without
anterodorsal bristle . 8. crassiseta Stein
16 (15). Abdomen viewed from behind with shining black reflections, or
almost entirely shining black.
17 (18). Abdomen entirely shining black when viewed from behind. Legs
weakly bristled with only one small antero- and two small
postero-dorsal bristles to middle tibiae . 9. montana Pok.
18 (17). Abdomen grey with shining black reflections.
19 (20). Frontalia wider than combined width of grey orbits. Lobes of fifth
sternite large, prominent, and with some long strong bristles at
end. Middle tibiae with a strong anterodorsal bristle as well as
others posterodorsally and behind . 10. parvicornis Zett.
20 (19). Frons narrower, frontalia not so wide as combined width of silvery-
grey orbits. No anterodorsal bristle to middle tibiae .
. 11. albifrons T iens .
Females of Chirosia (so far as known)
1 (4). Abdomen dull greyish without any shining black reflections, (if in
doubt and sternopleurals 2 : 2, consult alternative section.)
2 (3). Middle tibiae with two anterodorsal bristles. Abdomen almost
without longer upright bristles . 7. albitarsis Zett.
(Note: It is possible that specimens resembling albitarsis but
with only one anterodorsal bristle on middle tibiae may prove to
be the hitherto unrecognized female of albifrons Tiens.)
97
Middle tibiae with only one anterodorsal bristle. Abdomen with
numerous long upright bristles . 8. crassiseta Stein
Abdomen viewed from behind all shining black, or at least with
shining black reflections.
Sternopleurals 1:1, and no lateral setae below strong bristles on
scutellum . 2. cinerosa Zett.
Sternopleurals 1:2 or 2:2, and lateral setae below strong bristles
on scutellum.
Abdomen with shining black reflections obvious, and with long
outstanding discal bristles on last three tergites.
Aristal pubescence obvious, with hairs much longer than arista is
stout at base . 3. setifemur Ringd.
Aristal pubescence very short, not longer than arista is stout at base.
Larger blacker species. Sternopleurals 2:2. Arista only micro¬
scopically pubescent, almost bare . 4. signata Brischke
Smaller greyer species. Sternopleurals 1 : 2. Arista distinctly though
very shortly pubescent . 10. parvicornis Zett.
Abdomen with shining black reflections much less distinct, and with
long upright discal bristles on last two tergites only. Sterno¬
pleurals 2:2 . 6. aberrans sp. n.
Notes on species
1. Pycnoglossa flavipennis Fin. (1823) has a distribution in Britain from the north of
Scotland to the southern counties of England without being very common. Its life-
history appears to be unknown, but it has been taken from June to September, always
in association with Ferns.
2. Chirosia cinerosa Zett. (1845) appears to be more plentiful in Scotland than
elsewhere, but has been found in Devon and Hants. The larvae have been recorded
as mining the leaves of Bracken without causing them to curl up, but these records
probably relate to the next species. The adults may be found in June.
*3. C. setifemur Ringd. (1939). This is the name given to the C. cinerosa of Stein
nec Zett. It is another species more commonly found in Scotland, but has also been
taken in Sussex. It has been bred by Mr. M. Niblett from mines in the leaves of
Bracken growing in Surrey, and I have taken it in Norfolk, all in June and July.
4. C. signata Brischke (1888). In this species the theca of proboscis is not particu¬
larly stout in the male, which has caused Ringdahl to redescribe it as Melinia betuleti
in 1935, and Tiensuu as Melinia carinata in 1939. The male genitalia figured by these
two authors for their species agree in every respect with the genitalia of a specimen
in my collection bred from a larva feeding in the curled-up fronds of Athyrium filix -
femina and identified as Chirosia signata , so that there can be little doubt concerning
the correctness of this synonymy. Further it is practically certain from Tiensuu’s
figure of the genitalia of his Melinia bisinuata (1939) that this is also a species of
Chirosia and not a Melinia. C. signata has been taken in Scotland, Wales (Merioneth),
and Cornwall, in April and May. It was incorrectly placed in Pegohylemyia by Kloet
and Hincks.
*5. C. similata Tiens. (1939). This was described by Tiensuu as a species of
Acrostilpna, apparently because of its more slender proboscis, though it is certainly
a species of Chirosia. At present I have only seen two British males taken by C. J.
Wainwright, one in Wyre Forest (Worcester), the other, which he kindly gave to me,
at Ottery St. Mary (Devon), in May.
*6. Chirosia aberrans sp. n. <3 9-
A grey species with frons in male about as wide as second antennal joint, and very
distinctive genitalia. Female with sternopleurals 2 : 2, strong outstanding discal bristles
on abdominal tergites 4 and 5 only, and costa more obviously spinose than usual.
cJ. Head differing from that of cinerosa in having slightly wider, greyer frons,
somewhat less prominent lower part of occiput, wider jowls below eyes, somewhat
b * Species marked with an asterisk are additions to the British List.
1955]
3
(2)-
4
(I).
5
(6).
6
(5).
7
(12).
00
(9).
9
(8).
10
(n).
11
(10).
12
(7)-
98
[March
wider upper facial orbits, which are very silvery viewed from above, but with blackish
reflections in side view. Arista practically bare. Proboscis very little swollen.
Thorax gjeyer than in cinerosa with indications of three brownish stripes, acro-
stichals closer together, irregular, a lower anterior sternopleural bristle developed
though not very strongly. Scutellum with 3-4 small setae on lateral margins, no fine
hairs beneath tip.
Abdomen grey with shifting dark reflections giving it in some lights a mottled
appearance from a side view, and when viewed from behind with a dark median stripe
(slightly wider at base of each tergite), and a narrow dark base to each tergite. Bristles
nowhere so long or strong. Genitalia very distinctive, mesolobe bent down almost at
right-angles at middle, and bicuspidate at tip, with short bristles on each point, in
addition a pair of complicated processes apparently arise from its base on each side,
lobes to fifth sternite shorter, narrower, and blunter at end, than in cinerosa.
Legs more weakly bristled, bristles of posteroventral row on basal half of hind
femora practically as long as the anteroventrals, but not so strong. No median dorsal
bristle to front tibiae, and no longer outstanding posteroventral setae to hind tibiae.
Wings not so yellowish.
$. Agreeing with male in most characters. Frons wide and viewed from in front
particularly grey. Proboscis not so stout as in cinerosa. Posterior orbital bristle almost
equal in length to the next one. Abdomen greyer than in cinerosa , but with distinct
blackish reflections, and longer outstanding discal bristles on tergites 4 and 5 only.
Posteroventral bristles on hind femora confined to 1 or 2 near base.
Length from 3.5 to 4.5 mm.
Described from specimens taken at Upton (Norfolk) on 21st May, 1929, and
Horning Ferry in the same county on 25th May, 1953, but specimens were also taken
in marshy ground at Dungeness (Kent) on 1st June, 1936. It appears to have some
association with the Marsh Fern. Mr. E. A. Fonseca has taken it on a peat-moor at
Sharpham (Somerset), and I am informed that the Marsh Fern grows freely on
peat-moors in the West.
7. C. albitarsis Zett. (1845). This is a species found commonly upon Bracken, the
larvae mining in the leaf-stems of that plant. It has a distribution in Britain similar to
that of Pycnoglossa flavipennis. In the female the front tarsi are entirely dark.
8. C. crassiseta Stein (1908). Is to be found on Bracken, and has a similar life-
history to that of albitarsis , but appears to be confined to the southern half of England,
where it is, however, never so abundant as parvicornis.
9. C. montana Pok. (1893) is at present known from only the Highlands of Scotland,
found early in June.
10. C. parvicornis Zett. (1845). This is a common and widely distributed species
found on Bracken, the larvae causing the terminal leaves to curl up. Records of its
appearance indicate a flight period during May and June only.
*11. C. albifrons Tiens. (1938). This species has been taken sparingly on Bracken
during May, June and July, in Cornwall, Hants, Berks., Worcester and Cambs.
Craspedochaeta Mcq. (iS$o)=Melinia Ringd. (1929)
A comparison of the male genitalia and other generic characters of the
S. American C. punctipennis W., type of the genus Craspedochaeta , with those
of M. pullula Zett., type of Melinia Ringd., as given by Huckett (1946),
should convince anyone of the synonymy of these two generic names. The
genus is one with an almost world-wide distribution, having been recorded
from Europe, Africa, N. and S. America, and Australia. Huckett (1946) was
of the opinion that both the European species C. pullula Zett. and Karli
Ringd. (the latter under the earlier name of mimetica Mall.) occur in
N. America, but his figures of the male genitalia of the N. American pullula
do not satisfactorily agree with those of our European species, and there must
be considerable doubt as to their specific identity; as this may also very well
be the case in regard to C. mimetica Mall. (1918) and C. Karli Ringd. (1929),
* Species marked with an asterisk are additions to the British List.
1955]
99
I propose for the present to follow Ringdahl (1950) in retaining the latter
name for our European species. Our British species therefore remain as
C. pullula Zett., Karli Ringd., and cannabina Stein.
I have already in this paper expressed my conviction that some species
have been incorrectly placed in this genus by Ringdahl and Tiensuu, and
should be included in the genus Chirosia. Further there is another species,
described by Ringdahl in 1950 as *Melinia luteipennis , which also should not
remain in Craspedochaeta. It has been taken in various counties in the South
of England, as well as in Wales, Yorkshire, and Scotland (Perthshire) in
June, while I have also seen specimens from Denmark. Previous to Ringdahl’s
description it stood in my collection as an aberrant Acrostilpna under the MS.
name of “ insignis .” It resembles Acrostilpna latipennis in the male in having
no small orbital bristles in front of ocellar triangle, but differs in having
no cruciate bristles on frontalia in either sex , proboscis not particularly slender,
or shining, and front mouth-edge not prominent. With this combination of
characters it can scarecly remain in either Craspedochaeta or Acrostilpna.
Except for the development of the posteroventral apical spur to hind tibiae
(which certainly is not always of generic importance), it possesses so many of
the characters of a black-legged Pegomyia that it probably ought to be
placed in that genus.
C. pullula Zett. is easily recognized by its clouded cross veins (which are
clear in the other two species). It is a common and widely distributed species.
The males vary in the extent of approximation of the eyes on the frons, but
there appear to be no differences in the genitalia between specimens with
wider, and those with narrower, frons. Both types of males have all tibiae
dark, but some females have the four posterior tibiae extensively pale. The
problem whether these differences represent anything more than variations,
or whether there is any correlation between these differences in each sex of
the two forms has not yet been elucidated.
C. Karli Ringd. has a more obviously pubescent arista than C. cannabina
which it otherwise resembles. I have taken it at Barton Mills (Suffolk) in
May and June, also at Chippenham Fen (Cambs.), Upton (Norfolk), and in
Scotland, and Mr. E. A. Fonseca in the New Forest (Hants) in July.
C. cannabina Stein. All my specimens of this species were bred in April
and May, by Mr. E. B. Basden, from nests of various birds built in hedges.
In the male the lobes of fifth abdominal sternite agree with those of
C. punctipennis W., figured by Huckett in 1946, in having a small curved
spine on inner margin near base. In each of the three species these lobes are
of distinctive shape.
Acrostilpna Ringdahl (1929)
Species of this genus have, in both sexes, a slender shining black proboscis,
a somewhat produced front mouth-edge, cruciate bristles on frons, and a
distinct anterior mesopleural bristle beneath anterior notopleural, while the
male has no minute upper orbitals, and distinctive genitalia. Thus charac¬
terized we have only one British species, latipennis Zett., because, as stated
under Chirosia , the species described by Tiensuu in 1939 as A. similata is
a Chirosia.
Species marked with an asterisk are additions to the British List.
100
[March
The larvae of A. latipennis is said to mine in the stems of Athyrium filix-
femina. It is not an uncommon species in Scotland (Inverness- and Perth¬
shire) in June and July, but I have also taken it in the New Forest (Hants)
in June.
Huckett in his 1946 paper on the American species of Acrostilpna includes
A. latipennis Zett. as a species with the discal surface of the scutellum bare,
which is not the case in our latipennis , moreover in his figure of the male
genitalia the paralobes are much less deeply cleft at tip, and lobes of fifth
abdominal sternite have a bluntly conical projection at middle of inner
margin, which is not present in our British species.
PSEUDOPHAONIA STEINI RlNGD. (DIPT., MUSCIDAE) IN SUFFOLK
By E. C. M. d’Assis-Fonseca, B.Sc., F.R.E.S.
The above species was taken in considerable numbers by Messrs. J. E.
Collin, J. Cowley and myself at Barton Mills (Suffolk) on 5th June, 1954.
Towards late afternoon, noticing some males of an unfamiliar-looking Muscid
resting on nettle-leaves in the sun. I captured about half-a-dozen specimens.
On examining one of these Mr. Collin immediately recognized it as Pseudo-
phaonia steini Ringd., a species which he tells me he has sought repeatedly
since capturing the first British specimen (a male) at Barton Mills on 19th
September, 1938 (Collin, 1944, Ent. mon. Mag., 80: 135). A closer examina¬
tion of the area around the nettle patch revealed that the flies were in fact
being attracted by some rather fresh cow-dung nearby, and it was immediately
observed that the dung was also attracting a small species of Staphylinid
beetle (unidentified), which was hovering to and fro in a dense swarm a few
inches above the surface. The flies were mostly settling on the dung and
a large number of specimens was easily captured by one or two sweeps of the
net. Some equally fresh horse-dung a short distance away showed the same
attraction for both beetles and flies.
Our captures of steini on that day contained a very large preponderance of
males, and it was hoped that females might be more abundant on a subsequent
visit. When, however, the same patches of dung were examined two days
later, the weather having turned rather cooler, no specimens of steini were
found, nor was there any sign of the swarm of beetles. A careful search
throughout the area brought no better luck. It was assumed from this
experience that the weather conditions and the state of freshness of the dung
were probably important factors, and it was further thought that the presence
of a swarm of Staphylinid beetles might well be an indication that the flies
were also present. This was indeed confirmed when Mr. Collin visited Barton
Mills again on 2nd July, a warm sunny day, and found P. steini in numbers
(females predominating on this occasion) on patches of fresh cow-and horse-
dung over which the same beetles were again hovering. Ringdahl (1945)
states that he found steini, together with Pseudophaonia major Ringd. and
species of Polietes and Mydaea, on horse-dung which was so fresh as to be
almost steaming, but he makes no reference to a swarm of beetles.
Since P. steini is little known in this country, I give below a translation of
Ringdahl’s original description (as Trichopticus steinii) made in 1913. Later
(1922) Ringdahl erected a new genus, Polietella, for his species, but in 1945
1955]
IOI
recognized that it was synonymous with Pseudophaonia Malloch (1918). The
words in brackets are additional to the original description.
Pseudophaonia steini Ringd.
c?. Head somewhat flat, as broad as thorax, eyes bare or very sparsely haired,
separated by a black frontal stripe (about twice as wide as third antennal segment),
frons not prominent, cheeks and jowls rather narrow, mouthedge not protruding.
Face entirely silvery-grey pruinose, a white lunule above base of antennae. Antennae
black, as long as face, third segment almost three times as long as second. Arista (very)
long plumose. Proboscis black, somewhat short and thick (palpi somewhat spatulate
and very bristly). Thorax black, ash grey pruinose, especially at sides, with four black
stripes, outer pair broader. Dorsum with scattered bristles, otherwise bare, four post-
sutural dorsocentrals, acrostichals strong and biserial. Scutellum blackish-grey.
Abdomen elongate-oval, as long as thorax, thickly yellowish-grey pruinose, with faint
greyish shifting spots, dorsal stripe reaching to apex and slightly broadened out at
hindmargin of each segment. Legs black, hind tibiae usually faintly transparent
reddish, claws and pulvilli rather short. Front tibiae with two-three distinct bristles
below middle, middle tibiae with one anterodorsal, usually four posterodorsal, and
two-three posteroventral bristles. Hind femora with a complete anteroventral row of
bristly-hairs, becoming longer and stronger towards apex of femur, hind tibiae with
a long dorsal bristle at apical third, posteroventrally along almost whole length with
long bristly-hairs, and ventrally at apex with a long erect spur similar to that in
Trichopticus hirsutulus and nigritellus. Wings hyaline, slightly yellowish at base, costal
spine absent, cubital and discal veins diverging, the discal vein straight, hinder cross¬
vein straight, somewhat shorter than its distance from small crossvein, squamae
unequal, whitish, halteres yellow. Length about 6 mm.
$. Frons rather broad with distinct crossed bristles. Abdomen with distinct
shifting spots and dorsal stripe. All tibiae transparent reddish-yellow, the front ones
darker. Bristling of front and middle tibiae as in male, hind tibiae with three-four
anteroventral bristles, without apical spur. In all other respects similar to male.
The function of the conjunctiva in copulation of a
SHIELDBUG, PlEZODORUS LITURATUS (FABRICIUS) (HEMIPTERA,
Pentatomidae)
By Dennis Leston, F.R.E.S.
Introduction
The aedeagus of shieldbugs (Pentatomoidea) has been studied by Dohm
(1866), Sharp (1890), Pruthi (1925), Baker (1931), Balfour-Browne (1932)
and Piotrowski (1950); in most cases the aedeagus has been figured and
described after maceration and in a retracted state. When not copulating the
aedeagus is withdrawn within the 9th segment and the vesica and conjunc¬
tival appendages lie collapsed within the theca ; thus to view these structures
the aedeagus must be dissected out and its endosoma teased out manually.
In most shieldbugs this is a hazardous procedure and too risky to be attempted
on holotypes (but in Scutellerinae sensu str. a comparatively simple operation;
cf. Leston, 1952). Sailer (1952) has, however, managed to show sufficient of
the conjunctiva in Mecidea to demonstrate its taxonomic importance whilst
Bonnemaison (1952) has figured the erected male genitalia of Eurydema.
Recently the expanded aedeagus has been studied in many shieldbugs
(Leston, 1952, 1953a, 1953b, 1953c, 1954a, 1954b, 1954c); expansion was
obtained by manipulation of museum material after KOH maceration and
neutralizing and staining in acid fuchsin in acetic acid. The present paper
considers the naturally expanded aedeagus in order to see if structures are
missed by manipulatory methods and attempts to elucidate the functions of
the parts in copulation in relation to the female ovipositor.
102
[March
Observations
By sweeping gorse a number of Piezodorus lituratus (F.) were obtained at
Oxshott, Surrey, during late May, 1954. Placed in a breeding cage with
stems of the host-plant and given top lighting, the bugs ascended the stems
and went through a complex courtship. Male stridulation (not previously
noticed in this species) played an important part in the preliminaries;
subsequently males butted the sides of the female abdomen in a manner
similar to that described in Dolycoris (Teyrovsky, 1949). Connection was
obtained from a lateral position and mating proceeded in the familiar tail-to-
tail posture; prior to coupling the males extruded the entire 9th segment and
rotated it some 45 0 on either side of the mid-line whilst the gonopods too
were extruded and rotated slightly. The long 8th-9th intersegmental
membrane enables extrusion and rotation to occur; complete reversal — i.e.
rotation through 1800 — is possible and has been noted in other genera
(e.g., in Nezara and Palomena). No movement of the female plates was
noticed during courtship and whether opening of the valvifers is controlled
directly by the female or due, in part, to grasping of the 2nd valvifers by the
male gonopods remains unelucidated.
During copulation the vagina opens by a dorsal shift of the 8th and follow¬
ing segments. The intersegmental membranes between sternum 7 laterally
and paratergite 8 are stretched as are also the membranes between the 1st and
2nd valvifers. The aedeagus, when expanded (by body fluid pumped by the
muscled basal plate pump through the concentric canal surrounding the
sperm duct), pushes the proctiger (anal flap) up and fills most of the genital
atrium. It is far wider across than the female opening and must therefore
be expanded fully only after insertion. Bonnemaison (1952) states that
expansion is produced by the action of muscles attached to the basal plate
and by seminal pressure; the basal plate muscles are in fact primarily
concerned with the preliminary swinging into action of the aedeagus which,
when at rest, points towards the male’s head. Seminal fluid plays no direct
part in erection for it is led straight through the theca in a narrow duct to
the base or side of the so-called reservoir and does not fill the theca or
appendages. As Baker (1931) has shown, the basal plate is connected
laterally to the gonopods ; swinging out of the aedeagus, therefore, also leads
to erection of the gonopods.
During copulation the male gonopods are pressed firmly against the
outside of the 2nd valvifers and their somewhat hooked tips facilitate the
process. The 2nd valvifers are held between the gonopods externally and the
sclerotic-tipped dorsal conjunctival appendages internally. The paired and
bifid ventral conjunctival appendages lie within the vagina ventrally and
press outwards upon the inner surface of the 1st valvifers. It will be seen,
therefore, that the entire external opening into the vagina is closed by the
conjunctival appendages within it pressing the valvifers backwards and
sandwiching them against the gonopods.
In P. lituratus the vesica, through which runs the sperm duct, is a short
and narrow sclerotic tube supported laterally by a pair of sclerotic wings, the
sclerotized median conjunctival appendage (median penis lobe of Baker,
1931). It is not clear as to whether the sperm duct enters the spermatheca but
the apices of the sclerotic wings correspond in shape to the sclerotization
1955]
103
surrounding the entrance to the spermatheca and thus entry of the apical
vesica, with the external gonopore, into the spermathecal duct is probable.
Comparison of the naturally erected aedeagus with that obtained by
manipulation of dead material showed that manipulation can, if properly
carried out, give an accurate picture of the aedeagus and its attendant
structure and appendages: however, allowance must be made for not quite
complete expansion of membranous parts. So far success has been met with
in all shieldbugs upon which instrumental erection has been attempted save
for Brachyplatidae and Dinidorinae.
Figs. 1-3. Piezodorus lituratus (F.). 1, Male 9th segment, dorsal aspect, with
genitalia expanded. 2, Male 9th segment, terminal aspect, with venter down¬
wards. 3, Female ovipositor in copulating position, terminal aspect, with venter
uppermost. Scales =0.5 mm.
Attempts have been made to use the collapsed aedeagus in comparative
studies: this has led to considerable error — e.g., Pruthi found two pairs of
conjunctival appendages in Sehirus , from which he concluded that they
bridged the gap between Pentatominae and Scutellerinae. Leston (1954c)
has shown that Sehirus possess three pairs of appendages, a character held in
common with such primitive groups as Phloeidae, Tessaratominae and
Pyrrhocoridae. Variation in number and position of the conjunctival
appendages, especially reduction from the primitive tri-flabellate state,
provides an important taxonomic character in the Pentatomoidea, albeit only
a single character which cannot, of course, stand alone.
104
[March
Bonhag and Wick (1953) have studied the interrelations of the male and
female genitalia during copulation in a Lygaeid, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas).
They subjected mating pairs to rapid refrigeration, a method of value in the
study of forms with filiform aedeagi. The present study has been made by
plunging copulating pairs into boiling water: no abnormal contraction or
expansion took place and, because of the elasticity of the conjunctiva, the
bugs could be disconnected without collapse of the appendages.
Conclusions
1. Studies of the aedeagus of Pentatomoidea and related groups are of
little value unless the aedeagus is expanded.
2. Expansion can usually be obtained by manipulation after KOH and
acetic acid treatment.
3. Naturally expanded aedeagi can be obtained by plunging mating pairs
into boiling water; where the aedeagus is non-filiform it can readily be
separated from the female.
4. During copulation in Pentatominae the male gonopods are adpressed
against the outside of the 2nd valvifers of the female.
5. The conjunctival appendages of male Pentatominae lie within the
vagina during copulation and completely block the external opening of the
latter. The dorsal appendages lie behind the 2nd valvifers, pressing these
against the male gonopods : the ventral appendages press backwards behind
the 1 st valvifers.
6. The vesica probably enters the opening of the spermathecal duct and
is assisted in maintaining contact by the median, sclerotized, conjunctival
appendage. In Piezodorus and many other Pentatominae the median appen¬
dage takes the form of a pair of rigid wings to the apical vesica.
7. During copulation the vagina opens by a dorsal shift of the 8th and
following segments, leading to stretching of the 7th-8th intersegmental and
ist-2nd intervalviferal membranes.
References
Baker, A. D., 1931. A study of the male genitalia of Canadian species of Pentatomidae.
Canad.J. Res., 4: 148-220.
Balfour- Browne, F., 1932. A text-book of practical entomology. London: Arnold.
Bonhag, P. F., and Wick, J. R., 1953. The functional anatomy of the male and
female reproductive systems of the Milkweed Bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas)
(Heteroptera : Lygaeidae). J. Morph., 93: 177-283.
Bonnemaison, L., 1952. Morphologie et biologie de la Punaise ornee du chou
(Eurydema ventralis Kol.). Ann. Epiphyt., 3 (2): 127-272.
Dohrn, A., 1866. Zur Anatomie der Hemipteren. Stettin ent. Z., 27: 321-52.
Leston, D., 1952. Notes on the Ethiopian Pentatomoidea (Hemiptera): VIII,
Scutellerinae Leach of Angola, with remarks upon the male genitalia and classifi¬
cation of the subfamily. Publ. cult. Cia. Diam. Angola, 16: 9-26.
- 1953a. Phloeidae Dallas (Hem., Pentatomoidea): systematics and
morphology, with remarks on the phylogeny of Pentatomoidea Leach and upon
the position of Serbana Distant. Rev. brasil. Biol., 13: 121-40.
- 1953b. On the wing- venation, male genitalia and spermatheca of Podops
inuncta (F.), with a note on the diagnosis of the subfamily Podopinae Dallas (Hem.,
Pentatomidae). J. Soc. Brit. Ent., 4: 129-35.
- 1953c. Notes on the Ethiopian Pentatomoidea (Hemiptera): XVI, an
Acanthosomid from Angola, with remarks upon the status and morphology of
Acanthosomidae Stal. Publ. cult. Cia. Diam. Angola, 16: 121-32.
1955]
I05
Leston, D., 1954a. Notes on the Ethiopian Pentatomoidea (Hem.): XII, on some
specimens from Southern Rhodesia, with an investigation of certain features in
the morphology of Afrius figuratus (Germar) and remarks upon the male genitalia
in Amyoteinae. Occ. Pap. Nat. Mus. S. Rhodesia , 19: 628-36.
- 1954b. Wing venation and male genitalia of Tessaratoma Berthold, with
remarks on Tessaratominae Stal (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae). Proc. R. ent. Soc.
Lond. (A), 29: 9-16.
- 1954c. The male genitalia of Sehirus bicolor (L.) (Heteroptera, Cydnidae).
J. Soc. Brit. Ent., 5: 75-8.
Piotrowski F., 1950. Sur la morphologie de l’appareil copulateur male des
Hemipteres-Heteropteres, avec consideration speciale du groupe Pentatomoidaria
Borner 1934. Soc. Amis. Sci. Lettr. Poznan (B), 12: 237-74.
Pruthi, H. S., 1925. The morphology of the male genitalia in Rhynchota. Trans, ent.
Soc. Lond., 1925: 127-267.
Sailer, R. I., 1952. A revision of the stink bugs of the genus Mecidea. Proc. U.S.
Nat. Mus., 102: 471-505.
Sharp, D., 1890. On the structure of the terminal segment in some male Hemiptera.
Trans, ent. Soc. Lond., 1890: 399-427.
Teyrovsky, V., 1949. Praeconnubia and courtship in terrestrial bugs. Acta Acad. Sci.
nat. Moravo- Silesia, 21 (3): 1-16.
COLEOPTERA TAKEN BY SWIFTS (Apus APUS L.)
By D. F. Owen
(Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Oxford)
Introduction
Previous papers on the food of the Swift Apus apus have dealt with the
spiders (Owen and Le Gros, 1954), the Diptera (Parmenter and Owen, 1954)
and the Aphididae (Owen, 1954), while a more general paper on the food
and feeding habits of the Swift has also been written (Lack and Owen in
press). This paper deals with the Coleoptera found in meals obtained from
young and adult Swifts at the nest (as described already) from Oxford and
Radley (Berkshire). Each of the meals obtained comprised a compact ball of
300-1,500 insects (plus some spiders), many of which were still alive. Almost
all the meals were collected in July.
As Swifts are entirely aerial feeders all the beetles obtained would have
been caught in the air.
Species taken
All the beetles in 12 meals collected at Radley in 1944 have, so far as
possible, been identified. The beetles in 7 meals collected at Oxford in
1949-51 have been identified to families, and the most numerous species in
19 meals collected at Oxford in 1952 have been identified specifically.
A complete list is given in Appendix 1. The names are from Kloet and
Hincks (1945).
The 12 Radley meals contained 1,201 beetles of 19 families and at least 81
species, representing about 13% of the food in these meals. The number
of beetles in a meal ranged from 6 to 274. The most numerous families were
the Nitidulidae (33% of total), the Chrysomelidae (25%), the Staphylinidae
(15%) and the Curculionidae (13%). The commonest species were
Meligethes aeneus (26% of all the beetles taken) and Phyllotreta nemorum
(18%). These two were the fourth and sixth commonest of all the insects in
the Radley meals. Other species were each taken less than 90 times, and many
were recorded only once or twice.
io6
[March
In the 7 meals collected at Oxford in 1949-51 there were 974 beetles of 9
families. The commonest families, in order of numbers taken, were the
Nitidulidae, the Curculionidae and the Chrysomelidae.
The most numerous families in 19 meals collected at Oxford in 1952 were
the Chrysomelidae, the Curculionidae and the Hydrophilidae. The com¬
monest species were Phyllotreta atra , Sitona lineatus and Phyllotreta nemorum.
There are some interesting differences in the numbers of certain species
taken at Radley in 1944 and at Oxford in 1952. Many Helophorus spp. were
found in 1952 but only 2 in 1944. These beetles often fly over water, where
they could have been caught by the Swifts, but they may also fly over open
fields. Sitona lineatus , a pest of beans, was very numerous on some days in
1952, but was not found at all in 1944. Phyllotreta spp. were numerous in
both years, but in 1952 P. atra was the commonest and in 1944 P. nemorum.
Table i
Daily variation in the numbers of some species, 1944
Species
13
14
Dates (July)
15 16 17
19
22
(1)*
(1)
(2)
(1)
(3)
(2)
(2)
T achy porous chrysomelinus . .
1
22
8
3
4
10
T. hypnorum
1
23
14
5
8
33
—
Meligethes aeneus
4
3i
19
2
33
221
—
M. picipes
6
16
22
5
5
9
—
Typhoea stercorea
—
—
15
12
—
—
—
Adalia decempunctata
—
2
—
44
2
—
A. bipunctata
1
—
—
—
11
—
—
Lema melanopa
—
—
—
24
1
—
—
Phyllotreta vittula
—
2
1
10
—
—
P. nemorum
—
1
1
—
209
15
—
Apthona euphorbiae
—
2
1
1
—
1
6
Sitona puncticollis
—
17
—
—
12
2
—
Phytonomus nigrirostris
—
4
—
—
25
4
—
Stenocarus fuliginosus
38
—
1
—
5
5
—
Ceuthorhynchus pleurostigma
—
1
4
—
4
2
—
* Number of meals examined.
Table 1 shows that in 1944 there was a marked tendency for species to be
confined to a few meals on certain days. Thus, although Meligethes aeneus was
the commonest species (310 specimens), it was common only on 19th July,
when in two meals there were 221. Of the 48 Adalia decempunctata , 44 were
in three meals collected on 17th July and of the 25 Lema melanopa 24 were in
one meal. In the three meals collected on 17th July there were 209 Phyllotreta
nemorum and only 17 on all the other days. Similarly, 25 out of 33 Phytonomus
nigrirostris were taken on this day. Tachyporus chrysomelinus and T. hypnorum
appeared in fair numbers on most days, but were more numerous on 14th and
19th July than on other days.
It appears that the numbers of different species of beetles in the air
fluctuate considerably from day to day, with the result that the Swifts catch
certain species in large numbers on some days and hardly at all on other days.
Evidently the numbers of different species in the air change from day to day
because of hatching, dying and also the weather, the Swifts catching any that
happen to be available. It is also possible that Swifts sometimes find local
1955]
107
concentrations of particular species. For instance in one meal containing 58
insects collected at Oxford in 1950, there were 39 Amara familiaris Duft.
(Carabidae), suggesting that the Swift had found a local swarm.
Comparison with trapping records
It is interesting to compare the records of beetles caught by Swifts with
aerial trapping records. Freeman (1945) found that during two summers,
beetles comprised 5.6% of the total insects trapped in Lincolnshire, and that
there were fewer beetles in the air in July than in the other months from May
to October. Throughout the summer, not necessarily in July, the commonest
families trapped were the Staphylinidae (especially Tachyporus , Oxytelus and
Atheta ), the Lathridiidae and the Chrysomelidae (especially Phyllotreta
undulata and Ckaetocnema concinna). The Curculionidae were mainly
confined to June, the commonest species being Sitona lineatus , S’. hispidulus
and Apion dichoum. Hardy and Miln (1938) found that the Chrysomelidae
and the Staphylinidae were the most numerous families trapped at various
places in England during the summers of four years.
If the above records are compared with the results from Swift meals it
will be seen that there are some differences, also some similarities, in the
numbers of some of the families represented. The chief difference was the
scarcity of the Lathridiidae in the Swift meals and their abundance in
the traps.
Size of prey
Almost all the beetles taken were small. This agrees with the results from
other orders where it was found that Swifts avoided both very large and very
small species, and also that smaller insects were taken chiefly on dull windy
days, when other larger prey was not available (Lack and Owen in press).
At Oxford on 29th June, 1949, Miss M. M. Betts watched Swifts trying to
catch large beetles, eventually identified as Amphimallus solstitialis L., which
were flying over some grass and trees. The Swifts often caught one of these
beetles, but often dropped one as they were too large to swallow comfortably.
This beetle is well above the average size of insect that the Swift usually takes.
Acknowledgements
I am extremely grateful to Prof. L. W. Grensted for identifying and to Miss
M. M. Betts for collecting and identifying the beetles in the meals collected
in 1944 and 1949-51 respectively, and also to Mr. R. Vaughan for collecting
and to Mr. R. B. Freeman for sorting the 1944 meals.
Appendix i
List of Coleoptera in Swift meals
(a) Families, with commonest species in brackets (1944 only).
Radley, 1944
Oxford, 1949-51
(7 meals)
(12 meals)
I.
Carabidae
. . —
40
2.
Hydrophilidae
. . 6
ri
3.
Silphidae
2
1
4-
Leiodidae
1
—
5-
Staphylinidae
194
274
{T achy porous chryscmelinus (L.))
(48)
( T. hypnorum (F.))
(86)
( Tachyporous sp.) . .
(28)
[March
108
Radley, 1944
Oxford, 1949-
(12 meals)
(7 meals)
6.
Elateridae
1
_
7-
Nitidulidae
392
445
(. Meligethes aeneus (F.))
(310)
(M. picipes Sturm.)
(63)
8.
Cucujidae
1
—
9-
Cryptophagidae
4
—
10.
Phalacridae
10
—
11.
Lathridiidae
IO
2
12.
Mycetophagidae
27
—
( Typhoea stercorea (L.))
(27)
13.
Coccinellidae
69
8
{Adalia decempunctata (L.))
(48)
(A. bipunctata (L.))
(12) ‘
14.
Anobiidae
3
—
15-
Pythidae
1
—
16.
Anthicidae
3
—
17-
Chrysomelidae
306
47
( Lema melanopa (L.))
(25)
(. Phyllotreta vittula Redt.) . .
(13)
(P. nemorum (L.))
(226)
(Apthona euphorbiae (Schr.))
(11)
18.
Bruchidae
1
—
19.
Curculionidae
160
146
( Sitona puncticollis Steph.) . .
(3i)
{Phytonomus nigrirostris (F.))
(33)
{Stenocarus fuliginosus (Marsh.))
(49)
{Ceuthorhynchus floralis (Pk.))
(11)
20.
Scolytidae . .
8
—
(b) Species caught less than io times at Radley, 1944. Numbers refer to families
as above.
2, Helophorus brevipalpis Bed., Megasternum obscurum (Marsh.). 3, Sciodrepa fumata
(Spence). 4, Leiodes scita (Ev.). 5, Proteinus ovalis Steph., Oxytelus inustus Gr.,
O. nitidulus Gr., O. tetracarinatus (Block), Platysterhus arenarius (Geoff.), Quedius
cinctus (Pk.), Tachyporus pusillus Gr., T. formosus Matth., Amischa analis (Gr.),
Atheta atramentaria (Gyll.), Atheta sp. 6, Adrastus nitidulus (Marsh.). 7, Brachypterus
glaber (Steph.), Meligethes viridescens (F.), M. difficilis (Heer), M. erythropus (Gyll.),
M. lugubris Sturm, Meligethes sp. 8, Monotoma conicicollis (Aub.). 9, Cryptophagus
ajflnis Sturm., Atomaria fuscata (Schoen.), A. pusilla (Pk.), Atomaria sp. 10, Phalacrus
coruscus (Panz.), Olibrus aeneus (F.), Stilbus oblongus (Er.). 11, Lathridius lardarius
(Deg.), Enicmus transversus (Ol.), E. histrio Joy, Corticaria elongata (Gyll.), Corticarina
gibbosa (Hbst.). 13, Calvia quattuordecimgutta (L.), Propylea quatourdecimpunctata
(L.), Paramysia oblongoguttata (L.). 14, Anobium punctatum (Deg.), A. fulvicorne
Sturm. 15, Salpingus ater (Gyll.). 16, Notoxus monocerus (L.), Anthicus floralis (L.),
A. antherinus (L.). 17, Gastrophysa polygoni (L.), Phyllotreta undulata Kuts, P. atra
(F.), Longitarsus ochroleucus (Marsh.), L. gracilis Kuts., Chaetocnema concinna (Marsh.),
C. hortensis (Geoffr.). 18, Bruchus loti Payk. 19, Apion violaceum Kirby, A. pisi F.,
A. assimile Kirby, Sitona hispidulus F., 5. humeralis Steph., Curculio salicivorus Pk.,
Phytonomus nigrirostris (F.), P. fuscocinereus (Marsh.), P. posticus (Gyll.), Ceuthor-
hynchus floralis (Pk.), C. assimilis (Pk.), C. quadridens (Panz.), C. erysimi (F.), Rhinoncus
castor (F.). 20, Scolytus multistriatus (Marsh.), 5. scolytus (F.), Polygraphus poly-
graphus (L.), Dryocoetes villosus (F.).
(c) Families and chief species found in 19 meals from Oxford, 1952.
Hydrophilidae 97 (all Helophorus sp.)
Staphylinidae 38
Cantharidae 3 (all Cantharis fulvicollis F.)
Coccinellidae 23 (6 species, each represented by less than 10 individuals).
Chrysomellidae 623 ( Phyllotreta vittula Redt. 15, P. nemorum (L.) 128, P. atra
(F) 462, P. nigripes (F.) 11, and 3 other Phyllotreta spp.
represented by less than 10 specimens each)
1955] i°9
Curculionidae 428 ( Sitona lineatus (L.) 384, Phytonomus nigrirostris (F.) 7,
Ceuthorhynchus sp. 9)
Coleoptera indet. 14
References
Freeman, J. A., 1945. Studies in the distribution of insects by aerial currents.
J. Animal Ecol.3 14: 128-54.
Hardy, A. C., and Miln, P. S., 1938. Studies in the distribution of insects by aerial
currents. J. Animal Ecol.3 7: 199-229.
Kloet, G. S., and Hincks, W. D., 1945. A check list of British Insects. Stockport.
Lack, D., and Owen, D. F. (in press). The food of the Swift. J. Animal Ecol.
Owen, D. F., 1954. The Swift Apus apus L. as a predator of Aphids. J. Soc. Brit .
Ent.3 5: 82-5.
Owen, D. F., and Le Gros, A. E., 1954. Spiders caught by Swifts. Ent. Gaz.y
5: 117-20.
Parmenter, L., and Owen, D. F., 1954. The Swift Apus apus L. as a predator of flies.
J. Soc. Brit. Ent.y 5: 27-33.
Thrips on the Stinkhorn Fungus
{Phallus impudicus Pers.)
By Kenneth G. V. Smith, M.I.Biol., F.R.E.S.
(Hope Dept, of Entomology, Oxford)
During an investigation of the Diptera associated with the Stinkhorn
{Phallus impudicus Pers.) one specimen of this fungus was found to be
infested with Thysanoptera. Dr. Guy Morison informs me that despite
search on all the larger fungi, including a few specimens of P. impudicus , he
has never found them frequented by thrips. The fungus was an old one,
broken due to the feeding of slugs and lying on its side in long grass. The
gleba containing the spores had been removed by the feeding of flies. The
nearest flowers were a few Lychnis dioica L. about fifteen yards away, but no
thrips were found on these or on the surrounding grasses, which were swept
thoroughly.
These observations were made in Wolverhampton, Staffs., on 26.x. 54
and the following list of thrips found on the fungus are fairly common
Staffordshire species :
Taeniothrips atratus Hal., 8
T. vulgatissimus Hal., 1 ?.
Thrips flavus Schrank, 19
T . fuscipennis Hal., 1 ?.
T. major Uzel, 3 $$.
The thrips were distributed over the whole of the fungus and it is doubtful
if the odour or the gleba attracted them since several other fruiting bodies in
the area were not infested. Sunlight may have been a deciding factor,
however, since the main colony of the fungus was shaded beneath trees,
whereas this single specimen was isolated and exposed to sunlight most of
the day. Sunlight was also found to be an important factor governing the
number of flies attracted to this fungus.
Full details of the Diptera associated with P. impudicus are to be published
elsewhere. Best thanks are due to Dr. Morison for kindly naming the thrips
and for useful discussion.
no
[March
TWO INTERESTING BRITISH RECORDS OF THYSANOPTERA
By T. Lewis
(Zoology Section, University of Nottingham ; School of Agriculture, Sutton
Bonington, Loughborough)
1. Abiastothrips schaubergeri (Priesner, 1920) (Phlaeothripidae) — new to
Britain.
On the 14th July, 1954, whilst collecting thrips at Box Hill, Surrey, I took
an unfamiliar member of the suborder Tubulifera on wheat ( Triticum
aestivum L.), which subsequently proved to be a (macropterous) male of
Abiastothrips schaubergeri (Priesner) and, since this species has not hitherto
been found in Britain, opportunity is now taken to place the above on record.
The specimen will be deposited in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.).
Although the thrips was found in the inflorescence it had probably alighted
on the wheat accidentally, since the adults and larvae almost certainly feed on
spores of certain, perhaps minute, fungi growing on dead wood (Dr. G. D.
Morison, in litt ., 1954).
The species (originally included in the genus Trichothrips) was based on a
single (macropterous) female caught in flight in Upper Austria (Priesner,
1920). Subsequent to the original description a male and three second instar
larvae were taken in stems of Rubus in Germany and larvae (probably
belonging to this species) were also found in great numbers under the bark
of dead oak in Holland ( cf . Priesner, 1928, who cites the relevant literature).
Dr. G. D. Morison (in litt., 1954) al so notes that adults have been reared
from old galls of Andricus circulans Mayr. (Cynips kollari (Hartig.)) in
Czechoslovakia.
Abiastothrips was originally described as a subgenus of Trichothrips by
Priesner (1925), but it was subsequently given generic status and redefined
by its author (1928). Since the genus is new to the British list, the characters
used by Priesner may be repeated as follows :
Antennae 8 — segmented, the 7th and 8th segments fused together. Head
about as long as broad, cheeks without spines or warts ; mouthcone rounded,
labrum extending somewhat beyond the labium; interspace between the
insertion of the antenne unusually large, but not quite so great as the marginal
eye-length. Body-bristles almost hyaline. Wings of even breadth in the
middle, with supernumerary cilia. Fore femur of female not thickened, that
of male somewhat thickened; fore tarsus of both sexes toothed. Tube short.
Abiastothrips tracks down in Morison’s (1949) key to the British genera of
Phlaeothripidae as far as the last genus, Phlaeothrips , butj may be separated
by adding the following to the key :
“Antennae only about 1.5 times as long as head, segment I short and
broad, II longer and narrower than I; segments VII and VIII fused together;
fore femur little enlarged in $, greatly enlarged in wings macropterous;
body-bristles long and tapering, those on prothorax and abdominal segments
2, 3, 4 and 8 capitate (fig. 4). Abdominal segment 9 of $ extended like a
small scale over base of tube . Abiastothrips Pries.’*
1955]
III
Figs. 1-4. 1, Abiastothnps schaubergeri (Priesner) (J. 2, Id. Left antenna (dorsal).
3, Id. Fore Tarsus. 4, Id. Capitate hair (from second abdominal segment).
1 12
[March
Priesner (1928) also gives descriptions of the (macropterous) male, female
and the second larval instar but it is scarcely necessary to repeat these in the
absence of more than a single species. The accompanying figures are given
to aid identification. The species is also figured by Priesner (1920, 1926, 1928).
2. Euchaetothrips kroli (Schille, 1910) (Thripidae) — new to Nottinghamshire.
On 19th and 30th September and 9th and 20th October, 1954, Euchaeto¬
thrips kroli (Schille) was taken on Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) at Kingston-on-
Soar, Notts., adult males and females, pupae, prepupae and first and second
instar larvae being collected on each occasion except the last, when only
adults and pupae occurred. The record is apparently new for the county.
5
Fig. 5. Euchaetothrips kroli (Schille), female anchored to leaf (redrawn from Ahlberg,
1924).
The females of E. kroli exhibit an unusual habit not noticed in other thrips.
Small, silvery-grey, crescent-shaped areas can sometimes be seen on the
younger leaves of the grass. These are made by a female thrips, which, after
inserting her ovipositor, is sometimes unable to withdraw it. As a result the
thrips becomes anchored to the leaf and concentric lesions are produced by
the insect as it sucks the sap from the only areas of tissue that it can reach
(fig. 5). Presumably, when all accessible sap has been exhausted the
insect dies.
An explanation of this peculiarity is suggested by Ahlberg (1924), who
describes the biology of the species.'*' He believes that the rich store of
silicic acid in this grass makes the cell walls unusually strong, and this
coupled with the well developed teeth of the ovipositor make withdrawal
difficult and occasionally impossible. It is, however, interesting to speculate
whether or not this apparently disadvantageous occurrence has any function
in the perpetuation of the species. Glyceria maxima , the only known host-
plant in which oviposition occurs, is a semi-aquatic grass thriving in rather
exposed situations, and it might be postulated that the anchoring of the
1955]
H3
females to the host-plant by means of their ovipositors may be a mechanism
which ensures that eggs are laid even in unfavourable conditions such as
high winds or temporary inundation.
During the present season all immature forms and adult males had dis¬
appeared by 27th October, but the females overwinter in the shrivelled leaf
sheaths of the grass Ahlberg (/.c.), and it is interesting to note that this year
they were found alive and active on the 14th November after the host-plants
had been completely inundated for four days.
Bagnall (1924) records specimens in England from August to October.
E. kroli occurs also in Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Austria and
Hungary. Ahlberg (/.c.) and Priesner (1928) give full accounts of the species,
the former author including several figures, one of which is reproduced here.
Thanks are due to Dr. G. D. Morison of Aberdeen for his help in identifi¬
cation and permission to use information contained in his letters, to Mr.
D. K. McE. Kevan for assistance with the manuscript and literature, and to
the Royal Entomological Society of London for the loan of Priesner’s
monograph.
* Ahlberg uses the name E. ingens Priesner, but this is a synonym of Thrips kroli
Schille, 1910 ( cf . Priesner, 1928).
References
Ahlberg, O., 1924. liber die Biologie und Entwicklung des Euchaetothrips ingens
Priesner. Ent. Tidskr., 45: 1-6.
Bagnall, R. S., 1924. New and rare British Thysanoptera. Ent. mon. Mag., 60:
269-75.
Morison, G. D., 1949. Thysanoptera of the London Area. Part III. Key to British
Genera and Species of Thysanoptera (contd.). Lond. Nat., 1949 (Suppl.):
77-131-
Priesner, H., 1920. Kurze Beschreibungen neuer Thysanopteren aus Osterreich.
SitzBer. Akad. Wiss. Wien, 129: 171-88 (cf. Priesner, 1928).
- 1925. Katalog der europaischen Thysanopteren. Konowia , 4: 141-54.
- 1926. Die Jugendstadien der malayischen Thysanopteren. Treubia, 8:
(Suppl): 1-264+16 pi. (cf. Priesner, 1928).
- 1928. Die Thysanopteren Europas, Wien: IV+755 pp. + 6 pi.
The Identity of the British Strongylognathus
(Hymenoptera : Formicidae)
By William L. Brown, Jr.
(Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University)
The following formal synonymy is required at this time :
Strongylognathus testaceus (Schenck)
Eciton testaceum Schenck, 1852, Jahrb. Ver. Nat. Nassau, 8: 117, 143,
worker, female, male. Type loc.: Nassau, Germany.
Strongylognathus testaceus , Emery, 1922, Gen. Insect., 174: 286, synonymy.
Strongylognathus diveri Donisthorpe, 1936, Ent. mon. Mag., 72: 113, figs. 1,
2, 7, worker. Type loc.: Studland, Dorsetshire, England. Syntypes
presumably in British Museum (Nat. Hist.), not seen. New Synonymy.
[March
1 14
In checking carefully Donisthorpe’s original description of S. divert against
series of S. testaceus from France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy
in the Wheeler and Finzi Collections (det. Forel, Emery, Wheeler, Menozzi,
Finzi), I found that Donisthorpe’s comparison of the two species amounted
simply to a list of the slight allometric divergences holding between the
largest and smallest workers of the ordinary testaceus. Specimens of all three
castes from Wareham, Dorset, kindly sent by Mr. C. A. Collingwood as
representative of S. diveri , were compared with my continental series, with
the result that the British specimens are considered to be well within the
normal continental range of variation in the worker caste. The Wareham
sexual forms are also exceedingly like those of my German, etc., samples,
though the Wareham female is just a shade larger than any of the few females
I have at present. The worker thoracic features emphasized by Donisthorpe
as diagnostic appear to me to be the same in British and continental series,
subject only to slight individual variations distributed geographically at
random. The British form does not appear to me to be distinguishable by
means of any reliable character or combination of characters.
The British Strongylognathus (Hym0 Formicidae)
By I. H. H. Yarrow, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.E.S.
(Department of Entomology, British Museum (Natural History))
It is perhaps a pertinent moment to put on record certain facts regarding
this little known British ant which have so far escaped publication. Professor
O. W. Richards, who received the original specimens from Captain Diver,
has kindly given me the following details: “When Captain Diver captured
the first British specimens of Strongylognathus he recognized that they were
something unusual and showed them to me. It was at once evident that they
belonged to a genus new to Britain and, comparing them with the material
then available in the British Museum, it seemed to me that they were a
sub-species of 5. testaceus (Schenck). They differed in having a much less
strongly sculptured head, especially posteriorly. The specimens were then
handed over to Mr. Donisthorpe who decided to describe them as a new
species but did not mention the important difference in head-sculpture.”
It is not known for what reason Donisthorpe entirely ignored the head-
sculpture character though it cannot have been because he failed to notice it
since he had access to Richards’ notes and indeed used Richards’ figures to
illustrate his description. Mr. W. L. Brown of the Museum of Comparative
Zoology at Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass., in a paper sinking S. diveri
Donisthorpe as a synonym of S. testaceus (Schenck) ( antea , pp. ) has
found that the characters used by Donisthorpe to distinguish diveri are no
more than slight allometric divergencies well within the known range of
variation of the European testaceus and Brown (in litt.) tells me that the head-
sculpture character is of the same order, certain series from Mara, Austria
and Czechoslovakia being considerably less sculptured than the British. In
the British Museum (Natural History) there is a single specimen from Berlin
1955]
H5
and a second from an unknown European locality which are comparable with
British examples but all others I have seen have the head at the back con¬
siderably more sculptured. All castes of this ant are now known from Britain
though Donisthorpe saw7 only workers: I have been unable to detect any
difference between the sexuals of divert and testaceus and the head sculpture
of the female is pronounced in all specimens examined.
In Britain this ant is known from a relatively small area around Poole
Harbour in Dorset (South Haven Peninsula, Studland, Arne and Corfe) and
from Hum, near Christchurch, and all specimens seen from some six or
seven colonies have the head smooth; on the other hand, in a colony dis¬
covered very recently at Matley, near Lyndhurst, in the New Forest, by
Mr. A. J. Pontin, there are occasional specimens in wrhich the head is not
smooth and indeed one of these is quite as strongly sculptured as Continental
examples. The host species, Tetramorium caespitum (L.) abounds in these
areas but though I have investigated a large number of their nests I have yet
to see Strongylognathus alive. It is obviously no easy matter to obtain the
number of nest samples of both British and Continental testaceus required
for a study of variation and such a collection may take years to assemble ; at
the present time I feel it is worth while to record the fact that the more
sculptured head, apparently typical of many more southerly Continental
localities, remains a great rarity in this country and still remains unknown in
the divert type locality.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking Professor O. W. Richards
for the loan of nest series from Britain and from Holland as well as for the
paragraph quoted, Mr. M. Bibikoff for the loan of specimens from Switzer¬
land, Messrs. S. C. S. Brown, C. A. Collingwood and P. Harwood for details
of colonies discovered in Dorset and Hampshire, and Mr. A. J. Pontin who
has a note in press (JEnt. mon. Mag.) at the moment.
Reviews
Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Published by the Royal Entomo¬
logical Society of London, 14th September, 1954. Vol. X, Part 4 (a). Diptera
Cyclorrhapha, Calyptrata (1), Section (a). Tachinidae and Calliphoridae. By F. I.
van Emden. 133 pp., 42 blocks comprising nearly 800 figs. 205. o d.
This recently published excellent work by Dr. van Emden brings our knowledge of
these two difficult families up to date, and it may now be said that this large and
important group of flies, with over 300 British species, which less than thirty years
ago was practically unknown except to the expert, can today be studied with equal
confidence with the popular Syrphidae. The first step towards lifting this interesting
group of Diptera out of obscurity for the rank and file of British dipterists was taken in
1928, when the late Mr. Colbran J. Wainwright published his “British Tachinidae”
in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London. Unfortunately the generic
“Tables” in this first complete British work on the two families proved too difficult
for the majority of dipterists, and the publication in 1946-7, in the North Western
Naturalist , of Dr. C. D. Day’s “British Tachinid Flies” provided a welcome spur to
the flagging interest in this group. Yet a third work on these two families was in
preparation by the late Mr. H. L. F. Audcent, but although this was completed in
1950 it has unfortunately remained unpublished.
The introductory part of Dr. van Emden’s work is devoted to a general description
of the Calyptrata with a key to the four families which it comprises, definitions of the
terminology used, a list of the British species of Tachinidae arranged in systematic
n6
[March
order of their hosts, and a review of the present knowledge of the various methods of
oviposition adopted by the different groups. The identification “Tables,” which form
by far the greater part of the work, are greatly enhanced in value by the excellent
figures which copiously illustrate the important characters, each block of figures being
arranged on the lower half of alternate pages so that in almost every case a figure
appears on the same double page as the text to which it refers. As each species is
keyed out, much valuable information relating to distribution, flight-period, frequency,
hosts, etc., is compactly given wherever it is known, and in addition synonymy is
noted where necessary.
Previous authors of “Tables” for the identification of species of this group have
usually made use of “artificial” characters. Dr. van Emden’s work is therefore
particularly valuable in that it departs from the normal practice, the division into
subfamilies, tribes, subtribes and genera being progressively achieved by means of
true group- characters, which provide a clue to the natural relationship between the
groups. Dr. van Emden has set a high standard which it is hoped will be maintained
in the Handbooks still to be published. E.A.F.
Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Vol. IV, part 8 (a). Coleoptera,
Staphylinidae, section (a), Piestinae to Euaesthetinae. By C. E. Tottenham. 9" X 6",
79 pp., 196 figs. Published by the Royal Entomological Society of London, 30th
November, 1954. Price 15 s. od.
The important and largest family of British Coleoptera, the Staphylinidae, has not
been treated in detail since the second volume (1888) of Canon Fowler’s “British
Coleoptera.” It is true that Joy’s keys (1932; have been of the greatest service to
experienced coleopterists but they lack the fullness requisite for general use. Mr.
Tottenham’s work, therefore, will be widely welcomed. The first part, now published,
deals with the more primitive subfamilies Piestinae, Micropeplinae, Pseudopsinae,
Phloeocharinae, Metopsiinae, Protaininae, Omaliinae, Oxytelinae, Oxyporinae,
Steninae and Euaesthetinae; it includes 44 genera and nearly 250 species, over a
quarter of the British species of the family. Users of Fowler and Joy will notice some
changes in nomenclature following the work of Blackwelder and of Tottenham himself,
a tendency towards a reduction in the size of the genera and a liberal use of subgenera.
Figures of the male genitalia such as are provided for the species of the genus Stenus
are a useful addition to the British literature on the family. It is difficult in a few words
to provide an adequate picture of the local distribution of a species and experienced
coleopterists will have their own special faults to find with Mr. Tottenham’s brief
summaries. Misprints such as “bicoornis” for bicornis on page 52 are very few indeed.
Only after long usage can a publication such as this be fully appraised but our first
impressions are favourable indeed and we congratulate the author on the first quarter
of his formidable task. W.D.H.
The Physiology of Insect Metamorphosis. By V. B. Wigglesworth, C.B.E., M.D.,
F.R.S. viii+149 pp., 4 pis., 45 text figs. Cambridge: University Press, 1954.
Price 125. 6d.
This is the first of a series of monographs in experimental biology to be published
by Cambridge University Press. Each of the series is to be limited to 40,000 words.
With this limited space at his disposal, Professor Wigglesworth has succeeded in
presenting a remarkably comprehensive account of the many and varied aspects of
insect metamorphosis. His style is clear and straightforward; there are no frills, and
he is therefore able to convey as much in one page as many cannot in six, and still
it is most readable. The framework of the book is provided by the argument that
metamorphosis is after all only one example of polymorphism, albeit a most striking
one. As he says, “The study of metamorphosis therefore provides a useful introduction
to a consideration of the differences in form in different individuals of a species,
which is called ‘polymorphism,’ and the differences in form of the different parts of
an individual, which is commonly called ‘differentiation’.”
The book is very well produced: there are hardly any misprints. Trypoxylon is not
a sawfly (p. 25) but a wasp. The text-figures are all pertinent and most are very good,
as are the four plates. The bibliography consists of just over 380 titles. These include
1955]
ill
nearly all of the most important papers published on insect hormones in recent years,
and the value of this part of the book is the greater because the titles are given in full.
The statement (p. 81) that, “Implantation of extra corpora allata into worker bees
does not induce them to produce eggs . . is not correct as it stands nor in its context.
The real point here is that implantation of extra corpora allata from other worker
bees does not induce worker bees to lay eggs, but the implantation of corpora allata
from the queen does so (Altmann, 1952, Z. Bienenforsch , 1 : 124). I think this is what
we would expect, since, as shown by Miissbichler, an increase in the size of the ovaries
of worker bees parallels an increase in the size of their corpora allata. In this connec¬
tion we may note a further confusion : it is not the absence of brood that enables the
ovaries of worker bees to grow because they then have more food for themselves.
It is the absence of an inhibitory substance, which they obtain continually in small
amounts from the queen, that permits their ovaries to grow. Of course if worker bees
are starved sufficiently their ovaries will be absorbed even if in the absence of a queen
these have become large. It seems as if, perhaps, the inhibitory substance produced
by the queen acts not directly upon the ovaries of the worker bees but first directly or
indirectly upon their corpora allata.
In Rhodnius growth and moulting are initiated in the larva by the ingestion of a
single meal of blood. If it does not get a meal, or if does not get one that is large
enough, it will not moult or grow. Wigglesworth has shown that the actual stimulus
for moulting is the stretching of the abdomen, as occurs when it has a meal of the
appropriate size. This stretching provides a stimulus carried by the nerves to the
brain. The brain then secretes a hormone which activates the prothoracic gland, and
the latter in turn secretes a hormone which initiates moulting in the epidermis. The
period when the larva of Rhodnius neither moults nor grows for lack of food is called
a diapause period by Wigglesworth (p. 46). I feel this is a most unfortunate use of the
term diapause. If we are going to describe this sort of thing as diapause, we must
invent a new term for the extraordinary phenomenon that is now by fairly general
agreement called diapause. Diapause manifests itself as a state of arrested development
that may usually be distinguished sharply from the type of developmental arrest that
is a simple function of temperature, humidity, or other unfavourable circumstance in
that (1) the factors that initiate it do so well in advance of the advent of diapause or
the appearance of the unfavourable conditions, sometimes even in the preceding
generation; and (2) the physiological changes that must occur before diapause is
terminated occur more quickly under ordinarily unfavourable conditions, e.g. low
temperature, than under those which are at other times most favourable to rapid
development. Once diapause is terminated, however, the speed of development again
becomes directly related to temperature within the physiological range.
C. M. Williams has not found a diapause hormone in Platysamia or the other
Saturniidae on which he has worked. If Platysamia has a diapause hormone, the
results of some of the experiments by C. M. Williams are subject to other interpreta¬
tions. Wigglesworth seems to accept the proposition that there is no diapause hormone
in Platysamia. Not only has one been demonstrated experimentally in a number of
genera of Saturniidae but also in a number of unrelated families of moths as well as in
other orders of insects. I find it difficult to believe that a hormone known to effect
diapause in Asiatic and European Saturniidae is not involved in the control of diapause
in the Saturniidae that inhabit the United States.
It is nice to see that Wigglesworth points out some of the absurdities inherent in the
Berlese theory of development, a theory that has been accepted for several decades
almost without question. We also welcome the fact that he has finally abandoned the
use of the word nymph and now speaks of the larva of Rhodnius and other
exopterygotes. It is difficult to imagine that anyone with a wide interest in
entomology, to say nothing of insect physiology, can afford to be without this book.
H.E.H.
A Revised Key to the adults of the British Species of Ephemeroptera. By D. E. Kimmins.
8F'x5r, 72 PP-j 30 figs. Freshwater Biological Association Scientific Publication
No. 15. Price 3 s. o d.
We are glad to welcome the publication of the second edition of this booklet on the
Ephemeroptera of the British Isles. The first edition, which has already proved its
worth, has been enlarged and brought up to date, and the figures and text have been
n8
[March
re-arranged with advantage to the reader. Since the first edition appeared in 1942 six
new species have been added to the British Fauna and a number of changes have been
made in the nomenclature. These have been incorporated in the second edition.
The standard of the new booklet is high. Mr. Kimmins’ diagrams are clear and
accurate and his text is lucid and logically arranged so that the reader should experience
little difficulty in using the booklet. The first edition (Scientific Publication No. 7)
included a key to the families and genera of the nymphs, but in the second edition this
has been omitted. Since 1942 considerable progress has been made in the taxonomy
of the immature stages of insects and this is most conspicuous in the Ephemeroptera.
It has been decided, therefore, to issue in the near future a new publication dealing
with the nymphal stages of Mayflies. It would have been useful if this material could
have been included in the present publication, but the existence of a steady and
continued demand for the first edition after the original stock had been exhausted has
made it necessary to publish the present booklet as soon as possible.
In the foreword to the first edition Dr. Worthington, then Director of the Freshwater
Biological Station, expressed the hope that it would “stimulate scientific work and
observation on the Ephemeroptera.” The widespread demand for the new publication
shows that this hope was realized. It is, therefore, a pity that the ecological notes on
the species make little reference to the general distribution of species within the
British Isles.
The price of the present publication has been increased to 35. o d.3 but in view of its
high quality there can be few who will object to this. E.J.P.
Transaction
With this Journal are distributed Transaction , Vol. 12, Part 1, and Title Page and
Contents for Vol. 11 of the Transactions.
Ninth Congress of British Entomologists
Entomologists are reminded that this Congress will be held in Bristol, 22nd-25th
July, 1955. A full programme of lectures has been arranged, a collecting trip to the
pools at Charterhouse will take place on the Sunday, and the Congress will wind up
on the Monday with a visit to the delightful Zoological Gardens at Clifton.
Programmes of the Congress will be posted to those on our mailing fist early in May.
All those interested in entomology are cordially invited to attend, and Membership
of the Society for British Entomology is not necessary.
(< Continued from inside front cover)
HYMENOPTERA
A Consideration of Cephalic Struc¬
tures and Spiracles of the Final
Instar Larvae of the Ichneumoni-
dae. By B. P. Beime, 1941. 68 pp.,
31 figs., 55. 6d.
Second Review of Literature con¬
cerning British Ichneumonidae.
By G. J. Kerrich, 1942. 35 pp.,
7 figs., 35. 0 d.
The Hymenoptera Aculeata of Bed¬
fordshire. By V. H. Chambers,
1949. 56 pp., 3 maps, 105. 0 d.
An Introduction to the Natural His¬
tory of British Sawflies. By R. B.
Benson, 1950. 98 pp., 9 pis., 105. od.
Notes on Some British Mymaridae.
By W. D. Hincks, 1950. 42 pp., 5
figs., 1 pi., 55. od.
The British Species of the Genus
Ooctonus Haliday, with a Note on
some Recent Work on the Fairy
Flies (Hym., Mymaridae). By W. D.
Hincks, 1952. 12 pp., 8 figs., 45. od.
A Study of some British species of
Synergus. By J. Ross, 1951. 16 pp.,
45. od.
A Revision of Section I (Mayr, 1872)
of the Genus Synergus (Hym.,
Cynipidae) in Britain, with a
Species new to Science. By R. D.
Eady, 1952. 12 pp., 4 pis., 45. od.
The Natural History of some
Pamphilius Species (Hym., Pam-
philiidae). By V. H. Chambers,
1952. 16 pp., 4 pis., 55. od.
The British Ants allied to Formica
fusca L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
I. H. H. Yarrow, 1954. 16 pp., 8 figs.,
3 maps, 55. od.
LEPIDOPTERA
The Morphology of Luffia ferchaul-
tella and a Comparison with L.
lapidella (Psychidae). By R. S.
McDonogh, 1941 . 19 pp., 9 pis., 45. od.
List of the Lepidoptera of Dorset.
Part 2. By W. Parkinson Curtis,
1947. 138 pp., 4 pis., 1 15. od.
Postural Habits and Colour-Pattern
Evolution in Lepidoptera. By
M. W. R. de V. Graham, 1950. 16
pp., 4 pis., 4 figs., 45. od.
ENTOMOLOGICAL FAUNA OF
THE NEW FOREST SERIES
Introduction by J. Cowley, and Part i,
Odonata, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1950. 12 pp., 15. 6d. Part 2.
Neuroptera, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1951. 12 pp., is. 6 d.
Orders, accompanied by the appropriate remittance, should be addressed to the
Hon. Secretary, S. C. S. Brown, 454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants.
OFFICERS AND COUNCIL, 1 954-55
President:
H. E. HINTON, Ph.D., B.Sc., F.R.E.S.
Vice-Presidents:
N. D. RILEY, C.B.E., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
W. H. THORPE, M.A., Sc.D., F.R.S., F.R.E.S.
B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
Hon. Treasurer:
Mrs. M. MURGATROYD
“Arachne,” Warren Edge Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hants
Hon. Secretary:
S. C. S. BROWN, L.D.S., R.C.S.
454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants (Tel.: Boscombe 33677)
Hon. Editor:
J. H. MURGATROYD, F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
"Arachne,” Warren Edge Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hants
(Tel.: Southbourne 46364)
Other Members of Council:
C. A. BASKER, M.D.
R. B. BENSON, M.A., F.R.E.S., Mem.Hon.S.E.Bblg.
W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.S.
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
E. LEWIS, F.R.E.S.
A. A. LISNEY, M.A., M.D., D.P.H., F.R.E.S.
A. H. TURNER, F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
All official correspondence should be sent to:
454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants
(Tel.: Boscombe 33677)
CONTENTS
Page
Brown, William L., Jr. : The Identity of the British Strongylognathus
(Hymenoptera : Formicidae) . 113
Collin, J. E. : Genera and species of Anthomyiidae allied to Chirosia
(Diptera) . 94
Colyer, Charles N. : The Identity of Megaselia (. Aphiochaeta ) vestita
(Wood, 1914) (Diptera, Phoridae); A description of the
male and redescription of the female . 91
Fonseca, E. C. M. d’A. : PseucLophaonia steini Ringd. (Dipt., Muscidae)
in Suffolk . 100
Leston, Dennis : The Function of the conjunctiva in copulation of a
shieldbug, Piezodorus lituratus (Fabricius) (Hemiptera,
Pentatomidae) . 101
Lewis, T. : Two interesting British Records of Thysanoptera . no
Owen, D. F. : Coleoptera taken by Swifts ( Apus apus L.) . 105
Smith, K. G. V. : Thrips on the Shinkhorn Fungus (. Phallus impudicus
Pers.) . 109
Yarrow, I. H. H. : The British Strongylognathus (Hym., Formicidae) 114
Reviews . 115
Communications for the. Journal should be sent to:
J. H. Murgatroyd,
“Arachne,” Warren Edge Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hants.
The author of any published paper shall, if he so request at the time of
communicating such paper , be entitled to receive twenty-five copies thereof
gratis.
Information regarding the Society may be obtained from the Secretary,
S. C. S. Brown, 454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants.
Printed by Sydenham & Co. (Est. 1840) Ltd., Printers. Oxford Road Bournemouth
1 3. SC7%. 7j
VOL. 5 PART 4
Journal
OF THE
Society for British
Entomology
World List abbreviation : J. Soc. Brit. Ent.
EDITED BY
J. H. MURGATROYD, F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF
W. A. F. BALFOUR-BROWNE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.L.S.,
F.Z.S., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.S.
B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
O. W. RICHARDS, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. H. T. TAMS
Date of Publication: 15th November, 1955
Copies may be purchased from the Secretary at 454 Christchurch Road,
Bournemouth, Hants
Price 5s. od. post free
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JOURNAL HEMIPTERA-HOMOPTERA
Vol. 2. Part 3, 1941, 35 pp., 3 figs.,
35. o d. Part 4, 1943, 40 pp., 1 fig.,
2 pis., 3 s. od. Part 5, 1944, 31 pp.,
2 figs., 3s. od. Part 6, 1944, 35 pp.,
35. od. Part 7, 1945, 53 pp., 4 figs.,
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GENERAL
A New Chapter in Zoological Nom¬
enclature: The Reforms instituted
by the Thirteenth International
Congress of Zoology, Paris, July,
1948. By F. Hemming, 1950. 8 pp.,
15. 6d.
The Problem of stability in Specific
Nomenclature, with special
reference to cases where type
material is no longer in existence.
By F. Hemming, 1951. 16 pp., 25. od.
A Preliminary Enquiry into the
Influence of Solar Radiation on
Insect Environment, with Special
Reference to the Relation between
Pest Epidemics and Fluctuation in
Solar Radiation. By W. B. R.
Laidlaw, 1951. 64 pp., 6 figs., 75. 6d.
Some adaptations of insects to en¬
vironments THAT ARE ALTERNATELY
DRY AND FLOODED, WITH SOME NOTES
ON THE HABITS OF THE STRATIOMYIDAE.
By H. E. Hinton, 1953. 20 pp.,
3 figs., 55. od.
COLEOPTERA
The Aquatic Coleoptera of North
Wales. By E. S. Brown, 1948. 15
pp., 1 fig., 15. od.
The Aquatic Coleoptera of Wood
Walton Fen, with some compari¬
sons with Wicken Fen and some
other East Anglian Fens. By F.
Balfour-Browne, 1951. 36 PP-> 4*-
( Continued on it
Revision of the British Specibs
of Cixius Latr., including the
Description of a New Species from
Scotland. By W. E. China, 1942.
32 pp., 12 figs., 25. 9 d.
New and little-known Species of
British Typhlocybidae with Keys
to the Genera Typhlocyba , Erythro-
neura , Dikraneuras Notus , Empoasca
and Alebra. By W. E. China, 1943.
43 pp., 14 figs.. As. od.
HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA
The Natural Classification of
British Corixidae. By G. A. Walton,
1943. 14 pp., 15. 9 d.
Contributions towards an
Ecological Survey of the Aquatic
and Semi-Aquatic Hemiptera-
HETEROPTERA OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Anglesey, Caernarvon and
Merioneth. By E. S. Brown, 1943.
62 pp., 35. od.
North Somerset. By G. A. Walton,
1943. 60 pp., 26 figs., 45. od.
Scottish Highlands and East
and South England. By E. S. Brown,
1948. 45 pp., 75. 6 d.
The Ribble Valley (Lancashire
South and Mid). By E. J. Popham,
1949. 44 pp., 1 map, 85. od.
North-East Wales (Denbighshire
and Merionethshire). By E. J.
Popham, 1951. 12 pp., 25. 6 d.
The Hemiptera-Heteroptera of Kent.
By A. M. Massee, 1954. 36 pp.,
75. 6d.
DIPTERA
Preliminary List of the Hosts of
some British Tachinidae. By H.
Audcent, 1942. 42 pp., 25. 9 d.
An Outline of a Revised Classifica¬
tion OF THE SYRPHIDAE (DlPTERA) ON
Phylogenetic Lines. By E. R.
Goffe, 1952. 28 pp., 3 figs., 65. od.
A Revision of the British (and notes
on other) Species of Lonchaeidae
(Diptera). By J. E. Collin, 1953.
28 pp., 3 pis., 3 figs., 65. od.
ORTHOPTERA, Etc.
A Summary of the Recorded Distri¬
bution of British Orthopteroids.
By D. K. McE. Kevan, 1952. 16 pp.,
EPHEMEROPTERA
Descriptions of some Nymphs of the
British Species of the Genus
Baetis. By T. T. Macan, 1950. 24
pp., 6 figs., 2 tables, 35. od.
ide back cover)
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THE SO CTE T Y
ENTOMOLOGY
Vol. 5 15th November, 1955 Part 4
A Key to the females of the British species of
Sarcophaga (Dipt., Calliphoridae)
By C. D. Day, M.A. (Cantab.), D.P.H.
and E. C. M. d’Assis-Fonseca, B.Sc., F.R.E.S.
The following Key is intended as a complement to the Key to the males of
this genus included in “British Tachinid Flies,” by C. D. Day ( Northwestern
Naturalist , T. Buncle & Co., Arbroath).
1- 66. 3 subequal postsutural dorsocentrals.
2- 13. 5th tergite red or partly so. .
3- 6. 2nd tergite with strong median marginals. Mid-femoral organ*
present on apical quarter, though often very inconspicuous.
4- 5. 5th tergite an entire arch, at least the ventral half black with distinct
whitish pruinosity. Mid- femoral organ usually slightly reddish . .
. haemorrhoa Mg.
5- 4. 5th tergite divided or incomplete above so that it appears deeply
notched, more narrowly black ventrally and with little or no
pruinosity. Mid-femoral organ usually black . frenata Pand.
6- 3. Median marginals on 2nd tergite weak and reclinate, or entirely
absent.
7- 8. Frontal bristles continued on to cheek in a straight row. 5th tergite
an entire arch, wide and rounded, usually extensively reddish.
Tegula of wing fulvous. Mid-femoral organ absent, .pernix Harr.
8- 7. Frontals (the lower 2 or 3 on cheek) standing in a curve towards eye.
Tegula black.
9- 12. Yellowish-grey or grey-brown species. 5th tergite divided or
incomplete above, marginals not conspicuously stout or crowded
together. Mid-femoral organ present.
10- 11. Mid-femoral organ almost apical, usually somewhat reddish, about J
length of femur. 5th tergite largely shining black below with little
or no pruinosity, upper marginals \ as stout as those on 4th _
. arcipes Pand.
1 1- 10. Mid-femoral organ central, narrow, black (rarely badious), £-£ length
of femur. 5th tergite mainly black with normal pruinosity, upper
marginals fine and hair-like . incisilobata Pand.
* For description see note at end of Key.
120 [November
12- 9. Dark silvery-grey species. 5th tergite a complete arch, though from
behind usually appearing pointed above, upper marginals very
coarse, almost as stout as those on 4th, so close together as to appear
touching one another. Mid-femoral organ absent, .ebrachiata Pand.
13- 2. 5th tergite black (in immature specimens sometimes appearing faintly
reddish on margin).
14- 53. 2nd tergite with strong median marginals, usually erect or semi-erect.
15- 32. Wing with V.i setose.
16- 25. Presutural acrost’chals present.
17- 22. 5th tergite an entire arch, rounded or somewhat pointed.
18- 19. Abdomen aeneous-black, almost devoid of pruinosity, 2nd-4th
tergites each usually with 2 to 4 small basal white flecks which do
not reach more than half-way to hindmargin . dissitnilis Mg.
19- 18. Abdomen not as above.
20- 21. 2nd-4th tergites each with a median pair of faint light markings
extending § of distance to hindmargin. Mid-femoral organ absent
. obscurata Rohd.
21- 20. Abdomen with normal variable pruinose tessellations. Mid-femoral
organ present (see Nos. 3 and 4) . haemorrhoa Mg.
22- 17. 5th tergite divided or incomplete above. Mid-femoral organ absent.
23- 24. Dark bluish-black species. Presutural acrostichals not especially
small. V.i with 1-3 setae. Wing-expanse usually over 12 mm.. .
. *. . clathrata Mg.
24- 23. Light grey-brown species. Presutural acrostichals very small. V.i
with 8-13 setae. Wing-expanse usually under 12 mm .
. setipennis Rond.
25- 16. Presutural acrostichals absent.
26- 31. 5th tergite an entire arch.
27- 28. Abdomen with normal variable pruinose tessellations. Mid-femoral
organ present (see Nos. 3 and 4) . haemorrhoa Mg.
28- 27. Abdomen not as above. Mid-femoral organ absent.
29- 30. Abdomen as No. 18 . dissimilis Mg.
30- 29. Abdomen as No. 20 . obscurata Rohd.
31- 26. 5th tergite divided or incomplete above. Mid-femoral organ absent
. setipennis Rond.
32- 15. V.i bare.
33- 44. Presutural acrostichals present.
34- 39. Prescutellar acrostichals present, usually well developed. 5th tergite
divided or incomplete above.
35- 36. Mid-femoral organ present, large, conspicuous, well-defined, orange-
red or chestnut, \ femur width on apical half . hirticrus Pand.
36- 35. Mid-femoral organ absent.
37- 38. Dark bluish-black species. Bristles on lower part of cheek all fine and
hair-like, uniserial and close to eye-margin . clathrata Mg.
38- 37. Lighter bluish-grey species. Bristles on lower part of cheek more
than uniserial with a few stronger bristles further from eye-margin
. agnata Rond.
39- 34. Prescutellar acrostichals absent or very weak. Mid-femoral organ
absent.
121
1955]
40-41.
41- 40.
42- 43.
43- 42.
44- 33-
45- 46-
46- 45.
47- 48.
48- 47.
49- 50.
50- 49-
51- 52.
52-51.
53- 14-
54- 57-
55- 56.
56- 55-
57- 54-
58- 63.
59- 6o.
60- 59.
61- 62.
62-61.
63-58.
5th tergite an entire arch (usually pointed in dry specimens), terminal
opening facing directly backwards. The uniserial row of bristles
on lower part of cheek uniformly fine and hair-like. Distinctly
brownish-grey species . filia Rond.
5th tergite divided or incomplete above. One or more much stronger
bristles among those on lower part of cheek.
Smaller brownish-grey (often copper- tinged) species. Mouthedge
produced distinctly further than frons .
. nigriventris Mg. or villeneuvei Bottch.
Larger bluish-grey species. Mouthedge produced at most as far as
frons . agnata Rond.
Presutural acrostichals absent.
Mid-femora with a patch of brassy adpressed hairs in front towards
apex, sometimes also behind. Mid-femoral organ absent .
. sinuata Mg.
Mid-femora without this patch of hairs.
5th tergite an entire arch (usually pointed in dry specimens), terminal
opening facing directly backwards. Mid-femoral organ absent _
. filia Rond.
5th tergite divided or incomplete above.
Mid-femoral organ absent . agnata Rond.
Mid-femoral organ present.
Upper marginals on 5th tergite about § as stout as those on 4th.
Mid-femoral organ central, about \ femur width, fusiform, \ length
of femur, often conspicuously reddish . rosellei Bottch.
Upper marginals on 5th tergite much weaker, almost hair-like.
Mid-femoral organ separated from apex of femur by about its own
length, J-J length of femur, normally black - crassimargo Pand.
Median marginals on 2nd tergite absent, or weak and reclinate.
5th tergite an entire arch. Mid-femoral organ absent.
5th tergite a wide rounded arch. Frontals continued on to cheek in
a straight row . pernix Harr.
5th tergite usually a somewhat pointed arch in dry specimens.
Frontals (the lower 2 or 3 on cheek) standing in a curve towards
eye . pumila Mg.
5th tergite divided or incomplete above.
Mid-femoral organ present.
Mid-femoral organ as No. 35. Normally (small) presutural acro¬
stichals present . hirticrus Pand.
Mid-femoral organ rather inconspicuous, narrow, blackish. Normally
presutural acrostichals absent.
5th tergite more narrowly exposed, with normal pruinosity, not
shining. Mid-femoral organ central (see No. 11) .
. incisilobata Pand.
5th tergite more broadly exposed, thinly pruinose, semi-shining
above. Mid-femoral organ on about third quarter of femur (see
No. 52) . crassimargo Pand.
Mid-femoral organ absent.
122
[November
64- 65. Frons broad, about i| times an eye-width. 5th tergite narrowly
divided above, then abruptly widened out to form a conspicuous
concavity which usually faces posterodorsally, upper J of lateral
margin with marginals in a single row, uniformly about f as stout
as those on 4th tergite . melanura Mg.
65- 64. Frons distinctly narrower. 5th tergite widely divided above and not
forming a conspicuous concavity, upper marginals fine and hair¬
like, a few stronger ones below . laciniata Pand.
66- 1. 4-5 postsutural dorsocentrals, two or three of the front ones usually
weak. Mid-femoral organ, with rare exceptions, present in all
species.
67- 68. 2nd tergite with strong median marginals, usually erect or semi-erect.
Mid-femoral organ as No. 51. (Normally only 3 postsutural
dorsocentrals) . rosellei Bottch.
68- 67. 2nd tergite without strong median marginals, sometimes with weak
reclinate ones.
69- 80. Jowls entirely black-haired (care should be taken to distinguish jowls
from lower part of occiput which is abundantly white-haired in all
species).
70- 71 . Body tessellation bluish-black. 5th tergite black, laterally compressed,
somewhat triangular, and conspicuously projecting beyond 4th
tergite. 2nd tergite without trace of median marginals. Mid-
femoral organ central, normally black, elongate oval, about J
length of femur . scoparia Pand.
71- 70. Body tessellation greyish. 5th tergite not as above.
72- 73. Upper marginals on 5th tergite fine 'and hair-like. Mid-femoral
organ as No. 11. (Normally only 3 postsutural dorsocentrals) _
. incisilobata Pand.
73- 72. Upper marginals on 5th tergite usually strong and bristle-like, but if
hair-like then mid-femoral organ much longer and broader.
74- 75. 5th tergite usually somewhat reddish about margin, upper marginals
mainly long and hair-like, very numerous, not in a regular row.
2nd tergite usually with small reclinate median marginals. Mid-
femoral organ, black (rarely badious) and not very conspicuous,
about | length and J width of femur. Cheeks and orbits usually
conspicuously brassy .
. carnaria L., subvicina Rohd. or vulgaris Rohd.
75- 74. 5th tergite entirely black, upper marginals stronger and in a more
regular row. 2nd tergite without median marginals. Mid-femoral
organ narrower, only J-J femur-width.
76- 77. 5th tergite very broadly divided above, the two halves connected by
a black, semi-shining membraneous portion about £ as broad as
4th tergite is long. 6th sternite with a pair of conspicuous, polished
black, hemispherical convexities, widely separated by a deep
V-shaped groove. Mid-femoral organ reddish, about l length and
J width of femur, well the apical side of middle. A very short
reddish front femoral organ usually present towards apex .
. similis Pand.
123
1955]
77"?6- 5^h tergite at most only narrowly divided above, usually appearing
only deeply notched. Mid-femoral organ at, or slightly the apical
side of, middle.
78- 79. Marginals on 5th tergite about \ as stout as those on 4th. Mid-
femoral organ usually reddish, about § length of femur. 6th
sternite simple . teretirostris Pand.
79- 78. Marginals on 5th tergite only J-J as stout as those on 4th. Mid-
femoral organ usually blackish, J-J length of femur. 6th sternite
with a pair of dull black, somewhat flattened, rounded convexities,
narrowly separated by a V-shaped groove . aratrix Pand.
80- 69. Jowls at least partly clothed with long silky white hairs in addition to
the normal black ones.
81- 84. 5th tergite black, a complete (though sometimes notched) arch. Mid-
femoial organ resembling that of barbata (see No. 87). Front
femoral organ sometimes visible on apical third.
82- 83. 5th tergite strongly notched above. 6th sternite with a continuous
comb-like transverse row of 6-8 stiong semi-erect bristles near the
almost straight hindmargin. Bristles on lower part of cheek fine
and short, hardly stronger than those above . albiceps Mg.
83- 82. 5th tergite a rounded arch. 6th sternite distinctly broadly emarginate
at middle of hindmargin, and without a continuous row of semi-
erect bristles. Some of the bristles on lower part of cheek distinctly
longer and stronger than those above . exuberans Pand.
84- 81. 5th tergite at least broadly red on margin.
85- 86. 5th tergite deeply notched and incomplete above, distinctly shining
on upper half. Prescutellar acrostichals absent. 5th sternite red
behind, 6th sternite entirely red with a large, bare, shining,
conspicuous central convexity. Mid-femoral organ resembles that
of carmria (see No. 74) . haemorrhoidalis Fall.
86- 85. 5th tergite an entire arch. Prescutellar acrostichals present.
87- 88. 5th tergite entirely red, angular above, dulled by whitish pruinosity,
upper marginals fine, almost hair-like. Mid-femoral organ black or
slightly badious, extending almost to apex, f-f length of femur.
5th sternite all black, 6th sternite red with central small shining
elevation . barbata Thoms.
88- 87. 5th tergite broadly red on margin, rounded above, upper marginals
stronger, about \ as stout as those on 4th tergite. Mid-femoral
organ as in barbata (see No. 87). 6th sternite mainly blackish _
. exuberans Pand.
The mid-femoral organ, a description of which has already appeared
(Fonseca, 1953, J. Soc. Brit. Ent ., 4: (8) 167-8), is an area on the posterior
face of the middle femora of the females of certain species. It appears to be
some form of sensory- or secretory-organ, and is always entirely bare (i.e.
without trace of the small adpressed hairs which clothe the rest of the femur)
and usually devoid of pruinosity. Its colour is generally black, but in some
species it may be reddish or even conspicuously red, and the surface is
usually diagonally, coarsely striated. Some difficulty may be experienced at
first in distinguishing this femoral character in some of the species, and the
femur should be carefully examined from various angles in a good light.
124
[November
A second British record of Myopa occulta Meig. (Dipt.,
Conopidae) with notes on related species in the genus
By Kenneth G. V. Smith, M.I.Biol., F.R.E.S.
(Hope Dept, of Entomology, University Museum, Oxford)
On August 5th, 1948, Mr. H. W. Andrews took a single male of Myopa
occulta Meig. at Breamore, Hampshire, swept from rough herbage. Mr. J. E.
Collin confirmed the identity, stating that it was the first undoubted British
specimen that he had seen. Mr. Andrews kindly allowed me to include this
species in a key to the British Conopidae (Smith, 1952: 204-5), and
Parmenter (1952:29) also briefly refers to this specimen of Andrews’.
In the Dale collection at the Hope Department there is a female M. occulta
bearing a white label with the date July 18th, 1844, in black ink. This type
of label represents the counties Hants, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall in
Dale’s system. In J. C. Dale’s catalogue the following entry is made against
M. occulta : “o Chalk hill, Bordean, Hants, J. C. Dale, July 18th, 1844.”
Bordean is a small parish in north Hampshire three miles west of Petersfield.
Dale had obviously confused the sex here as is easily done in a superficial
examination of Conopidae (vide Faulkner, 1931: 63, also Colyer and
Hammond, 1951: 181).
Myopa occulta belongs to a group of Myopa species which have no cheek-
beard. Krober (1925) recognizes five species in this group from the
Palaearctic region. Three of these, Myopa fasciata Mg., M. dorsalis F. and
M. occulta Mg. are West European species which have been recorded from
Britain, though M. dorsalis should be deleted from the British List.
Myopa fasciata Mg. has been recorded from South Kerry (Eire), Dorset
and Hampshire ( vide Smith, 1952: 207). In the Hamm collection in the
Hope Department there are specimens from Berkshire and two dwarf males
from Hampshire and Oxford which Hamm had separated from his main
series of fasciata. At first I thought that these two males might belong to a
new species as they were so much smaller than any fasciata I had seen and
the second and third antennal joints were of equal length whereas in fasciata
the second joint is usually stated to be one and a half times as long as the
third. I sent one of these dwarf males to Mr. J. E. Collin, who critically
examined some thirty specimens of British and Continental fasciata and
found considerable variation in the relative lengths of the second and third
antennal joints. Subsequently I examined some twenty specimens in the
Hope Department and found similar variation. The relative lengths of the
second and third antennal joints is therefore an unreliable character on which
to separate species of Myopa in this group and in the absence of other
characters it can only be concluded that the Hamm specimens are merely
dwarfs of fasciata.
Myopa dorsalis F. has been recorded from Hampshire, Shropshire, Cheshire
and Lancashire. Specimens labelled dorsalis in various collections which
I have examined have been dark forms oi fasciata. Mr. J. E. Collin considers
that dorsalis does not occur in Britain, but is strictly a South European species.
1955]
125
A, Side view of head of Myopa occulta Meig. B, Ditto Myopa fasciata Meig.
Myopa fasciata and M. occulta are the only two species of this beardless
group of the genus at present known to be British and may be distinguished
as follows. Myopa occulta is a small blackish species with a whitish yellow
face and a very short proboscis (fig. ia). The pale hairs on the upper part of
the occiput are shorter and less numerous than in M. fasciata (fig. i, compare
A and b) (Krober 1925 : 32 and Seguy 1928 : 39 do not mention this difference,
but it is confirmed by Mr. Collin). In the two British occulta the third joints
of the antennae are blackish at the tip (Krober and Seguy give clear orange).
The second and third antennal joints are of equal length in occulta , but this
character may be unreliable as discussed above. The femora are thick with
two parallel rows of stout, blunt, black spines on the ventral surface. Similar
spines are present in fasciata, but are much shorter. Further the long black
bristles as present in fasciata are almost absent in occulta. Myopa fasciata
visits flowers of Daucus , Taraxacum , Leontodon, Jasione and thistles. Krober
(1925 : 32) gives Trifolium and Dorycnium for M. occulta. The hosts of both
species are unknown.
Thanks are offered to Mr. J. E. Collin for his kindly criticism and advice,
to Mr. H. W. Andrews for the loan of his specimen of Myopa occulta and to
Messrs. S. Shaw and C. H. Wallace Pugh for correspondence relating to the
published records of M. dorsalis in Britain.
126
[November
References
Colyer, C. N., and Hammond, C. O., 1951. Flies of the British Isles. London.
Faulkner, H. J., 1931. Sex distinction in Conopidae. Ent. mon. Mag., 67: 63.
Krober, O., 1925? in Lindner, E. Die Fliegen der Palaearktischen Region , 35.
Conopidae. Stuttgart.
Parmenter, L., 1952. The Flies of the London Area, I. Conopidae. Lond. Nat ,
31:25-9.
Seguy, E., 1928. Etudes sur les Mouches Parasites, I. Conopides, etc. Encyc.
Entomologique , 9: 1-251.
Smith, K. G. V., 1952. The Irish Conopidae (Diptera). Proc. R. Irish Acad. (B),
54: 203-8.
Further Hymenoptera records from Bedfordshire
By V. H. Chambers, Ph.D., A.R.C.S.
Hymenoptera Aculeata
Since my account of this group was written (Chambers (1949a)) I have
collected or recognized the following species from the county.
Dryinidae
Mesodryinus britannicus Rich. One female of this distinct but seldom seen
species was swept from birch at Warren Wood, Clophill, on 31st July, 1948.
Prenanteon ruficornis (Dal.) var. longicomis (Dal.). A large female taken from
bushes. Noon Hill, Pegsdon, Shillington, on 30th August, 1953. Prenanteon
males are frequently taken from grass.
Anteon brevicorne (Dal.). This species has been taken freely in both sexes on
birch from early May until mid-July, with hardly a break in the series, in
the following localities: Flit wick Moor; various woods at Clophill; Rowney
Warren; Aspley Heath and Wood; King’s Wood, Heath and Reach;
Odell Great Wood.
A. brachycerum (Dal.). With the previous species on birch, but appearing
rather earlier, my captures extending from mid-April to early June.
Flitwick Moor; Deadmansea Wood, Whipsnade; Aspley Heath; King’s
Wood; Warren Wood; Rowney Warren.
A. flavicorne (Dal.). Taken during June and July on aspen, Salix caprea and
S. viminalis. Flitwick Moor; King’s Wood; Maulden Wood; Radwell,
Felmersham. The var. bensoni Rich, already recorded frequently accom¬
panies this species.
A. jurineanum Latr. Males only have been swept from grass in June, at
Whipsnade Heath; Sharpenhoe hills; Shefford; Colworth.
A. fulviventre (Hal. in Curt.). Females only swept sparingly from grass from
June to August. Whipsnade Heath; Shefford; Forty Foot Lane, Souldrop.
A. earner oni Kief. One brachypterous female taken from Lolium perenne ,
Ravensdell Wood, Studham, 16th July, 1950. I have often wondered
whether there is a Homopteron associated with this grass preferred as a
host by Anteon species, as I so frequently find males (undetermined) in
numbers with it, even in small clumps at the margin of arable fields.
Aphelopus serratus Rich. Swept from birch, hornbeam and elm: King’s
Wood; Warren Wood; Flitwick Moor; Whipsnade; Colworth; Millbrook
Warren; Barton. My records extend from late May to early July, with one
1955] I27
female taken on 13th August; so that, as with A. melaleucus (Dal.) and
A. holomelas Rich., it is possible that it is bivoltine.
Embolemus ruddii West. Three males swept at once from bushes, Noon Hill,
Pegsdon, 26th September, 1953.
Bethylidae
Bethylus dendrophilus Rich. One female swept from grass, Yelnow Lane,
Colworth, 1 8th April, 1953.
Cleptidae
Cleptes semiaurata (L.). Rowney Warren, a male swept from birch, 6th July, '
1952.
C. nitidula (Fab.). Sharpenhoe hills, a male swept from grass, 25th June, 1949.
Chrysididae
Omalus aeneus (Fab.). This species has been taken only sparingly, at the
Litany, Totternhoe (this locality has since been destroyed by clear-felling
and ploughing); King’s Wood; Aspley Wood; Colworth.
O. violaceus (Scop.). Two examples swept from aspen, Flitwick Moor, 19th
May, 1948.
Chrysis fulgida L. King’s Wood, one female, 16th May, 1948.
Formicidae
Ponera coarctata (Latr.). One worker taken by Mr. A. J. Newson at Sundon
rubbish dump, 16th May, 1948.
Lasius alienus (Foerst.). Workers taken on the ground, Sharpenhoe Clappers,
April, 1954; Noon Hill, Pegsdon, August, 1953.
L. brunneus (Latr.). Workers taken in numbers attending aphids on nettles
and Melandrium , Warren Wood, May-June, 1950; one worker swept from
bushes, Hanger Wood, Stagsden, 8th May, 1954.
L. umbratus (Nyl.). A female flew after dark into a lighted room at home,
Luton, 30th September, 1948; a dealated female swept from grass,
Flitton Moor, 25th May, 1953.
Tiphiidae
Tiphia femorata Fab. Taken by the late D. O. Boyd at Sandy, 18th August,
1946, and I took one female at Sandy Heath four years later. The other
species T. minuta v.d. Lind, already recorded, has since been found at
Lidlington and King’s Wood, but is evidently uncommon.
POMPILIDAE
Calicurgus hyalinatus (Fab.). Represented by a male taken on nth July, 1953,
at King’s Wood, Heath and Reach, a well- worked locality.
Pseudagenia carbonaria (Scop.). Both sexes in good numbers running on a
limestone wall near Colworth, Sharnbrook, 7th June, 1952.
Vespidae
Ancistrocerus gazella (Panz.). A search in my collection for this species
recently distinguished in Britain (Yarrow (1954)) showed that nearly all
my examples doing duty as A. parietum (L.) are to be referred to it. I have
only one female A. parietum , taken at Ampthill on 29th June, 1935.
Symmorphus connexus (Curt.) (bifasciatus (L.)). A male and female at burrows
in a stump, King’s Wood, and a female from a decayed apple bole, Dead-
mansea Wood, previously labelled sinuatissimus Rich., belong to this
species; confirmed by Dr. I. H. H. Yarrow.
128 [November
Vespula austriaca (Panz.). One male taken at the State Forest, Clophill,
22nd August, 1953.
Sphecidae
Corynopus coarctatus (Scop.). Since 1947 I have frequently taken this by
sweeping from several parts of Flitwick Moor and from near Radwell
Causeway, Felmersham.
Apidae
Prosopis pictipes (Nyl.). Represented by a single male and female from
Warren Wood and Flitwick Moor, respectively.
Halictus laevigatus (K.). Represented by a female from Deadmansea Wood,
September, 1948; also just over the Hertfordshire boundary on the
Icknield Way, Hexton. I find it as a constant visitor to plum flowers at
Wheathampstead, Herts.
Anthophora bimaculata (Panz.). A female at the roots of an uprooted tree,
Warren Wood, 13th July, 1952.
Osmia aurulenta (Panz.). At last I can record this species, having found it in
numbers on the steepest slope of Sharpenhoe Clappers, at Hippocrepis , on
18th May, 1952, and in 1953. It is possible that this is one of the few slopes
of our chalk escarpment that have never been disturbed by the plough, and
that unlike the widely distributed and abundant O. bicolor , this species is
intolerant of such disturbance. O. bicolor I now find is not restricted
entirely to the chalk downs, as a female was taken on Rubus near a limestone
wall, Sharnbrook, May, 1952.
T ENTHREDIN OIDE A
The following 24 species, added since the publication of my supplementary
list (Chambers (1949b)), bring the county list up to 289 recorded species.
Pamphiliidae
Neurotoma saltuum (L.). A female caught in the Yelnow Lane, near Sharn¬
brook, 25th May, 1952. The remains of a web, with larval skins, was
found in a hawthorn tree on Whipsnade Heath, 29th July, 1950, a few
days after Mr. R. B. Benson found one a few miles away in Hertfordshire.
Pampkilius hortorum (Klug.). The only evidence I have for including this
species is a larva in a b-type roll upon a Rubus leaf found at Clophill, 17th
June, 1950. From this emerged on 29th May, 1951, an ichneumonid
Ctenopelma tomentosa Desv., determined by Mr. J. F. Perkins.
Cephidae
Hartigia xanthostoma Evers. This has frequently been taken in association
with Filipendula at Flitwick and Flitton Moors, and in the White Lane-
Yelnow Lane area in the north of the county. H. linearis (Schr.) occurs at
King’s Wood, Clophill and near Colworth.
Tenthredinidae
Tenthredo colon Klug. Taken on several occasions in King’s Wood.
Pachyprotasis antennata (Lep.). Males in flight during fine rain on the margin
of Odell Great Wood, 6th June, 1954.
Loderu > eversmanni (K.). Single examples taken with L. vestigialis, Yelnow
Lane, 25th May, 1952, and at Flitton Moor a year later.
Dolerus pratensis (L.). Two females, Flitton Moor, May, 1953.
1955]
129
Harpiphorus lepidus (Klug). A male and female upon young leaves and
flowers of oak, Rowney Warren, 3rd June, 1951.
Monostegia abdominalis (F.). In a scrub-covered, former arable field,
Streatley; Rowney Warren; White Lane, Odell Great Wood, associated
with Lysimachia nummularia.
Allantus togatus Panz. Flying freely around Salix caprea , Maulden Wood,
June, 1954-
A. melanarius (Klug.). A female taken flying over Cornus , in the Yelnow
Lane, near Colworth, 25th May, 1952.
Ametastegia albipes (Thoms.). Males taken in a small osier holt near
Billington, 12th July, 1952.
Empria liturata (Gmelin). This species appears to be fairly common, having
been taken on a variety of plants at Radwell; Yelnow Lane; Clophill;
Flitwick Moor; Sharpenhoe Clappers.
Pareophora pruni (L.). Yelnow Lane, one male, 25th May, and larvae,
7th June, 1952, taken on Prunus spinosa.
Monophadnoides puncticeps (Kon.). Sharpenhoe Clappers; Flitwick Planta¬
tion; Totternhoe Meads; Hanger Wood, Stagsden; all in April.
Parna tenella (Klug.). Rowney Warren, one female, 3rd June, 1951; one
male settled on oak, Warren Wood, 15th May, 1954. In both localities the
native lime Tilia cordata is abundant and is no doubt its host-plant.
Metallus albipes (Cam.). Adults emerged from 21st May to 28th August,
1954, from mines in raspberry leaves collected at Heath Wood, Whipsnade,
September, 1953.
Priophorus laevifrons Bens. A female swept from apple and hawthorn,
Millbrook Warren, 25th May, 1953.
Hoplocampa flava (L.). A male associated with Prunus spinosa , White Lane,
Odell, 8th May, 1954.
Euura venusta Zadd. Females on Salix caprea at Deadmansea Wood, May,
1945, and Maulden Wood, June, 1954.
Pristipkora biscalis (Foerst.). This sawfly was abundant during 1952-4 on
Prunus in the Yelnow Lane- White Lane area, at Hanger Wood, Stagsden,
and Long Lane, Toddington.
P. paedida (Kon.). One female, in association with Pyrus , Noon Hill,
Pegsdon, 29th May, 1950.
P.fuscata Bens. Adult and larvae on Thalictrum flavum, Radwell Causeway
(Chambers (1953)).
P. abbreviata (Hart.). A female beneath a pear tree in a garden. Barton, 19th
April, 1954.
References
Chambers, V. H., 1949a. The Hymenoptera Aculeata of Bedfordshire. Trans. Soc
Brit. Ent., 9: 197-252.
— — I949h. Additions to the Bedfordshire list of sawflies (Hym., Symphyta).
Ent. mon. Mag., 85: 146-9.
‘ I953* The larva of Pristipkora fuscata Bens. (Hym., Tenthredinidae). Ent.
mon. Mag., 89: 231-2.
Yarrow, I. H. H., 1954. Ancistrocerus gazella (Panzer) (=A. pictipes Thomson), an
abundant but hitherto undetected Eumenine Wasp in Britain. J. Soc. Brit. Ent.,
5:78-82.
13°
[November
Note on Colletes halophila Verhoeff
By F. J. Manning, B.A., Ph.D., F.R.E.S.
The recent article by Dr. Yarrow ( J . Soc. Brit. Ent.} 5 (1): 39) on the
characters and distribution in Britain of Colletes halophila Verhoeff has once
again brought into prominence this little-known species of Colletes. Dr.
Yarrow’s article, however, took into consideration mostly British material.
Such action, no doubt, was deliberate and fully justifiable since little was
previously known about such material, but just as our knowledge of this has
grown so also has that of the continental material. It is my purpose in the
present article to say a few words about the latter.
Distribution
The known distribution of C. halophila on the continent is along the
maritime sands of the north-west coast from the Dutch localities of Zeeburg,
near Amsterdam, the island of Rozenburg and nearby Pemis, and the island
of Walcheren, westwards to Le Touquet, France. Two of the localities
mentioned above are new, viz. Walcheren and Le Touquet. The precise
nesting sites of the species on the island of Walcheren lie at Vlissingen and
further along the coast at least as far as Dishoek. The nests of C. halophila
here are made in the consolidated sands of the dunes or base of the sea wall,
and the females fly almost exclusively to Aster tripolium L., though
individuals have also been taken on Diplotaxis tenuifolia (L.)*. The males also
fly freely to A. tripolium but have been picked off other composites in
considerable numbers, e.g. Hieracium , Crepis , Hypochaeris , Leontodon ,
Matricaria , Senecio, Achillea and Circium. This colony has been kept under
observation by me for the last three years and when its full range is properly
ascertained may prove to be the most extensive known on the continent.
The Le Touquet colony may also be quite extensive but the actual nesting
grounds have not been found although I have taken specimens quite freely
from Diplotaxis tenuifolia growing in the dunes south of the promenade.
It is reasonable to infer that the nests are somewhere in the dunes themselves.
The Le Touquet site is the most westerly known to date and suggests that
it is one of a series extending along the north coast of Belgium and France.
It also indicates that the species may be found in suitable localities along the
south coast of England and gives added interest to Dr. Yarrow’s suggestion
of its presence south of the Thames.
The species is not known to occur in N. Germany or Denmark, and, in
the summer of 1954, I myself searched for it over a period of three weeks
along the west coast of Jutland, without success. On the island of Romo
where heather is separated from Aster tripolium by less than two hundred
yards, C. succinct a was taken at the heather but C. halophila was not taken at
Aster. Admittedly, the season was cool and wet and the collecting had to be
done under a sullen sky. At Fano again C. succincta was captured on heather
near the sea but C. halophila was not found on nearby yellow composites.
At Hjerting, north of Esbjerg, where heather and Tanacetum meet a few feet
* On 2 1 st August, 1955, I revisited the site and found C. halophila flying to
Melilotus spp. in far greater numbers than to Aster and Diplotaxis. The weather was
very warm.
1955] I3I
from the sea, C. succincta was captured at the heather and C. daviesana Smith
at the Tanacetum — actually within a yard of each other.
Status
The case for considering C. kalophila as a distinct species appears to be
strengthened when continental material is considered, and may be presented
as follows :
C. halophila is confined to the maritime sands of NW. Europe but is not
oligolectic, visiting quite a range of dune flowers (even the females are known
to visit Aster , Melilotus , Diplot axis, Limonium and Senecio, and the males visit
many other additional flowers) ; in contrast C. succincta is a heathland species,
oligolectic on heather ( Calluna and Erica) and, at those places where heath
meets coastal sand, it is still oligolectic on heather.
C. halophila has its own particular parasite, Epeolus rozenburgensis van Lith
(1948, Tijdschr. v. Entom., 91: 105-12) and is not known to be molested by
the parasite commonly attacking C. succincta , i.e. Epeolus cruciger (Panzer).
C. halophila is, on average, distinctly larger than C. succincta. In the
female the first tergite and mesopleurae are more coarsely punctate, and the
dense hairs at the sides of the base of the first tergite are usually quite shaggy
in fresh specimens and contain a relatively high proportion of long, offstand-
ing hairs towards the rear as well as at the base.** In the males the first
tergite is also relatively more coarsely punctate than that of C. succincta and
the region of the genae behind the malar area towards the hypostomal carina,
seen from the side of the face, appears to be distinctly domed.
Diptera and other insect visitors to the flowers of
Ranunculus sardous Crantz.
By L. Parmenter, F.R.E.S.
This flower is well distributed in this country from Argyll and Angus
southwards and is known from 80 out of the 112 vice-counties in Great
Britain. It is found in damp fields and waste land, particularly in the fields
about estuaries. Knuth, 1908, mentions as visitors only “honey-bee, 2
Syrphidae, 2 Muscidae and one of the Siricidae” but I have seen no further
records. When staying at Flatford Mill in July, 1951, Mr. F. J. Bingley
asked me to collect and note the visitors to the plant as a contribution to the
paper on the species for the Biological Flora to be published in the Journal
of Ecology. The flowers studied were in the fields on the Suffolk side of the
River Stour. About one hour was devoted on two hot sunny days to the
searching of the flowers. The total catch was 123 specimens belonging to
24 species of 9 families as follows :
Stratiomyidae
Nemotelus notatus Zett., 1 3, 2
N. uliginosus (L.), 15 <$<3, 6
** This character was apparently deliberately omitted by Yarrow, since it was given
in Verhoeff’s original description ; I find it very useful for continental material, th.
rare cases of shagginess in C. succincta not detracting from its general usefulnesse
132
[November
Empididae
Drapetis assimilis (Fin.), i c?.
Empis albinervis Mg., i <J, i $.
Hilar a angustifrons Strobl, 1 <$.
Dolichopodidae
Syntormon pallipes (F.), 1 $.
Syrphidae
Liogaster metallina (F.), 2 <£<£, 5 ??•
Melanostoma mellinum (L.), 1 <£, 1 $.
Sphaerophoria script a (L.), 1
Syrphus balteatus Deg., 1 $.
Otitidae
Meliera picta (Mg.), 9 <£(?, 10
Sepsidae
Saltella scutellaris (Fin.), 9 33, 10
Chloropidae
Cetema sp., 2
Meromyza nigriventris Macq., 1 $.
AT. pratorum Mg. var. decora Frey, 1 $.
AT. saltatrix (L.), 2 c?c?j 1 ?•
Af. variegata Mg., I $.
Tachinidae
Dinera grisescens (Fin.), 2 <?<?, 5 <j>$.
Eriothrix rufomaculata (Deg.) var. monochaeta Wain., 2 (&J, 3
Siphona geniculata (Deg.), 1 <3, 1 $.
Muscidae
Coenosia pumila (Fin.), 6 <$$. 10
Helina duplicata (Deg.), 5
Orthellia caesarion Mg., 1 cJ.
Phaonia incana (Wied.), 1 $.
Other visitors were 1 Meligethes sp. (Col., Nitidulidae) and of Lepi-
doptera — 4 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina (L.) (Satyridae), 1 Small Heath
Coenonympka pamphilus (L.) (Satyridae) and 2 Essex Skipper Thymelicus
lineola (Ochs.) (Hesperidae).
Reference
Knuth, P., 1908. Handbook of Flower Pollination , Volume 2. Translated by J. R. A.
Davis. Oxford.
Syndyas nigripes Zetterstedt, an Empid genus and
SPECIES NEW TO THE BRITISH FAUNA
By J. E. Collin, F.R.E.S.
A number of specimens of the above named species were swept by me from
the herbage in a bog in Mark Ash Enclosure of the New Forest on 15th July,
1954, and it was still present four days later when two West Country friends,
Mr. E. A. Fonseca and Mr. J. Cowley, joined me for some collecting in the
Forest. Curiously enough this genus belongs to the same sub-family
(Hybotinae) of the Empididae as Syneches muscarius F., which was first
discovered in this country in 1953 in the neighbouring county of Dorset by
Mr. E. A. Fonseca, while collecting with Dr. C. D. Day of Dorchester at
“The Moors,” near Wool, and furthermore both genera are represented in
Europe by a single species only.
1955]
133
Syndyas nigripes Zett. is both smaller and of far less striking appearance
than Syneches muscarius F., and might easily be mistaken for a very small
shining species of Hybos, but the basal section of the discal vein is evanescent,
and the hind tibiae are more dilated towards the tip than any part of the
comparatively slender hind femora. In Hybos the hind femora are always
much the stouter. It was described by Zetterstedt in 1842 as Ocydromia
nigripes , but in 1857 was placed by Loew, together with two African species,
in a new genus Syndyas. Other species of this genus have been described
from N. America, Ceylon, and the East Indies.
Ninth Congress of British Entomologists
Bristol, 22nd-25th July, 1955
This Congress was held in Bristol at the invitation, and with the co¬
operation, of the Entomological Section of The Bristol Naturalists’ Society,
and the capable Secretary of that Section, Mr. Cecil L. Bell, F.R.E.S., acted
as Congress Organiser.
By kind permission of the Bristol University authorities the party was
accommodated, and all meetings were held, in the Clifton Hill House hall of
residence where, thanks to the care and interest of the warden, Miss J. W.
MacLeod, and Miss Carpenter, all those present were very comfortable.
Visitors began to gather early on Friday afternoon, 22nd July, and were duly
signed in. After dinner the party saw a fine series of colour films, “Some
Gold Coast Animals,” taken and exhibited, with a very interesting running
commentary, by Mr. A. Bassindale, M.Sc.
At 9 a.m. on the Saturday the party assembled to look over a very interest¬
ing series of exhibits which had been prepared — notably two illustrating
research work on immature Diptera undertaken by Dr. Hinton’s students.
Unfortunately limitations upon our space preclude a full description of all
these exhibits. At the Opening Meeting the Congress was welcomed to
Bristol by Professor J. E. Harris, M.A., Ph.D., Professor of Zoology,
University of Bristol. In an interesting short speech he remarked that
Dr. Hinton constituted a “one-man” entomological section at Bristol, but
that if number of species was to be the criterion he would be able to claim
ninety per cent, of lecture time.
Dr. H. E. Hinton, Ph.D., B.Sc., F.R.E.S., then followed with his Presi¬
dential Address entitled “New and little-known protective devices of insect
pupae.” This Address is printed as Transaction , Vol. 12, Part 2, issued with
this Journal. A lively discussion followed in which Professor Buxton and
Messrs. Benson, Blasdale, Dyte, Jenkins and Kerrich took part.
The next item was an interesting and informal address by Professor P. A.
Buxton, C.M.G., M.A., F.R.S., entitled “Fungus flies.” Professor Buxton
stated that his subject had its peculiar difficulties, partly because some of the
Diptera are by no means easy to identify and also because the fungi them¬
selves can hardly be named except by submission to specialists. In his
investigations he made use of a simple technique, putting fungi of one species
in a breeding jar with moist sawdust, covering the top with very fine gauze
and collecting such flies as emerged over a period of some months. From
134
[November
450 such “collections” made from about 150 species of fungi, he had bred 100
species of Diptera belonging to 16 families. More complex rearing methods
are required because as soon as a rapidly growing fungus is removed from
its mycelium it begins to degenerate and no longer provides an appropriate
food for some of the insects which feed in it.
Using the very simple breeding pot method, it has been shown that some
fungi, particularly among the soft, rapidly decomposing groups, have a large
Dipterous fauna, whereas others are apparently attractive to very few sorts of
flies or even to none at all. Moreover, some of the Diptera reared from fungi
may be reared also from a variety of other vegetable material, particularly
when it is decomposing, e.g. species of Trichocera. Other flies again live in
fungi only but may be reared from a wide range of different families; others
again appear to live in one species of fungus, or at most in very few.
Though the enquiry had not got very far a number of interesting insects,
some of them never reared before, had turned up. Specimens of some of
them were exhibited.
An interesting discussion followed in which Drs. Hinton, Hincks and Wood-
Baker and Messrs. Blasdale, Dyte, Kerrich, Kevan, Kloet and Stride joined.
The party then adjourned to the front of the building where the official
Congress photograph was taken. This is printed, slightly reduced, facing
p. 138. Copies, measuring 8 X 6|", can be obtained from the photographers,
Messrs. Navana Studios, 19 St. Augustine’s Parade, Bristol, 1, price 5 s. 3 d.
each, post free.
After the lunch interval Mr. Robert B. Benson, M.A., F.R.E.S., read an
address on “Endemic British Sawflies.” Mr. Benson remarked when people
speak of “endemic” British forms they often mean no more than that
the forms are restricted in their distributions today to the British Isles; and
from this we are meant to infer that the forms diverged from their parent
forms to become the distinct entities they now are, entirely after they had
been isolated geographically in these islands, that their divergence took place
after their isolation, that in fact they were bom here. But this does not
necessarily follow at all. In fact my thesis is that this is probably very rarely
true, and that the only measure of divergence against a time scale in these
endemic forms is when you have two or more very closely related “endemic”
local British forms as in the Whitebeams — Sorbus species of the ana
complex — or the island races of Bombus, where they can be checked against
each other. But I have made no special study of such groups and it is
essential, in discussions on biogeography, to restrict your examples to
animals or plants that you have special knowledge of, and to study the whole
of their range and variation. For this reason I take sawflies as examples to
illustrate the points I want now to elaborate.
Tenthredo celtica Benson, a recently described sawfly that in Britain
replaces the continental T. temula Scopoli and at first thought to be a true
British endemic species, was later found also to replace T. temula in Spain
and the lowlands of Italy, but not in the Alps, where T. temula occurs. The
distributions of T. celtica and temula show them to be an ordinary atlantic /
continental pair.
The distribution of Dolerus possilensis Cameron is very interesting and
suggestive. It is common in Britain and was formerly thought to be an
1955]
135
endemic British species but a single specimen of it has recently been found in
Finland. The British and Finnish races of it must therefore be fragments of
a once much wider distribution.
The supposed endemic British melanic race of Dolerus scoticus Cameron
should be compared with a similar melanic race of D. gessneri Andre.
D. gessneri and scoticus have rather similar world distributions each with a
melanic race in Europe and E. Asia, and a red-banded race in Scandinavia,
but D. gessneri is more widespread than D. scoticus both in Europe and
America. The western melanic race of D. gessneri also occurs today in sub-
alpine regions in Central Europe and the similar race of D. scoticus may well
have formerly occurred there too, and may still.
On the other hand the British race stephensii Leach of Arge pagana Panzer,
though it could be atlantic in origin, is of rather peculiar interest because,
apart from this race, A. pagana is a species of remarkable uniformity and
wide Eurasian distribution from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Mr. Benson’s thoughtful address was discussed in some detail by Miss
Longfield, Dr. Hinton and Messrs. Cowley, Kloet and Kerrich, comparisons
being made with certain butterfly species in particular.
The final address of the day was given by Dr. M. V. Brian, Ph.D., who
took as his subject “Caste determination in the genus Myrmica .” Dr. Brian
said that his approach to the subject was an ontogenetic one. Individual
larvae were cultured optimally and experimentally and their rate of develop¬
ment, their rate of growth and the rate of growth and development of their
wing buds recorded. Only the third instar has been investigated.
Female larvae that form workers show much more variation in develop¬
ment rates than those forming queens, mostly through accelerations that start
in the middle of the instar between stages that have been signified brain 0.5
and brain 1.0. In some cases workers result from growth failures without
concomitant cessation of development. These changes that lead to
“deviation” from the queen type of development are accompanied by a
reduction or cessation of wing growth and of ovary growth which causes the
absence of the former from the adult; the ovary is modified into a single
tubule in the adult by development of its accessory structures in the trans¬
formation stages that follow the third instar.
Deviation is irreversible (determination). There is a stage in the latter part
of the third instar when deviations (which are rare) produce intercastes ; once
this is past at first small but perfect queens, then larger and larger ones result.
Although this stage is short, it seems that the proportion of deviants is less
than that expected by chance and some mechanism suppressing such (and
hence intercastes) must exist.
Three factors contribute to the likelihood of the larvae achieving queen
form as an adult: high specific growth rate, low development rate and large
stature (size at a given maturity). The last is a combination of the first two
at an earlier period. It has been shown that at sub-growth temperatures (as
occur naturally in winter) a physiological change takes place which enables a
combination of these to be sustained longer. This, owing to its similarity to
plant processes, has been called vernalisation.
There is also evidence that a high proportion of carbohydrate to protein in
the diet tends to an acceleration of development relative to growth. Worker
[November
136
feeding methods varying seasonally and with temperature and with food
availability and possibly even as a result of their ability to discriminate
between deviated and non-deviated larvae have been discussed.
Dr. Hinton, Dr. Wood-Baker and Mr. Blasdale took part in the discussion
which followed Dr. Brian’s address.
At 7.15 p.m. the party assembled in the lounge at Clifton Hill House for
a reception by Dr. H. E. Hinton, President of the Society for British
Entomology, and Mrs. Hinton, supported by Mr. Harry Savory (President,
Bristol Naturalists’ Society) and Mrs. Savory. After an excellent dinner and
the toast “The Queen,” Mr. G. J. Kerrich, in an excellent speech, proposed
a toast to the University of Bristol, the Bristol Naturalists’ Society and the
Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society. Professor J. E.
Harris responded.
At 10.30 on the Sunday morning a strong party boarded a motor coach
for a day’s collecting at Charterhouse Pools, Charterhouse-on-Mendip,
Somerset N. The weather was hazy and, at this altitude in the Mendips,
rather cool until later in the day. With one large open pool, three smaller,
shaded ones and with areas of woodland, gorse and heather in the vicinity,
much valiant net-work was done by the party, who returned to Bristol at
5 o’clock pleasantly tired.
Immediately after tea a short meeting of delegates from local societies was
held. On the proposal of Dr. Hincks and Mr. Kloet (representing the
Manchester Entomological Society) it was resolved to recommend to Council
that the next Congress to be organized by the Society should be held in
Manchester in 1957.
After dinner the party embarked upon a long discussion on the day’s
collecting, and many specimens were exhibited and discussed. The following
reports of the day’s captures have so far been received. It is hoped that
further teports will be sent in, and these will be published in the next Journal.
Mr. W. A. Wilson writes : I took the following beetles : —
Staphylinidae : Stenus flavipes Steph.
Chrysomelidae : Hydrothassa aucta F. (on Ranunculus spp.) ; Galerucella nymphaeae L.
a. saggitariae Gyll. (on Polygonum spp.); Cassida flaveola Thunb.
Curculionidae : Apion onopordi Kirb. (on Thistle spp.); Phyllobius viridicollis F.;
Miccotrogus picirostris F. ; Phytonomus arator L. (on Lychnis alba ) ; Ceuthorhynchus
contractus Marsh. ; Cionus alauda Hbst and C. scrophulariae L. (both on
Scrophularia spp.).
All taken by general sweeping where no habitat is specified. So far as I am aware
Phyllobius viridicollis F. is new to Somerset.
Mr. J. Cowley sends the following notes:
All observations were made at Charterhouse-on-Mendip (v.c. Somerset North)
except those specially noted as from Clifton (Bristol, v.c. Gloucester West).
Orthoptera
Omocestus viridulus L., Myrmeleotettix maculatus Thunb.
Odonata (weather unsuitable)
Ischnura elegans Lind., Enallagma cyathigerum Charp., Coenagrion puella L.
Neuroptera
Chrysopa septempunctata Wesmael, Clifton, in house (according to Killington, 1937,
Monogr. Brit. Neuropt.s a common species in gardens even in large towns, but he
does not record it from Gloucestershire, nor does A. F. Peacey, 1953, Ent. Rec.,
65: 184-5, so that this would seem to be a new record).
1955]
137
Mecoptera
The rarer Panorpa cognata Ramb. occurred together with the common P. communis
L. and P. germanica L. in the marshy area below the embankment of the lowest pool;
in a casual survey P. cognata seemed only little less numerous than the other two
species.
Trichoptera (not specially searched for)
Phryganea varia F., Adicella reducta McL., Plectrocnemia conspersa Curt, (these last
two species have not previously been reported from Somerset North).
Diptera
Asilidae
Isopogon brevirostris Mg.
Dolichopodidae
Dolichopus discifer Stann., D. plumipes Scop., D. popularis Wied., D. griseipennis
Stann., D. trivialis Hal., D. ungulatus L., Hercostomus germanus Wied. (uncommon;
the adults have the habit, observed on this occasion and unusual in the family, of
feeding at flowers; only one previous Somerset record, from Leigh Woods),
H. nigriplantis Stann., Clifton, at the garden pool (uncommon, and not recorded
from Gloucestershire in Audcent’s list of the Diptera of Somerset and Gloucester,
1949, Proc. Bristol nat. Soc.3 27: 409-70), Hypophyllus obscurellus Fall.
Syrphidae
Criorhina berberina F. and f. oxyacanthae Mg., Sericomyia lappona L., Volucella
pellucens L., V. bombylans L., Syrphus laternarius Mull., Leucozona lucorum L.
Dr. C. S. Wood-Baker took the following Aphididae at Charterhouse Pools, 24th
July, 1955:
Acyrthosiphon malvae Mosley on Agrimonia eupatorium L.
A. malvae subsp. geranii (Kit.) apterae on Geranium robertianum L.
Macrosiphoniella millefolii Deg. apterae and alatae amongst inflorescences of Achillea
millefolium L.
Nasonovia ribis-nigri Mosley apterae on Hieracium pilosella L.
Ovatus crataegarium Wlk. apterae on terminal young shoots of Crataegus oxyacantha L.
O. menthae Buckt. apterae and alatae on Mentha piperita L.
Hyalopterus arundinis F. alatae and young on Phragmites vulgaris Dr., Sparganium
erectum Huds., and Typha latifolia L.
Doralis ? fabae Scop, apterae and alatae on inflorescences of Valeriana ( ? officinalis L.).
Euceraphis betulae L. alate vagrant on Mentha piperita.
The following aphids cannot be immediately identified further: Dactynotus spp. on
Hieracium boreale Fr. and on Leontodon autumnalis L. Doralis sp. on Melampyrum
pratense L.
The following were observed and identified but no samples taken:
D. fabae colonies on Phaseolus vulgaris and freshly established on Rumex crispus L.
and Cirsium lanceolatum L., larger colonies on C. arvense L.
Megoura viciae Kit. small colonies of half-grown apterae on Vida sp.
Doralis oxyacanthae Schr. apterae and alatae on C. oxyacantha attended by Formica
fusca L.
Sitobion fragariae Theob. few apterae on Rubus fruticosus L.
Uromelan jaceae L. small colonies of apterae on Centaurea nigra L.
Collected at Clifton Hill House, Bristol, 23rd July, 1955:
Dactynotus ( ? cichorii Koch) apterae and young under radical leaves of Hieracium
boreale Fr.
Capitophorus similis V. d. Goot apterae under leaves of Petasites fragrans Presl.
Doralis fabae Scop, apterae and young on inflorescences of Capsella bursa-pastoris L.
D. epilobiina Wlk. apterae and alatae on Epilobium parviflorum Schreb.
D. ilicis Kit. under leaves of Ilex aquifolium L. var. together with predacious Cecidomyiid
larvae ; apterae and dead alatae.
NINTH CONGRESS OF BRITISH ENTOMOLOGISTS
i38
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Kevan, Sutton Bonington ; Mr. L. Parmenter, London.
1955]
139
Collected at Leigh Woods, 23rd July, 1955:
Sitobion avenae F. alatae on Holcus lanatus L.
Hyadaphis sii Koch on Lonicera peri-clymenum L. causing leaf-curl ; remnants of large
colonies, together with predacious Cecidomyiid larvae, also Coccinellid and
Syrphid larvae.
On Monday morning the party gathered to hear an address by Dr. C. G.
Johnson, Ph.D., entitled “Some ecological aspects of insect spread by
dispersal in the upper air.” Dr. Johnson remarked that two approaches to
the study of dispersal are possible : one towards the mechanics of the process,
the other towards its ecological significance. Less is known about the second
aspect — particularly of the relation of immigrants to the environment to
which they are transported and of the factors influencing the survival of
individuals and populations. Some recent work on aphids epitomizes some of
these problems — foi example the balance of oehavioural and population
factors in determining flight rhythms: the excursions to altitudes of many
thousands of feet: the dependence of host selection on previous flight
experience and the state of the ovaries. The importance of the first or early
flights in the ecology of many species was also discussed.
Muscle autolysis is known to occur in a wide variety of insects — e.g.
Homoptera, Heteroptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera. In the past, how¬
ever, the ontogenetic and phylogenetic aspects have been confused. In some
beetles there appears to be a cyclical change in the condition of the wing muscles
which is associated alternatively with the development and quiescence of the
ovaries and with hibernation. The importance of diurnal flight in dispersal
by convection, the importance of local topography and presence or absence of
katabatic winds in the dispersal of crepuscular species was also discussed.
Recent studies also show that the diminution of aerial density with altitudes
between 10 and 5,000 ft. above ground follows a consistent relation capable of
fairly simple mathematical expression. The relative numbers in higher or
lower zones of the air varies with season, time of day, and species. This is of
great significance in measuring the dispersability of various insects on different
occasions. Attention was drawn also to the importance of the low residual
densities which remain at the higher altitudes overnight, after the majority
of the aerial populations have descended. These may be more significant in
long distance spread than the higher densities at the lower altitudes.
Long discussion followed Dr. Johnson’s address, in which Miss Longfield,
Dr. Hinton, Dr. Wood-Baker and Messrs. Benson, Jenkins, Kerrich, Kloet,
Lee and Turner joined.
Mr. J. R. Chiswell, B.Sc. (Department of Zoology, University of Bristol),
then followed with an address entitled “The anatomy of the gut of Tipulid
larvae of different feeding habits.”
Mr. Chiswell noted that the feeding habits of Tipulid larvae are very
diverse. Most species are herbivorous and feed on the living or decaying
tissues of flowering plants, mosses, liverworts, algae, and fungi. Most
Pediciini and many Hexatomini are carnivorous and feed on small oligochaets,
insect larvae, and mites. In view of the varied nature of the food, it is scarcely
surprising that there is considerable variety in the form and proportions of
the gut. In this short summary it is only possible to give a very brief account
of the gut and its principal modifications. The relative lengths of the fore-,
mid-, and hind-guts will be expressed as percentages of the total length of the
140
[November
gut. The gut is almost straight, i.e. its length does not exceed that of the
body. The fore-gut is a simple, narrow tube: in herbivorous species it is
short (20-25%) and food is passed rapidly through it into the mid-gut; in
carnivorous species it is considerably longer (30-55%) and food is usually
retained in its hind part, the oesophagus, for some time, so that some
digestion and possibly absorption may occur in it. An oesophageal invagina¬
tion is always present; it is long in herbivorous species but extremely short in
carnivorous species. The mid-gut is several times as wide as the fore-gut:
in herbivorous species it is comparatively long (40-50%), and a peritrophic
membrane is always present ; in carnivorous species it is short or very short
(15-30%), and the peritrophic membrane appears to be absent. The hind-gut
is about the same length (30-40%) in herbivorous and carnivorous species
and is composed of a narrow anterior colon and a wider posterior rectum.
Diverticulae of the gut are developed in some herbivorous species. In all
Tipulinae, four caeca arise near the anterior end of the mid-gut and a dorsal
diverticulum arises from the anterior end of the rectum. The length of the
rectal diverticulum varies considerably and it is longest in species which feed
in decaying wood. The diverticulum is filled with food fragments and
innumerable bacteria, and it is possible that the latter play some part in the
digestion of cellulose, especially in wood-feeding forms. Rectal diverticula
also occur in two genera of Hexatomini, Epiplnragma and Austrolimnophila,
both of which feed on decaying wood. The four Malpighian tubes arise from
the posterior end of the mid-gut, one pair dorso-laterally and one pair
ventro-laterally. In many carnivorous Hexatomini, the whole or the greater
part of each of the two dorsal tubes is greatly dilated and is filled with a
suspension of minute granules, which are probably largely composed of
calcium carbonate. Similar “lime sacs” are developed in Erioptera stictica
Meig., which feeds on organic debris in mud. The lime sacs do not open into
the gut during the larval life and the function of the calcium carbonate is
uncertain. It may simply represent a store of excess calcium from the food.
Dr. Hinton, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Wood-Baker and Messrs. Dyte, Kerrich and
Kevan joined in the discussion which followed this very interesting address.
In a witty closing speech Dr. Hinton thanked all those who had contributed
to the success of the Congress and provided such an enjoyable week-end.
Miss C. Longfield then proposed a vote of thanks to Dr. Hinton for his able
and genial chairmanship of the Congress.
After lunch a party visited the delightful zoological gardens at Clifton
(by kind invitation of Dr. Richard C. Clarke, Director of the Bristol, Clifton
and West of England Zoological Society). A very pleasant afternoon was
enjoyed and the party then dispersed. G.J.K., J.H.M.
Accounts
The Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31st December,
1954, and the Statement of the Society’s financial position at that date are
printed on p. 142.
The Hon. Treasurer, Mrs. M. Murgatroyd, reports that there has been a
general reduction in income during the year. Subscriptions, Rebate of
Income Tax under Covenants and especially Sales of Publications are all
down on the previous year.
1955]
I4i
Review
The Entomology of Spurn Peninsula ( SE . Yorkshire'). Reprinted from The Naturalist ,
1951-4. 8£" x sYs 96 pp.j 5 figs., paper covers. A. Brown & Sons Ltd. Price 7$. 6d.
(plus 2 \d. postage) from E. W. Classey, 22 Harlington Road East, Feltham,
Middlesex.
This neat symposium, by members of the Entomological Section of the Yorkshire
Naturalists’ Union under the leadership of Dr. W. D. Hincks, is of great interest as
shewing what can be done by a team of specialists persistently working a small area
over a period of about seven years. This sandy peninsula, about three and a half miles
long and seldom more than a hundred yards in width, has, by consistent attack,
produced an astonishing total of species (nearly 2,200 excluding birds). Early hopes
that the investigation would provide some important ecological data were, however,
soon dashed — the varying habitats being so small and so close to one another that in
the majority of cases no satisfactory conclusions can be reached.
Altogether a considerable and very useful contribution towards our better knowledge
of the Yorkshire fauna.
J.H.M.
142
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[November
We report to the Members of the Society for British Entomology that we have audited the foregoing Receipts and Payments
Account for the year ended 31st December, 1954, and we have received all the information and explanations we have required.
In our opinion the foregoing Account is correct and properly sets forth the result of the Society’s activities for this year.
Ellerslie Chambers, Bournemouth. DONALD & CO.,
10th March, 1955. Chartered Accountants.
( Continued from inside front cover)
HYMENOPTERA
A Consideration of Cephalic Struc¬
tures and Spiracles of the Final
Instar Larvae of the Ichneumoni-
dae. By B. P. Beime, 1941. 68 pp.,
31 figs., 55. 6d.
Second Review of Literature con¬
cerning British Ichneumonidae.
By G. J. Kerrich, 1942. 35 pp.,
7 figs., 35. 0 d.
The Hymenoptera Aculeata of Bed¬
fordshire. By V. H. Chambers,
1949. 56 pp., 3 maps, 105. 0 d.
An Introduction to the Natural His¬
tory of British Sawflies. By R. B.
Benson, 1950. 98 pp., 9 pis., 105. 0 d.
Notes on Some British Mymaridae.
By W. D. Hincks, 1950. 42 pp., 5
figs., 1 pi., 55. od.
The British Specie s of the Genus
Ooctonus Haliday, with a Note on
some Recent Work on the Fairy
Flies (Hym., Mymaridae). By W. D.
Hincks, 1952. 12 pp., 8 figs., 45. od.
The Natural History of some
Pamphilius Species (Hym., Pam-
philiidae). By V. H. Chambers,
1952. 16 pp., 4 pis., 55. od.
A Study of some British species of
Synergus. By J. Ross, 1951. 16 pp.,
4 5. od.
A Revision of Section I (Mayr, 1872)
of the Genus Synergus (Hym.,
Cynipidae) in Britain, with a
Species new to Science. By R. D.
Eady, 1952. 12 pp., 4 pis., 45. od.
The British Ants allied to Formica
fusca L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
I. H. H. Yarrow, 1954. 16 pp., 8 figs.,
3 maps, 5 5. od.
The British Ants allied to Formica
rufa L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
I. H. H. Yarrow, 1955. 48 pp., 58
figs., 1 map, 105. 6d.
LEPIDOPTERA
The Morphology of Luffia ferchaul-
tella and a Comparison with L.
lapidella (Psychidae). By R. S.
McDonogh,i94i. 19 pp., 9 pis., 45. od.
List of the Lepidoptera of Dorset.
Part 2. By W. Parkinson Curtis,
1947. 138 pp., 4 pis., 1 15. od.
Postural Habits and Colour-Pattern
Evolution in Lepidoptera. By
M. W. R. de V. Graham, 1950. 16
pp., 4 pis., 4 figs., 45. od.
ENTOMOLOGICAL FAUNA OF
THE NEW FOREST SERIES
Introduction by J. Cowley, and Part i,
Odonata, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1950. 12 pp., 15. 6d. Part 2.
Neuroptera, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1951. 12 pp., 15. 6 d.
Orders, accompanied by the appropriate remittance, should be addressed to the
Hon. Secretary, S. C. S. Brown, 454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants.
OFFICERS AND COUNCIL, 1954-55
President:
H. E. HINTON, Ph.D., B.Sc., F.R.E.S.
Vice-Presidents:
N. D. RILEY, C.B.E., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
W. H. THORPE, M.A., Sc.D., F.R.S., F.R.E.S.
B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
Hon. Treasurer:
Mrs. M. MURGATROYD
‘‘Arachne,” Warren Edge Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hants
Hon. Secretary:
S. C. S. BROWN, L.D.S., R.C.S.
454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants (Tel.: Boscombe 33677)
Hon. Editor:
J. H. MURGATROYD, F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
'‘Arachne,” Warren Edge Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hants
(Tel.: Southbourne 46364)
Other Members of Council:
C. A. BASKER, M.D.
R. B. BENSON, M.A., F.R.E.S.
W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.S.
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
E. LEWIS, F.R.E.S.
A. A. LISNEY, M.A., M.D., D.P.H., F.R.E.S.
A. H. TURNER, F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
All official correspondence should be sent to:
454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants
(Tel.: Boscombe 33677)
CONTENTS
Page
Chambers, V. H.: Further Hymenoptera records from Bedfordshire. . 126
Collin, J. E. : Syndyas nigripes Zetterstedt, an Empid genus and species
new to the British Fauna . 132
Day, C. D., and Fonseca, E. C. M. d’A. : A Key to the females of the
British species of Sarcophaga (Dipt., Calliphoridae) _ 119
Fonseca, E. C. M. d’A.: See Day, C. D.
Manning, F. J. : Note on Colletes halophila VerhoefF . 130
Parmenter, L.: Diptera and other insect visitors to the flowers of
Ranunculus sardous Crantz . . 13 1
Smith, K. G. V.: A second British record of Myopa occulta Meig.
(Dipt., Conopidae) with notes on related species in the
genus . 124
Ninth Congress of British Entomologists, Bristol, 22nd-25th July,
1955 . 133
Accounts . 142
Review . 141
Communications for the Journal should be sent to:
J. H. Murgatroyd,
“Arachne,” Warren Edge Road, Southbourne, Bournemouth, Hants.
The author of any published paper shall, if he so request at the time of
communicating such paper , be entitled to receive twenty-five copies thereof
gratis.
Information regarding the Society may be obtained from the Secretary,
S. C. S. Brown, 454 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Hants.
Printed by Sydenham & Co. (Est. 1840) Ltd., Printers. Oxford Road, Bournemouth
B.&, S 67T, 7
'O
VOL. 5
PART 5
Journal
OF THE
MUS. COMP. ZOSl
LIBRARY
MAR 1 5 1957
harvarb
WHKRS1TY
Society for British
Entomology
World List abbreviation : J. Soc. Brit. Ent.
EDITED BY
E. J. POPHAM, D.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.C.S., F.R.E.S.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF
W. A. F. B ALF OUR-BRO WNE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.L.S.,
F.Z.S., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.S.
B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
O. W. RICHARDS, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. H. T. TAMS
Date of Publication: 25th May, 1956
Copies may be purchased from the Secretary: Department of Zoology,
The University, Manchester, 13
Price 10s. 6d. post free
SOCIETY FOR BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY
OFFICERS AND COUNCIL, 1955-56
President:
G. S. KLOET, F.R.E.S., F.Z.S.
Vice-Presidents:
N. D. RILEY, C.B.E., F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
W. H. THORPE, M.A., Sc.D., F.R.S., F.R.E.S. B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
Hon. Treasurer:
H. N. MICHAELIS
10 Didsbury Park, Manchester, 20
Hon. Secretary:
J. G. BLOWER, M.Sc., F.R.E.S.
Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13
(Ardwick 3333)
Hon. Editor:
E. J. POPHAM, D.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.C.S., F.R.E.S.
Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13
(Ardwick 3333)
Other Members of Council:
C. A. BASKER, M.D. G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
R. B. BENSON, M.A., F.R.E.S. E. LEWIS, F.R.E.S.
W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.S. A. A. LISNEY, M.A., M.D., D.P.H., F.R.E.S.
A. H. TURNER, F.Z.S., F.R.E.S.
All official correspondence should be sent to:
Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13
(Ardwick 3333)
List of Publications for Sale (all prices are post free)
All dated 1951 or earlier ( Journals excepted) are subject to a surcharge of 50%
JOURNAL
Vol. 2. Part 3, 1941, 35 pp., 3 figs.,
35. o d. Part 4, 1943, 40 pp., 1 fig.,
2 pis., 35. o d. Part 5, 1944, 31 pp.,
2 figs., 35. o d. Part 6, 1944, 35 pp.,
3s. od. Part 7, 1945, 53 pp., 4 figs.,
1 pi., 4 s. od.
Vol. 3. Part i, 1946, 42 pp., 1 fig., 1 pi.,
3 s. 6d. Part 2, 1949, 78 pp., 7 figs.,
125. 6d. Part 3, 1950, 68 pp., 9 figs.,
105. od. Part 4, 1950, 36 pp., 1 fig.,
3 pis., 55. od. Part 5, 1951, 28 pp.,
35. 6d. Part 6, 1951, 36 pp., 45. 6d.
Vol. 4. Part i, 1951, 26 pp., 45. od.
Part 2, 1951, 20 pp., 55. od. Part 3,
1952, 28 pp., 1 fig., 65. od. Part 4,
1952, 20 pp., 1 fig., 55. od. Part 5,
1952, 24 pp., 2 figs., 65. od. Part 6,
1953, 10 pp., 1 pi., 35. od. Part 7,
I953> 32 pp., 1 pi., 11 figs., 7 5. 6d.
Part 8, 1953, 32 pp., 4 figs., 75. 6d.
Part 9, 1954, 36 pp., 2 pis., 5 figs.,
75. 6d.
Vol. 5. Part i, 1954, 46 pp., 17 figs.,
105. od. Part 2, 1954, 44 pp., 6 pis.,
7 figs., 105. od. Part 3, 1955, 28 pp.,
9 figs., 65. od. Part 4, 1955, 24 pp.,
1 fig., 1 pi., 55. od.
EPHEMEROPTERA
Descriptions of some Nymphs of the
British Species of the Genus
Baetis. By T. T. Macan, 1950. 24
pp., 6 figs., 2 tables, 35. od.
GENERAL
A New Chapter in Zoological Nom¬
enclature : The Reforms instituted
by the Thirteenth International
Congress of Zoology, Paris, July,
1948. By F. Hemming, 1950. 8 pp.,
15. 6d.
The Problem of stability in Specific
Nomenclature, with special
reference to cases where type
MATERIAL IS NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE.
By F. Hemming, 1951. 16 pp., 25. od.
A Preliminary Enquiry into the
Influence of Solar Radiation on
Insect Environment, with Special
Reference to the Relation between
Pest Epidemics and Fluctuation in
Solar Radiation. By W. B. R.
Laidlaw, 1951. 64 pp., 6 figs., 75. 6d.
Some adaptations of insects to en¬
vironments THAT ARE ALTERNATELY
DRY AND FLOODED, WITH SOME NOTES
ON THE HABITS OF THE STRATIOMYIDAE.
By H. E. Hinton, 1953. 20 pp.,
3 figs., 55. od.
ENTOMOLOGICAL FAUNA OF
THE NEW FOREST SERIES
Introduction by J. Cowley, and Part i,
Odonata, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1950. 12 pp., 15. 6d. Part 2.
Neuroptera, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1951. 12 pp., 15. 6d.
( Continued on inside back cover)
MUS. ROMP. ?Oil
L i'
m* 1 5 -57
JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY
FOR B R I T I SH ENTOMOLOGY
Vol. 5 25th May, 1956 Part 5
Editorial
The publication of this issue of the Journal marks the beginning of a new
phase in the history of the Society for British Entomology. The founders
have seen the society grow from a small local body in Hampshire into an
organisation of national and international repute. In recent years the work
of the society has been carried out mainly by Mr. S. C. S. Brown, as Secretary,
and Mr. and Mrs. Murgatroyd, who have acted respectively as Editor and
Treasurer. To these and many others the society owes a deep debt of
gratitude.
At the beginning of this year the headquarters of the Society moved from
Bournemouth to Manchester. For many years there has been a keen and
active interest in entomology in both Yorkshire and Lancashire. The
Manchester Entomological Society, the Lancashire and Cheshire Entomo¬
logical Society (centred on Liverpool), the Raven Entomological Society of
Southport and the Entomological Section of the Yorkshire Naturalists Union,
have built up a tradition for good work. It is, in part, due to these societies,
that today the Manchester Museum contains one of the finest collections of
British insects. The moving of the society’s headquarters to Manchester
has been a great stimulus to northern entomologists.
At the same time we must never forget that the society is first and foremost
a national society. Its function is to serve the cause of entomology in all
parts of the country. That is the tradition which Bournemouth has passed
to Manchester. It is the aim and ambition of Council to preserve and
develop that tradition.
If the society is to maintain its high standard of publication in spite of
the ever-increasing costs of printing, it is essential that the society should
have the maximum support of all those who are interested in British
entomology. At the present moment membership is about 250 and it is most
desirable that this figure should be increased. Members are asked, therefore,
to do all in their power to bring the activities of the society to the notice of
other entomologists. In doing so they will help the cause of British
entomology.
Societies
Social Insects
A British section of the International Union for the study of Social Insects
has now been formed. Membership is open to all those interested in any
aspect of the study of gregarious or social insects. The subscription is ten
shillings a year, which includes the membership fee for the International
Union. Further information can be obtained from the Secretary, Dr. G. G.
Butler, Bee Department, Rothamsted Lodge, Hatching Green, Harpenden,
Herts., to whom applications for membership should also be made.
144
[May
Notes on Hymenopterous Parasitoids bred from
Eggs of Dytiscidae in Fife
By Dorothy J. Jackson
In the summer of 1954 and again in 1955 I collected the eggs of various
Dytiscidae in three localities in Fife and I have bred from them several
species of Chalcidoidea.
The most productive locality was at Gilston, Largoward, where four small
artificial pools for water lilies always contained a varied assortment of water
beetles (Jackson, 1952). A reservoir at Cairnsmill, near St. Andrews, with
a strong growth of Alisma plantago-aquatica L. along its shores, was also
a good collecting ground.
Mymaridae
Caraphractus cinctus Walker ( =Polynema natans Lubbock).
This is by far the commonest parasite of eggs of Dytiscidae in Fife
(Jackson, 1954). I have bred it from eggs taken in the two localities mentioned
above, and also from a quarry pond at Kemback. It is a parasite both of
eggs of Dytiscus marginalis L. and of the eggs of the smaller water beetles;
Agabus and Ilybius spp. (fig. 1). In the eggs of Dytiscus many larvae develop,
and up to fifty have reached the imaginal state in one egg, forty-five emerging
successfully, but usually the number which emerges is smaller and there is a
residue left of larvae, pupae and imagines, which die within the host egg.
From the eggs of the Colymbetines from one to seven individuals may emerge
and residual specimens are rare. The imagines reared from the Dytiscus eggs
were usually of large size and macropterous, but small brachypterous speci¬
mens were obtained from the eggs of Colymbetines, when more than a certain
number of individuals developed to maturity in the same egg, the critical
number depending on the egg-size of the host species. Both macropterous
Fig. 1. Egg, probably of Agabus sturmii Gyll (on leaf of Juncus articulatus ), containing
two newly formed pupae of Caraphractus cinctus Walker. The upper pupa is a male,
the lower a female. X35.
and brachypterous specimens were examined by Dr. W. D. Hincks who
believed them to be of the same species. Breeding experiments which I car¬
ried out in 1955 support his view, and a note on the results so far obtained has
1956]
145
been recorded (Jackson, 1955). The work is still in progress and it is hoped
to publish a full report of it later, together with an account of the life history
and habits of this interesting Fairy Fly. There appear to be no records of
the breeding of this Mymarid in Britain though various papers regarding
it have been published on the continent, and the most important is that
of Rimsky- Korsakov (1925).
The percentage of eggs parasitised by this species (worked out from col¬
lections of eggs made in the summer of 1955 in the Gilston lily pools) was
extremely high. From 95 eggs, believed to be those of Agabus sturmii Gyll,
and mostly laid on Juncus articulatus L., 69 were parasitised; while from the
eggs of Dytiscus marginalis L. mostly laid under the sheathing leaves of the
same rush, all those collected, 57, were parasitised, 51 probably by
Caraphr actus cinctus (some of the eggs were preserved in alcohol with larvae
which appear to be of this species); two eggs were parasitised by the Eulophid
mentioned below and four eggs still have living larvae, which I believe to be
of the same species. If Caraphr actus cinctus is equally common in other
districts it must be a very important factor in reducing the number of water
beetles. Since this Mymarid has at least two and possibly three generations
in the year, parasitising different host eggs of Dytiscidae as they become
available, I would expect it to be most common in ponds where several
species, such as Dytiscus , Agabus and Ilybius occur together and where a
succession of eggs will be found throughout the year. Thus the eggs of
Dytiscus marginalis and some Agabus occur in the spring, Ilybius in the
summer, and Agabus bipustulatus L. from autumn onwards, in fact Mr. J.
Balfour-Browne informs me that A. bipustulatus is exceptional in breeding all
the year round, and I am finding it to be a convenient host to use, since its
eggs are laid on the surface of the leaves or stalks of water plants and not
embedded in the tissues.
Patasson sp.
I have obtained this species once, on 30th July, 1955, in an egg probably
that of Ilybius fuliginosus Fabr. embedded in a leaf stalk of Alisma at Cairns-
mill Reservoir. The egg then contained pale pupae. During my absence
from home in the beginning of August the imagines emerged — I had left
the egg in a tube of water — and, when I next examined them on 12th August,
I found that all five females had died and were beginning to disintegrate.
As they were in a very fragile state I mounted them and sent the slide to
Dr. Hincks and it is now in the Manchester Museum Collection. He regards
it as as an undescribed species, which he will describe when more material
is available. A species of Patasson , Anaphoidea conotracheli Girault, was
recorded by Bakkendorf (1934) as a parasite of the eggs of Agabus (and also
of a Chrysomelid), but Dr. Hincks informs me that the Patasson I obtained
does not agree with conotracheli.
Mymarid sp.
Three specimens of a very small Mymarid died within an egg, probably
of Agabus sturmii , obtained at Gilston. I extracted them after death and
the specimens are too poor to allow of identification, but they are nor
Caraphr actus, nor Patasson.
B
146
[May
T RICHOGRAMMATIDAE
Prestwichia aquatica Lubbock.
An egg of llybius fuliginosus which I found on 25th July in an Alisma leaf
stalk (from Cairnsmill Reservoir) contained pupae. During my absence from
home the insects died within the egg. There were four, two large and two
small (3 ?$, 1 <£). One female (large) was macropterous, another (large) had
died before the wings expanded, the other female (small) was still a pupa,
and the small male, as is usual for this species, had minute rudimentary wings.
Dr. Hincks has confirmed my identification of this species.
Observations on Prestwichia aquatica Lubbock have been published by
various writers and a useful summary is given by Korschelt (1924). Lubbock
described this species along with “ Polynema natans ” (i.e., Caraphractus
cinctus ) in 1864, and drew attention to the fact that while neither showed
any adaptations for life under water, the Mymarid swims with its wings and
Prestwichia with its legs. Enoch (1898) mentions as hosts of Prestwichia the
eggs of Dytiscus marginalis and Notonecta , and he records (1899) breeding
eight females and one male from a single egg and later (1913) the breeding
of from 30 to 40 specimens from a single egg of “the Large Water Beetle.”
Henriksen (1922) found in Denmark, that the eggs of the Zygopteron,
Erythromma najas Hansemann are very often parasitised by Prestwichia and
he lists the eggs of various other aquatic insects which have been recorded
as hosts.
Very interesting is the variation in wing length in the females of this
species. Henriksen distinguished three forms: (a) fully winged (aquatica),
(b) short winged (var. brevipennis Henriksen, with short wings only partly
covering the abdomen) and (c) without wings* (solitaria Ruschka and
Thienemann) and he states that they may all be found at the same time, in
the end of July. Rimsky- Korsakov (1916, 1920) who has studied the develop¬
ment of Prestwichia from egg to imago, found that the macropterous females
always gave rise to macropterous females and the brachypterous females to
brachypterous forms. He notes (1920) that the wing varies in length in the
two races according to the body length of the individual, the wings being
proportionately smaller in the smaller individuals, but, according to his
observations, the two forms do not intergrade. In Caraphractus cinctus I
observed (1955) that the wing size usually varied in accordance with the size
of the insect and that all intermediates occurred between the large specimens
with long wings and the small specimens with short wings. Rimsky- Korsakov
(1920a) states that in the males of Prestwichia the wings do not usually reach
the length of that of the brachypterous females, and he gives the length of
the forewings in the brachypterous females as o-n - 0-52 mm. and that of
the males as 0*04 - 0-22 mm. The females of Prestwichia , which I obtained
were certainly not of the brachypterous type, and it would be interesting
to know if this form has been recorded in Britain. Henriksen bred the three
forms he mentions from different hosts, but Rimsky-Korsakov obtained
both winged and brachypterous forms from Dytiscid eggs.
* Henriksen evidently refers here to the form with extremely reduced wings, for
Ruschka and Thienemann (1913) in describing Prestwichia solitaria state that the
forewings are rudimentary and measure only 0-035 nun. in the female and less in
the male. Of hind wings they found no certain trace.
1956]
147
Eulophidae
Chrysocharis sp.
I am indebted to Mr. G. J. Kerrich for examining this species, and some
slide-mounted specimens are now in his possession. He informs me that it
is a Chrysocharis species of the punctifrons group (sub-family Entedontinae).
He states that it constitutes an entirely new host record, for the species of
Chrysocharis as now understood (Delucchi, 1954) are known as parasites of
leaf-mining larvae, mostly Diptera. One species has been bred from a leaf-
mining caterpillar, Lithocolletis sp. According to Clausen (1940, p. 136) the
species of the sub-family Entedontinae are shown by the available records
to be principally internal parasites of the larvae of Diptera, Coleoptera and
Lepidoptera contained in cases and leaf mines and in cells in plant stems.
A considerable number of species develop as hyperparasites and a few are
known to be parasitic in or predaceous upon the eggs of Coleoptera and
Homoptera. One species of Epilampsis phyllotomae Del — is known
(Delucchi, 1954) t0 be a parasite of Phyllotoma nemorata Fall., a leaf¬
mining saw-fly. Rimsky- Korsakov (1920b) records a Eulophid as parasitising
the eggs of various dragonflies.
I found the Chrysocharis larvae as parasites of a few eggs of Dytiscus
marginalis at Gilston in 1954 and again in 1955. The pools from which I
obtained them dried up last summer, and it is feared that this will have
destroyed the parasite (which appears to have a very short imaginal life) so
that the outlook for getting more specimens next year in this locality is not
hopeful. The Dytiscus eggs, which contained them, had been laid under the
sheathing leaves of Juncus articulatus L., submerged in the water. The egg,
lying parallel with the stem, is so completely hidden by the sheathing leaf
that its situation is somewhat similar to that of a leaf-mining dipteron, and
dipterous larvae were found within the stems of some of the rushes growing
under water. Of the identity of the host there is no doubt whatever; I placed
the Dytiscus eggs, with a small section of the rush containing them, in
separate jars of water and examined them at intervals. The full grown larvae
of Chrysocharis seen through the chorion of the host egg, can readily be
distinguished from the larvae of Caraphractus by their much larger size and,
on removal from the host, it will be seen that they have normally segmented
bodies and distinct chitinous mandibles; while the fully grown larva of
Caraphractus does not show segmentation nor can mandibles be distinguished
in it. The pupae of Chrysocharis (fig. 2) are also entirely different from those
of the Caraphractus (fig. 1) being larger and broader, with short thick
antennae. Development is very slow and there appears to be only one
generation in the year and the insects are difficult to rear to the imaginal
state. So far, from only two of the parasitised eggs have imagines been
reared. Particulars regarding them may be of interest. A dark brown
Dytiscus egg was found on 14th June, 1955. It looked like a last year’s egg,
because newly laid eggs are translucent and cream coloured. I partly opened
it and saw pupae inside. I replaced the egg in water in a covered jar and,
on 23rd June, I noticed that one pupa had floated out from the gash I had
made in the chorion, and the imago, a male, was trying to emerge, its
greenish head being partly out of the pupal cuticle. Two days later the male
was still struggling so I helped it out of the pupal integument. All the other
148
[May
pupae (thirteen) in this egg died. From another egg, obtained on 22nd
June, 1955? a successful emergence of imagines took place. The egg had
been placed in a covered jar alone and the imagines had emerged from it
by 17th July, 14 specimens, 10 and 4 ??. On 21st July I opened the
egg they had vacated, which was brown, and found seven last stage larvae,
still living, and one pupa, and three more larvae had floated out of the
emergence hole made by the imagines, giving a total of 25 individuals, more
Fig. 2. Pupa, male, of Chrysocharis sp., ventral view, drawn from a specimen mounted
in Euparal X35. Extracted from an egg of Dytiscus marginalis L. which contained
eleven other pupae of the same species.
than I have found in the other eggs. The winter is passed as full grown
larvae inside the Dytiscus egg; in one egg which I now have under observation
full grown larvae and one pupa were visible in November. I have had one
egg containing healthy parasites for more than a year. It was obtained on
9th June, 1954, and large larvae were visible in it on 1st July and throughout
the winter, and by 31st March one had pupated. In June, 1955, I made a
hole in the egg and saw one healthy pupa, and this still appeared healthy
in August (fourteen months after collection) but in October all were dead,
one pupa and several large larvae. To sum up, I believe that emergence
takes place in June and July from last year’s (brown) Dytiscus eggs, and that
the larvae from summer laid eggs become full grown by the autumn and
hibernate usually in this state, emerging the following summer.
1956]
149
In conclusion I wish to express my thanks to Dr. Hincks and to Mr. Kerrich
for their examination of the species recorded. I much appreciate the help they
have given me in various ways* especially with the literature and in reading
over these notes.
References
Bakkendorf, O., 1934. Biological Investigations on some Danish Hymenopterous
Egg-Parasites especially in Homopterous and Heteropterous Eggs, with
Taxonomic Remarks and Descriptions of New Species. Ent. Medd.Kobenhaven ,
19: I-I34-
Clausen, C. P., 1940. Entomophagous Insects. New York.
Delucchi, V., 1954. Revision der Chalcidierarten der Gruppe Derostenus —
Chrysocharis (Euloph. Entedontinae) Mitt. Schweiz, ent. Ges ., 27: 281-305.
Enock, F., 1898. Notes on the early stages of Prestwichia aquatica Lubbock. Ent.
mon. Mag., (2) 9: 152- 153.
- 1899. Ibid (2), 10: 167-168.
- 1913* Fairy Flies and their Hosts. J. R. Hort. Soc ., 40: 45-49.
Henriksen, K. L., 1922. Notes upon some aquatic Hymenoptera. Ann. Biol, lacustre
Bruxelles, 11: 19-37.
Jackson, D. J., 1952. Haliplus obliquus F. (Col. Haliplidae) in Fife, with notes on
other water beetles and water bugs from the same habitat. Ent mon Mag.,
88: 108.
- 1954* Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond. C., 19: 28.
- 1955* Ibid 20: 36.
Korschelt, E., 1924. Bearbeitung Einheimischer Tiere. Der Gelbrand Dytiscus
marginalis L., 2.
Lubbock, J., 1864. On two Aquatic Hymenoptera, one of which uses its wings in
swimming. Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond., 24: 135-142 London, 1863 (1864).
Rimsky-Korsakov, M., 1916. (Observations biologiques sur les Hymenopteres
aquatiques. In Russian, French summary). Revue Russe d’Ent., 16: 209-225.
- 1920a. (Beobachtungen fiber Variability und Vererbung bei den
Schlupfwespen. In Russian, German summary). Travaux Soc. Nat., Petrograd,
51 : 209-225.
- 1920b. (Parasites of Insects injurious to Piscicultures. (In Russian). Bull
2nd All. Buss. Ent. Phytopath Conf. Petrograd, 1920, No. 7: 6-8 (Abstract
R.A.E. (A) 9: 555).
- 1925. (Ueber Wasser-Hymenopteren aus der Gattung Caraphractus
Haliday. In Russian, German summary). Travaux Soc. Nat. Leningrad, 54:
97-H3*
Ruschka F. u. Thienemann A., 1913. Zur Kenntnis der Wasser-Hymenopteren,
Zeitschr.f. wiss. Insektenbiol ., 9: 48-52.
Review.
Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural History Society: Lepidoptera of Somerset.
By A. H. Turner, F.R.E.S., F.R.Met.Soc. 118 pp. + viii+map. Price 10s. 6d.
A well printed list of 1,440 species, which is an advance on most local lists in that
it covers the Lepidoptera of Somerset and not merely the so-called macro-lepidoptera.
It is based on records supplied by over thirty observers and on the card index of the
late A. R. Hayward. Localities are given and status indicated for each species. A
good point is the mention of food plants of most of the smaller moths, which should
encourage further observation in the coimty. Mr. Turner has produced a sound and
useful work which adds to the knowledge of distribution. This volume is the first of
a series on the animal life of Somerset. H.N.M.
150
[May
Notes on three species of micro-hymenoptera
from Charterhouse Pools
By W. D. Hincks (Manchester Museum)
I. Lymaenon alecto Debauche (Mymaridae).
Lymaenon alecto Debauche, 1949, Mem. Mus. R. Hist. Nat. Belg. 108:1053
pi. xi, figs. 113-115 ($$, Belgium: Eegenhoven). Hincks, 1953, The
Naturalist 1953: 138 (Spurn Peninsula).
This species was not ed briefly as an addition to the British fauna in 1953
when it was intended to describe it in more detail in a later paper on additions
to the British Mymaridae. The capture of a single female at the Charterhouse
Pools on July 24th, however, enables me to include it in the present notes.
L. alecto is slightly larger than most of the allied British species of the
genus, being i-i to 1-2 mm. in length. The coloration is described by
Debauche as “tres vive,” a combination of black with the base of the abdomen
golden yellow, dark brown antennae, and golden yellow legs with dark
markings. In dried specimens, however, the coloration is less striking, but
the females may be distinguished easily from other British species of the
genus by the characters of the unusually long and slender antennae. Only
segments 9 and 10 (apart from the club, segment 11) have sensory ridges;
segments 3 to 6 are long and cylindrical, being together clearly longer than
the long and slender club; segment 3 is unusually long and is about equal
in length to the pedicellus (segment 2); segment 1 is also long and slender.
The male is best identified by being captured with the female, which it
resembles in wing form and coloration; it is larger and has longer antennae
than the related species.
I have not yet isolated L. sulphuripes (Foerster) from the mass of Lymaenon
material now accumulated, but it is almost certain to occur in Britain . It is
closely related to L. alecto , but may be distinguished by having the club at
least equal in length to segments 3 to 6 and clearly longer than the combined
length of the last four segments of the funicle.
L. alecto is a very common species of which nothing is known of its habits
and biology. I have taken it abundantly at Spurn and Askham Bog, in
Yorkshire, and in smaller numbers in a wide range of localities as far north
as Inverness-shire. The following list includes the material so far examined;
records without a collector’s name are my own.
Somerset: Charterhouse Pools, 24.7.55, 1?. Lincolnshire: Grantham,
20.9.51, 2$$ ( H . Britten). Flintshire: Pantynnvyn, Mold, 4-6.6.49, j$.
Cheshire: Dunham, 24.8.48, 4$$; 6.9.49, 1$; Marple, 1 1.9.49, 2$? ( H .
Britten). Lancashire: Brathay, Blake Beck Woods, 17.7.55, i?. Yorkshire:
Spurn Peninsula (VC 61), Kilnsea Warren, Marsh Meadows, Main Ridge,
North Lane, Long Bank Dyke (for details of Spurn localities see “Entomology
of Spurn Peninsula,” 1955, reprinted from “The Naturalist,” 1951-54).
Abundant, 17.6.47, 18-23.6.51, 12-18.7.52, 23-24.7.53 (W. D. Hincks and
S’. Shaw). Barlow (VC 6ij, 17.9.49, 1$. Allerthorpe Common (VC 61)
12.9.50, 2?$. Lastingham (VC 62) 14.6.49, 10$?, 1^. Hebden Bridge
(VC 63) 11.8.45, 1?. Colden Valley (VC 63) 28.7.47, 3?? ( John Wood).
1956]
I5I
Worsboro’ (VC 63) 21.5.49, 1?. Askham Bog (VC 64), common, 27.7.46,
7.9.46, 5.10.46, 27.5.47, 11.7.54* Leeds, Rigton (VC 64) 24.5.47, 1$.
Masham (VC 65) 14.8.49, 1$ {W. A. Thwaites). Cumberland: Skirwith
4.9.53, i<£, 1$ ( H . Britten). Inverness: Inshriach Forest, Rothiemurchus
23.6.54, 2<J(J, 2??.
Fig. 1. Inostemma spinulosum KiefFer, female, lateral view (wings, legs and antennae
omitted).
Fig. 2. I. boscii (Jurine) female with ovipositor partly exserted; lateral view (legs
omitted). Scale = 1 mm.
152
[May
2. Inostemma boscii (Jurine) (Platygasiridae) (fig. 2).
I first captured a female of this species as a schoolboy in the early 1920’s
at Harewood, near Leeds, and was able to identify it by Curtis’ illustration
(1830, British Entomology: 309) but did not discover anything for some time
about its biology or the function of the extraordinary curved process present
on the first abdominal tergite extending forwards over the thorax and head.
Since then, besides finding a few specimens at Charterhouse Pools, I have
seen specimens from Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Cheshire, North and
South Lancashire, Yorkshire (East, South-west, Mid-west and North-west),
Cumberland, Westmorland, Dumfries-shire, and from Ankaveen (Holland)
(21.8.51).
The hosts of I. boscii , and indeed of many other Platygastrids, are Gall
Midges (Cecidomyiidae). In Britain and on the continent it has been reared
from Contarinia pisi (Winnertz), the Pea Midge, C. lolii Metcalfe, Dasyneura
brassicae (Winnertz), the Cabbage Midge, and D. pyri (Bouche), the Pear
Leaf-curling Midge. Doubtless it has other Cecidomyiid hosts but three at
least of the above quoted midges are widespread and often common pests.
Like many Platygastrids the species of Inostemma are egg-parasites, requiring
special conditions. The host egg must be in an advanced stage of develop¬
ment so that the parasite egg may be laid in well differentiated embryonic
tissues. In the case of such species of Inostemma as are known biologically
the egg is laid in ihe brain of the late embryo forming a cerebral cyst. The
process of oviposition is a delicate operation and requires a long slender
but well controlled ovipositor since the host eggs, are often embedded in
plant tissues or in the centre of a developing blossom. The “slack” of the
ovipositor, when it is not in use, is accommodated in the long curved tubular
receptacle extending from the dorsum of the first abdominal segment over
the thorax. A brief but interesting account of the biology of I. boscii was
published by Myers in 1927 ( Bull . ent. Res. 18: 131-133).
The several British species of Inostemma are said to be distinguished by
various slight characters including differences in the length of the dorsal
process but in all the species the latter appears to extend at least for a con¬
siderable distance over the pronotum. In the large series of specimens
examined there is slight variation in the length of the process but hitherto
I have seen nothing which I could regard as belonging to any species other
than I. boscii. A single specimen from Charterhouse Pools however, with
a very short process, appears to be a quite distinct species, unrecorded from
Britain.
3. Inostemma spimlosum Kieffer, new to Britain (fig. 1).
Inostemma spinulosum Kieffer, 1916, Centralbl. Bakter. 46: 550 (?, Alsace);
1926, Das Tierreich 48: 581, f. 227 a-c.
This species is easily distinguished from any of the recorded British
species of the genus by the very short dorsal process, which, in lateral view
(fig. 1) hardly exceeds the level of the dorsum of the pronotum. The distal
portion is also minutely spinulose. Kieffer reared this species from the
common Rubus gall midge, Lasioptera rubi Heeger.
I captured a single female by sweeping at Charterhouse Pools, Somerset,
on July 24th.
1956]
153
The British species of Sigara (Sigara) Fabricius
(Hem., Corixidae)
By Dennis Leston, F.R.E.S.
Introduction
The common British waterbug hitherto known as Sigara striata (L.) has
been shown to be distinct from continental S. striata and must be known as
S. dorsalis (Leach) (Macan, 1954A, 1954B; Leston 1955A). Recently, the
true S. striata has also been found in Britain (Leston, 1955A; Waterston,
in litt.). The present paper is concerned with the synonymy, separation
characters, British distribution and status of these two species.
The British List
As first demonstrated by Kirkaldy (1906), the Linnaean type series agrees
neither with the original description of Notonecta striata Linnaeus, 1758, nor
with the species accepted by modern authors — e.g., Jaczewski (1924),
Poisson (1935), China (1938A, 1938B, 1943B), Hungerford (1948), Macan
(1954A) and Leston (1955A) — as Sigara (or Corixa ) striata (L.). At one time
much discussion went on over this and the related taxonomic-nomenclatural
problems of the identity of the species generally taken to be the types of
Corixa and Sigara (see for example China, 1938A, 1943A; Walton, 1943).
In the interest of stability and because so much Corixid morphological,
cytological, ecological and behaviour literature are based upon striata (L.)
auctt ., the present writer proposes, shortly, to make an application to the
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, to ask them to
legalise this generally held concept.
Accepting 5. striata (L.) in the above sense, the British members of
Sigara ( Sigara ) may be listed — with the principal British synonymy — as
follows :
Sigara {Sigara) F.
subgenerotype : Notonecta striata L.
1. striata L., 1758 ( Notonecta )
striata Macan, 1954A ( Corixa )
striata Leston, 1955 A ( Sigara )
2. dorsalis Leach, 1817 ( Corixa )
striata Douglas & Scott, 1865 ( Corixa )
striata Saunders, 1892 ( Corixa )
undulata Kirkaldy, 1906 ( Arctocorisa )
striata Butler, 1923 ( Corixa )
striata China, 1938 ( Sigara )
striata Macan, 1939 (Sigara)
striata Walton, 1943 ( Corixa )
striata China, 1943B ( Corixa )
striata Kloet & Hincks, 1945 ( Corixa )
lacustris Macan, 1954A (Corixa)
dorsalis Macan, 1954B (Corixa)
dorsalis Leston, 1955 A ( Sigara )
c
154
[May
Leach’s species is variously assigned to 1817 or 1818; although the com¬
plete volume of the Transactions is dated 1818 the relevant part was issued
in 1817.
Separation characters
The characters mentioned or utilised by Macan for the separation of the
two species are now considered.
(a) Palae
Wagner (in Macan, 1954A) notes that in continental S. striata the outer
row of palar teeth is strongly curved proximally [cf. Macan op. cit. fig. 3);
this curvature is less marked in Poisson’s figure (1935, fig- LXVI) of French
material. In British S’, striata , this curvature is clearly present and its limits,
to some extent, defined by smaller pegs (fig. 13); however, there is some
variation within <S. dorsalis (figs. 1, 4, 7, 10) and the example figured by
Macan, from the Lake District, showing the first five pegs in an almost
straight line, may be taken as an extreme type. The smaller size of the
palae of 5. striata may prove to be significant, when detailed biometric
study is made.
(b) Left harpagone.
The left harpagone, as with all Heteroptera, is supported by two apodemes.
One of these is situated on the inner surface adjacent to the well marked
angle and it projects mesally, thus preventing the dissected clasper from
being laid fiat on its inner surface for viewing the outer surface. The
illustrations (figs. 2, 5, 8, 11, 14) show the inner surface, whereas Macan
(op. cit. fig. 5) apparently shows the obverse. Whereas in 5. dorsalis the
inner margin of the ramus is sharply angled, in S. striata it is gently curved
or almost straight; Macan illustrates a Danish specimen with a straight
margin, but this may be due to the aspect from which viewed.
Comparison of the Llanelly example with that from Shoreham, Kent, on
the one hand and those from Hampstead Heath and Titchfield on the other,
demonstrates the type and degree of variation found in the shape of the
left harpagone. The seeming variation in the size of the inner apodeme is
an artefact because part of this thin lamina is lost in dissection. At its
widest, the ramus of S. dorsalis is bigger than that of S. striata but, on the
present evidence, it appears that the presence or absence of an angle on the
inner margin is diagnostic.
(c) Right harpagone.
Macan [op. cit. fig. 6) figures the right harpagone and concludes that, as
between British and Swedish S. dorsalis and continental S. striata , there is
a constant difference in the presence of a subapical “ledge” in the former,
which is absent in 5. striata. British S. striata agree with continental
examples in this (figs. 15, 16) and, despite the variation noted by Macan
and confirmed here (figs. 3, 6, 9, 12), the “ledge” is a reasonably diagnostic
feature. However, it is worth noting that Macan (personal communication)
has seen a Kent specimen otherwise attributable to S. striata which has “a
very slight shelf below the tip, not nearly as broad as in typical dorsalis , but
none the less a shelf ...”
1956]
155
(d) Pronotal markings.
S. dorsalis has a tendency towards fewer pale transverse stripes on the
pronotum than 5. striata (Macan op. cit.). Using Macan’s data and scoring
his class 6-f (six lines, one or more of them forked) as 6-5, a frequency
polygon can be constructed (fig. 17).
The data of fig. 17 have been treated statistically and also plotted on
probability paper : because of the arbitrary selection of classes neither method
seemingly has any validity. Thus class 7-5 includes individuals with 7
pronotal lines, one of which is slightly forked, together with individuals that
may have two of the seven lines considerably forked and thus approaching
class 9. However, it is concluded that there is a strong tendency to have
six well marked pronotal lines in S. dorsalis and that in 5. striata there are
usually six or seven lines of which some are, more often than not, bifid.
Figs. 1-12. Sigara dorsalis (Leach). 1-3, ex Shoreham, Kent; 4-6, ex Titchfield,
Hants; 7-9, ex Llanelly, Glam.; 10-12, ex Hampstead Heath, Middx. 1, 4, 7, 10,
•palae; 2, 5, 8, n, left harpagone; 3, 6, 9, 12, right harpagone
IS6
[May
(e) Body shape.
Macan (op. cit.) notes that continental S. striata is somewhat narrower
and more pointed posteriorly than is S. dorsalis. This distinction is borne
out by British material of S. striata , but the present absence of a long series
of this species precludes biometrical analyse?.
British distribution
S. dorsalis is common throughout Great Britain (Massee, 1955). It is
found in over 20 Irish vice-counties (Leston & Lansbury, in prep.). Although
a species of rivers and lakes, S. dorsalis also occurs in ponds and ditches
in southern England.
S. striata occurs in the R. Rother and in the larger, non-brackish, dykes
in the neighbourhood of Rye, E. Sussex. Waterston (unpublished) has
identified it amongst material collected some years ago at Dover and
Folkestone, Kent, and now deposited in the Royal Scottish Museum.
Ecologically the two species have much in common (Macan, 1954A, 1954c,
1955)-
Figs. 13-16 Sigara striata (L.) 13-15, ex Rye, Sussex; 16, ex Folkestone, Kent.
13, pala; 14, left harpagone; 15, 16, right harpagone.
Taxonomic status of S’, dorsalis
Macan (1954A, 1954B, 1954c, 1955) and Leston (1955A, 1955B) rank
S. dorsalis as a good species. 5. striata is widespread throughout Europe
but occurs only, so far as present information goes, in the extreme south-east
of Britain. S’, dorsalis occurs throughout Britain; in Normandy, Brittany,
central France and northern Italy (Poisson, in Macan, 1954A); sparingly in
Sweden (Macan, 1954A): it is apparently absent from Denmark, Germany
and Poland. Thus it would appear that S. dorsalis is mainly confined to
north-western Europe but the area of overlap makes the two forms sympatric
over a wide territory.
The claspers of Britsh specimens do not show as strong a differentiation
between the two species as does continental material, but, in view of the
wide sympatrism, it is thought best to retain S. dorsalis as a distinct species
1956]
157
for the present. Undoubtedly the two form a closely knit species pair, but
the possibility of biological differences existing (e.g., in male song) require
investigation.
Conclusions
Sigara striata occurs, contrary to previous findings, in Britain, where it
is confined to the extreme south-east. It can be distinguished from the
allied 5. dorsalis on the sum total of characters presented by the harpagones,
palae and pronotal markings. The two species form a close pair, but are
sympatric over a wide territory as far as present information goes.
Acknowledgments
Dr. T. T. Macan has encouraged the present study and given invaluable
assistance; fig. 16 is based upon his drawing.
125
IOO
75
50
25
~S~6 7 8 9
Fig. 17. Frequency polygons of number of pale lines on the pronotum. See text
for method of scoring.
References
Butler, E. A., 1923. A biology of the British Hemiptera-Heteroptera , London.
China, W. E., 1938a. Notes on the nomenclature of the British Corixidae, Ent. mon.
Mag., 74: 34-39-
- 1938b. Notes on the nomenclature of the British Corixidae: a correction,
Ent. mon. Mag., 74: 65.
- 1943a. Some remarks on Walton’s “Natural classification of the British
Corixidae (Hemipt.), Ent. mon. Mag., 79: 109-m.
- 1943b. In Roy. ent. Soc., The generic names of British Insects, 1 (8):
211-342.
17
dorsalis
stnata
v . .
158 [May
Douglas, J. W., and Scott, J., T865. The British Hemipt era, 1, Hemiptera-Heter-
optera, London.
Hungerford, H. B., 1948. The Corixidae of the Western Hemisphere (Hemipteraj,
Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull ., 32: 1-827.
Jaczewski, T., 1924. Revision of the Polish Corixidae, Ann. zool. Mus. polon., 3:1-98.
Kirkaldy, G. W., 1906. A guide to the study of British waterbugs (Aquatic Hemiptera
or Rhynchota), Entomologist , 39: 60-64.
Kloet, G. S., and Hincks, W. D., 1945. A check list of British insects , Stockport.
Leach, W. E., 1817. On the classification of the natural tribe of insects Notonectides,
with descriptions of the British species, Trans. Linn. Soc. Lond., 12: 10-18.
Leston, D., 1955a. Taxonomy of the British Corixidae (Hem.), Ent. mon. Mag.3
9i: 57-59-
- 1955b. Miscellaneous biological notes on British Corixidae and Notonectidae
(Hem.), Ent. mon. Mag., 91: 92-95.
Leston, D., and Lansbury, I. The distribution of Irish waterbugs (Hem.,
Hydrocorisae) (in prep.).
Macan, T. T., 1939. A key to the British species of Corixidae (Hem. Het.) with
notes on their ecology, Freshw. biol. Assn. Brit. Emp. Sci. Publ., 1: 1-27.
- 1954a. The Corixidae (Hemipt.) of some Danish lakes, Hydrobiologia ,
6: 44-69.
- 1954b. Corixa dorsalis Leach (Hem., Corixidae), raised from synonymy
in the British list, Ent. mon. Mag., 90: 216.
- 1954c. A contribution to the study of the ecology of Corixidae (Hemipt.),
J. anim. Ecol ., 23: 115-141.
— - 1955- Littoral fauna and lake types, Proc. Int. Assn, theoret. appl. Limnol.
12: 608-612.
Massee, A. M., 1955. The county distribution of the British Hemiptera-Heteroptera,
second edition, Ent. mon. Mag., 91: 7-27.
Poisson, R., 1935. Les Hemipteres aquatiques Sandaliorrhyncha Born, de la faune
fran9aise, Arch. Zool. exp. gen., 77: 455-563.
Saunders, E., 1892. The Hemiptera-Heteroptera of the British Islands, London.
Walton, G. A., 1943. The natural classification of British Corixidae (Hemipt.),
Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent., 8: 155-168.
Review
A Study of the Insects Living on the Wayfaring Tree
By K. C. Side
Amateur Entomological Society. Leaflet No. 27. Price 1/6
This small pamphlet contains much useful information on the life cycles
and feeding habits of the insects and arachnids which feed directly upon the
Wayfaring Tree as well as of the predators and paiasites which hold these
herbivorous arthropods in check. Mr. Side has been particularly skilful in
showing the wide range of insects associated with a single host plant and of
their feeding methods. His chart of the main food chains is most informative,
but by no means exhaustive, and shows that there are many ecological
problems which still await solution. One cannot read this interesting
pamphlet without sensing something of the author’s zeal and enthusiasm.
All who are interested in terrestrial ecology should not be without a copy
of this publication.
1956]
159
The Ants of the South Lake District
By C. A. Coelingwood and J. E. Satchell
The distribution of ants in the South Lake District was investigated during
June and August, 1954. Despite the varied topography and vegetation of
the area the ant fauna is relatively poor, only 17 species having been recorded
— less than half the total number known to occur in the British Isles. This
is probably partly due to the high rainfall, which ranges from an average
of 40 in. p.a. at Arnside to over 60 in. p.a. at Windermere. The number
of species is, however, greater than that recorded for any comparable area
in North Britain. The fauna is of interest in that such common South
Britain species as Formica rufa L. and Lasius fuliginosus (Latreille) reach
here their furthest extension northward, while F. fusca L. overlaps with its
northern and upland congener F. lemani Bond., often competing at the
same nest sites.
The characteristic woodland of the Carboniferous limestone areas of the
S. Lake District is mixed ash wood, containing ash, birch, oak, hazel and
sycamore in varying proportions, with yew on the rock outcrops; patches
of bare insolated rock are plentiful. This contrasts with the sessile oak
woods of the Bannisdale slates, which characteristically comprise virtually
pure stands of oak with occasional birch or rowans; where the canopy is
open the woodland floor is frequently heavily shaded by bracken.
Most of the lowland pasture consists of Festuca — Agrostis grassland with
heather and Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) invading the higher leached areas.
On the higher limestone fells Sesleria caerulea Ard. and Briza media L. are
abundant with heather moor occupying the more heavily leached situations.
Moiinia grassland occurs on the coastal peat mosses with heather on the
better drained areas.
Table 1 shows the numbers of colonies of each species recorded by two
collectors in half an hour at each of a number of representative sites. Details
of the geological strata are included because, as previously shown by Satchell
and Collingwood (1955), the thermal properties and drainage of the different
formations have an ecological bearing quite apart from their associated
vegetation.
The woodland sites were somewhat poorer in species and distinctly poorer
in numbers of colonies than the grassland and coastal sites. Brian and Brian
(1951) found only the 4 species F. fusca L. (lemani Bond), M. rubra L.,
v. macrogyna , M. scabrinodis Nyl. and Leptothorax acervorum (Fabr.) common
at a variety of sites in the West of Scotland, In the grasslands of the S. Lake
District additional species were invariably present. Festuca- Agrostis grassland
on Newton Fell, Lindale, with hawthorn scrub and heather among out¬
cropping slate, for example, yielded 9 species of ants. M. rubra L. was the
most widespread species and occurred at over 75% of the sites. L. flavus
(Fabr.) was the most abundant ant exceeding in numbers of colonies those
of any other species. Although very abundant on the lowland pastures it
was absent from the Moiinia mosses except for occasional colonies by the
sides of tracks. The mosses presented two main types of site: the drier peat
between heather clumps, colonised mainly by L. acervorum and F. lemani ,
and the tops of Moiinia tussocks colonised by Lasius niger and M. rubra
160 [May
Table i
Numbers of Ant Colonies Recorded in 30 Minutes
Woodland
Closed Canopy
Open Canopy
Geology:
L
L
B
B
B
P
B
S
L
L
L
L
L
L
B
Site No. :
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
L. niger
1
L. flavus
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
5
25
16
8
F. rufa .
1
2
3
3
3
1
1
1
F. fusca
1
3
5
-
5
8
-
F. lemani
4
5
1
1
12
5
3
3
-
-
-
6
-
6
6
M. rubra macrogyna . .
-
1
9
1
9
2
3
2
-
3
3
4
1
1
-
M. rubra microgyria . .
4
-
-
2
3
-
-
-
1
1
-
-
-
1
-
M. laevinodis
-
-
-
1
2
-
i
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
M. scabrinodis
-
-
-
-
-
2
2
-
2
-
-
-
2
1
2
M. sabuleti
1
1
-
1
-
-
1
3
-
2
-
3
-
25
-
L. acervorum
-
1
1
-
5
1
2
-
-
-
2
-
1
2
Total No. cf Colonies
9
8
12
6
3i
10
14
9
6
12
15
21
34
60
19
Geology:
B = Bannisdale Slate.
C= Permian Conglomerate.
D = Glacial Drift.
L = Carboniferous Limestone.
P=Peat.
S=Permian Sandstone.
Vegetation: Sites
1, 2, 9-14 Mixed Ashwood.
3, 4, 5, 7, 15 Sessile Oakwood.
6 Pine plantation.
8 Birch scrub.
Sites
1 Cunswick Scar, Kendal.
2 Yewbarrow, Witherslack.
3 Low Wood, Witherslack.
4 Humphrey Head, Grange-over-Sands.
5 Roudsea, nr. Haverthwaite.
6 Cliburn Moss, nr. Penrith.
7 Low Wood, Haverthwaite.
8 Hoff Lunn, nr. Appleby.
9 High Park Wood, Witherslack.
10 Old Park Wood, Holker.
11 Whitbarrow, Witherslack.
12 Middlebarrow, Arnside.
13 Arnside Park.
14 Whitescar, Witherslack.
15 Bigland Hill, Haverthwaite.
Table i ( continued )
Numbers of Ant Colonies Recorded in 30 Minutes
Grassland
Sheep Pastures
Sea Coasts
Molinia Mosses
B
L
L
L
B
L
L
D
L
L
L
C
B
P
P
P
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
3i
-
-
-
-
6
9
9
10
26
18
6
-
14
7
5
10
13
15
44
40
47
3
29
50
32
22
20
3
16
-
-
-
2
-
-
8
6
1
-
-
-
-
-
2
20
-
-
6
12
2
-
-
6
8
9
15
2
1
3
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
4
-
-
-
-
-
-
4
-
2
-
3
1
-
-
4
7
2
9
-
-
-
1
-
12
9
-
2
-
-
5
7
1
2
-
1
-
-
5
2
-
-
-
1
-
2
-
2
2
-
4
-
2
8
15
2
3
9
8
-
4
6
-
1
-
3
1
1
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
-
3
1
13
3i
20
55
70
76
29
58
68
65
45
34
10
66
32
22
58
Also: Site 17, 1 colony L. mixtus ; Site 24, 1 colony M. lobicornis;
Site 25, 1 colony, L. umbratus.
Sites
16 Blawith Fell, Coniston.
17 Whitbarrow, Witherslack.
18 Kendal Fell.
19 Winster Valley, Witherslack.
20 Newton Fell, Lindale.
21 Witherslack Hall.
22 Kendal Golf Course.
23 Humphrey Head, Grange-over- Sands.
24 Roudsea, nr. Haverthwaite.
25 Whitbarrow, Witherslack.
26 Jenny Brown’s Point, Silverdale.
27 Rougholme Point, Grange-over-Sands.
28 Roudsea, nr. Haverthwaite.
29 Ireland Moss, Haverthwaite.
30 Foulshaw Moss, Meathop.
31 Ellerside Moss, Holker.
[May
162
microgyna. Both F. lemani and L. acervorum were significantly less abundant
on limestone sites than on the other formations sampled at the 2% and 5%
significance levels respectively.
Mean No. of Colonies
L. lemani . .
L. acervorum
16 Limestone
sites
i-44
031
15 other
sites
5-40
2-07
Value of t
(29 d.f.)
2*5995
2-0714
The range of altitude of the sites studied — from sea level to about 600 ft.
— was too small for the effects of height to be substantial. L. niger and
M. laevinodis did not appear to nest in such high or exposed situations as
L. flavus and other Myrmica spp. respectively. F. fusca abundant in some
coastal areas was replaced by F. lemani on the coastal fells at about 400 ft
Discussion of Species
Formicoxenus nitidulus (Nyl.) has been recorded by Day at Keswick and
by Bagnall at Grange, in wood ants’ nests (Donisthorpe, 1927), but was not
seen during the present survey.
Myrmica laevinodis Nyl. was plentiful in the warmer limestone pastures
and on the coast.
M. rubra (L.) ( =ruginodis Nyl.) was abundant in the two varieties
macrogyna and microgyna Brian and Brian (1949). The form macrogyna was
most characteristic of woodland and upland sites while microgyna was
noticeably abundant on the mosses. In some woodlands both forms were
present with macrogyna the commoner of the two.
M. scabrinodis Nyl. occurred over a wide range of habitats.
M. sabuleti Mein, was abundant and widely distributed in the S. Lake
District and was also taken near Ullswater, Cumberland (new County
record).
M. lobicornis Nyl., a local species, has been recorded for Cumberland by
Britten (Donisthorpe, 1927) and was found at Roudsea and in the Winster
Valley, Westmorland (new County record).
Leptothorax acervorum (Fab.) was widely distributed.
Lasius fuliginosus (Latr.) has been recorded by J. D. Ward (Neave, 1921)
from Yewbarrow, near Grange-over- Sands, its most northerly station in
Britain. It was not found during the present survey.
L. niger (L.) was common on pastures, peat mosses and coastal areas but
was much less widely distributed than L. flavus.
L. flavus (Fab.). This pacific species, although often preyed upon by
M. laevinodis and M. scabrinodis is generally abundant, due perhaps to its
habit of constructing earth mounds removing it from competition for stones
and tree stumps as nest sites. Brian (1952) has shown that in the West of
Scotland F. fusca 0 lemani ) tends to displace Myrmica spp. from favourable
nest sites. In this area the local dominance of Formica and Lasius species
which outnumbered Myrmica in numbers of colonies on most open sites
may have resulted largely from direct aggressiveness.
L. umbratus (Nyl.). A new county record was obtained for this species
which was taken on the N. Lancashire coast near Silverdale.
1956]
163
L. mixtus (Nyl.). A new county record was also obtained for this form of
which several colonies were found on Whitbarrow, Westmorland, at about
500 ft. on rocky limestone pasture. One colony had runways extending over
several square yards, the territory of the colony apparently undermining
three L. flavus nests. Another colony had a large earth mound through
which the grass Sesleria coerulea was growing. A large number of males
but no females were present in it on 18th August, 1954. L. mixtus and
L. umbratus are doubtfully distinct species as intermediate forms are of
frequent occurrence. However, the Whitbarrow specimens were of typical
mixtus conformation contrasting with the umbratus from Arnside, which
were large and clear yellow with characteristic pubescence.
Formica rufa L. reaches its most northern distribution in Britain to the
north of the Lake District at Caldbeck, in Cumberland. The species was
abundant in the open limestone woodlands about Grange, Holker and
Arnside where frequently the workers were large, unusually red and less
hairy than specimens from other areas. Nest materials were coarse, in ash
woods consisting largely of entire ash leaf petioles.
A small mixed F. fusca - F. rufa colony was discovered on a scree slope on
the S.E. face of Whitbarrow. The colony consisted of about a dozen large
fusca workers, some 30 small rufa workers and one dealate rufa female. The
workers had clear bright colouration compared with normal minor workers
from established rufa colonies. The nest was among stones with a few bits
of leaf litter and was over a mile away from the nearest known established
rufa colony. Although recorded by various workers in Europe such a mixed
colony has only once previously been recorded in Britain (Donisthorpe, 1927).
F. lugubris Zett. has been shown by Yarrow (1955) to be the common
wood ant of N. Britain. Formerly referred to by Donisthorpe and others
variously as F. rufa and F. pratensis , this species is readily distinguished in
the worker caste from the generally accepted F. rufa by the presence of
abundant long hairs fringing the back of the head. It occurs in the Lake
District only in the Duddon Valley on the Cumberland-Lancashire border
and in Ashness Woods, near Keswick, but is very numerous in both places.
The distribution of these two species of wood ant in the Lake District is
discussed elsewhere (Satchell and Collingwood, 1955).
F. sanguinea Latr. was recorded for Grange-over- Sands by Whitaker
(Donisthorpe, 1927) but was not found during the present survey.
F. fusca L. This ant has recently been shown by Yarrow (1954) t0 be
replaced in Central and N. Britain by F. lemani Bond., a distinct species
occurring generally in N. Europe and on upland areas in mid-Europe. The
true F. fusca occurs in the Lake District in a restricted area near the coast
near Grange-over- Sands and Arnside, penetrating the Winster and Lythe
valleys up to Whitbarrow.
F. lemani Bond, is abundant throughout the Lake District. This species
overlaps with F. fusca in the N. Lancashire coastal areas at Roudsea,
Ellerside, Lindale and Arnside, leplacing it in woodland and on high ground
in those localities. A good example of this was observed near Witherslack
where the ground rises from the open pastures of the Winster Valley through
wooded slopes and then open scree to the top of Whitbarrow, a limestone
fell, at 500-600 ft. In the valley pastures only F. fusca was found, while
164
[May
F. lemani occurred throughout the wooded slopes from 50 ft. to about
250 ft. On the steep well insolated scree above the woodland both species
were present often side by side, while on the top of Whitbarrow only
F. lemani was to be found.
Summary. The distribution in the South Lake District of 17 species of
ants is discussed. The relative abundance of the common species in various
habitats is compared.
This investigation was conducted from the Merlewood Research Station
(Grange-over- Sands) of the Nature Conservancy, to which acknowledgment
is due for facilities extended to one of us (C.A.C.).
References
Brian, M. V., and Brian, A. D., 1949. Observations on the taxonomy of the Ants
Myrmica rubra L. and M. laevinodis Nyl. (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) Trans.
R. ent. Soc. Lond ., 100 (14): 393-409.
Brian, M. V., and Brian, A. D., 1951. Insolation and ant population in the West
of Scotland. Trans. R. ent. Soc. Lond., 102 (6): 303-330.
Brian, M. V., 1952. The structure of a dense natural ant population. J. Anim. Ecol. ,
21: 12-24.
Donisthorpe, H., 1927. British Ants. 2nd Ed. London, 1927.
Neave, F., 1921. Rep. Lancs, and Ches. Fauna Comm., VIII: 30.
Satchell, J. E., and Collingwood, C. A., 1955. The Wood Ants of the English
Lake District. N.W. Naturalist, 3 (1): 23-29.
Yarrow, I. H. H., 1954. The British Ants allied to Formica fusca L. (Hym. For¬
micidae). Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent., 11 (11): 229-244.
Yarrow, I. H. H., 1955. The British Ants allied to Formica rufa L. (Hym. For¬
micidae). Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent., 12 (1): 1-48.
Helocera delecta Mg. and other uncommon Diptera
in the Isle of Wight
By C. H. Andrewes, M.D., F.R.S.
I spent three weeks’ holiday in the Isle of Wight in June and July, 1954,
and took a number of uncommon flies. Probably the most interesting was
the Tachinid Helocera delecta (Mg.), for which van Emden (1954) gives only
two records, Cambridge and Dorset. I took 30,1$, on flowers of Heracleum
near St. Catherine’s Point, one of them just alongside the lighthouse. The
dates were between June 19th and July 2nd. Other Tachinids were
Linnaemyia comta (Fall.), on the Dover at St. Helen’s, 22.6.54; and
Ocyptera interrupta (Mg.) in Firestone Copse, Ryde, 30.6.54. The host
of this Phasiine fly is unknown but is presumably a Pentatomid ; it is therefore
worth recording that Eurygaster testudinarius (Geoff.) and Neottiglossa
pusilla (Gmel.) were swept from herbage in the same clearing at the same
time.
Among Muscids, Phaonia fusca Mde. is of especial interest; my record
(Yarmouth, I.O.W., 5.7.54) represents a considerable westward extension of
its known range. Another Muscid taken was Lispocephala vema (F.),
Shalfleet, 27.6.54 and St. Helens, 22.6.54.
The island yielded many interesting Dolichopodidae , especially on the
salt-marshes between Yarmouth and Cowes. Dolichopus strigipes Verr.,
recorded by Verrall only from Fawley, on Southampton water, was abundant
i6s
1956]
on salterns at Yarmouth, Ningwood and Shalfleet between June 23rd and
July 5th. D. virgultorum Walk, also occurred in numbers at Shalfleet on
July 10th: Verrall records this from Sussex. Other Dolichopodids were
Macrodolichopus diadema (Hal.), Yarmouth, and Shalfleet, 1-5.7.54;
Hercostomus gracilis (Stann.), 1 Niton 8.7.54; H. nigriplantis (Stann.),
Ryde 30.6.54; Tachytrechus consobrinus (Walk.), Niton 19.6.54, on wet clay
cliffs; T. notatus (Stann.), Brook 8.7.54, in a similar place; Thinophilus
flavipalpis (Zett.), Yarmouth 28.6.54; Aphrosylus celtiber Hal., Niton 21.6.54;
A. ferox Walk., Niton 21.6.54, and Shalfleet 3.7.54; Thrypticus pollinosus
Verr., Shalfleet, 3.7.54; Xiphandrium brevicorne (Curt.), Niton 10.7.54.
Dr. F. van Emden kindly confirmed my determination of the Helocera
and Linnaemyia comtay Mr. E. C. M. d’A. Fonseca did the same for the
Phaonia fusca.
Reference
van Emden, F. I., 1954- Handbook for the identification of British insects. Vol. x.
Part 4 (a). Tachinidae and Calliphoridae.
Telenomus punctatissimus (Ratzeburg) (Hymen.
Scelionidae) New to Britain
By S. Shaw, F.R.E.S. (Manchester Museum)
In late August, 1954, Dr. R. Warwick, of Manchester University, col¬
lected an egg mass of the Buff- tip moth Phalera bucephala (L.) from a
willow at Wythenshawe, Cheshire. The eggs were found to be parasitised
by a scelionid, which I identified as Telenomus punctatissimus (Ratz.) a
species not previously recorded from the British Isles. Twenty- eight
specimens of the parasite, all of which were males, emerged from the batch
of 33 eggs of P. bucephala , and out of the remaining 5 eggs 4 had emergence
holes of the parasite.
The identity of this species was kindly confirmed by Mr. G. E. J. Nixon
of the British Museum, who had previously seen examples of T. puncta¬
tissimus from the same host species.
Further specimens of T. punctatissimus were found in the collections of
the Manchester Museum with the following data : Witherslack, Westmorland,
20.7.1918, 8?$, together with a batch of P. bucephala ova (IV. Buckley) (det.
H. Britten); New Forest, Hants, i<$y 1$, from ova of P. bucephala , 2.8.1926
(A. Swift) (det. H. Britten); Ranworth, Norfolk, i$, together with a batch
of P. bucephala ova, em. 21.8.1933 (H. L. Burrows) (det. H. Britten); Bala
and Festiniog, Merioneth, 2<$<$y 2?$, from ova of P. bucephala , em. July,
1936 (S. Gordon Smith).
Kieffer (1926) gives the distribution of this species as being Germany,
Austria and France, and cites P. bucephala and Malacosoma neustria (L.),
the Lackey moth, as its hosts.
The following characters will enable this species to be distinguished from
its allies in the genus. Female: colour, antennae and body black, legs
varying from dark brown to black with the joints lighter, the anterior legs
usually lighter than the others. Antennae with a 5-segmented club, 2nd and
[May
1 66
3rd basal segments equal in length. Head more than twice as broad as long,
vertex coriaceous, behind the ocelli a short transverse ridge which extends
behind the eyes forms a furrow between it and the eye margin; there is no
deep depression behind the antennae. Abdomen short, second tergite
quadrate with longer fine striations in addition to the short basal striae.
Male: similar to the female, except that the antennae are filiform, the 3rd
segment being twice as long as broad. Length: i*i - i*8 mm.
Kieffer (1926) in his description of this species describes the male antennae
as having the distal portion of the scape and the pedicel a dirty yellow with
the apical 3 or 4 segments brown. In all the males which I have examined,
the antennae are entirely black. Kieffer also states that the legs of the male
are lighter than those of the female, a character, which does not apply to
the present specimens.
Reference
Kieffer, J. J., 1926. Das Tierreich, 48. Scelionidae. Berlin and Leipsig. 885 pp.
Phorid Flies Damaging Cultivated Mushrooms;
MeGASELIA ( MeGASELIA ) PLURISPINOSA (LUNDBECK, 1920)
(Diptera, Phoridae) A Synonym of Megaselia (M.)
halterata (Wood, 1910)
By Charles N. Colyer, F.R.E.S.
In September, 1953, I had the opportunity of seeing several batches of
Phoridae reported to be causing damage to cultivated mushrooms in Kent,
Sussex, Norfolk and Shropshire. Two species were involved. One of these,
Megaselia (M.) bovista (Gimmerthal), occurred in only one instance (Salop),
as I have already recorded (Colyer, 1954), and the other more or less
abundantly from the remaining localities. This second species I provisionally
named for Mr. B. D. Moreton, of the National Agricultural Advisory Service,
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, at Wye, Megaselia (M.) plurispinosa
(Lundbeck). At the same time I drew attention to remarks by Schmitz
(1948, 1952) which suggested that this name might well be a synonym of
Megaselia (M.) halterata (Wood). A little later (Colyer, 1954, °P- I
added some further observations on the question of the identity of
plurispinosa , leaving it for future investigation. Moreton (1954, I955) duly
used the name, noting the possible synonymy, in accounts of the infestations
and discussions of the efficacy of various methods of control which had been
utilised.
Since then, at intervals, I have had the opportunity of seeing more material
from the Ministry from the original localities, also from a further locality
in Norfolk and a new locality in Lancashire. My friend, Mr. J. F. Shillito,
who has been interested in some of the biological aspects of the infestations,
has also kindly furnished me with prepared material and very helpful notes.
Additionally, I have had, through the good offices of my friend, Father H.
Schmitz, the opportunity of studying a large and representative material,
previously determined as plurispinosa and halterata respectively, from widely
distributed localities in the Palaearctic Region, which, together with the
1956]
i67
specimens in my own collection, has enabled me to reach a firm conclusion.
This conclusion, which confirms the tentative opinion of Schmitz, is that
only one variable species is actually involved and that the name plurispinosa
(Lundbeck) must therefore sink as a synonym of halter ata (Wood).
In order to account adequately for this conclusion, it is necessary to go
right back to the origin of both names. Wood (1910) described his halterata
as having two forms; a larger, darker one with dusky halteres which he
stated to occur almost exclusively in woods, and a smaller, paler form with
yellow halteres which, he said, frequented as exclusively the house or garden.
Now Lundbeck (1922) described his plurispinosa on three males only, all
taken on windows, in separate localities, in June, August and October of
three successive years. He drew attention to its similarity to halterata as
regards the costal division and course of the fourth vein, but indicated that
plurispinosa had a rather longer costa (0-40) than halterata (0-37), four
bristles on each side of the male hypopygium instead of two, and was a
much more black species. He had evidently decided that his plurispinosa
was not Wood’s dark form of halterata because it had yellow halteres, and
thought that the dark form mentioned by Wood was probably a different
species, namely the fuscohalterata of Schmitz (a synonym of sulphuripes
(Mg.), teste Schmitz, 1929). Moreover, he had taken all his specimens of
halterata (all with yellow halteres) both indoors and in woods. Schmitz
(1937) settled this question, after an examination of Wood’s material, by
stating that Wood’s dark form was not fuscohalterata but Lundbeck’s own
species coacta which Lundbeck had (1922, op. cit .) differentiated from
halterata , plurispinosa and fuscohalterata.
There, in the literature, the matter rested until Schmitz, as already men¬
tioned, suggested that plurispinosa might indeed be a synonym of halterata ,
and drew attention to the striking resemblances in the descriptions apart
from the character of the hypopygial bristles.
It was therefore necessary to review critically once again the “species”
so far involved in the question, together with any closely similar species,
according to their descriptions, in the halterata complex, and to eliminate
them progressively so that the investigation could be narrowed down with
conviction to establishment of the identities of halterata and plurispinosa
respectively. Since plurispinosa had been described only from males, and
there were, therefore, no distinguishing characters recorded for the females,
the discussion is restricted to males. In the use of Lundbeck’s work, one
was able to derive much more assurance from the results of Schmitz’ critical
examination (1952 op. cit.) of Lundbeck’s material.
Now Schmitz (1937) had, as already stated, deleted the “dark haltere”
element from the Wood conception of halterata by establishing this form as
coacta (Lundbeck), and in so doing had definitely established halterata
(Wood) as a species with yellow halteres. It is worth a few moments’
digression to consider the very close similarity in general appearance apart
from the halteres and to note the distinguishing characters. As regards the
wings (figs. 1 - 3), there is a general similarity but closer scrutiny reveals
that in coacta (fig. 1) the wing is slightly broader in relation to its length
than in halter ata-plurispinosa (figs. 2 and 3) and the costal index is larger
(about 0-42 against 0*38 - 0-39). The outline of the fourth vein is clearly
i68
[May
more concave anteriorly. Moreover, the first costal segment, i.e., between
the proximal edge of the humeral cross-vein and the proximal edge of the
apex of the first vein, is clearly less than double the length of the second
and third segments together, whereas in the other two “species” i would
appear to be about double 2+3. In this connection it is interesting to recall
that Wood, in describing his dark form ( coacta ) had stated “1 more than
double 2+3.” His fixed points for judging relative values of costal segments
(1908, p. 167) were apparently the same as those later adopted by Schmitz
(1917, pp. 133-4) and Lundbeck (1922 op. cit ., p. 212). There is evidence
for thinking however (Colyer, 1955) that Wood never used a micrometer for
actually taking his measurements and the unaided eye can, on occasions, be
quite misleading as the student of the genus Megaselia soon comes to realise.
It is also worth while noting that, whereas Schmitz and Lundbeck both
stated that their “first segment” was measured “ from the humeral cross¬
vein” to the point of junction of the inner or proximal contour of the first
vein and the costa, in fact Father Schmitz has confirmed (in. litt ) that the
proximal contour of the humeial cross- vein has also, logically, been used
by him (and probably also by Lundbeck, since Lundbeck indicated that he
used “microscopical measurements”). Continuing with the comparison
between the species, it is evident that the configuration of the fork of Veins
2 and 3 in coacta is different, the lumen of the latter being larger. More
striking, however, is the presence of greatly developed abdominal stigmata
in coacta (fig. 4) which can often actually be seen in dried pinned specimens,
whilst the arrangement of the hypopygial bristles is different ( cf . figs 7. and 8).
Of the remaining “dark haltere” species, sulphuripes (Mg.) (= fuscohalterata
Schmitz) and its close allies, subfuscipes Schmitz and compacta Schmitz,
with brown or brownish halteres, could likewise be eliminated additionally
by virtue of the fact that 1 is much less than double 2+3; and one could cross
off those with dark palpi, fuscinula Schmitz and tibiella (Lundbeck) having
the hypopygium without bristles, as distinct from hairs, and mortenseni
(Lundbeck) with an extremely short costa (0-34) and 1 more than double
2+3. Some doubts were left by the descriptions of apozona Schmitz and
devia Schmitz and the fact that in the progressive elimination several
specimens otherwise indistinguishable from what was being taken for
halter ata-plurispinosa had darkened halteres (some, it is true, only distally).
It was observed, however, that in each case these specimens with dark or
darkened halteres occurred in the same populations as normal halterata-
plurispinosa , and that these populations were from indoor habitats. Various
notes and wing-photographs kindly furnished by Father Schmitz cleared
these doubts up satisfactorily. Of the two species, apozona , only recorded
from the Canary Islands, is linked in its description with pallidizona
(Lundbeck), parumlevata Schmitz, to which further reference will be made,
and coacta ; it clearly differs from halter ata-plurispinosa in its narrower
wing-outline (ratio of length to maximum width, 2-4 as against 2-2), and
in the course of the fourth vein which is practically straight for the first
two thirds and thereafter less outwardly curved. In the case of devia , of
which no wing-photo has been published with the description, it can
definitely be stated that the costal cilia are very much shorter, the fork is
more like that of coacta and the anal cell is differently delimited.
1956]
169
The list of species with yellow halteres was a short one, only three being
involved, namely, ultrabrevis Schmitz, palaestinensis Enderlein ( =mediterranea
Schmitz), and parumlevata Schmitz, the first two of which are at once dis¬
tinguished by the very short costa (0-26 - 0-27 and 0*29 - 0*30 respectively).
The third, parumlevata , like apozona , is only recorded from the Canary
Islands, and has a similarly-shaped fourth vein. Comparison of the wing-
photographs accompanying the descriptions (Schmitz, 1936, figs. 20 and 22)
requires to be very close to bring out these distinctions. In the case of
parumlevata , which, it will be seen, is the nearest of all to halterata , the
first half or two-thirds of the fourth vein will need to be very carefully
studied in both species. Unlike apozona , the ratio of length of wing to
maximum width, is 2-2, i.e., exactly the same as in halterata.
There now remained halterata and plurispinosa mainly to be differentiated,
according to the descriptions, by means of the male hypopygial bristles, of
which the former species was stated to have two strong ones and the latter
four (or five). Typical examples of each, as hitherto conceived by Father
Schmitz and myself, are shown in figs. 5 and 6, the sketches having been
prepared from photographs of dried specimens. In addition, plurispinosa
was said to be a much more dark species and to have a longer costa.
Figs. 1-3. Wings. 1, Megaselia (Af.) coacta (Lundbeck). 2, Megaselia (Af.) halterata
(Wood), form “ halterata .” 3, Id., form “ plurispinosa .”
[May
170
The present study was based on 125 specimens from 33 quite distinct
populations in the Palaearctic Region. “Dark” forms (dark all over) and
“light” (dorsum of thorax and abdomen of varying degrees of reddish-brown
to yellowish) were found to occur quite often in the same population; the
females preponderantly light and the males of either form. A distinct
tendency was noticed for the “indoor” forms, e.g., those from mushroom
cultivation, to be dark, the extreme forms even having, as already mentioned,
the halteres darkened, at least distally. In practically every case these dark
forms exhibited three to five strong or strongish hypopygial bristles, but
some light specimens were found to occur with a similar arrangement.
It can be seen that there is no significant difference in the wings from
figs. 2 and 3, which were prepared from photographs of two representative
specimens from the series. A study of the relative density of the bristles
of the venter and other characters showed no significant factor.
7 8
\
Figs. 4-8. 4. Megaselia ( M .) coacta (Lundbeck), abdominal stigmata, from
macerated specimen. 5. Megaselia (M.j halterata (Wood), $, hypopygium (rear) of
form “ halterata ,” from dried specimen, 6, Id., form “ plurispinosa .” 7, Id. (left
side), form “ halterata ,” from macerated specimen. 8, Id., form “ plurispinosa .”
1956]
I7I
There remained only Lundbeck’s character of the hypopygial bristles.
A study of the arrangement of these in the long series* a good number of
which were treated in lactic acid to distend the hypopygia and thus facilitate
critical examination, revealed a precisely similar arrangement of the bristle
insertions in the two “species” (figs. 7 and 8), the left and right sides being
asymmetrical but homologous. But, on both sides, the degree of development
of the bristles a - e, which, on the right side (not figured) form an almost
vertical, nearly straight, basal row is extremely variable. In both halter ata
and plurispinosa bristles d and e seem almost invariably to be robustly
developed. In halter ata a , b and c are more or less short and concealed but,
when visible, are only differentiated from the remaining bristles of the
hypopygium with close attention. On the other hand, in plurispinosa , bristle
c is almost always nearly as robust as d and e (thus giving a three-bristled
appearance when the rest of the hypopygium is concealed, as in certain
specimens mentioned by Mr. J. E. Collin and myself (Colyer, 1954)) and
a and b may be sufficiently differentiated from the remainder of the hypopygial
bristles to give a four-bristled appearance as in Lundbeck’s conception {a not
developed), or five-bristled as in the lectotype selected by Schmitz.
Comparison between the long series of dried and macerated specimens
also made it clear that the real misleading factor throughout has been the
tendency in many dried specimens for bristles a, b and c to be concealed
by the preceding tergite, i.e., the hypopygium being considerably withdrawn
(fig. 5). When this occurred, only the two strong bristles d and e were
visible, thus constituting “halter ata” When the hypopygium was exposed
fully, the specimen would be “halter ata” or “plurispinosa” according to the
relative development of the bristles. Either state could occur in both “dark”
and “light” forms.
References
Colyer, C. N., 1954. A new species of Megaselia (Dipt., Phoridae) from Britain:
notes on British fungicolous Phoridae. Ent. mon. Mag., 90: 108-12.
- 1955. The identity of Megaselia ( Aphiochaeta ) vestita (Wood, 1914)
(Diptera, Phoridae); a description of the male and redescription of the female.
J. Soc. Brit. Ent., 5: 91-4.
Lundbeck, W., 1922. Dipt. Danica , 6: 1-447. Copenhagen.
Moreton, B. D., 1954. The Phorid — “no real evidence of acquired resistance.’
M.G.A. Bulletin , 50: 1-4.
- 1955. The Mushroom Phorid Fly Epidemic of 1953. Plant Pathology.
4: 9-11.
Schmitz, H., 1917 Die Phoriden von Hollandisch-Limburg. Jahrb. Natuurh.
Genootsch. Limburg , 1917: 79-150.
- 1929. Revision der Phoriden , 1-211. Berlin and Bonn.
- 1936. In R. Frey, Die Dipterenfauna der Kanarischen Inseln und ihre
Probleme. Soc. Scient. Penn. Comm. Biol. VI. 1: 70-82.
- 1937- Bemerkungen iiber vierzehn von Wood beschriebene Phoridenarten.
Broteria ( ser . cienc. nat .), 6: 169-75.
- 1948. Zur Kenntnis der fungicolen Buckelfliegen (Phoridae, Diptera).
Natuurh. Maandbl ., Maastricht, 37: 37-44.
- 1952. Uber W. Lundbecks Sammlung und Beschreibung danischer
Phoriden. Ent. Medd., 26: 350-79.
Wood, J. H., 1908. On the British Species of Phora (Part II), Ent. mon. Mag.,
44: 164-74, 215-8, 253-4.
• - 1910. On the British Species of Phora (Part II). Ibid , 46.: 149-54, 195-202,
243-9.
172
[May
On the Occurrence oe Hylecoetus dermestoides (L.)
and Lymexylon navale (L.) (Col. Lymexylidae) in
Lancashire and Cheshire
By S. Shaw, F.R.E.S. (Manchester Museum)
Hylecoetus dermestoides (L.) is an uncommon beetle in Britain and seems
to be mainly recorded from the northern parts of the country. Fowler (1890,
The Coleoptera of the British Islands, 4: 177) quotes Sherwood Forest and
Cannock Chase, Staffs, as the most southerly localities.
In Lancashire there are only two old records for Hylecoetus , one for
Stretford, (Restart) (W. E. Sharp, Lancs, and Ches. Ent. Soc ., 1908 156) and
one for Pendleton, where several specimens were taken from Russian oak in
June, 1886. Its distribution in Cheshire is much wider and confirmed by
recent records, which indicate that it probably occurs all along the valleys
of the Goyt and Bollin, where the adults are to be found during May and
June, associated with beech or coniferous plantations. The Cheshire records
are as follows: Goyt valley, 25.5.1933 (H. Britten, Jnr.), 18.6.1932, 4.6.1933
(. H . R. P. Collett ): Bowden: Bollin valley, 14. 10. 1947, emergence holes found
in old beech stumps (H. Britten ): Dunham Park, 5.1953, 5-1954, common
in recently felled beech trunks (W. D. Hincks ): Cotterill Clough, near the
Bollin, 23.5.1950, 1$ flying (H. Britten), 5.1952, 1$ flying (S. Shaw): Lyme
Park, 5.1953, several flying near beeches (G. W. R. Bartindale, W. D. Hincks,
S. Shaw): Birties Wood: Godrell Hall, Knutsford, May (R. Kaufman):
Delamere, 19.5. 1951, 1$ flying in coniferous plantations (S. Shaw).
The other rare British representative of this family, Lymexylon navale (L.)
has not been recorded in Lancashire or Cheshire during the present century,
although it was apparently common in Dunham Park, Cheshire, in July and
August, 1872-4, when it was taken by J. Siaebotham. This record is con¬
firmed by specimens which are in the Sidebotham Coll, at the Manchester
Museum. All the other localised specimens in the Manchester Museum
collections are from the southern localities of Windsor and the New Forest.
Dunham Park has previously been noted as a locality for Lymexylon bv
J. Chappell (1873, Ent. mon. Mag. 9: 158) who first discovered specimens
on a fallen oak tree in July, 1872. The only other records for this species
are from Bowden, Cheshire (Reston) and Stretford, Lancashire (Reston)
(W. E. Sharp, Lancs, and Ches. Ent. Soc., 1908:56).
Some new British Borboridae (Diptera)
By J. E. Collin, F.R.E.S.
The following species of the restricted genus Limosina, and of the groups
known under the names of Paracollinella Duda, Trachyopella Duda and
Coproica Rdi. (= Heteroptera of Richards and Coprophila of our List), are
new to the British fauna. Before enumerating these species and calling
attention to their distinctive characters, it appears advisable to refer to the
fact that the head bristles of the Borboridae have been often misinterpreted.
1956]
173
especially the inner and outer “vertical bristles.” For instance, in Richards’
interpretation of the head bristles of Limosina silvatica , the true “inner
vertical” is called the “superior orbital,” and the true “outer vertical” is
called the “inner vertical.” A comparison with the vertical bristles in
other Acalyptrate Muscids will prove the truth of this assertion. In certain
genera (always I believe in the old genus Limosina ) other bristles are
developed behind these “vertical bristles” in a transverse row on the posterior
margin of vertex. They include Richards’ “outer vertical” and “outer and
inner postverticals,” and Hendel’s “outer and inner occipitals” and “post-
verticals.” They might all, with reason, be called “postverticals,” and
because there is often some doubt in regard to the inner pair as to whether
the same pair of bristles has been developed, I propose to identify them by
numbers (beginning with the outer pair), as postverticals i, 2 and 3 (or
pv. 1, pv. 2 and pv. 3). The inner pair (pv. 3) are often absent, and when
present the bristles may be parallel, whereas in the other two pairs they are
convergent. The comparative development of these postvertical bristles is
often of considerable value in the identification of species.
Limosina verticella Stenhammar (1855)
A single male captured at Barton Mills (Suffolk) on 8th June, 1931, is
assuredly the same as that described by Duda under the above name from
specimens in Strobl’s collection but, as in the case of the next species
( nitens Stnh.), the types will have to be examined before the names can be
used with any certainty.
L. verticella belongs to the silvatica- claviventris group, resembling the
latter more than the former, but without the sexual peculiarities of either,
the middle tibiae however have the numerous dorsal bristles (no median
ventral) of silvatica , and not the few of claviventris. Face dusted greyish on
interantennal keel and a middle line only, front of frons distinctly, and jowls
below eyes obscurely, reddish. Only postverticals 1 and 2 piesent but both
strong as in silvatica. Abdomen with third and fourth tergites equal in
length and both slightly shorter than second, fifth about two-thirds length
of fourth, the prehypopygial tergite visible on left side only and devoid of
hairs, third to fifth tergites with a distinct hindmarginal bristle each side.
Hypopygium large, subterminal, with a large ovate depression which is
yellow, and has a truncate lower margin; below this depression lie the two
genital side lamellae clothed with numerous curved hairs and apparently
with 2-3 small black terminal spines. Legs strong, trochanters and both
ends of tibiae yellowish, and at least four posterior tarsi obscurely yellow.
Last section of third vein convex above on basal half, and more distinctly
concave on apical half than in silvatica. Halteres yellow.
Limosina nitens Stenhammar (1855)
A small shining black species unknown to Duda, and apparently running
down in his Tables to nana Rdi., having very similar wing venation, but
certainly not that species.
Face and jowls shining black, only the interantennal keel dusted greyish.
Only postverticals 1 and 2 present and these quite small. Two pairs of
dorsocentrals, anterior pair small, discal setulae very short. Second abdominal
tergite very large and long, longer than next three together, prehypopygial
174
[May
tergite visible on left side only, devoid of hairs. No long hindmarginal
bristles, and the small black setulae far more numerous on sternites than
elsewhere. Hypopygium small, without the pair of longer bristles of nana
and allied species. Genital side lamellae shining black, broad, scale-like,
curled inwards at tip, and clothed on outer side with short black slightly
curved hairs. Legs comparatively short-haired; trochanters, tibiae narrowly
at both ends, four anterior tarsi, and hind tarsi towards tip, yellow. Middle
tibiae very inconspicuously bristled, one small posterodorsal at about basal
third, and a somewhat longer one not far from tip, with a small anterodorsal
one slightly above it, a small apical spur, but no median ventral bristle.
Basal joint of middle tarsi long and slender, quite half length of tibia, most
insignificantly bristled even at tip. All costal hairs quite short. Knobs of
halteres black, contrasting strongly with the pale yellow stems.
Of this species one male was obtained by sweeping at Chippenham Fen
(Cambs.) on 9th June, 1951. It is certainly different from any previously
recorded British species, and is somewhat doubtfully identified as nitens
Stenh.
Limosina brevicostata Duda (1918)
A small species with front of frons distinctly red, and venation rather
like that of moesta Vill. ( antennata Duda), but costa scarcely (if at all)
continued beyond end of third vein, and this vein more evenly upcurved
and ending further from wing tip.
$. Eyes comparatively small, jowls even at narrowest part quite half
vertical diameter of eye. Third pair of postverticals present, short and
straight, pointing more rearwards than other pairs. Only one pair of
dorsocentrals. Abdominal cerci short, each with one long end-hair and
other short ones, the small shield-shaped tergite which stands almost
vertically above base of cerci with an isolated pair of short small spines
at middle. Legs mainly greyish-black, coxae only partly yellow, knees
narrowly and indistinctly, and four posterior tarsi indistinctly, yellowish.
Middle coxae with a distinct bristle in front, almost as large as the main
upper dorsal bristle on middle tibiae, this tibial bristle with a smaller one
immediately above it, also on lower dorsal part of tibia a pair (both large)
with a third one close above the front one, further a small median ventral,
an apical ventral and a shorter apical in front. Front tarsi somewhat dilated
(as in crassimana). First joint of middle tarsi with a double row of minute
black spines beneath ending in a longer pair, and one of the spines of
postero ventral row not far from base slightly longer than others. Halteres
brownish-black.
A single female was obtained by sweeping over a garden compost heap
at Kirtling (Cambs.) on 12th May, 1951, and another on 1st July, 1953.
L.fungicola Hal. (1836), vitripennis Zett. (1847) and exigua Rnd. (1880)
The fact that Haliday included more than one species under the name
fungicola (as noted by me in 1914, Proc. Roy. Dublin Soc. p. 243) is obvious
both from his description and the specimens in his Collection. I have
recently re-examined these specimens, described as taken in “Holywood,
N. Devon, and near London, Mr. Walker,” and find that three labelled
“Holywood,” one labelled “Ireland,” and one “British” are fungicola as
1956] 175
recognised by Richards (1930), while four labelled “Ireland” are vitripennis
Zett., and one (also labelled “Ireland”) is a female guestphalica Duda.
Actually the application of the name fungicola was definitely restricted to
a species which was not vitripennis by Stenhammar in 1855 when having
examined a type specimen of vitripennis received from Zetterstedt, he quoted
the characters given in Walker’s copy of Haliday’s description of fungicola
which indicated a species different from vitripennis. I have therefore placed
a “lectotype” label on a pin holding a pair of this species fungicola (both
gummed to the same card) in Haliday’s Collection, and labelled as taken at
“Holywood.”
Rondani in 1880 ignored this restriction published by Stenhammar, and
sank the name vitripennis as a synonym of fungicola , at the same time giving
a new name ( exigua ) to the species which had already been accepted, because
of Stenhammar’s action, as fungicola Hal. Rondani further considered that
vitripennis of Stenhammar was not the same species as vitripennis Zett.,
entirely overlooking Stenhammar’s statement concerning the type specimen
of vitripennis sent to him by Zetterstedt compared with a specimen in his
own Collection, of: “Hujus caput cinereo-caesium et abdomen ferrugineum,
omnino ut in meis.”
Duda followed Rondani in the use of the name fungicola , but the synonymy
of our two British species must be that adopted by Richards, viz.: (1) L.
fungicola Hal., with synonym exigua Rnd., and (2) L. vitripennis Zett., with
synonym fungicola Rnd. nec Hal.
Paracollinella finalis sp. n. $ 5
Resembling a small P. fontinalis Fin. but legs always darker, the two
apical bristles behind tip of middle tibiae longer, and other small differences.
<£. Compared with fontinalis: Frons seldom reddish in front, arista shorter.
The two to three pairs of developed acrostichals among microchaetae on
middle of thorax not so strong. Prehypopygial sternite with a much smaller ,
narrower , excision in hindmargin , and this with less extensive clothing of soft
fine hairs. Genital processes of similar general type, but recognizably
distinct. Legs everywhere darker, especially front tarsi dull black and gradually
somewhat dilated from base onwards, both posterior apical bristles to middle
tibiae longer , extending rather beyond base of strong ventral spine near base
of metatarsus (fig. ia). Wings somewhat brownish on costal area, the
end of upcurved cubital vein rather nearer actual wing-tip than is the end
of faint continuation of discal vein.
$. With similar differences from fontinalis ?. Ovipositor darker and with
dark setae on lower terminal edge of lateral plates.
Length about 2-2-25 mm-
A long series of this species was taken by me at Barton Mills (Suffolk)
about a shallow damp ditch on 25th March, 1953, and 9th April, 1953, in
company with a few P. Oldenbergi , and an odd specimen or two of other
species, but including only one fontinalis. It was also found at Horning
Ferry (Norfolk) on 7th July, 1953, and will probably prove to be not
uncommon.
Trachyopella minus cula sp.n. $ $
A very small black species resembling leucoptera Hal., but third vein much
1 76
[May
less upcurved to costa, while this and the veins below it are much more
distinct, the wings not whitish, and hind femoia without the short, upcurved,
apical antero ventral bristle of that species.
<$. Frons very broad, somewhat shining black except for two narrow,
parallel, very dull black stripes close to, but on outer side of, each row of
interfrontal setae. On the outer side of each dull stripe two (at least) of the
row of small outcurved setae (in front of inner vertical bristle) peculiar to
this group of species are well developed, being almost as long as the orbital
bristles, but the latter and all the normally longer bristles on frons are
shorter than usual. Third pair of postverticals well developed (almost as
long as ocellar pair), parallel, slightly reclinate, and somewhat in front of a
line connecting the other pairs which are much smaller, especially the
second pair. Antennae placed wide apart and pointing laterally, arista not
very long, obviously pubescent, the hairs pale. Eyes small, bare. Thorax
rather dull black with only one pair of dorsocentrals. Abdomen dull greyish-
black except when viewed from behind, second tergite longest, others
subequal, pubescence everywhere short, including hindmarginal bristles at
sides. Hypopygium small, not visible from above. Legs black, four posterior
tarsi sometimes brownish, middle tibiae with one upper and three lower
bristles on outer side, the middle one of the three the longest, the postero-
dorsal one (slightly above it) the shortest, only a quite small median ventral
bristle. Basal joint of middle tarsi only slightly longer than the next, and
with only the usual small bristles, of which one posteroventral near base is
very slightly longer than others. Preapical bristle on hind tibiae longer than
in leucoptera , decidedly longer than tibia is thick. Wing venation resembling
that of coprina Duda, but postical vein more bowed therefore the cell above
it rather broader, second section of costa thickened and equal or almost
equal in length to third, alula not so short or narrow. Halteres black with
brownish stem.
$. Resembling male. Cerci short and broad, dorsoventrally flattened,
quite different in form and chaetotaxy from those of coprina , each ending
in a long fine pale hair with a much shorter one near it, and a slightly
upcurved hair of medium length above it.
Length not quite 1 mm.
Described from five pairs taken on a garden compost-heap at Kirtling
(Cambs.) in May, 1951, and 1952, and again in July, 1951. Mr. B. R.
Laurence has a female specimen found on a 7-8 day old cow-pat at
Rothamsted (Herts.) on 3-iv.5i.
This species must also be very much like that described by Duda as
T. Kuntzei , but in that species the second section of the costa would appear
to be much shorter.
Trachyopella melania Hal., and coprina Duda
Trachyopella coprina was described by Duda in 1918 when he also gave
a description of melania Hal., with which coprina was compared. Later
(1923), having been informed by Villeneuve (who had seen some of Duda’s
specimens), that while his melania was the same as melania (Hal.) of Rondani
(type), his coprina was “ melania Hal. teste Collin,” Duda proceeded to
transfer the name melania to his species coprina , and give the new name of
Villeneuvei to his melania (Hal.) of Rondani. Actually Duda was misled by
1956]
177
Villeneuve’s statement, and this changing of names was quite unnecessary.
The two species are very much alike, and Duda’s species coprina had not
been described when I examined Haliday’s Collection in 1913. It was in
fact mixed up with melania in my Collection at that time, so Villeneuve’s
“ melania Hal. teste Collin” must have referred to some specimens of coprina
Duda sent by me to Villeneuve as melania Hal. (It should be noted that in
Lindner’s “Die Fliegen. Sphaeroceridae” Duda incorrectly referred to his
L. coprina as “ coprophila ”).
Fig. 1. a, Part of left middle tibia and tarsus of Paracollinella finalis n.sp. b , Paralobes
of male genitalia of Trachyopella melania Hal. c, Paralobes of male genitalia of
Trachyopella coprina Duda
A recent re-examination of Haliday’s specimens of melania has established
their identity with melania Hal. of Rondani, and of Duda, 1918, nec 1923.
One of Haliday’s three specimens (all gummed to cards) has disappeared
leaving only one wing and the tips of some tarsi, but this wing very clearly
shows the faint continuation to wingmargin of upper vein from discal cell.
In the other two specimens (both of which appear to be males) this is not
so evident, but the obviously hairy eyes and arrangement of bristles on
middle tibiae distinguishes them from coprina. In melania the eyes are
normally more obviously hairy than in coprina , hence Haliday’s “oculi
hispiduli,” while on the middle tibiae the anterodorsal of the three exterior
bristles on lower half (the posterodorsal of these three being very minute) is
almost as far above the longer dorsal one as that is from end of tibia (an
arrangement similar to that in atoma), while in coprina these two bristles are
nearer together. There is also an additional venational distinction from
coprina in the somewhat shorter length of second costal segment compared
with third, as indicated by Haliday in his description. The male hypopygium
of melania is smaller than that of coprina with different paralobes (figs, ib
and tcj, and the female cerci are less prominent and their bristles very much
shorter and finer than in coprina.
In describing T. coprina Duda stated that he had taken in all 36 specimens
on manure at Ilfeld and Eickel. I understand however from Prof. Dr. Peus
of the Berlin Museum that there are now no specimens in Duda’s Collection
with such locality labels, but many labelled as captured in 1916 at “Herten.”
I have seen some of these specimens and they are the same as our British
cotrina , and not T. melania Hal.
The next species belongs to a group for which Richards used the name
of Heteroptera Mcq. (1835), and Duda that of Coprophila Duda (1918), but
if Heteroptera Mcq. is preoccupied by Heteroptera Raf. (1814), the name to
be used must be Coproica Rdi. (1861), proposed as a new name in the place
of Heteroptera Mcq.
CONTENTS
Page
Andre wes, C. H.: Helocera delect a Mg. and other uncommon Dipt era
in the Isle of Wight . 164
Collin, J.E. : Some New British Borboridae (Diptera) . 172
COLLINGWOOD, C. A. and Satchell, J. E.. Ants of the South Lake
District . 159
Colyer, C. N. : Phorid Flies, damaging cultivated mushrooms, Mega-
selia plurispinosa (Lundbeck, 1920) (Diptera Phoridae) a
synonym of Megaselia halterata (Wood, 1910) . 166
Hincks, W. D.: Notes on the species of Micro-Hymenoptera from
Charterhouse Pools . 150
Jackson, D. J. : Notes on Hymenopterous Parasitoids bred from the
eggs of Dytiscidae in Fife . 144
Leston, D.: The British Species of Sigara ( Sigara ) Fabricius (Hem.,
Shaw, S.: On the Occurrence of Hylecoetus dermestoides (L.) and
Lymexylon navale (L.) (Col. Lymexylidae) in Lancashire
and Cheshire . 172
— - Telenomus punctatissimus (Ratzeburg) (Hymen, Scelionidae)
new to Britain . 165
Editorial . 143
Communications for the Journal should be sent to:
E. J. Popham,
Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13.
The author of any published paper shall, if he so request at the time of
communicating such paper , be entitled to receive twenty-five copies thereof
gratis.
Information regarding the Society may be obtained from the Secretary,
J. G. Blower, Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13.
Printed by Sydenham & Co. (Est. 1840) Ltd., Printers, Oxford Road, Bournemouth
£. D, 5 Cl S'' 7
i
VOL. 5
Part 6
IMOS. COMP. 7-Oil
LIMARY
MAR 1 5 1957
• HAIt’RO
j. WIWIRSIN
Journal
OF THE
Society for British
Entomology
World List abbreviation : J. Soc. Brit. Ent.
EDITED BY
E. J. POPHAM, D.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.C.S., F.R.E.S.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF
W. A. F. BALFOUR-BROWNE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.L.S.,
F.Z.S., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.S.
B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
O. W. RICHARDS, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. H. T. TAMS
Date of Publication: 23rd November, 1956
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The University, Manchester, 13
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OFFICERS AND COUNCIL, 1955-6
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Other Members of Council:
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W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.S. H. M. RUSSELL
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TRANSACTIONS
GENERAL
A New Chapter in Zoological Nom¬
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by the Thirteenth International
Congress of Zoology, Paris, July.
1948. By F. Hemming, 1950. 8 pp.,
15. 6 d.
The Problem of stability in Specific
Nomenclature, with special
REFERENCE TO CASES WHERE TYPE
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By F. Hemming, 1951. 16 pp., 2 s. o d.
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Reference to the Relation between
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Some adaptations of insects to en¬
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By H. E. Hinton, 1953. 20 pp.,
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ENTOMOLOGICAL FAUNA OF
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EPHEMEROPTERA
Descriptions of some Nymphs of the
British Species of the Genus
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HEMIPTERA-HOMOPTERA
Revision of the British Species
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New and little-known Species of
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( Continued on inside back cover )
JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY
FOR BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY
Vol. 5
23rd November, 1956
Part 6
Hemiptera-Heteroptera associated with Fruits
and Hops
By A. M. Massee, O.B.E., D.Sc.
The British Hemiptera-Heteroptera have been studied by numerous
hemipterists during recent years, and the publications relating to the plant
bugs have been considerable. However, very few entomologists are afforded
the opportunity to study the plant bugs associated with fruit in detail in the
field, and in consequence very little is known concerning the life cycles and
habits of these species.
Fifty-seven species of Hemiptera-Heteroptera have been recorded on top
and small fruits and hops, but only a few of these species are confined to
specific host plants such as apple, pear, plum, etc., the majority being more
catholic in habit occur on several kinds of fruits, and these may be found also
on other wild host plants, sometimes remote from fruit orchards.
A number of fruit species are mainly confined to derelict and neglected
plantations ; indeed many more species are found in these environments than
in well-cared-for plantations. Occasionally species not noted previously in
commercial orchards become established in their new environment, while
some of the once familiar species tend to disappear without any apparent
reason.
The fact that fewer species occur in commercial orchards today than
formerly is doubtless due to the routine spray programme practised by all
progressive fruit growers. The use of synthetic chemicals toxic to most
species of Hemiptera largely accounts for this reduction.
Probably one of the most interesting examples of an insect changing its
habits and becoming a major apple pest is provided by the Mirid Plesiocoris
rugicollis (Fall.), popularly known as the Apple Capsid Bug. This Mirid was
first recorded on apple in a nursery at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in 1911.
Previously to this date this Mirid was associated with various species of
willow and Bog Myrtle.
The Apple Capsid Bug spread very rapidly from the nursery at Wisbech,
and in a relatively short time became established in most fruit growing
districts of the British Isles. Notable exceptions being the greater part of
Essex and a small area around the Tenterden district of Kent. The apparent
absence of the bug from fruit in these areas has not been explained.
i?8
[May
Coproica hirticula sp.n. $ $
Allied to pseudolugubris Duda, but differing as follows . Eyes rather smaller
and consequently jowls rather wider, especially towards front. Scutellum
with fewer and slightly longer setae on disc. Abdomen much less bristly
on last sternite which has a narrow median apical projection, rounded at
end, and each tergite with a more distinct hindmarginal bristle at each hind
corner. Hypopygium smaller, and not so densely haired, but with a pair of
rather longer hairs near base and another shorter pair near tip. Genital
side lamellae not slender and curved, but broad at base and sharp-pointed
at tip, its front margin strongly convex and bearing a row of short hairs,
and rear margin (nearest anus) concave. Legs differing in arrangement of
spines beneath basal joint of middle tarsi (apparently distinctive in each
species of this group), there being a pair of fairly large spines near base, a
distinctly smaller pair just beyond middle, and the usual apical spines, in
pseudolugubris there is only one (anteroventral) spine at base which is equally
small as two other paiis on middle half. Wings slightly whitish, and with
no indication of third vein being slightly recurved at tip. Halteres somewhat
dusky yellow.
$. Resembling male. Abdominal cerci each with two long terminal hairs
similar to those in pseudolugubris , but sternites less bristly, and hind corners
of each tergite with a more distinct bristle.
Length scarcely i mm.
This species is still more like hirtula , but among other differences the
middle tibiae are always without the two small additional posterodorsal
bristles of hirtula. It was not uncommon about a garden compost heap at
Kirtling (Cambs.) from May to July (and again in October), 1951. Specimens
taken on 14.X.51 may be taken as typical.
Stenhammaria nivalis Hal. and ferrestralis Fin.
I am personally convinced that the former is only a mutant form of the
latter. In my experience nivalis is only found in company with fenestralis ,
which exhibits a distinct tendency to vary in the direction of wing abbrevia¬
tion. When Duda in 1918 placed these species in distinct subgenera he had
seen only one pair of nivalis , and Richards with a better knowledge of the
species did not accept this division. The chaetotaxy of the middle legs is
identical in both forms, and the supposed larger head in nivalis is an illusion
due to a natural reduction in the size of the thorax as a consequence of
abbreviated wings, while the loss of the outer cross vein is also due to this
abbreviation.
( Continued from inside front cover)
DIPTERA
Preliminary List of the Hosts of
some British Tachinidae. By H.
Audcent, 1942. 42 pp., 2 s. 9 d.
An Outline of a Revised Classifica¬
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Phylogenetic Lines. By E. R.
GofFe, 1952. 28 pp., 3 figs., 65. 0 d.
A Revision of the British (and notes
on other) Species of Lonchaeidae
(Diptera). By J. E. Collin, 1953.
28 pp., 3 pis., 3 figs., 6s. od.
HEMIPTERA-HOMOPTERA
Revision of the British Species
of Cixius Latr., including the
Description of a New Species from
Scotland. By W. E. China, 1942.
32 pp., 12 figs., 2 s. 9 d.
New and little-known Species of
British Typhlocybidae with Keys
to the Genera Typhlocyba , Erythro-
neura , Dikraneura , Notus , Empoasca
and Alebra. By W. E. China, 1943.
43 pp., 14 figs., 45. od.
HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA
The Natural Classification of
British Corixidae. By G. A. Walton,
1943. 14 pp., is. 9 d.
Contributions towards an
Ecological Survey of the Aquatic
and Semi-Aquatic Hemiptera-
heteroptera of the British Isles.
Anglesey, Caernarvon and
Merioneth. By E. S. Brown, 1943.
62 pp., 3s. od.
North Somerset. By G. A. Walton,
1943. 60 pp., 26 figs., 4s. od.
Scottish Highlands and East
and South England. By E. S. Brown,
1948. 45 pp., 7s. 6d.
The Ribble Valley (Lancashire
South and Mid). By E. J. Popham,
1949. 44 pp., 1 map, 8s. od.
North-East Wales (Denbighshire
and Merionethshire). By E. J.
Popham, 1951. 12 pp., 2s. 6d.
The Hemiptera-Heteroptera of Kent.
By A. M. Massee, 1954. 36 pp.,
7 s. 6d.
LEPIDOPTERA
The Morphology of Lnffia ferchaul-
tella and a Comparison with L.
lapidella (Psychidae). By R. S.
McDonogh,i94i. 19 pp., 9 pis., 4s. od.
List of the Lepidoptera of Dorset.
Part 2. By W. Parkinson Curtis,
1947. 138 pp., 4 pis., ns. od.
Postural Habits and Colour-Pattern
Evolution in Lepidoptera. By
M. W. R. de V. Graham, 1950. 16
pp., 4 pis., 4 figs., 4s. od.
HYMENOPTERA
A Consideration of Cephalic Struc¬
tures and Spiracles of the Final
Instar Larvae of the Ichneumoni-
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31 figs., 5 s. 6d.
Second Review of Literature con¬
cerning British Ichneumonidae.
By G. J. Kerrich, 1942. 35 pp.,
7 figs., 3s. od.
The Hymenoptera Aculeata of Bed¬
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1949. 56 pp., 3 maps, 10s. od.
An Introduction to the Natural His¬
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Benson, 1950. 98 pp., 9 pis., 10s. od.
Notes on Some British Mymaridae.
By W. D. Hincks, 1950. 42 pp., 5
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The British Species of the Genus
Ooctonus Haliday, with a Note on
some Recent Work on the Fairy
Flies (Hym., Mymaridae). By W. D.
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The Natural History of some
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A Revision of Section I (Mayr, i 872)
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The British Ants allied to Formica
fusca L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
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3 maps, 5s. od.
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rufa L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
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COLEOPTERA
The Aquatic Coleoptera of North
Wales. By E. S. Brown, 1948. 15
pp., 1 fig., is. od.
The Aquatic Coleoptera of Wood
Walton Fen, with some compari¬
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ORTHOPTERA, Etc.
A Summary of the Recorded Distri¬
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By D. K. McE. Kevan, 1952. 16 pp.,
5s. od.
Orders, accompanied by the appropriate remittance, should be addressed to the
Hon. Secretary.
i8o
[November
On apple, the Apple Capsid Bug hibernates as an egg, which is laid in the
tissue of the new growth, in the latter part of June and early July. On
hatching, early in April, the immature bugs feed on the unfolding foliage, but
by the time the young fruitlets start to form at petal-fall the immature bugs
feed on the fruitlets in preference to the foliage, causing much distortion and
roughening of the fruitlets, rendering them unsuitable for market.
By 1931, the Apple Capsid Bug became so abundant in most commercial
orchards that fruit growers regarded it as one of the most serious apple pests.
The economic status of the Apple Capsid Bug resulted in a detailed study of
its life-cycle and habits (Petherbridge, 1918) and measures for its control
have been worked out in this country and on the Continent.
In fact, the Apple Capsid Bug disappeared from the commercial apple
orchard almost as quickly as it arrived some thirty-five years earlier. The
reason for its departure is a simple one. In 1946 the synthetic chemical DDT
was introduced into the spray programme as a pre-blossom insecticide, and
it was found to be so effective against the bug that it was completely eradicated
by only one application in a single season. This bug is rarely found in
commercial apple orchards today, but it may still be found in a few neglected
orchards of the West Midlands.
It is significant that thirty of the fifty-seven species of plant bugs associated
with fruits and hops are regarded as beneficial species known to be wholly or
partly predacious on some of the more harmful insects resident in the
orchards.
Eleven species are mainly confined to the floor of orchards, where they
inhabit grasses and wild flowers and only visit the trees from time to time.
Some of the species hide in the sack bands, which are placed around the
trunks of the trees to prevent the tree stakes rubbing the bark. These insects
may be regarded as neutral species, since they are neither harmful nor
beneficial. Only five species of those recorded may be described as pests of
fruits and hops, and even these are not regarded as being very serious today.
They are as follows: the Apple Capsid Bug, the Common Green Capsid,
the Hop Capsid or Shy Bug, the Hop Lygus and the Hazel Capsid.
All the species of Hemiptera-Heteroptera recorded on fruit, with two
exceptions, are very common British insects, and the life-cycles and habits of
most of them are well known.
The two exceptions are as follows : Xylocoridea brevipennis Reuter is a very
uncommon species of Anthocorid bug, which is found occasionally under the
loose bark of apple and pear. The second species is Lygus visicola Puton,
a rare species, which inhabits mistletoe growing on apple trees, and this
Mirid feeds on the parasitic plant.
Cydnidae
Sehirus bicolor (L.)
This shield-bug is normally associated with dead-nettle, stinging nettle,
etc., but sometimes occurs on fruits, and it has been observed feeding on the
leaves of plum. An egg batch consisting of twenty-eight eggs, was found on
the undersurface of a plum leaf. The eggs hatched on 1st August. This is
most unusual since the ova are usually laid in the soil.
1956]
j i V 4 r\ i\ 1 5 1 357
v
ii.i- , -Itfcl
181
A number of adults were found on Bramley’s[SeeyMn£&pplc. Egg batches
were deposited on the upper surface of the leavesTn June. 1 he eggs hatched
on 1 8th June.
Several adult shield bugs were found on raspberry foliage in June, 1951,
but they were not observed feeding on the leaves (Massee, 1936, 1951).
Pentatomidae
Podops inuncta (Fabr.)
Dolycoris baccarum (L.)
Pentatoma rufipes (L.)
Three species of Pentatomid bugs are associated with fruit, but none of
them is very important. Podops inuncta (Fabr.) is frequently plentiful on the
floor of orchards which have been covered with straw Utter, provided as a
form of humus. It occurs most commonly in the autumn months and
hibernates in the litter during the winter.
Dolycoris baccarum (L.), popularly known as the Sloe Bug, is frequently
common on plum and damson trees in August and September, where it preys
upon the various species of aphids which infest these fruits (Massee, 1954).
The Forest Bug ( Pentatoma rufipes (L.)) sometimes occurs in considerable
numbers in commercial orchards — more especially old cherry orchards —
during the winter months. It hibernates in the immature stages. The Forest
Bug is predacious upon the larvae of the winter moth group during the spring
months (Massee, 1946, 1954).
Aradidae
Aradus depressus (Fabr.)
Aradus aterrimus (Fieb.)
Brachyrhynchidae
Aneurus laevis (Fabr.)
Three species of Aradid bugs are found under the loose bark of old apple
and pear trees, and may be present in considerable numbers. All stages of the
bugs and eggs occur, especially in orchards which do not receive winter or
spring washes, but they never occur in well-cared-for orchards (Massee,
1935, 1949)-
Lygaeidae
Kleidocerys resedae (Panz.)
Aphanus rolandri (L.)
Rhyparochromus alboacuminatus (Goeze)
Scolopostethus thomsoni Reut.
Scolopostethus decoratus (Hahn . . )
Scolopostethus ajfinis (Sch.)
Taphropeltus contractus (H.-S.)
The seven species of Lygaeids found in orchards may be described as casual
visitors, since none of them is directly associated with the fruit trees of the
orchards concerned.
Kleidocerys resedae (Panz.) frequently occurs on apple foliage in April and
May, but there is no evidence that it feeds on the leaves (Massee, 1949).
[November
182
Aphanus rolandri (L.) is commonly seen running on floors of cultivated
orchards in August and September, but this species does not harm the trees.
After picking, the apples are frequently left in the apple boxes under the trees
to colour for several days. The bug is attracted to the boxes, and several
specimens may be seen running amongst the fruits, and the bugs congregate
in numbers under the paper at the bottom of the boxes.
Rhyparochromus alboacuminatus (Goeze). This Lygaeid is an extremely
active species which runs about on the floor of the orchards in the spring
months. It does not occur on the trees, but more frequently lives in the hedge
bottoms which surround the orchards.
The species of Scolopostethus which have been recorded in fruit orchards
hibernate in the sack bands placed around the trunks of the trees to prevent
the support stakes rubbing the bark. Taphropeltus contractus (H.-S.) also
seeks hibernation in the bands (Massee, 1935).
Tingitidae
Physatocheila smreczynskii China
This beautiful lace bug has been recorded from eight English counties,
including Kent, and normally occurs on lichen-covered crab apple trees.
Occasionally it establishes itself in old, neglected plantations where lichen
abounds. It is never present in the well-cared-for orchard.
Nabidae
Nabis mirmicoides Cost.
Nabis ferus (L.)
Nabis apterus (Fabr.)
Nabis mirmicoides Cost, and Nabis ferus (L.) are found commonly in hop
gardens in July, August and September. Both species also occur on fruit
trees and are predacious on the Fruit Tree Red Spider Mite and the Hop-
Damson Aphid (Paine, 1951).
Nabis apterus (Fabr.) inhabits deciduous trees, and it is found commonly in
orchards, where it is predacious upon the Fruit Tree Red Spider Mite and
fruit aphids. It is also plentiful in hop gardens, where it feeds upon the
Hop-Damson Aphid and the immature bugs also devour the Red Spider
Mite. This species overwinters in the egg state, the ova being laid deep in
the one-year wood (Massee, 1954).
Anthocoridae
Anthocoris confusus Reut.
Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabr.)
Anthocoris gallarum-ulmi (Deg.)
Anthocoris nemorum (L.)
Orius niger (Wolff)
Orius majusculus (Reut.)
Orius minutus (L.)
Orius laevigatus (Fieb.)
Lyctocoris campestris (Fabr.)
Xylocoridea brevipennis Reut.
Dufouriellus ater (Dufour)
1956]
183
No less than eleven species of Anthocorid bugs are recorded on top and
small fruits and hop. All the species are predacious, and many of them are
very important beneficial species.
Anthocoris nemorum (L.) is regarded as the most important beneficial
species of the genus, and it frequently occurs in very large numbers on all
kinds of fruits and hop. It feeds on the Fruit Tree Red Spider Mite, the fruit
aphids and other species of harmful insects. There are two generations each
year, and the bug hibernates in the adult state. The ova are inserted into the
tissue of the underside of leaves of top and soft fruits and hops (Massee and
Steer, 1929).
Orius majusculus (Reut.) is another very important species which inhabits
all kinds of top and soft fruits and hop. It is predacious on all stages of the
Fruit Tree Red Spider Mite, fruit aphids and other pests. There are two
generations each year, and the ova are laid in the tissue of the leaf under¬
surface (Massee, 1935, 1939, 1947).
The other species contained in the genera Anthocoris and Orius also inhabit
fruit trees from time to time, but not as frequently as the species referred to
above (Dicker, 1951).
Lyctocoris campestris (Fabr.) is commonly found in the sack bands around
the tree trunks. It has not been observed feeding on harmful fruit insects,
and merely shelters in the bands for hibernation purposes.
Xylocoridea brevipennis Reut. is a rare species of Anthocorid bug which
sometimes occurs under the loose bark of old apple trees. It is sometimes
found in company with Dufouriellus ater (Duf.), another subcortical species
(Massee, 1935).
Loriculidae
Loricula elegantula (Baer.)
This minute bug is found on the trunks of many kinds of trees, including
fruit trees, and sometimes it is very common in old, neglected orchards. It is
predacious on mites, thrips and other small insects (Massee, 1944).
Miridae
Pantilius tunicatus (Fabr.)
Phytocoris tiliae (Fabr.)
Phytocoris reuteri Saund.
Phytocoris ulmi (L.)
Calocoris fulvomaculatus (Deg.)
Calocoris norvegicus (Gmel.)
Lygus pabulinus (L.)
Lygus spinolae (M.-D.)
Lygus rugulipennis Popp.
Lygus viscicola Puton.
Plesiocoris rugicollis (Fall.)
Liocoris tripustulatus (Fabr.)
Camptobrochis lutescens (Sch.)
Deraeocoris ruber (L.)
Camptoneura virgula (H.-S.)
Pilophorus per plexus D. and S.
[November
184
Blepharidopterus angulatus (Fall.)
Orthotylus marginalis Reut.
Orthotylus ochrotrichus Fieb.
Capsus meriopterus (Scop.)
Malacocoris chlorizans (Panz.)
Phylus coryli (L.)
Psallus ambiguus (Fall.)
Psallus variabilis (Fall.)*
Atractotomus mali (M.-D.)
Plagiognathus arbustorum (Fabr.)
Campylomma verbasci (M.-D.)
Twenty-seven species of Mirid bugs are found on top and small fruits and
hop, which represents about half the total number recognized on these trees
and bushes. Of these five are considered harmful, three may be regarded as
neutral species, and nineteen are beneficial since they feed partly at least on
harmful insects and mites associated with fruits and hop.
The harmful species consist of the Apple Capsid Bug ( Plesiocoris rugicollis
(Fall.)), the Common Green Capsid ( Lygus pabulinus (L.)), the Hop Capsid
( Calocoris fulvomaculatus (Deg.)), the Hop Lygus ( Lygus spinolae (M.-D.)) and
the Hazel Capsid ( Pantilius tunicatus (Fabr.)).
The Apple Capsid Bug has already been noted. It is no longer an important
pest, but it occurs in a few orchards which do not receive a routine pre¬
blossom spray containing DDT. The immature bugs feed on fruitlets of
apple, frequently distorting them to render them unfit for market. The bug
less frequently occurs on pear, causing a shortening of the new growths, thus
causing forking of the tips. It rarely attacks pear fruits, but feeds on the
tender foliage around the area of the mid-rib. A detailed account of the life-
cycle, habits and injury caused by the Apple Capsid Bug has been published
(Petherbridge, 1918).
The Common Green Capsid Bug is much more catholic in its habits since
it infests and damages most kinds of top, small fruits and hop. It does not
feed on the apple fruitlets, however, but attacks the leaves and young growths,
causing the latter to fork and produce stunted growth. It is particularly
harmful to cultivated Rubi , black currant and gooseberry. It stunts the
growth and distorts the foliage of the plants. On pear it attacks the fruitlets
(and not the foliage), causing severely malformed fruits and also forked
growths. The second generation sometimes feeds on the hop bine, causing
bleeding and stunting of the growth.
The Common Green Capsid has two generations a year. It hibernates in
the egg state, the ova being laid in the new growths of woody plants and trees.
The eggs hatch early in May, some weeks later than those of the Apple
Capsid Bug, and the immature bugs feed on the foliage (Petherbridge and
Thorpe, 1928).
* The Mirid bug Psallus salicellus (M.D.) has been found in numbers recently in a
commercial apple orchard, where it was noted to be predacious upon the phytophagus
mite Bryobia praetiosa Koch.
1956]
185
The Hop Capsid and the Hop Lygus both attack the hop and may cause
considerable harm to the bines by feeding on the tender growths in June
and July. The Hop Capsid lays its eggs in the hop poles in July, and
the immature bugs hatch the following May. The Hop Lygus is less
common but does occur from time to time in several Kentish hop gardens
(Theobald, 1925).
The Hazel Capsid Bug frequently occurs in Kentish nut plats in August
and September. The adult and immature bugs feed on the foliage, frequently
causing injury to the new growths. It does not affect the crop. The Hazel
Capsid hibernates in the egg state, and there is one generation each year.
The three neutral species consist of Phylus coryli (L.), Lygus rugulipennis
Popp, and Lygus visicola Puton. Phylus coryli (L.) is associated with hazel
and cultivated nut, but it does not cause any harm to the latter. Lygus
rugulipennis Popp, frequently occurs on cultivated fruits and hop but is not
regarded as harmful and there is no evidence that it feeds on the pest species
associated with these plants. Lygus visicola Puton is not a common species.
It is associated with mistletoe, and it is thus restricted to the areas where
mistletoe grows. It is partial to fruits of the plants.
The nineteen predacious species associated with fruits and hop vary very
considerably in the life-cycles, habits, and in their prevalence on these plants,
and a few interesting observations concerning them follow.
The Black-kneed Capsid ( Blepharidopterus angulatus Fall.) is at present
regarded as the most important Mirid associated with top and small fruits.
This species is widespread throughout the British Isles, and it occurs on many
other plants in addition to cultivated fruits. The bug is predacious on the
Fruit Tree Red Spider Mite, aphids, small caterpillars, etc. It lays its eggs
deep in the young wood growths and water growths of apple, etc. The
species overwinters in the egg state. It is fortunate that the eggs hatch in the
latter part of June and July, since by this period most of the spraying of
commercial orchards has been completed, thus the Mirid largely escapes the
toxic effect of the spray chemicals (Colly er, 1952).
Another beneficial species, Psallus ambiguus (F.), may prove very valuable
in commercial orchards, when the spray programme is further modified to
allow it to survive. At present it is abundant in derelict and neglected
orchards, where it occurs from April until the end of June. The eggs are laid
in the young wood of apple, etc., from mid-May until the end of June. It
hibernates in the egg state. There is one generation each year. It feeds on all
stages of the Fruit Tree Red Spider Mite, aphids, and small caterpillars.
Phytocoris tiliae (Fabr.), P. reuteri Saund., P. ulmi (L.), Camptobrochis
lutescens (Sch.), Deraeocoris ruber (L.), Camptoneura virgula (H.-S.), Pilo-
phorus perplexus D. and S., Orthotylus marginalis Reut. (Massee, 1954),
O. ochrotrichus Fieb., Malacocoris chlorizans (Panz.), Capsus meriopterus
(Scop.) (Collyer, 1954), Psallus variabilis (Fall.), Atractotomus mali (M.-D.),
Plagiognathus arbustorum (Fabr.) and Campylomma verbasci (M.-D.) have all
been observed feeding on the immature stages and adults of the Fruit Tree
Red Spider Mite. P. perplexus D. and S. and A. mali (M.-D.) also feed on
the immature forms of the Woolly Aphid.
1 86 [November
Calocoris norvegicus (Gmel.) and Liocoris tnpustulatus (Fabr.) both occur on
cultivated hop (Paine, 1951).
A number of other species of Mirids have been noted on top and small
fruits, but since they have not been observed feeding on the foliage or preying
on other insects of the fruit trees they have not been included.
References
Collyer, E., 1949. The Predator Aspect of the Fruit Tree Red Spider Problem.
Rep. E. Mailing Res. Sta. for 1948 (1949): 108-10.
- 1952. The Biology of Some Predatory Insects and Mites associated with the
Fruit Tree Red Spider Mite ( Metatetranychus ulmi (Koch)), in South-east
England. I. The Biology of Blepharidopterus angulatus (Fall.) (Hemiptera-
Heteroptera, Miridae). J. hort. Sci., 27: 117-29.
- 1954- Some Predacious Insects of Commercial Orchards. Rep. E. Mailing
Res. Sta. for 1953 (1954): 218-19.
- 1955* Some Predacious Insects of Fruit Trees: Capsid Bugs. Rep. E-
Mailing Res. Sta. for 1954 (1955): 155-9.
Dicker, G. H. L., 1952. Studies in Population fluctuations of the Strawberry Aphid
(Pentatrichopus fragaefolii (Cock.)). I. Enemies of the Strawberry Aphid. Rep.
E. Mailing Res. Sta. for 1951 (1952): 166-8.
Massee, A. M., 1936. Notes on Some Interesting Mites and Insects observed on Hops
and Fruit. Rep. E. Mailing Res. Sta. for 1935 (1936): 164-70.
- 1937. Notes on some interesting Insects observed in 1936.
Res. Sta. for 1936 (1937): 222-8.
- 1940. Notes on some interesting Insects observed in 1939.
Res. Sta. for 1939 (1940): 71.
- 1945- Notes on some interesting Insects observed in 1944.
Res. Sta. for 1944 (1945): 81.
- 1947- Notes on some interesting Insects observed in 1946.
Res. Sta. for 1946 (1947): 124-30.
- 1948. Notes on some interesting Insects observed in 1947.
Res. Sta. for 1947 (1948): 135-40.
- 1950. Notes on some interesting Insects observed in 1949.
Res. Sta. for 1949 (1950): 126-31.
- 1952. Notes on some interesting Insects observed in 1951.
Res. Sta. for 1951 (1952): 155-61.
Rep. E. Mailing
Rep. E. Mailing
Rep. E. Mailing
Rep. E. Mailing
Rep. E. Mailing
Rep. E. Mailing
Rep. E. Mailing
1954. The Pests of Fruits and Hops. Crosby, Lockwood & Son Ltd., London*
Massee, A. M., and Steer, W., 1929. Tar-distillate Washes and Red Spider. J. Minist.
Agric., 36: 253-7.
Paine, J., 1952. A List of Insects occurring on the Hop. Rep. E. Mailing Res. Sta. for
1951 (1952): 179-80.
Petherbridge, F. R., and Husain, M. A., 1918. A Study of the Capsid Bugs found on
apple trees. Ann. appl. Biol., 4: 179-205, pi. 3.
Petherbridge, F. R., and Thorpe, W. H., 1928. The Common Green Capsid Bug
{Lygus pabulinus). Ann. appl. Biol., 15: 446-72.
Theobald, F. V., 1925. Insects feeding on the hop. Misc. Publ. Min. Agric., No. 42.
1956] 1 87
The Known Distribution of British Orthopteroids,
Fourth Supplement
By D. Keith McE. Kevan
From time to time, sufficient new or hitherto unnoticed county records of
British Orthopteroids (and corrections) accumulate to make desirable the
publication of supplements to the original summary of distribution (Kevan,
1952); this is the fourth such supplement (cf. Kevan, 1953, 1953a, 1954).
Since the publication of the last of these, very considerable advances in our
knowledge of one family of this previously rather neglected group — namely,
the Acrididae — have been made through the appearance of the important
ecological study by Richards and Waloff (1954). There is, however, but a
single new vice-county record (and that a quite incidental one) in the whole of
this large work. It may perhaps also be mentioned that George (1955, 1955a)
has now published details of the records of the Orthopteroids of Gloucester¬
shire and certain other counties to which brief reference [as George “(1954)”
or “(private communication)”] was made in the last supplement (Kevan,
1954). The following are new or otherwise interesting records, or corrections :
Blattodea
Ectobius lapponicus (L.). This has now been recorded from Buckingham¬
shire (v.c. 24) and Northamptonshire (v.c. 32) by Claridge (1955).
Blatta orientalis L. Even if not new, records of the Oriental Cockroach
taken outdoors are always interesting. They now seem to be getting not
uncommon. Mr. W. Bunting (in litt ., 1955) records 7 (adults) in the open
at Portland, Dorset (v.c. 9), vii.1951 [this is not a new county record for
the species].
Phasmatodea
Carausius morosus Br. v. W. In the last supplement (Kevan, 1954) it was
suggested that this species might be more widely established as a glass-house
“escape” than is generally known. Mr. C. F. Rivers (in litt., 1955) informs me
that Mr. Herbert Whitley’s private plant collection at Primley, near Paignton,
Devon (v.c. 3 — where it is already known to have become established at
Torquay), was infested. Mr. Whitley is said to be a “famous zoologist” and
it is not impossible that he may have started the trouble himself.
Orthoptera-Ensifera
Tacky cines asynamorus Adel. Another glass-house insect, this species has
recently been recorded from Ayrshire and Midlothian (v.c. 75 and 83) by
Dunn and Kevan (1955) and from Leicestershire (v.c. 55), as well as from a
previously known vice-county (v.c. 21), by Thomas (1954). Mr. A. R.
Waterston, of the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh (private communica¬
tion, 1955), also informs me that it occurs under glass in Dumfries (v.c. 72) —
a new county record.
i88
[November
Decticus verrucivorus (L.). Some twenty-eight years have elapsed since the
last authentic British record of this species, so that it is both interesting and
gratifying to note that, although rare, or at least very local, it is by no means
nearing extinction. One of the most significant notes in this supplement is to
draw attention to the record by Payne (1955a, b) of Mr. J. A. Whellan’s
discovery and his own confirmation of the occurrence of the species in a
previously unrecorded vice-county. East Sussex (v.c. 14). Almost simul¬
taneously, Ragge (1955a) announced its rediscovery in Dorset (v.c. 9) and at
the same time confirmed the occurrence of several other Orthopteroids in
the county.
Metrioptera brachyptera (L.). Mr. R. M. Payne has kindly sent me a fist
of interesting vice-county records of Orthoptera compiled by Mr. J. A.
Whellan. Apart from that of Decticus (above) none is actually new, but the
northerly record of the present species from mid-Lancashire (v.c. 60) is
perhaps worth mentioning: Winmarleigh Moss, 1946.
Conocephalus discolor (Thunb.). Gardner (1956) records this from near
Dungeness (v.c. 15) — a new Kentish record.
Leptophyes punctatissima (Bose). Mr. C. Moriarty (in litt ., 1955) has kindly
informed me that this species may be recorded from Kerry S. (Ireland 1);
this has not previously been noticed. Since Mr. Moriarty hopes to publish
details shortly I will not anticipate his notes further. [It may be noted that
the recorded Irish distribution for this species, according to Burr’s (1936)
distribution map, includes the whole of County Cork (v.c. 3-5), but published
records actually appear to be limited to Cork East (v.c. 5); Ireland 3 and 4
thus await confirmation.] The record of a nymph of this species from
Cheshire (v.c. 58), published by Ford (1956), is apparently erroneous. Mr.
Ford (in litt., 1954) informs me that the specimen is in Manchester and has
been examined by Mr. B. C. Pickard and found to be a Decticine (? M.
brachyptera).
Gryllus campestris L. Mr. W. Bunting (in litt., 1955) records this species
from between Salisbury, Wiltshire South (v.c. 8), and Blandford, Dorset
(v.c. 9), vii.1951. Although the exact locality is not given, this constitutes an
additional county record since the Field Cricket is so far unrecorded by me
from either Wiltshire or Dorset. It is probable that the record refers to the
latter county since most of the road between the two places lies within it.
It may be noted, however, that a small part of the road runs through the
corner of Hampshire South (v.c. 11), from which the species is recorded!
Recent published records of G. campestris are rare, even from counties in
which it has been reported as occurring:* Mr. J. A. Hardman (personal com¬
munication, 1953) records it from Frensham, Surrey (v.c. 17), 18.vii.1953;
Mr. P. W. E. Currie collected specimens in East Sussex (v.c. 13) (cf.
Parmenter, 1955).
Acheta domesticus (L.). In the original “Summary” (Kevan, 1952), the
House Cricket is said to have been recorded from several Irish vice-counties.
* See also note by B. C. Pickard (1956, Entomologist , 89: 200) published subsequent
to the preparation of this paper.
1956]
1 89
Mr. C. Moriarty (in litt ., 1955) kindly points out that, as yet, there are
apparently no authentic records from Kerry N., Mayo E. or Donegal W.
(Ireland 2, 26 and 35). The records should therefore be withdrawn; the
reason for their inclusion was that the Irish distribution of this species was
given on a county, instead of a vice-county, basis.
Mogoplistes squamiger (Fisch.). This species has again been recorded from
Dorset (v.c. 9) (see Taylor, 1954; Pickard, 1956) and it seems that it may now
be accepted as an established British insect, even if it is not a true native. In
France this species is apparently confined to the Mediterranean seaboard, so
that it may be adventive in Britain, but the Dorset fauna is known for its
southern connexions.
Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa (L.). Recent notes on the occurrence of this species
in Britain ( cf '. Allan, 1955; Kevan, 1955; Ragge, 1955) have brought to light
an additional Welsh record (Caermarthen, v.c. 44 — an old record by Edward
Lloyd), quoted by the first author, and a number of interesting recent records,
including some of crop damage, from the previously recorded vice-counties
of Hampshire South and Surrey (v.c. 11 and 17) by the last writer.
Orthoptera- Caelifera
Tetrix subulata (L.). Fincher (1955) records this species from Castle-
morton, near Malvern, Worcestershire (v.c. 37), a new county record.
T. subulata was not previously known north-west of a line from the Wash to
the Severn estuary, so that the record has additional interest even although
the locality lies in the general area of the Severn valley.
Tetrix undulata (Swrby.) [T. vittata (Zett.)]. Mr. C. Moriarty (in litt.,
1955) kindly informs me that previously unnoticed Irish records for this
species exist for Meath and Mayo West (Ireland 22 and 27), but I will not
further anticipate his notes which he hopes shortly to publish. He also points
out that Lucas’ (1920) record from Glengarriff refers in fact to Cork West
(v.c. 3), whence it has hitherto been unrecorded, and not to Kerry South
(v.c.i), which still stands. [It may be noted that Irish records from Kerry
North and Galway SE. and NE. (v.c. 2, 15 and 17) are based only on Burr’s
(1936) map which indicates the whole of each county to be concerned,
although other published records seem to be confined to Kerry South and
Galway North (v.c. 1 and 16). Ireland 2, 15 and 17 therefore await con¬
firmation.]
Stethophyma grossum (L.). Mr. Moriarty (l.c.) queries the validity of
including Galway SE. and NE. and Mayo East (Ireland 15, 17 and 26) in the
known distribution of this species. So far we appear to have only Burr’s
(l.c.) map upon which to base this knowledge, so that, although there are
authentic records for Galway West and Mayo West (Ireland 16 and 27),
confirmation is needed for the remaining three vice-counties.
Stenobothrus lineatus (Pz.). Payne (1955) gives what is only the second
record of this species for Hertfordshire (v.c. 20).
190
[November
Omocestus rufipes (Zett.) [=0. ventralis (Zett.)]. The occurrence of this
species in Essex (v.c.18, 19) is based only on the record of Harwood (1908) and
I am indebted to Mr. R. M. Payne (in litt ., 1956) for pointing out that
Harwood’s list contains no mention of the abundant O. viridulus , from which
my correspondent deduces misidentification. I am inclined to agree with this
view and there thus appears to be no substantiated record of the species from
the county. Mr. B. C. Pickard (in litt., 1954) is of the opinion, also, that most
of the northern records of this species are spurious and that a reappraisal of
the position is required. With this latter point I concur.*
Omocestus viridulus (L.). I am indebted once more to Mr. Moriarty (l.c.)
for drawing attention to the alleged records of O. viridulus from Kerry South
and Donegal West (Ireland 1 and 35) given in my “Summary.” These
appear to be errors due to a lapsus calami. An interesting Irish record (though
not a new one for the vice-county) is that given by Richards and WalofF (l.c.)
for Achill Is. (Ireland 27). [In connexion with the Irish distribution of this
species it may be noted that its occurrence in Cork Mid and East, Galway
SE. and NE. and Mayo East (Ireland 4, 5, 15, 17 and 26) is based only on
Burr’s (l.c.) map and confirmation for these particular vice-counties is much
needed.]
Chorthippus brunneus (Thunb.). Specimens of this common species are
recorded from Balinrobe, Mayo East (Ireland 26) by Richards and Waloff
(l.c., p. 74), a new vice-county record. Mr. C. Moriarty (l.c.) also notes that
Ch. brunneus is known from Waterford and Mayo West (Ireland 6 and 27);
he hopes to publish details later.
Chorthippus parallelus (Zett.). There is no new vice-comital record of this
species to add, but it is always of interest to report the macropterous f.
explicatus Selys. A specimen (sex not stated) was recorded by Mr. J. A.
Whellan (see above under Metrioptera) from Westend Common, Surrey
(v.c. 17), 15.viii.1945. In connexion with this species it is also of interest to
record that several otherwise normal females were taken, by members
(including the writer) of the Ninth Congress of British Entomologists on their
excursion to Charterhouse Pools, Somerset North (v.c. 6), clinging to the
upper parts of grass stems where they had died as a result of attack by an
entomophagous fungus (Empusa sp., presumably E. grylli), 24.vii.1955 [cf.
antea 5 (4): 133]. Acridophagous fungi are well known, but published
British records are rare.
Myrmeleotettix maculatus (Thunb.). Mr. C. Moriarty (l.c.) has kindly
pointed out that th£re is some doubt as to whether this species has been
recorded from all the vice-counties of County Cork (Ireland 3, 4, 5). The
whole county is indicated by Burr (l.c.), but other sources appear to confirm
only Cork West (v.c. 3). This common species must certainly occur elsewhere
in Ireland than in this and the only other two vice-counties so far known,
Galway West and Wicklow (Ireland 16 and 20).
* Since writing, Mr. Pickard (1956, Ent. mon. Mag., 92: 51-3) has investigated the
position with regard to the more northerly records and produces clear evidence for the
rejection of v.c. 49, 61-64, 69-70 and 88, and good reasons for not accepting 58, 59 and
80 also.
1956]
I9i
Dermaptera
Labia minor (L.). Fincher ( l.c .) records the Lesser Earwig from Worcester¬
shire (v.c. 37). This is not a new record, but there appears to be but one other
for the county. For Ireland, Mr. Moriarty (l.c.) again points out that other
than Burr’s {l.c.) map, there is apparently no record of this species for Kerry
North, Cork Mid and East and Donegal West (Ireland 2, 4, 5 and 35), so that
these vice-counties still require confirmation although Kerry South, Cork
West and Donegal East (v.c. 2, 3 and 34) are supported by other records.
Forficula auricularia L. The exact known British distribution of this most
ubiquitous of species has never been given in detail. It is certainly recorded
or known from the majority of the vice-counties of Great Britain, but in
Ireland, authentic records appear to be limited to vice-counties 1, 16, 17, 21,
22, 27 and 35, to which, however, Mr. Moriarty will doubtless be adding
when he publishes his account of the Irish Orthopteroids.
References
Allan, P. B. M., 1955. Something about the Mole-Cricket. Ent. Rec., 67: 21-3.
Burr, M., 1936. British Grasshoppers and their Allies , a Stimulus to their Study.
London: xvi+ 162 + 2 pp., 6 pi.
Claridge, M. F., 1955. Ectobius lapponicus L. (Orth., Blattidae) in Buckinghamshire
and Northamptonshire. Ent. mon. Mag., 91: 81.
Dunn, E., and Kevan, D. K. Mc.E., 1955. Two alien Orthopteroid insects from
Edinburgh. Ent. Rec., 67: 35-6.
Fincher, F., 1955. Orthoptera and Dermaptera in Worcestershire. Ibid. : 71.
Ford., W. K, 1956. Orthoptera. Rep. Lancs. Chesh. Fauna Committ., 30: 67 (1954).
Gardner, A. E., 1956. Dermaptera and Orthoptera in Kent. Ent. Gaz., 7: 75.
George, R. S., 1955. Synopsis of the information available concerning Dictyoptera,
Orthoptera and Dermaptera in Gloucestershire. Proc. Cottesw. Nat. Fid. Cl., 31:
196-205.
- I955a* Some records of Acrididae (Orthoptera) from the MSS. of the late
E. J. Clark. Ent. Gaz., 6: 109-13.
Harwood, W., 1908. Orthoptera. Victoria County History. Essex. 1:92-4.
Kevan, D. K. McE., 1952. A summary of the recorded distribution of British
Orthopteroids. Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent., 11: 165-80.
- 1953* Notes on the Distribution of British Orthopteroids. J. Soc. Brit. Ent.,
4: 119-22.
- 1953a. Additional Notes on the Distribution of British Orthopteroids.
Ibid. : 183-5.
- 1954* Further Notes on the Distribution of British Orthopteroids. Ibid.,
5: 65-71.
- 19.55* Mole-Crickets in Britain. Ent. Rec., 67: 91-2.
192 [November
Lucas, W., 1920. A Monograph of the British Orthoptera. London, x+264 pp., 25 pi.
Farmenter, L., 1955. London Natural History Society. Entomological Section : 19th
July, 1955. Ent. mon. Mag ., 91: xxxix.
Payne, R. M., 1955. Stenobothrus lineatus Panz. in Hertfordshire. Ent. Rec., 67:
244-5.
- 1955a. Decticus verrucivorus (L.) (Orth., Tettigoniidae) in Sussex. Ent.
mon. Mag., 91: 263.
- 1955b. The stridulation of Decticus verrucivorus (L.) (Orth., Tettigoniidae).
Ibid. : 300.
Pickard, B. C., 1956. Mogoplistes squamiger (Fisch.), Conocephalus discolor (Thun.)
and Chorthippus vagans (Eversmann) (Orthoptera, Saltatoria) in Dorset. Ibid.,
97: 6.
Ragge, D. R., 1955. Recent Records of the Mole-Cricket from Hampshire and Surrey.
Ent. Rec., 67: 161.
- 1955a. Rediscovery of Decticus verrucivorus (L.) in Dorset (Orth., Tetti¬
goniidae). Entomologist, 88: 260-1.
Richards, O. W., and Waloff, N., 1954. Studies on the Biology and Population
Dynamics of British Grasshoppers. Anti-Locust Bull., 17: iv+182 pp., 1 folding
map and 4 pi.
Taylor, E., 1954. A further record of Mogoplistes squamiger Fisch. (Orth. Gryllidae)
in Dorset. Ent. mon. Mag., 90: 300.
Thomas, I., 1954 (Ed.). Report on Insect Pests of Crops in England and Wales,
1938-43. Mm. Agric. Fish. Tech. BbII., 5: vi + 91 pp.
Editorial
The Secretary has received a number of enquiries as to why the Society has,
in recent years, published so few papers on Coleoptera and Lepidoptera.
These two orders are of special interest to many members, and for that
reason the complaints are not unreasonable. But there is another aspect of
the problem.
It is the aim of the Council to publish papers on as many aspects of
entomology as possible, yet at the same time keeping a balance in accordance
with the interests of the Society as a whole. So far this year papers have
appeared on Orthoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera and Diptera. Before long
members should receive, as a Transactions, a new paper on the ecology of
Ephemeroptera. The Council would like to publish papers on other orders
during the coming year. This cannot be done, however, unless suitable
papers on the appropriate orders are forthcoming. The range of papers
published is determined by the papers the Editor receives. For that reason a
special appeal is made for good papers on any branch of entomology which has
not been adequately represented in the Society’s publications in recent years.
1956]
193
Aberrations in British Ants of the Genus Formica.
By C. A. Collingwood
PSEUDOGYNES
Worker-queen intercastes in Formica species have usually taken the form of
pseudogynes. These resemble miniature females but the thorax is excessively
developed in relation to the head and abdomen. They are not known to lay
eggs; they are sluggish but otherwise behave much as small workers in the
nest. From their behaviour and sporadic occurrence, they are evidently
abnormal forms having no positive value in the life of a normal ant community,
On the contrary, Wasmann (1902) considered that with F. sanguined Latr.
pseudogynes were brought about by abnormal feeding and behaviour
associated with the presence of the myrmecophilous beetle Lomechusoides
strumosa F. Donisthorpe (1927) questioned this relationship since he did not
always find the beetle in nests where pseudogynes were present. Moreover,
related species such as Lomechusa pubicollis Bris. were thought by Wasmann
to have the same effects among F. rufa L. and allied species. This beetle has
never been found in Britain, whereas pseudogynes of F. rufa and allied
species have been recorded, often in abundance, from several localities.
(b)
Fig. 1. A, Pseudogyne of Formica lemani (Bondroit), Ambergate, Derbys., iv.55, in
side-view. B, Small worker of Formica lemani (Bondroit), Ambergate, Derbys., iv.55,
in side-view.
Donisthorpe (1927) has recorded pseudogynes in colonies of F. sanguined
in S. England and F. rufa in Scotland. Yarrow (1955) has shown that F. rufa
does not occur in Scotland and Donisthorpe’s records from Rannoch and
194
[November
Nethy Bridge probably refer to the two northern species F. lugubris Zett. and
F. aquilonia Yarrow. In confirmation of this the writer has pseudogynes of
both species from Braemar and Carrbridge respectively in the Scottish
highlands and has also seen pseudogynes in nests of F. rufa in Surrey and
Worcestershire. Yarrow (1955) has also pointed out that Donisthorpe’s
specimens of “rufo-pratensis” from the Isle of Wight are rufa pseudogynes.
It is characteristic for pseudogynes in the rufa group of ants to have a clearly
marked dark patch on the pronotum and mesonotum, not shining as in
normal females of F. rufa , lugubris and aquilonia but matt as in typically
coloured F. nigricans Em. workers. The degree of over development of the
thorax is very variable.
(a)
(b)
Fig. 2. A, Microgyne of Formica lemani (Bondroit), Dartmoor, ix.54, thorax seen
from above. B, Normal queen of Formica lemani (Bondroit), Staffs., ix.55, thorax seen
from above.
Wasmann found pseudogynes of F. fusca in Holland, but these have not
yet been recorded in Britain for this group of ants. It is therefore of interest
to record that in April, 1955, the writer dug up a colony of F. lemani Bond,
at Ambergate, Derbyshire, in which some 50 or more pseudogynes, about
150 workers and 6 queens were present. The pseudogynes (fig. 1) were
characterized by their small size and sluggish behaviour. The female-like
thorax was coloured as in the worker and had no shining scutellum as in the
queen. In this and other respects the pseudogynes resembled those of the
rufa group. No myrmecophilous beetles were found, but some of the ants
were quite heavily infested with a species of laelapid mite. The nest was
situated round and under a stone in semi-shade and the colony was evidently
1956]
195
not thriving. In general it has been the writer’s experience that pseudogynes
have been found more commonly in colonies that seemed to be in a state of
decline, but have also occurred in thriving populous colonies as was noted by
Donisthorpe.
Microgynes
Microgynes have not been found among the rufa group of ants in Britain,
but occasionally occur with F. fusca and its allies. Donisthorpe recorded
microgynes with F. fusca L. from the New Forest and from Tenby in Wales.
Other localities mentioned are Houth in Ireland and Rothes in Scotland and
these should evidently refer to the northern species F. lemani Bond. (Yarrow,
1954). Female size in this group of ants is somewhat variable and in the
writer’s experience undersized queens are usually replicas of normal-sized
queens in body proportion. Small queens found in a colony of F. lemani on
Fig. 3. A, Dark queen of Formica rufa L., Buddon wood, Leics., v.55, in side-view.
B, Pale queen of Formica rufa L., Wyre Forest, Worcs., vi.51, in side-view.
Dartmoor in September, 1954, however, were not much shorter than
ordinary queens, but had the thorax markedly smaller and the head
correspondingly reduced (fig. 2). Queens of the fusca group found their
colonies singly, but there is no evidence that colony proliferation as in
Myrmica ruginodis microgyna Brian (1949) may not also occur. In the
196
[November
Dartmoor colony only small queens were present, but the records of Donis-
thorpe and others show that normal and small queens have frequently
occurred together in the same nest, and this would suggest that the micro-
gynes in these cases, at least, resulted from some form of developmental
abnormality.
Colour
Yarrow (1955) has shown that in the rufa group, worker body colour is
variable and of little significance in distinguishing the various species.
Aberrant F. nigricans workers from a colony discovered by Yarrow in Dorset
differ little in colour from nearby F. rufa and in the writer’s collection are
specimens of F. sanguinea , exsect a, rufa , aquilonia and lugubris that would be
indistinguishable on the basis of colour. Workers of lugubris and of rufa often
show considerable variation in the same colony with bright reddish and dusky
coloured individuals occurring side by side. Several interesting colour
contrasts have been found in nests of F. rufa in Buddon wood, Leicestershire,
and in one colony a remarkable colour aberration in some of the queens was
observed. A small nest was dug up and among about twenty queens five
were almost completely black, a colour not observed in this species before.
By contrast the writer has specimens of rufa queens from Wyre forest, which
have only part of the scutellum and abdomen other than the basal segment
dark, the rest of the body colour being reddish (fig. 3).
In the fusca group reddish colouration is frequent and normal among
workers of F. cunicularia Latr. and F. rufibarbis Fab., but has also been found
by the writer occasionally in F. lemani as in Wigtownshire in June, 1954, and
once in F. fusca (Arneside, Lancashire, August, 1954). These may have been
young workers in which the colour had not yet fully developed, but as a rule
callows in these species are greyish and not reddish. Examples of some of
these workers could have been easily mistaken on superficial examination for
those of F. cunicularia , itself a very variably coloured species.
References
Brian, M. V., and Brian, A. D., 1949. Observations on the taxonomy of the Ants
Myrmica rubra L. and Myrmica laevinodis Nylander (Hymenoptera : Formicidae).
Trans. R. ent. Soc. Lond., 100: 393-409.
Collingwood, C. A., 1954. Ants in SW. Scotland. Ent. Rec ., 67: I, 11-12.
Donisthorpe, H. St. J. K., 1927. British Ants. London (2nd Edition).
Yarrow, I. H. H., 1954. The British Ants allied to Formica fusca L. (Hym.,
Formicidae). Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent., 11: 229-48.
- 1955- The British Ants allied to Formica rufa L. (Hym., Formicidae).
Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent., 12: I, 1-48.
Wasmann, A., 1902. Neue Bestatigung der Lomechusa-Pseudogynen Theorie ! Verh.
D.Zool. Ges., 12: 98-108.
197
1956]
Notes on the Elateridae (Col.) of the “British List”
By W. D. Hincks
In the “Check List of British Insects” (Kloet and Hincks, 1945) a small
number of the names there used are followed by a black square. This mark
was designed to indicate names which the compilers knew to be invalid, but
at the time the work was prepared they lacked the necessary information to
enable them to decide on the names valid under the International Rules.
Since 1945 a number of these anomalies have been corrected by subsequent
workers but some yet remain to be considered. In the small family Elateridae
there are no less than seven such invalid names and these are discussed in the
following brief notes, together with one or two other nomenclatorial matters
which have arisen.
1. The type of Lacon Castelnau, 1836, is Elater punctatus Herbst, 1779
(Arnett, 1953). Our British species, L. querceus (Herbst, 1784), under its
synonym Elater varius Olivier, was referred to Lepidotus (Megerle) by
Stephens in 1830. Lepidotus Stephens, 1830, being preoccupied by Lepidotus
Asso, 1801, Arnett (1953) has proposed the new subgenonym Zalepia.
2. Elater murinus Linnaeus, 1758, is the type of Agrypnus Eschscholtz,
1829, by designation of Westwood in 1838. This genonym must therefore
replace Adelocera of the “Check List.” Adelocera Latreille, 1829, based on
Elater ovalis Germar, 1824, included in the genus Lacon together with
murinus by Schenkling (1925), is stated by Arnett to be generically distinct
from Agrypnus.
3. The generotype of Elater Linnaeus, 1758, is E.ferrugineus L., designated
by Latreille in 1810. It consequently replaces Ludius of British authors (see
note 11). Elater * of British authors becomes Ampedus Megerle in Dejean,
1:833, tyPe sanguineus L.
4. Hypnoidus is assigned to Dillwyn, 1829, by Arnett (1955). Its tyPe is
Elater riparius Fabricius, designated by Westwood in 1838. Cryptohypnus
Eschscholtz, 1830, is isogenerotypical.
5. Elater dermestoides Herbst, 1806, is preoccupied by E. dermestoides
Linnaeus, 1767, now Trixagus dermestoides (L.). Herbst’s species should now
be known as Hypnoidus minimus (Lacordaire, 1835).
6. Elater rufipes Herbst, 1784, is preoccupied by E. rufipes Degeer, 1774,
a synonym of Agrypnus murinus (L.). Herbst’s species should now be known
as Melanotus erythropus (Gmelin in Linnaeus, 1789).
7. Elater vittatus Fabricius, 1792, was designated as the type of the genus
Athous Eschscholtz, 1829, by Westwood in 1838. Unfortunately it is pre¬
occupied by Elater vittatus Gmelin in Linnaeus, 1789. Schenkling (1927)
includes Elater advena Scopoli, 1763, as a synonym of Athous vittatus (F.),
despite its earlier date. I can find no reason why Athous advena (Scopoli)
should not be the valid name for this species.
* A new list of British species, including some changes in nomenclature and an
additional species, is given by van Emden, 1956 (JEnt. mon. Mag., 92: 168).
198
[November
8. Tottenham (1948) has shown that Athous campyloides Newman, 1833,
is the valid name for the species appearing in the “Check List” as A. difformis
Lacordaire, 1835.
9. Ctenicera Latreille, 1829, type Elater pectinicornis Linnaeus, 1758, should
replace the isogenerotypical Corymbites Latreille, 1834. Ctenicerus Stephens,
1830, is a misspelling of Latreille’s name, as, surely, is Cleniocerus Stephens,
1829 (see Arnett, 1955).
10. Elater aeruginosus Fabricius, 1798, is preoccupied by E. aeruginosus
Olivier, 1790 (now Limonius aeruginosus). The only synonym included by
Schenkling (1927), under ab. aeruginosus F., is Elater chalybeus Sowerby,
1806, which is preoccupied by E. chalybeus Gmelin in Linnaeus, 1789. As
stated by Stephens (1830: 266) under Ctenicerus cupreus (F.) “every possible
shade and proportion [of colour] occurs, so that it becomes impossible to
discriminate the varieties.” Therefore it would be best to allow this name to
lapse without replacement.
11. Elater Linnaeus, 1758, should replace Ludius Berthold, 1827 (see
note 3).
References
Arnett, R. H., 1953. Notes on the genus Lacon (Elateridae). Coleopt. Bull ., 7: 5.
- 1955- Supplement and Corrections to J. A. Hyslop’s Genotypes of the
Elaterid beetles of the World. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus ., 103: 599-619.
Kloet, G. S., and Hincks, W. D., 1945. A Check List of British Insects, 180-182.
Schenkling, S., 1925, 1927. Coleopterorum Catalogus. 80, 88, Elateridae.
Stephens, J. F., 1830. Illustrations of British Entomology, Mandibulata, 3.
Tottenham, C. E., 1948. On the identity of Athous campyloides Newman (Col.,
Elateridae). Ent. mon. Mag., 84: 99.
CORRIGENDUM
In Miss D. J. Jackson’s paper “Notes on Hymenopterous Parasitoids bred
from eggs of Dytiscidae in Fife” which appeared in the last issue of the
Journal , two words have been omitted. These are “of Colymbetes ” and occur
in the second paragraph, p. 146. The sentence should read: “Enock (1898)
mentions as hosts of Prestwichia the eggs of Dytiscus marginalis and Notonecta ,
and he records (1899) breeding eight females and one male from a single egg
of Colymbetes , and, later (1913), the breeding of from 30 to 40 specimens
from a single egg of ‘the large Water Beetle.’ ”
( Continued from inside front cover )
ORTHOPTERA, Etc.
A Summary of the Recorded Distri¬
bution of British Orthopteroids.
By D. K. McE. Kevan, 1952. 16 pp.,
55. o d.
HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA
The Natural Classification of
British Corixidae. By G. A. Walton,
1943. 14 pp., is. 9 d.
Contributions towards an
Ecological Survey of the Aquatic
and Semi-Aquatic Hemiptera-
HETEROPTERA OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Anglesey, Caernarvon and
Merioneth. By E. S. Brown, 1943.
62 pp., 35. o d.
North Somerset. By G. A. Walton,
1943. 60 pp., 26 figs., 45. o d.
Scottish Highlands and East
and South England. ByE. S. Brown,
1948. 45 pp., 7 5. 6d.
The Ribble Valley (Lancashire
South and Mid). By E. J. Popham,
1949. 44 pp., 1 map., 85. o d.
North-East Wales (Denbighshire
and Merionethshire). By E. J.
Popham, 1951. 12 pp., 25. 6 d.
The Hemiptera-Heteroptera of Kent.
By A. M. Massee, 1954. 36 pp.,
75. 6d.
The Bionomics and Immature Stages
of the Thistle Lace Bugs ( Tingis
ampliata H.S. and T. cardui L.;
Hem., Tingidae). By T. R. E. South-
wood and G. G. E. Scudder. 85. o d.
COLEOPTERA
The Aquatic Coleoptera of North
Wales. By E. S. Brown, 1948. 15
pp., 1 fig., is. o d.
The Aquatic Coleoptera of Wood
Walton Fen, with some compari¬
sons with Wicken Fen and some
other East Anglian Fens. By F.
Balfour-Browne, 1951. 36 pp., 45. 6d.
LEPIDOPTERA
The Morphology of Luffia ferchaul-
tella and a Comparison with L.
lapidella (Psychidae). By R. S.
McDonogh, 1941. 19 pp., 9 pis.,
45. o d.
List of the Lepidoptera of Dorset.
Part 2. By W. Parkinson Curtis,
1947. 138 pp., 4 pis., 1 15. o d.
Postural Habits and Colour-Pattern
Evolution in Lepidoptera. By
M. W. R. de V. Graham, 1950. 16
pp., 4 pis., 4 figs., 45. o d.
HYMENOPTERA
A Consideration of Cephalic Struc¬
tures and Spiracles of the Final
Instar Larvae of the Ichneumoni-
dae. By B. P. Beirne, 1941. 68 pp.,
31 figs., 55. 6 d.
Second Review of Literature con¬
cerning British Ichneumonidae.
By G. J. Kerrich, 1942. 35 pp.,
7 figs., 35. o d.
The Hymenoptera Aculeata of Bed¬
fordshire. By V. H. Chambers,
1949. 56 pp., 3 maps, 105. o d.
An Introduction to the Natural
History of British Sawflies. By
R. B. Benson, 1950. 98 pp., 9 pis.,
105. o d.
Notes on Some British Myrmaridae.
By W. D. Hincks, 1950. 42 pp., 5
figs., 1 pi., 5 5. o d.
The British Species of the Genus
Ooctonus Haliday, with a Note on
some Recent Work on the Fairy
Flies (Hym., Myrmaridae). By W. D.
Hincks, 1952. 12 pp., 8 figs., 45. o d.
The Natural History of some
Pamphilius Species (Hym., Pam-
philiidae). By V. H. Chambers,
1952. 16 pp., 4 pis., 5 5. o d.
A Study of some British species of
Synergus. By J. Ross, 1951. 16 pp.,
45. o d.
A Revision of Section I (Mayr, 1872)
of the Genus Synergus (Hym.,
Cynipidae) in Britain, with a
Species new to Science. By R. D.
Eady, 1952. 12 pp., 4 pis., 45. o d.
The British Ants allied to Formica
fusca L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
I. H. H. Yarrow, 1954. 16 pp., 8 figs..
3 maps, 55. o d.
The British Ants allied to Formica
rufa L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
I. H. H. Yarrow, 1955. 48 pp., 58
figs., 1 map, 105. 6d.
DIPTERA
Preliminary List of the Hosts of
some British Tachinidae. By H.
Audcent, 1942. 42 pp., 25. 9 d.
An Outline of a Revised Classifica¬
tion OF THE SYRPHIDAE (DlPTERA) ON
Phylogenetic Lines. By E. R.
Goffe, 1952. 28 pp., 3 figs., 65. o d.
A Revision of the British (and notes
on other) Species of Lonchaeidae
(Diptera). By J. E. Collin, 1953.
28 pp., 3 pis., 3 figs., 65. o d.
Orders, accompanied by the appropriate remittance, should be addressed to the
Hon. Secretary.
CONTENTS
Page
Collingwood, C. A. : Aberrations in British Ants of the Genus Formica 193
Hincks, W. D.: Notes on the Elateridae (Col.) of the “British List” 197
Kevan, D. K. McE. : The Known Distribution of British Orthopteroids,
Fourth Supplement . 187
Massee, A. M. : Hemiptera-Heteroptera associated with Fruits and
Hops . 179
Editorial . 192
Communications for the Journal should be sent to:
E. J. Popham,
Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13
The author of any published paper shall, if he so request at the time of
communicating such paper , be entitled to receive twenty-five copies thereof
gratis
Information regarding the Society may be obtained from the Secretary,
J. G. Blower, Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13
Printed by Sydenham & Co. (Est. 1840) Ltd., Printers, Oxford Road, Bournemouth
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VOL. 5
MilS. sm. ZEOL
i
I- LB 1 8 I9b3
UiCBSBn
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Journal
OF THE
Society for British
Entomology
World List abbreviation : J. Soc. Brit. Ent.
EDITED BY
E. J. POPHAM, D.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.C.S., F.R.E.S.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF
W. A. F. BALFOUR-BROWNE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.L.S.,
F.Z.S.j F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.S.
B. M. HOBBY, M.A., D.Phil., F.R.E.S.
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.E.S.
O. W. RICHARDS, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.E.S., F.S.B.E.
W. H. T. TAMS
Date of Publication: 29th November, 1957
Copies may be purchased from the Secretary: Department of Zoology,
The University, Manchester, 13
Price 6s. od. post free
SOCIETY FOR BRITISH ENTOMOLOGY
OFFICERS AND COUNCIL, 1956-7
President:
G. S. KLOET, M.Sc., F.R.E.S., F.Z.S.
Vice-Presidents:
W. H. THORPE, M.A., Sc.D.,
H. E. HINTON, Ph.D., B.Sc., F.R.E.S.
F.R.S., F.R.E.S.
S. C. S. BROWN, L.D.S., R.C.S.
Hon. Secretary:
J. G. BLOWER, M.Sc., F.R.E.S.
Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13
(Ardwick 3333)
Hon. Treasurer: Hon. Editor:
H. N. MICHAELIS, F.R.E.S. E. J. POPHAM, D.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.C.S., F.R.E.S.
10 Didsbury Park, Manchester, 20 Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13
C. A. BASKER, M.D.
R. E. HALL, B.Sc., A.R.C.S.
W. D. HINCKS, D.Sc., F.R.E.J
G. J. KERRICH, M.A., F.L.S.,
L. N. KIDD, F.R.E.S.
Other Members of Council:
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A. A. LISNEY, M.A., M.D., D.P.H.,
>• H. M. RUSSELL, F.R.E.S.
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JOURNAL
Vol. i (Parts 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and from Vol. 2, Part 2 onwards, are available.
TRANSACTIONS
GENERAL
A New Chapter in Zoological Nom¬
enclature : The Reforms instituted
by the Thirteenth International
Congress of Zoology, Paris, July.
1948. By F. Hemming, 1950. 8 pp.,
is. 6 d.
The Problem of stability in Specific
Nomenclature, with special
reference to cases where type
material is no longer in existence.
By F. Hemming, 1951. 16 pp., 25. od.
A Preliminary Enquiry into the
Influence of Solar Radiation on
Insect Environment, with Special
Reference to the Relation between
Pest Epidemics and Fluctuation in
Solar Radiation. By W. B. R.
Laidlaw, 1951. 64 pp., 6 figs., 7 s. 6d.
Some adaptations of insects to en¬
vironments THAT ARE ALTERNATELY
DRY AND FLOODED, WITH SOME NOTES
ON THE HABITS OF THE STRATIOMYIDAE.
By H. E. Hinton, 1953. 20 pp.,
3 figs., 5s. od.
ENTOMOLOGICAL FAUNA OF
THE NEW FOREST SERIES
Introduction by J. Cowley, and Part i,
Odonata, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1950. 12 pp., 15. 6 d. Part 2,
Neuroptera, by Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser,
1951. 12 pp., 15. 6 d.
EPHEMEROPTERA
Descriptions of some Nymphs of the
British Species of the Genus
Baetis. By T. T. Macan, 1950. 24
pp., 6 figs., 2 tables, 35. od.
HEMIPTERA-HOMOPTERA
Revision of the British Species
of Cixius Latr., including the
Description of a New Species from
Scotland. By W. E. China, 1942.
32 pp., 12 figs., 25. 9 d.
New and little-known Species of
British Typhlocybidae with Keys
to the Genera Typhloceba, Erythro-
neura , Dikraneura, Notus, Empoasca
and Alebra. By W. E. China, 1943.
43 pp., 14 figs., 45. od.
0 Continued on inside back cover)
JOURNAL OF
FOR BRITISH
Vol. 5 29th November, 1957
Part 7
Observations on the Size of Galls formed on Couch-grass
BY A CHALCIDOID OF THE GENUS HaRMOLITA MOTSCHULSKY
(. Isosoma Walker) (Hym. Eurytomidae)
By R. Bailey, B.Sc., F.R.E.S.
(Biology Department, Wigan and District Mining and Technical College)
Introduction
At least two species of the genus Harmolita Motschulsky (. Isosoma Walker)
(Eurytomidae) induce gall formation at the stem apex of the Couch-grass,
Agropyron repens Beauv.
By far the greatest number are caused by Harmolita graminicola Giraud and
it is this species which is considered here. Its galls have been reported from
a number of European countries and are found in great profusion throughout
Great Britain.
In June or July the female insect lays a single egg in the tissue immediately
below the apical meristem of the host-plant and on emergence the larva
commences feeding on the tissue surrounding it. This process causes the
partial destruction of the apical meristem and only rarely does the stem
elongate far beyond the larvel chamber. In only one case out of the many
examined was a flower head formed beyond the gall.
The damage inflicted by the larva causes the suppression of internode
lengthening and inhibits leaf development so that the swollen apex becomes
surrounded by a whorl of short and stunted leaves (fig. i).
By October the galls and the contained larvae have reached their maximum
size. The size of galls varies considerably and this appears to be correlated
with the sex of the emerging insect.
Material
The galls were collected as random samples from areas where they were
abundant, and at times when they were known to be fully formed. Four
collections were made.
Collection i from waste ground near to Lever Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire, in
April, 1955.
200 [November
Collection 2 from a railway embankment in the Beech Hill area of Wigan,
Lancashire, in April, 1955.
Collection 3 from a grass verge near to Castle Head, Keswick, Cumberland,
in April, 1956.
Collection 4 from a grass verge in Daubhill, Bolton, Lancashire, in November,
1956.
Results
On each occasion the collected material was divided into seven groups
according to the gall lengths, which ranged between 0.5 cm. and 5.0 cm.
The gall length was estimated as the distance from the stem node where the
Fig. 1. Gall caused by H. graminicola at the stem apex of Couch grass.
swelling commenced to the stem apex, ignoring the whorl of short leaves
which protrude beyond it. The gall volume would have been a more
appropriate measurement but the sheathing leaves made this difficult to
1957]
201
assess. In general, however, an increase in length was accompanied by an
increase in volume, although galls of similar length may have different
diameters. This matter was investigated in Collection 4.
After the subdivision of each collection into galls of different length, those
of the first three collections were placed in closed jars at room temperature
Fig. 2. To show the frequency of galls in the different size groups in the four
collections made.
and the sexes of the emerging adults ascertained. In Collection 4 the sex of
the larva was determined by measurement of the body and head capsule.
An analysis of the distribution of galls between 0.5 and 5.0 cm. is shown
in fig. 2, whilst in table 1 the total number of galls examined and the ratio
of females to males is shown.
Table i
Analysis of the sex of adults emerging from galls in each size group
Size of galls (cms.)
Total
Number
Number
of
Males
Number
of
Females
Ratio
$/<?
Below 1.5
16
14
2
0.14
1.5 - 2.0
116
86
30
0.35
2.0 - 2.5
155
102
53
0.52
2.5 - 3.0
141
57
84
1.47
3.0 -3.5
134
47
87
1.85
3.5 - 4.0
53
8
45
5.62
Above 4.0
16
0
16
16
Total
631
314
317
1
202
[November
It was observed during this investigation that although the greatest number
of galls had lengths between 1.5 cm. and 4.0 cm. their numbers were not
distributed in a unimodal fashion around a single mean. Instead there were
two lengths at which maxima occurred, and for each separate collection a
bimodal curve was seen as in fig. 2.
Upon further examination of table 1 it can be seen that galls below 2.5 cm.
in length are more likely to contain male than female individuals, and for
galls above 3.5 cm. in length females are more often found than males.
(See table 1.)
Both Giraud (1863) and James (1927) observed the sexual dimorphism in
the adult individuals of H. graminicola.
The largeness of the female adult cannot cause the greater volume of the
gall from which it emerges because only the final larval instar is reached when
the gall is fully formed and the larva then undergoes diapause before
metamorphosis.
The cause of the gall size difference must therefore operate during the
earlier larval instars, which also show sexual dimorphism. Measurements of
the final instar of both male and female larvae were made from specimens
collected from Beech Hill, Wigan, Lancashire, in March, 1956. The galls
were opened carefully and the larvae measured when at rest, for during
movement the body shape varies considerably. These larvae were incubated
at 27 0 C. and the sexes of the adults determined.
The eleven larvae which gave rise to female adults had an average length of
4.54 mm. (max. 4.86, min. 4.19), width 1.35 mm. (max. 1.52, min. 1.22) and
head capsule width 0.466 mm. (max. 0.51 1, min. 0.430). In contrast the
thirteen larvae which gave male individuals were noticeably smaller, showing
average length of 3.57 mm. (max. 3.72, min. 3.21), width 1.00 mm. (max.
1.09, min. 0.94) and head capsule 0.394 mm. (max. 0.422, min. 0.365).
Table 2
To show the number of males and females in galls of the same lengths but different
volumes
Size
Group
Total
No. of
Galls.
Diameter below 0.4 cm.
Diameter above c
>.4 cm.
No. of
Galls.
No. of
Males
No. of
Females
No. of
Galls.
No. of
Males
No. of
Females
1.5 - 2.0
38
25
25
0
13
6
7
2.0 - 2.5
55
33
29
4
22
6
16
2.5 - 3.0
38
17
13
4
21
5
16
3-0 - 3-5
32
10
7
3
22
3
19
Although length has been taken as the criterion of gall size, members of
any one group may have different diameters and therefore different volumes.
This was seen in Collection 1 where two of the galls which were less than
1.5 cm. in length were extremely globose and both contained female
individuals.
In the collection from Daubhill, Bolton (Collection 4) the galls between
1.5 and 3.5 cm. in length were not only separated according to their length,
1957]
203
but subdivided again according to the diameter of the gall, those above 0.4
cm. in diameter being separated from those with a diameter below that figure.
The result of the experiment showed (table 2) that although different galls
may have the same length, those which contained a potentially female larva
tended to have a greater diameter and therefore a greater volume than those
which contained potentially male larvae.
Since the galls caused by male and female larvae are of the same shape but
are different in size, it may well be that in each case the type of stimulus is
the same but that it is greater in the case of the female larva than in the case
of the male. If this were so the response of the plant tissues would be greater
when a female larva was present and would thus give a larger gall. Further
work is being conducted to ascertain this.
Summary
1 . The size of the galls formed on Agropyron repens by Harmolita graminicola
were measured and a tendency toward a bimodal distribution observed.
2. Sexual dimorphism in the larva of H. graminicola was noted and measure¬
ments made to show that the female larvae are larger than the males.
3. Female larvae initiate the development of larger galls than the male larvae,
the size of the gall being determined during the early larval instars.
Acknowledgements
The author is deeply indebted to Dr. W. D. Hincks for his help and
guidance and to Professor H. P. Moon for his helpful criticism. His thanks
are also due to Dr. E. M. Adcock, of Wigan, in whose department the work
was carried out.
References
Giraud, J., 1863. Nouce sur les deformations du Triticum repens et sur les insectes
qui les habitent et description de trois epeces nouvelles du genre Isosoma. Verh.
zool. — hot. Ges. Wien., 13: 1289-96.
James, H. C., 1926. The anatomy of a British phytophagous Chalcidoid of the genus
Harmolita. Proc. zool. Soc. Lond., 7: 75.
James, H. C., 1927. Life history and bionomics of a British phytophagous Chalcidoid
of the genus Harmolita. Ann. appl. Biol., 14: 132-49.
Kloet, G. S., and Hincks, W. D., 1945. A check list of British Insects. Stockport.
Leeuwen-Reynvaan, W. and J., 1907. Uber die anatomie und die entwicklung einiger
Isosoma-gallen auf Triticum repens und Junceum und uber die Biologie der Gall
former. Marcellia, 6: 68-101.
204
[November
The Species of Ants of the Genus Lasius in Britain
By C. A. Collingwood
(Shardlow Hall, Shardlow, Derbyshire)
Wilson (1955) has recently published a monographic revision of the ant
genus Lasius. The following account discusses the British species in the light
of various nomenclatorial changes made by Wilson with particular reference
to the synonymizing of L. mixtus Nylander with L. umbratus Nylander on the
one hand and the recognition of L. rabaudi Bondroit as a distinct species on
the other. In addition a simplified key to all castes is given together with brief
notes on the distribution of the species in Britain as at present known.
During his revision Wilson has examined large collections of material from
all over Europe, Asia and America with special attention to local and
geographic variation over the whole range of each species. As a result several
changes in species diagnoses and nomenclature have been made. Many
varietal and trivial names and some species have been shown to be worthless
and have been relegated to synonymy, while the really important diagnostic
characters for each species have been clearly brought out. This is a
definitive study of a kind badly needed to clear up the ever increasing
complexity of ant nomenclature in Europe in particular and may well set the
pattern for future studies in ant taxonomy.
A picture of the whole range of each species is built up by the examination
of two or three individuals from each of a randomly selected nest series.
A feature of great interest is the apparent development, in some cases, of
convergent characters in one of a pair of similar species over parts of its
range, where the other is absent. This is illustrated for example by L. niger L.
which tends to develop fewer standing appendage hairs in those areas of Asia
and America where its sibling hairless species alienus Foerst. is sparse or
absent. The common European species niger , alienus, flavus and umbratus are
apparently also widely distributed in N. America. According to Wilson,
there is no basis for distinction between the Eurasian and American forms of
these species, although with alienus at least there is a marked dissimilarity in
nesting behaviour in the two hemispheres. This is in contrast to the position
with members of the genera Formica and Myrmica. These are well
represented in both Europe and America, but, so far as is known at present,
there are no exact correspondences between the two continents with the
possible exception of Formica fusca L. and a form of Myrmica rubra L. which
may have been imported.
In line with many modern taxonomists Wilson regards the species as the
only taxonomic unit having any objective status. The geographic race or
subspecies can be defined within arbitrary limits, but these break down when
the range of variation is studied over a wide area and, as with Lasius ,
genetically independent characters are found to vary discordantly in different
1957]
205
areas. Wilson therefore rejects the trinomen as leading to confusion and
synonymizes, wherever possible, all races and varieties including the various
supposed hybrids of Forel.
One of the commonest of these in the literature is niger var. alieno-niger
Forel, which was erected to cover supposed hybrids between niger and
alienus , but has been largely used by subsequent writers to include forms that
were apparently intermediate in pilosity between the two species. In fact
neither Staercke (1944), who examined Forel’s specimens standing under that
name, as well as much other material, nor Wilson ever found examples of nest
series that could be said to be hybrid between the two species. Moreover it
would probably be difficult to recognize such a hybrid did it occur, while in
the whole of ant literature there are no records of natural cross-matings
between like species nor any information on authentic hybrid populations
even artificially contrived. In the writer’s collection, ants formerly regarded
as representing this variety have in most instances turned out to be niger with
reduced appendage pilosity, rubbed, badly mounted specimens or more rarely
alienus with one or two standing tibial hairs and he is indebted to Dr. W. L.
Brown for attempting to sort out some of these specimens. Yarrow (1955)
has fully discussed Forel’s hybrid names in connection with ants of the
Formica rufa group, where they have been the source of much confusion.
The case of umbratus var. mixto-umbratus Forel is very different in that a
range of gradations between umbratus and mixtus do actually occur and are
nearly as common as the extreme types, as was noted by many earlier writers
including Donisthorpe (1927). After examining copious material Wilson has
concluded “. . . there is no single character or combination of characters that
can be used to separate umbratus and mixtus as species.” The various
characters that have been used to separate them, such as degree of pilosity,
head width, or length/breadth ratio of funicular segments in both queen and
worker caste, have been found to intergrade evenly and show a strong
allometric trend with some degree of correlation with total body size.
It would thus appear that umbratus is morphologically an enormously
variable species in all three castes, although Wilson does not give much
attention to the similarly variable males. It will be a simplification to accept
this synonymy on the evidence presented, but the matter is somewhat more
controversial than with many recent nomenclatorial suggestions and should
not pass without further comment. The extreme types of umbratus and
mixtus are very dissimilar, at least as much so as any pair of similar but
distinct species. Variability does not appear to occur in single colonies, which
are usually very homogeneous even when apparently of intermediate type.
Males, queens and workers from a mixtus colony show all the characters
associated with this form consistently — reduced dentition, scarcity of eye
hairs and shining body in the male, absence of standing hairs on tibiae and
scapes and short funicular segments in the females. According to Wilson’s
study these characters are correlated with reduced body size in N. European
populations. This certainly appears to be the case with males and queens,
but not necessarily so with workers. The writer has examples of hairy
workers from Sherwood Forest and from Surrey that are considerably
smaller than mixtus from various sources in his possession.
206
[November
Records of mixtus in the literature do not in general show any particular
habitat preference as opposed to umbratus. Donisthorpe ( loc . cit.)3 however,
described mixtus colonies among Juniper in Surrey ; the writer has found
similar colonies associated with Juniper in Westmorland in 1954, in Glen
Urquhart, Inverness-shire, in 1955, and has found this form more frequently
on rough grassy hillsides than in woodland. A curious characteristic, men¬
tioned by Donisthorpe {loc. cit.) but not discussed by Wilson, is that umbratus
Fig. 1. Lasius rabaudi Bondroit, queen from Weybridge, Surrey, ex coll. Donisthorpe.
(a) Antennal scape and funiculus seen from above.
{ b ) Antennal scape seen from in front.
(c) Outline of petiole seen from in front.
Fig. 2. Lasius umbratus Nylander, queen from Uffington, Lines.
(a) Antennal scape and funiculus seen from above.
(b) Antennal scape seen from in front.
(c) Outline of petiole seen from in front.
workers from different localities do not fight together but are immediately
aggressive towards other species such as flavus and, also according to
Donisthorpe, to mixtus. The writer has himself tested out this behaviour, but
not as yet with mixtus. It is clear that, while the synonymy proposed by
Wilson is unchallengeable, there is at least a hint of ecological and behavioural
differences that should be further studied before entirely abandoning any
distinction between the two forms.
1957]
207
Wilson also synonymizes affinis with umbratus on the argument that the
petiole shape in umbratus is too variable to warrant any distinction between
them. However, affinis was regarded by some of the older writers, including
Andre (1881) and Forel (1920), as a form of the distinct species bicornis. An
important characteristic referred to by Andre ( loc . cit.), Donisthorpe ( loc . cit.{
and Stitz (1939) is the greater length of the dorsal gastric hairs on the workers
as compared with umbratus. This is also a feature shared by bicornis. The
writer has examples of such workers from France with affinis petiole shape
but long gastric hairs and flattened scapes as described by Wilson for
bicornis. These characters are beyond the range diagnosed by Wilson for
umbratus and the specimens in question cannot be keyed to either umbratus
or bicornis. The variety affino-umbratus Donisthorpe (1927) from specimens
taken in Pembrokeshire is according to Donisthorpe’s own description only a
form of umbratus and is synonymized under that species by Wilson.
Wilson distinguishes rabaudi Bondroit from umbratus on characters to be
clearly seen only in the queen caste. The scape is said to be flattened so that
the minimal mid-point width is less than 0.1 mm. At the same time the
funicular segments of the antennae are at least 1.47 times as long as broad.
The petiole outline is characteristically subquadrate. These features appear
to overlap in the worker caste with the hairy form of umbratus , while the
males are indistinguishable. According to Wilson the flattened scape in the
queen caste is alone reliable but quite distinct from that of umbratus where
the minimal mid-point width always exceeds 0.1 mm. Workers and queens of
rabaudi have abundant standing hairs on the scapes and tibiae. In many
respects rabaudi thus appears to form one extreme of the umbratus complex
just as mixtus with its thicker semi-cylindrical hairless scape and broad
funicular segments represents the other. The discontinuous variation of the
scape character alone makes it possible to distinguish rabaudi as a separate
species.
Wilson considers that rabaudi is probably a common palearctic species
although hitherto seldom recognized and specimens have been so determined
by him from Sweden, Holland, France, Austria, Switzerland, Jugoslavia and
England (a queen labelled “Inghilterra Crawlei” in the Finzi collection).
Mr. J. A. Pontin has located more of Crawley’s specimens in the Oxford
University Museum and among them are series of queens, both unaccom¬
panied and accompanied by males and workers from Surrey, Berkshire and
Hampshire, which show all the rabaudi characters as described by Wilson.
The writer is grateful to Mr. Pontin and to Professor G. C. Varley for the
opportunity of seeing some of these specimens, all of which date to forty or
more years ago. No recent specimens of English rabaudi are known at the
present and much further information is required concerning the nesting
habits and distribution of this species. Rabaudi does not appear to occur in
the Midlands or N. Britain to judge from the writer’s own collection and
Pontin (personal communication) suggests that the species may be restricted
to the heathlands of S. England.
Because of the great variation in characters in populations of Lasius from
Eurasia and America as a whole Wilson’s keys are somewhat involved and rely
to a large extent on rather precise measurements. The couplet relating to
flavus and umbratus on page 30 for example reads as follows :
B
208
[November
“14. Either the genal margins of the worker seen in full face with standing
hairs prominent above the ground pubescence; or else the longest hairs of the
posterior half of the first gastric tergite (exclusive of the extreme posterior
strip) are distinctly less than half as long as the maximum width of the hind
tibia at its midlength. In the queen the head width is about the same as the
width of the thorax just anterior to the tegulae or greater .
. umbratus (Nylander) or rabaudi (Bondroit)
Genal margins of worker seen in full face lacking standing hairs; the
longest hairs of the posterior half of the first gastric tergite (exclusive of the
extreme posterior strip) at least half as long as the maximum width of the
hind tibia at its midlength. In the queen the head width is much less than the
width of the thorax just anterior to the tegulae . flavus (Fabricius”).
It will be noted that Wilson here uses an important diagnostic character,
namely the relative length of the semi-erect hairs on the back of the abdomen.
This appears to have been ignored by earlier writers and much facilitates the
ready distinction between umbratus forms lacking standing appendage hairs
and large workers of flavus which are sometimes superficially rather similar.
The difficulty of certain distinction between workers of the two species is
alluded to by O’Rourke (1950) but can now be simply resolved by examining
the worker in question in profile when the very short hairs particularly of the
mixtus form contrast with the much longer abdominal hairs of flavus. For
other members of the British Lasius the keys of Donisthorpe are adequate
enough and more easily followed. As already pointed out there is unfor¬
tunately no way of keying out rabaudi males and workers from umbratus and
queens are essential. Since rabaudi has standing appendage hairs, however,
there can be no confusion between it and the mixtus form of umbratus.
1957]
209
The British species and their synonyms after Wilson are as follows:
1. Lasius ( Lasius ) niger Linnaeus
Syn. Lasius niger var. alieno-niger Forel
2. Lasius {Lasius) alienus Foerster
3. Lasius {Lasius) brunneus Latreille
4. Lasius {Cautolasius) flavus Fabricius
5. Lasius {Chthonolasius) umbratus Nylander
Syn. Lasius mixtus Nylander
Lasius umbratus var. mixto-umbratus Forel
Lasius umbratus var. affino-umbratus Donisthorpe
6. Lasius {Chthonolasius) rabaudi Bondroit
7. Lasius {Dendrolasius) fuliginosus Latreille
Keys to the British Species
Keys to the Males
1 . Mandibles with five more or less distinct teeth . umbratus or rabaudi
Mandibles with single large apical tooth . 2
2. Head strongly emarginate, colour shining black . fuliginosus
Head not or slightly emarginate, colour brownish-black . 3
3. Scape and tibiae with outstanding hairs . niger
Scape and tibiae hairless . 4
4. Frontal furrow indistinct . flavus
Frontal furrow distinct . 5
5. Frontal furrow strongly marked, wings smoky . brunneus
Frontal furrow less distinct, wings clear . alienus
Keys to the Workers
1 . Colour shining black, head cordate . fuliginosus
Colour otherwise, head rounded to emarginate . 2
2. Colour yellow, eyes small . 3
Colour pale brown to blackish brown, eyes large . 5
3. Scape and tibiae with standing hairs . umbratus or rabaudi
Scape and tibiae hairless . 4
4. Hairs on upper surface of gaster long . flavus
Hairs on upper surface of gaster very short . umbratus
5. Scape and tibiae with standing hairs . niger
Scape and tibiae hairless . 6
6. Frontal area distinct . brunneus
Frontal area indistinct . alienus
Keys to the Queens
1 . Head at least as broad as thorax at widest point . 2
Head narrower than thorax . 4
2. Colour shining black, scale rounded . fuliginosus
Colour brownish, scale emarginate . 3
3. Scape conspicuously flattened, funicular segments longer than broad. . . .
. rabaudi
Scape otherwise, funicular segments more or less cup-shaped . . umbratos
210
[November
4. Underside of body yellowish, frontal furrow indistinct . flavus
Colour otherwise, frontal furrow more or less distinct . 5
5. Scape and tibiae with standing hairs . niger
Scape and tibiae hairless . 6
6. Frontal area clearly defined, wings smoky . brunneus
Frontal area indistinct, wings clear . alienus
Notes on the Species
L. niger is widely distributed from Sutherlandshire southward. In the
Scottish Highlands the species is restricted to river valleys and the sides of
lochs such as Oykell, Sutherland, Garve Ross and Loch Ness. It becomes
common on the coasts of S. Scotland and N. Ireland and is abundant and
generally distributed throughout England, Wales and S. Ireland. This is one
of the first species to colonize man-disturbed areas such as felled woodland
and quarries. It is frequently populous in gardens, invading glasshouses,
kitchens and larders during the summer months. It is an aggressive and
active species nesting in the soil, under stones and in tree stumps.
L. alienus occurs sporadically as far north as SW. Scotland but is charac¬
teristic of dry uplands and heaths in S. Britain. Examples of habitats where
the species is locally dominant are parts of the Malvems and Cotswolds,
many areas of dry sandy heath in S. England and the coasts of S. England
and S. Wales. It is recorded from a few coastal areas in Ireland and does not
appear to occur inland in England further north than Northamptonshire and
Warwickshire. It is less aggressive and conspicuous than niger and tolerates
drier situations, nesting in the soil, in turfy banks but not in tree stumps.
L. brunneus has been recorded from Bedfordshire (Chambers, 1955),
Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire (Pontin, personal communication). It is
not uncommon in Windsor Great Park and in parts of Worcestershire and
Gloucestershire (Collingwood, 1954). It is a tree inhabiting species nesting
in mature oak trees in this country but also occasionally in trees of other
species and in coppices. The species appears to be restricted to the S.
Midlands and the Thames valley but will probably be found to have a wider
range over S. England. Although colonies are populous, it is a fugitive ant
and may easily escape detection. Marriage flights occur in June at least a
month or more earlier than the other species of this sub-genus.
L. flavus occurs as far north as Berriedale in Caithness and is abundant in
the Loch Ness area and on the coasts of Banffshire and Aberdeenshire, but
does not become widespread inland until the S. Highland belt in S. Perthshire.
Further south it is extremely common and is probably the most abundant ant
in Britain. The species is characteristic of old pastures and grassy hillsides
where it builds the well-known earth mounds, but is also not infrequent
in woodlands nesting in tree stumps and along rides. Macrergates and
pterergates are not uncommon with this ant, which is the most polymorphic
of the whole genus. Large dark coloured workers and smaller paler workers
are usually present together in well established colonies.
Distribution of Lasius umbratus Nylander
Distribution of Lasius rabaudi Bondroit
212
[November
In all the above species fresh colonies are formed by single fertilized
queens alone. Occasionally two or more queens are found in the same nest
having probably started the colony together but single queens are the rule.
At the end of the season any remaining unfertilized queens or those that have
strayed back after a marriage flight are destroyed by the workers even in
queenless colonies.
L. umbratus is widely distributed in England, Wales, Scotland and
S. Ireland but, although taken as far north as Inverness-shire, is not common
in N. Britain and nowhere abundant in this country. Nests frequently occur
within the base of hollow trees or under deep stones. Occasionally earth
mounds are thrown up but there is no consistency in this feature and because
of its subterranean habits the species tends to escape observation. The queens
have relatively massive heads and slender bodies compared with flavus and
the niger group of species and there is some evidence from a few scattered
observations and somewhat artificial experiments that they are unable to
found fresh colonies unaided but do so by securing adoption with either
niger or alienus. The writer has found freshly dead queens of umbratus in and
about the nests of both alienus and niger on several occasions. It must be
admitted, however, that the evidence for the colony founding behaviour of
this group of species is scanty and further observation is desirable. In this
connection it is perhaps worth mentioning that Wilson failed to secure the
experimental adoption of American umbratus queens by various of the niger
group of species and the writer has come across colonies of the similar
hairless mixtus form in N. Britain in flavus territory where niger appeared to
be absent. Both forms of umbratus have the same range in Britain.
L. rabaudi probably has similar habits to umbratus but little is known
concerning this species as yet. As mentioned above the only known British
specimens are from Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire.
L. fuliginosus is the most conspicuous species of the genus, immediately
recognizable by its large size and shining black colour. It is local but widely
distributed in England from N. Lancashire, SW. Yorkshire and N. Lincoln¬
shire southward. It also occurs in the Isle of Man, S. Wales, S. Ireland but
not Scotland. It nests in trees but also occasionally in hedgerows, walls and
in the ground, making large carton nests. Colonies tend to remain in
possession of a site for a large number of years and frequently consist of
intercommunicating nests covering a small area of woodland, each nest linked
by workers moving in slow files over the ground. Such a colony has been
observed by the writer intermittently for over twenty years in a Surrey
woodland. The species sometimes starts fresh colonies through the adoption
of fertilized queens by umbratus workers and mixed colonies of the two
species have been reported on several occasions both in Britain and elsewhere.
Once established a colony will perpetuate itself by branch nests.
Donisthorpe (1927), although somewhat anecdotal and fragmentary, gives
much interesting and reliable information on the habits of the ants of this
genus and his work should still be consulted for detailed observations on the
British species.
Distribution of Lasius alienus Foerster
Distribution of Lasius brunneus Latreille
214
[November
References
Andre, Er., 1881. Species des Hymenopteres d’Europe et Algerie — Les Fourmis.
Gray, France.
Chambers, V. H., 1955. Further Hymenoptera Records from Bedfordshire. Journ.
Soc. Brit. Ent., 5: 126.
Collingwood, C. A., 1953. Ants in Galloway. Ent. Rec., 65: 297-8.
- 1954- Ants in the South Midlands. Ent. Gazette , 6: 143-9.
Donisthorpe, H., 1927. British Ants, 2nd Ed. London.
Forel, A., 1920. Les Fourmis de la Suisse, 2nd Ed. Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
O’Rourke, F. J., 1950. Distribution and General Ecology of the Irish Formicidae.
Proc. Roy. Irish Acad., 52: 383-410.
Staercke, 1944. Retouches sur quelques fourmis d’Europe. Ill, Autres Lasius. Ent.
Ber., 11 : 153-8.
Stitz, H., 1939. Die Tierwelt Deutchlands, 37: 1 — Formicidae. Jena.
Wilson, E. O., 1955. A Monographic Revision of the Ant Genus Lasius. Bull. Mus.
Comp. Zool ., 113: No. 1. Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A.
Yarrow, I. H., 1955. The British Ants allied to Formica rufa L. (Hym. Formicidae).
Trans. Soc. Brit. Ent., 12: 1-48.
Appendix
Since this paper was written examples of L. rabaudi from Porthcawl and
Horton in Glamorganshire taken by Mr. H. M. Hallett have been found in
the National Museum of Wales and in the Leicester City Museum. The
writer is grateful also to Mr. K. E. J. Barrett for an example from Surrey
taken as recently as 1954.
1957]
215
Notes on Some Species of Trichogrammatidae (Hym.:
Chalcidoidea) Omitted from the “Check List of British
Insects”
By W. D. Hincks
The list of Trichogrammatidae included in “A Check List of British
Insects” (Kloet and Hincks, 1945: 303-4) is very incomplete due to the
omission of a number of species mentioned by Blood in an overlooked paper
published in the “Annual Report and Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists’
Society” in 1923 (253-8). This omission was brought to light when Mr.
C. H. Ison kindly sent me some Mymarids and Trichogrammatids for
identification, including Centrobia walkeri (Foerster) (sensu Kryger), a species
not included in the “Check List” under that name. Reference to a manuscript
catalogue of the family recently very kindly placed at my disposal by Mr.
E. B. Basden showed that this and several others had been recorded as
British species by Blood in the above mentioned paper. The purpose of the
present notes is to draw attention to these lacunae and to make some correc¬
tions to their nomenclature which have become necessary in the light of
recent work on the family. To simplify reference those names not included
in the “Check List” are preceded by an asterisk (*).
Blood’s paper (*) commences with a list of British Trichogrammatidae
(1923 : 253) including nineteen species, of which five, attributed to “Blood”
in the list, are new to science although they are not specifically so indicated
in the text. The brief notes relating to each species are perhaps sufficient to
establish their identity and they have been accepted by Nowicki (1935) as dating
from 1923. Four of the five species were described subsequently by Blood
and Kryger (1928) without any mention of the 1923 paper and in one instance
under a different generic name. These four species were included in the
“Check List” as from Blood and Kryger, 1928, and are listed below with the
emended authority and date :
Grantanna Girault, 1939 ( Neocentrobia Blood, 1923, nec Girault, 1912)
hirticornis (Blood, 1923)
Monorthochaeta Blood, 1923, nigra Blood, 1923
Trachocera Blood and Kryger, 1928, longicauda (Blood, 1923) ( Asynacta )
Orthoneurella Blood and Kryger, 1929 ( Orthoneura Blood, 1923, nec
Macquart, 1829) bimaculata (Blood, 1923)
1 The numerous misspellings in this paper are here merely corrected without
detailed references.
2i 6 [November
Chaetosticha Haliday in Walker, 1851 {Chaetostricha Walker, in “Check
List”), *fumipennis (Blood, 1923) ( Centrobia )
The fifth new species introduced by Blood was Centrobia fumipennis
which was not mentioned in the 1928 paper and consequently was omitted
from the “Check List.” Nowicki (1935) has now transferred it to the genus
Chaetosticha Haliday in Walker, of which only the generotype is included
in the “Check List.” It should be noted that this genonym is usually spelt
“Chaetostricha” as given in the original publication (1851: 212) but this is
a misprint for “Chaetosticha” as indicated in the “Erratum” on page viii of
the 1851 volume.
Six other species appear in Blood’s list and notes which are not included in
the “Check List” under the Trichogrammatidae, though two of them are
listed under old Walkerian names in the Aphelinae. The names adopted by
Blood are as follows, obvious errors of spelling being corrected : Lathromeris
scutellaris Foerster, Centrobia walkeri (Foerster), C. silvestrii Kryger, C.
forsteri Kryger, Chaetostricha zverneri Kryger, and Brachista nigra Kryger.
Two of these names will stand as used by Blood, nomenclatorial changes
being necessary in the other instances as indicated below.
* Lathromeris Foerster, 1856, * scutellaris Foerster, 1856
Blood’s inclusion of this species in his list as a British species seems
prophetic since he stated that he had never seen it and that it has not been
recorded since its first capture in 1856 (in Germany!). It was recorded as a
British insect by Waterston (1926) on a specimen taken near Bristol by Blood
himself on July 1st, 1922! It was omitted from the “Check List.”
* Centrobia Foerster, 1856, doricha (Walker, 1839) ( Pteroptrix ) (* walkeri
(Foerster, 1851), *errata Nowicki, 1935)
Nowicki (1935) has stated that Kryger’s (1918) C. walkeri , introduced by
Blood in 1923, is not the same as Foerster’s species and proposed the new
name C. errata. He does not indicate in what way the two species -differ and
his statement has not been accepted by Nikolskaia (1952) who places C. errata
as a synonym of C. walkeri (Foerster). However, in 1951 Kryger showed that
the species known to him as C. walkeri is in fact identical with Pteroptrix
doricha Walker, 1839, after an examination of Walker’s type in the British
Museum (Nat. Hist.). Walker’s name appears in the “Check List” under
the genus Pteroptrix Westwood, 1833, in the Aphelinae, and as a result of the
type examinations of Waterston and Kryger it appears that this is a composite
group of small Chalcids including species with 3, 4 and 5-segmented tarsi !
* Centrobia silvestrii Kryger, 1920
This species retains the name under which it was introduced by Blood
(1923).
*Ufens Girault, 1911 (* Stephanotheisa Soyka, 1931) *forsteri (Kryger, 1918)
( Centrobia )
Nowicki (1935) has transferred Centrobia forsteri Kryger, to the genus
Ufens Girault, a step which has been followed by Nikolskaia (1952). The
former author also suggests that possibly Neocentrobia Blood, nec Girault,
1957]
217
may be a synonym of Ufens and N. hirtipennis Blood a synonym of U.fdrsteri.
Girault himself, however, has renamed Blood’s genus Grantanna , as indicated
earlier in this paper. Nikolskaia (1952) retains Neocentrobia as distinct from
Ufens but has overlooked the necessary change of name proposed by Girault.
Oligosita Haliday in Walker, 1851 ( '* Chaetostricha Kryger, 1918, nec Chaeto-
sticha Haliday in Walker, 1851), acestes (Walker, 1839) ( Pteroptrix )
(fwerneri (Kryger, 1918, Chaetostricha))
Nowicki (1935) has stated that Chaetostricha Kryger, 1918, is not the same
as Chaetosticha Haliday in Walker. This has been accepted by Kryger
himself (1951) who further sinks C. werneri as a synonym of Pteroptrix
acestes Walker, 1839, after an examination of Walker’s type. The latter name
is included in the “Check List” on p. 301.
Brachista Haliday in Walker, 1851, pungens (Mayr, 1904) if nigra Kryger,
1918)
Brachista *rufina Nowicki, 1936 (* pungens Kryger, 1918, nec (Mayr, 1904))
The genus Brachista was first described in 1851 but no species was
described until Mayr’s Br achy stir a pungens in 1904. It has been assumed that
Haliday had B. pungens before him when he characterized the genus but
there is no evidence to show that this species was British until Blood (1923)
recorded B. nigra Kryger, which has been shown by Nowicki (1936) after
a comparison of the types to be a synonym of the true B. pungens. The
reddish-brown species, or form, identified by Kryger (1918) as B. pungens
and mentioned by Blood (1923), was renamed B. rufina by Nowicki (1936)
who expresses doubts as to its specific rank. This synonymy is overlooked by
Nikolskaia (1952).
Two additional British Trichogrammatidae may be mentioned which were
not included in Blood’s list nor in the “Check List.”
Trichogramma Westwood, 1833, *semblidis (Aurivillius, 1897) ( Oophthora )
In a series of interesting papers Salt (1935, 1938, 1940) has maintained
that T. semblidis , parasitic on the eggs of the Alder fly ( Sialis lutaria (L.)), is
distinct from the polyphagous T. evanescens Westwood, 1833. Debauche
(1942) places T. semblidis as a synonym of Westwood’s species but does not
appear to have been aware of Salt’s work.
*Oligosita formosa Nowicki, 1935 ( *pulchra (Kryger, 1918, nec Girault, 1911)
( Chaetostricha )).
Bakkendorf (1934) states that Chaetostricha pulchra Kryger is a British
species, on the authority of Kryger himself who often collected in this
country in the company of his friend Dr. Blood.
One further matter calls for comment. The generic and specific names in
the “Check List” attributed to Walker, 1851, are usually referred to (Haliday)
Walker by continental authors. Reference to the paper in question shows
that certain new specific names are followed by (Haliday MSS.) and that a
“Synopsis of the Trichogrammini,” including a key to four genera, is
enclosed between quotation marks and followed by “Haliday MSS.”
I interpret this to mean that the specific names in question were bestowed
by Haliday but that the respective descriptions, which are consistent with
218
[November
others where Haliday’s name is not mentioned, were the work of Walker
himself. It is usual to acknowledge the use of a manuscript name in this way
but after its first appearance it is the practice to quote only the name of the
describer. The three new generic names in the synopsis between quotation
marks ( Chaetosticha , Brachista and Oligosita), however, are a different matter
and are clearly the work of Haliday. They should be altered in the “Check
List” from Walker, 1851, to Haliday in Walker, 1851, as indicated in the
foregoing paper.
References
Bakkendorf, O., 1934. Biological Investigations on some Danish Hymenopterous
Egg-parasites. Ent. Medd ., 19 (1933): 1-135.
Blood, B. N., 1923. Notes on Trichogrammatinae taken around Bristol. Ann. Rept.
& Proc. Bristol Nat. Soc. (4), 5 (5) (1922): 253-8.
Blood, B. N., and Kryger, J. P., 1928. New Genera and Species of Trichogrammidae
with remarks upon the genus Asynacta (Hym., Trichogr.). Ent. Medd., 16: 203-22.
Debauche, H. R., 1942. Trichogrammidae de Belgique (Hymenoptera Chalcidoidea).
Bull. Mus. r. Hist. nat. Belg., 18 (21): 1-13.
Kloet, G. S., and Hincks, W. D., 1945. A Check List of British Insects. Stockport.
(pp. 303-4O
Kryger, J. P., 1918. The European Trichogramminae. Ent. Medd., 12: 258-354.
- 1920. Further investigations upon the European Trichogramminae. Loc.
cit ., 13: 183-8.
- 1951- Notes on Chalcids, II. Loc. cit., 26: 98-121.
Nikolskaia, M. H., 1952. Fauna of the U.S.S.R., Chalcidoidea (in Russian).
(Trichogrammatidae: 509-37).
Nowicki, S., 1935. Descriptions of new genera and species of the family Tricho¬
grammidae (Hym., Chalcidoidea) from the Palearctic Region, with notes, I.
Z. angew. Ent., 21: 566-96.
- 1936. Ditto, II. Loc. cit., 23 (1937): 114-48.
Salt, G., 1937. The egg-parasite of Sialis lutaria : a study in the influence of the host
upon a dimorphic parasite. Parasitology, 29: 539-53.
- 1938. Further notes on Trichogramma semblidis. Loc. cit., 30: 511-22.
- 1940. Experimental Studies in Insect Parasitism, VII. The effects of
different hosts on the parasite Trichogramma evanescens Westw. (Hym., Chalci¬
doidea). Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond ., A, 15: 81-95.
Walker, F., 1851. Notes on Chalcidites, and descriptions of various new species.
Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (2), 7: viii, 210-16.
Waterston, J., 1926. On a new Trichogrammatid (Hym., Chalcidoidea) parasite of
the Cotton Stemborer ( Sphenoptera sp.). Bull. ent. Res., 16: 309-19.
1957]
219
Editorial
Early this year the Society for British Entomology was invited to enter
into an agreement with the newly formed British Trust for Entomology.
As a result of negotiations between the two bodies it was agreed that they
might amalgamate as follows. The Society is to retain its name, identity,
and will continue to publish its Transactions and Journal as at present,
except that the financial costs of publication will be borne by the Trust
which will therefore publish these periodicals for the Society. Wording to
this effect will appear on the title page. The Trust is to make itself responsible
for all the financial liabilities of the Society and in return for this the Society’s
assets will be taken over by the Trust. Members of the Society will auto¬
matically become members of the Trust and vice versa. The only exception
to this being the few honorary members of the Society.
Details of the working agreement were recently circulated to the members
of the Society and a postal ballot taken. One hundred and thirty-three (133)
of the Society’s 230 members replied. Of these 131 were in favour of the
working agreement and two recorded disapproval. It is clear, then, that the
Society is solidly behind the President and Council on this matter. In the
near future representatives of the Society and the Trust will meet to draw
up the final terms of the agreement.
As a result of this agreement it is foreseen that administrative costs will
be reduced, the quality and quantity of our publications will be raised and
their circulation increased.
The Society’s periodicals have, hitherto, contained papers dealing with
every aspect of British Entomology — those detailing with non-British insects
and other terrestrial Arthropoda being excluded. In recent years great
advances have been made in ecology. More and more insects are being
studied in relation to other terrestrial animals. For that reason it is not
always possible, nor indeed desirable, to restrict our publications to subjects
which are purely entomological. Council has, therefore, given permission
for a minority of papers to be published on British Arthropoda — other
than insects.
During the last two years the time taken for a paper to be published has
gradually been reduced. Today a period of about six months elapses from
the time a paper is accepted until it appears in print. It is hoped that both
members and non-members will take full advantage of the increased publi¬
cation facilities the Society offers. There is every reason to expect that the
Society will grow from strength to strength, but this cannot be achieved
without the co-operation and support of all members — of which that of
authors is, of course, paramount.
220
[November
Tenth Congress of British Entomologists, Manchester
26th-29th July, 1957
The tenth Congress of the Society was held at Ashbourne Hall, Manchester,
by kind permission of the Vice-Chancellor of the University and the co-opera¬
tion of the Warden, Miss K. G. Gough. The Congress comprised some
thirty resident members and about an equal number of day visitors. The
general arrangements for the Congress being made by Dr. W. D. Hincks.
The Congress assembled on Friday, 26th July. Dinner was followed by
an informal social evening at which a number of films of entomological
interest were shown. These included the Danish film on Sexton Beetles,
Dr. von Fritsch’s film on the “Dance of the Bees” and the new Shell film
on the life cycle of the Migratory Locust entitled “The Ruthless One.”
Saturday, 27th July
The Congress was officially opened by Professor Mansfield Cooper, Vice-
Chancellor of the University, who welcomed the members on behalf of the
University and wished them learned and fruitful discussions.
The first paper was given by Professor Eastham, of Sheffield University*
and entitled “Some recent advances in our knowledge of insect feeding
mechanisms.” Professor Eastham first described the brilliant unpublished
work of one of his former students, Mr. Willington, on the feeding mechanism
of Corixa. These insects are of special interest because they are liquid feeders
which have secondly become adapted to feeding upon solid material. With
the aid of Willington’s beautiful diagrams the lecturer described the intricate
arrangement of the head muscles by which food is sucked into the oesophagus
and then outlined the mechanism for crushing and triturating the food
particles so obtained.
Professor Eastham then described Dr. Creighton’s work on the feeding
mechanism of adult Caddis Flies and explained the action of the complex
labial setae. Finally the lecturer explained how the proboscis of Pieris coils
and uncoils and is used to extract nectar from flowers. The lecture was
delivered with a high standard of lucidity and clarity with which Professor
Eastham’s name is invariably associated.
After morning coffee Dr. Noel Hynes, of Liverpool University, discussed
the distribution of “The British Stoneflies” and pointed out that the
Plecoptera were a group which had been much neglected by British entomol¬
ogists, but that their importance in freshwater biology had led to study of
their ecology and young stages. As a result it was now possible, in Britain,
to identify quite small nymphs, and this had enabled data to be collected
on their distribution. He showed maps of the distribution of 31 of the 34
species recorded from Britain, the other three species being probably now
extinct because of pollution of our large rivers. Of the 31 species three are
1957]
221
known only from Britain and three, or possibly four, others have distinct
British races. On the basis of the known distributions and the recent
geological history of these islands he discussed the possible rate of speciation
in the order and the origin of the British stonefly fauna. He concluded that
the distribution of a few species could be accounted for on ecological grounds,
and that the others probably arrived in Britain in two main waves of immigra¬
tion, the first of which had been early enough to allow 17 species to reach
Ireland. He suggested that the truly British species might be survivors of
an older European fauna, and that the British races of European species had
either evolved here in the astonishingly short period of 7,000 years, or also
represented types which had since been replaced on the continent by
other races.
Dr. Owen Gilbert opened the afternoon session by describing the “Life
Histories of Four Species of Calathus (Carabidae).” He explained how
he had studied the life histories of C. erratus , C. fuscipes , C. melanocephalus
and C. mollis living on the coastal sand dunes of North Wales. The larvae
of these four species are to be found throughout the winter and pupate in
April or May. Callow adults occur in late May and June, and adults of
C. erratus and C. fuscipes are most abundant in July and August, disappearing
during October and November, whereas C. mollis and C. melanocephalus
adults are most abundant in September and October, though some adults
are to be found at almost any time of the year. C. erratus and C. fuscipes
oviposit from July to October and the species over- winters as a third instar
larva. In contrast C. mollis and C. melanocephalus oviposit from July to
January and all three instars are to be found during the winter. Some adults
of all species survive until their second summer. Dr. Gilbert showed how
these differences of life history are also correlated with changes in the
condition of the gonads.
Dr. E. Broadhead, in his address on “Taxonomic and Ecological
Problems in the Psocoptera,” gave a valuable general review of our
present knowledge of this insect Order. A virtually complete bibliography
comprises only about 800 papers, the majority of these being taxonomic
and, to date, about 1,300 species have been described. Seven people have
contributed in a major way to the development of the classification of the
group — McLachlan in the last century, Banks, Enderlein and Ribaga in the
first quarter of this century, and Badonnel, Roesler and Pearman during the
last 30 years. The classification of the Order, proposed by Pearman in 1936,
has now been widely accepted, although minor modifications will no doubt
be made in the light of future work. A dozen or more excellent and extensive
monographs on a regional basis, but of course with no claim to completion
as far as number of species is concerned, are now available, covering
Hawaii, Japan, Indo- Australian region, New Zealand, Seychelles, Java,
Ceylon, Angola, Belgian Congo, U.S.A. and Peru, as well as the monograph
on European psocids by Badonnel in the Faune de France, 1943. This is
the only comprehensive work available for our own psocid fauna.
Little work has been done on aspects other than taxonomy. General
biological information on the European psocids has been brought together
by Pearman, 1928, Badonnel, 1943, and Hartmann, 1951. Most of the
222
[November
anatomical and morphological work is to be found in two papers (Ribaga,
1902, and Badonnel, 1934). Four papers (Fernando, 1934, and Goss, 1952,
1953, j954) deal in detail with embryology — oogenesis, ovarian development
and early and advanced development — and one paper (Boring, 1913) records
the chromosome number of a psocid species. Fossils are dealt with in several
papers (by Enderlein, Hagen, Tillyard and Carpenter). The fossil material
is mainly Oligocene, although interesting psocid fossils are known from the
Permian, with one primitive form from the Upper Carboniferous.
Generally speaking, our knowledge of psocids in all aspects is very meagre
indeed, and advances are likely to be very slow. The number of people who
have published papers on psocids in the last 10 years is only 17, and at the
present moment only about seven or eight are actively working on this
group. A wide field is open to anyone taking up an interest in these
animals.
Dr. Broadhead then discussed a few selected topics — the morphology of
the ovipositor, comparative study of mating behaviour, the incidence of
psocids in warehouses and ships’ holds in Britain and ecological problems
arising from a six-year study of psocid ecology in the Pennine region of
Yorkshire.
Male and female genitalic structures in psocids have followed their own
independent evolutionary modifications.
The remaining topics discussed have already been published and are to be
found in the following papers. Broadhead, E., 1952, A comparative study
of the mating behaviour of eight Liposcelis species. Trans. IXth Int. Congr.
Ent. Amsterdam , 1951, 1 : 380-3; - , 1954, The infestation of warehouses
and ships’ holds by psocids in Britain. Ent. mon. Mag., 90: 103-5; - ,
1957, The psocid fauna of larch trees in northern England — an ecological
study of mixed species populations exploiting a common resource. J. anim.
Ecol. (in press); Broadhead, E., and Thornton, I. W. B., 1955, An ecological
study of three closely related psocid species. Oikos 6: 1-50.
The final paper in the afternoon session was given by Dr. M. W. Holdgate
on “Insects and the Surface Film.” After an introductory account of
the physical principles of wetting, the lecturer showed that the water contact
angles of insects show a wide variation which is broadly correlated with
roughness of the surface and the type of habitat.
The lecturer also showed that in Tenebrio the contact angle declines
immediately after moulting, but rises to its former value some 10 hours
later. With the aid of reflection electron micrographs of the surface, the
lecturer showed these changes were associated with the secretion of the wax
layer of the cuticle.
In terrestrial insects the contact angles are generally large, whereas aquatic
insects frequently have low contact angles.
Finally, Dr. Holdgate discussed how the form of the Whirligig Beetle
(Gyrinus) is adapted to living at the surface of the water.
In the evening there was an exhibition of specimens by members and
visitors.
1957]
223
Dr. W. D. Hincks exhibited a wide range of entomological literature
dating from 1744 to the present day. Amongst this collection there were
some handsomely illustrated Japanese publications which created a great
deal of interest. Dr. Hincks also exhibited a collection of typical insects
from Millers Dale.
Mr. Alan Brindle exhibited a collection of British Cylindrotominae.
This is a small group of Crane flies, which is, according to Alexander,
decadent, being better represented in the early and middle Tertiary deposits
than at present. In Britain there are only four species. The larvae are of
special interest, because they feed on bryophytes. Cylindrotoma and Diogma
have terrestrial larvae which feed on moss, whereas the larvae of Triogma
and Phalacrocera are aquatic, feeding on Hypnum and Sphagnum respectively.
Mr. R. O. Brinkhurst exhibited alary polymorphism in the Gerroidea
(Hemiptera Heteroptera).
It is well known that there are many polymorphic forms in the Gerroidea,
ranging from macropterous to apterous. These specimens illustrate the
alternative forms of some species. It has been shown in the genus Gerris
that the short winged form is almost restricted to the first generation of
bivoltine species. There is little variation in form of univoltine species such
as Gerris najas and Gerris costae. This is considered to be related to the
need for flight in the autumn and spring, at which times the insects are
moving to and from over-wintering sights on land.
Mr. H. Britten exhibited specimens of Trypetidae mounted on celluloid
and with the genitalia dissected to show the form of the male claspers. A
specimen of a male Urophora jaceana in cop. with a female Ceriocera cornuta
was also exhibited.
Dr. Bartindale exhibited a large collection of British Water Beetles,
which had much of great interest to Congress members.
Mr. Crewdson exhibited a collection of various British Lepidoptera
collected by him or bred from captured females and their progeny.
Mr. Kerrich exhibited a complete collection of British Perilampidae
(Hym. Chalcidoides).
Saturday evening, by tradition, was devoted to a Conversazione and
Congress Dinner, sherry kindly being provided on this occasion through
the generosity of the Manchester Entomological Society.
Sunday, 28th July
Just before 10 a.m. a coach and four cars left Ashbourne Hall for an
excursion to Chee Dale and Millers Dale. These two localities are situated
on the Carboniferous limestone and contain a rich and varied fauna. Un¬
fortunately the sky was overcast and the number of insects on the wing
was small compared with what might have been available under better
conditions.
In the evening there was an informal discussion on the day’s collections.
224
[November
Monday, 29th July
In a review of “The Insect Cuticle” Mr. Blower surveyed the work since
Wigglesworth’s classic paper in 1933 up to the present day. Pointing out
that a subject, which had already been reviewed twice within eight years
by Wigglesworth and had been treated in encyclopaedic fashion by Richards
in a book, was not readily amenable to a short synthesis. He briefly treated
two important aspects historically: the nature of the hardening processes
and the structure and physiology of the epicuticle.
A series of important contributions to the study of insect cuticle has been
made and are being made by Professor Dennell and his students at
Manchester. We were therefore privileged in having one of Professor
Dennell’s students, Mr. J. H. Kennaugh, to give a “stop press” account of
recent advances in our knowledge of the chemistry of the hardening process.
Mr. Kennaugh described how the investigation by paper chromatography
of cuticle extracts from Calliphora and Periplaneta had lead to a new view
of the origin and nature of the phenols, which form the precursors of the
tanning agents in sclerotisation.
Dr. E. J. Popham, in a paper entitled “The Feeding Habits of Earwigs,”
showed that although there was a great similarity in the form of the mouth
parts of mandibulate insects, yet a more detailed study revealed that they
were used in a diversity of ways from one order to another. After describing
how Forficula auricularia L. (the Common Earwig) feeds, he suggested that
the early Dermaptera were herbivorous and that the form of the Dermapteran
head was an adaptation towards carnivory in specialised habitats, such as
litter or under bark. From a generalised omnivorous feeder, such as
Cranopygia there were trends towards almost complete carnivory in several
subfamilies. The Labiidae being specially adapted for subterranean
carnivory, the Forficulidae showed trends towards the evolution of tunnel¬
ling mouth parts, which was associated with a secondary return to a
predominately herbivorous mode of life.
The closing address was given by the President, Mr. G. S. Kloet, M.Sc.,
entitled “Entomythology.” This was a masterpiece of wit, satire and good
humour, illustrated with his inimitable cartoons. From the very first slide
insects lifted us from earth into flights of fantasy. Here we saw entomologists
from an insect’s point of view. The lecture was in every sense entomological;
it was in fact mainly nonsense, but nonsense of such a high order that the
Editor is unable to publish a word of it — at least for the time being.
It was upon this note of good humour that the Congress closed. Votes
of thanks were given to all concerned and especially to Dr. W. D. Hincks,
who was responsible for its organisation.
1957]
225
Reviews
Richard E. Blackwelder. Checklist of the Coleopterous Insects of
Mexico, Central America, the West Indies and South America.
United States National Museum, Bulletin 185 (part 6). Smithsonian
Institution, Washington, D.C. 1957.
The first five parts of Dr. Blackwelder’s important compilation were
published from 1944 to 1947 (pp. xii-f 1-925) and consisted of a Check List
of Neotropical Coleoptera which is beyond the scope of the present notice.
After a delay of 10 years part 6 (pp. vii+ 926- 1,492) has now appeared,
consisting of the bibliography (pp. 927-1,388), corrigenda and index. The
long delay has been caused, we are informed in the Introduction, by the
inexplicable loss of the whole of the compiler’s bibliography, and by the
preparation of a new and more comprehensive one. It is the bibliographical
section of the work which is of special interest to British Coleopterists.
Bibliographies are very important tools in the hands of the working entomolo¬
gist, providing they are carefully compiled. It is clear that the greatest care
has been exercised in the present instance and we learn from the Introduction
of the many errors of date and other details which were discovered and
corrected, an experience which seems to be the lot of all serious cataloguers.
British entomologists will find the details of many of our standard authors
such as Curtis, Stephens, Westwood and others, accurately recorded, and
also the major continental works which are so widely used by British
Coleopterists.
The title pages of many of the older works, published in parts over several
years, are frequently very misleading as to the dates of publication, and
Blackwelder’s careful research provides a marked advance in the biblio¬
graphical treatment of such publications. The compiler, on the other hand,
would be the first to agree that there are still many anomalies awaiting
clarification. For instance, the well known, beautifully illustrated work of
Voet (Catalogus Systematicus Coleopterorum) is dated 1806 on the title page
but would appear to have been published in parts from 1769; no copies
appear to have survived in the original parts, however. An anomaly which
has come under the writer’s notice concerns Guerin-Meneville’s “Species
et Iconographie generique des Animaux Articules,” published in nine parts,
from January, 1843, to February, 1849, and comprising 36 articles. Horn
and Schenkling (1928-9, Index Litteraturae Entomologicae) as well as
Blackwelder, refer the whole work to Guerin-Meneville although articles
17 to 32 are clearly stated to be by M. de la Ferte-Senectere and articles
16 and 35 by J. O. Westwood. Neither of these authors are acknowledged
as contributors by the standard bibliographies, except Sherborn, as will be
seen below. Both Horn and Schenkling and Blackwelder cite de la Ferte-
Senectere’s “Monographic des Anthicus” as Paris, 1848. Sherborn (1922,
Index Animalium ; lxxvi) however, has pointed out that this work is actually
a reprint, with altered headings, of the author’s contributions to Guerin-
Meneville’s publication. In this case the title page is dated 1848 but dates
from November, 1846, to May, 1847, represent the first publication.
226
[November
Of course there must be many problems of this kind still outstanding,
some of purely bibliographical interest, others affecting the correct date of
publication of genera and species. It is true to say, however, that the labours
of Dr. Blackwelder have provided Coleopterists with a bibliography which
will enable them to achieve a much greater degree of accuracy in biblio¬
graphical citation. W.D.H.
Bestimmungstabellen Der Blattminen Von Europa by Erich
Martin Hering.
Band I (pp. 648), Band III (pp. 221), 6" X 9|", 1957, The Hague, Dr. W. Junk
The subject of leaf-mining insects has long been associated with the name
of Professor Hering and his many papers and several larger works have come
to be regarded as the standard texts on the subject. His “Die Blatt-Minen
Mittel- und Nord-Europas” was published in six parts from 1935 to 1937,
but unfortunately had not achieved general distribution before the war when
the remaining stocks were destroyed. The admirable introductory “Biology
of the Leaf Miners” was published in 1951, in English, thanks to the
excellent translation of Mr. K. Spencer. Owing to a lamentable lack of
support by English speaking entomologists the proposed new edition of the
first mentioned work has now appeared in German. Two of the three
volumes are before us: volume I being the keys to leaf-miners arranged
under host-plants A to L, and volume III containing 86 plates comprising
about 750 line drawings of mines and details of miners. Volume II, con¬
taining host-plants M to Z, is promised for November of this year. The
text so far issued includes 3,133 leaf-miners (some polyphagous species being
duplicated under different food plants) out of a total of 5,551. The first
thing that strikes one when the two editions are compared is the far more
extensive range of included species in the second and the greatly increased
biological, distributional and other data which the present volumes include.
Professor Hering’s work is of such a fundamental nature as to be essential
to all those interested in leaf-miners — it is a vital necessity to students of
micro-Lepidoptera and of the Agromyzidae and related mining Acalyptrate
Muscoids. Care has been lavished on the work by its author as even a
superficial examination will reveal, and the publishers have clothed it
adequately. Henry Tibbats Stainton, the pioneer British student of leaf-
miners, would have greatly appreciated Hering’s fine volumes and one can
imagine with what pleasure and laudatory comment he would have reviewed
it in the Entomologist’s Annual of 1870. The recent work of Mr. Kenneth
Spencer and his colleagues on the British Agromyzidae has shown what
can be done under the stimulation of Professor Hering. Is it too much to
ask that British micro-lepidopterists should study under the same master ?
W.D.H.
1957]
227
The Water Relations of Terrestrial Arthropods by Dr. E. B. Edney
Professor of Zoology in the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
Cambridge Monographs in Experimental Biology , 5
Cambridge University Press, 1957, pp. 109, 32 text figures. 15s. nett
Just after the last war we witnessed a fascinating and spectacular step
forwards in our understanding of the water-conserving properties of the
insect cuticle. This had resulted from physiological studies proceeding
hand-in-hand with accumulating knowledge of the histology of the cuticle.
Professor Edney begins his book with a scholarly review of this subject and
gives us such a careful and lucid account of the facts, the underlying physical
theory and the resulting arguments and conclusions that the flaws now stand
out sharply. It is a series of object lessons in scientific method and a model
of enlightened review and criticism.
Ten years ago the picture of the insect cuticle in relation to water con¬
servation seemed very complete ; a superficial wax layer reduced transpiration
at normal temperatures but at a certain “critical temperature” which varied
from species to species the wax molecules were disorientated and a sharp
rise in transpiration resulted. Waxes from several species of insects were
removed and red? posited on inert membranes where they were found to
show the “critical temperature” appropriate to their species. Mechanical
damage to the wax layer or solution of the wax by chloroform demonstrably
increased the rate of transpiration. Recently, however, it has been shown
(in large part as the result of the work of Edney and his students) that the
data from which curves were drawn to demonstrate the “critical temperature”
do not, in fact, show a sharp rise in transpiration but an approximately
exponential increase. The presence of a “critical temperature” can no longer
be regarded as evidence for the presence of a wax layer and, of course, it
follows that the absence of a “critical temperature” is not evidence for
postulating the absence of a wax layer.
Professor Edney does not merely summarise the development of this
classic edifice and then demolish it; he makes a clear appraisal of just what
is left and where and how future work may throw further light on these
problems. In the introduction to the book it is observed “the main stimuli
for the study of water relations came from ecology” — but it is clear that
some of the work reviewed has very tenuous connections with the lives of
arthropods in the field; perhaps the author could have made a clearer differen¬
tiation between the data obtained from experiments with dead insects as
opposed to that obtained from experiments on living animals.
The author does far more than discuss how the arthropod cuticle may or
may not conserve water, however; he reviews the whole question of the
water economy of excretory and osmo-regulatory processes and the various
devices for obtaining water from the environment — by metabolism of solid
food, by drinking or by absorbing water or water vapour. The book concludes
228
[November
with a discussion of body temperature and transpiration. Here the author
adds an account of what is perhaps the most fascinating aspect of his own
work on woodlice to a clear exposition of the work of others in this field.
The final judgment of a monograph of this type must be made in terms
of the number of lines of work it opens up in one’s mind. The reviewer
found himself planning far too many research projects after an evening
with this book. J. Gordon Blower.
A Revised Key to the British Water Bugs (Hemiptera-Heteroptera)
by T. T. Macan. ( Freshwater Biological Association , Scientific Publication
No. 1 6. Price to non-members 4 s. oi.).
The previous keys to Aquatic Hemiptera (Sci. Publ. Nos. 1 and 4) have
done much to encourage the study of these insects by both professional and
amateur entomologists. It is not surprising, therefore, that both these pub¬
lications have been out of print for several years. Readers will, therefore,
welcome the news that these two works have been revised and re-issued in
a single volume, at a very reasonable price of only 4/-. Dr. Macan has
expanded the text, added several diagrams and modernised the nomenclature.
The ecological data has been expanded in the light of nearly twenty years
researches on the subject. The booklet ends with a well chosen bibliography.
NOTICE
A collection of PHOTOGRAPHS of BRITISH ENTOMOLOGISTS
(amateur and professional) with biographical notes is being formed to
present to the HOPE DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY, OXFORD
UNIVERSITY, for custody, reference and upkeep. Each photograph is
mounted on a stout, linen- jointed quarto page with biographical notes typed
beneath and covered with transparent, protective sheet. The pages are
assembled in loose leaf albums. British entomologists are invited to send
their photographs and notes to Dr. C. D. Day, 7 Weymouth Avenue,
Dorchester, Dorset. An unmounted, professional one of head and
shoulders, about 4" by 5" or at least 3J" by 4|", SIGNED and DATED
(the date of taking) on the front of the photograph itself, and stiff card
protected is requested. The notes desired include : full name, home address,
date and place of birth, places of education, any degrees, awards, distinctions,
former occupation, occupation, any war service, chief entomological work or
interests, names of any species found new to Britain, any publications, other
interests, recreations, etc., married, family.
1957]
229
Taxonomist’s Glossary of Genitalia in Insects, edited by S. L.
Tuxen.
1956, Ejnar Munksgaard, Copenhagen. 284 pp., 215 ff., 6|" X 9J"
The most prominent development in the field of insect taxonomy during
the twentieth century has been the great increase in the use of criteria
derived from the genital organs. Having developed along specialised lines,
independently in different groups and orders, an astonishing and even
bewildering diversity of nomenclature has resulted, with almost no attempt
at homology. During a symposium on the use of genitalic characters in
insect taxonomy at the Ninth International Entomological Congress at
Amsterdam in 1951, Dr. S. L. Tuxen proposed that a group of specialists
should be asked to contribute to a glossary which might help to remove
some of the difficulties which beset the subject. It is greatly to Dr. Tuxen’s
credit and to his great editorial ability that this work has now appeared
after so short a period as five years. The contributions of the 34 specialists,
covering 29 orders which make up part I of the work, have been kept to
reasonable bounds, are written in English and are well illustrated. Part II
(pp. 175-284) is the major contribution of the volume and was prepared
solely by Dr. Tuxen. It consists of a glossary of more than 4,000 different
terms, mirabile dictu , which have been applied to the description of insect
genitalia — surely individuality gone mad! Taxonomists owe a great debt to
Dr. Tuxen for initiating this enterprise, for his able editorship and, not the
least, for his spectacular lexicographical achievement of almost Johnsonian
proportions. The volume is nicely turned out, handles well, and is thoroughly
desirable by the working taxonomist. W.D.H.
Congratulations
The Society offers its hearty congratulations to its President, Mr. G. S.
Kloet, on being awarded an honorary degree of M.Sc. by the University of
Manchester, in recognition of his outstanding services to the cause of
entomology both at a national and local level. His “Check List of British
Insects,” completed in collaboration with Dr. W. D. Hincks, is a unique
masterpiece. It is gigantic both in its conception and execution. Today
there are few entomologists who have not frequent recourse to it.
Mr. Kloet has, for many years, been a leading figure of the Manchester
Entomological Society, which he has represented as a member of the Com¬
mittee of the Manchester Museum.
The Society owes much to Mr. Kloet’s prudent leadership, especially
during his period of office as President. We all, therefore, rejoice that he
has received the distinction he deserves and wish him every success in
the future.
[November
OBITUARY
Frederich James Killington, D.Sc.
News has been received, and was announced at this year’s
Congress, of the death of Dr. F. J. Killington, founder member of
our Society.
Frederich James Killington was born on ist July, 1894, at
Eastleigh, Hampshire, eldest son of James Killington, a coach-
builder. He won a scholarship to Peter Symonds School, Win¬
chester. From there he went to University College, Southampton,
where he won an exhibition for an extension for two years. His
studies were interrupted by the war. In 1918 he took up the
profession of school-teaching at Southampton, where most of his
career was passed. In 1932 he was granted two years’ leave to
study at Jesus College, Oxford; he obtained his B.Sc. in 1932, and
was awarded the degree of D.Sc. in 1939.
He was renowned for his studies on the Neuroptera, particularly
the British species. These culminated in the production of his
two-volume Ray Society monograph of the British Neuroptera,
published in 1936-37, which was a model of what such standard
work should be. In it he treated the systematics, external and
internal anatomy, and bionomics very fully; in the systematic part
he gave descriptions of all stages of the species. The illustrations
were mainly his own, particularly noteworthy being his coloured
plates of wings of Hemerobiidae.
Killington was one of the group of southern entomologists who
founded our Society, as the Hampshire Entomological Society, and
brought it through two further instars to emerge in 1934 of the full
stature of which we know it today. He acted for many years as
Editor of the Society, first with the assistance of Dr. B. M. Hobby,
and later with an enlarged editorial board. Of later years, owing
to failing sight, he ceased taking an active part in entomology and
in the affairs of the Society.
He married at Portland in 1916 Dorothy Bartlett, who survives
him, together with two married daughters and five grand-children.
His collection is now in the Hope Department. G.J.K.
R.I.P.
It is with deep regret that the Society also learns of the death of
PHILIP HARWOOD
An extend notice will be published in the next issue of the Journal
R.I.P.
( Continued from inside front cover )
ORTHOPTERA, Etc.
A Summary of the Recorded Distri¬
bution of British Orthopteroids.
By D. K. McE. Kevan, 1952. 16 pp.,
55. o d.
HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA
The Natural Classification of
British Corixidae. By G. A. Walton,
1943. 14 pp., 15. 9 d.
Contributions towards an
Ecological Survey of the Aquatic
and Semi-Aquatic Hemiptera-
HETEROPTERA OF THE BRITISH ISLES.
Anglesey, Caernarvon and
Merioneth. By E. S. Brown, 1943.
62 pp., 35. o d.
North Somerset. By G. A. Walton,
1943. 60 pp., 26 figs., 45. o d.
Scottish Highlands and East
and South England. ByE. S. Brown,
1948. 45 pp., 75. 6 d.
The Ribble Valley (Lancashire
South and Mid). By E. J. Popham,
1949. 44 pp., 1 map., 85. o d.
North-East Wales (Denbighshire
and Merionethshire). By E. J.
Popham, 1951. 12 pp., 25. 6d.
The Hemiptera-Heteroptera of Kent.
By A. M. Massee, 1954. 36 pp.,
75. 6d.
The Bionomics and Immature Stages
of the Thistle Lace Bugs ( Tingis
ampliata H.S. and T. cardui L.;
Hem., Tingidae). By T. R. E. South-
wood and G. G. E. Scudder. 85. o d.
COLEOPTERA
The Aquatic Coleoptera of North
Wales. By E. S. Brown, 1948. 15
pp., 1 fig., 15. o d.
The Aquatic Coleoptera of Wood
Walton Fen, with some compari¬
sons with Wicken Fen and some
other East Anglian Fens. By F.
Balfour- Browne, 1951. 36 pp., 45. 6d.
LEPIDOPTERA
The Morphology of Luffia ferchaul-
tella and a Comparison with L.
lapidella (Psychidae). By R. S.
McDonogh, 1941. 19 pp., 9 pis.,
45. o d.
List of the Lepidoptera of Dorset.
Part 2. By W. Parkinson Curtis,
1947. 138 pp., 4 pis., 1 15. o d.
Postural Habits and Colour-Pattern
Evolution in Lepidoptera. By
M. W. R. de V. Graham, 1950. 16
pp., 4 pis., 4 figs., 45. o d.
HYMENOPTERA
A Consideration of Cephalic Struc¬
tures and Spiracles of the Final
Instar Larvae of the Ichneumoni-
dae. By B. P. Beirne, 1941. 68 pp.,
31 figs., 55. 6 d.
Second Review of Literature con¬
cerning British Ichneumonidae.
By G. J. Kerrich, 1942. 35 pp.,
7 figs., 35. o d.
The Hymenoptera Aculeata of Bed¬
fordshire. By V. H. Chambers,
1949. 56 pp., 3 maps, 105. o d.
An Introduction to the Natural
History of British Sawflies. By
R. B. Benson, 1950. 98 pp., 9 pis.,
105. o d.
Notes on Some British Myrmaridae.
By W. D. Hincks, 1950. 42 pp., 5
figs., 1 pi., 55. o d.
The British Species of the Genus
Ooctonus Haliday, with a Note on
some Recent Work on the Fairy
Flies (Hym., Myrmaridae). By W. D.
Hincks, 1952. 12 pp., 8 figs., 45. o d.
The Natural History of some
Pamphilius Species (Hym., Pam-
philiidae). By V. H. Chambers,
1952. 16 pp., 4 pis., 55. o d.
A Study of some British species of
Synergus. By J. Ross, 1951. 16 pp.,
45. o d.
A Revision of Section I (Mayr, 1872)
of the Genus Synergus (Hym.,
Cynipidae) in Britain, with a
Species new to Science. By R. D.
Eady, 1952. 12 pp., 4 pis., 45. o d.
The British Ants allied to Formica
fusca L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
I. H. H. Yarrow, 1954. 16 PP-> 8 figs..
3 maps, 5 5. o d.
The British Ants allied to Formica
rufa L. (Hym., Formicidae). By
I. H. H. Yarrow, 1955. 48 pp., 58
figs., 1 map, 105. 6d.
DIPTERA
Preliminary List of the Hosts of
some British Tachinidae. By H.
Audcent, 1942. 42 pp., 25. 9 d.
An Outline of a Revised Classifica¬
tion OF THE SYRPHIDAE (DlPTERA) ON
Phylogenetic Lines. By E. R.
GofFe, 1952. 28 pp., 3 figs., 65. o d.
A Revision of the British (and notes
on other) Species of Lonchaeidae
(Diptera). By J. E. Collin, 1953.
28 pp., 3 pis., 3 figs., 6 5. o d.
Orders, accompanied by the appropriate remittance, should be addressed to the
Hon. Secretary.
CONTENTS
Bailey, R. : Observations on the Size of Galls formed on Couch-grass
by a Chalcidoid of the Genus Harmolita . 199
Collingwood, C. A.: The Species of Ants of the Genus Lasius in
Britain . 204
Hincks, W. D. : Notes on Some Species of Trichogrammatidae Omitted
from the “Check List of British Insects” . 215
Editorial . 219
Tenth Congress of British Entomologists, Manchester, 26th-29th
July, 1957 . 220
Reviews . 225
Obituary: Dr. F. J. Killington . 230
Communications should be sent to :
E. J. Popham,
Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13
The author of any published paper shall, if he so request at the time of
communicating such paper , be entitled to receive twenty-five copies thereof
gratis
Information regarding the Society may be obtained from the Secretary,
J. G. Blower, Department of Zoology, The University, Manchester, 13
Printed by Sydenham & Co. (Est. 1840) Ltd., Printers, Oxford Road, Bournemouth
MCZ ERNST MAYR LIBRARY
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